Gaza

[ManDownUnder]

There is a solution to this: destroy completely the state of Israel and disputed neighbouring territories. Unlike this current supporating sore, a nuclear wasteland will eventually heal itself. Start by obliterating the city of Jerusalem to prove that the world is serious.

If over-indulged children can't share the toys, take the toys away. Parenting 101.

But it's the Holy land!

I wonder if that's meant to be holey land...

or perhaps "Holy!" - as in HOLY FUCK WHAT'S THAT MUSHROOM CLOUD?

[Fatjim]

Minto has no right to harass an individual going about her trade.
Maybe if she was part of a National Team...


As for the rest, it's a genuine "no win" argument.

Now that the Superpowers have stopped using the region as a pissing competition area, it is full of confusion.

Israel is overreacting to a problem that it had a hand in creating, slowly choking the life of Gaza and then pretending to be surprised when trouble erupted.

Hamas are playing the victim, but essentially using their own people as human shields for their fighters. The people were crazy to elect Hamas, but several generations of economic oppression, occupation and violence will do that to you.

The problem with discussing this problem is perspective.

You have to go back to at least Balfour to really get a handle on this problem, but most people only go back to 9/11, or 1948 at best. GO back a century, at that point you can see how the bad guys become our friends and the oppressed become the oppressors.

For example - King David Hotel - Jewish Terrorists including one future Israeli PM murder innocent civilians. Or how 'bout how the Israeli Army stood by and let Christian Druze Militia kill refugees in Lebanon? In the meantime Hamas and other Arab terrorist randomly lob rockets into Israel and horrorify the Western sensibilities with suicide weapons.

If you think you can see a good guy in this mess, think again. The only certainty about the Middle East is that everyone has blood on their hands...

Only going back a 100 years is a bit shallow.

[Hitcher]

But it's the Holy land!

That phrase is emotive clap trap designed to support people behaving badly towards others. It reeks of priviledge, prejudice and propaganda. This chunk of our planet is no different to any other. I am sure high explosive works just as effectively there at demolishing man-made structures as anywhere else.

The reason I favour a nuclear destructive option is to act as a deterent for people wishing to going back there.

[enigma51]

That phrase is emotive clap trap designed to support people behaving badly towards others. It reeks of priviledge, prejudice and propaganda. This chunk of our planet is no different to any other. I am sure high explosive works just as effectively there at demolishing man-made structures as anywhere else.

The reason I favour a nuclear destructive option is to act as a deterent for people wishing to going back there.

a lighting bolt is going to strike you down

[Hitcher]

a lighting bolt is going to strike you down

Another reason not to follow too closely behind Buells?

[oldrider]

Israel can't end this war by stopping shooting, only Hamas can.

Israel can end the war by keeping shooting, approx 25000 Hamas to go.

And if you don't want a man in a turban insisting that you get a turban just like his, then lets hope Israel do a good job of it.

Hamas have the first goal of the destruction of Israel. Their second goal is the destruction of everything else.

Who, amongst these warmongering factions, stand for the same beliefs of "freedom" as we in New Zealand do?

If Hamas become the victors in this conflict, will that strengthen our position? (IMHO) "NO".

If Israel are the victors and remain free in "*their?" land, will that benifit us here in New Zealand? (IMHO) "YES". (Hobson's choice)

* I do not actually believe the State of Israel should ever have been created but it has and now it should remain a "free" state.

That is realy food for another thread, this one is about "Minto"!

As I declared earlier, (IMHO) Minto is a (selective) twat! John.

[Oscar]

Only going back a 100 years is a bit shallow.

It's beyond most people's comprehension - the majority of 'Mericans takes the long term and shallow view i.e. Israel is in the Old Testament and the Towelheads were responsible for 9/11, therefore Israel mu8st be the good guys.

[Maha]

Minto's just a professional protester. He sees a cause, organises signs, people, and a venue - and goes at it.

His principle tactic is to raise attention to things by annoying people that (quite often) don't deserve it. I think it's fair he shouold be annoyed back, regularly...

I agree Ned, the thread is about Minto, seems to be alot of Religous Raving going on.

So? Reading all of your post, I cannot see one single reference to how this young female tennis player has contributed to any of the situation in Israel/Palistine.

Can anyone please explain why Minto is picking on a young female who wasn't even born when most of the issues being raised by the pro Palestine posters on here even occured?

Exactly my point Jantar, she also paid her own way to come down here and play, only to be greeted with Steptoe's double chanting on about shit that no doubt concerns her but she has no political agenda what so ever, shs's a tennis player.

Maha for PM!

You tell em dude!

Well thats one vote...

Can I point out that the original post was regarding protestors having a go at a tennis player. Therefore discussion of the conflict in Gaza is off topic. It is related but not relevant. Separate thread seems appropriate.

For me, the ultimate irony in all this was the protestor's placard shown in this morning's herald which said something to the effect of "bullying is not OK".
How else would you define a bunch like this having a go at a 22 year old female?

Thanks Neil, all the war analizing and biblical learning is kinda weird.

PS: Like the tags...even a Maconroe Quote

[roogazza]

Some of the elderly here may remember 81 and twat minto ?
The PR24 was affectionately renamed "The Minto bar" !!!! Gaz.

[Maha]

Some of the elderly here may remember 81 and twat minto ?
The PR24 was affectionately renamed "The Minto bar" !!!! Gaz.

He did have alot of support in 81'....(I was not one of them) but he more haters. He has lost whatever edge/mana he once had, his protest yesterday had about as much omph as the annual Woodville RSA Bowls Tournament....

[Manxman]

Funny how he didn't let out a squeak while the elected government of Palestine was firing unguided, indiscriminate Russian & Iranian rockets into the nation of Israel for the past 7 years.

Concur.

Palestine fires into Israel for many moons (and, incidentally, during a 'ceasefire'), but as soon as Israel finally lose patience (after the 'ceasefire') and retaliates by kicking some serious arse, the protagonist cries foul. Mmmmmm.

Civilian casualties are largely being caused by Palestinian cowards (who don't wear uniforms to identify themselves) hiding among the general population. That's asymmetric warfare for ya - just how do you identify the bad guys these days?

I'm surprised Israel didn't act sooner...

[Maha]

I support this guy Minto whoever he is. That Israeli tennis player is not hot enough.

Now, Sharapova....ahem...we demand more of that kind.

Dont get them started on the 'Cold War' Marmoot.

[Winston001]

Some Middle Eastern Country's have hated each other for hundreds of years, and it will continue to be that way for years to come, we as a peaceful Nation should embrace any visitor, not protest against them.

No offence Maha because most people believe that - but its utter rubbish. The Jewish people are Semitic as are the Arab peoples. They are brothers. Islamic Arabs honour the Jewish prophets and simply believe that Mahmoud is the most recent and gave the really good oil. The Jews disagree but they have all got along pretty well despite that.

The Middle East is composed of tribes which warred against each other. Have a look at the history of Europe and show me any difference. Take a look at the Balkans today.

[SARGE]

What about if we protest against the protests!!

hea .. been thinkin bout heading down to the Green Party HQ in Kingsland with a bad attitude and a duffle bag fulla shoes myself .. ..


filthy hippies...

[Winston001]

Nice try, James, however....

http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/balfour.htm

Which is indisputably the beginning of this Middle East calamity.

"During the First World War, British policy gravitated towards the creation of a Jewish home in Palestine. This was encouraged, in part, by a wish to motivate Jews in Russia towards the continuation of the Russian war effort, at that time endangered by engulfing revolution.........

The Balfour declaration:

" His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country."

"Indisputably" huh? You have much to learn Grasshopper.

There's no argument that the Balfour Declaration was crucial for setting in train the political will for the creation of Israel. However to bring Churchill and Stalin into the mix as being the progenitors of todays bombings and death is just wrong. I mean, why not blame the Ottomans, or the great warrior Saladin, or Richard the Second, or Tamerlane, or ultimately - the Romans (bloody Romanes Eunt Domus). They all had their hands in Palestine at one time or another.

The Israel we see today has it's genesis in the rise of Zionism in the 1870s. Jewish people raised money and went to Palestine where they bought desert land from Palestinian Arabs. Those guys were happy to sell to fools with money.

This quiet and entirely lawful process continued for decades. Then after WWII a deluge of Jewish refugees from Europe fled there as being the one place on Earth they might be safe.

Just a final note - 19.4% of Israelis are Arab, and 4% Christian/Druze/Armenian etc. As for the Jewish people, 43% are secular = non-religious. So don't think this is a religious stoush.