Halls of Shrewd'm / US Policy
No. of Recommendations: 3
Driving back from lunch with GF today, I listened to NPR as is my usual preference. The soft spoken NPR interviewer was interviewing various Palestinians about what their experience has been, what they have seen, how they are coping, etc. The responses were what you would expect, fear, tales of hardship, not knowing how to explain this to children, rationing water, deaths of friends and family members, not knowing the fate of others, the sounds of the bombs, and explosions. Truly awful stuff.
After dragging all this emotion out of the interviewee, I wish the reporter would conclude with a couple of contextual questions, like, Did you vote for Hamas?, Do you believe that Israel has a right to exist?, Do you practice Sharia Law? These answers would help me adjust my sympathy response.
No. of Recommendations: 3
I agree. NPR is great, but not perfect. That context would have added some nuance. Maybe interview one who voted for Hamas, and one who didn't.
I once heard that Hamas was popular because it provided aid to ordinary folks. Hearts and minds stuff. Which may very well be true, and may result in a lot of support for them.
The concerns of the ordinary person likely doesn't extend much beyond meeting the needs of their family. And not getting shot or blown up.
No. of Recommendations: 2
Remember, even with cheering and chanting, Hamas doesn't represent Palestinians.
Yet, if an extremist blows up an abortion clinic, you and me are feeding the bomber champagne and strawberries in a jacuzzi somewhere.
No. of Recommendations: 5
Yet, if an extremist blows up an abortion clinic, you and me are feeding the bomber champagne and strawberries in a jacuzzi somewhere.
No. The view of the fellow who put together the initial anti-abortion videos is that abortion became an issue when vangies discovered they could raise money on the issue. 120 years ago clergyman advised young ladies to get abortions. Then Xtians of sorts decided the moment of conception was when the sperm hit the egg, which they got from the evil scientists. I know scientists are evil cause Ivermectin told me so. But when someone tosses a bomb, that means that's the emotions you are generating with your campaigns for money and power (a good wedge issue for pollys).
From a pastor:
The Bible has instruction no how to perform an abortion (Numbers 5:11-31), prayers for God's female enemies to suffer miscarriages (Hosea 9:14), and God tells the Israelites to kill every child and pregnant women in a city (Joshua:6-21) [Eerily similar to a recent event?]
As for "baby-murder" the bible has SONGS 🎶 about splattering the infants of Israel's enemies against the rocks (Psalms:137-9), God himself murders David's infant son for his infidelity (2 Samuel 12:13-18), as well as countless other babies in Genesis 6-7 and Exodus 11.
Me: So the whole abortion issue is recent and there because it's a good wedge issue (power), and the vangies could raise money on it.
