[civiltech]

He is a terrorist. Doesn't matter how you dress him up.

[Dr Caleb]

I agree. There can be no peace while Arafat lives. <br /> <br />He has repeatedly called for the death of all Isrealis, has siphoned billions of dollars of aid off to France in his wife's name, and generally been the one factor which prevents the two sides from reaching any sort of peace. <br /> <br />I will cheer out loud when he finally dies of Aids. <br /> <br />

[robert_fisher]

Sharon is no better. That's my stance. Maybe when they are both gone. <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/lol.gif' alt='Laughing Out Loud'> <br /> <br /><a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1091229,00050004.htm">Ariel Sharon Congratulates Bush</a>

[Stymiest]

[QUOTE BY= robert_fisher] Sharon is no better. That's my stance. Maybe when they are both gone. <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/lol.gif' alt='Laughing Out Loud'> <br /> <br /><a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1091229,00050004.htm">Ariel Sharon Congratulates Bush</a>[/QUOTE] <br /> <br />You are a moron <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/surprised.gif' alt='Surprised!'>

[Kory Yamashita]

Stymiest, please refrain from name-calling.

[lesouris]

[QUOTE BY= civiltech] He is a terrorist. Doesn't matter how you dress him up.[/QUOTE] <br /> <br />What do you mean by terrorist? Could you please define what you concider a terrorist and give proof that Arafat fits this mold. When we use loaded terms, we should all state exactly what we mean by them so that we can have a rational conversation that does not break down into petty bickering.

[Kory Yamashita]

I looked at a few definitions of terrorism. THey're copyrighted, so I'll paraphrase: <br /> <br />Terrorism: the calculated use of violence against civilians to indimidate and thus manipulate a state <br /> <br />A lot of definitions have "unlawful" at the beginning. I don't really agree with that, since it depends on whose laws you go by. Often there are jurisdictional disagreements on what is terrorism and what isn't. <br /> <br />And note that the US army is, by the above definition, terrorizing Iraqis.

[civiltech]

RYERYYTWY

[lesouris]

I am sickened by people who are waiting for Arafat to die with such hope and optimism; he's a human being and should be treated with respect and dignity as all people should. I don't care what he's done, or what anyone's done, but when someone's on their death bed, I wish people would show some respect. <br /> <br />It's the same thing with the War on Terror: <br />"We're going to hunt down and kill those terrorist killers." - does anyone else see the irony in that statement? <br /> <br />So basically what I'm saying is that even if Yasser Arafat didn't show mercy or compassion to the Israeli victims of the Intifadas, does that mean we have to sink to his level? Isn't our whole arguement against him that we would show mercy? How guiltless are we afterall? How many clothes do you own that were manufactured in sweat shops (and don't give me that "it helps third world economies" arguement unless your willing to go and work in a sweat shop yourself)? How many people have died of hunger whilst we throw away our food? How many people died of AIDS while we were looking for a cure for erectile dysfunction? How many people of the future will die because of our pollution? <br /> <br />I think it's a shame that Western Civilization has resorted to such a position of moral superiority. Nothing justifies terrorism, but nothing justifies imperialism either. <br /> <br />So please, next time you think about condemning a human being to death, think first about all of the social ills you're responsible for (however partially) and try and do something about it. <br /> <br />

[Stymiest]

[QUOTE BY= lesouris] I am sickened by people who are waiting for Arafat to die with such hope and optimism; he's a human being and should be treated with respect and dignity as all people should. I don't care what he's done, or what anyone's done, but when someone's on their death bed, I wish people would show some respect. <br /> <br />It's the same thing with the War on Terror: <br />"We're going to hunt down and kill those terrorist killers." - does anyone else see the irony in that statement? <br /> <br />So basically what I'm saying is that even if Yasser Arafat didn't show mercy or compassion to the Israeli victims of the Intifadas, does that mean we have to sink to his level? Isn't our whole arguement against him that we would show mercy? How guiltless are we afterall? How many clothes do you own that were manufactured in sweat shops (and don't give me that "it helps third world economies" arguement unless your willing to go and work in a sweat shop yourself)? How many people have died of hunger whilst we throw away our food? How many people died of AIDS while we were looking for a cure for erectile dysfunction? How many people of the future will die because of our pollution? <br /> <br />I think it's a shame that Western Civilization has resorted to such a position of moral superiority. Nothing justifies terrorism, but nothing justifies imperialism either. <br /> <br />So please, next time you think about condemning a human being to death, think first about all of the social ills you're responsible for (however partially) and try and do something about it. <br /> <br />[/QUOTE] <br /> <br />I have lost all hope for that region. I seriously thought during the camp david meeting things would get settled but after they left Camp DSavid with no deal and the intifada restarted I realized their is no hope for the region. The problem with this region is you have a bunch of factions vying for control in a small place. <br /> <br />The Palestinians have the different terror cells and politicians which are the real ones calling the shots and are merely the puppeteers of Arafats regime. The you have the near fanatical Jewish settlers who insist on settling in land that is not rightfully theirs. In between them you have Israel caught in everyones crosshairs. On one hand they have to worry about not putting to much force on the Palestinians then on the other hand they ahev to worry about not pissing the thousands of settlers. <br /> <br />Its a very tough situation and I do not envy anyone who has to try and clean it up but I believe it is the root of many of the problems this world is facing and unless we do something about it I fear it will only get worse. <br /> <br />I fear we could see another Middle East war in the near future except I am not sure who the sides will be. Iran is developing Nuclear Weapons. Egypt is rebuilding its armed forces at a record pace and with ultra modern american equipment. Saudi Arabia is being driven further and further into turmoil. One thing is certain the west must do something before it is to late.

[robert_fisher]

[QUOTE BY= Stymiest] [QUOTE BY= robert_fisher] Sharon is no better. That's my stance. Maybe when they are both gone. <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/lol.gif' alt='Laughing Out Loud'> <br /> <br /><a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1091229,00050004.htm">Ariel Sharon Congratulates Bush</a>[/QUOTE] <br /> <br />You are a moron <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/surprised.gif' alt='Surprised!'> [/QUOTE] <br /> <br />Moron. Why? Maybe I should start a new thread..."Why is robert_fisher a moron" and you can fill in the blanks. So anyway like I was saying: <br /> <br />Reuters: <br /> <br />"The Arab world reviles Sharon for leading the 1982 invasion of Lebanon, during which Israel's Lebanese Christian allies killed hundreds of Palestinians in two refugee camps. Sharon was forced to resign as defence minister after an Israeli inquiry found him indirectly responsible." <br /> <br />The world would be a better place without leaders that cozy up to the US. It's unfair that one country has been labeled as a home to "different terrorist cells", while the other's 'best friend' is the biggest bicep in the world body. Fighting has continued...regardless of promises of peace from both sides leaders. <br /> <br />[QUOTE BY= lesouris] <br />I think it's a shame that Western Civilization has resorted to such a position of moral superiority. Nothing justifies terrorism, but nothing justifies imperialism either.[/QUOTE]

[lesouris]

I have just learned that Yasser Arafat has passed away in the Paris hospital in which he has been receiving treatment. I would like to express my solemn condolences to the Palestinian people.

[Stymiest]

[QUOTE BY= lesouris] I have just learned that Yasser Arafat has passed away in the Paris hospital in which he has been receiving treatment. I would like to express my solemn condolences to the Palestinian people.[/QUOTE] <br /> <br />A1 now lets crack a bottle of champagne and find out what happened to the billions of dollars of foreign aid arafat syphoned <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/mrgreen.gif' alt='Mr. Green'>