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patphil

(6,212 posts)
Tue Dec 12, 2023, 02:46 PM Dec 2023

I've never seen any one event both polarize and anger the members of DU as the Hamas attack has.

I'm not writing this to create more of the same, but just to ask people to not let this drive a wedge between us.
The sad fact is that we can't do much about what's happening over there, but we can affect what happens here.
Make your points, but please be civil.
This is the most violent, destructive and deadly war in the middle east in decades; it's not easy feeling helpless in the face of this incredible tragedy.
For those of you who have personal connections to this conflict, my heart goes out to you.

18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I've never seen any one event both polarize and anger the members of DU as the Hamas attack has. (Original Post) patphil Dec 2023 OP
I am on the side of innocent women and children and always have been. It's not a popular thing here. onecaliberal Dec 2023 #1
innocent women and children are very popular. maxsolomon Dec 2023 #3
This isn't the first big challenge here! Hope22 Dec 2023 #2
Yes, I think Hillary War I in 2008 was worse Warpy Dec 2023 #12
It was definitely worse! N/t Hope22 Dec 2023 #13
I think that we are being forced markodochartaigh Dec 2023 #4
That pretty much sums up my view. patphil Dec 2023 #5
I've avoided leaving posts on this subject SCantiGOP Dec 2023 #6
I want *nothing* to do with anyone who uses 'From the River To the Sea'. The Mouth Dec 2023 #7
2016 moniss Dec 2023 #8
I don't take sides Skittles Dec 2023 #9
It also puts Biden in a no-win situation. Rizen Dec 2023 #10
In my opinion Trump would, in essence, markodochartaigh Dec 2023 #11
The wedge has been here drmeow Dec 2023 #14
Yes, I recently used ignore for the first time. I didn't like to do it, but the person preactically insisted. patphil Dec 2023 #15
This time around drmeow Dec 2023 #18
Indeed. intheflow Dec 2023 #17
This message was self-deleted by its author traitorsgalore Dec 2023 #16

maxsolomon

(33,400 posts)
3. innocent women and children are very popular.
Tue Dec 12, 2023, 04:50 PM
Dec 2023

all sides of the i/p debate like innocent women and children.

Warpy

(111,352 posts)
12. Yes, I think Hillary War I in 2008 was worse
Tue Dec 12, 2023, 06:24 PM
Dec 2023

My ignore list got huge, then DU separated the combatants away from GD and into their own forum.

I see DU has done that for this conflict, also. It's very wise of them to do it quickly.

My only side is the one where the non combatants of any age or sex are located. I mourn their deaths on both sides.

Mostly, I want the slaughter to end. Enough, already. It's time to dump leadership with bad policies and listen to people who recognize the humanity of the other side and will work with them to develop better policies.

Allowing a bunch of men who have been hanging around like farts in a phone booth, feeding on rage on one side and fear on the other, to keep controlling things will lead only to more of the same.

markodochartaigh

(1,153 posts)
4. I think that we are being forced
Tue Dec 12, 2023, 05:10 PM
Dec 2023

into a false dichotomy. It shouldn't be The Netanyahu government/Jews vs Hamas/Palestinians. It should be Netanyahu government/Hamas vs Jewish/Palestinian civilians.

I do also wonder why the Hamas attack occurred on Putin's birthday. The horrific conditions in Gaza are nothing new. Hamas is closely linked with Iran. Iran is closely linked with Russia. Putin has been trying to sow strategic chaos around the world in order to drive democracy into the arms of Strong Leaders.

patphil

(6,212 posts)
5. That pretty much sums up my view.
Tue Dec 12, 2023, 05:17 PM
Dec 2023

Iran is a close ally of Putin, and they also arm and train Hamas. I can't prove it, but the connection is obvious. Putin needed conflict in the middle east to direct attention away from his war against Ukraine.
And the leaders of both sides in the middle east have their own reasons for fanning the flames of war.
We can only hope that, when this war is over, both the leadership of Hamas and Israel are no longer in power.

The Mouth

(3,164 posts)
7. I want *nothing* to do with anyone who uses 'From the River To the Sea'.
Tue Dec 12, 2023, 05:29 PM
Dec 2023

I don't care what you call yourself, when you approve and suggest genocide, as anyone using that phrase does, you are dead to me.

I've read a few comments saying 'It doesn't mean that'. Right, and I have a right to tell Black people what isn't racist... NOT.

If the IDF would take a overweight 62 year old with a bad foot, I'd leave tomorrow for Israel to fight.

Skittles

(153,193 posts)
9. I don't take sides
Tue Dec 12, 2023, 05:40 PM
Dec 2023

Last edited Tue Dec 12, 2023, 07:45 PM - Edit history (1)

I am sick of the entire region with their never-ending issues.

Rizen

(723 posts)
10. It also puts Biden in a no-win situation.
Tue Dec 12, 2023, 05:46 PM
Dec 2023

If he doesn't back Israel against Hamas he looks antisemitic. But if he supports Israel it pisses off the people who want a free Palestine. The important thing to remember is Trump's foreign policy is a million times worse.

markodochartaigh

(1,153 posts)
11. In my opinion Trump would, in essence,
Tue Dec 12, 2023, 06:20 PM
Dec 2023

be on the side of the other authoritarians, Netanyahu, Hamas, Putin, the Iranian ayatollahs, as they all use their people as pawns.

drmeow

(5,024 posts)
14. The wedge has been here
Tue Dec 12, 2023, 09:39 PM
Dec 2023

Last edited Wed Dec 13, 2023, 11:23 PM - Edit history (1)

for as long as I've been a member of DU. Every time in the past 15 years that this forum spills into GD or onto the Greatest Page, my ignore list has grown. People (myself included) are dogmatic about it. I no longer engage - I just put the most egregious ones on ignore. There are plenty of smart, informed, reasonable people on DU, I don't need to engage with the one's who go to far.

patphil

(6,212 posts)
15. Yes, I recently used ignore for the first time. I didn't like to do it, but the person preactically insisted.
Tue Dec 12, 2023, 09:41 PM
Dec 2023

drmeow

(5,024 posts)
18. This time around
Wed Dec 13, 2023, 11:25 PM
Dec 2023

I've just been trashing every single post - no matter what viewpoint it takes. I just can't cope with any of it right now!

intheflow

(28,504 posts)
17. Indeed.
Wed Dec 13, 2023, 06:11 AM
Dec 2023

That’s the whole reason the forum was created, to keep this wedge from affecting domestic political discussions in the big forums.

Response to patphil (Original post)

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