Comments on: A Thought Experiment

By: Taibbi vs. Friedman, Round 2 « Matthew Mundy

Taibbi vs. Friedman, Round 2 « Matthew Mundy — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:46:55 +0000

[...] detaches the situation from any meaningful context – a criticism of the media I mentioned in a previous post. And while it’s difficult to fault Friedman in particular here – he is merely one of many [...]

By: Adam Freud

Adam Freud — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:59:38 +0000

Sorry Ms. Anonymous! I didn’t realize that Mundy knew any females.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:24:40 +0000

Mr. Freud, apologies if I misunderstood something here. I think your statement about the civilians that Mr. Mundy was writing about might have come across differently than intended. Saying that it is sad to kill civilians, “especially” if they are innocent, is not the same as saying that you think Israel should cease its bombing (which has targeted schools, etc.) because so many civilians are dying and being targeted. Arguments about the threat Hamas poses for the Jewish community and how that justifies what is currently happening in Gaza are, though not ill-intentioned, certainly somewhat ill-informed. I just can’t see how anyone can support bombing the hell out of UN schools and aid trucks – which, as well all well know, is happening left and right. Apologies, though, if I misunderstood the message you were trying to get across. Sounds like I misread it a little bit and reacted too soon. Too often, though, people support the mass killings of Palestinians under the guise of protecting the Jewish community, however, particularly in the mass media – and I just find it a little unsetting. I would find it unsettling if this was happening between any two groups. I support the right to attack military and governmental targets, but not the regular folk who just happen to live there. And, truth be told, I am just trying to keep the discussion going – so I hope you didn’t feel picked on, and I’m sorry that I misunderstood, I just like hearing this debate talked about. I appreciate hearing your side of things, too, though. Oh, and it’s Ms. Anonymous

By: Adam Freud

Adam Freud — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:46:28 +0000

You may want to read a tad closer, Mr. Anonymous. I never said “all” in my post nor did I generalize that the entire population should suffer. I clearly stated that only those associated with Hamas: the people that voted them into “office”, allowing them to use their homes as rocket-launching pads, and Hamas members themselves. Of course I don’t think the innocent, non-participatory civilian should be held accountable for any of this! That’s ridiculous!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:32:25 +0000

The previous comment makes it sound like all of the Palestinian people living in Gaza are anti-semitic….kind of a disturbing generalization, the same sort of generalizing and ignorance that has caused so much suffering for innocent groups of people (including, obviously, Jewish people for many years). Being okay with killing innocent people – including scores of innocent children – because they are members of a certain ethnic group and live in a certain place is definitely taking a step backward in terms of thinking, and really comes across as (for lack of a better word) kind of ignorant. I agree that any group or government that wishes to kill Jewish people (or any other group) is fair game to be targeted and that actions need to be taken. But wiping out civilians indiscriminantly, and bombing the hell out of schools and such – seriously don’t get how someone could be okay with that or convince themselves that the kids that are dying are a threat to Jewish people all over the world…..just my humble opinion…

By: Adam Freud

Adam Freud — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:43:46 +0000

The previous submission didn’t seem to work .. maybe there’s a URL spam filter or something.

A couple very short, small little insights that I found interesting:

http://jeffreygoldberg.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/01/nizar_rayyan_of_hamas_on_gods.php

http://jeffreygoldberg.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/01/the_worlds_pornographic_intere.php

By: Adam Freud

Adam Freud — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:43:15 +0000

These “civilians” voted in a government that has the extermination of all Jews written explicitly in its charter. Civilian casualties are sad, yes … especially those that didn’t vote for Hamas. However, as one of those targetted to be wiped off the map by Hamas, I can hardly feel sorry for any card-carrying member that is killed, nor those that let them fire rockets from their homes, nor those that willingly voted them into power initially. The whole situation sucks no matter what the stance is, though. But, on a personal level, I have absolutely no qualms with ridding the world of people who wish me (and all of those under my religion’s umbrella) dead.

Still love you though, Mundy <3 You make me harder than a katyusha rocket.