Dan wrote << Let me give a parallel. For 50 years, the United States defended Europe against the Soviet Union. Was this a mistake? Should we just have let the Soviets take over Europe, to better foster understanding?>>
Jeroen wrote <<Your parallel is flawed. The people of Western Europe never lived under Soviet occupation, while the Palestinians have been living under Israeli occupation for decades.>> Ilana I was born in Latvian Republic of Soviet Union and lived there first 13 years of my life. Too many Latvians (and other Baltic nations) see themselves as occupied by Soviet Union. Interesting, but they never tried terrorism to free themselves. Dan <<The US and the Soviet Union (with a bit of help from other allies, defeated Nazi Germany. Was the best solution to let the Nazis live with the Dutch until hatred disappeared into understanding?>> Jeroen <<Um, bad parallel. You are drawing a parallel between Nazi occupation and Israeli occupation. No matter how wrong the Israeli occupation is, it does not match the horrors of the Nazi occupation.>> Ilana Thank you, thank you, thank you! (donnes (sp) imaginary hat) Dan <<Why were two thirds of the Jews killed last century after Jews live in Europe over a thousand years? At the time, Germany was a urbane sophisticated country.>> Jeroen <<They were killed because of one madman who managed to get himself democratically elected, then did away with democracy, and started a genocide.>> Ilana He had plenty of help. Jeroen <<(Something I believe Sharon to be capable of as well, and something I believe he would immediately do if he could get away with it.)>> Ilana <SIGH> Will it help to ask again why you believe so? Ilana from Israel
