An awkward conversation

Navigation

User login

Online users

GooseKaler
Rick
agathafrye
Phil Owen
einmaleins
JMK

Support OlyBlog

OlyBlog is run by volunteers who care about Olympia. If you like what we're doing, make a donation:

OlyBlog is powered by:

Who's new

GooseKaler
LongRider
non illegitimi ...
acreatureapart
eristalis

An awkward conversation

Submitted by Rick on Sat, 02/04/2006 - 5:45pm.

An independent account about the recent episode in Gaza. From International Solidarity Movement:

The other week some friends from Olympia received a visit by militants in Rafah whom explained that the whole group was to be kidnapped to pressure the Palestinian Authority to release an al-Aqsa brigades leader. The parents of Rachel Corrie happened to be around, they had what was certainly an awkward conversation which miraculously ended with the armed people leaving and being somewhat polite and apologetic about the whole incident. The seven Olympians had to be driven out of the Gaza strip in a siren blasting convoy of Palestinian police vehicles. The event was indicative of the chaos in the Palestinian areas and the near-impossible job of the PA when armed factions empowered during the heat of the uprising hold the balance of power in some places, especially in lock-down Gaza, although that is nothing compared to the difficulty that the PA faces when Israel blockades and violates the areas they are supposed to control.

Rick's blog
Login or register to post comments

I am not sure that "awkward"

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Sat, 02/04/2006 - 8:43pm.

I am not sure that "awkward" quite does justice to the feelings that might have been in the room during the conversation. I think that fear would be the first feeling. And then, hope, and finally massive relief. Yes, it might be awkward a little bit, but it sounds like there was a genuine misunderstanding on the part of the to-be-kidnappers, who were gracious enough to listen to reason in the face of their desperate situation and desire to get attention for their position.

I think that it is of utmost importance for each of us to ask ourself; "What would I do if I were in his/her/their shoes?"

The answers may not be easy when we truly take the time to imagine what it would be like to be essentially trapped in an oppressive state by a truly tyrannical militarist gov't.

Empathy doesn't equate to agr

Submitted by The Fire Inside on Sat, 02/04/2006 - 8:51pm.

Empathy doesn't equate to agreement.

Empathy doesn't necessarily e

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Sat, 02/04/2006 - 9:35pm.

Empathy doesn't necessarily equate to agreement, but it can lead to understanding, which can lead to acceptance, and further, to tolerance.

Those kidnappers-to-be were able to empathize with the Corries and the ISM members and understand and accept the fact that kidnapping them was not in anyone's best interest.

For example, I don't agree with George Bush's war mongering policies - but I can understand that they are rooted, ultimately, in a fear-based system of thinking and living. But I am still having a hard time with acceptance, and certainly tolerance, in this case.

I don't know. Did I just blow my whole argument?

I think that there's a miscon

Submitted by The Fire Inside on Sat, 02/04/2006 - 10:07pm.

I think that there's a misconception that if one is able to understand another person/idea that tolerance will soon follow.

So yes, in a way I do think you recognized this, using an issue which you will likely never come to tolerate.

I hear a lot of what you said in the original post, that if we have a greater understanding we'll learn to tolerate.

There are a number of educated people who do not tolerate, regardless of the amount of information/knowledge they are in possession of.

To take it a step further, I think there are certain things which we shouldn't tolerate.

I am glad, though, that the potential kidnappers realized how counterproductive their actions are.

Hopefully they will be able to get the same message out to their peers.

From: http://www.csmonitor.co

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Sat, 02/04/2006 - 9:58pm.

From: http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0203/p09s01-coop.html

Here's a great perspective; the commentary of Mustafa Abu Sway:

We have seen foreign visitors support our political rights and defend Islam. Indeed, despite being non- Muslims themselves, they have come to the defense of Muslims in their own countries when the need arose.
The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) declared its position on kidnapping and the taking of hostages in their communiqué which was published in September 2004. In what follows, I paraphrase and summarize their statement, which draws on verses and examples in the Koran prohibiting kidnapping. The full text is available in Arabic on www.Islamonline.net:
[...]
link to the whole article

Good piece.::Sigh:: But how m

Submitted by The Fire Inside on Sat, 02/04/2006 - 10:11pm.

Good piece.

::Sigh:: But how many people do you think on the ground level are reading the Christian Science Monitor?

Hell, for that matter, how many people in the West do you think read it?

It's like articles in academic journals. The people who need to be reading it aren't.

OlyBlog.net

OlyBlog is devoted to citizen journalism, including hyperlocal news and discussion specifically about Olympia, Washington. If you care about this community and are tired of corporate media, then this is the place for you.

If you'd like to contribute, please register for an account. Here is a list of local news beats that need to be covered. You can post your news as a personal blog entry, and it will be reviewed (and possibly edited) for promotion to the front page. Once you've established a record of responsible blogging, you can become an autonomous user. You can also send news via email. All members of OlyBlog agree to abide by our comment and fair use policies. If you are frustrated about something said in a comment thread, go here.

Now playing at: