I completely agree. I have a Mac G4 Dual 1.25 GHZ 2GB Ram that I bought in 2003 for 5k.... So expensive at the time, but I am using it right now, and absolutely LOVE this machine. It is 4years old and can still out blaze most of my friends machines. 4 years $1250 each year. and I will probably still use it for another year. So that comes down to 1k per year. 1k a year of no viruses, no deny allow, and the ability to edit all of my films in FCP and use the lastest Apple OS without a hitch. I just recently bought a 17" MacBook Pro and love it as well. For the longest time I was a PC junkie, and still have a Dell desktop sitting next to me collecting dust just in case.
Apple computers are an investment. It is something you get when you want a machine that will last. It's like buying a Honda Accord/Toyota Camry when you could buy a GEO metro/Ford Focus. Both are cars both will get you to a place, but you definitely get what you pay for.
PC + Linux is great, but until they get a NLE system that can beat FCP I won't switch back to building my own boxes anytime soon.
If the USA knew about a secret satellite of a hostile country, it would be a poor decision to let them know, that you know
Isn't that kinda how the Cuban Missle Crisis was resolved. We told everyone in the world what we knew and they had to fix it ASAP. Seems like it was the right decision then...
I'm an Arab American...pardon the oblig joke but.... this shit will never fly.... I love the idea of using my phone but I can already see it now....
Me: Attendant: "sir please step over here" Me: What's the matter? Attendant:"Where did you get that phone?" Me: Umm the wireless store? Attendant:"Well a cell phone is an advanced western piece of technology..and we know that arabs are not advanced but blood thirsty terrorists who want to destroy our freedom. So you must have stolen it in an attempt to get on this plane and kill americans" Me: "But I am an american who just so happens to be arab...can I just get on the plane and go see my family" Attendant: "Absolutely! We have a flight already scheduled for gitmo these guards will escort you!...have a nice day!"
Rentals have always been a great source of revenue for the studios. DVD's are currently one of the best revenue sources for the studios.
A DVD costs approx $1.00 to make. That includes materials AND labor divided by quantity ordered. So they make a HUGE amount of profit on DVD's. NETFLIX will order 10,000 DVD's at a large discount price. Typically it's 20% off wholesale. Which is still a great profit for the studios. What hurts the studios the most are people who go into a theater with a camera record the film burn it on a DVD and then sell them on the street for 5 bucks each. (Sometimes they sell them for a dollar) If that person sells 1,000 bootlegged DVD's that is a HUGE loss of revenue to the studios. That's what hurts them the most. Filesharring too to some extent, but that's because they aren't doing the filesharring themselves. If they created there own system of file sharring for distribution that they controlled (and no I don't mean DRM) They could reccapture that lost revenue.
But to be honest....the best way to fix their problems is to make great enjoyable films and make going to the movies a great expierience....and unfortunately it's not. The movies are bad.. The theater food is way over priced... If the theaters stepped up the enviorment in which people see movies, and the studios made better films they would see a dramatic shift in attendence.
I couldn't agree with you more. Things do need to change, and quickly....but Hollywood is crying about the decline of ticket sales and blaming piracy....When in reality the real reason is no one wants to buy a ticket to see recyled regurgitated crap.
I work in the film industry, and the reason why the hollywood executives aren't going for original stories is simple. Risk / Reward. Hollywood is about making money. It is a business. It's not art. Here is a little insight into the exec's thought process.
1. Is there a preconceived interest?
- Does the audience already know about the subject matter.
Hollywood doesn't like gambling. Espicieally if there are millions at stake. They want a sure bet. They believe that a film that the audience already knows about and likes will be a better risk than a totally new storyline.
This is why you see all the remakes. Transformers, Starsky and Hutch. etc. etc. and it is also why sequels are made. If they bought tickets for the first one then they (the audience) are more inclined to by tickets to see the second.
2. Do we have existing rights to the material?
Another reason why you see remakes and sequels is that Hollywood already owns the rights to the work. No new expenditures are necessary to secure a story, and this is a way to extend there copyright on the original work.
3. Can we tie in "Big Name Talent"
Actors and actresses are considered as "assets" by the studios. If you put together the right stars (even though the script and store are complete crap) you can get profitable film. These individuals may not be the "most talented" but they have the "most recognizeability" with audiences and thus generate more ticket sales.
4. Are there opportunities for product placement?
This is crucial for Hollywood to make films. Spielberg is the worst with this one...seriously he is an incredibly talented director, but just watch Minority Report, Jurasic Park, or his latest Executive Produced project Transformers. Count the company logos and insignias. All of that pay for the high budget projects and all ticket sales are thus gravy. It's clever and definitely business saavy but often I find them very distracting.
If you can ask those 4 questions and find projects that are favorable to those questions than YOU can be a Hollywood Exec today. I don't hate them or dislike them for that matter. I just understand the business from working in it. If you want to watch something insightful, original, uninhibited, and artistic you have to go to independent film for that. And there are some incredible pieces out there. You just have to go looking for them. They won't be dropping into theaters anytime soon.
Here is a gem I saw earlier this year in march that is coming to theaters. "The King of Kong" a great documentary about the 80's that makes me remember my childhood but also tells an entertaining story. Most of the people here on/. will love it.
That is good to hear. I do like Oracle, but this oooooh Linux! I want a piece! Frenzy just kinda annoys me. bah If I had to build an enterprise DB I would probably use 10g on SLES.
I bet there Mac division is pretty awesome. I'm curious as to how 10g and Xserve play together...
Meh.... I don't care what Oracle does. They are a huge DB company trying to get in on the Linux game, just like M$. They are trying to undercut the big duo (Novell/Redhat) and it's not going to work... YAST is developed and controlled by Novell. RHEL is of course controlled and developed by Redhat.
They can offer there own disti solution, but it always is going to come down to the two major influences on purchasing decisions: Cost and Support. I am pretty sure that a SUSE or Redhat System with MySQL or better yet PostgreSQL is more cost effective and better supported than whatever Oracle is haucking these days.
Personally I like SUSE. I know that Novell has fallen from grace with the OSS community for the MS deal, but hey they whipped SCO's ass in court... gotta love them for that, and from a business standpoint the MS deal was very smart. People are going to switch to Linux... M$ can't stop that... it's too good of a deal for people. Novell is letting MS do the Marketing and Sales for them and letting M$ take a comission. Once SUSE is everywhere then Novell can kick them to the curb, and then "may the best disti win".
Kind of a reverse embrace, extend, extinguish. Only this time it's M$ they will get burned.
I too was angry about him not being a VW bug, but it turns out that VW refuses to have there product shown in a movie that has wars or battles. So when the production company approached them they said no. Now I have also heard that GM signed exclusive rights for product placement that shut out other automakers as well. Hopefully someone can clear up who is responsible for "The Bumblebee Bumble".
I completely agree with your comment. Net neutrality is completely essential. and it was government interference that knocked down the original AOL, and thankfully so. Ya know come to think of it. Sounds very much like a certain OS dominating the mainstream today and an incredible open OS in the shadows.... one can only hope this is where history repeats itself.
Your comment totally cracked me up. That is a good one.
Hmm... let's think about. Well I think they fit somewhere in the realm of the weak minded wasting there opportunity and instead of taking advantage of what we have, are spending there time contributing useless stuff. Every genetic pool has weak links. Youtube comments just help identify the weak links floating at the surface and distracts them with "shiny things" while the rest of us can move forward.
The internet doesn't need to be messed with. Its actually the only free (as in speech) place to exchange information (depending on where you live).
If someone tries to regulate it people will find an alternative unregulated version and an industry will spring up to provide that, and those who regualted it in the first place will deregulate it to compete again.
The internet is actually the latest step in human evolution. [For those who don't believe in evolution just ignore this. I'm not attacking your views just stating mine. ]
Think about it its the passing along of information from one generation to the next is how humans evolve. Now information exchange hit an un prescedented high with the internet, and the more we move to open communcation standards the more accelerated innovation and technical advancement will be possible thus more human evolution. If it is regulated or controlled then it will slow down that evolutionary process. So I am all for any way possible to preserve the internet as we know it, and if possible find as many mediums to work with it and expand its potential for information exchange. The more information we have the better. Now getting government officials to use that information for the good and well being of the people they represent and not just there own perosnal well being. that's the hardest part.
Well I think the big issue here is they are earbuds, not speakers. I work with closed heaphones pretty much all day and nothing beats the Sennhesier HD 650. It's pricey but it gives a me the absolute best sound when working with film. I'm not a sound mixer or designer but the ones I work with turned me onto them and I haven't gone back since. The close cups block out outside noise and help you focus on the sound.
Earbuds are tiny little speakers shoved in your ears the total amount of accuracy is hard to gage and there is very little difference between most earbuds. Now the Shure are ear canal earbuds but honestly its hard for me to tell the difference. No one in the editing room that I know uses earbuds for that reason. Now for just listening on your ipod an expensive earbud isn't going to make that much if any difference. Now comfort that is what I might pay more for.
Funny too you should talk about the Geneva Convention. I'm imagining people like you weren't screaming about Geneva Conventions last summer, when Hezbollah terrorists violated many Geneva "laws of humanity, including attacking a country without any reason or warning, abducting foreign soldiers (which are still captive, by the way) and shooting missiles from densely populated living flats just to make sure civilian casualties (for which they beg) will reach the world news. Perhaps this has indeed been one of the censored issues of the year. Instead of talking about 'disproportianism', when Israel is attacking the terrorists (who happen to hide among an innocent population), why wasn't the world screaming about those who deliberately targeted civilians?"
Bescause it was Israel that attacked Lebanon, it is Israel that illegally occupied Lebanon and imprisoned thousands of Lebanese, and it is Israel that has slayed numerous of civilians and has killed 30 times the number of civilians killed by Hezbollah. Hezbollah attacked Israeli soldiers and Israel answered by killing Lebanese civilians. INCLUDING UN SOLDIERS THAT THEY KNEW WERE THERE.
Plus, you haven't addressed my major issue. Israel doesn't want to live separately, Israel doesn't want a security fence. Israel, after more than forty years of terror, it is desperately trying to find a solution to this ongoing problem, in which its citizens are threatened daily.
I will address this below
"It states that the State of Israel has the right to exist. This is the FIRST ONE, and has been rejected by ALL neighbouring Arab countries."
Arabs rejeted this because it violated all of the work accord concerning the Peel commision and subsequent commisions before the declaration also Israel doesn't Recognize Palestinian sovereignty east jerusalem as its Capital and the borders of that country at the Pre-1967 borders. You can't claim sovereignty without recognizes other countries sovereignty in the reagion. Now all Arab countries should recognize Israel, and many of them do today, however Israel still doesn't recognize Palestine. But also you must realize that when the state of Israel declared its independence it claimed ALL land within its borders is owned by the state thus stripping ownership away from any Palestinian living in Israel proper at the time. A two state solution is the answer but Israel refuses to agree to it. So yes they don't want to live seperately they want to keep the Palestinians from having there own country.
"It's strange. It's seemingly always the Palestinians who want peace and not the israelis. Well, I can name you hundreds of Israeli peace organization. Name me one Palestinian..."
"You call me a racist towards the Palestinian people. You say that I value Jewish blood over Arab blood. Well, let me tell you I never did, but today I do."
Because I stand up for the Palestinians you become racist? It had nothing to do about today. It was what was already ingrained in your skewed perspective. You just are openly admitting it. At least you are honest with yourself about your racism, hopefully one day you will realize that we all live on this planet together and everyone deserves basic human rights.
"Today, I see a civilization of people which are far from civilized. I see a people which does not care about human life anymore, let alone their own. I see mothers strapping TNT-bars around their little sons and daughters. I see fathers teaching their kids to hate and take them to fight at their youngest ages. I see hundreds of Middle Eastern television and radio channels promoting nothing but hate against Israel, America and Jews in general. The first words of many Palestinian children are 'Itbach al-yahud' or 'kill the jew'. See Memri."
First you are judging an entire race of people on the acts of a few. You can't do that. You have to und
"Indeed, they were jews in 'palestine' (which was never a country, but a Trans-Jordanian region) before the State of Israel. " This is true it was called the British Mandate of PALESTINE. That's where the name comes from.
"There was no jewish independence, jewish majority. No war of '67 or '74 nor any 'wall'. In the '20s and '30s, countless massacres occured on the jewish population of Jaffa, Hebron and Safed in which man, women and children were slaughtered, raped and killed"
There was no independence for the Arabs living with in the country either. Numerous jewish immigrants can pouring in to the region (some illegally, some legeally) and were putting strain on the local people. Some people resorted to violence to deal with the immigrants taking over land, and that was wrong, but as I stated there were lots of illegal immigrants comming into palestine, and that was a tremendous sore spot for the palestinians. Though there had already been Arab protests to the Ottoman authorities in the 1880s against land sales to foreign Jews, the most serious opposition began in the 1890s after the full scope of the Zionist enterprise became known. This opposition did not arise out of Palestinian nationalism, which was in its infancy at the time, but out of a sense of threat to the livelihood of the Arabs. This sense was heightened in the early years of the 20th century by the Zionist attempts to develop an economy from which Arab people were largely excluded, such as the "Hebrew labor" movement that campaigned against the employment of Arabs. The severing of Palestine from the rest of the Arab world in 1918 and the Balfour Declaration were seen by the Arabs as proof that their fears were coming to fruition.
You can note that it looks VERY different from today. And Although this was vetoed by BOTH Arabs and Zionists. It shows in effect the territory of the people living in the region.
"Please, try to update your own knowledge of history before accusing others" I am not accusing anyone of anything. I am bring transparency and truth to this issue. Something that is sorely lacking in the western world.
"Israel, which actually respects all of humanity. Everyone from every religion is welcome (try to enter Mecca as a Christian). All gay people are welcome (should we look how they are treated in Israel's 35 neighbouring Muslem countries?). I could go on"
Why is Israel the ONLY country IN THE WORLD that is using its military to occupy land, and then anex that land. It's a direct violation of the geneva convention?
Why does Israel stand in defiance of 69 United Nations Security Council Resolutions?
That in Hebron, 85% of the water is given to about 400 settlers,while 15%must be divided among Hebron's 120,000 Palestinians?
Israel doesn't respect humanity. There are thousands upon thousands of examples of this. I believe the israeli people are good people, but the government's policies towards Arabs is racist and not only creates suffering, but uses American dollars to do it.
The Berlin Wall was built to separate people.
And so is this one. That's what Walls do they seperate people, but this wall seperates families, cuts off water supplies, divides farmland, and economicly stangulates these people.
"And the fact that the World Bank financed this barrier, well, they should be proud of it. They have probably saved many lives with that gesture. "
and here is where your racism is evidently clear. Whether you want to admit it or not. You believe that Jewish/Western blood is more valuable and woth saving than that of Palestinians. I don't want a single Jewish child in Israel harm, but the differnce between you and I is that I don't with harm on a single Palestinian child either.
Wow... seriously you need some professional counciling. Your opinion about Carter is fine. You can are entitled to your own belief on his agenda although I completely disagree with, but the most disturbing part of your comment was
" Personally I dont like jews, but when it comes to Israel, i believe they should nuke palastine and iran and push THEM off into the ocean. I think this wall would be the best thing for their country and I have great respect for a people who live in such a dangerous area where everyone on every border wants to see you die."
Jewish people are good people. That was a very racist comment about jews, and you need to reevaluate your position about the Jewish people as a whole. Certain ones carry there own elite fanatical agenda which is the root of the problem today, but under no circumstances do they represent ALL Jewish people. In fact there are MANY Jewish people who speak out against Israeli policy and unortunately are dubbed as "self hating jews" by the zealous fanatics I meantioned earlier. It is important to identify and confront those zealots but not liking an entire race/religion for the acts of few is ridiculous.
Your belief that they should nuke palestine and Iran only illustrates further your complete disregard for humanity in general. Violence is not the answer to any of these problems, and to even suggest a nuclear attack puts you in the same catergory as radical islam in that you both see mass destruction of civilians as a way to solve problems.
" I think this wall would be the best thing for their country and I have great respect for a people who live in such a dangerous area where everyone on every border wants to see you die."
Everyone on the border doesn't want to see them die everyone on the border themself doesn't want to die, face economic strangulation, denial of basic resouces (water), denial of citizenship, barred freedom to visit there families, and destruction of there own homes.
This whitewashing of the Palestinians is a huge problem and the media is partly to blame. Do you know ANY palestinians? You'll find that they are humans just like you and I and want the basic human rights that we take for granted everyday.
Raids on Palestinian homes the slaying of women and children in gaza all can easily be considered terrorists acts. by terrorism I mean
"The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. "
And there have been several Terrorist organizations in Israel against Arabs
This situation is very complicated, and it will only work itself out if everyone owns up that everyone has made grave mistakes. I hope that you reevaluate your positions about Arabs and Jews because it is only going to make it harder for a peaceful resolution to be reached.
Well I am not surpirsed an AC made the following statement. But I will answer you.
"and just like the business-owning jews in germany, many of the jews living in arab countries before israel were persecuted...not everywhere at all times, but it happened."
What happend to business-owning jews in germany was absolutely horrible. And jews living in Arab countries may have been persecuted
"Jewish sympathizers make you sick?"
They do when they favor Jewish life and blood more than that of another race of people. You see the concept that __________ race is more deserving than _____________ race is called racism. And yes racism makes me sick.
"Well, people who want to paint a rosy picture of any culture make me sick...especially ones like you are supporting blindly."
(sarcasm) Yes I painted the rosiest of pictures of the Palestinians and Arabs. (end sarcasm)
"Take a look at yourself and your people and don't be so cocky and narcissistic"
Myself? My people? Well I am an American. An Arab American. Whose Mother is Irish-American Indian Southern Baptist, and whose Father is a Shi'ite Muslim from Lebanon both U.S. citizens and both still married (30 years). You see I grew up with the idea that ALL people are equal and ALL people deserve equal treatment. I know that might sound "Cocky" or "Narcissistic" to you, but it kind of falls under the same pretext as "Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them." that's Matthew 7,12 from the Bible which segway's me to the final comment you made.
"...be like, oh, I don't know...be like a real humble servant of god should be..."
a real humble servant of god... hmm well I don't know which God you follow, but I am pretty sure there aren't any Gods out there that tell there followers to post Anonymous rubbish on a website about someone who is standing up for equality. Perhaps this is some new church of bigotry?
Well I hate to break it to you and the truth may be hard for you to swallow, but this issue that you describe as " It has no more to do with apartheid than the boundary fences on the borders of most countries" is ridiculous.
Watch this and then argue for it, but watch ALL of it.
President Carter also wrote the following book Palestine Peace not Apartheid. I suggest you read that as well. This is a man who has dedicated his life to trying to aid those in need.
The fact that you glance over this topic shows the evident bias on your opinion of anything concerning Israel, and the ubelieveable statement "The people who want to impose apartheid are the Arabs, who can't stand the idea of Jews living anywhere in the Mideast." Makes me absolutely sick. Did you know that there were jews living in Israel before the 1st Zionist Congress met? Did you know they didn't even speak hebrew? Did you know that they lived in all current Arab nations and owned businesses in those Arab countries? Your lack of education on the subject matter, hasty generalization of an entire race of people, and evident racism is what is making the problems we have today in the world worse.
I don't wish any ill malice on any Jewish person anywhere in the world, but the differnce between you and I is that I also don't wish any ill malice on any palestinian either. And whether you personally want to come to the realization that ALL people are equal and ALL people deserve to be free from oppression is up to you.
"irredentist dream" - Wasn't the Zionist movement and irredentist dream? And why was that granted? Without any compensation or respect for the Palestinians?
"a position they can hold, but it's an immoral one" - and taking the land away from them in the first place was moral? I know two wrongs don't make a right, but no one is taking the necessary steps to correct this problem. They feel like they have no one, and as Dr. King said - "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." These people need help, and there suffering effects us all. It is our responsibility to help them.
"As someone that was educated in British schools, I'm very curious about where you formed these opinions."
These opinions are based on the historical arrangements made by the british government concerning the British Mandate of Palestine, and the lack of education on the topic as you stated in "no, we weren't taught much about Palestine at school"
"I don't think arabs are animals, and I don't know anybody in the UK that does. I don't know anybody that thinks their blood has any different value to that of other people"
I am glad that you don't think Arabs are animals, however the British government's actions and middle east policies reflect a different sentiment. The Palestinian crisis, The Iraq War, The current Pro Iran war sentiment. Please inform all of the 655,000 dead Iraqi civilians and there families that Britain thinks they are equals. If you can tell me the name of ONE of the children killed in Iraq I would believe you, but you can't. Because they are just a statistic, and no longer are human in identity.
"If you think that's a common viewpoint then it seems to me that someone is teaching you very badly. The people around me are very tolerant and accepting of other cultures. Are you?"
To give you some background about me. I am an American Citizen. My father is an immmigrant Shi'ite Muslim from Lebanon (and American citizen) and my Mother is an Irish American Indian Southern Baptist. I am not just tolerant and accepting of other cultures, but am myself a living example. My parrents taught me to seek out answers; and in this world there just isn't one side of a story but a multitude of different opinions and expressions.
"Perhaps you'd like to build a case that all British people hate the Irish? It would be equally flawed, but don't let that stop you spreading hatred and misinformation."
I am not familiar with the British/Irish situation and can't make a comment on that, however that I hope that the two nations are able to work out there differences without violence. As to the second part of your comment "but don't let that stop you spreading hatred and misinformation.". You are confusing "hatred and misinformation" with the truth. I don't hate anyone. What I am trying to do is illustrate the bias sentiment against Arabs in British culture. And one only has to look at the British policies I mentioned earlier to see that evident bias. The Iraq war has been an enormous political disaster for not only Britain but the U.S. as well. There policies in the middle east have only fanned the flames for radical islam to recruit. If Britain wants to fix the situation they MUST change there stance in the Middle East and repair the damage caused by the palistinian crisis. It must pull out of Iraq and work with All countries in the region in securing some sort of peace for the iraqi people.
You may not be racist, but the british government who represents YOU will have a hard time proving otherwise.
You have raised a good question. There is much debate as to whether or not the Palestinians residing in Israel proper are refugee's under the cited definition. Palistinian rights activists due to the 1951-1967 convention that states
"A]ny person who: (2) owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear,"
The Palestinians inside Israel proper are claiming that they are outside their country of nationality. Now this is kind of weak in my opinion, but than again they are from the British Mandate of Palestine which doesn't exist anymore. This is a complicated issue, and one that needs to be resolved. My hopes are that once a dual state solution is created. Those Palestinians will have the option to either Leave Israel Proper for Palestine, or Be granted citizenship status in Israel with full and equal civil rights.
That way they become a citizen of a nation of there chosing and can decide to leave if they want.
The unfortunate thing is that the loudest opinions on this issue are along the lines of either "Israelis are evil zionist pigs" or "Palestinians are suicide-bomber terrorists."
Yes these are exagerations of stereotypes, and are doing absolutely NOTHING to aid in the peace process.
"I go to Ha'aretz or al-Jazeera and read some of the talkback comments there; that usually brings me crashing back to earth."
The media in general across ALL countries is only fanning the flames. Everything is now about Polarization Blue States, Red States Israeli rights, Palestinian rights, Liberal, Conservative etc. etc. It is encouraging and reenforcing this polarization and subsequently breeding conflict. Fortunately there are those who realize this and know that its not just abot "one side of the story" but read a well rounded range of information and objective look come to there own conclusions.
I grew up with an American Southern Baptist Conservative Mother and a Sh'ite Muslim Father (still married 35 years). So I had to do this my entire childhood. (It was really Bizare but extremely educational growing up)
You seem very level headed in your approach on things which is nice to see. This world needs more level opinions. Maybe one day we can make a diffence.
Yes well your grandfather is Pontian Greek and not Palestinian. Palestinians DON'T want to be Lebanese citizens. At least a prevailing majority of them don't. They want to be Palestinians in Palestine. That is what they are fighting for. And they will never stop until they get it.
Greece is a great country but it didn't repatriate the decendants of the 130,000 greeks who fled the greek civil war of 47-49 until 1982. 33 years these people lived in exhile, and actually the total granted citizenship was 30k 1/5th of the original refugees. I applaud greece for talking the necessary steps to right social injustices, and on an unrelated note for being awesome hosts for the champions league cup.
I just looked at Trabzon. Wow that is an amazing part of the world.
The issue stems from this key point.
If Jew's are allowed a homeland Why is it at the expense of the Palestinians?
and why do they not have a homeland?
To force them to assimilate into neighboring countries is forcing them to erase there history, erase there identity and concede that Jews are more deserving than Palestinians. That is something they will never do. and they shouldn't have to.
I am dedicating my life to facilitating a solution, and probably this conflict will go on longer than I will live, but I can't stand by and do nothing. I am not Palestinian, but just a person who believes that they are just as deserving as Israeli's. I believe in a dual state state solution, however Israel must make concessions, and they never will unless they are pressured by the U.S. and Britain to do so. It really is in the best interest of everyone. But no ones wants to give up land for peace.
"My religion requires, as a sacrament, the mocking of prophets. We deem the very idea of a human prophet to be blasphemous to God. The same for so called "holy" books, and "holy" men."
You are free to practice whatever you wish. Mocking other peoples religion will get you into trouble with those whom you mock. For example if you were to follow an african american around call them "nigger". You more than likely are going to invoke some kind of reaction. A reaction that YOU provoked. We are not just living in YOUR world.
"So, I assume you support my right to practice my religion, as my basic human right, correct?"
Absolutely. But if your religion is based on verbally/artisticly attacking other individuals YOU are the initator of the conflict and you will have to deal with the repercussions
"So if I put a bumper sticker on my car with a picture of the prophet of your religion being made fun of in some way, you'd be fully supportive of me, right?"
I would be supportive of your freedom of expression, however once again you are initiating confrontation, and ridiculing others because of there belief. Once again it is not just YOUR world.
"Or if, maybe, I dunno, some Danish guy made some cartoons or something...?"
Political Cartoons have been around for a long time, however the difference here is that this political cartoon involves a religious figure. This in effect wasn't a politcal commentary, but one on a specific religious group. That evoked a response from that group.
I completely understand the point you are trying to make however it is important to realize that you are blurring lines of free speech and freedom of religion to include free speech that invokes ridicule on ones freedom of religion by protection of your own freedom of religion. A completely ridiculous example, and unrealistic to site. but I played along anyway.
Now as to those basic human rights everyone deserves those are easy.
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I completely agree. I have a Mac G4 Dual 1.25 GHZ 2GB Ram that I bought in 2003 for 5k.... So expensive at the time, but I am using it right now, and absolutely LOVE this machine. It is 4years old and can still out blaze most of my friends machines. 4 years $1250 each year. and I will probably still use it for another year. So that comes down to 1k per year. 1k a year of no viruses, no deny allow, and the ability to edit all of my films in FCP and use the lastest Apple OS without a hitch. I just recently bought a 17" MacBook Pro and love it as well. For the longest time I was a PC junkie, and still have a Dell desktop sitting next to me collecting dust just in case.
Apple computers are an investment. It is something you get when you want a machine that will last. It's like buying a Honda Accord/Toyota Camry when you could buy a GEO metro/Ford Focus. Both are cars both will get you to a place, but you definitely get what you pay for.
PC + Linux is great, but until they get a NLE system that can beat FCP I won't switch back to building my own boxes anytime soon.
I'm an Arab American...pardon the oblig joke but.... this shit will never fly.... I love the idea of using my phone but I can already see it now....
Me:
Attendant: "sir please step over here"
Me: What's the matter?
Attendant:"Where did you get that phone?"
Me: Umm the wireless store?
Attendant:"Well a cell phone is an advanced western piece of technology..and we know that arabs are not advanced but blood thirsty terrorists who want to destroy our freedom. So you must have stolen it in an attempt to get on this plane and kill americans"
Me: "But I am an american who just so happens to be arab...can I just get on the plane and go see my family"
Attendant: "Absolutely! We have a flight already scheduled for gitmo these guards will escort you!...have a nice day!"
Penguins CAN fly!
Rentals have always been a great source of revenue for the studios. DVD's are currently one of the best revenue sources for the studios.
A DVD costs approx $1.00 to make. That includes materials AND labor divided by quantity ordered. So they make a HUGE amount of profit on DVD's. NETFLIX will order 10,000 DVD's at a large discount price. Typically it's 20% off wholesale. Which is still a great profit for the studios. What hurts the studios the most are people who go into a theater with a camera record the film burn it on a DVD and then sell them on the street for 5 bucks each. (Sometimes they sell them for a dollar) If that person sells 1,000 bootlegged DVD's that is a HUGE loss of revenue to the studios. That's what hurts them the most. Filesharring too to some extent, but that's because they aren't doing the filesharring themselves. If they created there own system of file sharring for distribution that they controlled (and no I don't mean DRM) They could reccapture that lost revenue.
But to be honest....the best way to fix their problems is to make great enjoyable films and make going to the movies a great expierience....and unfortunately it's not. The movies are bad.. The theater food is way over priced... If the theaters stepped up the enviorment in which people see movies, and the studios made better films they would see a dramatic shift in attendence.
I couldn't agree with you more. Things do need to change, and quickly....but Hollywood is crying about the decline of ticket sales and blaming piracy....When in reality the real reason is no one wants to buy a ticket to see recyled regurgitated crap.
I work in the film industry, and the reason why the hollywood executives aren't going for original stories is simple. Risk / Reward. Hollywood is about making money. It is a business. It's not art. Here is a little insight into the exec's thought process.
/. will love it.
1. Is there a preconceived interest?
- Does the audience already know about the subject matter.
Hollywood doesn't like gambling. Espicieally if there are millions at stake. They want a sure bet. They believe that a film that the audience already knows about and likes will be a better risk than a totally new storyline.
This is why you see all the remakes. Transformers, Starsky and Hutch. etc. etc. and it is also why sequels are made. If they bought tickets for the first one then they (the audience) are more inclined to by tickets to see the second.
2. Do we have existing rights to the material?
Another reason why you see remakes and sequels is that Hollywood already owns the rights to the work. No new expenditures are necessary to secure a story, and this is a way to extend there copyright on the original work.
3. Can we tie in "Big Name Talent"
Actors and actresses are considered as "assets" by the studios. If you put together the right stars (even though the script and store are complete crap) you can get profitable film. These individuals may not be the "most talented" but they have the "most recognizeability" with audiences and thus generate more ticket sales.
4. Are there opportunities for product placement?
This is crucial for Hollywood to make films. Spielberg is the worst with this one...seriously he is an incredibly talented director, but just watch Minority Report, Jurasic Park, or his latest Executive Produced project Transformers. Count the company logos and insignias. All of that pay for the high budget projects and all ticket sales are thus gravy. It's clever and definitely business saavy but often I find them very distracting.
If you can ask those 4 questions and find projects that are favorable to those questions than YOU can be a Hollywood Exec today. I don't hate them or dislike them for that matter. I just understand the business from working in it. If you want to watch something insightful, original, uninhibited, and artistic you have to go to independent film for that. And there are some incredible pieces out there. You just have to go looking for them. They won't be dropping into theaters anytime soon.
Here is a gem I saw earlier this year in march that is coming to theaters. "The King of Kong" a great documentary about the 80's that makes me remember my childhood but also tells an entertaining story. Most of the people here on
That is good to hear. I do like Oracle, but this oooooh Linux! I want a piece! Frenzy just kinda annoys me. bah If I had to build an enterprise DB I would probably use 10g on SLES.
I bet there Mac division is pretty awesome. I'm curious as to how 10g and Xserve play together...
Meh.... I don't care what Oracle does. They are a huge DB company trying to get in on the Linux game, just like M$. They are trying to undercut the big duo (Novell/Redhat) and it's not going to work... YAST is developed and controlled by Novell. RHEL is of course controlled and developed by Redhat.
They can offer there own disti solution, but it always is going to come down to the two major influences on purchasing decisions: Cost and Support. I am pretty sure that a SUSE or Redhat System with MySQL or better yet PostgreSQL is more cost effective and better supported than whatever Oracle is haucking these days.
Personally I like SUSE. I know that Novell has fallen from grace with the OSS community for the MS deal, but hey they whipped SCO's ass in court... gotta love them for that, and from a business standpoint the MS deal was very smart. People are going to switch to Linux... M$ can't stop that... it's too good of a deal for people. Novell is letting MS do the Marketing and Sales for them and letting M$ take a comission. Once SUSE is everywhere then Novell can kick them to the curb, and then "may the best disti win".
Kind of a reverse embrace, extend, extinguish. Only this time it's M$ they will get burned.
Okay well here is what I have heard...
I too was angry about him not being a VW bug, but it turns out that VW refuses to have there product shown in a movie that has wars or battles. So when the production company approached them they said no. Now I have also heard that GM signed exclusive rights for product placement that shut out other automakers as well. Hopefully someone can clear up who is responsible for "The Bumblebee Bumble".
His name is bumblebee...I mean he has to be a bug
I completely agree with your comment. Net neutrality is completely essential. and it was government interference that knocked down the original AOL, and thankfully so. Ya know come to think of it. Sounds very much like a certain OS dominating the mainstream today and an incredible open OS in the shadows.... one can only hope this is where history repeats itself.
Your comment totally cracked me up. That is a good one.
Hmm... let's think about. Well I think they fit somewhere in the realm of the weak minded wasting there opportunity and instead of taking advantage of what we have, are spending there time contributing useless stuff. Every genetic pool has weak links. Youtube comments just help identify the weak links floating at the surface and distracts them with "shiny things" while the rest of us can move forward.
The internet doesn't need to be messed with. Its actually the only free (as in speech) place to exchange information (depending on where you live).
If someone tries to regulate it people will find an alternative unregulated version and an industry will spring up to provide that, and those who regualted it in the first place will deregulate it to compete again.
The internet is actually the latest step in human evolution.
[For those who don't believe in evolution just ignore this. I'm not attacking your views just stating mine. ]
Think about it its the passing along of information from one generation to the next is how humans evolve. Now information exchange hit an un prescedented high with the internet, and the more we move to open communcation standards the more accelerated innovation and technical advancement will be possible thus more human evolution. If it is regulated or controlled then it will slow down that evolutionary process. So I am all for any way possible to preserve the internet as we know it, and if possible find as many mediums to work with it and expand its potential for information exchange. The more information we have the better. Now getting government officials to use that information for the good and well being of the people they represent and not just there own perosnal well being. that's the hardest part.
Wow CEO of telecom says "We want more control and more money"
What a surprise.
"You bet they will -- cuz we don't call it cashin' in. We call it 'deregulation.'
I don't call it customer satisfaction. I call it screw'n them over.
Well I think the big issue here is they are earbuds, not speakers. I work with closed heaphones pretty much all day and nothing beats the Sennhesier HD 650. It's pricey but it gives a me the absolute best sound when working with film. I'm not a sound mixer or designer but the ones I work with turned me onto them and I haven't gone back since. The close cups block out outside noise and help you focus on the sound.
Earbuds are tiny little speakers shoved in your ears the total amount of accuracy is hard to gage and there is very little difference between most earbuds. Now the Shure are ear canal earbuds but honestly its hard for me to tell the difference. No one in the editing room that I know uses earbuds for that reason. Now for just listening on your ipod an expensive earbud isn't going to make that much if any difference. Now comfort that is what I might pay more for.
If people want to know more about headphones
check out http://www.headphone.com/ they have lots of info
Funny too you should talk about the Geneva Convention. I'm imagining people like you weren't screaming about Geneva Conventions last summer, when Hezbollah terrorists violated many Geneva "laws of humanity, including attacking a country without any reason or warning, abducting foreign soldiers (which are still captive, by the way) and shooting missiles from densely populated living flats just to make sure civilian casualties (for which they beg) will reach the world news. Perhaps this has indeed been one of the censored issues of the year. Instead of talking about 'disproportianism', when Israel is attacking the terrorists (who happen to hide among an innocent population), why wasn't the world screaming about those who deliberately targeted civilians?"
Bescause it was Israel that attacked Lebanon, it is Israel that illegally occupied Lebanon and imprisoned thousands of Lebanese, and it is Israel that has slayed numerous of civilians and has killed 30 times the number of civilians killed by Hezbollah. Hezbollah attacked Israeli soldiers and Israel answered by killing Lebanese civilians. INCLUDING UN SOLDIERS THAT THEY KNEW WERE THERE.
Plus, you haven't addressed my major issue. Israel doesn't want to live separately, Israel doesn't want a security fence. Israel, after more than forty years of terror, it is desperately trying to find a solution to this ongoing problem, in which its citizens are threatened daily.
I will address this below
"It states that the State of Israel has the right to exist. This is the FIRST ONE, and has been rejected by ALL neighbouring Arab countries."
Arabs rejeted this because it violated all of the work accord concerning the Peel commision and subsequent commisions before the declaration also Israel doesn't Recognize Palestinian sovereignty east jerusalem as its Capital and the borders of that country at the Pre-1967 borders. You can't claim sovereignty without recognizes other countries sovereignty in the reagion. Now all Arab countries should recognize Israel, and many of them do today, however Israel still doesn't recognize Palestine. But also you must realize that when the state of Israel declared its independence it claimed ALL land within its borders is owned by the state thus stripping ownership away from any Palestinian living in Israel proper at the time. A two state solution is the answer but Israel refuses to agree to it. So yes they don't want to live seperately they want to keep the Palestinians from having there own country.
"It's strange. It's seemingly always the Palestinians who want peace and not the israelis. Well, I can name you hundreds of Israeli peace organization. Name me one Palestinian..."
Here ya go there is more but you asked for one: http://www.hanania.com/palestinianpeacenow.htm
"You call me a racist towards the Palestinian people. You say that I value Jewish blood over Arab blood. Well, let me tell you I never did, but today I do."
Because I stand up for the Palestinians you become racist? It had nothing to do about today. It was what was already ingrained in your skewed perspective. You just are openly admitting it. At least you are honest with yourself about your racism, hopefully one day you will realize that we all live on this planet together and everyone deserves basic human rights.
"Today, I see a civilization of people which are far from civilized. I see a people which does not care about human life anymore, let alone their own. I see mothers strapping TNT-bars around their little sons and daughters. I see fathers teaching their kids to hate and take them to fight at their youngest ages. I see hundreds of Middle Eastern television and radio channels promoting nothing but hate against Israel, America and Jews in general. The first words of many Palestinian children are 'Itbach al-yahud' or 'kill the jew'.
See Memri."
First you are judging an entire race of people on the acts of a few. You can't do that. You have to und
"Indeed, they were jews in 'palestine' (which was never a country, but a Trans-Jordanian region) before the State of Israel. "
This is true it was called the British Mandate of PALESTINE. That's where the name comes from.
"There was no jewish independence, jewish majority. No war of '67 or '74 nor any 'wall'. In the '20s and '30s, countless massacres occured on the jewish population of Jaffa, Hebron and Safed in which man, women and children were slaughtered, raped and killed"
There was no independence for the Arabs living with in the country either. Numerous jewish immigrants can pouring in to the region (some illegally, some legeally) and were putting strain on the local people. Some people resorted to violence to deal with the immigrants taking over land, and that was wrong, but as I stated there were lots of illegal immigrants comming into palestine, and that was a tremendous sore spot for the palestinians. Though there had already been Arab protests to the Ottoman authorities in the 1880s against land sales to foreign Jews, the most serious opposition began in the 1890s after the full scope of the Zionist enterprise became known. This opposition did not arise out of Palestinian nationalism, which was in its infancy at the time, but out of a sense of threat to the livelihood of the Arabs. This sense was heightened in the early years of the 20th century by the Zionist attempts to develop an economy from which Arab people were largely excluded, such as the "Hebrew labor" movement that campaigned against the employment of Arabs. The severing of Palestine from the rest of the Arab world in 1918 and the Balfour Declaration were seen by the Arabs as proof that their fears were coming to fruition.
Here is a map of the peel commision you can see the original drawing for the British Manadate of Palestine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Peel_map_pd.png
You can note that it looks VERY different from today. And Although this was vetoed by BOTH Arabs and Zionists. It shows in effect the territory of the people living in the region.
"Please, try to update your own knowledge of history before accusing others" I am not accusing anyone of anything. I am bring transparency and truth to this issue. Something that is sorely lacking in the western world.
"Israel, which actually respects all of humanity. Everyone from every religion is welcome (try to enter Mecca as a Christian). All gay people are welcome (should we look how they are treated in Israel's 35 neighbouring Muslem countries?). I could go on"
Why is Israel the ONLY country IN THE WORLD that is using its military to occupy land, and then anex that land. It's a direct violation of the geneva convention?
Why does Israel stand in defiance of 69 United Nations Security Council Resolutions?
That in Hebron, 85% of the water is given to about 400 settlers,while 15%must be divided among Hebron's 120,000 Palestinians?
Israel doesn't respect humanity. There are thousands upon thousands of examples of this. I believe the israeli people are good people, but the government's policies towards Arabs is racist and not only creates suffering, but uses American dollars to do it.
The Berlin Wall was built to separate people.
And so is this one. That's what Walls do they seperate people, but this wall seperates families, cuts off water supplies, divides farmland, and economicly stangulates these people.
"And the fact that the World Bank financed this barrier, well, they should be proud of it. They have probably saved many lives with that gesture. "
and here is where your racism is evidently clear. Whether you want to admit it or not. You believe that Jewish/Western blood is more valuable and woth saving than that of Palestinians. I don't want a single Jewish child in Israel harm, but the differnce between you and I is that I don't with harm on a single Palestinian child either.
Jewish people can have
Wow... seriously you need some professional counciling. Your opinion about Carter is fine. You can are entitled to your own belief on his agenda although I completely disagree with, but the most disturbing part of your comment was
e lTerror.htm
" Personally I dont like jews, but when it comes to Israel, i believe they should nuke palastine and iran and push THEM off into the ocean. I think this wall would be the best thing for their country and I have great respect for a people who live in such a dangerous area where everyone on every border wants to see you die."
Jewish people are good people. That was a very racist comment about jews, and you need to reevaluate your position about the Jewish people as a whole. Certain ones carry there own elite fanatical agenda which is the root of the problem today, but under no circumstances do they represent ALL Jewish people. In fact there are MANY Jewish people who speak out against Israeli policy and unortunately are dubbed as "self hating jews" by the zealous fanatics I meantioned earlier. It is important to identify and confront those zealots but not liking an entire race/religion for the acts of few is ridiculous.
Your belief that they should nuke palestine and Iran only illustrates further your complete disregard for humanity in general. Violence is not the answer to any of these problems, and to even suggest a nuclear attack puts you in the same catergory as radical islam in that you both see mass destruction of civilians as a way to solve problems.
" I think this wall would be the best thing for their country and I have great respect for a people who live in such a dangerous area where everyone on every border wants to see you die."
Everyone on the border doesn't want to see them die everyone on the border themself doesn't want to die, face economic strangulation, denial of basic resouces (water), denial of citizenship, barred freedom to visit there families, and destruction of there own homes.
This whitewashing of the Palestinians is a huge problem and the media is partly to blame. Do you know ANY palestinians? You'll find that they are humans just like you and I and want the basic human rights that we take for granted everyday.
Raids on Palestinian homes the slaying of women and children in gaza all can easily be considered terrorists acts. by terrorism I mean
"The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. "
And there have been several Terrorist organizations in Israel against Arabs
http://atheism.about.com/library/world/AJ/bl_Isra
This situation is very complicated, and it will only work itself out if everyone owns up that everyone has made grave mistakes. I hope that you reevaluate your positions about Arabs and Jews because it is only going to make it harder for a peaceful resolution to be reached.
Well I am not surpirsed an AC made the following statement. But I will answer you.
"and just like the business-owning jews in germany, many of the jews living in arab countries before israel were persecuted...not everywhere at all times, but it happened."
What happend to business-owning jews in germany was absolutely horrible. And jews living in Arab countries may have been persecuted
"Jewish sympathizers make you sick?"
They do when they favor Jewish life and blood more than that of another race of people. You see the concept that __________ race is more deserving than _____________ race is called racism. And yes racism makes me sick.
"Well, people who want to paint a rosy picture of any culture make me sick...especially ones like you are supporting blindly."
(sarcasm) Yes I painted the rosiest of pictures of the Palestinians and Arabs. (end sarcasm)
"Take a look at yourself and your people and don't be so cocky and narcissistic"
Myself? My people? Well I am an American. An Arab American. Whose Mother is Irish-American Indian Southern Baptist, and whose Father is a Shi'ite Muslim from Lebanon both U.S. citizens and both still married (30 years). You see I grew up with the idea that ALL people are equal and ALL people deserve equal treatment. I know that might sound "Cocky" or "Narcissistic" to you, but it kind of falls under the same pretext as "Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them." that's Matthew 7,12 from the Bible which segway's me to the final comment you made.
"...be like, oh, I don't know...be like a real humble servant of god should be..."
a real humble servant of god... hmm well I don't know which God you follow, but I am pretty sure there aren't any Gods out there that tell there followers to post Anonymous rubbish on a website about someone who is standing up for equality. Perhaps this is some new church of bigotry?
Well I hate to break it to you and the truth may be hard for you to swallow, but this issue that you describe as " It has no more to do with apartheid than the boundary fences on the borders of most countries" is ridiculous.
Watch this and then argue for it, but watch ALL of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjEq2dYF6lw
President Carter also wrote the following book Palestine Peace not Apartheid. I suggest you read that as well. This is a man who has dedicated his life to trying to aid those in need.
The fact that you glance over this topic shows the evident bias on your opinion of anything concerning Israel, and the ubelieveable statement "The people who want to impose apartheid are the Arabs, who can't stand the idea of Jews living anywhere in the Mideast." Makes me absolutely sick. Did you know that there were jews living in Israel before the 1st Zionist Congress met? Did you know they didn't even speak hebrew? Did you know that they lived in all current Arab nations and owned businesses in those Arab countries? Your lack of education on the subject matter, hasty generalization of an entire race of people, and evident racism is what is making the problems we have today in the world worse.
I don't wish any ill malice on any Jewish person anywhere in the world, but the differnce between you and I is that I also don't wish any ill malice on any palestinian either. And whether you personally want to come to the realization that ALL people are equal and ALL people deserve to be free from oppression is up to you.
Well here is where the logic doesn't add up.
"irredentist dream" - Wasn't the Zionist movement and irredentist dream? And why was that granted? Without any compensation or respect for the Palestinians?
"a position they can hold, but it's an immoral one" - and taking the land away from them in the first place was moral? I know two wrongs don't make a right, but no one is taking the necessary steps to correct this problem. They feel like they have no one, and as Dr. King said - "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." These people need help, and there suffering effects us all. It is our responsibility to help them.
"As someone that was educated in British schools, I'm very curious about where you formed these opinions."
These opinions are based on the historical arrangements made by the british government concerning the British Mandate of Palestine, and the lack of education on the topic as you stated in
"no, we weren't taught much about Palestine at school"
"I don't think arabs are animals, and I don't know anybody in the UK that does. I don't know anybody that thinks their blood has any different value to that of other people"
I am glad that you don't think Arabs are animals, however the British government's actions and middle east policies reflect a different sentiment. The Palestinian crisis, The Iraq War, The current Pro Iran war sentiment. Please inform all of the 655,000 dead Iraqi civilians and there families that Britain thinks they are equals. If you can tell me the name of ONE of the children killed in Iraq I would believe you, but you can't. Because they are just a statistic, and no longer are human in identity.
"If you think that's a common viewpoint then it seems to me that someone is teaching you very badly. The people around me are very tolerant and accepting of other cultures. Are you?"
To give you some background about me. I am an American Citizen. My father is an immmigrant Shi'ite Muslim from Lebanon (and American citizen) and my Mother is an Irish American Indian Southern Baptist. I am not just tolerant and accepting of other cultures, but am myself a living example. My parrents taught me to seek out answers; and in this world there just isn't one side of a story but a multitude of different opinions and expressions.
"Perhaps you'd like to build a case that all British people hate the Irish? It would be equally flawed, but don't let that stop you spreading hatred and misinformation."
I am not familiar with the British/Irish situation and can't make a comment on that, however that I hope that the two nations are able to work out there differences without violence. As to the second part of your comment "but don't let that stop you spreading hatred and misinformation.". You are confusing "hatred and misinformation" with the truth. I don't hate anyone. What I am trying to do is illustrate the bias sentiment against Arabs in British culture. And one only has to look at the British policies I mentioned earlier to see that evident bias. The Iraq war has been an enormous political disaster for not only Britain but the U.S. as well. There policies in the middle east have only fanned the flames for radical islam to recruit. If Britain wants to fix the situation they MUST change there stance in the Middle East and repair the damage caused by the palistinian crisis. It must pull out of Iraq and work with All countries in the region in securing some sort of peace for the iraqi people.
You may not be racist, but the british government who represents YOU will have a hard time proving otherwise.
You have raised a good question. There is much debate as to whether or not the Palestinians residing in Israel proper are refugee's under the cited definition. Palistinian rights activists due to the 1951-1967 convention that states
"A]ny person who: (2) owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear,"
The Palestinians inside Israel proper are claiming that they are outside their country of nationality. Now this is kind of weak in my opinion, but than again they are from the British Mandate of Palestine which doesn't exist anymore. This is a complicated issue, and one that needs to be resolved. My hopes are that once a dual state solution is created. Those Palestinians will have the option to either Leave Israel Proper for Palestine, or Be granted citizenship status in Israel with full and equal civil rights.
That way they become a citizen of a nation of there chosing and can decide to leave if they want.
The unfortunate thing is that the loudest opinions on this issue are along the lines of either "Israelis are evil zionist pigs" or "Palestinians are suicide-bomber terrorists."
Yes these are exagerations of stereotypes, and are doing absolutely NOTHING to aid in the peace process.
"I go to Ha'aretz or al-Jazeera and read some of the talkback comments there; that usually brings me crashing back to earth."
The media in general across ALL countries is only fanning the flames. Everything is now about Polarization Blue States, Red States Israeli rights, Palestinian rights, Liberal, Conservative etc. etc. It is encouraging and reenforcing this polarization and subsequently breeding conflict. Fortunately there are those who realize this and know that its not just abot "one side of the story" but read a well rounded range of information and objective look come to there own conclusions.
I grew up with an American Southern Baptist Conservative Mother and a Sh'ite Muslim Father (still married 35 years). So I had to do this my entire childhood. (It was really Bizare but extremely educational growing up)
You seem very level headed in your approach on things which is nice to see. This world needs more level opinions. Maybe one day we can make a diffence.
Yes well your grandfather is Pontian Greek and not Palestinian. Palestinians DON'T want to be Lebanese citizens. At least a prevailing majority of them don't. They want to be Palestinians in Palestine. That is what they are fighting for. And they will never stop until they get it.
Greece is a great country but it didn't repatriate the decendants of the 130,000 greeks who fled the greek civil war of 47-49 until 1982. 33 years these people lived in exhile, and actually the total granted citizenship was 30k 1/5th of the original refugees. I applaud greece for talking the necessary steps to right social injustices, and on an unrelated note for being awesome hosts for the champions league cup.
I just looked at Trabzon. Wow that is an amazing part of the world.
The issue stems from this key point.
If Jew's are allowed a homeland Why is it at the expense of the Palestinians?
and why do they not have a homeland?
To force them to assimilate into neighboring countries is forcing them to erase there history, erase there identity and concede that Jews are more deserving than Palestinians. That is something they will never do. and they shouldn't have to.
I am dedicating my life to facilitating a solution, and probably this conflict will go on longer than I will live, but I can't stand by and do nothing. I am not Palestinian, but just a person who believes that they are just as deserving as Israeli's. I believe in a dual state state solution, however Israel must make concessions, and they never will unless they are pressured by the U.S. and Britain to do so. It really is in the best interest of everyone. But no ones wants to give up land for peace.
"My religion requires, as a sacrament, the mocking of prophets. We deem the very idea of a human prophet to be blasphemous to God. The same for so called "holy" books, and "holy" men."
You are free to practice whatever you wish. Mocking other peoples religion will get you into trouble with those whom you mock. For example if you were to follow an african american around call them "nigger". You more than likely are going to invoke some kind of reaction. A reaction that YOU provoked. We are not just living in YOUR world.
"So, I assume you support my right to practice my religion, as my basic human right, correct?"
Absolutely. But if your religion is based on verbally/artisticly attacking other individuals YOU are the initator of the conflict and you will have to deal with the repercussions
"So if I put a bumper sticker on my car with a picture of the prophet of your religion being made fun of in some way, you'd be fully supportive of me, right?"
I would be supportive of your freedom of expression, however once again you are initiating confrontation, and ridiculing others because of there belief. Once again it is not just YOUR world.
"Or if, maybe, I dunno, some Danish guy made some cartoons or something...?"
Political Cartoons have been around for a long time, however the difference here is that this political cartoon involves a religious figure. This in effect wasn't a politcal commentary, but one on a specific religious group.
That evoked a response from that group.
I completely understand the point you are trying to make however it is important to realize that you are blurring lines of free speech and freedom of religion to include free speech that invokes ridicule on ones freedom of religion by protection of your own freedom of religion. A completely ridiculous example, and unrealistic to site. but I played along anyway.
Now as to those basic human rights everyone deserves those are easy.
http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
Its definitely a good read. And as you go down the list ask if they apply to the Palestinians. You'll find that they don't have very few of them.