ending the violenceRe: [adcom] Re: [statecom-discuss] gr response to the recent round of terror

Thu Jul 20 22:32:08 EDT 2006

I oppose calling on all parties to end the violence
because the violence is being instigated by one party
(the Israelis). The other party does not have the
power to end the violence at this point. All they can
do is defend themselves as best they can. 

The terrorists are the Israeli and US governments. We
do not support terrorists. Arabs who are being
attacked by the Israeli and US governments are not
terrorists. We support people who are being oppressed
by racist state terrorists, and we support their right
to defend themselves. 

I know we are right so I don't feel like we are on the
defensive from Zionist criticism.  I feel like we are
making a positive impact in deconstructing Zionist
lies. So the Zionists are on the defensive and that is
why they are using so much energy criticizing us.

- David

--- "Colby E. Peterson" <saphron at verizon.net> wrote:

> I won't participate in allowing this party to
> continue to be victims  
> of Zionist media destruction because we aren't
> willing to broadly  
> condemn violence.
> 
> The reason we are on the defensive all the time is
> because we are not  
> willing to apply equal principles to opposing
> parties. I am tired of  
> fighting with outsiders (who are definitely reading
> all of this right  
> now) about how a "peace party" is not readily
> prepared to criticize  
> all violence. We are not criticizing anyone when we
> "call all parties  
> to end violence and come about to a solution
> peacefully." How can you  
> not support that? I'm tired of doing what everyone
> else does-  
> romanticizing some or any movement when we know that
> peace and  
> diplomacy is the only ultimate solution to this
> problem. We can state  
> who's right and who's wrong based on our platform,
> but I am not going  
> to sit by and let us become known as "the party that
> supports  
> terrorism."
> 
> - Colby
> 
> 
> 
> On Jul 20, 2006, at 9:54 PM, david rolde wrote:
> 
> > The resistance are defending the people using the
> > means they believe are necessary. I won't
> participate
> > in criticizing Palestinian or Lebanese resistance
> > movements. - David
> >
> > --- "Colby E. Peterson" <saphron at verizon.net>
> wrote:
> >
> >> Yo, just one more thing!
> >>
> >>> Most importantly I object to us placing any
> >> demands on
> >>> Hizballah or the Palestinians such as Colby's
> >>> sentence: "We call on all parties to reopen
> >>> discussions  immediately and to stop escalating
> >>> violence in the region." The violence is
> entirely
> >> the
> >>> fault of the Zionist entity. We cannot place any
> >> blame
> >>> on people for defending themselves from brutal
> >> racist
> >>> colonial expansionist occupation.
> >>
> >> Yes, we all know how brutal and racist Israel is,
> >> that's what this
> >> statement is about. But we don't place the same
> >> demands (or "calls",
> >> as Bill put it better) on all parties, then we
> are
> >> not being fair,
> >> and we are implicitly aligning ourselves with
> those
> >> who would use
> >> violence to achieve their goals. That is a bad
> >> situation for us to be
> >> in. I urge us to reinsert the language that calls
> >> for a "non-violent"
> >> solution to this war- that's what we really care
> >> about, right, the
> >> end of fatalities?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Jul 20, 2006, at 6:17 PM, david rolde wrote:
> >>
> >>> annie's statement isn't perfect. But in some
> ways
> >> I
> >>> like it better than Colby's. I have serious
> >> concerns
> >>> with parts of Colby's statement.
> >>>
> >>> Most importantly I object to us placing any
> >> demands on
> >>> Hizballah or the Palestinians such as Colby's
> >>> sentence: "We call on all parties to reopen
> >>> discussions  immediately and to stop escalating
> >>> violence in the region." The violence is
> entirely
> >> the
> >>> fault of the Zionist entity. We cannot place any
> >> blame
> >>> on people for defending themselves from brutal
> >> racist
> >>> colonial expansionist occupation.
> >>>
> >>> The reason for using quotes on the word "Israel"
> >> is
> >>> because the word "Israel" and the word
> "Palestine"
> >>> refer to the same location. The nation of
> >> Palestine is
> >>> occupied by a colonial power that is trying to
> >> wipe
> >>> out the indigenous population and change the
> very
> >> name
> >>> of the country to reflect the identiy of the
> >>> colonizers. It is offensive to use the word
> >> "Israel"
> >>> to refer to all or part of the nation of
> Palestine
> >>> without some sort of disclaimer or explanation.
> >> Using
> >>> quotation marks around the word "Israel" is an
> >> easy
> >>> way to avoid the racist mislabelling of the
> >> country.
> >>> But perhaps the reason for the use of the
> >> quotation
> >>> marks is not clear to all readers, and an
> >> explanation
> >>> of the situation may be a necessary addition to
> >> the
> >>> statement.
> >>>
> >>> As to the dismantling of "Israel". Our statement
> >> on
> >>> Palestine says, "The Green-Rainbow Party of
> >>> Massachusetts rejects all apartheid-based
> >> governmental
> >>> systems and calls for a secular, democratic
> >> governing
> >>> entity for all people in the geographic region
> of
> >>> historic Palestine (today referred to by some
> >> people
> >>> as Israel, the West Bank and Gaza). We support a
> >>> democratic system with equal rights for all in
> >> which
> >>> the peoples of the region democratically decide
> >> their
> >>> future." Clearly "Israel" is a racist apartheid
> >> state
> >>> whose laws are based on one interpretation of
> the
> >>> Jewish religion (anti-Zionist Jews consider it
> to
> >> be a
> >>> terrible misinterpretation). So "Israel" as it
> >> exists
> >>> now needs to be dismantled in order for a truly
> >>> democratic government to come into existence in
> >>> Palestine. For clarity this could be explained
> in
> >> the
> >>> statement rather than just saying "dismantle
> >> 'Israel'"
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Anyway, I started writing this email on Tuesday
> >> and
> >>> stopped in the middle because I had to leave to
> go
> >> to
> >>> the Communications Committee meeting. I hadn't
> >>> finished stating all my concerns with Colby's
> >> draft.
> >>> But in the meantime I have written another draft
> >>> statement based on Colby and annie's statements
> >> with a
> >>> lot of changes and additions.  I  honored the
> >> request
> >>> to not put "Israel" in quotes all the time and
> to
> >> make
> >>> specific demands for justice in all of Palestine
> >>> rather than simply calling for the state of
> Israel
> >> to
> >>> be dismantled. And I guess I wrote a draft
> without
> >>> using the word terror or terrorism or terrorist.
> >> Maybe
> >>> we should add something about state terrorism as
> >> Bill
> >>> suggests. Actually I'll quickly add that in and
> we
> >> can
> >>> see if Colby has concerns about it. I'll send my
> >> draft
> >>> in the next email.  - David
> >>>
> >>> --- BillCunningham <etwee at earthlink.net> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> I agree with Colby's point 2.
> >>>>
> >>>> As to point 1, a terrorist act is not hard to
> >>>> define. We should find some way to say how
> Israel
> >>>> and the US are twisting words to justify a
> policy
> >> of
> >>>> State terror in the strictest sense of the
> word.
> >>>>
> >>>> As to point 3, it is true that this would be a
> >> new
> >>>> position. But to dismantle Israel clearly
> refers
> >> to
> >>>> a State. I don't see that we have ever said
> >> anything
> >>>> about a secular State.
> >>>>
> >>>> We must find some way to respond to events more
> >>>> quickly. Our process is not very inspiring for
> >>>> people who might otherwise rally to our banner.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>>> From: "Colby E. Peterson"
> <saphron at verizon.net>
> >>>>> Sent: Jul 15, 2006 11:14 PM
> >>>>> To: BillCunningham <etwee at earthlink.net>,
> >>>> Discussion List for StateCom members
> >>>> <statecom-discuss at green-rainbow.org>
> >>>>> Subject: Re: [statecom-discuss] gr response to
> >> the
> >>>> recent round of terror
> >>>>>
> >>>>> My disagreements with Annie's text (which I
> did
> >> use
> >>>> some parts from
> >>>>> since I think some of it was good):
> >>>>>
> >>>>> 1. I disagree with the use of the word
> >> "terrorist."
> >>>> Us labeling
> >>>>> anyone a terrorist is just as bad as our
> >> opponents
> >>>> labeling anyone
> >>>>> terrorists, which is a term that is used to
> >> inflame
> >>>> emotions due to
> >>>>> its all too vague definition at this point.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> 2. I disagree with the use of quotations marks
> >> when
> >>>> referring to
> >>>>> Israel. Israel is not an idea, it is a place
> >> where
> >>>> real people live.
> >>>>> Some of us may disagree with its existence,
> what
> >> we
> >>>> cannot credibly
> >>>>> deny its very existence. It also changes the
> >> tone
> >>>> of the statement
> >>>>> and makes it less professional-reading against
> >> our
> >>>> advantage.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> 3. I do not agree with the specific call to
> >>>> "dismantle Israel," as
> >>>>> our goal has not specifically been to
> dismantle
> >> the
> >>>> people that make
> >>>>> a nation, but our ultimate goal is for ALL
> >> peoples
> >>>> in the historic
> >>>>> Palestine region to be treated equally and not
> >>>> under an oppressed
> >>>>> system of apartheid, which we have defined as
> a
> >>>> secular government.
> >>>>> This may mean that Israel is inadvertently
> >>>> disassembled, but it may
> >>>>> follow a different scenario to equal rights
> and
> >> the
> >>>> end of oppression
> >>>>> similar to South Africa where the country
> stayed
> >>>> but the groups were
> >>>>> effectively integrated, but I do not think we
> >>>> should state that
> >>>>> Israel be disassembled at this time.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Those are my concerns.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> - Colby
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> On Jul 15, 2006, at 5:46 PM, BillCunningham
> >> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> These two responses don't seem so different
> to
> >>>> me. Would Colby
> >>>>>> explain why he doesn't agree with annie's
> text?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Mike sent out a series of statements by
> >> Democrat
> >>>> politicians in
> >>>>>> support of Israel. I think that annie's
> >> statement
> >>>> shows a point-by-
> >>>>>> point refutation of those Democrat
> statements,
> >>>> showing that the
> >>>>>> truth of the matter is the exact reverse of
> the
> >>>> Israel/Democrat
> >>>>>> position.... Would annie agree to have us
> quote
> >>>> each Dem statement
> >>>>>> and follow it by her corresponding statement?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>>>>> From: "Colby E. Peterson"
> >> <saphron at verizon.net>
> >>>>>>> Sent: Jul 15, 2006 9:59 AM
> >>>>>>> To: "Green-Rainbow Party (GRP)
> Administrative
> >>>> Committee"
> >>>>>>> <adcom at green-rainbow.org>, Discussion List
> for
> >>>> StateCom members
> >>>>>>> <statecom-discuss at green-rainbow.org>
> >>>>>>> Subject: Re: [statecom-discuss] gr response
> to
> >>>> the recent round of
> >>>>>>> terror
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> My proposed language for a response:
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> 	The Green-Rainbow Party has in the past
> >>>> affirmed in Palestine's
> >>>>>>> right to defend itself from an illegal
> >>>> occupation and the illegal
> >>>>>>> actions of Israel. We today reaffirm that
> >>>> Palestine has that right,
> >>>>>>> and we stand with the oppressed. We find
> >>>> Israel's actions to be out
> >>>>>>> of line with international law and, in terms
> >> of
> >>>> a response to the
> >>>>>>> capture of a handful of soldiers, completely
> >>>> disproportionate in
> >>>>>>> scale. We find the deliberate bombing of
> >>>> civilian infrastructure and
> >>>>>>> the death of civilians to be war crimes, and
> >>>> call on Israel to cease
> >>>>>>> any and all offensives immediately and leave
> >>>> Palestinian and Lebanese
> >>>>>>> territory forever. We call on all parties to
> >>>> reopen discussions
> >>>>>>> immediately and to stop escalating violence
> in
> >>>> the region.
> >>>>>>> 	The Green-Rainbow Party repeats its call on
> >> all
> >>>> invested parties,
> >>>>>>> including the United States, to divest from
> or
> >>>> cease foreign aid to
> >>>>>>> Israel immediately to stop funding of the
> >>>> killing of civilians, the
> >>>>>>> destruction of property, and the
> perpetuation
> >> of
> >>>> an apartheid
> >>>>>>> society.
> >>>>>>> 	Those who finance, direct, or otherwise
> >> support
> >>>> acts like these
> >>>>>>> need to understand that they have produced
> an
> >>>> extremely dangerous
> >>>>>>> situation and that they are responsible for
> >> the
> >>>> consequences. We call
> >>>>>>> on the UN and international community to
> take
> >>>> action to stop the
> >>>>>>> bloodshed and condemn and then sanction
> Israel
> >>>> for its illegal
> >>>>>>> actions.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> On Jul 15, 2006, at 8:37 AM, annie butler
> >> wrote:
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> and now for our response.  i hope it sounds
> >>>> familiar since i used
> >>>>>>>> the words our duly elected as the outline
> for
> >>>> the text below.  does
> >>>>>>>> statecom respond, ad com, mrgra...all of
> us?
> >>>> annie
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> At a time when Palestine finds itself under
> >>>> occupation and attack
> >>>>>>>> by forces funded and supplied by the United
> >>>> States, the Green
> >>>>>>>> Rainbow Party of Massachusettes  stands
> >>>> shoulder-to-shoulder with
> >>>>>>>> Palestinians in support of its right to
> >> defend
> >>>> itself and people
> >>>>>>>> from terrorist and militant attacks.
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> The Green Rainbow leadership strongly
> >> condemns
> >>>> the bombing of the
> >>>>>>>> Lebonese airport  by soldiers bought and
> paid
> >>>> for with our tax
> >>>>>>>> dollars.  Countries with influence over
> >>>> "Israel", particularly the
> >>>>>>>> United States, must move quickly to bring
> >> about
> >>>> the end of the
> >>>>>>>> current round of rocket attacks in Gaza and
> >>>> positions in Lebanon.
> >>>>>>>> Those who finance, direct, or otherwise
> >> support
> >>>> acts like these
> >>>>>>>> need to understand that they have produced
> an
> >>>> extremely dangerous
> >>>>>>>> situation and that they are responsible for
> >> the
> >>>> consequences.
> >>>>>>>> Palestine, and now Lebanon, have an
> inherent
> >>>> right to self defense.
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> Today's attacks by "Israel" into Lebanese
> >>>> territory were
> >>>>>>>> disgraceful and unwarranted acts of
> violence
> >> by
> >>>> a terrorist
> >>>>>>>> organization. "Israel" must release any
> >>>> captured civilians or
> >>>>>>>> soldiers immediately. "Israel" must be
> >>>> dismantled, and all nations
> >>>>>>>> have an obligation to
> >>>>>>>> cease any and all assistance to this
> >> terrorist
> >>>> organization.
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> If the world is serious about peace in the
> >>>> Middle East, then
> >>>>>>>> "Israel" needs to be held accountable for
> >>>> feeding, fostering, and
> >>>>>>>> unleashing, rabid, blood-spattered killers.
> >> The
> >>>> money, weapons and
> >>>>>>>> political support "Israel" receives the
> >> United
> >>>> States is  not
> >>>>>>>> uncontrollable or a natural phenomena and
> the
> >>>> international
> >>>>>>>> community must demand that they stop.
> >>>> Cross-border attacks on any
> >>>>>>>> country by "Israel" should result in tough
> >>>> international sanctions,
> >>>>>>>> and the UN Security Council should
> >> immediately
> >>>> pursue this option.
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >>>>>>>> statecom-discuss mailing list
> >>>>>>>> statecom-discuss at green-rainbow.org
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>
> >
>
http://www.green-rainbow.org/mailman/listinfo/statecom-discuss
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >>>>>>> statecom-discuss mailing list
> >>>>>>> statecom-discuss at green-rainbow.org
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>
> >
>
http://www.green-rainbow.org/mailman/listinfo/statecom-discuss
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Bill Cunningham
> >>>>>>
> _______________________________________________
> >>>>>> statecom-discuss mailing list
> >>>>>> statecom-discuss at green-rainbow.org
> >>>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>
> >
>
http://www.green-rainbow.org/mailman/listinfo/statecom-discuss
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Bill Cunningham
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> statecom-discuss mailing list
> >>>> statecom-discuss at green-rainbow.org
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>
> >
>
http://www.green-rainbow.org/mailman/listinfo/statecom-discuss
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
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> >>
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> >>
> >
> >
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> >
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> 
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>
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