[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Alright, first of all I didn't see you responds to the claims made by leaders in the Arab world.

You're right I did not. I find that type of exercise to be silly and futile. Avigdor Lieberman has made some brutal comments, and is a member of the Israeli government. But I don't go trotting those out because I don't think they're representative. I don't ask you to refute clear craziness, and ask that you treat me the same. I don't play that silly game.

Originally Posted by gvitaly

For some reason comments made by leaders of countries tend to represent the attitude of a country towards another. And yes I am making the generalization that if those people are still in power they represent the majority in their country. I know, I took a huge leap there...

See Avigdor Lieberman. I can post more, but it is not my interest. I'm not trying to pigeonhole a country and its population through quotations. I'm more into looking at actions. Please feel free to exchange inflammatory quotes with another poster.

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Do I know what each and every muslim thinks? No! Do I think that muslims as a whole want war? No! Do I think muslims are hostile people as a whole? No! Do I believe that a person living in a muslim country in the middle east is more likely to criticize Israeli war actions and ignore Palestinian ones? Yes. Again A huge leap I know...

So? The exact same train of thought can be put into place for Israelis if you wanted. It just means people tend to evince nationalism under a disguise of patriotism. But it proves nothing and is irrelevant to a resolution.

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Guess what in a discussion people over emphasize their points, that's where the generalizations come. Here is one used by you a few posts back- .... Seems very similar to points I am trying to make.

Funny as my generalizations about Israelis were positive: they're good people who want peace. Go back and read your generalizations from the beginning.

You'll have to excuse me if I don't find positive generalizations about human beings offensive or in the same vein as the ones you're making. My default is to assume people are good and peaceful, and I think a scan of the world proves that to be true. I don't find that generalization offensive. Generalizations that suggest baseline stances that run counter to respecting other people are offensive, and should give you pause before committing them to paper (or screen)

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I know its easier to attack the flow of thoughts quickly written during 5 min off work, than responding to the actual points I made.

I don't attack flow of thoughts. I read, am dependent on your use of language, and respond accordingly. And I have more than 5 minutes off of work, thank you very much.

Originally Posted by gvitaly

If it makes you feel like a better man I am happy for you .

It makes me feel better as a man when I work from the premise that people are peaceful and desire dignity. I don't value one person's dignity more than another's simply based on some arbitrary piece of biology that determined when and where they were born. Unless they are Oilers fans, at which point it's clear they do not desire dignity.