"As a Jewish atheist...
..., I do not intend to enter the fray of this debate. It is much beyond my humble abilities to understand the logic of the Pope. But I cannot overlook one passage, which concerns me too, as an Israeli living near the fault-line of this 'war of civilizations'."
For those of you familiar with Uri Avnery's writing, it will come as no surprise that he provides the best response to the Pope's recent quote (quote-unquote)** mistake.
Please take a moment to read the article.
**thanks, Espy.
For those of you familiar with Uri Avnery's writing, it will come as no surprise that he provides the best response to the Pope's recent quote (quote-unquote)** mistake.
Please take a moment to read the article.
**thanks, Espy.
Labels: Beirut 2006, Books / Reading, Faith
posted by just a girl at 7:43 PM
7 Comments:
I wasn't completely sold on the idea of george Bush's ideas blending into the Pope's words at first, but in the second last line Avnery says, "... not the last time a robber's expedition becomes a Crusade."
Nice article. Thank you Espy and Maha.
Regardless of the crux of this piece, what's important for me is who wrote it >> Avnery's defense is solid, and I just think he's such a brilliant man!
My dad sent this to me, and Espy I have to thank for affording me the opportunity to use her "quote (quote-unquote)" brilliance!
m
Sometimes the weight of the truth is enough to physically make your shoulders sag.
I was brought up a Catholic. Can't quite bring myself to abandon that faith, but I--like my VERY faithful Catholic mother--am unable to accept the current pope as a true leader. I can't accept that he should follow John Paul II, who began at least to try and make some amends for the Church's mistakes.
It's hard. I believe Bush is a robber-oil-baron; I believe the pope is terrifically inadequate, antiquated, tragically conservative in his views and rather disgustingly pious toward our (gag...) President.
On the other hand, it's been heavily suggested that he was made pope because he's not expected to have a long tenure. I hate to use such a morbid tone, but that's what I heard.
Robert Fisk, Uri Avnery, John Pilger... justs some of the brilliant writers I go out of my way to read and dissect.
Then there was Edward Said too, god rest his soul.
I think one the only three times that I have actually sent a complaint to a website/media company through any form of communication was when The Independent decided that it wanted to charge people for reading Robert Fisk articles. I was incensed.
The other two times were during the Hockey Night in Canada crisis, when CBC was stonewalling its negotiations with Ron MacLean and threatened not to renew his contract. I was incensed then too.
Hey Espy, it's difficult isn't it? When we don't agree with those who "represent" us...
I have a lot of respect for Christianity in general because at the end of the day, all Abrahamic religions have at their epicentre the same concepts. That they are twisted by MAN in order to meet political gains is historically accurate and not a deterrant to religion for me.
It sucks to be us these days...believers, for the most part. At the same time, it's often times the only thing which gives me hope :)
Did you have a question? Sorry.
Uzi, Amina Hass, Norman Finkelstein, Noam Chomsky, Marc Ellis, Tanya Reinheart and so so so many more.
Before Said died, I had the honour of hearing him speak at the Right of Return conference in Boston. That same event was present Fisk, Chomsky & Roger Owens. I had a moment to speak with Chomsky about my M.A. and I nearly wet myself I was so excited.
That was the first of two times Fisk gave me his number. He's old, but I still crush on him. I can't help it :S (but it was never strong enough for me to actually use the number...)
That's hilarious that you wrote re hockey. You're such a Canadian boy, I love it, lol!!
I was writing a little more of my Beirut Wrap Up today and ya Allah, there's just so much to write, I find it overwhelming. So, once again, I set it aside. I'm pathetic, I know...
xo
m
I heard Noam Chomsky speak at Mcmaster, honestly I find his ideas and books highly stimulating and noteworthy.. but his eloquence is far from up to par. The whole crowd was slightly dissappointed I felt. But once me and my friends settled in on his drone like unemotional voice, we really picked up some deep ideas, he covers so much ground so fast and its almost impossible to poke holes in his arguments, even if one tries to play the staunchest of devil's advocates.
All the writers you mentioned are awesome. Finklesteign will be visiting MAC very soon, if you are in teh Toronto area, perhaps you can check him out. It shoudl be good. A Palestinian group on our campus has invited him.
Robert Fisk... I have an academic, intellectual, platonic crush on him. He is awesome. I think I went into shock when I heard about how he had been beaten within an inch of his life in Afghanistan. I was so sad at a world who through its own ignorance could do such a thing to someone working so hard to educate others about the injustices inherent in our society. Fate, I have learnt, is a cruel mistress.
What's that Common says in one his songs? "Reality is a bitch, and I hear she bites." word..
Oh God, Noam Chomsky is the definitive "absent minded prof"...I mean, the guy is terrible, MOST ESPECIALLY when someone poses a Q which Noam finds sub-par. I watched him desecrate (sp?) a woman at the gathering and it was so obviously done because he thought she was an idiot for posing the Q.
I almost passed out on her behalf. But then I though: You're dumb, lady.
& I got over it.
He's a genuis, and they're not known for their social skills. It's really cute.
When we sat down together, he was wearing orthopedic shoes and a jacket that had suede patches on the elbows. His hair was dishevled (sp?) and his shirt wasn't tucked in properly. I wanted to squeeze him. But I didn't.
I've seen Finkelstein speak on several occasions. If he'll be in T-Dot, chances are he'll come here or Montreal and I'll make certain to see him. Thanks for the info!
And Robert Robert Robert. What a man. What a crazy man! And I too nearly lost it when I found out he was beaten within an inch of his life. Incredible his response. What a man. Sheesh. I thought it was in Iraq, though??
xo
m
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