On the censorship issue, I wonder whether it would make sense for the ROS folks to create a separate thread — a land of lost posts, or whatnot — in which deleted entries were deposited for viewing by those who are interested. My own approach would be to disable posting on that thread (so as not to simply move ad hominem personal flame wars from one thread to another). This way, those of us who care only for the substantive debate can simply ignore the other thread, and those of us who want to evaluate claims that this or that post was deleted based on mere substantive disagreement can do so. Under the current policy, folks can assert that there was nothing offensive in the deleted post, and unless one happened to read it before it was deleted, there’s no way to tell. Sadly, this may give too much power to the offender in framing the debate.

I fear the “pro-Israel” term is being stolen by one side in this heated ongoing discussion. No, they can’t have it. I know you understand what I mean. I feel I am pro-Israel. I want Israel to survive, very much so.( I want this country to suvive!). But I believe deeply and strongly that Israel cannot survive without making peace, and peacemaking cannot happen without steadiness towards that goal and finally compromise and risk. Both sides have proven well enough they are not going away.

More on language : jdyer says he was “censored”. No he was not censored. He was deleted many times, too many times, as warning, after our group discussion, in which he partook, about the rules. He took advantage despite that and defied his hosts and posters who flagged him again and again. Finally finally after being given a long long rope, he hung himself all the while protesting about his rights. Other’s rights to live here free of his abuse mattered not at all. In the end he asked for this, practically begged for it to prove to himself how unjust we are.

And no it does not feel good. I don’t feel any schadenfreude., I doubt anyone does. I feel sad. I and a reckon others here would much rather have a civil discussion with him aboard. He did not want it that way, convinced that we are against him. I will not abuse him at leisure; this is not about him, not anymore.

About the use/abuse of language- some use “peace” or ”pro-peace” as a dirty word. Anyone who advocates peace or even talking is “appeasing” which brings us back to the subject we left, talking to Syria.

I for one enjoy your posts, and not just because we often agree.

I will note one thing in passing: In a recent thread, you (Potter) and I had a heated but very polite exchange with PLNelson regarding Israel. PLN took a very strong pro-Israel stance with respect to both of us but kept to the issues and avoided personal attacks. Not one of his posts was deleted.

Of course you will be able to abuse me at leisure since I will no longer be here.

People like you, Potter, don’t do well in intellectual exchanges and need censors to keep you going.

Enjoy your one sided conversation!

Regarding family positions on Israel, they have given me intimate knowledge of the divisions within the larger Israeli/Jewish community and an understanding particularly on an emotional level of actions and policies. The basic arguments have all been aired out long ago. Love and respect prevail always. Life is too short.

You are very good at turning things around.

My posts were deleted. That is an infringement of my freedom of speech.

You are against censorship, you say. Yet you use it when it suits you.

Take all your rationalizations and stuff ‘em.

“I have no problem with loving and respecting my family, nor do they have a problem with me. When we differ, we do so respectfully. What is happening here is about your problems, not mine.”

More excuses and lies. You said you did.

I’d like to hear what they say about you.

From what I read of your posts, and your denials not withstanding, you are so full of hatred towards your family and towards Israel that you can’t tell any more what is legitimate critic and what is antisemitic.

“There was no reason in hell why all my post should have been deleted. None.”

This is a double standard you demand. You claim you should be allowed to name-call, demean and generally act disrespectfully while demanding all your priviledges here while everyone else must obey the rules. You were very quick to complain when attacked back ( and I got deleted). Your deletions have nothing whatsoever to do with your point of view which is represented on this website by others who know how to behave much better.

jdyer says: “You have got some kind of problem with your family and with Jews, Potter. That is your private business.”

I have no problem with loving and respecting my family, nor do they have a problem with me. When we differ, we do so respectfully. What is happening here is about your problems, not mine.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/TGD/slideshow/0,,2-103,00.html

Peter Brookes, November 27, 2006

Screw the guidelines. They are being arbitrarily enforced. Only the posts of those who disagree with the prevailing anti-Zionist antisemitic ideology of this website and radio program are being deleted.

There was no reason in hell why all my post should have been deleted. None.

Not everything I wrote was against their precious guidelines.

It is censorship which you favor when it means deleting posts in which you are shown to be in error. I wouldn’t be suprised if this post too were to be deleted.

You have got some kind of problem with your family and with Jews, Potter. That is your private business. .

Mine is to call you own it and I will till I am banished.