I have over the course of my life studied the role of history and its impact on the human condition. What I present in point like form are some of my insights and realizations. My challenge has always been one of finding clarity and in this regards .
1. I am best described as a classical liberal in that I champion democracy, human rights, private ownership of property, investigative science, free enterprise, meritocracy, high levels of education, the rule of law and a complete openness to discussion and debate within society.
2. I believe that Western Civilization, while not a pinnacle of all that there is, represents an advanced state of the human condition. I will make no apologies for this position as to do so generally invokes the odious philosophy of cultural relativism.
3. I appreciate religion as a system of ethics but believe that it should be divorced from the functioning of the state.
4. It is critical that the leadership of the great Western nations guard themselves against the forces of barbarism that threatens it.
5. While Western Civilization represents an advanced state in the history of our species it is still incumbent on the civilization’s institutions to learn from the other great cultures viz. Sino-Japanese, Latin American, Slavic, Hindu etc.
In summary: When a society loses the essence of what makes it special it loses the essence of what makes it great.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Challenges to Western Civilization
The march toward human betterment in Western Civilization has been opposed by various force-dynamics or barbarisms. Some of these force-dynamics have been products of the outside world others were creations from within. The following is a list of such force-dynamics. (All are problematic, some have been overcome but others remain as an epidemic that future generations will have to deal with.)
· Feudalism – Ended by the Renaissance, the Age of Exploration, early urbanization and the birth of the modern economy;
· The Domination of the Totalitarian Church – Eventually Eclipsed by the Reformation, the Enlightenment and the Rise of Reason and Science;
· Powers of the Aristocracy – Ended by both the violent and non-violent bourgeoisie revolution, liberalism and nationalism;
· Fascism – Defeated by the Western Democracies in World War II;
· Communism – Defeated by the Economic Machine of the United States;
· Islamism – A struggle that still continues;
· Post Modernism – A challenge in progress – a consequence of intellectual nihilism and misguided cynicism;
· Greed Capitalism – A dangerous but age old phenomenon that still survives.
· Feudalism – Ended by the Renaissance, the Age of Exploration, early urbanization and the birth of the modern economy;
· The Domination of the Totalitarian Church – Eventually Eclipsed by the Reformation, the Enlightenment and the Rise of Reason and Science;
· Powers of the Aristocracy – Ended by both the violent and non-violent bourgeoisie revolution, liberalism and nationalism;
· Fascism – Defeated by the Western Democracies in World War II;
· Communism – Defeated by the Economic Machine of the United States;
· Islamism – A struggle that still continues;
· Post Modernism – A challenge in progress – a consequence of intellectual nihilism and misguided cynicism;
· Greed Capitalism – A dangerous but age old phenomenon that still survives.
On Good Science
Good Science is the pursuit of knowledge derived from questioning. It is science that looks at a phenomenon and attempts to elucidate its workings through rational thought and empirical investigation. It strives to be as objective as possible in its process. Conclusions are eventually drawn following the thorough analysis of evidence but the conclusions must not extend beyond the assumptions that so defined the research.
There is no single scientific method but there are broad procedures that extend from the initial observation, through hypothesis to the investigation, analysis and the subsequent conclusion(s) for any inquiry.
Scientists are not guardians of truth, but agents of clarification that peel away the fog of noise in an attempt to model more accurately the workings of the world. They are of course free to philosophize and speculate about the significance of their findings (something I call the extended objective) but these speculations should not overwrite (or even overextend) the mandate of their original research.
Scientists must understand the limits of their findings which ultimately calls for an appreciation of the boundaries of their respective disciplines. Science is not a religion, nor should it be vaunted a such, however it is the best tool that we humans have of understanding the material world. It is indeed very powerful but it is ultimately confined to the milieu of matter/energy.
There is no single scientific method but there are broad procedures that extend from the initial observation, through hypothesis to the investigation, analysis and the subsequent conclusion(s) for any inquiry.
Scientists are not guardians of truth, but agents of clarification that peel away the fog of noise in an attempt to model more accurately the workings of the world. They are of course free to philosophize and speculate about the significance of their findings (something I call the extended objective) but these speculations should not overwrite (or even overextend) the mandate of their original research.
Scientists must understand the limits of their findings which ultimately calls for an appreciation of the boundaries of their respective disciplines. Science is not a religion, nor should it be vaunted a such, however it is the best tool that we humans have of understanding the material world. It is indeed very powerful but it is ultimately confined to the milieu of matter/energy.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Norman Finkelstein Lashes out at BDS
Norman Finkelstein is still a detestable anti-zionist who has done his best to drag the Jewish state through the mud. His regular scholarship is poor but at least in this video he rightly calls out the anti-semitic BDS campaign for what they are - a Cult of Fools.
See http://vimeo.com/36854424
See http://vimeo.com/36854424
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Eight Reasons Why the US Should Quit Afghanistan
1. It’s a war that cannot be won. The mountainous terrain is perfect for guerrilla warfare and the porous border with Pakistan allows the Taliban to seek refuge beyond the grasp of the American forces.
2. Local Allies cannot be trusted. American soldiers have come under fire from Afghan troops (who are supposed to be on the Allied Side), while the Afghan President Hamid Karzai appears to be talking out of both sides of his mouth (he even suggested at one point that he would team up with the Taliban).
3. American lives are being lost for very little gain in propping up an intolerant Afghan government that still itself does not believe in religious freedom.
4. The War has further destabilized Pakistan. Its time that Pakistan dealt themselves with issues in their backyard.
5. The Afghan population is too tribal in its profile. Bringing Western style democracy to a country that has not gone through a religious reformation and intellectual renaissance – let alone an enlightenment – is ridiculous. If the US wishes to support interventionist nation building, which it really shouldn’t, it ought to make sure that there is a nation to build. Afghanistan fails this litmus test.
6. The cost on the US Treasury (and ultimately the taxpayer) is severe. The money is better spent elsewhere at home.
7. The big winners in this war are the enemies of the US, who can profit by selling weapons to the Taliban, who in turn fund their purchases with the sale of drugs. Once again the evil multiplies.
8. The Canadians have left, the French are on their way out and the British will be quitting soon. American left isolated in a foreign war, miles away from home, with no clear agenda, can only serve to further dampen troop morale and increase losses.
2. Local Allies cannot be trusted. American soldiers have come under fire from Afghan troops (who are supposed to be on the Allied Side), while the Afghan President Hamid Karzai appears to be talking out of both sides of his mouth (he even suggested at one point that he would team up with the Taliban).
3. American lives are being lost for very little gain in propping up an intolerant Afghan government that still itself does not believe in religious freedom.
4. The War has further destabilized Pakistan. Its time that Pakistan dealt themselves with issues in their backyard.
5. The Afghan population is too tribal in its profile. Bringing Western style democracy to a country that has not gone through a religious reformation and intellectual renaissance – let alone an enlightenment – is ridiculous. If the US wishes to support interventionist nation building, which it really shouldn’t, it ought to make sure that there is a nation to build. Afghanistan fails this litmus test.
6. The cost on the US Treasury (and ultimately the taxpayer) is severe. The money is better spent elsewhere at home.
7. The big winners in this war are the enemies of the US, who can profit by selling weapons to the Taliban, who in turn fund their purchases with the sale of drugs. Once again the evil multiplies.
8. The Canadians have left, the French are on their way out and the British will be quitting soon. American left isolated in a foreign war, miles away from home, with no clear agenda, can only serve to further dampen troop morale and increase losses.
40 Things I would do if I were President of the US
1. Cancel all future corporation bailouts from the Federal Government. Unsuccessful businesses should be allowed to fail.
2. Reduce tax rates on the Middle Class.
3. Decrease the size of the Federal government by 30%.
4. Remove all Affirmative Action Programs in the Federal government.
5. Remove government guarantees for student loans – I believe that this will drop the price of university tuition.
6. Withdraw American forces from Afghanistan
7. Allow the Keystone Pipeline to pass from Alberta through the Central US.
8. Introduce legislation to ban late term abortion (unless the mother’s life is in danger).
9. Increase tariffs on select foreign goods that cannot be manufactured in the US.
10. Place high tariffs on cheap import direct-to-retail products from the Far East
11. Introduce a balance budget amendment.
12. Maintain guarantees for Stem Cell Research.
13. Introduce legislation that universities remove speech codes on the grounds that they contradict the First Amendment.
14. Support an aggressive program for School Vouchers that allow parents a greater choice in school selection.
15. End the War on Drugs. Legalize many of the narcotics but tax them heavily.
16. Build a fence between the US and Mexico to prevent illegal aliens reaching the US.
17. Draft legislation to declare English the only official language of the Republic.
18. Enforce the extradition of illegal aliens currently residing in the US.
19. Reinvigorate the Space Race. Increase Funding for NASA. Encourage Private Enterprise in the Space Arena.
20. Increase vigilance on foreign student visa programs. Reduce Visa approvals for students coming to the US from countries that are ‘soft’ on terrorism.
21. Grant Independence to Puerto Rica.
22. Limit the number of times a convicted felon can appeal a death sentence.
23. Close as many tax loopholes as possible but allow tax rebates for investment in the healthcare sector.
24. Establish a League of Democracies as a counterbalance to the UN.
25. Make foreign aid to various nations contingent on these countries meeting human rights quotas.
26. Re-allocate wasted funding for ‘Fuzzy’ Climate Change research to real funding for the National Parks and Endangered Species Programs.
27. Remove the US from all carbon credit trading agreements.
28. Set aside tax rebate money that individuals have to use to purchase healthcare.
29. Set aside savings in reduction of federal government size for funding of extended Medicare and Medicaid.
30. Introduce stronger regulations for both the Derivatives and Futures Markets.
31. Promote tax rebates for companies investing in poor areas.
32. Close down US bases in Europe. Let the Europeans defend themselves.
33. Place stronger sanctions on Iran. Promote a sporting and cultural ban for Iran (similar to the one faced by South Africa during the Apartheid Era). Give Iran an ultimatum to cease its development of a nuclear bomb or face the consequences.
34. Cut off all aid to Pakistan until it comes clean in its position in the fight against Islamism.
35. Stop funding projects in the Gaza Strip that ultimately produce a windfall for the terror affiliated Hamas administration.
36. Resume relations with Cuba and lift boycott contingent on free elections in the country.
37. Boycott Venezuelan and Saudi oil in favour of Non-OPEC Ethical Oil sources.
38. Consolidate the intelligent gathering agencies NIS, Military Intelligence, Naval Intelligence, CIA into one single unit.
39. Fight to amend the constitution to limit the time that judges can sit on the US Supreme Court.
40. Promote Apprenticeship programs as and alternative to the highly overrated College Degrees.
2. Reduce tax rates on the Middle Class.
3. Decrease the size of the Federal government by 30%.
4. Remove all Affirmative Action Programs in the Federal government.
5. Remove government guarantees for student loans – I believe that this will drop the price of university tuition.
6. Withdraw American forces from Afghanistan
7. Allow the Keystone Pipeline to pass from Alberta through the Central US.
8. Introduce legislation to ban late term abortion (unless the mother’s life is in danger).
9. Increase tariffs on select foreign goods that cannot be manufactured in the US.
10. Place high tariffs on cheap import direct-to-retail products from the Far East
11. Introduce a balance budget amendment.
12. Maintain guarantees for Stem Cell Research.
13. Introduce legislation that universities remove speech codes on the grounds that they contradict the First Amendment.
14. Support an aggressive program for School Vouchers that allow parents a greater choice in school selection.
15. End the War on Drugs. Legalize many of the narcotics but tax them heavily.
16. Build a fence between the US and Mexico to prevent illegal aliens reaching the US.
17. Draft legislation to declare English the only official language of the Republic.
18. Enforce the extradition of illegal aliens currently residing in the US.
19. Reinvigorate the Space Race. Increase Funding for NASA. Encourage Private Enterprise in the Space Arena.
20. Increase vigilance on foreign student visa programs. Reduce Visa approvals for students coming to the US from countries that are ‘soft’ on terrorism.
21. Grant Independence to Puerto Rica.
22. Limit the number of times a convicted felon can appeal a death sentence.
23. Close as many tax loopholes as possible but allow tax rebates for investment in the healthcare sector.
24. Establish a League of Democracies as a counterbalance to the UN.
25. Make foreign aid to various nations contingent on these countries meeting human rights quotas.
26. Re-allocate wasted funding for ‘Fuzzy’ Climate Change research to real funding for the National Parks and Endangered Species Programs.
27. Remove the US from all carbon credit trading agreements.
28. Set aside tax rebate money that individuals have to use to purchase healthcare.
29. Set aside savings in reduction of federal government size for funding of extended Medicare and Medicaid.
30. Introduce stronger regulations for both the Derivatives and Futures Markets.
31. Promote tax rebates for companies investing in poor areas.
32. Close down US bases in Europe. Let the Europeans defend themselves.
33. Place stronger sanctions on Iran. Promote a sporting and cultural ban for Iran (similar to the one faced by South Africa during the Apartheid Era). Give Iran an ultimatum to cease its development of a nuclear bomb or face the consequences.
34. Cut off all aid to Pakistan until it comes clean in its position in the fight against Islamism.
35. Stop funding projects in the Gaza Strip that ultimately produce a windfall for the terror affiliated Hamas administration.
36. Resume relations with Cuba and lift boycott contingent on free elections in the country.
37. Boycott Venezuelan and Saudi oil in favour of Non-OPEC Ethical Oil sources.
38. Consolidate the intelligent gathering agencies NIS, Military Intelligence, Naval Intelligence, CIA into one single unit.
39. Fight to amend the constitution to limit the time that judges can sit on the US Supreme Court.
40. Promote Apprenticeship programs as and alternative to the highly overrated College Degrees.
Monday, January 02, 2012
Ron Paul - A Poor Choice for President
1. He is overly radical in his championing of the free market and seems likely to slash and burn key social programs in the name of a balanced budget (which is a necessity but thebudget must be balanced with care). I myself tend toward the monetarist approach in the great economic debate but I believe and support key Keynesian initiatives in moderation. I do not believe that Paul’s bias allows him to take the same approach. He is too dogmatic in his economics. Libertarianism at its extreme is inherently flawed, in that it defers to the simplistic, as does in all irony its Marxist antithesis.
2. He would follow an isolationist foreign policy, which at a time when the West needs strong leadership in the fight against Islamism would spell disaster. One need not look further than the inter war years and the growth of Fascism and Stalinism in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s to see what happens when Good Nations do nothing against an evil.
3. He is weak on illegal immigration an issue which will become more and more pertinent in defining the national character in the 2010s.
4. He often makes historical errors when discussing foreign policy question indicating that his grasp of history is suspect.
5. Paul is supported by some of the most loathsome kooks in American Politics: Neo-Nazis, White Supremacists, Conspiracy theorists etc. He has not sufficiently distanced himself from these extremists which is disturbing as such members will no doubt gain more influence within the Paulista realm.
6. Paul is no fan of the US Military and his policies could jeopardize US Security initiatives world wide by a following through with a spate of base closing. America’s enemies will certainly see this as a sign of weakness in the decay of the nation.
2. He would follow an isolationist foreign policy, which at a time when the West needs strong leadership in the fight against Islamism would spell disaster. One need not look further than the inter war years and the growth of Fascism and Stalinism in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s to see what happens when Good Nations do nothing against an evil.
3. He is weak on illegal immigration an issue which will become more and more pertinent in defining the national character in the 2010s.
4. He often makes historical errors when discussing foreign policy question indicating that his grasp of history is suspect.
5. Paul is supported by some of the most loathsome kooks in American Politics: Neo-Nazis, White Supremacists, Conspiracy theorists etc. He has not sufficiently distanced himself from these extremists which is disturbing as such members will no doubt gain more influence within the Paulista realm.
6. Paul is no fan of the US Military and his policies could jeopardize US Security initiatives world wide by a following through with a spate of base closing. America’s enemies will certainly see this as a sign of weakness in the decay of the nation.
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Mitt Romney - Possible Dragon Slayer
As it stands right now I am reluctantly endorsing Mitt Romney for President. While the former Massachusetts governor is far cry from the likes of Truman and Reagan he is significantly better than Obama and clearly ahead of Perry, Bachman, Huntsman, Santorum, Gingrich and Paul in both electibility and practicality of policy. As a center-right conservative with East Coast appeal Romney can shake Obama's voter base in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida and New Jersey and with an added West Coast draw will likely challenge in California as well. The Dems must be worried about his recent upsurge, as they were clearly licking their chops at facing the lesser choices already named.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Obama - Three Years of Pathos
There is no doubt whatsoever that Barack Hussein Obama has been a D-Level president. In fact in almost all categories he falls short of the litmus test for marginal competency.
On the economic front, the Obama stimulus packages have failed miserably to ignite the economy (as any monetarist could have told him) and instead has entangled the US with the greatest debt in the history of the republic. This ‘legacy’ that future generations will have to account for is a noxious burden made worse by the fact that so much of it is held by China – a country destined to overthrow the US as the leading superpower both economically and strategically. Furthermore Obama and his intellectual posse have advocated a cultural of financial dependency by ensuring that 47% of Americans will be benefiting but not contributing to the nation’s tax base. Confidence in the economy is low and as manufacturing potential deteriorates the spiral of American decline is further exemplified by a shrinking private sector and the growth of the big government monolith. Critics will argue that Obama inherited many of these problems from the previous administration, a charge that carries a semblance of truth (although the Democrat controlled Congress shoulders much blame as well), but the fact that he has made a bad situation exponentially worse and now owns much of the current problem is a more potent truism.
However if the lights are all but out on Obama’s economic policy, his Foreign Policy initiatives deserve equal ridicule. Particularly galling is his failure to apply common sense to the ever present cauldron of middle east politics. Starting with appeasement and self flagellation at his infamous Cairo Speech, Obama has carried on the disastrous Carter initiatives of undermining American allies (in this case Israel and Mubarak’s Egypt) and empowering Islamic Fundamentalism in some misguided attempt to appear even handed. Just as Carter helped bring into power the Mullahs in Iran, Obama - through his free pass to the Islamists and rejection of Mubarak - must take credit for the pending and very likely takeover of Egypt by the Muslim Brotherhood- a fate that seems ever likely as the Arab Spring turns ever more sour (as if there was an alternative for a region that has still not moved into the enlightenment era). Couple that with his ill-fated Libyan venture, the growth of religious fundamentalism in Tunisia and Turkey, instability in Bahrain, Yemen and the growing nuclear menace of Iran and one would be hard pressed to find a life jacket in this sea of insanity.
But wait wasn’t Obama supposed to be the ethics president who was ushered in as a voice of change. True but who said change had to positive? Especially when it comes from a man who lacked the moral fortitude to back the people protests in Iran over the rigged election in his early tenure, and who constantly calls on Israel two making dangerous one sided compromises for the sake of an imaginary peace with a vengeful genocide driven enemy. Compare this to Ronald Reagan’s voice in calling out the Soviet Union's Evil Empire in the 1980s for what it really was (a human rights violator and tyranny) and the contrast in leadership is striking.
However Obama will persist, bolstered by his own sense of grandeur. He will take solace in the implementation of Obamacare, for which liberal historians will lionize him (as they did for Lyndon Johnson’s over hyped Great Society or Roosevelt’s New deal which in reality prolonged the Depression of the 1930s), even if the economics of paying for such a medical system will further increase the role of intrusive government, weaken the economy by augmenting debt accumulation, and in all probability downgrade the quality of health care available in the US, as is evident with the tortured history of socialized medicine in Western Europe and elsewhere.
What astounds me though is with all these shortcomings he still maintains a messiah-was at the forefront of great technology charge during the Cold War into an adjunct arm that seems almost wholly focussed in drumming up data to appease the mania associated with the global warming cult. Even a post modernist couldn’t have predicted such obvious deterioration in an organization synonymous with the American triumph. American Science will be rescued by private initiatives as it always has but this will of no thanks to the Obamabots.
Which brings me to the root of the Obama menace. Yes he is a third rate leader, but more to the point he is dangerous. The West needs strength especially in the light of the Islamist barbarism, cultural degradation, economic disaster and the entropy of decay that challenges any civilization. The US, following the abdication of Europe, is the natural leader in such regards but in order to lead it must believe with a full-heart in itself and have at its head a President who is comfortable with its exceptionalism. The fact that Obama is apparently devoid of this outlook is frightening and of comfort only to those who rejoice in the American decline. I pity the US should he be re-elected in 2012.
On the economic front, the Obama stimulus packages have failed miserably to ignite the economy (as any monetarist could have told him) and instead has entangled the US with the greatest debt in the history of the republic. This ‘legacy’ that future generations will have to account for is a noxious burden made worse by the fact that so much of it is held by China – a country destined to overthrow the US as the leading superpower both economically and strategically. Furthermore Obama and his intellectual posse have advocated a cultural of financial dependency by ensuring that 47% of Americans will be benefiting but not contributing to the nation’s tax base. Confidence in the economy is low and as manufacturing potential deteriorates the spiral of American decline is further exemplified by a shrinking private sector and the growth of the big government monolith. Critics will argue that Obama inherited many of these problems from the previous administration, a charge that carries a semblance of truth (although the Democrat controlled Congress shoulders much blame as well), but the fact that he has made a bad situation exponentially worse and now owns much of the current problem is a more potent truism.
However if the lights are all but out on Obama’s economic policy, his Foreign Policy initiatives deserve equal ridicule. Particularly galling is his failure to apply common sense to the ever present cauldron of middle east politics. Starting with appeasement and self flagellation at his infamous Cairo Speech, Obama has carried on the disastrous Carter initiatives of undermining American allies (in this case Israel and Mubarak’s Egypt) and empowering Islamic Fundamentalism in some misguided attempt to appear even handed. Just as Carter helped bring into power the Mullahs in Iran, Obama - through his free pass to the Islamists and rejection of Mubarak - must take credit for the pending and very likely takeover of Egypt by the Muslim Brotherhood- a fate that seems ever likely as the Arab Spring turns ever more sour (as if there was an alternative for a region that has still not moved into the enlightenment era). Couple that with his ill-fated Libyan venture, the growth of religious fundamentalism in Tunisia and Turkey, instability in Bahrain, Yemen and the growing nuclear menace of Iran and one would be hard pressed to find a life jacket in this sea of insanity.
But wait wasn’t Obama supposed to be the ethics president who was ushered in as a voice of change. True but who said change had to positive? Especially when it comes from a man who lacked the moral fortitude to back the people protests in Iran over the rigged election in his early tenure, and who constantly calls on Israel two making dangerous one sided compromises for the sake of an imaginary peace with a vengeful genocide driven enemy. Compare this to Ronald Reagan’s voice in calling out the Soviet Union's Evil Empire in the 1980s for what it really was (a human rights violator and tyranny) and the contrast in leadership is striking.
However Obama will persist, bolstered by his own sense of grandeur. He will take solace in the implementation of Obamacare, for which liberal historians will lionize him (as they did for Lyndon Johnson’s over hyped Great Society or Roosevelt’s New deal which in reality prolonged the Depression of the 1930s), even if the economics of paying for such a medical system will further increase the role of intrusive government, weaken the economy by augmenting debt accumulation, and in all probability downgrade the quality of health care available in the US, as is evident with the tortured history of socialized medicine in Western Europe and elsewhere.
What astounds me though is with all these shortcomings he still maintains a messiah-was at the forefront of great technology charge during the Cold War into an adjunct arm that seems almost wholly focussed in drumming up data to appease the mania associated with the global warming cult. Even a post modernist couldn’t have predicted such obvious deterioration in an organization synonymous with the American triumph. American Science will be rescued by private initiatives as it always has but this will of no thanks to the Obamabots.
Which brings me to the root of the Obama menace. Yes he is a third rate leader, but more to the point he is dangerous. The West needs strength especially in the light of the Islamist barbarism, cultural degradation, economic disaster and the entropy of decay that challenges any civilization. The US, following the abdication of Europe, is the natural leader in such regards but in order to lead it must believe with a full-heart in itself and have at its head a President who is comfortable with its exceptionalism. The fact that Obama is apparently devoid of this outlook is frightening and of comfort only to those who rejoice in the American decline. I pity the US should he be re-elected in 2012.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Documenting attitude toward Israel
Here is a scale from -10 to +7 that I have developed to categorize opinion toward Israel. I am a +2.
-10: Anti-Semitic, Anti-Zionist Primary: Hate the Jews and everything to do with the Jews. Would be extremely satisfied to see the Jews disappear off the face of the Earth.
Examples: Nazis, Hamas, Iranian Mullahs, KKK, Neo-Nazis, Stormfront, al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad..
-9: Anti-Semitic, Anti-Zionist Secondary: While not as extreme as the Primary in Action – are certainly equivalent in feeling.
Examples: David Duke, Ernst Zundel, Author of Jew Watch (although he may have to close down his site), Keegstra, Wendy Campbell, Louis Farrakhan, DFLP, PFLP.
-8: Anti-Semitic, Anti-Zionist Tertiary: While not necessarily supporting the extinction of Jews a such, certainly advocate the extinction of Jewish Nationalism. Tend to despise much of Jewish culture. Territory of Self Hating Jews.
Examples: Gilad Atzmon, Israel Shahak, Norman Finkelstein, Justin Raimondo, Trotskyites, Hardline Marxists, Israel Shamir, Lyndon La Rouche.
-7: Marginally Anti-Semitic, Anti-Zionist: However they don’t support the extinction of Judaism. Nevertheless the rhetoric borders on Anti-Semitism.
Examples: Many Paleo-Conservatives (Pat Buchanan etc), Fatah (reality), More main stream Communists, ISM, Neturei Karta.
-6: One-Staters in heart and head: Will not be satisfied until there is one-State (or no state) that exists in Israel/Palestine with full Palestinian right of Return. Do not recognize Israel’s right to exist. Anti-Zionist.
Examples: The Nation, Counterpunch, ZMag, Edward Said, Ilan Pappe, Noam Chomsky, Michael Neumann, Bishop Tutu, Nelson Mandela, George Galloway, Tony Greenstein, Samtar Hassids,
-5: One State in heart. Two State in head. Ideally would like to see a One-State but as of now are content on giving support to the Two State solution.
Examples: Fatah (in the Western Media), Hadash, George Soros, The Roses, Sid Ryan, UN faithful, The Guardian, Jesse Jackson.
-4: Support Two State: Limited Palestinian Right of Return. Jerusalem – two state capital
Examples: Meretz Left, Woody Allen, Canadian NDP, Michael Moore, EU position, BBC.
-3: 1967 with security. Two state solution back to pre-67 boundaries + Shared Jerusalem.
eg. Meretz Right, Labour Left, Canadian Liberal- Left, Yossi Beillin, CBC.
-2: Labour Mainstream: Two station solution + pre-67 boundaries + few necessary settlements. No Palestinian Right of Return.
Eg. Ehud Barak, Shimon Peres, Bill Clinton, Democratic Party Mainstream, Canadian Liberals Mainstream, George Bush, Amos Oz.,CNN faithful, Most of ABC, CBS, NBC.
-1: Two State Unilateral – Velvet Glove. Settler withdrawal from West Bank to follow. Security Focused.
Eg. Shimon Peres, Yitzhak Rabin, Alan Dershowitz, New Republic Magazine.
0: Two State Unilateral – Scaling down on Settler growth in West Bank. Possible closeres. Security Focused.
Eg. Kadima Central, Olmert, Livni
+1 Two State Unilateral – Differ from 1 in being less supportive of West Bank Settlement closing. Security Focused.
Eg. Kadima Right, Sharon, Moderate Likud, National Review.
+2 Two State Truncated Very strong security focus.
Likud Core, Commentary, Front Page Magazine.
Eg. Netanyahu.
+3. Likud Right. Strong security focus. No further hand backs, still support aggressive settlement growth in West Bank.
Eg. Yitzhak Shamir
+4-6: Settler Blocks.
Eg. The Block of the Faithful, Israel National Radio.
+ 7: Kach Party. JDL.
Eg. Followers of Rabbi Kahana. Masada 2000.
-10: Anti-Semitic, Anti-Zionist Primary: Hate the Jews and everything to do with the Jews. Would be extremely satisfied to see the Jews disappear off the face of the Earth.
Examples: Nazis, Hamas, Iranian Mullahs, KKK, Neo-Nazis, Stormfront, al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad..
-9: Anti-Semitic, Anti-Zionist Secondary: While not as extreme as the Primary in Action – are certainly equivalent in feeling.
Examples: David Duke, Ernst Zundel, Author of Jew Watch (although he may have to close down his site), Keegstra, Wendy Campbell, Louis Farrakhan, DFLP, PFLP.
-8: Anti-Semitic, Anti-Zionist Tertiary: While not necessarily supporting the extinction of Jews a such, certainly advocate the extinction of Jewish Nationalism. Tend to despise much of Jewish culture. Territory of Self Hating Jews.
Examples: Gilad Atzmon, Israel Shahak, Norman Finkelstein, Justin Raimondo, Trotskyites, Hardline Marxists, Israel Shamir, Lyndon La Rouche.
-7: Marginally Anti-Semitic, Anti-Zionist: However they don’t support the extinction of Judaism. Nevertheless the rhetoric borders on Anti-Semitism.
Examples: Many Paleo-Conservatives (Pat Buchanan etc), Fatah (reality), More main stream Communists, ISM, Neturei Karta.
-6: One-Staters in heart and head: Will not be satisfied until there is one-State (or no state) that exists in Israel/Palestine with full Palestinian right of Return. Do not recognize Israel’s right to exist. Anti-Zionist.
Examples: The Nation, Counterpunch, ZMag, Edward Said, Ilan Pappe, Noam Chomsky, Michael Neumann, Bishop Tutu, Nelson Mandela, George Galloway, Tony Greenstein, Samtar Hassids,
-5: One State in heart. Two State in head. Ideally would like to see a One-State but as of now are content on giving support to the Two State solution.
Examples: Fatah (in the Western Media), Hadash, George Soros, The Roses, Sid Ryan, UN faithful, The Guardian, Jesse Jackson.
-4: Support Two State: Limited Palestinian Right of Return. Jerusalem – two state capital
Examples: Meretz Left, Woody Allen, Canadian NDP, Michael Moore, EU position, BBC.
-3: 1967 with security. Two state solution back to pre-67 boundaries + Shared Jerusalem.
eg. Meretz Right, Labour Left, Canadian Liberal- Left, Yossi Beillin, CBC.
-2: Labour Mainstream: Two station solution + pre-67 boundaries + few necessary settlements. No Palestinian Right of Return.
Eg. Ehud Barak, Shimon Peres, Bill Clinton, Democratic Party Mainstream, Canadian Liberals Mainstream, George Bush, Amos Oz.,CNN faithful, Most of ABC, CBS, NBC.
-1: Two State Unilateral – Velvet Glove. Settler withdrawal from West Bank to follow. Security Focused.
Eg. Shimon Peres, Yitzhak Rabin, Alan Dershowitz, New Republic Magazine.
0: Two State Unilateral – Scaling down on Settler growth in West Bank. Possible closeres. Security Focused.
Eg. Kadima Central, Olmert, Livni
+1 Two State Unilateral – Differ from 1 in being less supportive of West Bank Settlement closing. Security Focused.
Eg. Kadima Right, Sharon, Moderate Likud, National Review.
+2 Two State Truncated Very strong security focus.
Likud Core, Commentary, Front Page Magazine.
Eg. Netanyahu.
+3. Likud Right. Strong security focus. No further hand backs, still support aggressive settlement growth in West Bank.
Eg. Yitzhak Shamir
+4-6: Settler Blocks.
Eg. The Block of the Faithful, Israel National Radio.
+ 7: Kach Party. JDL.
Eg. Followers of Rabbi Kahana. Masada 2000.
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