Quotes of the day
posted at 10:15 pm on January 10, 2009 by Allahpundit
“The relevance of the South African model is that it proves [boycott] tactics can be effective when weaker measures (protests, petitions, backroom lobbying) fail. And there are deeply distressing echoes of apartheid in the occupied territories: the colour-coded IDs and travel permits, the bulldozed homes and forced displacement, the settler-only roads. Ronnie Kasrils, a prominent South African politician, said the architecture of segregation he saw in the West Bank and Gaza was ‘infinitely worse than apartheid’. That was in 2007, before Israel began its full-scale war against the open-air prison that is Gaza.
Why single out Israel when the US, Britain and other western countries do the same things in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Boycott is not a dogma; it is a tactic. The reason the strategy should be tried is practical: in a country so small and trade-dependent, it could actually work.”
*
“Only Israel attracts an intellectually respectable movement querying its very existence. For the purposes of comparison, let’s take a state that came into existence at the exact same time as the Zionist Entity, and involved far bloodier population displacements. I happen to think the creation of Pakistan was the greatest failure of post-war British imperial policy. But the fact is that Pakistan exists, and if I were to launch a movement of anti-Pakism it would get pretty short shrift…
But why worry about European Muslims? The European political and media class essentially shares the same view of the situation — to the point where state TV stations are broadcasting fake Israeli ‘war crimes.’ As I always say, the ‘oldest hatred’ didn’t get that way without an ability to adapt: Once upon a time on the Continent, Jews were hated as rootless cosmopolitan figures who owed no national allegiance. So they became a conventional nation state, and now they’re hated for that. And, if Hamas get their way and destroy the Jewish state, the few who survive will be hated for something else.”
Blowback
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Someone doesn’t know what full-scale war actually looks like. Israel has been doing nothing but playing patty-cakes a little roughly. War … real war, has a whole other look and feel to it.
progressoverpeace on January 10, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Naomi Klein should look into her mental health treatment options. And I’m 100% serious when I say that.
malan89 on January 10, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Liberals must have a low opinion of Arabs and Palestinians since they choose to justify uncivilized behavior rather than expect better.
I demand civilized behavior from our Arab friends. Why don’t our liberal friends do the same?
More here.
petertheslow on January 10, 2009 at 10:43 PM
I thought BDS stood for something else.
unclesmrgol on January 10, 2009 at 10:43 PM
If one is bent enough on antisemitism, most any road will get one there.
MB4 on January 10, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Tom Clancy said it years ago; “Treat someone like a pariah, and they’re damn well gonna act like a pariah”.
Meaning, of course, if they fell cut off from the world, they just deal with other “cut-off” countries, and give a big “f^ck you” to everyone else.
Frozen Tex on January 10, 2009 at 10:44 PM
By “fell”, I mean, of course, “felt”.
Frozen Tex on January 10, 2009 at 10:44 PM
What does South Africa produce, exactly? Israel has some of the best doctors, and exports some of the best cutting-edge medical advances, in the world.
Sign me up to boycott that! Who wants to cure boring old cancer, anyway?
Tanya on January 10, 2009 at 10:46 PM
One might as well demand that rivers run backwards.
Hinmahtooyahlatkek on January 10, 2009 at 10:48 PM
I read Mark Steyn piece this morning and as usual he’s on target. Comparisons around the world showing the violence muslims cause are either not, if hardly, reported or even ignored and never seem to provoke the same outrage you see on the MSM.
Comparing Gaza to apartheid is down right intellectual obtuse. That’s the Jimmy Carter distinction of implied racism when the opposite is true.
Kini on January 10, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Tourism. And wine. That’s about all I can think of at the moment.
I remember during apartheid a lot of actors, musicians, and other entertainment-industry types were boycotting South Africa. I always wondered who they thought they’d be hurting by not going there to perform. It’s not as though Americans and other people from industrialized nations flock there to see concerts.
UltimateBob on January 10, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Someone needs… clarification.
Reaps on January 10, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Klein is liberalism in the raw: probably would deny that there are any moral standards most of the time while spending great energy accusing others of being evil enemies of society. She’s an expert at identifying the moral short comings of others. And she always ends up calling for more power for government to enforce special cases of immorality in a world she would generally define as amoral. Endlessly keeping the focus off her own contradictions by trying to keep attention on evil enemies.
snaggletoothie on January 10, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Industries:
mining (world’s largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair
Exports – commodities:
gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment
Exports – partners:
Japan 12.1%, US 11.8%, UK 9%, Germany 7.6%, Netherlands 5.3%, China 4% (2006)
Reaps on January 10, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Wow… really original. I’m gonna have to use this if the need arises.
silverfox on January 10, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Naomi Klein is depraved and raised by wild Marxists. That is her problem.
Mr. Joe on January 10, 2009 at 11:20 PM
History and Reconciliation
Kini on January 10, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Let’s see here. There are 1,500,000,000 Isamists, and 14,000,000 Jews. Islamists won 6 Nobel Prizes. Jews won 163.
That means something.
stonemeister on January 10, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Correction: 165. We keep winning.
stonemeister on January 10, 2009 at 11:45 PM
The Real Issue: Gaza is Jewish, you might want to read that for some Jewish history. The palistinians have contributed nothing to the world beyond terror and bombs, Israel has provided much in IT, medical, agriculture and so much more. The only palistinian export is death, quite a legacy.
That Steyn article is awesome as he usually is.
goat on January 10, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Racism , we need affirmative action.
the_nile on January 10, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Let’s widen this up a bit…what has all of Islam accomplished? We’re talking about 20% of the world’s population? The answer is obvious…they are stuck in the middle ages, and want to bring the world back there.
stonemeister on January 10, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Have you been living in a cave? We already have affirmative action with the Nobel prizes…remember Al Gore?
stonemeister on January 10, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Expel the terrorists and their supporters from Gaza and there won’t be any more of this BS hyperbole, Israel. Once it’s done it will be a matter of history, not a decades long current event, so it while you still can.
FloatingRock on January 11, 2009 at 12:02 AM
…so do it while you still can.
FloatingRock on January 11, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Q: What do Naomi Klein, Noam Chomsky, Ilan Pappe, Norm Finklestein, and Avner Lewis all have in common?
A: Anti-Semitism, of an admittedly weird variety, or just left wing boiler plate. Seriously, I need someone to explain this phenomenon to me.
abobo on January 11, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Islam is a locust that should be squashed.
blatantblue on January 11, 2009 at 12:48 AM
Amen.
stonemeister on January 11, 2009 at 12:52 AM
It’s been a long genesis in my mind. I used to think, “Oh it’s just a tiny group of extremists who have hijacked a religion.” Then, after taking up Arabic in college and getting exposed to Muslim culture and scripture, saw that indeed it was a crappy system of beliefs, and decided it needed reformation.
Now, after the last two weeks, I’ve come to the realization that it is a pipe-dream to hope Islam will change. Never has, never will. It’s GOT TO GO.
blatantblue on January 11, 2009 at 12:58 AM
Great links. Thanks.
As I said in the headline thread, Ms. Klein needs to go and loathe herself in private.
Cognitive dissonance overload.
hillbillyjim on January 11, 2009 at 12:58 AM
I totally agree with the overload comment. I can’t take it. The last week and a half has been like…mind exploding.
blatantblue on January 11, 2009 at 1:03 AM
For a more accurate comparison, remove art, literature, and peace. They mean nothing.
OldEnglish on January 11, 2009 at 1:40 AM
What does South Africa produce?
Something that in the 1980s only Siberia also produced in quantity: diamonds.
Funny, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, there were a lot of Siberian diamonds that were released on the market. Almost like the Soviets were mining the Hades out of Siberia in hopes of cornering the diamond market through friends of theirs in South Africa…..
….1980s-era American policy on South Africa, all protests to the contrary, start making sense now?
Sekhmet on January 11, 2009 at 1:46 AM
South Africa produces 25% of the world’s yearly gold supply.
MrX on January 11, 2009 at 3:46 AM
I don’t really understand these positions, in israel Arabs are citizens, they don’t have ‘color coded IDs’ or special travel permits.. They are citizens, 20% of the Israeli population. Palestinians in Gaza & the West Bank are not Israeli citizens, nor should they be granted citizenship in israel, they have a PA authority which is elected and represents them and handles their documents & IDs!? In Gaza they have their elected terrorists government, let them send their complaints to Hamas, it’s not my problem, they can go to hell for all I care..
How is there any apartheid? Seperate roads? The Palestinians snipe and stone Israeli vehicles so their are secured roads in the West Bank for use of Israeli citizens to our towns. If the PA wants better roads let them build them and deny us Israelis use of them, gladly.. This is such stupidity this apartheid argument, these people are not Israelis, never have been & never will be, Arabs that are Israelis do not suffer any “apartheid”. There is nothing remotely similar to South Africa in this situation, all complaints should be addressed to the PA government responsible for documents, taxes, education, health care, infrastructure, policing & justice of Palestinians. These leftists are doing to much hashish, they have no more brains left!
saus on January 11, 2009 at 4:23 AM
I am glad to see you commenting here; there is no substitute for a first-hand perspective, and I, for one, enjoy your posts and find them informative as well.
It is amazing what passes for reportage, news, and the truth in our media of late. Every voice that can debunk the “Israeli aggressor” narrative is needed and appreciated.
hillbillyjim on January 11, 2009 at 4:51 AM
FWIW, the US military uses some designs licensed from South Africa. The MRAP (Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected) comes to mind; IIRC it’s derived from a SA vehicle designed with the same use in mind.
Before you condemn SA, compare it to Mugabe’s paradise.
njcommuter on January 11, 2009 at 5:36 AM
Its amazing how silent people like Naomi Klein get when its Zimbabwe and other left wing killing machines.
rob verdi on January 11, 2009 at 6:48 AM
njcommuter,
Here is an article I wrote on Zimbabwe and how its left wing policies destroyed the country.
rob verdi on January 11, 2009 at 6:51 AM
The self-hating Jew is a byproduct of several things: rejection of one’s roots, rebellion against parents and most prominently a desperate desire to fit in with the crowd, which means becoming even more of a Jew-hater than even the most rabid anti-Semite amongst them.
The sad irony is that most social movements of the late 19th/early 20th centuries were founded by Jews as a means of combatting anti-semtism, racism and injustices (organized labor, communism, socialism, NAACP) but very quickly became co-opted by Stalinists and then the 60′s radicals, who used these movements to attack Israel and Jews in general.
Either wittingly or unwittingly, Klein and her ilk are the most useful of useful idiots, for they are used as evidence to prove the evil lie that being anti-Zionist is not being anti-Semitic.
J.J. Sefton on January 11, 2009 at 8:03 AM
Not Just
Al Gore doesn’t obviate the need for Affirmative Action in the Noble Prize awards. They are 85% white or Asian. More than Gore must be done or something BAD is in store for us from our poor.
But the awards are NOT subject to the law of the US. Like in energy and other areas, we need to set an example, even if it hurts. We can get what we need from whites. Rich, if possible.
We need more extensive Affirmative Action featuring a clear percentage breakdown to help minorities with special attention to young felons and those who show a love of revolution. We can call Ayres for help!
Above all, we need a strict percentage by population even if it means rejecting numerous Asians and smart little white patriots and/or shutting down Brandeis we we cut the Jews. We will keep accepting blacks over white underprivileged kids or veterans cause Hollywood and the media think they are cool.
I hope The One or his zombies read this.
IlikedAUH2O on January 11, 2009 at 8:04 AM
Anti-Semitism, of an admittedly weird variety, or just left wing boiler plate. Seriously, I need someone to explain this phenomenon to me.
abobo on January 11, 2009 at 12:12 AM
They never grew out of their adolescent stage when it was cool to dis your own, whatever the target of that dissing might be.
They are adult versions of kids who think it’s cool to talk about “revolution” and wear Che shirts while having absolutely no idea what sort of extreme violence would occur if that happened.
Bishop on January 11, 2009 at 8:33 AM
OK, now I am awake. I am sorry for the failed poetry in the first paragraph and Noble instead of Nobel. The first “we” after Brandeis is supposed ot be an “as”.
IlikedAUH2O on January 11, 2009 at 9:10 AM
A lot of Arab money has gone into the rest of the world to pervert the truth. I wonder if Naomi is a part of this plot?
DL13 on January 11, 2009 at 9:14 AM
Part of this is transference of Bush Derangement, the left needs a demon.
rob verdi on January 11, 2009 at 9:51 AM
SA was the real pearl of Africa and was as progressive as any western Europe country. It was on the cutting edge with medical research (heart transplants), they had the top scientist who were able to develop an Abomb. When the MSM and other international liberals forced the country back to pre colonial black rule the country descended into chaos and there was a vast brain drain with their gifted people fleeing to safer quarters. So what does SA produce today?–Zimbaweism…enough said. The “yes we can” folks have had their way again. Proving what the multiculturalist and diversity poopheads allege: the people of color are where it’s at in the world.
wepeople on January 11, 2009 at 10:06 AM
An Old Hate indeed, and if they succeeded in their movement to destroy Israel who is next..first little Satan then big Satan. The destruction of Israel would be a big morale boost to the Death Cult, probably swell their primitive numbers. We really are in a fight for civilized world. Although the Progressives, I am not lumping Liberals in with them, here at home, don’t see it that way. Why? The Progressive mantra is the U.S.A. is BAD, they don’t get the “Secularist” would be the first to go. What did Al Zarqawi say: America will have to Convert, Die or Pay a Tribute. He had this part right: We will Pay, one way or Another.
Dr Evil on January 11, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Boycott? What these aholes really want to do is smash all the windows of shops and businesses run by Jews. They could call it the Night of Broken Glass or something.
Blake on January 11, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Huh, Turns out I really am EVIL, and so is anyone who uses Google. I wonder how Bill Gates the anti Christ feels about this or did he fund the study;) I thought this fit the discussion after all according to these “Scientist” this will lead to the end of the world- Google not Iran, the real enemy ;)
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tom-blumer/2009/01/11/harvard-scientist-web-searches-twitter-second-life-are-major-carbon-offe
Dr Evil on January 11, 2009 at 10:19 AM
I refer everyone to Marcus Cicero:
– Marcus Tullius Cicero 42 B.C
blatantblue on January 11, 2009 at 10:46 AM
And to the May 1991 memorandum from the Ikhwan Muslimeen (Muslim Brotherhood):
blatantblue on January 11, 2009 at 10:48 AM
I wonder where the future Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, is? She seems to be very quiet on the subject. I guess we see what her real role will be in the White House; mere figure head and Obama lackey.
ThomasB. on January 11, 2009 at 11:05 AM
First you have to understand a liberal. I think I have a good grasp as to how they think because I grew up in a very liberal area, know many more liberals then non-liberals and have politically active liberal friends.
In South Africa the whites were interlopers that had most if not all of the power and resources while the indigenous black and rightful owners of the land were kept down and denied basic necessities and services. It didn’t mater if the whites were born there or how long they lived there because liberals do not acknowledge the history of white European conquest as anything but bad.
A basic liberal view of Israel and Jews.
In Israel the Jews ere interlopers that have most if not all of the power and resources while the indigenous Palestinians and rightful owners of the land are kept down and denied basic necessities and services. It doesn’t mater if the Jews were born there or how long they lived there because liberals do not acknowledge the history of Jews as anything but bad.
That is why Liberals see South Africa and Israel as the same.
jmarcure on January 11, 2009 at 11:30 AM
I suspect the practice of “marinating their infants” has been SOP since the early 7th century, supplanting any cleansing rite.
Is there any information about Naomi Klein being kicked in the head by a horse, or something? Can anyone tell me if her genealogy tree shows an uncorrected typo at some point where Klien went to Klein?
ericdijon on January 11, 2009 at 11:31 AM
If the United States were to build a road through Mexico to aid our commuters (say, from Espiranza TX to Tucson AZ), and ordered Mexicans not to cross that road on pain of death, I’m sure Mexico would consider that a friendly act.
Why such roads through the West Bank are needed (both in terms of the acts along the roads [as pointed out by saus] as well as the endpoints of the roads [conveniently not mentioned by saus]) is right at the cruz of the difficulties between Palestine and Israel
unclesmrgol on January 11, 2009 at 12:49 PM
If Mexico had attacked USA that would be no problem.
the_nile on January 11, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Israel should ignore idiot protestors, jackass politicians and ignorant newspaper columnists.
They are in a fight for their existence.
Be like China and Russia – ruthless and the world will back off.
Words won’t hurt you. Listening to morally and intellectually bankrupt western leftists, will get you killed.
NoDonkey on January 11, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Naomi,
Please quit being a self hating Jew. Also, please read Mark Steyn’s piece, “The Oldest Hatred, Resurgent”. Muslims are acting like the Germans did in the 1930′s. In EUROPE. I don’t think anyone has been killed yet, but the hate and violence is reaching the point of no return. WAKE UP WORLD(AND Naomi), WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF ANOTHER HOLOCAUST. God help us.
amynorw on January 11, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Guess what I just did in the last 30 seconds? I read the complete volumes of ‘Great Palestinian Thinkers’, ‘War Heroes of Palestine’, ‘Palestine’s Most Famous Medical Discoveries’, and ‘Palestinian Morals’ cover to cover! Now in the next 2 and a half seconds, I plan to read the entire book of “Palestinian Etiquette”.
Hoof Hearted on January 11, 2009 at 7:47 PM
I know this may be tough for an atheist like AP to comprehend, but for believers, Satan is REAL, and Satan HATES the Jews because that’s where his nemesis came from… namely Jesus.
Its been Satan’s desire to destroy the nation GOD rose from nothing to produce the Saviour of Mankind from further demonstrating the Majesty and Power that Jehovah GOD wields.
It should come as no surprise that Jews are hated NO MATTER WHAT they do or are victim of.
But therein lies the problem with unbelievers. Everything I just said can be chalked up to myth or superstitious blather to them.
You never hear a rational explanation as to why Jews are so hated and distrusted even to the point that they feel like aliens in their lands of birth other than Israel.
Why do you think that is?
44Magnum on January 11, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Ah, but attacking the road or those travelling upon it IS attacking the USA, right?
unclesmrgol on January 12, 2009 at 1:23 AM
A minority, immersed within a much larger population, which maintains its own separate religion and customs over many generations, is bound to attract attention and suspicion from those among whom they live.
Such is the nature of humans — we tend, for reasons both good and bad, to be xenophobic. It takes exceptional people to trust those who don’t have the same customs, religion, food preferences, etc. Sadly, a lot of us are not exceptional in that regard.
You can chalk that up to the instrumentation in the humans God created. Satan doesn’t have to work hard on a lot of us.
unclesmrgol on January 12, 2009 at 1:34 AM
Mark Steyn is a national treasure.
I pledge allegiance to Steyn.
Hawkins1701 on January 12, 2009 at 5:05 AM