Their postcolonial and neo-Marxist perspective makes the pro-Israel retort of "Hamas would throw you off a building" ineffective and exacerbates the Jewish state's predicament.
I’m sure you are right:”…would throw you off the roof…” has not convinced anyone of anything. But then, neither has any other argument. And just to make sure, ask Douglas Murray, who argues the pro-Israel side eloquently. He also happens to be gay but mentions that fact very rarely because it is truly irrelevant.
That was going to be my argument after reading this. Anti-semitism cedes to no argument. It is irrational to begin with; it's been a losing battle for 2,000 years. I do agree with the writer that these so-called activists are frustrated because the Boomers did such a good job with civil rights, women's rights and gay rights -- not that the country is perfect, but the changes made during my lifetime are staggering. They really should find something more worthwhile to do with all their spare time.
People filled with hateful rhetoric and propaganda are immune to facts, evidence and reality. When they display their immunity, save your breath.
There is no reaching these people. Let them join forces with those who hate them and see how it works out for them. Jews like me were activists for gay rights in the 80s and 90s. We helped them make progress. Maybe they will do better with fascist Islamists, as I am done advocating for them and other marginalized communities that also seem to hate Jews.
Yes, that's another thing - thanks for reminding me. Like. you, I am done contributing to, donating to, supporting in any way shape or form any of these "marginalized communities that also seem to hate Jews." I keep a list of charities that have been unkind toward Israel and I throw their letters into the garbage without opening them: Human Rights Campaign, ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center. My donations go to Jewish causes mostly and maybe children's hospitals and animal shelters.
I'm not Jewish, but I only contribute to Jewish causes these days. I feel betrayed and disgusted by other so called "human rights" groups. Hypocrites, all of them.
LGBTQTS2+ etc people are as stupid as anyone and there is no reason to seek their support or persuade them of the inanity of their positions, especially their take on Israel. Unless, of course, one is concerned at the drift of that so-called movement and its nefarious impact on our society. Israel's situation has nothing to do with gay rights. It has to do with being faced by a murderous enemy that refuses to recognize its existence and this for over a hundred years. Hopefully, the Palestinians will soon be toast and Israel will take the necessary steps to deprive them forever of any possibility of doing Israel and its people any more harm. Defeating Hamas, Hizbollah and Iran, dismantling the Palestinian Authority, and annexing Gaza , Judea and Samaria is the way to go.
I suppose that I should preface my comment by noting that I am neither gay nor a Jew. I should also note that in my writings on this subject, I’ve taken note of the Orwellian disconnect embodied in “Queers for Palestine” & etc.
But I agree that noting that disconnect (which is also characteristic of Western feminism) is useless as an argument. Postmodern progressivism is a Theory of Everything, which is to say that it’s a paranoid delusion. For instance, the claim that the long-running conflict between the Jews and Arabs over “Palestine” is just the same as American racism, i.e. White oppression of Brown people, is ridiculous. But critical race theory and its adjuncts exist precisely to make the ridiculous seem plausible. Above all, the devotees of po-mo progressivism seek to find their place in the Theory of Everything. In this case, the so-called LGBT community is encouraged to identify with the supposedly oppressed Palestinian people. The whole thing is a charade, there are no points of genuine connection, but the sense, however false, of comradeship in oppression is emotionally soothing.
Those of who see clearly what is going on can only state—and restate—the obvious. Sooner or later the delusions of well-meaning Western progressives will blow up in their faces, just as has happened with so many well-meaning leftist Israelis, who got reality checked on October 7, 2023. It may seem cruel and petty, but our job on that day will be to say: “See? We told you so.”
Sorry Blake, but in my opinion, telling someone that the people you are supporting would like to see "your kind" thrown off roofs, tortured, thrown in prison etc. should be enough to at least cause you to want to know more about them, their history and what the hell is going on before you go out and demonstrate and carry signs that say "from the river to the sea" or join a group called Gays For Gaza.
So the question remains, why are they out there? Better still, why are other gay people not coming out of the closet (pun intended) to show that avid support for Israel. There may be but I dont know of any Gay group that actively supports Israel. While we are at it ..... I dont know of any Black group that has been created to show their support for Israel. From a personal perspective .... I marched for Gay Rights and for Civil Rights and feel deserted and betrayed by both groups.
I dont know the main reasons why Gays are not supporting Israel but I will go out on the limb and say they many dont like Jews. That has to be a given. In addition, many are like you said, just clueless and being young want to be part of a cause.
Frankly, I couldn't give a shit about them because I dont believe that they represent the majority of Gay people. My frustration and anger is against the cowardly silent majority of Gays who do not speak up.
On the whole, the Jews spoke out and were very prominent in fighting for Gay rights. The three kids who dies in the South, two of them were Jews. We are very much part of the Gay struggle and always have been.
Blake, Instead of telling Jews that their response is not good enough. I think it would be best if you used your writing talents and wrote articles to Gays about them coming out and supporting Israel and actively playing a role in the fight against antisemitism.
If I was a baby I would say the "Gay community owes us" but I wont say that . Its petty and childish even if it is very true.
Jerry, since Oct 7 Christian Māoris have fiercely defended Israel here in Australia and New Zealand. It’s worth finding videos showing these formidable men and women facing off against the hate filled mobs who are truly intimidated by these warriors for Israel and Jews.
Agreed but hate not saying anything and just letting it slide. Who knows? It depends how left leaning they are .... Like I have seen from you comments many times .... we both dont give up without a fight! - lol
Everybody wants to be a victim, even after they've achieved a reasonable level of equality. But they don't protest the actual ethnic cleansing Palestinians have faced in Lebanon, Kuwait, Iraq and other places. Actually, the bottom line is they're anti semitic, which comes after decades of Jews in this country helping their social movement. Maybe they're actually just jealous.
Jealousy is definitely one aspect of anti-semitism. I realized after Oct 7 that Jews are the perennial victims, but we don't behave as victims. Hear me out. We certainly remembered we mark the events (Purim, Chanukah, etc. etc.,) but in every case we have picked ourselves up, figured out our next move, figured out how to make that move, and went on to be productive humans. Sometimes we lived in ghettos, and didn't contribute all that much, but eventually we always figured out a way to make life better for ourselves and those around us. And that was even before the establishment of Israel and the New Jew. So, I'm just not that interested in the entire victim mentality. Half of the pro-Palestinian argument comes down to: "we started a war, we are losing miserably, boo hoo" to which I say "don't start wars."
Similarly, many groups have been victims over the centuries. There are millions of former refugees all over the world, millions of indigenous people who were unfairly, unjustly forced off their land. Human history is not pretty. Radical Islam needs is centuries behind in their thinking; it needs a major hardware and software upgrade.
I'd love to ask Emil Wakin why no other Middle Eastern country has managed to "get to gay". Anyway, arguing with a member of the Alt Left is like arguing with a religious fanatic. It's pointless. It doesn't matter if our arguments are good or bad; they cannot afford the social cost of supporting Israel.
So what you’re saying is that the fundamental impulse of many of these people is outrage—target to be determined? Remember that after Muslim terrorists shot up the Pulse gay Miami nightclub, the New York protest parade banner said “Republican Hate Kills” (emphasis added).
And, you seem to be saying, sexual preference is secondary, possibly derivative? I would not have guessed.
It is implausible that they are independent, happening as they do to the degree they do in the particular individuals they do.
It is striking that many of those who claim they were (also) “defending” Israel on this point either turn a blind eye to it(self) or say nothing about how homophobic, misogynistic and reactionary many statements by self-proclaimed “Israel supporters” in the “West” are: Israel and Jews are doing themselves no favors by joining such “friends of Israel.”
When Trump screams “We will clean up this gender nonsense and ensure that ‘men’ stay out of ‘women’ sports,” thereby reducing an extremely complicated issue to idiotic format, all that can be said on that is that such inflammatory statements could also come from any Imam in Yemen or Afghanistan.
For all the extremely justified criticism of “left-wing” ideologies and strong skepticism towards Harris, I therefore cannot support “right-wing” and “right-wing populist” figures like Trump.
Harris is dependent on “left-wing” activists, among other things, but is generally able to remain open to arguments: the latter cannot be said of Trump, he is a dangerous egomaniac.
He is not alone in his mental illness; the only question is how supposedly “free” societies come to want to be “governed” by mentally ill people (once again)?
For me, one aspect of these “left-wing” “activists” has not been mentioned: they act like some “believer” who claims to have “recognized the right thing” and been “enlightened by God”. It is practically impossible to argue with such people, no matter how many good and rationally irrefutable arguments one puts forward.
“Belief” is a purely personal matter - an unacceptable “problem” is when a “belief” is forced on everyone else: but this is exactly how a.o. “left-wing gay/LGBTQ activists” act: “like Islamists“… they´re in fact nearer to „right-believing“ Islam than to a free society.
All of these people have purely personal experiences and backgrounds as to why they spread so much hatred and are completely inaccessible to arguments and reality.
Such emotions can only be treated and overcome through personal processing- while an essential prerequisite for this is „suffering“ - as long as these mentally ill people receive confirmation from outside, they will continue to "fight", which is why it is essential to remove all ground from these patients and force them into "despair": with mentally ill people, the only way to get them „down“ is to get them to perceive what kept them going and why they fail to and stand back from constantly doubt and examine themselves - which but essentially makes up human life.
I have worked as a psychologist with violent criminals, rapists, blackmailers, murderers for quite some years, and their basic pattern is always the same as with, or remind of, these "activists" or Trump: in their childhood and youth they were shaped by "adults" who were themselves uncomprehending, domineering, incapable of rational consideration and, in particular, of compassion.
They only had the option of either adopting the „adult" behavior, "adapting," or "rebelling against it for the rest of their lives", but remaining emotionally poor - because opening up to their emotions could make them break down - and sadly adopting in that the learned behavior when presenting their "convictions," even though these behaviors are diametrically opposed to what they are supposedly "fighting“ for and what they could never learn from their „adults": differentiation, empathy, accepting or taking others seriously, compassion.
They fend this off just as much as their former „caregivers", against whom they are supposedly fighting.
There is no criminal who could have "changed" and recognized his wrong without the complete collapse of his "convictions," without a ruthless realization of what made them what they "are."
The "activists" are fighting against recognizing and feeling this pain and the consequences of suppressing it, and Trump is fighting against it, too.
Similar motives can unfortunately be assumed among his „voters“: that´s one of the „reasons“ why they so much „praise the Family“ (as an insitution) which supposedly can „only do good“, by overlooking how many people have become devastated by that oh so „holy family“: if these persons would have had „alternatives“ outside the family and could have seen that „adults“ are not all like their devastating parents, they could have more chances to develop better.
Which is not to say that „family is bad“ in itself, only this strange „canonization“ of „the“ family is questionable.
If children could grow up in a conscience that Mum and Dad may not be „right“ in everything and they have the freedom to choose and discuss themselves what they prefer, with different folks, we might have better societies with less authoritarian and more free thinking people - who would never run after a dangerous clown personality.
These people in therapy have never experienced "pity", never real genuine positive feelings that were directed at THEM: the most painful realization is that they were never loved and recognized for themselves, and can never make up for this.
For all the hatred and incomprehension that one can understandably have towards these people, one should not forget that these could be people who are desperately searching for something that they are simultaneously destroying, they are seeking to destroy the very or only thing that could bring them healing, and figures like Trump offer them an excuse to continue to claim that "the West" is "no better".
In actual fact, most people who support Israel are not homophobic, just as Israeli society is a place where homosexuals are free to go about their business without fear or discrimination. So no need to throw in statements suggesting that many of Israel's supporters are themselves homophobic. As for your misguided statements about Trump and Harris, I wonder why you dragged them into this question about gay activism and support for Israel. It is a matter of record that Trump has been much more supportive of Israel than Harris. As for being able to be open to arguments, Harris has not shown herself to be open to anything but her own incompetence. She has talked about her support for Israel's right to defend itself, but not by going on the offensive, and has always qualified that with a sequitur about the need to stop the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. Why Palestinians in Gaza should not pay for their crimes is beyond me, but perhaps you think that a sign of broad-mindedness while I consider it craven stupidity. Harris grew up in a violent black nationalist community which must have had some effect on her political world view. You are the psychologist so perhaps you might explain how that works. You certainly have no compunction about categorizing Trump psychologically. Politics, unlike academia and literature, reduces choices to yes and no so that decisions can be made. Of course, it would be nice if our politicians could explain their choices in intelligent discourse, but that seems to be something we currently lack across the western world. Nonetheless, Trump, for all his personal faults which you and many dislike, has managed to pursue policies advantageous to the maintenance rather than the collapse of western society.
Actually it is as simple as men in women’s sports (aside from rare cases like Caster Semenya, who has 5-ARD. But even she is XY and has male strength.)
Love your point that the left wing progressive activists are pretty much the same as the right wing christian nationalists -- and I suppose also the same as the right wing Neo-Nazis. They're all cut from the same cloth.
I agree that Harris is the way to go. Although I like the Abraham Accords, here are my reasons for not supporting Trump re Israel: 1) he has no ideology and will change on a dime the second it suits him; 2) he's in love with Putin and other dictators who are NOT friends with Israel; 3) he has isolationist tendencies -- not good for Israel; 4) he likes to dine with Neo-Nazi types. So I figure that some of Harris's rhetoric is pre-election and . . . she isn't going to pull the plug on sending military equipment to Israel: the military industrial complex LOVES supplying Israel. If we don't like her stance on Israel, we can vote her out in four years. If Trump wins I'm not sure that's an opposition (If not Trump, his ilk).
Thanks. Ukraine I didn“t mention, it“s one of the main reasons why I can“ t vote for Trump. It“ s schizophrenic/contradictious to claim support for Israel surrounded by aggressive Arabian fiends galore, and then leave Ukraine alone which (with a Jewish pres) is facing the same. Just for the sake of his „friendship“ with a brutal dictator who additionally is going with another US enemy, China. That alone is showing that his self-praising that he presumably „cares for“ the difficult issues the US ‚normal“ citizens are facing, and „sharing their yearning to return to this nations“ allegedly traditional values of moral responsibility, civic accountability, and economic prosperity. „To restore the dream“ ! etc. Is mere hollow rhetoric to disguise his egomaniac striving in which he doesn“ t care about the consequences of this also for the US, if they don“ t take responsibility abroad at crucial themes as Putins invasion.And as you say, he would also leave Israel alone to avoid a.o. Putin having him for breakfast. - All those „complaining“ that „Harris doesn“ t come out clearly about her goals“ are never forcing Trump to clearly expose his „peace plans for Ukraine‘. We have right wing Trump Fans in Europe and Germany, too, and know their „Peace plans“: nothing but surrender of the rape victims - which is typically Trump: „Grab them in the biscuits and throw them away“. „Traditional Values“.
Much to observe about this article, but for the sake of brevity . . .
“Those who constantly and loudly condemn the devaluation of Arab/Muslim life — yet strip the very people they claim to advocate for of their agency — are engaging in a form of racism.”
Race was originally a biological category ultimately rejected by biologists because people could not neatly be classified by skin colour, facial features, bone structure, etc. In its contemporary form, race, has come to mean any minority victimized by those nasty whites, especially white males, especially, the whitest of the whites, the Jews.
The author is absolutely correct when he states “The notion that non-Western, usually Islamic societies are regressive and hateful toward minorities solely due to the aggression of more liberal nations is inaccurate and dehumanizing nonsense.” These societies hardly need the West to excuse their repressive policies. They find all the justification they want In their religious texts.
The author then states”to suggest that [Arab/Muslim] societies are incapable of making their own choices or enacting laws that protect minorities in their communities is, ironically, the very racism these activists claim to oppose.”
Very confusing, to say the least! What Arab/Muslim state has enacted and enforced laws that protect minorities? Or by what stretch of the imagination let alone logic is suggesting that Arab/Muslim societies being incapable of making their own choices racist by design, intent, or execution?
The author claiming that to point out the blatant irony inherent in the “Queers for Palestine” position is useless ignores two hard, political realities. In the first instance, we see the continuous introduction of legislation designed to undermine gay rights. Aiding and abetting this stealth movement is the fact that 90% of any population is heterosexual. When they witness gays actively supporting those who would kill them, they have to wonder by what right do these people deserve any legal protections when they are willing to be the authors of their own destruction. These political realities stand in stark contrast to the author's assertion that pointing out this irony is merely “a diversion, a non-sequitur, and an obliviousness to the complicated, pervasive ideology . . . .”
In an attempt to explain the allure of the “pro-palestinians" movement for gays, the author states “Gay people are no longer discriminated against in polite society, so many look to fill that void with activism for others whom they have been told are more oppressed and vulnerable.”
By what twist of logic is not being discriminated against a void? Are we to assume that being discriminated against fulfills a fundamental psychological need? The author mistakenly states that this sense emptiness is what drives the identification with entirely unrelated group. Actually its origin can be found in one of the core tenets of neo–Marxist CRT political Ideology, that of an intersectionality between all perceived oppressed minorities.
I don't believe radicals such as these are reachable, gay or straight. They have no interest in learning the truth about Israel. When you make arguments as you have suggested, they dismiss it out of hand, ignore it or claim we're paid Zionist propagandists. Like everyone else who opposes Israel, it might be simply that they are antisemites.
There's a difference between telling a homosexual that Hamas would throw you off a building, and telling a group that specifically identifies as homosexual that Hamas would throw you off a building.
Furthermore, the "Chickens for KFC" originated on Secret Tel Aviv. This is not a right wing talking point. If you've mostly come across it from antilgbt Israelis, that's an interesting coincidence.
Someone who seriously views the world solely in view of oppression oppressors and the oppressed is aMarxist with serious intellectual and cultural blinders and ignorance on many issues
I think his viewpoint is enlightening for that reason. He is staunchly pro Israel despite many of his positions on the extreme left. That gives him a unique vantage point to share from.
The Transqueer contingent hate Israel for virtue signaling reasons among far-leftists. They have no values.
In a striking display of ideological hypocrisy, Matt Bernstein, one of the most well-known LGBT advocacy influencers in the world—who spent the last four years vehemently denouncing Christian nationalism on the religious right—began excusing religiously motivated homophobia, so long as that religion was Islam.
I’m sure you are right:”…would throw you off the roof…” has not convinced anyone of anything. But then, neither has any other argument. And just to make sure, ask Douglas Murray, who argues the pro-Israel side eloquently. He also happens to be gay but mentions that fact very rarely because it is truly irrelevant.
That was going to be my argument after reading this. Anti-semitism cedes to no argument. It is irrational to begin with; it's been a losing battle for 2,000 years. I do agree with the writer that these so-called activists are frustrated because the Boomers did such a good job with civil rights, women's rights and gay rights -- not that the country is perfect, but the changes made during my lifetime are staggering. They really should find something more worthwhile to do with all their spare time.
People filled with hateful rhetoric and propaganda are immune to facts, evidence and reality. When they display their immunity, save your breath.
There is no reaching these people. Let them join forces with those who hate them and see how it works out for them. Jews like me were activists for gay rights in the 80s and 90s. We helped them make progress. Maybe they will do better with fascist Islamists, as I am done advocating for them and other marginalized communities that also seem to hate Jews.
Yes, that's another thing - thanks for reminding me. Like. you, I am done contributing to, donating to, supporting in any way shape or form any of these "marginalized communities that also seem to hate Jews." I keep a list of charities that have been unkind toward Israel and I throw their letters into the garbage without opening them: Human Rights Campaign, ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center. My donations go to Jewish causes mostly and maybe children's hospitals and animal shelters.
I'm not Jewish, but I only contribute to Jewish causes these days. I feel betrayed and disgusted by other so called "human rights" groups. Hypocrites, all of them.
I agree they’re unreachable. Maybe some will outgrow it with age and experience.
LGBTQTS2+ etc people are as stupid as anyone and there is no reason to seek their support or persuade them of the inanity of their positions, especially their take on Israel. Unless, of course, one is concerned at the drift of that so-called movement and its nefarious impact on our society. Israel's situation has nothing to do with gay rights. It has to do with being faced by a murderous enemy that refuses to recognize its existence and this for over a hundred years. Hopefully, the Palestinians will soon be toast and Israel will take the necessary steps to deprive them forever of any possibility of doing Israel and its people any more harm. Defeating Hamas, Hizbollah and Iran, dismantling the Palestinian Authority, and annexing Gaza , Judea and Samaria is the way to go.
Like the above writers, well said!
This was interesting.
I suppose that I should preface my comment by noting that I am neither gay nor a Jew. I should also note that in my writings on this subject, I’ve taken note of the Orwellian disconnect embodied in “Queers for Palestine” & etc.
But I agree that noting that disconnect (which is also characteristic of Western feminism) is useless as an argument. Postmodern progressivism is a Theory of Everything, which is to say that it’s a paranoid delusion. For instance, the claim that the long-running conflict between the Jews and Arabs over “Palestine” is just the same as American racism, i.e. White oppression of Brown people, is ridiculous. But critical race theory and its adjuncts exist precisely to make the ridiculous seem plausible. Above all, the devotees of po-mo progressivism seek to find their place in the Theory of Everything. In this case, the so-called LGBT community is encouraged to identify with the supposedly oppressed Palestinian people. The whole thing is a charade, there are no points of genuine connection, but the sense, however false, of comradeship in oppression is emotionally soothing.
Those of who see clearly what is going on can only state—and restate—the obvious. Sooner or later the delusions of well-meaning Western progressives will blow up in their faces, just as has happened with so many well-meaning leftist Israelis, who got reality checked on October 7, 2023. It may seem cruel and petty, but our job on that day will be to say: “See? We told you so.”
Sorry Blake, but in my opinion, telling someone that the people you are supporting would like to see "your kind" thrown off roofs, tortured, thrown in prison etc. should be enough to at least cause you to want to know more about them, their history and what the hell is going on before you go out and demonstrate and carry signs that say "from the river to the sea" or join a group called Gays For Gaza.
So the question remains, why are they out there? Better still, why are other gay people not coming out of the closet (pun intended) to show that avid support for Israel. There may be but I dont know of any Gay group that actively supports Israel. While we are at it ..... I dont know of any Black group that has been created to show their support for Israel. From a personal perspective .... I marched for Gay Rights and for Civil Rights and feel deserted and betrayed by both groups.
I dont know the main reasons why Gays are not supporting Israel but I will go out on the limb and say they many dont like Jews. That has to be a given. In addition, many are like you said, just clueless and being young want to be part of a cause.
Frankly, I couldn't give a shit about them because I dont believe that they represent the majority of Gay people. My frustration and anger is against the cowardly silent majority of Gays who do not speak up.
On the whole, the Jews spoke out and were very prominent in fighting for Gay rights. The three kids who dies in the South, two of them were Jews. We are very much part of the Gay struggle and always have been.
Blake, Instead of telling Jews that their response is not good enough. I think it would be best if you used your writing talents and wrote articles to Gays about them coming out and supporting Israel and actively playing a role in the fight against antisemitism.
If I was a baby I would say the "Gay community owes us" but I wont say that . Its petty and childish even if it is very true.
All the best my boy,
papa j
Jerry, since Oct 7 Christian Māoris have fiercely defended Israel here in Australia and New Zealand. It’s worth finding videos showing these formidable men and women facing off against the hate filled mobs who are truly intimidated by these warriors for Israel and Jews.
Papa J,
Good observations. Unfortunately, it won't budge leftist or left-leaning thinking. That's ideology for you.
But nothing will, except maybe life experience. Otherwise, we get over the idea that we need people to approve of us.
Well said Robin!
Agreed but hate not saying anything and just letting it slide. Who knows? It depends how left leaning they are .... Like I have seen from you comments many times .... we both dont give up without a fight! - lol
Be well my boy and be safe
papa j
Everybody wants to be a victim, even after they've achieved a reasonable level of equality. But they don't protest the actual ethnic cleansing Palestinians have faced in Lebanon, Kuwait, Iraq and other places. Actually, the bottom line is they're anti semitic, which comes after decades of Jews in this country helping their social movement. Maybe they're actually just jealous.
Jealousy is definitely one aspect of anti-semitism. I realized after Oct 7 that Jews are the perennial victims, but we don't behave as victims. Hear me out. We certainly remembered we mark the events (Purim, Chanukah, etc. etc.,) but in every case we have picked ourselves up, figured out our next move, figured out how to make that move, and went on to be productive humans. Sometimes we lived in ghettos, and didn't contribute all that much, but eventually we always figured out a way to make life better for ourselves and those around us. And that was even before the establishment of Israel and the New Jew. So, I'm just not that interested in the entire victim mentality. Half of the pro-Palestinian argument comes down to: "we started a war, we are losing miserably, boo hoo" to which I say "don't start wars."
Similarly, many groups have been victims over the centuries. There are millions of former refugees all over the world, millions of indigenous people who were unfairly, unjustly forced off their land. Human history is not pretty. Radical Islam needs is centuries behind in their thinking; it needs a major hardware and software upgrade.
I agree wholeheartedly.
What these lbgtq don’t realise that they are not welcome in Palestine or any Muslim countries 😖😖😖
I'd love to ask Emil Wakin why no other Middle Eastern country has managed to "get to gay". Anyway, arguing with a member of the Alt Left is like arguing with a religious fanatic. It's pointless. It doesn't matter if our arguments are good or bad; they cannot afford the social cost of supporting Israel.
So what you’re saying is that the fundamental impulse of many of these people is outrage—target to be determined? Remember that after Muslim terrorists shot up the Pulse gay Miami nightclub, the New York protest parade banner said “Republican Hate Kills” (emphasis added).
And, you seem to be saying, sexual preference is secondary, possibly derivative? I would not have guessed.
It is implausible that they are independent, happening as they do to the degree they do in the particular individuals they do.
Logic isn’t their strong point.
This could be interpreted that way.
It is striking that many of those who claim they were (also) “defending” Israel on this point either turn a blind eye to it(self) or say nothing about how homophobic, misogynistic and reactionary many statements by self-proclaimed “Israel supporters” in the “West” are: Israel and Jews are doing themselves no favors by joining such “friends of Israel.”
When Trump screams “We will clean up this gender nonsense and ensure that ‘men’ stay out of ‘women’ sports,” thereby reducing an extremely complicated issue to idiotic format, all that can be said on that is that such inflammatory statements could also come from any Imam in Yemen or Afghanistan.
For all the extremely justified criticism of “left-wing” ideologies and strong skepticism towards Harris, I therefore cannot support “right-wing” and “right-wing populist” figures like Trump.
Harris is dependent on “left-wing” activists, among other things, but is generally able to remain open to arguments: the latter cannot be said of Trump, he is a dangerous egomaniac.
He is not alone in his mental illness; the only question is how supposedly “free” societies come to want to be “governed” by mentally ill people (once again)?
For me, one aspect of these “left-wing” “activists” has not been mentioned: they act like some “believer” who claims to have “recognized the right thing” and been “enlightened by God”. It is practically impossible to argue with such people, no matter how many good and rationally irrefutable arguments one puts forward.
“Belief” is a purely personal matter - an unacceptable “problem” is when a “belief” is forced on everyone else: but this is exactly how a.o. “left-wing gay/LGBTQ activists” act: “like Islamists“… they´re in fact nearer to „right-believing“ Islam than to a free society.
All of these people have purely personal experiences and backgrounds as to why they spread so much hatred and are completely inaccessible to arguments and reality.
Such emotions can only be treated and overcome through personal processing- while an essential prerequisite for this is „suffering“ - as long as these mentally ill people receive confirmation from outside, they will continue to "fight", which is why it is essential to remove all ground from these patients and force them into "despair": with mentally ill people, the only way to get them „down“ is to get them to perceive what kept them going and why they fail to and stand back from constantly doubt and examine themselves - which but essentially makes up human life.
I have worked as a psychologist with violent criminals, rapists, blackmailers, murderers for quite some years, and their basic pattern is always the same as with, or remind of, these "activists" or Trump: in their childhood and youth they were shaped by "adults" who were themselves uncomprehending, domineering, incapable of rational consideration and, in particular, of compassion.
They only had the option of either adopting the „adult" behavior, "adapting," or "rebelling against it for the rest of their lives", but remaining emotionally poor - because opening up to their emotions could make them break down - and sadly adopting in that the learned behavior when presenting their "convictions," even though these behaviors are diametrically opposed to what they are supposedly "fighting“ for and what they could never learn from their „adults": differentiation, empathy, accepting or taking others seriously, compassion.
They fend this off just as much as their former „caregivers", against whom they are supposedly fighting.
There is no criminal who could have "changed" and recognized his wrong without the complete collapse of his "convictions," without a ruthless realization of what made them what they "are."
The "activists" are fighting against recognizing and feeling this pain and the consequences of suppressing it, and Trump is fighting against it, too.
Similar motives can unfortunately be assumed among his „voters“: that´s one of the „reasons“ why they so much „praise the Family“ (as an insitution) which supposedly can „only do good“, by overlooking how many people have become devastated by that oh so „holy family“: if these persons would have had „alternatives“ outside the family and could have seen that „adults“ are not all like their devastating parents, they could have more chances to develop better.
Which is not to say that „family is bad“ in itself, only this strange „canonization“ of „the“ family is questionable.
If children could grow up in a conscience that Mum and Dad may not be „right“ in everything and they have the freedom to choose and discuss themselves what they prefer, with different folks, we might have better societies with less authoritarian and more free thinking people - who would never run after a dangerous clown personality.
These people in therapy have never experienced "pity", never real genuine positive feelings that were directed at THEM: the most painful realization is that they were never loved and recognized for themselves, and can never make up for this.
For all the hatred and incomprehension that one can understandably have towards these people, one should not forget that these could be people who are desperately searching for something that they are simultaneously destroying, they are seeking to destroy the very or only thing that could bring them healing, and figures like Trump offer them an excuse to continue to claim that "the West" is "no better".
In actual fact, most people who support Israel are not homophobic, just as Israeli society is a place where homosexuals are free to go about their business without fear or discrimination. So no need to throw in statements suggesting that many of Israel's supporters are themselves homophobic. As for your misguided statements about Trump and Harris, I wonder why you dragged them into this question about gay activism and support for Israel. It is a matter of record that Trump has been much more supportive of Israel than Harris. As for being able to be open to arguments, Harris has not shown herself to be open to anything but her own incompetence. She has talked about her support for Israel's right to defend itself, but not by going on the offensive, and has always qualified that with a sequitur about the need to stop the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. Why Palestinians in Gaza should not pay for their crimes is beyond me, but perhaps you think that a sign of broad-mindedness while I consider it craven stupidity. Harris grew up in a violent black nationalist community which must have had some effect on her political world view. You are the psychologist so perhaps you might explain how that works. You certainly have no compunction about categorizing Trump psychologically. Politics, unlike academia and literature, reduces choices to yes and no so that decisions can be made. Of course, it would be nice if our politicians could explain their choices in intelligent discourse, but that seems to be something we currently lack across the western world. Nonetheless, Trump, for all his personal faults which you and many dislike, has managed to pursue policies advantageous to the maintenance rather than the collapse of western society.
Unfortunately, you seem not to refer to the items my comment really was about.
Actually it is as simple as men in women’s sports (aside from rare cases like Caster Semenya, who has 5-ARD. But even she is XY and has male strength.)
Love your point that the left wing progressive activists are pretty much the same as the right wing christian nationalists -- and I suppose also the same as the right wing Neo-Nazis. They're all cut from the same cloth.
I agree that Harris is the way to go. Although I like the Abraham Accords, here are my reasons for not supporting Trump re Israel: 1) he has no ideology and will change on a dime the second it suits him; 2) he's in love with Putin and other dictators who are NOT friends with Israel; 3) he has isolationist tendencies -- not good for Israel; 4) he likes to dine with Neo-Nazi types. So I figure that some of Harris's rhetoric is pre-election and . . . she isn't going to pull the plug on sending military equipment to Israel: the military industrial complex LOVES supplying Israel. If we don't like her stance on Israel, we can vote her out in four years. If Trump wins I'm not sure that's an opposition (If not Trump, his ilk).
Typo: I’m not sure that’s a possibility…
Thanks. Ukraine I didn“t mention, it“s one of the main reasons why I can“ t vote for Trump. It“ s schizophrenic/contradictious to claim support for Israel surrounded by aggressive Arabian fiends galore, and then leave Ukraine alone which (with a Jewish pres) is facing the same. Just for the sake of his „friendship“ with a brutal dictator who additionally is going with another US enemy, China. That alone is showing that his self-praising that he presumably „cares for“ the difficult issues the US ‚normal“ citizens are facing, and „sharing their yearning to return to this nations“ allegedly traditional values of moral responsibility, civic accountability, and economic prosperity. „To restore the dream“ ! etc. Is mere hollow rhetoric to disguise his egomaniac striving in which he doesn“ t care about the consequences of this also for the US, if they don“ t take responsibility abroad at crucial themes as Putins invasion.And as you say, he would also leave Israel alone to avoid a.o. Putin having him for breakfast. - All those „complaining“ that „Harris doesn“ t come out clearly about her goals“ are never forcing Trump to clearly expose his „peace plans for Ukraine‘. We have right wing Trump Fans in Europe and Germany, too, and know their „Peace plans“: nothing but surrender of the rape victims - which is typically Trump: „Grab them in the biscuits and throw them away“. „Traditional Values“.
Much to observe about this article, but for the sake of brevity . . .
“Those who constantly and loudly condemn the devaluation of Arab/Muslim life — yet strip the very people they claim to advocate for of their agency — are engaging in a form of racism.”
Race was originally a biological category ultimately rejected by biologists because people could not neatly be classified by skin colour, facial features, bone structure, etc. In its contemporary form, race, has come to mean any minority victimized by those nasty whites, especially white males, especially, the whitest of the whites, the Jews.
The author is absolutely correct when he states “The notion that non-Western, usually Islamic societies are regressive and hateful toward minorities solely due to the aggression of more liberal nations is inaccurate and dehumanizing nonsense.” These societies hardly need the West to excuse their repressive policies. They find all the justification they want In their religious texts.
The author then states”to suggest that [Arab/Muslim] societies are incapable of making their own choices or enacting laws that protect minorities in their communities is, ironically, the very racism these activists claim to oppose.”
Very confusing, to say the least! What Arab/Muslim state has enacted and enforced laws that protect minorities? Or by what stretch of the imagination let alone logic is suggesting that Arab/Muslim societies being incapable of making their own choices racist by design, intent, or execution?
The author claiming that to point out the blatant irony inherent in the “Queers for Palestine” position is useless ignores two hard, political realities. In the first instance, we see the continuous introduction of legislation designed to undermine gay rights. Aiding and abetting this stealth movement is the fact that 90% of any population is heterosexual. When they witness gays actively supporting those who would kill them, they have to wonder by what right do these people deserve any legal protections when they are willing to be the authors of their own destruction. These political realities stand in stark contrast to the author's assertion that pointing out this irony is merely “a diversion, a non-sequitur, and an obliviousness to the complicated, pervasive ideology . . . .”
In an attempt to explain the allure of the “pro-palestinians" movement for gays, the author states “Gay people are no longer discriminated against in polite society, so many look to fill that void with activism for others whom they have been told are more oppressed and vulnerable.”
By what twist of logic is not being discriminated against a void? Are we to assume that being discriminated against fulfills a fundamental psychological need? The author mistakenly states that this sense emptiness is what drives the identification with entirely unrelated group. Actually its origin can be found in one of the core tenets of neo–Marxist CRT political Ideology, that of an intersectionality between all perceived oppressed minorities.
I don't believe radicals such as these are reachable, gay or straight. They have no interest in learning the truth about Israel. When you make arguments as you have suggested, they dismiss it out of hand, ignore it or claim we're paid Zionist propagandists. Like everyone else who opposes Israel, it might be simply that they are antisemites.
There's a difference between telling a homosexual that Hamas would throw you off a building, and telling a group that specifically identifies as homosexual that Hamas would throw you off a building.
Furthermore, the "Chickens for KFC" originated on Secret Tel Aviv. This is not a right wing talking point. If you've mostly come across it from antilgbt Israelis, that's an interesting coincidence.
Someone who seriously views the world solely in view of oppression oppressors and the oppressed is aMarxist with serious intellectual and cultural blinders and ignorance on many issues
Please don’t let Blake guest write anymore essays. His clinging to the American left despite making aliyah is nauseating.
I think his viewpoint is enlightening for that reason. He is staunchly pro Israel despite many of his positions on the extreme left. That gives him a unique vantage point to share from.
The Transqueer contingent hate Israel for virtue signaling reasons among far-leftists. They have no values.
In a striking display of ideological hypocrisy, Matt Bernstein, one of the most well-known LGBT advocacy influencers in the world—who spent the last four years vehemently denouncing Christian nationalism on the religious right—began excusing religiously motivated homophobia, so long as that religion was Islam.
https://ameliaadams.substack.com/p/coming-full-circle-the-left-is-self?r=1mebvk&utm_medium=ios