I suggest we call a ceasefire on DU...

[kentuck]

Because I do see it going too far with these latest incidents. Does anyone agree with a ceasefire for maybe 24-48 hours and let matters cool down? What say ye?

[acmejack]

1. I suggest that it would be very wise.

Quite appreciated too.

[JitterbugPerfume]

2. A wise proposal

from a wise DUer

[KittyWampus]

3. Pretty sure we could get a quorum on this.

[Warren Stupidity]

4. So if there is another atrocity tomorrow

we shouldn't mention it?

[uppityperson]

14. no, just don't attack each other here

[Warren Stupidity]

37. I am sorry to be so thick about this but...

if there is another atrocity tomorrow and some IDIOT posts a message explaining why it is acceptable to kill civilians, I am supposed to ignore that message?

[uppityperson]

39. no, just don't call them nasty names, insulting, etc.

of course do not ignore it, of course call them on their bs, but use words to do that, not to insult them. Even if you feel they are ignorant narrowminded assholes who don't give a fuck about anyone or anything except maybe their mothers upstairs making them lunch, try to avoid pointing that out.

[Jeroen]

5. I suggest a ceasefire SOON..say 4 weeks?

[QuestionAll...]

7. we should be working on a permanent ceasefire...

not a pansy assed half baked one like you suggest.

:sarcasm:

:)

[Jeroen]

35. LOL

[patrice]

6. Just curious: Why do I always miss these things?

I've been here most of the morning and didn't see anything hostile going on.

[bigtree]

8. You mean give the Killers a day without criticism for them to continue

with impunity?

My efforts are to stop violence. I'm not at war with anyone, save the warmongers. Are they taking a break?

[kentuck]

10. If we can't do it....

Why would we expect them to have a 'ceasefire' in the Middle East. I'm suggesting we gather our thoughts, out of respect for each other at DU - not to give a break to the warmongers.

[bigtree]

16. it's not the same with me. I'm not attacking anyone here.

I won't hold my fire against Israel's actions unless I'm precluded from doing so by some policy change here.

That doesn't make me a hypocrite for expecting a cease-fire in Lebanon and Israel. That's a ridiculous comparison, with all due respect Kentuck. And, I do respect you.

[kentuck]

21. With all due respect...

I did not mean to suggest you were a "hypocrite" for wanting a ceasefire in Lebanon and Israel. I was only thinking of our small community here at DU and how much stronger we are when we are united rather than divided.

[bigtree]

26. are we still going to be divided, yet unable to resolve those differences

because of an artificial clamp on debate?

A ceasefire will only work if there is some effort to resolve the underlying issues which caused the friction in the first place. I happen to think that there's quite a bit of enlightenment going on, even in the disputes, that will ultimately lead to more understanding. I think, as with all of the issues we discuss, that the openness has the best chance of leading us to resolutions.

[kentuck]

29. Rational discussion..

You have the key.

[H2O Man]

31. Right.

The debate is a good thing. It would be beneficial if people used care not to insult one another, even where they have serious differences of opinion.

[Joe Fields]

9. How about Skinner banning this subject altogether?

It has gotten so ridiculous, that I would be in favor of that.

Let's go back to worrying about Dems taking back control of congress.

[kentuck]

13. I think that would be an over-reaction...

What good is it to take back Congress if we have shut down free speech? That would be a Pyrrhic victory, in my opinion. But we do need to cool the emotions, in order to maintain a civilized discussion here on DU...

[Joe Fields]

22. Skinner did it with 9/11.

He has a website to maintain, and it is spinning out of control. He DOES reserve the right to ban certain subjects. As he points out, this site may be called Democratic Underground, but it is not run in a democratic fashion.

It has gotten to the point where I don't dare open my mouth, unless I want serious abuse, with insults hurled at me like Kytuskya rockets.

I'm a big boy, and can take care of myself, but it is not a lot of fun being under siege for anything I might say.

I say ban the subject entirely. This site is spiraling downhill fast.

I am finding myself in the lounge more than ever these days. It's a whole lot friendlier, and a lot more fun.

[idgiehkt]

24. It's clear this needs it's own forum.

like the I/P forum. It doesn't look to be stopping any time soon.

[Mythsaje]

11. Hey, I'm too busy fighting about pit bulls

to pay attention to whatever else is going on...

[salin]

12. You must be one of those weak-kneed,

peace-loving surrender monkeys!

*just trying on a freeper suit.... doesn't feel very good or fit very well...* :shrug:

Seriously, could you imagine the far right's and talk radio's reaction if teambush supported something like this? The radical's in their party that they have pandered to, and manipulated for the past 6 years now OWN the administration (and thus the enabling GOP congressional contingent) - and there is NO WAY they would ever be able to even a temporary cease-fire. Led by Perle et al beginning on Sept 12 2001, these folks have backed themselves into a behavioral corner. Tragic, and pathetic.

[kentuck]

15. Very true...

We are watching the Bush foreign policy finally come to fruition. Don't ever talk. Always stay on the offensive. Always operate from a position of strength. Never, ever, admit you were wrong.

[MysteryToMyself]

17. Yes, a cease fire

It is getting old to hear Bush and Condi say they want to have a substainable ceasefire. They want Israel to totally disarm/destroy Hezbollah before they have a ceasefire, they say. "IF not they will have to keep dealing with problems from Hezbollah. That is what we pay Condi for, to keep going back. What is she wanting to do, go shopping instead?

When a gang is shooting at you and you house is burning down, you don't try to make sure it doesn't happen again while it is happening. You take care of the shooting and fires now and worry about reoccurances later.

The bombing of the children has recruited a lot of new Hezbollah soldiers. The destruction of Lebanon infrastructure is the work of the devil

The Israel military are using sattellites and drones to see what is happening on the ground. They know when children are in the area.

Israel has precision bombs and they can direct where they go. Hezbollah rockets have no guidence and they don't know where they will land. Israel can warn their people when a bomb is coming with sirens, but Lebanon has no sirens.

[MercutioATC]

18. Alternatively, sensitive DUers could just not read certain threads...

There are plenty here who see this for what it is...a bunch of people passionately discussing a divisive issue.

I don't see a problem with that.

[salin]

20. I think he isn't talking about a on du rhetoric ceasefire

but a real cease fire. As in couldn't we all get behind such an action.

edited - I think the post was meant to be able to be read both ways. DU rhetoric and real world.

[kentuck]

25. salin, you are a big thinker...

every journey does start with one small step...

peace

[H2O Man]

19. A negotiated settlement

might do.

[havocmom]

27. LOL Sounds good. Pulling it off?

Probably a different matter, sadly.

[H2O Man]

30. Sure.

It is a difficult topic. A negotiated settlement on DU, however, would be no harder than the current situation, and surely superior to having the topic banned or sent to a dungeon.

[havocmom]

33. Guess I am getting cynical in my old age

But when DUers insists some of the things which have been insisted around here of late, I have my doubts.

Worth a try, but not holding my breath. Just read a post stating 40%-60% of young people in America wear camouflage clothing. Don't know how to reason with such poppycock purveyors anymore than with the bush-bots.

[H2O Man]

36. Oh, dear ....

I'm wearing camouflage clothing. Pair of shorts. Matches my Catholic Worker t-shirt ("Stop US Army Terroorist Training Camps: Close SOA/WHISC, Ft. Benning, GA.") I've got some pants, too; they match my son's Golden Gloves t-shirts. I guess that symbols have different meanings to different people. I always thought it was wrong to let the republicans take the flag, so to speak .....

The other day I posted an essay, "Four Directions." The responses on DU were fine. On another site, a couple people gave me shit, the old "you don't know what you're talking about" thing. And that's part of what I used to get when I did conflict resolution. If I started out saying there were some problems, and we could all join an effort to negotiate a settlement, a few people would ALWAYS say, "But you don't get it. He did such-n-such." It takes time for people to take ownership of their own responsibility.

I also thought it was interesting that one critic kind of knocked my using Rubin Carter in my essay, while another critic said Rubin was an honorable person. It is worth noting that, in the past few years, one of the Good Hurricane's interests has been working with friend Nelson Mandela on coming up with ways to negotiate a settlement to some of the problems in the Middle East. Much of my essay was based on my conversations with him on that topic. But, as one person noted, I shouldn't open my big mouth until I have a clue what I'm talking about. (grin)

[havocmom]

38. Did some work with people going through divorces myself

Not unlike things around here today ;)

[chimpymustgo]

23. Could you be more specific about what you are proposing?

As the situation - and I assume you are referring to the ME - becomes more outrageous and indefensible, perhaps the tone of discussion has also heightened. But we can't just not talk about it, Kentuck. What's your proposal?

[kentuck]

28. Stop the shooting and stop the killing...

and stop the name-calling. Just stop it for a day or two...Rational discussion should be able to continue. But, ceasefires are never easy. Not here and not there.

[chimpymustgo]

34. I'm all for an immediate ME cease-fire. And continued rational discussion.

Both should not be that hard to achieve. Just do it.

[cry baby]

32. from your keyboard to God's ears........

[kentuck]

41. Israel just called a 48-hour ceasefire on airstrikes..

:)

[NoPasaran]

40. I need a few more days

To continue putting people on "Ignore"