Kate ([info]arohanui) wrote,
2005-09-12 08:19:00
  • Previous
  • Memorize
  • Share
  • Next
  • Mood: relieved
  • Music: Billy Bragg & Wilco, Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key

"It will be our happiest day in decades."


Israel has lowered its flag over the Gaza Strip, clearing the way to complete a troop pullout and hand the territory to the Palestinians after 38 years of occupation.

   -- 'Israel Lowers Flag as Gaza Pullout Nears End', ABC News Online


I've never had any love for Sharon. But I'll give respect where respect is due, and it's certainly due Sharon for doing the right thing, finally. He deserves all the accolades he garners for this. The wounding of the stone throwers is heart-rending though, to mar what should have been a day celebrating peace. I pray it's not an omen.

I do wish Palestine all the best in rebuilding Gaza. It's going to be such a hard road, after so many years of occupation. I dearly hope the synagogues aren't desecrated, although I realize that it's probably a futile hope, given the residual resentment that must exist.

  • Post a new comment

    Error

    switch

    Your reply will be screened

    Your IP address will be recorded 

     
    Help
  • 14 comments

[info]zarfmouse

September 12 2005, 03:10:06 UTC 6 years ago

I'm not sure what to think of this yet. It's definitely a big deal but I wonder about all the promises that this mean re-doubling the Israeli defense of the West Bank. This isn't a pullout from all the occupied territory, it could be seen as just a strategic way to make sure they NEVER lose the other territory.

Time will tell...it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out. It's definitely nice for the stalemate to be somewhat broken at least.

[info]arohanui

September 12 2005, 19:32:00 UTC 6 years ago

Oh, there's definitely plenty of room for cynicism. I mean, they're still building The Wall, right?

But, yeah, it's such a relief to see some sign of progress, some hint of resolution.

[info]ngalyod

September 12 2005, 09:10:47 UTC 6 years ago

when i was a kid in saudi, i remember once when we were asked to draw pictures, and the palestinian kids drew their houses being torn down. i remember asking my parents and friends why that was...

hi kate. how about we catch up? haven't seen each other since that warriors night. :)

[info]arohanui

September 12 2005, 19:28:53 UTC 6 years ago

undescribable

> i remember asking my parents and friends why that was...

I can't find words to do that justice.


My own eye-opening to the situation there didn't occur until I was twenty: hanging with some people in Venice, New Year '91, they turned out to be Palestinian students studying in Italy. When I asked, "Why Italy?", they replied, "Because we can't study at home".

[info]arohanui

September 12 2005, 19:30:01 UTC 6 years ago

> how about we catch up?

I'd love to.

And hey! My brother gave me a Go board for Christmas, that I've never had a chance to use! Shall we meet up for a coffee and a game some time?

[info]ngalyod

September 13 2005, 06:35:29 UTC 6 years ago

yes! fantastic, i'd forgotten we both wanted to play go. you want to try to play the game in a cafe or house? small games are actually pretty publicable, and it takes a while of playing go for one to be content with the scope of a large board.

living in town again and with uni hours i'm pretty damn flexible for time right now. as the worker, why don't you come up with a time and day that's good for you? uni work can be easily reordered.

[info]arohanui

September 13 2005, 19:17:36 UTC 6 years ago

I'd like to play in a cafe, actually, despite the increased humiliation factor. There's something somehow sophisticated about sitting downtown in the public eye, engaged in unabashedly intellectual pursuit. Plus there's the coffee.

> small games

Oh totally. I thought we could play 9x9s until where comfortable with that, then work up to 13x13s then 15x15s. Sadly, unlike some, my board doesn't have a 9x9 on the back, but I can bring along some strips of cardboard or something to create a restricted field.

> as the worker

*laughs!*
Oh wow, I'm flattered that your mental picture of me is as a worker. No, no, I'm still a layabout. (Working on it: although overall I feel I've had enough psychotherapy to last a lifetime, I'm organizing some consuling specifically aimed at helping me resolve my residual issues around work. Hopefully, seeing someone about it regularly will act as a goad to actually getting off my arse and doing something concrete about moving back into the workforce.)

Anyways, my schedule is even freer than yours. Whenever suits. This week's a little busy, due to my brother's wedding on Saturday. How about sometime next week? Wednesday, maybe?

[info]ngalyod

September 14 2005, 00:16:33 UTC 6 years ago

wednesday's good, yep. how about we be really civilised and play in the early afternoon. it'll look thoroughly bohemian. :)

and i'll make sure to brush up on the rules, since while i think i can remember how to play, i actually haven't in about four years...

[info]arohanui

September 14 2005, 20:00:48 UTC 6 years ago

bohemian like you

> play in the early afternoon

Sounds very civilized. :) One-ish, then? Do you have a favourite cafe? Which end of town suits you best?

> i think i can remember how to play

I've never really played, not properly, certainly never with a real live board. I'm sure we'll figure it out. :)


Cool! I'm looking forward to this.

[info]ngalyod

September 14 2005, 23:48:55 UTC 6 years ago

Re: bohemian like you

one-ish wednesday. sorted. :)

as for cafes, i like midnight and fidel's, but they're actually no longer particularly up my end of town, so i don't actually mind. if there's something nearer to you that you particularly like i'm totally down with playing there, but if not, midnight or fidel's, whichever you prefer.

i'm looking forward to this too. :D

[info]arohanui

September 15 2005, 19:55:31 UTC 6 years ago

Midnight Espresso was more or less my 'local', back in my varsity days (I lived in Fairlie Tce, so it was actually close-ish). So it would certainly have nostalgia value for me. I don't actually know where Fidel's is, so would Midnight work for you? Do you mind hiking all the way up Cuba St?

Can we make it 1:15? That way I can drop my dad off at his lecture on the way in.

[info]ngalyod

September 15 2005, 23:37:10 UTC 6 years ago

midnight's all good. i did a design paper last year and midnight being open until 3am was really handy. :)

my deadline is having to be back up at kelburn uni by 4 for a tutorial. the #18 bus leaves from in front of design school and goes straight there, so i'll head off around 3:30.

so yeah 1:15, not a problem.

[info]anamacha

September 12 2005, 22:16:34 UTC 6 years ago

wow. Most excellent. You should read one of my recent posts, about Palestine and such.

I am glad of this news that you report.

[info]arohanui

September 12 2005, 22:24:52 UTC 6 years ago

"Do any of you know why the Israelis oppress the Palestinians so badly?"

Oh, wow, there's some great stuff in there:
> the Israelis do what they do because some guy named Lord Balfour told them they could

Thanks very much for that.
Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Facebook Twitter More login options
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…