Intent to Kill

>> Elizabeth, I am highly disappointed in you. I am Jewish and a Zionist and your comment is highly offensive to me. Israel has the right to exist and to defend itself. <<

You're entitled to your opinion, but I'm also entitled to mine. I believe that a country has the right to defend itself. I don't believe that it has the right to do so in ways that are overbearing and destructive to other nations. Whether it has the right to exist ... I think that wanting a homeland is a fine and reasonable goal, but based on observed actions, the Jews in Israel are making a painful mess of it. To me, that's disappointing. I'm not going to give them a free pass on obnoxious behavior just because they're Jews and have been victimized for centuries and finally have a place of their own. They're wrecking it -- and that's not a surprise, given that most of the Middle East is a wreck and they've been culturally traumatized for ages. But it is a problem, and now it's their problem.

>> FYI, Israel is a very civilized nation, a very developed nation to say the least and there is enough evidence out there to prove this. <<

Sorry, but what I have seen of Israel's behavior does not qualify it as civilized on my scale. Neither is the United States, in which I live, or some other countries whose behavior I've criticized before. Humanity is a rough race yet. You're entitled to use a different standard for civilization if you wish, but that doesn't allow you to take away my standard.

>> This comment is made out of ignorance and hatred. <<

That statement is factually inaccurate. I've studied history; I have an awareness of Jewish background and how Israel was formed and a fair number of things it's done since it was formed. Those things play into the current situation. I don't hate Jews; I find the culture interesting. I don't hate Israel, but I am increasingly frustrated by its behavior and the amount of trouble it is causing for itself and other people. It is entirely possible to disapprove on a logical and practical level.

>> I am sorry. Seriously. But I will unfriend you. There is nothing further I would like to read from someone with such views. <<

If you can't handle the differences of opinion, then yes, that's a good idea. Not all of my opinions are nice ones, because the world is full of troublesome people and problems, and I'm shy about calling them out.

I'll agree that both "judging" and "harsh" are fair. Too harsh is a matter of taste.

I'm not innately tactful. I can apply the premise of "gently if possible, firmly if necessary" to a certain extent. But I am a much better sledgehammer than a sand mallet. About the time permanent or fatal damage is done, is usually one of the more consistent thresholds at which I quit trying to apply constructive criticism with a measure of grace, and just resort to some flavor of WTF.