I have wisely not added my view to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict even though many here have. Watching the news just a few years back taught me that no matter what your opinion is on this issue is, it's wrong. Not that I believe that, but from the way people would react to eachother, one could only come away thinking that even if you came up with a plan that guaranteed a total resolution to the whole mess in the middle east, someone will find a reason to disagree and then bury you. My feeling is that this is just one those debates I that I need not dive into. That said, this is not a diary criticizing those who have expressed their point of view about the violence over there, but to defend all who have expressed their feelings about it, no matter which position they have taken.
To be honest, I don't really understand why this specific issue creates such strong emotions. I do recognize that the level of death and destruction that takes place in the middle east can't be ignored, but still. While I may not be able to understand it, I still strongly support the discussion(s) that has taken place. I just stay away from nearly all those diaries because I need not give myself headaches. But if you're like me, you have found yourself peeking in on a few of the diaries just out of curiosity of the titles. Speaking only for myself, I found both slugfests and really thoughtful discussions. If it got too intense for me or too much over my head, I just bailed. That's the freedom of the back button on my browser. Everyone has that freedom. Whether I agree with some of the posts or not is irrelavent. The opinions expressed are those of the people in this community who express them and they have a right to.
What has gotten me upset is not whether people agree or disagree with what's happening in the middle east, but the condemning of diarists and commenters for sharing their own honest thoughts. It irritates me that a small handful would come to this site and write a comment or full diary dumping on everybody that has feelings about this issue. I hate that attitude that "everyone here sucks because things aren't being discussed the way I want them to be discussed." That's usually followed by a swift response and rebuttal from several kossacks, and that response is often followed by the original poster or diarist accusing all of us here of not allowing him/her to have their opinion, even though that writer can post any comment they want and respond to any or all the comments about the very topic he felt more than free to bring up.
Well, most of us, even registered users, just hang out and read diaries we might find interesting. I just don't appreciate getting hit with shrapnel from the anger that a few people feel just because they don't like what some here have to say. And I find it silly that many of those who start attacking other kossacks immediately fall down and play hurt every time they get the fight they seemed to be looking for. Trying to stand above all of us by crticizing people for having an opinion about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is B.S., considering that, like them, the critics aren't experts themselves. In additon, these guys often have strong feelings themselves and feel that they are not winning the debate, so they find it much easier to just nuke the entire argument by tearing down eveyone here, even those that share their view. It's a dishonest, unfair way to debate any topic, and I resent it.
I don't have any demands, but I do have a little advice to people who honestly find it frustrating when they feel that they are swimming against the tide at times. Try doing what I do when a diary is not my cup of tea: Quietly exit it. If it's done well, I'll still reccommend it. You don't have to hang out anywhere you don't like. If a few comments to your post are unfair or over the top, skip 'em. Respond to those that are legitimate if you want. If people are really crawling up your ass, so what? It's the internet and no one can interrupt you or shout you down unless they teleport to your house. Finally, could you please stop looking down your nose at other kossacks when it's not going your way? That's childish. You have opinions, as do they. You chose to come here as we all did and there are A LOT of us here at any given time and most of us choose to stay out of the fray, especially when it involves really intense topics such as the crisis in Israel and Lebanon. Writng a diary that labels all of us as being this way or that way, and feeling this way or that way is garbage, and it's the same thing the MSM is trying to do.
I really love being part of this community and different perspectives people bring is truly refreshing. I can feel part of any number of discussions I choose and can come and go as I please, like everyone else. I hope that those who have expressed their displeasure with a handful of people here would consider all the alternatives before they scream that others are being mean to them or they've fallen and they can't get up. I know that legitimate grievences with diaries and comments are there to made. I've probably come across a few. That's the law of averages. But there is nothing lamer than dropping your pants and taking a big dump on everybody just because you are upset. I can accept the fact that there is going to be things said that I really hate. That's part of being in any community. If I can't take what some here think, so fucking what? No one died and made me king. They have every right to express those views and I'd hate it if they weren't here. Like I said, I don't have strong enough feelings to choose a side in the Israeli-Palestinian debate, but I certainly side with those among us that have strong feelings and I'm totally against anybody who tries to discredit and delegitimize them for having a point of view and the will to express it, especially when that critic has stated his or her own thoughts on it. The diaries that do nothing more than flame all of us whether or not we are involved in the debate are far worse than the comments that attack any individual because it blanketly condemns everyone here and I really am sick of it. Let them have their views. There are a lot of good people here and the world won't end because of our discussions or arguments, so there is no use in being so snobby and judgemental.