# Ask the "crazy" settler **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 15, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889 "2010-09-15T21:10:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/121 "2010-09-17T20:05:37Z")
I’d suggest that one a formalized nation/state gets recognition from the U.N., _then_ maybe its borders are fixed and protected by international law, in the sense that U.N. troops could possibly intervene in case of wars or incursions or whatnot. The Middle East, though, had (and arguably still has) relatively few firm borders. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/122 "2010-09-17T20:09:05Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > What you’re saying is that Israel’s “right” are based on the fact that noone with the ability to kick them out are willing to undertake the venture and the only people willing to risk it don’t have the ability to accomplish it. Well, it was tried on several occasions and not token efforts, either. If anything, the Israelis’ continues presence _and_ their demonstrated ability to defend the area strengthens the claim of ownership, I’d think. > [@](#): > > If the Palestinian suddenly got the nuke, do you think this would accelerate the peace process or just turn Jerusalem into glass? I have to admit, it would be an interesting scenario to watch from a safe distance… ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/123 "2010-09-17T22:13:24Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > > [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > > > What you’re saying is that Israel’s “right” are based on the fact that noone with the ability to kick them out are willing to undertake the venture and the only people willing to risk it don’t have the ability to accomplish it. > > Well, it was tried on several occasions and not token efforts, either. If anything, the Israelis’ continues presence _and_ their demonstrated ability to defend the area strengthens the claim of ownership, I’d think. I don’t know. Ihe way I read things, either the arab states had really tiny armies or they didn’t go all in on those wars. IIRC, the Israeli forces outnumbered the arab forces in the first war and outgunned them in all subsequent wars. If the USA gave the Palestinians military aid in the form of F-22’s and M-1 tanks along with training and money, I wonder if the next war might not turn out differently. Their claim of ownership is based on their ability to hold land by force not because they have any right to the land they took during the war. So aren’t you saying exactly what i said? ---
**Author:** ![scamartistry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/124 "2010-09-17T22:41:28Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > > [@Alessan](#): > > > > Just put the bag on the screen, and step away. > > Will do. Mind if I leave a box of Hot Pockets as well? What can I say, I like nerd food. 😃 Is it maybe a bit tasteless with all these constipated “jokes” that keep interrupting a topic with this dignity? You budding comedians out there should start an entire new thread, possibly name it “Lets giggle like schoolgirls” ..or maybe “no parents allowed”…or something. Im sure it will be a blast with all the crazy popcorn-jokes you guys are bound to come up with 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/125 "2010-09-17T23:42:17Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > > > Well, it was tried on several occasions and not token efforts, either. If anything, the Israelis’ continues presence _and_ their demonstrated ability to defend the area strengthens the claim of ownership, I’d think. > > I don’t know. Ihe way I read things, either the arab states had really tiny armies or they didn’t go all in on those wars. Well, the Arab states fought the various wars _badly_, but the Yom Kippur War of 1973 demonstrates coordinated assaults on Israeli positions _and_ backing by the Soviet Union, and the whole situation was pretty touch-and-go until the Israelis rallied, the Egyptians and Syrians got bogged down… This was a significant and energetic, if short-lived conflict. I see no reason to suggest Egypt and Syria weren’t serious about it, even if they lacked sufficient competence and/or logistics to hang onto their early gains. > [@](#): > > If the USA gave the Palestinians military aid in the form of F-22’s and M-1 tanks along with training and money, I wonder if the next war might not turn out differently. Even given equal armament, I’m pretty sure the Palestinians couldn’t field a comparable amount of well-trained, well-motivated manpower. > [@](#): > > Their claim of ownership is based on their ability to hold land by force not because they have any right to the land they took during the war. So aren’t you saying exactly what i said? Well, if you attack someone and lose territory as a result, I guess you’re just screwed, aren’t you? Sounds fair to me. In any case, why don’t Egypt and Jordan simply annex the disputed territories and try to draw up permanent borders with Israel? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/126 "2010-09-18T00:16:50Z")
> [@scamartistry](#): > > Is it maybe a bit tasteless with all these constipated “jokes” that keep interrupting a topic with this dignity? I believe Alessan is qualified to make humorous comments in such a thread. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/127 "2010-09-18T01:27:52Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > What you think is incorrect is incorrect. You do not live in Israel. You illegally squat outside the borders. > > Speaking of taxes can you give me a convincing reason for why I, as an American, should have to keep paying for you to do this? I freely admit my ignorance of many aspects of the political issues that have hijacked this thread, but my curiosity has been piqued: in what way are you, as an American, paying the OP to live where he is? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/128 "2010-09-18T01:29:03Z")
I am moving this thread back to **MPSIMS**. The point of the thread is to permit questions of the OP regarding the OP’s perception of life in the settlements. Questions are welcome, but it is not a thread for debate and if the OP chooses to declare an opinion with which one disagrees, the appropriate response is to open a separate thread in **GD** or **The BBQ Pit** challenging that opinion. Deliberate insults and accusations are not appropriate in **MPSIMS** and rather than moving the thread, the next time the OP is attackesd as a person, the attacker will simply be given a Warning for violating board rules. Further discussion of the overall issue will be conducted in the [**ATMB** thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=578606) already noted, above. Do not further hijack this thread with more off-topic comments or complaints. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/129 "2010-09-18T01:31:06Z")
My question for the OP: If the land you currently occupy is given over to the Palestinians(a distinct possibility), will you move out of the area, or will you stay? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/130 "2010-09-18T01:51:14Z")
We could have learned something. We could have seen inside a little bit of the mess in this region. Instead we run off the poster. Wonderful. I can recall when the SDMB was better than most parts of the internet. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/131 "2010-09-18T01:56:12Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > We could have learned something. We could have seen inside a little bit of the mess in this region. Instead we run off the poster. Wonderful. > > I can recall when the SDMB was better than most parts of the internet. The OP deliberately moved her family to the other side of the green line, and you think we ran her off with mere _questions_? I think your hand-wringing is a bit premature. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/132 "2010-09-18T02:09:59Z")
It’s 4:00 AM on Shabbes in Jerusalem. And it’s dark on Firday, Shabbes here and I’m posting. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/133 "2010-09-18T02:22:33Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > It’s 4:00 AM on Shabbes in Jerusalem. > > And it’s dark on Firday, Shabbes here and I’m posting. :rolleyes: Not just Shabbes – it’s Yom Kippur! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/134 "2010-09-18T02:33:09Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > > [@carnivorousplant](#): > > > > It’s 4:00 AM on Shabbes in Jerusalem. > > > > And it’s dark on Firday, Shabbes here and I’m posting. :rolleyes: > > Not just Shabbes – it’s Yom Kippur! I’m pretty darn non observant. I got a bad entry in the Book, I’m sure. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/135 "2010-09-18T02:57:00Z")
Sorry if this sounds like an odd question, but are you male or female? (The OP that is, not **carnivorousplant** above.) I’ve never seen the name Shinna before. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/136 "2010-09-18T03:04:32Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > > > What you think is incorrect is incorrect. You do not live in Israel. You illegally squat outside the borders. > > > > Speaking of taxes can you give me a convincing reason for why I, as an American, should have to keep paying for you to do this? > > I freely admit my ignorance of many aspects of the political issues that have hijacked this thread, but my curiosity has been piqued: in what way are you, as an American, paying the OP to live where he is? The US gives Israel billions of dollars a year in aid. I want to know why I should give up a dime to subsidize apartheid and protect illegal squatters. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/137 "2010-09-18T03:44:34Z")
Ah, so your real question was “I disagree with how the US is choosing to spend my tax dollars, and because you (the OP) indirectly benefit from this how you justify it?” ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/138 "2010-09-18T03:45:08Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > We could have learned something. We could have seen inside a little bit of the mess in this region. Instead we run off the poster. Wonderful. > > I can recall when the SDMB was better than most parts of the internet. Bologna. The OP made it clear he knew what he was doing by moving where he moved. He acknowledged that he was making a “political statement” by living there and as to the dangers of living there, he reports: _“there are constant reports of rocks and Molotov cocktails thrown at cars on an almost daily basis. By rocks, I mean projectiles that do serious damage; rocks that weigh several pounds”._ And yet you think a few taunts on a trivia message board ran him off? That’s some pretty funny stuff, that is. Look, I don’t care what color his drapes are or how the dog walking goes. The OP openly admits his choice goes against world opinion. It’s inconceivable he didn’t expect the questions he has gotten. He started this thread with no restrictions on the questions. When asked by **Blake** : _“How do you feel about the fact that, legalities aside, you are living on land taken by miliary force from innocent people who are now forced to live as refugees or second class citizens?”_ The OP responded: _“If the UN, the EU, and the International Court of Justice would worry about the worries, ills, and troubles of the entire world as much as they worried about Israel, the world would be a much better place.”_ C’mon OP, it’s a few taps on the keyboard. Just answer the damn questions you invited. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/139 "2010-09-18T03:53:57Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > _“If the UN, the EU, and the International Court of Justice would worry about the worries, ills, and troubles of the entire world as much as they worried about Israel, the world would be a much better place.”_ I think that’s a pretty good answer. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889/140 "2010-09-18T04:04:13Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > Ah, so your real question was “I disagree with how the US is choosing to spend my tax dollars, and because you (the OP) indirectly benefit from this how you justify it?” No, my real question was why does the OP believe that I should have to subsidize actions I view as illegal and unethical. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-crazy-settler/553889.md?page=8)