So what do you think about...

Looted booty - paintings, etc., - should be returned to its original owners when possible. As you say, if there's no compensation, then problems can fester.

However, I don't believe - in general - that an unconditional [link|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_return|"right of return"] should exist. Yes, people displaced in war should be able to return to their homes. But how many generations or decades should be allowed to elapse with it in effect? If my great-grandfather owned a farm in Russia that was taken by the Bolsheviks, should I be able to reclaim it? I don't think so. It's obviously especially problematic for Israel and Palestine. There comes a time when people must let the past be the past and move on, IMHO.

Paying limited compensation is a good idea. But deciding the level, who gets it, who pays it ("the USA of course!"), and how it is paid is a terrible Goridan knot - one that's not easily cut. Especially when many people regard land as something that can't be compensated.

Cheers,
Scott.

It exists, as a state, because of the UK and the UN, and lots of support from the US. A chronology is at the [link|http://www.trumanlibrary.org/israel/palestin.htm|Truman Library]. It should exist, and should be at peace with it neighbors.

The birth of al Qaeda in Afghanistan and its hatred of the governments of Saudi Arabia, etc., had nothing to do with Israel. Consider that before arguing that Israel is the primary cause of the problems between the West and the Muslim world. (Yes, it is a significant cause.)

I don't think we should let what was written down in a book thousands of years ago determine the conduct of nations and their peoples. Otherwise, [link|http://www.humanistsofutah.org/2002/WhyCantIOwnACanadian_10-02.html|Why Can't I Own a Canadian?]

IMHO. :-)

Take care.

Cheers,
Scott.

--\n-------------------------------------------------------------------\n* Jack Troughton jake at consultron.ca *\n* [link|http://consultron.ca|http://consultron.ca] [link|irc://irc.ecomstation.ca|irc://irc.ecomstation.ca] *\n* Kingston Ontario Canada [link|news://news.consultron.ca|news://news.consultron.ca] *\n-------------------------------------------------------------------

Post #263,412 by folkert 8/2/06 11:03:11 AM Reply	So what do you think about... The fact that Israel should not even exist? Zionists have gone against the word of thier Lord. The lord has said in the Bible that the Children of Israel should be living amoungst the people of the world, not having a singular/central governmental body to "call home" as the only thing they need is the Bible and faith. If Israel didn't even exist, much of the problems in Hezbulah (sp?) wouldn't even exist. The mere fact that we support (as a country or government) Israel and the Zionists that created it, ensures our continued problems with the Muslims and other religions around Palestine. -- [link\|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net\|greg], [link\|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry\|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ *i_wethey* Freedom is not FREE. Yeah, but 10s of Trillions of US Dollars? SELECT * FROM scog WHERE ethics > 0; 0 rows returned.
Post #263,413 by boxley 8/2/06 11:16:16 AM Reply	greg, can you point out those particular scriptures? I think I missed something the last time I read it. thanx, bill Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 50 years. meep
Post #263,415 by a6l6e6x 8/2/06 11:26:35 AM Reply	But you have to give Greg credit in seeing your agenda! :) If there is no compensation for confiscation, troubles never end. They can even get violent. Alex When fascism comes to America, it'll be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross. -- Sinclair Lewis
Post #263,422 by boxley 8/2/06 12:03:03 PM Reply	I was waiting for a HECK NO followed by WAIT A MINUTE :-) Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 50 years. meep
Post #263,427 by Another Scott 8/2/06 12:39:03 PM Reply	There should be limited compensation for confiscation. Looted booty - paintings, etc., - should be returned to its original owners when possible. As you say, if there's no compensation, then problems can fester. However, I don't believe - in general - that an unconditional [link\|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_return\|"right of return"] should exist. Yes, people displaced in war should be able to return to their homes. But how many generations or decades should be allowed to elapse with it in effect? If my great-grandfather owned a farm in Russia that was taken by the Bolsheviks, should I be able to reclaim it? I don't think so. It's obviously especially problematic for Israel and Palestine. There comes a time when people must let the past be the past and move on, IMHO. Paying limited compensation is a good idea. But deciding the level, who gets it, who pays it ("the USA of course!"), and how it is paid is a terrible Goridan knot - one that's not easily cut. Especially when many people regard land as something that can't be compensated. Cheers, Scott.
Post #263,420 by Another Scott 8/2/06 12:00:37 PM Reply	Israel doesn't exist because of the Bible. It exists, as a state, because of the UK and the UN, and lots of support from the US. A chronology is at the [link\|http://www.trumanlibrary.org/israel/palestin.htm\|Truman Library]. It should exist, and should be at peace with it neighbors. The birth of al Qaeda in Afghanistan and its hatred of the governments of Saudi Arabia, etc., had nothing to do with Israel. Consider that before arguing that Israel is the primary cause of the problems between the West and the Muslim world. (Yes, it is a significant cause.) I don't think we should let what was written down in a book thousands of years ago *determine* the conduct of nations and their peoples. Otherwise, [link\|http://www.humanistsofutah.org/2002/WhyCantIOwnACanadian_10-02.html\|Why Can't I Own a Canadian?] IMHO. :-) Take care. Cheers, Scott.
Post #263,429 by jb4 8/2/06 12:47:01 PM Reply	jake123 wouldn't like it, that's why! jb4 "So don't pay attention to the approval ratings that say 68% of Americans disapprove of the job this man is doing. I ask you this, does that not also logically mean that 68% approve of the job he's not doing? Think about it. I haven't." — Stephen Colbert, at the White House Correspondent's Dinner 29Apr06
Post #263,431 by boxley 8/2/06 12:54:43 PM Reply	last thing I need is Jake and Rand camping in my basement demanding decent claret and not getting a dam thing done but kvetch :-) thanx, bill Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 50 years. meep
Post #263,436 by jake123 8/2/06 1:14:22 PM Reply	Don't worry I'm quite happy with cheap plonk too. --\n-------------------------------------------------------------------\n* Jack Troughton jake at consultron.ca \n [link\|http://consultron.ca\|http://consultron.ca] [link\|irc://irc.ecomstation.ca\|irc://irc.ecomstation.ca] \n Kingston Ontario Canada [link\|news://news.consultron.ca\|news://news.consultron.ca] *\n-------------------------------------------------------------------
Post #263,459 by folkert 8/2/06 3:20:16 PM Reply	Actually, it exists as a state because... (new thread) Created as new thread #263458 titled [link\|/forums/render/content/show?contentid=263458\|Actually, it exists as a state because...] -- [link\|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net\|greg], [link\|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry\|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ *i_wethey* Freedom is not FREE. Yeah, but 10s of Trillions of US Dollars? SELECT * FROM scog WHERE ethics > 0; 0 rows returned.

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