tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7209091428880958270.post8067095676239304859..comments2024-01-31T00:09:10.070-05:00Comments on The Being Brand: Being Pro-IsraelJudith Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04593319882150923231noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7209091428880958270.post-7392674131018038332008-10-30T11:08:00.000-04:002008-10-30T11:08:00.000-04:00I loved your story, wmmbb! Thank you. In this rega...I loved your story, wmmbb! Thank you. In this regard, I guess I'm rude too, as I'm always asking questions of others and I'm forever curious of otherness in general. <BR/><BR/>I understand your distinction between being critical and, in essence, disagreeable. But to disagree may or may not include critical thinking, but perhaps a more visceral reaction. <BR/><BR/>From an etymological sense to criticize is to look analytically at a situation. This requires examination and evaluation and in the best sense engagement and experience.<BR/><BR/>Critical thinking is a much needed thing in society today and it need not be mean-spirited or nasty. But it needs to be.<BR/><BR/>I appreciate your sentiment here, wmmbb.Judith Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04593319882150923231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7209091428880958270.post-718758350138145932008-10-30T09:35:00.000-04:002008-10-30T09:35:00.000-04:00I think we should respect other peoples religions ...I think we should respect other peoples religions even if we don't understand them. Many of us do not understand Christianity, although we have some familiarity with its variants.<BR/><BR/>I make this point because I was traveling yesterday with an Egyptian taxi driver, from Port Said. I know this because I am rude enough to ask. When I got in the cab he was playing Islamic music, and then he switched it over.I asked him about it, and he switched it back and listened to it for the rest of the ride, while we discussed Islam. I learn something anyway.<BR/><BR/>I agree with you, Judith:<BR/>"Criticism is how we often grow as a people, as a nation, and as citizens of the world." Except I would say disagreement rather than criticism, or at least disagreement is fundamental, in my view, to democracy.wmmbbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02460859618464223462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7209091428880958270.post-45106480093006649882008-10-29T17:52:00.000-04:002008-10-29T17:52:00.000-04:00"People are above religion and above politics." W..."People are above religion and above politics." What a great point, catvibe. I laughed aloud reading your desire to declare yourself "'not' American." I understand the sentiment. I also appreciate your point about the inclusiveness of us all as human beings. My mother had twelve children and we are all of different idealogy and political parties. We love each other incredibly, but we have serious debates. Believe me! We think we are the better for it.Judith Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04593319882150923231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7209091428880958270.post-10040413020666567112008-10-29T17:24:00.000-04:002008-10-29T17:24:00.000-04:00Such good points. Who decides these things? Are ...Such good points. Who decides these things? Are we to ostracize people because of their religion? People are above religion, and above politics I think. I sometimes think that if McCain were to win next week, I would declare myself a 'not' american, but that is a reaction and not the reality. Yes, we can criticize Israel, America, Islam, Christianity, and we can hold the participants therein as our brother/sisters, because we are all human beings after all. Thank you for this insightful post.Catherine Viberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01354073276671196477noreply@blogger.com