A nice switch to current affairs, with the simultaneous commemoration and celebration of 60 years as the backdrop for today's discussion. Dr. Mueller offered a non-religious approach to the situation which, after so much religious concern and debate, seemed at times a little quixotic (i.e. The solution begins by taking religion out of the equation...). Nevertheless, his ideas on Israel, Iraq, and even existentialism in America were refreshing.
Some questions I had after the readings and throughout class:
- What is the central battle of our generation, if not terrorism?
- Why wasn't the war two summers ago a defeat for Israel?
- What percentage of Israel's manpower is devoted to security?
- Is Israel's economic and political "success" after sixty years self-made? Largely due to American investment and support?
Some interesting points brought up by el doctor.
- ROMANTICISM is worse than RADICALISM
-"God gave me this land" or "Let's go back to 1948"
- Israel is facing an existential crisis from Jews leaving the country.
-The people most likely to leave are the moderates, which only polarizes the population.
- The human response: "I don't think I want my kids growing up in this country."
- If Arabs were out of the picture, Jews would be fighting themselves in a civil war.
-Settlers as "sociopaths"
- In the Book of Joshua, Battle of Jericho, God permits genocide.
- Principle of government: Once people get into power, they become fairly reasonable.
- Negotiations in Israel are analogous to a labor union... In this way "the fact that you think what the other guy says is trivial is irrelevant." You have to move past that initial reaction to get anywhere.
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