However, you seem a little “hypocrite happy” but you might just want to be careful with the hatred and projections, because that too can seem a little hypocritical of a religious God-fearing man. “judge your fellow favorably” “do not hate your brother in your heart” and all.

In addition, I think comparing Katrina and Gaza refugees is a bit misleading. Katrina refugees did not receive months of warning and prior compensation for leaving. Gazan settlers did. It’s an awful circumstance, granted, but those who got stuck in hotel rooms for weeks didn’t need to be. I admire their faith, I really truly do, but sometimes, you have to admit to reality before it bites you in the ass.

And Laya, nice putting words in my mouth. See above for my remarks on hypocrites. Those who did support the disengagement but understood the people’s pain (which, I pray, is a great majority of Jews), I have no beef with in terms of hypocrisy. Now, Israelis taking care of Katrina victims before the victims of Gush Katif, well, that’s still an issue for me. Not that you’re one of them.

Oh, and maybe G-d can take better care of the situation, because I’d really like to see those Kassams being launched from Dugit, Nissanit, and Elei Sinai blow right back on those Hamas asshats launching them.

Maybe it’s more like this – All the heartfelt prayers to keep gush katif got answered. But sometimes God answers “no, I have other plans.”

Whats done is done. Those expelled from Gush Katif have two choices. They can continue to blame there fellow jews, allowing bitterness to grow inside them until the hatred and stymies whatever good they could have done in the world, or they can deal with it on a proactive level. They can have faith that Hashem is in control and learn to find peace and forgiveness and build a new life, as hard as that may be.

Psychological trauma has certainly occurred, families have been uprooted from communities and dearly held beliefs have been ripped away by reality. Therapy might be recommended for many. But as with all psychological trauma, bitterness does not serve humanity well. Holding a lifelong vigil for an injustice done to you only keeps you a victim and stuck and terrible moment in time. The harder, braver thing to do is to accept, mourn, forgive and rebuild.

What we do take offense to is idiot pulsa denura rituals that are bordering on avodah zarah and that call for the death of a fellow Jew. That sort of made up voodoo bullshit deserves all the approbation and ridicule it can get. It is the purest manifestation of sinat chinam and chillul hashem I have ever seen, especially because it is orchestrated by presumably learned men who ought to know better and who make all religious God fearing Jews look like blood thirsty retards.

I feel for the troubles some of the Gush Katif refugees are experiencing. But your combative, divisive and hostile righteous indignation aint helping things out, that’s for sure. Please think about that over shabat.

Wow. I don’t know whether to be flattered, take issue with the fact that you seem to believe in a God who would mercilessly kill hundreds of unrelated innocent people to make one person more sympathetic to a few thousand evacuees, or to just call you an idiot.

Wait. I do know. Idiot.

As for Sharon’s 180, I know of another 180. I wonder if you remember this quote: “Read my lips: no new taxes.” Now remember what happened to the person who said it when he reneged.

And Michael, no offense, but from your shrill insensitivity, maybe G-d is trying to show you what the expellees are going through and is therefore testing you. Just a thought. Oh, and so far, it seems like you’re failing, as I can see your heart is hardened.

Your second point is more on target in that he took Mitzna’s platform and made it his own. That was my point to you earlier about how it’s easy to criticize in the opposition but when you are the decision-maker, sometimes reality forces you to change directions. Sharon, one of the finest tactical and possibly strategic minds in Israel (and probably far beyond Israel) got to power and changed his approach. That was his right and there were no shortages of attempts to bring down his government. They failed.

In fact, it was to the credit of all Israelis, including the settlers, that the disengagement happened relatively quickly and virtually without incident. But this had a lot to do with the democratic nature of the event.

Finally, about the bribery, until he is charged and proven guilty, it is all conjecture. Really. Look at the poll numbers, Joshua. Most israelis want to move forward on the fence and separation from the Palestinians.

Also, a report that came out shortly before the stroke said that Sharon had taken $3 million in bribes, so who knows if the vote in the Knesset was genuine? After all, a little bribery and threatening goes a long way. Just ask Messrs. Abramoff and DeLay.

The fact is that Qassems were being launched when we were in Gaza as well. Hamas can smuggle all the guns it wants into the strip, because for the most part, that’s where they are staying. Let them fight each other all day long if they wish.

But do you notice how no Israeli soldiers are at significant risk over there now? Do you notice that families are not in the way of Palestinian terrorists who want to blow up school buses to maim the children? Do you notice the favorable reaction and new confidence in Israel and its intentions? Do you notice the much-improved demographic balance?

The most serious problem the settlers are facing is unemployment. This is a genuine problem and concern for these families. Much of the other pain could have been avoided had they and some of their leaders not attempted to subvert the actions a democratically elected government – a government that has proven its popularity even now with Sharon in a hospital bed.

Let it go, Joshua. Let the anger go because it’s a festering disease that only harms you and those you care about.

It says there will soon be a report out from the Comptroller essentially slamming the government for negligence, but is being withheld for the time being b/c of Sharon’s health.

Link one
Link two

Oh, and if those weren’t enough, THIS just came out:
Link three

Oh, and I’m happy you deleted your long response. I’m sure it’s just another collection of ad hominems and strawmen, just like the other two you posted in this thread.

Anyhow, Joshua, you really did miss out because my long comments are my best comments.

BTW, glad to see I started a flame war. This discussion was just a tinderbox waiting to explode.

Oh, and Michael, you’re no better than Pat Robertson. Replace everything you just wrote about Gush Katif with Katrina and Louisiana. I guess G-d was wearing “No War for Oil” T-shirt there too, huh? Congratulations, you just mocked the victims of Katrina!

Yes, I do know how it goes. I’m jealous. For anyone who cares, by the way, I truly enjoyed Professor Rivka Maoz’s art history and Israeli literature classes. I don’t know whether she still teaches at the Overseas school.

Michael, dude, did you not receive that lengthy, heartfelt email I sent you?