Will this increase or decrease the likelihood of terrorist actions in America, Europe and the rest of the world?

If you were a member of a family murdered in this conflict, would you be seeking revenge?

Should Tzipi Livni and Ehud Olmert, be tried for war crimes if or when this conflict comes to an end?

What will the price of oil be in 4 weeks time?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Alexander

Make your own minds up.


BBC urged to transmit Gaza appeal
Douglas Alexander
The BBC's argument is not credible, says Douglas Alexander

The BBC has again been urged to reconsider its decision not to broadcast a charity appeal for Gaza.

International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said it was not too late for a reversal to recognise the "immense human suffering".

A protest is to be held outside Broadcasting House in London after the BBC declined to broadcast appeals by the Disasters Emergency Committee.

The BBC said it would not compromise its commitment to impartiality.

Mr Alexander said: "I think the British public ... can distinguish between support for humanitarian aid and perceived partiality in a conflict.

"I really struggle to see in the face of the immense human suffering of people in Gaza... that this is in any way a credible argument.

"They still have time to make a different judgement to recognise the immense human suffering."


FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME

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He also said people may become concerned that the suffering of people in Gaza was not taken as seriously as suffering in other conflicts.

BBC Director-General Mark Thompson turned down the request to broadcast the appeal, saying it might jeopardise the public's confidence in the BBC's impartiality.

His comments were echoed by the BBC's chief operating officer, Caroline Thomson, who said it is important to take all these decisions very seriously.

She said: "I think what we do for the disaster emergency committee in giving air time for appeals is unique in the BBC... giving time on behalf of a body to appeal for things is a decision that has to be taken very, very carefully.


As far as being impartial is concerned, that's our job
Geoffrey Dennis
Care International

BBC defends Gaza decision

"In the case of natural disasters it's straight forward... in the case of man made disasters and wars the issue is much, much more complicated.

"The most important thing we can do for the people who are suffering is carrying on reporting it and we've done exemplary work in reporting the suffering of the people of Gaza.

"If we lose the trust of the audience by appearing, however curious it may seem, to support one side rather than another then we will have lost it for the charities themselves as well as everyone else."

Military action

Shadow international development secretary Andrew Mitchell said the decision to broadcast was "completely" a matter for the BBC.

But he said the appeal should be aired so the public can decide whether to support it.

ITV and Sky have also said they will not show the appeal, with an ITV spokesman saying that no consensus could be reached.

The Disasters Emergency Committee - an umbrella organisation for several major aid charities - said it was disappointed its request to run TV and radio appeals was turned down.


Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza humanitarian appeal:
Launched by UK charities on 22 January to raise money for Gaza aid relief and reconstruction
Participants: Action Aid, British Red Cross, Cafod, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, World Vision
Tel: 0370 60 60 900 or go to DEC website

It wanted to raise funds for people in need of food, shelter and medicines as a result of Israel's military action in the Palestinian area.

Geoffrey Dennis, chief executive of the global humanitarian group Care International, said it was not a time for politics.

"As far as being impartial is concerned, that's our job... we know exactly what we are doing on the ground, there are a lot of people in real danger at the moment," he said.

"Fifty per cent of the population in Gaza are under the age of 18, they're not interested in the politics in this, they want to go to school and play football like my son."

"We don't get involved in the politics, we are saying as all of the major aid agencies in the UK... we need to help these people that are really suffering."

Veteran politician Tony Benn, who will speak at the protest at Broadcasting House, said the corporation's position made no sense.


FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME

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He told BBC Radio 4: "There's been an absolute crisis in Gaza, you can't allow the BBC to say if we help people who are dying we are going to be engaged in controversy."

Mr Benn will address the pro-Palestinian rally called by the Stop the War Coalition, and is expected to say the BBC's refusal is a "betrayal" of its obligations.

Following Mr Benn's speech, the demonstrators intend to march to Trafalgar Square via Downing Street.

What are you rambling on about now?

What gems of common sense are you trying to purvey?

Mr Benn will address the pro-Palestinian rally ..... and that is exactly why BBC should not show

Perhaps, you haven't noticed that this piece has not been edited by me.

Just placed it on the board to help inform you.

You might gain a more balanced opinion.

Balanced opinion?
That's not something you claim familiarity with, surely ?!

Obama, take away the pain in my stomach
(A letter from an Israeli woman)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcGm-gxmxHw

Propaganda again.

When you look at the disproportionate loss of life by the Palestinians and Carnage, you have to ask the question is the Israeli government fit to govern.

Unless of course you believe an Israeli life is worth ten Palestinian lives.

I think the Israeli government is seen as morally bankrupt by the majority of the world.

After all the unnecessary murder the final solution will be at the negotiating table.

With an international enforcement of any settlement reached.

The world has seen what Israel has carried out and any sympathy they had is beginning to drain away.

I will watch and wait.

The situation is in the public eye and I think this American administration will address the problem in a more even handed way.

"Murder" and "final solution", huh?

Carefully chosen words. Designed to provoke, enrage?
Or just crassly laughable?

Comparable.

Charts and Gausie.

Have a look at the web site.

After reading a little I think both of you are almost normal.

Not sure.


http://www.amazon.com/tag/politics/forum?cdForum=Fx1S3QSZRUL93V8&cdPage=8&cdThread=Tx15DOYYP7IT5U9

cynic - 24 Jan 2009 14:54 - 587 of 595
Mr Benn will address the pro-Palestinian rally ..... and that is exactly why BBC should not show

I wonder if this country would be in a better state if he hadn't been allowed to breed. Sorry, a bit off topic.

Nothing wrong with Mr Benn

Is that a link to the Nazi sites you must feel so at home on?
Or just a Trotskyist site?
Or the peace loving Hizbollah or Hamas sites?
Same thing.
All mindless thugs.
Whatever turns you on.

Charts,

This is the site of the Charity organisations appeal for Gaza.

http://www.dec.org.uk/
=====================


The previous site I only had a brief look at, but it appeared that many were defending Israel's actions.

Were those the thugs, Nazis or Trotskyists you were addressing?


By the way is Rowan Williams a thug.

Moderation please.

I hear that sky news have also considered the proposed appeal that the BBC turned down. They too are refusing to air it.

PS I think Leon Trotsky was Jewish.

Thanks fred - are you running 'jew watch' now?

An interesting video. Fred - are you in the clip they show from Atlanta?

Gausie.

No not looking for Jews. However, in my youth I was interested in Communism. And from recollection thought Trotsky was Jewish and checked.

Interesting also that Stalins youth was spent in an Orthodox Seminary.

Personally, I have often found that the zealots of politics were often previously religious zealots. Also found it difficult to understand how "men or women of god " seem to be able to shed their said beliefs" at the church, synagogue or temple doors.

It was your sweeping statement of "thugs" which interested me.

I am not certain whether you are suggesting I am a Nazi or a Communist

A lot of people think their positions were polar to one another. Perhaps, as usual it is you who are confused.

Not a particularly balanced response. You can do better if you try.

Perhaps, your position represents the problems in the Middle East.

Another thing, which I would like to point out, many members of my wife's family spent a number of years in forced labour camps during WW2, and then had to live under communist regimes.

Some of the relatives were imprisoned for years under a subsequent communist regime.

In my student days I spent 3months studying in a communist state. I am aware of totalitarian and abusive states.


Mean while this is what the present controversies is about:

See for yourself.

For me they seem to be at a humanitarian and non-political group of agencies, although they are supported by people of different religious backgrounds.


http://www.dec.org.uk/