Some thoughts on "world views" and other topics

Written May 23, 2009

1. I was in court the other day and a few of us were discussing politics, and particularly the Middle East. At one point I mentioned that about 8000 rockets and missiles had been launched into Israel from Gaza over the last 8 years or so. An attorney (Jewish) listening in on our conversation stated that I was incorrect with regards to the number. I asked him how many rockets he thought had fallen on Israel. HE HAD NO IDEA. He then proceeded to tell me, in any event, that no one had been killed by the rockets. I told him he was wrong again. AGAIN, HE HAD NO IDEA. I also told him that even if he were correct, the entire town of Sderot had been terrorized by the attacks to the point where children were kept at home and not allowed out to go to school, and many adults were afraid to leave their homes as well. Also, others had been injured, even if not killed. THIS HAD NO IMPACT ON HIM EITHER.

So here's a question: why was this Jew willing to ignore all the facts given to him (admitting he did not know the facts but insisting at times that I could not be right) and make excuse after excuse for people who want to kill his people; and who would be happy to kill him also? Is he a moron? Is "liberalism" a mental disorder (as Michael Savage says)? Has he been brainwashed from years of exposure to the liberal media? What would make a Jew not be the least bit offended by constant rocket attacks on innocent civilians in the State of Israel?

From my point of view, his world view does not allow the accurate processing of information in order to reach a rational conclusion. His pre-programmed world view is so hard-wired into his brain that he would not (COULD NOT) even accept FACTS (not opinions) that conflict with his pre-conceived notions. Now, I know we all process information based upon certain assumptions about the world (often unconsciously). My concern is when people hold on to their assumptions/world view so tightly that they can no longer make rational judgments, or even distinguish right from wrong.

Inasmuch as nothing moved the aforementioned attorney I suggested the following hypothetical. I said he should imagine that he lived in a home with 5 people in his family. One day, I move in next door and fire 5 to 10 bullets into his home. No one gets hurt but, of course, he calls the police to immediately come out. The police tell him: "Well, no one got killed so there is nothing we can do about it." Then I keep firing 5 to 10 bullets a day into his home. I asked if he would be good with the situation and lack of police action. Rather than give me an answer he simply said that my hypothetical was unrelated. He did not explain why.

2. From the 5/15/09 Jewish Press: "Officials in both Washington and Jerusalem acknowledge that the level of strategic cooperation between the two countries has dropped significantly since Obama became president in January. They said no high-level strategic meetings have taken place in more than three months and the weekly informal discussions on such issues as Iran, Iraq, Al Qaeda and threats in the Middle East have ended."

3. This is one of my favorites. Also from the 5/15/09 Jewish Press. The British Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, is telling government employees not to use the word "terrorism" but rather "anti- Islamic activity." Everybody get this????? Her terminology makes the perpetrators of terrorism the victims!!!!! We should feel bad for the muslims because terrorism makes them look bad!!!! Never mind about the innocent people who are killed or injured by these "terrorists." This is not far afield from Obama also ordering a stop to the use of the word "terrorism" and replacing it with man-made disasters (or something to that effect).

4. This from the 5/22/09 Jewish Press. In a recent poll fully 40 percent of Israeli Arabs deny that the Holocaust ever happened. One of the most widely documented events in history - NEVER HAPPENED.

5. And finally, from the 5/1/09 Jewish Press. 30 percent of British citizens believe that while Jews have been the the victims of aggression, they have perpetrated aggression in roughly an equal amount. REALLY? Was that when we were slaves in Egypt? During the 2000 year diaspora? During the Spanish Inquisition? During the Holocaust? Oh I know - everything that Israel has done to defend itself against war after war, intifada after intifada, homicide bombing after homicide bombing, was "aggression" against the palestinians; and that "aggression" equals what has happened to the Jews! Got it!