Liberty Maven

More news you do not hear too much about – the story of Rachel Corrie. Comments are even more welcome than usual!

by Jake, the Champion of the Constitution
Originally published Saturday, January 3, 2009 at http://www.nolanchart.com/article5741.html

[Author's note: If you think the series title solely refers to the current scenario where Israelis are killing Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, you are incorrect, although it is my intent to raise this stereotype. The title refers to the physical murdering or spiritual suppression of any individuals by other individuals in Middle East conflicts.] (photo from Mathknight license)

RAFAH, GAZA, 2003 – Rachel Corrie, aged 23, from Olympia, Washington was run over by an Israeli Defense Force armored American-made Caterpillar D9R bulldozer driven by a Russian immigrant while wearing a fluorescent vest and acting as a “human shield” in front of a Palestinian’s home on March 16, 2003. She suffered what was most likely an excruciatingly painful death, died at the scene, and formally pronounced dead at a hospital. As part of her college’s independent study program, Ms. Corrie had arrived in Israel on January 22, 2003 to work with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), so she had only been in the country for a scant two (2) months. The IDF held an investigation which resulted in no action taken against the driver. The ISM is a controversial organization which supported a policy of non-violent engagement against the Israeli military, taking advantage of their international status to be employed as human shields or engage in acts of civil disobedience. It also appears that from the perspective of some Palestinians, the ISM was viewed as possible Israeli spies.

The above appears to me to be the facts, and below is a source list on her death if you wish to decide for yourself. After her death, the Palestinians made her into a martyr, and the Israelis engaged in public relations cover-up in the USA as both sides could be expected to do. The Palestinian and ISM observers claim that Rachel was run over on purpose by the driver. The Israel military’s bulldozer driver says he was unable to see or hear her through the bulletproofed windows in his cabin while operating his noisy bulldozer, which is not outside the realm of reality either. Indeed, the truth may actually only be known to those who were there, although most nave rule-of-law fans like me would argue that the bulldozer driver should have been put on trial for murder or at a bare minimum for manslaughter. So I have no interest in arguing about the conclusion, but let me remind you the first paragraph is fact. (photo source BBSNews File Photos. Used With Permission)

I also wish to disclose that when I first learned of Rachel Corrie’s death it was when I was watching a personal heroine of mine, Iraq antiwar activist Dr. Dahlia Wasfi, MD, tearfully give this presentation at an Iraq Veterans Against the War meeting last March. Her background as an Iraqi-American citizen, son of an Iraqi Muslim father and an American Jewish mother who spent her early childhood in Iraq and returned there after the start of the American occupation gives her a unique perspective. Ms. Wasfi still has family in Iraq, and on a personal note, is a major reason why this column (originally primarily antiwar) was first started.

What is interesting is to take a look at this issue from a psychological-sociological standpoint and then as a wannabe Austrian economist.

Take a moment and read this 2004 pro-settler-and-Israeli -government viewpoint from www.israelnationalnews.com. The author alleges, without a shred of evidence, that Corrie aided “cold-blooded murderers,” and that she did “heavy lifting” of weapons from tunnels. He conveniently neglects to mention that a tunnel was never found underneath the house Corrie tried to protect, which was later demolished. Here are several responses:

“St. Pancake – She was a rather stupid little terrorist who hated Jews. Seeing the look on her face as she burned the flag was frightening.  Since the parents and teachers of arab children already inculcate such deep hatred of K’lal Yisreol in their progeny, her assistance was even worse, for she grew up in a democracy, and her validation of their pathologic hatred was, in essence, the cause of her own death.  It was 100% her fault, and no Israeli was responsible, least of all the driver of the Caterpiller tractor. The vile lefties have adopted her as their poster girl.”

“HERO? . NOT! – She is anything but a hero. And if by hero you mean the kind that hides behind women skirts, then by all means she is. If by hero you mean the kind that sends little children strapped with explosives to murder and main innocents, then by all means she is. If by a hero you mean the ones who lie everytime their lips part company, then Corrie is a “hero” – to liars, murderers, thugs, and terrorists. She got what she deserved.” [Women 'heroes' are referred to as heroines in the English language - auth.]

“Rachel Corrie was a new Nazi - This ugly woman was in Israel to help arabs commit genocide on Jews. That’s no different from nazism, no different from the poison that the arab world spews about Jews every day. She put herself in harm’s way and Hashem caste judgement upon her. Now I hope she is frying in hell with her ISM fascist colleagues shortly to join her there.”

What hatred and venom! A bit harsh for the death of a college student who in all likelihood genuinely wanted peace and was brave at the very least – you try to stand in front of a bulldozer of that size while it is moving at you – or foolhardy at the very worst. Instead, we have labels of Nazi, fascist, terrorist, supporter of suicide bombers and genocide? Not much respect for the life of another human being, right?  I will get back into the label theme to end this series, but for now let’s go to a territory where most fear to tread. Let’s take a look at the moral system of the Old Testament, which many in the Judeo-Christian faiths accept as truth, and its relation to murder, death, and genocide.

[DISCLAIMER: Before we start, I strongly caution you that I only mean to encourage research and thought on my perspective. My intent is not to offend, and telling you what to believe is anathema to my principles anyways.  And I like reading the bible.]  (photo)

Excerpt from the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:13-17

VI. Thou shalt not kill.

VIII. Thou shalt not steal.

X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.

Commandment X basically prohibits the ‘thought-crime’ of Commandment VIII, but note it specifically mentions the neighbor’s home. If we look at the death of Rachel Corrie and the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we have plenty of killing on both sides, though more blood on the Israeli side due to their superior, mostly American armaments. I would say that many would agree with me that the Israelis are winning the coveting and theft contests as well, due to their superior, mostly American armaments. However, how can the Israelis rationalize all this theft and murder over the past 100 years of demographic changes? [Obviously, I am not referring to Israel's acts of self-defense here. However, historically speaking, the Israelis clearly have the aggressor role.  If we want to go back further than 100 years, than I claim the Duke of York's castle in England as my birthright by primogeniture since I am the eldest son of his eldest sons, and we will all see just how much success I have.]

Well, if you read Dr. John Harting’s article “Love Thy Neighbor The Evolution of the In-Group Mentality,” with an open mind you will see a strong case that the original context of the Ten Commandments were meant to end infighting amongst the historical tribes of Judah, and they only applied to fellow “neighbors,” or Jews! Therefore, the true context of “Thou shalt not kill” was “Thou shalt not kill fellow Jews.” Harting then examines Sanhedrin rulings to prove his case.

Furthermore, the Old Testament makes this point painfully obvious, in this tale of genocide led by the very same Moses who brought the Commandments to his people in the Book of Numbers 31:7-18:

“[The Israelites] fought against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every man. Among their victims were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba the five kings of Midian. They also killed Belaam son of Beor with the sword. The Israelites captured the Midianite women and children and took all the Midianite herds, flocks, and goods as plunder. They burned all the towns where the Midianites had settled, as well as all their camps. They took all the plunder and spoils, including the people and animals, and brought the captives, spoils and plunder to Moses and Eleazar the priest and the Israelite assembly at their camp on the plains of Moab, by the Jordan across from Jericho.

“Moses, Eleazar the priest and all the leaders of the community went to meet them outside the camp. Moses was angry with the officers of the army the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds who returned from the battle.

“Have you allowed all the women to live?” he asked them. “They were the ones who followed Balaam’s advice and were the means of turning the Israelites away from the LORD in what happened at Peor, so that a plague struck the LORD’s people. Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.”

So we have a clear biblical precedent of state-sanctioned genocide, murder, theft, and rape led by the famed prophet Moses, and carried out by his faithful masses all because these Midianites “sent a plague.” Now, I realize that this is not some of the text that most Judeo-Christian priests and rabbis are excited to share aloud at most religious gatherings, but does this not sound a little like our modern world?  I wish to point out that of course, in my opinion, the above provides no valid moral justification whatsoever to the individuals in the IDF or Hamas who favor eradication of  unarmed civilians from the other side. Same deal with anti-”Islamofacist-terrorist” and “al-Qaeda” sides in the War of Terror. Historically, a favorite precedent of warring parties is to resort to the claim of self-defense, and all of these parties are  certainly makes this same plea.  The judgment of each side I leave up to the Reader.

My word counter alarm is ringing harshly, and since no one may manage to get this far, the Austrian economist viewpoint is TO BE CONTINUED in Part 3.

[As an aside, Moses, one of history's very first statists and socialists, then proceeded to "divide the spoils" in Numbers 31:25-54. Let me note briefly that although he unevenly distributed the plundered wealth of sheep, cattle, donkeys, and 32,000 human slaves, giving half to the soldiers and giving the other half to Eleazar, the lucky priest who represents God, guess what Moses and Eleazar decided to keep for themselves? That's right, Moses and Eleazar kept all the gold. Perhaps our contemporary socialists and central bankers are and will be no different? From my reading of a few versions, it even looks like that perhaps 32 Midianites were human sacrificed, but I am sure the "experts" would disagree.]

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The Death of Rachel Corrie Source List

• Interview in Rafah with Rachel Corrie, March 14, 2003, 2 days before her death.  I recommend starting with this one.
• MotherJones.com – It is my humble opinion that this is the most objective article on Rachel’s death from September 2003
• Photos from the day of her death
• List of news reports and editorials from RachelCorrie.org
• IsraelNationalNews.com – a pro-settler-and-Israeli-nationalist version from 2004
• Wiki – for any who treat Wiki as the gospel truth, be careful.
• CNN’s initial report on March 25. 2003.  Note the week delay.
• Seattle Times’ initial report on March 17, 2003
• ISM footage of an IDF armored personnel carrier gassing those attending Rachel’s memorial service.  I am not big on the music, but this does demonstrate ISM’s radical form of activism.
• Dahlia Wasfi’s presentation on Rachel, March 2008 and latest statement on the Gaza situation on December 31, 2008

Other References

• Carter, Jimmy. 2006.  Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid. Carter outlines the UN perspective, for better or worse.
• Wasfi, Dahlia. 2007.  “A Short History of the Republic of Iraq.”  Article.  2007 Video of testimony to Congress.
• Andelman, David A. A Shattered Peace: Versailles and the Price We Pay Today.  2008.  The chapter on Israel.

Israeli Conscientious Objectors – The Shministim (The Gaza Slaughter PART 1/5)
Published: January 1, 2009
This series is dedicated to your self-respect. Modern slavery still exists. Just look at Israel – prisons inside and outside Gaza. America, is this what you really want?

Israel Military Kills American Protester – An Economic Perspective (The Gaza Slaughter 3/5)
Published: January 3, 2009
As George Bush’s recent comment reveals the usual lack of brain activity in our highest officials, can Austrian economics shed any more light on the Middle East conflict, Rachel Corrie’s death, and even the Shministim?

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We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

As always, unlike the NFL, the author grants full permission to allow any accounts of, rebroadcasts, retransmissions, repostings in part or full of this article to your blog or anywhere else in order to promote the Restoration of our Republic.

Veritas numquam perit. Veritas odit moras. Veritas vincit. Truth never perishes. Truth hates delay. Truth conquers.

Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito. Do not give in to evil but proceed ever more boldly against it.

“In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.” – Mark Twain.  I think he meant “scarce woman” here too.

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable.” -  JFK

“You have to let go all the madness you carry.” – Shinedown, “Crying Out”

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Nolan Chart Facebook Group Page Created

Summary of Articles and Bibliography for Jake, the Champion of the Constitution (1/1/2009)

New source list inside!

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