 Posted Thursday, January 15, 2009 3:32 PM
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Other than making a connection between Biblical history and current events, this probably has nothing to do with these forums. I, however, got a laugh out of it and appreciate it for its rhetoric.
An ingenious example of speech and politics occurred at the U.N. and made the world community smile. A representative from Israel began: "Before beginning my talk I want to tell you something about Moses. When he struck the rock and it brought forth water, he thought, 'What a good opportunity to have a bath!' He removed his clothes, put them aside on the rock and entered the water. When he got out and wanted to dress, his clothes had vanished. A Palestinian had stolen them."
The UN Palestinian representative jumped up furiously and shouted, "What are you talking about? The Palestinians weren't there then." The Israeli representative smiled and said "And now that I have made that clear, I will begin my speech."
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Posted Tuesday, May 26, 2009 3:58 AM
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| Ugh! While I too appreciate the quote above for its very clever rhetoric, it hits me bad in the gut. Pray for the peace of Palestine, and all of Israel.
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Posted Tuesday, May 26, 2009 7:14 AM
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| http://www.snopes.com/politics/humor/landdispute.asp
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Posted Tuesday, May 26, 2009 7:17 AM
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| I see a lot of things in this, and humor is not one of them.
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Posted Tuesday, May 26, 2009 8:29 AM
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Interesting delayed reactions. The Snopes article was interesting as well. While I often find Snopes useful, I sometimes find their evaluations a bit biased. Not sure their contention that the story could work either way is valid.
I found the story to be an obviously apocryphal summation of one perspective regarding the Middle East... kind of like editorial cartoons such as those I see today of "Crazy Cheney", Miss California, and Nancy Pelosi. I don't think most people really believe that Dick Cheney poured a pitcher of water on his head or that Nancy Pelosi actually stood in a fire asking for water left over from waterboarding. The cartoons do present a perspective.
Even cartoonists and writers for the Christian Science Monitor have engaged in the use of apocryphal story telling using exaggerations to present a perspective.
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Tuesday, May 26, 2009 10:40 AM
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| I find your perspective offensive.
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Posted Tuesday, May 26, 2009 10:56 AM
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Anonymous May 26, 2009 @ 1:40:34 PM,
I find your perspective offensive.
I'm sorry that you find my perspective offensive. It, however, is my perspective.
I'm curious about what aspect of my perspective you find offensive. Is it that I presented an apocryphal story that was misinterpreted as truth? Is it that I appear to favor Israel? ... equating the story to political cartoons?
There are many perspectives that I've shared on these forums, but did not expect to be admonished for sharing this story. I should just acknowledge your offense and move on as we are technically out of context for these forums. I feel, however, you might present me an opportunity to learn.
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Wednesday, June 15, 2011 9:27 PM
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Funny story.
Two problems with it.
1. There is no record of this speech in reputable news sources. If you google the elements of the speech (israel palestinian un or united nations moses), you get a bunch of conservative blogs with identical wording, and no date or other identifying features for the speech. This speech never happened.
2. As every Israeli diplomat (or even every American Sunday school student) knows, Moses was not in Israel when he struck the rod with his staff and it gushed forth water. The Israelites were still wandering in the wilderness. He was at Meribah in the Sinai peninsula (Exodus 17.7). Moses never entered Israel. Moses died, according to the beautiful account in Deuteronomy 34, on top of Mt. Nebo outside Israel, the Lord having shown him the entire promised land from the mountaintop but not allowing Moses to enter it. This is one of the central ironies and tragic beauties of the life of Moses, referred to eloquently in King's famous "I've been to the mountaintop" speech.
I teach debate, and teach my students to look for cute fake stories like this. Also, I paid attention in Sunday school.
Crocker Jr.
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Posted Thursday, June 16, 2011 5:08 AM
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Crocker Jr.,
I teach debate, and teach my students to look for cute fake stories like this. Also, I paid attention in Sunday school.
When I was a reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper fighting for Truth, Justice, and the American Way, I was taught, "Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story."
As I already mentioned, this was nothing but a good story along the lines of political cartoons. It illustrated a point and was not intended as a history lesson. Mary Baker Eddy presented the story of a trial in Science & Health. Even as a Christian Scientist, I never thought that was anything more than a cute story intended to teach. I don't think that Mary Baker Eddy intended her students to think that such a trial actually occurred.
Why is it, do you suppose, that this cute fake story triggered such reactions and offense?
As a student of debate, I'm sure you're aware of what it means to stand on one's soapbox. I'm about to take advantage of my soapbox a bit out of context and decidedly out of scope for "On the Lighter Side". This thread, however, already lept from light towards heavy.
There comes a time when we must stand for that in which we believe. While I appreciate that some people find what I write to be offensive, it is what I believe based on reason, experience, and research. Perhaps I stand alone in my convictions or have reached invalid conclusions based on too little reason. That, however, is why I generally share how I reached such conclusions and rarely (if ever) simply say I find someone else's opinion offensive. If someone disagrees, I welcome something more substantive than an expression or offense or covering old ground.
We are constantly told to avoid the topics of religion and politics. I even get into trouble with some folks when I discuss the weather, especially as we see the debate shift back to global cooling from global warming. Politics and religion are two essential topics for a viable culture. Even if we cannot agree, we should be able to know where we stand and why.
Crocker Jr., I didn't climb up on my soapbox so much for you as to take advantage of a moment. Too often contributors to these forums ignore the merit of a perspective in favor of ad hominem argument. I would imagine that you teach your students the inherent weakness of such arguments. Too many people, however, fall for it anyway and otherwise useful debates fall aside.
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Wednesday, October 12, 2011 6:02 AM
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I received this story on email today and ended up on this page through Google.
In simple terms, people are offended by this story because it promotes a destructive world view where childish arguments like "we were here first" have led to pain, suffering and the displacement of an entire peoples (the Palestinians). The fact that the story uses as its base an inaccurate depiction of a historical event makes it more exasperating.
Some other points for you to consider Alan
* The fact that it is a political "cartoon", or that it's your perspective does not make it any less offensive.
* It is my perspective that you SHOULD be admonished for promoting this malevolent world view
* "Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness." Exodus 23:1
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