I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. While I’ve not allowed but one comment related to the Israel-Palestinian Conflict on my reports of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, I receive a steady stream of comment requests and even chastisement for not allowing the comments through (I have this blog set to only allow comments to be posted after I have reviewed them and determined whether or not to “approve” them.)
The perspectives couldn’t be more different.
“I’m disappointed that you did not publish my previous response…did I include any statements that were hateful or false? Was it my assertion of persecution of Christians by Palestinians? Or statements on the legality Israel’s “occupation” of various plots of real estate? Or was it simply that I did not address the “boycott”? Please note that it is not possible to avoid products made in illegal settlements, because (as I mentioned previously) Jews have the legal right to settle anywhere in the Mandate territory. They may not have a moral right…it is arguable whether or not they have a divine right…but they DO have a legal right…which is the basis for much of the text of my previous response. I apologize if my attempts at disseminating truth are offensive, but the legitimacy of Israel is important. If the ELCA (I am a baptized Lutheran, btw) chooses to boycott Israel for ejecting a Christian pastor accused of missionary work, I would support that…but one based on misunderstandings of legality of settlements and territories is hard to swallow. I hope you take the time to consider this post. Respectfully, ~GdB”
His blog has more.
Then, just hours later.
It’s interesting to read what Palestinians have asked of us. In July 2005, 171 Palestinian NGOs called: “… upon international civil society organizations and people of conscience all over the world to impose broad boycotts and implement divestment initiatives against Israel similar to those applied to South Africa in the apartheid era. We appeal to you to pressure your respective states to impose embargoes and sanctions against Israel. We also invite conscientious Israelis to support this Call, for the sake of justice and genuine peace. These non-violent punitive measures should be maintained until Israel meets its obligation to recognize the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination and fully complies with the precepts of international law by:
1. Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall;
2. Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and
3. Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194. ” http://www.bds-palestine.net
The blog has more, with disturbing photos.
This is why I don’t open the debate in the comment field.
Pondering Pastor
Categories: Israel · Palestine
Our local FOX affiliate is reporting that (dramatic music) Maryland Public Television is running “V-Me”. Here is the quick story.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Spanish-language public television is coming to Maryland. Maryland will join other public stations in running the “V-Me” programming. The name comes from Spanish for “see me.” A for-profit venture partnered with public television, V-Me is a 24-hour digital broadcast network carried on basic digital cable and satellite systems. It currently serves at least 28 million homes. Some will be Spanish-language versions of classic public shows, such as “Nature” and “Plaza Sesamo.”
The FOX affiliate is quoting people that say that a Maryland Public Television channel should not be devoted to Spanish language broadcasts, especially with taxpayer money. The report makes it sound like taxpayer money is being used, but the General Manager of MPT is indicating that it is being run at no cost to MPT or Maryland taxpayers. In typical FOX news style, the GM was asked what would happen if suddenly they had to pay for the programming. (Let’s create a crisis where none exists!) The GM said there were no long-term contracts to carry the programming, so a decision could be made whether or not to carry it based on need.
The debate over the language we speak is really challenging for people like me in the community I serve. I hear cries for English as our official language and the demand to require English in order to be permitted to work. Our collective and historical memory is so very short.
When immigrants come to this country, it is not unusual to have those first generation immigrants to use primarily their native language. Spending time in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, I note that there were entire ethnic neighborhoods with language from the “homeland” used extensively in worship, in homes, and in commerce. I believe it was also true in Baltimore. It was not until the second generation when people became bilingual and by the third generation had generally lost the language of the “homeland”. My family followed this pattern also. My great grandparents immigrated from Germany and learned only enough English to barely get by. My grandfather who was a child when coming here (I know, that doesn’t fit precisely my generalization above) was bilingual, and served as translator for the family. Almost all of the English he learned was in school. My father knew German and English, but was much more comfortable in English. I know only a few German words, most of which are theological terms I learned in seminary.
Somehow, people expect that English is the international language that everyone should speak, especially if they travel in, live in or, become citizens of this country. My observation is that these are people who generally don’t make the effort to learn another language themselves. American citizens are amazingly unilingual (if that is a word).
When I responded to FOX News poll regarding this question, I replied that this was a wonderful service, especially for first generation Spanish-speaking immigrants and for those attempting to learn the language. At that time, only 20% of the respondents had agreed that this was a good idea.
Pondering Pastor
Categories: Life · Television
