(Reader asked not to be identified)

Reader: The Axis forgets that Palestinians also commit atrocities. Reminds me of the Nuremberg war crimes proceedings. A prosecutor from France, the UK or the US would accuse the German defendant of committing various atrocities. The German defendant simply pointed in the direction of the  USSR prosecutors and said "So did they.".

LMB: Yes, you told me that once before and I think I replied that I don't see any parallel or application - whatsover. Germany was the occupier - not the occupied. The Palestinians have not only the right - but the responsibility to defend their land. But then, I know we differ - wildly - on the history, etc.

Reader: Not always. Remember, Stalin was an ally of Hitler's before he was double crossed. Thousands of Finns in the Karalia area moved west rather than live under Stalin's atrocities. Stalin was an occupier. Of course our American history text books tell us about atrocities that Native Americans commit against White settlers. I just don't like atrocities. In Vietnam, I supported the war for 2 years, largely because of Communist atrocities. It wasn't until I found out that our side commit the same atrocities, and that originally the Communists led the fight for independence from France, that I changed my mind about Vietnam. the committer simply reinforces the committee's beliefs. In this case, the Palestinians are simply reinforcing.

LMB: When you are in the position of being occupied, having your houses and orchards destroyed, your water diverted to the occupier, having your mother, father, wife, children killed and maimed, having your land made untillable, hearing your child cry for food and not being able to do anything about it, brought out in public and forced under gunpoint to strip your underwear, having all you hold dear stolen or destroyed, watching your friends and neighbors experiencing the same, having your leaders assassinated, then placed in an outdoor prison with all your needs under the enemy's control - then being bombed and shot - - then -- and only then do you have a right to tell the victims of these crimes that they should not fight back. Until then, your pontifications about non-violent resistance are without merit and without credibility. It's interesting that you find yourself in the position of comparing the Palestinians with Hitler and Stalin and struggling to somehow find any culpability whatsoever in the Palestinian resistance.
 
May I have permission to publish your messages with my response following - with or without your identity?

Reader: You may publish my remarks without revealing my identity.
You have a great ability to not understand how somebody else would think. Do you remember why I said that I supported the war in Vietnam for 2 years? Do you understand why? Do you really think that I don't understand what the Palestinians experienced for the last 61 years? Of course I do.
 
I had a friend who was a POW in Hanoi. He was beaten and tortured. The Vietnamese knocked the teeth out of his mouth. I try to tell him why I opposed the Vietnam war but I can't get past his being beaten and tortured. He doesn't grasp the fact that they didn't like being bombed. He went to Vietnam fully backing our policy that we were helping the Vietnamese fight communism. The Vietnamese had every right to be angry. Unfortunately their beating of my friend made them enemies and bad people in his eyes. He still doesn't think that he did anything wrong. Nor do the Vietnamese. I still say that it doesn't justify atrocities.
 
You say that I criticize Palestinians for committing atrocities. I also have criticized Israel for doing so, for the very things that you listed. There is a saying, "You catch more flies with honey than vinegar". Our policy towards POWs in Korea and WWII did more to win us friends there. That's why condemned the Bush administration for advocating torture.  This is why I say that there's enough guilt to go around. That's why I condemn many of the people who support the Palestinians. Saudi Arabia and Iran come to mind. This was the choice that the beleaguered nation of Finland had to make when it sided with Hitler.
 
You accuse me of preaching when it is you who appears to do so. Most people who know me say that I'm the most objective person that they know. I am constantly being called to settle arguments. I do see the Palestinians' plight. I just don't think that it justifies atrocities, any more than I think that Palestinians' actions justify Israeli atrocities.