Comments on: An Appeal to Reason http://thegoodatheist.net/editorial/05/29/an-appeal-to-reason/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:23:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Joanna http://thegoodatheist.net/editorial/05/29/an-appeal-to-reason/#comment-23 Joanna Thu, 31 May 2007 15:29:39 +0000 http://thegoodatheist.net/editorial/05/29/an-appeal-to-reason/#comment-23 A secular approach is the best approach, like you state in reference to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. But the problem is, of course, how to manage this in the real world where tempers flair and past grievances trump rational discussion and peace talks. Religious fundamentalism/theocracy makes things so much more difficult and complex but the economics of the issue must also be addressed. Where are the jobs? How can people feed and raise their children in an unsafe, insecure environment? I can't even imagine being the parent of an Israeli or Palestinian child living in fear. And how many rational folks are left anymore...seriously, in the intellectual community...it's not called a political hotbed for nothing! Moderation has taken the back seat. The refugee crisis fuels the fire. And now that the U.S. has lost much of its reputation in a mediator role, what part can the U.S. play in easing the conflict? Our status is pretty low these days. We have our hands pretty full in other Middle East affairs/adventures....stretched thin and no silver lining in sight. Diplomacy is the answer...but we don't seem to have the patience for the time and resources a non-military approach would take. A secular approach is the best approach, like you state in reference to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. But the problem is, of course, how to manage this in the real world where tempers flair and past grievances trump rational discussion and peace talks. Religious fundamentalism/theocracy makes things so much more difficult and complex but the economics of the issue must also be addressed. Where are the jobs? How can people feed and raise their children in an unsafe, insecure environment? I can’t even imagine being the parent of an Israeli or Palestinian child living in fear.

And how many rational folks are left anymore…seriously, in the intellectual community…it’s not called a political hotbed for nothing! Moderation has taken the back seat. The refugee crisis fuels the fire. And now that the U.S. has lost much of its reputation in a mediator role, what part can the U.S. play in easing the conflict? Our status is pretty low these days. We have our hands pretty full in other Middle East affairs/adventures….stretched thin and no silver lining in sight. Diplomacy is the answer…but we don’t seem to have the patience for the time and resources a non-military approach would take.

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