Where now ?
Observer | 27.06.2006 15:23
I am sad to see that Indymedia UK has fast become Middle East Indymedia once again. What the fuck!?!
Is there nothing of consequence going on in Britain? Does everything of importance hinge upon the happenings in the Middle East? Is there nowhere else to carry on with these ceaseless back and forth debates?
I understand that the site is not running on all cylinders yet but judging by what I have seen in scanning the postings something must be done to limit the ability of a few people to monopolize the newswire.
I am sick to fucking death of these postings.
Don't get me wrong, I feel for the innocent people caught in the crossfire. But I am pretty sure that there are other struggles besides this one.
I am also sure that there are other important issues that desperately need our attention and action, issues that are far closer to home, issues that we stand a far greater chance of influencing than a conflict half way around the world.
Before you folks fighting the wars of the Middle East on Indymedia get your underwear in a knot, let me be clear. I am not a Zionist. I do not support the Israeli state in any way, though I do not question its right to exist any more than I question Canada's right to exist (which is also illegally occupying vast tracts of unceded land). In other words, Israel is clearly an oppressive state but it is not the only oppressive state out there.
I also sympathize with all struggles for self determination. But I am not so bereft of critical sensibilities to excuse every act of violence or oppression meted out by the oppressed. In other words, oppression does not give you a "get out of ethics" free card.
Far too often, people on the left uncritically support the enemies of their enemies without paying careful attention to the politics and values expressed in those struggles. For instance, alot of lefties had to eat a whopping slice of humble pie after supporting the Iranian revolution (not to mention support for lots of other struggles against imperial powers).
I can tell you right now, that if the present leaders of the Palestinian Intifada are successful in their struggles to regain the occupied territories and establish an independent state (without doing away with Israel, that is), judging by the values they express, I will put them in my collection of oppressive states that we as good leftists should oppose.
[Sigh] Sorry to rant like this but I have been a fan of Indymedia for a long time. But I also think it has lots of problems that require creative solutions. Trolling is probably the most pressing problem but so too is the ability of a few over zealous people to monopolize and abuse the news wire.
I am looking forward to seeing how Indymedia UK attempts to tackle these issues.
In solidarity,
Is there nothing of consequence going on in Britain? Does everything of importance hinge upon the happenings in the Middle East? Is there nowhere else to carry on with these ceaseless back and forth debates?
I understand that the site is not running on all cylinders yet but judging by what I have seen in scanning the postings something must be done to limit the ability of a few people to monopolize the newswire.
I am sick to fucking death of these postings.
Don't get me wrong, I feel for the innocent people caught in the crossfire. But I am pretty sure that there are other struggles besides this one.
I am also sure that there are other important issues that desperately need our attention and action, issues that are far closer to home, issues that we stand a far greater chance of influencing than a conflict half way around the world.
Before you folks fighting the wars of the Middle East on Indymedia get your underwear in a knot, let me be clear. I am not a Zionist. I do not support the Israeli state in any way, though I do not question its right to exist any more than I question Canada's right to exist (which is also illegally occupying vast tracts of unceded land). In other words, Israel is clearly an oppressive state but it is not the only oppressive state out there.
I also sympathize with all struggles for self determination. But I am not so bereft of critical sensibilities to excuse every act of violence or oppression meted out by the oppressed. In other words, oppression does not give you a "get out of ethics" free card.
Far too often, people on the left uncritically support the enemies of their enemies without paying careful attention to the politics and values expressed in those struggles. For instance, alot of lefties had to eat a whopping slice of humble pie after supporting the Iranian revolution (not to mention support for lots of other struggles against imperial powers).
I can tell you right now, that if the present leaders of the Palestinian Intifada are successful in their struggles to regain the occupied territories and establish an independent state (without doing away with Israel, that is), judging by the values they express, I will put them in my collection of oppressive states that we as good leftists should oppose.
[Sigh] Sorry to rant like this but I have been a fan of Indymedia for a long time. But I also think it has lots of problems that require creative solutions. Trolling is probably the most pressing problem but so too is the ability of a few over zealous people to monopolize and abuse the news wire.
I am looking forward to seeing how Indymedia UK attempts to tackle these issues.
In solidarity,
Observer