Reply #18: the use of the word EVIL [View All]

[pelsar]

sorry ashiebr. critisim of the Israeli govt does not equat it with being evil.

the use of the word "evil" has as I understand it a very specific use as saying the "whole 'body" is inherently wrong. The Nazis were an evil regime, where its main existance was to terrorize all of europe and the world...other examples?....all the bad guys in comic books perhaps.

more important, its one of those "words" used to demonize. Strange, i cant recall in any of our wars us actually calling the arabs "evil".

I also dont believe that the present demcratic govts are actually "evil". Where I disagree with much of their policies, saying that the people within those govt are looking to do harm to the world on purpose (that is as how I see the word defined), i find hard to accept.
Nor is the present israeli govt attempting to wipe out the palestenians (that would make the govt/people evil....)

When dealing with a conflict, as in the middle east, we have a whole host of words which trigger our collective memories and asssociations, be they arab or jew, be they real or not. And though it may sound like "homework" understanding which words mean what in this context is part of the overall knowledge.

I'll give an interesting example. The settlers are now starting a campaign showing that their removal from the westbank is tantamount to the nazis removing the jews. (jew free). We all know that israel creates a howl (and rightly so) when the IDF is compared to the nazis. Well their campaign has backfired, their use of holocaust icons, has stirred such a reaction (in essence they are comparing the Israeli govt to nazis), that they are now "backpeddling".

Certain icons/words simply have meanings beyond what the writer may know of. In this case calling the israeli govt/the IDF evil, is something many of us take quite personally, and since both are a part of me, I dont agree that " i am evil"...nor do I believe that calling me that, has anything to do with reality.

I think whats missing here is the fact that israel is a very small country, our identification with the govt (whether we agree with them or not) remains strong. Part of it is the fact that our various parties are usually part of the actual govt, part of it is that we feel we under a constant threat from outside.

but just to add an interesting note: when polled about respective professions our knesset members are consistency on the bottom of the list. Meaning its not our best and brightest that represent us in our govt (which is probably a good reason we are in the position we are.....). Actually except for a few exceptions they are usually a bunch of morons-and feel free to quote me....