There is the word that I think about. Freedom. What is freedom? What is peace? A teacher of mine told me that there are people who believe something as the truth through their way of understanding and that sometimes you can't convince them otherwise. A guy I talked to years ago had told me that when it comes to freedom you are free FROM SOMETHING TO SOMETHING....

I would say freedom from oppression, tyranny, occupation. Free to choose, live and decide. I wonder as well if there are those who understand what it takes to acheive peace and freedom...

America had to fight for its freedom from Britain during the Revolutionary War. The Spartans in 480 B.C. fought from oppression under Xerxes, Alexander the Great as well. I believe that in order to be free you must commit your life's work and maybe in certain instances YOUR LIFE for freedom.

I agree as well mizo, that they need their country back but I also think that there are those on both sides of the wall who have a deep belief that that piece of land belongs to them. How do you convince them otherwise? There are those on the right side of the spectrum and maybe even those on the left who believe this so deeply...ugh.

Midknight, I talked to a friend of mine and stated to him my views on international relations and he told me something which I overlooked, which I sometimes do, and he said that you can have the best "plan" or "ideas" but if people don't want to follow these through then nothing is going to come of it. I believe that there have been some great, realistic ideas but the powers that be or whatever don't want to act on them. The why is something that I am still trying to figure out. Why not try for peace. I would think that the parties involved would be getting tired of this aggression. I also think that there are those, and maybe more so in the western world then anywhere else, that some people confuse freedom for security.

I do know for myself that I am going to try the best that I can for both sides and anyone else who wants to try for peace, for freedom. I wonder sometimes as well if some nations cannot get a grasp on democracy. My sociology teacher had told me that there are those who don't "understand" democracy. For me, if a nation doesn't understand or want democracy then thats fine by me. I mean I can't have the notion of "you can have any color car as long as its black" thinking. Maybe for some a theocracy works for them....I don't know but I do know that this continual aggression is really old.

Sometimes I do get real pessimistic of mankind. There is so much history in mankind's existence that we can learn from and it seems that we are repeating the same cycle over and over. I never thought that this much thinking would cause major headaches :) Tylenol sounds good right now.

Peace out,
statesman

statesman: BRAVO! Good for you.You will never regret taking a short time off,because the experience and memories you gain will last A LIFETIME and assist you in your career judgements.
If you do travel through areas of the Near/Middle East,I would urge that you ALSO go from Jordan(or Egypt)through to Rafah/Gaza and assist these wonderful Palestinian people to pick up the pieces they have left.
The Arabian people are wonderful people,strong,dignified,honourable,humorous,generous and WELCOMING.
Check out the website below.They really NEED you,and they have SO MUCH to teach you. Be with them,on THEIR side of the iron wall/barbed wire etc,then you will see/know/feel how it is to be in a concentration/prison camp and the difference between LIVING and EXISTING,and WEAKNESS and STRENGTH.
They will never ask anything OF YOU,but you can give them SO MUCH.
http://desertpeace.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/honour-the-blessed-memory-of-rachel-corrie-come-help-rebuild-gaza/

Peace,Salaam,Shalom.

to many have freedom and don t appreciated till is to late,let s hope that in all this finger pointing somebody will have a good advisable solution to propose,not just a ...how can I aspect any good idea from bitter,unintelligent self serving individual or nations

Statesman, the Palestinians first need their country back, and their freedom, then as you said "a better government to represent the people and that try to provide as best as possible jobs, education, health care ans whatever other basics are needed for all mankind's benefit." without freedom you have nothing.

This is where I stand so far on this conflict. I DON'T stand behind Israel (government) and I DON'T stand behind Hamas. I do stand behind those that want to live life, on both sides of the wall. I believe that the Palestinian people need a better government to represent the people and that try to provide as best as possible jobs, education, health care ans whatever other basics are needed for all mankind's benefit.

I believe that Israel should dismantle the wall and the barbed wire that prevents Palestinians from moving about. I believe that the Rafah crossing should be open as well. I believe that there should be a concerted effort to have both sides take in part in providing security for one another and that long lasting dialogue be active between both people.

Problem is that just because I believe this doesn't mean it will happen. Ugh...mankind is so damn complex at times. I am going to take your advice Grassroots, and travel these countries to "see" who the people are. I figure I will do my overseas study in Amman, Jordan for a year and then after graduation I will travel in the Middle East for 5 years before I decide to work at a diplomatic organization.

This conflict between nations really needs to stop. Sometimes I wonder if I should've stayed a biology major....but biology isn't as interesting for me.

Israel has made itself hated SO MUCH by its policies and OFFENSIVE actions that the ONLY way that Israel can continue is to KEEP DOING THIS to all ITS NEIGHBOURS,who continue to RESIST occupation and INSULT to human rights and dignity.
Israel has NEVER stopped killing people who refuse to kowtow,and AMERICA has never stopped ARMING,FUNDING and CONDONING all the bloodshed.
If Israel continues LIKE THIS,it will,for sure,self-destruct.Becasue it is NOT COMPATIBLE with normal life.

http://snardfarker.ning.com/profiles/blogs/un-shocked-by-gaza-destruction

All charity (money) that goes to Hamas or the PA goes into the pockets of their corrupt leaders, so they can live high on the hog.

BBC will be airing the DEC appeal,because they know that ALL these people protesting can RUIN the company by just NOT paying for their TV licenses.
And the BBC needs THESE people, more than it NEEDS Israeli P.R.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/01/2009125185514535196.html

KOSOVO? BBC "impartiality" problem?
No! That was just fine!
Yet the description applies,AGAIN,to the Palestinians.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuqhlPdRXfc

Congo? BBC "impartiality" problem?
NO! That was JUST FINE!
Yet the description of the situation could be about Palestine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzJhbIkWH_o

Didn't seem to be an "IMPARTIALITY" PROBLEM for the DEC when it came to campaigning for:
Congo,
Sudan,and
Kosovo.All given EQUAL air time.
So, why "IMPARTIALITY" when it comes to PALESTINE????
Eh! BBC?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THf8d46Tjm8

"BBC say "Impartiality"LOL!
What a load of bovine excrement.
It's because the BBC is OWNED BY ZIONISTS NOW,and rather than DO THE RIGHT,HUMANE THING,they would rather kiss zionist ****!
Shame on you BBC!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeqanudmoUQ

So much protest against BBC for not being fair to Gazan massacre,that TWO more channels say they will NOW AIR DEC aid call.
That LEAVES 'SKY' and BBC! The Quislings!
Hey! BBC, you won't air,the public WILL NOT pay your salaries,through the licenses.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jan/24/bbc-gaza-aid-appeal-dec

British Media Editors complain to BBC for not airing Gaza appeal.
Bl**** Right TOO!
The BBC is paid for by the PUBLIC'S TV license taxes.
If it refuses to air PUBLIC OPINION and PROTEST against the slaughter in Gaza,the public can STOP paying for their licenses and BANKRUPT the BBC.
The BBC is already too pro-Israeli-Zionism and doesn't relect the MAJORITY view of the British Nation,who keep them fed and watered!

http://members5.boardhost.com/medialens/msg/1232781412.html

Global Day of Action:Protests to raise relief for Palestinians and condemn the Israeli zionist war crimes.
Sock it to 'em George! Give 'em yer Gall o'way!

http://globaldayofaction.org/stopwar/index.php

Long Live Palestine!
"They can burn down our Mosques and our homes and our schools,
but the spirit will never die"
They "WILL NOT DOWN IN GAZA TONIGHT"!