tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000892193344053581.post2489764216207893368..comments2023-12-10T10:18:21.368-08:00Comments on Bits and Pieces: Stephen Hawking: Even a Genius Gets it Wrong SometimesJoe Pereirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09353399105160153877noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000892193344053581.post-65887318053185449322013-06-13T12:37:11.007-07:002013-06-13T12:37:11.007-07:00You are so much more diplomatic than I,Snow, and I...You are so much more diplomatic than I,Snow, and I always stand corrected. Thank you. As for boycotting nations that engage in human rights violations, that's what I've always done. I refuse to visit such places, and even avoid rogue states within nations that practice capital punishment. <br /><br />I'll see if I can do away with the verification option, and thanks for the commentJoe Pereirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09353399105160153877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000892193344053581.post-19464393679902891672013-06-13T09:49:42.521-07:002013-06-13T09:49:42.521-07:00I agree with you on the basis of what you wrote, b...I agree with you on the basis of what you wrote, but since what you wrote is all that I know, I don't feel that I am in a position to take a strong stand. As for Hawkin "bowing to pressure" from a "pompous Chomsky," I would consider such statements to constitute a personal attack on both men, and to therefore detract from your main argument, which is that the boycott by Hawkin was counterproductive. One other thing that occurs to me is that, although the Palestinian culture is itself no respecter of human rights, your "they're just as bad" argument wouldn't constitute a reason for Hawkin to have gone. Yet, if I were him, I'm fairly confident, based upon what I know of the situation, that I would have either gone or else have been consistent in boycotting all nations that engage in human rights violations, most notably my own USA. It's this "pick and choose" attitude that causes me the most problem because it reeks of hypocrisy.<br /><br />P.S. If you're going to modify comments, could you do away with word verification? These boxes take up so much of my time trying to get the letters right that I sometimes give up.Snowbrushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00436087215476479042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000892193344053581.post-37362421996569578192013-05-22T13:55:21.421-07:002013-05-22T13:55:21.421-07:00Yes Tempo, I know what you're saying but what ...Yes Tempo, I know what you're saying but what I don't like is the hypocrisy of taking sides on human rights grounds when both sides are as bad as each otherJoe Pereirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09353399105160153877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000892193344053581.post-15659477575915743722013-05-15T02:18:49.365-07:002013-05-15T02:18:49.365-07:00Having survived a Holocaust does not give you the ...Having survived a Holocaust does not give you the right to inflict one on others...Tempohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01023337124226272532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000892193344053581.post-78703186837601228392013-05-12T14:51:45.276-07:002013-05-12T14:51:45.276-07:00No flack from me NB, on the contrary, thanks for y...No flack from me NB, on the contrary, thanks for your comment - I wish Stephen had gone and either criticized both the Israeli and Palestinian leaders for their inability to sort out their differences, or, better still, not made a single political statement. He is a physicist, not an apologist for stubborn Jews and Arabs who refuse to grow up<br /> Joe Pereirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09353399105160153877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000892193344053581.post-18954160069924406382013-05-12T07:47:00.177-07:002013-05-12T07:47:00.177-07:00I'm going to beg to differ...when he was due t...I'm going to beg to differ...when he was due to attend he said he would speak out against Israel, but then was persuaded not to go at all. From the BBC "the 71-year-old wrote to the organisers on 3 May saying that he had planned to criticise the Israeli government"<br /><br />I am a supporter of the cultural and political boycott of Israel, as I believe that what the Israeli state does goes way, way, way beyond what other countries are allowed to get away with...but I recognise the issue is extraordinarily over-emotionally charged and there is little objective judgement on the matter. It's not about having issues with Jews...that's something often thrown at those who are opposed Israel's actions...it really is about how the Government and its agencies behave. I shall wait for the flack.Nota Benehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00969705852180234416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000892193344053581.post-64435481350861373482013-05-12T07:12:38.326-07:002013-05-12T07:12:38.326-07:00I didn't think of that as Stephen is someone I...I didn't think of that as Stephen is someone I hold in high esteem, but...I think you're probably spot on Nessa. Thanks for the observation :)Joe Pereirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09353399105160153877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000892193344053581.post-45896660114509196262013-05-12T07:10:44.413-07:002013-05-12T07:10:44.413-07:00Maybe that's the hidden agenda GB, just maybe....Maybe that's the hidden agenda GB, just maybe...Joe Pereirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09353399105160153877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000892193344053581.post-17348276008695968952013-05-12T06:49:45.593-07:002013-05-12T06:49:45.593-07:00I believe the only reason not to associate with so...I believe the only reason not to associate with somebody based on their behavior is if you are afraid you'll succumb to peer pressure and start behaving the same way. Since he's already proven he's likely to succumb to peer pressure, maybe it's best he stays away until he grows a backbone.<br /><br />Just sayin'Nessa Lockehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10793613496258240147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000892193344053581.post-68524433909607095652013-05-11T01:39:54.901-07:002013-05-11T01:39:54.901-07:00I agree with you - there is no reason to single ou...I agree with you - there is no reason to single out Israel for a boycott (unless, of course, you've got issues with Jews).Gorilla Bananashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13044093013423635830noreply@blogger.com