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    boyyouregonnacarrythatweightJustin Charity
    1/11/14 11:22am

    Nothing more deliciously effete than drawing room anti-semitism shrouded in political commentary. Though I must admit I'm rather jealous. Down South we have the same conversations about the coloreds and are made to feel déclassé‎.

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      GammiLboyyouregonnacarrythatweight
      1/11/14 11:26am

      Gawker definitely has a recurrent antisemitic vibe to a lot of its articles covering Israel, but I don't think that applies here.

      I think it's fair to define political figures by the most horrible, inexcusable things they did. In the same way that we might remember Colin Powell for his role in covering up the My Lai massacre. No amount of skillful politicking elsewhere in someone's life will excuse complicity with mass murder.

      In other words, I can see how someone who was pro-Israel, but had a particular view of how politician's characters can be judged, could have written this same article.

      If this were to end up Sharon's legacy, I think it would be fair; even if the people leading that charge are doing so out of a desire to futher some ulterior agenda (and not as part of a generalized fight against impunity or genocide).

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      VeryWellboyyouregonnacarrythatweight
      1/11/14 11:34am

      If you're referring to the allegation of Israelis ironically craving a messiah I would just say that Jesus is patiently waiting for any and all of us to take him into our hearts regardless of whomever dropped the dime on him. He's just that "over it".

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    kpodJustin Charity
    1/11/14 10:58am
    two refugee camps in which hundreds of civilians were slaughtered by Israel paramilitaries sent in on Sharon's command

    You've got a serious factual error, Justin. The massacre was carried out by Lebanese Phalangists, not Israelis. The Israelis surrounded the camp where it was carried out. Sharon was Defense Minister at the time, and an Israeli investigative commission found that in his role as Defense Minister he bore "personal responsibility."

    But the massacres were carried out by Lebanese.

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      Max Readkpod
      1/11/14 11:01am

      Oops, this was my error, not Justin's. I've fixed it.

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      ipointatthemenuMax Read
      1/11/14 11:09am

      The strike out reads as "Sorry I'm not sorry" or that really lazy joke bloggers do when they strike out what they really mean and put something else. Why not just put corrections at the bottom?

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    NefertittiesJustin Charity
    1/11/14 10:59am

    He was so reviled when I was growing up there in the 80's and 90's. His later resurface and election to top office would be akin to a Dick Cheney presidency here—a war criminal in charge of everything. But obviously, he proved yet again how people have such limited memories and how they had such a narrow vision of things there. Or else they prefer the devil they knew. Jeb Bush will be counting on that at some point—that is a certainty. But who am I to talk; I live in the past still grieving for Yitzhak Rabin (the first person I ever voted for.)

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      madamecouscousplus1Nefertitties
      1/11/14 11:31am
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      afafafafaNefertitties
      1/11/14 4:42pm

      Sharon was actually turning left in his later years (though likely for practical reasons, not ideological ones). He forcefully removed Israeli settlements despite huge protests from the right-wing and pulled troops out of Gaza. This was a hugely courageous step and an important one towards peace. He lost support from the right-wing because of this, and basically told them to fuck off and started his own party. He was widely expected to demolish Israeli settlements in the West Bank before his coma. There is no viable Israeli politician that will even suggest doing something similar today. He would likely be supported by the left today (not the far left, but the moderate left).

      Just like Rabin once believed in breaking legs and then realized it doesn't work in the long term, Sharon looked like he was on a similar path... People do change...

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    It takes a nation of millions to elect the corruptJustin Charity
    1/11/14 11:37am

    The only thing sad about this news is that he did not grab Benjamin Netanyahu by the throat on his way to Hell.

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      sluggoJustin Charity
      1/11/14 10:56am

      Good. Fuck him.

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        Lostfoliosluggo
        1/11/14 10:59am

        Always classy to rejoice in someone's death.

        I look forward to your name calling.

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        PrayForDentonLostfolio
        1/11/14 11:24am

        Why can't someone rejoice in the death of another? Some people are terrible. (My personal opinion of Ariel Sharon neither here nor there.) Don't be such a pill.

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      CeeSquaredJustin Charity
      1/11/14 11:47am

      I know the Palestinian/Israeli conflict is about more than religion now, but there's a tragic absurdity in the fact this whole thing originated because two groups think an invisible, unknowable deity granted them a land deed ad infinitum.

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        NefertittiesCeeSquared
        1/11/14 11:55am

        The conflict is not about religion. Not at all really. Just real estate.

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        zyodeiCeeSquared
        1/11/14 12:03pm

        Yes, a deity who says "you, my people, shall control the major Mediterranean facing port facilities of this strategic and oil rich region. You are chosen."

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      OrientalRugJustin Charity
      1/11/14 11:08am

      Sounds like people won't be exactly tripping over themselves with flowers..

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        madamecouscousplus1OrientalRug
        1/11/14 11:14am

        Nope, good riddance to bad trash.

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        NefertittiesOrientalRug
        1/11/14 11:29am

        Did someone say tripping with flowers?

        GIF
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      GoOnWithoutMeJustin Charity
      1/11/14 11:32am

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        kabrisketGoOnWithoutMe
        1/11/14 12:22pm

        WINNER!!!'

        And you beat me to it!

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      Sean BrodyJustin Charity
      1/11/14 11:02am

      It's all very sudden.

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        bilbobagodonutsSean Brody
        1/11/14 12:10pm

        Sean Brody (as Fletch): It's all very sudden."

        Me (as Dr. Dolan): "He'd been in intensive care for eight weeks!"

        Sean Brody: Yeah, but I mean the very end, when he actually died. That was extremely sudden

        And...scene.

        This comment was brought to you by the Chevy Chase pic below.

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      tektwoJustin Charity
      1/11/14 12:00pm

      Redacted...

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        Nefertittiestektwo
        1/11/14 1:43pm
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