Disgraceful

Hobbes

http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,917178,00.html

It's bad enough that the Bulldozer ran over her and then reversed back over her but to then pull this ****.

Washout

mother of god have they got no respect or honor?

eth0_

Aw hey, it was an "accident", man.

Hobbes

Originally posted by eth0_
Aw hey, it was an "accident", man.

Yea because it's impossible to see a woman with a megaphone in a bright red jacket when you 'accidently' run over her.

From looking at the pictures (warning: Graphical!) it's quite clear it was anything but an accident.

shotamoose

Originally posted by Washout
mother of god have they got no respect or honor?

No, they don't. I don't think it needed this event to prove that, either.

Sangre

Im just lost for words.

What a terrible glimpse of humanity

Clintons Cat

I saw that the other day.
Sadly on tuesdays i have to work next to some prat who thinks she deserved every thing she got.
hes a right comedian.
Like Alf Garnet without the jokes.

DriftingRain

:eek: Oh Dear. The poor girl. This is horrible. I feel sorry for her family and friends

Talliesin

Student journalists at University of Maryland on the other hand think the whole thing is funny (they also libelled the people whose homes were being destroyed):
Not funny, you have been warned.

Email addresses of University of Maryland officials:
destler@eng.umd.edu
awylie@deans.umd.edu
rewaters@deans.umd.edu
stern@deans.umd.edu
bdarmody@deans.umd.edu
cfrisby@deans.umd.edu

Email addresses of Editors who approved the cartoon:
newsroom@dbk.umd.edu
parsons@dbk.umd.edu
managing-ed@dbk.umd.edu
melanie@dbk.umd.edu
opinion@dbk.umd.edu
ombudsman@dbk.umd.edu

Hobbes

Over 2000 emails sent to them so far and there was a huge sit in at their offices.

http://www.inform.umd.edu/News/Diamondback/archives/2003/03/20/news1.html

bonkey

I saw an article in a paper over here on Monday about her death.

It mentioned that the bulldozer driver was not charged. The US have urged a full investigation, but I havent found anything subsequent to say that one is actually being held.

There was also an article late last week about 2 Israelis killed by accident. In that case, one was killed by a heli-fired missile, and the other killed in the gunfire which accompanied the missile.

The car the second guy was in had over 200 bullet holes.

So...a helicopter missile and over 200 rounds of automatic weapons fire, for two individuals. Individuals who, if they had been requested to identify themselves, should still be alive today. Instead they were gunned down by their own trigger-happy countrymen.

This is how responsible and controlled Israeli action currently is. What is most enlightening is to see how these events have more or less been completely ignored by the mainstream media - particularly in the US.

Hobbes

I sent an email to all the addresses above.

Subject: Your cartoon was in poor taste.
Hi,

I have to say I saw your bulldozer cartoon and I was sick.

I've read the official statement on it and it doesn't detract
from the fact it was printed in poor taste and bad judgement.

Lets just hope the majority of the people who also saw the
cartoon don't see the University of Marylands actions as being
reflective of the whole of the United States.

Regards,

Simon.

I got what looked like an auto-response but informative none the less.

From: "Ann G. Wylie" <awylie@deans.umd.edu>
Subject: Re: Your cartoon was in poor taste.
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 09:31:14 -0500

Dear Simon:
he Diamondback is an independent student newspaper that receives
neither subsidy nor editorial guidance from anyone at the university.
The editors and reporters treasure
their editorial freedom, and we respect that freedom, just as we
respect the freedom of all on our campus to express their viewpoints
no matter how unpopular or
ill-informed they may be.

At the same time, we note that freedom of expression belongs to all
of us, and we encourage all members of the community to exercise
their freedom to denounce those who
abuse their freedoms by being offensive and insensitive.

In short, the editors have the right to express their opinions, and
the
rest of us have the right to express our opinions about the editors
and their decisions. I encourage you to do so by writing to the
Diamondback at opinion@dbk.umd.edu.
I
also encourage you to express your opinion to Mr. Ivan Penn at the
Baltimore Sun. Mr. Penn is chair of the Board of Directors which
oversees the quality, policies and
leadership that guide the Diamondback.

Thank you for taking the time to write. I have let the Diamondback
know that I was deeply offended by the "cartoon" and I
think they need to hear from the world. .
Ann Wylie

Ann G. Wylie
Assistant President and Chief of Staff
Professor of Geology
1101 Main Administration
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
301-405-6848

BattleBoar

FROM THE EDITOR
Response to controversy over yesterday's editorial cartoon

First, I want to thank all of you who showed up outside our offices today and the thousands of you who e-mailed comments. Our campus lacks enough people of your courage and values. In our staff editorials, we’ve repeatedly begged students to take stands on this generally apathetic campus, but to little avail. I’ve received close to 2,000 e-mails and hundreds of phone calls, most of which expressed outrage -- a few making threats -- at our decision to publish the editorial cartoon. I've also received requests from other papers to reprint the cartoon, requests I have denied.

OUR POLICY
The Diamondback employs two editorial cartoonists. At the end of last semester, we had one opening and one applicant. That applicant was Daniel J. Friedman. Our policy on editorial cartoonists is to allow them a rectangular box on page 4 to express their views, so long as those views do not threaten individuals and the content is not libelous. I have discussed the cartoon with The Diamondback’s lawyer, who assured me no legal issues, including libel, arise from the drawing.

WHY WE PUBLISHED IT
Friedman’s cartoons are often jarring and controversial, but clearly this one went further than any other. When he submitted his cartoon Tuesday evening, several editors and I had a brief discussion and some voiced disagreement with Mr. Friedman’s viewpoint. But ultimately, this decision was not about a viewpoint. The decision was about freedom of speech, and that made the decision easy. Though the cartoon represents a radical view, The Diamondback’s editorial board believes whole-heartedly in freedom of speech. We would be hypocritical to revoke any speech on the grounds of radicalism. Neither this cartoon or any other represents the opinions of myself, the editorial board or The Diamondback staff. As a newspaper, we are beneficiaries and guardians of the First Amendment -- the very same First Amendment that guarantees anyone the right to protest in front of our offices and question our judgment. As many of you know, we have largely steered clear of the Middle East conflict, focusing instead on our campus and leaving international issues to the major media. The Diamondback has not taken a stance on the conflict, nor do I plan to during my tenure as editor in chief.

THE FEEDBACK
All this said, let me emphasize to all dissenters that your concerns and efforts are not in vain. The response to this cartoon is unprecedented for this newspaper, and you have raised the level of awareness. Let me add, though, that we take very seriously the threats by a small minority of the protesters. I have spoken with Mr. Friedman, and he is very shaken right now. As I write this, at least 60 people are protesting outside our offices. I spoke with this group, and they have told us they will stay until we publish an apology and an article honoring the life of Rachel Corrie. They have that right. We thank University Police for ensuring everyone’s safety. We appreciate the feedback, but ask that you keep it peaceful. We are publishing letters and a guest column on our Opinion page Thursday, plus an article covering the protest and the global reaction to the cartoon. We are accused of factual errors, but the cartoon was not a news account and there are conflicting reports on how Ms. Corrie died. We do not have the resources to report on Ms. Corrie’s death, and different accounts of what happened make it impossible to determine what is fact unless an impartial government or media organization undertakes an in-depth investigation.

INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
Many responses have been directed to the university administration. Since 1971, The Diamondback has been independent of the university. We receive no funds from the university, other than advertising purchases, and the administration has absolutely no say in any of our decisions.

CONCLUSION
We are in awe of the overwhelming response, we are listening to the feedback and that is why I met with the protesters today. I am unable to respond to every e-mail or take every phone call, but please know that we are listening and we will continue our policy of publishing as much feedback as we have space for on our Opinion page.

Sincerely,
Jay Parsons
Editor in Chief
The Diamondback

Hobbes

Checked around some more. Turns out the house they were trying to bulldoze was a doctors. Did it have terrorists in it? fuk no. The doctor was allowing the group that Corrie belonged to stay there.

Sarky

I'm surprised the US is urging an investigation, it might tarnish the "good name" of their good israeli friends. I'll bet if the poor woman wasn't American, they wouldn't have cared all that much...

Victor

All well and good about free speech, but remember the South Park episode about the local flag ("a black man being hung by a group of white men"). How about next weeks cartoon being a witty one about the KKK?

Sometimes things are just in bad taste and don't deserve publication by a group.

Hobbes

Appears the University of Maryland are giving the paper flack as well as everyone is blaming them. What's the paper do? Say they are trying to get rid of thier freedom of speech.

Anyway I see Ms Corries diary is posted to net now as well.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,916299,00.html?=rss

The Corinthian

The cartoonist was called Friedman...

...I see... :rolleyes:

Hobbes

Thought I'd post the story from the other side.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/article.php3?id=2111

It makes a mention of a USA today story, but this is the only one I could find.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2003-03-16-american-woman-killed_x.htm

JustHalf

Sometimes things are just in bad taste and don't deserve publication by a group.

I'm glad censorship is alive and well.

Nevyn

Rachel Corrie was out there with a group of volunteers.
One of those was a LAdy know arround the world as Starhawk.
She is a writer/teacher in Pagan cirles. Starhawk is out there herself and I am on one of her MAiling list.

Of late her posts have dealt with what she had been doing to the build up to this war. The demo that have happened that have no been in the press over here at all.

The following is the Email from Starhawk who was there when it happen. And yes she gives permission for it to be forwarded via e-media.

---

Starhawk
Nablus, Palestine
March 16, 2003


Today a young woman was killed in Gaza. Young women, but more often young
men, get killed in Gaza and the West Bank every day, and the world pays no
attention. What was different today is that Rachel Corrie was an American,
an activist with the International Solidarity Movement, the group that I'm
here with in occupied Palestine. And her death is a particularly horrifying
example of the cold-blooded dehumanization that characterizes this
occupation.

Rachel was trying to stop the demolition of a Palestinian home. According to
the other activists who were with her, she was in dialogue with the operator
of the bulldozer. She was working in the spirit of nonviolence that is a
guiding principle of the ISM, which provides support for Palestinian
civilians and for nonviolent efforts to bring about justice for Palestine.
Rachel climbed up on the bulldozer to talk to the soldier in the cockpit.
She climbed down. She sat in front of the bulldozer. The soldier in
control of the huge machine drove it deliberately over her. He then backed
up, and ran over her again. Rachel was twenty-three years old.

I am trying to fathom the mind that could pull the levers and gun the motor
to crush the life out of her young body. That choice, that deliberate act
of murder that ended her sweet life, seems incomprehensible. But here in
occupied Palestine, that murder is a logical outgrowth of the system of
total dehumanization that controls every aspect of life, that cannot see the
human being in the Palestinian, that claims to be fighting terror by
institutionalizing it. Please register your outrage -- at Rachel's murder,
at the home demolitions that she was trying to stop, at the illegal
occupation that can only be defended by brutalizing a whole people.

Call the Israeli Ministry of Defense
972-3-69-55476
(011-972-3-69-55476 from the US)
and
972-3-69-75220
(011-972-3-69-75-220 from the US)

Fax the Israeli Foreign Office
972-2-53-03506
(011-972-2-53-03506 from the US)
General Director: Phone
972-2-530-7704
(011-972-2-530-7704 from the US)

Call, or demonstrate, or shut down your local Israeli Embassy or your local
Consulate office.

If you are from the US, call or write your Senators and Congressional
Representative.


--Starhawk
www.starhawk.org

Zombrex

Hobbes
Thought I'd post the story from the other side.

I think that article was from way over the other side .. some quotes

All taken from http://www.israelnationalnews.com/article.php3?id=2111

Rachel Corrie´s wasted life ended as a result of throwing herself in front of an Israeli bulldozer to protect the "property" of a terrorist, something so senseless that even terrorist relatives never attempt it

Instead, this morally confused college girl chose to devote her time to battling the lone democracy in the Middle East, which is fighting for its survival against 20 Arab/Muslim countries that still do not recognize its existence.

Such activists are merely "useful idiots," manipulated in this case by the International Solidarity Movement, an anti-American, anti-Semitic organization that supports terrorism against the West.

And my personal favourite -

Rachel Corrie´s parents, who more than likely taught her these bizarre values, must have been members of the same pot smoking hippie commune as John Walker Lindh´s mom and dad.

Beginning to see where the cartoonist might get his narrow-minded one sided views from.

JustHalf
I'm glad censorship is alive and well.

The paper has the right to publish what ever they want of course. But there is a difference between censorship, and the editor pulling something cause it is insensitive, cruel and against what the paper stands for (and just plain unfunny and crap). Editors do this all the time, after all it is their paper. It shows a serious lack of editoral judgement to allow the cartoon to be published in their paper. And to hide behind Freedom of Speech is a huge cop-out on the part of the editors. They are basically saying we had to publish it because it existed.

DeVore

Considering that I regularly snip things I think are in sufficient "poor taste" to be outside what I judge to be the bounds of our community you might think I would also support the cutting of such a cartoon.

I dont.

I would delete it from here (and probably ban the person). Thats a big difference to saying it shouldnt be published. My sig has a line in it from Einstein that I think is excellent (for those who dont have sigs on):
So long as they don't get violent, I want to let everyone say what they wish, for I myself have always said exactly what pleased me.

People need to be careful about calling for the silencing of anyone. On the other hand you/we/I dont have to give them a platform. Thats not a contradiction and the sooner people work that out the better for us all...


DeV.

Victor

Originally posted by DeVore
I would delete it from here (and probably ban the person). Thats a big difference to saying it shouldnt be published. My sig has a line in it from Einstein that I think is excellent (for those who dont have sigs on): So long as they don't get violent, I want to let everyone say what they wish, for I myself have always said exactly what pleased me.

There is a difference between speech (verbal / written) and incitement (an act). I think this cartoon is closer to the incitement end of the scale.

DeVore

Incitement to what? Its not incitement to hate a single person.

His view was that she was stupid. Not an unreasonable viewpoint in some peoples book. He's entitled to express it as its not inciting hatred of a race or group imho. You dont have to like it and you (and clearly people *have*) can make your opinion known in opposition to his.

I despise it when even race-hatred is censored as I prefer a good stand-up fight with them. They'll always lose in my experience and if we censor them we just stop them from being exposed and laughed at.

In the end of the day, people will see that magazine for what it is... crap.

Also, if an editor releases editorial control over an area of the magazine, he shouldn't yank it back because its going to contain stuff he doesnt agree with thats bad. He shouldnt release control if he's not willing to completely release control. (the argument over whether he should or shouldnt do so, is an entirely different discussion).

DeV.

Hobbes

You would think the story would at least end.. but no. Now it turns out the Israeli army will not allow Rachels body to leave the Gaza Strip.

Victor

Originally posted by DeVore
Incitement to what? Its not incitement to hate a single person.

Incitement to hatred. The incitement I speak of is based on his presumption that the house belonged to a terrorist, when most such demolitions are based on a dubious planning permission policy.

Hobbes

Here is the ISM report...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00331.htm

It is well worth the read.