Remembering the Death of Rachel Corrie

By ELIZABETH CORRIE

Only a year ago, the approach of the month of March would have held the same positive associations for me as it has for many--the beginning of the end of winter, the promise of springtime and even summer not too far behind. This year, and for every year for the rest of my life, the approach of March will mean something else entirely--the anniversary of the brutal death of my cousin, Rachel Corrie. On March 16th, 2003, an Israeli soldier and his commander ran over Rachel with a 9 ton, Caterpillar bulldozer while she stood--unarmed, clearly visible in her orange fluorescent jacket--protecting a Palestinian home slated for demolition by the Israeli army.

The death of Rachel Corrie, and the response that her case has--and has not--received, reveal several disturbing, indeed immoral and criminal, truths. First, Rachel died while attempting to prevent a home demolition, a common practice of the Israeli Army's collective punishment that has left more than 12,000 Palestinians--men, women, and children--homeless since the beginning of the second uprising in September 2000. This practice violates international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Second, Rachel was run over by a Caterpillar bulldozer, manufactured in the United States and sent to Israel as part of the United States' regular aid package to the State of Israel, which amounts to at least $3-4 billion annually, all of which comes from U.S. taxpayers. The use of Caterpillar bulldozers to destroy civilian homes, not to mention to run over unarmed human rights activists, violates U.S. law, including the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, which prohibits the use of U.S. military aid against civilians.

<snip>

Source: http://www.counterpunch.org/corrie03102004.html

I will always remember Rachel Corrie. It's unfortunate, but a scarce few acknowledged her death to begin with. Something needs to be done about the media in this country....

This is no longer a problem in this forum.

However, the article reminds us of the gratitude we must have for Caterpillar for providing quality equipment to Israeli operations.

On edit, remembering this particular death was unfortunate.

And clueless. Perhaps you should do yourself a favor and learn the truth about what's going on over there. B'Tselem That's a good place to start your education. Chances are good you won't bother though.

Though well intentioned, they have a tendency to not be pragmatic.

How come you even bother to comment. If you don't have anything nice to say, why don't you just refrain from posting.

This is not a forum I choose to visit very often and now I see why. I would lose my mind if I had to read that kind of hate spewed every day. Sad, very sad! :sigh:

you let them win by pushing you out.

Respectfully,
Resistance

I just don't feel I'm educated enough about what's going on to counter some of the hateful attacks that go on around here. All I have is my common sense and some awareness, as a Black woman, of what it's like to sometimes be treated unfairly.

The spin, distortions, misrepresentation of facts, and often outright lies can be extremely difficult to counter if you aren't on top of the situation at all times.

Some of the forum's more pragmatic posters understand the necessity of IDF operations, including those requiring said equipment.

There is absolutely no necessity involved in tearing down an innocent family's home. NONE.

Yet there is a reason.

great 'reason'

nor the last time such comments will be heard here and tolerated, sadly. I can only wonder why...

.

Corrie's family should initiate a wrongful death suit against Caterpillar and Israel. Bulldozers weren't sold to Israel to run over peace activists.

Hey, anybody got a picture of those tunnels Corrie was protecting?

While you are at it, got any pictures of those WMDs Saddam was going to give to terrorists? That was the reason Smirky gave for his invasion of Iraq. It had nothing to do with stealing Iraq's oil, getting revenge for daddy, or doing Ariel Sharon's bidding.

As a Catholic, I could care less about the affairs of Catholic dominated Ireland, France, Italy, Poland, etc.

But American Jews seemed obsessed with the state of Israel. They even advocate the murder of an American peace activist in order to protect the right wing thugs who are running Israel into the ground.

Many do oppose Israel's terrorism and aggression. Yes, their voices are marginalized and their names are smeared by those with the power to do so. But they are definitely around.

Yeah, but it seems there are some here who are proponents of Israel's terrorism and aggression.

I won't name names. I don't need to.

to survive.

Well, you and I finally agree. Running over an American peace activist with an American bulldozer is pretty fucking aggressive.

aka: stand still poor brown folks so us white europeans can kill you and steal your land.

yes, pragmatic indeed.

Hitler was quite pragmatic with his perceived pests as well. Crazy, idiot fuck that he was.

I think Hitler is in the pragmatists hall of fame. His bust can be between Sharon and Arafat - their fanatical supporters can all have one big circle jerk.

B

The rest is disputed.

as they are wont to do to anyone who dare shed light on the right wing racist agenda.

I think some are just jealous that someone who is neither jewish nor palestinian had more involvement and courage than her fellow palestinian american or jewish american counterparts who are too 'busy' or cowardly to put their bodies where their mouths are.

the hostility of cowards

B

I am not jealous of this woman.

Capable of mowing down unarmed "peace activists" without slowing down or fouling the treads. Just the ticket for those revenge actions (excuse me, "pragmatic sanctions") targeting the homes of Palestinians. Because, after all, we all know that even if a Palestinian isn't a terrorist NOW, he'll probably become one. And we also know that even though Rachel Corrie seems like a deluded idealist who thought she was doing the right thing, she was in reality a terrorist sympathiser who deserved being squashed like an insect on the windshield of the Israeli juggernaut. Yes, indeed.

I know I will - in honor of Rachel and Tom.

for the driver whose life was upset.

poor guy was just following orders to murder an unarmed peace worker

That defense didn't work very well at the Nuremberg war crimes trials.

LMAO. Right wing run Israel is the epitome of irony. The survivors and their children were taught well.

Apologize.

I've read the rules. My post was very carefully phrased that way on purpose.

can't

truth hurts doesn't it

and doesn't actually believe most of what he posts.

The inference is reprehensible. I will leave it at that.

I have little compassion for murderers.

If that goon was an American, he'd be doing 10 to 20 years in a state prison.

or sociopathic tendencies?

Too bad polls are banned here. LMAO!

they will also accept laptop computers.
Luckily, this is my field of expertise.
I can really make a difference and am more than happy to do so.

They put me on a monthly donation plan, as well.
Very easy. Best money I have ever spent.

too :) And always, money. There are many brave Jews and people of many other faiths who risk their lives smuggling contraband like water, food and medicine to Palestinians, in defiance of the US-funded Policy of Starvation.

this moron gets more milage than a yugo.

It would appear some feel Ms. Corrie is beyond reproach.

.

Yet we are not over exposed to this? Oh, my.

for the last few days then the mention of Rachel`s name people go a little nutty. oh, well nothing accomplished

Donations are tax deductable.
Help to bring peace to the Middle East
and write it off. This is the best deal going.

my tax money is going to those murder-supporting clowns??


hold on while I take another shot of Stolys.

you think Israeli's are the only murder supporting clowns getting cash?

Dupe

Please continue here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=124&topic_id=57346