So I wrote a diary on I/P yesterday. Lots of insightful comments and interesting perspectives. And a lot of passion. I thought it might be possible to have a low-conflict I/P diary, but it didn't work out that way. One thing that came through very strongly for me was how strongly people cared.
The arguments in the comments bothered me, because I felt that so many of the people in the discussion were motivated by love - love of a place, a people, a culture, a history. It made me think about the things that I care deeply about, how I feel when they're threatened. It made me think about how little I know about what's beautiful about Israel or Palestine.
I've grown up on stories about conflict and violence and injustice and desperation, and I have no sense of the beauty of Israel, the beauty of Palestine. I would love to hear some of those stories, and I hope some on DK would be willing to share them - personal experiences, stories from friends and relatives, special places, special moments.
I also hope that it would be possible for people to share their stories in this diary without conflict. I'll offer up some possible ground rules for that, and am happy to modify/add rules, as suggested in the comments. These proposed rules only apply to this diary, and should not be considered a judgement on anyone, any tactic, any side.
So here they are:
1-Don't post provocative comments. Consider whether what you're saying could be perceived as an attack or criticism, before posting.
2-Don't look for provocation. Try to read the comments of others as a genuine effort to share about something they care about.
3-Don't attack others. If someone else's comment is provocative or offensive to you, and you have to do something, reply with "I disagree", or rec that comment, if someone already has.
4-Don't bring an argument you're having with someone in other diaries, into this one. Argue with them there, or somewhere else.
5-Don't use comments from this diary to attack others in other diaries.
6-If the rules get modified, don't assume that everyone else has read them. Inform them gently.
7-If you have to attack someone in this diary, attack me. I'm the idiot who posted this diary. Reply to the tip jar and tell me what I did wrong, and how I could do it better.
As to my motives, I consider myself a Buddhist. I grew up in the Episcopal church, and have strong respect for many people of faith, but do not personally believe in a deity or deities. I have strong reservations about acts of violence.