My apologies in advance if this attempt at a diary is either in bad form, or considered inappropriate.
Along with many others, I am concerned at the turn of events in the Middle East. I believe it would be accurate to speculate that, like myself, there are many who ardently seek after and desire Peace.
I would be the first to admit that the complex issues, and complex history, underlying the ongoing turbulence in the Middle East, are not areas I understand particularly well. It is neither my place, nor my intent, to cast blame or aspersions, or to point fingers, at anybody at all.
In recent days, quite naturally and understandably, there have been a plethora of threads on the events which have as their immediate trigger the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier.
Many of these promptly seemed (to my eyes, at any rate) to degenerate to a fair level of unpleasantness. When emotions run high, as they clearly do on this subject, this is perhaps to be expected.
However, I have also come to expect reasoned discussion, and informed, non-flaming, commentary, from the visitors to this site.
Therefore, my modest proposal is as follows: that visitors who wish to have sharp-elbowed, bare-knuckled, high-decibel arguments, which may contain a share of name-calling, please consider using the "Comments" section after this diary as an appropriate venue to which to confine such discussions. I can understand why emotions could run high, and tempers become short, on an issue which is so intractably divisive. All I am suggesting is, people may wish to feel free to consider this thread as a repository for flames/heated arguments.
If this works, it may be possible for the other threads to remain relatively flame-free.
Again, my apologies if this is in bad form. I mean only well, and yearn only for Peace.
Thank you.