tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4718120950252476804.post2379558615582458508..comments2023-12-28T09:21:30.579-05:00Comments on Adam Holland: John Pilger fights Israeli commando incursion into London's East EndAdam Hollandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06245468599571473818noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4718120950252476804.post-9758991911879083872011-09-30T15:54:24.246-04:002011-09-30T15:54:24.246-04:00Good points, Joanne, I'm happy to accept them....Good points, Joanne, I'm happy to accept them. <br /><br />On "careful", I mean I expect him (Pilger) to care. About how his words and renown are used. About the entire issue. <br /><br />As he's writing for the left, I would imagine it'd be a serious concern to him that the far-right can publish it uncritically. It'd be a major concern to me, as a leftie. So I imagine it would (or at least should) be to Pilger. I guess he's already guilty though - because his work *is* being used by the far-right to propel anti-semitism and he isn't making it impossible (or even problematic) for them to do so.<br /><br />Does Pilger refuse to accept Israel's right of exist? I'd be astonished if he did - but maybe he does. What makes you say he does?<br /><br />I imagine that his position is mostly based around an 'anti-imperialism' that sees Israel as the (by far) more powerful party, and so his support goes to Palestine/Palestinians. That seems the default "leftie" view. I have some sympathy but I don't think it's the proper perspective.the_last_name_lefthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12276770064991215910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4718120950252476804.post-85846292591230620482011-09-30T13:30:32.340-04:002011-09-30T13:30:32.340-04:00It seems to me that people who say that objectivit...It seems to me that people who say that objectivity isn't possible often use that as an excuse to fully indulge in distortion and bias. They seem to think that, since objectivity is an illusion anyway, why bother even trying.<br /><br />Of course, total objectivity isn't possible. On that Pilger is right. But perfection of character is impossible, yet we all try to follow our values as much as possible. Omniscience is likewise impossible, yet many people pursue learning as much as they can.<br /><br />In aiming for an objectivity that we know we cannot reach, we can at least achieve a measure of fairness, accuracy, thoroughness, and insight that we would not have achieved otherwise.<br /><br />Regarding the first comment here: As for Pilger's being more "careful," what does that mean? Pilger is simply being himself. As for his defending Israel's right to exist, he doesn't believe in Israel's right to exist, so why should he do that? And as for his articles providing fodder for the right, I suppose he doesn't care. He makes his living writing for left-leaning audiences in leftist publications.Joanne E. Gerberhttp://www.joanne-gerber.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4718120950252476804.post-20265524490115935892011-09-23T11:29:29.886-04:002011-09-23T11:29:29.886-04:00I always liked Pilger in my youth. I think his as...I always liked Pilger in my youth. I think his assertions about "objectivity" being a false and irresponsible notion are true and important.<br /><br />However, I've been growing increasingly uneasy about his position re Israel: he's failing to make his position clear such that haters find it impossible to exploit. So much so, that again, one has to wonder why.<br /><br />Doesn't Pilger realise that some of his tracts about Israel can appear in full as propaganda for the far-right? <br /><br />I've been meaning to write to him about it, actually, but haven't done so yet.<br /><br />I wish he'd be more careful, and more assertive of a position defending Israel's (and everyone else's) right to self-determination. I don't think anyone (but especially lefties) are justified criticising Israel without making such a position absolutely clear because their criticism will be exploited by anti-semites and the far-right (which it always is).the_last_name_lefthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12276770064991215910noreply@blogger.com