Comments on: My new column

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:36:37 +0000

Congrats Chas. Another great article. You need to put your picture up when you comment on this (and other) blogs!

By: Highnlonesome

Highnlonesome — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:58:30 +0000

NM: “. . . PRECISELY what “aspects” of the war were being carried out in a way that merited criticism?”

For a start, the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure and especially bombing that oil refinery. You don’t have to be an expert on military matters, or anything else, to realise that this was wrong. Another example would be the use of cluster bombs in civilian areas.

You may be able to give me any number of reasons why these actions were justified, but you can’t tell me they weren’t controversial. I just don’t accept the whole “you’re either for us or against us” mentality. I agree with your opposition to moral relativism, in fact it’s one of the most pernicious diseases of the 21st Century (I have read “What’s Left” and I think Nick Cohen’s main fault is he doesn’t defend Israeli ENOUGH!) but this doesn’t mean that an extreme view is always the right one. Criticism of Israel isn’t inherently good or bad – we just have to judge each argument on its merits.

By: Truthmonkey

Truthmonkey — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:06:24 +0000

Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, Chas Newkey-Burden. A great dynasty of philo-semitism.

Can we expect “Chas for PM”?

By: Chas Newkey-Burden

Chas Newkey-Burden — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:54:45 +0000

Thank you, thank you.

By: Israelinurse

Israelinurse — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:59:06 +0000

Good luck with this latest venture Chas!

By: D Freeman

D Freeman — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:48:47 +0000

Congratulations on your column and your moral clarity

By: Jonathan S

Jonathan S — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:05:41 +0000

nice work Chas!

By: NM

NM — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:36:49 +0000

So, General Highnlonesome, since you and Cameron seem to be military experts, perhaps you’d like to delineate PRECISELY what “aspects” of the war were being carried out in a way that merited criticism?

I think I find Hague and Cameron’s mealy-mouthed relativism more offensive than those who simply reject Israel outright,

By: Highnlonesome

Highnlonesome — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:03:27 +0000

“and was under a lot of pressure to speak out against Israel. . . but he bravely resisted and remained supportive of Israel’s right to defend itself against terror.”

A false dichotomy. He could have remained supportive of Israel’s right to defend herself against terror while criticising certain aspects of the way the war was being carried out, which is what David Cameron did.

By: Chas Newkey-Burden

Chas Newkey-Burden — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:58:14 +0000

Thank you all.

Ashley that’s very kind of you to say. Thanks for helping with my education, including the introduction to amba! I look forward to our next amba too! Israel even in the height of summer won’t be as boiling as Solly’s was that night!