Israel, Lebanon, You and Me

Posted on July 13th, 2006 by markgoulston

Mark Goulston

These are the times that try men's souls,

and their trigger fingers.

I know this blog is not about politics, but with the world yet again watching hostilities that could escalate to war, it's not a bad idea for individuals and countries to heed the following suggestion shared with me by a friend and colleague.

When you feel under attack, think of the first thing you want to do and don’t do it, pause and then think of second thing you want to do and don’t do that, pause again and finally think of the third thing you want to do and do that.

The first thing you want to do is about defending yourself.
The second thing is about retaliating.
The third thing is about finding
a solution.

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10 comments // In Conflict Resolution
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10 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

  1. An excellent philosophy.

  2. This is great! I have to remember that.

  3. Is that an oblique way of saying that Israel shouldn't be attacking Hezbollah?

  4. It appears that Israel followed the philosophy you describe and are finding a solution. The only solution is to rid Lebanon of armed Hezbollah extremists.

  5. Jack - Somewhere, USA says:
    July 22, 2006 at 2:20 pm
    Reply

    Avoid the wamr and fuzzy but truly useless emotions for a sec, and ponder the answer to thi question: How many conflicts (especially involving zealots) have been resolved by a 'cease fire'? Hmm... perhaps NONE! The Islamic radicals must be totally and completely defeated to have even the smallest hope of "peace in our time". Anything less is just a re-arming opportunity. Sad but true. Ignore at the risk of our lives.

  6. Israel is not attacking Hisbollah, Israel is, as usual, engaged in ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. As for the philosophy - brilliant - wish I remembered that in my last relationship :)

  7. that seems like a nice idea. israel has been attacked so many times unprovoked by egypt, syria, PLO and their associates (zurich) and each time decided not to wipe the floor with them, and backed off. when other countries are attacked they defend themselves without the same public outcry you hear against the jews. the occupation of southern lebanon was essentially an action to prevent syria from striking israel as it just has through proxy. i hope they defend themselves each and every time they are attacked. remember, hezbollah is part of the legitimate government of lebanon.

  8. From some one that thought you shuld talk to them and belive now that you should kill all of them for Israel and Lebanon safty...

  9. This is really an excellent philosophy for many issues.

    But what would you do, if you had a neighbor that one day, out of the blue, invades into your house, kidnap two of your children (19 and 20 yo), and just take off.

    Would you still retaliate?

    What if this neighbor says in any given opportunity that they won't rest until they purge and destory your country and your nation.

    Would you still retaliate?

    I don't believe in acting out of anger or haste, but sometimes its pure tactics.

    If chamberlain wouldn't retaliated Hitler in the first time, the second world war was prevented. Don't you think?

  10. An artist charges ?35,000 for his unusual artwork featuring the remains of a fox and hare killed on the road...

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