Yesterday on the news, I saw some Palestinians protesters showing off their anger in response to some Israeli raid. It were the standard pictures with men shouting, wielding guns, with the camera placed just a couple of meters in front of them, and with impressed children at the periphery of the crowd.
Then I suddenly thought about the guns: Why do the protesters show off their guns with such passion, when they primarily use bombs as their striking weapons? Is it some kind of internal message to would-be collaborators? Or is it just something that extremist tradition prescribes?

I can understand why these people do nothing but stand in the street fighting all day,

They wake up in the morning to the sound of some lunatic singing his latest version of "I Love Allah" from some tower in the distance.
The wife is'nt putting out so they turn on the tv (It Has only one channel) to see some guy holding a piece of paper and roaring about western culture and death to everybody for any reason at all. And to top it all off, the cant even have a pint, or a "Wnk" without breaking one rule or another-- It's enough to drive anyone spare!
"Infidel"

I think guns are a show of power in any country. You see it in many marches of various countries armies. Also I believe I read that guns are cherished items in the middle east also including Pakistan and Iran where it is a sign of manhood. Also I'd say that a Kalashnikov (sp) rifle looks more fearsome on TV than a bag that holds some explosives.

The palestinians often use guns in raids in addition to their bombs but they have become less prevalent since security has been tightened. Recall the event a few months ago where they ambushed an Israeli pregnant woman and her children and shot them all 10+ times each in their car. They do quick raids on the settlements where they run in and run out.

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Originally posted by BadBadNeil Also I believe I read that guns are cherished items in the middle east also including Pakistan and Iran where it is a sign of manhood.

Hmmm... I don't know about that, where did you read this?

I will see if I can find it, was an article regarding Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and other countries in the middle east. I don't know if they mentioned palestine though, was only an attempt to explain the possible show of guns.

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Originally posted by BadBadNeil I will see if I can find it, was an article regarding Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and other countries in the middle east. I don't know if they mentioned palestine though, was only an attempt to explain the possible show of guns.

And you did nicely - that's the second time you've tried to explain me something I've asked.

About this one, though:

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Originally posted by BadBadNeil Also I'd say that a Kalashnikov (sp) rifle looks more fearsome on TV than a bag that holds some explosives.

To me they look ridiculous, just like when protesters stomp on burning flags, it reeks of the kind of intelligence which cannot outsmart the average border patrol.
But assume that you are right: What people who watch TV are they trying to scare? Are you as an American scared of them? Perhaps some Israeli on the board can tell if his scared?!? A non-violent Palestinian?

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Originally posted by trancaholic And you did nicely - that's the second time you've tried to explain me something I've asked.

quote:

About this one, though: To me they look ridiculous, just like when protesters stomp on burning flags, it reeks of the kind of intelligence which cannot outsmart the average border patrol. But assume that you are right: What people who watch TV are they trying to scare? Are you as an American scared of them? Perhaps some Israeli on the board can tell if his scared?!? A non-violent Palestinian?

They look quite rediculous to me as well and putting a gun in a child's hand doesn't make me scared, it makes me feel sorry for the children there. I doubt American's are scared, most people I know find it amusing that they have to parade in the streets with bags over their heads with guns pretending to be an army and if they want to waste their food money on flags to burn thats fine with me

As for who's scared, well thats hard for me to tell since I don't live anywhere but here, but I'm assuming they are trying to scare the Israelis because they go on tv dressed like suicide bombers waving guns chanting death to Israel and proclaiming they will kill every infadel. I'd like to hear from an Israeli if they are scared as well, but I'm assuming they probably aren't. From what I've seen Israelis try to live a normal life as possible.

As for that article well i couldn't find it but I found one similar,
with a quote that goes "traditions in the Middle East associate
guns with positive values such as masculinity, pride, honour and manhood.".

Here is the link if you feel like a read.
http://www.iansa.org/documents/chd/..._feb2004_en.pdf

quote:

Originally posted by BadBadNeil I will see if I can find it, was an article regarding Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and other countries in the middle east. I don't know if they mentioned palestine though, was only an attempt to explain the possible show of guns.

Just to clarify, only 1 of the countries you named is in the Middle East - Iran. And none of the countries you named are Arab.

However, your point still stands. Guns are symbols of power and manhood there as well as in many other places in the world(including USA) where violence is (relatively)common.

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Originally posted by Superstar Hmmm... I don't know about that, where did you read this?

I think he was confusing Iran and Pakistan with America!

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Originally posted by BadBadNeil As for that article well i couldn't find it but I found one similar, with a quote that goes "traditions in the Middle East associate guns with positive values such as masculinity, pride, honour and manhood.". Here is the link if you feel like a read. http://www.iansa.org/documents/chd/..._feb2004_en.pdf

It's interesting that they would say that, because I don't know a single Iranian who owns firearms, and I have never seen guns being fired at weddings. But I should also say that I'm talking about Tehran only, where people are well educated and have decent standards of living (compared to the rest of the country).

it's not a HARD concept to GRASP, that a gun is an extension of the penis no matter where your from.

BTW i own a couple med. caliber rifles.

I gues deer rifles count, so I got a couple too and a shotgun. The palestinians must think they're manly men by showing off their guns to the world. The Israelis can point at the pics as more justification for their attacks. BTW the manly men just dug a tunnel under and Israeli checkpoint and starting shooting at first aid recovery teams afterwards. What a bunch of manly men.