Rachel Corrie~American Murdered In The Struggle For Peace ~
Posted June 19th, 2008 by legalizeliberty
output
Here is a speech by Rachel's family following her murder :
On March 16, our daughter and sister Rachel Corrie was killed by an Israeli army bulldozer while she was trying to prevent the demolition of a Palestinian home in the Gaza Strip. Rachel chose to go to Rafah, a city at the southern tip of Gaza, because she believed the world had forsaken this place. During her time there, Rachel became our eyes and ears as she told us about the tanks and bulldozers passing by, about the homes with tank-shell holes in their walls, about the rapidly multiplying, Israeli army towers with snipers lurking along the horizon, about apache helicopters and invisible drones buzzing over the city for hours at a time, about wells and greenhouses, and olive groves destroyed, and about the giant metal wall being built around Gaza. She told us of help she received from an Israeli soldier who e-mailed to her Hebrew phrases to use when confronting Israeli soldiers in tanks and bulldozers. "What would your mother think?" She also told us about Ali, the eight-year old Palestinian boy shot and killed two days before she arrived, about large groups of Palestinian men rounded up and held for hours at a time, about Palestinian students and workers who could not get to their university or to their jobs because of closed checkpoints, and about Palestinian municipal water workers fired upon while trying to make repairs. She told us, too, of sleeping on the floor and sharing blankets with a family of five, of helping the young boy Nidal with his English as he helped her with her Arabic, and of kind Palestinians who gave her lemony drinks to cure her flu bug. She wrote, "I am also discovering a degree of strength and of basic ability for humans to remain human in the direst of circumstances. I think the word is dignity."
Rachel had dreams. She believed that her hometown Olympia, Washington, could gain a lot and offer a lot by committing to a sister-city relationship with Rafah. She envisioned e-mail exchanges between children in the two cities. She wrote, "Many Palestinian people want their voices to be heard, and I think we need to use some of our privilege as internationals to get those voices heard directly in the US, rather than through the filter of well-meaning internationals such as myself." Rachel believed that she might see a Palestinian state or a democratic Israeli-Palestinian state within her lifetime. She wrote, "I think freedom for Palestine could be an incredible source of hope to people struggling all over the world." Rachel aligned herself with non-violent Palestinian peace activists, with non-violent Israeli peace activists, and with non-violent international peace activists working courageously to make all of these dreams come true. She lost her life in that effort when she was crushed four weeks ago by an Israeli army bulldozer. It is now up to us—each and every one of us-- to stand up with the same conviction and courage and from our pulpits, from our podiums, from our streets, and through our letters to Congress, the Secretary of State, and the President, to shout along with Rachel, "This has to stop! I think it is a good idea for us all to drop everything and to devote our lives to making this stop. I don't think its an extremist thing to do anymore. I still really want to dance around to Pat Benetar and to have boyfriends and to make comics for my coworkers. But I also want this to stop!"
Bookmark/Search this post with:
- Login to post comments
point taken
for Liberty!
one day
when we win this all we should rename Capitol Hill as Corrie Hill.
personally I believe that if all human beings acted in such way as she did all wars would stop and the military industrial complex around the planet would be shut down at once!
let me underline here that she was murdered while defending a house of an innocent family.
here is more
http://www.youtube.com/wa...
and here
http://www.youtube.com/wa...
peace
some comments
Fortune Favors the Bold
I don't personally know Rachael Corrie's mindset. However I noticed there were some here who called her actions "american interventionism."
I think it's fine for private citizens to practice interventionism, and even morally applaudable in some cases, as long as they accept the consequences (meaning they shouldn't expect their government to save them or impose consequences on the state they are acting in.
Surely, it's a great thing for Americans to feed starving people in other countries and set up orginizations to help people. Citizens have rights the government does not have.
As far as this case, I don't see chaining one self to something as a violent act, and I don't think the appropriate response is murder, regardless of the motivations.
Someone below mentioned John Galt's speech about sacrifice. I think the context the poster below is using is some what incorrect. Galt talked about sacrifice as a motivation as opposed to self-interest.
That's not quie the same as risking one own's life for a purpose, which may result in a sacrifice. The motivation may be the same or it may not be. I think one of the weaknesses of Atlas Shrugged, as well as one of its strengths, is creating a very one dimensional world populated with one dimensional characters, whose motivations are universally simple, quite different then the complex motivations one finds in real life.
points taken
Personal intervention in global affairs has its place and value.
However, I would disagree with the statement that protestors chaining themselves together is non-violent. Sometimes passive aggressive action can be the worst kind of violence. This was not non-compliance, which is non-violent, it was active interference. When you consider that there were (may have been) palistinian snipers in the area, using the protestors diusruptions as an oppurtunity to get off a good shot, then even killing might be justified.
As far as sacrifice as a motivation, while I can't know what Rachel Corrie's motivation was, I think a good inference could be drawn that it was the sacrifice itself that drew her (and the other protestors) to palistine. sort of a "Look at me, I'm a freedom fighter and a warrior for social justice. aren't I special"
I make that judgement based on her youth, the moral complexity of the situation, as well as the effectiveness of the protests (or should I say, lack thereof). It would be hard to imagine any rational self interest Rachel Corrie may have had in participating in those protests.
And as the Ayn Rand quote below points out, there were plenty of people around willing to cash in on her sacrifice. Where were they when the bulldozers were rolling ?
Oh, get serious.
Murdered, my ass. Rachel Corrie was a terrorist sympathizer who got in front of a bulldozer and got run over. Google for the pictures of her burning american flags in front of cheering palestinians.
Her presence there was just more American interference in the middle east.
-jcr
terrorist sympathizer? where have I heard that before?
I had nothing to do with this ME conflict but the more people like you nand other zionist crap Im exposed to the more sympathetic I become to palestinians. f*ck Israel's terrorist state and all its terrorist zionist sympathizers
you should be ashamed of yourself moron,
________________________________________________________________
"let it not be said that no one cared, that no one objected once it's realized that our freedoms & wealth are in jeoprady"
Ron Paul
Oh I get it your Huckabee's
Oh I get it your Huckabee's son the dog killer... Why didn't you say so? Welcome you probably won't get enough blood here to satisfy your appetite but be sure an tell your daddy hello from all us Ron Paul lovers!
PS I still think the matching stripe shirt is so absolutely adorable!!!
http://www.reason.com/blo...
a "terrorist sympathizer"?????
Who is the terrorist, Israelies or Palistinians? If you choose Israel, then may 6 million mexicans move into your town, bull doze your house, and run you over..... all because the UN lead by Britian and the USA said,....."Mexicans? where to put them? Lets see, how about at jcr@mac.com's house and little town!" Then when you stand up infront of those bulldozers and get run over, we can call you a terrorist.
At the crux of the conflict is property rights. To find that answer, google the essays written by Jewish libertarian Sheldon Richmond.
In Peace & Liberty,
Treg
The real history is much more complex
As that part of the world has been changing rulers and inhabitants for Millenia. Large Jewish populations were arriving in palistine begining after WWI - no one moved them there. There is also some question about the size of the arab population in the area prior to 1919. The tide of immigration of jews to palistine increased during WWII. The UN tried to create a state that would satisfy both sides, but neither would be satisfied, and both side massacred, and bombed each other. The end result being the state of Israel.
Even today both sides are pretty miserable. Israel runs an apartied government, and the palistinians blow up children in Pizza parlors, and randomly shoot mortars and rockets into Jewish neighborhoods.
the whole planet is ill
Because of you!
the guy did not take his time to investigate why....
this jcr@mac.com
you murdered her a second time!
Thanks for making me aware..
of this story. I wish she was still alive, she would of been a wonderful and powerful Ron Paul supporter. My warmest blessings to her and much healing to her family. Aloha Charles, compostmaui@yahoo.com
Liberty
every blood............
and what would you do for your country?
everything else is being.............
I hope you realise this
happened in 2003.
2003 and little media
Hannah
her story her life her light should be alive every day.
she was only 23 when she put herself to be crucified for peace.
she is one of us and I just want everyone to embrace her spirit her family her
idealistic view of purity that can once again be attained right here on planet earth.
This story really is very sad
And what makes it even sadder is anyone who would defend the bulldozer-driving soldier and his occupying force that extinguished this young woman's life. I have a hard time understanding how anyone can be so cruel.
sigh... me to.. I know we RP
sigh... me too.. I know we RP people have a lot of differences but I can't believe any person that follows RP would condone this. Sad nonetheless
let us never forget
Corrie must have a place in this freedom movement.
and her blood let us all let us sanctify this blood by unity for peace and a new world.
to all Ron Paul revolutionaries
this song
http://www.youtube.com/wa...
bah
It only stands to reason that where there's sacrifice, there's someone collecting the sacrificial offerings. Where there's service, there is someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master.
-- Ayn Rand
White Rose
during the Nazi rule Sophie Sholl and her brother did miracles spreading the message of peace in Germany...they where cought and murdered.
they where Christians in actions~not in keeping the line.
What right do we have
To tell Israel how to deal with its problems ?
Wasn't she just an interventionist ?
It's more like Palestine has an Israeli problem
Remember who was there first? Before Britain decided they would force the Palestinians to take in Jewish settlers. It would be like me forcing you on your ancestral homestead to take in hundreds of thousands of my family, into your houses and lands. And then when you resist, I run you over with a bulldozer with the aid of my family who are descending upon your ancestral home.
she acted in Jesus way
what right did Jesus had in telling this planet how to deal with its problems?
Jesus made a willing sacrifice
He didn't force anyone to do anything, save for that one incident where he kicked out the money changers from the temple. we all have free will.
He submitted to the Romans, and to the other authorities.
Rachel Corrie was taking part in a battle. The protests, even if you agree with them in principle, are not non-violent at all, they are a use of force.
She chose to take the risk. Personally, I think it was a foolish sacrifice, since she probably had much more to offer than using her life as a pawn in some international political struggle that did not effect her.
I'm with John Galt - this kind of sacrifice is not something to be admired.
complex battles
turn off the light.
and you see who stays!
ironman
I see your point in many ways we agree.
but she was not foolish to put her young life on the line/barricade!
this kind of sacrifice awakens the pure innermost light within every human being does not matter if they work for the police or are freedom fighters activists for change.
What right does Israel have
to tell Americans how to deal with their problems?
That is the question.
none
Imagine how we would feel if an Israeli came to the U.S., and started helping illegal aliens come across the border.
She was stopping an
She was stopping an important (to the community)medical Dr's house from being destroyed in his own neighborhood! She was not helping anyone do anything illegal
Yes this maybe true...
but if i we're there and was one of the demonstrators and a friend of Rachel Corrie. On my own i would of been very aware of the operators intent and once i knew for sure that he was not going to stop!! i would have jumped into get her out of the "kill zone" This wasn't worth dieing for. Her life was to important and she could have been lots more effective for the cause in many many ways. I blame her other group members for not thinking this out better.. I will never forget this beautiful young girl. Again thanks for sharing this story. Aloha
Palestine
Palestinians are in their own land!
so its like Americans being told to get away because it is all Mexico!
Yes and besides she stood in
Yes and besides she stood in front of a bulldozer... did they have to KILL her. Let's run that by your logic again. Ok let's say we're in the America we are all trying to get back. Some young "know it all" kid stands in front of let's say a post Katrina housing project that many protested being bulldozed down. What have we done in the past with these kinds of protests? ( I would not be so sure about today) You know the answer because there are countless examples. Killing her was murder no matter how appropriate her presence there was.
krmaya
I feed on your wisdom
that is how it is.....
peace
some day total victory
Jesus
Jesus was also an interventionist wasn't he?
he should have stayed THERE where here came from!
LOL
Ah I'm a little slow. Jesus came from heaven. Then came down here and intervened. Ha thats rich.
Where?
In God We Trust!
Just where did Jesus come from if you can tell me? ( legalizeliberty )
Jesus
have you heard of seventh heaven?
apostle Paul did.............as did the ancient Jewish tradition....
Jesus came from heaven(the really high part of it)
the earth is the lowest heaven in the universe.
there is no hell no purgatory.
the earth is the it of hell the lowest heaven.
and we must do all we can to restore the earth to its original way the paradise of Adamic times.
?
Where did Jesus go?
He Went
In God We Trust!
Jesus went back to where He came from!
Jesus
went to another planet/domain where pure Light shines day and night...
I
Like your critical thinking. It is a good point made by rational minds. I too share your sentiment.
I'm not so sure the title of
I'm not so sure the title of this post makes sense...
When an innocent civilian gets killed by an American soldier in Iraq, would you write "Civilian murdered by America"?
---------------------------------------
The pursuit of liberty is addictive... Let's make it contagious.
sean
every US taxpayer has blood on its hands because the taxes go toward a military industrial complex.
Just to make you aware....
the weapons Israel gets are mostly from American factories...
the title is not of my own creation but of the parents of the child killed...
instead of putting your energy into negativity how about helping us all to stop the future abuse of human beings.
I'm all for stopping the
I'm all for stopping the future abuse of all human beings. I don't know why you interpreted what I said as negative? I just put things in perspective and made a comment...
---------------------------------------
The pursuit of liberty is addictive... Let's make it contagious.
sean
I am very sorry I misunderstood your intentions.
it always happens when we talk exchange views online...
peace
No Problem. I just didn't
No Problem.
I just didn't like the way the title of this post was written. Using the word "Israel" implies that all "Israelis" had something to do with this terrible event. I was just trying to make the point that "Israel" didn't kill Rachel. Some Israeli soldiers who were given orders from their bosses and their bosses were given the orders from their corrupt politicians.
I know many Israeli people who dislike their current government and didn't participate in this mess.
Just wanted to clear that up... Nothing negative.
---------------------------------------
The pursuit of liberty is addictive... Let's make it contagious.
The Israeli government is as
The Israeli government is as corrupt as our government. There's no difference.
The Israeli people are being swindled by their politicians just like we are being swindled by our politicians.
---------------------------------------
The pursuit of liberty is addictive... Let's make it contagious.
I have decided
all governments are corrupt. Until we find a way around government the people will always be slaves. Peace
true
the very nature of government corrupts and there is some few very few heroic people like Ron Paul...
but I do believe a mass freedom movement can re-establish peace!
Ten Foot Pole
Fortune Favors the Bold
You heard of Rachel Coorie?
The press won't tell her story
Caught between a house and bulldozer
She found out that Israel
Hates gardens and it will kill
Americans who help rebuild the Gaza Strip.
Let's pretend that everything will be OK
It's not our fault let's look the other way
And go to films or dance lessons or baseball
games at night
and trust elected leaders to choose right
I hurt for Rachel's father
To bury his young daughter
And her belief in human goodness
He taught her to fight violence
Now all that's left is silence
And the memory of her dignity
Let's pretend...
Rachel I hope you find justice or even a
Garden where anyone can grow some food in peace
No guns, no need to fight. No poor, no black no white,
Heaven, you deserve a break from misery
SCREW ISRAEL AND ALL THEIR SPIES!!!
Here is some more with a pics of the lady in front of the bulldozer~!
http://www.iamthewitness....
Does my burka make my butt look fatwa?
galacticwaco
Thank you for this http://www.iamthewitness....