Letters to the Editor
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Irrational Opponents...
Glenn-
as always, wonderful work. The issue is not whether we or Isreal should negotiate with Hamas- it is that the question is framed in such a way that nothing can change!
The mindset of the neo-cons (both in the US and in Isreal)in terms of dealing with opponents can be summed up as:
"admit you are the bad guys. You are wrong, and you know it. You know the difference between good and evil, and you choose to be evil. We are good and our only motive in destroying you is altruism (well, and the billions of dollars we self-righteously deserve...). ONCE YOU ADMIT YOU ARE WRONG WE CAN TALK (about how you will surrender without a fight)".
The concept that there are other points of view totally escapes them. I am a pretty fair psychologist (and Jewish by the way) and I can tell you, the ONLY way to get people to change is by convincing them that you understand and accept as valid their worldview as a starting point. Then you can get them to look at where things aren't working for them, and suggest incremental changes consistent with your now-shared worldview. The authoritarian "I'm the doctor, do what I tell you" model is utterly ineffective, producing at best passive and sullen token changes that never last.
These folks really are spoiled, petulant children in adult bodies. Scary.