No patience for stuff that “almost” works

A number of times I’ve tried out new apps for my Firefox OS phone and they haven’t worked. The latest was an ftp program – the only one in the app store. I got it to work once, and then not. Really, I’ve no patience for applications that are more trouble than they are worth, so I tend to give up on them, rather than struggle with them. The FF phone is all right for making phone calls, checking email and a few other things. That’s enough for me, and the price I’m willing to pay not to have to use Android or IOS.

If a better operating system or phone comes out anytime soon, I won’t be exchanging the one I have for it either.  When the battery eventually dies on this thing, I’ll just go back to my Nokia. In fact, I’ve already tried to buy a new battery – the one suggested by Geeksphone. It came, nicely wrapped in cellophane from Hong Kong, but doesn’t work in my phone. Another unhappy buyer said that he had conducted a voltage check on the pins, and found that their output differs.  It’s the sort of minimal check one might expect Geeksphone to make for their customers before making recommendations, but they’re a small outfit – not necessarily incompetent or greedy: they fixed and shipped my phone back without charge. But I guess they are investing their energies in trying to stay afloat in a market ruled by cutthroat competition.

The carbon footprint factor

It’s becoming immoral to fly. Plane trips squander energy; so maybe I shouldn’t do it. There’s no way to get out of Israel without flying and, anyway, the only way to get to India or the US for me is to fly.

It’s necessary to go see my Dad once a year. It would be possible to combine that with a European trip, but not with a trip to India so maybe that’s what I ought to do.

This year I could accompany Dorit to Europe and then, when she’s in Germany, go see my Dad and Andrew. That would also save a bit of money, perhaps.

Next time I might be able to do something similar with a trip to India and the US, but I’m not sure that would save anything on fuel and CO2 production.

Another thing, is to choose the shortest routes (which don’t always correspond to the cheapest flights). Like maybe going through the Gulf States to India is shorter than through Turkey. El Al’s route goes down through the Red Sea and is therefore quite long.

Was checking the online visa situation for India – looks like that’s coming soon for the UK as well (though only 1 month).

Israeli binationalism is old news – Opinion Israel News | Haaretz

Israeli binationalism is old news – Opinion Israel News | Haaretz.

Thoroughly agree.  But this is for an Israeli audience.  And though some Israelis are beginning to wake up to this reality, they do so at a time when Palestinians are finally having some success at getting European governments to accept “Palestine” as a state.  So now, if Israelis start saying, “wait, the two state solution is completely unrealistic,” it puts Palestinians in a position of looking foolish.

In terms of control, Israel pulls the strings, calls the shots, but in terms of an occupied people and their moral right for freedom, it is the underdog that has to be listened to.  Every people has a right to self-determination, with regard to the character of its leadership and national identity.  If the Palestinians want to be independent, they have the right to be, and if they would prefer to coexist with Israelis in a single nation, then it’s a question for both peoples to decide, together.  Israel would need to present a proposal to them to agree to go on living together, but in a binational democratic state.  What is not acceptable is to leave things as they are.

Ulcers in Zion

OpEd in Ynet, “Abbas’ strategic threat could be more dangerous than Hamas” by Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to US, shows that Abbas is managing to hit home.

via Abbas’ strategic threat could be more dangerous than Hamas – Israel Opinion, Ynetnews.

Nahum Barnea (same paper): “Netanyahu needed Abbas – if not as a real partner, then as a fig leaf. That fig leaf has flown away. There is no one to hide the bluff.”

Gideon Levy (HaAretz):

“he told the truth. When he said the Palestinians had been “uprooted from … their good land,” the Israeli television commentator explained that this was a “harsh speech of incitement.” The entire nationalist chorus, from the Labor Party on, with the backup singers of the United States, broke out in shrieks of shock and condemnation. Honestly! How dare Abbas, that ingrate! ”

“What Abbas should have said in his UN address “

Is there a way to live in Israel without contributing to the occupation? – Opinion Israel News | Haaretz

“What can we say about someone who lives in Israel but decides at some point that he doesn’t want to take part in the occupation and settlement enterprise? What do we expect from such a person? These are serious questions and I want serious answers, from both the right and the left.”

via Is there a way to live in Israel without contributing to the occupation? – Opinion Israel News | Haaretz.

I think there is no way to live in Israel without contributing to the occupation.  There isn’t even a way for an American to live in the US, and pay his taxes, without contributing to the occupation. But the best way to live in Israel, as an Israeli, is to oppose all government policies that go against the promptings of one’s conscience and to support all non-violent means of social, regime and policy change.  My personal question is about the responsibilities and constraints within which a resident alien non-Israel citizen should work.  Being a resident alien in any country means that one is kept outside the democratic process of that country.  In some ways, it’s the worst position to be in.