Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by ceejayoz 975 days ago
From your article:

> Head pollster Khalil Shikaki, who has been surveying Palestinian public opinion for more than two decades, called it a “dramatic” shift, but said it also resembles previous swings toward Hamas during times of confrontation. Those all dissipated within three to six months as Hamas failed to deliver on promises of change.

It's like when George W. Bush had 90% approval in the US after 9/11; it doesn't really fairly reflect normal opinion.
2 comments
palmfacehn 975 days ago
This is one of the many downsides of democracy as a mandate for governance. If you don't like war or violence, "You should have voted harder". Specially prepared polling statistics or the misleading premises of democracy can be used to conflate the state with the populace. Personification of the state is another common trope.

The concept of 'total war' follow from the above. It is a foregone conclusion from democratic premises and the incentives of officials.

link
YetAnotherNick 975 days ago
> Bush had 90% approval in the US after 9/11; it doesn't really fairly reflect normal opinion.

I would still say it's not wrong to blame American's from Bush's action.

link
winter_blue 975 days ago
It absolutely would be wrong to blame the anti-war anti-GOP anti-neocon people who opposed the war vehemently and protested on the streets in opposition against that war. It would also be absolutely wrong to kill such anti-GOP people via indiscriminate bombing.
link
YetAnotherNick 975 days ago
It's not an individual blame, but sometimes innocent suffers the decisions of the leader. Like I am not sympathetic to Russia at all regarding sanctions even though I know not all Russians support Putin's plan.

And American's absolutely do suffer from their President's actions(although not that much).

link
ceejayoz 975 days ago
It might be wrong to blow up half of DC to take out Republican leadership, though.
link
jfengel 975 days ago
That's kind of an interesting analogy, since DC itself is an overwhelmingly Democratic city. They themselves would love to be rid of Republican leadership, who have a strong influence on city policy via Congress. They did not select them; they were sent from elsewhere.

If you offered to blow up the city in order to take out Republican leadership, more than a few would at least be willing to consider that tradeoff.

link