Israel Perspectives: Feeling 'Right' at Home: What on earth are you doing here?

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

What on earth are you doing here?

This blog is not a personal diary. This blog is not meant as a place for me to simply write what's on my mind.

This blog is meant to serve as a forum where I am able to express my (non-conformist / non-mainstream) viewpoints relating to the significance of the Jewish People having returned to the Land of Israel, with a particular emphasis on the challenges that currently face the Jewish People & State, and what needs to be done in order for us to overcome those challenges and actualize our collective potential and destiny, which can only be achieved in the Land of Israel.

So, the question that I would like to pose to my readers is the following:

What brings you here?

I came up with the following possible reasons as to why someone visits this blog (and I am curious as to which category my readers fall into):

* One happens upon this blog by chance (and generally the visit lasts a few seconds)

* One visits this blog because they share my religious / political / ideological beliefs

* One visits this blog because they disagree with my beliefs, but are curious as to what someone from "the other side" has to say about any given issue

* One visits this blog because they are interested in hearing a different perspective about the challenges facing the Jewish People & State - one that they aren't getting from the mainstream media

I would really be interested in finding out which of these reasons (or others) are bringing you here.

So, don't be shy. If you're reading this already, take a moment to tell me why.

Israel
Zionism
Judaism

28 Comments:

I'll go with #2: One visits this blog because they share my religious / political / ideological beliefs. And also because the articles are idealistic and very well thought out.

By Critically Observant Jew, at Wed Dec 21, 09:20:00 PM GMT+2

I come here for the ambiance.

Plus, you know how hard it is to attain "regular-commenter" status on one of the big-time blogs?!?!

By Anonymous, at Wed Dec 21, 09:32:00 PM GMT+2

What do you mean by non-conformist / non-mainstream?

By JoeSettler, at Wed Dec 21, 10:07:00 PM GMT+2

What on earth are you doing here?

I'm sure every reader of this blog has asked themselves this question at some point.

By Anonymous, at Wed Dec 21, 10:17:00 PM GMT+2

I'd say I'm somewhere between #3 and #4. I find that you're bothered by a lot of the same issues that bother me - even though we come up with very different solutions to the problems we both perceive. I think it's crucial to listen to people with whom we disagree, especially when they (A) are motivated by good values, and (B) are articulate and rational. Otherwise we spend all our time talking with people who think the same way we do - which leads to stagnation at best.

By Don Radlauer, at Wed Dec 21, 10:49:00 PM GMT+2

I'm a disagreer who like to hear the other side presented in a rational manner. And this is only the second time I have looked at this blog.
I also enjoy civilized debate.

By lisoosh, at Wed Dec 21, 10:58:00 PM GMT+2

First of all - I'm jealous that lisoosh has lurked over here, yet I've never seen (him/her) anywhere near my blog. If Lisoosh reads treppenwitz, and then you get a treppenwitz reader here, its a mega compliment.

Secondly; I come for the food.

By Jameel @ The Muqata, at Wed Dec 21, 11:10:00 PM GMT+2

I read this blog because I want to get a good job in the knesset when Zev becomes prime minister.

By Anonymous, at Wed Dec 21, 11:17:00 PM GMT+2

I definitely stumble here by chance. Every time I click on the link in my blogroll, this just... opens up!!

Okay, okay... I just like giving people links :)

It's entertaining, well-said and unapologetic. The little insights into how it impacts your own life are actually your most interesting posts - though in a way all of them impact you.

I guess I'm a combo of 2, 3, & 4 - and that's not contradictory. Most of the time, I think I'm 2.

StrongBad: I'm sure every reader of this blog has asked themselves this question at some point.

LOL. Amen! (Sorry, Ze'ev...!)

Plus, you know how hard it is to attain "regular-commenter" status on one of the big-time blogs?!?!

What do you mean?! Just don't go to class! :)

By Ezzie, at Wed Dec 21, 11:45:00 PM GMT+2

For me it's 2 & 4.
I'd say that for well thought out essays on the Zionist enterprise yours is the blog to read.

By Soccer Dad, at Wed Dec 21, 11:50:00 PM GMT+2

I come here because you pay well. ;)
Not to mention that it is chance to remind Ezzie that the Cavs will never will the championship.

By Jack Steiner, at Thu Dec 22, 01:04:00 AM GMT+2

Oh, Jack... Still better than the Lakers. :) (And if you're a Clips fan, you'll never hear the end of it!)

By Ezzie, at Thu Dec 22, 07:54:00 AM GMT+2

Ezzie,

When is the last time the Cavs won anything. I remember the '80s. That entire decade was marked by the Lakers or the Celtics in the Finals. I watched Magic and company win 5 titles. And then I waited a few years and watched the Lakers win three straight championships and lose one.

I can't remember the Cavs doing much of anything at any time, and that includes the '70s.

Anyway, I come to this blog for the great sports talk and the various conversations about Israel.

By Jack Steiner, at Thu Dec 22, 08:58:00 AM GMT+2

Im here for reason #2. It's nice to read well thought out pieces describing situations that many of us feel.

I also come for the free barbeque meat

J.

By Jerusalemcop, at Thu Dec 22, 09:17:00 AM GMT+2

Ok, just to recap - it seems that people are coming to this blog for:

* the ambiance
* easier to become " a regular" here than on the popular blogs...
* for the food
* because I want to get a good job in the knesset when Zev becomes prime minister
* stumble here by chance
* because you pay well
* i visit because you are me
* I come to this blog for the great sports talk
* for the free barbeque meat

Glad to know I am doing something right...

By Ze'ev, at Thu Dec 22, 09:56:00 AM GMT+2

Ze'ev: Sounds like you should open up a mellow restaurant with couches for people to have political discussions over dinner.

You would probably win something in the JPost's annual Jewish/Israeli/Kosher restaurant awards as well.

By Jameel @ The Muqata, at Thu Dec 22, 10:12:00 AM GMT+2

I am here mostly because I know you. And I guess #3 sort of- but I wouldn't say I disagree on a main principle, which is caring about the Jewish People. We just define that differently.

By Anonymous, at Thu Dec 22, 10:35:00 AM GMT+2

Jameel, what should I name the restaraunt? And what would be on the menu?

PP, you must be a masochist, if you only read this blog b/c you know me - i dont know if i would suffer through someone's blog simply b/c I knew them, and i know that this can't be easy reading for you.

By Ze'ev, at Thu Dec 22, 10:43:00 AM GMT+2

Zeev:

Restaurant:
"Israel Perspectives on Wrye"

Features: Ambiance, good food (would be bisari), Big Plasma TV for the sports fans -- but on the side so its not the only thing going on)
Couches for comfortable discussions, hot drinks for thoese blustery Jerusalem evenings, web connected terminals - for those geeks who would rather blog than talk to those sitting next to them), Good soup menu, chocolate and soup nuts.

Maybe some shandy, wine and beer to keep things interesting.

Closing Time: Maximum 1:00 AM, or noone would get any sleep or ever go home.

By Jameel @ The Muqata, at Thu Dec 22, 11:28:00 AM GMT+2

Jameel, if the restaraunt is B'sari, then how could we also serve chocolate?

Where will it be located?

Will it be pricey?

Will there be Arab workers i nthe kitchen or as wait staff?

By Ze'ev, at Thu Dec 22, 11:33:00 AM GMT+2

Chocolate is not necessarily halavi!

I am with PP - there is an alternative 5th reason, sort of like number 3. You wrote on every e-mail you sent that we should visit your blog, so eventually we did and then we got sucked in and semi-addicted to hear what next bit of pseudo-fascism you will come out with.

But mostly, I think that you are a fascinating perspective - totally faith based and irrational, and yet constantly trying to find ways which make sense in rational terms for someone to follow your completely irrational beliefs.

Sorry I have been away for so long.

H

By Anonymous, at Thu Dec 22, 12:48:00 PM GMT+2

We could make it chalavi...as long as we had some killer soups.

We could always call the restaurant, "The Muqata"...but I have a feeling we'd have too many unwanted guests. (Like the shabak)

By Jameel @ The Muqata, at Thu Dec 22, 01:51:00 PM GMT+2

Jameel, I have a feeling that the Shabak will be regulars at the restaraunt, regardless of the name and the menu...

By Ze'ev, at Thu Dec 22, 02:08:00 PM GMT+2

I come here because... you complete me.

And also because I love to read what you write.. most of the time.

I am always learning from you.

By Anonymous, at Thu Dec 22, 03:55:00 PM GMT+2

Restaurant:
"Israel Perspectives on Wrye"

I'll have a bloodthirsty Settler Steak (Medium-Rare, of course) with a side of Right-Wing Fanatic Fries and afterwards a (pareve) Occupa-ccino.

By Anonymous, at Thu Dec 22, 07:59:00 PM GMT+2

Don't forget about the Hilltop Youth Children Menu - where everyone under the age of 15 gets a piece of candy that was "stolen" from a "Palestinian" child.

By Ze'ev, at Thu Dec 22, 08:57:00 PM GMT+2

I am a treppenwitz fan. Love his blog! I happened to find your blog by accident, and I find it very informative. Thanks for taking the time to keep us up to date on what is going on in Israel. I will keep coming back.

By Anonymous, at Fri Dec 23, 10:42:00 AM GMT+2

Anonymous - glad to hear that I am a positive accident... keep coming back...

By Ze'ev, at Fri Dec 23, 12:39:00 PM GMT+2