Mike2Cents's Xanga

West 32nd on DVD ~ OCTOBER 13!

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:32:32 GMT


	THIS IS NOT A CHINATOWN BOOTLEG! It's the real thing and it's finally here -- West 32nd on DVD (packed with extras!). You've been waiting a long time for this day to come. This is the movie you've heard about or caught at its festival run throughout the world (Tribeca Film Festival, Pusan Film Festival, etc.). Get it where all DVDs are sold or rented. Tell your friends! FIGHTING! -West 32nd Team Pre-order on AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com Add to your NETFLIX Queue: http://www.netflix.com OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.w32nd.com FACEBOOK FAN PAGE: http://www.facebook.com PATHFINDER PICTURES: http://pathfinderpictures.com/ Pathfinder Pictures presents West 32nd a film by Michael Kang featuring John Cho, Jun Kim and Grace Park "Korean-American director Michael Kang gives the classicdetective genre a fresh twist as he tells the untold story of a Koreathat exists in the heart of the Big Apple." - Korea Times "What separates Michael Kang's second feature from the rest, however, isthe location: New York's shady Koreatown. By transplanting the roomsalons and hierarchies to Queens, Kang has created a film that's bothfresh and familiar." - Hollywood Reporter DVD EXTRAS: 16:9 Anamorphic Aspect Ratio Audio Commentary with Director Michael Kang and Actors John Cho and Jun Kim Deleted Scenes Production Gag Reel Music Video for Heather Park's "Leave Me To Dream" Interview with writers Michael Kang and Edmund Lee Official Trailer SYNOPSIS: When John Kim, an ambitious young lawyer, takes on a pro bono case to exonerate a fourteen-year-old boy from a first degree murder charge, he finds a world he never knew existed in the underbelly of Manhattan -the Korean underworld. Infiltrating the knotty and complex realm of Korean organized crime to search for clues, he meets his match, MikeJuhn, a rising soldier in the syndicate. Recognizing John's determination and daring, Mike brings John into his confidence, furtively drawing him into his scheme to re-shuffle the Korean underworld. Though they become fast friends, they just as quickly end up trying to outfox each other as they discover they'll both do anything to win. A NOTE FROM JOHN CHO: When I came to Los Angeles to pursue acting 10 years ago, it felt like I was one of very few Korean American guys in town. In the years since, the situation has changed dramatically – I would never have guessed then that there would be so many prominent Korean American actors working today. And it’s been so exciting to see that growth paralleled by the growth of Korean cinema in the global market. I began to wonder what it would be like if resources and talent flowed both ways, from the United States to Korea and back? One of the first answers to that question is a Michael Kang movie I acted in called West32nd. It’s set in New York’s Koreatown; it’s often bi-lingual; itstars Korean American and Korean actors; and it was financed by CJ Entertainment, a Korean company that took a chance on this uniquely entertaining thriller. On a personal note, the experience of making this film is among the most gratifying of my life. My character’s discovery of his own culture mirrored my own experience with a largely Korean American cast and crew. It was a special time for me. But the opportunity to give birth to a new category of film – theKorean/American co-production – is also special. In success, I hope this film is a catalyst for stories, talent, and resources to be shared between Koreans and Korean Americans. It would be a shame for us to drop the ball on this now. West 32nd is available on DVD October 13. We ask that you please alert those you know. This is the way it happens – people emailing friends and family. Thank you very much for reading. -John Cho Actor West 32nd A NOTE FROM GRACE PARK: Themaking of West 32nd, with its story, characters and cast, was an absolute gem of an experience. From the moment I read the openingsequence I was enthralled with the tapestry of visual stories that spun around you, seducing you into the underground world that lives andbreathes on Manhattan's West 32nd. Upon meeting the cast at ourtable read the first day, it was apparent that we were in the presence of casting magic, which became transformed into charismatic, compelling, inviting and dark performances and characters. It is hard to take your eyes off of these people as they live on screen. Being a part of this film was really important to me. It represents discovery. Discovery of myKorean heritage, peers, working in the Korean language, and the Koreanfilm market. As well for the audience, there's an unveiling, learning and exploration of this unique covert subculture. And finally I had apersonal revelation of myself involving self-image, perception and awareness because of my experience of and interactions from playing"Lila". This film comes at an excitingtime with Hollywood and Korea reaching out to each other, broadening and deepening their horizons. This film is a rich symbol of thatconsummation. Support and watch West 32nd and be a part of history. Thanks Grace Park Actress West 32nd www.w32nd.com

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:58:30 GMT

Sorry, I haven't been updating much recently. But if you are still a reader here, my friend/producer Karin Chien is working on a short film. It sounds like it could be a fun opportunity for someone's Auntie. If you know anyone, please get in touch with her. Here's the casting notice:

CASTING FOR OLDER CHINESE WOMAN IN NEW YORK CITY

Looking for a 50s-70s Chinese woman to star in a short film by acclaimed indie director ROSE TROCHE (THE L WORD, GO FISH). The film will be featured in an exhibition about New York's Chinatown for the Museum of Chinese in America. Non-professionals ok, Chinese speakers preferred. Film will shoot one day in New York's Chinatown over the next 2 weeks.

Please send any interest, referrals, inquires, or suggestions to karinc@gmail.com.

Monday, February 09, 2009

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:32:25 GMT

Dear Goofy

I have been stewing on this whole Miley Cyrus "chinky-eyes" photo thing all last week. In case you don't know what I'm talking about, here it is:

Apparently, the photo of Miley and her friends "goofing" around making funny faces (i.e. making fun of slanty-eyed Asians [including the one sitting next to her]) leaked out last week. It didn't surprise me that such a photo existed but it did make me sad. And then it made me angry after Miley came out with her weak-ass apology.

It came to a head for me yesterday at a small gathering of Asian American friends around some Vietnamese spring rolls. We agreed (in very loud angry tones) that something needed to be done about this, but my one friend insisted that going after a 16-year-old white girl would just make the Asian American community look hyper-sensitive and mean. My solution was that we need to start a letter-writing campaign to Disney. We need to let them know that we are effected by this whole thing. The only real way to effect change is to go directly to the people in charge.

Below I have pasted my letter to the two executive producers and the head of Disney Channel Worldwide. Below that I have addresses to which you can send letters as well. The more actual mail they recieve, the more likely they are to do something about it. Do not start an email campaign or a facebook group to protest Hannah Montana -- that stuff will just disappear into the cyber-ether. Actual viewer outrage in the form of a US postal delivery is a highly effective tool. For them to know you took the time to actually write, stamp and send a letter to their offices is a very big deal. If you are as outraged as I am about Miley's insensitivity and her lack of a proper apology, you will take the time to write your own letter.

On a side note, I feel like this Asian kid in the picture completely captures what the experience of growing up Asian in America is all about. Halfway in on the joke, halfway a butt of the joke -- the blind-sided "I-don't-know-how-to-react-to-this-racist-bullshit" look on his face sums up so many awful moments in my own life.Does anyone know who this kid is?

My letter:

Dear Michael Poryes and Steven Peterman,

I am writing in response to the recent controversy with the Miley Cyrus “slanty-eyed” photograph. As an industry professional, a concerned parent and an Asian American, this incident has struck me deeply. I am very disappointed in the lack of response by the Disney Corporation.

Miley Cyrus is a sixteen-year-old girl from whom I would expect immature and irresponsible behavior. But as a company that prides itself on diversity, I would hope that as a responsible parent would to a child that knows no better, you would take measures to explain how hurtful and disrespectful her actions were.

As an Asian American who was born and raised in this country, I have had to endure similar humiliations throughout my youth. When I saw the aforementioned photo, it conjured up memories of schoolyard teasing that cast me as an outsider simply because of my race. Perhaps naively, I had thought we, as a country, had grown past this kind of outright racist taunting. For Disney to allow this incident to go unaddressed confirms that not only have we NOT evolved as a society but that those with the power to do something about it deem such actions as acceptable.

I am a card-carrying member of the DGA and WGA and have made two feature films that deal head on with representations of Asian Americans. While I don’t think anyone can claim to be an expert in this area, I come pretty darn close. I have witnessed my own struggle and the struggles of fellow talented Asian Americans in the film industry. When incidents like this occur, it chips away at my hopes that Asian Americans will one day be accepted in mainstream culture. It validifies that Asians will always be seen as foreign and in addition, easily mocked without fear of repercussions. Would this incident have been dealt with as much silence had the photo been of Ms. Cyrus in blackface eating watermelon in the guise as “goofing around?”

I was fortunate enough to take part in the ABC New Talent Directing Fellowship in 2006-07. During that time, I shadowed Roger Christiansen on episode 116 of Hannah Montana entitled “Good Golly Ms. Dolly.” While I found it a worthwhile and educational experience, I did make note of the fact that on the Hannah Montana set there was a lack of people of color both in front of and behind the camera. This was unique because on almost every other ABC show I had observed (e.g. LOST, Desperate Housewives, George Lopez, etc) this was not the case. In fact, as best as I can recall, I think I was the only person of color on the set of Hannah Montana.

What further disheartened me was that Ms. Cyrus issued what she called an “apology” on her blog. Her tone was defensive and lacked any taking of responsibility for her actions. She demonized the press, framed herself as the victim and used the excuse that she was just making “goofy faces.” What she failed to recognize was that her “goofy face” was at the expense of Asians worldwide. Whether she intended to make fun of an entire race of people or not is not an excuse for doing so. If someone isn’t aware that drunk driving is against the law, they are still responsible for crashing a car into a telephone pole. As a public figure, she needs to understand that the example she is setting for the millions of girls that look up to her is cowardly and irresponsible.

As a new father, I am disappointed that my baby girl will have to suffer the same lack of good role models as I did growing up. Is this the best that Disney has to offer her? I hope not. Please take the appropriate measures to remedy the situation. I would like to think we could all grow from this experience.

Sincerely,
Mike2Cents

Addresses:

Michael Poryes (Executive Producer/Creator Hannah Montana)
c/o Debbee Klein
Paradigm
360 N. Crescent Dr., North Bldg.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
USA

Steven Peterman (Executive Producer/Creator Hannah Montana)
c/o It's A Laugh Productions
201 N Occidental Blvd Bldg 6
Los Angeles, CA 90026
USA

Rich Ross
President, Disney Channel Worldwide
3800 W Alameda Ave #2026
Burbank, CA 91505
USA

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 06:47:36 GMT

I Am Terrified Of Google

I saw this on AngryAsianMan.com. The auto-suggestion thing on Google came up with "I am extremely terrified of Chinese people" when you type in "I am extremely..." I thought it was pretty funny (and kind of sad). So I started doing some other searches to see what kind of suggestions I got.

For "Chinese people...":

Chinese people eating dogs
Chinese people eating babies
Chinese people eating cats

For "Korean people...":

Korean people never sleep
Korean people rude

For "Japanese people...":

Japanese people are weird

For "Indian people...":

Indian people smell
Indian people stink

To be fair, I thought I'd check out some Europeans too.

For "French people..":

French people smell
French people stink
French people rude

(So I guess the French are a combination of Indians and Koreans)

For "British people...":

British people bad teeth
British people ugly

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 02:34:34 GMT

Bale Out

Like everyone else, I thought this audio leak was hilarious and I loved the remixes. But one thing I will say in Bale's defense is that I think the DP is a douchebag for walking into a shot. It sounds to me like a selfish power play on the DP's part -- walking into the shot renders the take useless.

The only reason someone would want to do that, is so that whatever they didn't like about the scene wouldn't be used. As the director of photography, that is not his call. That is why there is someone on set called the director. By walking on while the cameras are rolling, he wasn't thinking about anyone else's contribution to the film e.g. the performance, the crew, etc. It's similar to stupid tricks that shitty actors pull so that they can get more screentime. Like I said, the DP sounds like a douchebag and he probably deserved the tongue lashing.

Monday, February 02, 2009

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:17:47 GMT

Why I Don't Give A Shit About Avatar

...and why I think you shouldn't either.

Recently there's been some Asian American outrage buzz about this movie Avatar being cast all non-Asian. Someone even posted a comment earlier asking me to bring light to it.

Well, here's some light -- I don't actually give a shit. Why? Because it's a trap. It's an ancient oriental mystical thumb prison that stinks like stinky tofu.

In case you don't know what I'm talking about, here is the issue that people are in an uproar about -- Casting non-Asians in a cartoon about mystical martial artists created by non-Asians for non-Asian audiences. Hmmmm. Let's explore both scenarios behind winning and losing this battle:

1. We lose the battle (which we will) and Hollywood makes another piece of crap that I wouldn't have bothered to watch anyway.

2. We win the battle (which we won't) and Hollywood suddenly becomes "enlightened" and sees the error of its ways, casting a full Asian cast starring Jet Li, Michelle Yeo, Chow Yun Fat, Rick Yun, Sung Kang, John Cho, Keiko Agena, the Jabberwockees and Tila Tequila as mystical martial artists. Haven't I seen this before? Do I really want to fight to see it again?

Here is the only thing that bothers me about this subject -- the film is being directed by an Asian American (albeit a South Asian American), M. Night should know better. But maybe he is doing all the aforementioned Asian American actors a favor and saving them from being in his next terrible movie.

I have a better idea -- Support movies that work outside of this system like...

Stephane Gauger's "Owl and the Sparrow" in theaters now. http://www.owlandthesparrow.com/

Juwan Chung's "Baby" out on DVD now. http://www.affiliated-ent.com

Gene Rhee's "Trouble With Romance" on VOD now. http://www.myspace.com/thetroublewithromance

Jessica Yu's "Ping Pong Playa" on DVD now. http://www.pingpongplaya.com/

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:03:02 GMT

Spoiler Alert Radio

Check out the interview I did recently with Spoiler Alert Radio. You can directly download the interview here.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:54:01 GMT

Obaby!

Mama needs a med school scholarship! Please vote for our picture on Brickfish and help make this babies future more bright (and mine).

From Mama:

Hi, everyone!

You all know that I'll be starting at George Washington Univ Med School in August. What you may not know is that year after year, GW is one of the most expensive med schools in the nation. So, I'm applying to every scholarship I can find, including these Brickfish photo contests, and YOU CAN HELP! Just click on the link below and vote for my picture "Obama Baby!" It's the same pic you may have seen on my facebook account a couple months ago!

Best of the Best 2008
Brickfish

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:55:22 GMT

Owl and the Sparrow

Please go see my friend Stephane's film The Owl and The Sparrow. I was fortunate enough to see it at the Hawaii International Film Festival. It is a really beautiful film with an amazing performance by the young star.

As with all smaller limited release films, the first weekend box office is very important for the life of the film. It is well worth your time and money to see this film.

From Owl And The Sparrow:

Owl and the Sparrow opens TODAY, January 16th in Los Angeles and Orange County and expands the following week to major cities:

January 16, 2008

Laemmle Sunset 5
8000 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Showtimes: 1.40p 4.20p 7.15p 9.45p
http://www.laemmle.com/viewtheatre.php?date=01162009&thid=2

Regal Garden Grove
9741 Chapman Ave
Garden Grove, CA 92841
(714) 534-4777
Showtimes: 12.10p 2.40p 5.05p 7.30p 10.05p
http://www.fandango.com/owlandthesparrow_103707/movietimes?date=1/16/2009

Edwards Westpark
3755 Alton Pky
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 622-8609
Showtimes: 1.30p 4.30p 7.30p 9.50p
http://www.fandango.com/owlandthesparrow_103707/movietimes?date=1/16/2009

Coming Soon:
January 23, 2008 - San Jose, Camera 3
Febuary 6, 2008 - Dallas & Houston, TBA
Febuary 13, 2008 - San Francisco, Sundance Kabuki Theater

Events:

January 16, 2009
Laemmle Sunset 5 -West Hollywood
Meet writer/director Stephane Gauger & Exec. Producer Timothy Linh Bui (Green Dragon, Three Seasons) @ the 7.15p & 9.45p showtimes for Q&A

January 17, 2009
Edwards Westpark 8 - Irvine
Q&A with writer/director Stephane Gauger @ 4.30p & 7.30p showtimes

___________________________________________

A film by Stephane Gauger

Three Strangers. Five Days

Filmmaker Magazine's 25 NEW FACES OF INDEPENDENT FILM

Nominee, John Cassavetes Award - Film Independent's Spirit Awards

World Premiere, Rotterdam Film Festival
North America Premiere, Cinequest Film Festival

Audience Award, Best Narrative Feature, Los Angeles Film Festival
Best Narrative Feature, San Francisco Intl Asian American Film Festival
Grand Jury Award, Asian Film Festival of Dallas
Best Narrative Feature, Asian Film Festival of Dallas
Crystal Heart Award, Heartland Film Festival
Best Narrative Feature, San Diego Asian Film Festival
NETPAC Award, Hawaii International Film Festival
Emerging Filmmaker Award, Starz Denver International Film Festival
Best Feature Film, Big Apple Film Festival

Nominations: Best Screenplay, Best Actress – Pham Thi Han, Asian Festival of 1st Films, Singapore
Nomination: Breakthrough Director – Stephane Gauger, IFP Gotham Awards

Closing Night Film, DC Asian Film Festival
Closing Night Film, Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival

Cleveland Intl Film Festival
Chicago Asian American Showcase
Opendoek Film Festival, Belgium
Films from the South Festival – Oslo, Norway
Mount Shasta International Film Festival
Austin Film Festival
Middle East International Film Festival
Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival
Cancun International Film Festival

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:43:35 GMT

Promised Land

I recently have been posting on Facebook some anti-Israel / Hamas violence stuff without really explaining my point of view on the matter. I hadn't fully thought it out beyond thinking it was wrong. An old friend of mine wrote me and asked what these posts were all about; it gave me an opportunity to articulate my feelings. The following isn't meant to be an out-and-out knockdown debate but more of an airing of our very different points of view. I thought I'd share it with you all because it is such a complex and emotional issue and I think the best thing is to do in situations like this is listen:

FROM OLD FRIEND:

Michael,

Hope you're well -- since my facebook friends tends to skew heavily to the pro-Israel side of things, I was wondering, given your latest posting, just what animates your take on the Gaza issue (I am guessing that you are very hostile to Israel's offensive)? I am so deeply entrenched that I can't see how to justify what Hamas has done not only to Israel but to the Palestinian cause. But I am so over the other side that perhaps I am missing something.

I am a big believer in at least trying to understand the points of view of others, and have come, begrudgingly, to understand that the Palestinian desire for self-determination is something well worth satisfying, not only for moral reasons, but for practical ones as well. But the Palestinian (both Hamas and Fatah) penchant for attacks on civilians also seems to me both immoral and counterproductive.

If you'd rather not engage, no worries... just wondering.

MY RESPONSE:

I don't want to get into a huge debate about this, but I definitely will give you my two cents on the subject. I know you can probably talk circles around me on the issue and I won't pretend to know enough about the details of the history involved. For me it comes down to one thing: I don't see violence and killing as a solution for any of the world's problems.

I understand the argument that Israel needs to protect itself, but the way this has gone down feels like overkill (no pun intended). If anything, the way Israel is responding may quell the violence on the surface and in the immediate future, but I think it is just adding fuel to anger and future hostility in the area. Israel is playing right into the hand that Hamas is dealing. Hamas wants a war. They want Israel to attack so then other Arab nations will step in and decimate Israel. We are headed into a really dark time if the violence continues.

On top of that, I don't think it can be argued that a lot of innocent people are dying in the crossfire. I don't know alot about Palestine and Israel, but I think it is pretty apparent that Israel is hundreds of times stronger economically, militarily and in terms of world support. I think of Israel as the older step-brother to Palestine (or maybe younger step-brother). In either case, there are ways that siblings (even step-siblings) should take care of one another.

The thing that set me off the most was a quote from Mayor Bloomberg in New York who made this analogy: (I'm paraphrasing) "If someone was in your hallway banging on your door and threatening to kill you, would you want to call in one police officer to deal with him or use all means at your disposal?" It really skews the reality of the situation. Israel hasn't called two cops, four cops or even the whole precinct to deal with the one nut job in the hallway. Israel has called in the National Guard, a swat team and the riot police to come in and destroy him and every other tenant in the building.

Call me a hippie, but I believe there are other ways to deal with this situation that don't involve bombing civilian areas. I understand that Hamas has utilized those areas strategically. But if Israel approached the situation from a non-violent approach, would that be an issue?

The whole thing feels very reminiscent of the situation we had going into Iraq and we know how that has turned out.

I get upset that the analogy made recently by people is if Vancouver started bombing the US. That isn't the proper analogy at all. The relationship between Canada and US is not mired in decades of animosity and distrust. We openly make fun of Canadians but we don't hate them.

Maybe Cuba is more accurate. And if that is the case, we need to turn to history. Did the Cuban missile crisis turn into a bloody decimation of Cuban citizens? An all out nuclear war? No, it was solved through diplomacy. And now we get to bring detainees there and ignore the Geneva convention (BTW I hate smileys, but I wanted to make sure you knew that was a joke.)

I tried to think about whether I would feel different if this was a situation between North and South Korea. I honestly don't think I would support South Korea if they decided to respond in a similar way. As much as I have grown up hearing so much anti-North Korean propaganda, I still couldn't see myself supporting any situation where South Korea goes in and blows up an already impoverished country.

I think the reason I would not be able to support a similar response from South Korea if it came down to it, would be that I can see that North Koreans (as estranged as they are from South Korea) are on some level still my family. I am going to hit you with some more hippie shit -- but the world would be better if we could see that ultimately we are ALL family.

Anyway, I guess I did end up spewing out a lot on the subject.

The bottom line for me is that being a product of liberal hippie brainwashing leftover from the 60's, I just can't justify the violence in my mind. I think it only leads to more violence. I would have hoped that we learned from our mistakes with Iraq, but Israel is such a touchy subject for people, especially my Jewish friends, it's hard to rationally debate emotion.

I know you might be pshawing all of what I have said, but I hope at least a kernel of it has rang true to you on some level.

-Mike

FROM MY OLD FRIEND:

Hey Michael -- helpful, and interesting. I will definitely respond, but not with the usual bromides. Let me craft a thoughtful response (at least try to be as thoughtful as you here). My goal is not to go tit-for-tat but simply air out the issues as each side sees them, and try to see them from another point of view. I doubt we'll convince each other completely, but I'll bet as well that we'll find greater room for agreement than some might give us credit for.

A DAY LATER FROM MY OLD FRIEND:

Ok, I've thought through this and I have a few basic thoughts in response -- I've also decided that I'd rather you not post my response for others to read. I've seen enough comments on this issue to know that the only meaningful conversation is between people who already know each other and respect one another -- otherwise, you just get a bunch of heckling. If you feel you really still want to, go ahead, but not with my name or email attached. I dont want the aggravation:

1. If your main concern is war of any kind, you have my sympathy -- war is awful. But the choice here isn't between violent, bloody war and quiet diplomacy, but between violent, bloody war and sporadic and constant low-level conflict, launched almost entirely by one side against another.

You're right, the analogy isnt between Canada and the US or even Cuba and the US or even S Korea and N Korea -- there is no perfect analogy. Israel is unlike any other nation on the planet. It has existed for 60 years, and for 60 years it has endured this kind of violence almost constantly -- no other country has had to deal with this kind of constant threat. Israel has learned to deal with these attacks in multiple ways -- sometimes, as during the 1990s when it was engaged in an effort to forge a peace agreement with the PLO, it has chosen the path of forbearance and deterrence through heightened internal security measures. But not this time. Why?

2. Hamas is not a neighbor interested in co-existence. If so, Hamas would be happy with building up Gaza as a functioning Palestinian run state, with an economy, a functioning government, and so on (Israel gave up trying to occupy Gaza in 2005). But Hamas has a very defined goal of destroying the Jewish state and removing the Jews from it by force. It's in their charter, and their leaders are quite open about it. Hamas does not discriminate in its targets -- in fact, it favors rocket attacks on civilian areas. This is a tactical decision by Hamas, but it is also completely consistent with its political philosophy. Those rocket attacks continue unabated.

3. Moreover, Hamas has extended the battlefield to its own non-military citizens. It is a well-established fact that Hamas uses mosques, hospitals, schools and other non-military institutions for a variety of military purposes -- hiding arms and rockets, staging attacks, etc. That has inevitably put Israel in a difficult position. It has tried to avoid attacks on civilians, but obviously, it hasn't succeeded in every case. The question is -- whose fault is that? In my view, if Hamas hides behind women and children, Israel has a duty to avoid attacking if possible, but if not possible, it has to attack.

4. You raise a question about the "overkill" involved here. I'm not sure that's a serious issue, frankly. If you are going to grant Israel the right to defend itself, you also have to grant it the right to do so successfully -- which means, by definition, with maximum deadly force on Hamas. Assuming Israel pursues its military campaign responsibly -- and by comparison to every military offensive in dense urban combat we've seen in history, it is -- it shouldn't be restrained. No other nation is expected to be "nice" when waging war. Israel is doing its best to satisfy humanitarian concerns, but Hamas does not make that very easy (pls read the multiple news stories out there about Hamas hijacking aid shipments).

5. You raise the issue of "doesn't this just breed more hatred and violence?" Well, yes, it does. But it's not like the residents of Gaza were that enamored of Israel in the first place. Hamas was elected by Gazans to lead them -- they agree with Hamas' mission. Gazans send their children to schools which teach total hatred of Israel and Jews. It would be nice to look forward to a better future. But that future was already doubtful, and it's not Israel's fault for that. Moreover, one could argue -- and history provides multiple examples -- of countries and cultures that only learned to give up militaristic and hateful ideologies after getting pounded into submission by war -- the Germans and Japanese in particular. I don't think that's a particularly good analogy for what's likely to happen here, but it does suggest that war, in and of itself, is not the total enemy of peaceful harmony. Israel has fought wars with Egypt and Jordan and made peace with both. Israel would probably make a peace deal with Lebanon tomorrow if not for Hizbollah. Israel would probably make a peace agreement with Syria if not for Iran. Peace is possible with Israel -- but Hamas represents a totally rejectionist philosophy.

6. And finally, I would urge you strongly to consider issues beyond violence and war. I would urge you to think of the values of the parties at war. You have Hamas, which has articulated a culture of death and intolerance, a culture where the highest value is the one placed on murdering and defeating Zionism. And then on the other side you have Israel, a democracy, a nation of thriving art and culture, a nation where the rights of religious and ethnic minorities are respected, where sexual preferences are respected (Arab homosexuals frequently move to Israel is they can so they avoid execution in their home nations), and the nation is, as you say, economically advanced beyond its neighbors. I am Jewish and will always support Israel's right to defend itself. But as a Westener, I am even more convinced that Israel best represents my values -- and therefore deserves my support (although never unconditionally...).

I think that covers it -- sorry for the longish response, but I did want you to see that I'm trying to cover some big points here.