#ism

[jelliedlimes]

Sometimes I'll be like idk maybe I'm not autistic maybe I'm just-

And then a minor change of plans happens and I have to hit one of these

[unsolicited-opinions]

hi! I'm deeply thankful I found your blog because it's such a breath of fresh air to find someone with articulate, sensible thinking on this hellsite. i was formerly very pro free palestine but blogs such as yours helped me open my eyes. with that being said, I ask this in good faith, because you've been really respectful and sensible in your other asks: what about activists killed by the IDF, such as Rachel Corrie? Again, I ask this in good faith, I'm very interested to hear your thoughts on it

Thanks for the kind words, Anon.

I'll get lots of Anon Hate for this, but I so appreciate your open mind and your good faith question, so I'd feel like an asshole if I didn't try to answer it in the same good faith.

All I can offer are my own (unquestionably biased) thoughts from what I've read. I have no more access to objective truth than anyone else ~6,000 miles and ~22 years removed from the events we're discussing.

I think this is one of those awful cases where a tragic death was turned into a political football...which is still being kicked around decades later.

The Basic Facts (upon which most seem to agree)

Rachel Corrie was a 23 year old college student from Washington State who joined the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and went to Gaza in 2003 and was killed while standing in front of an IDF bulldozer in Rafah.

It's a media-ready story. A young, idealistic woman trying to stand up for people she believed were being oppressed, and then dying violently. That should disturb people. It should make us ask questions.

When we ask those questions, we must also be willing to look at all the answers, not just the ones which flatter our instincts or fit our preferred existing narrative.

What actually happened?

In March 2003, Rachel Corrie was trying to stop IDF bulldozers from demolishing homes in southern Gaza, near the border with Egypt.

Why was the IDF demolishing homes?

The area, Rafah, was at the time a hotbed of militant activity. It was riddled with tunnels used to smuggle weapons and explosives into Gaza. These tunnels were often dug directly under civilian homes, and the IDF was using armored bulldozers to demolish structures suspected of being part of that infrastructure.

Corrie, with other ISM activists, placed herself in front of one of these bulldozers to block it. She was struck and fatally injured.

I believe that everyone agrees on that much.

Accounts diverge from there.

Some witnesses from ISM claimed she was clearly visible to the operator of the bulldozer and that she was deliberately run over. Other ISM witnesses disagree and have said the operator could not see her.

The IDF said the driver couldn't see her.

An internal IDF investigation concluded it was an accident, not a deliberate killing.

Corrie's parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Israeli court, and in 2012, a judge ruled that the military was not liable because Corrie had voluntarily entered a closed military zone and her death occurred during an active military operation.

It's entirely legitimate to disagree with the ruling, but the legal process did not seem to reveal a cover-up by the IDF and does not appear to have been a sham legal process.

The Bulldozer Issue: Framing in Western Media

One reason this case still circulates with so much distortion is because of the images attached to it. If you Google Rachel Corrie today, you'll probably find photos of her standing in front of a yellow bulldozer, holding a megaphone.

Western news outlets used this pair of photos from the ISM to portray Corrie as standing very visibly in front of the bulldozer which fatally injured her.

You see what pairing these photos implies, right? One moment Corrie is standing in front of the bulldozer with a megaphone, the next she's injured on the ground.

Our brains fill in the blanks like these are two panels of a comic and conclude the bulldozer operator saw her standing there and deliberately plowed into her.

Look carefully at the bulldozer in each photo.

They're not the same machine. Look at the background. It's not the same place. It's not the same time.

The bulldozer in the top photo is a civilian Caterpillar bulldozer.

The bulldozer involved in Corrie's death (in the second photo) was an IDF armored D9, modified for combat conditions. It's massive, encased in steel armor, and built to operate in environments where there's a real threat of gunfire, explosives, or ambushes. Consequently, visibility from inside the cab is extremely limited. Drivers rely on spotters and cameras...but human error is very possible, especially when the scene is chaotic and high-risk...like in the combat settings where it is deployed.

Not the same machine, not the same location, not the same time.

Presenting these photos together is at least misinformation if not disinformation. It serves a narrative, not the truth, by suggesting that the second photo took place immediately after the first and that Corrie was fully visible to the operator of the bulldozer.

The IDF's position (and that of the Israeli courts and the US State Department) is that Rachel Corrie didn't die in a peaceful standoff with a malicious construction vehicle. She died in a war zone, in front of a combat bulldozer, during an active military operation, in an area where armed groups were explicitly attempting to kill Israeli soldiers...because she was put in harm's way by ISM for the explicit purpose of risking her life.

In my view, Corrie never should have been in this active combat zone.

None of this makes her death any less tragic.

What is the International Solidarity Movement and what exactly was Corrie doing there?

The ISM was not just some loose collection of Quaker-style peace advocates. It styled itself as nonviolent, but it took a deliberately confrontational approach. It inserted young, usually Western activists into active conflict zones, telling them to stand between the IDF and Palestinian militants or infrastructure.

Their theory of change was that Israel wouldn't risk bad PR from killing an American or European. It was a gamble. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Either way, ISM was using Corrie as a human shield. The whole point of ISM's tactics is to put people in harm's way.

ISM activists were injured or killed in multiple cases. Others were detained for coordinating with militants or knowingly entering combat areas. Even left-leaning Western journalists have criticized the group for being reckless and manipulative in using under-informed idealists as cannon fodder for political theater.

It's also worth asking why ISM wasn't doing this sort of thing in areas where Palestinian militants were putting civilians at risk. If they were non-partisan peace activists, why weren't they forming human chains to prevent rocket launches from schoolyards, hospitals, or mosques? Why weren’t they protesting the use of children as shields?

You can't claim to be a non-partisan, anti-war organization while assisting one of two sides in its war efforts.

Was Rachel Corrie murdered? Was she deliberately killed?

As far as I can tell, no.

I haven't been able to find any evidence that the IDF targeted Corrie deliberately. The legal case didn't find such evidence. The US State Department didn’t find such evidence. Even some ISM members admitted Corrie may not have been visible to the driver.

I also struggle to imagine what plausible motive the IDF would have to deliberately kill an American. That would obviously bring all kinds of international trouble from the US...and that was the ISM's whole reason for putting Corrie in harm's way. Killing Corrie deliberately would be giving them exactly what they wanted. Why would the IDF do that on purpose?

What happened to Corrie was preventable (and that was the basis of the negligence claim her family made in court), but preventable is not the same as criminal or liable.

In the long term, the tragedy lies not just in Corrie's tragic death, but in how eager people were to risk it and exploit it.

Corrie's face has been painted on walls and printed on protest signs for more than 20 years. This isn't because anyone seriously studied the facts of her death, but because she became a useful symbol. A martyr. A weapon.

Her story has been flattened, turned into a cartoon of noble activist vs evil bulldozer, figuratively and literally:

What would accountability for Corrie's death look like?

If people really want accountability for Rachel Corrie's death, they might consider starting with the ISM. They put untrained American college students in front of armored military vehicles in war zones.

They took advantage of people who wanted to make a difference, and they fed them a script designed for media consumption, not for survival.

Or maybe ask why Hamas and Islamic Jihad were building weapons tunnels under civilian homes in the first place. That's why bulldozers were there. That's what made the area a war zone. That's what put civilians and foreign activists in danger.

Decades later, what do we now know about Hamas' tunnels?

Most people don't want real accountability. They want a nice clean story which serves their preferred narrative. Wherever context and nuance gets in the way of the narrative, they cut it out.

Rachel Corrie's death should make us ask serious questions about:

How propaganda works

How war zones get whitewashed for the comfort of Western audiences

What happens when idealism is used as a propaganda tool instead of as a principle

As always, I welcome anyone to take issue with my reading of these events. If you do, please bring support for your assertions.

Here's where I'll annoy some of Israel's defenders:

While we likely agree on much about the Western "Free Palestine" movement, Anon, I hope we also agree that Palestinians in Gaza and (particularly in Area C of) the West Bank need real help and Israel must do more.

The "good guy vs bad guy" framing by anyone on either side is bullshit. There's plenty of failure to go around, even if it is unevenly distributed.

The settler violence in the West Bank is committed by a tiny minority, but it's still terrorism...and Itamar Ben-Gvir fails to make a good faith effort to end it. I hope the universe brings Ben-Gvir the justice he richly deserves.

Set aside the international law question of whether the West Bank is occupied for a minute. Palestinians in Area C have little to no say in their own governance.That's obviously wrong and needs to change.

I hope the rumors that Egypt and the UAE will get deeply involved in the rebuilding of Gaza are true. When/if that happens, I urge you to support those efforts any way you can.

A prosperous Gaza at peace with its neighbors becomes possible with both regional and international support after Hamas is gone.

Thanks for the Ask, Anon. I'd welcome any others you may care to submit.

[lazymik0r]

just gonna drop these here, enjoy! :D

I was just messing around with lighting and it turned out pretty good ^v^

[bugbarians]

"Am You An ISM Or Am You An IST?" Original Digital Art ©2025 Bug Barians Ltd., LLC

[voidwritesstuff]

In Sound Mind Cast: Christmas Headcannons.

Cw: PTSD, some hurt comfort, usuall cannon themes.

A/N: Timeline of the game is moved for the purposes of this fic. Enjoy! and happy holidays!

DESMOND WALES:

Desmond was one of those kids that tried to look calm about christmas but in reality he was so excited. He got books upon books and a few toys. He def wrote a long ass letter to santa.

He used to spend christmas with his family when he was older, which was always a 50/50. As implied in cannon he doesnt like his parents much.

So he spent christmas at Magdalena's house. Her parents adored him. And it was fun and almost whimsy. He def got hit by a snowball once or twice.

He actually likes christmas carols, like a proper old man.

Him, like Lucas, thinks "Home alone" is the FUNNIEST christmas movie ever.

Tonia got gifts for christmas. She always tried to knock off the baubles. Little chaos ball.

Magdalena always found something to gift him. And he tried very hard to return the gesture.

He'd decorate his office, if only to get a chuckle out of his patients. It worked most of the time. Allen and Virgnia really liked it.

Hot cocoa is a must for this man.

Hes trying to convince Lucas to make a snowman with him and dress it all soldier like for shits and giggles. He's really close to convincing him.

VIRGINIA RUHL:

She looooved christmas when she was a kiddo. Her first gift was a plush. Which set her on the path of making those plushies she makes in tape 1.

Theres a picture of her younger self with a christmas hat.

Her roommates insisted she joined in on decorating, It was one of the happiest days of her life.

Dave not so inconspicuously tried to take her measurements for a new dress. He saved up a bit each month and got her a really nice white dress for her. She cried for hours.

She spent christmas at Dave's. His family adored her and she got many cuddles from the pets and her bfs. The food was espectacular.

She gifted dave a new poem and a plush. It was shaped and made in the image of one of his dogs. He takes it everywhere, even at work. The kids love it.

She saw from her balcony a few people carolling and watched them as the snow began to fall. It was such a pretty sight.

Her rommates got her gifts and so she made them some.

A bunch of christmas movies were seen that day.

ALLEN SHORE:

Allen was a nightmare to put to bed. Aside from his issues with darkness. A ball of energy he was. Thats how he found out santa isnt real. He thought he was real clever sneaking out.

He didnt let his parents live it down. And now its a bittersweet memory.

His first gift was a camera,small polaroid one. He developed a photography hobbie. He still has that camera,safely put away.

He decorates his house and the lighthouse. Seeing the kids all wide eyed and happy made him so happy.

Def took a while to see the fireworks from the top of the lighthouse. He took a picture- It wast a great one but it was perfect for him. He has it hung on the wall of the lighthouse keeper's cabin.

He once yelled "ho ho ho! merry christmas" at the top of his lungs. Some kids looked around and yelled "SANTA?" and he had to hold in his laughter to the point his ribs hurt.

Another time he rowed out to sea to watch the fireworks. It was great. Just him,hot coco and snacks.

He def likes candy canes. He,like lucas, has a terrible sweet tooth. Only hes not ashamed of it as lucas is.

MAX NYGAARD:

Oh boy. Where to start. So his parents were all gruff and rough and tumble. But they softened near the holidays. He got a few toy cars, and when he grew older he got his own tool box as a gift.

The Nygaard household would fill with people and good food. He'd run around with his cousins and siblings (if he has any in ur interpretation. Im 50/50 on it).

His dad would put him on his shoulders to watch the fireworks.

He wrote a simple letter, and though he acted all tough he did leave milk and cookies.

Out of everyone in the cast, he was the one that took longest to stop believing in santa. Around 10 years old.

He was in charge of setting the stockings and putting up the tree. He wasnt trusted w the tangled lights or the baubles.

He TEARED the wrapping paper. TO SHREDS/ref.

When he had Maddie, he went the extra mile. Decorating the house,teaching her how to set up the tree. He picked her up and it was her sole duty to put the star ontop of the tree.

He'd read the whole,long ass letter. Him and Alice would take so long in eating the cookies because Maddie just left so many "for the reindeers too!" she said.

The first ever gift he gave maddie was a cow plush. Fluffy and soft with horns and all.

Maddie would sing christmas carols to the point that Max was really holding on to what patience he had. All for his little girl. Alice found it HILARIOUS.

They'd set up the yard and he'd pick up his daughter, put her on her shoulders and both would watch the fireworks show. She'd point out the prettiest ones, or the ones that had their favorite colors (red for max, pink for her, and blue for alice).

He's saving up to gift her a car when shes older. He has a whole joke planned with a ribbon and all. Alice is 100% on it.

LUCAS COLE:

While Lucas was a fan of Christmas when he was younger, he really can't stand it these days. When he was young it would be a STRUGGLE to get him to go to bed so his parents could put the gifts underneath the tree.

↳His first gift,that he remembers opening, is a small mechanical component. Like those lego ones. It wasnt all that sophisticated, seeing as he was born around the 40s. But he still treasures the memory. Thats what set him on the path of loving electronics. Thats how he acquired his "magic touch" with tech.

During the war, he remembers a small ceasefire between both armies. An uneasy peace, but for two days it felt somewhat normal. He heard stories that somebody got a gift from one of the vietcong soldiers and,surprisingly, it wasnt an explosive. He still gets a chuckle out of it.

↳The memory is bittersweet now. He remembers Alphonso managed to get the most of the "ill gotten goods" the higher ups distributed as a brief reprieve/christmas gift. Like chocolate or booze. Alphonso was grinning like the chesire cat, singing Christmas carols to the point that folks would try to tackle him so he'd shut up.

Now, of course, he cant stand the holidays.

When he returned home, he hoped that at least one christmas with his family would've helped ease the pain. He laughed, he got some hugs and happy words of how happy his family was that he was back safe and sound.

And then the fireworks started. He flinched at the first one, and then the second tipped him over the edge. He remembers holding his head in his hands, slouched. One of his family members tried to help him and he pushed them away quite violently. It wasnt his first flashback, but it was the first one infront of other people

he locked himself in a room, the quietest one and just rode out the flashback.

His family started to look at him weird, seeing as back then mental health wasnt much of a thing. His father considered him weak for not being able to whitstand it (which was bullshit seeing as he is also a soldier) his mother was in the same vein.

During new years he didnt even show up. He stayed in the quietest room in the house, probably the basement,and sort of drunk himself to sleep.

He didnt care much for the holidays afterwards.

When he moved to MH the first thing he did when holidays rolled around was to sound proof the house days in advance. Specially the attic.

Sally was kind enough to gift him some earmuffs on the 23rd. He thanked her profusely and used the gift when the time came.

Desmond did offer to decorate the cabin, even if its on the inside. Neither got any gifts but there was good food, music and booze. The best christmas hes had in a while.

ROSEMARY JAMES:

Rose, as any kid, was a sucker for christmas

She left cookies and milk for santa and went to sleep early. Then she'd run down stairs for her gifts!

↳Her first gift was, of course, a small chemistry experiment. The kind that she looked back on and realizes how UNSAFE IT WAS. She thanks god or whatever made it so she didnt hurt herself or get sick.

Shes pretty neutral on the holidays, but she does like the fireworks. Her and her family would get on the roof of her house and watch the show. She still does that when she worked at the lab. Some of her co-workers joined her.

When she's confined to fort sonder, she just hears the rockets go. And thinks she wont be able to see them. But one of her co-workers hacks the cameras and they all gather to watch it.

She got a small secret santa gift. A pair of new glass frames since her old ones were falling appart. It was such a small but powerful gift.

She also calls Lucas over the radio, and talk with him in secret. Shes a nice distraction from the mess outside. She asks him to not punch anyone that is throwing rockets in the park. Yeah its illegal but Assault is a thing that exists in the law. It actually makes him laugh.

This christmas was weird,same with new years but at least theres this to make up for it.

-::-

->Happy Holidays! Thanks for reading!.

[dr-ock]

Me: “Man, this really shows how far Otto strayed away from his old self, narrowing in on anger and revenge instead of helping others like he once dreamed of.”

Also me: “Damn that font he drew up for the word ‘Destroy’ goes hard as fuck.”

[gizm0-gadgetz]

A redraw for giggles! Uhm...wow. only like 2 years I think

Og