“We came here with four key objectives,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Egypt: “to make clear that the United States stands with Israel; to prevent the conflict from spreading to other places; to work on securing the release of hostages, including American citizens; and to address the humanitarian crisis that exists in Gaza.”
Meanwhile, Louisiana now has a conservative Republican governor. The turnout was less than 50%. Where are the votes against chaos and crazy? There will be no international diplomacy if the magnuts win next year.
As a counterpoint to what feels like a truly cynical remark from someone who no longer lives here and is not able to participate in ground level actions to protect our democracy, allow me, who lives in the midst of these politics, to give you an insider perspective from this weekend. Just one small story amongst thousands.
My state representative, Ruth Richardson resigned recently - Richardson is the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota and the Dakotas and she feels the need to focus on that work. Yes, she does.
Four candidates have stepped forward and on Saturday morning, held a candidates forum on Zoom. 9:00am on a Saturday and there were 70+ people listening. Usually these Saturday meetings have maybe 20-25.
The two men and two women answered five tough questions and had a moment at the end to say why we should vote for them. Four intelligent, capable, competent people discussing how their particular skill set would be used to improve education, transportation, address homelessness in our district, improve affordable housing and much more. Four candidates, all of whom are qualified in different ways, running for office and ready to improve on the Blue Trifecta government record we have in our state. A treasure trove of talent and dedication here in a sleepy suburban district south of St. Paul.
Do we have giant problems in US politics? Yup. Do we have evil afoot in the form of a political party? Yes and yes again. But commenting here without offering any crumbs of hope for those of us who are fighting and fighting hard on the ground is unhelpful in this forum in my opinion. And Minnesota is not the only blue trifecta state trying our damndest to push back against the fascists.
Are we near the nadir of this democracy? The answer to this fear is action. We the people. Thousands of stories like this everyday. None of those stories on the front page of any newspaper.
I was delighted to see that voters here elected moderates to our school board and Borough Assembly, most of them incumbents running unopposed so that extreme republicans have not found political seats in this area.
I'm here with you in CO! I live in the 2nd largest population center (El Paso County - which is very red) and also am voting on the Ed.Bd to keep the magitest out of our local school board. We all need to work locally as well as nationally.
Yes, thank you, Sheila. MN has provided a model for all of us as to what can be done. And, you're right, we do not hear about it in our news. We absolutely have to hold on to hope rather than taking on a defeatist attitude. Hope and the realization that we can overcome, as we have done before, is the only way we will survive all this craziness. A lot of hard work and determination are necessary, knowing there are more hard times ahead. Yes, we are the change!
In my twenties and thirties, I attended Republican events and fundraisers with my ex-husband. Last year I was a state delegate to the DFL (Democratic Farm Labor Party) convention. This year, just this past Saturday, I attended a standing room only dinner and fundraiser for the DFL headlined by Michigan's governor, Big Gretch (Gretchen Whitmer). I'm in my 70s and grew up in red-lined communities in northeastern OH where I had no idea what was really going on in the political world. Almost everyone was a Republican and talking with many of my friends now from back then, they are simply still too isolated from the political truths that would likely make them change their minds. I am "retired" (sort of) and have no family here in MN, and yet the last place I would ever move to is where I came from, Northeastern Ohio. I believe I can help them and others more by staying in touch and gently sharing my views in natural - rather than intrusive - ways. One example is from last month when I attended a Mentor High School "away game" against Cleveland Heights. Three preteen girls from my old home town sat behind me, and after the cheerleaders from the opposing team came to our side to greet us with their cheering, those girls waited long enough not to be heard by the cheerleaders but to be heard by those in our group before they said, "Goodbye, monkeys," and something further that was equally vile that I am fortunately (in some ways) not able to remember now. Earlier in my life, I was a teacher in the very grade level those girls were in, and I turned around, and one by one stared into each girl's eyes and quietly said as a I slowly turned my head side to side, "No." "No." "No." Nothing else. None of them said a thing, but they got the message. I still might write to my alma mater about this but am still thinking about how to do it. These are the ways some of us can make continuing differences, I think.
Hey Deborah- I grew up in Cleveland and now live in Minnesota too. One reason I would never live in Ohio again was the kind of attitude you witnessed. Typified by twenty years of Thanksgiving dinners where an uncle made sure he used every racial and ethic slur while we were all at table. Not one of the other adults ever talked with him - publicly or privately - to stop the diatribes at dinner. When said uncle died, his home was filled with Nazi propaganda. I’m glad your subtlety paid off with the youngsters. But I just couldn’t be subtle: I argued every thanksgiving. And moved to Minnesota, never to return for thanksgiving.
Perfectly stated. Our task is to work like hell to preserve our democratic republican form of government. Call your local Democratic Party organization and volunteer.
Thank you, Sheila. Here in Salem, lots of people work very hard on keeping Rs out and Ds in and on other pertinent issues. Some of them have done this for years. We do have a couple online news sites that give us a different perspective from the almost non news from our Gannett rag. We always vote in every election (easy...vote by mail) and we donate to many individuals in Oregon and elsewhere. We do have some younger progressives, who while they do valuable work in many cases, do not always understand that you can't have everything you want right now. They also don't understand the work done by older pols and people, especially women, and often go on long screeds against them including one from a person I promptly blocked on Feinstein.
Ah, but I also remember being young and impatient for change...
When you've only been aware for a few years it seems the slow turning of the wheels looks like no movement at all.
I'm currently down here in Shedd visiting the graves of ancestors who arrived in the 1850s; just thinking about all the changes Oregon has seen over the years.
The people i am talking about are not teenagers or college students. They are younger than me (not difficult at this point) and i would somewhere from late 20s to early 40s. The people at the D county meeting were older than that and their behavior was reprehensible and some others I know probably in their 50s. So they are not spring chickens, just naive in some ways about the political process and maybe not old enough to remember how things used to be.
Yep, working hard here in the Blue trifecta State of CA where we call voters across the country to talk directly w/voters and the importance of getting out there to vote for democracy and against autocracy. We also door knock for our local candidates, which is so very rewarding.
And, I am so proud of one of my neighbors who just threw her hat in the ring so a GOP county supervisor will not run unopposed in the 2024 election. She’s a working mom who believes in our democracy, and who is concerned about her children’s future. This is happening all across our great country - people are stepping up and taking action to fortify our democracy.
Sheila B: yes it is enormously helpful to hear positive, empowering words and beliefs. But I don’t believe we want to read only happy thoughts. And I think we can provide hope (rather than criticism) for those who are genuinely terrified. Whether or not they are currently within US borders. I admire your determination. Just be a little kinder to people who are dealing with stress overload and are less able to fight - at least for today. Thanks!
Well, I guess I'm showing my age. The arc of the moral universe, if it manages to bend toward justice, might possibly allow my grandchildren to live within that arc. I surely hope so.
A year ago I traveled to Norway, Sweden and Denmark. I experienced no hate or cruelty exhibited by the MAGAts and TFFG. In Denmark, I visited a small city where the candidates from ten different parties were stumping the day before the election.
I witnessed no hate or negativity towards the other candidates. They talked about what they were FOR, not AGAINST.
The US has become a 2nd class country compared to the Scandanavia I witnessed. The two party system has devolved into one party that is driven to be controlledruled by an autocrat, so I agree, the US is in decline and perhaps in its twilight.
Question: When was the United States NOT a "second (or third) class country"?
Potential Answers:
a) 1619 when the first slaves arrived to the USA?
b) 1780 when John Adams first wrote a tripartite, republican constitution for Massachusetts - for white men only.
c) 1865 when the Confederate states seceded to attempt to continue to use black human beings to do all of their work for them while whipping them to death on Sunday after church for entertainment?
d) 1890 when individually owned Conglomerates began to use cheap labor to get even bigger due to zero regulation of business?
e) 1932 when FDR introduced the Fair Housing Act (for white people only) and redlined zones in the north and the south that became our inner cities?
f) 1968 when Martin Luther King was shot? Also, when the TET offensive began.
g) 1980 when Reagan began his ascent in Philadelphia, Mississippi?
h) 2003 when the US invaded Iraq to provide no bid contracts to Haliburton?
i) 2008 when Donald Trump accused Barak Obama of having been "born in Kenya"?
j) 2016 when Donald J. Trump beat Hillary Clinton by offering up hate and vile to the American people as his platform?
k) 2020 when Donald Trump promulgated an attempted coup, with support from most Republicans, to insure that hate and vile reign supreme in the US?
You hit a small fraction of the lowlights in US History. If you haven't already read HCR's Democracy Awakening, she points out many more. If you have, then you understand how long the list would be.
In her book "Wounded Knee" she goes into great detail of the atrocities performed by Benjamin Harrison and other late 19th century Presidents and American Oligarchs.
I certainly cannot pin point a time when the US was a first world country.
I read a quote awhile back but I can't find it. It was a response from a wealthy German who was asked why he chooses to live in a high tax country. He responded that he didn't want to live in a country where most of the people lived in poverty.
I am reading HCR's Democracy Awakening at this time (from the local Library).
Having visited Germany with my family in 2012 or so, and seen the pristine clean streets without cars on them (only bikes and walkers allowed in that city), ridden on the high speed rail that was awesome and required no pilots or delays due to weather, chatted with Germans who all were fluent in English and German, and observed a uniformly high standard of living and fantastic food.............yep. Germany is nice.
Psychologists years ago observed the behavior of rats in a trap. With 6 billion extra people in a heating world, look at our behavior. Instead of taking care of existing suffering people, we continue to reproduce. Reduction in population will not come through merciful, careful planning. It will come through war and plague and may be the end of us all. We have the tools to change the trajectory, but have we the love and the will?
I think the anguish of people of Love and Will is palpable. Hate takes up all the oxygen and becomes its own weather system. I think that was part of Bannon’s plan with his “Flood the Zone with Shit” strategy. Hate whips up frothier and quicker than love. If you want power the quickest way is through harnessing hate. The Boys want to play their Game of Destruction. What they think they will “Win” is beyond me. But they want violence. They want a violent solution to all the discomfort of demographic change, climate change, women demanding to be treated as full human beings and not as appendages, people demanding to love and exist as the person they are. Entitlement wants a violent solution to these problems, not to “understand them”. This is not to say we should stop loving and willfully pushing back. We must do it. But many won’t. And that is discouraging to live through and experience. The “Myth of America” is surely crumbling. Perhaps that is good. The real work is making/fighting for an america that actually marches towards Justice For All.
It is beyond me, too. I understand that the Q-cultists and MAGAts yearn for a violent solution to problems they aren't able to grasp, such as the climate catastrophe (let's call it what it is), LGBTQ+-people and women wanting to be a whole person instead of just a womb. And I understand as well that they are eager to follow someone (Q, Bannon, Trump, Putin) who promises this violent solution, and that they are too dumb (or brainwashed, or both) to question what this "civil war" they so long for will _really_ bring. But what does Bannon and his ilk really want? I simply don't believe they are _that_ stupid that they don't see the threats of climate chaos, biodiversity collapse and the end of resources like oil and metals coming. But what is it that they strive for then? Are these really the men, as Alfred says in the Batman movie, that "just want to watch the whole world burn"?
Jenny, you need to protest to Hamas. They are the ones who don’t care about the Palestinians. If they cared at all they wouldn’t stockpile ammo, bombs, rockets, etc underneath residential buildings. They also wouldn’t tell the Palestinians to stay in the north and be killed by the Israeli invasion. And hey, what about Egypt? They have a Gaza border? What about the 50 some odd other Muslim ME states? They aren’t caring about the Palestinians either and they never have. So, please, protest against Hamas and NOT Israel.
Rosalind Gnatt, Thank you for your comment, which I wouldn't characterize as cynical, just unfortunate reality. What many in the US seem not to realize is that the rest of the world knows much more about us than we do about them. Probably more than we even know about ourselves. It has been heartening to see that 2016 and the ensuing chaos has motivated many citizens to vote, run for office, speak out and work against the craziness in our country. And we have a long way to go. I think we need to listen and understand how we are viewed in the rest of the world because the repercussions for us are enormous. If I lived in other countries would I still consider the US the leader of the free world? Not so sure. How about the $ as the world's reserve currency which gives us tremendous power? Not so sure about that either. Respect and trust are difficult to earn and easy to lose.
One southern state out of 50 had a bad outcome in a gubernatorial election. Meanwhile, Biden is our best President since FDR. He and Blinken are doing a terrific job in the Middle East right now, and he gave an absolutely terrific speech. And what Sheila B (MN) said directly below.
Thank you for your perspective. In view of all the factual information available to people if they care to find it, and in view of the appalling behavior of Congressional and SCOTUS Republicans, I share your concern. 35% turnout?!! People are showing how little they care about democracy, their communities, and themselves. There are many good people doing good work in the US, but widespread apathy and willful ignorance threaten our future.
I wonder what percent of those who did not vote were disenfranchised by states that found ways to make voting too difficult or gerrymandered to the point that they perceived their vote was useless. Or were afraid of violence at the polls. I honestly don’t think States should be in control of who votes, how and where. If we are all US citizens, shouldn’t there be uniform, unbiased, pro-voting standards for all?
Marge, that could account for some low turnout. Oregon's vote-by-mail works successfully, and it's easy to register to vote online, via mail, in person. Ballot drop boxes throughout the county. We encourage people to vote and work to make it as easy as possible. Our county publishes and mails to every voter a voter info pamphlet w/ info about candidates and ballot measures; I think something similar happens throughout Oregon. I'm also grateful to our local newspaper that covers elections, candidates, politics, etc.
When folks get their info from social media, the entire world is doomed. It’s like believing advertisements for products which will cure all that ails ya.
Our country has faced enormous challenges in the past. As dismal as events are, America will survive. We always have. We always will. In this era, vote for and support Democrats at all levels.
We are NOT in our twilight, Ms. Gnatt- far from it. It is easy to see why a citizen of another country would feel that way. However, there are a whole lot more good [people] here than not. Our politics can look bleak when there is apathy at play. But the good that is shared by the majority eventually prevails. Keep watching and listening. You will see much improvement in our behaviors after our national elections return sanity to our legislature.
This is the 3rd time our USA has gone through a nazi craze. Read Richardson's latest book and catch up. We've beat it before, and we have to beat it again.
A lot of them are very concerned about their future especially global warning and I see stories about their work. We also get email from David Hogg (a student at the high school in Florida where students were killed) who is actively working in politics for change. We have an interesting situation here in Oregon with Jamie McLeod Skinner who almost beat Chavez DeRemer (R) in the 5th district. She got lots of support from younger progressives because she is gay and comes across very well in public. Now we find out that she is a terror to work for. She is running again, but so are other Ds who I think have a better chance of ousting the R. Just to be clear, I think a diverse government is something to work for, but at the same time that is not the single qualifying issue.
I am concerned about all youth wherever they are. We have plenty of climate change problems here and the Rs have walked out of the legislature twice to keep any substantial laws from being passed. Voters pass a measure to punish them for doing so, but of course, they are taking it to court as the secretary of state have ruled them ineligible in the next election. As you know, Oregon has suffered terrible forest fires which burnt down towns and people are not yet fully recovered in many cases. We also have drought problems because the rain year has become more and more unreliable. Yes, we have a blue state government, but the party of death rules in places that actually have a lot of the problems. I hope you are enjoying your trip to Portland. It has problems too which so far have defied solutions.
I'm still supporting Jamie McLeod Skinner; I've met her and spent some time with her and I think she would be a good Representative. It's easy to make enemies if you are trying to get things done. I find myself suspicious that this story of her being difficult to work for has only come out now that she appears to have her best chance at election.
I am not making a judgment..merely reporting what has appeared in the news and i still say just because someone belongs to a certain group does not make them the best possible candidate which was my point. We donated to her campaign last time as well. I am not in that district, so have nothing to say about it in terms of voting. Also I am not sure that this is a better shot than the last time either. I think she did not do well in Marion County where I live. If the news about her management style turns out to be true, that won't help either. She has to win the primary first and there are some other viable Ds running. I will certainly support her if she is the candidate.
Probably numb to the existential threat of it all. They have never lived in a functioning USA. And the oldsters who hovered up $$$$ during the inequality ride of the past 50 years, wield power to control/buy/own all levers of power. They whip up hate and false narratives to inflame the easily manipulated, to secure their positions of control. Young people? Ignored. Placated with SOMA. Dying deaths of despair. Working overtime with no sick leave or vacation to pay off school debt. They know their F*cked.
And one has to wonder how much pressure was exerted on many of those who didn’t vote to refrain from voting…it’s not as though the “Deep South” hasn’t a deep-rooted history of voter suppression.
Don't they (democrats) know that with all this stuff being thrown to the states for rulings, local elections are crucial, Look at what DeSantis and Abbott are doing for their states. Even school boards should be watched. Moms for Liberty ( what a misnomer that is) are trying to destroy the education of our children by imposing their will ( not necessarily the child's parents' will) upon children.
I am very worried too.I keep reading that we must vote MAGAts out in 2024 but will we even get to that if this horribly dysfunctional situation with our government still exists then?I worry that our government will be allowed to shut down next month by the radical fascists in the House being lead possibly by Gym Jordan.I am very frightened about the coming days ahead.
Your worry can easily be diffused in two ways, imho. One is by by getting details on various campaigns, such as local polls, fundraising, and recent history, since 2018. You will find that things look, shall I say, surprisingly hopeful; a recent AZ poll had Sinema at 15% and progressive darling Rueben Gallego leading a maga candidate by 8 points, in this 3 person race for the Senate. Dem Sen. Mark Kelley and the popular AZ Dem Gov. Katie Hobbs will have a positive affect on this race, as their infrastructure (volunteers and funders) will be helpful w Gallego .... THE source at this time of how things are tracking is the substack page called "Hopium" written by Simon Rosenberg.
Unless one searches out details from factual sources, the neo-con narrative is so pervasive, that little other information can permeate.
Secondly, I find that placing my energy into a campaign enables me to feel useful, among a large group of others who are pushing forward w positivity.
Thank-you for this response. I am involved in my state of Ohio belonging to 2 progressive groups. I am a voting location manager at our polls here. I am active with post-card writing and making calls daily to various elected officials. While I am usually a glass half full individual, I find myself being saddened and also angered at the dysfunction in our government especially this situation in our People's House. I know I am not alone in these feelings of momentary hopelessness. I won't stay down long. There is too much work to be done but today I am having a day of reflection.
I appreciate your effort, and your despair at this time. I feel it's an effort to keep the flame alit.
I LOVE the effort in Ohio being led by women toward reproductive freedom! I love Sen. Sherrod Brown! My hometown of Pittsburgh and PA has progressed over the years; I hope the young people coupled with Biden/Harris and Sherrod Brown will carry the blue skies to victory. Blessing to you Victoria
Victoria we have elected Insurrectionists on board , right now that we are doing nothing to remove. As long as this is acceptable Government protocol, we have completely lost control. The next election will be our last.
You have every reason to be frightened, my friend.
I appreciate your sentiments.Other than voting, calling our officials and contacting them in various ways, what can we citizens do to ameliorate this situation?I am
personally involved in all of this as Gym Jordan is my representative in the House.It blows my mind that this man who is really a traitor is representing me and others.He does not believe our POTUS is legitimate so how can he and the others who participated in this coup be still in government and what can we do NOW about it?
Gym does not have the votes to become Speaker. I am hopeful that a few Rs like Chavez DeRemer for example, who barely won, and are in swing districts, choose to work with Ds.
Don’t be frightened. Get active. If you find that Democrats are better for our country, get in touch with your local Democratic headquarters and volunteer to do something. It will help keep you busy and you’ll be a great example for others.
There were 15 candidates for governor. 15. Landry is from an old political family. Don't blame the Democrats. It was a free for all and Landry had the most name recognition and the endorsement of the orange menace.
Thanks for this information. I will attempt to better understand things in the morning. But my initial reaction is 15 candidates sounds insane! Good night.
I think there there has been more opportunity to combat the right wing narrative than Democrats have utilized in the past, but the takeover of important positions and media domination by plutocrats has been formidable.
The force of decay; entropy, dominates the whole universe and life sails against this wind. That not meant to be a statement of pessimism, as the power of life is immense, at least on our favored planet; but life is always something of a struggle, and destructive forces catch a quick, easy ride. There is still plenty of aspiration for liberty and justice for all, but while tyrants can use any means, including lies, corruption and violence, to achieve their ends, a just and free society has a hard row to hoe. Yet it experientially, it dramatically beats the alternative.
Needed NOW -- desperately needed -- a firm alliance of the alert, experienced old and the awakening young.
Yet, worldwide we are seeing the old block the future of the rising generations and everywhere they have brought in leaders who are the epitome of evil in our time, predatory, scavenging narcissistic perverts.
MAGA lost every contested race in 2022. Even the US House pick-ups by the right were from moderate conservatives. These moderates will lose in 2024 to more qualified, liberal candidates, because their districts were held by Dems previous to 2022
Entropy is on the side of the side of the destruction derby, requires a fight with all our might. Life also has strength and adaptability. But man may be the only species that devours it’s own.
It would be a perfect world if everyone were able to treat others as they want to be treated. Unfortunately, perfection is not possible. I watched the video. Good and evil since forever. Tiffany Shlain is smart and talented.
Carol-Ann that doesn't account for the lack of voter turnout. In a State where the Democrats outnumber the Republicans, this was not only abysmal, but what I expect the General Election to be.
In general, vote participation goes down In gerrymandered states because the regional reps, both congressional and state are fixed. Feeling already defeated (which they are), voters stay at home for statewide elections. There is not enough communication to activate voters that, even though they may lose district races, their votes still count in both district and statewide elections.
That is the focus of The States Project which has had some real success boosting candidates at the state level. A group of us who met here early on has set up a giving circle to benefit state races in VA, where the entire legislature is up for election. Our page is here if you want to read further: https://www.grapevine.org/giving-circle/1XQhnyD/Tending-to-Democracy
What's your take on Louisiana? WHY were we not able to at garner a second place finish, to fore a runoff??? (btw, I appreciate you effort w The States Project!)
Frederick, honestly, I don't know anything about LA politics to have an opinion. I don't know anything the candidates said or whether there was a GOTV effort. Thanks for acknowledging TSP. They are doing good work.
I'm sure those southern states have created an unfriendly environment for people to vote. The atmosphere around polling places must be addressed ! On top of that Democracy minded folks have to get out and vote !
True, no international diplomacy. Thugs control Hamas and now we have thugs controlling the Republican Party here. The danger that we are up against is existential.
Started to say minority turnouts are hardly new to US elections, especially below federal levels. But the state is heavily gerrymandered, with blacks packed into a single jurisdiction and the state government defying even the Supreme Court on redrawing its voting districts.
Great comment MaryPat Sercu! Yes indeed--our St. Louis League is actively getting our high school seniors registered and the students are VERY excited about it! We’re doing our best to help 🗽☮️💟
And don't forget about the outstanding efforts towards getting youth to vote at www.turnup.us - spread the word, donate. The election of November 5, 2014 is in the hands of the young. If they turn up, we win.
Who knows how and this war will end - and how serious the fallout will be. But tonight’s Letter gives me confidence that the Biden administration is tackling this complex and fraught crisis with the best of intentions and a comprehensive plan.
Michael, As I just posted, regrettably, I find Secretary of State Blinken’s “two very different visions for the future and what the Middle East can and should be” an oversimplification and, instead, would characterize the Israeli / Palestinian conflict, from 1948 to the present, as the quintessential conflict between right and right, expressly from each side’s perspective. I, further, would submit, that as long as each side persists in pursuing the struggle in the name of what it believes to be right and just and moral, there will be no end to the violence. In the alternative, were both sides guided through a process that admittedly would entail gut-wrenching compromises by both, we potentially could see a break in this seemingly endless cycle of violence.
'Biden warns Israel against occupying Gaza; hospital fuel nearly gone, U.N. says' (WAPO)
'President Biden warned that a new Israeli occupation of Gaza would be a “big mistake,” saying in an interview with CBS that while Hamas needs to be eliminated, it does not represent all Palestinian people.'
'The remarks on “60 Minutes” — made ahead of a potential trip to Israel this week, a person familiar with the discussions said — are one of his firmest efforts to signal restraint to Israel as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches critical levels. About 600,000 people have been displaced from the north, aid agencies say, ahead of an expected ground invasion by the Israel Defense Forces. A U.N. official appealed for “immediate, unconditional access” for lifesaving aid to be allowed into the enclave. Food and water supplies in Gaza are dangerously low and hospitals there will run out of fuel within 24 hours, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Sunday.'
Fern, In light of Biden having declared “unwavering U.S. support for Israel,” neither his urging Israeli leaders to allow humanitarian aid into the region nor his pressing Israel to adhere to “the rules of war” will have virtually any impact on resolving 75 years of unending violence in the region.
Barbara, Israel has postponed going into Gaza. We do not know what sort of pressure is put on Israel's government. Netanyahu has done very poorly in a recent poll. Most Israelis blame him for the intelligence failure leading the massacre by Hamas. I agree that will be very hard if not impossible to stop Israel's military from leveling Gaza, but I make no assumptions about what Biden and Blinken are trying to do.
Fern, While I applaud the Biden Administration’s efforts, in keeping with international law, to press for limiting harms to non-combatants, any party that declares “unwavering support” for one side cannot possibly serve as an honest broker in helping to end 75 years of a vicious cycle of violence.
I thought of the word 'literal' while reading your response, Barbara. Given the continuing weaknesses in our democracy, perhaps, there has been something of a fan club for Biden formed and a lack of solid criticism concerning aspects of his presidency. I'm not uncritical of him and think that it would be a tragic mistake for the Israeli military to enter Gaza. I do not, however, take 'declarations' under these circumstances as a reflection of what may be going on behind closed does, nor would I claim to be 'the last word' on what is literally going on behind those doors.
The preferred process you describe would indeed be the ideal way. But neither side appears likely to make even modest compromises. Now if the U.S. and many other countries on both sides of the issue banded together and demanded major compromises, I'm all for it. But those demands would require more than words to enforce. Not military action by condemnation, economic isolation, and more.
Michael, I don’t subscribe to nations banding together and demanding compromises nor do I think it would work. Nonetheless, I am concerned about the unintended consequences of our engagement in the Hamas / Israeli conflict that could contribute to expanding this war into a regional conflict. Accordingly, I have joined with peers who are demanding a cease fire and negotiations.
The only problem is that Israel (at least the ruling government) and Hamas, while they may end up negotiating the release of the hostages and a cease fire, have no interest in solving the core problem. That's establishment of a Palestinian nation.
Until that is done, the tragedies that occur like clockwork won't end. And whether we approve or not, it takes countries with clout to work together to apply pressure to accomplish such things. Otherwise, the status quo of death, destruction, and hate will remain.
Michael, Regrettably, relatively few people remember that in April, 2008 former President Jimmy Carter extracted a commitment from Hamas for a ten-year truce and a Palestinian state, upon Israel (whom Hamas refused officially to recognize) withdrawing to its pre-67-war borders. Because Carter was not acting in an official capacity, the Bush Administration dismissed the agreement.
It is so hard to see just regular human beings trying to survive who have no food or water or way to escape the horrors that surround them. Where can they safetly go....they have nothing but their lives and who knows what they will find as they are forced to evacuate..
I also applaud Biden and Blinken. They can try to keep the situation from blowing up in a broader regional way. And they can try to facilitate humanitarian aid. Other than that, it is beyond American control.
There are four players pulling the strings on this insanity. Benjamin Netanyahu and Mohammed Deif on the ground. Both are haters and have no interest in peace. Both use religion as a tool for power and to protect themselves from being imprisoned. Their egos are like nuclear warheads.
Putin and Ali Khamenei are prodding, supporting and encouraging this horror - to great advantage. Support for and attention to the genocide in Ukraine is diverted. And Khamenei chuckles as Israeli forces and attention are shifted away from the north where his Hezbollah will make incursions.
We tend to think of this as a two sided forever conflict in a land that can be legitimately claimed by two factions - that could be cousins historically. But it's really all part of a 3D chess game being played with a couple of goals. The previously mentioned distraction as a short term tactic - which is working. And the long term goal of destabilizing the "West" and democracy itself.
And while we watch tanks rolling in and we watch the horror of buildings falling in on children, we take our eyes off the attacks from within. Russian internet and troll farms are aligned with Republican Maga maniacs to weaken American resolve and our democracy. MSM owned by oligarchs feed the frenzied process. Social media infested with foreign influence infect the brains of millions of Americans. Putin plants the seeds. Maga waters and fertilizes. Green shoots of authoritarianism sprout freely. That's the long term goal. That's the plan. And it is working.
And an approach that's dignified and sensible. Appeal to the best in people and who knows? they may feel less threatened and respond with their best. We see the opposite every day.
I missed Biden's Plan Michael unless your talking about 2 Aircraft carriers moving into the conflict region .
Perhaps Biden did push for the Rafa Gate to be be opened todaybaround 9 am Gaza time. Isthe Rafs gate clised again to all nationalities ?
Did you catch Bidenn in Block A on 60 Minutes ... actually 20 minutes ... was that the "Plan",?
CBS Morning New reports that "turning the watw on" means the water is back on in Southern Gaza as the IDF demolished entire aoartment buildings in nlNorthern Gaza.
What's the plan? Regional containment while we watch collective Punishment meted outtl in NORTHERN Gaza?
Hat tip to Jen Psaki who at least ticks off the issues fairly because she is a professiona & veteran communicator.
We all.need to face up to very difficult realities.
How else would Israel rebuild if the Palestinian buildings still existed? I do not believe this to be a true unknown action. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have to be pretty stupid to let down his guard near The Gaza strip. No outposts on the border? Just electronics, etc. watching the Gaza?
Tough spot to be in when "charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate scandals involving powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. He denies wrongdoing."
Change the narrative. He let their guard down. Now he has a war to fight.
This is supposed to be a two-nation country. Israel should not be allowing the resettlement of the west bank by Israelis. To change the scenario in the Gaza, it has to treat them differently and allow improved economic conditions there.
Kind of rough, but, I do not feel like thinking right now. Too tired.
'The U.S. Should Think Twice About Israel’s Plans for Gaza' (NYTimes, Guest Essay)
By Rashid Khalidi, Rashid Khalidi is a professor of modern Arab studies at Columbia University and author of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine.
'Israel has ordered more than a million people to leave northern Gaza, presumably to prepare for an imminent ground offensive. Its military strategists appear to be planning the depopulation and reoccupation of at least part of an area home to around 2.3 million people — nearly half of them children — and most of them descended from people driven from their homes before and during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. We must understand that these are human beings at grave risk, not just numbers.'
'Consider what some in the Israeli defense establishment have said.'
“The State of Israel has no choice but to turn Gaza into a place that is temporarily or permanently impossible to live in,” a reservist major general, Giora Eiland, wrote in Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli newspaper. “Creating a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a necessary means to achieve the goal.” He added, “Gaza will become a place where no human being can exist.” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, “We are fighting human animals, and we are acting accordingly.” Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian declared that in Gaza, “there will be no electricity and no water. There will only be destruction. You wanted hell; you will get hell.”
'The depopulation of Gaza would be manifestly inhumane and a violation of international law. President Biden and his advisers should ask themselves how it can be in the national interest of the United States to allow another mass expulsion of Palestinians from their homes. Such a cataclysm would be a second nakba, or catastrophe, as the displacement of 1948 is called. The United States would thereby be a partner with Israel in creating a future for the Palestinians that offers only periodic death, destruction and dispossession and permanent subjugation or expulsion.'
'Israeli forces have attacked Gaza six times from 2006 until the recent siege, killing well over 4,000 people. According to the Jerusalem-based human rights watchdog B’Tselem, that figure includes 405 in 2006, 1,391 in 2008 and 2009, 167 in 2012, 2,203 in 2014, 232 in 2021 and 33 in 2022. Each time, casualties for Palestinian civilians have outnumbered combatants.'
'Even though Israel has left Gaza to Hamas control, the area is still under de jure Israeli military occupation under international law, according to the United Nations and some humanitarian groups. It is also practically so, given that Israel can cut off access to electricity, water, fuel and food for much of the territory.'
'The Biden administration has offered what is effectively unconditional support to Israel as it attacks Gaza, citing the killings of approximately 900 Israeli civilians and hundreds of soldiers and police officers during the Hamas assault and the captivity of roughly 150 people.'
'Palestinian deaths in Gaza and the West Bank as of Saturday numbered at least 2,228, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza. Most of the dead on both sides are civilians, including at least 724 children in Gaza, according to Defense for Children International. It is worth noting that before the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, at least 200 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank this year, as well as 30 Israelis.'
'Unremarkably, the loss of Palestinian life has had little impact on U.S. policy: For some, it seems not all innocent civilian lives are equal. At the same time, U.S. diplomats have apparently been asking Egypt to take in Palestinians whom Israel would drive out of Gaza.'
'These echoes of the 1948 nakba may only be the beginning. If Washington encourages Israel down this path, it may trigger a much wider regional conflagration. The flight or expulsion of at least a quarter-million Palestinians from Haifa, Jaffa, Tiberias, Beisan and other localities before the Israeli declaration of independence that May helped trigger the first war between the Arab states and Israel. The war and subsequent expulsion or flight of even more Palestinians later in 1948, for a total of roughly 750,000 people, then helped precipitate decades of periodic conflict.'
'The last time a president and his advisers allowed outrage at unimaginable loss to drive policy was after Sept. 11, when they unleashed two of the most disastrous wars in American history, which devastated two countries and resulted in the deaths of a half million or more people and brought many people around the globe to revile the United States.'
'We are on the brink of an equally fateful decision in Washington over which Israeli actions to condone in Gaza, one that would make the United States a full party to all that follows, whether Mr. Biden and his team realize it or not.'
'It is past time for the United States to cease repeating empty words about a two-state solution while providing money, weapons and diplomatic support for systematic, calculated Israeli actions that have made that solution inconceivable — as it has for roughly half a century.'
'It is past time for the United States to cease meekly acquiescing to Israel’s use of violence and more violence as its reflexive response to Palestinians who have lived for 56 years under a stifling military occupation.'
'It is past time to accept that American efforts to monopolize a tragically misnamed peace process have helped Israel to entrench what multiple international human rights groups have defined as a system of apartheid that has produced only more war and suffering.'
'The only possible solution is one that ends the oppression of one people by another and guarantees absolutely equal rights and security for both peoples.' (NYTimes, Essay copied here in full)
We must push for the two-state solution again and again! It is inhumane to push helpless people into sardine cans. Bibi is retaliatory but this mess was caused by his rhetoric and the bragging of partnering with the Saudis. As a liberal Jew, I condemn Netanyahu and the Likud Party. Hamas are the killers. Not the Palestinian people. Hamas cares only about power and revenge against Israelis. They were smart enough to use water pipes that were underground to make their bombs and missiles. They were smart enough to dig underground tunnels 100 feet deep so as not to be detected. They threatened the lives of the people they were supposedly protecting. Palestinians must stand up against these murderers. Israel must be made whole. If assholes would just get out of the way, most everyone could live in peace.
'Tunnels dug in Gaza were originally used for smuggling goods in and out of Egypt to circumvent an Israeli blockade. But Palestinian militants built up the tunnels to move rockets and rocket launchers, shield militants from detection by Israeli satellites and aircraft and to stage attacks into Israeli territory. The vast underground system includes storage rooms, electrical generators, command centers and supplies for Hamas’ fighters, according to the Israeli military.'
'The network has “dozens of access points located throughout Gaza,” and many of the tunnel entrances are next to civilian residences, the IDF says.'
'Mohammed Deif, the commander of the Qassam Brigades the military wing of Hamas, is believed to be the mastermind behind the tunnel system, according to Israeli media reports.'
'Dating back to 2006, Hamas militants have dug tunnels inside Israeli territory and staged a series of surprise attacks. As a result, Israel built a specially designed 40-mile underground concrete barrier to try to detect tunnel construction in Gaza. The barrier helped Israel uncover a tunnel in 2020 before Hamas could use the passage to mount an attack inside Israel, according to the IDF.'
'During a series of military operations in Gaza, Israeli forces have tried to wipe out the tunnel system, but Hamas has rebuilt the tunnels in each case.'
'Hamas also has a tunnel network linking Gaza to neighboring Egypt, which is used to smuggle both commercial goods and weapons. Some of the tunnels are 18 meters (about 20 yards) below ground, NBC News has previously reported.'
'Some former U.S. officials say Hamas may choose to move some of the hostages they seized in last Saturday’s attack out of Gaza through the tunnels to Egypt.' (NBCNews) See link below.
Fern, you have said it better than I ever could. I have been following this conflict for a number of years. Israel is an apartheid nation and has been called the largest open air prison. Already, more Palestinians have been killed than in 2014 and there are reports that Israel is using white phosphorus,a war crime. Biden’s stand with Israel at all costs while ignoring its atrocities is definitely the wrong approach.
Fern, I truly appreciate what you bring to this community! Your comments and your generosity (in gifting articles and copying out articles) have been such a help and benefit to me. It elevates all of us when you share truth and knowledge that can be so difficult for some of us to find. Thank you!
Dear Tamara, you are very kind to let me know that I have been helpful. You also brought a smile to my heart at just the moment when personal business was causing an anxious one. Bless your timing!
Very well said! It is horrible what Hamas did on 10/07 but what the Palestinians have experienced in this illegal and cruel occupation. This attack on Gaza is now worse than what happened in 2014. There are reports that Israel is using white phosphorus which is a war crime.
But...but, rockets keep getting fired from Gaza into Israel. What would I do if rockets of varying potency were being sporadically fired, a few per year, from the little town only a few miles away from my home? A town who's police seem unable or unwilling to prevent them?
'GAZA/JERUSALEM/CAIRO, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Israeli forces kept up their bombardment of Gaza on Monday after diplomatic efforts to arrange a ceasefire to allow foreign passport holders to leave and aid to be brought into the besieged Palestinian enclave failed.'
'Residents of Hamas-ruled Gaza said overnight air strikes were the heaviest yet as the conflict entered its 10th day with an Israeli ground offensive believed to be imminent.'
'Bombing carried on through the day, they said, and many buildings were flattened, trapping yet more people under the rubble. Israeli officials issued multiple warnings of Hamas rocket fire into Israel.'
'Diplomatic efforts have been underway to get aid into the enclave, which has endured unrelenting Israeli bombing since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants that killed 1,300 people - the bloodiest single day in the state's 75-year history.'
'But Israel's chief military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said there was no Gaza ceasefire and that Israel was continuing its operations.'
"There are no such efforts under way at this time. If anything changes we will inform the public. We are continuing our fight against Hamas, this murderous organisation that carried this (the assaults) out."
There's always more to the story. What would it be like to be driven off the land your family had been living on for generations and then imprisoned for generations in refugee camps because no neighbors are willing to allow you to move away from people who hate you because you exist.
Agreed, in spades. This conflict, this clash of inflamed neighbors, no longer even seems to have a beginning -- it's simply the Terrible Condition that's existed forever. Or at least, for all of my life, which is pretty close to the same thing from my perspective.
For so many conflicts around the world, I can usually at least fantasize about a solution, even if I know such daydreams are based as much on ignorance as anything else. Like, "drive Russian troops out of Ukrainian territory." Or, "China recognizes Taiwanese independence." Even, "the wealthiest 1% devote all of their wealth to the betterment of the 99%." Musing to put myself to sleep at night.
I can't even fantasize about a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian nightmare. Every solution I can dream of requires at least one party to accept some gross injustice, usually in the recent past, that would make me boil forever for revenge. How can this be solved without someone peacefully accepting the intolerable?
At least Blinken has learned that he cannot credibly talk about this crisis without mentioning the Palestinians even though this comes last in his list of priorities.
.
“A vision ... that has countries in the region normalizing their relations, integrating, working together in common purpose, and upholding and bringing forth the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.”
I'm still waiting for him to address the torching of Palestinian villages and other settler violence that have escalated since Netanyahu came back into power, and it is still not within his ability to take the words "Palestinian state" into his vocabulary.
You’ll wait forever for that. Blinken is an American Empire toadie of the highest order. His blathering on about international law, and order, and norms, are the height of hypocrisy, considering all the mendacious, duplicitous, and destructive foreign policy choices we have made over the last two decades.
You remember how anyone with any sense cheered when that Iraqi threw his shoe at Bush during a press conference back during the Iraq war? That’s what I feel like doing every time Blinken, or his sycophant SD spokesperson Matt Miller, opens his mouth. Nothing but propaganda, and far too many people here lap that bile up. Pathetic.
Do people want truth? You can have Blinken propaganda pablum, all wrapped up in concern for Palestinians, albeit a distant fourth in the strategery pecking order above, or you can have words spoken by those who recognize the real abuses of power, and oppression in pursuit of hegemony. Those like Johnstone, Finkelstein, Blumenthal, etc. Pick a side.
I want to throw a shoe at W to this day. I live within throwing distance so it’s a temptation. I don’t, however, want to throw a shoe at Blinken, just you.
I wrote letters to the newspapers and objected strongly to our invasion of Iraq. The claim was that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. My objection to the invasion was first based on my firm belief that even if Saddam had WMDs he wouldn't use them because it would have resulted in his complete annihilation. He knew that. Saddam loved the power and position that he held. Bush's and the Republicans' invasion of Iraq resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and families destroyed. Bush, Cheney et al. should have been tried for war crimes.
Your last sentence is the core, the very essence of why humans are and have been in self destruction mode since their "creation" or evolution or whatever you believe led to a species that can't think beyond being a bunch of warring tribes. We are no better than red ants vs black ants.
I don't hear you discussing the two guys pulling the strings on this debacle. Vlad and Ali are chuckling as we in the West argue. Any thoughts on that?
Who cares what Tom thinks. To me, he's just another guy who enjoys throwing wrenches and sand into the gears of diplomacy and any effort to retain democracy.
You mean Henry Kissinger diplomacy? You mean Victoria Nuland diplomacy? You mean Elliot Abrams diplomacy? Those last two are serving with Biden’s blessing. You’re right I want to throw wrenches, sand, and any other obstruction into those gears, and so should you.
Israel turned on Hamas because it won an election. The Democratic Party tried to get the Green Party candidate thrown off the ballot in the NC Senate race in 2020. People who use retain/save democracy as a cheerleading gotcha need to make sure their hypocrisy meters are recalibrated before jumping into the democracy discussion. Otherwise, they end up looking like those who bought into the Bush lie that the Iraqis hated us because of our freedumbs.
The part of me that still believes government should work efficiently to provide for the ‘general welfare’ of the people is appalled.
The part of me that understands our government, and both major political parties, have been taken over by a corporate coup, and that as a result, elections don’t matter and politics are political theater, doesn’t give a hoot.
I’m tired, frustrated, and angry at the inability of our citizens, on both sides of the political divide, to understand that the real enemy we need to focus on, and spend most our time fighting, are the monied interests that currently own our government; not Trump, not Biden, not Jordan, not Pelosi, not Putin, not Hamas.
Trans issues are important, abortion is important, climate change is important, wars are important….. nothing gets fixed/resolved until we wrest control of our government from monied interests.
Thinking Democrats will save us is foolish thinking…. unless those who vote for Democrats are as willing to vehemently critique those they voted for when they cater to their corporate donors, as with Obamacare for example, as they do GOP attempts to dismantle the social safety net.
The solutions to all our problems are out there. Until we can build a coalition that includes many of the people that many subscribers to this site find ‘deplorable’, and fight the monied interests that are calling the shots, from inside the beltway shenanigans to foreign policy, we will continue to circle the drain.
Bill, due respect, you seem to have a hard time discerning the relative weight carried by the various string pullers around the world. Right now, no one chuckles more than the U.S. when it comes to fomenting unrest in pursuit of global hegemony.
We can be better than ants. We just have to start using the grey matter evolution gave us, instead of the lizard brain approach to policy. Again, pick a side; or, if you prefer, make a choice.
'Respect', Tom, your wrote it! '....'due respect', and I've read your exchanges today with subscribers who are respectful and, generally, receive it. There are bound to be exceptions, once in a while.
Yeah, I’ve seen the ‘respect’ the subscribers here afford those who disagree with their tribal inclinations as it pertains to the red/blue divide, or Ukraine, or, gasp, the Middle East. I had someone respectfully tell me today she would like to throw a shoe at me. No biggie.
And what’s your suggested solution? These issues are thousands of years old and have never been solved. No one and I mean no one in the Middle East is willing to change an approach or consider compromise solutions. This region will never find peace.
Offer the Israelis a U.S. state, say, Texas, and fund the relocation. Middle East peace solved. But then, the anti-semitic violence displayed by the displaced Texan refugees would make the Palestinian version look quaint by comparison.
On a more sober assessment, the Israelis have to either renounce Zionistic quota as a basis for their ‘democracy’, or Israel, Syria, and Jordan must agree to give up land for the creation of a Palestinian state, with additional funding provided by the U.S., EU, and other Arab nations to ensure stability as the new state develops.
In terms of offering the Israelis some American soil, there are some wide-open spaces in Nevada and Arizona. The decision to create a state of Israel 2700 years later in a land where the population was predominantly Muslim was a huge mistake in an effort to make amends for the Holocaust. Religious beliefs are the fundamental problem.
Yeah, the creation of Israel was all about ‘strategic interests’. Funny how right and wrong never seems to be a consideration when it comes to policy formulation by nation states.
One person’s negative comment is another’s speaking truth. I see a lot these days to be negative about, and I have a problem with most Americans inability to discern the real culprits of the world’s problems, not to mention the solutions to said problems, due to the constant barrage of propaganda and narrative control coming from our government and corporate media.
How much land? I personally would like to see negotiations begin with a return to a general template mirroring the map on page 6 in the link below, pre-1967 war. Jerusalem should be a ‘neutral’ city, under the ‘control’ of a Jewish, Muslim, and Christian entity of some sort. And for every acre of land Israel ‘gives up’, Syria, Jordan and Egypt should kick in that amount of land themselves, to grant the Palestinian state enough space to keep the population from being squeezed into a box like in Gaza. Just my opinion here.
The negotiations would be every bit as intense, even more so, as those required to end ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland. But the U.S. needs to push Israel to the table; both to begin to make Israel understand our support in indeed conditional, as well as to begin to regain the trust of Arabs who believe, not without reason, that the U.S. is just another colonial oppressor, as were the British and French back in 1948-49.
Kathy, here’s another take on the ‘land’ issue. Posting this will inevitably result in me being accused of being a Russian apologist/Putin puppet, but hey, sticks and stones.
Thank you Prof. Richardson for your summation and quick assessment of latest developments in the appalling tragic events unfolding in Israel but especially in Gaza. I fear I cannot share your rather bland and mild assessment of the Biden administrations actions.
By merely continuing and deepening the US' and Western blind support for Israel, despite its bad record of repressing the rights of Palestinians in favor of progressively taking over all their lands, in this heightened and dramatic crisis, while the whole world watches, I fear Biden has placed the future and credibility of US - and Western - leadership at grave risk.
From the start, there was a right, just way rot ensure the horrific Hamas' attack was met with firm justice - as it must be - and a wrong way. By choosing the route of vigilante justice and collective punishment, by the force of arms of the IDF, Biden has forfeited the chance to show how a civilized society handles such acts of terror. This should be only through judicial means that seek out and bring the criminals to justice. Military means should be used narrowly for this purpose. Instead the population of half an entire country - 1 million people - will be made to pay a heavy often deadly price.
Under the Geneva Convention and the International Humanitarian Law - that underpins the Laws of War - the forcible removal of civilians and non-combatants is a war crime. Not since the Holocaust have over a million people been so moved against their will.
By not standing firm on humanitarian principles, while endorsing Israel's just right to justice for Hamas' horrific attack. By not stipulating that civilized societies do not endanger the lives of half the population of a neighboring country for the actions of a few criminals. Biden has put the moral standing of the United States - and the entire Western world - in grave jeopardy.
Western democracy is often imperfect as a value system in its application, but it has the immense virtue of setting clear principles that all can look up to : respect for rule of law, self determination, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all people. When the leading standard bearers of this system show how quickly and easily they can flout their own values, the credibility of the entire enterprise is put at risk for the long term.
This undermining of our own system of rights can only put the safety of our nations and others in grave peril.
Collective punishment of one million people - many of whom will lose their homes, their property, their incomes, risk the futures of their children, and the sickness and death of their elderly - is abhorrent to all civilized nations.
As thousands of Gazans flee along roads south, with little food, water, fuel, shelter, or medical supplies, the risk of mass starvation and death are immense. Born of a fit of rage, Israel's eviction order will almost certainly convert Gaza into a cross between Haiti and Aleppo, and the 1947-48 India-Pakistan Partition, in which millions died.
All this as the largest US aircraft carrier sits offshore to supply bullets to the IDF to kill Gazans, but not to save them.
The verdict of History will be rightly damning of such bad conduct.
Of course, no doubt there will be elements of Hamas who do so, after all they too are Gazans. But perhaps a more important way to see it : Hamas is now, has been for many years, the government administration in Gaza. It delivers public services ices such as they are, it ensures law and order, etc. Absent Hamas, Gaza risks falling into anarchy at a time when so many will be at grave risk. Hamas is also part of the Muslim Brotherhood that has emphasized providing community services as part of its mission - difficult though that may be in for years resource starved Gaza. It is crucial, in my view, to narrowly go after those who perpetrated the attack and bring them to justice. But without undermining the government administration. As that would risk a total societal meltdown. Wiser heads in Israel and Western capitals need to prevail here. Let us hope.
Don't we have to go way back in history to when colonization was used; the popes & kings used the Doctrine of Discovery to get rid of the Native Americans. Of course, there was war & slavery even before that. We have to start accepting that we are all unique and just accept each other's different ways. We are still evolving and maybe soon we will realize this. Read Ken Wilbur, Fr. Richard Rohr, Fr. Thomas Keating.
Yes, I agree on both counts. Colonization by the British of the Protectorate of Palestine after the Versailles treaty of 1919, ushered in British rule And it was the Births who played both sides - Zionists and Palestinian Arabs off against each other, making promises to both. But then they didn't control the terrorism by Zionist groups - such as the Hagana, the Lehi and the Stern Gang. The Births abandoned Palestine once fighting broke out leading to the expulsion of 750,000 Palestinian Arabs from their homes in 1947-48 in what is now Israel. These same Palestinians arena being expelled from their homes again, this time in Gaza, where they have lived since 1948. In the 21st century, unlike earlier times, there is International Law protecting the sovereignty rights of peoples. And there are the Laws of War and International Humanitarian Law protecting civilians from attack, starvation and forced migration. By those standards, Isrel's - and Western nations' - treatment of Palestinians now constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. As you will see by taking a look at the United Nations documentation on these matters. Surely we can only hope for peace - accepting each others ways - if all live by these same standards of mutual acceptance. Thank you, Beverly.
I can't take the smile off my face. My admiration for this man (he's him) has just shot up 200%. A few past Secretaries of State have flashed past my eyes and disappeared into the fog. He's the real deal.
Mary Hardt, I liked A. Blinken (and Abe Lincoln as well), but my admiration and respect got a boost with that video.
It inspired a vision of diplomacy through music. Imagine the US Secretary of State visiting China or Iran or wherever and having some jam sessions with the other diplomats before they sit down together to talk.
I'm reminded of Henry Kissinger, who served as Secretary of State. He is 100 years old. Sometimes people judge public figures by whether or not you think you would enjoy having a beer with them. I remember Kissinger. I'd rather have a beer with Secretary Blinken.
I greatly respect Tony Blinken and am so grateful for his gift of diplomacy.
There are other human qualities within mankind, such as lust for power and control and persistant "brainwashing" techniques being dissceminated through many channels that really frighten me concerning the ideal of freedom in general and the driving forces vying for control....ie to take our freedoms away....even in the USA.
We have so much in our country to value and appreciate.....freedom of worship is one.
Diplomats like Blinken and our President Joe Biden are others.
With all these diplomatic efforts underway, my question is... Where is the religious leadership? Why am I hearing nothing about religious efforts to break the endless cycle of hate-based war? I do not think anything will change until the "hearts and minds" in the region change. And that in my experience is the work of religion.
I wish everyone would work for peace and reconciliation.
We need to work for peace from the international level down to the interpersonal level with our gun problem.
We seem to be basically afraid of each other, so we're armed to the teeth, in case we need to defend ourselves.
And with everyone armed as a precaution for defense, our armaments are indistinguishable from offensive weapons. Vicious cycle.
The problem always seems to be who will have the courage to be the first to begin to unwind the weaponry.
We have much in common with people around the world. We should be working together to make sure Earth is habitable long into the distant future. Our political leaders should be saying things like this. Let us work together for peace and longevity.
I liked what I read at the link you provided. We are very interested in, and concerned about education. I intend to learn more.
Here is a link to an article about a lawsuit in Wisconsin against the school choice program. The link is a generative AI query, so your results may vary. One of the points of contention is that the voucher program are siphoning funding away from already underfunded public school programs.
I have family and friends in Tucson. I will look forward to reading the article.
Another thing that is happening in Wisconsin is that those of a particularly penurious persuasion persist in believing that spending money on education is wasted, unless it's for their own kids. They want us to believe they are astute business people, but they fail to recognize the concept of investment that pays dividends over the lifetime of everyone in the community.
And another unfairness in our system is that kids in mostly rural areas up north don't get the resources that people in more prosperous urban areas enjoy.
If it were up to us, we would lavish resources on all of our schools, and would pay teachers way more than they have been getting, and we would increase the ratio of teachers per pupil. There is so much more that we could do that is not getting done. Some folks say our gerrymander is the worst in the nation.
The American classical composer Charles Ives (who sold insurance to support his family) once wrote that two professions –– people whose work is farming and teaching –– ought to be the most highly paid in our society. Their contributions are the most important for all of us.
I get the sense that the category of "Religion" is applied to many different and often incompatible things, in particular a frame of mind that is narcissistic, entitled and aggressive, contrasted with humble, compassionate and helpful. As in the 9/11 attacks, the claim of "religion" can appear to be little more than a theatrical a pretext for malignant narcissism, even though the "faithful" may fanatically believe in it. Desmond Tutu, MLK, Quakers aiding all who suffer in war zones and disasters are a very different sort.
I do wonder though, with the incidence of dishonesty and hatred on the rise in our own society, why it is mostly the MAGA "Christian" leaders who seem to speak the loudest. "Humble" is an recognition of one's own humanity along with that of others. It does not mean staying hidden, like "under a bushel" .
J L, to your point about the MAGA self-described "Christian" leaders, I tend to judge them by how much they do, or do not, remind me of the Entity at the center of the Christian faith. Mostly, they do not remind me of the admonition to love.
I think the pecking order of students in schools a window into the side of our nature that wants to be "on top", and while I think there is healthy competition, I'm not sure that schools always reinforce only the healthy parts of that. I think teaching has become far more aware of developmental psychology, neurodiversity, social dynamics than was the case in 1950s Ohio when I was experiencing it, but there are now other complications. When I was a kid, I think most children spent pretty much as much time as they could outdoors, doing things, and that has changed by the time of my daughter's childhood, at least in my experience. A play date would often center around a video tape, though that was not the preference of my wife and I. I think it's good to park the phone at the door of schools, but ultimately all technology is tools we choose to use one way or another. What do we really care about when we think of what we want and not just what is routine? Or so I say knowing I spend too much time with this laptop computer.
“Park the phone at the door”. Then how would they be able to call their parents and say they love them If a school shooter on the premises. It’s a thing these days, sad to say
Yes it's complicated. I do worry about the virtual overtaking the actual because the actual is where we live. That said I am greatly appreciative of electronic communication, such as this. We need to work harder at what HCR called evidence based communities and part of that is seeing accurately identifying the theoretical in lived experience, and lived experience in the theoretical. I think that is enlightening.
I think civility and democracy become more difficult as the size of society grows, which is not to say impossible. We are individual sentient beings and we are social being in a society. We evolved that way because it works. Our preserved and available library of information and specialized skills, immense compared to any single individual, became that way because we differ. It is made useful because we share and exchange. We are lovers of truth, beauty and compassion and self-serving narcissists, usually some of both in the same package. We shine when we marry and reconcile diverse individual perspectives and agendas to social solidarity; not the bee-hive conformity of authoritarianism, but liberty and justice for all. Freedom worthy of the name is freedom to, as well as freedom from, rape, persecution, etc. Thus freedom is a responsibility to others as well as choice. Failure to instill and maintain that integration that leads to the nightmares of history and the present day. E Pluribus Unum
I’m aware religion justifies much of this. That’s why I used the word “leadership”. The world’s religions need to breakthrough to being part of the solution rather than the problem. Such breakthroughs are possible. It just takes someone to want to save people - all people - for real…
Most of the "world's religions" are Bronze Age mythologies and superstitions used to control, manipulate and brainwash.
The only hope of all this NOT continuing ad infinitum is that young people see through the madness.
Parts of the world are becoming more secular.... parts of the world where children are taught critical thinking, scientific method and logic in schools.
ie. the way to stop the hatred is for the "leadership" you speak of to lose their power.
I disagree. I’m not a church-going man myself, but I would not do away with religion all too quickly. I would argue that religion can inspire people to do great things, even rise above themselves, because it provides comfort in death and gives answers to the question “why” things happen. Science can do neither: it can only the question “how” things happen, and is hopelessly at a loss when asked to provide emotional and spiritual solace.
What should be differentiated is that the word “religion” has two meanings: A) belief in a higher power c.q. spiritual world; B) an institution propagating one single set of beliefs. My take is that you are mainly writing about the latter, and that makes a big difference: because big religious institutions mired in politics, money and power are, in my opinion, no different from big corporations mired in politics, money and power. Honestly, I’d wager that _real_ religiosity is almost exclusively found _outside_ of these institutions… The madness that young people should see through, is, therefore, the mechanics that large corporations and institutions use to cement their power - and not dismiss the teachings religion has to offer that might help them find a meaning of (their) life.
Wonder if Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama would have acted the same, and amounted to the same, had they abstained from religion and turned purely to science. I also wonder what the scientist says to someone whose loved one has died. "Don't fret, it was just a bunch of molecules created by happenstance?" I, as a chemist, have no answer than that. Isn't that madness, too?
I see a difference between religions and cults, and not all religion is a cult and not all cults are religious. I think cults form when they shut out questioning their own precepts, especially when such questioning is punished. Any concept of "blaspheme" is a tool tyrants. It like mental malware to paralyze reality-checking by instilling PTSD, or in extreme cases, genocide. Jesus seemed to use the Socratic method. Many claiming his leadership mass murdered and burned people at the stake. I see "politics", which is a factor wherever there are two or more of us, as the process, cooperative or coercive, that determines whose will prevails. Tyrants love cults. Tyrants seek absolute power. We all have display an "ego" (Latin for "I"). When ego pushes every other consideration out of the nest, we are dealing with sociopathy.
Joshua commandeered destroying the city-state of Jericho, if the tale has any truth to it. There is indeed a neolithic (early stone age) tower in Jericho, the largest tower in the world at that time.
It seems that some of the tribes of Israel still think they have a right to knock it down. The tower still exists in some fashion - in Palestine.
It is much more complicated than that, Steven. You are talking about centuries and thousands of years where there has been religious wars within the middle east. Although, factions like Hamas claim their religion is number one, they are religiously devoted to destruction and despair. That’s where their “faith” lies.
I understand your point. And I am a student of human history who has learned that any worldview can change when the motivation required to change it exists. I respectfully invite you to watch the history series from the 1980s created by British historian James Burke, the title of which is The Day The Universe Changed. Portions of it are available for free on YouTube. If you are open to what Mr Burke has to teach, you may gain the hope that I have that no problem no matter how long it has existed is insurmountable. Past need not be prologue. Thank you for listening.
The question of “Religious Leadership” is important. It’s unfortunate that religion seems to be or is, at the root of this conflict, from the beginning of the “creation” of Israel. Or perhaps the very historical and distant past. The question of “Why” the Jewish state can partly be answered by the conflict itself. With Inquisition and battles over faith and land, and modern wars like the Holocaust, what has changed now, besides modern warfare, are alliances that seek change and public outcry on the inhumanity of this war. Or of war. We can also look at the region and see decades of tent cities and poverty and wonder how to reconcile religion and humanity. Is there a possibility of real peace in the region? This seems to be a continuation of heartbreaking and endless conflict. Yet...
Calling the Hamas/Israeli conflict religiously based is akin to confusing a hammer with the arm that swings it. Religion has been, and remains a tool cynically used by political operatives to drive their agendas.
Kathy, it seems that religious wars especially in Eastern Europe have been fought for centuries. So, yes, while I think, because of the Holocaust and rejection of the migration of Jews to other countries including USA, Israel became the exodus. But Great Britain and European countries also pushed for this creation.
“At the heart of that western freedom and democracy is the belief that the individual man, the child of God, is the touchstone of value, and all society, all groups, and states, exist for that person's benefit. Therefore the enlargement of liberty for individual human beings must be the supreme goal and the abiding practice of any western society.”
An American citizen, still a child was killed by another American because of their religion and ethnic heritage. I’m so tired of this crazy shit. What has our become of our country?
Here's some good news Heather didn't mention. The results of the Polish elections today show the possibility of a pro-democracy coalition replacing the theocratic-fascist Law and Justice Party.
From WaPo:
Poland’s political opposition ecstatically declared victory Sunday in the country’s most pivotal election since the fall of the Berlin Wall, after an exit poll suggested that while the ruling hard-right party had placed first, the opposition had a far clearer path to a governing coalition.
“We did it! Really! … Poland has won, democracy has won. We have removed them from power!” opposition leader Donald Tusk — a former prime minister and head of the European Council — told his supporters Sunday.
An opposition victory would mean a dramatic shift for Poland, where the Law and Justice party has held power for the past eight years, making it one of the most successful populist parties in Europe — and a model of the rollback of democratic norms. The Polish government exerted control over the courts and the media, backed severe restrictions on abortion, targeted LBGTQ+ rights, and undermined the bonds of the European Union.
If the exit poll holds true, observers say, the election result would have major implications for Polish democracy, European unity and the West’s effort to confront Russian aggression. But exit polls, while generally considered reliable in Poland, can also be flawed, as recently seen in neighboring Slovakia.
Law and Justice also claimed victory Sunday, and its allies could delay any transfer of power — or try to thwart it by attempting to form a minority government.
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the party’s leader and the country’s deputy prime minister, seemed to acknowledge a tough road to forming a new government. “The question is whether this success will be able to be turned into another term of office,” he told supporters. “Whether we are in power or in the opposition, we will continue implementing our project and will not allow Poland to be betrayed,” he said.
The exit poll suggested an opposition victory would be built on a coalition of younger voters, highly educated urban dwellers and Poles living in the industrialized western half of the country, which has deeper historical ties to the rest of Europe.
For advocates of democracy in the E.U., such a result would amount to an early Christmas gift — one fortifying the bloc’s position as a defender of the rule of law at a time when far-right parties have made substantial inroads elsewhere on the continent.
The Ipsos Mori poll projected that Law and Justice had won 36.8 percent of the vote. The opposition Civic Platform was projected to have gotten 31.6 percent. But, pivotally, two political forces seen as potential allies in a new “democratic” coalition collectively had garnered another 21.6 percent. A fourth political force — the Confederation party, seen as even further to the right than Law and Justice — was polling well below expectations at 6.2 percent.
Poland’s highly charged campaign saw some of the largest rallies on Warsaw’s streets since the restoration of democracy three decades ago, and the exit poll suggested a record-high turnout of 73 percent.
The final results are expected Monday or Tuesday and hinge on official tallies.
A very sane rendition of a totally out of control situation….strongly suggest that everyone get really re-acqainted with definitions of ‘crimes against humanity’…a number of which are occurring right now with more on the way ….the Geneva Conventions which I just reread were designed after the Holocaust to prevent the very kind of situation that Heather just detailed as potentially about to happen again..in a world gone mad.
Just love it that you dealt specifically with the Declaration….
I’ve had occasion to revisit the Geneva Convention over the years…particularly as they apply to refugees….the 1967 decisions….the US Participation and the lack of it are interesting as is the behavior of the Chinese, the Russians, Qatar and several other countries….nothing is ever simple but the key issues are central right now!
We further ask you to emphasise that the following are crimes within the established framework of international law, falling under the jurisdiction of the Court:
• Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities;
• Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects;
• Hostage-taking;
• Intentionally directing attacks against humanitarian personnel and infrastructure;
• The extensive destruction of property not justified by military necessity;
• Employing weapons of warfare, including incendiary weapons, of a nature to cause
unnecessary suffering or which are inherently indiscriminate;
• Inhumane acts intentionally causing great suffering or serious injury to body or to
physical or mental health;
• The starvation of civilians as a method of warfare by depriving them of objects
indispensable to their survival;
• The forcible transfer, deportation or displacement of the civilian population;
• Declaring that no quarter will be given; and
• Killing or causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of a national, ethnical,
racial or religious group, with intent to destroy the group in whole or in part
Frankly, I find Secretary of State Blinken’s “two very different visions for the future and what the Middle East can and should be” an oversimplification and, instead, would characterize the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict, from 1948 to the present, as the quintessential conflict between right and right, expressly from each side’s perspective. I, further, would submit, that as long as each side persist in pursuing the struggle in the name of what it believes to be right and just and moral, there will be no end to the violence. In the alternative, were both sides guided through a process that admittedly would entail gut-wrenching compromises by both, we potentially could see a break in this seemingly endless cycle of violence.
'Palestinian Citizens of Israel Are Wary, Weary and Afraid' (NYTimes)
'Israeli Arabs, some 18 percent of Israel’s population, speak of heightened tensions with their neighbors, when they are willing to speak at all'
By Steven Erlanger
Steven Erlanger spoke to Palestinian citizens and residents of Israel in Lod, Ramla and East Jerusalem.
Oct. 14, 2023
'Fida Shehada is a member of the City Council of Lod, a town of some 84,000 people, perhaps 30 percent of them Arab citizens of Israel.'
'And Ms. Shehada, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, is afraid, to put it mildly, of what may come now, after the massacre of Israeli civilians by Hamas.' “Everyone is in great distress,” she said. “There is a great fear that there will be a mighty revenge.”
'In Lod, which lies just south of Tel Aviv, Jews and Arabs often live in the same building, she said, but now Arabs are reluctant to go into the air-raid shelters. “They say they see hate in the eyes of the Jews,” Ms. Shehada said. “They say they see hate, but I think what they really see is distress and fear.”
Arab citizens of Israel, many of whom want to be identified as Palestinians, make up some 18 percent of the population. They have been caught for years between their loyalty to the state and their desire for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands, the creation of an independent Palestine and a better life for themselves.'
'Now, after this unprecedented killing of Israelis inside Israel, when an enraged Israeli Jewish population is calling for revenge, normal tensions have been raised to almost unbearable levels.
The leading Arab politicians in Israel, like Mansour Abbas and Ayman Odeh, both members of the Knesset, have clearly condemned the actions of Hamas, the Palestinian faction that carried out the attack on Israel, and called for calm.'
'But people are torn in their feelings, Ms. Shehada said, and so they tend to hide them. Young Arabs at first felt pride in the resistance of Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, she said.' “In the first moment when the people of Gaza invaded Israel, people were happy, they felt that someone was doing something about the situation.”
'But that surge of pride faded quickly, she said. “This was before we saw all the images of slaughter, kidnap and rape,” Ms. Shehada said. “This is not a legitimate form of struggle.”
'In May 2021, during another Israeli-Palestinian crisis, Lod was wracked by riots and mutual hatred between Jewish and Muslim communities. Ms. Shehada, 40, says she was attacked in her own home by Jews throwing rocks.'
'Even in more normal times, Lod has deep-seated problems of poverty and crime, with Arab criminal organizations operating with little interference from the Israeli police, people here say. Even the local government is largely segregated, with separate Arab and Jewish sections within departments.
The police are the responsibility of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister and leader of the ultranationalist Jewish Power party, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition government. Mr. Ben-Gvir, who has supported settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, has also been ramping up tensions with Israel’s Arab population.'
'He has talked of “storming” the Aqsa Mosque compound, one of the Muslim world’s holiest sites, and in late July, he led more than 1,000 ultranationalist settlers to the site, infuriating Muslims and prompting Hamas to say that it is fighting to defend Al Aqsa.'
'Mr. Ben-Gvir has spoken this week of renewed Arab-Israeli violence in cities like Lod and ordered the police to prepare for riots, which Ms. Shehada and others view as a dangerous provocation.'
'Mohammad Magadli, one of Israel’s most prominent Arab journalists, is more optimistic. He sees the shock of the past week bringing a sort of stunned calm. Unlike in 2021, he said, in mixed cities, “the Arab and Jewish societies are more aware of each other’s pain and can understand how destructive the consequences can be if they don’t consider each other’s feelings.”
“There is greater responsibility between the two societies,” Mr. Magadli said, “even among the leaders who, from the outset, called for calming the situation.”
'Ms. Shehada said her aunt was visiting Gaza now and could not leave. Buildings on either side of where she is staying have already been bombed, Ms. Shehada said, then paused, sighed, and said, “I don’t think they will survive this war.”
'In Ramla, a similarly mixed town nearby, the sprawling market normally overflowing with local vegetables and fruits was nearly empty, with an unusual wariness in the air, said Mousa Mousa, 23, an Israeli Arab in a Hebrew-language T-shirt advertising his juice stall.' “I’m not sleeping,” he said. “I’m afraid of the reaction of the villagers on the road to what Hamas did.”
'The market is a mix of Arabs and Jews, he said,' “but the feeling is different now.”
“I feel an animosity from the people here — they’re not smiling as they used to,” Mr. Mousa said. “I try to keep my head high.”
'He said he had contempt for the politicians who stoked hatred inside each community. “They thrive on division,” Mr. Mousa said bitterly. “That’s what politics are based on.”
'What Hamas did has changed life here profoundly, he said. “I don’t think there’s a way back,” he added. “People will not be as they were.”
'In East Jerusalem, too, near the uncharacteristically empty Old City, there is a palpable tension and a more visible presence of Israeli police.'
'In normal times, they tend to stop and check young Arab men every so often. But Adham, 19, says that now he is being stopped three times as he makes the short walk from his father’s shop near the Damascus Gate to their home in the Old City. Each time, he is asked to show his ID card, lift his shirt and drop his trousers. His father asked that their last name be withheld for fear of their security in the current environment.'
'Adham said that he admired Hamas’s boldness. “Yes, they represent the Palestinians,” he said. “They are the only ones who protect the Palestinians.”
'Like many young men here, he has little respect for Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority. “In our eyes, he is a traitor” for cooperating with Israel, Adham said, especially on security in the occupied West Bank.'
'Unlike Arabs in Ramla or Lod, who are part of Israeli society, most Palestinians in East Jerusalem are not Israeli citizens and feel less torn between loyalties. In 1967, when Israel annexed East Jerusalem, it made the Palestinians there legal residents, but not citizens.'
'Mahmoud Muna runs one of Jerusalem’s finest bookshops, catering to everyone. He identifies as a Palestinian from Jerusalem and favors a unitary state based on democracy and equal rights. He sees people like himself as potential models for a different kind of integrated state.'
'But now, he said, there is an unusually high level of “tension, anxiety, anger, confusion and fear that has grown among Palestinians, and I feel it myself.”
'The police presence has been increased in and around East Jerusalem, and Mr. Muna himself has been stopped twice for checks in the past five days, always moments that can produce friction. “Being past 40 helps you keep your cool,” he said.'
'Are Palestinians in Israel in a bind? He paused, then said, “We are always in between.”
'Friends who go to work in West Jerusalem tell him that “everyone is stressed and angry, but everyone is pretending or putting on a face.” People say banalities like' “it’s crazy” or “it’s difficult” or “I can’t understand it,” Mr. Muna said, adding, “This is so you don’t have to say your opinion, but to say nothing is also not acceptable.”
'Moments like this one are clarifying, too, he said: “It is a good time to see things we don’t normally see,” like the absence of acquaintances who have been called up as reservists to the army.'
“Palestinians are reminded to what extent Israeli society is militarized,” he said. “Those you were eating with yesterday are now at the front, and what are they doing now?”
'This week has encapsulated the entire conflict, Mr. Muna said. “The high level of nationalism, of we and them, cannot be higher than now,” he said. “Resistance becomes terrorism and vice versa, and us and them, and civilians and army — all these terms are in sudden contrast.” One side speaks of a new Holocaust and the other of a new Nakba, or catastrophe, which is what Palestinians call their mass displacement and dispossession during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.'
“That’s the graveness of the moment,” Mr. Muna said, “like shrinking the whole last 100 years into a week.” (NYTimes)
The police are the responsibility of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister and leader of the ultranationalist Jewish Power party, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition government. Mr. Ben-Gvir, who has supported settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, has also been ramping up tensions with Israel’s Arab population.'
'He has talked of “storming” the Aqsa Mosque compound, one of the Muslim world’s holiest sites, and in late July, he led more than 1,000 ultranationalist settlers to the site, infuriating Muslims and prompting Hamas to say that it is fighting to defend Al Aqsa.'
REREAD THE LAST PARAGRAPH
Despite all the horror of the Hamas attack -- apparently in retaliation for a previous incursion when the mosque was invaded -- i.e. desecrated -- and members of the congregation harassed and beaten, even to talk of "storming" the Al Aqsa mosque is to strike a match in a gas-filled space.
I am afraid even to THINK of the designs on the Temple Mount -- Al Haram as Sharif for Muslims -- of far-right Israeli fanatics.
Any step to carry out those designs would set off world war.
REPEAT
Any step to carry out those designs would set off world war.
Who, then, which group, is potentially more dangerous?
The least that can be said is that these fanatics are competing to destroy us all.
*
It is when things are at their worst that men must turn to planning for peace. Peace with justice -- and true justice is for all.
The words of a Jewish sage -- words that most will struggle to understand at this time when wisdom is neither understood nor valued by so-called "realists":
*
"We call ‘Shalom’ the union and harmony of two opposite entities, so do not be afraid if you meet a person who you think thinks exactly the opposite of you. You might gain the impression that it will be impossible to get along with that person, but that would be a mistake. In the same way, if you meet two people of totally different character, don’t say, “It is impossible to bring them back together,” because it is precisely the union and harmony of two opposite entities that we call ‘Shalom’."
I am far more pessimistic about a ‘solution’ or even a significant amelioration of the Israeli/Palestine issue than I was when I first went to Israel and Egypt in 1953. In 1954, as a 20-year-old, I published an optimistic article on ‘Peace in the Middle East.’ Today it reads like naive fiction.
The brutal savagery of the Hamas attack on Israel has a ‘9/11’ impact on Israelis.
How could the Netanyahu government, with one of the world’s elite military and intelligence services, be caught so unaware?
Why did it take a number of hours for the Israeli Defense Force to respond to this massive attack?
What should Israel do to revenge this calumny?
Already the 2,000,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been subjected to massive air attacks, with a ground force invasion imminent. In an effort to ‘eliminate’ Hamas military capability, water, food, and power have been cut off in Gaza. Civilians have been told to flee into southern Gaza, but safe refuge in an area so small is not available.
A number of Israeli and foreign hostages may die in this carnage. In tunnel fighting Hamas is likely to inflict significant casualties on the invading Israeli force. Ultimately, the Israelis are unlikely to leave a large occupation force in Gaza, since their past occupation experience was not successful.
So what will be significantly different weeks or months from now, after major casualties and humanitarian horrors?
Not much.
Gaza will still be a virtual prison/concentration camp for two million Palestinians, of whom half are youths with scant prospects for adulthood.
In the West Bank, there are 2,500,000 Palestinians as well as 500,000 Israelis who have been intruded into settlements.
In Israel, perhaps a fifth of the population are Arabs lacking first-class citizen rights.
This has been an area in turmoil since prior to the independence of Israel in 1948. The ‘two state’ solution expressed in the Oslo Accords is as far away from realization as the landing of a human colony on Mars.
The Palestinians have never been a viable party in dealing with Israel. In my opinion, the situation has been deeply worsened under successive Netanyahu governments.
Within Israel, the staccato expansion of Israeli settlements into Arab areas exacerbates the Israeli/Arab tensions. The Trump recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital exacerbated an already convoluted territorial situation.
Israel has a de facto working relationship with a weak Arab government in the West Bank. In recent days the death toll of Palestinians there has risen. In Gaza one awaits the least worst alternative, after the current carnage.
Seventy years later, my pessimism about an Israeli/Palestinian ‘settlement is almost unlimited.
In my wildest dream, the oil-rich Arab countries (who, in recent years had edged towards self-interest relationships with Israel while virtually ignoring the ‘Palestinian issue’) would propose some tens-of-billions-of-dollars development program for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. (My dream does not include governance of these areas.)
I also fantasize that Israel, instead of succumbing to more and more Ultra Orthodox control under Netanyahu governments, would edge towards a more democratic governance.
In these dual dreams the United States and other countries would be providing encouragement and assistance from the sidelines.
Thank you, Keith. I am at the "I don't know what I don't know" stage of development with respect to the Middle East and the conflicts there. What I believe is that western hubris has accelerated and focused this conflict. What seems obvious to me that there is no common ground for people of opposing religious backgrounds, both of whom claim to be the chosen people of that part of the world, to co-occupy that area. I know that the truth is far more nuanced and complicated than this, but I don't believe there are any easy answers to any of it.
In recent decades I don’t believe that ‘western hubris’ has been a major contributor to the Israeli/Palestinian mess.
The Palestinians have been loose goosy about any serious negotiations with the Israelis, as witnessed by the failure of the 2000 Count David meeting with President Clinton.
I doubt that the Israelis were ever serious about the ‘two state’ solution indicated in the Oslo Accords of 30 years ago. Certainly under Netanyahu’s governments, especially the current one, Palestinians and Arab in Israel were treated badly.
How can life be better for the 4,5 million Palestinians cramped in the West Bank and Gaza? What might Israel agree to do to accommodate this?
Keith, when I think about the formation of Israel, I can't help but think of a person we both admire greatly--General George C. Marshall. Presidents Roosevelt and Truman were in awe of him. Marshall's abilities, his intellect, his complete integrity, his dedication to serving the U.S.--all that and more made him the most respected leader in the U.S. He had built the U.S. WWII military. He was the principal architect of the Marshall Plan. Pres. Truman asked him to be Secretary of State, and Marshall accepted. In 1947, he was sent to the Mideast to evaluate the Mideast situation and the issue of recognizing the state of Israel. At a special meeting with the President and some other state dept. leaders, Marshall advised Truman not to recognize "the Jewish Agency" in its declaration to take Palestine and change its name to Israel. Marshall believed in the democratic approach to becoming a country and choosing a government. He was sympathetic to the Jews because of the Holocaust, but he felt it was wrong to take away the Palestinians' land and displace them. He said to Truman, "If you do this, you will make the Arabs mad as hornets, and they'll never get over it." He went on to say that in the conflict between the Jews and Arabs, the U.S. would be drawn into it. General Marshall spoke as someone who was most committed to maintaining the security of the U.S. Marshall was prescient, and here we are in this endless Mideast catastrophe.
Heydon You tell a familiar story of SecState Marshall’s conversation with President Truman about recognizing the soon-to-become the State of Israel. Marshall’s military and political assessment seemed ‘reasonable.’
So what was the ‘realistic’ alternative, when the UN partition plan had been rejected by the Arabs? While much was made of Truman’s de facto recognition of the State of Israel, most have forgotten that the Soviet Union had accord Israel de Jure recognition.
The fact that Israel survived the multi-Arab military onslaught surprised almost everyone. The eradication of Israel might have ‘simplified’ the political situation in the Middle East, though I would consider this a totally unthinkable post-Holocaust situation.
You're right, Keith--essentially, regardless of the origin-of-Israel issues, the situation is what is, and we have to deal with what things have become. Ref. the attacks the Israelis have fought off since the state's founding, a couple of accompanying problems come to mind. First, in the 1967 war, the Israeli destruction of the USS Liberty then and all of the U.S. naval casualties. (The U.S. Navy and relatives of those U.S. Navy casualties will never forget that unprovoked attack.) And, in the 1973 war, American arms assistance was essential to the Israeli side for victory.
In the end, dealing with the genocidal situation as it exists today, we're in a mess. Seems to me that we have to defuse the situation or Gaza and the Palestinians will be blown to oblivion. And we in the U.S. are the enablers who are paying for the bombs and planes to fuel the vast genocide. I believe that getting the Israeli settlers out of the occupied territories is a start toward some sort of reconciliation for the future, or to even have a future.
How was Hamas able to carry out such an attack in the first place, against an Israel that is supposed to be so strong on defense, security and intelligence?
Makes me wonder if Trump gave classified documents on Israeli security to Putin. Putin could’ve passed on the info to Iran, and Iran to Hamas. Putin wants a destabilized Middle East to distract the US from Ukraine and to weaken our resolve there.
What you say could be true. But also I think Netanyahu has been very distracted by (this will sound familiar) by his own legal problems and his attempts to consolidate power and destroy the judiciary, the brake on his actions since Israel doesn’t have a constitution. He hasn’t done his job as prime minister. We are facing a similar situation with tfg, who wants to be president only for how it will benefit HIM (or more accurately, keep him out of prison).
Meanwhile, Louisiana now has a conservative Republican governor. The turnout was less than 50%. Where are the votes against chaos and crazy? There will be no international diplomacy if the magnuts win next year.
https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/politics/elections/results-for-louisianas-primary-election-are-here-numbers-show-low-voter-turnout/289-b9445767-af33-4bb7-a660-0a7ba3d43e58
Thirty-five percent turnout! Landry won with 18% of the vote. Apathy allowed the Maganuts to take control. Apathy is the enemy of democracy.
Compare that to Poland, with 73% turnout electing a pro-NATO, pro-EU coalition.
Sitting over here in Germany, and seeing what has been dished up overnight, I truly am concerned that the United States is in its twilight.
As a counterpoint to what feels like a truly cynical remark from someone who no longer lives here and is not able to participate in ground level actions to protect our democracy, allow me, who lives in the midst of these politics, to give you an insider perspective from this weekend. Just one small story amongst thousands.
My state representative, Ruth Richardson resigned recently - Richardson is the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota and the Dakotas and she feels the need to focus on that work. Yes, she does.
Four candidates have stepped forward and on Saturday morning, held a candidates forum on Zoom. 9:00am on a Saturday and there were 70+ people listening. Usually these Saturday meetings have maybe 20-25.
The two men and two women answered five tough questions and had a moment at the end to say why we should vote for them. Four intelligent, capable, competent people discussing how their particular skill set would be used to improve education, transportation, address homelessness in our district, improve affordable housing and much more. Four candidates, all of whom are qualified in different ways, running for office and ready to improve on the Blue Trifecta government record we have in our state. A treasure trove of talent and dedication here in a sleepy suburban district south of St. Paul.
Do we have giant problems in US politics? Yup. Do we have evil afoot in the form of a political party? Yes and yes again. But commenting here without offering any crumbs of hope for those of us who are fighting and fighting hard on the ground is unhelpful in this forum in my opinion. And Minnesota is not the only blue trifecta state trying our damndest to push back against the fascists.
Are we near the nadir of this democracy? The answer to this fear is action. We the people. Thousands of stories like this everyday. None of those stories on the front page of any newspaper.
We are the change. Help us push back
You are an inspiration!
Thank you for the nugget of hope.
I am here in blue trifecta Colorado, but in the 7th wealthiest county in the state, with the poorest paid teachers.
I will work for the replacements Ed board members this weekend and next.
I was delighted to see that voters here elected moderates to our school board and Borough Assembly, most of them incumbents running unopposed so that extreme republicans have not found political seats in this area.
I'm here with you in CO! I live in the 2nd largest population center (El Paso County - which is very red) and also am voting on the Ed.Bd to keep the magitest out of our local school board. We all need to work locally as well as nationally.
Now for Boebert.
Yes, thank you, Sheila. MN has provided a model for all of us as to what can be done. And, you're right, we do not hear about it in our news. We absolutely have to hold on to hope rather than taking on a defeatist attitude. Hope and the realization that we can overcome, as we have done before, is the only way we will survive all this craziness. A lot of hard work and determination are necessary, knowing there are more hard times ahead. Yes, we are the change!
In my twenties and thirties, I attended Republican events and fundraisers with my ex-husband. Last year I was a state delegate to the DFL (Democratic Farm Labor Party) convention. This year, just this past Saturday, I attended a standing room only dinner and fundraiser for the DFL headlined by Michigan's governor, Big Gretch (Gretchen Whitmer). I'm in my 70s and grew up in red-lined communities in northeastern OH where I had no idea what was really going on in the political world. Almost everyone was a Republican and talking with many of my friends now from back then, they are simply still too isolated from the political truths that would likely make them change their minds. I am "retired" (sort of) and have no family here in MN, and yet the last place I would ever move to is where I came from, Northeastern Ohio. I believe I can help them and others more by staying in touch and gently sharing my views in natural - rather than intrusive - ways. One example is from last month when I attended a Mentor High School "away game" against Cleveland Heights. Three preteen girls from my old home town sat behind me, and after the cheerleaders from the opposing team came to our side to greet us with their cheering, those girls waited long enough not to be heard by the cheerleaders but to be heard by those in our group before they said, "Goodbye, monkeys," and something further that was equally vile that I am fortunately (in some ways) not able to remember now. Earlier in my life, I was a teacher in the very grade level those girls were in, and I turned around, and one by one stared into each girl's eyes and quietly said as a I slowly turned my head side to side, "No." "No." "No." Nothing else. None of them said a thing, but they got the message. I still might write to my alma mater about this but am still thinking about how to do it. These are the ways some of us can make continuing differences, I think.
Hey Deborah- I grew up in Cleveland and now live in Minnesota too. One reason I would never live in Ohio again was the kind of attitude you witnessed. Typified by twenty years of Thanksgiving dinners where an uncle made sure he used every racial and ethic slur while we were all at table. Not one of the other adults ever talked with him - publicly or privately - to stop the diatribes at dinner. When said uncle died, his home was filled with Nazi propaganda. I’m glad your subtlety paid off with the youngsters. But I just couldn’t be subtle: I argued every thanksgiving. And moved to Minnesota, never to return for thanksgiving.
By not saying anything to your uncle, your family condoned his behavior. Thank you very much, and any others, who spoke truth and love to hate.
I like that. Well done. And I agree, we can, each of us in our own way find a way to make a difference.
Thank you wherever you are and Brava! Starting my second hundred GOTV postcards to VA today.
Hello! With your very Polish name, may I congratulate you on the Polish vote. It’s heartening in all the bad news.
Me too.
Perfectly stated. Our task is to work like hell to preserve our democratic republican form of government. Call your local Democratic Party organization and volunteer.
Thank you, Sheila. Here in Salem, lots of people work very hard on keeping Rs out and Ds in and on other pertinent issues. Some of them have done this for years. We do have a couple online news sites that give us a different perspective from the almost non news from our Gannett rag. We always vote in every election (easy...vote by mail) and we donate to many individuals in Oregon and elsewhere. We do have some younger progressives, who while they do valuable work in many cases, do not always understand that you can't have everything you want right now. They also don't understand the work done by older pols and people, especially women, and often go on long screeds against them including one from a person I promptly blocked on Feinstein.
Ah, but I also remember being young and impatient for change...
When you've only been aware for a few years it seems the slow turning of the wheels looks like no movement at all.
I'm currently down here in Shedd visiting the graves of ancestors who arrived in the 1850s; just thinking about all the changes Oregon has seen over the years.
The people i am talking about are not teenagers or college students. They are younger than me (not difficult at this point) and i would somewhere from late 20s to early 40s. The people at the D county meeting were older than that and their behavior was reprehensible and some others I know probably in their 50s. So they are not spring chickens, just naive in some ways about the political process and maybe not old enough to remember how things used to be.
Yep, working hard here in the Blue trifecta State of CA where we call voters across the country to talk directly w/voters and the importance of getting out there to vote for democracy and against autocracy. We also door knock for our local candidates, which is so very rewarding.
And, I am so proud of one of my neighbors who just threw her hat in the ring so a GOP county supervisor will not run unopposed in the 2024 election. She’s a working mom who believes in our democracy, and who is concerned about her children’s future. This is happening all across our great country - people are stepping up and taking action to fortify our democracy.
Giant kudos to your neighbor for throwing her hat in the ring as a candidate!! That’s a really big deal! And thank you for all that you do.
Thanks Sheila! Appreciate your comment!
Sheila B: yes it is enormously helpful to hear positive, empowering words and beliefs. But I don’t believe we want to read only happy thoughts. And I think we can provide hope (rather than criticism) for those who are genuinely terrified. Whether or not they are currently within US borders. I admire your determination. Just be a little kinder to people who are dealing with stress overload and are less able to fight - at least for today. Thanks!
Bravo! You just made my morning. I spent the weekend writing get-out-the-vote postcards and I'm gong to go request 20 more addresses right now!
From Michigan. We also hear the call to support Democracy as you. Keep up the good work!!
Well, I guess I'm showing my age. The arc of the moral universe, if it manages to bend toward justice, might possibly allow my grandchildren to live within that arc. I surely hope so.
A year ago I traveled to Norway, Sweden and Denmark. I experienced no hate or cruelty exhibited by the MAGAts and TFFG. In Denmark, I visited a small city where the candidates from ten different parties were stumping the day before the election.
I witnessed no hate or negativity towards the other candidates. They talked about what they were FOR, not AGAINST.
The US has become a 2nd class country compared to the Scandanavia I witnessed. The two party system has devolved into one party that is driven to be controlledruled by an autocrat, so I agree, the US is in decline and perhaps in its twilight.
Gary,
Question: When was the United States NOT a "second (or third) class country"?
Potential Answers:
a) 1619 when the first slaves arrived to the USA?
b) 1780 when John Adams first wrote a tripartite, republican constitution for Massachusetts - for white men only.
c) 1865 when the Confederate states seceded to attempt to continue to use black human beings to do all of their work for them while whipping them to death on Sunday after church for entertainment?
d) 1890 when individually owned Conglomerates began to use cheap labor to get even bigger due to zero regulation of business?
e) 1932 when FDR introduced the Fair Housing Act (for white people only) and redlined zones in the north and the south that became our inner cities?
f) 1968 when Martin Luther King was shot? Also, when the TET offensive began.
g) 1980 when Reagan began his ascent in Philadelphia, Mississippi?
h) 2003 when the US invaded Iraq to provide no bid contracts to Haliburton?
i) 2008 when Donald Trump accused Barak Obama of having been "born in Kenya"?
j) 2016 when Donald J. Trump beat Hillary Clinton by offering up hate and vile to the American people as his platform?
k) 2020 when Donald Trump promulgated an attempted coup, with support from most Republicans, to insure that hate and vile reign supreme in the US?
l) Today?
You hit a small fraction of the lowlights in US History. If you haven't already read HCR's Democracy Awakening, she points out many more. If you have, then you understand how long the list would be.
In her book "Wounded Knee" she goes into great detail of the atrocities performed by Benjamin Harrison and other late 19th century Presidents and American Oligarchs.
I certainly cannot pin point a time when the US was a first world country.
I read a quote awhile back but I can't find it. It was a response from a wealthy German who was asked why he chooses to live in a high tax country. He responded that he didn't want to live in a country where most of the people lived in poverty.
Gary,
I am reading HCR's Democracy Awakening at this time (from the local Library).
Having visited Germany with my family in 2012 or so, and seen the pristine clean streets without cars on them (only bikes and walkers allowed in that city), ridden on the high speed rail that was awesome and required no pilots or delays due to weather, chatted with Germans who all were fluent in English and German, and observed a uniformly high standard of living and fantastic food.............yep. Germany is nice.
Now anyway.
Living in Germany, too, and I agree. But I’m also afraid that Europe is not far behind…
Psychologists years ago observed the behavior of rats in a trap. With 6 billion extra people in a heating world, look at our behavior. Instead of taking care of existing suffering people, we continue to reproduce. Reduction in population will not come through merciful, careful planning. It will come through war and plague and may be the end of us all. We have the tools to change the trajectory, but have we the love and the will?
I think the anguish of people of Love and Will is palpable. Hate takes up all the oxygen and becomes its own weather system. I think that was part of Bannon’s plan with his “Flood the Zone with Shit” strategy. Hate whips up frothier and quicker than love. If you want power the quickest way is through harnessing hate. The Boys want to play their Game of Destruction. What they think they will “Win” is beyond me. But they want violence. They want a violent solution to all the discomfort of demographic change, climate change, women demanding to be treated as full human beings and not as appendages, people demanding to love and exist as the person they are. Entitlement wants a violent solution to these problems, not to “understand them”. This is not to say we should stop loving and willfully pushing back. We must do it. But many won’t. And that is discouraging to live through and experience. The “Myth of America” is surely crumbling. Perhaps that is good. The real work is making/fighting for an america that actually marches towards Justice For All.
"What they think they will “Win” is beyond me. "
It is beyond me, too. I understand that the Q-cultists and MAGAts yearn for a violent solution to problems they aren't able to grasp, such as the climate catastrophe (let's call it what it is), LGBTQ+-people and women wanting to be a whole person instead of just a womb. And I understand as well that they are eager to follow someone (Q, Bannon, Trump, Putin) who promises this violent solution, and that they are too dumb (or brainwashed, or both) to question what this "civil war" they so long for will _really_ bring. But what does Bannon and his ilk really want? I simply don't believe they are _that_ stupid that they don't see the threats of climate chaos, biodiversity collapse and the end of resources like oil and metals coming. But what is it that they strive for then? Are these really the men, as Alfred says in the Batman movie, that "just want to watch the whole world burn"?
Beautiful! Thank you for writing at such length and with such clarity about where we are.
From France. Macron is moving to the right because he fears Le Pen.
Not being allowed to protest for Palestinians is disgusting.
It’s ok. More important to keep France in the EU than risk LePen’s hands.
Jenny, you need to protest to Hamas. They are the ones who don’t care about the Palestinians. If they cared at all they wouldn’t stockpile ammo, bombs, rockets, etc underneath residential buildings. They also wouldn’t tell the Palestinians to stay in the north and be killed by the Israeli invasion. And hey, what about Egypt? They have a Gaza border? What about the 50 some odd other Muslim ME states? They aren’t caring about the Palestinians either and they never have. So, please, protest against Hamas and NOT Israel.
I will protest against who I like..I do not need anyone from the US telling me what to do.
Hamas are the ONLY people who supported the Palestinians.
Sit on you backsides and blame everything on Hamas while you have allowed this atrocity against the Palestinians.
You provide money and arms to Israel!
When the whole Palestinian race are wiped out this becomes genocide aided by the US.
I agree with you, Mike.
Rosalind Gnatt, Thank you for your comment, which I wouldn't characterize as cynical, just unfortunate reality. What many in the US seem not to realize is that the rest of the world knows much more about us than we do about them. Probably more than we even know about ourselves. It has been heartening to see that 2016 and the ensuing chaos has motivated many citizens to vote, run for office, speak out and work against the craziness in our country. And we have a long way to go. I think we need to listen and understand how we are viewed in the rest of the world because the repercussions for us are enormous. If I lived in other countries would I still consider the US the leader of the free world? Not so sure. How about the $ as the world's reserve currency which gives us tremendous power? Not so sure about that either. Respect and trust are difficult to earn and easy to lose.
One southern state out of 50 had a bad outcome in a gubernatorial election. Meanwhile, Biden is our best President since FDR. He and Blinken are doing a terrific job in the Middle East right now, and he gave an absolutely terrific speech. And what Sheila B (MN) said directly below.
Here's Biden's speech
https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/uDX7uIuTHIXPRa3o9PjXRwgKe56aZdeb/
Thank you for your perspective. In view of all the factual information available to people if they care to find it, and in view of the appalling behavior of Congressional and SCOTUS Republicans, I share your concern. 35% turnout?!! People are showing how little they care about democracy, their communities, and themselves. There are many good people doing good work in the US, but widespread apathy and willful ignorance threaten our future.
I wonder what percent of those who did not vote were disenfranchised by states that found ways to make voting too difficult or gerrymandered to the point that they perceived their vote was useless. Or were afraid of violence at the polls. I honestly don’t think States should be in control of who votes, how and where. If we are all US citizens, shouldn’t there be uniform, unbiased, pro-voting standards for all?
Marge, that could account for some low turnout. Oregon's vote-by-mail works successfully, and it's easy to register to vote online, via mail, in person. Ballot drop boxes throughout the county. We encourage people to vote and work to make it as easy as possible. Our county publishes and mails to every voter a voter info pamphlet w/ info about candidates and ballot measures; I think something similar happens throughout Oregon. I'm also grateful to our local newspaper that covers elections, candidates, politics, etc.
When folks get their info from social media, the entire world is doomed. It’s like believing advertisements for products which will cure all that ails ya.
Our country has faced enormous challenges in the past. As dismal as events are, America will survive. We always have. We always will. In this era, vote for and support Democrats at all levels.
We are NOT in our twilight, Ms. Gnatt- far from it. It is easy to see why a citizen of another country would feel that way. However, there are a whole lot more good [people] here than not. Our politics can look bleak when there is apathy at play. But the good that is shared by the majority eventually prevails. Keep watching and listening. You will see much improvement in our behaviors after our national elections return sanity to our legislature.
This is the 3rd time our USA has gone through a nazi craze. Read Richardson's latest book and catch up. We've beat it before, and we have to beat it again.
Rosalind, I do believe your assessment is correct.
Imagine how we feel over here!!!
Well, sometimes this has to happen to help eject people out of their Lazyboys. My concern: where’s the youth and their concerns for their future?
A lot of them are very concerned about their future especially global warning and I see stories about their work. We also get email from David Hogg (a student at the high school in Florida where students were killed) who is actively working in politics for change. We have an interesting situation here in Oregon with Jamie McLeod Skinner who almost beat Chavez DeRemer (R) in the 5th district. She got lots of support from younger progressives because she is gay and comes across very well in public. Now we find out that she is a terror to work for. She is running again, but so are other Ds who I think have a better chance of ousting the R. Just to be clear, I think a diverse government is something to work for, but at the same time that is not the single qualifying issue.
I'm not concerned about the youth in Oregon. I'm concerned of those in Louisiana.
BTW, we are currently visiting Portland....
I am concerned about all youth wherever they are. We have plenty of climate change problems here and the Rs have walked out of the legislature twice to keep any substantial laws from being passed. Voters pass a measure to punish them for doing so, but of course, they are taking it to court as the secretary of state have ruled them ineligible in the next election. As you know, Oregon has suffered terrible forest fires which burnt down towns and people are not yet fully recovered in many cases. We also have drought problems because the rain year has become more and more unreliable. Yes, we have a blue state government, but the party of death rules in places that actually have a lot of the problems. I hope you are enjoying your trip to Portland. It has problems too which so far have defied solutions.
You're right....
I'm still supporting Jamie McLeod Skinner; I've met her and spent some time with her and I think she would be a good Representative. It's easy to make enemies if you are trying to get things done. I find myself suspicious that this story of her being difficult to work for has only come out now that she appears to have her best chance at election.
I am not making a judgment..merely reporting what has appeared in the news and i still say just because someone belongs to a certain group does not make them the best possible candidate which was my point. We donated to her campaign last time as well. I am not in that district, so have nothing to say about it in terms of voting. Also I am not sure that this is a better shot than the last time either. I think she did not do well in Marion County where I live. If the news about her management style turns out to be true, that won't help either. She has to win the primary first and there are some other viable Ds running. I will certainly support her if she is the candidate.
Probably numb to the existential threat of it all. They have never lived in a functioning USA. And the oldsters who hovered up $$$$ during the inequality ride of the past 50 years, wield power to control/buy/own all levers of power. They whip up hate and false narratives to inflame the easily manipulated, to secure their positions of control. Young people? Ignored. Placated with SOMA. Dying deaths of despair. Working overtime with no sick leave or vacation to pay off school debt. They know their F*cked.
And one has to wonder how much pressure was exerted on many of those who didn’t vote to refrain from voting…it’s not as though the “Deep South” hasn’t a deep-rooted history of voter suppression.
"The price of apathy is to be ruled by evil men." Plato
Don't they (democrats) know that with all this stuff being thrown to the states for rulings, local elections are crucial, Look at what DeSantis and Abbott are doing for their states. Even school boards should be watched. Moms for Liberty ( what a misnomer that is) are trying to destroy the education of our children by imposing their will ( not necessarily the child's parents' will) upon children.
Very true. We must do everything possible to make sure apathy doesn’t happen in 2024. We must have a turnout similar to 2020 or better.
In regards to the substance of the blog, why isn’t more being made of Egypt’s refusal to open their gate?
Wow! Such passion and determination coming through in your comments. No apathy here!
g
That was very disheartening to read about Louisiana’s maga governor. How can we ever fight our way out of this morass with such goings on?
I am very worried too.I keep reading that we must vote MAGAts out in 2024 but will we even get to that if this horribly dysfunctional situation with our government still exists then?I worry that our government will be allowed to shut down next month by the radical fascists in the House being lead possibly by Gym Jordan.I am very frightened about the coming days ahead.
Your worry can easily be diffused in two ways, imho. One is by by getting details on various campaigns, such as local polls, fundraising, and recent history, since 2018. You will find that things look, shall I say, surprisingly hopeful; a recent AZ poll had Sinema at 15% and progressive darling Rueben Gallego leading a maga candidate by 8 points, in this 3 person race for the Senate. Dem Sen. Mark Kelley and the popular AZ Dem Gov. Katie Hobbs will have a positive affect on this race, as their infrastructure (volunteers and funders) will be helpful w Gallego .... THE source at this time of how things are tracking is the substack page called "Hopium" written by Simon Rosenberg.
Unless one searches out details from factual sources, the neo-con narrative is so pervasive, that little other information can permeate.
Secondly, I find that placing my energy into a campaign enables me to feel useful, among a large group of others who are pushing forward w positivity.
Thank-you for this response. I am involved in my state of Ohio belonging to 2 progressive groups. I am a voting location manager at our polls here. I am active with post-card writing and making calls daily to various elected officials. While I am usually a glass half full individual, I find myself being saddened and also angered at the dysfunction in our government especially this situation in our People's House. I know I am not alone in these feelings of momentary hopelessness. I won't stay down long. There is too much work to be done but today I am having a day of reflection.
I appreciate your effort, and your despair at this time. I feel it's an effort to keep the flame alit.
I LOVE the effort in Ohio being led by women toward reproductive freedom! I love Sen. Sherrod Brown! My hometown of Pittsburgh and PA has progressed over the years; I hope the young people coupled with Biden/Harris and Sherrod Brown will carry the blue skies to victory. Blessing to you Victoria
I think the practice of being mindful helps.
Thank you Frederick. When light is brought, darkness vanishes at once.
Victoria we have elected Insurrectionists on board , right now that we are doing nothing to remove. As long as this is acceptable Government protocol, we have completely lost control. The next election will be our last.
You have every reason to be frightened, my friend.
I appreciate your sentiments.Other than voting, calling our officials and contacting them in various ways, what can we citizens do to ameliorate this situation?I am
personally involved in all of this as Gym Jordan is my representative in the House.It blows my mind that this man who is really a traitor is representing me and others.He does not believe our POTUS is legitimate so how can he and the others who participated in this coup be still in government and what can we do NOW about it?
Get rid of gerrymandering if we can.
Gym does not have the votes to become Speaker. I am hopeful that a few Rs like Chavez DeRemer for example, who barely won, and are in swing districts, choose to work with Ds.
Don’t be frightened. Get active. If you find that Democrats are better for our country, get in touch with your local Democratic headquarters and volunteer to do something. It will help keep you busy and you’ll be a great example for others.
Heartbreaking news. Someone needs to explain to me how the Democratic Party blew this election... failed to get enough people to vote.
There were 15 candidates for governor. 15. Landry is from an old political family. Don't blame the Democrats. It was a free for all and Landry had the most name recognition and the endorsement of the orange menace.
Thanks for this information. I will attempt to better understand things in the morning. But my initial reaction is 15 candidates sounds insane! Good night.
I think there there has been more opportunity to combat the right wing narrative than Democrats have utilized in the past, but the takeover of important positions and media domination by plutocrats has been formidable.
The force of decay; entropy, dominates the whole universe and life sails against this wind. That not meant to be a statement of pessimism, as the power of life is immense, at least on our favored planet; but life is always something of a struggle, and destructive forces catch a quick, easy ride. There is still plenty of aspiration for liberty and justice for all, but while tyrants can use any means, including lies, corruption and violence, to achieve their ends, a just and free society has a hard row to hoe. Yet it experientially, it dramatically beats the alternative.
Needed NOW -- desperately needed -- a firm alliance of the alert, experienced old and the awakening young.
Yet, worldwide we are seeing the old block the future of the rising generations and everywhere they have brought in leaders who are the epitome of evil in our time, predatory, scavenging narcissistic perverts.
MAGA lost every contested race in 2022. Even the US House pick-ups by the right were from moderate conservatives. These moderates will lose in 2024 to more qualified, liberal candidates, because their districts were held by Dems previous to 2022
Entropy is on the side of the side of the destruction derby, requires a fight with all our might. Life also has strength and adaptability. But man may be the only species that devours it’s own.
It would be a perfect world if everyone were able to treat others as they want to be treated. Unfortunately, perfection is not possible. I watched the video. Good and evil since forever. Tiffany Shlain is smart and talented.
Carol-Ann that doesn't account for the lack of voter turnout. In a State where the Democrats outnumber the Republicans, this was not only abysmal, but what I expect the General Election to be.
Apathy and gerrymandering. The top two voter suppression tools.
And voter intimidation.
Every Gov primary and general election is the entire state - therefore gerrymandering has no role.
In Louisiana, Dems lost this election because there was not ONE strong Dem; wasn't there anyone from Dem Gov Edwards' administration?
In general, vote participation goes down In gerrymandered states because the regional reps, both congressional and state are fixed. Feeling already defeated (which they are), voters stay at home for statewide elections. There is not enough communication to activate voters that, even though they may lose district races, their votes still count in both district and statewide elections.
That is the focus of The States Project which has had some real success boosting candidates at the state level. A group of us who met here early on has set up a giving circle to benefit state races in VA, where the entire legislature is up for election. Our page is here if you want to read further: https://www.grapevine.org/giving-circle/1XQhnyD/Tending-to-Democracy
What's your take on Louisiana? WHY were we not able to at garner a second place finish, to fore a runoff??? (btw, I appreciate you effort w The States Project!)
Frederick, honestly, I don't know anything about LA politics to have an opinion. I don't know anything the candidates said or whether there was a GOTV effort. Thanks for acknowledging TSP. They are doing good work.
New York is a Red State in ideology. More voter turnout by Republicans for the past two elections who voted Biden but put R’s in House & Senate.
I'm sure those southern states have created an unfriendly environment for people to vote. The atmosphere around polling places must be addressed ! On top of that Democracy minded folks have to get out and vote !
True, no international diplomacy. Thugs control Hamas and now we have thugs controlling the Republican Party here. The danger that we are up against is existential.
Started to say minority turnouts are hardly new to US elections, especially below federal levels. But the state is heavily gerrymandered, with blacks packed into a single jurisdiction and the state government defying even the Supreme Court on redrawing its voting districts.
🥲
Voting was probably interfering with a beer bash somewhere.
The League of Women Voters has an excellent program for registering high school students. Join and help contribute!
https://www.lwv.org/educating-voters/high-school-voter-registration
Great comment MaryPat Sercu! Yes indeed--our St. Louis League is actively getting our high school seniors registered and the students are VERY excited about it! We’re doing our best to help 🗽☮️💟
YES!!!
And don't forget about the outstanding efforts towards getting youth to vote at www.turnup.us - spread the word, donate. The election of November 5, 2014 is in the hands of the young. If they turn up, we win.
Who knows how and this war will end - and how serious the fallout will be. But tonight’s Letter gives me confidence that the Biden administration is tackling this complex and fraught crisis with the best of intentions and a comprehensive plan.
Michael, As I just posted, regrettably, I find Secretary of State Blinken’s “two very different visions for the future and what the Middle East can and should be” an oversimplification and, instead, would characterize the Israeli / Palestinian conflict, from 1948 to the present, as the quintessential conflict between right and right, expressly from each side’s perspective. I, further, would submit, that as long as each side persists in pursuing the struggle in the name of what it believes to be right and just and moral, there will be no end to the violence. In the alternative, were both sides guided through a process that admittedly would entail gut-wrenching compromises by both, we potentially could see a break in this seemingly endless cycle of violence.
'Biden warns Israel against occupying Gaza; hospital fuel nearly gone, U.N. says' (WAPO)
'President Biden warned that a new Israeli occupation of Gaza would be a “big mistake,” saying in an interview with CBS that while Hamas needs to be eliminated, it does not represent all Palestinian people.'
'The remarks on “60 Minutes” — made ahead of a potential trip to Israel this week, a person familiar with the discussions said — are one of his firmest efforts to signal restraint to Israel as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches critical levels. About 600,000 people have been displaced from the north, aid agencies say, ahead of an expected ground invasion by the Israel Defense Forces. A U.N. official appealed for “immediate, unconditional access” for lifesaving aid to be allowed into the enclave. Food and water supplies in Gaza are dangerously low and hospitals there will run out of fuel within 24 hours, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Sunday.'
Fern, In light of Biden having declared “unwavering U.S. support for Israel,” neither his urging Israeli leaders to allow humanitarian aid into the region nor his pressing Israel to adhere to “the rules of war” will have virtually any impact on resolving 75 years of unending violence in the region.
Barbara, Israel has postponed going into Gaza. We do not know what sort of pressure is put on Israel's government. Netanyahu has done very poorly in a recent poll. Most Israelis blame him for the intelligence failure leading the massacre by Hamas. I agree that will be very hard if not impossible to stop Israel's military from leveling Gaza, but I make no assumptions about what Biden and Blinken are trying to do.
Fern, While I applaud the Biden Administration’s efforts, in keeping with international law, to press for limiting harms to non-combatants, any party that declares “unwavering support” for one side cannot possibly serve as an honest broker in helping to end 75 years of a vicious cycle of violence.
I thought of the word 'literal' while reading your response, Barbara. Given the continuing weaknesses in our democracy, perhaps, there has been something of a fan club for Biden formed and a lack of solid criticism concerning aspects of his presidency. I'm not uncritical of him and think that it would be a tragic mistake for the Israeli military to enter Gaza. I do not, however, take 'declarations' under these circumstances as a reflection of what may be going on behind closed does, nor would I claim to be 'the last word' on what is literally going on behind those doors.
If the Palestinians don't have water, food, sufficient medical care, neither do the hostages. I'm not sure the hostages are really a priority.
Judy, Because I don’t understand how your reply relates to my comment, I don’t know how to respond.
The preferred process you describe would indeed be the ideal way. But neither side appears likely to make even modest compromises. Now if the U.S. and many other countries on both sides of the issue banded together and demanded major compromises, I'm all for it. But those demands would require more than words to enforce. Not military action by condemnation, economic isolation, and more.
Michael, I don’t subscribe to nations banding together and demanding compromises nor do I think it would work. Nonetheless, I am concerned about the unintended consequences of our engagement in the Hamas / Israeli conflict that could contribute to expanding this war into a regional conflict. Accordingly, I have joined with peers who are demanding a cease fire and negotiations.
Your sentiments are admirable.
The only problem is that Israel (at least the ruling government) and Hamas, while they may end up negotiating the release of the hostages and a cease fire, have no interest in solving the core problem. That's establishment of a Palestinian nation.
Until that is done, the tragedies that occur like clockwork won't end. And whether we approve or not, it takes countries with clout to work together to apply pressure to accomplish such things. Otherwise, the status quo of death, destruction, and hate will remain.
Michael, Regrettably, relatively few people remember that in April, 2008 former President Jimmy Carter extracted a commitment from Hamas for a ten-year truce and a Palestinian state, upon Israel (whom Hamas refused officially to recognize) withdrawing to its pre-67-war borders. Because Carter was not acting in an official capacity, the Bush Administration dismissed the agreement.
At least there is attention to humanitarian issues that are too often lost in armed conflicts.
JL,
It is so hard to see just regular human beings trying to survive who have no food or water or way to escape the horrors that surround them. Where can they safetly go....they have nothing but their lives and who knows what they will find as they are forced to evacuate..
I also applaud Biden and Blinken. They can try to keep the situation from blowing up in a broader regional way. And they can try to facilitate humanitarian aid. Other than that, it is beyond American control.
There are four players pulling the strings on this insanity. Benjamin Netanyahu and Mohammed Deif on the ground. Both are haters and have no interest in peace. Both use religion as a tool for power and to protect themselves from being imprisoned. Their egos are like nuclear warheads.
Putin and Ali Khamenei are prodding, supporting and encouraging this horror - to great advantage. Support for and attention to the genocide in Ukraine is diverted. And Khamenei chuckles as Israeli forces and attention are shifted away from the north where his Hezbollah will make incursions.
We tend to think of this as a two sided forever conflict in a land that can be legitimately claimed by two factions - that could be cousins historically. But it's really all part of a 3D chess game being played with a couple of goals. The previously mentioned distraction as a short term tactic - which is working. And the long term goal of destabilizing the "West" and democracy itself.
And while we watch tanks rolling in and we watch the horror of buildings falling in on children, we take our eyes off the attacks from within. Russian internet and troll farms are aligned with Republican Maga maniacs to weaken American resolve and our democracy. MSM owned by oligarchs feed the frenzied process. Social media infested with foreign influence infect the brains of millions of Americans. Putin plants the seeds. Maga waters and fertilizes. Green shoots of authoritarianism sprout freely. That's the long term goal. That's the plan. And it is working.
Pogo was prescient.
Nailed it.
And an approach that's dignified and sensible. Appeal to the best in people and who knows? they may feel less threatened and respond with their best. We see the opposite every day.
I missed Biden's Plan Michael unless your talking about 2 Aircraft carriers moving into the conflict region .
Perhaps Biden did push for the Rafa Gate to be be opened todaybaround 9 am Gaza time. Isthe Rafs gate clised again to all nationalities ?
Did you catch Bidenn in Block A on 60 Minutes ... actually 20 minutes ... was that the "Plan",?
CBS Morning New reports that "turning the watw on" means the water is back on in Southern Gaza as the IDF demolished entire aoartment buildings in nlNorthern Gaza.
What's the plan? Regional containment while we watch collective Punishment meted outtl in NORTHERN Gaza?
Hat tip to Jen Psaki who at least ticks off the issues fairly because she is a professiona & veteran communicator.
We all.need to face up to very difficult realities.
Bryan:
How else would Israel rebuild if the Palestinian buildings still existed? I do not believe this to be a true unknown action. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have to be pretty stupid to let down his guard near The Gaza strip. No outposts on the border? Just electronics, etc. watching the Gaza?
Tough spot to be in when "charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate scandals involving powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. He denies wrongdoing."
Change the narrative. He let their guard down. Now he has a war to fight.
This is supposed to be a two-nation country. Israel should not be allowing the resettlement of the west bank by Israelis. To change the scenario in the Gaza, it has to treat them differently and allow improved economic conditions there.
Kind of rough, but, I do not feel like thinking right now. Too tired.
Blinken outlined the plan.
OK
'The U.S. Should Think Twice About Israel’s Plans for Gaza' (NYTimes, Guest Essay)
By Rashid Khalidi, Rashid Khalidi is a professor of modern Arab studies at Columbia University and author of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine.
'Israel has ordered more than a million people to leave northern Gaza, presumably to prepare for an imminent ground offensive. Its military strategists appear to be planning the depopulation and reoccupation of at least part of an area home to around 2.3 million people — nearly half of them children — and most of them descended from people driven from their homes before and during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. We must understand that these are human beings at grave risk, not just numbers.'
'Consider what some in the Israeli defense establishment have said.'
“The State of Israel has no choice but to turn Gaza into a place that is temporarily or permanently impossible to live in,” a reservist major general, Giora Eiland, wrote in Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli newspaper. “Creating a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a necessary means to achieve the goal.” He added, “Gaza will become a place where no human being can exist.” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, “We are fighting human animals, and we are acting accordingly.” Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian declared that in Gaza, “there will be no electricity and no water. There will only be destruction. You wanted hell; you will get hell.”
'The depopulation of Gaza would be manifestly inhumane and a violation of international law. President Biden and his advisers should ask themselves how it can be in the national interest of the United States to allow another mass expulsion of Palestinians from their homes. Such a cataclysm would be a second nakba, or catastrophe, as the displacement of 1948 is called. The United States would thereby be a partner with Israel in creating a future for the Palestinians that offers only periodic death, destruction and dispossession and permanent subjugation or expulsion.'
'Israeli forces have attacked Gaza six times from 2006 until the recent siege, killing well over 4,000 people. According to the Jerusalem-based human rights watchdog B’Tselem, that figure includes 405 in 2006, 1,391 in 2008 and 2009, 167 in 2012, 2,203 in 2014, 232 in 2021 and 33 in 2022. Each time, casualties for Palestinian civilians have outnumbered combatants.'
'Even though Israel has left Gaza to Hamas control, the area is still under de jure Israeli military occupation under international law, according to the United Nations and some humanitarian groups. It is also practically so, given that Israel can cut off access to electricity, water, fuel and food for much of the territory.'
'The Biden administration has offered what is effectively unconditional support to Israel as it attacks Gaza, citing the killings of approximately 900 Israeli civilians and hundreds of soldiers and police officers during the Hamas assault and the captivity of roughly 150 people.'
'Palestinian deaths in Gaza and the West Bank as of Saturday numbered at least 2,228, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza. Most of the dead on both sides are civilians, including at least 724 children in Gaza, according to Defense for Children International. It is worth noting that before the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, at least 200 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank this year, as well as 30 Israelis.'
'Unremarkably, the loss of Palestinian life has had little impact on U.S. policy: For some, it seems not all innocent civilian lives are equal. At the same time, U.S. diplomats have apparently been asking Egypt to take in Palestinians whom Israel would drive out of Gaza.'
'These echoes of the 1948 nakba may only be the beginning. If Washington encourages Israel down this path, it may trigger a much wider regional conflagration. The flight or expulsion of at least a quarter-million Palestinians from Haifa, Jaffa, Tiberias, Beisan and other localities before the Israeli declaration of independence that May helped trigger the first war between the Arab states and Israel. The war and subsequent expulsion or flight of even more Palestinians later in 1948, for a total of roughly 750,000 people, then helped precipitate decades of periodic conflict.'
'The last time a president and his advisers allowed outrage at unimaginable loss to drive policy was after Sept. 11, when they unleashed two of the most disastrous wars in American history, which devastated two countries and resulted in the deaths of a half million or more people and brought many people around the globe to revile the United States.'
'We are on the brink of an equally fateful decision in Washington over which Israeli actions to condone in Gaza, one that would make the United States a full party to all that follows, whether Mr. Biden and his team realize it or not.'
'It is past time for the United States to cease repeating empty words about a two-state solution while providing money, weapons and diplomatic support for systematic, calculated Israeli actions that have made that solution inconceivable — as it has for roughly half a century.'
'It is past time for the United States to cease meekly acquiescing to Israel’s use of violence and more violence as its reflexive response to Palestinians who have lived for 56 years under a stifling military occupation.'
'It is past time to accept that American efforts to monopolize a tragically misnamed peace process have helped Israel to entrench what multiple international human rights groups have defined as a system of apartheid that has produced only more war and suffering.'
'The only possible solution is one that ends the oppression of one people by another and guarantees absolutely equal rights and security for both peoples.' (NYTimes, Essay copied here in full)
We must push for the two-state solution again and again! It is inhumane to push helpless people into sardine cans. Bibi is retaliatory but this mess was caused by his rhetoric and the bragging of partnering with the Saudis. As a liberal Jew, I condemn Netanyahu and the Likud Party. Hamas are the killers. Not the Palestinian people. Hamas cares only about power and revenge against Israelis. They were smart enough to use water pipes that were underground to make their bombs and missiles. They were smart enough to dig underground tunnels 100 feet deep so as not to be detected. They threatened the lives of the people they were supposedly protecting. Palestinians must stand up against these murderers. Israel must be made whole. If assholes would just get out of the way, most everyone could live in peace.
'Tunnels dug in Gaza were originally used for smuggling goods in and out of Egypt to circumvent an Israeli blockade. But Palestinian militants built up the tunnels to move rockets and rocket launchers, shield militants from detection by Israeli satellites and aircraft and to stage attacks into Israeli territory. The vast underground system includes storage rooms, electrical generators, command centers and supplies for Hamas’ fighters, according to the Israeli military.'
'The network has “dozens of access points located throughout Gaza,” and many of the tunnel entrances are next to civilian residences, the IDF says.'
'Mohammed Deif, the commander of the Qassam Brigades the military wing of Hamas, is believed to be the mastermind behind the tunnel system, according to Israeli media reports.'
'Dating back to 2006, Hamas militants have dug tunnels inside Israeli territory and staged a series of surprise attacks. As a result, Israel built a specially designed 40-mile underground concrete barrier to try to detect tunnel construction in Gaza. The barrier helped Israel uncover a tunnel in 2020 before Hamas could use the passage to mount an attack inside Israel, according to the IDF.'
'During a series of military operations in Gaza, Israeli forces have tried to wipe out the tunnel system, but Hamas has rebuilt the tunnels in each case.'
'Hamas also has a tunnel network linking Gaza to neighboring Egypt, which is used to smuggle both commercial goods and weapons. Some of the tunnels are 18 meters (about 20 yards) below ground, NBC News has previously reported.'
'Some former U.S. officials say Hamas may choose to move some of the hostages they seized in last Saturday’s attack out of Gaza through the tunnels to Egypt.' (NBCNews) See link below.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/can-israel-take-out-tunnels-hamas-uses-move-fighters-weapons-rcna120315#:~:text=Tunnels%20dug%20in%20Gaza%20were,stage%20attacks%20into%20Israeli%20territory.
I saw that report was thinking, “My God! Hamas are like ants! Their hill gets destroyed and they come right back and reestablish it.
Tunnels destroyed or blocked?
They have always dug deeper.
Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA), i am sorry for your pain at this time.
Thank you
Fern, you have said it better than I ever could. I have been following this conflict for a number of years. Israel is an apartheid nation and has been called the largest open air prison. Already, more Palestinians have been killed than in 2014 and there are reports that Israel is using white phosphorus,a war crime. Biden’s stand with Israel at all costs while ignoring its atrocities is definitely the wrong approach.
Fern, I truly appreciate what you bring to this community! Your comments and your generosity (in gifting articles and copying out articles) have been such a help and benefit to me. It elevates all of us when you share truth and knowledge that can be so difficult for some of us to find. Thank you!
Dear Tamara, you are very kind to let me know that I have been helpful. You also brought a smile to my heart at just the moment when personal business was causing an anxious one. Bless your timing!
Thank You, Fern. Tragic. And we are complicit.
Very well said! It is horrible what Hamas did on 10/07 but what the Palestinians have experienced in this illegal and cruel occupation. This attack on Gaza is now worse than what happened in 2014. There are reports that Israel is using white phosphorus which is a war crime.
But...but, rockets keep getting fired from Gaza into Israel. What would I do if rockets of varying potency were being sporadically fired, a few per year, from the little town only a few miles away from my home? A town who's police seem unable or unwilling to prevent them?
Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza.
'GAZA/JERUSALEM/CAIRO, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Israeli forces kept up their bombardment of Gaza on Monday after diplomatic efforts to arrange a ceasefire to allow foreign passport holders to leave and aid to be brought into the besieged Palestinian enclave failed.'
'Residents of Hamas-ruled Gaza said overnight air strikes were the heaviest yet as the conflict entered its 10th day with an Israeli ground offensive believed to be imminent.'
'Bombing carried on through the day, they said, and many buildings were flattened, trapping yet more people under the rubble. Israeli officials issued multiple warnings of Hamas rocket fire into Israel.'
'Diplomatic efforts have been underway to get aid into the enclave, which has endured unrelenting Israeli bombing since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants that killed 1,300 people - the bloodiest single day in the state's 75-year history.'
'But Israel's chief military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said there was no Gaza ceasefire and that Israel was continuing its operations.'
"There are no such efforts under way at this time. If anything changes we will inform the public. We are continuing our fight against Hamas, this murderous organisation that carried this (the assaults) out."
https://newslink.reuters.com/click/33037762.209532/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmV1dGVycy5jb20vd29ybGQvbWlkZGxlLWVhc3QvZ2F6YS1ib3JkZXItY3Jvc3Npbmctc2V0LXJlb3Blbi1pc3JhZWxpLXRyb29wcy1wcmVwYXJlLWdyb3VuZC1hc3NhdWx0LTIwMjMtMTAtMTUvP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9U2FpbHRocnUmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1OZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1EYWlseS1CcmllZmluZyZ1dG1fdGVybT0xMDE2MjMmdXNlcl9lbWFpbD1hMTY1YTU5MDVmMmZmNDMxYWMxMWQwMDZkMTNlYzQxMTJjM2Y1NDRkNzE3MmFhYzQxMTIyODMzYjY0NDk2NmEy/6207ba40fc2a1a55725b9b14B9803f719
There's always more to the story. What would it be like to be driven off the land your family had been living on for generations and then imprisoned for generations in refugee camps because no neighbors are willing to allow you to move away from people who hate you because you exist.
Agreed, in spades. This conflict, this clash of inflamed neighbors, no longer even seems to have a beginning -- it's simply the Terrible Condition that's existed forever. Or at least, for all of my life, which is pretty close to the same thing from my perspective.
For so many conflicts around the world, I can usually at least fantasize about a solution, even if I know such daydreams are based as much on ignorance as anything else. Like, "drive Russian troops out of Ukrainian territory." Or, "China recognizes Taiwanese independence." Even, "the wealthiest 1% devote all of their wealth to the betterment of the 99%." Musing to put myself to sleep at night.
I can't even fantasize about a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian nightmare. Every solution I can dream of requires at least one party to accept some gross injustice, usually in the recent past, that would make me boil forever for revenge. How can this be solved without someone peacefully accepting the intolerable?
At least Blinken has learned that he cannot credibly talk about this crisis without mentioning the Palestinians even though this comes last in his list of priorities.
.
“A vision ... that has countries in the region normalizing their relations, integrating, working together in common purpose, and upholding and bringing forth the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.”
I'm still waiting for him to address the torching of Palestinian villages and other settler violence that have escalated since Netanyahu came back into power, and it is still not within his ability to take the words "Palestinian state" into his vocabulary.
You’ll wait forever for that. Blinken is an American Empire toadie of the highest order. His blathering on about international law, and order, and norms, are the height of hypocrisy, considering all the mendacious, duplicitous, and destructive foreign policy choices we have made over the last two decades.
You remember how anyone with any sense cheered when that Iraqi threw his shoe at Bush during a press conference back during the Iraq war? That’s what I feel like doing every time Blinken, or his sycophant SD spokesperson Matt Miller, opens his mouth. Nothing but propaganda, and far too many people here lap that bile up. Pathetic.
Do people want truth? You can have Blinken propaganda pablum, all wrapped up in concern for Palestinians, albeit a distant fourth in the strategery pecking order above, or you can have words spoken by those who recognize the real abuses of power, and oppression in pursuit of hegemony. Those like Johnstone, Finkelstein, Blumenthal, etc. Pick a side.
https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/bombing-kids-and-blaming-it-on-hamas?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=82124&post_id=137999931&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=eov1&utm_medium=email
I want to throw a shoe at W to this day. I live within throwing distance so it’s a temptation. I don’t, however, want to throw a shoe at Blinken, just you.
I wrote letters to the newspapers and objected strongly to our invasion of Iraq. The claim was that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. My objection to the invasion was first based on my firm belief that even if Saddam had WMDs he wouldn't use them because it would have resulted in his complete annihilation. He knew that. Saddam loved the power and position that he held. Bush's and the Republicans' invasion of Iraq resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and families destroyed. Bush, Cheney et al. should have been tried for war crimes.
Couldn’t agree more, did the same, but most I knew were cult nuts, even then. Saddam kept Iran at bay to some extent. Bush’s crowd fixed that.
Bless your vote blue no matter who heart.
Damn straight, repubs have identified themselves as snakes. As chump said, they told you who they are. Believe them.
Lots of different kinds of snakes. And shoes.
https://twitter.com/decensorednews/status/1711923194133708990
Your last sentence is the core, the very essence of why humans are and have been in self destruction mode since their "creation" or evolution or whatever you believe led to a species that can't think beyond being a bunch of warring tribes. We are no better than red ants vs black ants.
I don't hear you discussing the two guys pulling the strings on this debacle. Vlad and Ali are chuckling as we in the West argue. Any thoughts on that?
Who cares what Tom thinks. To me, he's just another guy who enjoys throwing wrenches and sand into the gears of diplomacy and any effort to retain democracy.
You mean Henry Kissinger diplomacy? You mean Victoria Nuland diplomacy? You mean Elliot Abrams diplomacy? Those last two are serving with Biden’s blessing. You’re right I want to throw wrenches, sand, and any other obstruction into those gears, and so should you.
Israel turned on Hamas because it won an election. The Democratic Party tried to get the Green Party candidate thrown off the ballot in the NC Senate race in 2020. People who use retain/save democracy as a cheerleading gotcha need to make sure their hypocrisy meters are recalibrated before jumping into the democracy discussion. Otherwise, they end up looking like those who bought into the Bush lie that the Iraqis hated us because of our freedumbs.
Tom, what is your take on Jim Jordan's becoming Speaker of the House?
The part of me that still believes government should work efficiently to provide for the ‘general welfare’ of the people is appalled.
The part of me that understands our government, and both major political parties, have been taken over by a corporate coup, and that as a result, elections don’t matter and politics are political theater, doesn’t give a hoot.
I’m tired, frustrated, and angry at the inability of our citizens, on both sides of the political divide, to understand that the real enemy we need to focus on, and spend most our time fighting, are the monied interests that currently own our government; not Trump, not Biden, not Jordan, not Pelosi, not Putin, not Hamas.
Trans issues are important, abortion is important, climate change is important, wars are important….. nothing gets fixed/resolved until we wrest control of our government from monied interests.
Thinking Democrats will save us is foolish thinking…. unless those who vote for Democrats are as willing to vehemently critique those they voted for when they cater to their corporate donors, as with Obamacare for example, as they do GOP attempts to dismantle the social safety net.
The solutions to all our problems are out there. Until we can build a coalition that includes many of the people that many subscribers to this site find ‘deplorable’, and fight the monied interests that are calling the shots, from inside the beltway shenanigans to foreign policy, we will continue to circle the drain.
Bill, due respect, you seem to have a hard time discerning the relative weight carried by the various string pullers around the world. Right now, no one chuckles more than the U.S. when it comes to fomenting unrest in pursuit of global hegemony.
We can be better than ants. We just have to start using the grey matter evolution gave us, instead of the lizard brain approach to policy. Again, pick a side; or, if you prefer, make a choice.
'Respect', Tom, your wrote it! '....'due respect', and I've read your exchanges today with subscribers who are respectful and, generally, receive it. There are bound to be exceptions, once in a while.
Yeah, I’ve seen the ‘respect’ the subscribers here afford those who disagree with their tribal inclinations as it pertains to the red/blue divide, or Ukraine, or, gasp, the Middle East. I had someone respectfully tell me today she would like to throw a shoe at me. No biggie.
How’s the view from that high horse?
Your languaging paints a picture of a pompous ass. Sorry I engaged.
And what’s your suggested solution? These issues are thousands of years old and have never been solved. No one and I mean no one in the Middle East is willing to change an approach or consider compromise solutions. This region will never find peace.
Offer the Israelis a U.S. state, say, Texas, and fund the relocation. Middle East peace solved. But then, the anti-semitic violence displayed by the displaced Texan refugees would make the Palestinian version look quaint by comparison.
On a more sober assessment, the Israelis have to either renounce Zionistic quota as a basis for their ‘democracy’, or Israel, Syria, and Jordan must agree to give up land for the creation of a Palestinian state, with additional funding provided by the U.S., EU, and other Arab nations to ensure stability as the new state develops.
In terms of offering the Israelis some American soil, there are some wide-open spaces in Nevada and Arizona. The decision to create a state of Israel 2700 years later in a land where the population was predominantly Muslim was a huge mistake in an effort to make amends for the Holocaust. Religious beliefs are the fundamental problem.
Yeah, the creation of Israel was all about ‘strategic interests’. Funny how right and wrong never seems to be a consideration when it comes to policy formulation by nation states.
Your negative comments aside, a sober assessment reply is how much land does Israel have to give up?
One person’s negative comment is another’s speaking truth. I see a lot these days to be negative about, and I have a problem with most Americans inability to discern the real culprits of the world’s problems, not to mention the solutions to said problems, due to the constant barrage of propaganda and narrative control coming from our government and corporate media.
How much land? I personally would like to see negotiations begin with a return to a general template mirroring the map on page 6 in the link below, pre-1967 war. Jerusalem should be a ‘neutral’ city, under the ‘control’ of a Jewish, Muslim, and Christian entity of some sort. And for every acre of land Israel ‘gives up’, Syria, Jordan and Egypt should kick in that amount of land themselves, to grant the Palestinian state enough space to keep the population from being squeezed into a box like in Gaza. Just my opinion here.
The negotiations would be every bit as intense, even more so, as those required to end ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland. But the U.S. needs to push Israel to the table; both to begin to make Israel understand our support in indeed conditional, as well as to begin to regain the trust of Arabs who believe, not without reason, that the U.S. is just another colonial oppressor, as were the British and French back in 1948-49.
https://www.cfi.org.uk/downloads/MapsofIsraelHistory-v5.pdf
Kathy, here’s another take on the ‘land’ issue. Posting this will inevitably result in me being accused of being a Russian apologist/Putin puppet, but hey, sticks and stones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZfgEHclL98
Thank you Prof. Richardson for your summation and quick assessment of latest developments in the appalling tragic events unfolding in Israel but especially in Gaza. I fear I cannot share your rather bland and mild assessment of the Biden administrations actions.
By merely continuing and deepening the US' and Western blind support for Israel, despite its bad record of repressing the rights of Palestinians in favor of progressively taking over all their lands, in this heightened and dramatic crisis, while the whole world watches, I fear Biden has placed the future and credibility of US - and Western - leadership at grave risk.
From the start, there was a right, just way rot ensure the horrific Hamas' attack was met with firm justice - as it must be - and a wrong way. By choosing the route of vigilante justice and collective punishment, by the force of arms of the IDF, Biden has forfeited the chance to show how a civilized society handles such acts of terror. This should be only through judicial means that seek out and bring the criminals to justice. Military means should be used narrowly for this purpose. Instead the population of half an entire country - 1 million people - will be made to pay a heavy often deadly price.
Under the Geneva Convention and the International Humanitarian Law - that underpins the Laws of War - the forcible removal of civilians and non-combatants is a war crime. Not since the Holocaust have over a million people been so moved against their will.
By not standing firm on humanitarian principles, while endorsing Israel's just right to justice for Hamas' horrific attack. By not stipulating that civilized societies do not endanger the lives of half the population of a neighboring country for the actions of a few criminals. Biden has put the moral standing of the United States - and the entire Western world - in grave jeopardy.
Western democracy is often imperfect as a value system in its application, but it has the immense virtue of setting clear principles that all can look up to : respect for rule of law, self determination, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all people. When the leading standard bearers of this system show how quickly and easily they can flout their own values, the credibility of the entire enterprise is put at risk for the long term.
This undermining of our own system of rights can only put the safety of our nations and others in grave peril.
Collective punishment of one million people - many of whom will lose their homes, their property, their incomes, risk the futures of their children, and the sickness and death of their elderly - is abhorrent to all civilized nations.
As thousands of Gazans flee along roads south, with little food, water, fuel, shelter, or medical supplies, the risk of mass starvation and death are immense. Born of a fit of rage, Israel's eviction order will almost certainly convert Gaza into a cross between Haiti and Aleppo, and the 1947-48 India-Pakistan Partition, in which millions died.
All this as the largest US aircraft carrier sits offshore to supply bullets to the IDF to kill Gazans, but not to save them.
The verdict of History will be rightly damning of such bad conduct.
Well said. A question. Won't Hamas just move south along with the residents of Gaza?
Of course, no doubt there will be elements of Hamas who do so, after all they too are Gazans. But perhaps a more important way to see it : Hamas is now, has been for many years, the government administration in Gaza. It delivers public services ices such as they are, it ensures law and order, etc. Absent Hamas, Gaza risks falling into anarchy at a time when so many will be at grave risk. Hamas is also part of the Muslim Brotherhood that has emphasized providing community services as part of its mission - difficult though that may be in for years resource starved Gaza. It is crucial, in my view, to narrowly go after those who perpetrated the attack and bring them to justice. But without undermining the government administration. As that would risk a total societal meltdown. Wiser heads in Israel and Western capitals need to prevail here. Let us hope.
Netanyahu is not wise.
Don't we have to go way back in history to when colonization was used; the popes & kings used the Doctrine of Discovery to get rid of the Native Americans. Of course, there was war & slavery even before that. We have to start accepting that we are all unique and just accept each other's different ways. We are still evolving and maybe soon we will realize this. Read Ken Wilbur, Fr. Richard Rohr, Fr. Thomas Keating.
Yes, I agree on both counts. Colonization by the British of the Protectorate of Palestine after the Versailles treaty of 1919, ushered in British rule And it was the Births who played both sides - Zionists and Palestinian Arabs off against each other, making promises to both. But then they didn't control the terrorism by Zionist groups - such as the Hagana, the Lehi and the Stern Gang. The Births abandoned Palestine once fighting broke out leading to the expulsion of 750,000 Palestinian Arabs from their homes in 1947-48 in what is now Israel. These same Palestinians arena being expelled from their homes again, this time in Gaza, where they have lived since 1948. In the 21st century, unlike earlier times, there is International Law protecting the sovereignty rights of peoples. And there are the Laws of War and International Humanitarian Law protecting civilians from attack, starvation and forced migration. By those standards, Isrel's - and Western nations' - treatment of Palestinians now constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. As you will see by taking a look at the United Nations documentation on these matters. Surely we can only hope for peace - accepting each others ways - if all live by these same standards of mutual acceptance. Thank you, Beverly.
Sec Tony Blinken is a BOSS!
And he plays a mean guitar! https://youtu.be/CM333RSlc1Y?si=aayofDK1rI0Ismy2
And he speaks fluent, almost accentless, French.
Mary, thanks for that!
David H, I thought that we needed a little bit of joy.
I can't take the smile off my face. My admiration for this man (he's him) has just shot up 200%. A few past Secretaries of State have flashed past my eyes and disappeared into the fog. He's the real deal.
And did I say his French was almost accentless? I take that back. This is perfect French:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI46ItTxxzA
Wow!!! Just wow!!!
Mary Hardt, I liked A. Blinken (and Abe Lincoln as well), but my admiration and respect got a boost with that video.
It inspired a vision of diplomacy through music. Imagine the US Secretary of State visiting China or Iran or wherever and having some jam sessions with the other diplomats before they sit down together to talk.
David H, I like your idea.
BTW, Dr. Jim Allison, the immunology genius at MD Anderson plays harmonica in their jazz band.
https://youtu.be/wjZeyCIkSQY?si=JTjZ43zy_B5yE9tp
Same here.
I'm reminded of Henry Kissinger, who served as Secretary of State. He is 100 years old. Sometimes people judge public figures by whether or not you think you would enjoy having a beer with them. I remember Kissinger. I'd rather have a beer with Secretary Blinken.
Thank you for the link, Mary Hardt, and what an idea, David H! What a beautiful world it would be! We can dream, can't we?
And dance 💃 dance 🕺
A universal language
Heart to heart
Smiles break through
The dark morass
My prayer for peace
Thank you Mary, David, Anne & especially HCR
I greatly respect Tony Blinken and am so grateful for his gift of diplomacy.
There are other human qualities within mankind, such as lust for power and control and persistant "brainwashing" techniques being dissceminated through many channels that really frighten me concerning the ideal of freedom in general and the driving forces vying for control....ie to take our freedoms away....even in the USA.
We have so much in our country to value and appreciate.....freedom of worship is one.
Diplomats like Blinken and our President Joe Biden are others.
With all these diplomatic efforts underway, my question is... Where is the religious leadership? Why am I hearing nothing about religious efforts to break the endless cycle of hate-based war? I do not think anything will change until the "hearts and minds" in the region change. And that in my experience is the work of religion.
I wish everyone would work for peace and reconciliation.
We need to work for peace from the international level down to the interpersonal level with our gun problem.
We seem to be basically afraid of each other, so we're armed to the teeth, in case we need to defend ourselves.
And with everyone armed as a precaution for defense, our armaments are indistinguishable from offensive weapons. Vicious cycle.
The problem always seems to be who will have the courage to be the first to begin to unwind the weaponry.
We have much in common with people around the world. We should be working together to make sure Earth is habitable long into the distant future. Our political leaders should be saying things like this. Let us work together for peace and longevity.
The military industrial complex disagrees
I liked what I read at the link you provided. We are very interested in, and concerned about education. I intend to learn more.
Here is a link to an article about a lawsuit in Wisconsin against the school choice program. The link is a generative AI query, so your results may vary. One of the points of contention is that the voucher program are siphoning funding away from already underfunded public school programs.
https://www.google.com/search?q=wisconsin+lawsuit+about+voucher+schools&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS931US931&oq=wisconsin+lawsuit+about+voucher+schools&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRirAtIBCTEwNTQzajFqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&bshm=rime/1
Well, duh. That’s the point, isn’t it.
I have family and friends in Tucson. I will look forward to reading the article.
Another thing that is happening in Wisconsin is that those of a particularly penurious persuasion persist in believing that spending money on education is wasted, unless it's for their own kids. They want us to believe they are astute business people, but they fail to recognize the concept of investment that pays dividends over the lifetime of everyone in the community.
And another unfairness in our system is that kids in mostly rural areas up north don't get the resources that people in more prosperous urban areas enjoy.
If it were up to us, we would lavish resources on all of our schools, and would pay teachers way more than they have been getting, and we would increase the ratio of teachers per pupil. There is so much more that we could do that is not getting done. Some folks say our gerrymander is the worst in the nation.
The American classical composer Charles Ives (who sold insurance to support his family) once wrote that two professions –– people whose work is farming and teaching –– ought to be the most highly paid in our society. Their contributions are the most important for all of us.
I get the sense that the category of "Religion" is applied to many different and often incompatible things, in particular a frame of mind that is narcissistic, entitled and aggressive, contrasted with humble, compassionate and helpful. As in the 9/11 attacks, the claim of "religion" can appear to be little more than a theatrical a pretext for malignant narcissism, even though the "faithful" may fanatically believe in it. Desmond Tutu, MLK, Quakers aiding all who suffer in war zones and disasters are a very different sort.
I do wonder though, with the incidence of dishonesty and hatred on the rise in our own society, why it is mostly the MAGA "Christian" leaders who seem to speak the loudest. "Humble" is an recognition of one's own humanity along with that of others. It does not mean staying hidden, like "under a bushel" .
J L, to your point about the MAGA self-described "Christian" leaders, I tend to judge them by how much they do, or do not, remind me of the Entity at the center of the Christian faith. Mostly, they do not remind me of the admonition to love.
I think the pecking order of students in schools a window into the side of our nature that wants to be "on top", and while I think there is healthy competition, I'm not sure that schools always reinforce only the healthy parts of that. I think teaching has become far more aware of developmental psychology, neurodiversity, social dynamics than was the case in 1950s Ohio when I was experiencing it, but there are now other complications. When I was a kid, I think most children spent pretty much as much time as they could outdoors, doing things, and that has changed by the time of my daughter's childhood, at least in my experience. A play date would often center around a video tape, though that was not the preference of my wife and I. I think it's good to park the phone at the door of schools, but ultimately all technology is tools we choose to use one way or another. What do we really care about when we think of what we want and not just what is routine? Or so I say knowing I spend too much time with this laptop computer.
“Park the phone at the door”. Then how would they be able to call their parents and say they love them If a school shooter on the premises. It’s a thing these days, sad to say
Yes it's complicated. I do worry about the virtual overtaking the actual because the actual is where we live. That said I am greatly appreciative of electronic communication, such as this. We need to work harder at what HCR called evidence based communities and part of that is seeing accurately identifying the theoretical in lived experience, and lived experience in the theoretical. I think that is enlightening.
Damn, how “reality” has morphed into, well, what. Having a brain freeze…
I think civility and democracy become more difficult as the size of society grows, which is not to say impossible. We are individual sentient beings and we are social being in a society. We evolved that way because it works. Our preserved and available library of information and specialized skills, immense compared to any single individual, became that way because we differ. It is made useful because we share and exchange. We are lovers of truth, beauty and compassion and self-serving narcissists, usually some of both in the same package. We shine when we marry and reconcile diverse individual perspectives and agendas to social solidarity; not the bee-hive conformity of authoritarianism, but liberty and justice for all. Freedom worthy of the name is freedom to, as well as freedom from, rape, persecution, etc. Thus freedom is a responsibility to others as well as choice. Failure to instill and maintain that integration that leads to the nightmares of history and the present day. E Pluribus Unum
Steven
It is mostly driven by religion. From both sides. Religion is excuse and justification both.
I’m aware religion justifies much of this. That’s why I used the word “leadership”. The world’s religions need to breakthrough to being part of the solution rather than the problem. Such breakthroughs are possible. It just takes someone to want to save people - all people - for real…
Most of the "world's religions" are Bronze Age mythologies and superstitions used to control, manipulate and brainwash.
The only hope of all this NOT continuing ad infinitum is that young people see through the madness.
Parts of the world are becoming more secular.... parts of the world where children are taught critical thinking, scientific method and logic in schools.
ie. the way to stop the hatred is for the "leadership" you speak of to lose their power.
I disagree. I’m not a church-going man myself, but I would not do away with religion all too quickly. I would argue that religion can inspire people to do great things, even rise above themselves, because it provides comfort in death and gives answers to the question “why” things happen. Science can do neither: it can only the question “how” things happen, and is hopelessly at a loss when asked to provide emotional and spiritual solace.
What should be differentiated is that the word “religion” has two meanings: A) belief in a higher power c.q. spiritual world; B) an institution propagating one single set of beliefs. My take is that you are mainly writing about the latter, and that makes a big difference: because big religious institutions mired in politics, money and power are, in my opinion, no different from big corporations mired in politics, money and power. Honestly, I’d wager that _real_ religiosity is almost exclusively found _outside_ of these institutions… The madness that young people should see through, is, therefore, the mechanics that large corporations and institutions use to cement their power - and not dismiss the teachings religion has to offer that might help them find a meaning of (their) life.
No Mike, I am most definitely talking about the former. Your "A".
That is the madness.
Your "B" is the evil bit.
Wonder if Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama would have acted the same, and amounted to the same, had they abstained from religion and turned purely to science. I also wonder what the scientist says to someone whose loved one has died. "Don't fret, it was just a bunch of molecules created by happenstance?" I, as a chemist, have no answer than that. Isn't that madness, too?
I see a difference between religions and cults, and not all religion is a cult and not all cults are religious. I think cults form when they shut out questioning their own precepts, especially when such questioning is punished. Any concept of "blaspheme" is a tool tyrants. It like mental malware to paralyze reality-checking by instilling PTSD, or in extreme cases, genocide. Jesus seemed to use the Socratic method. Many claiming his leadership mass murdered and burned people at the stake. I see "politics", which is a factor wherever there are two or more of us, as the process, cooperative or coercive, that determines whose will prevails. Tyrants love cults. Tyrants seek absolute power. We all have display an "ego" (Latin for "I"). When ego pushes every other consideration out of the nest, we are dealing with sociopathy.
I thought "cult" was just a word for a religion that is not yours.
Of course there is only one religion - all the others are cults
Joshua commandeered destroying the city-state of Jericho, if the tale has any truth to it. There is indeed a neolithic (early stone age) tower in Jericho, the largest tower in the world at that time.
It seems that some of the tribes of Israel still think they have a right to knock it down. The tower still exists in some fashion - in Palestine.
Joshua? Wasn't he a tribal warlord who led his people to battle after bloody battle against the infidel?
Or have I got the wrong guy?
It is much more complicated than that, Steven. You are talking about centuries and thousands of years where there has been religious wars within the middle east. Although, factions like Hamas claim their religion is number one, they are religiously devoted to destruction and despair. That’s where their “faith” lies.
I understand your point. And I am a student of human history who has learned that any worldview can change when the motivation required to change it exists. I respectfully invite you to watch the history series from the 1980s created by British historian James Burke, the title of which is The Day The Universe Changed. Portions of it are available for free on YouTube. If you are open to what Mr Burke has to teach, you may gain the hope that I have that no problem no matter how long it has existed is insurmountable. Past need not be prologue. Thank you for listening.
I will certainly look that up
James Burke was on the TV a lot when I was a child.
I remember him fondly, a national treasure.
And the Jewish culture needs to be considered here, not Judeism entirely.
Haha, haven’t you noticed. “Religion” is behind about all of this. Give religion credit for the chaos…
The question of “Religious Leadership” is important. It’s unfortunate that religion seems to be or is, at the root of this conflict, from the beginning of the “creation” of Israel. Or perhaps the very historical and distant past. The question of “Why” the Jewish state can partly be answered by the conflict itself. With Inquisition and battles over faith and land, and modern wars like the Holocaust, what has changed now, besides modern warfare, are alliances that seek change and public outcry on the inhumanity of this war. Or of war. We can also look at the region and see decades of tent cities and poverty and wonder how to reconcile religion and humanity. Is there a possibility of real peace in the region? This seems to be a continuation of heartbreaking and endless conflict. Yet...
Calling the Hamas/Israeli conflict religiously based is akin to confusing a hammer with the arm that swings it. Religion has been, and remains a tool cynically used by political operatives to drive their agendas.
Irenie,
DO you think that maybe it started before the beginning of the "creation" of Israel?
Kathy, it seems that religious wars especially in Eastern Europe have been fought for centuries. So, yes, while I think, because of the Holocaust and rejection of the migration of Jews to other countries including USA, Israel became the exodus. But Great Britain and European countries also pushed for this creation.
Apropos religion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnL4-aVg8J0
“The child was born in the U.S.”
“At the heart of that western freedom and democracy is the belief that the individual man, the child of God, is the touchstone of value, and all society, all groups, and states, exist for that person's benefit. Therefore the enlargement of liberty for individual human beings must be the supreme goal and the abiding practice of any western society.”
An American citizen, still a child was killed by another American because of their religion and ethnic heritage. I’m so tired of this crazy shit. What has our become of our country?
And a zealot with intention. No pass from me.
Here's some good news Heather didn't mention. The results of the Polish elections today show the possibility of a pro-democracy coalition replacing the theocratic-fascist Law and Justice Party.
From WaPo:
Poland’s political opposition ecstatically declared victory Sunday in the country’s most pivotal election since the fall of the Berlin Wall, after an exit poll suggested that while the ruling hard-right party had placed first, the opposition had a far clearer path to a governing coalition.
“We did it! Really! … Poland has won, democracy has won. We have removed them from power!” opposition leader Donald Tusk — a former prime minister and head of the European Council — told his supporters Sunday.
An opposition victory would mean a dramatic shift for Poland, where the Law and Justice party has held power for the past eight years, making it one of the most successful populist parties in Europe — and a model of the rollback of democratic norms. The Polish government exerted control over the courts and the media, backed severe restrictions on abortion, targeted LBGTQ+ rights, and undermined the bonds of the European Union.
If the exit poll holds true, observers say, the election result would have major implications for Polish democracy, European unity and the West’s effort to confront Russian aggression. But exit polls, while generally considered reliable in Poland, can also be flawed, as recently seen in neighboring Slovakia.
Law and Justice also claimed victory Sunday, and its allies could delay any transfer of power — or try to thwart it by attempting to form a minority government.
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the party’s leader and the country’s deputy prime minister, seemed to acknowledge a tough road to forming a new government. “The question is whether this success will be able to be turned into another term of office,” he told supporters. “Whether we are in power or in the opposition, we will continue implementing our project and will not allow Poland to be betrayed,” he said.
The exit poll suggested an opposition victory would be built on a coalition of younger voters, highly educated urban dwellers and Poles living in the industrialized western half of the country, which has deeper historical ties to the rest of Europe.
For advocates of democracy in the E.U., such a result would amount to an early Christmas gift — one fortifying the bloc’s position as a defender of the rule of law at a time when far-right parties have made substantial inroads elsewhere on the continent.
The Ipsos Mori poll projected that Law and Justice had won 36.8 percent of the vote. The opposition Civic Platform was projected to have gotten 31.6 percent. But, pivotally, two political forces seen as potential allies in a new “democratic” coalition collectively had garnered another 21.6 percent. A fourth political force — the Confederation party, seen as even further to the right than Law and Justice — was polling well below expectations at 6.2 percent.
Poland’s highly charged campaign saw some of the largest rallies on Warsaw’s streets since the restoration of democracy three decades ago, and the exit poll suggested a record-high turnout of 73 percent.
The final results are expected Monday or Tuesday and hinge on official tallies.
Another country subject to the every whim of a madman.
A very sane rendition of a totally out of control situation….strongly suggest that everyone get really re-acqainted with definitions of ‘crimes against humanity’…a number of which are occurring right now with more on the way ….the Geneva Conventions which I just reread were designed after the Holocaust to prevent the very kind of situation that Heather just detailed as potentially about to happen again..in a world gone mad.
Just love it that you dealt specifically with the Declaration….
I’ve had occasion to revisit the Geneva Convention over the years…particularly as they apply to refugees….the 1967 decisions….the US Participation and the lack of it are interesting as is the behavior of the Chinese, the Russians, Qatar and several other countries….nothing is ever simple but the key issues are central right now!
We further ask you to emphasise that the following are crimes within the established framework of international law, falling under the jurisdiction of the Court:
• Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities;
• Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects;
• Hostage-taking;
• Intentionally directing attacks against humanitarian personnel and infrastructure;
• The extensive destruction of property not justified by military necessity;
• Employing weapons of warfare, including incendiary weapons, of a nature to cause
unnecessary suffering or which are inherently indiscriminate;
• Inhumane acts intentionally causing great suffering or serious injury to body or to
physical or mental health;
• The starvation of civilians as a method of warfare by depriving them of objects
indispensable to their survival;
• The forcible transfer, deportation or displacement of the civilian population;
• Declaring that no quarter will be given; and
• Killing or causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of a national, ethnical,
racial or religious group, with intent to destroy the group in whole or in part
https://barhumanrights.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BHRC-Letter-to-ICC-October-2023.pdf
Thank you 0rofessor ⭐
"What is most difficult is to
love the world as it is,
with all the evil and
suffering in it."
-Hannah Arendt
O wow! Thank you for remembering words of Hannah Arendt for us.
She lived and wrote about the aftermath of the Holocaust... definitely a perspective to remember.
yes, I have her books. But I did not start reading her until after the 2016 election.
I just finished "Eichman in Jerusalem" and she told the truth, which didn't help her with Israel or Zionist. Read the book before the Gaza tragedy.
Frankly, I find Secretary of State Blinken’s “two very different visions for the future and what the Middle East can and should be” an oversimplification and, instead, would characterize the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict, from 1948 to the present, as the quintessential conflict between right and right, expressly from each side’s perspective. I, further, would submit, that as long as each side persist in pursuing the struggle in the name of what it believes to be right and just and moral, there will be no end to the violence. In the alternative, were both sides guided through a process that admittedly would entail gut-wrenching compromises by both, we potentially could see a break in this seemingly endless cycle of violence.
'Palestinian Citizens of Israel Are Wary, Weary and Afraid' (NYTimes)
'Israeli Arabs, some 18 percent of Israel’s population, speak of heightened tensions with their neighbors, when they are willing to speak at all'
By Steven Erlanger
Steven Erlanger spoke to Palestinian citizens and residents of Israel in Lod, Ramla and East Jerusalem.
Oct. 14, 2023
'Fida Shehada is a member of the City Council of Lod, a town of some 84,000 people, perhaps 30 percent of them Arab citizens of Israel.'
'And Ms. Shehada, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, is afraid, to put it mildly, of what may come now, after the massacre of Israeli civilians by Hamas.' “Everyone is in great distress,” she said. “There is a great fear that there will be a mighty revenge.”
'In Lod, which lies just south of Tel Aviv, Jews and Arabs often live in the same building, she said, but now Arabs are reluctant to go into the air-raid shelters. “They say they see hate in the eyes of the Jews,” Ms. Shehada said. “They say they see hate, but I think what they really see is distress and fear.”
Arab citizens of Israel, many of whom want to be identified as Palestinians, make up some 18 percent of the population. They have been caught for years between their loyalty to the state and their desire for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands, the creation of an independent Palestine and a better life for themselves.'
'Now, after this unprecedented killing of Israelis inside Israel, when an enraged Israeli Jewish population is calling for revenge, normal tensions have been raised to almost unbearable levels.
The leading Arab politicians in Israel, like Mansour Abbas and Ayman Odeh, both members of the Knesset, have clearly condemned the actions of Hamas, the Palestinian faction that carried out the attack on Israel, and called for calm.'
'But people are torn in their feelings, Ms. Shehada said, and so they tend to hide them. Young Arabs at first felt pride in the resistance of Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, she said.' “In the first moment when the people of Gaza invaded Israel, people were happy, they felt that someone was doing something about the situation.”
'But that surge of pride faded quickly, she said. “This was before we saw all the images of slaughter, kidnap and rape,” Ms. Shehada said. “This is not a legitimate form of struggle.”
'In May 2021, during another Israeli-Palestinian crisis, Lod was wracked by riots and mutual hatred between Jewish and Muslim communities. Ms. Shehada, 40, says she was attacked in her own home by Jews throwing rocks.'
'Even in more normal times, Lod has deep-seated problems of poverty and crime, with Arab criminal organizations operating with little interference from the Israeli police, people here say. Even the local government is largely segregated, with separate Arab and Jewish sections within departments.
The police are the responsibility of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister and leader of the ultranationalist Jewish Power party, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition government. Mr. Ben-Gvir, who has supported settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, has also been ramping up tensions with Israel’s Arab population.'
'He has talked of “storming” the Aqsa Mosque compound, one of the Muslim world’s holiest sites, and in late July, he led more than 1,000 ultranationalist settlers to the site, infuriating Muslims and prompting Hamas to say that it is fighting to defend Al Aqsa.'
'Mr. Ben-Gvir has spoken this week of renewed Arab-Israeli violence in cities like Lod and ordered the police to prepare for riots, which Ms. Shehada and others view as a dangerous provocation.'
'Mohammad Magadli, one of Israel’s most prominent Arab journalists, is more optimistic. He sees the shock of the past week bringing a sort of stunned calm. Unlike in 2021, he said, in mixed cities, “the Arab and Jewish societies are more aware of each other’s pain and can understand how destructive the consequences can be if they don’t consider each other’s feelings.”
“There is greater responsibility between the two societies,” Mr. Magadli said, “even among the leaders who, from the outset, called for calming the situation.”
'Ms. Shehada said her aunt was visiting Gaza now and could not leave. Buildings on either side of where she is staying have already been bombed, Ms. Shehada said, then paused, sighed, and said, “I don’t think they will survive this war.”
'In Ramla, a similarly mixed town nearby, the sprawling market normally overflowing with local vegetables and fruits was nearly empty, with an unusual wariness in the air, said Mousa Mousa, 23, an Israeli Arab in a Hebrew-language T-shirt advertising his juice stall.' “I’m not sleeping,” he said. “I’m afraid of the reaction of the villagers on the road to what Hamas did.”
'The market is a mix of Arabs and Jews, he said,' “but the feeling is different now.”
“I feel an animosity from the people here — they’re not smiling as they used to,” Mr. Mousa said. “I try to keep my head high.”
'He said he had contempt for the politicians who stoked hatred inside each community. “They thrive on division,” Mr. Mousa said bitterly. “That’s what politics are based on.”
'What Hamas did has changed life here profoundly, he said. “I don’t think there’s a way back,” he added. “People will not be as they were.”
'In East Jerusalem, too, near the uncharacteristically empty Old City, there is a palpable tension and a more visible presence of Israeli police.'
'In normal times, they tend to stop and check young Arab men every so often. But Adham, 19, says that now he is being stopped three times as he makes the short walk from his father’s shop near the Damascus Gate to their home in the Old City. Each time, he is asked to show his ID card, lift his shirt and drop his trousers. His father asked that their last name be withheld for fear of their security in the current environment.'
'Adham said that he admired Hamas’s boldness. “Yes, they represent the Palestinians,” he said. “They are the only ones who protect the Palestinians.”
'Like many young men here, he has little respect for Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority. “In our eyes, he is a traitor” for cooperating with Israel, Adham said, especially on security in the occupied West Bank.'
'Unlike Arabs in Ramla or Lod, who are part of Israeli society, most Palestinians in East Jerusalem are not Israeli citizens and feel less torn between loyalties. In 1967, when Israel annexed East Jerusalem, it made the Palestinians there legal residents, but not citizens.'
'Mahmoud Muna runs one of Jerusalem’s finest bookshops, catering to everyone. He identifies as a Palestinian from Jerusalem and favors a unitary state based on democracy and equal rights. He sees people like himself as potential models for a different kind of integrated state.'
'But now, he said, there is an unusually high level of “tension, anxiety, anger, confusion and fear that has grown among Palestinians, and I feel it myself.”
'The police presence has been increased in and around East Jerusalem, and Mr. Muna himself has been stopped twice for checks in the past five days, always moments that can produce friction. “Being past 40 helps you keep your cool,” he said.'
'Are Palestinians in Israel in a bind? He paused, then said, “We are always in between.”
'Friends who go to work in West Jerusalem tell him that “everyone is stressed and angry, but everyone is pretending or putting on a face.” People say banalities like' “it’s crazy” or “it’s difficult” or “I can’t understand it,” Mr. Muna said, adding, “This is so you don’t have to say your opinion, but to say nothing is also not acceptable.”
'Moments like this one are clarifying, too, he said: “It is a good time to see things we don’t normally see,” like the absence of acquaintances who have been called up as reservists to the army.'
“Palestinians are reminded to what extent Israeli society is militarized,” he said. “Those you were eating with yesterday are now at the front, and what are they doing now?”
'This week has encapsulated the entire conflict, Mr. Muna said. “The high level of nationalism, of we and them, cannot be higher than now,” he said. “Resistance becomes terrorism and vice versa, and us and them, and civilians and army — all these terms are in sudden contrast.” One side speaks of a new Holocaust and the other of a new Nakba, or catastrophe, which is what Palestinians call their mass displacement and dispossession during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.'
“That’s the graveness of the moment,” Mr. Muna said, “like shrinking the whole last 100 years into a week.” (NYTimes)
Natan Odenheimer contributed reporting.
QUOTE:
The police are the responsibility of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister and leader of the ultranationalist Jewish Power party, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition government. Mr. Ben-Gvir, who has supported settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, has also been ramping up tensions with Israel’s Arab population.'
'He has talked of “storming” the Aqsa Mosque compound, one of the Muslim world’s holiest sites, and in late July, he led more than 1,000 ultranationalist settlers to the site, infuriating Muslims and prompting Hamas to say that it is fighting to defend Al Aqsa.'
REREAD THE LAST PARAGRAPH
Despite all the horror of the Hamas attack -- apparently in retaliation for a previous incursion when the mosque was invaded -- i.e. desecrated -- and members of the congregation harassed and beaten, even to talk of "storming" the Al Aqsa mosque is to strike a match in a gas-filled space.
I am afraid even to THINK of the designs on the Temple Mount -- Al Haram as Sharif for Muslims -- of far-right Israeli fanatics.
Any step to carry out those designs would set off world war.
REPEAT
Any step to carry out those designs would set off world war.
Who, then, which group, is potentially more dangerous?
The least that can be said is that these fanatics are competing to destroy us all.
*
It is when things are at their worst that men must turn to planning for peace. Peace with justice -- and true justice is for all.
The words of a Jewish sage -- words that most will struggle to understand at this time when wisdom is neither understood nor valued by so-called "realists":
*
"We call ‘Shalom’ the union and harmony of two opposite entities, so do not be afraid if you meet a person who you think thinks exactly the opposite of you. You might gain the impression that it will be impossible to get along with that person, but that would be a mistake. In the same way, if you meet two people of totally different character, don’t say, “It is impossible to bring them back together,” because it is precisely the union and harmony of two opposite entities that we call ‘Shalom’."
Nahman of Bratslav
*
Let us chew that peace pill.
Peter Burnett's 'Quote' is from 'Palestinian Citizens of Israel Are Wary, Weary and Afraid' (NYTimes)
Chew away, for eternity if needed
I am far more pessimistic about a ‘solution’ or even a significant amelioration of the Israeli/Palestine issue than I was when I first went to Israel and Egypt in 1953. In 1954, as a 20-year-old, I published an optimistic article on ‘Peace in the Middle East.’ Today it reads like naive fiction.
The brutal savagery of the Hamas attack on Israel has a ‘9/11’ impact on Israelis.
How could the Netanyahu government, with one of the world’s elite military and intelligence services, be caught so unaware?
Why did it take a number of hours for the Israeli Defense Force to respond to this massive attack?
What should Israel do to revenge this calumny?
Already the 2,000,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been subjected to massive air attacks, with a ground force invasion imminent. In an effort to ‘eliminate’ Hamas military capability, water, food, and power have been cut off in Gaza. Civilians have been told to flee into southern Gaza, but safe refuge in an area so small is not available.
A number of Israeli and foreign hostages may die in this carnage. In tunnel fighting Hamas is likely to inflict significant casualties on the invading Israeli force. Ultimately, the Israelis are unlikely to leave a large occupation force in Gaza, since their past occupation experience was not successful.
So what will be significantly different weeks or months from now, after major casualties and humanitarian horrors?
Not much.
Gaza will still be a virtual prison/concentration camp for two million Palestinians, of whom half are youths with scant prospects for adulthood.
In the West Bank, there are 2,500,000 Palestinians as well as 500,000 Israelis who have been intruded into settlements.
In Israel, perhaps a fifth of the population are Arabs lacking first-class citizen rights.
This has been an area in turmoil since prior to the independence of Israel in 1948. The ‘two state’ solution expressed in the Oslo Accords is as far away from realization as the landing of a human colony on Mars.
The Palestinians have never been a viable party in dealing with Israel. In my opinion, the situation has been deeply worsened under successive Netanyahu governments.
Within Israel, the staccato expansion of Israeli settlements into Arab areas exacerbates the Israeli/Arab tensions. The Trump recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital exacerbated an already convoluted territorial situation.
Israel has a de facto working relationship with a weak Arab government in the West Bank. In recent days the death toll of Palestinians there has risen. In Gaza one awaits the least worst alternative, after the current carnage.
Seventy years later, my pessimism about an Israeli/Palestinian ‘settlement is almost unlimited.
In my wildest dream, the oil-rich Arab countries (who, in recent years had edged towards self-interest relationships with Israel while virtually ignoring the ‘Palestinian issue’) would propose some tens-of-billions-of-dollars development program for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. (My dream does not include governance of these areas.)
I also fantasize that Israel, instead of succumbing to more and more Ultra Orthodox control under Netanyahu governments, would edge towards a more democratic governance.
In these dual dreams the United States and other countries would be providing encouragement and assistance from the sidelines.
Then, alas, I awake.
Thank you, Keith. I am at the "I don't know what I don't know" stage of development with respect to the Middle East and the conflicts there. What I believe is that western hubris has accelerated and focused this conflict. What seems obvious to me that there is no common ground for people of opposing religious backgrounds, both of whom claim to be the chosen people of that part of the world, to co-occupy that area. I know that the truth is far more nuanced and complicated than this, but I don't believe there are any easy answers to any of it.
In recent decades I don’t believe that ‘western hubris’ has been a major contributor to the Israeli/Palestinian mess.
The Palestinians have been loose goosy about any serious negotiations with the Israelis, as witnessed by the failure of the 2000 Count David meeting with President Clinton.
I doubt that the Israelis were ever serious about the ‘two state’ solution indicated in the Oslo Accords of 30 years ago. Certainly under Netanyahu’s governments, especially the current one, Palestinians and Arab in Israel were treated badly.
How can life be better for the 4,5 million Palestinians cramped in the West Bank and Gaza? What might Israel agree to do to accommodate this?
Dunno.
Keith, when I think about the formation of Israel, I can't help but think of a person we both admire greatly--General George C. Marshall. Presidents Roosevelt and Truman were in awe of him. Marshall's abilities, his intellect, his complete integrity, his dedication to serving the U.S.--all that and more made him the most respected leader in the U.S. He had built the U.S. WWII military. He was the principal architect of the Marshall Plan. Pres. Truman asked him to be Secretary of State, and Marshall accepted. In 1947, he was sent to the Mideast to evaluate the Mideast situation and the issue of recognizing the state of Israel. At a special meeting with the President and some other state dept. leaders, Marshall advised Truman not to recognize "the Jewish Agency" in its declaration to take Palestine and change its name to Israel. Marshall believed in the democratic approach to becoming a country and choosing a government. He was sympathetic to the Jews because of the Holocaust, but he felt it was wrong to take away the Palestinians' land and displace them. He said to Truman, "If you do this, you will make the Arabs mad as hornets, and they'll never get over it." He went on to say that in the conflict between the Jews and Arabs, the U.S. would be drawn into it. General Marshall spoke as someone who was most committed to maintaining the security of the U.S. Marshall was prescient, and here we are in this endless Mideast catastrophe.
Heydon You tell a familiar story of SecState Marshall’s conversation with President Truman about recognizing the soon-to-become the State of Israel. Marshall’s military and political assessment seemed ‘reasonable.’
So what was the ‘realistic’ alternative, when the UN partition plan had been rejected by the Arabs? While much was made of Truman’s de facto recognition of the State of Israel, most have forgotten that the Soviet Union had accord Israel de Jure recognition.
The fact that Israel survived the multi-Arab military onslaught surprised almost everyone. The eradication of Israel might have ‘simplified’ the political situation in the Middle East, though I would consider this a totally unthinkable post-Holocaust situation.
You're right, Keith--essentially, regardless of the origin-of-Israel issues, the situation is what is, and we have to deal with what things have become. Ref. the attacks the Israelis have fought off since the state's founding, a couple of accompanying problems come to mind. First, in the 1967 war, the Israeli destruction of the USS Liberty then and all of the U.S. naval casualties. (The U.S. Navy and relatives of those U.S. Navy casualties will never forget that unprovoked attack.) And, in the 1973 war, American arms assistance was essential to the Israeli side for victory.
In the end, dealing with the genocidal situation as it exists today, we're in a mess. Seems to me that we have to defuse the situation or Gaza and the Palestinians will be blown to oblivion. And we in the U.S. are the enablers who are paying for the bombs and planes to fuel the vast genocide. I believe that getting the Israeli settlers out of the occupied territories is a start toward some sort of reconciliation for the future, or to even have a future.
I credit President Carter for his Camp David success with Anwar Sadat in 1979. President Clinton failed with Arafat at Camp David in 2000.
How was Hamas able to carry out such an attack in the first place, against an Israel that is supposed to be so strong on defense, security and intelligence?
Makes me wonder if Trump gave classified documents on Israeli security to Putin. Putin could’ve passed on the info to Iran, and Iran to Hamas. Putin wants a destabilized Middle East to distract the US from Ukraine and to weaken our resolve there.
What you say could be true. But also I think Netanyahu has been very distracted by (this will sound familiar) by his own legal problems and his attempts to consolidate power and destroy the judiciary, the brake on his actions since Israel doesn’t have a constitution. He hasn’t done his job as prime minister. We are facing a similar situation with tfg, who wants to be president only for how it will benefit HIM (or more accurately, keep him out of prison).
I pray 🙏 for peace for the people of Israel and the Palestinian people. I hope there able to rescue the hostages in Gaza. Thank you , Heather.