Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa issued a statement earlier saying, "every country has a right to defend itself against attacks from a foreign enemy. Every nation is obligated to beat back forces dedicated to its destruction. And Israel cannot sit silently while innocent civilians are attacked. During this trying time in the Middle East, I hope all people -- regardless of race, religion or creed -- will join me in praying for peace, for an end to hostilities, and for a halt to violence on all sides."
Flawed thinking ... that violence will bring peace ... never has, never will. In one moment, justifying violence and then praying for peace. Sort of like pulling the trigger on your neighbor and then praying for your neighbor's health.
Only justice can bring peace. Peace is not an entity in and of itself; peace is a by-product, a result. If justice is missing, there can never be peace.
But only continuing violence - strike and strike back.
Villaraigosa's logic fits every situation, including that of the Palestinians who believe they have a right to strike Israel, because of Israel's oppressive policies.
It's been noted that Israel decided to do this while war-mongering Bush remains in office - neither Bush nor his Neo-Con goons will ever figure this one out - the only language they speak is the language of power and domination - what they hope to do is defeat the real logic of life - those who live by the sword die by the sword.
Every empire, every dictator, every aggressive nation, has sought to defeat this logic, but the logic of the sword is built into the fabric of life - those who choose violence to promote peace on their own terms will never find it.
Israel has become a rogue nation with Uncle Sam's blessing ... and if anyone thinks Israel will succeed this time, then I've got a bridge to sell you.
As for our mayor, just words to placate a powerful lobby. After all, this isn't Detroit with a huge Arab population. Wonder what he'd say there. Too bad the truth dissolves in the acids of political expediency.
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Huffington Post article by Marty Kaplan - excellent - the "cost" of victory.
Showing posts with label Gaza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gaza. Show all posts
Monday, January 5, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Gaza
I am utterly distressed by Israel's incursion into Gaza.
Will this end it?
Will this military action bring peace to a region broken by injustice and cruelty?
The double talk is galling.
They describe themselves as peacemakers and restrained.
I'm sorry, that's just doublespeak ... the gobbledygook of politics ... language turned upside down to mask the lies and deceptions that have clouded the minds of Israel's leadership, the very same lies and deceptions spun by Bush and Gang vis-a-vis Iraq.
And though I am deeply sensitive to the history of the Jews and the founding of Israel, I cannot accept the Antisemitism Card endlessly played when there's even the hint of a question about the State of Israel and its ruthless policies.
It's imperative that we stop thinking about the State of Israel as an idea and begin seeing it for what it is - a nation-state, bent on its own security, using language to mask its self-promoting agenda.
And I'm watching CNN right now - how they love a war, and listening to some has-been general going on and on about taking ground and controlling it. Right ... this always works, doesn't it?
Israel is utterly wrong at this point ... and though Hamas has bloody hands as well, the burden of proof rests on those who hold and wield the power, and the Unites States, quietly cheering Israel on, to further destabilize the Middle East, to make it easier for us to maintain a presence there.
A peaceful Middle East would pose an enormous threat to us, even as a United Europe challenges us economically.
Having just seen the fine film, "Defiance," and knowing something of the tragic history of Antisemitism, I have always been sympathetic to the State of Israel. Though I believe its founding to have been a huge mistake driven the the collective guilt of the Western Allies after WW2, there's no turning back the clock. Israel exists as a state, and they need security and peace as any state does.
The Western Democracies have the power and the influence to stay the hand of war - to create a two-state resolution and to protect Israel for decades to come. But we lack the resolve, and as long as Israel is bent on eradication, with US support, and Hamas on harassment, it will only continue.
Will this end it?
Will this military action bring peace to a region broken by injustice and cruelty?
The double talk is galling.
They describe themselves as peacemakers and restrained.
I'm sorry, that's just doublespeak ... the gobbledygook of politics ... language turned upside down to mask the lies and deceptions that have clouded the minds of Israel's leadership, the very same lies and deceptions spun by Bush and Gang vis-a-vis Iraq.
And though I am deeply sensitive to the history of the Jews and the founding of Israel, I cannot accept the Antisemitism Card endlessly played when there's even the hint of a question about the State of Israel and its ruthless policies.
It's imperative that we stop thinking about the State of Israel as an idea and begin seeing it for what it is - a nation-state, bent on its own security, using language to mask its self-promoting agenda.
And I'm watching CNN right now - how they love a war, and listening to some has-been general going on and on about taking ground and controlling it. Right ... this always works, doesn't it?
Israel is utterly wrong at this point ... and though Hamas has bloody hands as well, the burden of proof rests on those who hold and wield the power, and the Unites States, quietly cheering Israel on, to further destabilize the Middle East, to make it easier for us to maintain a presence there.
A peaceful Middle East would pose an enormous threat to us, even as a United Europe challenges us economically.
Having just seen the fine film, "Defiance," and knowing something of the tragic history of Antisemitism, I have always been sympathetic to the State of Israel. Though I believe its founding to have been a huge mistake driven the the collective guilt of the Western Allies after WW2, there's no turning back the clock. Israel exists as a state, and they need security and peace as any state does.
The Western Democracies have the power and the influence to stay the hand of war - to create a two-state resolution and to protect Israel for decades to come. But we lack the resolve, and as long as Israel is bent on eradication, with US support, and Hamas on harassment, it will only continue.
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