Wow. I really don't know what to say, other than I'm glad (even more than I was before) that I don't live in the middle east. Right now it's just Israel, Lebanon and the Palestinians...but it looks like Syria and Iran are going to wade in soon. Can you say "kaboom?" I spoke to my father (tolerant fellow that he is) a while back about the situation in the Middle East, and he had this to say: "Bloody Arabs. We should just nuke them all." My husband said almost exactly the same thing just a week or so ago when we were discussing the troubles that Canadian soldiers are having in Afghanistan. Now children, can we say "Narrow minded?" Or how about "lack of tolerance and foresight?"
But really, what can we do? Certainly what is happening halfway around the world is going to effect us here, no matter what happens, and I can't imagine that it will effect us positively. So, do we sit here and cluck our tongues and pretend it doesn't matter? Do we wade in and involve ourselves in a fight that doesn't make sense to us? If we do, whose side do we take? I know, the answer to that is easy, Israel, right? But I just can't see that anyone here is innocent of wrong doing in this situation. I really don't know. It seems like a loose-loose situation for everyone, including those of us who aren't involved. Those of us who still get tears in their eyes when they watch the nightly news. Those of us who still ache deep inside because of the senseless violence and deaths of innocent people who are just trying to survive. I just don't understand why we as a human race refuse to learn from our past mistakes. Violence does not solve anything. Violence does not make things better for anyone. Why do we always resort to violence?
Goody is renewing her vow of non-violence on August 6th, the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. The only thing I can think of is to do the same. I'm only one person, but maybe if enough people feel strongly enough to make a vow to themselves, to their Gods, or whatever matters most to them, eventually the world will be a better place. Or at the very least, there will be a couple less people willing to solve their problems by hitting them.
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6 comments:
I was raised in Regina too. Good to come across your blog. Graduated from Robert Usher in 93.
Hi Josh!
Glad to have you stumble across my little corner here. I welcome you with open arms, even if you are a North end boy.
The problems there are old problems. But the rest of the world and particularly the U.S. has had a considerable part in creating that mess. To pull out and just say its not our problem I think is wrong. But going in deeper? Without appear more meddlesome? And even just knowing how to start and what is right...its just a big mess...
One of the major considerations in taking the vow for me was that the US still has capital punishment. By having that vow on file with Pax Christi, in the event I should end up a murder victim, it would serve to disuade a state's attorney from pursuing a death penalty on my behalf.
I've gotta say (putting on my tinfoil hat here) that Israel's latest actions sure do seem overboard for a grand total of three soldiers-I mean how many civilians are being made to suffer between Gaza and Beruit? *Adjusts tinfoil hat* I'm inclined to think this will serve as a justification for the US and Israel to wage war with Iran and Syria.
Hey, I have a hat that's almost identical to yours, Goody! Go figure...
Hello...hello? Everybody ok there? It's so quiet. Really, I just want to know if you ever found that missing diaper...
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