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December 27, 2008

Israeli/Gaza conflict: a study in joint insanity.

What a mess. I both empathize with and blame the two respective sides.

There simply is no excuse for the actions of those who lob bombs and missle indescriminately into Israel. It has never improved anything for the Palestinians, nor will it ever. I feel no pity for them. Those who live by the sword, die by the sword. They have created their own Karma. Unfortunately, a hell of a lot of innocents will pay a very steep price as "collateral damage."

The massively disproportionate bombing campaign by the Israeli's is no better. Harshly cracking down on Palestinians hasn't EVER led to peace, nor will it ever.

Remember, it was Bush and Olmert who claimed that they wanted a "free and fair" Palestinian election, only to turn around and penalize the Palestinians for doing just that.

Both sides and their enablers are simply insane. Innocent civilians pay the price over and over and over. I saw a pic earlier this morning showing a yard in Gaza with several young, dead children laid out for relatives to claim for burial. One Palestinian father was stooped over his dead child, weeping.

How can any of us ask him to forgive those who killed his child? Would you if it were your child?

The hatred runs deep in both communities.

The Palestinians:





The Israelis: Israelis voice horror at rejection of Arab child from Jewish daycare. (here too)

As the above linked story (and video) demonstrates, there is a minority on both sides who clearly yearn for a different way of living with each other. But they are too few who are too easily demonized and dismissed by the terminally insane on both sides.

The lay-definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over expecting different results. By this definition both sides are clearly and unmistakably insane, as are those who would make excuses for it.

One of the few who seem willing to actually be honest with and about apologists for both sides is Haaretz correspondant Bradley Burston. This week he's taking on the Leftists. Next week he'll take on the Rightists.

Posted by Kevin at December 27, 2008 03:00 PM