Category: Be Human

Cutting Our Ties to Terror

A new terror has descended on the world as Israel unleashed the simultaneous explosions of pagers followed by a second day of explosions of walkie talkies in Lebanon.

Israel’s defense minister claims this is a “new era” in Israel’s war effort. The simultaneous pager explosions on Hezbollah fighters killed at least thirty-seven and wounded 3400. Hospitals were overwhelmed by amputees, eye injuries and more. The second day of attacks came through walkie talkies and killed at least 20 and injured 450. And while Israel is not claiming the second round of explosions, this new form of terror and dominance is rocking Lebanon, the region and the world.

The United Nations Human Rights chief said this, “Simultaneous targeting of thousands of individuals, whether civilians or members of armed groups, without knowledge as to who was in possession of the targeted devices, their location and their surroundings… violates international human rights law and… international humanitarian law.”

And now the question falls to us, the citizens of the United States, whose government has for the past eleven months supplied Israel with war machines and money to carry out what is being denounced world-wide as crimes against humanity, what will we do?

Will we continue to allow our government free reign in support of the terrorist regime that Israel has become? Or will we demand peace? If we believe the story line that Israel needs our help in self – defense, then when do we acknowledge the need of those who are being illegally attacked as needing the same kind of defense?

The entire argument is insane. War will never bring peace. Supporting violence will only beget violence. The Biden administration would do well to cut ties with terror.

And we would be wise to ensure it.

By Al Jazeera English – Growing Up in Gaza, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17512081

Listen to Bernie and learn why we need to stop sending Israel supporters he introduces a resolution to block another $20 billion arms sale to Israel. He says, “We must end our complicity in the immoral & illegal war against Palestinians.”

I agree.

Dance With the Land

The roosters crow and chickens run for cover. The sheep meander through the old orchard happy to find apples that have dropped. The deer also munch away putting on their winter weight. They seldom run from us now; it’s more like a saunter. The squirrels chastise my cat and dog as we walk by. They’re looking for walnuts to hide. But the pets are oblivious to their nasty banter and hurry on. Everyone has a purpose and with focused attention they get to it.

These are the simple pleasures of living on the land. This time of year, while the garden is in full production and the work is seemingly endless, a swell of gratitude begins. 

The days are gradually shortening and the morning air carries a bit of crispness.  The rhythm of life calls us to slow down and feel the beauty. In a blink the seasons will change and a whole new wonder will emerge.

But for now, I revel in the glory of abundance. And I cannot help but think of the people world over who are being forced from their homelands – either by Nature or by the destructive will of humankind. My compassion is aroused because I know the simple pleasures of living on the land and how each individual has their own unique dance with it, wherever they are. The feel of the earth beneath our feet, the triumph of a garden, the sweetness of shepherding life…to have that ripped away is inhuman.

Colonizers and land thieves may never know what it is to live simply. The stolen land is soaked in blood and tears and while it may produce for them, the stain of violence will linger. Generational trauma will haunt the violent perpetrators and continue to suffer the victims. And those who looked away or supported the violence will not escape the judgement of history. The guilt of association poisons.

Human hearts are not designed for duplicity. And joy cannot thrive where hatred dwells. We have yet to discover the option of peace. The option waits.

We Are Groomed

We are groomed. From our toothpaste to our choice of presidents and everything in between we are groomed. From blue to pink, trucks and dolls, prince and princess we are sold a way of life that we accept. 

The unity that everyone is suddenly seeking is not a unity of plurality. It is a unity of homogenization. 

Pundits and tricksters are clever at finding weaknesses and preying on the vulnerable. We are still falling for the “pick yourselves up by the bootstraps” mentality and we are willing to line up behind those who tell us they have succeeded. 

We’ve stopped teaching our children about universality and wisdom. We teach right and wrong and demonstrate that wrong is often right. 

We brag about our exceptionalism, salute the flag and honor those who died for our freedom, but are quite willing to sacrifice those same freedoms to someone who willingly admits he would be an autocrat.

And of course, the flip side of the coin holds the same empty rhetoric but is geared towards those who fear evil – but not enough fear to really want to see change. 

Because what would change mean?

Change would mean finding ways that work for all of us. It would mean building communities, not tearing them apart by militarized police.

Change would mean understanding we are part of a global humanity and the family of man is faced with consequences of climate change and wars that are causing migration the world over.

Change would mean recognizing that capitalism and empires have wounded us so we may begin to actively and consciously dismantle those crippling enterprises. While we’re at it, let us begin with defunding Israel and demanding the end to its apartheid regime. 

“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” Camus