Israel And Gaza

Greetings All,

Update on the previous post.
Tim is as just over 41,000 dollars!
Please give if you can!
Bidder 70.org

Today we have a post from, Michael Hinckley, Contributing Editor at the new A World Of Progress TeamZine. We have set our official launch date for January 16 and I will posting a link here to the new site that morning. For now, please enjoy Michael's piece on Israel and Gaza.

Israel And Gaza
Michael Hinckley

I am not amazed, nor even surprised, that Israel had launched a raid into Gaza. Nor am I stunned that such a raid has turned into a week (and more) of bombings and death. What I am curious about is the timing and objectives of Israel.

In an Egyptian-brokered cease fire established in June of 2008, HAMAS and Israel agreed to cease hostilities for a six month period to allow aid into Gaza. That agreement lapsed in December, around the 16th, during which time, HAMAS has fired what are essentially symbolic missiles into the south of “Israel” (since HAMAS was technically firing into what was, prior to the 1967 war and 1948 war, Palestinian territory now held by Israel in violation of armistices and UN resolutions, but I digress). So for nearly a month, Israel has been dealing with the headache (or slightly less dangerous than a headache) of HAMAS missiles launched into its territories but chose last week to do something about it.

Why did they wait so long? Why did they not wait longer? A plausible answer might be the Israeli fears that Obama, with his already high rating among Arabs, might be a little less lenient than the Bush administration on Israeli aggression and military actions. In fact, many Israeli opinion editors (and, I think, politicians in the Likud party) see Obama’s inexperience not as a “fresh start” but more along the lines of having to reinvent the wheel to bring him into the pro-Zionist fold.

Another puzzler for me was the objective of Israel’s offensive into Gaza. According to official statements, it was to “kill the leadership of HAMAS” and render it ineffective, but Israel has already been doing just that; assassinating HAMAS leaders, such as the killing of quadriplegic HAMAS leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in 2004 by firing a laser-guided missile at his car. Since around 2000, Israeli commandos have hunted down and assassinated Hamas leaders, but Hamas - which is a very ideologically-driven organization - seems to have become only stronger, particularly as Iranian money supports many of their actions and efforts. Additionally, by attacking with F-16s, M-1 Abrams tanks, artillery and now ground troops, the Israelis have upped the resistance of the Palestinians to Israeli objectives, as happened in the Intifada of the 1980’s and in Lebanon in 2006. To the Palestinians, who lack such armament despite the “rockets” they have (which are woefully ineffective and inaccurate), it is yet another example of Israel’s overbearing demeanor; Gaza is a mere 124 square miles yet thousands of Israeli armed troops, hundreds of armored vehicles and airships, and literally thousands of tons of ordinance have been dropped on a people who lack basic infrastructure such as running water, electricity or sewers. The result - I predict - will be a cease fire, several dead HAMAS leaders, dozens of dead Israeli soldiers, and hundreds (if not thousands) of dead Palestinians who are too poor to evacuate (and even if they could, where could they go? The border with Egypt is tightly controlled and the border with Israel has troops on it - shall they swim to Crete?). After the cease fire, HAMAS will return, fairly quickly I believe, and become even MORE anti-Israel than before only this time fuelled by increased Gazan hatred and frustration. Rocket attacks will begin again and suicide bombers targeting civilians will increase within a year.

Some might argue that this is actually HAMAS’ fault, and I would be disinclined to disagree with them; this is most definitely HAMAS’ fault. But it is also Israel’s fault; their superior position militarily and their belligerent politics toward the Palestinians have made them choose hostility and land over peace and security. To Israeli hawks, the only good Palestinian is a dead Palestinian. Likewise, HAMAS has actively fought against normalization of relationships, productive talks between the Palestinian authority (let alone Israel) and itself, and become increasingly belligerent. To HAMAS, and organizations like it such as hezb Allah (Hezbullah), a dead Palestinian is a useful Palestinian - as a recruiting and propaganda tool.

So what should Israel do? Well, in the short term, cease fire and withdraw from Gaza; it’s a no-win situation anyway, HAMAS will live on and will claim victory no matter what, so what use is national pride? Immediately after the withdrawal, Israel should begin dismantling the barricade walls surrounding Palestinian cities and villages and remove settlements in the Jordan valley and the “occupied terrirories” (as Israelis call them) of Palestine. By treating the West Bank portion of Palestine as a separate entity worthy of respect, the more amenable Palestinian Authority will accrue prestige and validity, which may serve it well in future elections against HAMAS - bloodshed and loss of land vs. peace and increased autonomy. Additionally, allowing only medical and food aid into Gaza (to avoid a humanitarian crisis) while actively investing in the infrastructure and businesses of the West Bank will further reward the “good” Palestinian government and punish the “bad” Palestinian government. Finally, Israel needs to give up the illusion that it will ever have East Jerusalem; Muslims all over the world are adamant about that and Israeli resistance not only fuels terrorists like HAMAS and hezb Allah, but also put the back of the PA up, since East Jerusalem and an autonomous Palestinian state’s capital are stated goals of the Palestinian Authority. Since Mahmoud Abbas has already stated that the PA recognizes Israel’s right to exist and the PA holds no love for HAMAS “thugs” (as they call them), there is little risk that such generosity will signal to West Bank Palestinians that Israel is weak or soft. Eventually, HAMAS will become discredited IF and only if Israel works to make the PA more legitimate by actually abiding by treaties and agreements instead of unilaterally revoking them or failing to live up to their end of the bargain. Only a peaceful course of “soft power” will destroy HAMAS; arms and violence will only increase resistance.

I would not be surprised to see the West Bank and Gaza become two distinct and separate states, similar to Bangladesh and Pakistan, in the following years if Israel really is serious about peace and security. It may take some serious negotiating, and some severe concessions on the part of both parties, but it is do-able if Israel wants it to be.

—————–Resources————-

Justin Eliott “Obama’s Israel Shuffle ” in Mother Jones 1 Feb 2008

Ed Lasky “Barack Obama’s Middle East Expert ” on American Thinker 23 Jan 2008

Al Ahram (Egypt) “Obituary: Sheikh Ahmed Yassin: 1938-2004 ” 31 Mar2004

Aron Heller “Israel Eyes 2002 Saudi Proposal for Peace ” in The San Diego Union-Tribune 20 Oct 2008

“Text of the Saudi Peace Proposal, 2002 ” from al Bab

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Peace Y'all

Bidder 70 Is One Of Us

Greetings All,

I would like to introduce you to yet another of our fine contributors at the new A World Of Progress TeamZine, Lisa of Politics Over 50. She rocks the blog, y'all. I am sooooo excited she will be joining the rest of the outstanding bloggers coming together for this new online progressive magazine!

She (and I) would like to make you aware of a way you can give a farewell finger to the BushCo and BLM at the same time.

This Delights Me: Bidder 70
Politics After 50

Remember how we all said the Iraq war was not about Democracy, not about freedom, but all about oil, and we were laughed at? Remember that glorious day when Alan Greenspan (he who protecteth us not from financial ruin) said the Iraq war was all about oil and the White House about shit itself? Ahh. Good times, good times.

Wellll, waaaay before all that, I knew the war was about oil, 'cause I'd stumbled upon the ol' PNAC website and read the whole neocon plan for "controlling our interests" (our?) in the Middle East. So, dirty hippie that I yam, I found the RSS feeds for as many "It's about the oil, stupid" websites I could find, and Oil Change International was one of them.

I just got an email from them entitled, Who Is Bidder 70? You're going to just LOVE this.

While the Bizzy Bushies are working day and night like Santa's elves to destroy our country (and the world as we know it) before January 20th, there are certain regular schmoes who are trying to stop them, since Nan-cee Pelosi and the rest of our useless elected politicians have their backs purposely turned, because, well, you know, boys will be boys!

So, a certain Tim DeChristopher of Salt Lake City, Utah, went to the auction of BLM public land, and bought the shit right out from under the Evil Bush Boys:

In a brave act of civil disobedience, Tim DeChristopher disrupted the auctioning off of public land, effectively giving it away for a fraction of its true cost to taxpayers and its true value as a natural resource.

This auction was another of The Bush Administration's parting shots at the American people and another blow to the already under-funded and over-worked career professionals at the BLM.

You see, he outbid them. But he doesn't have any money. Buhahahahahahaha! Man, I love this SO much.

OK...So...here's the deal. We have to help Tim pay for the land before he gets sent to jail for fraud and/or before he's murdered by the Gestapo, whichever comes first. Oh, and before JANUARY 9TH, which is THIS FRIDAY. As of this moment, he's got $28,110, so he doesn't have very far to go. Please donate what you can, and pass this on like wildfire!

Here's Tim DeChristopher's website. Make it so.

UPDATE: To be clear, $45,000 will take care of the land down payment only. Tim also has legal fees to pay, and once he makes the land down payment, he'll need much more money to keep the land out of BushCo's greedy, greasy grasp. So...if you get to his website and see he's close to his $45K goal, don't stop yourself from donating.
________________________

Peace Y'all

I'ts Almost Over

And I still find it hard to believe our nation let this man and his handlers plunder our nation of far more than just our money, they have robbed us of so, so much more than that and they have absolutely no remorse. In fact, I think they really feel like they still know best, even amidst the wreckage their ideology has brought the nation and the world.

Greetings All,

Sometimes a cartoon is the best thing to describe a cartoon character like George W. Bush.

I snagged this sadly accurate statement on the utter embarrassment of a United States President that was George W. Bush from Nicole over at Inspire Political Discourse.

Peace Y'all

Sunday Poetry Series

Greetings All,

Welcome to the first edition of the Sunday Poetry series for 2009.

I was thinking about the evolution of Humanity and wondering why it is that we have yet to collectively agree that peace is possible. Are humans really just incapable of living in harmony with the planet and each other?

Religionist's point to centuries of failure where that is concerned as proof of their point that man is inherently tainted and in need of salvation in order to enter the perfect Kingdom of "their" God.

I realize what I am about to say, some might find highly offensive and sacrilegious even, but it is my humble belief that the human condition would change immediately and drastically for the better if the majority of people stopped using the very convenient myth of inherent unworthiness as an excuse to behave in that way.

I am not an Atheist, I believe in a Higher Consciousness. Call it whatever you happen to like. I don't believe this Source Consciousness is into such petty things as what name you choose to use for it.

Petty people are though.

As a part of that Source consciousness we too have the ability to choose to be free from that kind of pettiness (or any other) that spreads and escalates into all manner of ugliness and pain. So, just who is it that benefits in our remaining ignorant of this, our not believing that we have the power to choose and pursue a higher road for ourselves and our world?

We should be working collectively to expose the sources of this lie and working together to end it because the ones who are benefiting from it do not represent the majority of us Humans.

A poem for the New year

The Human Seasons
John Keats

Four Seasons fill the measure of the year;
There are four seasons in the mind of man:

He has his lusty Spring, when fancy clear
Takes in all beauty with an easy span:

He has his Summer, when luxuriously
Spring's honeyed cud of youthful thought he loves
To ruminate, and by such dreaming high
Is nearest unto Heaven: quiet coves

His soul has in its Autumn, when his wings
He furleth close; contented so to look
On mists in idleness—to let fair things
Pass by unheeded as a threshold brook:—

He has his Winter too of pale misfeature,
Or else he would forego his mortal nature.

Peace Y'all

Thank You, Lola

Greetings All,

My friend, Lola, of Lola's Diner fame has bestowed a lovely award on the AWOP blog.

Thanks so much for thinking of me and taking the time to include me in your list of recipients.
As per the official award rules:

"This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

And so...for the 8 blogs I am selecting for the forwarding of said award and why I selected them:

Kids Of Queers
For helping to educate a fearful world to the fact that GLBT people are no less deserving of the same rights, protections and respect under the law as any other American.

Inspire Political Discourse
Excellent Progressive News Summary blog with insightful commentary. One of my daily reads.

Fearless History
Definitely a thinking persons blog. I learn something new about the world with every one of this guys posts. Michael will be joining us at the new AWOP TeamZine and I hope you will check out his page there starting January 16.

Endangered Spaces
Great posts about who and what is endangering our environment. Good links to add your voice of dissent on the endangerment and destruction of our home, the earth. This blog is definitely a friend of the planet.

Recovery Rocks
Roxie is recovering. She is also blogging about it and seeking to help others while she is at it. Good reads here.

Thoughts From A Lezzy Mom
I have just recently become familiar with this blog and I dig it. Lot's of good GLBT links. Another voice for equality.

Ocean Of Perspectives
Lot's of great posts on all things "Higher Consciousness" which is good because we need more of that.

Compassion * Kindness Bloggers Who Care
I joined up with this blogs attempt to promote more compassion. Sometimes when I am writing, I think about Maitri's list I added my blog to. That thought has on more than one occasion caused me to re-think the perspective I was taking. Thanks Maitri. I know Lola passed this onto you already, but hey, I think you deserve it too.

Thanks again, Lola, for the kind thought.

Peace Y'all

Bill O'Reilly Bold And Fresh?

Greetings All,

Bill O'Reilly has new book out in which he refers to himself as "bold" and "fresh".
"A Bold Fresh Piece Of Humanity", now that is some title. I would have gone with something more like "A Big Fat Piece Of Ego" besides, I really have my doubts that Bill O'Reilly knows all that much about the higher aspects of humanity (at least I have never seen any indication that he does).

While his exuberant followers may find him stimulating, honestly, I don't pay much attention to Bill, mainly because I find him to be more angry and stale than bold or fresh.

Personally, while it is dangerous to a free society, I don't find the right wing extremist psyche to be terribly complicated or particularly interesting.
Totally Fear based sums it up pretty well for me, but I came across this review of his latest book and it has some interesting things to say about the guy and his life and times.

A Review of "A Bold Fresh Piece Of Humanity"

In this slight, self-indulgent memoir, Bill O'Reilly tells us how he got so "bold" and "fresh." A humble man, he attributes his success to his own innate greatness, with honorable mention going to his solidly rock-headed upbringing in Levittown, N.Y. For all his generous praise of Levittown, O'Reilly is very clear that most of the credit should go to himself: "Looking back, the reason I have succeeded in life is that I relied on myself."

This typical piece of self-congratulation comes in a bizarre 10-page digression about Hurricane Katrina, in which O'Reilly contrasts his bold, fresh childhood in Levittown 50 years ago with the disastrous government-dependency of those New Orleans residents who spoiled Bush's presidency by getting themselves drowned: "If I had lived in New Orleans, I would have gotten in my car and driven the hell out of there as soon as the national weather service gave warning." In case the reader missed the point, Bill says that the dead in New Orleans were "either too dumb, too lazy, too mentally challenged, or too unlucky to have provided themselves with basic protections."

Stupid and callous as that may sound, it's the sort of proclamation that helped O'Reilly "succeed in life." In fact, this sort of non sequitur is the most powerful rhetorical device in O'Reilly's part of the ideological spectrum. O'Reilly's real function is to say out loud, on television, this sort of thing -- and get away with it. His fans don't argue; they hate argument or discussion on principle. They simply glory in the fact that O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh have found a way to blurt out their long-nursed spite on national TV and get away with it -- in fact, "succeed in life" by doing it. So, the raw boasting that characterizes this book is something that O'Reilly's nameless fans can share, knowing that O'Reilly's success, such as it is, represents the fact that their long-choked spite has at last found its voice.

O'Reilly's notorious catchphrase, "Shut up!" isn't by any means a mere eruption of bad temper; it's his ideology. His version of conservatism, which he calls "traditionalism," emphasizes silent obedience. He proudly recalls learning the habit of not discussing important matters as a child: "My folks knew what was happening in the world, but did not feel compelled to comment." read the rest

Silent obedience? Are you kidding me?

Nope, I cant' do that, Bill.

That would be downright un-American.

Peace Y'all