So I woke up Saturday to a headline that hundreds of people were killed in Gaza because of Israeli bombing raids in Gaza. Apparently, F-16s are dropping shit from the sky at people on the ground. Nothing new here, those two (or maybe 3 now?) sides have been at it for a while now. Hamas sends rockets at border towns, Israel retaliates. Fair enough. But the response from the World's solely remaining super power is a but messed up if I may call it that. Here's what the outgoing Secretary of State had to say about the whole thing:
"We strongly condemn the repeated rocket and mortar attacks against Israel and hold Hamas responsible for breaking the ceasefire and for the renewal of violence there. The ceasefire must be restored immediately and fully respected."
How's that again madam Secretary? Hamas bombs Israel. Check. Israel retaliates. Check. Qassam rockets? Check. Big freaking bombs from F-16s that kill lots of people? Check. Well, how the hell does it make sense to strongly condemn the rocket and mortar attacks and not really the bombs from planes? How about a token 'use caution and avoid civilian deaths' note? How about a open the border so these poor sods can get fuel, food and medicines along with the condemnation of rockets and mortar attacks? How about a please try not to invade Gaza and kill more people? I guess not eh.
If America wants to genuinely solve the problem in the middle east (and maybe they don't feel like it, need to nor should they), then America should try and try very hard not to look partisan in the face of the deaths of hundreds of people. I am sure many were militants. I am sure many deserved it. I am sure Israel had the right to defend itself. I am sure dropping a nuclear bomb was the right thing to do to end a dying war... But really, if you want us to believe that you're serious about trying to help the situation there (or anywhere else), try and be a bit objective. Militants or not, hundred of human lives are just that... human lives. Don't take this as sympathy for those terrorists who run the show in Gaza. They are, for all intents and purposes, militants, terrorists, criminals and what not. But not everyone there is a militant. And not everyone there is living there by choice. And not everyone there wakes up in the morning and chants, death to Israel, death the America, death to the infidels. They probably wonder what they're going to eat for lunch and feed their kids and how they're going to find fuel to run their cars or tractors and who's going to help pick the olives or whatever. Indiscriminate attacks using warplanes and precision guided munitions on those populations is no better than a terrorist firing rockets at civilians.
So madam Secretary, I hope you sleep well tonight. May the ghosts of those that were killed on all sides haunt you. And maybe your President as well. And who knows, the next time you talk about something like this... you will condemn violoence of all forms. Whether they are initiated by terrorists firing rockets at civilians or armed forces firing precision munitions at civilians. And for god's sakes, do something about it. Because you can.
If America wants to genuinely solve the problem in the middle east (and maybe they don't feel like it, need to nor should they), then America should try and try very hard not to look partisan in the face of the deaths of hundreds of people. I am sure many were militants. I am sure many deserved it. I am sure Israel had the right to defend itself. I am sure dropping a nuclear bomb was the right thing to do to end a dying war... But really, if you want us to believe that you're serious about trying to help the situation there (or anywhere else), try and be a bit objective. Militants or not, hundred of human lives are just that... human lives. Don't take this as sympathy for those terrorists who run the show in Gaza. They are, for all intents and purposes, militants, terrorists, criminals and what not. But not everyone there is a militant. And not everyone there is living there by choice. And not everyone there wakes up in the morning and chants, death to Israel, death the America, death to the infidels. They probably wonder what they're going to eat for lunch and feed their kids and how they're going to find fuel to run their cars or tractors and who's going to help pick the olives or whatever. Indiscriminate attacks using warplanes and precision guided munitions on those populations is no better than a terrorist firing rockets at civilians.
So madam Secretary, I hope you sleep well tonight. May the ghosts of those that were killed on all sides haunt you. And maybe your President as well. And who knows, the next time you talk about something like this... you will condemn violoence of all forms. Whether they are initiated by terrorists firing rockets at civilians or armed forces firing precision munitions at civilians. And for god's sakes, do something about it. Because you can.
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