Everybody knows how the fighting in Israel has escalated into pretty much a full out open war. While tensions in the middle east in general remain high, you have to wonder what’s going to happen. Iraq and Afghanistan are certainly still unstable, people in Israel and Lebanon are getting killed every day, and Iran and North Korea are just sitting there taking it all in while playing with their nuclear missiles. While all of this is happening, let’s also remember that the entire world has problems – there are people in Africa and El Salvador and even here in America that are oppressed, that are poor, that are angry, and that are violent. This is the tip of the iceberg. World War III could very well come crashing down on us, before we can even blink.

As far as the Israel conflict goes, I think it annnoys me the most to think that of the say, 60% of Americans who are actually paying attention to the news and watching what’s happening (and maybe 60% is an optimistic number), only about 40% (again, maybe optimistic) actually understand it. And, it is a complicated issue for sure, and I don’t really think there is a right or wrong party here. I have the sinking feeling that most people in this country believe it’s the same battles as Iraq, that all of the middle east is the same, and it’s all TERRORISTS. Maybe I don’t give people enough credit, but I think that people are so self absorbed, that they just don’t notice or even care. It’s too far away to affect them (other than higher gas prices) and they don’t understand it, so they dismiss what’s happening.

Speaking of terrorists, George W. doesn’t know his ass from his elbow – and personally I think he’s a little trigger happy. We’re already in a tight situation in Iraq, that I believe GW got us into less for “finding terrorists” and more for oil and revenge for his father. Tell me I’m unpatriotic, and tell me I’m not supporting our government. I believe in protection and justice. But the idea of preemptive strike, of relating ALL of the middle east back to 9/11 and terrorists…how can I support that? How can I support Bush being the only world leader to say “sure, you’re justified in killing hundreds of people” and other world leaders are calling on all parties to be at fault, and all to make amends. On another note, Condi – where are YOU on all of this?


The U.S. fully backs Israel, and always has. But, it’s not a simple black and white argument. The Palestinians are not WRONG either. It’s more than the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. They have been forced into refugee camps for decades, pushed off land, and for what? The majority of fights in the middle east, and every other country – boils down to fighting over land, and over religion. It doesn’t make either side right or wrong. This recent violence began because two soldiers were captured. But, to kill hundreds of civilians and innocent people over it is unecessary. The primary antagonist in this situation is Hezbollah, an extremist group. The thing is, every country has extremist groups. In Iraq, in Israel, in Africa, in Asia, even in America there are extremist groups – militant, religious, etc… People need to realize that terrorists do exist, but that not everyone is a terrorist.

There is so much wrong in the world today, that I think it’s much easier to live not knowing that the entire world is oppressed. I can say I’m guilty of turning a blind eye, and being one of those self absorbed Americans…and I admit it. But, I’m also one who can see the bigger picture, who understands that while we in America have more consumer choices and options than you can imagine, there are people all over the world without the basic necessities to live. They are poor, they are starving, they are are oppressed, they are sick (AIDS), they are weakened….and if they haven’t completely given up hope, they are angry. Even in America. It’s a shame that while there are so many resources to help people, there is not enough help available to even begin to make a change.

I think this country will continue to turn away, to think it doesn’t affect them. That is, until the entire world is up in arms, and suddenly America too is thrown even deeper into battle, and maybe then people will start to pay attention.

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