Incidentally, what do you make of the fact that the overwhelming majority of the U.S. government is opposed to any sort of ceasefire or peace agreement? Even mentioning such words is practically considered treason. You think the U.S. has some kind of vested interest in keeping this conflict going? (The same, incidentally, is true of the Ukraine conflict). You suppose the fact that our government is owned by Raytheon, et al has anything to do with it?
What would you suggest the Palestinians do? Ever since the Nabka 75 years ago, they have continued to lose land and homes to Israeli settlers. Any who resist (and even those who don't) are beaten, imprisoned, tortured and killed. They have been pleading with the world for justice the whole time, but western powers always #StandWithIsrael. I certainly don't like what Hamas did and it's obviously been counterproductive, but I can't criticize a drowning man for how he tries to save himself. This isn't a "both sides" conflict. This is a slow genocide of the Palestinian people by an occupying settler colonial force.
Incidentally, it's worth noting that Hamas was originally created, funded and supported by Israel as an attack against the PLO. Israel had advance warning from Egypt that the 10/7 attack would happen (not to mention, do we really think the famed Israel Intelligence services missed the years of planning???). This attack was allowed to happen. Ask yourself why? Maybe as a pretext to accelerate what Israel has been doing all along? Maybe to get people to go along with the idea that dropping thousands of bombs on innocent civilians (predominantly children) trapped in a concentration camp is acceptable?
Also worth noting that the propaganda has been on overdrive in the past two weeks. Israel still admits it has no proof of the "40 beheaded babies" story - no names of the children, no families have come forward saying their child was beheaded, no medical or death records, etc. Yet that story continues to be circulated. Biden even lied about having seen pictures, a claim that the White House had to walk back. Also, the hospital that Israel threatened to bomb, took credit for bombing and is the only side with the capability of bombing, is suddenly the work of Hamas. Pictures of dead and wounded Palestinian children being passed off as Israeli children. Footage of an anti-Israel protest in Iraq 20 years ago being passed off as a current anti-Israel protest in Gaza. Even a "Ghost of Kiev" type story of some Israeli shooting down "Hamas fighter jets", which Hamas doesn't have (it was from a video game). Please think twice about anything you read in western media.
During these trying times, it is crucial that we too remember to stand tall,
That we don’t let the heartache of our fallen brothers take us down with them.
We have to remember that our smiles don’t mean we’ve forgotten our siblings, but rather, that they are a symbol of our continued strength and determination to thrive no matter the pain.
So as we continue this fight, don’t beat yourself up because you’ve allowed yourself to chuckle or because you still have your son and your neighbor doesn’t.
Instead, think of your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren, everyone who is still here, and yourself.
What seeds do you want to plant in the graves of the fallen?
What light can you bring to a seemingly darkening world?
How can you use this destruction to make way for new growth?
My daughter
Incidentally, what do you make of the fact that the overwhelming majority of the U.S. government is opposed to any sort of ceasefire or peace agreement? Even mentioning such words is practically considered treason. You think the U.S. has some kind of vested interest in keeping this conflict going? (The same, incidentally, is true of the Ukraine conflict). You suppose the fact that our government is owned by Raytheon, et al has anything to do with it?
What would you suggest the Palestinians do? Ever since the Nabka 75 years ago, they have continued to lose land and homes to Israeli settlers. Any who resist (and even those who don't) are beaten, imprisoned, tortured and killed. They have been pleading with the world for justice the whole time, but western powers always #StandWithIsrael. I certainly don't like what Hamas did and it's obviously been counterproductive, but I can't criticize a drowning man for how he tries to save himself. This isn't a "both sides" conflict. This is a slow genocide of the Palestinian people by an occupying settler colonial force.
Incidentally, it's worth noting that Hamas was originally created, funded and supported by Israel as an attack against the PLO. Israel had advance warning from Egypt that the 10/7 attack would happen (not to mention, do we really think the famed Israel Intelligence services missed the years of planning???). This attack was allowed to happen. Ask yourself why? Maybe as a pretext to accelerate what Israel has been doing all along? Maybe to get people to go along with the idea that dropping thousands of bombs on innocent civilians (predominantly children) trapped in a concentration camp is acceptable?
Also worth noting that the propaganda has been on overdrive in the past two weeks. Israel still admits it has no proof of the "40 beheaded babies" story - no names of the children, no families have come forward saying their child was beheaded, no medical or death records, etc. Yet that story continues to be circulated. Biden even lied about having seen pictures, a claim that the White House had to walk back. Also, the hospital that Israel threatened to bomb, took credit for bombing and is the only side with the capability of bombing, is suddenly the work of Hamas. Pictures of dead and wounded Palestinian children being passed off as Israeli children. Footage of an anti-Israel protest in Iraq 20 years ago being passed off as a current anti-Israel protest in Gaza. Even a "Ghost of Kiev" type story of some Israeli shooting down "Hamas fighter jets", which Hamas doesn't have (it was from a video game). Please think twice about anything you read in western media.
I think Caitlin Johnstone has the right idea here: https://caitlinjohnstone.com.au/2023/10/20/a-true-story-about-israel-and-palestine/
Important words!
Written by Calhoun alum :
When a storm hits,
Many trees fall,
But those that stay standing
Don’t crumble in their wake.
They stand tall, hold strong.
They grow their roots deeper
And stretch their branches higher.
The fallen giants make way for new growth.
Saplings spring up, seedlings sprout,
Flourishing in the now open canopy.
During these trying times, it is crucial that we too remember to stand tall,
That we don’t let the heartache of our fallen brothers take us down with them.
We have to remember that our smiles don’t mean we’ve forgotten our siblings, but rather, that they are a symbol of our continued strength and determination to thrive no matter the pain.
So as we continue this fight, don’t beat yourself up because you’ve allowed yourself to chuckle or because you still have your son and your neighbor doesn’t.
Instead, think of your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren, everyone who is still here, and yourself.
What seeds do you want to plant in the graves of the fallen?
What light can you bring to a seemingly darkening world?
How can you use this destruction to make way for new growth?
This war is not an end.
It’s the seed of a new growth forest.
You have a couple of awesome kids!
Beautiful. Is it the Calhoun graduate I know?
Well said. Well written. Thanks.