A Special Kind of Alarming.

While getting ready this morning I began listening to Monday's episode of Democracy Now. You're right, something caught my attention. Feel free to read the full transcript at democracynow.org (it's linked to on the right).

"Meanwhile, the US military has announced 350 innocent Iraqis were killed at US checkpoints last year – an average of at least six killings per week. A senior intelligence official told Reuters that out of a total 4,000 incidents in which US troops responded to a perceived threat -- less than two percent were later found to have posed an actual threat."

Get Those Kids to Behave!

As I watch Israeli and Palestinian relations I can't help but think of two seven-year-olds on a playground. They may act cordially to each other, but deep down they want to kick the other's ass. And they do.

When I read the news report today announcing Israel's entrance into Gaza over the soldier Palestine is holding, I once again saw this image. Israel is the chunky bully, boldly announcing his "machoness" by pounding into what little the Palestinians have left. Some people might say that Palestine isn't so innocent, and that may be true, but they are certainly less fortunate than the Israelis. Emphasize the less.

One of the more ironic aspects is Condi's message to Israel regarding the attack. She's urging Israel to "give diplomacy a chance." Listen sweets, are you kidding me? I don't know that we should be telling anyone about diplomacy while we're up to our elbows in shit. Maybe we're less obvious, but America's got imperialism running through her veins. We don't attack over one soldier, we attack after thorough fabrication.

While I'd like to think the American government will start to threaten Israel to leave Gaza (considering the petty excuse for attack), I'm not holding my breath. Why, we're the bulky sixth-grader watching the fight and yelling at Israel to "kick 'em again!"