Do you know your neighbor's political agenda? Are they Democratic or Republican? Do they promote gay rights or abortion? Do they wear bandanas that say, "Cut property tax!"?
Well, what would you do, if they wore a bandana saying, "Kill Jews?" If your children were being indoctrinated with this message? If the media spoke it unabashedly. Because that is what many do in Gaza. Think I'm fundamentalist? Look here. And here. And here.
Still, these are only the views of the extreme, and it would be racist to assume everyone holds these beliefs. The Israelis have their own selection of extreme fundamentalists. Him for example. Or him.
The obvious difference that Jewish extremists' acts of terror are not tolerated by its people. They are seen not only as a danger to Palestinians, but as a danger to Jews. Furthermore, the IDF goes out of its way to protect civilians, even going so far as to warn the terrorists of their intentions.
The real difference, though, is not in the way Jewish extremists treat Muslims and the way in which Muslim extremists treat Jews. The difference is how they treat their own children.
Israeli soldiers with families who are potential targets do all they can to protect their children. Soldiers themselves go out of their way to walk amongst their threatened people and ensure they are not damaged. If there is any chance of getting their people to safety, they take it. The lives of their children are precious. Making Shaheeds of children is not part of Israel's agenda.
Can you imagine anyone placing children in danger by using their school to launch rockets? Especially while attacking women and children and men who pose no danger to them. Can you imagine anyone keeping their 3-year-old child in their house knowing they're likely targets for the IDF?
This by no means is a symbol of me condoning the killing of innocents. It is two things:
It is first and foremost a plea to the Palestinians to condemn your terrorists openly. If not for the sake of the Jews, for the sake of your children.
It is second, a request to those criticizing Israel to look further than the end of your nose. To see that Israel tries its hardest to protect not only the Jews and its other citizens but Muslims and citizens of Gaza. Nevertheless, when faced by a network of terror that is not afraid to place its own children in danger to hurt it, a measure of self-defense is necessary. Unfortunately, to protect its people, there must be some collateral damage. Don't condemn Israel for the killing of innocents, praise Israel for its restraint.
This danger was highlighted further with yesterday's attack in Eilat and rocket fire that has followed. I pray for all of the victims injured or killed, innocent or while trying to protect their children. In the words of Golda Meir, "There will be peace when they learn to love their children more than they hate us!"
Friday, August 19, 2011
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Lisey's Story -- Stephen King: A book review
Okay,
Yes, I know I've been neglecting the blog but I haven't been well, and I've therefore been spending my spare time sleeping rather than blogging.
Anyway, on that note, I've been reading quite a lot in bed. I read Lisey's Story by Stephen King, which is a Psychological horror story told from the third person perspective of the wife of a best selling writer Scott Landon.
Two years after the death of her husband, Lisa Landon thinks she's over her husband's death, but peculiar things begin to happen to her as she starts going through her husband's old things. The story is a character story of astronomic proportions. King has the gift of being able to take the reader into the life of his character and making them feel that they are part of a credible story that is indeed plausible.
His dialogue is effective and his descriptions are epic. His only flaw is sometimes pacing. And that is indeed a little bit of a problem here. It took me quite a while to get into Lisey's story. Once I was in though, there was no getting out.
If you like horror, or even if you like thrillers, this book is a must read. Have a great one!
Yes, I know I've been neglecting the blog but I haven't been well, and I've therefore been spending my spare time sleeping rather than blogging.
Anyway, on that note, I've been reading quite a lot in bed. I read Lisey's Story by Stephen King, which is a Psychological horror story told from the third person perspective of the wife of a best selling writer Scott Landon.
Two years after the death of her husband, Lisa Landon thinks she's over her husband's death, but peculiar things begin to happen to her as she starts going through her husband's old things. The story is a character story of astronomic proportions. King has the gift of being able to take the reader into the life of his character and making them feel that they are part of a credible story that is indeed plausible.
His dialogue is effective and his descriptions are epic. His only flaw is sometimes pacing. And that is indeed a little bit of a problem here. It took me quite a while to get into Lisey's story. Once I was in though, there was no getting out.
If you like horror, or even if you like thrillers, this book is a must read. Have a great one!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson: a Book review
This week I read quite an interesting piece of fantasy. Prior to reading War Breaker, by Brandon Sanderson, I'd read his extension of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series The Gathering Storm. In terms of his prose, I don't think that he's all too revolutionary, but he brought a pretty dead story back to life. He's good with story telling, though not as classy as Jordan.
Anyway, the magic system of Warbreaker was quite original, in that I'd never seen anything of its like done before. I didn't really think it was too effective though. It used color of all things to determine the magic, and was utilized through breath. The more powerful the magician, the more breath. With more breath came ability to see more color and thereby bring objects to life with the use of the color or something like that. To be perfectly honest I didn't really understand what one had to do with the other.
Still, despite my qualms with the magic system I didn't have too many other problems with the piece. The tension ran high throughout the story, and there were plot and character twists that were bold and potent. The action ran high, and the human element also did.
The world was quite intriguing for a single volume fantasy piece, though I did think he could have fleshed out on this a little more.
The truth is that I really enjoyed the book despite its flaws. It's not a masterpiece by any means, but it was certainly an enjoyable read. Give it a try if you enjoy fantasy and try to turn a blind eye to your cynical personality.
Have a great one!
Anyway, the magic system of Warbreaker was quite original, in that I'd never seen anything of its like done before. I didn't really think it was too effective though. It used color of all things to determine the magic, and was utilized through breath. The more powerful the magician, the more breath. With more breath came ability to see more color and thereby bring objects to life with the use of the color or something like that. To be perfectly honest I didn't really understand what one had to do with the other.
Still, despite my qualms with the magic system I didn't have too many other problems with the piece. The tension ran high throughout the story, and there were plot and character twists that were bold and potent. The action ran high, and the human element also did.
The world was quite intriguing for a single volume fantasy piece, though I did think he could have fleshed out on this a little more.
The truth is that I really enjoyed the book despite its flaws. It's not a masterpiece by any means, but it was certainly an enjoyable read. Give it a try if you enjoy fantasy and try to turn a blind eye to your cynical personality.
Have a great one!
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