Complete agreement Birgitte. I have had both Jewish and Arab friends and acquaintances in life. Neither determines a good nor bad person. The silence to this post so far is disappointing, but I'm not surprised. I'll likely lose subscribers for this one. So be it. Thank you for standing up and weighing in, it's appreciated.
It could simply be that numbing fear of speaking out, given how fierce the backlash can be. More people than we imagine are horrified by what's going on, and don't support it. It is also overwhelming, the helplessness, the constant barrage of bad news from every corner. So in that respect I understand. It is simply too much, everywhere, all at once.
The numbing fear will be far worse if Trump and the far right ascend. Writing a piece like this could become a dangerous decision. I agree, most feel overwhelmed, or helpless. Also, many are just trying to keep their heads above water. People keep mentioning that the economy has gotten strong under Biden, true based on data, but the enormous wealth disparity that began under Reagan is the core problem, hence Biden's poor numbers. Most of the people I know watch mainstream news, which doesn't tell the whole story, or just ignore everything as well as they can.
The silence and lack of "likes" on this post is troubling. It is horrific what is going on in Palestine. Horrific. Yes, also horrific what happened on October 7. All of that is appalling. Doesn't matter what the labels are. Doesn't matter which faith you follow, what flag you carry. Murder is murder. Genocide is genocide. Atrocities are atrocities. Words have meaning, and no amount of political agenda or washing can change that.
Thank you Geoff for standing up. I'm thankful for you and the millions of people protesting war and oppression all over the world. Not just this one. Not just Ukraine. All of them.
2024 is a huge year. I'm touching on that in my current article. Not only are we failing short on the changes needed to bring climate change under control, fascism is on the rise in the world, and a threat to the US. The 80s are the decade where the battles we fought began to be lost with the Reagan administration. Corporate power became unleashed with neoliberal economics, which has only grown worse under succeeding administrations. The mainstream media gives a varnished version of the truth at best, and in the case of the far right peddles outright lies to divide us. Now we're stuck with terrible choices in the next election, a sociopathic insurrectionist, or a business as usual career politician supplying the means for this gruesome tragedy in Gaza. And yes, these situations bring out the reality of the limitations to free speech in this weakened democracy. As always, thank you for your thoughts.
Excellent summary of what rides on this election. I would add that they will eliminate the entitlement programs, social security and Medicare, and repeal the Affordable Care Act. Most of the people who stormed the capital that day will be victims. Life expectancy, already falling, will drop further and the attack on women's rights will intensify. Margaret Atwood's predictions will come true. We will be a totalitarian state that barely dares to breathe.
Geoff: Another sad aspect of this ordeal with Palestinians & Israel, is that students are oppressed and frightened to exercise protest rights; while Administrators who do; are forced to step down. I am sure that your father, as an Administrator for many years in academia, suffered the politics. That said he remained strong offering his input. When I was young, we were full of spit and vinegar. As a student who protested along with so many others, our efforts eventually made a difference. The Sixties were arguably the years of greatest social change in American history-with additional difficult work in the 70's and 80's. Today our efforts have been thwarted in short order, as I watch the legal infrastructure crumble away. The younger generation not only has the climate change challenge but a host of the issues we fought for that are again front and center! I am fearful of what 2024 has to bring.
Complete agreement Birgitte. I have had both Jewish and Arab friends and acquaintances in life. Neither determines a good nor bad person. The silence to this post so far is disappointing, but I'm not surprised. I'll likely lose subscribers for this one. So be it. Thank you for standing up and weighing in, it's appreciated.
It could simply be that numbing fear of speaking out, given how fierce the backlash can be. More people than we imagine are horrified by what's going on, and don't support it. It is also overwhelming, the helplessness, the constant barrage of bad news from every corner. So in that respect I understand. It is simply too much, everywhere, all at once.
The numbing fear will be far worse if Trump and the far right ascend. Writing a piece like this could become a dangerous decision. I agree, most feel overwhelmed, or helpless. Also, many are just trying to keep their heads above water. People keep mentioning that the economy has gotten strong under Biden, true based on data, but the enormous wealth disparity that began under Reagan is the core problem, hence Biden's poor numbers. Most of the people I know watch mainstream news, which doesn't tell the whole story, or just ignore everything as well as they can.
The silence and lack of "likes" on this post is troubling. It is horrific what is going on in Palestine. Horrific. Yes, also horrific what happened on October 7. All of that is appalling. Doesn't matter what the labels are. Doesn't matter which faith you follow, what flag you carry. Murder is murder. Genocide is genocide. Atrocities are atrocities. Words have meaning, and no amount of political agenda or washing can change that.
Thank you Geoff for standing up. I'm thankful for you and the millions of people protesting war and oppression all over the world. Not just this one. Not just Ukraine. All of them.
2024 is a huge year. I'm touching on that in my current article. Not only are we failing short on the changes needed to bring climate change under control, fascism is on the rise in the world, and a threat to the US. The 80s are the decade where the battles we fought began to be lost with the Reagan administration. Corporate power became unleashed with neoliberal economics, which has only grown worse under succeeding administrations. The mainstream media gives a varnished version of the truth at best, and in the case of the far right peddles outright lies to divide us. Now we're stuck with terrible choices in the next election, a sociopathic insurrectionist, or a business as usual career politician supplying the means for this gruesome tragedy in Gaza. And yes, these situations bring out the reality of the limitations to free speech in this weakened democracy. As always, thank you for your thoughts.
Excellent summary of what rides on this election. I would add that they will eliminate the entitlement programs, social security and Medicare, and repeal the Affordable Care Act. Most of the people who stormed the capital that day will be victims. Life expectancy, already falling, will drop further and the attack on women's rights will intensify. Margaret Atwood's predictions will come true. We will be a totalitarian state that barely dares to breathe.
Geoff: Another sad aspect of this ordeal with Palestinians & Israel, is that students are oppressed and frightened to exercise protest rights; while Administrators who do; are forced to step down. I am sure that your father, as an Administrator for many years in academia, suffered the politics. That said he remained strong offering his input. When I was young, we were full of spit and vinegar. As a student who protested along with so many others, our efforts eventually made a difference. The Sixties were arguably the years of greatest social change in American history-with additional difficult work in the 70's and 80's. Today our efforts have been thwarted in short order, as I watch the legal infrastructure crumble away. The younger generation not only has the climate change challenge but a host of the issues we fought for that are again front and center! I am fearful of what 2024 has to bring.
Thank you for your diversion and thoughts.