Israeli Cluster Bombs, Thanks to the United States

I am proud to be an American because we make the most sophisticated weapons in the world and use them to spread Peace, Freedom and Democracy around the world. I am especially proud that we sold them to Israel for use in Lebanon because it is obvious to me how useful they are for densely populated urban areas. If you kill the children who don't recognize bomblets and use them as toys, then you kill off future enemies. Brilliant logic.

To think that my dream as a youth was to live on a Kibbutz for a few years. I am not even Jewish but I read a biography of Golda Meier as a child and greatly admired her and the story of the Jewish State. I suuport thier right to exist as a Nation but I also support the Palestinian right to a nation. I do not support the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.

What prompts this post? The New York Times article a few days ago that mentioned the cluster bombs and todays news that the United States in investigaing the alleged 'improper' use of the cluster munitions. What a joke, what a huge, giant joke on Israel and the United States. What the hell will the Israeli's do? Take care of the families they have killed? Provide medical care and plastic surgery? Actually APOLOGIZE for turning into terrorist themselves? Who will investigate the investigators? Who will watch the watchers? Most of all, who will protect the innocents?

Before I am assasinated by supporters of Israel let me rush to say that I know and empathize of many dissenters witin the ranks of the army and the civilian population. To the rest of Israel please look into the mirror to see what you are doing and have become. Please resist the influence of the United States although I recognize the close ties and financial support we provide. But who the hell are we to tell Israel what to do? I guess we do it to everyone else on the planet so why not Israel yes?

Why don't we stop making cluster munitions . . . but for a society based on profit and capitalism that would be anathema. Nothing like spreading Peace, Freedom and Democracy around the planet is there people. I am ashamed to be an American, ashamed of Israel, ashamed of Hezbollah (what idiots to kidnap two soldiers . . . an act without honor, meaning or utility!). Time to fire and retire the genius who ordered that peculiar debacle. For that Israel bombs Lebanon to the tune of three billion dollars of damage. Of course the United States will not lift a hand to assist - I'll bet on that.

Hey, anyone think this may interfere with my chances of being hired by the Department of State? Ha. So if you read this far thank you. I feel useless because all I can do is write and work and speak out. Would it be more useful to go over and work as a nurse? I don't know. Maybe someone in the world has a suggestion, an idea, some faint bit of hope they can offer not only to me but to the people who are suffering.

Thank you for reading.

David

A Measure of Humility . . . .

The last anonymous comment referenced feeling guilty for wanting. So let me correct and clarify that what I meant to say was that I had not been found lacking in humanity. Then I will quickly correct my statement to be more accurate and admit that many times I have acted in a prejudicial manner unbecoming the ideals I strive for. I'll continue to fail of course but my successes will hopefully outweigh my failures. It all depends on who judges, who bears the final responsibility for looking into our souls. So I hope this communicates my original intent. It sure sounded good when I read it at first and then to obviously fail so badly! Ha, THAT brings a measure of humility at least does it not?

I will admit to great wants. I see nothing wrong with that - we are human and as such are are subject to biologically determinants. We want safety, companionship, sex, food, things and so forth. I want so much at times yet when we lead a well examined life - what real needs exist? Most of mine are filled. Yet I still want, sometimes unreasonably at that. In retrospect my last post seems a bit trite and seemingly attempts to elevate myself above others by saying I have not been found wanting. Yet by saying that, I disprove myself. Ah, the luxury of words!

With that I will conclude for my next rant and rave about our poor excuse for a government.

Thanks for reading.

David

Trying to find meaning . . . .

. . . is a difficult task when our own lives are sometimes lived in such narrow pursuit of individual goals. For me it means to work three days a week in Pediatrics (which I love) and to pursue my goal of becoming a nurse practitioner through University of California at Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Toward that goal I also have to work two days a week with a Doctor and attempt to keep up with the associated homework and reading endemic to the program.

Meanwhile, many people do not have clean drinking water or enough food. They subsist on less than two dollars a day (I often spend that much on coffee in a day) and millions are dying from AIDS and neglect of the so called 'first world' countries like the one I live in (the disUnited States).

Guess I will just have to leave much of the year and work in places that don't have the help they need. I am sick of supporting killing with my tax dollars paying for weapons in Iraq and to give to the Israeli's to kill innocents in Lebanon. Do I think Iran should not do the same? Hell yes.

So I sit here in forced solitude in a library at an institute of higher learning at last and at least learning solid, reputable and useful skills that will truly benefit people. I choose to do so regardless of religion, race, ethncity or anything that confounds the freedom of someone in need. I have my prejudices people, let us just see if I alone can overcome them in my darkest hours when systems and the laws of man are utterly failing. Only then can the true measure of a man or woman be taken. I pray that I will not be found wanting. As of yet, I have not.