![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Random thoughts on Summer Rain
Jul. 14th, 2006 12:08 pmI can't read the news right now and there aren't a lot of things I can add to the condemnation of Israel's invasion of Gaza and Lebanon. I know some of you have friends and family there, and I hope they're okay. I hope this madness ends soon. I feel that's all I can do—wish people's families the best, stand outside the Israeli consulate today, holding a sign, write my MP for whatever good that'll do.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned much, though, is how clear it is that Olmert does not want Shalit and the other hostages to survive. Because randomly bombing civilians and civilian infrastructure? Not exactly helpful in terms of negotiating a release or hostage exchange. Hezbollah and Hamas have something to gain by live hostages. Olmert gains political capital through dead hostages. Shalit's father understands this. Those rushing to defend Israel's actions, apparently, do not.
The one spark of humour in this whole grim new war is that Israel fired on FOX News, of all people. And no, this is not a Coulter-esque gesture of support for killing journalists. It's just ironic is all, given that FOX's function is that of a low-brow chickenhawk propaganda machine.
Also, for the love of all things holy and unholy, stop referring to Israel as female. As in, "she has the right to defend herself." It squicks me out. It reminds me of all sorts of Motherland/Fatherland rhetoric.
Then again, what doesn't these days?
They're cutting down the tree in front of my window. I love that tree. I don't know why they cut it down, or why they needed to start with chainsaws at around 7 AM.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned much, though, is how clear it is that Olmert does not want Shalit and the other hostages to survive. Because randomly bombing civilians and civilian infrastructure? Not exactly helpful in terms of negotiating a release or hostage exchange. Hezbollah and Hamas have something to gain by live hostages. Olmert gains political capital through dead hostages. Shalit's father understands this. Those rushing to defend Israel's actions, apparently, do not.
The one spark of humour in this whole grim new war is that Israel fired on FOX News, of all people. And no, this is not a Coulter-esque gesture of support for killing journalists. It's just ironic is all, given that FOX's function is that of a low-brow chickenhawk propaganda machine.
Also, for the love of all things holy and unholy, stop referring to Israel as female. As in, "she has the right to defend herself." It squicks me out. It reminds me of all sorts of Motherland/Fatherland rhetoric.
Then again, what doesn't these days?
They're cutting down the tree in front of my window. I love that tree. I don't know why they cut it down, or why they needed to start with chainsaws at around 7 AM.
