Random thoughts on Summer Rain

[sabotabby]

I 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?

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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.

Comments

[jk-fabiani.livejournal.com]

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Go plant a tree.

[sabotabby]

That jacket is overkill, but most painted jean jackets are.

It was my neighbour's tree. But I want to sow wildflowers in her lawn for revenge.

[jk-fabiani.livejournal.com]

Gotta love da fashion!

I like your style of revenge. I'll be certain to piss you off!

[chap-eye.livejournal.com]

this is good.

[seilduksgata.livejournal.com]

Who is referring to Israel as female? I don't think I've ever seen that in European media. And weird, when you consider that most of the people involved in combat will be male... Personally, I don't mind countries being personified like that if its the actual land being referred to, but when its over the actions of a nation who happen to be living on that land it seems bizarre and a bit creepy.

Its sad about the tree :-(

[dobrovolets.livejournal.com]

Who is referring to Israel as female?

It's Bush: "Israel has a right to defend herself."

[warlordkittens.livejournal.com]

seriously? BUSH? what's wrong with HIM? i thought it was just an israeli attempting to speak english.

[seilduksgata.livejournal.com]

Oh, Bush strikes again! Grrr.

[frandroid.livejournal.com]

Come on yaar, don't you know that all nations are helpless women that need to be defended by the strength of the largest dicks?

In related terms, I'm still giggling over the fact that the German world cup team was named the Mannschaft.

[sabotabby]

If I'd known that, I might have rooted for them. That's the best thing ever.

[warlordkittens.livejournal.com]

they refer to it as female because it's female in hebrew. that's all.

i think the hostages are probably dead already. at least gilad shalit.

[sabotabby]

I didn't know that (and Bush doesn't speak Hebrew anyway), but that makes it at least excuseable for Israelis to say. Are other countries gendered?

They'd be stupid to kill the hostages. Not saying that they couldn't, but it'd be shooting themselves in the foot.

[corvus.livejournal.com]

1) http://readherring.livejournal.com/348392.html

2) CNN running the "Major Escalation" headline all day yesterday = :(

3) On Hezbollah's claims that they want war
A) They know that the civilians will suffer the most and therefore will be way more prone to being won over to the militant side of things
B) They know they will not win
C) And due to A+B, it will bring in other groups and countries to this conflict
D) :(

[sabotabby]

Actually, invading the States is a good idea. I think we should do that.

[terry-terrible.livejournal.com]

I think they claim that now, but I heard Daniel Shore saying on NPR that Hezbollah really thought they could get a deal since they had just gotten a prisoner exchange about six months ago. But if this was the case, it was pretty short sighted in view of how Isreal reacted to the Gaza kidnappings.

Shore also said he thinks that Irsael has been planning this type of move for five years since they pulled out of Lebanon becuase they were pissed at the Lebanese government not taking over the border like they had agreeed too and letting Hazbollah station troops there. In hindsight it seems the Lebanonese government couldn't really do much about it since they barely had control of the country at the time.

I don't know, but that Daniel Shore's analysis seems to make some sense and he's usually on the money.

[groovitude.livejournal.com]

I don't believe the calculation behind the abduction of the Israeli army private is any different than Israel shooting missiles into the middle of civilian population in Lebanon. Both sides are conducting diplomacy by other means than the direct and straightforward method of talking to each other.

But I put the primary blame on Hamas. They were the ones who started this by abducting the Israeli soldier and brought upon the fury of Israel on their compatriots. If I were a Palestinian, I wouldn't want Hamas on my side. It's like your mischievous friend who always gets you in trouble, but whom you cannot cast out of your life because of all the memories of struggle you have together. I think Palestinians and Lebanese should disassociate themselves from terrorist groups entirely, and this will stack the decks against Israel. It won't have the world opinion on its side next time it attacks a civilian population because their elected representatives have terrorist ties. That rationale is fucked--it's guilt by association and totally wrong--but it's solid.

Anyway, I know I'm the minority here, but I think using war as a negotiating tactic is wrong, and all patries involved in this war are misguided and probably have deep psychological issues.

[dobrovolets.livejournal.com]

I don't believe the calculation behind the abduction of the Israeli army private is any different than Israel shooting missiles into the middle of civilian population in Lebanon.

You go straight from talking about an act carried out by Palestinians to Israel's attack on the Lebanese. I guess all them Ay-rabs are the same. Not to mention, how is a commando action against a well-armed and trained regular army at all comparable to bombing a major city?

Both sides are conducting diplomacy by other means than the direct and straightforward method of talking to each other.

Of course, since Israel categorically refuses to talk to either Hamas or Hezbollah, what exactly are they supposed to do? Wait by the phone for Ehud Olmert to call?

But I put the primary blame on Hamas. They were the ones who started this by abducting the Israeli soldier and brought upon the fury of Israel on their compatriots.

Yeah, that little thing called an occupation couldn't have had anything to do with it....

If I were a Palestinian...

Check it out: You're not!

I think Palestinians and Lebanese should disassociate themselves from terrorist groups entirely, and this will stack the decks against Israel.

Considering that if it weren't for the "terrorists" of Hezbollah, Israel's army would likely be permanently occupying southern Lebanon, this amounts to a call for unilateral disarmament--by the weaker side! "Give up all your weapons, then you'll really be in a stronger position!" If only people would listen to military geniuses like you, then peace would advance smoothly throughout the world.

all patries involved in this war are misguided and probably have deep psychological issues.

Ah, yes, the standard, hands-in-the-air response of someone who can't be bothered to familiarize himself with the history and issues of a region: "They're all crazy!" It must be so sad that all those loony sand people won't heed your superior wisdom.

[lopukhov.livejournal.com]

Israel is being a real asshole. So tell me again, the difference between a failed state and a trigger-happy democracy?

[jordansc.livejournal.com]

Is Israel "a weak state in which the central government has little practical control over much of its territory" (Wikipedia)?

[99catsaway.livejournal.com]

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.

I heard that a couple of times in the last couple of days and definitely noticed it. I hadn't heard of a country referred to in that way . . . in a long time, if ever. Why are they doing that with Israel??

[sabotabby]

Well, warlordkittens made the point that it's feminine in Hebrew. So...okay, for the love of all thing holy and unholy, non-Hebrew speakers had better stop doing that.

[corvus.livejournal.com]

That's all five of the leaders of the countries involved in the NK missile flap. Weee!

About 3/4s done? I'm not sure how happy I am with it. I want to change it to "Hanging Rough" and change something about the 'New Kids' text.

And the original!

[corvus.livejournal.com]

[corvus.livejournal.com]

Oh, and change the image in the middle to something more appropriate.

[sabotabby]

Nuke Kids on the Block?