We are the lucky ones. Even with all the challenges we have, the fatigue, the pain, the side effects, we still sleep in beds at night, we have enough food to eat, and we are reasonably safe. For that, we are thankful. The kids mowed the lawn. While it took them three times longer than it would have taken me, at least they were safe. They can argue about whose turn it is to do what but I don’t worry that a bomb is going to fall on them while they fight.
Meanwhile, in Rafa overnight, Israeli missiles hit the southern Gaza town of Rafa, a town where many Palestinians have run at the encouragement of Israeli forces. Nine children were among the 13 people killed. Children. A mother and her three-year-old were among those killed. The mother was pregnant. The baby was saved, but who will raise the child? Will anyone even have a chance to raise it? This is the nonsense of war.
Of the $26 billion approved for Israel by the US House of Representatives yesterday, only $9 million is for humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The rest is to facilitate the killing of people in Gaza. Tell me, please, how the fuck that makes any sense.
Both the Palestinians and Israelis pray to the same deity. Whose prayers is that deity supposed to answer? Whose does he hear first? This is the exact same deity many Americans will worship today, the same deity who allowed that three-year-old and its pregnant mother to die overnight. How do you justify that?
Those of you who are parents think of the times when your children argue and neither of them is correct. How do you resolve the conflict? Do you give in to your “favorite?” Do you try to find a “fair” resolution? Or do you simply ignore them both and let them work it out for themselves? That’s what this deity is effectually being asked to do. This is a religious tiff between siblings and for all we can tell, the parent has walked away with a care-less attitude.
Today, Kat’s family and I will gather to celebrate Tipper’s birthday since we couldn’t all get together last week. There is almost no chance that the restaurant will be bombed by someone from another country simply because of who other people in our country worship. Spoiled meat is more of a concern (always) than the threat of missiles landing in the middle of the table. We don’t have to worry about it.
But we’re willing to fund that terror for someone else, someone who has a family just like ours.
Why do we do this? What makes us think we have the right?
And what self-righteous deity stands silently by and lets it all happen?
Priorities, anyone?