A well-warranted journalistic bitchslap.

Here is my favorite quote from the article. It was SOOOO good, it made me groan and roll my eyes:

Making the children walk with their hands in the air as if surrendering to the Nazis, while screaming and wailing in fear, prompted psychologists and parents to wonder whether the mothers and fathers who did this were fit to raise their children.

This is in regards to the parents of children in the Gaza settlements. And it is wrong on so many fronts. First, it makes light of the millions of Jews who died by Hitler's hand. Second, it fucks up the children (and me being a dad, this is a big no-no). Third, it portrays a stereotype that a lot of anti-Semitics have locked in their brains: that Jews are perpetual victims and want the world to know it. No wonder the majority of Israelis (according to the article) were pissed when they found out this kind of shit was going on.

Now, I feel for the plight of these people. They're being evicted from the homes they've come to know and love; and they have no idea where they're going to go next. That kind of instability sucks. But, as the headline to this article said, "democracy is the final victor." And the losers are a few thousand Israeli settlers.

I'm reminded again of David Icke's book and his opinion on "democracy" (that blog entry is several articles in the past... I believe it was done in May). It often seems to be the "tyranny of the majority". In this case, there really is no clear, best way to have handled things. Gonna alienate someone!

The biggest downside to this pullout from Gaza and the West Bank is this: it may (and probably will) not stop extremists from blowing up busses and cafes. Some people just want to be violent, and put the mask of God or Godliness on it. Bullshit. For once, I'd like to see a militant blow something up, then say he did it because he felt like it. Not because of the Israelis...not because of the United States, or even because God told him to. Just ... because he felt like it. ... Of course, I'd REALLY prefer that the idiot not blow anything up at all, but at least it would be a refreshing change of pace. Using God as an excuse pisses me off.

And to those Jews who feel they're always beset upon by villanous Muslims (etc): "One Jewish extremist killed four Arabs." Right in that article. Seems fanaticism knows no religious bounds. So if you're one of those people who were evicted from your settlement... I feel for you. I really do. But if you want to stir up more hate and discontent... FUCK YOU!

Enough said.