The Peaceless Human Condition
Below is an exchange between a Libertarian Friend and my Liberal self.
thinkingblue
TEN Facts about Israel’s Massacre against the Gaza Freedom Flotilla
---
Hi Friend, If you say it's sad and hopeless, then we can agree. Why? Because human beings lack empathy (especially in large groups). People just can't get it through their thick skulls that we are all the same. They continuously form groups of like-minded (especially in hate) so they can stick together while disparaging (and trying to destroy) those who are different from themselves. (Whether the difference be in thought or appearance.)
When one group is so demoralized (as were the Jews in Nazi Germany) and they are determined not to ever allow this to happen again... For some strange reason, in their grand efforts to not be victims, they become the bullies who brutalized them in the first place. (Remember the Stanford Prison Experiment.)
The flotilla attack was despicable but deep inside myself I can somewhat understand Israel's overkill tactics (although I believe it illogical). They fear attacks from the lands bordering their own to such a degree that almost everything is conceived as some sort of threat. Their fears keep them in bondage and force them to become ruthless. It's like a vicious circle... the more they act upon their fears the more fear they generate. That's the hopeless part.
Maybe someday in the far, far future, human beings will evolve into a more peace-like creature but don't hold your breath, I believe we humans will suffer a great deal, mostly at our own hands and we may even push our species to extinction. (If global warming doesn't beat us to it.)
Do I sound pessimistic? When it comes to human existence, you bet I am.
Thanks,
Your Friend
thinkingblue
PS: A Liberal friend of mine just brought the below article and video to my attention. It recapitulates to me, that for the most part, we humans have a long way to go to become peace like.
Irish-American Ken O'Keefe Recounts His Experience On The Mavi Marmara And In Israeli Detention
I have for many years understood that we, people of
conscience, are the true holders of power in this world.
Frustratingly however we have largely relinquished that power and
failed to reach our full potential. Our potential to create a
better world, a just world. Nonetheless I have conspired with
others of like mind to reveal and exercise our true power. In
2002 I initiated the TJP Human Shield Action to Iraq because I
knew that the invasion of Iraq had been planned well in advance,
that it was part of a 'Global Spectrum Dominance' agenda as laid
out by the Project For A New American Century.
I knew that protests had no chance of stopping the invasion, and
that largely these protests were just a way of making us feel
better about the coming mass murder; by being able to say I
protested against it. With that understanding I argued that the
only viable way to stop the invasion was to conduct a mass
migration to Iraq. A migration in which people from around the
world, especially western citizens, would position themselves at
sites in Iraq that are supposed to be protected by international
law, but which are routinely bombed when it is only Iraqi,
Palestinian, generally non-white, western lives who will be
killed. I felt 10,000 such people could stop the invasion, or at
the very least, expose the invasion for what it was from the
start, an act of international aggression, a war crime and a
crime against humanity.
When our two double-decker buses travelled from London to Baghdad
through Turkey, it was ever clear that the people of Turkey also
could sense the power of this act, and they were the biggest
participants in it. In the end we did not get the numbers
required to stop the war, with at least one million Iraqi's dead
as a result, but I remain convinced that it was within our power
to prevent the invasion. A massive opportunity lost as far as I am concerned.
In 2007 I joined the Free Gaza Movement with its plan to
challenge the blockade of Gaza by travelling to Gaza by sea. From
the moment I heard of the plan I knew it could succeed and
ultimately I served as a captain on the first attempt. The
Israeli government said throughout our preparation that we were
no better than pirates and they would treat us as such. They made
clear we would not reach Gaza. And still I knew we could succeed.
And we did. Two boats with 46 passengers from various countries
managed to sail into Gaza on August 23, 2010; this was the first
time this had been done in 41 years. The truth is the blockade of
Gaza is far more than three years old, and yet we, a small group
of conscientious people defied the Israeli machine and celebrated
with tens of thousands of Gazans when we arrived that day. We
proved that it could be done. We proved that an intelligent plan,
with skilled manipulation of the media, could render the full
might of the Israeli Navy useless. And I knew then that this was
only the tip of the iceberg.
So participating in the Freedom Flotilla is like a family reunion
to me. It is my long lost family whose conscience is their guide,
who have shed the fear, who act with humanity. But I was
especially proud to join IHH and the Turkish elements of the
flotilla. I deeply admire the strength and character of the
Turkish people, despite your history having stains of injustice,
like every nation, you are today from citizen to Prime Minister
among the leaders in the cause of humanity and justice.
MORE HERE
RNC Document Mocks Donors, Plays on 'Fear'
Watch Thom Hartmann on Freespeech TV
Please sign this very important petition "demand question time"
(of our political leaders) HERE...
We really need more dialog from those at the top...
The Republicans have got to be made to realize they can't hide
behind "NO" any longer! thinkingblue
Let's keep our heads, while we continue to watch THE
THEATER OF THE ABSURD!!!
"A SEARCH FOR TRUTH WILL FIND INJUSTICE."
thinkingblue
posted by thinkingblue at 9:10 AM
<< Home