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Friday, June 30, 2006
Another Test To See What We're Made Of
One of my best friends is Jewish. The most important part of his life is his study of Judaism. He was conceived in Israel, but born in the states. I love him like a brother and have deep respect for how he dives deeply into his soul for the deep answers. We can't speak very well about the Israeli-Palestinian problems, though. But he knows where I stand.
Another good friend of mine is Muslim. The most important part of his life is his study of Islam. He was born in Iran, but has lived in the states since he was 15 or 16. I love him like a brother and have deep respect for his love and devotion to the Quran and the Prophets. There is much about the Israeli-Palestinian problems that we don't bring up, but I think he knows where I stand.
Coincidentally, both of these two friends were born on the same day, 23 years apart. They have met, and they like each other a lot. They can talk and share and respect each other. It is quite beautiful, actually.
I call this problem, that we sometimes find unspeakable, "The Israeli-Palestinian Volleyball Game". You hit the suicide bomber to me; I'll hit back the missile to you. No one wins the game when you're playing with more than a volleyball. I am not impressed.
The U.S. makes the game even messier. And my friends and I have not found a way to have conversation about that.
Now our leaders are facing one more test of our humanity. Are we compassionate enough to help the victims of this volleyball game?
In yesterday's Boston Globe article, Gaza Power Plant Hit by Israeli Airstrike is Insured by US Agency, I read that:
"The Palestinian power plant bombed by Israeli forces Tuesday is insured by a US government agency, and US officials say they expect American funds to be used to pay for the damage.
The destruction of the 140-megawatt reactor, the only one in the Gaza Strip, threatens to create a humanitarian disaster because the plant supplies electricity to two-thirds of Gaza's 1.3 million residents and operates pumps that provide water supplies.
But paying a claim on the plant, which was insured for $48 million, could prove problematic for the United States, which cut off funding for all infrastructure projects in the Palestinian territories after the militant group Hamas won legislative elections in January."
I know that both of my friends grieve for the suffering of all innocents. I am waiting for our congress to do the same, and then do the right thing.
Another good friend of mine is Muslim. The most important part of his life is his study of Islam. He was born in Iran, but has lived in the states since he was 15 or 16. I love him like a brother and have deep respect for his love and devotion to the Quran and the Prophets. There is much about the Israeli-Palestinian problems that we don't bring up, but I think he knows where I stand.
Coincidentally, both of these two friends were born on the same day, 23 years apart. They have met, and they like each other a lot. They can talk and share and respect each other. It is quite beautiful, actually.
I call this problem, that we sometimes find unspeakable, "The Israeli-Palestinian Volleyball Game". You hit the suicide bomber to me; I'll hit back the missile to you. No one wins the game when you're playing with more than a volleyball. I am not impressed.
The U.S. makes the game even messier. And my friends and I have not found a way to have conversation about that.
Now our leaders are facing one more test of our humanity. Are we compassionate enough to help the victims of this volleyball game?
In yesterday's Boston Globe article, Gaza Power Plant Hit by Israeli Airstrike is Insured by US Agency, I read that:
"The Palestinian power plant bombed by Israeli forces Tuesday is insured by a US government agency, and US officials say they expect American funds to be used to pay for the damage.
The destruction of the 140-megawatt reactor, the only one in the Gaza Strip, threatens to create a humanitarian disaster because the plant supplies electricity to two-thirds of Gaza's 1.3 million residents and operates pumps that provide water supplies.
But paying a claim on the plant, which was insured for $48 million, could prove problematic for the United States, which cut off funding for all infrastructure projects in the Palestinian territories after the militant group Hamas won legislative elections in January."
I know that both of my friends grieve for the suffering of all innocents. I am waiting for our congress to do the same, and then do the right thing.
posted by Carol at 8:59 AM
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