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Rolla Peace News May 25, 2021 |
Dear Friends:Editor's note: Please consider writing for our newsletter. It's always very exciting to be able to publish submissions from our readers.In this newsletter is: 1. NOON VIGIL FOR PEACE: THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021 2. THE MISFIT MATHEMATICIAN (Tom's column, http://tomsager.org) a) “Anti-Semitism” in the “Post Truth” Era b) US Losing Control; World Opinion Turning Against Israel c) “Today, We Are Nazis” d) Whither From Here? 1. NOON VIGIL FOR PEACE: THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021 We vigil for peace in front of the Rolla Post Office, THIS THURSDAY, MAY 27, FROM NOON TO 1:00 PM (and most subsequent Thursdays until Peace is established). Please join us this Thursday in saying NO WAR AGAINST PALESTINE or any other country. The temperature is predicted to be around 80. If you do not feel comfortable standing with us in front of the Post Office, please consider driving by and showing your support for our message by honking your horn and flashing a peace sign. Note 1: Since there are so few of us, generally only 2, no need to cancel; but let's maintain social distancing. Note 2: In case of inclement weather, vigils may be canceled or terminated early. 2. THE MISFIT MATHEMATICIAN (Tom's column, http://tomsager.org) a) “Anti-Semitism” in the “Post Truth” Era b) US Losing Control; World Opinion Turning Against Israel c) “Today, We Are Nazis” d) Whither From Here? “Anti-Semitism” in the “Post Truth” Era One would expect an accusation of bigotry toward a media outlet would be accompanied by a description of a false, or at least misleading, statement. Not so. The Israeli embassy in China accuses China's state-run CCTV of “blatant antisemitism” for saying: “Jews dominate finance and internet sectors. So do they have the powerful lobbies some say? Possible.”“We live in a post-truth era, where facts don’t matter anymore.” —Damien Spleeters According to Open Secrets, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) spent $2.65 million on lobbying in 2020. Pro-Israel billionaires Sheldon and Miriam Adelson made $218 million in political contributions during the 2019-20 cycle. The Adelsons were number one in political contributions during this cycle, 40% above second place Michael Bloomberg (also Jewish) who made $153 million in political contribution during this cycle. So back to China's CCTV statement that so incensed the Israeli embassy: Fact or bigotry? You decide. Personally, I would have difficulty discussing US foreign policy toward Palestine and Israel without also discussing the influence of wealthy Jews like the late Sheldon Adelson on US foreign policy. US Losing Control; World Opinion Turning Against Israel Almost 200,000 demonstrated in London in solidarity with Palestine. Huge demonstrations in other major cities too. This has never happened before. What has changed? Gaza, which has been under Israeli/Egyptian blockade since 2005, has been characterized as the world's largest open-air prison with around two million inmates receiving barely enough sustenance to stay alive. In 2008-9 Israel assaulted Gaza killing 1,417 Palestinians; Nine Israelis died. In 2014, Israelis killed 2,251 Palestinians while losing 72, mostly soldiers invading Gaza. U.S.-built F-16s dropped at least 5,000 bombs and missiles on Gaza. Israeli tanks and artillery fired 49,500 shells, mostly massive 6-inch shells from U.S.-built M-109 howitzers. In response to largely peaceful protests at the Israel-Gaza border in 2018, Israeli snipers killed 183 Palestinians and wounded over 6,100. 122 required amputations, 21 were paralyzed; Nine were permanently blinded. In response, most of the world said, “tut tut,” and washed their hands. This month's Israeli assault on Gaza has killed over 200 Palestinians. Israel has suffered ten deaths. The world appears to have finally awakened to this ongoing atrocity. Why? I suspect the most important factor is that we now live in a multi-polar world. The United States is no longer the world's sole dominant power and no longer able to provide Israel with the level of protection it is used to. This allows others greater independence. Here's an example: Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan castigated Joe Biden over a $735 million sale of military hardware to Israel saying: This kind of independence, particularly from a NATO member, would have been unheard of a few short years ago.“Now, unfortunately, you [Biden] are writing history with your bloody hands with this event. Gaza is being attacked with seriously disproportionate force causing the martyrdom of thousands of people. You have forced us to say this.” A second factor may be the destruction of Gaza'a only COVID-19 testing site and other attacks on Gaza's woefully inadequate health infrastructure in the midst of a global pandemic. Israel plans to have its entire population vaccinated soon; Very little vaccine has found its way into Gaza. Perhaps this is the atrocity that has finally inflamed the world. On a personal note, I remain unvaccinated. I respectfully request that “my vaccine” be sent to Palestine where so many are so much more needy than I am. “Today, We Are Nazis” Meanwhile, in Israel, young hooligans, encouraged by police, beat up Palestinians chanting “Death to Arabs.”, “Kill them one by one.” and “Today, we are Nazis.” “Today, We Are Nazis.” And so goes the noble experiment of a Jewish Homeland far from Europe's religious wars and pogroms. Whither From Here? I still feel the only viable future lies in a single state, comprising what are now considered Palestine and Israel, with equal rights for all, and the Right of Return for refugees and their descendants. From my reading, I think others may also be coming around to that point of view. Time may, in fact, be running out. Here's a thought: What happens when Russian warships start escorting ships loaded with humanitarian aid into Gaza? Think about that one. Rolla Peace News is distributed by email once a week on Tuesday evenings (except on rare occasions) and is posted on the web at http://tomsager.org (click on Rollaites for Peace: near the top of rightmost column). If you don't wish to get notices of peace events in the Rolla area, let me know and I'll take you off this list. If you want to be added to this list, let me know. Wage peace, Tom yushasager (at) yahoo.com |