Reading about the latest range of war traumas today, from the killing of Oxfam-affiliate water engineers by IDF, to the destruction of olive trees & a woman harvesting them by WB settlers, to many dozens lately slaughtered in the north...
It is painful to know this will only end when the extremists win.
So many *here*, as there, do not a flying F about the lives shattered.
They're just not *people* to those who think fulfillment of violent prophecy is the best solution for all.
Atheist note, though:
History will show this awful work to have been done by *secular* folk too.
There are some extreme Jewish traditions involved - messianics in N's far-right coalition government - & they're bolstered by a mass of US Christian Evangelicals who've been supporting this conflict for decades...
But Netanyahu is secular, & belongs to a movement that leverages Torah solely for territorial ambitions, with none of the grace of faith involved.
It is a sick, brutal thing to witness.
@MLClark that US support’s dark underbelly has Armageddon in its greasy folds; setting the scene for Jesus to return. For those true believers Israel at war is a necessary precursor, part of the “tribulation”. Then they go to heaven at a group rate. Suffice to say I’m wary of politicians who want the world to end in their lifetime.
And there are so many such politicians!
I think we need to elect more dogs and cats for mayor again. And a human 35 is 7 in dog years, right - for presidential nominees?
@MLClark no offense to cats and dogs, I think something more like a political version of Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery, but the selected must serve in office to be scapegoats for the citizens.
In all seriousness though, among Canadian conservatives that's often how party members view their candidates.
I routinely hear defences of politicians that run: "Well that person could be in private industry right now, making a fortune on oil/pharmaceuticals; the very fact that he's generously chosen to run for election instead is such a financial sacrifice, I simply *have* to believe his intentions are good!"
Conversely, liberals are just bums who couldn't get work elsewhere. 🤷🏻♂️
Exactamundo. 👌🏻
@MLClark the quiet part not spoken aloud being the benefits that person will get in speaking fees, book publishing deals, book sales engineered by “think tanks”, real estate sales, let alone direct bribes or paid no-show positions once out of office. Such sacrifices.