No. Sleep. till Brookly... err Yirushalayim?
So some of you may be aware of the situation in Gaza, for those of you who aren't here's a quick run down. Israel in the name of peace gave up control of the Gaza strip to the Palestinians. This was supposed to be the beginning of a two state solution where Palestinians could govern themselves and likewise with the Israelis. After getting the land Palestinians hold elections... and elect a terrorist group into power. Not just any terrorist group, but one which wants the total annihilation of Israel. Israel's response? As long as these folks are in power, nothing's getting to Gaza. The international banking community has frozen all funds connected to the area. Things have come to a screeching halt down there. Why? To force Hamaas (the terrorist group) to step down out of power. Hamaas wont step down. It came out that gee whiz, if we can't drive there or fly there, why not ship things into Gaza? So, Israel set up a naval blockade. There's a reason for this. Hamaas is still getting explosives and weapons into Gaza to do strikes against Israel. Israel feels it needs to protect itself. Hence blockade.
Now that's the rough overview... bring us up to the now. Due to the differant blockades, the average Jo schmo who elected Hamas into power, doesnt have food. They're running low on meds... it's pretty depressing. So humanitarian folks from Turkey decided: "Hey! let's go to Gaza with supplies and help out the Palestinians." Ship gets to the blockade and the military's shouting at them: "Hey off limits!" Yet they go in anyway. Israel takes the ship, wounding as few as possible. Even the captain of the ship has to shout "Chill out We ai'nt got the fire power to do no resistin" Well... he maybe didn't sound so much like a hood rat. Apparently the Israeli soldiers were attacked when they boarded the ship. Israel says weapons were being smuggled in. However you look at it, Israeli forces attacked an aid ship. Not good for the PR.
Does Israel have a right to defend itself? Yes. Do the aid folks have a right to follow their conscience to get to the beleagered Palestinians who have nothing to do with the conflict. Yes... as long as that's what they're really doing. The problem is you have many elements in the region who are just sowing seeds of confusion to keep the region unstable for their own ends.
Personally. I stand by Israel. Not for some dispensationalist view of eschatology, or because "It's America's Ally" or anything. It's the simple fact that when the final times come. That might be one of the safest places for HaShem's people. That being said... the situation doesn't look good and the ultra conservative leadership pushing forward with settlements is jus undoing everything Sharon (one of the previous prime ministers) worked to accomplish. The international community is turning against Israel and it seems the tactic of "aww Poor Palestinians" is working. Don't look good.
In other news got a dig coming up on the 26th of this month. For thsoe of you not in the know a "dig" is an outing within guerilla gardening. Think... vandalism, but instead of spray paint... you plant flowers. My goal is to put down some banana trees and some veggies. It'll go down that Saturday night in Downtown Miami about a block west of the American Airlines arena. Gonna try to do a post with the pics soon. Granted the pics are a year old but the place hasn't changed that much. Couple of logistics I need to plan for: water, implements, bags, security. I wanna go ahead and bring sandwiches and food as well for the homeless that no doubt will come. Not sre if that's a great idea but... who knows. Maybe if they see us as helping and trying to hook them up they'll be appreciative and help out. Gonna have to be in and out. Don't need the police taking an interest...
...Until it's too late!!!! Mwahahahahahahahahahah!!!! Man I'm psyched.
Well, that's some of the stuff that mattered to me this Monday. If you want some more info on joining the dig let me know. Any thoughts on Israel and their dismal PR war let me hear it. As always I'm kShaw and you've just been... wait for it... KREEMED!!!