Let's say that you have a neighbour. Then let's say that neighbour has dogs. Let's further say that that neighbour's dogs are aggressive, fed and trained by your other neighbours, and have repeatedly attacked your children resulting in bodily harm.
What would you do.
For me, the question would be "What wouldn't I do?" And if you have children, I suppose that's a popular response.
Now apply this logic globally.
Yes, this is another political post, short, sweet, concise, and to the point. Contrary to most of my political posts.
Now let's say you are a country, not hypothetically, let's say Israel. And now let's say your neighbour Lebanon has dogs named Hezbollah that have taken over part the country, and continually attacks and kills your people,
"Hezbollah, founded in 1982, is sponsored by Syria and Iran. It has been linked to scores of attacks on Israelis and Americans, including rocket attacks on Israeli towns, the 1983 bombing that killed 241 U.S. soldiers and 58 French soldiers in Beirut and the 1994 attack that killed 85 at a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. The U.S. and Israel classify Hezbollah as a terrorist organization." from (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=az8JC8aq9UkM&refer=home)
When do you say enough is enough?
I do not like the idea of a war, but I do not like the idea of an immediate cease-fire with nothing put in place to curb future attacks from these dogs (Hezbollah, not the Lebanese as all are innocent victims (some) being held hostage as shields by Hezbollah in many cases (not all sadly admitted).
I am distressed at the loss of civilian life, as each one who dies has their own respective circle of friends and family, but I don't view this war as having begun last month, rather when suicide attacks against Israel for being Israel began, in the case of Hezbollah, it began in 1982. Both sides have lost innocent life, and hopefully this will end sooner than later...
It is odd, I admit, that I am siding with the US in this respect. A ceasefire right now would save civilian life now and lower the cost of rebuilding Lebanon, but the overall cost would allow these dogs to regain their teeth and begin again. Nothing is solved.
The Baha'i World Centre is in Haifa, which as you all know, the city has been bombed several times. Honestly, I would gladly welcome my religious Centre's destruction if the end result was a lasting and enduring peace in the Middle East.
Any structure, in my opinion, is a valid sacrifice for the knowledge that you have a safe, secure, and peaceful environment to raise you children.
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4 comments:
Hi Mike - You know, I was thinking just the same thing not so long ago... and I have to agree with you (in part). Even if Haifa were blown right off the map, even if Mount Carmel itself were reduced to rubble, if it meant that the deaths of innocents would end, then it would be a meaningful sacrifice. After all, I feel that the real centre of the Baha'i world is in the hearts of people - physical destruction of a place, no matter how beloved, can't change the inevitable, the promise of peace. And, a holy place is Holy, no matter what you do to it.
As far as a cease-fire goes, I don't think it's ever better to avoid one. After all, Hezbollah doesn't get all of its resources from the same purse that would restore Lebanon, and every civilian life (or, human life, for that matter) spared makes cease-fire worth while. I just think we must continue striving for peaceful solutions (ie. a long enough cease-fire to enable dialogue), no matter how long and sharp those dogs' teeth grow.
Yikes, I've gone all political, and I've only had one cup of coffee! I think I've burned up all of my caffeine; time to refuel :o)
Love to you, Mike!
Hi Mike
I've been following the conflict and am also siding with Israel on this one. Hezbollah are cowards who use innocent civilians as sheilds. I say let Israel finish the job of neutralizing the terrorists, followed by an international force to help maintain a buffer. My main concern is that if Hezbollah are weakened to any large degree, it will draw Syria and Iran into the fray. And don't forget that Russia supports these countries as well. Stay tuned!
Mikki, fair call. I can't and won't argue with you, mainly because I acknowledge your cease-fire bit. But here's where the beauty of a loving family comes in... the ability to disagree and still feel the love! (agree to disagree)
I think it's a hard call, and one that I'm glad I don't have to make. Either argument is powerful, and I just hope that those making the effective decisions do so without the influence of ego but in pursuant to justice and a genuine want to better things.
GRRRR---Hear the dogs growling-- hard call for sure--- My hope would be that there would be a ceasefire BUT with the provision that the United Nations enforce the bill they passed to disarm Hezbollah-- get some grit and backbone in the UN--- right now they're impotent---
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