Casualties...

Today, Kel sent me this link. It's a scary illustration of how bad this war is getting.
About a week ago I was talking to some people about the Israeli war plan. Now, since right after this thing started, the IDF has been telling Lebanese citizens to move north of the Litani River, roughly 30 miles or so from the border. The reason for this, they said, is to clear out civilians so that they can attack Hizbollah fighters in the area.
Heavy shelling and nearly indiscriminate air-strikes have killed scores of civilians, though, children mainly, all over the area.

Now, this area south of the Litani River was, roughly, the area that had been occupied after the Arab-Israeli war in 1949. About 12 miles of this area was occupied by Israel for 22 years as a buffer zone, an occupation which ended in 2000.
Now, the IDF is at it again, with Ehud Olmert pushing the IDF back to the Litani, to recreate the buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon. Several people with whom I have spoken about the escalating situation, however, seem to believe that it is the Israeli intent to annex the land south of the river, not only for security reasons but to occupy it and, eventually, settle it. In other words, they need “Elbow Room”, a little "Lebensraum".
Today, 10,000 Israeli troops launched a massive invasion of Southern Lebanon and contrary to statements made by the Israeli government it looks like they are going to stay. Also, commando attacks were made deep into the heart of Lebanon, on the ancient city of Baalbek some 100 kilometers north of the Litani River.

With Israel attacking so far north, can there be any doubt that, any day now, further attacks will be launched into Beirut?
Early on in this conflict, Israel launched attacks on southern suburbs of the capitol, flattening roads, bridges and buildings, ostensibly to hinder the political wing of Hizbollah, but killing several civilians in the process. Many believe it is only a matter of time before Israel drops the façade and engages openly in an illegal attempt at regime change, or worse, out and out destruction of the country of Lebanon.
The world waits and watches but remains frustratingly indecisive and of split opinion over what, if any thing, there is to be done to end this conflict. With no real support for a cease-fire from the United States, Israel has no reason to stop their invasion, and the killing. In other parts of the world, however, public sympathy has slowly started to polarize against Israel, and, by default, the United States. In a world where the last Super Power has lost much of its credibility this openly pro-Zionist stance may ultimately serve to sway opinion completely against us.
WWIII is a term that has been thrown around rather carelessly lately, over this. Super-Christians are still fervently praying for this to be the End of Days, and expecting the fiction of the Rapture to sweep them away from their milquetoast lives at any moment. Evangelical preachers are being flooded with money to help Israel and it is to their financial benefit to milk the cash cow at the expense of Lebanese blood. The mindless flock will keep emptying their coffers to support this illegal military action as long as they feel they are sanctioned to do so by their fatback grossero ministers. Israel will continue to reap the rewards of American religious ignorance as long as the money keeps coming.

Speaking of American Ignorance, let’s take a moment to look at one of the domestic victims of this crisis in the Middle East. Yes, I’m talking about Mel Gibson. By now, I’m sure, everyone has heard that the openly Traditionalist Catholic Actor/Director was arrested for a DUI in Malibu. However, that’s not why everyone is raising a stink.

It turns out that he made a remark about Jews. I believe he said “Fucking Jews, they are responsible for all the wars in the world.” Then he asked one of the arresting deputies : “Are you a Jew?” (He also asked a female officer at the station “What are you looking at, Sugar Tits?”)
His statement about the Jews angered, shocked, and dismayed several people. However, Gibson is not actively involved with any sort of hate-mongering or anti-Jewish organization. He was a drunk, expressing his opinion, and, the last time I checked, The First Amendment has not yet been repealed here. That’s the one that allows Freedom of Speech. Now, who says that we must like or tolerate everyone? I know that there are certain people, or types of people, or even whole generalized groups that, I myself, cannot tolerate. Does that make me a criminal? Should I be forced to publicly apologize for my feelings, thoughts, and words? I mean, I can understand prosecuting hostile actions that were motivated by deep-seated resentment, intolerance, and hatred, towards others. Those are called hate-crimes. But where do we draw the line? I mean, so Mel Gibson doesn’t like Jews. Big deal, so what…Why, I’m sure if one posed the question in Lebanon, right now, you’d find several people who might share this sentiment. Should they apologize, too?
I think that there’s a big difference between bigotry and racism, and Mel Gibson did not cross that line. People are calling for Gibson to “Pay the price of Bigotry”, does it come down to money or just a pound of flesh? Is that a bigoted statement, too? Again, who cares? It’s everyone’s right, as an American, to dislike whomever the hell they want. As long as they don’t physically harm others, or advocate the harm of others, then there’s really nothing hurt but feelings. So, what’s the price to pay for hurt feelings? And why the hell should we care about someone else’s hurt feelings, anyway? Everyone has their own personal bigotries and that, my freaky darlings, is a fact.