Apathy: An American Tragedy of Global Proportions
by Brian Bogart
It is tragically ironic that we claim to have recognized this
nation's
sad brutality against Native Americans during the settling of our own
"frontier lands" yet have so long actively supported the settling by
(and
arming of) Jewish extremists on Palestinian land. Indeed, the bulk of
the
settlers are Jewish extremists exported from America to guard stolen
Palestinian property. Justice would call them "squatters."
Perhaps a greater tragic irony is the current racist and brutal
invasion
of occupied Palestine by descendants of Holocaust victims, even
withholding
water to entire camps of refugees for more than a week, thus forcing
them to
collect and drink urine to survive. Horrible crimes are being
committed,
and confirmed by reputable sources--Israeli sources.
Like a beaten child often becomes a child-beater, Israel seems to
have
manifested its immense sense of victimization in the creation of highly
efficient killers of the oppressed along with a wealth of willing liars
to
justify their actions. Though brave bands of Israeli human-rights
activists
still carry on with grim urgency, they too are in harm's way. Violence
has
become Israel's final solution, and the phrase "never again" has been
hijacked and weaponized.
As an American of Jewish ancestry, I could not be more ashamed and
disgusted by these events, and by the overwhelmingly careless attitude
of
American leaders and citizens. While the public swallows US media
falsehoods with alarming gullibility, our leaders, by supporting
Israel's
aggression, signal to the non-Western world that violence is our best
solution, thus perpetuating myths of hatred and inviting our own descent
into chaos.
At a time when leadership with great vision would initiate an era of
global peace, we aspire to peddle arms and be masters of the world.
Clearly, we are welcoming terrorism by sanctioning Israel's unjust war.
And
when the next terrorist attack comes to America, who will you blame?
Blame
should justly fall to any who fail to fully inform themselves and act
decisively and constructively in matters involving injustices heaped
upon
others. Blame should fall to all parties responsible for dangerous
policies
that threaten the very future of humankind.
Sadly--though so many lives are at stake and US media coverage is at
odds with coverage throughout the rest of the world--the truth is but
mouse-clicks away from America's computerized populace and yet still too
far
for most to bother investigating before judgments are handed down.
It was said of the Holocaust, once the truth was revealed, that too
many
did too little to stop it. But unlike today, news was not readily
accessible. Thus, during this time of great tragedy for a people about
whom
we have consciously decided to care so little--as if Palestinians were
savages on stolen land--there is simply no excuse for the apathy of
American
citizens.
by courtesy & © 2002 Brian Bogart