Insanity in the world...

This is f*cking crazy. I can't understand how people who purport to be rational and compassionate aren't outraged by what is happening in Lebanon and Gaza. I can't understand how people aren't outraged by the behavior of their governments. I just don't get it.

How can a civilized people stand by and watch this happen? Are we that insensitive to the suffering of other people? Are we so Machiavellian in our thinking that nearly any means is justified?

I hear foreign ministers spouting rhetoric about the need for a ‘sustainable’ cease fire, which Israel takes as a green light for further violence. I hear Secretary of State Rice say that she is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Lebanon. I see efforts made to get our people out of harm’s way. But we’re not helping, really. Instead, we’re sending more bombs (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/5221782.stm).

I know, Hezbollah is shooting rockets into Israel. I know, people in Israel are dying too. But look at this from CNN: (http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/27/mideast.main/index.html):

Since July 12, at least 405 people -- mostly
civilians -- have been killed in Israeli strikes, Lebanese security sources
said. The IDF said the Israeli death toll is 50 -- 19 of them civilians.
The
fighting also has wounded about 1,660 people in Lebanon and more than 300
civilians in Israel, the sources said.

That’s a death toll ratio of 1 Israeli to 8 Lebanese, and the ratio of wounded is 1 to 5. And notice that more than 50% of the Israeli fatalities have been IDF soldiers, legitimate targets in wartime.

If you aren't disturbed or outraged, take a look at this site:
*WARNING* The following site contains graphic images. If you are squeamish, don't go here. You have been warned. http://www.fromisraeltolebanon.info/

There is a petition (not that I normally endorse these things) at http://epetitions.net/julywar/index.php.