End the Crisis in Gaza

By David Gibson and Dr. Janet Amighi,
7/20/14

While Israel claims it is under threat, its own actions and policies are actually the driving force of Palestinian resistance.  It is most extreme in Gaza.

Gaza is kept shut off by land, sea and air from the rest of the world and even from their relatives in the West Bank. They cannot export their products or import needed supplies to rebuild after each Israeli incursion or bombing. They are locked in an overcrowded prison with undrinkable water and worse and then condemned as terrorists if they protest.  Gaza is permanently under siege- who can live like that?

Now as Israel attacks, Gazans run terrorized in the streets or cower in their homes with nowhere to flee. (Warning leaflets dropped from the air have no use when there is no place to evacuate to.) They have no shelters, they cannot become refugees. They can’t even get ambulances through to collect the wounded and the many dead. Even on the beach a group of boys are not safe.  They are trapped victims of an unbelievable horror. No one comes to their aid.

What is the cause of this brutal attack?  Israel says it is self-defense, against rockets, against kidnappers, against tunnels.  Palestinian leaders in Gaza say they will not accept a ceasefire until the blockade is lifted, that they will not stop resisting until they can lead tolerable lives.

According to Nathan Thrall writing in the New York Times, the trigger of this most recent Israeli attack against Gaza was the Reconciliation Agreement under which Hamas agreed to turn over leadership of Gaza to President Abbas and his Fattah party and create a unity government.  The West at first supported this move, but Israel resisted and her allies fell into line. Thrall calls it, “Gaza and Israel: The Road to War, Paved by the West, (July 17, 2014).  He claims that Israel is trying to preserve the status quo- keeping control over Palestinian land, water, and lives.

The US is Israeli’s willing ally to the tune of 3 billion dollars a year in military aid, not because it is in our national interest, but because our politicians are afraid to confront right wing actions by the Israeli government.

The United States can help save both Israeli and Palestinian lives by demanding a lasting ceasefire, lifting the blockade on Gaza, ending U.S. military aid to Israel (or at least withholding such aid until a ceasefire begins and lasts for, say six months), hold all sides accountable for human rights violations, and engage with all Palestinian factions (including Hamas).

Peace, Shalom, and Salam to all

Please take action for peace in Palestine and Israel.

Call the White House comment line:

202.456.1111

Demand a ceasefire and suspension of U.S.  weapons and military aid to Israel.

To call your Member of Congress:

US Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121

To locate your Member on-line:
U.S. House of Representatives: www.house.gov
U.S. Senate: www.senate.gov

White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Demand a ceasefire and suspension of U.S. weapons and military aid to Israel.

Save Our Food Supply – Stop Monsanto

I attended a town hall meeting where my State Legislator discussed a bill which he introduced that would help kick-start organic farms in Pennsylvania. He stated that the “big” agriculture (Ag) lobbiest keep asking to meet with him and they try to convince him to change his bill because the bill would protect the small organic farms of Pennsylvania. He refuses to make changes to suit “Big Ag”. The Monsantos and Cargills are out to own our food supply. Is it just a matter of time until some conglomerate(s) owns our water suppy? Some States are already considering “privatizing” the water supply. Did you know that it is illegal to gather rainwater without a permit in Washington and Colorado? What’s next, our air? Will we all be required to wear some type of air consumption monitor? This may sound a bit silly, but exactly where does this control stop?

The Clintons have a very long history of association with big Ag, particularly, Monsanto. The Smirking Chimp has several links to related articles.

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/14131

Vanity Fair explains the evils of Monsanto

RubyGal has more to say about Monsanto and Clinton connections over at the DailyKos.

None of the candidates are talking about holding Monsanto accountable for terrorizing our farmers and seed sellers. Something needs to be done to break the “mafia-like” grip that Monsanto holds over our politicians, judges, legislators, and farmers. This has got to stop. If it doesn’t, then we will all be consuming toxic foods and GM foods… we will be the “test” subjects for whatever Monsanto wants to throw our way. And we will be helpless to do anything about it.

Vermont has a solid, strong “Buy Local” campaign. Pennsylvania needs to better organize the same thing.

PASA

UPDATE: Here’s a link to the Rodale Institute.

You can find additional information and location of farms serving your area at their website. It is worth the visit.

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Me And Barack…

Just wanted to show my photo somewhere… arrow is pointing to me. What an amazing experience… on his way out I got to shake his hand a 2nd time (1st being before photo was taken), I told him “Go ahead and change the world”, his respone was “I’m trying to, and so are you”. Gave me chills!!!

~ jer