I am rather frustrated with the current affairs in Gaza. I can't imagine how anyone sees the situation differently than I do, but more importantly I can't imagine, whatever side you are on, why the current bombing is necessary or good. Guess there is not much I can do, there are calls for boycotts (not convinced that they will really help, or that they are even coordinated well). There are calls for donations (of course Israel is stopping any money, aid, doctors, IRC, and everything else from getting to Gaza). But I can at least appeal to my elected government officials. So I sent the following to my US Representative, both of my Senators, President Bush, and President Elect Obama:

I implore you to take action on the recent troubles in Israel/Palestine. It would seem to be clear to anyone with any moral fiber that Israel has more than "retaliated" for any actions taken by Hamas especially since it is clear that Israel is the violator of the most recent cease fire. The people who are forced to reside in Gaza, who have no escape, no means to defend themselves, no means to even feed themselves and keep warm under the current blockade, are clearly victims of the worst kind.

I don't expect that anything will resolve this current escalation to any one's satisfaction, but at least we can pressure the Israeli government to stop the carnage, and we can work to stop supporting a country that most of the world, and the UN, have branded a criminal due to this and other recent actions which they have taken in clear violation of criminal law. To believe that this is simply "defense of Israel" is a joke as clear as day when the casualties on both sides are compared, and when we remember that Gaza is nothing more than a giant prison.

Please do your best to find any way to cease the current hostilities and save any lives possible if simply just to save the innocent from the arrogant men who presume to speak for them.

Maybe you agree with me or not. But I still wonder why violence and war is the solution we turn to so often to resolve our differences. Sure this is a big complicated mess, but the world is not a zero sum game, I truly believe we can all "win".