As one of the first battles of the American Civil War, the Battle of Bull Run, raged outside Washington D. C., spectators sat on a hill with picnic baskets, under clear blue skies, carriages at the ready; ladies & gentlemen of refinement took in the vista of the battlefield below, as the carnage unfolded.
A quick war was expected, but as the Union soldiers fled the battlefield in disarray, streaming back to the city, the grim reality was dawning: There would be no "quick victory" -- at least 600, 000 would die in the war.
So, wrong, yes, but regrettably, part of our human nature.
I remember the first bombs dropping on Bagdad in 2003, I was watching Bagdad live, in real time, waiting expectantly for the bombs to hit, many Americans watched transfixed by the macabre spectacle happening before their eyes on T. V.
I am not sure that is so different than sitting on a hill and watching as bombs tear up apartment blocks and people die.
I don't want to defend it, but I can't condemn it either.
Dr. Pieczenik, your bringing this picture to my attention, makes me reflect back on my own behavior early on in another supposed "quick victory."
My attitude, reactions, and feelings.
In retrospect, there was a lot to be desired.
War is corrosive to the bonds of human kindness and empathy.
The temptation to dehumanize the other is strong.
The temptation is universal, part of the human condition.
However, you are right to call it out, as wrong.
War steadily strips us of our most precious values.
War is corrosive to so many aspects of our humanity.
Dr. Pieczenik, after making my comment I noticed a commonality among my examples: The spectators expected a "quick victory," but none was had.
No doubt many of the spectators in Israeli expect a quick victory.
I am left to wonder what will happen with this war... left with foreboding. Wars rarely go as planned nor are as quick & easy as their promoters assure the populous.
Classic MIT made me laugh sorry to sound insensitive. Would like to see all sides disarm & re arm with matza balls replete with launchers and laser sights. Or a GW Bush Jr.would say..." with all the necessary recruiterments".
Feel like the picture with Adrien Brody in The Pianist. Hopeless situation out there. Wake me when the last blood drop falls. Don't like watching the carnage.
I've heard of a Trojan horse before, but now Hamas has has reportedly employed a "suicide donkey" laden with explosives. Wanting to make a smart "ass" joke here, but cannot, mission failed. You can either laugh or cry. I'm up-ing the saying "you've got to learn to dance in the rain" to " you've got to laugh thru the war"...since they're becoming so common place nowadays.
Dr. Pieczenik, this whole thing is wrong.
ReplyDeleteBut it is not uncommon.
As one of the first battles of the American Civil War, the Battle of Bull Run, raged outside Washington D. C., spectators sat on a hill with picnic baskets, under clear blue skies, carriages at the ready; ladies & gentlemen of refinement took in the vista of the battlefield below, as the carnage unfolded.
A quick war was expected, but as the Union soldiers fled the battlefield in disarray, streaming back to the city, the grim reality was dawning: There would be no "quick victory" -- at least 600, 000 would die in the war.
So, wrong, yes, but regrettably, part of our human nature.
I remember the first bombs dropping on Bagdad in 2003, I was watching Bagdad live, in real time, waiting expectantly for the bombs to hit, many Americans watched transfixed by the macabre spectacle happening before their eyes on T. V.
I am not sure that is so different than sitting on a hill and watching as bombs tear up apartment blocks and people die.
I don't want to defend it, but I can't condemn it either.
Dr. Pieczenik, your bringing this picture to my attention, makes me reflect back on my own behavior early on in another supposed "quick victory."
My attitude, reactions, and feelings.
In retrospect, there was a lot to be desired.
War is corrosive to the bonds of human kindness and empathy.
The temptation to dehumanize the other is strong.
The temptation is universal, part of the human condition.
However, you are right to call it out, as wrong.
War steadily strips us of our most precious values.
War is corrosive to so many aspects of our humanity.
Dr. Pieczenik, after making my comment I noticed a commonality among my examples: The spectators expected a "quick victory," but none was had.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt many of the spectators in Israeli expect a quick victory.
I am left to wonder what will happen with this war... left with foreboding. Wars rarely go as planned nor are as quick & easy as their promoters assure the populous.
What are they supposed to do, sit in their homes eating matza balls and gefelta fish, pretending nothing is going on ??
ReplyDeleteEvery Israeli should go and see what's happening. Some will cheer while others will be appalled. But they should all see it.
Matzoh & gefillte. Try it sometime.
DeleteOnly the Ashkenazi eat those dishes.
DeleteThe Sephardim which are the majority do not.
yeah but the Ashkenazi rule the place...Oy Veh !
DeleteClassic MIT made me laugh sorry to sound insensitive. Would like to see all sides disarm & re arm with matza balls replete with launchers and laser sights. Or a GW Bush Jr.would say..." with all the necessary recruiterments".
ReplyDeleteFeel like the picture with Adrien Brody in The Pianist. Hopeless situation out there. Wake me when the last blood drop falls. Don't like watching the carnage.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of a Trojan horse before, but now Hamas has has reportedly employed a "suicide donkey" laden with explosives. Wanting to make a smart "ass" joke here, but cannot, mission failed. You can either laugh or cry. I'm up-ing the saying "you've got to learn to dance in the rain" to " you've got to laugh thru the war"...since they're becoming so common place nowadays.
ReplyDelete