We, as civilized people, simply MUST NOT allow the pain and suffering to continue as we turn away and go on with our lives. We had a sample last September of what children on either side of the current and long term strife face each and every day of their lives and have done, generation after generation. Do we not yet realize that there but for the grace of God go our own children ? Can our leaders not find a way to finally rein in the terror and  the devastation facing those children and the hatred bred by those who can not and will not see ?

Yes, I know I am once again allowing my opinions to creep into my dialogue. I do try most times to muffle  that trait on my site but there are times when I simply cannot remain silent. This is one of those times. If you are looking for frivolity and idle thought then perhaps this page is one you should simply avoid and move on. There are many pages  on my site which  will provide diversion and minimal disquieting rhetoric. This page is not one of them. I make no apology for caring. And for saying so.

Perhaps the needless  and macabre death of four young Canadian soldiers and the wounding of eight others  by 'friendly fire' ( tell me, how can a bomb, or bombs, be friendly ?) may seem like just a mishap to some but to the young men who died before they  even had a chance to live and to their loved ones it  is a tragedy which is heart breaking. One which Canadian soldiers have not faced in fifty years !  One more tragedy in a world filled with rancour and unrest  which threatens to escalate  to the point  of no return if someone does not step forward with the courage to truly lead the way to peace for all mankind.

As this war on terrorism broadens and as I see so many  actions which are contrary to every standard and moral value we have professed to hold dear I am astounded and horrified  that  we appear to have learned nothing from the wars of the past as our leaders stand by and watch  and condone acts on both sides which I believe are beyond redemption .

 As the most holy of churches to Christians is defiled  by both sides in the Israeli - Palestinian conflict and men professing to want peace continue to blaspheme this sanctified ground one must wonder if any of them have any conception of the ultimate cost of what they are doing. Would they as easily accept the desecration of a mosque or a temple ? Can they truly not see what  they are doing ? So many questions  ... and no answers. Surely there is someone somewhere with the wisdom to lead the way . Where is the statesman capable of  guiding them through this minefield of devastation ?

 What we are seeing now  is each leader who might possibly lead the way allowing politics to dictate decisions and standing by watching women and children die. And always underlying each position taken is self interest.  Where is the interest in common fairness and decency and basic humanity  which should influence thoughts and actions on the part of those  upon whom it is incumbent to defend freedom and liberty for all. By my definition ... ALL means exactly that ... every single man, woman and child whether Christian, Muslim or Jewish  has the God given right to each of those principles.

 Each side fights with the weapons available to them. How does this make one side right and the other so wrong ? Tell me, where is the difference in the final analysis ? How is it right or just to allow what has taken place in the occupation of  Palestine and the suspicions  of inhumanity such as are now to be investigated in Jenin ? How is it right for a bomb to kill  so many in the Passover and so many other suicide bombings ? 

And is the crime not even more horrendous on the part of those who stand by and  with their silence and failure to demand cessation give silent endorsement to those actions even though the actions are contrary to every principle we hold dear ?

Perhaps there is some comfort for Israelis who at least have been afforded the luxury of burying their dead. Sad that they can not see the justification of the same being permitted the Palestinians. Or that they  apparently do not see the need to conform to  the rules of war  as defined by other countries which are considered civilized and at the very least to have allowed  access to  those agencies wishing to provide aid to the suffering victims of their occupation. The United States was providing aid to the citizens of Afghanistan simultaneous to their bombing. Was this a sincere effort to consider human suffering or simply  pandering to world wide opinion ? I choose to  believe the former. To believe otherwise is  to accept the view that humanity is more corrupt than I dare to even contemplate. 

 And no  ...  my comments are not anti semitic... it is NOT anti semitic to pray that fairness and common decency  be adhered to by all sides. And that even the most rabid adherent of force as a solution still cares more for the welfare of those helpless children who face a  nightmare we cannot even begin to imagine. To accuse one of being anti semitic because one dares to state their sincere and honest beliefs  is to deny those who through time have  given their lives defending the rights of all peoples. Surely those brave souls did not die in vain.