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Compassion and Support for the Protection of Human Life

Signs held up at rallies by those who support “abortion” say ‘Bans off our bodies’ and ‘Abortion is health care’. We should help those who feel they have no other option as they are worthy of our support and compassion as human beings; and the system should also make adoption an easier alternative for all those who feel they do not want their babies for whatever reason, so, those unwanted babies are not aborted and can have life with other families.

What is abortion? It is the taking of a human life (the unborn child), which is “murder.” Joe Biden, a Catholic, says ‘personal freedom’ when discussing this issue. He is making the right of abortion as his top priority if he should get re-elected. Imagine promoting abortion rights until the ninth month? How cruel! On the campaign trail, he and his wife as well as his Vice President Harris are pro-actively promoting abortion as a ‘right’. Why doesn’t the Catholic Church address him on this matter? After all, the Catholic clergy has been the catalyst for the protection of human life from cradle to grave.

Per the Declaration of Independence, “…all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The purpose of government is “to secure these Rights” and the right to life of the unborn child falls within this gamut.

Celebrating and protecting human life, not taking human life should be an accepted mantra of society. Once society recognizes that the taking of human life is wrong, it will advance in terms of humanity’s possibilities to love one another and ‘ to treat every human being as you would want to be treated.’ (The Golden Rule).

US Mid-East Policy Supporting Israel’s Vengeance War Is A Dead End

Some reports indicate that more than 6,500 Palestinians have been killed since the initial Hamas violent attack on Israel in early October. What the Hamas did in their bombardment of Israel is reprehensible. But the US should not be embracing more vengeance and violence by appropriating more funds, American troops, missile defense systems, and other military advisory support for a war against Gaza. It broadens the conflict and produces anti-American sentiment, putting Americans in harm’s way.

Until the Palestinians receive equal treatment under the law and have their own land with full autonomy, this longtime saga will continue. Expansion of Israeli settlements and institutionalized violence against the Palestinians has led us to this awful blow-back.

Stop the human rights violations, oppression, and violence against the Palestinians that have occurred for decades. Halt America’s one-sided foreign policy position regarding this long-term issue. It is now a partner in war supporting Israel’s vengeance war initiative.

The United Nations and Pope Francis call for a ceasefire. Force all parties to the negotiating table. Nothing will be accomplished by more destruction, killing, and hatred. The Biden administration, Congress, and the mainstream media maintain a blinded, one-sided position regarding the Israel-Palestine issue.

Maybe it is time to heal the deep wounds of the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict by initiating a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” along the model of Archbishop Desmond Tutu when the people of South Africa were able to reach reconciliation between the victims and the perpetrators of apartheid. Forgiveness and moving forward peaceably are needed more than ever to prevent further bloodshed, hatred, and other atrocities against Israelis and Palestinians.

HALT THE PATH TO WAR

What the Hamas did in their bombardment of Israel is reprehensible. These atrocities should be condemned as the U.S. government has done. We should all be saddened by the loss of Israeli lives. But, let us not sanction or bolster the war-making machine to bombard Gaza as an act of vengeance. This will only result in the killing of innocent Palestinians who live there and broaden the conflict even further. America needs no more proxy wars or involvement of its own military forces in foreign places. “Violence begets violence,” and that is the course that is being charted.

The U.S. Congress and Biden administration have sent a one-sided response, not even acknowledging the existence of innocent Palestinians living in Gaza. They have sent a green light to Israel to go and destroy and further kill in Gaza. There are other ways to handle the “Hamas” without destroying innocent Palestinians living on that land. They and others living on the West Bank have suffered immensely over the past several decades.

Long before this current conflict, it was documented in 2017 that the electricity in Gaza operates only a few hours a day and it affects medical care, surgeries, refrigeration of food, etc. No water, no proper sewage facilities, no street lights, no free movement of people as a result of Israel’s occupation and restrictions. ( DemocracyNow.org, July 19, 2017). In a 2014 Amnesty International report, documentation exists concerning the violence used against Palestinians even during non violent demonstrations for their human rights.

Pope Francis in his latest statement, acknowledges the right of the Israelis to defend themselves, but he also acknowledges the Palestinians who live in Gaza, who are also human beings. Unfortunately, they have been subject to hostilities by the Israeli government for years. The mainstream media never reports on these atrocities because it is biased, one-sided, or completely ignorant. The politicians currying electoral favor, repeat the same themes over and over. So, the American public is propagandized and lacks all the facts concerning this ongoing saga of human rights violations, increased Israeli settlements, etc. against the Palestinians which make a two-state solution insurmountable.

In July/August 2014, the Israeli attacks against Gaza ended up with more than 2,100 Palestinians versus 67 Israeli soldiers and six Israeli civilians killed, and an additional 7,000 Palestinians wounded, and more than 200,000 Palestinians displaced. In the past, UN humanitarian coordinator Robert Piper commented, “I see this extraordinarily inhuman and unjust process of strangling, gradually, 2 million civilians in Gaza that really pose a threat to nobody.” (2017). The U.S. and the international community should not be giving the green light to more of the same with the possibility of even greater casualties this time. It is time to beat the drums for a peace settlement so that both Israelis and the Palestinians gain security and peaceful co-existence.

Instead of promoting war, why can’t America be the peacemaker? The U.S. provides billions of dollars and military equipment annually to the state of Israel. So, bring everyone to the table now.

We should remember that one of the catalysts for America’s 9/11 is the issue of Palestine. According to many scholars, “it is the region’s most festering open wound, and the oft-stated justification for the rise of Islamic terrorism.” (John Pilger, October 11, 2014). Former General David Patraeus in March 2010 testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee acknowledging that the Palestinian-Israeli “conflict foments anti-American sentiment, due to a perception of US favoritism for Israel. Arab anger over the Palestinian question limits the strength … of US partnerships with governments and peoples.” In addition, he indicated that this gives “Iran influence in the Arab world through its clients, Lebanese Hezbollah and Hamas.” ( Times of Israel.com, July 25, 2013). He had to walk back his statements after his testimony to the Senate committee due to external pressures. In addition, former Secretary of Defense James Mattis reportedly stated in 2013 at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, responding to a questioner, “that America pays a price for its perceived bias in support of Israel.” ( Times of Israel.com, July 25, 2013). Mattis also alluded to the fact that Israeli settlements erase the chance for a two-state solution accord.

The mainstream media with rare exception has condemned those who have other political beliefs concerning this most recent development with the Hamas horrendous attack. They use the word “Anti-semitic” to describe those who do not tow the party line. Shame on the media and on any institution to try and label someone “Anti-semitic” – which is another word for “racism” – for having diverse opinions on America’s foreign policy in the Mid-east, especially as it relates to America’s ally Israel. Peaceful co-existence, respect for human life, and human rights protection for all should be lauded.

Condemnation of these acts by the Hamas is a moral imperative. Promoting another war which will result in greater casualties is a dead end! Ordering people to leave their homes in Gaza within 24 hours is not practicable; conditions are already deplorable. If there was real political leadership, the Biden Administration and other international actors along with Congress would be calling for a sit down meeting with all parties to seek ways to avoid more destruction and killing of innocent lives. All lives are sacred no matter what religion, race, culture, ethnicity, etc. The intrinsic value of every human being is equal.

Until the world and elected officials actually try and aspire to the Law of Love (God’s greatest commandment) and Jesus’ words, “Love your enemy,” war will continue to be the way of solving nation-state conflicts. Humanity will destroy itself if we continue on this path of vengeance. Let us not promote hatred but understanding to deal with such horrific situations on the world scene.

Maybe it is time to heal the deep wounds of the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict by initiating a ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ along the model of Archbishop Desmond Tutu when the people of South Africa were able to reach reconciliation between the victims and the perpetrators of apartheid. Forgiveness and moving forward peaceably are needed more than ever to prevent further bloodshed, hatred, and other atrocities against Israelis and Palestinians.

Enough is Enough! Stop the War in Ukraine

Pope Francis delivered a New Year’s message to diplomats accredited to the Vatican. He stated that indiscriminate destruction and killing of civilians in Ukraine is “a crime against God and Humanity.” He also appealed for a total ban on nuclear weapons, saying that just the mere possession for deterrence is “immoral.”

The US through its illustrious, war-mongering congressional members – with rare exception – appropriated billions of dollars to former actor, now Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. They idolize this fellow and demonize Putin. What Putin did is wrong! But there are plenty of issues on this whole Russia-Ukraine affair that are not percolating in news reports due to a corporate run news media which has its own pre-ordained agenda. Now, news reports indicate the Biden administration will provide Ukraine with a Patriot air defense system.

Instead of NATO allies and the US sending billions of dollars and providing defense contractors’ war killing equipment to Ukraine, both sides should be forced to the negotiating table. Hold Zelenskyy hostage on receiving any more funding or assistance to perpetuate this war. It’s that simple. Instead of entering a proxy war over the past year, the US should be leading discussions on stopping the war and catalyzing the best possible deal for peace. The US has plenty of its own problems and the billions of taxpayer dollars to Ukraine should have been given back in tax cuts to the American middle class and poor.

Return Monies to Americans, Not More Government Spending

The country’s national debt stands at $22 trillion and it continues to surge. The upcoming presidential election requires essential focus on this national debt crisis. Americans listen to the corporate media and establishment’s pronouncements that the economy is doing fine. But, the gap in wealth and income distribution becomes wider as each year passes. The rich get richer. The poor get poorer. The middle class is shrinking.

Some of the Democratic presidential candidates propose raising the tax rate on the rich. But, with those additional revenues – if this tax policy were to be adopted – the Democratic candidates are pushing for targeted tax credits and/or more government spending for purposes they deem important. Enough is enough! Any new additional revenues realized from such a tax on the wealthy should go back to the people, not to government to spend more. The people (middle class and poor) should receive a tax cut so they can decide how much to save and how much to spend and for what purposes; not the government saying they are giving free college, tax credits for day care, etc.

If we would stop the unending wars, regional overseas conflicts, and foreign interventionism which have cost America trillions of dollars, and we would stop interfering in other nations’ affairs, replacing with friendly trading and commerce relationships, we can begin to start dealing with this overwhelming debt that will eventually make our country go bankrupt. If we are a nation that values liberty, freedom, prosperity and peace, our national public policies need to be reversed as the book “9/11 How America Changed” pontificates. In the closing chapter, the book states, “Americans must play a role in ending the wars, the tax thievery, the devaluation of the dollar by the Federal Reserve, other liberty-busting actions by the American government, and demonizing whistleblowers as ‘traitors.” As the book states, unless Americans become involved with their government at every level, further hardships, more military and foreign policy adventurism and blowback will occur to the point of “eventual disappearance of liberty, peace, and prosperity.”

The call-to-action is for every American to be a civic participant or else the two party system and the fourth estate will continue to misrepresent information that is vital for informed judgements that help restore an exceptional nation, based on a moral sphere of actions.

— Deborah K. Smarth, Manalapan

PUBLISHED IN: https://www.trentonian.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor-return-monies-to-americans-not-more/article_4c462224-406a-11e9-88ee-43e03bae2dee.html