2009

I normally don't write about these things because instead of promoting discussion they have a tendency to bring out irrational argument. I'll take the chance this time.

The Middle East is at it again. And trying to understand both sides, a novel concept in this day and age, is not an easy thing - especially since there hasn't been a demonstrable presence of anything outside of pro-Israel news out there. A lot of things are taken as gospel when it comes to this situation and much that has to do with Israel in the past. When people stop asking questions, I wonder. And when I wonder, I start researching. It isn't that I'm against Israel. It's that I want the truth, and the truth being presented by most media seems to revolve around a segment of Palestinian society that the media portrays as either 'evil' or crazy. Who would launch feeble rockets against one of the most powerful military forces in the Middle East, if not the most powerful military force in the Middle East?

The tired concept of people strapping bombs to themselves because they hate others so much is incomplete, too. Where does that hatred come from? Some say oppression, and a read of the quality of life in the occupied territories does seem to be a breeding ground for hatred. If I grew up in those circumstances, I don't know that my actions would be much different. People have breaking points. So do societies. I can't imagine growing up with a military force I have to see daily at checkpoints. Or wondering if that bulldozer is coming for the house I am living in. At some point, I might throw a few stones. I'm not saying it is right. I'm just saying that under the circumstances that most Palestinians appear to live, people might feel righteously anger. And righteous anger is a dangerous thing... and it also has the benefit in this context of explaining a lot of things that are portrayed as evil or crazy.

Everyone on the planet knows that President Elect Obama will have his Inauguration on January 20th, 2009. Some rejoice in his success, some rejoice in the fact that George W. Bush will no longer be President, and some are unhappy. Fortunately, the latter seem to be a minority otherwise Obama wouldn't have won the election.

All things being equal, January 20th seems to be a really big date. Personally, I had thought to attend the Inauguration. I was born when Nixon was President. Ford followed. Jimmy Carter was the first that I remember. There was Reagan, then George Bush, then Bill Clinton and then this last President - George W. Bush. 7 Presidents in my lifetime, with an 8th soon. Of them, though, only 4 were Presidents whose policies I followed and whose policies had an impact on me. Reagan, Bush (Desert Storm), Clinton (base closures and making 'oral sex' an household phrase), George W. Bush (list too long)... and now Obama.

So there are presently 43 U.S. Presidents. Soon to be 44. And of the 43, I've been alive for 7. For roughly 16.279% of all the U.S. Presidents of history. But President Elect Obama will be my President, not because he's partly of African descent or because of any reason attributed to him - rather, I'm of an age now where I pay attention to what is going on a bit better... and, admittedly, Obama's predecessor has/d a lot to do with that(!).