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All those question marks, all that confusion, all the uncertainty. How are we to understand our times so as to allow us to live contributive positive lives? How are we to understand the actions of others which are egregiously antihuman and anti- comprehension? If we are to correct the situation we must first understand the motivations behind it for it is only with an understanding of the opponent that we can address our own needs and theirs as well. That is certainly so especially in these times, for the times are rife with danger and uncertainty and attempts to improve the status quo only increases chances of peril.
Unfortunately, currently the governments of the United States of America and Israel now have men and women who are entranced with their own power and its usage. They are drunk on their own power and enjoy the feeling when they impose their wishes, their dreams, their thoughts, upon others who are either amenable or cowed enough to agree, and those who oppose but whose power is too weak to overcome the wishes of those perilous to the democracy within both nations, and to their moral ethos. How to gainsay all of that and inject some sanity, some "rightness” into the equation is a challenge, but one that must be undertaken if we are to survive as we should.
So here we are at Netanyahu. It is becoming more and more difficult to separate the images of Trump and Netanyahu as so closely do they mirror each other at present times. Once upon a time that was not so. Bibi was a hero of the nation. He was a passionate spokesman for it. He was a respectable and respected representative of Israel to the world and was a respected persona within Israel itself. A man of personality, of presence, of ability and desire to speak up for the nation of Israel. How did this persona morph into the self-appointed wannabe dictator of today?
What turned a man who was almost legend into a man of lost soul, lost moral compass, deeply enmeshed into the idea of power, ultimate power to control the behavior and even the thoughts of others. The prince became a frog and eventually a toad, warts and all. Within the high-pressured air of Israel, he found those who would support him and his desires. He was able to postpone his trial for years, similar to somebody else we know. At the same time that he stands on the cusp of a prison sentence, he has managed to maintain, retain, power even as the nation is falling apart, the divisions between groups of the nation becoming sharper edged and increasingly difficult to heal.
Like Trump, Bibi has made dangerous distasteful deals with the extreme right politically and the extreme right religiously. Both groups vociferously demand that the nation be reformatted into the images that they desire. But this is not the Israel fought for in battle, on the streets, in the cities, in the legislative halls and in the courts of justice. That Israel welcomed all and did not distinguish between those who are religiously observant and those who are not, or any degree in between. Today, not so much. Today that poses an existential question to this nation that must be addressed and addressed properly if the nation is to survive. The religious right must begin to contribute to the economy of Israel, to its growth, teach their children with a complete education, both religiously and secularly, so as to enable them to function in a modern society. Their sons and daughters must join the rest of Israel and serve and protect this nation within the IDF. Studying the books of Judaic knowledge and law can be meshed with service. However, desperately these approaches must be meshed it will never happen under the rule of Bibi, for he has made deals with these very same groups. Deals that are not good for this nation, particularly at a time when there is great need of soldiers, and contributors to the nation's economy.
The mirror images of Trump and Netanyahu are going ever closer. Both are attempting and have succeeded to a degree, a large degree, to create a subservient legislature to the point of reformatting the government. Both have basically declared war on their opponents. Both attempt to control the media. Both attempt and try and too often succeed to control the creative arts within the nation. Both are now demonizing the judiciary, for the judges and the attorney generals are apparently among those who oppose Trump et al, the only ones withstanding the onslaught of Trump and acolytes. Even within this branch there are those who have gone over to the dark side where they now live within the ranks of Darth Vader wannabes.
It is incumbent upon the people of these nations to resist the currents oversupplied with toxins and misfortune. The people of the nations must decide on its future. A nation dominated by a one-man dictator, a nation dominated by fear for literal, physical survival, or a nation wishing to retain and respect its history, its ethos, and be the best it can be? Fight off extremism. Defy attempts at dictatorships. Abide by the laws of the nation, its legal system, its documents.
Both nations must create a welcoming environment for all who wish to become part of its dreams, to contribute to it, for only in that way can we remain true to our ethos. Only then can we endeavor to leave a legacy of a future world where the generations can thrive and make the world a better place, a fairer place, a future world, where generations can thrive and do even better than we have done. Only in that way can we achieve the right goals, present a good future for both nations. The dictatorship attempt by Bibi does not do that. Nor does the America First policy of Trump - that was proven dangerous, inimical to humanity, way back in the thirties and forties of last century. Enough!
We must begin to defeat those who wish to do otherwise. We need to stand up and get on our feet and chase the votes. We need to oust those who wish to cater to dictators, to those who would steal the country, not only from its past and its present, but also from its tomorrows. If we care not for ourselves, how about we think of the future generations. It is incumbent upon us to present them with a world which will allow them, enable them, to create a better world than we have now: a better environment, positive attitudes, food and shelter for all, and absent hate and prejudice.
It is not an easy task, but as Jewish wisemen remind us - it is not upon us to finish the job, but it is upon us to begin it. We have not fulfilled that responsibility. Certainly not in any positive forceful probability of bringing it to fruition.
Not yet. But the Little Engine That Could reminds us - yes, we can, yes, we can. And so we must, and so we will.
Once upon a time, yesterday, not so long ago, we had two great nations full of promise, caring for its inhabitants, siding with the right or correcting errors of choice. We contributed much to the world rather than threaten them foolishly, and have our threats rebound against us.
We were America.
We were Israel.
We are still America.
We are still Israel.
WE will be ....
WE will be ....
Choose for the morrows.
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