Fair and balanced (Really!): 2012

Why We Write.

I found Stuart Schoffman’s article http://www.hartman.org.il/Blogs_View.asp?Article_Id=999&Cat_Id=275&Cat_Type=Blogs very interesting.

Orwell’s heartfelt confession on the primary incentive for writing hits you right in the gut: because it is true. It is a personal need to write. I penned a poem almost 40 years ago in which I realized this:

To write to clarify.

To look back and to see what lies ahead

Look back at the wound

and anticipate the day when it is healed.

No matter if anyone else reads what you write, no matter if anyone who reads about cares, nevertheless you write for yourself.

The comparison between King Saul and Bibi Netanyahu is apt. We all know how King Saul was overthrown and as for the “mad hatter” adage, there are many similarities. The question is who the David of our time is. Bibi may have the passion and he may have good intentions but let’s face it - he is bad for Israel and bad for the future of the Middle East. Is it American Jewry’s place to criticize the “internal” politics of Israel? Actually, I think it is, when the actions of the leaders jeopardize the future of “our homeland”.

We do not doubt for a second the evil intentions of Iran under the current leadership. They are dangerous and must be stopped before it is too late. A nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable. Period.

However, a unilateral Israeli strike at the Iranian nuclear facilities won’t do any good. In the best case scenario, the development of nuclear weapons is set back 3-4 years according to observers. In other words, even in the best case scenario the strike does not solve anything, just buys a little time. In all but the best case scenario, the consequences are less than ideal: Increased strain between Israel and the US, regardless who’s in the White House, increased (if possible) resentment towards Israel around the world, retaliation attacks from Iran and/or other Mid East countries, an unwelcome wave of sympathy towards the crazies in Teheran, and – given the public opinion in Israel – a feeling of “we don’t matter, our leaders don’t care what we think”. Opinion polls in Israel show a clear opposition towards unilateral strikes at Iran.

In spite of all these scenarios, it looks like King Saul is going to go ahead and do it anyway! I think it is incumbent upon all Jews around the world to let Bibi know that he is not representing us if he implements this plan! We don’t want to “roll-over” to Ahmadinejad. We don’t want him to succeed. But sanctions must be given a chance and must be expanded. Energy should be directed towards the governments, (Putin, China) which are supporting Iran.

The Americans – with the help of the Israelis – had a pretty good plan – Stuxnet – until it was leaked. But regardless, this is the kind of plan we should employ.

So, this took us away from “Why We Write”. Whether these words make one iota of difference we still write. As Stuart Schoffman writes:

“Still, we write. It is a mirror to our nostrils, a sign of vitality, a declaration of identity. Not to write is also a political act. It is humbug to pretend otherwise.”