So, I'm feeling down. Why? I'm not exactly sure but it probably has something to do with the coming of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, after a year that has been trying in a number of ways. One of the trials many of us have felt has related to the plight of Israel on the one hand and the rise of unabashed anti-semitism on the other, particularly from the left, in geographic pockets right here in the US (largely urban and campus settings).
It's been a year of gut punches. Most recently, we see another example of a politically driven reaction to Israel's pushing back against Iran and their proxies, specifically Hezbollah. Basically, the world's position seems to be that it's okay for Israel to respond militarily for a day or two - maybe. After that, it's time to stop. Only Israel, among the nations, is discouraged from defending itself to the point of total security. Both Kamala Harris and Joe Biden have made statements supporting Israel's right to defend itself but also calling for a ceasefire and a return to diplomacy. In other words, secure the north of your country as best you can over a few days, but after that, our patience will fray - never mind the patience of 60,000 Israelis who haven't been able to live in their homes for almost a year due to the Iranian funded bombardment. And never mind that diplomacy can and typically does proceed in parallel with military actions.
Interestingly for you Trump supporters out there, the former president has remained silent on Israel's successful attacks on the Hezbollah leadership and elimination of Hassan Nasrallah. You may have read a few articles recently suggesting that the Trump team feels they can make headway amongst Arab Americans in Michigan and elsewhere. Could Trump's delayed reaction have anything to do with sending a signal to Arab Americans that he's worth their consideration? I think so.
Almost no one will come out unequivocally in support and defense of America's stalwart ally, Israel, even as Israel eliminates the leadership of the Iranian-backed organization that has murdered hundreds of Americans (as well as Israelis and untold numbers of fellow Arabs) over the last decades, including the bombing of the US Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983. Politics gets in the way. Politics blurs moral vision. We shouldn't forget that a president beloved by almost a whole country, FDR, knew the Holocaust was happening and did nothing specific to stop it. He even made sure that America kept its low caps on the number of Jewish refugees it would accept into the country as the tragedy unfolded. All because of domestic politics - which at that time included sizable numbers of isolationists and anti-semites. Which makes today feel a little too much like deja vu.
So I'm down. For now, hard stop.
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We can forget how good it is to really laugh, and I'm happy to say that one of the ways I sometimes disappear down the rabbit hole of social media and the internet is by watching funny videos. Here are two.
First, here is the SNL cold open from this past Saturday night. It features SNL alums Maya Rudolph and Dana Carvey as Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, comedian Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz, and members of the current cast in the other key roles. It's 13 minutes long but worth it. In particular, I think Dana Carvey nails some of Biden's quirks to hilarious effect.
Second, a bit of madcap Martin Short and his character Jiminy Glick, interviewing Bill Hader while filling in for Jimmy Kimmel. (The fact that Kimmel asked a fictional character to fill in for him is, itself, very funny).
Dark and light, this is my offering to you today.
Thank you for sharing the laughter.
I share your thoughts on Israel and continuing double standards on how it should operate militarily, when we all know for example that if terrorist groups in Mexico were attacking border cities the U.S. would show little if any restraint. it's sad that this is one area where Fox News' biases align with a moderate like me. I do think Harris & Biden pay some lip service to the far left in public, but in private tell Israel to do what it needs to do.
Also, while I saw the snl open and thought parts were good, the Jiminy Glick interview, and Bill Hader's constant uncontrolled laughing, was the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. Feels good to laugh hard, very cathartic, thanks!