A dismayed Middleburian wrote a heartfelt letter to the editor on (Oct. 22) chiding Bernie Sanders for releasing a statement on October 7th — the date of that horrific Hamas attack — about the evils of the Israeli government. I was viscerally dismayed as well, but not because of Bernie’s awkward timing, but instead I was flabbergasted trying to understand the writer’s one-sided perspective. No one seeks to deny anyone their time to mourn the loss of life (with all that’s going on in the world today we would inescapably be mourning every single day), but there is a much bigger picture that needs addressed: Instead, it has been constantly repressed:
“Genocide.” This needs to be talked about.
Every nation, every individual, every entity has the right to defend itself — no rational mind disagrees with that — but genocide is an entirely different animal: Genocide is the deliberate and purposeful wiping-out of “others.” Something even animals don’t do, only man — who thinks in the abstract — can be more bestial than the beasts! Genocide does not stop at TIT-FOR-TAT — as run-of-the-mill hatred will. Genocide is the deliberately-planned and disproportionate TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT until not one man, woman, or child is left breathing — not even their sperm, with no hope for their progeny. Precisely what the Israeli government has been doing these last two years — and is still doing this very minute in Gaza and its surrounds — all under Netanyahu’s depraved leadership. “That” is what Bernie has been railing against. And me too! And I hope to get as many people as I can to think — to take-off their blinders.
Genocides have occurred nearly 10,000 times in the 5,000 years of written history, according to the expert’s legal criterion. Hatred is alive and well; always has been. Deadly disputes, skirmishes, and wars have occurred in the multiple millions — way more than genocide. What sets “genocide” apart — over and above the conscious and purposeful intention that I already mentioned — is “POWER.” One entity has to be the dominant power, in order to completely bully the other and make them disappear. Genocide cannot happen without superior, one-sided power. Israel, for the first time in history, has access to such bully- power, and has (at least to me) jumped out-of-character and climbed on-board with the rest of the barbaric world, to use their new-found, egregious powers — and use it well. Of course, with the essential support — both financial and with weaponry — of the most powerful, war-mongering Empire that ever existed — the United States, and of course with the toleration of the many Jews who see nothing, say nothing, and seem to allow, even invite, this new-felt justice. “It’s about time; Let’s Join the ways of the world!” Really?
I was surprised at first, then disappointed, then convinced: While it has been written that Israel are the “chosen” — I feel safe in saying that Jews are no more deserving than the rest of the homogenized world. Many misinterpreted the word “chosen.” I can’t think that God chose anyone to be “better” or to be more “immune” or “more deserving” than anyone else. So I looked it up — in both the scriptures, and of course google. We are all — the bullies and the beaten, the Arabs and the Jews, the slaves and the masters, the Puritans and the savages, the rich and the poor — loved equally by God. This equality may very well be the only true “equality” that exists in life. God holds dear the ones that you — Netanyahu and supporters — are actively disappearing. What the concept of “chosen” really means is that God had selected the Jewish people to take on a specific responsibility and mission to uphold ethical monotheism, serve as an example to the world, and fulfill specific commandments. Utt — ohh! Some things have gone very wrong! Wouldn’t you say?
How do I dare say such things?
But how do I dare NOT?
I am still free to say so, and may not always be! So I do.
Do not be complicit: Think. Vote. Speak-up. Reflect. Live. Love! Mourn for the innocent children of your enemies. . . Be that example that God wants you to be.
Ronald T. LaDue
Middlebury
