Politics

So what would a conservative Mennonite care about mere earthly politics? And why?

Whose Is Jerusalem?

I have a bias.

Is it wrong to be biased?

Well, here’s part of the story referenced in the title:

The demolition of an east Jerusalem hotel to make way for Jewish homes in a predominantly Palestinian neighborhood is sparking concerns from Europe to Egypt, which suggests a new intifada could break out as a result.

The Shepherd Hotel project will bring only 20 Jewish homes to Sheikh Jarrah, but it is at the forefront of a broader, intensely controversial Jewish campaign to establish a foothold in Arab neighborhoods circling the heart of Jerusalem.

Proponents see the efforts as a way to secure Jews’ rightful claims to the city as their “undivided and eternal capital.” Opponents, including much of the international community, say such efforts will preclude the possibility of creating a Palestinian state with a capital in east Jerusalem, thus rendering the two-state solution null and void.

“If current trends are not stopped as a matter of urgency, the prospect of east Jerusalem as the future capital of a Palestinian state becomes increasingly unlikely and unworkable,” wrote 25 consuls-general from European Union member states in Jerusalem in a new confidential report obtained by the Independent. “This, in turn, seriously endangers the chances of a sustainable peace on the basis of two states, with Jerusalem as their future capital.”

[…]

After the 1967 war and its annexation of east Jerusalem, Israel took possession of the hotel under its absentee property laws, which apply to buildings whose owners are absent or considered members of an enemy state.

Source: Shrewd development deal likely to preclude possibility of creating Palestinian state

Regarding Jerusalem and the “West Bank” (How much more time must pass before it becomes the “East Bank”?!) and the 1967 war, surely there’s a parallel to this not-so-long-ago perspective in American domestic politics:

“Elections have consequences.”

“I won.”

But I don’t expect anything I say to make a difference, so I’ll just not say more.

I’ll just quote somebody else, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”

Imperfect Good Samaritan

Of course all these cases were more complex than a brief mention can convey. And of course US foreign policy, under presidents from Nixon to Obama, has accomplished enormous good in the world — including, at times, the saving of many lives.

Yet the good America has done is dwarfed by the good America could have done. Too often we have been willing to disregard unspeakable evil in the mistaken belief that preventing atrocities is not “an American concern.” Kissinger’s words to Nixon that day in 1973 were repellent. The mindset behind them has been all too common.

Those are the closing two paragraphs of Yes, genocide is ‘an American concern’ by Jeff Jacoby.

I’m wondering, though, what lessons the article has for me as a Christian — lessons in responding to the needs of those who are outside my various circles and thus don’t touch or affect me directly.

Inspiration in Ixchel

Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, invoked the ancient jaguar goddess Ixchel in her opening statement to delegates gathered in Cancun, Mexico, noting that Ixchel was not only goddess of the moon, but also “the goddess of reason, creativity and weaving. May she inspire you — because today, you are gathered in Cancun to weave together the elements of a solid response to climate change, using both reason and creativity as your tools.”

[…]

“Excellencies, the goddess Ixchel would probably tell you that a tapestry is the result of the skilful interlacing of many threads,” said Figueres, who hails from Costa Rica and started her greetings in Spanish before switching to English. “I am convinced that 20 years from now, we will admire the policy tapestry that you have woven together and think back fondly to Cancun and the inspiration of Ixchel.”

Source: Cancun talks start with a call to the gods

Maybe you should bone up a little more on Ixchel as well as Hero for the Planet, Christiana Figueres.

Beyond that, I have no comment, so don’t ask. 🙄

Both Sides Say, ‘Gross!’

There is widespread shock following the news that Duke Amachree has lost his case, having been sacked for mentioning God in the workplace. An employment tribunal has ruled that it was reasonable for Wandsworth Council to dismiss Duke. Duke was initially suspended for telling a client with an incurable illness not to give up hope and suggesting that she try putting her faith in God. He was later sacked for gross misconduct for his comments to her and for taking the story to the press. The decision has come as a huge surprise to Duke and to his legal team.

Duke, a father of two and committed Christian, had worked for Wandsworth Council for 18 years and had an unblemished record. Yet, as a result of the comments he made in one 45 minute housing interview, he was subject to 6 months of investigations and three interviews with the Council. His solicitor was even told by the Council that saying “God bless” to a client would require an investigation if the client complained.

Gross misconduct usually covers such behaviour as violence in the workplace, theft or other such serious conduct. Yet the client herself expressly stated that she did not want Duke to be dismissed for what he had said and Duke had never been told that such small talk in a housing interview was prohibited. The Council have always accepted that Duke’s motivation in speaking to the client was purely one of compassion.

Duke, backed by the Christian Legal Centre, took his case to the tribunal where it was argued that the Council’s decision to dismiss him was grossly disproportionate and unfair, and that they had discriminated against him on the basis of his religion.

For the rest of the story: Shock decision against Council worker sacked for mentioning God

Meanwhile, an observation: If this had happened in the States, the issue raised may well have been racial discrimination.

A Guide to What Isn’t True

I thought I would introduce you to that blog.

It’s at america.gov and is penned (so to speak) by Todd Leventhal, who “bikes to work year-round” as the State “Department’s expert on conspiracy theories and misinformation.”

Here’s the last paragraph of a short post titled The Obama Birth Controversy:

Interestingly, FactCheck.org determined that Obama was originally both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies from 1961 to 1963 because his father was from Kenya, which gained its independence from the British Empire in 1963, then both a U.S. and Kenyan citizen from 1963 to 1982, and solely a U.S. citizen after that.

What happened to the President’s British and Kenyan citizenships?

Hey. Don’t go calling me a “birther” now! 🙄

I’m just askin’. I’m just curious how citizenships are shed. Thanks.

PS: Unlike Mr. Leventhal, I walk to work year-round! 😉

Whose Will?

Stories (and developments) of this ilk weary me:

Hawkish Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has the security credentials and the political strength to pull off a peace deal with Palestinians now that the U.S. has brokered a new start to direct talks.The big question is: Does he have the will?

[…]

Though Netanyahu has built his political career in part as an outspoken critic of peace moves by past Israeli leaders, he has shown surprising pragmatism in dealing with the moderate Palestinian leadership of the West Bank.

Hawkish Natanyahu goes to talk with moderate Abbas — how about that. (That’s an observation, not a question.)

The Associated Press titles this particular piece thus: Talks to test Netanyahu’s will for peace.

No “will for peace” test for Abbas.

Fair and balanced.

Wait. That’s a different news outfit.

Here’s a bit more from the story/analysis:

The international community backs the Palestinian demand.

[…]

The Palestinians joined the talks only after the international Quartet of Mideast mediators issued an accompanying statement Friday calling for an agreement “that ends the occupation which began in 1967.”

A senior Palestinian official said the Palestinians had received assurances from the U.S. that it will remain heavily involved and push for a solution based on the 1967 borders.

What does the international community “back” for Israel?

Nothing good, apparently.

And that, too, is a sign of the end times.

Above all, love God!