Sunday Morning Post (V.1, #30): Three Cheers for the Era of Pettiness and Vindictiveness

Call me crazy, but one thing I learned growing up was different cultures existed in the world, how each one had their own set of mores and values, and how each one expected to be treated in line with their beliefs and of course with an eye on common sense and justice for all.   Okay, so that was more than one thing; sue me!

I learned lessons about my own culture from my parents, who also taught me right from wrong.  More lessons about right, wrong and how to treat others in a civil tone (read: treat them in such a way as to discourage them from ripping your lungs out and you from reacting in kind) was learned in Sunday School. For those of you playing along at home this would be the Sixth Church of Christ Scientist in the Frankford section of Philadelphia.

In any event, I grew up and, aside from the typical adolescent, hormonal-fueled obsessions with the opposite sex, I continued to learn more which would ultimately (supposedly) make me (a) a productive member of society and (b) a better human being.   We have to recognize the fact that it is not always the easiest thing to do, appreciating or even tolerating other cultures.  There is always a lot of work to be done.  This is why it has always seemed to be easier to hate.

Think what you will about humanity in general, but in many ways we’re a bunch of lazy efs! Thank goodness that we are now living in the Era of Pettiness and Vindictiveness!

Events from last week drove this point home when two female Muslim members of Congress sought to visit Israel as part of a trip sponsored by a Palestinian group.  These two Congresswomen have previously made highly critical statements against the Israeli treatment of Palestinians.  And who can blame them?  If Philadelphia columnist Trudy Rubin’s description of conditions on the West Bank are correct, then it appears that conditions there are getting close to those the Nazis imposed on the Warsaw Ghetto.  Historians are quick to point out that events at the Warsaw Ghetto did not end well.

The trip itself would have a been a great opportunity for both sides to teach the other side about their cultures, perhaps find common  grounds to resolve their differences and recognize that both sides have a valid right to exist in the world.  Yeah, right, who the eff am I kidding?  All that would be too much like work.

Of course, not everyone was on board with this opportunity for a teachable moment.  The Israeli government at first seemed to be ambivalent to the visit, the American ambassador in Jerusalem expressed his opposition to it, and then finally our Twitter in Chief (or should that be just Twit in Chief) egged on the Israeli government to reject the Congresswomen’s visit.  In the end, the Israeli stand on the issue was divided: officially our delegation would not be welcome, even though the Israeli ambassador in Washington did voice approval for the visit.  Ultimately the Congresswomen decided to not go as they could not abide by the restrictions which the Israeli government mandated for the visit.

Whew!  That was a close one!  Imagine an event which could have been a tiny step towards international peace and justice.   Three cheers for the Era of Pettiness and Vindictiveness!

In all seriousness, the episode pointed up the current attitude of the “divide and conquer” philosophy boiling up in many of the free world leaders.  The world does not need this now, but I guess we will have to experience it until we learn our bitter lessons of hatred.   

Unfortunately, humanity is by and large also ignorant in addition to being lazy efs.

Yes, there is much work to be done…

(Thank you for reading.   Remember, do unto others…)