Author: PAPA (Page 6 of 16)

In my last post I suggested that despite the clarity of good versus evil in the Hamas massacre there will be folks who see gray. It is difficult to understand. Propaganda is already countering the horrific butchery by claiming Palestine as victim and Isreal as aggressor facade. After 75 years most of the once intransigent Arab nations have given up on the elimination of Isreal. However, the old river to the sea slogan is still being stoked to keep the people of Palestine down while blaming Isreal. 300 miles of tunnels to protect the Mucky-Mucks? No above ground bunkers for the women, children and elderly who will die during a counter-offensive to a Hamas attack. Of course, hospitals, food and water would be better than bunkers or tunnels; especially if bunkers were not needed unless you attack and provoke a response. Use your noggins boys. Read history. Get in a position to form your own view of current events such as the October 7th attack.

Maybe start in the late 19th century. Papa skips over 1000s of years after many Jews dispersed from Cannan/Judea. In the 1800’s things were getting bad for Jews in Europe. Perhaps read about the persecution illustrated by the “Dreyfus Affair” in France. When things were going bad for the Jews around that time an idea sprang up that a homeland back in old Palestine might be just what the doctor ordered. Often seen as the start of Zionism. Like all ideas it started to perk along.

Palestine/Gaza/West Bank etc had been under Ottoman rule for about 400 years by then. No need for this posting to go back to all the other empires/Poo-Bahs who ruled the area for 1000s of years. Just know that there wasn’t a defined area known as a nation of Palistine. Jews AND Arabs both lived in that area. Usually under the foot of some boss. Along came World War One. Turkey was on the losing side. What to do with its domains? There had been talk within Allied circles of a Jewish homeland. The British were to over see Palastine. (Mandate) Its foreign secretary wrote a letter in support of a Jewish homeland. 1917 Balfour Declaration. That text made it into League Of Nations codification in 1923. Great Britain was to be responsible for establishing terms/conditions/timing of such a homeland. Things not only moved slow but the League itself was less than efficient.

Of course, its greatest failure was in not meeting its founding purpose; to stop another world war. I trust you know what World War Two meant for all Jews in Europe. Hitler and the Holocaust. In history the idea of Zionism, the Balfour Declaration and WWII resulted in many Jews going to Palestine where in 1948 Isreal was created as an independent nation by action of the United Nations. So too was there to be a nation for the Arabs of Palastine. Thus, the word partition. The US immediately recognized the new country. Arab nations immediately waged war. None wanted any part of the two state partition. Only Isreal accepted the concept. There were additional major wars in 1967 and 1973. There often were skirmishes near the borders over the years. Isreal has at times taken additional land/buffer for protection. One such area was taken from Eygypt after a war. That was Gaza. Most of the Gaza population are called Palestinians. Isreal has moved in and out of various territories after fighting off attacks. In addition to tamping down sources of future attacks they have to administer the territory. Headaches plus the crazies lob rockets into Isreal every so often. What a way to live. Isreal left Gaza most recently around 2005. The Palestinians elected Hamas to lead. Hamas has led them to poverty and they are used as fodder against Isreal. When propaganda tries to convince you that Hamas represents freedom fighters against occupiers; read history. (No additional election since 2006. No need; lots of opposing politicians just thrown off roof tops etc.)

The overall issues are said to be complicated. Seventy-five years have passed since Isreal was created. One side is still in a 1948 mindset. It’s clear they are unhappy with decisions made 75 years ago. Perhaps it is time to get over it. How long can you pick at a scab? It seems logical that if you start a war your people will get hurt by your actions. Claiming life is complicated does not justify murder/rape/pillage. Gearing up a propaganda machine doesn’t wash away blood. Nor does it change what is simple. Live with the decisions that the civilized world made under the UN banner. Make the best of Palistine not the worst. And, if given a second chance perhaps choose a goverment of non-butchers to represent you. (The West Bank is represented by a Palistian Authority that is itself going on about twenty years after its election to a four year term.)

More history: After WWII Japan and Germany were “occupied” for about seven years so that the damage done by their murderous leaders could be reversed. Decent countries today. It is estimated that Palistinians still would vote for Hamas if elections are held soon. It might be a good idea for the passage of time to cool down 75 years of indoctrinated hate towards Isreal/Jews. BTW: Papa often cites movies as another basis of memory. Look for films “I Accuse” and “Exodus.” The first has backgound of Dreyfus and the second 1948’s establishment of a Jewish state.

Papa has not been sleeping during my long hiatus from posting content. As usual there has been a lot of thinking going on. Sight Point is an atmosphere conducive to contemplation. My return to posting after months is not attributable to releasing pent up wisdom. Rather, there is an internal need to pay homage to a bear. It is a good way to come out of my personal hibernation.

Do not be shocked that Papa is going to say something positive about a Chicago Bear. It is good to have a tiny bit of tolerance. I post today because of a vivid memory from 1963. A football fan’s spirit can rise or fall or soar or be crushed a zillion times. All the good times or bitter losses soon fade. However, I have a few football moments that are seared into my memory. When the man who cemented one such memory recently died I wanted to pay tribute to him by telling you of a chilly day at Camp Randall. One particular play impressed me so much that I am reminded that there are many great players but only a few are super great.

I assume Papa was hoping for a comeback win when I saw a Wisconsin back scoot around end with what appeared to be a path towards the end zone. Maybe I was in section S or T because the angle of my vision showed only a few Illinois players with slim hopes of stopping the Badger runner. The rise and fall of hope. From the corner of my eye I saw a blur going from left to right across the field. To this day I believe he came fom the other hash mark. Any dream of a win was obliterated by a crushing tackle at the sideline. He came like an arrow across the field and hit his target dead center. I recall thinking that was one hell of a football player. I had to look at the program to match his number with a name. That man was Dick Butkus.

In 1962 my brother and I joined three friends from college and drove to the Seattle World’s Fair. It was a memorable trip. I relived an aspect of that trip this week while I make the cross country trek to Sight Point. I was just as impressed by the beauty of an area near Coeur d Alene, Idaho as I was 61 years ago. Its scenic landscape extends for miles into Montana. The mountain lake surrounded by beautiful pine/fir is spectacular. One’s spirit rises throughout the journey. What a great memory to celebrate.

Another fond memory fom that excursion was a visit to San Francisco. Yes, after driving from Madison to Seattle on the compressed time table of a spring break, why would’t young men full of themselves believe that there was plenty of time to swing down to California before returning to school. That city was full of life. It had an exciting vibe to it. Landmarks were eveywhere. From Fisherman’s Wharf to the Embarcadero to Nob Hill to the Top of the Mark and out to Tanforan Raceway we didn’t miss a beat. Surely not the music and entertainment beat on Braodway at the Hungry Eye, Big Al’s and the Condor Club. Carol Doda’s place. Throw in the Golden Gate and we were happy travelers as we raced back home. That memory I do not wish to ruin by re-visiting that once majastic city. Even when I visted your parents in the area in the 1990’s it had lost much of its luster. Kind of seedy and shabby in a worn out way. Today’s reported conditions would make me cry if I saw it in person. Too many “activists” city fathers have lost sight of primary responsibilities. They fail to follow what was once known as “Sewer Socialists” in Milwaukee.

Yet, America’s beauty persists. One can only hope that man’s do-gooders keep their eager hands off nature. My initial drive west through the Columbia Gorge was stunning. God sort of took a creative break from The Dalles to Spokane. Thereafter, on route I-90 the countryside is more than par right to the Illinois border. Once that semi-circle of haze was completed pleasant scenery resumed right to Papa’s objective. 4000 miles! (More or less)

When I was young I thought political office might be in my future. I still love all things historical/political. From afar nowadays. However, in the 1960’s I wanted to be involved. I’ve mentioned in this blog that when I was growing up (I know; not there yet.) it was difficult to distinguish left from right in the news media and even between political parties. So, I asked your great-grandfather who was political on a local level. He advised attending the local democrat/republican party meetings. Sort it out was his advice. I did.

I made inquiries. With invitations in hand I attended a few meetings of each local party. They were nice but I walked away with my socks intact. I had hopes that they’d be engaging on issues and policies. It seemed more like “the other guys are bad guys and we are the good guys.” The objectives discussed were not about making the country/state/county better or simply providing good government. Win. Beat the other guy. That was the formula to make eveything better. To me it seemed like a flip the coin situation. I had been enthused by JFK but at the time I could lean either way depending on the issue or the candidate.

That continued to be my mindset during the historic Watergate era. I could see merit on both sides and good in various candidates in those days. The national parties were of course rivals but not so much in the good guys/bad guys mode I had witnessed locally. For example, for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, senators and representatives from both parties fought side by side. I felt that was good government as envisioned when learning civics. For nearly three months democrats filibustered against the law. In the end it was a bi-partisan victory.

Likewise, when impeachment loomed for Presidnt Nixon, there was bi-partisanship throughout the various investigations. My memory of Howard Baker is just as vivid as is that of Sam Ervin. I remember that Nixon resigned the day after republicans paid him a visit and told him he was toast. Barry Goldwater leading that delegation sticks in my mind. My mind may play games with my memory but I believe efforts to “pile on” charges against Nixon lost Rather, tight professional charges were focused on in the impeachment.

Which brings me to Frank Church, the democrat senator from Idaho at the time. Abuses dating back for decades by the CIA/FBI were exposed during Watergtate. Our supposed protectors were lawlessly out of control. Years of shame. A stain on our founding principles. Senator Church chaired an investigative committee that found even more outrageous conduct by the unelected heads of these and other agencies. Again, there was a fairly bi-patisan effort. I don’t recall a minority report. The committee put sunshine on the abuses and made recommendations to guard against future misconduct.

All of which is part of Papa’s past of voting for candidates of both parties depending on how I viewed their ability to govern and represent my principles. I might lean one way or another at times depending on issues. Except when there was only one or two candidates on the ballot I did not vote straight tickets. I didn’t see either party as good enough I’d go 100% goo-goo voting blind tickets. It amazes me people do.

However, current circumstances have changed me. I am on my way to Sight Point where I left my copy of the Mueller Report. I remember reading that document that came to a no wrongdoing conclusion and thought so many words that said nothing but appeared to say soemthing dire had been amiss. To this average legal mind I saw fluff. I recently read the Durham Report and that was a professional product. It showed by clear and convincing evidence that the FBI/CIA/IRS and others were involved in abuses that make a mockery of the concerns raised by the Church Committee. That committee’s corrective actions either never took or that slow moving giant iceberg of the administrative state still needs a major overhaul. At a personal level I am shocked at the lack of bi-partisan outrage at what is worse that what we learned from the Church Committee. I will hereafter look for any member of the democrat party who is as outraged as were both parties in the 1970’s. It’s impossible to read the Durham Report and not be concerned. From my perspective nearly all democrats have shrugged off the obvious.

It may be that the ends justify the means to them. But, there is a much bigger principle at stake now. I believe that the hurch Committee memebers would see the clear and present dangers.

BTW, I rote some of this when passing through Senator Church’s state of Idaho on Papa’s recent folly. More on that as I drive if reliable internet is found.