ru the enemy?

I was just reading the newspapers to update myself on the Gaza massacre when in the International Heral tribune I came across this:

Palestinian medical officials estimated that the total death toll reached 550 on Monday. The United Nations estimated that about a quarter of those killed were civilians.

Exactly how do they calculate who is civilian and who is Hamas from where they are sat half way around the world? Is the identifying trademark of a Hamasman simply that he carries a gun?! If so, I rather think that many men other than those that are Hamas wud be carrying guns in this war scenario simply to defend their homes and families.

Does the Israeli army have men combing the ruins and burnt out hospitals, schools and homes for men, women and children so they can count how many Hamasmen they have killed?! And if so, how do they know these men are Hamas? Is it tattooed perchance on their forehead?? Or mayb they all have warts on the end of their nose??

550 killed!! 550 lives extinguished... their excuse for this "extremination" is that probably some of these were Hamas??

And I sincerely doubt a quarter of this number were civilians - i am inclined to believe most probably were. For how can u tell a Hamas member from a non-Hamas member toting a gun? Or does carrying a gun in Palestine automatically mean u have joined the Hamas-club?

I am sure that plenty of men who were not previously inclined to carry guns or join Hamas now will - why? Cos they can see that they have no choice. They are, as a country, being slowly exterminated - who wud not pick up a gun in such a situation? Their homes, shops, hospitals, babies, families are all being blown up around them - the right to defend urself and ur loved ones is an essentially human one. Who would not pick up that gun??

Meanwhile the world leaders do absolutely nothing except maybe, maybe, if they are feeling generous say that a ceasefire is required. Ugh, u think?!?!

Why can our world leaders, for once, not just tell Israel to stop this holocaust, this massacre? What is so wrong in telling an oppressor to stop oppressing?? Worl leaders shud be completely ashamed of themselves! There is no justice in their actions and by standing idly by while hundreds die and thousands suffer - they might as well be part of the Israeli army launching missiles into Gaza themselves.

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meanwhile, back in Manchester I am back at work and tired. Normally (i.e. the routine i 'established' in the holidays) I wud still be in bed till about 1-2pm!! After having fallen asleep somewhere between 4-6am.... today I had to be awake by 8am at the very latest after having fallen asleep around 3.30am. And as I am getting old, I can feel the effects of this lack of sleep very clearly!
God, I miss my bed!!

Lamees is flying off to Ghana today for three months of charity work there and while I am worried about her - I am also extremely envious as I wanna go too!!!

I am itching to do something different and possibly slightly wild!!