OPERATION CAST LEAD

It would not be difficult to argue that even the name of this new Israeli operation conjures racist images(it does in my mind atleast). Lead has an ancient, intimate relationship with the roots of civilization. It is a highly useful, plentiful element that has a comparitively low melting point. This POOR metal is quite durable(some Legionary pipes still in operation)and has been used to shape the growth of "civilization." For thousands of years mankind has used lead to round the jagged edges of nature that make existing as a species noteably difficult without the possession of sharp claws, beaks, wings, fins, or fangs. Which, conveniently, brings me to my next point, BULLETS.

YES, lead, is probably most famous for its gift of destruction. For thousands
of years this element has been fashioned into the preferred projectile for causing the most cost-effective devestation of human life(interestingly enough, Pb may be a closer genetic relative to religion than scientists previously thought).

CAST- is a term used for the melting or shaping of metal. Another meaning may include the use of cast as in to CAST-out, send away, exclude or in the biblical sense to exile. And finally we have the just all-around feel-good term, CASTE. A caste, is arguably the essence of our society- it IS society, division. The mass grouping of people into orders or ranks based on color, religion, education, occupation, nation or wealth.

So, to me, the past week of attacks on Gaza by Israeli Defense Forces or Operation Cast Lead, is not troubling because it has caused the death of over three-hundred Hamas extremists, it is troubling because it contains an insidious message. Along with shielding us from radiation and fastening our construction, lead is also a deadly neurotoxin. Poisionous enough to cause death or serious injury through long unprotected exposure. And yet, here we are thousands of years later, and it seems we may be once again attempting some form of alchemy.

The Palestinian People have been the victims of violence and racist fear from not just the Israeli government, but MOST OF ALL by their own leadership AND many other nations in the Arab world. They have not been hijacked, their plane has been crashed into the mountain. Israel will NOT be deterred by violence. Israel is strengthened by violence, it is the only way she knows. It is for this reason that she has made her own horrible choices in the past. The ONLY future is cooperation and recognition of familial bond. Preaching hate will only provide further suffering for those least suited to it's burden.

The Israeli military machine will not be able to turn Hamas...or Fatah, or Hezbollah into gold, those organizations are not even lead, they are simply fire. The Israeli's must recognize that the Palestinian people ARE gold, and EVEN more importantly, it is time for the Palestinians to realize it themselves.

CAB-TAS-TROPHE

Nothing to be alarmed about, I did have a minor vehicular curb-scuffle and camera-activating speed-bump event, although, thankfully, I am happy to report a casualty-free evening. For those of you unimpressed with the reportage thus far, please take into consideration that it's New Years Eve, which in Las Vegas tends to resemble a cross between Resident Evil and The Player's Ball(with a twist of Bosnia- depending on which side of the strip you happen to be trapped on).

I'm great with heavy machinery, arts and crafts, legal questions, long-hauling and ending Gazan turmoil (perhaps not the latter, however, I think katushian cessatio would work miracles), anybody hiring?