Pressing the Gaza Issue

This post from Alternet, by the ever-excellent Max Blumenthal, digs into the details surrounding Mess-NBC's unceremonious dismissal of Palestinian correspondent Rula Jebreal, for daring to provide an alternative viewpoint to the pro-Israel slant being propagated across American mainstream media in regards to the ongoing Gaza massacre (sorry, but that's what it is), especially at Mess-NBC.   Chris Hayes' tepid defense of his employer, in a post-sacking interview with Ms. Jebreal, is also detailed.    This entire sordid episode is yet another nail in the coffin of my having any shred of respect for that network - I was under the impression that provocative viewpoints, backed with facts, are the entire point of journalism.   But this is what happens when a corporate entity is up against a nearly-untouchable political lobby in this country - a lobby that seems to state that any criticism of the State of Israel, no matter how slight or benign, is considered anti-Semetic.  With all of that said, here's my take:

The State of Israel has every right to exist as an independent, sovereign nation.   It's independence and sovereignty should be defended, as is the right of any lawfully constituted nation.   However, as an independent, sovereign nation,  it is subject to the same level of scrutiny and criticism as any other nation, from any other nation.   In this regard, Israel is not entitled to special treatment, neither is it the holder of any type of perceived "exceptionalism".    To voice any type of feedback critical of the actions of the Israeli government, then, is NOT "Anti-Semetic".   To say the affirmative would be to say that the State of Israel's actions are in the name of all people of Hebrew descent - it doesn't take a lot of Internet surfing or research to determine this to not be the case.  

There are those who would say that people like me should, at the least, "shut up" because I'm not Jewish and therefore, don't have "skin in this game."   Really?   The US Government (read: our tax dollars) subsidizes the Israeli State - regardless of the taxpayers' ethnic origin.   If we have to pay, then we have a say.   Period.  

I may wind up getting plenty o' flak about this post.    Fine.   Bring it.   

Where There's Smoke, There's...

     The Huffington Post had this about a newish trend amongst the Big-Ass-Diesel-Pickup-Truck-Standing-In-For-A-Phallus crowd: "coal rolling".    Diesel truck engines intentionally altered to blow black smoke, all supposedly for the purposes of a political/social statement that says "F-U Obama", "F-U Environmentalists", or whatever the F their made-up purposes.    They are often accompanied by back window signs to the effect of "Prius Eliminator" or some other type of garbage.  

Look  - if you're one of these people or sympathize with them:  nobody is forcing you to buy a Prius.   Nobody is telling you how to run your life.   Like Diesel?   Great - I used to own a GMC 3500 with the 6.5 Turbo.   But everybody, including you, has to breathe in the same air which you're belching that black smoke into - and all for some "statement".   Lung cancer and other diseases associated with Diesel soot are prices I would rather not have to pay for your statement of rebellion.   This is the same thing - worse, actually - than the bikers with the loud pipes or the cars equipped with those bumper speakers that are more suitable for testing metal fatigue in aircraft than listening to music with.   The sonic nuisances are one thing, but we all have to breathe in your second-hand soot.   

I'd be in favor of regulations that would limit the modifications of diesel engines, lest this trend gets out of hand.   I would also not be hesitant about calling the Air Quality Control Board of whatever state you're in, and turning in these turkeys.  

The only "statement" that the coal-rollers are making regards the size of a$$hole that these people are.