Strawberry Statements vs Zombies

[H2O Man]

I watch the news, I read the internet, I needed a break. So I look at two choices -- either James Simon Kunen's 1969 "The Strawberry Statement" or some of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s later essays -- before walking out on my lawn. I sit in my late father's outdoor rocking chair, and read King describe his reaction to the violence abroad and in the streets of America.

My attempt to avoid the news is as feeble as an addict trying to not get a fix, I realize as I come back inside. I have a television and computer. "It was the first day of the defendant's criminal trial," I say to the dog. "Just a quick peak can't hurt." Sure. Just a hit of Stephen Colbert. But that leads to more coverage of war and the protests on campuses.

As much as I do not like war, I am in favor of helping the Ukraine defeat the Russian invasion into their territory. I consider Putin to be a cruel man, promoting death and the destruction of human lives. Likewise, I understood the need for Israel to respond to the October 7 terrorist attack. I remember hearing several Israeli officials saying it was their 9/11.

After 9/11, I understood why the US would bomb Tora Bora in an attempt to kill those responsible for planning the attack on the US. But I did not favor occupying Afghanistan. Or Iraq, which had nothing to do with 9/11. Or kissing the asses of those in Saudi Arabia that financed it, or pretending that Pakistan didn't play a role. Still, bombing Tora Bora seemed logical.

I am pro-Israel. But I am anti-Netanyahu. I consider him a cruel man, promoting death and the destruction of human lives. Being opposed to him is, in my opinion, like being against the last guy who was president of the US before Joe Biden. Indeed, I think he is damaging Israel as a member of the global community, and that he is attempting to help the defendant's campaign by hurting President Biden.

Many good people I know are aghast while watching the news coverage of what is going on in Gaza. This coverage is not coming from Russia, Iran, or Hamas. It's from the major American news sources. When I see apologists explaining that it is fine if thousands of Palestinian children are killed, and thousands more being starved, they've not only lost people like me, they have lost a big part of their humanity.

I am troubled by the tone of campus protests that include jackasses spouting anti-Semitism. I'm angry when I see that Jewish students are being threatened. Should there be a protest at one of the colleges/ universities near me, I will go to try to protect Jewish students and faculty in the non-violent manner taught and practiced by Gandhi and King. I know the potential consequences, but am not afraid to confront hatred.

I turn off the television, and again look to a book shelf. I see Nicholas Schaffner's 1978 book, "The Beatles Forever." It includes documentation of right-wing nonsense about Soviet think tanks behind the group, writing songs for Lennon and McCartney in science labs that found the secret to "mind control" -- it wasn't the LSD that our military had thought had potential, it was the Beatles. Especially Ringo, gosh darn him.

I remember that LBJ and Nixon were convinced that it was the Soviet Union behind the protests for Civil Rights and the anti-war movement. They ordered the FBI to investigate and find proof. After all, Arlo Guthrie even spoke of the "last guy" wanting to invite Chairman Mao and Uncle Ho to dinner. In Congressional hearings post-Watergate, we learned that more than the FBI were following people like Malcolm X and Dr. King. I'd wager more than a few of us from my generation could tell stories.

Today, I see where otherwise intelligent people are saying that Russia, Iran, and Hamas are behind the college protests. As proof, they note that not all participants are students. I will speculate that they haven't read "The Strawberry Statement," James Michener's 1971 book, "Kent State: What Happened and Why," or my 2008 interview for DU with Mark Rudd. There are almost always "outside agitators" at protests on campuses. There are enough people in the United States who engage in these activities that there is no need to turn to paranoid conspiracy theories for answers.

Russia did play a role in the 2016 election. Note that the FBI and other intelligence agencies, as well as the DOJ, documented this. I'm sure it happened in 2020, and will in 2024. But that is distinct from an anti-war protest. There is a dangerous rise in the tide of anti-Semitism in this country.

[Easterncedar]

1. So much truth!

I agree with every opinion you express, and am grateful for your writing as always.

We can hate war and support Ukraine, abhor Hamas AND want to protect the Palestinians - AND Israel. We must stand against hate.

[H2O Man]

2. Thank you!

A lot of people I know think the same on this.