Keep your eyes on
Burma (the demonstrations yesterday ended in the death of one Monk) & Gaza (eleven Palestinian 'militants' - usually a title bestowed upon any opposing the actions of the State of Israel - killed yesterday & today. If history has taught us anything, it's that Israel will likely undertake a full-out assault on the Gaza Strip very very soon).
And remember that silence = complicity.
As you listen to the spin of the news - the free press that once served as a check and a challenge to the acts of a truly democratic government has now become the arm of all Sovereigns, and therefore representing all claims to self-determination as terrorist in nature - remember this following poem by, perhaps, one of the most powerful poets of our time Wislawa Szymborska.
In Praise of Feeling Bad About Yourself
The buzzard never says it is to blame.
The panther wouldn't know what scruples mean.
When the piranha strikes, it feels no shame.
If snakes had hands, they'd claim their hands were clean.
A jackal doesn't understand remorse.
Lions and lice don't waver in their course.
Why should they, when they know they're right?
Though hearts of killer whales may weigh a ton,
in every other way they're light.
On this third planet of the sun
among the signs of bestiality
a clear conscience is Number One.
Aside: If the above poem is how you always magically perceive your actions, then you need to take a closer look at what you've become and where you're headed.
And remember that silence = complicity.
As you listen to the spin of the news - the free press that once served as a check and a challenge to the acts of a truly democratic government has now become the arm of all Sovereigns, and therefore representing all claims to self-determination as terrorist in nature - remember this following poem by, perhaps, one of the most powerful poets of our time Wislawa Szymborska.
In Praise of Feeling Bad About Yourself
The buzzard never says it is to blame.
The panther wouldn't know what scruples mean.
When the piranha strikes, it feels no shame.
If snakes had hands, they'd claim their hands were clean.
A jackal doesn't understand remorse.
Lions and lice don't waver in their course.
Why should they, when they know they're right?
Though hearts of killer whales may weigh a ton,
in every other way they're light.
On this third planet of the sun
among the signs of bestiality
a clear conscience is Number One.
Aside: If the above poem is how you always magically perceive your actions, then you need to take a closer look at what you've become and where you're headed.
posted by just a girl at 9:42 AM
7 Comments:
I would add that while I'm horrified at the thought of another bloodbath in Burma, our influence over the murderers who rule there is slight to non-existant, because we (Canadians) do not support them- any support we give and influence we have is indirect, through countries such as China.
Whereas, we as a nation support Israel. We have a moral responsibility to oppose Canadian complicity with crimes against humanity, whoever the criminals may be.
Because Canada is us.
You are so easy to fall in love with.
Right on Maha!
PAUL - cool information about Israel and Canada. Fucking embarrassing if you ask me. America so much worse.
Maria
Further to this, and to Paul's comments, check out:
http://www.zmag.org/sustainers/content/2007-09/27engler.cfm
Peace,
Chantal
Excellent post - and Paul, your point is a well placed one.
I am going to read this article, Chantal, thanks for posting.
Great poem, also, I've never heard of her before.
Colleen
Paul, that's an excellent point. Thank you for noting it :)
Chantal, that was a *great* article. Zmag is among the best sources of information out there, I wish they were better known (and that they'd stop calling themselves 'alternative' media. It's time they dropped the former and made themselves heavies in the information game...).
xox
m
Post a Comment
<< Home