Looking Ahead With Hope...

Now that Obama has been sworn-in and Brains has been dispatched to Texas, the world waits hopefully for things to get better. Early indications are positive -- already the new administration has moved to halt trials of US detainees in the "war on terror" and promised a new openness in government.

The American people seem very pleased with themselves and delighted with their new Pres. They should, perhaps, realise that the election of a non-loonie does not cancel-out their support for Bush, nor does it brings all of the dead innocents back to life. It will take time, good will and a huge effort for the US to reclaim its place in the community of nations. And maybe a little humility. I do not intend to strike a sour note here, for I think that Obama is just the man who might accomplish a resurrection of America's fortunes. But the excessive back-slapping is a little off-putting in light of the many millions who have been destroyed by America's folly.

As I said -- maybe it is time for a little humility, not something the US does well.

Israel Disregards Palestinian Children

In a shocking departure from the internationally accepted rules of war the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have failed in their obligations to assist civilians caught-up in a combat zone. Israel 'failed to meet its obligation under international humanitarian law to care for and evacuate the wounded,' according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It said the Israeli military attempted to force Red Cross workers to leave when they reached an area in Gaza City's decimated Zeitun district. The Red Cross had requested safe access to this zone several days earlier.

The ICRC said the delay in allowing access was unacceptable.

The Red Cross workers found four small children next to their dead mothers in a house in Zeitun. There were a number of other corpses lying on mattresses in the house.

Pierre Wettach, who heads the ICRC delegation for Israel and the Palestinian territories said it was a "shocking incident." He went on: "The Israeli military must have been aware of the situation but did not assist the wounded. Neither did they make it possible for us or the Palestine Red Crescent to assist the wounded."

Don't hold your breath waiting for The US administration to condemn these actions -- my impression is that they care not a jot for those with dark skin. Or their orphaned children.

Unbearable Awfulness...

Words cannot express my sadness at the tragedy unfolding in Gaza and the surrounding territories. In Europe we see endless pictures of injured children and bereaved parents. The terrible hypocrisy of Israel in insisting on "self-defence" while engaging in the wholesale slaughter of innocents is breathtaking. Why can this powerful nation not just comply with the United Nations resolutions demanding that it curtail its territorial expansion and live in peace with its neighbours? And how come America always seems to favour Israel, irrespective of the savagery of this terrorist nation's conduct?

It seems clear that this massive escalation of violence is being conducted while Brains is still in the White House - perhaps they fear that Obama will be less forgiving of their aggression.

Please God he will.