(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Dear Senator Rubio: My Support of Israel Does Not Require an Eliminationist Philosophy. [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-10-10 I can’t tell you I have answers to fix this problem. If I could, I would be perhaps among the first in two millennia. That would make me quite extraordinary. I am not. I am just a flawed human, like anyone, attempting to navigate my way to a brighter future. Scores of people have had their futures come to an end this past weekend, one of which is the niece of a Daily Kos family member, and I am profoundly saddened and extend my heartfelt condolences to their family. Our dear family member is in pain, unquantifiable pain, that I have no way to assuage. I wish I did. I have no right, or cause, or desire to tone police their anger but I do hope that it subsides if for no other reason than they can regain some sense of joy in their life. There is no but. Hamas decided to pursue a military objective by inflicting the pain of loss on civilians. End of story. For this there is no justification, and there can be no weakness in a response, from us, or Israel, and we all know this. A huge problem in dealing with terror organizations, and the challenges of asymmetery in their approach, is that they are often deliberately intertwined with the general public and thus, drag innocents into their own violence, when the inevitable retaliation comes. But ulterior motives fill the gaps formed by a divide. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, like most Republicans, in using the term “savages” appears to have given up on diplomacy. Notable too is the lack of clarity on whether he is associating that term with only Hamas, or the Palestinian people in general. Knowing Republicans, they probably believe they would gain if they hinted at the latter. Thus my cynicism towards these people continues unabated. I don't think there's any way Israel can be expected to coexist or find some diplomatic offramp with these savages. I mean, these are people, as you have been reporting and others have seen, that deliberately targeted teenage girls, women, children, the elderly, not just for rape and murder, but then dumping their bodies off in the streets of Gaza, where the crowds can then defile their lifeless bodies. I mean, just horrifying things. And I don't think we know the full extent of it yet. I mean, there's more to come in the days and weeks ahead. You can't coexist. They have to be eradicated. And you've pointed out the very difficult challenge ahead—this is going to be incredibly painful. This is going to be incredibly difficult and it's going to be horrifying—the price to pay. It is my belief that to the extent it is possible Israel can protect its existence without recriprocating harm on civilians, this is not only the desired goal, it is a requirement of our duty as human beings. To my knowledge, they have so far been trying to be careful. And yet anger has bred more than a passion for retribution. It is also acting as activated yeast for conspiratorial controversy. Over the past several days I have read diaries built on speculation on what the former U.S. President might have turned over in the way of intelligence on Israel, to Russia. The simple truth is we do not know what was turned over, and therefore, any claim that such behavior influenced this assault is irresponsible, irrespective of our loathing of “the former guy.” As a result absent solid evidence presented publicly from verified sources, I will not be making accusations or even speculative associations with this assault and Mr. Trump. That is a personal and editorial decision. I would also point out that the larger percentage of Russia’s defenses sit the equivalent of an extended Uber ride from NATO nuclear capability. As fires have a tendency to spread, I don’t want our military apparatus to be guessing at culpability thanks to half cocked internet theories. As it applies to moving forward, I encourage the entire world to come together and take an objective approach to this seemingly interminable conflict with a priority of human rights. The Palestinians live in horrid conditions, and we must separate the needs of the many from the evil of the few. Speaking personally, I am Christian, specifically, like our President, I am Catholic. But in the end, I am just Todd, a person wishing to extend a hand of friendship to all who come in peace. My faith and culture directs me to support Israel for many reasons, and my very human focused empathy also leads me to seek a solution to help suffering Palestinian civilians. I view my support of Israel and humanitarian goals for Palestinians as one in the same. Perhaps that is naive. Perhaps I am a hopeless idealist. I am exposed now, speaking honestly with no filter, the most rhetorically combustible of social media interactions, but the sort of interaction that must be carried out if humans are to have any hope for peace. A united Israel where all human beings can live freely and at peace, secure in their lives, and freedom of movement is my hope. Unity is always my hope. I know Hamas is evil. Terrorism is evil. However I would encourage you to remember: A little girl with a ball is not. I wrote this some years back but it is amazing how it applies to most any conflict anywhere in the world. I call that, “the point.” Little Girl With a Ball By Todd Bennett Little girl with a ball The same sun that shines on me shines on you You might be light you might be dark Or even a different religion too But our mistakes and lack of brakes Should not torch your yard and dry its dew Across the pond Lives some of your kin Sharing your innocent grin At something as simple as splashing in a puddle We owe you better than a warning letter Because our foreign policy’s a muddle Play little girl, don’t you worry Shut your ears to the words of adults in a hurry To conquer each other To turn their backs on their brother Play little girl-kick that ball Maybe even over a wall Climb that tree to the top Let me stop the guns that pop Hug the bunny little girl with a ball Don’t forget that life can be funny But learn from us and our foolish ways Only happiness brings light to your days Don’t use blood to buy money Play little girl, don’t you worry Shut your ears to the words of adults in a hurry To conquer each other To turn their backs on their brother Play little girl-kick that ball Maybe even over a wall .. Senator Rubio, which side of a border this little girl stands on does not matter. Which side of humanity we stand on, does. -Todd Bennett I am now very tired. My body is weary. I am trying my best to push forward. But I will not leave this world a coward, nor will I live within it in the shadows. I will work for peace, I will battle injustice, and I will lead with integrity for all my days. As I unconditionally embrace you, I hope you embrace me. Love to All. -Todd [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/10/10/2198484/-Dear-Senator-Rubio-My-Support-of-Israel-Does-Not-Require-an-Eliminationist-Philosophy?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/