Hear, Oh Israel-

My, my. The growing unrest around the world is becoming daily more tangible. The deterioration of the Middle East only one example. Since the institution of the State of Israel following WWII, we have, as a matter of US foreign policy, guaranteed a state of strife, genocide and constant war in the once fertile crescent.

For more than a year now, with the aid of America's never ending military might, Israel has kept Gaza under constant siege. As in our policy in Iraq, civilian targets make up the majority of casualties. Schools, mosques and hospitals are fair game, and no amount of misery is too much to inflict on the enemy. It is, after all, only through their misery that they will surrender.

Now Netanyahu is conflicted. He is Prime Minister designate-but what coalition will rule Israel? Should he continue with his hard right, proto-fascist path? Should he bring in some moderates? How much does he need to change to accomodate the Obama administration? The policy of genocide carried out on behalf of the Jewish state against Muslim and Jewish freedom seeker alike are beginning to draw far too much negative press. The pictures of dead children, blown apart in the school yard; the stories of families murdered by Israeli soldiers; the constant siege of terror on Palestine-this is reaching the rest of the world-and we are not pleased.

Chances are that even by bringing in Israeli moderates, the approach to domestic policy in Israel will continue as is-with our tacit approval. Obama has made clear that he supports the use of monumental force in the oppression of Palestine. He has made his token gesture to the "humanity" of the Palestinians, and then warned them not to resist. As long as our special relationship with Israel continues, so too shall the genocide of its inhabitants. And as long as American made artillery is used on the People of Palestine, they can look at the spent casings and know who's bullets killed their children.

As we continue to dawdle down the road to economic ruin, we need look at Israel (and Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan) seriously. We support states that use military rule to enforce their wishes. They willingly imprison, torture and murder their citizens and our leaders praise the actions. The fact that we have been passing legislation to do away with our Constitution and have begun deploying the Army on American soil expressly for containing civil unrest are signs we cannot ignore. As we draw closer to the razor's edge, the reaction of our government seems to be already decided in favor of military law. If we do not wish to live in a state of terror like that suffered in Israel, Iraq or any other dictatorship that survives with our aid, then we need to strike the heart of the beast while its vulnerable.

Chew on that for a moment. Then chew on what was going on in the Delta after Hurricane Katrina. Consider Guantanamo and the rapid building of detention centers all over the US. Consider the Patriot Act, and how many thousands of people WITHIN the United States have been disappeared under its auspices.

If we do not want to watch the rise of Big Brother-then we better get busy.

A Year for Strong Women

Through the process of electoral politics this year, we have been blessed with the voices of some strong women. Cynthia McKinney, running on the Green Party ticket for President with VP Rosa Clemente, and Cindy Sheehan, running as an Independent in California's 8th Congressional District.

McKinney was the first House member to introduce articles of impeachment against state terrorists George Bush, Dick Cheney and Condoleeza Rice. Throughout the aftermath of September 11th, McKinney did not shy away from demanding real investigations into the many unanswered questions surrounding the event. She bravely called out the grave possibility (and as we learned, reality) of the administration having prior knowledge of an imminent attack. She voted against the illegal invasion of Iraq and has fought the anti-Constitutional legislation drives of the last eight years.

Cindy Sheehan has also been a loud voice for accountability. From her days camping in front of the Bush "ranch" in Crawford, TX to running for Congress, Sheehan has looked the corporate beast in the face and called it by its name. Not one to mince words, Sheehan has stated quite plainly that Bush is a terrorist and that domestic surveillance, illegal war, rendition and torture and the takeover of America by the Federal Reserve and Wall Street amount to a coup.

These two women stand far above the level of integrity that any Hilary Clinton, Sarah Palin or Nancy Pelosi could ever reach. It takes uncompromising dedication to something much larger than one's self to speak as a defender of freedom. Neither of these ladies has been co-opted by the corporate power structure. Neither of these women are willing to make compromises with the elite for the sake of a political career.

In the wake of the elections, as America celebrates the soon to be end of the Bush Regime, the voices of Cynthia McKinney and Cindy Sheehan will continue to lead the People. The clarity of vision, the true change that these fine Americans bring to the national discourse is vital. It is the strength of such ladies that forged the Revolutionary generation. It is their faith in what freedom means, and how tangible it truly is, that sets the souls of a nation ablaze for something brighter. Neither lady is serving in elected office this year, but neither lady is backing down from the fight, and neither lady has abdicated her duty to the defense of Liberty.