Why is it, that people react the way they do in the face of hardship? What is it exactly, that makes them seek the comfort and ease of handing it all over to someone else, rather than deal with it on their own terms, and do it right? Not that there is anything wrong in seeking counsel, but in the end nobody will bear the consequences of your actions but yourself, and as such the decision should be yours, and yours alone. – Philosopher Ahmad Al Charif, Beirut Lebanon
⊕⊕⊕
from Melbourne Australia
War Drums by 10YRWAR.
⊕⊕⊕
CRAZY FEUD
written & edited by Kendall F. Person
War by gama2956
In 2006, Israel and Lebanon went back to war. To the conscious observer – who was neither for or against, but simply took in the moment as it unfolded – Israel came across as a bully. It was apparent, even viewed via a television screen, from the other side of the world, that their seemingly ragtag opponent, was way out of their league. Not only were they outnumbered and outgunned, but it was not even the nation of Lebanon in combat, but Hezbollah: a political party or freedom fighters or terrorists, depending on the narrative we followed.
If war were contested in beauty, Israel’s strategic precision and aerial assault, would have been a 10. In the first wave, 100,000 homes and buildings flattened, as warplanes rained bombs on Beirut. As residents fled, the Israeli Army blew up 146 bridges, cutting off means to escape. With the Lebanese President visibly weakened, and Israel’s relentless resolve unshaken and with the United States remaining virtually silent, initially, it felt like a route. But Hezbollah – with their makeshift command post – that we could see – not only kept fighting, but landed big enough blows – as to confuse who or if anyone had actually won the crazy feud and what the spoils were. But in the US, the narrative was clear: Israel had defeated the terrorists.
⊕⊕⊕
War by gama2956
In 2014, what began as a literary collaboration, grew into a close friendship with a philosopher named Ahmad Al Charif of Lebanon. The Depths of Crazy – a 3 part thriller about insanity – affected us differently. Our roles were clear: no matter how deep into the abyss I took Crazy, and irregards how unhinged the characters became, Ahmad had to find a way – in a tale about insanity – to raise the atmosphere on high. The ordeal nearly overwhelmed him. However, he was who he claimed to be, and made a contribution toward finding inner peace, even in the depths of crazy.
Ahmad is Muslim, but his western travels and spiritual beliefs, gave an unorthodox distinction to his style of worship, nearly unrecognizable – not that it matters. He hails from a good family, a contributor in a loving relationship, a hard worker and a good friend. But eight years after war’s end, Crazy forced him to relive it all over again: the repetition of explosions, the systematic destruction of his nation, the wait and wonder of the missing, and the nightmare-inducing memories of a bridge collapsing after crossing. Yet Ahmad is neither anti semitic, nor bitter. Neither a hate mongerer nor a terrorist, but a man of good nature, the person that he sees.
⊕⊕⊕
“Madness is to have erroneous perceptions
and to reason correctly from them.” – Voltaire.
In the present day, the narrative of our nation is changing so rapidly and being driven so aggressively, that reason becomes fleeting, until one day, there could be none left, for it is not guaranteed, collectively.
If our belief is that Muslim and Jewish and Christian religions are linked together through Abraham; and if our faith and family and friendships forged, have taught love and compassion; and if the philosophy of our wisdom is to remain on a quest for knowledge; and if truth is what we seek; and if we maintain our inner peace and respect for humankind, than we should hold on to the person we know inside; the one we have always seen.
But if we venture outdoors on a daily, yet the safety we feel, that we have always felt, we now believe is not real; if we follow the narrative of a fear, that is neither felt nor seen; if we pretend that everything we know is make believe, and that our lying eyes are deceiving; if we accept truth derived from fiction; if we embrace the ‘us against them’ ideology of hate; if we no longer think for ourselves and follow along like lemmings, led by a house of conspiracy theorists; and if we see our friend Ahmad as foe, then we will no longer be the person we see; and the crazy feud will become our reality.
this is … The Neighborhood
this is... The Neighborhood 
Always a pleasure to read your work Kendall, you draw attention to topics in much need of awareness.
When it comes to people; human beings, there is no binary formula, where you are either a 1 or a 0. We are complex creatures, with many layers of awareness, and consciousness. Sadly, governing bodies work best if people are labeled, where a stranger is either a friend, or foe.
I have friends from all faiths and beleifs, and that has enriched me, given me opportunity to grow. We might not agree on everything, but that is the beauty of individuality. Freedom of choice.
I dont identify much as a muslim, but that is a part of who i am, where i come from. Islam, in its essence is nothing like what is practiced today, and the same can be said about most religions…
In an ideal world, religion shouldn’t matter. It shouldn’t serve to label people as ones and zeroes, but unfortunatley that is where we are today.
Change, is only possiblje, when we as individuals want it. When we are no longer waiting to be labeled by a leader. When we choose for ourselves who is a friend, and who is not.
A person who is not a friend, is not necessarily an enemy…
LikeLike
There’s a challenge in “venturing out” without fear — or at least without the suspicion and resentment that stem from fear — when one knows that “the others” (fellow citizens) not only harbor their own fear, but may feel justified in acting on it. For the first time in a long time, we have “leaders” pandering to those fears, ginning up active hatred based on anti-American (or at least non-constitutional) racisms, bigotry, sexism. I’ve never felt so divided from so many of my fellow citizens. A pleasure to revisit your blog after too long away. Regards.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello my friend, so good to have you back. I must agree with you on ‘leadership ‘ I find the collective failure most problematic. It begs the question, are we cultivating leadership, defining it at a young age or are our ‘leaders’ simply the people
that got the job.
LikeLike
Some very real truths here. I can’t understand why, since there are so many people in the world who believe similarly to this blog, there are so many wars and violent acts around the world. I know no one who thinks that this is the way to solve problems.
I suppose there must be a lot who do think war and fighting is the way to go, but to me it’s stupid and illogical. It’s also madness. Yes, Christians, Muslims and Jews are all ‘people of the book’, but the bitterest feuds are between relatives.
By the way, there is no such word as ‘irregards”. I think you mean ‘regardless ‘!
LikeLiked by 1 person
V.M. Sang – Thank you for adding your voice of reason and sharing your knowledge and beliefs. I often say, that while I may breach a topic, the real gets one down here in the community forum. Hope the day is all good. – KP ps. how do not words become words, I want to send in irregards (big smile)
LikeLike