“NAZI ISRAEL,” Man Displays Sign on 21/7 in SLC, UT Today

If I had a photo, the image would say it all. Instead, you’ll have to imagine seeing the words, NAZI ISRAEL, being brandished on the street corner, and feeling an enormous, invisible fist thrusting into your gut.  That was my experience today.  Barely able to park, I had to ask why.  “Who are you, sir?”  No answer.  “Why are you displaying this sign, here?”  No reply.  “What does this mean?” I persisted.  Why didn’t I know the meaning of this?  One more time, I prodded, “Sir, WHY are you doing this?”  At long last, the bearded, spectacled man, together with his sign, slowly revolved until we were face to face.  ”I can’t talk,” he said and further e-nun-ci-at-ed, “Read the words and say them a-loud.”  The words nor their hatred could form in my mouth or my heart–only the enlarging fist in my stomach began to twist.  Sign bearer turned away, flailing his indictment to oncomers from the east, west, north and south.  The knuckles inside turned harder and deeper.  As I walked away, flames of determination ignited.

I sought out a young couple, (the wife from Israel, the husband from Palestine), with businesses in Salt Lake, who were nearby, and perhaps the perfect source to begin my search.  “Do you know what “NAZI ISRAEL” means, I implored.  “I can show you,”  husband replied.  He pulled up images on the internet which juxtaposed scenes from the Holocaust of World War II and from today’s Israel/Palestine unrest.  As these pictures appeared on his computer screen,  he began to explain in surprisingly neutral language, the history and evolution of the political and religious battle there.

“There can be no peace, there can be no war…only ongoing conflict and turmoil,”  husband concluded.  Just then, an email from my own husband appeared, inviting me to attend a film on this very topic.  Is that timing?  Two hours later, we met at the Tower on 9/9 to watch “Ajami:“ 

A powerful crime drama set on the streets of Jaffa’s Ajami neighborhood–a melting pot of cultures and conflicting views among Jews, Muslims and Christians–and told through the eyes of a cross-section of the city’s inhabitants: a young Israeli fighting a criminal vendetta against his family, a Palestinian refugee working illegally to finance a life-saving surgery, a Jewish police detective obsessed with finding his missing brother, and an affluent Palestinian dreaming of a future with his Jewish girlfriend. As their stories intersect–and the film’s narrative shifts back and forth in time–we witness a dramatic collision of different worlds and the tragic consequences of enemies living as neighbors. ~ (Kino International)

“…enemies living as neighbors.”  Muslims, Jews and Christians living in continuous enemy combative contention, without resolution…peace for no one.  I found my answers; but the revolt in my gut won’t ever go away,  will it?

How Different Would Your Life Be…

If you knew EVERYTHING that happens is the result of the Universe conspiring tirelessly on our behalf, for our highest good?
How differently would we choose our thoughts, words and actions if we knew we were creating and manifesting our own reality with every breath we take?
What would life feel like if we noticed our feelings and judgments, and cherished ourselves for having them?
And if we were willing to see the perfection in ALL, could we then choose PEACE?
I’m willing.

BARACK OBAMA, Are You Listening? testing the power of the blog

Good Morning Mr. Obama,

My intention in writing this public letter to you is to alert you and the Obama~Biden Campaign to the pitfalls of reacting to what others say and do, rather than acting and responding from your center, your core and your intentions.  When we react, we’ve already lost our balance.  I’m speaking of your campaign’s self-destructive behavior of reacting to McCain-Palin Campaign attacks.  Let them lose their balance~~only your unwavering focus and stability will place the Obama~Biden platform in the White House.

Mr. Obama, this nation needs leadership that can maintain its balance, especially in the face of bombardments that would undermine our identity as individuals and a nation of the people, by the people and for the people. 

We need to rediscover WHO we really are, clarify our purpose, carefully formulate our intentions, then begin, fully empowered as a cohesive nation, to re-establish this great nation with its ruddering principles of Truth, Freedom, Justice, Equity, Humility, Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Responsibility, Accountability and Peace solidly guiding us through perilous waters;  through waters full of opportunities to express ourselves through intentional, honorable actions that guard and protect every indiviual’s dignity, equitable freedoms and pursuits, without compromising who we are or our purpose as an integrated nation of visionary peoples, having been taught by experiences throughout centuries rich with failures and successes.

We need to hear more from you about who we are and how your vision and your leadership can guide us through the journey ahead of forgiving ourselves for allowing this country to shipwreck, of working to make us sea worthy once again and to sail prouder than we’ve ever sailed before, with each and every citizen dedicated to serving in their own capacity as this great nation’s crew. 

America can humbly apologize for violating our own principles, our own Constitution, International trust and individual rights.  We can make restitution to the extent possible.  We can rebuild our identity, our self-esteem, our vision and our purpose.  With dynamic, wise and visionary leadership, we can restore our strength and our fortitude.  America can reconstitute an uncompromising freedom that embraces diversity, assures equity and justice for all; provides unparalleled education for all;  and lays the foundation for gainful employment, assuring that every indivdual is equipped and has the means to afford their own meaningful contributions to our national, global and environmental economy.

As human beings, American citizens, and fellow brothers and sisters with all, we must reassess who we’ve been, what we’ve represented, and choose this day who we will be from this point forward.  Barack, we will not get there by reacting to anyone or anything; especially, lies and slander from McCain~Palin campaign.  Instead, we must remain true to our core, faithful to our vision and purpose, steadied by our guiding rudder of higher intention.

Barack Obama, YOU are ultimately responsible for the content of your campaign.  Knowing that you love this American nation as much as anyone alive today, I call upon you this moment, to let your constituents know now, beyond a shadow of a doubt, who we are, what we stand for, where we are going and how we will get there, once we’ve replaced the current Administration…leaving McCain~Palin in their self-imposed dust of age-old fear-based rhetoric. 

We must fervently consider the impact of our thoughts, words and actions, pressing humanity ever upward, toward our highest potential.  Today, our future and the futures of our posterity depend upon it.  Only in maintaining our balance will ultimately, the balance of all be restored.

With Respect, Conviction and Commitment,

Ashtora

American, Global & Environmental Citizen