( continues...)

are young men who have been led astray by ambition; send them away, even with arms in their hands. But such mercy, and such clemency, if they turn those arms against you, will end in misery to yourselves. The case is, assuredly, dangerous, but you do not fear it; yes, you fear it greatly, but you hesitate how to act, through weakness and want of spirit, waiting one for another, and trusting to the immortal gods, who have so often preserved your country in the greatest dangers. But the protection of the gods is not obtained by vows and effeminate supplications; it is by vigilance, activity, and prudent measures, that general welfare is secured. When you are once resigned to sloth and indolence, it is in vain that you implore the gods; for they are then indignant and threaten vengeance.

In the days of our forefathers, Titus Manlius Torquatus, during a war with the Gauls, ordered his own son to be put to death, because he had fought with an enemy contrary to orders. That noble youth suffered for excess of bravery; and do you hesitate what sentence to pass on the most inhuman of traitors? Perhaps their former life is at variance with their present crime. Spare, then, the dignity of Lentulus, if he has ever spared his own honor or character, or had any regard for gods or for men. Pardon the youth of Cethegus, unless this be the second time that he has made war upon his country. As to Gabinius, Statilius, Coeparius, why should I make any remark upon them? Had they ever possessed the smallest share of discretion, they would never have engaged in such a plot against their country".

Typo, again, I hope you friends are OK.

I also found out today just how much I'm still in denial that Bibi is the PM: I kept saying that "Olmert needs to be back with a clear statement", etc.. Yay. That really helped to convince my talk mates.

Still have not heard. According to free Gaza movement, cement, water filters and stuff not sanctioned is NOT passed into Gaza. If the ship was just carrying food and medicine it could have been passed on, but not these goods which are not allowed. (Cement might be allowed if you can tell exactly what building it will be used in. But this is intended to repair the sewage and water supply which is too general.) So can you explain when the policy changed where stuff Israel had announced was not allowed is now allowed in?

So can you explain when the policy changed where stuff Israel had announced was not allowed is now allowed in?

It never changed, as much as I know.

OK - so the stuff coming by flotilla had no other way to get in.

Nope, unless they'd let Israel to check them at Ashdod harbor first (and as long as they aren't cement or weapon, they should have been given a green light).

Edit: and for those of you who were wondering at home, no, the new information from today's conversation about "who is more to be blamed" (which, at times, got to the grotesque of my talk mates naming one country by the other and naming their crimes and oppression in compression to the event) didn't make me feel better. Just more desperate.

Not just cement. Also the water filters would not have been let in. Everything they were carrying was on the banned list. Children are dying of diseases in Gaza because supplies to repair the water and sewage systems are not allowed in. So none of what the ship was carrying would have allowed in. It was all on the banned list.

This was not a stupid tactic. It gave Israel the choice of letting in stuff on the banned list (none of which was weapons but all of which was still banned with some pretty bad excuse) or acting like brutes. Either way it weakens the siege. So if people were prepared for the danger it was not a stupid tactic. And the siege is not going to be lifted by letters to the editor.

What was against the policy of the flotilla was fighting back. I don't know if attacking in international waters was piracy legally but it was certainly wrong. But the whole point of non-violent resistance against a violent and brutal enemy is you resist non-violently. You don't throw people to the ground or defend yourself with knifes and belaying pins or whatever the heck the fought back against the Israeli attack with. I mean I don't know if I could do it, the worst I've sat still for is pepper spray in my eyes and having an arm wrenched. But still when you pledge to non-violence you pledge to stay non-violent even in the face of armed attack. The organizers of the flottilla needed to, I don't know screen the people on board better? Train them better? But that some people actually chose to defend themselves does not excuse the attack. [Edit: which I know you are not defending.]

And as I said it will take strong tactics to break the siege of Gaza. I hope the Israeli peace movement will support comparatively non-violent means like Flotillas, like Boycott, Divest and Sanction. These things beat the heck out of suicide bombings and rocket attacks.

Paging Jilli, I found a bag of the body-art quality henna and indigo from hennaforhair.com that I bought last year (I think), and then chickened out of using. If you want it, it's yours.

Ooooh, yes please! Email me at my profile addy.

My mother is making me watch "The Blind Side," because she says this is such a good movie and I just have to see it and be inspired. We're an hour in, and I'm still not even interested, certainly not inspired. I think I'm missing whatever emotional thing makes people like this movie.

My family is being incredibly loud per usual. I just read the same paragraph 4 times before giving up on the book I was trying to read.

I probably shouldn't complain that I look fat in all the beach pics if I'm sitting here eating Cheez-Its out of the box while I look at them, huh?