I have not commented much on the Gaza Conflict; but ...

[1StrongBlackMan]

reading some of the comments on DU has me pondering a larger, more existential, question; far beyond the rightness or wrongness of the Israelis and/or Palestinians. That question would be, at what point do humans (governments) self-reflect? When do we pause to consider that our actions cause certain reactions in those that we act upon?

Whenever a bomb falls or a bullet finds its mark, those hurt by that bomb or bullet are going to react ... and that reaction is, in fact, completely avoidable ... if that bomb had not been dropped or bullet fired.

Yes ... the entire Middle East is rife with historical conflict; but, we ... and this is where a measure of self-reflection is important ... are not responsible for the harms our fore-fathers inflicted - we are responsible for what we do, today. We are responsible for the violence we inflict, today ... regardless of how justified we feel in that violence. It matters not that someone killed/threatened to kill your entire family ... your bomb, your bullet, today, will be met with other, equally justified bombs and bullets, tomorrow. Our ghettoization of a group of people today, will be met with the resistance from that group, tomorrow.

I fear that this conflict will continue until one side or the other (or, daresay I, both sides) decides, "Enough! I will own the only thing(s) I can control ... my actions (reactions)."

But I am not hopeful because of the human adversion to self-reflection.

[Peacetrain]

2. Thank you for this well thought out op..

We have to deal with the here and now..

[sammythecat]

3. It seems like a genetic urge

we humans have. We always want to get in the last punch. Or word, as we see here on DU all the time. And it seems it usually ends from exhaustion rather than thoughtful reflection.

[1StrongBlackMan]

8. I liken this to teaching moments ...

I've had with my daughter, she grew up always wanting to start the time line where she was the aggrieved party. But with a little life coaching (and encouragement, e.g., "what did YOU do immediately before they did {whatever}), she is now able to see her contribution to the mess.

Does that recognition remove the sting of the insult? Almost never. But does it give her the tools to avoid the next insult? Almost always when she thinks before she acts.

[Coventina]

4. I haven't commented much on this subject either.

I don't have any answers, except to beg both sides to stop.


But, you're right, they would have to BOTH stop and reflect - and that's highly unlikely.

[1StrongBlackMan]

5. I don't think it would have to be both sides ...

The side that stops first will gain international support.

[Coventina]

6. Agreed. After I posted that, I began to rethink it.

It takes two to fight.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. Governments and most people never self-reflect. Blowback is the reason

the USA is willing to spend every penny for 'security'.

[alterfurz]

9. What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless...

...whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy? -- Gandhi

[Fred Sanders]

10. Gandhiji spoke a truth that most fear to accept, it reveals their own darkness.