Reading Time: 18 minutes Humans are very good at acting self-righteously whether or not we believe that an actual god is on our side. Unfortunately, we all have the ability to rationalize most any conduct on “our” side as legitimate and necessary, while the same from someone else is seen as barbarous and deserving of swift, sweeping reprisal.
humanitarian aid
Posted inWar and Peace
The ethical quagmire of Jenin, for all of us
Reading Time: 6 minutes As I noted in a four-part series on Israel and the West, writing on Middle Eastern conflict is plagued by the immediate search for bias, with which to dismiss any competing intel from “the other side”. Al Jazeera will always report with certain priorities. The Times of Israel will report with others. And as situations […]
Posted inClimate Crisis
Eco-human crisis roundup: A dam, the wildfires, and Cop City
Reading Time: 7 minutes One of the most challenging parts of politics is the extent to which we still talk about many of our most pressing issues in discrete topical units. But as three key crises in the news this week suggest, our problems with respect to the environment and human welfare are such that we need to cultivate […]
Posted inTrue Story
Supporting the people of Ukraine, one pizza at a time
Reading Time: 7 minutes The team drives through the decimated streets of Kharkiv, intent on their mission. Their armored car passes rubble from the pock-marked buildings, shattered by the nightly shelling. They are wearing bulletproof vests, as always. Without warning, shells fall from the sky, exploding all around their vehicle. Amazingly, the crew gets through intact. Is this a […]