Gaza Discussion at Davos: Far More Dramatic Than Its End

The buzz at Davos Thursday was about Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's exit from a discussion on Gaza--and from the conference altogether-- after moderator David Ignatius of the New York Times refused to allow him more than a minute to respond to the statement of Israeli President Shimon Peres. (Peres received 25 minutes in which to speak; Erdogan had 12, as did the Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa. The fourth participant, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon clocked in with eight minutes.) Unfortunately, the Prime Minister's exit makes for a showy two minutes of television chatter. What most reporters will overlook is the intensity of the drama that played out in that hour; the passion, exasperation, tact, resentment and, sadly, lies that claimed space on that stage. What also seems to be overlooked are the expressions of hope that, with Obama as president, the U.S. will return to its role as a truly honest broker. It was an odd sensation to watch this video, and to hear the U.S. spoken of in almost--almost--hopeful tones. May we act in ways that justify such a feeling.

Gaza Mental Health Concerns, Part 2

A coalition of groups focusing on mental health and human rights, including Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySR), Psychoanalysts for Social Responsibility (APA Division 39, Section 9), the Coalition for an Ethical Psychology, and others, has organized a campaign to offer rapid support so that Gaza Community Mental Health Program can rebuild quickly and respond to the overwhelming need arising during the current humanitarian crisis. PsySR has taken the lead by partnering with Grassroots International to set up a website for donations earmarked specifically for the rebuilding of GCMHP.

Please, if you have even a small amount to spare, go to www.grassrootsonline.org/donate/psysr . Thank you so much.

Another FIRST!

Obama's first presidential press interview is with Al-Arabiya News!

Al Jazeera's Special: Gaza in Ruins

This hour long program, divided in three parts, is a sterling piece of television journalism. Please take the time to look, and please share it with others. I'm amazed to see how few people have viewed this (from the youtube count). Archbishop Tutu has said "if you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." To which I humbly add: if you are ignorant about injustice in this day and age, you also have chosen the side of the oppressor. How else will Never Again be a promise to humanity?

Deliberate, Wanton Destruction

The First 100 Days...

Go here for info on how to help.

Many Strong Hearts Brought Us to This Day (kudos to Darrin Bell)

And now, it will take all our efforts to make our hopes manifest, to repair our wrongs and mistakes, to amend and heal.