Good morning. A Dutch magazine is interviewing me today. Photo session as well, so I'm preparing for that this morning.
My Old friend Ben stopped by last night and we talked until late about the middle east. Bottom line: it's a stupid pissing contest. There's no economic gain, no oil in the ground, no diamonds in the hills.
It also occurred to me that we're schooling our children incorrectly. What good does history do when taught in its current curricular form? Sure, what happened 2000 years ago is of great importance, but try this experiment today: ask 5 of your friends today about the past 100 years of Israel's history.
I admit I didn't know much about it either. Buit where would I have been able to learn about the war of 1967, that was too recent an event to be taught during my school years. Does everyone know that the Brits almost randomly drew borders in 1947 when the region was 'designated'?
I faintly recall the Israeli army being a formidable force using Russian equipment, like MiG fighter planes. Never thought about or realized that somewhere they switched to F-14's and US weapons. The French used to supply Israel with ammunition until Golda Meyer solidified the US connection.
When you think of the current war [let's stop calling it 'crisis' or 'conflict', it's a warzone], you associate it with ancient deep rooted diiferences between different religious groups. Bullshit, this is about bad 20th century politics and poor social engineering.
A large part of the problem is Israel's constitution, which does not recognize non-jews as citizens. A social blunder in modern times. You cannot have 1.5 million 'other people' living in your community of 7 million, who do not pay taxes just because your government doesn't 'recognize' them. When your neighbor doesn't have to pay and you do, it causes friction. Messed up politics. And we're going to see more problems just like it all over the world as population groups grow and migrate.
It's weird to realize that we are a part of some future-kid's history book. For events that get a name usually stay a part of history for a long time. WWI and WWII will be accompanied by 9-11, 1947 and 1967.
I want my child to learn why things are happening NOW, which are based on recent history. Teachers should review newspapers and other sources of information [weblogs] on a daily basis with their students. Trace current policy to recent events, don't jump back too far. Discuss options for change. Don't wait to teach the twists and turns of civilization in the 21st century in the 22nd. Do it now. We need dialog and ideas flowing.
10:00:13 AM 
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