A night to remember

But not really, it was much like all the other Seders I've attended, lots of people, too many children rolling around (one of them was sick and got... sick. Quite gross) and it took forever to get through the whole Hagada. Because my brother-in-law's uncle is a Rabbi and there were multiple interpretations of everything... which was nice since after we read the Four Sons (Wise, Wicked, Simple and One that does not Ask) there were Four Daughters (Intuitive, Rebellious, Innocent, Captive), first time there was something like that at a Seder with my family, who are basically traditionalists.

The food was plentiful, it was my first time as a vegetarian, so I'm glad to say I didn't stuff myself, which often happens, because I ate mainly broccoli, sweet potatoes and salad, so my bowels were regular (thank GD!).

All in all it was a very lovely night, as I said, the children created their little crisis' here and there, what with fighting over the Afikoman, the presents and such. But again, it was a whole sense of togetherness which I don't feel all that often with people who aren't my family or lose friends (chosen family).

( And a little TMI )

Happy Pesach and any other Spring Celebrations you may carry out.

Alanis Vs. Fergie

Everybody knows Black Eyes Peas really dumb song "My Hump" (which made me want to vomit, even though they're a fun group).

Here's Alanis Morissette's cover, which is a genius criticism:

And here's the original:

The Political Back and Forth. Again

In case there was doubt in any body's mind, let me clear it this second:
I don't hate Israel and I'm not a self-hating Jew.
There.

That being said, I don't think it's constructive to say "other countries" are worse than us when it comes to Human/Civil/Other rights and liberties.
So what.
We have a duty, yes a duty, based on the ideology and faith this country is supposed to be based on, to be better. To behave with compassion, fairness and fucking humanity towards the people living with unequal rights in our country (those Palestinians without a Blue ID, compared to those without).
The problem is that Israel has a terrible policy regarding the population in the Occupied Territories, and it is no good to blame Egypt for Gaza or Jordan for the West Bank.
Bottom line, we control it and talking about the fact that other Arab countries not allowing the Palestinians self-determination is a cop-out, really. Because now they are under our control.

Palestinians with a Blue ID who live inside Israel have it pretty good, no contest on that, but compared to their non-citizen Brothers and Sisters they live a life of luxury.

A bigger problem is the fact that the world regards the USA as a vehicle of "neo-colonialism" and Israel is it's tool in the Middle-East. Europe is still feeling guilty about Colonialism (as well they should, they left Africa, South East Asia a mess and the reactionary Arabian Peninsula and other Gulf countries), so they ignore the fact that in Africa people are killing each other over arbitrary borders and the fact that "Allah is better than any other god".
They ignore the fact that they left Kashmir hanging between two nuclear power houses who hate each other because of... you got it... arbitrary lines and theology.

Israel/Palestine is not the only place on Earth where two people are fighting because of borders and theology. But how about people concern themselves with the fact that in Darfur Muslims are murdering Christians and Animists, and raping the women so that their progeny can spread within their "enemy". Or that in Saudi Arabia, women are treated as chattel.
Oh, sorry, I'm projecting my oppressive Western views on cultures that I know nothing about, oops, my bad, didn't mean to be pejorative towards different cultures.

Yeah, humanism and basic morality isn't "cultural" and the extremism found in Islamic Fundamentalism shouldn't be tolerated in the name of tolerance.
In the same fashion, Israel (or the USA for that matter) should not be pointed as the "Grand Oppressor".

Israel can and should behave and treat the Palestinians in the Territories better and the Settlers should cease and desist the building of settlements on that land, it is wrong. And it is (or should be) Israel's responsibility in the midst of trying to make it a better country it should help the Palestinians seek national determination (and there are many, many... many obstacles in the way of that goal, I know. But "Where there's a Will, there's a Way").

Yes, Israel behaves badly... but please people, some perspective is needed.

A small exposition.
hagar_972 and I love doing this back and forth thing. It's better than writing uber-long comments to our posts. Plus it creates a larger dialoug, in my opinion, and that's the most important thing.
And if two bull-headed people like us can remain friends, while nitpicking on our political differences, well, it gives me what can gently be called hope.