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Gayle Anton's avatar

I love you too. It has been a rough week. I honestly believe we are all one and cannot fathom letting one’s anger boil over into murderous rage. It is critical that we all manage our thoughts, actions and feelings. It helps me to try and be the peace that passeth human understanding. I get up every day and try to be better. A work in progress for sure but it is what’s in my control.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

That's exactly what we can focus on: What is in my control, and how can I make the world better from my own little perch. Corny, but true.

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Jac's avatar

And I love you.

It has been a difficult week, globally and for me personally. I know you. As I see it, when you share a peace sign, you don't want any more innocent civilians harmed, anywhere and from any country. And, you want terrorism to be stopped and to end. I would never believe your "Peace" is meant to choose sides. It's meant to express your care and concern for the suffering everywhere, because you really do love people.

After the brutal attack (again) of Israeli people, how do they protect themselves from the terrorists? I don't know what is the best course. There seems to be no good options for a response. Now all people in the region are in danger of harm which is more than heartbreaking.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I don't know what the answer is, and I'm not equipped to tell any one, "Here. Do this." I would not ask myself to sit quietly if someone attacked my family, and so I wouldn't ask someone else to do that. It's beyond my capabilities. I am hoping that cooler, smarter heads prevail.

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Rich Colbert's avatar

NO Arab/Muslim country has offered the Palestinians safe haven yet they provide arms and military training....human needs never seem to be their priority!

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Jac's avatar

I don't really know this situation well. However, I do wonder why Egypt's position isn't mentioned more in the discussion of Gaza's difficulties. The terrorists could also hand over the kidnapped hostages, but they show no signs of doing that. Sadly, the innocent civilians in Gaza will be the ones to suffer the most in Israel's justified attempt to find the terrorists. No one seems to be stepping up to protect civilians and help Israel find the terrorists.

As Deaths Soar in Gaza From Israeli Strikes, Egypt Offers Aid, but No Exit https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/12/world/middleeast/gaza-egypt-israel-strikes.html?smid=nytcore-android-share

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I don't know enough to know why Egypt won't take in refugees.

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Rich Colbert's avatar

Since time immortal peace has been an altruistic goal never reached because mans inhumanity to man is the perverted priority. The barbarism by invading savages into Israel initiated calls for revenge and retribution BUT millions of poor, innocent civilians will suffer as a result. Meanwhile in DC we see democracy unraveling before our very eyes as the MAGA party has abdicated its role to govern. All we can do is put our hope into a higher power.....Godspeed.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I would say keep your powder dry but we don’t need powder. We need something higher.

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Rich Colbert's avatar

I was a college student in 1973 when Israel was attacked by the Arab countries surrounding them. Not one fellow student was rooting for the Arabs, rather we aligned with Israel. Many of our parents served in WW2 and we learned in school how tyrants came to power then used that power to exterminate millions. On college campuses today we are seeing some protesting Israel's efforts to defend itself and seek out the murderous Hammas terrorists! It seems this generation has neglected history in their course selections. Remember those who have not learned history are doomed to repeat it!

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Susan Campbell's avatar

What I've seen -- on my own college campus, certainly -- is a willingness to look at context -- not to absolve Hamas for their heinous acts, but to look at what led up to this. Again, THIS IS NOT AN EXCUSE for killing civilians and holding civilians hostage. But they will look at Gaza and the Palestinians and their human rights.

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Rich Colbert's avatar

Context is good as is taking a pro human rights position. My worry and fear is that prior to this barbaric invasion we've seen an increase in anti-semitism and white supremacy with some local politicians remaining silent. Silence breeds complacency and we know how that turned out in the 1930's.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Much of this is coordinated by bad actors and the water is carried by hateful/stupid people.

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Jeannette LeSure's avatar

I love you. Have since Northeast Magazine times... very different times. Yest seeds were sown for these times. The corny song, "What the world needs now..." is just so true. So thank you for the reminder.

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JoanG's avatar

I love you too Susan, and I really needed this today. It's been an unimaginable week. I took no issue with your peace sign. As a poet once said, "all we are saying is give peace a chance." May cooler heads and warmer hearts prevail.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Amen.

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Ava's avatar

Thoughtful essay here, with a summary of some history that is forgotten but important

https://steveschmidt.substack.com/p/the-days-ahead

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Oh! I'm so glad you posted this. I heard someone talking about this one and then got distracted and didn't go read it.

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J K Luckenbach's avatar

Back atcha. 💕

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Theresa Taylor's avatar

I'm dumfungled. A lot has happened in both my life and the world in the past 3 weeks.

https://forreadingaddicts.co.uk/word-of-the-day/word-of-the-day-dumfungled/

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Perfect word.

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Theresa Taylor's avatar

My bro-in-law passed away 3 weeks ago. While in Atlanta with a bunch of family, an image of this word and its definition came up in my OneDrive memories. It was rather timely and was, shall I say, the "word of the weekend"?

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I have signed up for a word of the day, and I'm sad when I actually know the word (which is never more than twice a week) because then I feel like I am not learning anything.

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Paul Ashton's avatar

Annoyance with a peace sign?

We’re all burdened with symptoms of the times. May I never suffer from that one.

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Dave Walker's avatar

Peace be with you. ✌🕊☮❤

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Susan Campbell's avatar

And with you.

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Joan Sheehan's avatar

I love you too! And I’m thankful for these conversations. So much history and tyranny in that area. I’ve always hoped for recognition for each side and peaceful relations. I still do.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Absolutely. I understand the no-justice-no-peace mentality. I share it. But Jaysus, the carnage on both sides....

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Thomasina Levy's avatar

I am feeling overwhelmed by all the tragedies in the world today. I am glad I am not the president.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I have thought about that a lot this week, too, our leadership. Because trust has been eroded by people who gain when we lose trust in our institutions, that has (I think) contributed to our malaise. I'm going to hang onto hope.

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Lori Pelletier's avatar

Right back at ya Sister!

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Times three.

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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

I love you in this time of sorrow. :(

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Karen Caffrey's avatar

I love you too, Susan. ❤️

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Susan Campbell's avatar

MWAH! And a big ol' hug around the neck.

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Karen Caffrey's avatar

😘😘😘

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Bill Yousman's avatar

That is a fantastic paragraph, thank you for letting us know about it.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

It's such a wonderful piece. It contains the world.

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