Strange Notations From a Laborious Life

 It’s been a emotional rollercoaster over the last few weeks for anyone who reads the news regularly. The grotesque murder of nearly three hundred people travelling above the Ukraine and the seemingly senseless slaughter of women and children in Gaza have dominated the headlines. These bitter communique’s have been softened only by the abundant images of scenery provided by the helicopter cameras prowling Gallic skies as the Tour de France traverses it’s long road and the embarrassing nationalism of Australian sportcasters as our sporting juggernaut smashes and smites such athletic superpowers as the Isle of Man and Guernsey at the Commonwealth Games.

 There has been a little bit written in the news about priorities and that the deaths of those in the Malaysian Airlines tragedy have been seen to be far more important than the deaths of innocents in Gaza but I think, while there may be a point to that argument the criticism can also been seen as unfair.

 As someone who has read a minute amount of history regarding the conflict in the holy land, I have some limited comprehension of the issue and have come to the conclusion that the problem is intractable and given the level of deceit and treachery on both sides of the divide and the political machinations of those involved, that there will never be a solution to the problem. There is no black and white. No good guys or bad guys. Only victims.

 The joy I have relished over the last seven months in watching my partner’s grandson grow and flourish in this great and lucky land has perhaps sharpened my despair at the nightly images of children being killed in the concrete tomb that is Gaza as the bombs and missiles of the regional superpower rain down on them incessantly and their own uncultivated overlords mock the aggressor and deal in provocation knowing that Israel will always fight back with a hand that is far too heavy. Surely there must be a better way?

 No death is more important than another but the conflict in the middle east can glaze the most hardened eyes given it’s nature and to most it may seem to be just another episode in a never ending story of blood and fire.

 By contrast the tragedy which has been played out in the Ukraine is a scenario which many of us can relate to with a more certain familiarity. How many of us have traveled to Europe and gazed through the darkness as the Russian Steppes passed below us? Many no doubt and it is not a stretch to put ourselves in the position of those unlucky souls aboard flight MH17 and think “there but for the grace of God go I.”

 Grief and despair is universal and no death is of a superior nature to another. I weep for the children of Gaza as I do for the victims of the Ukraine tragedy. Let’s not quibble over which is more important. All these deaths are tragic and unnecessary and a result of ambitious and idealistic politicians and fanatics letting slip the dogs of war.

 One wonders if there is any hope for the world.

 Have a nice day.