Have you sought out the 'openair prison' in your city and helped the youth living there? If not, what makes you an expert or gives you the right to criticize an 'openair prison' far away in Gaza?
Beautiful Karen. Hats off. Walking the walk, not just talking the talk. I saw Deri here in London at Hyde Park and people were in tears when he spoke. On contrary I have never seen tears or calls for peace from any pro-Palestine rally here. Not one.
Quoting: I have news for you. We are all Zionists in our own countries.
We all want a safe homeland. We all expect our government to defend us with a strong military. Right now, across Europe, Great Britain and the United States, citizens are angry that their governments aren’t doing more to stop the invasion of illegal immigrants that threaten their security, their safety, their right to live freely in their own countries. Illegal immigration is perhaps the biggest issue of this presidential election.
~
Everyone has a right to preserving their homelands, culture, religion, values, etc, except for people of European descent.
Imagine the uproar if millions of European soccer hooligans began marching into Pakistan, Malaysia, or Nigeria with the intention of taking them over.
Those nations would use their militaries to stop them.
That mantra "biggest open-air prison" has always annoyed me. The actual biggest open-air prison country is North Korea, and we never see any marches or rallies for those forgotten people.
As a left-wing Brit, I am hoping against hope that Trump gets back in, that the Abraham Accords can be extended and strengthened. The Kingdoms have, to their credit, stayed neutral - even if it is only so they can pour in Gulf money to rebuild Gaza as Dubai-by-the-Sea. But neutrality needs to turn into openly working for a peaceful Middle-East. We are closer to it than ever in my lifetime, and it's thanks to Israel and it's heroic people.
As you say, we are so near to peace and yet at the same time, so far. The Israeli people are to be admired for their courage and firm resolve. I think that's part of what so many people hate. They know they have no convictions and they can't stand seeing people who do
I continue to appreciate reading your perspectives and connections derived from your unique personal experience; it invites me to think about things in different ways whether or not I agree or understand.
If people genuinely believe that Gaza was an open air prison, they really should google it and behold the stunning lounger-filled beaches and beautiful resorts. Sure, it’s not a top tourist destination anymore but who’s fault is that? Unfortunately I can’t post photos here but they aren’t difficult to find and I suspect if you weren’t told otherwise you would easily assume it was just another Mediterranean tourist hotspot…
Yep. This js perhaps the most intellectually brilliant argument out there. I had read it but hadn't seen the video. Thanks for sharing. I might put it in as essay.
I moved to the suburbs of Chicago 12 years ago from NYC and was quite shocked at how much more segregated Chicago is, despite its history of social justice movement, fighting for the unions, etc. I go to one of the neighborhoods on the West Side of Chicago for work - our main campus is located in a wealthy suburb but the agricultural hub, founded in partnership with the local community-based clinic, is in North Lawndale. My job is mainly to raise money to sustain the agriculture hub where we have an urban farm maintained by the local HS students and a transitional jobs program for formerly incarcerated. When I drove to the site for the first time, I was in shock - I have never seen such level of decay and disinvestment in Manhattan. In North Lawndale, you can see a famous Chicago skyline, which is maybe 10-12 minutes’ drive from the Chicago Loop, yet it is a different world. The West and South Sides of Chicago suffered significantly during the riots following MLK assassination, and has never recovered since. There is barely construction, blocks and blocks of nothing but dilapidated building (and some are quite beautiful!), no real grocery store, no greenery…
I don’t know if it is the fault of the elite – most of Chicago’s political upper echelon is Black. Most homicide and other hard crime is Black on Black crime. The profiles of victims and perpetrators are often nearly identical. Yet the echelon is blaming systemic racism. How do you understand it? Such neighborhoods can’t improve unless there is a methodical approach on multiple levels, don’t you think? Public safety needs to be restored, there is a need for grocery stores, pharmacies. Children who grow up in such neighborhoods have no role models as most come from fatherless households. Many have no path forward except gangs or welfare. I understand it began during Great Society experiment but it has failed on many fronts and nothing replaced it. I honestly see this as a pollical football played by politicians of all colors who constantly re-invent different angles of how to blame systemic racism but do nothing to change it.
It seems humanity learns very little and history repeats itself over and over. I don't know what the answer is except to do whatever we can with the resources we have. I tell myself imagine what the world would be like if nobody ever did anything. It sounds like your job was also making a difference. Your descriptions of life there are poignant. There are many people like this, doing what they can even when it seems hopeless. I don't know, it's not easy.
That is very true! If none of us did nothing, it would have been a complete disaster.
I guess what I was trying to say is that the progress could have been better if politicians stopped playing politics and focused on actually doing their jobs.
SO perceptive Karen! yup, in a way, yes, we are ALL Zionists... tho' many here (some yer readers) would shrink away horrified at the suggestion. Yup, Zionist is spat out like an indigestible hunk'o'gristle by SO many now -- it's worse than racist! worse than sexist! I daresay worse than "killer" or "murderer." (As a performer prone ta exaggeration--here I ain't exaggeratin'--LORDY that venom that word stirs up would take out.. wull, an entire nation--an' indeed that's the intent of this venom). Zionism by those whom ya rightly call foul on--those that judge so harshly an' don't peek inta their own backyard--fling Zionist as the most hated insult on the planet...it's sad.
I so hate the way the term has been vilified an' twisted that I often just say I'm "for" Israel an' its survival an' git a lotta hate EVEN thattaways too--cuz now if ya use the word "zionist" you'll be dismissed... An' yet, by the original intent an' meanin'--a homeland for us chews an' self-determination--"determined nation!"--I'm velly much a zionist. I've written about this phenomenon how outsiders have "redefined" zionism multiple times, both on my own stack an' in so many comments I've lost count...
THE LIES:
NOW they say Zionism means your goal is to kill babies--an' toddlers--shootin' 'em point blank in the heads. They say Zionists seek out babies to murder so they will not reproduce resistance fighters that'll grow up righteously to hate 'em. Zionism they say means murder cuz Zionists are psycopathic egomaniacal terrorists who feel they are "chosen" by G_d to be better than everyone else an' licensed to kill anyone they please an' DO. Zionism means pedophilia. Zionism means hate. Zionism means wantin' to RULE THE WORLD an' take over all other nations--first Turkey, Lebannon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan (the list is long) but eventually YourUP an' the WORLD! Zionsm is therefore megalomania (not, as we know the truth, just wantin' ta keep at least PART of Israel which is 'bout the size of New Joisey). Zionism is the plot to ruin America! To RUIN an' WRECK Western Civilization itself cuz we "evil joos" want to murder all the "goyim" ('cept for those of 'em that'll be our slaves). Oh an' "everyone" knows Zionism is a murderous plot against Christians too. SIGH. Now replace Judaism with Zionism an' it's all the same--THAT is how they feel.
It's so wrong--but we live in a world where LIES resurface an' multiple faster than Tribbles! (troublesome space critters from the old Star Trek...)
I will say this--even the self-hatin' anti-zionist joos that think they know better but know not what they do--ain't all bad--tho' fer sure they wouldn't want my sympathy lol! I feel most (those not elevatin' their safety or status by takin' on the anti-zio position) actually "mean well" -- they see the framin' of their own people as da baddies an' feel they must outdo all injustices in the world--not seein' the one they actually repeat!
Yet, as you so perceptively notice, I too have not met any reciprocal forces like this brave hero Bark Deri (MY GOD whatta story--thank you so much Karen fer introducin' us to him!--may he be blessed! An' thanks too fer sharin' the Brigitte Gabriel--she's just "fierce" in the BEST way!)--
So as ta speakin' plain on my frustration with all the pots callin' the kettles black--I'd say that tho' there are some brave Palestinian voices that do not wanna see the death to all joos like those back in the Middle East--they are only those that have escaped to free nations to voice their objections. They are only those that have had a chance to meet decent joos an' recognize that mebbe their teachin's were wrong or at least not fair. Of course I cannot speak--indeed I'm speechless--at those who were invited to work in Israel an' then betrayed the joos that gave them employment by actin' as counterspies to facilitate 10/7.
But yup, otherwise there are no parallel movements I know of that are like Deri's.
Also, I know of so many stories of medical folks (fergettin' that modern medi-SIN has it's issues!) who have done surgeries on injured Palestinians/Gazans... children too... as humanitarians! some crossin' the border at their own risk to get these kids--an' I don't see any reciprocal actions there... Unlikely that'll ever happen...
It's funny, 'fore we moved ta new yawk I grew up in Motown long after the music biz left fer greener pastures in L.A. (where Berry Gordy took his empire), an' Detroit was thus velly much LIKE downtown Beruit--bombed out lookin' buildin's, homeless, drug/crack addicts, total disregard fer even the essentials of life--not unlike the neibs you describe. An' of course it was Murder Capital of the USA. So I witnessed a lot've this stuff it first hand... in fact when I learned ta drive at 14 we ran the reds! (Addin' too that we ALL did this--even with our black friends in the car or with them drivin'--we'd do this cuz we knew just stoppin' could mean our lives). So we saw true hopelessness in the eyes of these neighbors up close...
AND YET I don't recall anyone speakin' of these poor folks like the REAL-life predator (oh the irony) of it--Killary... (talk 'bout the pot callin' the kettle black!) My gran'pa, a dentist, treated poor folks like this free--seein' they could not pay their bills--so he never called collection on 'em even tho' we grew up with relatively little, always havin' triage--my grannie even saved plastic baggies to reuse 'em! Nobuddy could argue with my gran'pa tho, when he fixed teeth of the poorer patients fer free, outta his own shallow pocket, really (he also gave his fellow musicians free dental work... that's the kinda guy he wuz!). My ma risked her own safety daily as a teacher in the Detroit public skool system where kids had knives (not so much guns tho....) an' nobuddy had metal detectors... an' tho some kids seemed destined for doin' not good stuff--fer years ('fore she went full over ta journalism), she found kids with promise, talent, an' the ability to pay attention while some around her could'a cared less. Little (I mean little! just barley 5' tall--white jooish lady in a sea of tall lanky black kids that could lift her up with one arm lol). But she was tough an' soldiered it out fer years. Of course even those tough kids were different from the far worse-off kids you brought hope to Karen--these kids may have stolen gum from the drugstore but were not criminals (at least yet!)--but it's similar too in not dismissin' the POTENTIAL of those in open air prisons of the ghetto kind. I guess it's also cuz we recalled we joos were in ghettos too once--for over 100 years in the old country under the Tzar.
Or fam, they were all democrats (now democraps!) then--always wanted to help those disadvantaged... an' to many joos--bein' demo(cidal) democrats has remained fer just those reasons tho' now it's a kind delusion...
Anyway, I think yer work is so beautiful an' IMPORTANT--you touched so many lives, gave young'uns HOPE an' skills! No well-heeled nun (haha, kinda funny ta imagine) kin take that away. (Also I had others put their names on my work--jus' film stuff an' scripts--but still, it's gallin', no? But those who were there will remember it was us... some know even know...)
SIGH. The "converted" like yer more understandin' readers don't need the preachin'; the haters will not listen (so I find, so far...) I wonder what they make of all this ya write?
So windin' back on this overlong comment--YES, we DO all want the same thing--a safe nation ta live in. No invaders at our borders threatenin' us. (Bombs have yet ta come to the US like Israel gets but I don't think Americans would feel too happy 'bout bein' bombed by their favorite resistance fighters...hmmmm?) But there are no parallels that kin be stomicked 'tween zionists and US--an' that's cuz it's a jooish nation. Sadly, nothin' will convince the haters that joos are part of the same humanity as their fellow Americans... NEVERTHELESS, keep on keepin' on Karen!
I kin only support with my keyboard (we live hand ta mouth since the plandemic) but my support's heartfelt an' my appreciation as generous as my grin of grattytude!
wull shucks Karen, thanks!--I'm so oft'n inspired by all you share! I might indeed put this stuff in a postin'--the thing is--it's so hard ta figger out what to fit where--many idears in my stew pot, each one seems burstin' ta git out (lol)--I've certainly "lived" in all sorts of crazy places, situations (you soitenly have!) so we all kin look back an' find meaning in our experiences--even when we just accepted stuff as "normal" at the time! An' tho my gran'pa may've been a bit unique (jazz musician/dentist is a bit outta the ordinary--tho sadly the latter won over cuz my gran' complained about his late hours on gig nights...I ONLY wish she'd've appreciated his music more but she was a good egg in so many others ways...), BUT my ma was hardly unique when it came ta teachin' at least; there were a lotta jooish skool teachers in inner city schools not just in Detroit but also here in New Yawk--some in the worst neibs--likely in other urban areas too... Oddly they gave the jooish teachers the hardest students an' they stepped up to the challenge... admirably I'd say. Some did eventually git positions in the safer areas--some refused the better offers even! Givin' back (in some way or other) was a liberal value instilled in me an' I knew many whose famblies taught the same--I just don't see much've this now but BUT! programs like yours--or that brave young man's--show that spirit lives on BEYOND the campuses where little learnin' goes on but these fool kids have nothin' better ta do than to order UberEats an' screeeeeem hate based on lack of learnin' (still findin' it funny that these SJWs don't know what river, what sea, or that that they'd be led thru the streets like oxen with those noserings once their usefulness is used up!) ❤️ back at'cha!
ps just got thinkin' 'bout the fantastic movie "Blackboard Jungle" with Glenn Ford, Richard Kiley, an' Sidney Poiter as the "bad kid" (of course he's not..) -- same kinda spirit... worth watchin' if ya don't know it--likely it's online--they don't make 'em like that any more I guess? (both the moovies AND the teachers! -- hmmmm now THAT might be a lede fer a postin'!)
Guess that'd mean you'd a been banned from teachin' those young'uns writin' an' my ma from teachin' those kids "the three R's" (two of which didn't start with "r" but I guess the sound wins of spellin' lol)... an' THIS in the USA?!
Hey Karen I love it when you write like this yes I've spent much of my time in open air prisons in this country Philadelphia and New York City.. I was on staff at the biggest prison in Pennsylvania but also was allowed to do the Lord's work while working there as an instructor...for example leading a notorious gang leader to the Lord and since then he's been teaching Bible studies and I've been discipling him through email and on the phone ...yes nothing like Keyboard Warriors all brave behind their screen in their comfortable home..... thank you for being such a Clarion voice in the chaos, we are called to be light in the darkness and you are certainly doing that Karen... let's continue to pray for Israel and the Peace of Jerusalem ...Maranatha!!
The work you’re doing is amazing. Practicing what you preach. Knowing that you have left behind a trial of Godly actions that lead to more Godly actions, and just grows from there. This is the battle against evil that we fight. God bless you!
Gaza is most definitely an open air prison. Palestinians cannot leave or enter without Israeli permission. Of course the same applies to those in the West Bank as well.
Why hasn't Israel given them citizenship? Those living in Israel proper in 1949 were given citizensip. The answer is Israel is determined to remain a Jewish state. Israel is not a western nation and should stop pretending it is. It is time for the Western nations to end the charade.
I'm sorry but you keep repeating the same absurd propaganda over and over. Here's one of the most intelligent responses to those absurdities. Maybe readjust your thinking and try a dose of reality. https://youtu.be/O4m_EL9Dj2U?si=l446ZHdPl1G8nlAd
I was really liking this Substack, until I think I commented here in the comments, a little too many times? Because I’m not a paid subscriber. So then I get the automated email telling me that I need to become a Paid subscriber and I get it? I have my own Substack here and people don’t pay me very often at all and I write many articles. But then my comment isnt liked and I don’t get commented on if I’m not a subscriber but instead I get the emails telling me to subscribe every time. And I’d like to say it would be great Karen if you did equal time. That means you either followed other people even if you don’t follow their Substack, you can still follow them on the notes section? But you follow no one at least as far as I know. I’m not against you but not financially able to pay right now for a subscription. All the best.
I do my best to interact with people in the comments. Most writers don't interact half as much as I do. In fact, writer friends have told me, Karen, why do you do that. I like having that connection with my readers and I do it as much as I can. People also email me or private message me and I do my best to respond but I am not always able to. I don't remember you and I certainly don't ignore people on purpose.
I never have a paywall and people don't even have to sibscribe to comment on my essays. I believe the way Substack works is if you are a free subscriber, it automatically asks you to become a paid subscriber. You don't have to. I'm not sure what your complaint is about that.
As for Notes, I don't even know how many people follow me or I follow. I don't think about it. I don't have time. I'm here with a mission to write these essays. I spend 8 hours a day researching and writing.
I don't do "equal time". What time I have I spend with my grandkids, or doing things that are important to me.
I am in the same age group as you… I’m on my own “mission “just like you’re saying as far as helping people with their health and I came back from four autoimmune disorders, and breast cancer. I write on Substack I speak publicly and the whole grandchildren thing I understand? I still have time to interact even if it’s only like or something with people. I may not have as many followers as you on here? But my clinic and my office is full of people people every single day. Your answer here reeks of self importance. Have a good day.
Your passion shines through in this thought provoking and powerful essay, Karen. I'm pretty new to Substack and this is the first piece of yours I've read as far as I'm aware. Allow me to say a grateful Thankyou.
I dont know of any Western Society that punishes entire families fir the sins of its criminals. We dont tear down the houses of lawbreakers in the West and put their innocent children and parents on the street. And we dont do that to entire cities at a time for the crimes of some. You know who used to do that of course - the Nazis.
And that's exactly what Israel looks like here and why many in the West do not support the War Criminals running the Israeli State and why your people have lost our sympathy.
Dont go around blaming "the West". Dont give around blaming "antisemitism". Blame the criminal and immoral actions of the Israeli State. In the West we dont make innocent old people and children homeless and destitute to punish them for the sins of others. We don't destroy entire captive cities that are entrusted to our care.
We do not share those values and Israelis are deluded if they think we do.
Well said, Lefty. The term "antisemitism" is another fear tactic/weapon being used to tell us to SHUT UP and believe everything the government and it's puppet media tell us. I'll continue to hold the First Amendment dear in whatever I say, thank you very much.
Beautiful Karen. Hats off. Walking the walk, not just talking the talk. I saw Deri here in London at Hyde Park and people were in tears when he spoke. On contrary I have never seen tears or calls for peace from any pro-Palestine rally here. Not one.
Wow, you were at the rally when he spoke. That's wonderful. I would have loved to have been there. Blessings to you.
Quoting: I have news for you. We are all Zionists in our own countries.
We all want a safe homeland. We all expect our government to defend us with a strong military. Right now, across Europe, Great Britain and the United States, citizens are angry that their governments aren’t doing more to stop the invasion of illegal immigrants that threaten their security, their safety, their right to live freely in their own countries. Illegal immigration is perhaps the biggest issue of this presidential election.
~
Everyone has a right to preserving their homelands, culture, religion, values, etc, except for people of European descent.
Imagine the uproar if millions of European soccer hooligans began marching into Pakistan, Malaysia, or Nigeria with the intention of taking them over.
Those nations would use their militaries to stop them.
Exactly. We are very longsuffering in the West, sometimes to our detriment.
That mantra "biggest open-air prison" has always annoyed me. The actual biggest open-air prison country is North Korea, and we never see any marches or rallies for those forgotten people.
As a left-wing Brit, I am hoping against hope that Trump gets back in, that the Abraham Accords can be extended and strengthened. The Kingdoms have, to their credit, stayed neutral - even if it is only so they can pour in Gulf money to rebuild Gaza as Dubai-by-the-Sea. But neutrality needs to turn into openly working for a peaceful Middle-East. We are closer to it than ever in my lifetime, and it's thanks to Israel and it's heroic people.
Good point about North Korea.
As you say, we are so near to peace and yet at the same time, so far. The Israeli people are to be admired for their courage and firm resolve. I think that's part of what so many people hate. They know they have no convictions and they can't stand seeing people who do
Here you go, this is a REAL "open air prison":
https://youtu.be/Lcs94ZFnfbo?si=qbKCfvangjSUdIVk
I continue to appreciate reading your perspectives and connections derived from your unique personal experience; it invites me to think about things in different ways whether or not I agree or understand.
Thank you. Life sure would be boring if we all agreed on everything.
Agreed 😊 open minded > likeminded
You amaze me, Karen!
It's been quite a journey!
If people genuinely believe that Gaza was an open air prison, they really should google it and behold the stunning lounger-filled beaches and beautiful resorts. Sure, it’s not a top tourist destination anymore but who’s fault is that? Unfortunately I can’t post photos here but they aren’t difficult to find and I suspect if you weren’t told otherwise you would easily assume it was just another Mediterranean tourist hotspot…
Truth offends people.
Awesome perspective on the hypocrisy of America towards Israel on the treatment of it's citizens. Great job, Karen.
Thank you.
https://youtu.be/O4m_EL9Dj2U?si=yZTmsU3xZ-Wc7EtY — Konstantin Kristin comes off the wall on Israel war -- superbly explains why.
Yep. This js perhaps the most intellectually brilliant argument out there. I had read it but hadn't seen the video. Thanks for sharing. I might put it in as essay.
Keep on keeping on, K!
I moved to the suburbs of Chicago 12 years ago from NYC and was quite shocked at how much more segregated Chicago is, despite its history of social justice movement, fighting for the unions, etc. I go to one of the neighborhoods on the West Side of Chicago for work - our main campus is located in a wealthy suburb but the agricultural hub, founded in partnership with the local community-based clinic, is in North Lawndale. My job is mainly to raise money to sustain the agriculture hub where we have an urban farm maintained by the local HS students and a transitional jobs program for formerly incarcerated. When I drove to the site for the first time, I was in shock - I have never seen such level of decay and disinvestment in Manhattan. In North Lawndale, you can see a famous Chicago skyline, which is maybe 10-12 minutes’ drive from the Chicago Loop, yet it is a different world. The West and South Sides of Chicago suffered significantly during the riots following MLK assassination, and has never recovered since. There is barely construction, blocks and blocks of nothing but dilapidated building (and some are quite beautiful!), no real grocery store, no greenery…
I don’t know if it is the fault of the elite – most of Chicago’s political upper echelon is Black. Most homicide and other hard crime is Black on Black crime. The profiles of victims and perpetrators are often nearly identical. Yet the echelon is blaming systemic racism. How do you understand it? Such neighborhoods can’t improve unless there is a methodical approach on multiple levels, don’t you think? Public safety needs to be restored, there is a need for grocery stores, pharmacies. Children who grow up in such neighborhoods have no role models as most come from fatherless households. Many have no path forward except gangs or welfare. I understand it began during Great Society experiment but it has failed on many fronts and nothing replaced it. I honestly see this as a pollical football played by politicians of all colors who constantly re-invent different angles of how to blame systemic racism but do nothing to change it.
It seems humanity learns very little and history repeats itself over and over. I don't know what the answer is except to do whatever we can with the resources we have. I tell myself imagine what the world would be like if nobody ever did anything. It sounds like your job was also making a difference. Your descriptions of life there are poignant. There are many people like this, doing what they can even when it seems hopeless. I don't know, it's not easy.
That is very true! If none of us did nothing, it would have been a complete disaster.
I guess what I was trying to say is that the progress could have been better if politicians stopped playing politics and focused on actually doing their jobs.
SO perceptive Karen! yup, in a way, yes, we are ALL Zionists... tho' many here (some yer readers) would shrink away horrified at the suggestion. Yup, Zionist is spat out like an indigestible hunk'o'gristle by SO many now -- it's worse than racist! worse than sexist! I daresay worse than "killer" or "murderer." (As a performer prone ta exaggeration--here I ain't exaggeratin'--LORDY that venom that word stirs up would take out.. wull, an entire nation--an' indeed that's the intent of this venom). Zionism by those whom ya rightly call foul on--those that judge so harshly an' don't peek inta their own backyard--fling Zionist as the most hated insult on the planet...it's sad.
I so hate the way the term has been vilified an' twisted that I often just say I'm "for" Israel an' its survival an' git a lotta hate EVEN thattaways too--cuz now if ya use the word "zionist" you'll be dismissed... An' yet, by the original intent an' meanin'--a homeland for us chews an' self-determination--"determined nation!"--I'm velly much a zionist. I've written about this phenomenon how outsiders have "redefined" zionism multiple times, both on my own stack an' in so many comments I've lost count...
THE LIES:
NOW they say Zionism means your goal is to kill babies--an' toddlers--shootin' 'em point blank in the heads. They say Zionists seek out babies to murder so they will not reproduce resistance fighters that'll grow up righteously to hate 'em. Zionism they say means murder cuz Zionists are psycopathic egomaniacal terrorists who feel they are "chosen" by G_d to be better than everyone else an' licensed to kill anyone they please an' DO. Zionism means pedophilia. Zionism means hate. Zionism means wantin' to RULE THE WORLD an' take over all other nations--first Turkey, Lebannon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan (the list is long) but eventually YourUP an' the WORLD! Zionsm is therefore megalomania (not, as we know the truth, just wantin' ta keep at least PART of Israel which is 'bout the size of New Joisey). Zionism is the plot to ruin America! To RUIN an' WRECK Western Civilization itself cuz we "evil joos" want to murder all the "goyim" ('cept for those of 'em that'll be our slaves). Oh an' "everyone" knows Zionism is a murderous plot against Christians too. SIGH. Now replace Judaism with Zionism an' it's all the same--THAT is how they feel.
It's so wrong--but we live in a world where LIES resurface an' multiple faster than Tribbles! (troublesome space critters from the old Star Trek...)
I will say this--even the self-hatin' anti-zionist joos that think they know better but know not what they do--ain't all bad--tho' fer sure they wouldn't want my sympathy lol! I feel most (those not elevatin' their safety or status by takin' on the anti-zio position) actually "mean well" -- they see the framin' of their own people as da baddies an' feel they must outdo all injustices in the world--not seein' the one they actually repeat!
Yet, as you so perceptively notice, I too have not met any reciprocal forces like this brave hero Bark Deri (MY GOD whatta story--thank you so much Karen fer introducin' us to him!--may he be blessed! An' thanks too fer sharin' the Brigitte Gabriel--she's just "fierce" in the BEST way!)--
So as ta speakin' plain on my frustration with all the pots callin' the kettles black--I'd say that tho' there are some brave Palestinian voices that do not wanna see the death to all joos like those back in the Middle East--they are only those that have escaped to free nations to voice their objections. They are only those that have had a chance to meet decent joos an' recognize that mebbe their teachin's were wrong or at least not fair. Of course I cannot speak--indeed I'm speechless--at those who were invited to work in Israel an' then betrayed the joos that gave them employment by actin' as counterspies to facilitate 10/7.
But yup, otherwise there are no parallel movements I know of that are like Deri's.
Also, I know of so many stories of medical folks (fergettin' that modern medi-SIN has it's issues!) who have done surgeries on injured Palestinians/Gazans... children too... as humanitarians! some crossin' the border at their own risk to get these kids--an' I don't see any reciprocal actions there... Unlikely that'll ever happen...
It's funny, 'fore we moved ta new yawk I grew up in Motown long after the music biz left fer greener pastures in L.A. (where Berry Gordy took his empire), an' Detroit was thus velly much LIKE downtown Beruit--bombed out lookin' buildin's, homeless, drug/crack addicts, total disregard fer even the essentials of life--not unlike the neibs you describe. An' of course it was Murder Capital of the USA. So I witnessed a lot've this stuff it first hand... in fact when I learned ta drive at 14 we ran the reds! (Addin' too that we ALL did this--even with our black friends in the car or with them drivin'--we'd do this cuz we knew just stoppin' could mean our lives). So we saw true hopelessness in the eyes of these neighbors up close...
AND YET I don't recall anyone speakin' of these poor folks like the REAL-life predator (oh the irony) of it--Killary... (talk 'bout the pot callin' the kettle black!) My gran'pa, a dentist, treated poor folks like this free--seein' they could not pay their bills--so he never called collection on 'em even tho' we grew up with relatively little, always havin' triage--my grannie even saved plastic baggies to reuse 'em! Nobuddy could argue with my gran'pa tho, when he fixed teeth of the poorer patients fer free, outta his own shallow pocket, really (he also gave his fellow musicians free dental work... that's the kinda guy he wuz!). My ma risked her own safety daily as a teacher in the Detroit public skool system where kids had knives (not so much guns tho....) an' nobuddy had metal detectors... an' tho some kids seemed destined for doin' not good stuff--fer years ('fore she went full over ta journalism), she found kids with promise, talent, an' the ability to pay attention while some around her could'a cared less. Little (I mean little! just barley 5' tall--white jooish lady in a sea of tall lanky black kids that could lift her up with one arm lol). But she was tough an' soldiered it out fer years. Of course even those tough kids were different from the far worse-off kids you brought hope to Karen--these kids may have stolen gum from the drugstore but were not criminals (at least yet!)--but it's similar too in not dismissin' the POTENTIAL of those in open air prisons of the ghetto kind. I guess it's also cuz we recalled we joos were in ghettos too once--for over 100 years in the old country under the Tzar.
Or fam, they were all democrats (now democraps!) then--always wanted to help those disadvantaged... an' to many joos--bein' demo(cidal) democrats has remained fer just those reasons tho' now it's a kind delusion...
Anyway, I think yer work is so beautiful an' IMPORTANT--you touched so many lives, gave young'uns HOPE an' skills! No well-heeled nun (haha, kinda funny ta imagine) kin take that away. (Also I had others put their names on my work--jus' film stuff an' scripts--but still, it's gallin', no? But those who were there will remember it was us... some know even know...)
SIGH. The "converted" like yer more understandin' readers don't need the preachin'; the haters will not listen (so I find, so far...) I wonder what they make of all this ya write?
So windin' back on this overlong comment--YES, we DO all want the same thing--a safe nation ta live in. No invaders at our borders threatenin' us. (Bombs have yet ta come to the US like Israel gets but I don't think Americans would feel too happy 'bout bein' bombed by their favorite resistance fighters...hmmmm?) But there are no parallels that kin be stomicked 'tween zionists and US--an' that's cuz it's a jooish nation. Sadly, nothin' will convince the haters that joos are part of the same humanity as their fellow Americans... NEVERTHELESS, keep on keepin' on Karen!
I kin only support with my keyboard (we live hand ta mouth since the plandemic) but my support's heartfelt an' my appreciation as generous as my grin of grattytude!
This was fantastic. I love reading your comments. The stories of your life are fascinating. I hope you put this one in a post on your stack. ❤️
wull shucks Karen, thanks!--I'm so oft'n inspired by all you share! I might indeed put this stuff in a postin'--the thing is--it's so hard ta figger out what to fit where--many idears in my stew pot, each one seems burstin' ta git out (lol)--I've certainly "lived" in all sorts of crazy places, situations (you soitenly have!) so we all kin look back an' find meaning in our experiences--even when we just accepted stuff as "normal" at the time! An' tho my gran'pa may've been a bit unique (jazz musician/dentist is a bit outta the ordinary--tho sadly the latter won over cuz my gran' complained about his late hours on gig nights...I ONLY wish she'd've appreciated his music more but she was a good egg in so many others ways...), BUT my ma was hardly unique when it came ta teachin' at least; there were a lotta jooish skool teachers in inner city schools not just in Detroit but also here in New Yawk--some in the worst neibs--likely in other urban areas too... Oddly they gave the jooish teachers the hardest students an' they stepped up to the challenge... admirably I'd say. Some did eventually git positions in the safer areas--some refused the better offers even! Givin' back (in some way or other) was a liberal value instilled in me an' I knew many whose famblies taught the same--I just don't see much've this now but BUT! programs like yours--or that brave young man's--show that spirit lives on BEYOND the campuses where little learnin' goes on but these fool kids have nothin' better ta do than to order UberEats an' screeeeeem hate based on lack of learnin' (still findin' it funny that these SJWs don't know what river, what sea, or that that they'd be led thru the streets like oxen with those noserings once their usefulness is used up!) ❤️ back at'cha!
ps just got thinkin' 'bout the fantastic movie "Blackboard Jungle" with Glenn Ford, Richard Kiley, an' Sidney Poiter as the "bad kid" (of course he's not..) -- same kinda spirit... worth watchin' if ya don't know it--likely it's online--they don't make 'em like that any more I guess? (both the moovies AND the teachers! -- hmmmm now THAT might be a lede fer a postin'!)
pps didja see this today--oh golly!
https://www.thefp.com/p/black-nationalist-josh-shapiro-segregation-bill-and-melinda-gates-foundation?
Guess that'd mean you'd a been banned from teachin' those young'uns writin' an' my ma from teachin' those kids "the three R's" (two of which didn't start with "r" but I guess the sound wins of spellin' lol)... an' THIS in the USA?!
Thank you for this. An amazing read. 🫶🏼
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Hey Karen I love it when you write like this yes I've spent much of my time in open air prisons in this country Philadelphia and New York City.. I was on staff at the biggest prison in Pennsylvania but also was allowed to do the Lord's work while working there as an instructor...for example leading a notorious gang leader to the Lord and since then he's been teaching Bible studies and I've been discipling him through email and on the phone ...yes nothing like Keyboard Warriors all brave behind their screen in their comfortable home..... thank you for being such a Clarion voice in the chaos, we are called to be light in the darkness and you are certainly doing that Karen... let's continue to pray for Israel and the Peace of Jerusalem ...Maranatha!!
The work you’re doing is amazing. Practicing what you preach. Knowing that you have left behind a trial of Godly actions that lead to more Godly actions, and just grows from there. This is the battle against evil that we fight. God bless you!
Gaza is most definitely an open air prison. Palestinians cannot leave or enter without Israeli permission. Of course the same applies to those in the West Bank as well.
Why hasn't Israel given them citizenship? Those living in Israel proper in 1949 were given citizensip. The answer is Israel is determined to remain a Jewish state. Israel is not a western nation and should stop pretending it is. It is time for the Western nations to end the charade.
I'm sorry but you keep repeating the same absurd propaganda over and over. Here's one of the most intelligent responses to those absurdities. Maybe readjust your thinking and try a dose of reality. https://youtu.be/O4m_EL9Dj2U?si=l446ZHdPl1G8nlAd
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I was really liking this Substack, until I think I commented here in the comments, a little too many times? Because I’m not a paid subscriber. So then I get the automated email telling me that I need to become a Paid subscriber and I get it? I have my own Substack here and people don’t pay me very often at all and I write many articles. But then my comment isnt liked and I don’t get commented on if I’m not a subscriber but instead I get the emails telling me to subscribe every time. And I’d like to say it would be great Karen if you did equal time. That means you either followed other people even if you don’t follow their Substack, you can still follow them on the notes section? But you follow no one at least as far as I know. I’m not against you but not financially able to pay right now for a subscription. All the best.
I do my best to interact with people in the comments. Most writers don't interact half as much as I do. In fact, writer friends have told me, Karen, why do you do that. I like having that connection with my readers and I do it as much as I can. People also email me or private message me and I do my best to respond but I am not always able to. I don't remember you and I certainly don't ignore people on purpose.
I never have a paywall and people don't even have to sibscribe to comment on my essays. I believe the way Substack works is if you are a free subscriber, it automatically asks you to become a paid subscriber. You don't have to. I'm not sure what your complaint is about that.
As for Notes, I don't even know how many people follow me or I follow. I don't think about it. I don't have time. I'm here with a mission to write these essays. I spend 8 hours a day researching and writing.
I don't do "equal time". What time I have I spend with my grandkids, or doing things that are important to me.
I am in the same age group as you… I’m on my own “mission “just like you’re saying as far as helping people with their health and I came back from four autoimmune disorders, and breast cancer. I write on Substack I speak publicly and the whole grandchildren thing I understand? I still have time to interact even if it’s only like or something with people. I may not have as many followers as you on here? But my clinic and my office is full of people people every single day. Your answer here reeks of self importance. Have a good day.
It's wonderful you can share your experiences and your knowledge with others. God bless.
Your passion shines through in this thought provoking and powerful essay, Karen. I'm pretty new to Substack and this is the first piece of yours I've read as far as I'm aware. Allow me to say a grateful Thankyou.
Thank you 🙏
Thank you for this. An amazing read. 🫶🏼
I dont know of any Western Society that punishes entire families fir the sins of its criminals. We dont tear down the houses of lawbreakers in the West and put their innocent children and parents on the street. And we dont do that to entire cities at a time for the crimes of some. You know who used to do that of course - the Nazis.
And that's exactly what Israel looks like here and why many in the West do not support the War Criminals running the Israeli State and why your people have lost our sympathy.
Dont go around blaming "the West". Dont give around blaming "antisemitism". Blame the criminal and immoral actions of the Israeli State. In the West we dont make innocent old people and children homeless and destitute to punish them for the sins of others. We don't destroy entire captive cities that are entrusted to our care.
We do not share those values and Israelis are deluded if they think we do.
Well said, Lefty. The term "antisemitism" is another fear tactic/weapon being used to tell us to SHUT UP and believe everything the government and it's puppet media tell us. I'll continue to hold the First Amendment dear in whatever I say, thank you very much.
Read Karen’s response to your soulmate Alan, above, regarding the delusional views that captured your fragile mind.