Israeli-Lebanese Cease Fire Is Worthless
During the latest Israeli war, our friend Israel bombed a Lebanese power station, which spilled 15,000 tons of fuel oil into the Mediterranean Sea. This is the worst ever environmental disaster for the Mediterranean as the Israeli blockade of the ports has restricted people from beginning a cleanup effort. Normally, cleanup begins within 72 hours of a spill, but this time it didn't start for 36 days. DAYS! There is a 4 inch layer of heavy fuel oil on the bottom of the sea, which is spreading up the coast to Syria, and may reach Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus.There is an endangered green sea turtle that makes it's nesting place on Lebanese beaches. If the young can't reach the ocean because of the oil-slicked sand, they will die, and we will lose yet another species of wildlife. This has also caused an increased risk of cancer to surrounding humans, as they breath toxic chemicals released as the oil breaks down. Lebanon's revenue had previously relied heavily on tourism. Doesn't look like they'll be getting tourists for a while.
Lebanon may be able to start cleanup if they get the necessary manpower, equipment and permission from the Israeli military. Israel is still enforcing their naval blockade, allowing the United Nations Environment Program to do only aerial assessments of the damage.
Why didn't we hear about this oil spill when it happened? Because Israel bombed this power station early in the war, and we sure didn't want the public to see another reason for a ceasefire. (The next time I hear the words "liberal media," I think I might just explode!) I can only hope there would have been outrage by the American public, since most of us remember our own Exxon-Valdez spill in Alaska. This is expected to be worse, because the cleanup effort took so long to get started. The cost to human and animal life will be devastating.
By terra - 8/31/2006
12 Comments:
I have more to say about this, but it's not ladylike, so I'll have to keep it to myself.
Yes it is very sad what is happening to our planet. Worse yet, it's all human induced. We seem to recover from the forces of nature storms and disasters. We pick up the pieces and move on but an oil spill like that is devestating for such a long time. It seems to hurt more when disaters are caused by human because it could have/should have been prevented. When it's a storm or other type of natural disaster it's out of our control and we seem to (some of us) try and get it resolved. Sounds like so much of the human spills and such carries the 'it's not my fault, my problem, etc.' attitude. We are destroying our planet.
Ooops I forgot to sign off,
mom/ girl from the west coast
After wars are over, a mediating force (The UN) should have to assess the damage and produce a balance sheet of sorts that discloses the outcome. I'm sure in each case, the debit would tower over the credit (or is it the other way; federal taxation was the only class I ever almost failed). After seeing such devastation on paper (perhaps we could put it on the sports page under the box scores) maybe people would reconsider their obsession of war.
Oil spills, loss of schools, resources pulled from the arts, crops destroyed, families ripped apart, photo albums burned--all of these things and more occur because of war, not just cool explosions and dead bad guys.
I think a real comparison would shake people's reality. Of course, since the war is "over there" why should we "over here" care. Mexicans, Iraqis...their not Americans! We need to focus our efforts on saving human babies! It's a human life, for God's sake! Oh, and the turtles, their here on this planet for us. So, as we usually do, we'll treat things that are given to us like shit.
If God wanted turtles to survive oil spills, why didn't He give them oil resistant shells? Hmmm? What's a matter...cat got your tongue? You been served!
Terra, seriously though, good post. These are the issue that are too often overlooked.
The real irony is that anything Israel does to hurt the Lebanese economy will only make Hezbollah stronger.
It truly amazes me how little people care about the destruction of our planet, whether by us over time, or at the hands of our supposed allies. Americans couldn't give a rats ass either, as long as it doesn't impact their ability to fill up their SUVs with black gold.
It's hard for me to convey tone or emotion through a post, but this is my angriest, saddest moment yet.
I have to admit I have heard nothing about this situation and find it unconscionable. Regardless of ones geopolitical stance this should be addressed in the most urgent manner. If the situation is as reported in this blog it is a sad day.
Robert,
Israel's destruction of Lebanon will create even more hatred for Israel from many of Lebanon's citizens. However long term Hezbollah has a followong among a certain % of Shite Muslims and that may expand but long term Lebanon will continue to be a patch work of basically 6 different groups.
Maronite Christians
Non-Maronite Christians
Muslim Shites loyal to Amal
Muslim Shities loyal to Hezbollah
Sunni Muslims
Palesitian Muslims
It is aconstant shifting of alliances according to each groups short term goals and the one thing they have in common is distrust of any of the other groups.
Hezbollah's grip on their area of influence will problably harden but the other areas of Lebanon will begin to resist Hezbollah's drive for power.
sorry, i'm back. i'm finding it hard to stay away, the level of ridiculousness has reached an almost satirical level. israel is fighting for its right to survive each and every day against an enemy that would just as soon see americans die a swift, violent death, and you guys are worried about turtles? what?! is that a joke?
ok, this time, i'm going to really try not to comment anymore.
Anonymous,
Hezbollah is fighting for its right to survive each and every day. And do you know why they would just as soon see americans die a swift, violent death? And do you know why it is important to be concerned about the world's ecosystems?
I'll be glad to offer you some differing points of view, Anonymous person, if you're willing to listen and engage in a critical discussion of the world's issues. Or, you can dismiss all opinions and suggestions.
And anonymous, one last thing: Why do you care about Israel so?
israel is a democratic ally surrounded by murderous nations hostile to any way of life other than muslim extremism. israel's struggle is our struggle and vice versa.
the question is two-fold: 1.) whether or not israelis have the inherent human right to exist peacefully. 2.) whether or not terror-sponsoring nations and entities will be permitted to continue the thuggish practices that have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands, if not millions. it's not a question of caring about israel, it's a question of whether or not we as a nation are collectively willing to stand up in defense of fellow peaceful societies.
the only reason it would matter to a person exactly why they hate americans is that the person came to the conclusion that we (americans) are somehow deserving of hatred. we are not. i will never believe that we are, therefore, i couldn't care less about what motivates terrorists to commit these atrocities. not everything is as complicated as it seems you guys would like for them to be.
and i have to point out again - turtles? seriously?
one other thing - perhaps the most striking of anything i've read on this site-
"hezbollah is fighting for its right to survive each and every day"
you're aware that hezbollah is a terrorist organization, are you not? suicide bombings, terror finance, kidnapping, beheadings, the whole nine yards? i have no doubt that they are fighting for their "right" to survive, but shouldn't they be? and is it really a right? and are you not able to say unequivocally that you hope they do not?
satirical stuff guys...
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