Peace Out
I'd like to be, but I'm not really a fan of Israel. Oddly, Ehud Olmert is the most recent person to succinctly spell out why, in spite of the positive feelings I have toward Jewish culture, I can't be rabidly pro-Israel. He warned that Israel's days would be numbered after a "South African-style struggle" if peace talks don't work out.
If Israel is South Africa in the '80s, does he expect America to root for the National Party or Nelson Mandela? Bad idea, that comparison, Mr. Olmert.
On the other hand, if I have favorable feelings toward Jewish culture but feel more ambivalent about Israel despite its obvious national-security and regional-ally benefits, it's the opposite with Muslim culture—which thanks to radical elements is so much more strongly defined by religious precepts I abhor. In that case, I'm not so sympathetic to the culture, unable to ignore its firmly anti-human rights basis (they want the nice teacher-lady not just jailed, not just lashed but killed for naming her teddy bear indiscreetly?) even though I am much more understanding of its objections to Israel.
I think this is indicative of one difference between liberals and conservatives:
Liberals are more fearful of "what is the right and fair thing to do?" in spite of our being (as a group) far less religious and therefore, in theory, less likely to fear divine judgment. This is how kindly, open-minded teachers venture into hostile countries like the Sudan, where their intentions to do right lead to blood-thirsty marches—turns out the awful stereotype of the African headhunter is true, it's just that he wants your head as a punishment and not for decoration.
Conservatives, perhaps because they are more likely to be governed by their religion and therefore feeling confident that anything done in support of their principles is excusable or can be divinely forgiven after the fact, are more driven by "what is best for me?" This is how idealistic, self-assured poly-sci warriors venture into hostile countries like Iraq, where their intentions to gain political leverage, valuable oil and security lead to never-ending wars and global calamities. Some heads roll in that case, too.
Either, if taken to their extreme, are bad ways to live. One risks being self-destructively helpess, the other risks being self-destructively harmful. I guess that's why candidates run so hard toward the middle, sometimes to the detriment of the public perception of their candor.
Also, I guess this is why the current Mideast peace talks are so crucial—if you can not get along, it becomes a game of "this town ain't big enough for the both of us." And then one of the parties leaves or is expelled. Or is done away with. And that takes us back to the reason for Israel's existence in the first place, and that kind of understanding of the cyclical nature of human interaction is sure to drive you to or away from religion, and toward the left or the right.
