The Gaza Stip

Whats going on in the Gaza Strip?

Israeli forces have killed 11 or more civilians in the past 5 days of bombing of the Gaza Strip. Of most recent, Israeli forces have bombed the Hamas prime minister's office. They have systematically began destroying Palestinian rocket launch cites and have killed the Hamas Military Chief. Over the past couple days the Palestinian's and Israeli's have repeatedly attacked each other in response to attacks from the other side...kind of ironic.Both sides have stated that the reasons for their attacks have stemmed from attacks of the opposition. So who really started it? According to Emily Hauser, and American Israeli writer, the attacks originally began with the Israeli, although the fight between the two sides has been going on for what seems to be forever Hauser has pin pointed a time during the past month where she believes the current war has started. On November 8th Israeli forces killed a young boy of either 12 or 13. Later that day, Palestinian forces destroyed an Israeli tunnel in response injuring a guard but killing no one. Two days later the conflict continued when Palestinian forces fired rockets at an Israeli patrol injuring two soldiers. That day the Israelis responded by firing into Gaza multiple times hurting and killing many civilians including a ten year old boy. They also used drones to fire missiles into Gaza. From there on it continues how we all know it. Israelis using their superior American Funded defense system to stop Palestinian Rockets while also attacking Gaza and the Hamas returning fire. So who started it? This time it was the Israelis and even if one made the argument that the death of one person in a war torn area like the middle east shouldn't induce an attack on this scale, the Israelis still up-ed the anty by firing multiple times into Gaza which led to Palestinian rocket fire. According to the New York Times Obama released his opinion on the crisis while on his trip in China. He said, "There’s no country on earth that would tolerate missiles raining down on its citizens from outside its borders. We are fully supportive of Israel’s right to defend itself.” This is not the response that should be given. For once Obama must step in and ask that Israeli and Palestine come to a truce on the matter. Although Israeli is defending themselves they also did start the fight and Obama should not commend such violence. Although, as we have all heard countless times in the past election, Israeli is our greatest ally in the Middle East we must still accept what they are doing is wrong and we can not stand behind it.



Waiting For the World to Change - John Mayer

Just thought it was a cool song

The Fall

I did my fall video as a serious of clips that represent the way I see the fall. To me, the fall is about reminiscing and looking over the last year, but also about friendship and second chances. I know it seems like spring would be a better choice for second chances but the fall shows a time of death, where the trees all fall asleep, so to speak, but even then when they are dying there is still beauty and this shows that all things can be good and go well, a second chance.

Anyway, I filmed all my clips outside trying to find interesting shots that intrigued me but also retain much of the grace in the world. The first clip I had of my fire pit with water in it was actually really beautiful when I was filming it and I really wanted to capture it but unfortunately my camera didn't agree and ruined it by making it really bright.

I edited the video with youtube video editor which has never let me down, until now. As the videos were being uploaded to youtube for me to edit I went to CCmixter and found a song to go with it. I really like the song and put a link to it at the bottom for those who would like to hear it. Anyway, turns out youtube doesn't allow you to upload songs onto their editor so I spent another hour and a half looking through their songs which aren't very good, but it paid off, I found the Alchemist by Michael Zapruders rain of frogs. Its excellent you should all listen to it.

song i originally found: Loveshadow / CC BY-NC 3.0

Refurnishing the Green

This Friday was my birthday, and as a gift, from my wonderful girlfriend Alia, I received tickets to go see the Celtics v Wizards basketball game at the Verizon center on Saturday, November 3rd. It was incredible, I had a great time, I got to watch my favorite team; the Celtics, and and got to spend time with Alia. Anyway, I also got a look at the new roster of the Boston Celtics after their major overhaul in the off season. After losing three-point king Ray Allen to the Heat. The Celtics acquired shooting Guard Jason Terry from the Mavericks, as well as Courtney Lee from the Rockets. Although neither of them are as good as Ray, they both will be excellent additions to the team.

My personal idol in the NBA is Rajon Rondo, the Celtic's point guard. He, in my opinion, is the best pure point guard in the league. Last season Rondo averaged almost 11 points per game, 10 assists, and 2 steals. What makes Rondo so incredible are his assists. If we look in the NBA, there are budding point guards such as Russel Westbrook and Derrick Rose who have taken the shooting guard position and brought it to the point. Rondo keeps it old school. He has such a strong team, and is such a strong passer that he doesn't need to score, but when it comes to crunch time Rondo can light up the court. In game to of the Semi Finals Rondo dropped 44 points on the Miami Heat while still getting 10 assists.

The Celtics also retained "the TRUTH" Paul Pierce and Center Kevin Garnett, both future hall of famers as well as Brandon Bass. With the core of the team mostly intact the Celtics have a strong platform to build off of.

One surprise I had during the game was the performance of Jared Sullinger, who the Celtics acquired through the draft this year. In the previous season they were lacking size and as a result they drafted two big men, in Sullinger and Fab Melo. Sullinger had a solid performance, contributing 5 rebounds and 4 points. I was also happily surprised to see that the Celtics had received Leandro Barbosa, a 9 year veteran, who I like because of his quickness and ability to get to the basket. He will make an excellent addition to the team in the form of a sub for Paul Pierce.

Even with the lose of Ray Allen, the Celtics have found themselves much stronger coming into the new Season and will be a contesting team.