02 July 2009

The Guardian goat guy and a few questions

An article titled No Gourmets in Gaza was posted on June 16, 2009 in Word of Mouth blog of Guardian. The first thing that struck me was a familiar picture under the headline:
To start with, the picture was used by somebody else several days ago, also in Guardian:

That previous time, as you can see, the Guardian goat guy (GGG) was providing background to a discussion of financial ruin (on one hand) Gaza is experiencing, with a slightly contradictory statement of investment opportunities there on the other hand.

Today, it seems, GGG is embracing his goat in support of another topic:

Is hunger a legitimate way of defeating an enemy?

This is an interesting question, especially coming from a heir of European warriors. One would be tempted to remind the author, one Alex Renton, that his ancestors have besieged many a city or a castle, starving its defenders into surrender or death. One would be also strongly tempted to remind Mr Renton two words: Potato Famine... but of course, Mr Renton shouldn't feel guilty for what his forefathers did so many years ago. Or should he? In any case, I am not going to answer this question today, rather, in that venerable Jooish tradition, I shall instead ask Mr Renton a few questions back. To ease the burden of answering this questions, multiple options are provided.

When IDF left Gaza strip, the purpose of this was:

1. To ensure Zionist control of the strip
2. To blockade 1.5 million of Gazans
3. To let Gazans manage their own lives and to become good neighbors
4. To free some military resources for upcoming war with Andorra

The airport built in Gaza strip was later destroyed by IDF because of:

1. Differences of opinion on the airport architecture
2. A need to create a new football field in the place
3. Continuing attacks on Israel from Gaza strip
4. Arafat piloting his plane in a way that clashed with FAA regulations

The plans for a seaport in the Gaza strip were scrapped because of:

1. Objections of environmental lobby in Gaza
2. Overabundance of jellyfish in the area
3. Growing use of the sea routes by Gazans to smuggle weapons
4. The area being too shallow for 6th fleet ships to anchor

The further deterioration of the situation in Gaza was caused by:

1. Bird flu
2. Hamas ascendance to power and sharp increase in flying objects crossing the border with Israel
3. Disagreements between Hamas and Israel on finer points of international cuisine (humus)

The closing of the border crossings between Gaza and Israel was caused by:

1. Insufficient manpower for management of the crossings
2. Continuing attacks over the border, including attacks on the crossings themselves
3. Lack of interest for employment in Israel on the side of Gazans
4. Clash between Muslim and Jewish religious holidays

The thousand of flying objects mentioned above are:

1. Doves, released by uncounted peace groups in Gaza to symbolize their desire for peace
2. Postcards from Gazan kids to the Israeli kids
3. A novel way to expedite the exchange of information between parties
4. Qassam rockets launched to kill Israeli citizens indiscriminately

The last but not the least, Mr Renton: you are saying "When I've written about this in the past on WoM, the orchestrated responses of the lobby groups have soon filled the comments slot..." - what precisely "lobby groups" you mean?

Now let's stop the questions and give Mr Renton some time to ignore them. Let's talk about some undeniable facts. First of all, GGG surely gets around. I predict his next goat-hugging appearance in a Guardian article titled Goats Against Tanks - Life on the Brink. Or summat...

Then another fact: today I can breath easily, having finally established that the animal in question is indeed a goat, because there was some controversy in the previous post where GGG starred.

Cross-posted at Yourish.com

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