Praying for Tikkun Olam

They (Iran) are being reasonable and measured in their response (see CNN article linked at bottom of this blog entry) to 45's provocative, unconstitutional action last week. They also sent a very clear communique afterward, stating that we can let this be the end of it, they don't want war.

I pray that 45 will not do what he previously threatened, namely striking 52 targets if they retaliate for what he did. If he does, they have now said they will strike targets in other nations, such as Haifa, Israel. I fear, if that happens, not only will we be at war with Iran, we will be witnessing the opening salvos of World War III.

On a personal note, my heritage on my Mom's side of the family is Jewish. The Israeli people are my people. I have been to Haifa (it is actually my favorite city in Israel...that is probably how you can tell I was not raised Jewish, as most people who were would immediately say Jerusalem, if asked which city is their favorite in Israel). My heart stops in its tracks when I hear that Iran has said it will strike Haifa.

I remember how I felt when Iraq sent SCUD missiles into Israel. Indescribable feeling, like the hairs standing up on the back of your neck, only magnified a thousandfold. I'm American to the core, yet also Jewish (and Unitarian--hey, it's complicated...and wonderful...many Americans are individual melting pots unto themselves), so today I feel concern for both of my people: my American people, and my Jewish people in Israel. I also feel concern for the Iranians, the Iraqis, the Palestinians, and everyone in the region and, frankly, our world.

I know 45 is a sociopath, a mercenary, and a Russian asset on top of all that, so he doesn't care. There is absolutely no point in anyone attempting to appeal to his humanity or his "better angel", as he has neither. We don't have a President. We have the three items I just listed in sentence number one of this paragraph. No one sane or moral is steering our powerful ship of state right now. And I'm seeing something far more dangerous than an iceberg (which sounds so peaceful and beautiful compared to what we are looking at here) ahead.

I pray for tikkun olam (Hebrew for: to mend, heal and repair the world).

CNN: Some administration officials believe Iran intentionally missed areas with Americans