In the Valley of Elah

Last weekend in Seattle was so perfect. It was just awesome. I also finished my one whole year in Seattle. And even after a whole year I still cant get over how majestic Mt. Rainier is. It is simply amazing. There is a certain spot on I-5 north, you turn a corner on the hilltop and suddenly the breathtaking, grand splendor appears in front of you and you instantly go woww!!!...at least I do. Stunning. So on a sunny day that is one of the biggest perks (for me). You see Mt. Rainier, from everywhere.
The interesting point though of this weekend was a small pro-Palestine display that I chanced upon and that a group of students and teachers from UW had set up in the union square to mark the "Independence Day" of Israel. The display talked about the present day State of Palestine, Gaza and West Bank, the atrocities of war, history of Arab-Israel war and the ultimate hostile takeover of a country and a nation. The Seattle has historically been a liberal city and the Seattlites like to consider themselves very open-minded and tolerant. People read the material, watched the display, asked questions. This is one of those issues so close to my heart that it always brings tears to my eyes. I was tearfully watching and reading and gave one of the teachers an impression that I am perhaps a Palestinian myself. I told him no but I am from a country inching towards a violent future and this is something very close to my heart. One of those overwhelming facts that I can only feel but not necessarily describe. Not having a home, not having the security of a home, not having something that is your own, something that is yours but you cant hold on to, growing up with no hope, no future, no life. Getting so desperate as to resort to killing your own self to prove a point. So much hatred, so much waste, so much bloodshed. For what? Why? When does it end? I am with no one. I am against no one. I don't know what is right. I don't know what is wrong. All I know is that no amount of civilizing, no degree of progress, no level of sophistication can hide the fact that Humans are no better than some feral beasts and will always resort to violence of the worst kind to get what they want. I for one am disgusted.
The lone bearer of the Israeli flag amused me the most as he quietly stood on the corner of Pine and 4th making a point of his own. I wanted to ask him if he is showing solidarity with the Palestinian cause or just reminding us that there is always two sides to a picture.
One word - Genocide. A nation goes through it, survives, gets powerful and makes another nation go through it. That is the history of the world. it has been repeating itself over and over and over again. We are all aggressors. We are all victims. Who do we blame? Who do we feel sorry for?
Perhaps I should have spend my weekend just focused on the Mt. Rainier instead.