My First Op-ed

Here’s a guest column I wrote last Friday for The Hilltop Monitor, Jewell’s newspaper.

Keep Paying Attention
Jake Williams
5 November 2008

It’s over…finally!

This morning, I left my room without being bombarded by ads, stickers, pollsters, and volunteers.  Then I realized that political scientists are doomed to follow elections till the end of time.  While the whole world is through watching our historic election, Americans should not simply retire to the couch and enjoy watching Jeopardy without the nuisance of political ads.  Important elections are happening all over the world next year, elections that promise to affect our own country in a big way.  So don’t snap out of election-mode just yet.

Israel is holding an early parliamentary election on 10 February 2009 after Acting Prime Minister Tzipi Livni failed to form a new governing coalition.  Former-PM Binyamin Netanyahu appears to be leading in early projections as he touts a qualification now familiar to American voters: experience.  His victory might bring a revival of the “three nos” that colored his administration from 1996 to 1999, thus, protracting negotiations for peace with Palestinians and Syria.  A Netanyahu victory may also mean a more hawkish policy towards Iran, clashing with Obama’s diplomatic approach to Iranian proliferation and straining American-Israeli relations.  Even if Livni wins in a landslide, she will still have to pander to the right wing to form a government.  Either way, the prospects for peace don’t look promising.

The Iranian presidential election, scheduled for 12 June 2009, could prove that “Islamo-facism” may not be as strong in Iran as some Americans think.  In the parliamentary election last March, reformist parties critical of current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made notable gains that might make his reelection bid more challenging.  He faces growing criticism on economic issues from the parliament, which impeached one of his cabinet members on Tuesday for faking a degree from Oxford.  After this 10th impeachment, Ahmadinejad’s cabinet is now one impeachment away from a no-confidence vote.  Even if Ahmadinejad wins, growing opposition may cause him to tone down his belligerent foreign policy to remain safely in power.  We can only hope.

Ukraine’s next presidential election–to be held next October–could be just as intense as the 2006 election that almost killed current President Viktor Yushchenko.  Recall the accusations that Russian agents poisoned Yushchenko with lethal amounts of dioxins.  As Russia and the US continue to exchange diplomatic blows in Eurasia, expect Ukraine to become a key factor for the future balance of power.  For instance, Ukraine offered to participate in the joint missile defense network that has increased tensions between Russia and the US.  If opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko runs and wins, Ukrainian-Russian relations may improve while the US loses an ally.  On the other hand, Russia may welcome the prospect of another pro-US president with something more sinister than a fruit basket.  Personally, I hope the Ukrainian Beer Lovers Party sweeps the whole thing.

So keep an eye on these countries as Obama begins to work out his foreign policy strategy next year.   While we celebrate our own democracy in action, don’t forget that voters everywhere are making decisions that will impact our own interactions with the world.

Joe, Tito, and Larry, Curly, and Moe

Please stop, my gut hurts.

First came Joe the plumber, the straight-talking blue collar guy from Ohio who questioned Barak Obama’s socialist tax scheme.  Sam–Joe’s real name–has rocketed to celebrity status overnight since John McCain mentioned him in the last debate.  Expect to hear Joe’s first country music album sometime soon, possibly produced by Aaron Tippin.  Tippin is the infinitely talented maestro who brought us the instant classic, “Drill Here, Drill Now.” As a ravenous consumer of country music, I can hardly wait to listen to Joe’s spectacular contribution to the country music genera.

Next came Tito the builder, a Colombian immigrant who owns a construction company in Virginia.  Decked out in his construction gear, he is warning voters about the dangers of an Obama administration.  Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin said of the party’s new poster boy: “Not since the Jackson Five has the name Tito been used so much.”  Unfortunately for the Republican party, Bob the Builder–of childrens’ television fame–has already endorsed Obama: “Can we fix it? YES WE CAN!!!”  Seems like Tito was the next best option.

Based on poll numbers, however, I think there’s only one man that can truly revive the GOP’s presidential ticket.  There’s only one blue-collar man who can git r done for McCain and Palin.

Think it over.

Best Wishes,

Jake the college student who can’t stop laughing at campaign strategies

Health Care Panel

With the 2008 election upon us, many Americans are starting to ponder the big issues that affect us everyday.  If you’re in the Kansas City-area, you will have the opportunity to come participate in what promises to be a factinating discussion about an important issue for many voters: health care.

This Thursday night at 7:30, William Jewell College is hosting a panel of speakers from the medical community who will talk about health care issues like access and insurance.  The panelists come from a variety of positions within the local medical community from family practitioners to volunteers in free clinics.  The event, located in Gano Chapel, will include a Q & A session for audience members to get involved after the panelists share some opening remarks.  I’m quite excited about the evening since I have been asked to moderate the discussion.  If you can come, show up prepared to ask some challenging questions!

Health care is a huge issue for Americans to consider as we near election day.  At present, about 47 million Americans lack health insurance, which is vital to reciving quality care in our country.  Both Obama and McCain have presented plans for health care reform, making Thursday’s discussion all the more relevant and urgent.  Furthermore, health care reform is linked to many other campaign issues like taxation and government spending.  Are the sick getting the care they need?  Can American’s generally afford the treatments they require?  Can the US pull of health care reform?  Come to the panel on Thursday at 7:30 and find out.

Two Posts in a Day!!!

Here’s a link to another article about my trip, this one in the Omaha World Herald.  I’m so glad newspapers are using the picture of my in front of the fence in Bi’lin!

Leader Article

Here is a link to an article about my trip from the Bellevue Leader that ran on 3 September 2008.  Below is my response to the article, which I sent to the editor last night.

_______________________________________________________________

Dear Editor,

I’m writing concerning Zachery McDonald’s “West grad’s trip to Israel changes perspective,” printed on 3 September 2008.   First, I am disappointed that Mr. McDonald chose to print Dr. Gershovich’s response without offering me an opportunity to defend or clarify my opinion.  I was unaware that Mr. McDonald had even consulted Dr. Gershovich until Mr. McDonald informed me that his article had been printed.

Next, the article over-simplifies my opinion on the separation barrier in the West Bank.  Consequently, some may conclude that I think racism was an overt motive behind the construction.  I do not think the separation wall “just [emerged] because Israelis wanted to be racist.”  I recognize that security was the primary public concern behind construction, but still remain suspicious of the policy.

If completed as planned, 87% of the barrier will be constructed inside the West Bank. Therefore, I think the wall is an intentional land-grab on the part of the Israeli government, which chose to construct it in Palestinian territory rather than on the internationally recognized border.   One could argue that the wall must sit where it is to protect Israeli settlements, but numerous legal scholars–including those at our own Department of State—have found these settlements to be a violation of international law.

Furthermore, the wall disadvantages Palestinians to the point where the policy has become unacceptable.  Palestinians must wait in line for hours at checkpoints along the wall to reach work, school, and adequate health care.  They are confined to the areas listed on their Israeli-issued travel permits.

I refuse to see the wall as only an upright attempt to protect Israelis from terrorists.  There are more issues at play here.  The wall is the physical symbol of a separation of peoples that prevents dialogue, reconciliation, and peace.

Respectfully Yours,
Jacob A. Williams

Obama Quits

***Newsflash***

After a stunning endorsement from President George W. Bush, Senator John McCain no longer has a rival in the 2008 presidential election.

On Tuesday night, Bush addressed the Republican National Convention via video-link from the White House.  In a rousing eight-minute-long speech, the leader of the free world declared McCain to be “a great American and the next president.”  Bush also praised McCain’s military service, leadership, and bald spot.

Immediately after the speech, the Obama campaign quietly released a statement withdrawing the Illinois senator from the War for the White House.  The statement explained that Bush’s endorsement for McCain was “perhaps the worst thing that could have happened to Obama considering the President’s outrageous approval rating.”  A spokesman for the former candidate explained that Bush’s endorsement will give McCain an unprecedented boost in the polls, and compared the future of Obama’s campaign to “a sideshow…without clowns.”

When asked to comment about the speech, Obama said Bush’s words had quashed his drive to compete.  On McCain’s record of military service, Obama said, “He was in the Navy?  Oh…I can’t compete that.”  Obama also discussed Bush’s “infinite wisdom,” explaining that the President’s support is the biggest factor in any presidential election.  Obama will donate all of his campagin funding to help construct the George W. Bush Presidential Library located in the Sinus Meridiani.

(Hope this post was a nice break from the intense stuff in the past.  Look for a new article about my trip in the Bellevue Leader today.  The story will be on their website on Monday.)

At Last!

Here is a link to an article about my trip printed in today’s Kansas City Star!

1000 Words

Before I get to the meat of this post, let me say that the long awaited article in the Kansas City Star is going to press tonight!  For those of you in KC, look for it in tomorrow’s paper (and think about saving me a copy).  For everyone else, I will try to post a link to the story tomorrow. 

So, rather than write a long, thought provoking post, I thought I would post some pictures instead.  I just got the offical IFPB photo DVD today in the mail.  With over 5 GB of photos, I’m still wading though some great photos.  Here are three of my favorites so far, all taken my my new buddy David.  David is an excelent photographer, talented songwriter (the song he wrote about our trip made me cry), and he’s cool enough to have a wikipedia article about him.  If I had kids, I would totally let me kids play with his soon-to-be-born son!  So, here are the greatest hits with captions. 

 WordPress was lame and wouldn’t let me put a caption with this first one.  This is walking down Shuhada Street with David Wilder of the Jewish Community in Hebron.  Find the handgun in this picture…

Waiting a half hour for the bomb-bot to investigate a suspicious object on the road back to the hotel.

At the seperation barrier near Bil'in, a village over from Nil'in, the subject of a previous post.

A Million Lights or More

Reflections on 1 August 2008; Yad Vashem, Jerusalem:

At the exit of the Children’s Memorial of the Holocaust Museum, one can look north and see what was once Deir Yassin. 

The Children’s Memorial is a tribute to the 1.5 million children killed in the Nazi Holocaust.  The elegant memorial was built underground, in a cave now covered with mirrored walls.  In the center of the room, a solitary candle casts it light onto the mirrors, reflecting the flame to memorialize all those lost lives.  Overhead, a speaker lists the names and ages of children throughout Europe who met their fate in the concentration camps.  The memorial had a powerful effect on me; more powerful that the exhibits and photograghs within the main museum.  The simplicity of the memorial moves you to reflect in a way that words and speeches never could. 

A million and a half lights for a million and a half children.  But no…The bright, innocent light reflects against the mirrors on into infinity, and the list of names continues to lengthen. 

As I emerged from the memorial into the hot summer sun, I found Said pointing across the valley to a patch of brown and green.  This was the site of the Deir Yassin massacre, one of the many village cleansings perpetuated against the Palestinians during the creation of the Jewish state.  This was a bitter irony for me.  Rather than leaving Yad Vashem with a sense of hope for the future, I was left to mull over a cycle of violence that took innocent lives in 1942, took innocent lives in 1948, and continues to do so today.

I don’t intend to compare historical instances of human suffering or equate egregious violations of human rights–all such acts are henious.  Yet, something pains me more than the thoughts I had while looking down at Deir Yassin.  It is something that brings more tears than the Children’s Memorial at Yad Vashem.  It is this:  innocent children are killed in political conflicts around the world every day even though, judging from our history, we should know better by now.

Shopping In Hebron

Some preliminary news first.  Keep looking for the article about my trip in the Kansas City Star!  If you find it before I can post a link to it here, please let me know.  Also, I have been asked to write some op-eds for the Wagner Monthly in Wagner, SC.  I know not all of you can access that publication, so I will try to post the article here once it’s published. 

As I flip though the pages of my trusty notebook, I come across more and more stories worth sharing here.  Today I thought I would share what I experienced in Hebron on August 4th.  Hebron is a city of about 170,000 located within the West Bank.  Controversy surrounds the city because it is the second holiest city in Judaism (after Jerusalem).  Consequently, about 800 Israeli settlersare trying to make Hebron home.  They live in settlement blocks protected by the Israeli Defence Forces.  I should mention that the settlers are armed to the teeth as well.  The spokesman our group met with had a Glock on his belt, and every man we came across had an M-16 slung over his shoulder.  Even dads playing with their toddlers on the playground near the meeting hall had their guns nearby.  (Interesting side note:  Check out New Profile’s report on Child Recruitment in Israel, specifically chapter 9, “Children Guarding Jewish Settlements in the West Bank”).

After an interesting meeting with the settlement spokesmen, we went on a tour of Hebron with the Christian Peacemakers Team based in the city.  Thanks to Israeli road blocks, we had to walk all the way down the major street in town past the CPT office.  Then we had to double-back–this time on the other side of the block–to reach the beginning of our tour.  A five-minute walk turned into a 25-minute walk past a checkpoint.  Once we got started, the tour redefined my conception of open-air markets for good. 

Several scholars have discussed the “verticality” of the Israel occupation; the idea that the occupation has a topography that disadvantages the Palestinians.  These scholars cite the bypass tunnels that keep Palestinians off Israeli-only highways or the position of Israeli settlements (typically on mountain tops) as examples of this vertically.  I cannot find a better example of the vertically of the occupation than the situation I found in the Palestinian markets of Hebron. 

At first glance, this market seems like any Arab market you might find in Cairo, Marrakesh, or the Old City in Jerusalem.  Tiny family shops line both sides of a dark and narrow alleyway.  Shopkeepers shout at you in French, English, and German trying to determine your nationality and make a sale.  You smell hash.  My first look skyward, however, told me something was very wrong with the market in Hebron. 

Chain link fencing interrupted the patch of sky that brought a little light to the kebab and souvenir stands on each side of me.  The fence, laid flat over the walkway, held food wrappers, paper cups, old tires, and moldy socks.  Soldiers on each end of the alley peeped down into the market through the slots of their olive drab mini-bunkers.  I turned to my tour guide and pointed upwards: “What the hell?”

In an effort to reclaim the city, Jewish settlers bought or confiscated the flats above the Palestinian market.  After the settlers moved in, Palestinians put up the fence to protect themselves from the junk settlers through out their windows onto the shops below.  The fence was effective for a time, our guide explained, until settlers wised up.  Certain substances can still make it through the fence; substances like mop water, sand, and human waste.  Of course, bullets and tear gas canisters can also make it through the fence, and the soldiers are prepared to fire at a moments notice.  With that in mind, I was sure to spend a little extra money in the market that day.  I didn’t even haggle for the stuff I bought, instead deciding to except the absurd markup out of respect for the conditions the shopkeepers must face.