An interesting perspective from Foster’s on the state of American partisanship; as Senator Judd Gregg puts it, “We’re a society of hyperbole…the people who get attention are the shouters.” Nevertheless, the column explores and confirms the idea that bipartisanship is not only the ideal way to resolve this country’s political problems, but also the most effective way to govern. It favors rational debate and reasonable governance, which, the piece declares, “is why voters like it.”
Israel will run out of time if it doesn’t act
In the Jewish Chronicle, Israeli-American youth Noa Nir insists that the “conflict that Israelis — and non-Israelis — would rather not discuss will spiral out of control if we continue to ignore it.” She remarks that most of the Israeli people have gone beyond depoliticization – they are now “anti-politicized.” It is in this moment, then, that Israeli culture, politics, and society must begin to change to resolve the conflict with its Palestinian neighbors and to create a more democratic Jewish state.
Constructing a Jewish-Muslim narrative
Writing for the Common Ground News Service, Jan Hjärpe elaborates on the necessity and benefits of constructing an effective Jewish-Muslim narrative. First, he says, the groups must recognize the “other.” From there, commonalities in both groups’ narratives can be explored, reclaimed and discussed. Finally, new narratives must be constructed, and Hjärpe points to the fruitful collaboration of conductor Daniel Barenboim and Edward Said as evidence of the possibility of such innovation.
Thousands of miles away, a gesture of reconciliation
The Independent reports on a touching sign of friendship at the Olympic Games – though their countries have erupted in what appears to be all-out war, Georgia’s Nino Salukvadze and Russian Natalia Paderina embraced during a medal ceremony on Monday. Salukvadze, after reaching out to her Russian counterpart, commented to reporters, “There should be no hatred between athletes and people in general. We’ll leave this to the politicians to figure out.” She later added, “When it comes to sports we will always remain friends and nothing will affect our friendship.”
New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof makes a compelling case for the increased use of diplomacy, rather than military force, in US foreign relations. His reasoning is primarily pragmatic – “after all, you can’t bomb global warming.” However, Kristof’s argument reveals a simple truth; force is an impermanent solution to violence. Only with tactful diplomacy, education, cultural exchange, and understanding can conflicts be resolved and then avoided in the long run.
