Gaza and Wild Robot

This afternoon was a truly exceptional one for me.

At noon, daughter Heather and I went to an uplifting kids film, The Wild Robot, at a local theater.

When I came home I spent an hour and a half watching the new and searing Frontline Special on the first year after October 7, 2023.  The program had been released before Yahya Sinwar had been killed in Gaza,

I had planned neither activity.  I could not have planned better.  I recommend both.

The Wild Robot is brand new, and about the highest rated children’s film I’ve come across.  It deserves its ratings.  It opened September 27, 102 minutes.  It grabbed me, and didn’t let go.  If you wonder what it’s about, just check out the web.  I didn’t know anything about it till I saw it in person.  Heather and I go to movies once in awhile – always kid movies.  It’s been my observation for a long while that most of these films have a subtext of moral messaging for both kids and their adult companions.  This was certainly one of these.

Gaza, “A Year of War: Israelis and Palestinians“, also debuted on September 24,  The Frontline film is extraordinary, 84 minutes, viewable on your computer.

Both presentations caused me much personal introspection.  They are occasion to looking at oneself in the matter of solution.  What neither the Palestinians nor the Israelis and the Middle East generally need is perpetual war, which will be the result if some durable peace cannot be achieved.  Win and Lose is a losing formula for all sides.

Take a look, and take the time.  I’ll say no more.

POSTNOTE: In my October 3 post I mentioned the status of my friend, Michael, who lives on a barrier island in the Clearwater FL area.  He had evacuated before the storm, and wrote afterwards that there had been serious damage on his island.  Oct. 20 I received a followup e-mail from him reporting on the current status.  The following is forwarded with his permission:

I have mostly recovered from the hurricanes and have returned to my US Peace Memorial Foundation work.
 
Living on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, where water temperatures continue to rise, involves risks and rewards. This time, we were hit hard.
 
My condo unit is mostly livable as I wait for repairs. Many of the owners weren’t so fortunate. In the ten buildings on the island, most first-floor units were destroyed by a sea surge, and many higher apartments lost their windows and suffered similar destruction of their interiors. Mounds of storm debris are everywhere as people empty their condos. Many carports, including mine, were destroyed, and sea-swept cars are everywhere. Well over 100 vehicles were covered with salt water. It will take a long time to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Peace and good health,

To my knowledge, Michael’s specific area got no publicity at all in the time of Helene.  That, of course, is true of most people affected by such storms.  It is a good reminder to pay attention to these situations, and to the many persons who suffer the consequences.  It could be you or I, next time….

LOOKING AHEAD: Likely there will be one or two additional posts before Election Day, but no more about the election itself.  Check back once in awhile.  I also did a post after the annual Education Minnesota Teachers Conference last Thursday.  You can read it here.

 

 

 

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