Hi folks. What you are about to hear is... different from what you may expect from me. I hope that you approach it with an open mind. Fiction is an important tool in a world that is often cruel and without empathy for the average struggles we face, and it is an escape that can help us get through the day. But it is not an excuse disengage with the harshness of reality and willfully ignore what is going on just because we are not in the middle of it.

There is currently a genocide happening in Palestine, a war waged under false pretenses and with manufactured consent. It is important that we do not look away and ignore that our government is enabling this conflict. Today marked day 31 of that conflict. Today marked day 31 of that conflict being on my mind from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep. I am never not thinking about it, it is an impossibility. As of now, over 10,000 Palestinians are dead, nearly half of those children. And if that is hard for you to hear, I am begging you to engage with what is happening right now, because looking away will only result in more death and destruction. Israel has already started to invade Lebanon under the cover of this, continuing to colonize land that doesn't belong to it with the intention of killing anyone who gets in the way of their Zionist ethno-state goal. This is not in line with Jewish teachings or ethos, it is a slap in the face to them.

I had plans to put out my own longer statement, an essay with links and facts and sources and just a general attempt to try and explain the conflict to those who may be unwilling to dig themselves but are willing to listen. Life gets in the way though, mine more often than I am capable of dealing with sometimes. So, while the words that come after this are not directly from me, they are ones that I stand by.

The following was created by my good friend Joseph Rutledge of Wireland Ranch and KILL FM, and Lily Saviet. He and I are of the same mind on this issue and both of us feel strongly that it is our moral duty to do what we can to make an impact and try to stop the terror being inflicted on the occupied Palestinian people. Our country is part of this, and if you aren't from the United States your country is probably part of it, too.

There is a document with resources in the shownotes, something I will be doing my best to keep updated and accurate. If you want to know more about the history of this occupation and of Palestine at your own pace it's a good place to start. I recognize that Joseph's style of delivery isn't for everyone, and if it isn't for you that is okay because what is most important is that you start paying attention to what is happening, and not just the propaganda being churned out to try and defend it. Don't look away, it is important that we do not ignore what is going on in favor of our own comfort. Please.

RESOURCES:

https://www.thepalestineacademy.com/

For a comprehensive list of resources and coverage please visit:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/102weXwzGRDwAfnSQ8ue1gAco6CXaOCPo1e1L4XgQvYo/edit

Written by Joseph Rutledge and Lily Saviet

Sound design and production: Joseph Rutledge

Balfour Declaration read by: Bradly Findly

Additional clips provided and written by:

Saph the Something

Tatiana Gefter (reading a monologue from Andor)

Rebecca Hanson

Bradly and Brittany Findly

Randy Lovings

Cal O'Neill

Pelle Frid

Scott Graves

Joshua Burgess

Juno Westbrook

Ending Song

Party in the Promised Land by @angletonsorchids