An Honest Journalist

The following recent headline from the Drudge Report is as devastating to a myth as it is brief: Egyptian Journalist Describes 'Absolute Prosperity' in Gaza...

With Hamas telling tales of deprivation and suffering in Gaza, Egyptian journalist Ashraf Abu al-Houl has added his report to others who were surprised to discover a "prosperous" Gaza in which prices are low and luxury businesses are booming. Al-Houl's story of his trip to Gaza and his realization that "in actual terms, Gaza is not under siege" was written up in the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram and translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).

In addition, the report notes rampant cronyism. Facts on the ground aren't enough, in and of themselves, to change minds on what ought to be done in the Middle East (or even to set rational policy), but it's nice to see the actual state of affairs there coming to light.

Even setting aside the moral depravity of the "Palestinians," tax money being used for their aid is wrong on principle because stealing it in the first place is wrong, and one man's misery does not constitute a claim on another man's effort.

In that light, it is interesting to consider what this revelation would mean to members of the two major political parties in the United States. To the more consistently altruist/collectivist Democrats, it will look like a success story and vindication. To the Republicans, who occasionally, sort of, try upholding America's interest -- but guiltily at best -- this might serve as a convenient excuse to reduce aid.

"See! They don't really need that much," however, is not a real answer to any of the aforementioned injustices. The verb reveals the fundamental premise behind said injustices to be completely intact. This revelation is useful only as an opening towards exposing that immoral and impractical premise.

-- CAV