Probably the best example of how bad a situation can become when left in control of leaders who are members of the extreme Right and extreme Left is the burdensome condition that exists in the Middle East between Israel and the Arab nations.  The unyielding mindset on both sides make it impossible for a cease fire to last more than a couple of days, much less any hope for peace.  Somehow, moderates on both sides will have to wrench the power from the extremists and, in an act of true courage and humility, say to the other side, “Enough!  We, Arab/Israeli, renounce violence as the means to settle our disagreements with one another and we pledge that we will vigorously police our own people and punish those who perpetrate this violence/hatred between us.  We will do this because we want to live in peace with our neighbors and enjoy the safety and trust that only peace can provide.  We are sorry for the violence we brought against you and we promise to work diligently to eradicate it from our land.”

Like that’s going to happen!  First of all, the radicals on both the Left and Right have never said “I’m sorry” and they are not about to start saying it now.  The word sorry is not in their vocabulary and therefore is not in their thought process.  This is because for them to say they’re sorry carries with it the admission that they made a mistake; something they are not willing to do.

Besides, if both sides choose peace and prosperity over war and desolation, where’s the fun in that?  The leaders of the Israelis and Palestinians would loose much of their power and prestige.  They would no longer enjoy the admiration they receive from convincing their citizens that only they can protect and defend the country from the madmen on the other side who want to destroy it.   The Palestinians would not get to fire these neat little rockets that have no control mechanism and that hit somewhere in the Jewish neighborhood that they were aimed at.  They could hit a school, hospital, apartment building, anything as long as there was a Star of David on it.  The Israelis, on the other hand, would not get to drive their tanks over parked vehicles in Palestinian neighborhoods and fly their jets unchallenged into Palestinian airspace launching rockets and dropping bombs on buildings, schools and hospitals that they suspect are harboring Palestinian terrorists. 

After expending all of this violence and hatred towards one another, both sides observe rituals designed to make them better people and children of God.  The Jews observe the Ten Days of Repentance which begin with Rosh Hashanah and end with Yom Kippur.  During these Ten Days, a Jew attempts to amend his behavior and seek forgiveness for wrongdoings against God and his fellow man.  Many of the Israelis spend much of the ten days with their fingers crossed and hidden behind their backs in the hope that God will not notice while they promise to lead better, more peaceful lives.  The Palestinians celebrate a month long observance called Ramadan, during which time they pray for forgiveness of their transgressions against God and man, ask for patience, NOW, and learn tips on how to better launch those neat little rockets in the hope of hitting a synagogue as opposed to just a school, hospital or apartment building.

Still hoping for peace in the Middle East?  Well, you keep praying and asking God to perform the mother of all miracles.  But be forewarned, it’s been reported that She is at the other side of the universe and was heard to say “I can’t hear you!  What’s that you’re asking for?  Whirled peas?  I can do that; no problem!”