Protesting the Gaza Massacres

At 5 this afternoon, tens of thousands of Argentines in Buenos Aires representing some 50 political, social, and labor organizations marched from the congress building to the embassy of Israel to condemn the massacres in the Gaza Strip. Many held signs with gruesome photos showing the bodies of some of the 400 plus children killed in the 3 week bombardment that left dead more than 1300 Palestinians and some 13 Israelis (including several military personnel killed by "friendly fire"). Body counts and other reliable details at Free Gaza and the Palestine Chronicle.

Speakers at the march condemned the attacks and urged the Mercosur nations to repudiate any free trade agreement with Israel. Mercosur members include Argentina and Brazil (the two largest economies in South America), along with Paraguay and Uruguay. Associate members include Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. 

We marched today with our new neighbors. As the poet Miguel de Unamuno said during the Spanish civil war, "sometimes to be silent is to lie."

Tuesday, Jan. 13

The day turned nice. Some gentle rain fell last night, but not nearly  enough to break the drought affecting the campo. Though gray and humid was not intolerable after recent warm days, the cool, dry wind that blew in from the south around 6 pm scattered the clouds and also refreshed the spirit.

Daughter Belen continues here with us for another few days. She stays constantly occupied with her writing. Her most recent publication.

More ordered furniture arrived last week. That triggered a flurry of box-openings, selecting books and photos from our culled down but still ample collections.

The photo was taken from the living room around 7:30 this evening.

Peace in 2009

Buenos Aires welcomed in 2009 with an almost eerie quiet. By yesterday afternoon, the streets were deserted and most businesses closed. Later, as we waited with daughter Belen to ring in the new year, we noticed how many apartments in buildings around us were shuttered and dark. Even the few fireworks (more noise than lights) at midnight were sparse.

Many people here (as in Europe) take off for the mountains or the beach for several weeks over the summer, escaping the heat of the city. Our favorite pasta factory, for example, closed down Dec. 29 and won't reopen until early February. (Fortunately there are other options in the neighborhood.) 

The peaceful mood here contrasts starkly with the images of carnage, desperation, and grief coming from the Gaza Strip. How can we be allowing this massacre to continue?