James Foley, Radical Islamic Terror, and How Quickly We Forget
By Susan L. M. Golberg
PJMedia.com
Daniel Pearl by
Bosch Fawstin
My two-word response to the
beheading of
James Foley and captivity of
Steven Sotloff:
Daniel Pearl. Americans still suffer under the
delusion that oceans are borders. America is so
physically huge that we can watch the riots in
Ferguson the way we watch the rockets being fired
from Gaza or Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: From the
comfort of our couch. Neither we, nor our families,
nor our homes are physically in danger. In truth, we
are disconnected. At best, those of us who do pay
attention do so through screen media. We participate
by commenting on internet forums or through social
media, or perhaps writing a check to a charity to
help those in need. But we should not confusion
compassion or concern for actual awareness.
As I watch what is happening in my second home,
Israel, I marvel at the reactionary comments I’ve
seen from well-meaning Americans who are confident
that if they lived next door to Hamas, they’d just
go after the terrorists with Christianity-fueled
faith in their Second Amendment rights. It’s so easy
to see yourself as the next John Wayne from the
comfort of your living room. It’s far more difficult
when your family and your home are on the line. Much
has been said about the right of those overseas to
tell Israel how to run their military operations.
From a writer’s point of view, I can remain at best
pragmatic by saying that the surreality in which
these armchair soldiers dwell is, at least, far more
supportive than the stupor that plagues most
Americans. For their sake, and the sake of America,
I hope the bravado isn’t masking an army of summer
soldiers and sunshine patriots.
I recall watching my friends collapse in horror on
9/11. As profoundly moved as I was by the horrific
tragedy of that day, my response was simply:
Intifada. The reality of countless suicide bombers
trolling city streets, blowing themselves and
countless civilians up at nightclubs, hotels, or on
city buses had become a way of life for Israelis in
the ’90s. Because I am so deeply connected to that
land I felt that impact in a way most overseas do
not. There was no shock in 9/11 for me, only awe at
the sleeping America that responded to their alarm
clock by repeatedly hitting snooze.
“The life of this American citizen, Obama, depends
on your next decision.”
This morning as we were getting ready for work, I
asked my husband if the news had reported anything
on Israel yet. When he replied that they had not, I
remarked, “Ah, well, America is over with Israel
already. Old news. Moving on.”
“Well,” he cynically replied, “we don’t seem to care
that
Russia downed two jets and a civilian plane,
either. So, why should we care about Israel?”
Care about James Foley? Worry about Steven Sotloff?
I challenge you to watch the news over the next
week. See how long it takes for James Foley’s
beheading to circulate to the bottom of the news
cycle. Count the days until our focus turns from
Steven Sotloff to more pressing matters, like
Obama’s golf game or
Lena Dunham’s haircut. When we are attacked, we
rise to the challenge of reaction as the purveyors
of screen media have trained us to do. But what
happens when the reaction has been issued? Do we
allow these incidents to provoke our intellect,
drive our focus, inspire us to learn and grow? Or do
we recede to the comfort of our couches, drugged by
the news cycle, coddled by distraction, left ready
and waiting for the next shock to spur us into
momentary, ultimately meaningless reaction?
One day soon, if not already, James Foley will
become a meme as did the four Americans murdered in
Benghazi. Throw in images of Iraqi Christian women
jumping from cliffs, Ukranian patriots defending
their towns, Israelis running for bomb shelters, and
you’ll have one heck of a social media art show.
Better yet, you won’t even need to go out to a
gallery to view it. Simply sit in front of the
screen and view it from the comfort of your own
couch.
Susan L.M. Goldberg is a writer with a Master's in Radio, Television & Film and a PhD in Life who would be happy roaming the fields of Prince Edward Island with Anne of Green Gables, were it not for her strong belief in the axiom "all that is required for evil to prevail is for good women to do nothing." She prefers the career title "Renaissance Woman" and would happily be bar mates with Ann Coulter, Camille Paglia and Dorothy Parker. Her writing tends towards the intersection of culture, politics and faith with the interest in starting, not stopping the discussion. Follow her on Twitter @SLMGoldberg and @winegirlblog.