This is a more difficult post to write than the last one. This one means a wake up for me and many others who so far have managed to treat world events as academic. The realm of debate and moral and ethical games.

Israel has retaliated against Gaza by air strikes against military targets and limiting civilian damage to the best of its capabilities. Many posts will argue the rights and wrongs of it so no need for more of that here. I’m sure the vast vast majority have already made up their minds as to who is right and wrong and why.

I am writing on another aspect. Strategy and outcome.

So far, Islamist forces world wide (and Gaza is no exception) have overwhelmingly chosen to go after the softest targets possible and the ones which would garner the most outrage and horror. It is not at all unusual for example, for a Palestinian receiving free and excellent medical care in Israel to return to the hospital wrapped in explosives with hopes of murdering the very doctors nurses and destruction of the facilities which had treated her. We also have seen attacks going back decades in Argentina, France, and recently Bombay targeting Jews with no strategic value whatsoever but because they are Jews. More recently, The UK, Germany Scandinavia and frankly much of Europe where Muslims are moving in large numbers in the past year has seen anti semitic violent attacks grow.

Hamas will ‘retaliate’ (I put retaliate of course in quotes as the Israeli action was in fact retaliation for over 800 rockets fired at Israeli civilians over the past few years most of which was during an agreed ‘cease fire’) as will Hizbolah, Al Queda/Taliban and any number of Islamic groups which as usual will create a new name for themselves for each attack by targeting easy to access unsuspecting targets of Jews. It could as easily be Ottawa as Bombay or Pembrook Ontario as London England or Ipswich Mass. as easily as Madrid Spain. The only thing these attacks will have in common, will be that it is against Jewish people.

If you live as a Jew in most western nations, it is against the law to arm yourself. not just for jews of course but for all. The police or more likely politicians would prefer you get killed cleanly and quickly then get the police and ambulance to the scene so City councils can show how efficient they are. Outside of small pockets of the USA where there is still some sense of individual right to life and self defense this is the norm. However given the history of Islamic terrorist movements and the ascendancy of same, the moral relativism of the modern left who dominate the civil service of most western nations and the consequent ethical ambiguousness which has made terrorists the victims and victims the aggressors, Jewish people may want to start thinking about their own security. Predicting the future at some levels is imposable. At others is as easy as looking at the past.

Let’s have a look at what the official reaction has been from various bodies in order to better understand how officialdom may react to the deaths of Jews by Muslim attackers in their own cities and nations.

Here I borrow heavily from the excellent site, The Gates of Vienna…

Spokesman For Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary General

“The secretary general is deeply alarmed by today’s heavy violence and bloodshed in Gaza, and the continuation of violence in southern Israel.

“[He] appeals for an immediate halt to all violence [and reiterates] previous calls for humanitarian supplies to be allowed into Gaza to aid the distressed civilian population.”

Gordon Johndroe, White House Spokesman

“Hamas’ continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop. Hamas must end its terrorist activities if it wishes to play a role in the future of the Palestinian people.

“The United States urges Israel to avoid civilian casualties as it targets Hamas in Gaza.”

Spokesman For Javier Solana, EU Foreign Policy Chief

“We are very concerned at the events in Gaza. We call for an immediate ceasefire and urge everybody to exert maximum restraint.”

British Foreign Office Statement

“The only way to achieve lasting peace in Gaza is through peaceful means. Whilst we understand the Israeli government’s obligation to protect its population we urge maximum restraint to avoid further civilian casualties.

“We also call on militants in the Gaza Strip to immediately cease all rocket attacks on Israel.”

Russian Foreign Ministry Statement

“Moscow considers it necessary to stop large-scale military action against Gaza, which has already led to major casualties and suffering among the civilian Palestinian population.

“At the same time, we call on the Hamas leadership to stop shelling Israeli territory.”

Amr Moussa, Arab League Secretary General

“We are facing a continuing spectacle which has been carefully planned. So we have to expect that there will be many casualties. We face a major humanitarian catastrophe.”

Syrian Foreign Ministry Statement

“Syria is following with great anxiety the barbaric Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza… a horrific crime and terrorist act.

[…]

“Syria as president of the Arab League calls on Arab leaders to hold an emergency summit to assess the dangerous situation in Gaza.”

Hasan Qashqavi, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman

“Iran strongly condemns the Zionist regime’s wide-ranging attacks against the civilians in Gaza.

“The raids against innocent people are unforgivable and unacceptable.”

And the most useless and mealy-mouthed reaction of all comes from — surprise! — the Vatican:

Rev Federico Lombardi, Vatican Spokesman

“Hamas is a prisoner to a logic of hate, Israel to a logic of faith in force as the best response to hate.

“One must continue to search for a different way out, even if that may seem impossible.”

So from this we get a fairly clear idea how our leaders will react to terrorist attacks against Jewish targets. A few words careful not to offend Islamic terrorists. Hence the responsibility ends where it should begin. In the hands of each individual Jewish person to decide how exactly they should protect themselves. The state will not be able to do it nor has the will.

Perhaps the radical sounding words of the founder of the JDL, Rabbi Meir David Kahane don’t sound so radical now. “Every Jew a .22″.

Frankly, I think a .45 would make a lot more sense.

Sales of rifles, pistols and ammo are surging in parts of the United States, as many gun owners fear President-elect Barack Obama’s administration may seek to tighten ownership of certain weapons.

“The day after the election, I had many more calls than usual from people looking for semi-automatic rifles,” said David Greenberg, the owner of the Second Amendment Family Gun Shop, in Bisbee, Arizona, who sold out of AR-15 rifles in recent days.

“There seems to be a fear they will be banned, and it’s fairly likely,” he added. “Obama and Biden are driven to eliminate firearms from the face of the country.”

Welcome to the new reality, Comrades. All the really good dictators know that an armed society cannot be an acquiescent society. First there will be a Canadian-style gun registry, so the government can get the names and addresses of all gun owners. Then comes the raids. Good luck, and Godspeed.

Mayor Miller is clutching a petition in his greedy, sweaty little palm, to have handguns banned in Canada. Ninety percent of the people who signed it are from Toronto, where gun ownership among law abiding residents is low. However, gun crime is high, especially in social housing and areas with a high proliferation of black, fatherless boys. Why not ban Jamaicans instead? After all, a gun sitting on a table is highly unlikely to kill anyone, even by accident. But a gang-banger who perceives “disrespect” will shoot first and not bother asking questions later.

Ontario went ahead with a pitbul ban - a specific breed of dog was singled out for genocide. C’mon Ontario - show us you really mean it with the gun ban. Go ahead, you soft-bellied, bike-riding, electric-car-buying, soy-munching city folk: Stand up and ban that what threatens you: The Jamaican. It makes a helluva lot more sense than banning an inanimate object.

Ah, but to do so would expose the mild city folk of Toronto for what they really are: A bunch of NIMBYs who know what the problems are but are too politically correct and inert to address them. More social housing! they cry. More basketball courts! (which is by far one of the most racist things I have ever heard). Yet, never in their lovely manicured neighborhoods. Hey, I hear ya - I don’t wanna live next door to some hair-trigger black boy with daddy issues and a chip on his shoulder, either. But I try to be honest about it.

C’mon, Toronto - step it up! You’ve already convinced the black community to go back to segregation, something we thought had gone the way of the Dodo a looong time ago. You’ve got them setting up separate black schools inside already existing white schools, so they can have separate entrances and their very own water fountains. And you even convinced them that it was their idea in the first place! Surely you can convince them to commit genocide on themselves. I mean, we’re already halfway there anyway, with the amount of shootings and stabbing that take place on any given weekend. Surely your solution is more guns, not less?

Good luck, Toronto, with this sticky little problem. But really, can’t you find a way to keep us law-abiding folk out of your little social engineering project? We have more important things to do.

Yes, I was afraid of the big one. Wouldn’t you be?

Only two thirds of the way through my first coffee this morning, I was sent on an urgent door-to-door egg delivery mission. Oh well, I needed the walk. My muscles are sore and tight from yesterday, throwing and stacking nearly 100 bales of hay in the main barn near the house. The hay is done! Oh bliss!

I got up yesterday from a much needed afternoon siesta to find John in his John-sized chair, under a heap of kitties, playing with new guns that were delivered in the past few days. Usually, when a man comes home from work and sprawls in a chair with the cats, it’s to read the paper or maybe watch a little TV before dinner. Not John. Playing with the pistols is way cooler. So I sat and watched, getting the skinny on the differences and similarities between three pistols that to my untrained eye looked exactly the same. Methinks I will be well educated by the time I return to the People’s Republic of Torontistan.

Now, for all you blithering anti-gun types, let me put your tiny minds at ease. There are no children in this house. Just responsible adults. Guns are always locked away before people come to call, especially if they are bringing minors with them. Ok? Is that enough fine print for you?

Today is market day. Have I mentioned the fudge I discovered? This does not bode well for the 30-odd pounds I’ve lost in the past few months… There is a lady here in the area who makes goat milk fudge, which is softer and creamier than the regular stuff you are used to. For Kathy, Arnie, Meredith et al, I will be bringing some home with me at the end of August. For the rest of you, place your orders now! Anyway, I’m off to pick more blackberries (would those be African-American berries now? Or even Marion Barries?) for this afternoon’s market. We sold out last week!

It’s rather a pity that Fox already made a show about a bored city girl and her Chihuahua heading off to frolic uselessly on a farm while trying desperately not to break a nail. If Fox hadn’t already done this, I swear I would be pitching the idea to them. You see, on Tuesday I will be heading down to Kansas, to stay at Castle Arrgghhh! with Beth and John Donovan. And my little dog, too! Beth has been kind enough to offer me her spare room in exchange for indentured servitude - I will be her White Mexican at the farm. Maybe I’ll start a trend of white, English-speaking “Mexicans” who don’t steal the silverware - everyone will want one!

I imagine my main tasks will include getting dirty, dealing with all things related to poop, and picking ticks out of my dog. And possibly out of her dogs, too. For all I know it will turn into some sort of Marilyn “Simian Rights Now!” Churley fantasy with all of us picking ticks out of each other! So long as John is making his world-famous margaritas, I really won’t complain! I suppose the hardest part will be having to wake before I normally go to bed. Farm life is well beyond the comprehension of this city slicker. Hence the Paris comparison.

In all reality, it’s not indentured servitude. As you all know, June was an ass-kicker of a month for me, rendering me crippled with debt and personal loss. I have had to downsize my life considerably, though I have also made wonderful contacts and picked up plenty of writing work as a result. Thanks! There was originally a plan in place for me to spend the first week of August with Beth, but due to circumstances, I felt there was no harm - in fact there was much benefit to be had - in spending more time far from the filth and din of the city. I’m using this as an opportunity to escape, yet still get things accomplished. I have a stack of assignments to take with me, which means I’ll have a bit of an income while I’m there. My body looks forward to the opportunity of heavy farm work - it’s like the gym, but with added Vitamin D! So with the Donovans’ blessing, I am taking over the spare room for five weeks. Yup - five weeks!

On Tuesday morning I will pack up the freshly-immunized Bug and board a plane to Kansas City. Back in the old days, before air travel was the norm, I guess I would have had to click my heels and hope for the best.

Fear not, readers and listeners, for the hot pink laptop (which matches my boots) will be accompanying me, meaning Girl on the Right and Brass Balls Radio will continue live on location in Kansas. You’ll get to hear all about my exploits in rural farming, and with any luck, Beth will take a video or two to prove my ineptitude, which will be posted for your delight and delectation. I see disaster involving goats… and my poor little Bug being beat up by chickens. Then of course, there is John’s significant gun collection. Well, it’s more of an arsenal, actually! I’m looking forward to more lessons from him. He’s a great teacher, and will tell you the whole history of the gun, where it was used, and who he bought it from. Stay tuned!

Didn’t we ban guns in Toronto? Surely these people heard about David Miller’s ban on guns!

At least six gunshots were fired into a ground-floor apartment in the city’s west end early this morning.

An 11-year-old boy, a 24-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were inside the unit at 3735 Dundas St. W., near Scarlett Rd., around 1 a.m. when the shots were fired, Toronto police Staff Sgt. Mark Tilley said.

Someone from the unit frantically called police and once they arrived, no suspects were found, but bullet holes were found inside the apartment.

No one was injured.

“This is still fresh and it’s being actively investigated by our detective office,” he said.

Police are still investigating a similar case that occurred May 25.

An unknown number of suspects stood outside a townhouse complex and fired into three homes on Orpington Cr., near Finch Ave. and Albion Rd.

No one was hurt in that case either.

Wow, these guys couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat! If only they had some place to practice…

Toronto will never have crime again! I’m so excited! At long last, the murders will end, the sirens will be silenced, and candy gumdrops will grow on money trees.

After a long, at times bitter and widely diverging debate, Toronto city council passed a series of measures to stamp out gun violence this afternoon by a two-thirds margin.

The 31-9 vote was a victory for Mayor David Miller, who had championed the steps in order to give the city the moral authority to push other levels of government to get tough on gun crime after council voted strongly in April to ask Ottawa to enact a national handgun ban.

We’ll all sleep soundly from now on. Those pesky target shooters and gun collectors are going DOWN!

The National Post is doing a bang-up impression of Toronto Star. For a moment, I forgot which website I was reading. In today’s Posted Toronto Blog, Barry Hertz rants about the latest Toronto shooting “tragedy” - the gangland execution-style bullet hail that took place in Lawrence Park last late last week - and blames everyone and everything except the little putz who pulled the trigger.

While I too have held some disdain for Toronto’s architectural failings (I come from Montreal and I lived in Britian and travelled Europe - Toronto is butt ugly), I never would have thought to blame the urban planners for gun crime.

Somebody is doing a good job shovelling the snow in Lawrence Heights. In a video police released yesterday, two men in dark jackets walk down a carefully cleared pathway, lined with thick white snow. They could be heading to the corner store for a litre of milk.

The guy in front turns down a side path toward a building. He pulls something from his coat pocket. It is a gun. He fires a shot. The next image closes in to a tight frame, seen from above, almost the way a movie editor might splice the scene. Only this is no movie, people. As the snow reminds us, this is Toronto the Good, 2008.

Oh the scene setting, oh the poetry. Right, so the tender-hearted urban cowboy goes on to describe the scenes from the murder footage, firing the gun (Get that part, people? Someone actually deliberately pulled the trigger to kill someone… but that’s not the point, is it?) etc.

And he then closes out his piece with the same Intro to Short Story Writing shmaltz that he opened with:

Where I live, we all shovel the snow and we all have pride. In Lawrence Heights some municipal worker shovelled the snow and then got the hell out of there, to leave the locals to die.

Relax, buddy. It’s criminals shooting criminals. I really don’t think the heavily unionized snow remover had much to do with it. He’d lose his pension, you know? And then he’d have to live in like, an ugly building? And ugly buildings, like, make people angry? It perpetuates a deadly cycle, you know, man?

I debated posting my 360-degree video of the Vault at the Castle, but until I clear it with John and his insurance company, I will hold back.

So in the meantime, I present the Girls and some of the Guns of Castle Arrggh!

I can’t say enough about what a great and patient teacher John Donovan is.