Injustice breeds resentment, and resentment has exploded in Israel in the most horrific manner. The cruelty of the Hamas attack is almost beyond comprehension. Israel’s response will become another human tragedy.

The actions of Israel and Hamas cause inevitable reactions, not just today, not over many years, but actions over decades have created the intense hatred that is now being unleashed within Israel and Gaza. Innocent civilians being killed by Hamas will only result in innocent civilians being killed by Israelis.

I believe in our Pledge of Allegiance. Our pledge ends with, “liberty and justice for all.” To me, this pledge is inclusive and it applies to whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, gays, Jews, Arabs and Palestinians. If there is no path toward liberty and justice for Palestinians, there will never be a meaningful and lasting peace in the Middle East.

As an artist, my wife can’t dwell on the many conflicts within our country and in the world. Last night, she woke up with her mind churning. The cause – her thoughts about getting a puppy.

How wonderful and fortunate it is to live in a place and time where the thought of getting a dog can keep one awake. It is too late now, but it would be more than wonderful if every Jewish and Arab child who has been killed – or will soon be killed – would instead be alive and enjoy the luxury of dreaming about a puppy.

Roger Brooks

Mancos