2006.07.28
San Francisco and Haifa
Despite the recent protests against Israeli miltary action in Lebanon, it would be good for San Francisco to remember that Haifa is our Sister City. I know it seems like a small, trivial thing, but it’s gotta mean something. Fortunately the people in Haifa, Jews and Arabs, seem to be doing well enough despite the rockets launched at them daily by Hezbollah.
Being a sister city isn’t a big deal, though it should be. “Sister city?” I can hear some ignoramus saying, “What’s that?” It’s when two cities pair up for cultural, economic and political reasons. Often exchanges are made; sometimes students, sometimes symbols (statues, exhibits, etc), sometimes aid. One of the goals is to create ties around the world with the idea that with understanding and interdepenence comes peace and prosperity. I think it would be great if San Francisco stood up for our sister city, Haifa, regardless of what it might politically think about the Israeli actions.
Pretend your sister, who lives across the country, calls and say, “You remember my irritating neighbor? The one whose yard I had to clean up because there was so much trash in it? Well you won’t believe this, but yesterday she stole my cat. Yes! I know! I don’t know what she was thinking. I asked her about it and she said she doesn’t know what I’m talking about. What should I do?”
My advice would be to go into the neighbor’s house and take the cat back. Even better to offer to fly out and get the poor cat back for her. Maybe that’s just me. If nothing else my sister would get a sympathetic ear, not one where I blame her for her neighbor’s criminal activity.
So, residents of Haifa, know that at least one person in San Francisco stands with you as the rockets come smashing into your homes. I hope you are alright.
Categorized: san francisco thoughts
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One Response to “San Francisco and Haifa”
- Mookee says (July 28th, 2006 at 08:56:56 )
Me, I prefer to treat sister cities like actual sisters. They’re there to be made fun of, picked on, and generally abused unless things really go wrong.
OK, that’s the situation in Israel right now. But I just found this information (Haifa = sister city) yesterday as I was looking over your shoulder, so I’d like to pick on my sister first before coming to the rescue (if necessary). With that, here’s my message:
Haifa, I love you to death, but your beliefs have gotten you in trouble and now you have to deal with the consequences. Don’t take the last Eskimo Pie and I’ll jump to your aid sooner…
…and by the way, as soon as I get the rest of the family in line I’ll be over there in a heartbeat. “Dad” is too busy marrying same sex partners, “mom” is no where to be found, and your other “brothers and sisters” (aside from Doug) seem to think that holding hands and having protests that stop traffic and disrupt business is a good idea. Oblivious to some real problems in the world.
I’d hate to think what might be needed for the “family” to see that you could use our help, or at the very least, support and understanding.
But what the hell do I know?
