Camping

Excellent week of relaxation in Algonquian Park. We did some additional preparation for this trip having purchased a few things that made the week that much more enjoyable. We spent more money than we had wanted however I wanted the trip to be that much more enjoyable because no one can be sure what will happen tomorrow. We bought a larger tent, a small kitchen tent and a replacement coleman stove. The first coleman stove that we had (originally given to us by Valerie) was destroyed when I attempted to cook bacon on the grill. The grill literally melted under its own heat. Not to worry though, we quickly replaced it and added to our camping equipment with a lantern, sleeping bag and a few other acoutrements. Camping at Rock Lake we gleefully acheived nothing and eventually found my Aunt Glenda and Uncle Bill who were also camping in the park although not at the camp site we had originally thought. It was a good week and I felt very relaxed despite the fact that my thoughts often returned to reality on occassion.

The Israeli attack against Hezbollah is in full swing now and although I am sympathetic to the Israeli cause, I do not view their attacks as a reasoned or proportional response as Stephen Harper has described it. The death of an acquantance of mine Hess von Kruger (HVK) can not be justified in any way. If anyone could explain to me how the Israeli army could mistake a known, static observation post clearly marked and likely accurately targeted by both sides for a Hesbollah position, I would be surprised. Clearly that position was targeted and the force that was applied was premeditated or the result of gross negligence. Regardless, I do not see an end to the violence. Israel's strategy seems to me to be short term, near sighted and tries to create the conditions for success by repressing regional neighbours indefinitely instead of building lasting and substantial long term relationships in the region. Eventually Israel's Arab neighbours will become formidible, having the means to inflict much damage on the country and one can only hope that they do not have the motive or justification to exercise those means.

Having said that, I should be happy with the events in the middle east because they provide yet another front in the war against terrorism and that can only mean perhaps a bit of relief on our soldiers in Afghanistan. However, I see Lebanon as another example of how violence and terror can provoke rational and reasonable governments to react unreasonably and unproductively.

For now I will watch the events of the middle east unfold while I enjoy another week of leave and read about an equally confusing time when Germany and Britain engaged in a bitter arms race in a struggle for european supremacy.