Yeah right!

A teacher was explaining to her class that in some languages a double negative is used: it is still a negative. Some languages have a negative and positive expression, as in "yes, no" meaning "maybe". Most languages make allowance for a double positive, which is an emphatic positive as in "Yes, Yes".

Then the teacher went on to say that no language has a double positive that carries a negative meaning, at which point a student, half dozing at the back of the class, said, "Yeah, Right."

Late last year Iran denied any agenda relating to nuclear weapons and UN watchdogs then confirmed this position by saying that Iran had long since abandoned the idea. Russia and China quickly jumped on the bandwagon, together with that clique of nations that always sides with insurrectionists. But the US stood back and said, "Yeah, Right" and soon the french chipped in with "Wee Wee", followed by Germany with "Yeah, Right". Israel just sat quietly nursing her strained patience to whisper, "I told you so."

So now, in the prevailing hiatus Russia is into its 5th nuclear fuel transhipment, whilst holding a large missile test and other war games in the bay of Biscay, right in the face of Nato nations. Nato has gone to alert status and, by way of an indirect response, has ruled the use of nuclear weapons back into its military doctrines.

Strange that Jesus said, "When they say, "Peace, Peace", then comes sudden destruction". The world may wish to deny the gathering war clouds over the Middle East, but military planners are quietly chanting "Yeah, Right". I say this not to be alarmist, for I hate war and regard it as the least creative form of human discourse, but there are very strong-minded and deeply incensed forces that could care less.

Unfortunately, in the middle of this whole mess is one small, vulnerable nation who cares so much about her dearly-paid-for sovereignty that she would have nothing to lose in defending her cause. Esau once sold his birthright to Israel (Jacob) for some stew, but is in no mind to return the favour: that tough, courageous nation occupying a small, barren stretch of real-estate at the fringe of the Islamic world, stands ready to hit back at any time her own safety is threatened and she will never give up her heritage. She also enjoys unprecedented US support: that is one reason why rising Islamic extremism threatens to push the middle east over-the-edge.

(c) Peter Eleazar at www.bethelstone.com