Gaza by numbers:
Number of dead - Palestinian: +1,100, vast majority civilian
Number of injured - Palestinian: +6,000, vast majority civilian
Number of dead - Israeli: 55, all but two are military - a military with mandatory conscription
Number of injured - Israeli: not available
Number of Palestinian targets (buildings) struck in last 24 hours: 150
Number struck on Saturday: 200
Length of Gaza: 25 miles
Number of Palestinians killed in last 24 hours: 110 (that we know of)
Number of Gaza residents displaced: 182,604 (10% of the population)
Percentage of Gaza population without water: 50%
Number of 'safe' places in Gaza: 0
The bombing is coming from land, sea and air. One hundred to 200 successful strikes a day on a 25 mile strip of land containing 1.8 million trapped, poverty-stricken people. People who have been living under intolerable conditions for the last seven years.
Israel says it is just getting started.
The Obama Administration is standing "staunchly" behind Israel. Which is quite ironic given Obama's own words in his July 18 press conference about Ukraine.
The United States of America is going to continue to stand for the basic principle that people have the right to live as they choose, that nations have the right to determine their own destiny, and that when terrible events like this occur, the international community stands on the side of justice and on the side of truth.
I am disgusted by both Israel and the United States. I am ashamed of my country and desperate for the people of Gaza. My heart goes out to the young men and women of conscience serving in Israel's military machine. One of the most advanced and sophisticated military machines in the world.
There is no justification for this slaughter and destruction and history is replete with examples of how Israel's actions are doomed to fail if achieving peace and security are truly the objective. And before voices come back to cherry pick history in Israel's favor let me just say, save it. I am no longer interested. What is happening today is unconscionable. I did not stand with the US on Iraq or Panama or the 'drug war' in Central America or the 'democracy wars' in South America. I do not stand with Israel now. If the situation was reversed, I would be writing this same diary in support of Israel.
Mr. President, I have been receiving a steady barrage of emails from you, your wife, the Vice President, Nancy Pelosi, and the DCCC over the last few weeks. Today I received one asking me why I haven't responded yet. This is why. I am one of your biggest fans. I accept but don't like things like the NSA spying its own citizens. On this, however, I think you are a hypocrite of the lowest order.
What I have responded to is Amnesty International's petition to get the US to stop arming Israel.
I am 45. Throughout my life I have always stood by Israel because a) it exists and b) like many, I have trouble mentally separating the country from the horrific atrocities of WWII and a millennia of pogroms. Today, however, I stand with Gaza. As far as I am concerned, Israel has crossed the Rubicon.