Palestinian bicyclist

[Tobiasly]

I've been thinking about this news photo for the past couple days. For some reason it was sticking in my head, and I wasn't sure why.


<I>Palestinians run and crawl for cover following an Israeli helicopter attack in Gaza Strip August 5, 2002. Israeli military helicopters fired three missiles at a foundry in Gaza City which the Israeli armed forces said was a Palestinian weapons factory.</I>

It seems like more often than not, pictures of Palestinians in the U.S. media are either flag burnings, groups of kids giving "victory" symbols, body parts scattered in the aftermath of a suicide bombing, etc.

But here's this guy. It looks like he was out for a bike ride in his shorts and sandals, enjoying the evening, when all the sudden he gets blown off his bike and has to seek cover. Now, I'm not taking either side here, although I definitely have my views on the situation in general. I guess this picture just drives home to me how much life must fucking suck for both groups.

This Reuters photo was put out shortly after Griff told us about his birthday ride. And here's Griff's counterpart in Gaza, just out for a joy ride on a nice Monday night. Only while Griff is worrying about whether that neighbor's dog will nip his tires, this guy is worrying about the fucking missile that just exploded a couple hundred yards away.

I guess I don't really have a point to make, just that it really sucks to be some people or groups of people, and it sucks that we can't make all that sucking go away.