T minus 4 hours

...until the ceasefire begins. They sure do seem to be going on until the last possible moment, though.

In light of this, I hope it holds, and I hope that somehow, someway, Israel/Palestine/Lebanon can work out their issues. I'm not naive though, it may be a feckless hope, but it is hope nonetheless.

Ultimately, the problems between the East and West (or perhaps more specifically, the Muslim world and the western world) need to be fine tuned and hashed out for the better of both sides. We can't let the hatred continue. I've read in a couple of places that some people are saying Islam should be banned in America. Well, it is pretty hard to address a suggestion that is so unbelieveably ridiculous I can't believe it was ever uttered. Sure, lets have a country that was created by people escaping religious persecution ban a religion. That doesn't compromise any ideals.

The biggest problems are a lack of understanding and religious fundamentalism. That last one will get you every time. Personally, I think the world should go back to polytheistic religions. It is hard to be a fundamentalist with so many gods competing for your attention. Not to mention I think people would be better off with a pantheon of gods interfering with every move they make. We haven't done very well with free will, it seems.