Beirut is Dying Again

I just read an article by Robert Fisk, "The Empire Leaves Beirut to Burn," and I can't help but wonder why. I mean really, Why? It was just a few weeks ago I was looking out over the water in the coastal city of San Sebastian, Spain and listening to two tourists discussing the beauty of the view, the city on the water, the richness and variety of the lifestyle, the food, and the culture. I heard one American voice say, "it reminds me of Beirut back in the day." I have never been to Beirut, but I have heard stories of its beauty and majesty, seaport city on the Mediterranean, Paris of the Middle East now in the midst of what is being called a humanitarian emergency. The UN is pushing for a safe humanitarian corridor for much needed aid and supplies, but so far Israel "is reported to have rejected the idea."
I can't help but wonder how many people, and I mean citizens -- not leaders, but citizens -- agree with the way governments around the world address threats. I mean ... there really is no way for our world leaders to check in with us, and if there were they wouldn't. When millions of people protested around the world against the impending US invasion of Iraq, not only did it not have an effect -- it didn't even slow the Bush boys down. If the whole world put its foot down, and said to leaders everywhere "NO," would they listen? If the whole world, and again I mean citizens, Demanded that world leaders stop their madness -- would they listen? Because let's stop kidding ourselves, the world is made and unmade by a few, not by many.
I just read that "the war has made even factions in Lebanon that don't support Hezbollah increasingly angry at Israel." I wonder why. People are dying. People are losing their homes and their jobs ... their futures, and they don't have a say in the matter. They have no choices. They are not being given choices. Human life should be as meaningful to each and every country - not just the lives of our own citizens, but the lives of other citizens from different countries. There is something deeply wrong with the rhetoric of citizenry. If Israel feels justified and righteous in destroying Beirut Machiavellian style in retaliation for Hezbollah's actions, then the Israeli government should be stepping up to provide humanitarian protection and aid itself. The brutalization of citizens around the world to the tune of governments and their decisions needs to stop.