Category Archives: Current Events

Current Events

The Smoke of War and the Question of Justice

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In the searing silence after an airstrike, amid the dust and cries, lies a question that haunts the rubble: Can there be justice in war? And if so, who is held accountable when justice seems absent?

Nowhere is this question more visceral than in Gaza, where the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict has entered yet another blood-soaked chapter. With images of bombed-out hospitals, collapsed schools, and children buried under concrete flashing across our screens, a legal—and moral—reckoning looms. Across the world, diplomats, lawyers, and human rights observers are asking: Should Israel be charged with war crimes for its actions in Gaza?

The term war crime is not rhetorical. It has a legal definition under the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law. It denotes violations of the rules that govern the conduct of armed conflict: targeting civilians, using disproportionate force, destroying civilian infrastructure without military necessity, and obstructing humanitarian aid. These are not accusations to be made lightly. But they are not new either.

In recent months, Israel has faced intensifying scrutiny for what many call a campaign of disproportionate retribution. Entire neighborhoods in Gaza—one of the most densely populated regions in the world—have been reduced to ash and twisted steel. The stated target is Hamas, the militant group responsible for deadly attacks on Israeli civilians. Yet the overwhelming force unleashed upon Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants, more than half of whom are children, raises a grim question: At what point does self-defense become indiscriminate violence?

International law demands distinction between combatants and civilians. But in Gaza, where militants may fire from rooftops above families, or move through tunnels beneath playgrounds, that distinction becomes tragically blurred. Israel argues that Hamas uses civilians as human shields—a tactic the group has been credibly accused of. Yet legal scholars argue that this does not absolve an attacking army of its obligations. If a target is surrounded by civilians, the laws of war still apply.

In one particularly chilling incident, a refugee camp was bombed in pursuit of a single Hamas commander. The strike flattened buildings and killed dozens, including children. Israeli officials said it was a necessary operation. Critics, including human rights organizations, called it a textbook example of disproportionate force.

The concept of collective punishment—punishing an entire population for the actions of a few—is also at the heart of the case. Israel’s blockade of Gaza has long been a subject of international criticism, but in the latest war, the siege has tightened. Electricity, water, medical supplies, and food are restricted. Aid trucks wait for days or are turned away. UN officials describe Gaza as “hell on earth.” One called it “a graveyard for children.”

These aren’t just the laments of war-weary observers. The International Criminal Court has opened investigations into alleged war crimes by both Israel and Palestinian armed groups. The process is slow, often toothless. But the fact of the investigation matters. It signals that the machinery of justice, however creaky, is engaged.

To some, accusations against Israel amount to political theater, ignoring the atrocities committed by Hamas—suicide bombings, indiscriminate rockets, and hostage-taking. But others argue that accountability must be universal. Justice is not a ledger balanced by who suffered first or most. It is a principle applied without regard to who you are, or which side you fight for.

And so, the question remains: Should Israel be charged with war crimes for its actions in Gaza? The answer may not lie solely in the legal chambers of The Hague, but in our collective willingness to insist that war—even war—has limits.

Because if justice does not reach the rubble of Gaza, where will it reach at all?

References

Amnesty International. Israel/OPT: Unlawful Israeli Attacks Kill Civilians in Their Homes. October 20, 2023. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/10/israel-opt-unlawful-israeli-attacks-kill-civilians-in-their-homes/

Associated Press. “UN Says 100 Children Are Killed or Injured in Gaza Every Day Since War Resumed.” AP News, April 5, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/un-gaza-children-war-deaths-cc3c58ea21de6a982f20cb82b6e5a2b0

The Guardian. “Israel-Gaza Conflict: IDF Bombing Kills Dozens in Jabalia Refugee Camp.” The Guardian, October 31, 2023. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/31/israel-bombing-gaza-jabalia-refugee-camp

Human Rights Watch. Gaza: Israel’s Warnings Do Not Make Strikes Lawful. October 12, 2023. https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/12/gaza-israels-warnings-do-not-make-strikes-lawful

International Criminal Court. Situation in the State of Palestine. Accessed April 30, 2025. https://www.icc-cpi.int/palestine

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Occupied Palestinian Territory: Humanitarian Needs Overview 2024. United Nations. https://reliefweb.int

United Nations. “Gaza Has Become a ‘Graveyard for Children,’ Says UN Chief.” Al Jazeera, November 6, 2023.

Children, Current Events, Education, Family

Huntington Beach Reads: Measures A and B Have Passed

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The so-called “Parent Review Board” at the Huntington Beach Public Library has been disbanded.

And Chad “Porn Man” Williams has conceded.

The public library remains one of the last truly inclusive spaces in our community—welcoming to everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, or income. It offers a wealth of resources without asking anything in return. It is not a place for political agendas.

I’m not a parent. I’m not a teacher. I’m not a librarian.

I’m a private tutor. I help children thrive—both inside and outside the classroom. Many of the parents I work with are immigrants whose first language isn’t English, and some have resources that most families can only dream of.

One of my students is a nine-year-old who absolutely loves to read. I’ve worked with him since he was four, when he didn’t speak a word of English. I taught him to read. Today, he reads at a 10th-grade level. As someone partially responsible for his education, one of my most important tasks is choosing the books he reads. I stay current on newly published titles, follow his favorite authors, discover rising voices, and research books that reflect his interests—as well as books that challenge him to grow.

This past school year alone, I’ve purchased over $2,000 worth of books for him—ranging from novels and comic books to science texts, historical fiction, and nonfiction. Over his lifetime, it’s probably closer to $10,000. He’s read them all. But the reality is, most parents don’t have that kind of budget.

That’s why many families rely on the public library.

They trust that the books on those shelves were chosen by educated professionals with children’s growth in mind. They trust the library to broaden their kids’ horizons—especially families who didn’t get the chance to read widely themselves and want more for their children.

Immigrant parents. Working-class parents. Parents who may not speak English fluently or have formal education. They trust me to guide their children’s learning. And they trust librarians to do the same.

Librarians do this work not for power or profit, but out of a deep belief in education and access. That’s their job—and they do it well.

This vote was never about “protecting our children”—it was about government overreach, the fight against censorship, and the defense of our fundamental rights.

So when someone tries to turn the library into a political battlefield, it’s not just offensive—it’s dangerous.

Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t trust the judgment of a teen-mom high school dropout and Chad “Porn Man” Williams to curate your children’s reading material— actually… yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. The choice is ultimately yours– and if a parent wishes to defer their child’s education to these two, I suggest they contact Williams’ office for the time and location for his next book club meeting.

Let this be the end of it. 

Current Events, Education

Huntington Beach is Under Fire for Promoting Stupidity Once Again

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Writer’s Note: Yes, this piece has been reviewed. Yes, I am aware that it may not be the most journalistic piece because I use potty mouth words and point out someone’s lack of qualifications due to the choices they have made in the past… guess what… I DON’T CARE. I know what I’m talking about!

-Kimberly

Huntington Beach is under fire for promoting stupidity once again.

There comes a point where enough is enough. Sure, you have the right to have a say on how your government is run… but do you know how your government actually works? That’s the scary part. You may be voting away your rights and not even know it. Actually… THEY don’t even know that they are voting MY rights away.

As an educator, I am intelligent enough to decide what books the children in my care can read. I am not a public nor a private school teacher; I am a concierge educator whom parents know and trust with their children’s education and intellectual well-being.

Measure A seeks to repeal a City Council ordinance that created a 21-member panel to oversee children’s books in the public library—an unelected, unqualified review board given power over highly educated librarians with degrees such as Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS). Yes… We have a movement that says formal education isn’t everything. But when it comes to educating our children… YES… it is everything!

Measure B protects the library system from privatization, requiring voter approval before city leaders can outsource this essential public service. Actually… it doesn’t “protect” anyone or anything.

If you want to “protect” YOUR child… that’s YOUR right. I, however, don’t believe in raising a generation of children in a censored world. Go ahead and make the decisions for your child, but don’t tout signs with the words “PORN” in large all over the city and talk about protecting kids. Now we have kids asking their parents, “Mommy… what’s porn?” Good call on that, by the way… As I have said before, if you think a picture of a child showing his shoulders playing with a boat in the bathtub is porn… then maybe YOU’RE the one with the problem.

There are intelligent parents who want the best and brightest future for their children, and they know that censoring and “protecting” their child from literature, current events, history, and knowledge is NOT the best for their children. Do what you want with your kids, but leave the others alone. If the public library, with free books to educate children, no matter their racial or economic background, is too controversial for you… go buy your kids their own damn books. Be careful at Barnes and Noble, though, they might have those spicy romance novels for all you soccer moms out there… you know, the ones with about… the plumber and his “little buddy” helping the mom find her “pussy cat” while daddy’s at work?

Okay… let’s say the library respects the education and experience of our librarians, but you still think your child needs to be protected. I’m sorry… do YOU not know how to read? Clearly not… especially if you think Boats Afloat and Everyone Poops is pornographic.

Shame. If anyone needs this library, it’s you. If we’re going to be so quick to judge the intelligence of other people… I am NOT trusting a high-school dropout teen mom (not mentioning names) decide what’s best for the kids of Huntington Beach.

I leave you with the words of a 19th-century poet, writer, and literary critic (whom your child will know if you don’t ban their books)

“Those who burn books will in the end burn people.” -Heinrich Heine 

19th century… he really called it, didn’t he?
Current Events, Education, In the Media

Ban Boats: Huntington Beach Declares War on Boats, Potty Training and Puberty

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WARNING: This article will likely offend readers who oppose intellectual freedom and inclusive, science-backed education.


Huntington Beach city council members want to ban books claiming they are “porn.” There is no porn at the library in the children’s section. What are some books they have categorized as porn?

Let’s be clear: there is no pornography in these books! Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi teaches children about a natural bodily function with humor and honesty. Your One and Only Heart by award winning Dr. Rajani LaRocca explores anatomy in poetic, accessible terms. The Way We Work by David Macaulay explains the human body in ways that engage children without shame or sensationalism.

Yes on prop A & B would

  • Eliminate the proposed Community Parent Guardian Review Board, which was intended to review and approve children’s and teen library materials based on community standards regarding sexual content. If you want to withhold information and education from your child. Do it. But not at the library. Build your own library. Do that there.
  • Transfer the responsibility for selecting library materials to professional librarians, who would follow established policies emphasizing a diverse range of viewpoints and adherence to the First Amendment– You know… the people who went to college.

Some children are raised by single parents—fathers raising daughters, mothers raising sons—who rely on these books to fill gaps in their own understanding or comfort levels. These books offer scientifically sound, inclusive ways to help kids understand what is happening to their bodies. Removing them from reach doesn’t protect kids; it leaves them in the dark.

You think kids are going to ask their parents, “Mommy… What’s porn?” Oh, yes! They will… and they have! Thanks to political posters all over Huntington Beach, including in school zones.

Or perhaps it’s simply that they’re uncomfortable with boats. Yes… they want to ban books about boats. 

Check out John Oliver for some boat porn:

Don’t ban boats!

Other books include:

(ACLU)

Meanwhile, books with actual explicit content—like adult romance novels—remain openly available on spinning racks just steps away. If the concern is access to sexual content, then the city council should start there. But they won’t because this is not about protecting kids. It’s about controlling narratives.

Steamy romance books aren’t out in the open for anyone to grab and sit at any table to read. Oh, wait. They are. Adults can even take them to the children’s and teen section and just read them right there. They can even check them out. All you need is to be at least 13 years old and have a library card. Are these book Nazis going to stand at the door and check each book as they leave the library?

Are we going to move on to Danielle Steel after shoving all these boat books in the some dark corner in the basement of the library? Why aren’t we looking at these books first? Or are we just not going to bother with them? Rights and all, you know. It seems like that would be more of a priority. Why are we looking at books that educate children? There has been no good group in the past that has banned books. Please tell me a group that is generally good. The Nazis? The commies? The KGB? The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea? (To clarify… that’s North Korea)

If this is something that you’re going to do in our public library, why don’t we start with Fabio or Bared to You? At least put it behind the XXX curtains like those video rental places had in the 90s. Make sure it gives out a loud “ding dong” when someone sneaks in. Gotta make sure mommy’s a grown-up.

So the plan is to take the responsibility of selecting library books out of the hands of trained, experienced librarians—many with advanced degrees—and hand it over to someone who didn’t even finish high school because she got pregnant as a teenager. (No names, of course.)

We’re not quite there yet… but that’s clearly the direction we’re heading. For now, the books are just being hidden. Soon, librarians may have no authority at all over what stays on the shelves. Why rely on educated professionals when we can defer to a high school dropout to decide which books matter and which ones don’t?

Don’t tell me… “Oh, we’re just going to move the books into the basement or the adult section…” Have you been in that library’s basement? The adult section? Do they need to know how the science of the human body works, too? Well, they should. They can go into the kid’s section. No Shame!

This is just the beginning– when you start controlling the access to books, you start banning books, and that’s a slippery slope to idiotocracy.

Don’t ban boats. Don’t ban biology. And don’t let fear make fools of us all.

Note: I went ahead and submitted an episode idea to the creators of South Park.

Current Events

Pro-Palestinian Message and Political Commentary Emerge at Coachella Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict

The Irish rap group Kneecap continued to stir controversy during Coachella’s second weekend, criticizing Israel over its war in Gaza and leading a “free Palestine” chant during their performance. The group also projected anti-Israel-agression statements onto the Sonora tent backdrop.

These projections, reportedly used during the first weekend as well, appeared to prompt the cutoff of the band’s livestream. By the second weekend, sets in the Sonora tent were no longer streamed—presumably in response to the messaging.

The projections read: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. Fuck Israel; free Palestine.”

While the initial weekend saw limited reaction, the second weekend drew greater scrutiny. Numerous online commentators demanded that Coachella organizers Goldenvoice and parent company AEG Presents address the incident.

Representatives for both companies did not immediately respond to Variety’s requests for comment.

Last week, the band claimed on X that Coachella had censored their protest, but reassured followers that they would be “back next Friday” and that the matter would “be sorted.” During their second-weekend set, the group led a “free, free Palestine” chant and declared, “the Irish are not so longer persecuted under the Brits, but we were never bombed under the fucking skies with nowhere to go.”

Kneecap was not the only act to voice support for Palestinians. British punk duo Bob Vylan displayed a Palestinian flag during their first weekend set and also commented on Gaza. The duo also performed in the Sonora tent, though it’s unclear whether similar messages were delivered.

Former music executive Scooter Braun, who last year helped stage an exhibit in Israel and Los Angeles about the October 7 Hamas attacks, took to Instagram to defend Goldenvoice founder Paul Tollett.

“This is my friend Paul Tollett, the founder of [Coachella],” Braun wrote in a Sunday post. “He is someone who lives and breathes the festival community. He fights for artists and he fights for all people. When I invited him to the opening of the Nova music exhibit in Los Angeles, he was the first person from the industry to accept. He came on his own time and spent five hours in the exhibit and then met with survivors of nova and invited them to the festival this year as his guest. He cried with them, he laughed with them, and he continues to advocate for them. Let’s not lose sight of who this man is, and let us stand with him in this moment when a group, without his knowing, took advantage of his festival and created hate in a place that’s filled with love.”

1. Mass Civilian Casualties in Gaza

  • Over 30,000 Palestinians, including thousands of children and civilians, have been killed in the 2023–2024 Gaza conflict (according to Gaza’s Health Ministry).
  • The scale and intensity of Israeli airstrikes in densely populated areas are cited as evidence of disproportionate force.

2. Forced Displacement and Starvation

  • Israeli military orders for civilians to evacuate large areas of Gaza have displaced over 1.8 million people.
  • Humanitarian agencies report that Israel has severely restricted access to food, water, and medicine, contributing to famine-like conditions—which some experts argue can qualify as genocidal acts (e.g., Article II(c) of the Genocide Convention: “Deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to destroy a group…”).

3. Destruction of Infrastructure

  • Systematic targeting of hospitals, schools, refugee camps, and homes may be viewed as acts aimed at dismantling Palestinian society in Gaza.

4. Statements by Israeli Officials

  • Some international lawyers and UN officials (like UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese) have cited statements by Israeli political and military leaders that dehumanize Palestinians or suggest an intent to wipe out entire communities. For example:
    • Defense officials describing the need to “flatten Gaza.”
    • Politicians referring to Palestinians as “human animals.”