-Caveat Lector- Euphorian spotted this on the Guardian Unlimited site and thought you should see it.
To see this story with its related links on the Guardian Unlimited site, go to http://www.guardian.co.uk Gas masks in the classroom Chris McGreal, Jerusalem Tuesday December 31 2002 The Guardian The lesson is new to the children of Herzog school in Holon. First, breathe deeply and relax. Second, get to know your gas mask. Then listen carefully to the soldier from home front command as he or she explains what your mask will and will not save you from. Nerve gases are to be feared most. Each day growing numbers of kindergarten, primary and secondary school pupils across Israel are introduced to the looming threat of chemical and biological warfare. And they are full of questions. "I live on the seventh floor. Can the gas reach me?" asked one. "Can the chemicals penetrate inside the mask?" asks another. "What about the pets?" asks a third child. Finally, after wending their way through the family emergency plan, how to behave in a bomb shelter and memorising the code words for war - Mr Leon, Iron Wall and Suddenly, Suddenly - the pupils go home with a computer game called Emergency Defence Games in the hope that they will educate their parents. That is, if you are an Israeli child. Pupils in Palestinian schools get no such protection. But then the gas mask training is imbued with a strange air of optimism about the coming conflict which few Palestinians share. To the Israeli leadership, an American war on Iraq this year holds out the promise of reshaping the Middle East. Ariel Sharon's generals talk of 2003 as potentially one of the most important years in Israel's history. "A US-led war against Iraq, if it actually occurs, will create dramatic changes throughout the region because Saddam is a major symbol for tyrants like Arafat and others," said Major General Amos Gilad, commander of Israeli forces in the occupied territories. "If Saddam collapses, this would create a positive 'earthquake' in the Middle East that could lead to an unparalleled opportunity to change things in the region. If his regime collapses, this could lead to new initiatives to change the entire situation in the region." The Palestinians do not disagree that the shock waves of war will reverberate throughout the region, or that the Israelis have reason to feel optimistic. The Palestinians believe that besides the Iraqi leader, they will be the ones who pay the price. War, they fear, will distract the world from their plight and provide Mr Sharon with the cover and justification for yet more killings and destruction. Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
