Whack A Mole In The Mideast

It's a snowy Sunday morning. Everyone must be online for even our high speed is slower than molasses. That has given me time to peruse the headlines. I wish I had made a snowman instead.

We have two more holidays of the semi-religious sort before we get into the 'traditional' holiday season. Thanksgiving, which is self-explanatory, and Black Friday which is a pagan tribute to the shopping gods.

So how is the world faring as we look forward to December? Let's begin on our own shores. The Bishop of Providence Rhode Island has revealed that he asked asked Representative Patrick Kennedy, back in 2007, to refrain from taking Communion because of his political stance on abortion. It seems to have resurfaced due to it's inclusion in health care reform which, as a good Democrat, Kennedy supports. "Your position is unacceptable to the church and scandalous to many of our members." Well, they should know all about scandals - both the church and the Kennedys!

Moving on across the ocean the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury had to sort out some differences about the alleged recruiting by the Catholic church of unhappy Anglicans.

Then there is the news from the Middle East, the confluence of religions. We have Israeli jets bombing 'suspected' weapons factories in Gaza and Palestinians lobbing rockets into Israel.

We have al Qaeda doing it's best to cripple the Iraqi government as U.S. troops withdraw and the Iraqi government itself is ramping up attacks against what's left of Saddam's loyalists, the Baathists, before the January elections.

I won't even get into the stalemate in Afghanistan while the troops anxiously await their Thanksgiving and Christmas MRE's. It's getting difficult to keep track of the violence as the most holy of days approaches.

Most holy of days. I got to thinking...

holy |ˈhōlē|
adjective ( holier , holiest )
1 dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred : the Holy Bible | the holy month of Ramadan. See note at divine .
• (of a person) devoted to the service of God : saints and holy men.
• morally and spiritually excellent : I do not lead a holy life.
2 informal used as an intensifier : having a holy good time.
3 dated or humorous used in exclamations of surprise or dismay : holy smoke!

and

holiday |ˈhäliˌdā|
noun
a day of festivity or recreation when no work is done : December 25 is an official public holiday.
• [as adj. ] characteristic of a holiday; festive : a holiday atmosphere.
• chiefly Brit. (often holidays) a vacation : I spent my summer holidays on a farm | Fred was on holiday in Spain.
verb [ intrans. ] chiefly Brit.
spend a holiday in a specified place : he is holidaying in Italy.

Note their is no mention of 'peace' in either definition.

peace |pēs|
noun
1 freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility : you can while away an hour or two in peace and seclusion.
• mental calm; serenity : the peace of mind this insurance gives you.
2 freedom from or the cessation of war or violence : the Straits were to be open to warships in time of peace.
• [in sing. ] a period of this : the peace didn't last.
• [in sing. ] a treaty agreeing to the cessation of war between warring states : support for a negotiated peace.
• freedom from civil disorder : police action to restore peace.
• freedom from dispute or dissension between individuals or groups : the 8.8 percent offer that promises peace with the board.
3 ( the peace) a ceremonial handshake or kiss exchanged during a service in some churches (now usually only in the Eucharist), symbolizing Christian love and unity. See also kiss of peace at kiss .

Have I just stumbled upon the missing link?