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TechnoratiBreaking the Siege of Gaza: Governments Refuse While Citizens Act
When our governments refuse to act to stop the 22 month illegal and inhumane siege, blockade, quarantine of Gaza, citizens have stepped in to challenge the blockade.
Since the December, 2008-january, 2009 Israeli attack on Gaza six months ago that killed 1440 persons, including 400 children, wounded over 5,000 and made 70,000 homeless, the international community has sent no aid to Gaza, no reconstruction materials -- nothing. The governments have decided that the government of Hamas would use reconstruction materials for terrorist acts and that there are no non-governmental organizations in Gaza they can trust with millions of dollars in reconstruction funding. The United Nations operations in Gaza and other organizations that the international community has trusted with funding for many other projects over the decades of international involvement in Gaza, are suddenly incapable of being trusted with reconstruction materials and funding. So the governments are willing to let 1.5 million people of Gaza suffer.
During his one day visit to Gaza on June 16, 2009, former President Jimmy Carter said, "Tragically, the international community largely ignores the cries for help, while the citizens of Gaza are treated more like animals than human beings." He added, "Never before in history has a large community been savaged by bombs and missiles and then deprived of the means to repair itself. The responsibility for this terrible human rights crime lies in Jerusalem, Cairo, Washington, and throughout the international community."
In his speech to graduates of a human rights curriculum sponsored by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, Carter spoke strongly about the international blockade on Gaza and about arbitrary prohibitions by the Israeli government that have made travel into and out of Gaza by Palestinians virtually impossible, banned the import of all but basic goods and prevented reconstruction since Israel's three-week attack on Gaza ended in January, two days before President Obama's inauguration.
Even President Obama in his June 4, 2009 speech in Cairo acknowledged the humanitarian crisis in Gaza: “For more than sixty years they have endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations – large and small – that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own. … And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel's security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.”
But President Obama has taken no action to alleviate the incredible humanitarian crisis for the 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza.
However, ordinary citizens from around the world are not willing to sit by and do nothing. In groups, as individuals, or with organizations, six months after the 22 day attack on Gaza by the Israeli military, citizens are bringing into Gaza supplies forbidden by the Israeli government and the international community.
I just returned from three weeks in Gaza, Egypt, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian territories. I went to the Middle East as a part of delegations organized by CODEPINK: Women for Peace. The four delegations that got into Gaza from the Rafah, Egypt border crossing in late May, 2009, totaled 140 persons from 15 nations. The delegation to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian territories had 45 delegates. In March, 2009, we sponsored a 60 person delegation to Gaza to commemorate International Women’s Day with over 1000 women in Gaza. On these missions we brought items denied to the people of Gaza by the Government of Israel’s inhumane edicts, including playground and sports equipment, medicines and forbidden household items. CODEPINK’s next delegation to Gaza will be in September 17-26, 2009.
Other citizen action groups are on the move to Gaza.
This week, the Free Gaza Movement is sending two ships filled with cement and other reconstruction supplies to Gaza. The first ship, “Spirit of Humanity,” left Cyprus on June 29 with 21 international activists, aid workers and journalists from 10 countries. Today, June 30, the vessel is 21 miles off Gaza with eight Israeli naval vessels threatening it
This morning at 1:30am, Israeli naval ships surrounded the “Spirit of Humanity” and threatened to open fire if the ship did not turn around. In violation of international maritime law, the Israeli navy ship blocked the GPS, radar and navigation system of the humanitarian ship. In violation of international law, the Israeli navy boarded the vessel about ten hours later and have now taken the passengers and crew off the ship and have confiscated the humanitarian assistance materials.
Onboard the “Spirit of Humanity,” Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire said: “All we want is to reach Gaza. We do not seek a confrontation. The aid is desperately needed by the people of Gaza. President
Obama has called upon the Palestinians to abandon violence but Israel
is denying them the right to non-violently resist the siege of Gaza.”
Former
U.S. Congresswoman and Green Party Presidential candidate Cynthia
McKinney who was on the December, 2008, Free Gaza boat Dignity that the
Israeli navy rammed without regard to the lives of those onboard and
causing extensive damage to the vessel, is also onboard the “Spirit of
Humanity.” She said: “I am extremely angry. We demand that the Israeli government call off their attack dogs. We are unarmed civilians aboard an unarmed boat delivering medical and reconstruction aid to other human beings in Gaza. Why in God’s name would Israel want to attack us?”
The Free Gaza boats that landed in Gaza in 2008 are the first boats to land in Gaza in 41 years!
On July 4, 2009 is a second Viva Palestina “convoy” is departing for Gaza. This convoy of over 220 persons is leaving from the United States and is organized by UK parliamentarian George Galloway and U.S. Vietnam war veteran and activist Ron Kovic. The group will purchase vehicles, medical and humanitarian supplies in Egypt and drive the vehicles to the Gaza around July 10.
While we were in Gaza in March, British member of Parliament George Galloway arrived with the first overland convoy to Gaza. The convoy was filled with over 100 vehicles that had been driven from the UK to Gaza. The vehicles were filled with medical and humanitarian supplies.
A
new International Coalition to Break the Siege of Gaza is being formed
to organize, with the people of Gaza, a massive non-violent act of
civil disobedience. On January 1, 2010, they plan to march, together
with over 1,000 internationals, from Gaza to the Israeli border, where
they will be joined by people on the Israeli side. Check out http://www.normanfinkelstein.
At
the Rafah, Egypt border crossing, international activists with the
International Movement to Open the Rafah Border are in their third week
of a camp out at the border itself to end the siege.
Activist Jeanne at the border reported that on June 27, 28 and 29, the three days the Egypt government had publicized the border would be open in June, “Hundreds of Palestinians got in and out of Gaza Strip, but after waiting for amazing lengths of time. Yesterday, only 2 buses out of 10 were allowed to enter Gaza. Each of these buses are carried about 80 passengers, most of them, ill or injured. Human rights of the Palestinians are not respected and the conditions at the border are unbelievable with violence and extortion. It is said that tomorrow, the border will be open again. But, today, for instance, it opened at 3p.m. (A video of Palestinians streaming to the Rafah border dragging suitcases and packages.)
On the Gaza side of the border, Bianca Zammit reports that on June 27, busloads of Palestinians at the Gaza side of the border and ambulances filled with seriously ill patients waited 15 hours in their buses and ambulances only to have the border closed at 11pm by the Egyptian border guards. The next day June 28, busloads arrived again, with the border opening at 3pm and closing at 2am with very few of those with valid Egyptian visas being allowed to come into Egypt. Egyptian border officials were verbally and physically abusive toward Palestinians according to international activists who also were attempting to leave Gaza. They report being threatened and their passports being thrown on the ground by border guards.
While our governments sit and participate in the strangling of Gaza, citizens from around the world are taking action. Please join us in whatever way you can!
37 Comments so far
Show AllPalestinians elected Hamas and the Israeli Jews (not the Arabs) stated that that they would put people in Gaza on a diet. Their blockade caused Palestinians children to have to eat grass to survive.
Against a US "warning" Israeli Jews then attacked Gaza with the 4th.strongest Military in the world.
Americans TV never showed or told about Gazan children trying to extract the mangled bodies of parents and siblings from the wreckage of their homes.
Americans TV never showed the cries of hungry children, the sullen faces of broken men and women just sitting in their hungry emptiness with no light, no hope, no love in a crime against humanity.
White phosphorous, cluster bombs,Flechette munititions head shots to kill young Palestinians.
Why is it that American Christian Nation is not marching and protesting ?
Arabs had no problems with America until the foreign policy was dominated by pro-Israel Zionists or sympathizers (AIPAC).
Arabs never viewed America as their enemy until America got their hands dirty with the Zionist agenda.
AIPAC wants America to fight wars against Millions of other people and to antagonize over 1 billion people in the world in order to defend the interests of a small stated engaged in colonialism in the view of most of the world.
Israeli demonstrators prevent humanitarian aids' entrance into Gaza
http://tinyurl.com/nzwlpn
Palestinian plots up for grabs:
http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2009/06/200962121323361453.html
Arabs had no problems with America until the foreign policy was dominated by pro-Israel Zionists or sympathizers (AIPAC).
Arabs never viewed America as their enemy until America got their hands dirty with the Zionist agenda.
AIPAC wants America to fight wars against Millions of other people and to antagonize over 1 billion people in the world in order to defend the interests of a small stated engaged in colonialism in the view of most of the world.
That is is in a nutshell. Don't stop spreading the word. Why is their nothing on Israel's seizing of the humanitarian boat the Spirit of Humanity? I mean regular media I can understand but not even on Common Dreams?
There it is. I lay out how Israel did 9-11, support that with facts, and VOILA!
3,000 dead civilians.
At least the Liberty, they were, uh, "soldiers," uhhh....
Walt & Mearscheimer. Facts.
And NO TROLLS!
The Troll Voices are drowned out in the sea of blood of their dead victims.
The Hamas can end the Gaza blockade imposed by Egypt and Israel any time they want.
A short reminder:
When Israel withdrawn from Gaza in 2005, it sign an agreement with the Palestinian Authority, Egypt and the European Union. According to that agreement, Gaza border should have been controlled by Palestinian Authority border control personal, and monitored by EU observers.
When the Hamas took over Gaza by force, they killed and dispersed all the Palestinian border control personal, expelled all the EU monitors, and declared that all past agreement between Israel and the P.A are void, including the border control agreement.
To end the blockade, all they have to do is to return one kidnapped Israeli soldier (in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians) and accept the border control agreement signed in 2005.
odoco
Hey Letto - go spread your Zionist lies somewhere else - most people who post here know the difference between jingoistic propaganda and the truth, and that includes many progressive, objective and humane Jews who often sound off about the inhumanity of the present Israeli government.
As I recall, Bush and Rice welcomed, even bragged about the free elections in Gaza - when Hamas won the storyline suddenly changed.
You wouldn't be related to Paul Wolfowitz would you? Maybe Doug Feith? How about Eliot Abrams? You know - the criminals who sound just like you . . . . .
What lies?
As for your second question - no. I'm not related to Paul Wolfowitz, Doug Feith and Eliot Abrams. I don't even know who these people are.
Also, being a progressive is about equality to all people, and being loyal to the truth. Progressiveness has nothing to do with blind anti-Israeli and anti-US hate mongering as many people do here.
You would not know the truth even if it smacks you upside the head....
Hamas took Gaza by force? You a revisionist? You have selective amnesia? Hamas won the election you moron!!!
No I'm not a moron. I'm simply educated.
If you never heard what happened in Gaza in 2006 - 2007, you can read about it here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_Strip
Violence in the wake of 2006 election
In the Palestinian parliamentary elections held on January 25, 2006, Hamas won a plurality of 42.9% of the total vote and 74 out of 132 total seats (56%).[36][37] When Hamas assumed power the next month, the Israeli government and the key players of the international community, the United States and the EU refused to recognize its right to govern Palestine. Direct aid to the Palestinian government there was cut off, although some of that money was redirected to humanitarian organizations not affiliated with the government.[38] The resulting political disorder and economic stagnation led to many Palestinians emigrating from the Gaza Strip.[39]
In January 2007, fighting erupted between Hamas and Fatah. The deadliest clashes occurred in the northern Gaza Strip, where General Muhammed Gh
arib, a senior commander of the Fatah-dominated Preventative Security Force, died when a rocket hit his home. Gharib's two daughters and two bodyguards were also killed in the attack, which was carried out by Hamas gunmen.[40]
At the end of January 2007, a truce was negotiated between Fatah and Hamas.[41] However, after a few days, new fighting broke out.[42] Fatah fighters stormed a Hamas-affiliated university in the Gaza Strip. Officers from Abbas' presidential guard battled Hamas gunmen guarding the Hamas-led Interior Ministry.[43]
In May 2007, new fighting broke out between the factions.[44] Interior Minister Hani Qawasmi, who had been considered a moderate civil servant acceptable to both factions, resigned due to what he termed harmful behavior by both sides.[45]
Fighting spread in the Gaza Strip with both factions attacking vehicles and facilities of the other side. In response to constant attacks by rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, Israel launched an air strike which destroyed a building used by Hamas. Ongoing violence prompted fear that it could bring the end of the Fatah-Hamas coalition government, and possibly the end of the Palestinian authority.[46]
Hamas spokeman Moussa Abu Marzouk placed the blame for the worsening situation in the Strip upon Israel, stating that the constant pressure of economic sanctions upon Gaza resulted in the "real explosion."[47] Expressions of concerns were received from many Arab leaders, with many offering to try to help by doing some diplomatic work between the two factions.[48] One journalist wrote an eyewitness account stating:
“ Today I have seen people shot before my eyes, I heard the screams of terrified women and children in a burning building, and I argued with gunmen who wanted to take over my home. I have seen a lot in my years as a journalist in Gaza, but this is the worst it's been.[49]
”
Whenever an Israeli SOLDIER is captured, it's all over the media here
the Zionists cry crocodile tears
and then use it as an excuse to commit crimes against humanity.
But of course, they have been abducting and worse for years.
The world would be better off without Israel.
We Should Be Breaking the Zionist Siege of Our Government
The brown shirts are in Israel and they're called the IDF.
Have you checked out Likud's charter? If not, then please do. Also, for sheer racism, check out the writings of Herzl and Birbaum.
And, pray, just what are the boundaries of the State of Israel? Eratz Israel?
There's a racist quote coming out of the mouth every prime minister that Israel as had or has.
I am familiar with all of the sources you are citing. As a comparison and contrast, which one these documents specifically proclaims the intent to kill Arabs and destroying a legitimate Arab state? Additionally,I am citing the Charter of an elected entity of governaance, HAMAS / Gaza, as opposed to, (Likud) a political party whose principals exist subordinate to the LAWS of the sovern satet of Israel. Or, are these facts too subtle for you and incoveniently TRUE?
Actually, Judeo-Fascism is much more clearly perceived by some Israeli media than it is by the lobbyist-influenced media in the U.S. Try http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/918502.html
But you keep blowing that trumpet, Gideon. Just understand that the "poor little Israel under threat" stuff has worn a little thin recently.
"poor little Israel under threat" stuff has worn a little thin recently.". In 2009 we are way past this mind-set. During the 50s, 60s, and into the 70s with the Egyptian, Syrian, Iraqi, and Jordanian threats to "...push the Jews into the sea.." dogma and bravado, this notion of Isreal the under-dog was accurate. Now, with the power of the IDF, Israel's domestic advanced technology, miltary production-base, and the demise of the U.S.S.R, there is a NEW attitude. The sum of the NEW Israeli stance is; mess with Israel or threaten Jews anywhere and a fire storm pain and detruction will rain down on you! Actually sounds biblical doesn't it?
I know the world prefered Jews as victims. Sort of the benign caricature of a "house Negro". You know we gotta take care of our Jews. After all look what haopopened in WWII when we didn't. Not today though. Israel is armed and dangerous. Beware; attack Israel and you are fucked! No apologies. No regrets. Never forget! Never again! FUVM
Gideon:
So now the Jewish Zionists are about pain and destruction, but have lost their souls and religion as a result. You seem to have forgotten or never knew the lesson of the holocaust. In my mind it means that the world would not allow what happened to the Jews of Germany to happen again to anyone. Unfortunately, it did happen again only four years after the fall of the Nazis. In 1947 and 1948, most of the Palestinians were driven out of their homes and their land was stolen by Jews who who recently survived the holocaust. They did not forget the techniques they learned from the Nazis. They assassinated village leadership, massacred entire villages, displayed bodies, and accomplished their goals by using terrorism. This is the legacy of Israel and this Jew will not remain silent and will not rest until a just restoration for this crime is provided to its victims.
In Peace
OK..all of you apologists for Islamic terror calm down! Indeed I know, it's only Jews were talking about here, but, take a breath. So that you MAY consider the ramifications of your advocacy, I submit a link to the HAMAS Charter. I dare you to begin to add facts to your knowledge-base and perhaps, just perhaps, understand exactly what you are talking about , as opposed to, joining the mob and mouthing slogans.
OK. Here it is. I dare you!
http://www.mideastweb.org/hamas.htm
Hey asswipe, show me the Israel charter that recognizes Palestine you fucking racist prick!. Thisis not about Islam, it is about human dignity you stupid zionist dumbfuck!!
Horrified, Hey bro, I feel your fury at these homicidal psycopaths and their give the world the finger attitude to go with their killing.
BUT. Big BUT bro, on these threads they try to hijack our fury and feelings about the hideous facts they have made real by doing this-engaging other threaders one on one and getting a back & forth going....they gain some or much control of things then,
So, and this is fun, w/o mentioning these creep's names, carefully without emotion state devastaing facts-and they will have no reply-here is an example=
About a year b4 9-11, Israel (PNAC) said they needed "a new Pearl Harbor," MOTIVE. Israel wanted the US to attack Iraq & Iran real badly. They needed a "new Pearl Harbor," In their own words.
Several months later a New Pearl Harbor EXPLODED our world's open on 9/11/2001.
Five Mossad agents were APPREHENDED by US police filming the impacts and rejoicing; as 3,000 Americans BURNED TO DEATH, ISRAEL CHEERED.
9-11 was the "New Pearl Harbor," Israel wanted. And got
They said they wanted it and they gave it to themselves. And us and the world.
How else do you explain their prior knowledge? Along with saying they wanted it? Their rejoicing? The controlled demolitions? Joel Silverstein insuring the Towers for TOTAL teorrism w/ German insurers weeks before the attacks!
Soooooo trolls, have fun-the Mossad/Israel, The Liberty....also the Twin Towers and Bldg # 7. Courtesy of our ally?
The only Democracy in the ME! Retchh, The murdering Israel! Take. A. Bow!
"...9-11 was the "New Pearl Harbor," Israel wanted. And got..."
...And PLANNED, and CARRIED OUT, along with the help of a their many well placed U.S. operatives.
The sooner we come to grips with the hard truth of this horrific reality the sooner we can start dragging these vampires out into the sunlight -- we'll never be out from under them if we don't.
Actually, I don't believe they carried it out but their is no doubt in my mind they had the intelligence and allowed it to happen, for precisely the reasons you stated. Anyone reading this, Google "the dancing Israelis-911." It really isn't that farfetched at all when you break it down.
Your eloquence and passion are typical. Very little capacity for conceptual thought and full of threats and bravado. You would have made a good memeber of the SA Brown Shirts. Well done!
What are you ging to do now, threaten me! You are no more than a big mouth punk. Probably a maladjusted sociopath living in your mommiy's basement and spending you pitiful life interacting with the world via the internet for lack of fully developed social skills.
FUVM
And your social skills are????....Lie, steal, murder, maim,debase, extort?????
Nope. My skill is to antagonize the Common Dreams mob, defy your dogma with facts, and offer an alternative to the slogans, screeds,and blood-libel. After all, I am paid by AIPAC, trained by the Mossad, and recieve my daily orders from the Elders of Zion during our global Jew con-call. Yes, it's your worst nighmare come true.
OK..all of you apologists for Islamic terror calm down! Indeed I know, it's only Jews were talking about here, but, take a breath. So that you MAY consider the ramifications of your advocacy, I submit a link to the HAMAS Charter. I dare you to begin to add facts to your knowledge-base and perhaps, just perhaps, understand exactly what you are talking about , as opposed to, joining the mob and mouthing slogans.
OK. Her it is. I dare you!
http://www.mideastweb.org/hamas.htm
What stands out so much about the Israeli cruelty to the Palestinians is the cold planned premeditation with which it is carried out. In this its only parallel in modern times is with Nazi Germany. Many of the details of the Israeli and Nazi regimes' projects are different and the pace of the steps to the "final solution" is much slower (though now speeding up), but the carefully designed technical efficiency is what characterises both. While the Rwanda, ex-Yugoslavia, and other recent genocides may have been greater in terms of number of murders per year, they seem to have been more spontaneously triggered by wider scale events generated from historic ethnic tensions and conflicts. In those cases after the horrors the parts concerned fall back into their uneasy age-old live-and-let-live relations with the others. In the present case this is not the policy: it is the physical, social and economic elimination of the Palestinian population by the selective application of a brutal cruelty. But also with the full knowledge and approval of most of the governments of the "developed" countries and their economically subsidised satrapies like Egypt. How would history treat this if it weren't for organisations like Codepink, Free Gaza Movement, Gush Shalom, etc.? Thanks Ann Wright.
Fat chance of any action being taken, especially know that we've elected another Jewish senator.
If the U.S. Gov't declined to act when the Israelis attacked the US Liberty, why would you dream that it would act to assist those who are perceived to be extreme left-wing loonies?
"The first ship, Spirit of Humanity, left Cyprus on June 29 with 21 international activists, aid workers and journalists from 10 countries. Today, June 30, the vessel is 21 miles off Gaza with eight Israeli naval vessels threatening it."
Do try to keep up. The following is an excerpt from a more recent article entitled "Pirates of the Mediterranean" written by Paul Craig Roberts and published today at http://www.counterpunch.org/roberts07012009.html :
[blockquote]
On June 30, the government of Israel committed an act of piracy when the Israeli Navy in international waters illegally boarded the “Spirit of Humanity,” kidnapped its 21-person crew from 11 countries, including former US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and Nobel Laureate Mairead MaGuire, and confiscated the cargo of medical supplies, olive trees, reconstruction materials, and children’s toys that were on the way to the Mediterranean coast of Gaza. The 'Spirit of Humanity', along with the kidnapped 21 persons, is being towed to Israel as I write.
Gaza has been described as the “world’s largest concentration camp.” It is home to 1.5 million Palestinians who were driven by force of American-supplied Israeli arms out of their homes, off their farms, and out of their villages so that Israel could steal their land and make the Palestinian land available to Israeli settlers.
What we have been witnessing for 60 years is a replay in modern times, despite the United Nations and laws strictly preventing Israel’s theft of Palestine, of the 17th, 18th, and 19th century theft of American Indian lands by US settlers. An Israeli government spokesman recently rebuked the President of the United States, a country, the Israeli said, who stole all of its land from Indians, for complaining about Israel’s theft of Palestine.
[/blockquote]
Additional updates are available at http://www.freegaza.org/
Rogue state Israel has abducted US citizens, including ex-Congress rep McKinney.
US must attack pirates bases in Tel Aviv and Haifa.
Massive bombardment of pirate bases will establish order in the Mediterranean region.
Let's roll.
Would that be egg roll or tootsie roll? Or, perhaps the machinations of a deranged lefty-loonie mind?
Priates from Israel have abducted US Citizens.
That is why the US must act now by bombing Iran.
(That is the same type of logic that Bush used to bomb Iraq and the majority of the US people bought it.)
odoco
I both called and emailed the State Department yesterday. Today I will call the offices of my US senator with same message - proceed with sanctions against Israel for its illegal detention of United States citizens, a Nobel Peace laureate, its horrendous imprisonment of Palestinians in what can be described as concentration camps.
Having said that - the Israeli lobby is alive and well, and especially well-entrenched since Rahm Emanuel is securely placed in the White House next to the nexus of power. This will be a long, drawn-out battle. How many of you have begun noticing the pro-Israeli newspaper articles, even in small towns across the US? The absence of any real conversation on mainstream media about the plight of the Palestinians? Even Maddow and Olberman, both of whom I have great respect for, seem to stay away from this topic.
Thank you Ann, and all the rest of you for what you do. If there is a heaven I am sure you will have a lofty perch upon which to view those you oppose from a near vertical perspective :)
Where are all the posters that roar like lions over Iran?
Oh, yeah...
For everyone who believes in human and civil rights Gaza is where the oppressor meets the victim and where opposition to state power is most badly needed.
Why is there nothing in the press about this blatant piracy on the high seas? Answer: because it is being done by Israel. We all share the blame if we do not speak out LOUDLY. Call your Senators and demand that they do something besides sit on their hands and say that we must support our "friend" Israel. With friends such as these we are allowing the world to reach a point from which we may not return.
I am angry at the press and our nations so-called leaders.
“Strong as it looks at the outset, State agency perpetually disappoints every one. Puny as are its first stages, private efforts daily achieve results that astound the world.” ~ Herbert Spencer