But, today was a first. Unlike in the past, today I wrote in my choice under the name of each and every candidate — candidates, many of whom, I had proudly endorsed in the past. Why? The answer is Gov. Maura Healey, to whom many, if not all, of these good Democrats will support and give their votes to in the general election. Last spring our governor proudly invited to Boston the Israeli Sheba ARC AI Diagnostics. There was widespread opposition in the city and protest rallies ensued. Nary a word was heard here in the 413. Yet, Sheba ARC AI is now used in all the major hospital systems in Massachusetts. In that, we have no say.
Well, I had my say, and will keep on saying to our elected officials: I did not vote for you. You have until the general election in November to distance yourself from Gov. Healey and speak action to empty rhetoric. Stand up against Maura Healey, stand up against Israeli genocide in Gaza. But sadly, it’s not enough.
Historically, Israeli medical advances are tied to the military forces (IDF), developed and used to target civilian populations in Palestine. Since the “ceasefire” alone, on average one child per day is slaughtered in Gaza. My question is this: How can a civilized collection of people (hopefully speaking) disregard human suffering being perpetrated in our name. Yes folks, we are all complicit. Our tax dollars fund the Israeli war machine. And yes, the genocide is being televised. Some folks say the scenes are too horrifying to watch, kids being blown to bits for flying a kite. I do watch because at times it seems the only thing I can do is to validate another persons experiences, carnage I cannot begin to imagine — a mother’s grief; a father’s rage; a sibling’s trauma. Kids whose only wish in life is to play, to learn, to be kids. Just like our own.
I voted today, and my outrage showed.
Laura Bellusci
Northampton