Regular readers of my blog are pretty familiar with my version of Israeli politics–center-right in Israel, far to the right on an American scale, and way off the deep end in most of the rest of the world. What may be slightly more surprising is that my politics have at last managed to make their way into my dreams.
I was curled up with Bill, taking a nap the other day, when I had a dream that I was back in high school. (Not mine, but one similar to one I taught in eons ago.) The entire student body, with the exception of the seniors, was off campus for some event and to entertain the seniors, the administration had conjured up a plan to treat them to a day-long presentation of “conflict resolution” activities, a la the Middle East. We seniors were to convene in a large conference-style room, and the “conflict resolution” team were to lead us through various activities and discussions during the day. What actually ensued, however, was that a small team of a dozen or so Hamas operatives arrived, set up their computers, faxes, and telephone lines, and proceeded to ignore us seniors, instead carrying out a typical day of organizing, fund-raising, and pigua (attack)-planning. Not only didn’t they talk to us, their conversations among themselves and the people on the other end of the phone were in Arabic.
When I realized what was happening, I got irritated. (This is a dream, after all, and emotions are often mellower than in real life, at least for me.) I went to the office of the vice principal, the highest authority in the building, and saw him editing a family video at his office computer. (He was clearly enjoying his day off.) When I told him what was happening, he shrugged his shoulders, still staring at the computer screen. Either he didn’t believe what I was telling him or, more likely, he was too lost in his own thoughts to act on the information. And if what I said was true, what did it matter? Surely I had homework to do, papers to write, or poker to play with my fellow students. Why get upset about a day lost here or there?
Why indeed.
You’re a Vulcan in your dreams?