Under Fire, part 26

All quiet on the northern front: The temporary cease-fire went into effect this morning at 2:00. So far, things are quiet, but I'm not holding my breath.

Lies, d*&m lies, and photo journalism: The building in Qana that was hit is real, but many of the photo "stories" are staged. The whole situation is horrific, but to use bodies of children to stage a photo op is repulsive.

Indolence, corruption, and general bad taste: My sister Tracy writes, "I've watched more stupid Web videos since reading your blog than I have in my whole previous life. Pug bowling indeed. You're contributing to the indolence of your big sister..." This coming from a woman who collects chachkas? Clearly, my work is not yet finished. Here is today's batch of tacky, time-wasting links:

1. There's a new superhero in town. The Japanese ambassador has offered the services of Kikkoman to fly over the skies of northern Israel and protect us from offensive condiments.



2. The Peace Now movement has joined forces with Che Chihuahua, offering this song to assist during negotiations. (Alternately, it may make Nasrallah run screaming for the hills.)



3. Feeling like you have no control in your life? The Subservient Chicken lets you boss him (her?) around.

He's a peach of a guy: Abner, another former student from the gee-we're-so-close-to-the-border-that-we-can-touch-the-fence community of Adamit, shows up with 15 kilos of peaches. The constant thudding of artillery and ketushot means that the kibbutz's fruit risks rotting on the trees. I spend the afternoon making peach preserves. Last week, Abner is interviewed by CNN reporters and goes on record saying that the rockets are sailing over their heads. Within a day, Adamit take three serious hits. This is clearly the wartime equivalent of saying, "He's pitching a no-hitter!" We're not sure if Abner took a break from the border today due to cabin fever, or if he was voted persona non grata by angry Adamit residents who fear that he jinxed them. Well, in any case, Abner, we appreciate the peaches.