Trego's Mountain Ear

As I write this, I think of how few facts I have about Palestinians and about Gaza.  I’ve had Palestinians in the classroom, and found them both pleasant and disruptive.  We lack some points of common beliefs.  The Koran can be confusing, if you don’t know that, if two verses are in disagreement, the most recently written verse is the correct one.  That’s worth remembering when you read the peaceful writings of Mohammed – he was peaceful before he went to war, not after.  The style of interpreting the Koran is termed “abrogation” – the last written abrogates the earlier writing.One of the great resources for data regarding geographic areas is the CIA World Factbook – the link relevant to Gaza is Gaza Strip – The World Factbook.  When you click the link, and look at the satellite photo, you see a barren area – and the data available in the Factbook supports the visual impression.  It’s nice to have a way that the ordinary American can get something back for supporting the CIA.Gaza – 139 square miles – 25 miles long.  Roughly equivalent to a strip running from downtown Trego to scenic Roosville, say 2 ½ miles to either side of highway 93.  Over 2 million people in Gaza . . . we have just over a million in Montana.  Electricity?  Gaza is 100% powered by fossil fuels – the Factbook shows 215,000 kilowatts generating capacity.   Libby Dam is listed at 525 megawatts (multiplied by 1000 = 525,000).Population?  Gaza is pushing at 2.3 million people, and the median age is 18.  The CIA World Factbook is online, and just a click away.The Factbook also covers Israel:  Israel – The World Factbook  Looking at the two entries emphasizes the differences.