American Jews have become a collection of fourth sons, the character in the Passover narrative who is not even able to ask a question about the holiday. Many of us are as clueless as the slaves of Egypt about what it means to be a Jew. It took Moses, the greatest of teachers and prophets, to teach those slaves the meaning of freedom.
But we must teach ourselves again to choose to be Jews.
I agree wholeheartedly. There are too many American Jews (non-Orthodox of course) that feel it is enough to be proud that they're Jewish as if an accident of birth is something to be proud of. There is nothing to be proud about until a Jew starts learning about what ot means to be a Jew and then begins living according to the tenets of the Jewish faith.
Just because your parents were Jewish and were good people, and they raised you to be a good person, that doesn't make you a good Jew. It makes you a good person - without much to distinguish you from a good gentile. Judaism is a religion based on books and laws which cannot simply be absorbed by osmosis, no matter which branch of the religion you follow.
I myself do not claim to be adequately educated in Jewish subjects, just better educated than most. That in and of itself is pretty sad.
Saturday, April 30, 2005
And you wonder why a) "Never Again" always happens again and b) the media has no interest in educating Americans about what Iraq was like before the U.S. led invasion.
Hundreds of dead women and children, executed in a hail of rifle fire by Saddam Hussein were found buried in a mass grave which had beeen hidden for 15 years. But a bride with cold feet gets top billing. Shouldn't that be under "Oddly Enough" and the crime against humanity placed at the top? (By the way more than 300 mass graves have been found since the invasion.)
MSNBC.com's headlines this morning were as follows (font approximate).
Pre-wedding jitters
Ga. woman who vanished before wedding found alive, fabricated kidnap tale, police say. • STORY
.
MORE TOP STORIES
• Festive Vietnam marks war’s end | • Slide show
• U.S. warns of possible N. Korea nuclear test
• Four GIs killed in Iraq | • WP: Mass grave found
At the NY Times, there isn't even an article on the subject, just a link in it's RSS feed from the AP and Reuters. No sense wasting valuable resources I guess.
In the Argentine daily Clarin's website, it's front page news with a picture.
More photos with descriptions here, here and here.
Hundreds of dead women and children, executed in a hail of rifle fire by Saddam Hussein were found buried in a mass grave which had beeen hidden for 15 years. But a bride with cold feet gets top billing. Shouldn't that be under "Oddly Enough" and the crime against humanity placed at the top? (By the way more than 300 mass graves have been found since the invasion.)
MSNBC.com's headlines this morning were as follows (font approximate).
Pre-wedding jitters
Ga. woman who vanished before wedding found alive, fabricated kidnap tale, police say. • STORY
.
MORE TOP STORIES
• Festive Vietnam marks war’s end | • Slide show
• U.S. warns of possible N. Korea nuclear test
• Four GIs killed in Iraq | • WP: Mass grave found
At the NY Times, there isn't even an article on the subject, just a link in it's RSS feed from the AP and Reuters. No sense wasting valuable resources I guess.
In the Argentine daily Clarin's website, it's front page news with a picture.
More photos with descriptions here, here and here.
Friday, April 29, 2005
The article doesn't explain why this isn't just a bunch of idiots from a rural province of Argentina..I don't see the overt anti-semitism here.
Soccer Club's Fans Rankle Argentine Jews
Jewish leaders demanded Friday that Argentine soccer authorities take action against a club whose fans waved flags emblazoned with swastikas at a professional match.
Television images showed fans of the second-division club Talleres waving the flags ahead of the team's match Thursday night against rival Gimnasia de Jujuy in the central city of Cordoba.
Here's the local version (in Spanish)- Enérgico rechazo a la aparición de esvásticas en Córdoba
Soccer Club's Fans Rankle Argentine Jews
Jewish leaders demanded Friday that Argentine soccer authorities take action against a club whose fans waved flags emblazoned with swastikas at a professional match.
Television images showed fans of the second-division club Talleres waving the flags ahead of the team's match Thursday night against rival Gimnasia de Jujuy in the central city of Cordoba.
Here's the local version (in Spanish)- Enérgico rechazo a la aparición de esvásticas en Córdoba
I love reading the story behind famous photographs, especially when it turns out that the photo is "not exactly what it seems".
Thirty Years at 300 Millimeters
If you're a news junkie like me or are more than 40 years old, you probably recognize this picture and know when, and maybe even specifically where, it was taken.
Or do you?
Thirty Years at 300 Millimeters
If you're a news junkie like me or are more than 40 years old, you probably recognize this picture and know when, and maybe even specifically where, it was taken.
Or do you?
Thursday, April 28, 2005
First of all, let me say that this Republican from the State of Alabama's House of Representatives is a disgrace to all humankind.
Alabama Bill Targets Gay Authors
Republican Alabama lawmaker Gerald Allen says homosexuality is an unacceptable lifestyle. As CBS News Correspondent Mark Strassmann reports, under his bill, public school libraries could no longer buy new copies of plays or books by gay authors, or about gay characters.
"I don't look at it as censorship," says State Representative Gerald Allen. "I look at it as protecting the hearts and souls and minds of our children."
Books by any gay author would have to go: Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote and Gore Vidal. Alice Walker's novel "The Color Purple" has lesbian characters.
Allen originally wanted to ban even some Shakespeare. After criticism, he narrowed his bill to exempt the classics, although he still can't define what a classic is. Also exempted now Alabama's public and college libraries.
Doesn't the bible mention homosexuality, bestiality, murder, rape, etc.? Would that be banned too?
The only thing that disgusts me more than this proposed bill, is CBS' scare tactics used in the reporting of it. The beginning of the article asserts:
"A college production tells the story of Matthew Sheppard, a student beaten to death because he was gay.
And soon, it could be banned in Alabama."
I assume "could" means here that there was some snowball's chance in hell that this bill may have become law. Aside from the fact that it's not reported whether any other legislator supported it, there is an editor's note at the end which states:
"When the time for the vote in the legislature came there were not enough state legislators present for the vote, so the measure died automatically."
"And soon it could be banned"?!? Did they even read their own article?
Alabama Bill Targets Gay Authors
Republican Alabama lawmaker Gerald Allen says homosexuality is an unacceptable lifestyle. As CBS News Correspondent Mark Strassmann reports, under his bill, public school libraries could no longer buy new copies of plays or books by gay authors, or about gay characters.
"I don't look at it as censorship," says State Representative Gerald Allen. "I look at it as protecting the hearts and souls and minds of our children."
Books by any gay author would have to go: Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote and Gore Vidal. Alice Walker's novel "The Color Purple" has lesbian characters.
Allen originally wanted to ban even some Shakespeare. After criticism, he narrowed his bill to exempt the classics, although he still can't define what a classic is. Also exempted now Alabama's public and college libraries.
Doesn't the bible mention homosexuality, bestiality, murder, rape, etc.? Would that be banned too?
The only thing that disgusts me more than this proposed bill, is CBS' scare tactics used in the reporting of it. The beginning of the article asserts:
"A college production tells the story of Matthew Sheppard, a student beaten to death because he was gay.
And soon, it could be banned in Alabama."
I assume "could" means here that there was some snowball's chance in hell that this bill may have become law. Aside from the fact that it's not reported whether any other legislator supported it, there is an editor's note at the end which states:
"When the time for the vote in the legislature came there were not enough state legislators present for the vote, so the measure died automatically."
"And soon it could be banned"?!? Did they even read their own article?
All of the headlines claim an incredible rise in the number of global terrorist atacks and resulting deaths and injuries. There were three times as many attacks reported in 2004 than in 2003.
One journalist jumped at the opportunity to dare the President at his press conference this evening to claim that we weren't losing the War on Terrorism in the face of these apalling numbers.
QUESTION: Mr. President, your State Department has reported that terrorist attacks around the world are at an all-time high. If we're winning the war on terrorism, as you say, how do you explain that more people are dying in terrorist attacks on your watch than ever before?
First of all, the claim that "more people are dying...than ever before" is a crock of sh*t. The report says that reported deaths rose from 625 in 2003 to 1,907 last year. Perhaps this reporter forgot about a certain series of attacks that on one day alone killed almost 3,000 people, not to mention the intifada in Israel which was in full swing that year. More than ever?!?
Secondly, read deeply enough into any of the articles on the subject and you will come to this:
But John Brennan, acting director of the counterterrorism center, told reporters yesterday that the latest figures were compiled using different methodology and far more rigorous analysis, and ''cannot be compared to previous years in any meaningful way."
This reminds of the stories I remember from when I was younger that there was a large increase in the number of rapes reported when it became less of a social taboo to do so. The increase in reported rapes had nothing to do with the actual occurence of rape.
Nevertheless, the news always starts off with - International terrorist attacks rose sharply last year to 651 significant attacks worldwide, causing 1,907 deaths, according to a report released yesterday by the US government's National Counterterrorism Center.
As long as you don't read the fine print, I guess that's how you would see it.
One journalist jumped at the opportunity to dare the President at his press conference this evening to claim that we weren't losing the War on Terrorism in the face of these apalling numbers.
QUESTION: Mr. President, your State Department has reported that terrorist attacks around the world are at an all-time high. If we're winning the war on terrorism, as you say, how do you explain that more people are dying in terrorist attacks on your watch than ever before?
First of all, the claim that "more people are dying...than ever before" is a crock of sh*t. The report says that reported deaths rose from 625 in 2003 to 1,907 last year. Perhaps this reporter forgot about a certain series of attacks that on one day alone killed almost 3,000 people, not to mention the intifada in Israel which was in full swing that year. More than ever?!?
Secondly, read deeply enough into any of the articles on the subject and you will come to this:
But John Brennan, acting director of the counterterrorism center, told reporters yesterday that the latest figures were compiled using different methodology and far more rigorous analysis, and ''cannot be compared to previous years in any meaningful way."
This reminds of the stories I remember from when I was younger that there was a large increase in the number of rapes reported when it became less of a social taboo to do so. The increase in reported rapes had nothing to do with the actual occurence of rape.
Nevertheless, the news always starts off with - International terrorist attacks rose sharply last year to 651 significant attacks worldwide, causing 1,907 deaths, according to a report released yesterday by the US government's National Counterterrorism Center.
As long as you don't read the fine print, I guess that's how you would see it.
The New York Times finally has it's proof that the Editorial Board doesn't direct it's news coverage. Either they're not communicating at all, or they are and the news people have no insight into what's going on Iraq.
First yesterday morning's Op-Ed most likely written late the night before.
Losing Ground in Iraq
The only plausible reason for keeping American troops in Iraq is to protect the democratic transformation that President Bush seized upon as a rationale for the invasion after his claims about weapons of mass destruction turned out to be fictitious. If that transformation is now allowed to run off the rails, the new rationale could prove to be as hollow as the original one.
And voila! The situation is resolved within 12 hours or so.
New Iraqi Premier Says Impasse Over Cabinet Is Broken
Iraq's new prime minister said today that he had submitted a full list of cabinet members, opening the way for a new coalition government to assume power and end a crippling three-month political stalemate that has appeared to be fueling renewed violence here.
By the way - appeared to whom?
First yesterday morning's Op-Ed most likely written late the night before.
Losing Ground in Iraq
The only plausible reason for keeping American troops in Iraq is to protect the democratic transformation that President Bush seized upon as a rationale for the invasion after his claims about weapons of mass destruction turned out to be fictitious. If that transformation is now allowed to run off the rails, the new rationale could prove to be as hollow as the original one.
And voila! The situation is resolved within 12 hours or so.
New Iraqi Premier Says Impasse Over Cabinet Is Broken
Iraq's new prime minister said today that he had submitted a full list of cabinet members, opening the way for a new coalition government to assume power and end a crippling three-month political stalemate that has appeared to be fueling renewed violence here.
By the way - appeared to whom?
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Good thing the Pope was born on the right side of the German-Austrian border.
In contrast to those in Germany, Nazi deserters in Austria are still stigmatized and do not qualify for state pensions.
Theres a lot more here - Nazi 'stain' haunts Austrians - After war, nation recruited ex-followers of Hitler rather than Jews
Here is some more good insight into some of the Pope's early neighbors.
Yesterday, however, Herr Gassner, (a) museum curator, said the key to understanding the new Pope was to appreciate that he wasn't really German, but Bavarian. "We've got more in common with the Austrians than with north Germans," he said. "We are a warm-hearted and open to the world. But at the same time we are sceptical of other people.
Sceptical! That's either a mistranslation or the understatement of the year!
In contrast to those in Germany, Nazi deserters in Austria are still stigmatized and do not qualify for state pensions.
Theres a lot more here - Nazi 'stain' haunts Austrians - After war, nation recruited ex-followers of Hitler rather than Jews
Here is some more good insight into some of the Pope's early neighbors.
Yesterday, however, Herr Gassner, (a) museum curator, said the key to understanding the new Pope was to appreciate that he wasn't really German, but Bavarian. "We've got more in common with the Austrians than with north Germans," he said. "We are a warm-hearted and open to the world. But at the same time we are sceptical of other people.
Sceptical! That's either a mistranslation or the understatement of the year!
Engage was set up in response to the Association of University Teacher’s decision to take steps towards an academic and cultural boycott of Israel.
There's just so many arguments against the boycott, my mind reels when I try to think of a concise way to explain why. The Engage site is not concise, but it pays to remember the information they present as the idea of boycotting Israel or Israelis becomes more prevalent.
An example:
This is the full text of the letter by David Hirsh, part of which was printed in the Guardian:
Sue Blackwell (letters, April 25) asks “how can any state be legitimate that is founded on ethnic cleansing?” The following states could equally be said to be rooted in ethnic cleansing: Britain; USA; Australia; Turkey; Czech Republic; Poland; Syria; Egypt; Croatia; Serbia; Germany. Can she think of a state that was not founded or consolidated on such a barbaric act?
I neither mean to minimise the horrors of Israel’s actions against the Palestinians, nor to normalise them. All ethnic cleansing constitutes a crime against humanity.
The vast majority of Israelis are descended from people who were, within living memory, ethnically cleansed from Europe or from states in the Middle East that Blackwell does not consider to be illegitimate. It is time to stop demonising Israel.
There's just so many arguments against the boycott, my mind reels when I try to think of a concise way to explain why. The Engage site is not concise, but it pays to remember the information they present as the idea of boycotting Israel or Israelis becomes more prevalent.
An example:
This is the full text of the letter by David Hirsh, part of which was printed in the Guardian:
Sue Blackwell (letters, April 25) asks “how can any state be legitimate that is founded on ethnic cleansing?” The following states could equally be said to be rooted in ethnic cleansing: Britain; USA; Australia; Turkey; Czech Republic; Poland; Syria; Egypt; Croatia; Serbia; Germany. Can she think of a state that was not founded or consolidated on such a barbaric act?
I neither mean to minimise the horrors of Israel’s actions against the Palestinians, nor to normalise them. All ethnic cleansing constitutes a crime against humanity.
The vast majority of Israelis are descended from people who were, within living memory, ethnically cleansed from Europe or from states in the Middle East that Blackwell does not consider to be illegitimate. It is time to stop demonising Israel.
Monday, April 25, 2005
The Passover Seder in a flash. Thanks to Jewschool.
And I thought our seder at home was quick becuase I skipped a couple of pages. (Hey, it's hard with a 4 year old and a 9:30 start time!)
And I thought our seder at home was quick becuase I skipped a couple of pages. (Hey, it's hard with a 4 year old and a 9:30 start time!)
Sunday, April 24, 2005
On September 11, 2004 the New York Times wrote - As regressive milestones go, few are as frightful in this new era of homeland security as the decision by Congress and the Bush administration to allow the expiration of the 10-year-old law protecting the public from assault rifles and other rapid-fire battlefield weapons.
On September 20, 2004 I posted - I think the prevailing counter argument seems to be that the ban has done absolutely nothing to change the crime rate or the ability of people to get these guns if they really wanted them. Therefore, it is a non-issue.....The Times is feeding into liberal northeasterners fear of guns (which I admit to having myself). There are no facts in their opinion piece, just the use of scary words like "Uzi", "gunslingers", "battlefield", etc.
Today, the Times looks back at the effects of the expiration of the assualt weapons ban.
Many Say End of Firearm Ban Changed Little
Despite dire predictions that the streets would be awash in military-style guns, the expiration of the decade-long assault weapons ban last September has not set off a sustained surge in the weapons' sales, gun makers and sellers say. It also has not caused any noticeable increase in gun crime in the past seven months, according to several metropolitan police departments.
The uneventful expiration of the assault weapons ban did not surprise gun owners, nor did it surprise some advocates of gun control. Rather, it underscored what many of them had said all along: that the ban was porous - so porous that assault weapons remained widely available throughout their prohibition.
I thought so.
This doesn't mean that I'm excited about people having assault weapons in the back of their pick-up trucks (and there's a lot of pick-up trucks in North Texas). The only question left is whether the liberals were wrong, or if they really thought that nothing would happen and used the issue to inflame their base of gun-hating, criminals-have-rights-too peaceniks.
On September 20, 2004 I posted - I think the prevailing counter argument seems to be that the ban has done absolutely nothing to change the crime rate or the ability of people to get these guns if they really wanted them. Therefore, it is a non-issue.....The Times is feeding into liberal northeasterners fear of guns (which I admit to having myself). There are no facts in their opinion piece, just the use of scary words like "Uzi", "gunslingers", "battlefield", etc.
Today, the Times looks back at the effects of the expiration of the assualt weapons ban.
Many Say End of Firearm Ban Changed Little
Despite dire predictions that the streets would be awash in military-style guns, the expiration of the decade-long assault weapons ban last September has not set off a sustained surge in the weapons' sales, gun makers and sellers say. It also has not caused any noticeable increase in gun crime in the past seven months, according to several metropolitan police departments.
The uneventful expiration of the assault weapons ban did not surprise gun owners, nor did it surprise some advocates of gun control. Rather, it underscored what many of them had said all along: that the ban was porous - so porous that assault weapons remained widely available throughout their prohibition.
I thought so.
This doesn't mean that I'm excited about people having assault weapons in the back of their pick-up trucks (and there's a lot of pick-up trucks in North Texas). The only question left is whether the liberals were wrong, or if they really thought that nothing would happen and used the issue to inflame their base of gun-hating, criminals-have-rights-too peaceniks.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
A Passover Message to Pope Benedict by Rabbi Marc Gellman (speaking as Moses).
Jethro, the father of my wife Zipporah, was not Jewish, but he still taught me a lot. When I was working myself to the bone judging cases, it was Jethro who told me that I should set up a system of judges to hear the easy cases and leave the hard ones for me. From that day on I never forgot that God speaks through many cultures and many faiths. I know I heard the real version from The Boss when we spoke face to face, but I also know that God is not through with any of us. Go find yourself a Jethro to remind you of this. Find yourself a Hindu holy man or a Zen Roshi or an Imam or a Minister or a Shaman or a Rabbi and then try to hear some of that one pure truth you know on their lips and in their hearts, not in spite of who they are, but because of who they are. When you find one good friend—like Jethro was to me—who does not necessarily love your vision of the truth, but who loves you anyway, people will see it in your eyes and then your words will be unnecessary.
Jethro, the father of my wife Zipporah, was not Jewish, but he still taught me a lot. When I was working myself to the bone judging cases, it was Jethro who told me that I should set up a system of judges to hear the easy cases and leave the hard ones for me. From that day on I never forgot that God speaks through many cultures and many faiths. I know I heard the real version from The Boss when we spoke face to face, but I also know that God is not through with any of us. Go find yourself a Jethro to remind you of this. Find yourself a Hindu holy man or a Zen Roshi or an Imam or a Minister or a Shaman or a Rabbi and then try to hear some of that one pure truth you know on their lips and in their hearts, not in spite of who they are, but because of who they are. When you find one good friend—like Jethro was to me—who does not necessarily love your vision of the truth, but who loves you anyway, people will see it in your eyes and then your words will be unnecessary.
Daniel Okrent on The Hottest Button: How The Times Covers Israel and Palestine
I know I don't have to convince you to read the story, but when exactly did "Palestine" become a recognized place-name again?
I know I don't have to convince you to read the story, but when exactly did "Palestine" become a recognized place-name again?
If the BBC were to do a "history of heckling" to which party's political rally do you think they'd purposefully send hecklers to in order to disrupt it? You think a repsectable national news outlet would never do such a thing? Your answer, by the way, would be the Tories'.
Tory fury as BBC sends hecklers to bait Howard
Is this any way to treat a nice Jewish boy?
Tory fury as BBC sends hecklers to bait Howard
Is this any way to treat a nice Jewish boy?
On the occasion of Pesach, a link to an article about some Argentine-Americans celebrating this year in Miami. The article describes life in the Argentine Jewish community succinctly and is right on the mark.
Customs blend for Latin Jews at Passover
By the way, if you want to see a link to the Argentine Jewish Day school where my wife and I are donating the funds to build out their library, click here.
As they say in Argentina - ¡Pesaj Kasher Ve Sameaj!
Jabad (Chabad) Lubavitch Argentina
Customs blend for Latin Jews at Passover
By the way, if you want to see a link to the Argentine Jewish Day school where my wife and I are donating the funds to build out their library, click here.
As they say in Argentina - ¡Pesaj Kasher Ve Sameaj!
Jabad (Chabad) Lubavitch Argentina
'Cause the time it is a-changin'...maybe.
US lawmakers want daylight-saving time change
A House committee voted on Wednesday to expand U.S. daylight-saving time by two months to help reduce energy consumption, but rejected a plan to shave total U.S. oil demand by 1 million barrels a day.
Both proposals were offered as amendments to be tacked on to a broad energy bill that was debated by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The panel agreed in a voice vote to move the start of daylight-saving time in the United States -- which occurs when clocks are turned forward by one hour -- one month earlier to the first Sunday in March. The end of daylight time would be moved back one month to the last Sunday in November.
US lawmakers want daylight-saving time change
A House committee voted on Wednesday to expand U.S. daylight-saving time by two months to help reduce energy consumption, but rejected a plan to shave total U.S. oil demand by 1 million barrels a day.
Both proposals were offered as amendments to be tacked on to a broad energy bill that was debated by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The panel agreed in a voice vote to move the start of daylight-saving time in the United States -- which occurs when clocks are turned forward by one hour -- one month earlier to the first Sunday in March. The end of daylight time would be moved back one month to the last Sunday in November.
This is the difference between Iraq now and Iraq before.
6 detained in helicopter downing in Iraq
The U.S. military said Saturday it had detained six men suspected of shooting down a Russian-made helicopter carrying 11 civilians -- including six Americans -- north of Baghdad two days earlier.
An Iraqi civilian helped U.S. soldiers in Task Force Baghdad locate the suspects, who were apprehended at two houses Saturday afternoon, the military said in a statement....
The Iraqi civilian told soldiers he knew where a blue pickup truck used in the attack was parked and led them to the site, the military said. When the soldiers reached the area, several other local residents confirmed the initial tip and showed them where the suspects lived, the statement said.
6 detained in helicopter downing in Iraq
The U.S. military said Saturday it had detained six men suspected of shooting down a Russian-made helicopter carrying 11 civilians -- including six Americans -- north of Baghdad two days earlier.
An Iraqi civilian helped U.S. soldiers in Task Force Baghdad locate the suspects, who were apprehended at two houses Saturday afternoon, the military said in a statement....
The Iraqi civilian told soldiers he knew where a blue pickup truck used in the attack was parked and led them to the site, the military said. When the soldiers reached the area, several other local residents confirmed the initial tip and showed them where the suspects lived, the statement said.
Friday, April 22, 2005
Three cheers for the Pope!
"I trust in God to help me continue the dialogue and strengthen the collaboration with the sons and daughters of the Jewish people," Benedict said Pope Benedict XVI in a message to Rome's Jewish community on Thursday night, only two days after his election.
"I trust in God to help me continue the dialogue and strengthen the collaboration with the sons and daughters of the Jewish people," Benedict said Pope Benedict XVI in a message to Rome's Jewish community on Thursday night, only two days after his election.
Just a thought - at Kabalat Shabbat services tonight, our rabbi asked the congregation why they thought that the Passover Seders were the most widely celebrate of Jewish rituals. Among the typical responses of "family togetherness" and "compelling human story", I piped up with my own theory.
I suggested that the celebration of Passover is so popular because it's one of the few relatively public Jewish rituals that we don't have to be embarrassed about. Christians know what the holiday's about - they've seen The Ten Commandments a dozen times just like we have. Non-Jewish Americans may know something about Hanukkah or Yom Kippur, but it's not as well known as the Passover story which is in everyone's Bible.
Since people are more comfortable telling their bosses, co-workers, etc. that they are leaving work early to get home for Passover, no one needs to ask why or question it's significance. That makes us more comfotable in taking time out from the society at large to do our own thing.
I suggested that the celebration of Passover is so popular because it's one of the few relatively public Jewish rituals that we don't have to be embarrassed about. Christians know what the holiday's about - they've seen The Ten Commandments a dozen times just like we have. Non-Jewish Americans may know something about Hanukkah or Yom Kippur, but it's not as well known as the Passover story which is in everyone's Bible.
Since people are more comfortable telling their bosses, co-workers, etc. that they are leaving work early to get home for Passover, no one needs to ask why or question it's significance. That makes us more comfotable in taking time out from the society at large to do our own thing.
The Association of University Teachers in the UK which represents almost 50,000 academic professionals in those countries has decided to boycott two Israeli universities - apparently becuase anyone these universities are not morally to their liking.
It seems that Palestinian Universities which preach death and destruction are OK, but an Israeli university gets boycotted becuase it's campus is situated on "Palestinian land" or it allegedly "punishes" professors with the wrong political views. And to think that Israeli universities are often criticized by the Israeli right as being fomentors of post-Zionist thought!
The AUT is looking to merge it's union with the NATFHE union. Here's their position on the issue.
From the BBC:
The Israeli Embassy in London said the resolutions were "as perverse in their content as in the way they were debated and adopted".
"The fact that no AUT member who wanted to argue against this decision was allowed to speak, and the case for the Israeli universities was not presented to delegates, speaks volumes about the relevance and fairness of this debate.
In my opinion, some action should be taken aside from producing statements and press releases condemning the boycott - I just can't think of what that is right now.
UPDATE: Jewish lecturers resign after AUT bans Israeli academics
You have to read the whole thing to truly grasp the moral depths to which the AUT had to dig in order to pass this resolution - take the vote right before Passover, vote against letting opponents speak for "lack of time", etc.
It seems that Palestinian Universities which preach death and destruction are OK, but an Israeli university gets boycotted becuase it's campus is situated on "Palestinian land" or it allegedly "punishes" professors with the wrong political views. And to think that Israeli universities are often criticized by the Israeli right as being fomentors of post-Zionist thought!
The AUT is looking to merge it's union with the NATFHE union. Here's their position on the issue.
From the BBC:
The Israeli Embassy in London said the resolutions were "as perverse in their content as in the way they were debated and adopted".
"The fact that no AUT member who wanted to argue against this decision was allowed to speak, and the case for the Israeli universities was not presented to delegates, speaks volumes about the relevance and fairness of this debate.
In my opinion, some action should be taken aside from producing statements and press releases condemning the boycott - I just can't think of what that is right now.
UPDATE: Jewish lecturers resign after AUT bans Israeli academics
You have to read the whole thing to truly grasp the moral depths to which the AUT had to dig in order to pass this resolution - take the vote right before Passover, vote against letting opponents speak for "lack of time", etc.
Finally, a New York Times editorial that is common sensical and something that I fully support.
Crosses, Crescents and Stars
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies includes Red Cross organizations from North Korea, Iran and Cuba, but not from Israel. The reason it gives is that the corresponding Israeli society, Magen David Adom, uses the Jewish star as its emblem and will not adopt the red cross or red crescent, emblems that are recognized by the Geneva Conventions and the international Red Cross movement. Understandably, the Israelis do not want to adopt either of these emblems because they are heavy with religious meaning.
There is growing pressure on the Red Cross federation to change its policy. Since 2000, the American Red Cross has protested the discrimination against Israel by withholding $30 million in dues from the federation. Unless something changes before the 181 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies meet in November, the American Red Cross will have withheld its dues for five years. That means it could have its voting rights suspended, which would be a setback for both the American Red Cross and the international Red Cross movement.
Also, I did not realize that the American Red Cross was such a strong proponent of Israel's case.
Crosses, Crescents and Stars
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies includes Red Cross organizations from North Korea, Iran and Cuba, but not from Israel. The reason it gives is that the corresponding Israeli society, Magen David Adom, uses the Jewish star as its emblem and will not adopt the red cross or red crescent, emblems that are recognized by the Geneva Conventions and the international Red Cross movement. Understandably, the Israelis do not want to adopt either of these emblems because they are heavy with religious meaning.
There is growing pressure on the Red Cross federation to change its policy. Since 2000, the American Red Cross has protested the discrimination against Israel by withholding $30 million in dues from the federation. Unless something changes before the 181 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies meet in November, the American Red Cross will have withheld its dues for five years. That means it could have its voting rights suspended, which would be a setback for both the American Red Cross and the international Red Cross movement.
Also, I did not realize that the American Red Cross was such a strong proponent of Israel's case.
Let's say you were a doctor who made fun of someone's drug addiction in public.
Let's say you accused someone famous of snorting cocaine without proof and pantomimed that persons use of cocaine in front of a large crowd.
Let's say that you've declared openly that you don't feel the need to act dignified.
What position of public trust could you possibly wish to hold?
Chairman of the Democratic Party.
Trey Jackson has a video of the Bill O'Reilly show's airing of Howard Dean's unbelievably low-class act, which had been reported earlier in the Star-Tribune.
Remember my Democrat friends, Dr. Dean holds the future of your Party in his hands. Tell him (nicely) to let go.
Let's say you accused someone famous of snorting cocaine without proof and pantomimed that persons use of cocaine in front of a large crowd.
Let's say that you've declared openly that you don't feel the need to act dignified.
What position of public trust could you possibly wish to hold?
Chairman of the Democratic Party.
Trey Jackson has a video of the Bill O'Reilly show's airing of Howard Dean's unbelievably low-class act, which had been reported earlier in the Star-Tribune.
Remember my Democrat friends, Dr. Dean holds the future of your Party in his hands. Tell him (nicely) to let go.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
I have been reading the spy novel "Prince of Fire" by Daniel Silva. Honestly, I don't like it as much as I did some of his previous work. As much as I love to read stories with Israeli Jews as battle-hardened heroes, this time around the pro-Zionist message is poured on a little too thick. Another problem, though not the author's fault, is that Yassir Arafat is still portrayed as the Palestinian leader which makes the story seem slightly dated.
That being said, I loved this quote from one of the principal characters, a grizzled veteran of 60 years of conflict:
"The Europeans are the best friends the Palestinians have. The civilized world has abandoned us to our fate. We would never have come back to this land if we weren't pushed here by the hatred of Europe's Christians, and now that we're here, they won't let us fight, lest we antagonize the Arabs in their midst."
That being said, I loved this quote from one of the principal characters, a grizzled veteran of 60 years of conflict:
"The Europeans are the best friends the Palestinians have. The civilized world has abandoned us to our fate. We would never have come back to this land if we weren't pushed here by the hatred of Europe's Christians, and now that we're here, they won't let us fight, lest we antagonize the Arabs in their midst."
When was the last time you said - "I can feel the fetus kicking!" I guess you don't work in the liberal media. Let me explain. Or better yet, let Opinion Journal explain.....
AlterNet.org has a hilarious excerpt of an interview that the delightfully named Jennifer Nix conducted with George Lakoff, the left-wing linguistics guru who has fooled Democrats into think he invented euphemism and dysphemism (ellipsis in original):
Nix: Can you give an example of the media not understanding what's going on?
Lakoff: A producer from a National Public Radio show "On the Media" called me up recently to tell me that [a style manual] . . . many journalists around the country call on when writing their stories is dictating that journalists stop using the word fetus and replace it with the term unborn child. This producer asked me if I thought this was political, and when I said, "Of course it's political," she debated me. We've heard this phrase unborn child so much that it's physically changing our brains. Also, the word fetus has been demonized, even though it is a technical, scientific term. The right is so successfully framing this issue that a term representing a political agenda is becoming the "neutral" or "objective" word that journalists are supposed to use in their stories.
Of course, Lakoff gets it exactly backwards. As we've chronicled extensively, news organizations bend over backward to use the term fetus, often with ridiculous results. Isn't the more "political" term the one that differs from common usage? Has a pregnant woman ever said, "The fetus is kicking"? For that matter, has a woman choosing an abortion ever said, "I don't want the fetus"? Any reporter who uses the term fetus where an ordinary person would say child or baby might as well stick a pro-choice bumper sticker right underneath his byline.
AlterNet.org has a hilarious excerpt of an interview that the delightfully named Jennifer Nix conducted with George Lakoff, the left-wing linguistics guru who has fooled Democrats into think he invented euphemism and dysphemism (ellipsis in original):
Nix: Can you give an example of the media not understanding what's going on?
Lakoff: A producer from a National Public Radio show "On the Media" called me up recently to tell me that [a style manual] . . . many journalists around the country call on when writing their stories is dictating that journalists stop using the word fetus and replace it with the term unborn child. This producer asked me if I thought this was political, and when I said, "Of course it's political," she debated me. We've heard this phrase unborn child so much that it's physically changing our brains. Also, the word fetus has been demonized, even though it is a technical, scientific term. The right is so successfully framing this issue that a term representing a political agenda is becoming the "neutral" or "objective" word that journalists are supposed to use in their stories.
Of course, Lakoff gets it exactly backwards. As we've chronicled extensively, news organizations bend over backward to use the term fetus, often with ridiculous results. Isn't the more "political" term the one that differs from common usage? Has a pregnant woman ever said, "The fetus is kicking"? For that matter, has a woman choosing an abortion ever said, "I don't want the fetus"? Any reporter who uses the term fetus where an ordinary person would say child or baby might as well stick a pro-choice bumper sticker right underneath his byline.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
If you had any doubt that the MSM did not take radical Islam seriously, here's your proof (via LGF).
Man Accused of Blasphemy Shot Dead
A Pakistani man accused of desecrating the Koran was shot dead Wednesday after being chased by an angry crowd.
This can be found in Reuters' Oddly Enough section. Is this supposed to "funny" odd or "unusual" odd? It is unfortunately neither.
Man Accused of Blasphemy Shot Dead
A Pakistani man accused of desecrating the Koran was shot dead Wednesday after being chased by an angry crowd.
This can be found in Reuters' Oddly Enough section. Is this supposed to "funny" odd or "unusual" odd? It is unfortunately neither.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Well, I guess we can all stop arguing about whether the Vatican did or didn't support the Nazis in the 1940s since the Joseph Ratzinger, the new Pope Benedict XVI, actually was assigned to several German units which fought against the allies between 1943-1945.
OK, maybe that's not fair - he eventually deserted. After Hitler already killed himself and the Americans were taking over his hometown.
Well, nobody's perfect. Until you're the pope.
Defense of the Pope's work benefitting the Jewish people is noted by Sam Ser in the Jerusalem Post.
As prefect of the Doctrine of the Faith, Ratzinger played an instrumental role in the Vatican's revolutionary reconciliation with the Jews under John Paul II. He personally prepared Memory and Reconciliation, the 2000 document outlining the church's historical "errors" in its treatment of Jews. And as president of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, Ratzinger oversaw the preparation of The Jewish People and Their Sacred Scriptures in the Christian Bible, a milestone theological explanation for the Jews' rejection of Jesus.
The AJC has nice things to say as well.
Rabbi David Rosen of the American Jewish Committee, whose field of expertise is interfaith relations, dismissed the concerns. "There are historical reasons for Jewish paranoia," Rosen said, but "the mark of the man is the adult Ratzinger, not the child. As an adult he has shown a deep understanding of our concerns."
A good history here.
Pope Benedict XVI is not to be confused with John Ratzenberger, formally of Cheers.
OK, maybe that's not fair - he eventually deserted. After Hitler already killed himself and the Americans were taking over his hometown.
Well, nobody's perfect. Until you're the pope.
Defense of the Pope's work benefitting the Jewish people is noted by Sam Ser in the Jerusalem Post.
As prefect of the Doctrine of the Faith, Ratzinger played an instrumental role in the Vatican's revolutionary reconciliation with the Jews under John Paul II. He personally prepared Memory and Reconciliation, the 2000 document outlining the church's historical "errors" in its treatment of Jews. And as president of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, Ratzinger oversaw the preparation of The Jewish People and Their Sacred Scriptures in the Christian Bible, a milestone theological explanation for the Jews' rejection of Jesus.
The AJC has nice things to say as well.
Rabbi David Rosen of the American Jewish Committee, whose field of expertise is interfaith relations, dismissed the concerns. "There are historical reasons for Jewish paranoia," Rosen said, but "the mark of the man is the adult Ratzinger, not the child. As an adult he has shown a deep understanding of our concerns."
A good history here.
Pope Benedict XVI is not to be confused with John Ratzenberger, formally of Cheers.
Monday, April 18, 2005
"If anything is certain, it is that change is certain." - Philip Crosby
NBC breaks back into broadcasting NFL
Company pays $600 million for Sunday night games; ESPN gets MNF
The NFL’s “Monday Night Football,” a hallmark of television sports programming since the days of Howard Cosell, is leaving ABC after 35 years for ESPN starting with the 2006 season.
It's been about 7 years since the last major change in NFL broadcating, and my brain still thinks this way - Jets on NBC, Giants on CBS, AFC on NBC, NFC on CBS. How the hell am I supposed to handle Monday Night Football on a channel that I can't even tell you how to find on my DirecTV? I mean, MNF has been on one station since Bewitched, The Partridge Family and My Three Sons were still in primetime.
NBC breaks back into broadcasting NFL
Company pays $600 million for Sunday night games; ESPN gets MNF
The NFL’s “Monday Night Football,” a hallmark of television sports programming since the days of Howard Cosell, is leaving ABC after 35 years for ESPN starting with the 2006 season.
It's been about 7 years since the last major change in NFL broadcating, and my brain still thinks this way - Jets on NBC, Giants on CBS, AFC on NBC, NFC on CBS. How the hell am I supposed to handle Monday Night Football on a channel that I can't even tell you how to find on my DirecTV? I mean, MNF has been on one station since Bewitched, The Partridge Family and My Three Sons were still in primetime.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Sometimes it's comforting to know that actors who portray evil people in the movies, really are evil themselves.
London Tribute to Terror Sympathizer - From LGF.
Currently at the Royal Court in London, a play written and directed by terror enabling actor Alan Rickman: My Name is Rachel Corrie.
We noted this work of propaganda for useful idiots when it was in the planning stages last December.
Steven Plaut remembers other Rachels who haven’t been honored yet with plays in posh London theaters:
1. My Name is Rachel Levy (Israeli girl age 17, blown up in a grocery store)
2. My Name is Rachel Thaler (Israeli girl aged 16, blown up in a pizzeria)
3. My Name is Rachel Levi (Israeli girl aged 19, murdered while waiting for the bus)
4. My Name is Rachel Gavish (killed with her husband and son while at home)
5. My Name is Rachel Charhi (blown up while sitting in a cafe)
6. My Name is Rachel Shabo (murdered with her three sons aged 5, 13 and 6 while sitting at home)
It would be interesting knowing how many of THESE Rachels were murdered with explosives smuggled in through the same tunnels that Rachel Corrie and her ISM pro-terrorist friends were “defending”!
Here's the standard LGF photo of peace-loving Rachel Corrie whose strong passions for justice were ignited growing up in the hard-knock town of Olympia, Washington.
London Tribute to Terror Sympathizer - From LGF.
Currently at the Royal Court in London, a play written and directed by terror enabling actor Alan Rickman: My Name is Rachel Corrie.
We noted this work of propaganda for useful idiots when it was in the planning stages last December.
Steven Plaut remembers other Rachels who haven’t been honored yet with plays in posh London theaters:
1. My Name is Rachel Levy (Israeli girl age 17, blown up in a grocery store)
2. My Name is Rachel Thaler (Israeli girl aged 16, blown up in a pizzeria)
3. My Name is Rachel Levi (Israeli girl aged 19, murdered while waiting for the bus)
4. My Name is Rachel Gavish (killed with her husband and son while at home)
5. My Name is Rachel Charhi (blown up while sitting in a cafe)
6. My Name is Rachel Shabo (murdered with her three sons aged 5, 13 and 6 while sitting at home)
It would be interesting knowing how many of THESE Rachels were murdered with explosives smuggled in through the same tunnels that Rachel Corrie and her ISM pro-terrorist friends were “defending”!
Here's the standard LGF photo of peace-loving Rachel Corrie whose strong passions for justice were ignited growing up in the hard-knock town of Olympia, Washington.
Believe it....
Sunni militants take 100 Shi'ite Muslims hostage in Iraq
Iraqi security forces surrounded a central Iraqi village today after Sunni militants took as many as 100 Shi'ite Muslims hostage and threatened to kill the captives if other Shi'ites did not leave town, Iraqi government officials said.
Or not...
Sent to Rescue Shiite Hostages, Iraqi Troops Find None
But as the army battalions arrived in Madaen, they saw streets full of people calmly sipping tea in cafés and going about their business. There were no armed Sunni mobs, no cowering Shiite victims. After hours of careful searches, the soldiers assisted by air surveillance found no evidence of any kidnappings or refugees at all.
By this afternoon, Iraqi army officials were reporting that the crisis in Madaen, which had been narrated in a stream of breathless television reports and news agency stories, was nothing but a tissue of rumors and politically motivated accusations.
This happened despite numerous statements such as the following in the article I linked to on the top:
A resident reached by telephone said the militants had returned early yesterday, shouting through loudspeakers that all Shi'ites must leave or the hostages would be killed.
Later, the resident said, the town appeared calm and there was no sign of insurgents. Other residents said no hostages had been taken. The conflicting accounts could not be reconciled.
So when mutliple witnesses say something does not appear to have happened it is reported as "news" anyway? Or are we to treat "Iraqi government officials" with the same skepticism as "Palestinian Witnesses"?
Sunni militants take 100 Shi'ite Muslims hostage in Iraq
Iraqi security forces surrounded a central Iraqi village today after Sunni militants took as many as 100 Shi'ite Muslims hostage and threatened to kill the captives if other Shi'ites did not leave town, Iraqi government officials said.
Or not...
Sent to Rescue Shiite Hostages, Iraqi Troops Find None
But as the army battalions arrived in Madaen, they saw streets full of people calmly sipping tea in cafés and going about their business. There were no armed Sunni mobs, no cowering Shiite victims. After hours of careful searches, the soldiers assisted by air surveillance found no evidence of any kidnappings or refugees at all.
By this afternoon, Iraqi army officials were reporting that the crisis in Madaen, which had been narrated in a stream of breathless television reports and news agency stories, was nothing but a tissue of rumors and politically motivated accusations.
This happened despite numerous statements such as the following in the article I linked to on the top:
A resident reached by telephone said the militants had returned early yesterday, shouting through loudspeakers that all Shi'ites must leave or the hostages would be killed.
Later, the resident said, the town appeared calm and there was no sign of insurgents. Other residents said no hostages had been taken. The conflicting accounts could not be reconciled.
So when mutliple witnesses say something does not appear to have happened it is reported as "news" anyway? Or are we to treat "Iraqi government officials" with the same skepticism as "Palestinian Witnesses"?
There's a cover article in the Viewpoints section of today's Dallas Morning News, which has the funniest short comic bit I've read in a long time. The article is by Brian C. Anderson, who has written a book called South Park Conservatives which, among other things, talks about the fact that some of today's most obnoxious and outrageous social commentary comes from the Right as opposed to the Left (think Lenny Bruce).
Since there doesn't seem to be a link to the article, I am typing in a routine by comedian Nick DiPaolo who has won two Emmys for his work:
I like the state of Texas because they're giving out the electric chair like it's coupons. They've fried like 30 people in the last two months in Texas. And there's a lady in Texas on TV going: 'We're giving too many people the death penalty.' That's bullshit. More people died from airbags last year in the country than from the death penalty. [To Texas lady:] Would it make you feel better if we put these rapists in a Lexus and drove it into a tree? [In effete voice:] 'It's crual and unusual.' Well, do it more and it won't be so unusual."
Or as Dennis Miller is quoted as saying:
"I'm Left on a lot of things," he explained. "If two gay guys want to get married, I could [not] care less. If a nutcase from overseas wants to blow up their wedding, that's when I'm Right."
Actually, in looking for a good Lenny Bruce link for the section above, I came to a series of quotes. Even though he was known as being "out there", i.e. liberal, he made an observation decades ago that seems to come right off a blog in 2004:
The liberals can understand everything but people who don't understand them.
The more things change....
Since there doesn't seem to be a link to the article, I am typing in a routine by comedian Nick DiPaolo who has won two Emmys for his work:
I like the state of Texas because they're giving out the electric chair like it's coupons. They've fried like 30 people in the last two months in Texas. And there's a lady in Texas on TV going: 'We're giving too many people the death penalty.' That's bullshit. More people died from airbags last year in the country than from the death penalty. [To Texas lady:] Would it make you feel better if we put these rapists in a Lexus and drove it into a tree? [In effete voice:] 'It's crual and unusual.' Well, do it more and it won't be so unusual."
Or as Dennis Miller is quoted as saying:
"I'm Left on a lot of things," he explained. "If two gay guys want to get married, I could [not] care less. If a nutcase from overseas wants to blow up their wedding, that's when I'm Right."
Actually, in looking for a good Lenny Bruce link for the section above, I came to a series of quotes. Even though he was known as being "out there", i.e. liberal, he made an observation decades ago that seems to come right off a blog in 2004:
The liberals can understand everything but people who don't understand them.
The more things change....
Saturday, April 16, 2005
A recent incident at a soccer match between Argentine and Brazilian teams brings up all the good questions about political correctness and the defense of individual integrity.
Argentine soccer player Leandro Desabato was led off the field in handcuffs two days ago and thrown into a dingy Sao Paulo jail over an alleged racist insult against a black Brazilian player made in the heat of sporting battle.
Apparently in Brazil (as well as Argentina) it is illegal to taunt someone with a racial slur. Brazil is a multi-cultural democracy with a very large Afro-Brazilian population whose position in society practically mirrors that of the African-American population. They are revered as sports and cultural heroes, yet neglected and discriminated against in the job market, housing markets, etc.
The incident occurred just before halftime in Wednesday's game between Sao Paulo and the Argentine team Quilmes in Sao Paulo's Morumbi stadium. The contest was part of the first round of the Copa Libertadores, South America's soccer championship series.
Desabato allegedly hurled a graphic slur at a Sao Paulo player who is known, like many Brazilians, by a single name, Grafite. Then Grafite shoved Desabato in the face. The referee expelled both players for fighting.
On a gut level, I believe that if someone calls you a name based on you race or religion, you should beat them to a pulp. On a theoretical level though, I believe that calling someone the "N" word or "Jew bastard" shouldn't carry any more weight that "jerk" or "motherf-----". When a person's angry they usually scream the first thing that comes to mind. To me it screams of Thought Police when you are being arrested for something that comes from deep within your subconscious. I'm the first to admit that I have prejudices, and I like to think I can keep them in check at all times tending to be a person that does not anger eagerly. However should the time come when I really need to let an insult fly and my mouth works quicker than my brain, I don't want to be put in a cell with someone who might want to make me their bitch for the night.
This part is almost funny, especially if you've been to Sao Paolo as I have..
A Sao Paulo judge ordered Desabato held on bail of about $4,000. Quilmes officials withdrew money from a Sao Paulo bank Thursday to pay Desabato's bail — but because of that giant city's notorious traffic, they could not get the money to the court until Friday.
I can't wait for the Argentina-Brazil World Cup qualifier on June 7th.
Argentine soccer player Leandro Desabato was led off the field in handcuffs two days ago and thrown into a dingy Sao Paulo jail over an alleged racist insult against a black Brazilian player made in the heat of sporting battle.
Apparently in Brazil (as well as Argentina) it is illegal to taunt someone with a racial slur. Brazil is a multi-cultural democracy with a very large Afro-Brazilian population whose position in society practically mirrors that of the African-American population. They are revered as sports and cultural heroes, yet neglected and discriminated against in the job market, housing markets, etc.
The incident occurred just before halftime in Wednesday's game between Sao Paulo and the Argentine team Quilmes in Sao Paulo's Morumbi stadium. The contest was part of the first round of the Copa Libertadores, South America's soccer championship series.
Desabato allegedly hurled a graphic slur at a Sao Paulo player who is known, like many Brazilians, by a single name, Grafite. Then Grafite shoved Desabato in the face. The referee expelled both players for fighting.
On a gut level, I believe that if someone calls you a name based on you race or religion, you should beat them to a pulp. On a theoretical level though, I believe that calling someone the "N" word or "Jew bastard" shouldn't carry any more weight that "jerk" or "motherf-----". When a person's angry they usually scream the first thing that comes to mind. To me it screams of Thought Police when you are being arrested for something that comes from deep within your subconscious. I'm the first to admit that I have prejudices, and I like to think I can keep them in check at all times tending to be a person that does not anger eagerly. However should the time come when I really need to let an insult fly and my mouth works quicker than my brain, I don't want to be put in a cell with someone who might want to make me their bitch for the night.
This part is almost funny, especially if you've been to Sao Paolo as I have..
A Sao Paulo judge ordered Desabato held on bail of about $4,000. Quilmes officials withdrew money from a Sao Paulo bank Thursday to pay Desabato's bail — but because of that giant city's notorious traffic, they could not get the money to the court until Friday.
I can't wait for the Argentina-Brazil World Cup qualifier on June 7th.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Jackie Mason on the British Royals - "Everyone knows that the whole royal family has a history of jumping from one bed to another. Why do you think mattresses are called kings and queens?"
The truth is, I don't actually know.
The truth is, I don't actually know.
Apparently, the latest spate of food attacks on people with conservative views is not limited to the U.S. In the UK, anti-war Muslims pelted black Jewish Labour MP Oona King with vegetables at, of all places, a memorial to Jewish war dead.
Miss King, 37, the black Jewish Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, was attacked as she joined mourners to commemorate 60 years since the Hughes Mansions Disaster, when 134 people, almost all Jewish, were killed by the last V2 missile to land on London.
The eggs missed her, but one hit a war veteran, Louis Lewis, 89, in the chest and an onion struck Richard Brett, a bugler from the Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade who sounded the Last Post at the ceremony.
Miss King, who enraged many of her Muslim constituents when she openly supported the war in Iraq, told the crowd that the attack was one of the "saddest" things she had ever witnessed.
Clearly angry, she said: "I think they were aimed at me but the sheer ignorance never mind the lack of respect is shocking. They have no idea where their freedom came from and who gave it to them.....
Ibn Alkhattab, 21, said: "It will be all about the war. There is enormous anger. No one will vote for her."His friend added: "She represented these people and then voted for the war. We all hate her. She comes here with her Jewish friends who are killing our people and then they come to our back yards.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
I had a feeling that liberals were blowing smoke up our collective butts with the claim that the majority of Americans thought Terri Schiavo was better off dead than alive. Pull the plug they screamed - the Republicans believe it too, they're just using the issue to solidify their pro-life base - most normal people want Michael Schiavo be free of that parasite!
It turns out that if the poll questions were detailed enough to be clear as opposed to rigged to create a desired response, the moral values of the American people become clear.
Polls leading up to the death of Terri Schiavo made it appear Americans had formed a consensus in favor of ending her life. However, a new Zogby poll with fairer questions shows the nation clearly supporting Terri and her parents and wanting to protect the lives of other disabled patients.
The Zogby poll found that, if a person becomes incapacitated and has not expressed their preference for medical treatment, as in Terri's case, 43 percent say "the law presume that the person wants to live, even if the person is receiving food and water through a tube" while just 30 percent disagree.
Another Zogby question his directly on Terri's circumstances.
"If a disabled person is not terminally ill, not in a coma, and not being kept alive on life support, and they have no written directive, should or should they not be denied food and water," the poll asked.
A whopping 79 percent said the patient should not have food and water taken away while just 9 percent said yes.
My faith in American society has been restored.
By the way, here are the results of the ABC poll taken back in March. Is this a leading question to you? Compare it to the ones above.
Schiavo suffered brain damage and has been on life support for 15 years.
Doctors say she has no consciousness and her condition is irreversible. Her
husband and her parents disagree about whether she would have wanted to be kept alive. Florida courts have sided with the husband and her feeding tube was removed on Friday.
What’s your opinion on this case - do you support or oppose the decision to
remove Schiavo’s feeding tube? Do you support/oppose it strongly or somewhat?
63 percent were in favor of leaving the tube out and only 28 percent in favor.
It turns out that if the poll questions were detailed enough to be clear as opposed to rigged to create a desired response, the moral values of the American people become clear.
Polls leading up to the death of Terri Schiavo made it appear Americans had formed a consensus in favor of ending her life. However, a new Zogby poll with fairer questions shows the nation clearly supporting Terri and her parents and wanting to protect the lives of other disabled patients.
The Zogby poll found that, if a person becomes incapacitated and has not expressed their preference for medical treatment, as in Terri's case, 43 percent say "the law presume that the person wants to live, even if the person is receiving food and water through a tube" while just 30 percent disagree.
Another Zogby question his directly on Terri's circumstances.
"If a disabled person is not terminally ill, not in a coma, and not being kept alive on life support, and they have no written directive, should or should they not be denied food and water," the poll asked.
A whopping 79 percent said the patient should not have food and water taken away while just 9 percent said yes.
My faith in American society has been restored.
By the way, here are the results of the ABC poll taken back in March. Is this a leading question to you? Compare it to the ones above.
Schiavo suffered brain damage and has been on life support for 15 years.
Doctors say she has no consciousness and her condition is irreversible. Her
husband and her parents disagree about whether she would have wanted to be kept alive. Florida courts have sided with the husband and her feeding tube was removed on Friday.
What’s your opinion on this case - do you support or oppose the decision to
remove Schiavo’s feeding tube? Do you support/oppose it strongly or somewhat?
63 percent were in favor of leaving the tube out and only 28 percent in favor.
Just wanted to give a Texas "yeeee-haaaaa" and bruchim haba'im to Ariel Sharon who will be visiting the Western White House tomorrow.
The meeting between Bush and Sharon comes as the Israeli prime minister seeks U.S. support for his plan to pull some 8,500 settlers out of Gaza starting in July. Bush, who supports the withdrawal, has been critical of Israeli plans to build 3,500 new housing units at a West Bank settlement near Jerusalem. He said he would raise the issue when he meets with Sharon in Texas.
"President Bush - I love what you've done with the place." "Oh, Arik!"
The meeting between Bush and Sharon comes as the Israeli prime minister seeks U.S. support for his plan to pull some 8,500 settlers out of Gaza starting in July. Bush, who supports the withdrawal, has been critical of Israeli plans to build 3,500 new housing units at a West Bank settlement near Jerusalem. He said he would raise the issue when he meets with Sharon in Texas.
"President Bush - I love what you've done with the place." "Oh, Arik!"
Update on the Rafah shootings as reported by the NY Times.
The Israeli Army said soldiers had opened fire on three Palestinians who were 300 yards into a closed military zone and ignored warning shots and calls to stop. The army said two Palestinians later told Palestinian security forces that they and the other three had been trying to slip into Egypt, allegedly to smuggle weapons and other goods. The army said it was continuing its investigation and had film of the incident.
If you can find a link to a mainstream media article (non-Israeli of course) that leads with Israeli soldiers kill suspected smugglers, instead of Israelis kill kids playing soccer, you get a pat on the back - this isn't a for-profit site you know!
My local paper the Dallas Morning News, even after it was obvious that there were conflicting reports of the incident, only reported that Israelis killed Palestinian kids playing soccer in what I imagine was a bid to save space.
By the way, the penalty for shooting smugglers is over 70 Qassam rockets fired haphazardly, mostly into Jewish residential areas. Luckily, only the petting zoo horse got it.
The Israeli Army said soldiers had opened fire on three Palestinians who were 300 yards into a closed military zone and ignored warning shots and calls to stop. The army said two Palestinians later told Palestinian security forces that they and the other three had been trying to slip into Egypt, allegedly to smuggle weapons and other goods. The army said it was continuing its investigation and had film of the incident.
If you can find a link to a mainstream media article (non-Israeli of course) that leads with Israeli soldiers kill suspected smugglers, instead of Israelis kill kids playing soccer, you get a pat on the back - this isn't a for-profit site you know!
My local paper the Dallas Morning News, even after it was obvious that there were conflicting reports of the incident, only reported that Israelis killed Palestinian kids playing soccer in what I imagine was a bid to save space.
By the way, the penalty for shooting smugglers is over 70 Qassam rockets fired haphazardly, mostly into Jewish residential areas. Luckily, only the petting zoo horse got it.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Man, I hope the NY Times has another ombudsman in the wings that will be as honest as Dan Okrent is. In tomorrow's paper, Okrent rips into the Times for it's handling of the Columbia University report clearing it's Middle Eastern studies professors of anti-Semitism.
EXTRA! EXTRA! Read Not Quite Everything About It!
Some newspaper people seem to regard beating the competition as the opposable thumb of journalism, an essential characteristic that distinguishes winners from losers. I think it's more like the tailbone, a vestigial remnant from the era when reporters were still swinging from the trees - that distant time when New York had eight daily papers, and newsboys in knickers prowled the streets shouting "Extra!" whenever their papers had something the other guys didn't....
I wish I could say the Columbia story was an aberration. I wish as well I could prove it was not. Reporters who make secret quid pro quo agreements with sources don't pick up the phone to tell me they've just concluded a deal. I've stumbled across several pieces in the last few months that emit a slightly fishy aroma, but it would be unfair to cite specifics when reporters deny they've made deals and I can't prove otherwise.
Ouch.
EXTRA! EXTRA! Read Not Quite Everything About It!
Some newspaper people seem to regard beating the competition as the opposable thumb of journalism, an essential characteristic that distinguishes winners from losers. I think it's more like the tailbone, a vestigial remnant from the era when reporters were still swinging from the trees - that distant time when New York had eight daily papers, and newsboys in knickers prowled the streets shouting "Extra!" whenever their papers had something the other guys didn't....
I wish I could say the Columbia story was an aberration. I wish as well I could prove it was not. Reporters who make secret quid pro quo agreements with sources don't pick up the phone to tell me they've just concluded a deal. I've stumbled across several pieces in the last few months that emit a slightly fishy aroma, but it would be unfair to cite specifics when reporters deny they've made deals and I can't prove otherwise.
Ouch.
Which is (are) the highest paid Australian entertainer(s):
a) Nicole Kidman
b) Russell Crowe
c) The Wiggles
If you got this wrong, you don't have a pre-schooler at home.
The Wiggles have sung and danced their way to the top of a list of Australia's wealthiest entertainers, edging out Hollywood heavyweights such as Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe.
The four Australian performers topped BRW Magazine's list of Australia's 50 richest performers in 2004 with an estimated gross income of $34.5 million, up from $10.7 million in the previous year.
a) Nicole Kidman
b) Russell Crowe
c) The Wiggles
If you got this wrong, you don't have a pre-schooler at home.
The Wiggles have sung and danced their way to the top of a list of Australia's wealthiest entertainers, edging out Hollywood heavyweights such as Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe.
The four Australian performers topped BRW Magazine's list of Australia's 50 richest performers in 2004 with an estimated gross income of $34.5 million, up from $10.7 million in the previous year.
Since it's been a while since Israeli soldiers have been accused of killing innocent Palestinian children (and I'm not saying that they didn't), I figured I'd cobble together the various reports that are coming out of Gaza this afternoon.
I'll copy in the main body from the most recent Reuters report.
Israeli troops killed three Palestinian youths (near Rafah's Tel a-Sultan neighborhood in the) Gaza Strip on Saturday, Palestinian witnesses said, triggering mortar bomb fire on Jewish settlements and threats by militants to drop a de facto truce.
The killings were the first since militants agreed with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in March to abide by the cease fire, and leading militant groups Islamic Jihad and Hamas issued warnings to Israel but stopped short of ending the truce.
The circumstances surrounding the killing of the Palestinian youths and the numbers were disputed by Israel and the Palestinians, but Abbas called it a deliberate violation of the truce he and Sharon declared at a summit in Egypt in February.
"UNARMED CHILDREN"
"The Palestinian youths who were killed were unarmed children and did not pose a threat to Israel," Abbas said in a statement. Palestinian medics and witnesses said three youths aged between 14 and 16 were killed (or 14 and 15) (or all 14).
Local residents said the Palestinian youths were playing soccer (in a playground about 50 meters from the border fence) in Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza when Israeli soldiers, meters (yards) away, (fired warning shots) (or, without warning suddenly) shot and killed them (from an armed vehicle) (while they were running after the ball).
An Israeli military source said troops along the Gaza-Egypt border spotted five Palestinians crawling and then running toward them in an (unauthorized) area (or into Israeli territory) where militants smuggle in weapons using tunnels from Egypt.
(Israel Radio reported that Palestinian security services notified Israel they had detained two boys who were not hit by IDF fire, and that the group of five youths were smugglers.) (Or not.)
"Soldiers fired warning shots in the air, but they continued to run toward them. When they were meters away, the troops shot and hit two of them," the source said, adding the army had launched an investigation into the incident.
I'll copy in the main body from the most recent Reuters report.
Israeli troops killed three Palestinian youths (near Rafah's Tel a-Sultan neighborhood in the) Gaza Strip on Saturday, Palestinian witnesses said, triggering mortar bomb fire on Jewish settlements and threats by militants to drop a de facto truce.
The killings were the first since militants agreed with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in March to abide by the cease fire, and leading militant groups Islamic Jihad and Hamas issued warnings to Israel but stopped short of ending the truce.
The circumstances surrounding the killing of the Palestinian youths and the numbers were disputed by Israel and the Palestinians, but Abbas called it a deliberate violation of the truce he and Sharon declared at a summit in Egypt in February.
"UNARMED CHILDREN"
"The Palestinian youths who were killed were unarmed children and did not pose a threat to Israel," Abbas said in a statement. Palestinian medics and witnesses said three youths aged between 14 and 16 were killed (or 14 and 15) (or all 14).
Local residents said the Palestinian youths were playing soccer (in a playground about 50 meters from the border fence) in Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza when Israeli soldiers, meters (yards) away, (fired warning shots) (or, without warning suddenly) shot and killed them (from an armed vehicle) (while they were running after the ball).
An Israeli military source said troops along the Gaza-Egypt border spotted five Palestinians crawling and then running toward them in an (unauthorized) area (or into Israeli territory) where militants smuggle in weapons using tunnels from Egypt.
(Israel Radio reported that Palestinian security services notified Israel they had detained two boys who were not hit by IDF fire, and that the group of five youths were smugglers.) (Or not.)
"Soldiers fired warning shots in the air, but they continued to run toward them. When they were meters away, the troops shot and hit two of them," the source said, adding the army had launched an investigation into the incident.
I think for the first time in my life I haven't watched even one pitch of a baseball game during opening week. Business obligations, family obligations and a generally overwhelming list of other things I want to do has kept me from even looking to TIVO a game and watch it in fast forward later.
That being said, if I do happen to stumble upon an Oakland A's game where Barry Zito is pitching, I'll be sure to root for everyone he's facing to strike out. Why? Zito's donating $100 bucks to wounded soldiers for every batter he faces.
He's pitching today, by the way.
That being said, if I do happen to stumble upon an Oakland A's game where Barry Zito is pitching, I'll be sure to root for everyone he's facing to strike out. Why? Zito's donating $100 bucks to wounded soldiers for every batter he faces.
He's pitching today, by the way.
Friday, April 08, 2005
It's been a tough Friday so far and I really do want to go to shul tonight, which if you're conservative like me often becomes a tug of war between what you've been taught to do but not told to do. Anyway, I needed a good laugh. Thanks to The Professor for pointing it out.
From a collection of American-Jewish words:
MATZILATION - Smashing a piece of matzo to bits while trying to butter it.
MEINSTEIN - 'My son, the genius.'
FEELAWFUL - Indigestion from eating Israeli street food.
DISKVELLIFIED - To drop out of law school, med school or business school as seen through the eyes of parents, grandparents, and Uncle Sid. In extreme cases, simply choosing to major in art history, when Irv's son, David, is majoring in biology, is sufficient grounds for diskvellification.
OYVAYSMEAR - What one says when the cream cheese squeezes out of the bagel and falls on your clean pants.
From a collection of American-Jewish words:
MATZILATION - Smashing a piece of matzo to bits while trying to butter it.
MEINSTEIN - 'My son, the genius.'
FEELAWFUL - Indigestion from eating Israeli street food.
DISKVELLIFIED - To drop out of law school, med school or business school as seen through the eyes of parents, grandparents, and Uncle Sid. In extreme cases, simply choosing to major in art history, when Irv's son, David, is majoring in biology, is sufficient grounds for diskvellification.
OYVAYSMEAR - What one says when the cream cheese squeezes out of the bagel and falls on your clean pants.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Liberals Angry, Bakery Sales Booming
Activist hit by pie at Butler lecture
David Horowitz, president of the Center for the Study of Popular Culture, had just started a lecture at Butler when he was hit.
Horowitz's supporters followed the assailants out of the hall, and confronted them with what a witness called "pushing and shoving." However, the attackers got away.
David Horowitz, now joins William Kristol, Pat Buchanan and Richard Perle as veterans of the recently attacked.
Activist hit by pie at Butler lecture
David Horowitz, president of the Center for the Study of Popular Culture, had just started a lecture at Butler when he was hit.
Horowitz's supporters followed the assailants out of the hall, and confronted them with what a witness called "pushing and shoving." However, the attackers got away.
David Horowitz, now joins William Kristol, Pat Buchanan and Richard Perle as veterans of the recently attacked.
When I first heard the Peter Jennings had lung cancer I felt sympathy and sadness. When I later found out he was a smoker, I felt sadness and multiple layers of anger.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Need I say more? Google Maps with satellite images. I can see my pool!
I like this too - Yagoohoogle - shows both Yahoo and Goole results at the same time.
I like this too - Yagoohoogle - shows both Yahoo and Goole results at the same time.
I watched quite a bit of this Frontline report last night on right-wing extremists in Israel. Very interesting. And scary. It's one thing to read about the people who want to blow up the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosques, it's another thing to watch them in action. As of Frdiay, you'll be able to watch the whole program online.
Israel's Next War?
Israel's Next War?
The City of San Francisco is looking to regulate what you and I write on our blogs. Get more than 500 hits and blog about local SF politics - better register with the blog police or you'll find yourself on the short end of a nastygram..or worse.
Blogs that mention candidates for local office that receive more than 500 hits will be forced to pay a registration fee and will be subject to website traffic audits, according to Chad Jacobs, a San Francisco City Attorney.
Here's their e-mail if you wish to comment....
board.of.supervisors@sfgov.org
Blogs that mention candidates for local office that receive more than 500 hits will be forced to pay a registration fee and will be subject to website traffic audits, according to Chad Jacobs, a San Francisco City Attorney.
Here's their e-mail if you wish to comment....
board.of.supervisors@sfgov.org
I was thinking of checking this out for myself yesterday, but luckily Riding Sun took the initiative and researched the recently announced winners of the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography.
I looked at the twenty photographs and broke them into groups on the basis of content. Here are my results:
• U.S. troops injured, dead, or mourning: 3
(2, 3, 11)
• Iraqi civillians harmed by the war: 7
(4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 18)
• Insurgents looking determined or deadly: 3
(6, 15, 20)
• US troops looking overwhelmed or uncertain: 3
(7, 12, 14)
• US troops controlling Iraqi prisoners: 2
(16, 17)
• Iraqis celebrating attacks on US forces: 2
(1, 19)
Equally telling is what the photos don't show:
• US forces looking heroic: 0
• US forces helping Iraqi civillians: 0
• Iraqis expressing support for US forces: 0
• Iraqis expressing opposition to insurgents: 0
Maybe it's just that pictures like the one below, which can be found all over the internet, are taken by our men and women in the field and not by the "professionals".
I looked at the twenty photographs and broke them into groups on the basis of content. Here are my results:
• U.S. troops injured, dead, or mourning: 3
(2, 3, 11)
• Iraqi civillians harmed by the war: 7
(4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 18)
• Insurgents looking determined or deadly: 3
(6, 15, 20)
• US troops looking overwhelmed or uncertain: 3
(7, 12, 14)
• US troops controlling Iraqi prisoners: 2
(16, 17)
• Iraqis celebrating attacks on US forces: 2
(1, 19)
Equally telling is what the photos don't show:
• US forces looking heroic: 0
• US forces helping Iraqi civillians: 0
• Iraqis expressing support for US forces: 0
• Iraqis expressing opposition to insurgents: 0
Maybe it's just that pictures like the one below, which can be found all over the internet, are taken by our men and women in the field and not by the "professionals".
Saturday, April 02, 2005
I really liked Pope John Paul II. I am sorry to see him go. The Pope is one of the figures that will always define my understanding of the world - what it means to be a leader, and what it means to be an envoy for peace in a world full of violence.
The Church he led isn´t perfect and I didn´t always agreee with certain things that he did, or didn´t do. However, deep in my heart I believe that he always did what he thought would bring peace and salvation to the world.
I also believe that the Pope was about as good a human being as we get as far as a leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Worldly, intelligent, friendly and a source of profound change for good in Jewish-Catholic relations.
I attended a Kabalat Shabat service in Buenos Aires last night which was led by Rabbi Daniel Goldman. As he mentioned to the congregation last night, dozens of media outlets called him to ask what his opinion was of the Pope as he lay dying. Interest in a rabbi´s thoughts about the Pope couldn´t have even be contemplated in Argentina, he said, before the installation of John Paul II.
God rest his soul and God help the rest of us. My sincerest condolences go out to all those who sought to be nearer to God and godliness through their connection to the Holy Father.
Pope John Paul II places a letter into a crevice of the Western Wall. The letter, expressing the Vatican's apology for centuries of anti-Semitism, is to go on permanent display at Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Memorial of the Holocaust.
Some reference material for your perusal:
Ioannes Paulus PP. II - The Vatican's official site
Wikipedia. With a list of all popes.
Israeli government page on the Pope's Visit to Israel in 2000.
Speech of John Paul II at Yad Vashem
As Bishop of Rome and Successor of the Apostle Peter, I assure the Jewish people that the Catholic Church, motivated by the Gospel law of truth and love and by no political considerations, is deeply saddened by the hatred, acts of persecution and displays of anti-Semitism directed against the Jews by Christians at any time and in any place. The Church rejects racism in any form as a denial of the image of the Creator inherent in every human being (cf. Gen 1:26).
Praise from the Anti-Defamation League
The Church he led isn´t perfect and I didn´t always agreee with certain things that he did, or didn´t do. However, deep in my heart I believe that he always did what he thought would bring peace and salvation to the world.
I also believe that the Pope was about as good a human being as we get as far as a leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Worldly, intelligent, friendly and a source of profound change for good in Jewish-Catholic relations.
I attended a Kabalat Shabat service in Buenos Aires last night which was led by Rabbi Daniel Goldman. As he mentioned to the congregation last night, dozens of media outlets called him to ask what his opinion was of the Pope as he lay dying. Interest in a rabbi´s thoughts about the Pope couldn´t have even be contemplated in Argentina, he said, before the installation of John Paul II.
God rest his soul and God help the rest of us. My sincerest condolences go out to all those who sought to be nearer to God and godliness through their connection to the Holy Father.
Pope John Paul II places a letter into a crevice of the Western Wall. The letter, expressing the Vatican's apology for centuries of anti-Semitism, is to go on permanent display at Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Memorial of the Holocaust.
Some reference material for your perusal:
Ioannes Paulus PP. II - The Vatican's official site
Wikipedia. With a list of all popes.
Israeli government page on the Pope's Visit to Israel in 2000.
Speech of John Paul II at Yad Vashem
As Bishop of Rome and Successor of the Apostle Peter, I assure the Jewish people that the Catholic Church, motivated by the Gospel law of truth and love and by no political considerations, is deeply saddened by the hatred, acts of persecution and displays of anti-Semitism directed against the Jews by Christians at any time and in any place. The Church rejects racism in any form as a denial of the image of the Creator inherent in every human being (cf. Gen 1:26).
Praise from the Anti-Defamation League
From the NY Times Editorial Page regarding Iraq, January 12, 2005:
It's time to talk about postponing the elections.....Many Americans - and many Iraqis - worry that if the elections were postponed, the terrorists would feel empowered by having won. That might indeed be the case for the next few months. But that outcome would be far outweighed by the danger that would come from a civil war...Others argue that civil war is probably inevitable.....That kind of pessimism may be warranted. But given the horrific possibilities, we should make every effort to avoid that end. A delay in the voting seems to offer at least a ray of hope, and it pushes Iraq in the direction it desperately needs to go: toward a democracy in which all religious and ethnic groups have a stake.
From the NY Times News Pages regarding Iraq, April 2, 2005
Sunni Clerics Urge Followers to Join Iraq Army and Police
A group of Sunni Arab clerics, including some hard-line figures who fiercely oppose the American presence here, issued a statement on Friday urging their fellow Sunni Arabs to join the Iraqi Army and police.
The edict, signed by 64 imams and religious scholars, was a striking turnaround for the clerics, who have often lashed out in sermons at the fledgling army and police force and branded them collaborators....
American and Iraqi officials welcomed the edict as a sign that the Sunni Arabs, who largely boycotted the January elections, are taking steps toward rejoining the country's government and politics.
Notice the use of the words "striking turnaround". It´s only striking to those who still misunderestimate the Bush doctrine of promoting freedom and not giving in to terrorists.
It's time to talk about postponing the elections.....Many Americans - and many Iraqis - worry that if the elections were postponed, the terrorists would feel empowered by having won. That might indeed be the case for the next few months. But that outcome would be far outweighed by the danger that would come from a civil war...Others argue that civil war is probably inevitable.....That kind of pessimism may be warranted. But given the horrific possibilities, we should make every effort to avoid that end. A delay in the voting seems to offer at least a ray of hope, and it pushes Iraq in the direction it desperately needs to go: toward a democracy in which all religious and ethnic groups have a stake.
From the NY Times News Pages regarding Iraq, April 2, 2005
Sunni Clerics Urge Followers to Join Iraq Army and Police
A group of Sunni Arab clerics, including some hard-line figures who fiercely oppose the American presence here, issued a statement on Friday urging their fellow Sunni Arabs to join the Iraqi Army and police.
The edict, signed by 64 imams and religious scholars, was a striking turnaround for the clerics, who have often lashed out in sermons at the fledgling army and police force and branded them collaborators....
American and Iraqi officials welcomed the edict as a sign that the Sunni Arabs, who largely boycotted the January elections, are taking steps toward rejoining the country's government and politics.
Notice the use of the words "striking turnaround". It´s only striking to those who still misunderestimate the Bush doctrine of promoting freedom and not giving in to terrorists.
Friday, April 01, 2005
If there were no Israel, there would be no one to make comments like this regarding an Israeli team in the World Cup qualifiers....
May it be the will of Hashem that we go all the way, and get the opportuntiy to shine this light throughout the whole world.
Read the whole post at Jewschool about what it was like to watch the Israeli-France draw the other night.
May it be the will of Hashem that we go all the way, and get the opportuntiy to shine this light throughout the whole world.
Read the whole post at Jewschool about what it was like to watch the Israeli-France draw the other night.
The Palestinians are obviously not ready for their own state yet as anyone with a gun makes the Abbas "government" wet it´s pants.
Palestinian officials on Thursday backed away from a declaration that they would go after gunmen who shot up Mahmoud Abbas' office building and rampaged through Ramallah, underlining the difficulties authorities face in restoring order in the chaotic West Bank.
Abbas, who was in the building but was not hurt in the gunfire late Wednesday, ordered a crackdown, and security officials said the renegades had "crossed a red line" by attacking the seat of government. But in the light of day, the officials adopted a conciliatory line, and one admitted they feared coming under armed attack themselves.
Now compare this with the actions of Prime Minister Allawi of Iraq who had three relatives kidnapped by insurgents.
The premier himself had commented that he was “concerned” about his relatives’ fate but would not give in to the kidnappers’ demand. All three were eventually released without incident.
Palestinian officials on Thursday backed away from a declaration that they would go after gunmen who shot up Mahmoud Abbas' office building and rampaged through Ramallah, underlining the difficulties authorities face in restoring order in the chaotic West Bank.
Abbas, who was in the building but was not hurt in the gunfire late Wednesday, ordered a crackdown, and security officials said the renegades had "crossed a red line" by attacking the seat of government. But in the light of day, the officials adopted a conciliatory line, and one admitted they feared coming under armed attack themselves.
Now compare this with the actions of Prime Minister Allawi of Iraq who had three relatives kidnapped by insurgents.
The premier himself had commented that he was “concerned” about his relatives’ fate but would not give in to the kidnappers’ demand. All three were eventually released without incident.
Must credit Go Blog and Multiply!
Post this under just plain creepy. I know that Hillary Clinton is trying to be all things to all people, but even to the point of changing her physical appearance?
When I first looked at this photo, I thought to myself, "Gee, Hillary looks about 10-15 years older." What happened? Is it the stress of her husband´s health problems?
Then, I read the caption.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton at a hearing of the Special Committee on Aging last month.
I swear this is not a joke. Here is the NY Times page.
Post this under just plain creepy. I know that Hillary Clinton is trying to be all things to all people, but even to the point of changing her physical appearance?
When I first looked at this photo, I thought to myself, "Gee, Hillary looks about 10-15 years older." What happened? Is it the stress of her husband´s health problems?
Then, I read the caption.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton at a hearing of the Special Committee on Aging last month.
I swear this is not a joke. Here is the NY Times page.
So what is it exactly that makes so many liberals enjoy physically attacking conservative speakers?
Not too long ago, it was Ricahrd Perle - Protester Throws Shoe at Richard Perle (video here)
Then, William Kristol - Conservative gets pie in eye at Quaker college
And most recently, Pat Buchanan - Pat Buchanan Attacked (video)
Oh, I know there are those who think this type of thing is pretty funny. But is that the appropriate response?
Now I don´t like Pat Buchanan very much, but when these are invited guests in what is supposed to be a forum for the exchange of ideas, shouldn´t they feel safe from physical harm?
Now I´m not going to be a Krugman and predict the political affiliation of the next person to commit an assassination, but he seems to ignore the anger of the wackos on the left.
If anyone can let me know of a recent appearance by a liberal pundit or politician which led to a personal attack, I will be glad to update this post with the appropriate denunciation.
Not too long ago, it was Ricahrd Perle - Protester Throws Shoe at Richard Perle (video here)
Then, William Kristol - Conservative gets pie in eye at Quaker college
And most recently, Pat Buchanan - Pat Buchanan Attacked (video)
Oh, I know there are those who think this type of thing is pretty funny. But is that the appropriate response?
Now I don´t like Pat Buchanan very much, but when these are invited guests in what is supposed to be a forum for the exchange of ideas, shouldn´t they feel safe from physical harm?
Now I´m not going to be a Krugman and predict the political affiliation of the next person to commit an assassination, but he seems to ignore the anger of the wackos on the left.
If anyone can let me know of a recent appearance by a liberal pundit or politician which led to a personal attack, I will be glad to update this post with the appropriate denunciation.
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