Saturday evening, July 25, 2009 (motzei Shabbat)

Lots and lots of new stuff today, so let's get right to it....

1. Peace Partner? - From Khaled Abu Toameh, 'We'll never recognize Israel,' Fatah official says. How many times do the Palestinians themselves have to say this type of thing before the EU, the Brits and the Americans catch on?

2. Iran - lots of stuff to report here. First, from an Iranian expatriate, a description of Iran as a Persian prison state. Next, this story - Ahmadinejad's controversial deputy resigns - but don't get excited - this is the guy who recently made remotely positive comments about Israel. Here is a column that outlines The Stakes in Iran and one that hopes - Faster, Please! » The Death Spiral of the Islamic Republic. Finally, from Jerusalem Post, the opinion that Now is the time to confront Iran.

3. Obama & Harvard - What in the heck was the President thinking in wading into this issue? First, he admitted that he did not have all the facts. Second, Professor Gates is a friend of his. Third, he had his own history of misdemeanors with the Cambridge Police Department.

And once he had started to backtrack, he still could not bring himself to apologize to the police office involved or to the Cambridge Police Department - this from a man who apologized to the Muslim world and to Europe for alleged misdeeds of America. Don't even get me started on that topic - for example, has he ever heard of the Marshall Plan - oops, there I go....

In any event - Roger Kimball weighs in with Roger’s Rules » Racialist outrage and embarrassment in Cambridge! But even better is this video from CNN:

4. Obama and the Middle East - This topsy-turvy journey continues. Here is an article about the so-called Obama Lobby that summarizes the allegedly negative impact on Americans' attitudes toward Israel that the J Street Lobby Group has helped achieve. In my opinion, these guys should be ashamed of themselves.

Thankfully, however, there are people and organizations willing to stand up for Israel - Major Jewish Group Criticizes Obama on Israel.

Finally, there is the suggestion that Obama’s New Emphasis On Reciprocity Also Pressures Arabs. Let's see......

5. Honor Killing in Canada - A tragic and disturbing story from Canada, where family members have been charged with murder, conspiracy, etc. in the death of three Muslim young ladies and the first wife of their father. Here are comments from Phyllis Chesler - Chesler Chronicles » Kingston Police Call It A “Muslim Honor Killing, and an opinion from Tarek Fatah - How to cure the honour killings ‘cancer’. One wonders if this unrelated story - Daily Express UK News :: Muslims could get own police will eventually become a related story - how would a Muslim police force handle such an act?

6. The ACLU and Free Speech - I know that the legalities of free speech are complicated, but still - where does the ACLU draw the line? ACLU Sticks Up for Group That Funds Terrorism.

7. Oops! - Florida Governor's Office Mistakenly Praises Nazi Film. Well, at least they know how to apologize.

8. Jew Hatred - And this is at a Jewish film festival - Jew-Hate at Jewish Film Festival. Rachel Corrie was no martyr, but an exploited and brainwashed Palestinian sympathizer who brought on her own death. This is truly a disgrace, though I imagine the radical left will eat it up. Maybe we can get the organizers of this festival a job at the office of the Governor of Florida.

9. Who is a Convert? Some time ago I posted entries about who is considered to be Jewish under Jewish religious law. Now there is this article - Who Is a Convert? I think these harsh rules are unfair - they seem to represent the undue influence that the ultra-religious groups in Israel have over these types of issues. Maybe here's a better way -

10. Occupation - Gee, one never hears about this - The Turkish Occupation of Cyprus - another example of the hypocrisy of the world when it comes to Israel - same issue, different treatment.

11. Still Waiting For a Similar Story from the Arab World - Israeli company develops seaweed-based gel to protect the heart. On the bright side, it's another thing for all the world to boycott.....

12. Baseball - This past week Mark Buerhle of the Chicago White Sox pitched only the 18th perfect game in the history of major league baseball. To accomplish this amazing feat, he had some serious help - including this amazing catch by centerfielder Dewayne Wise in the top of the 9th inning. Wow!