Thursday, July 23, 2009

1. Nothing Succeeds Like Success - The Israeli Separation Barrier (approximately 95% of which is fence, not wall) has been a roaring success - the terrorist attacks that were deliberately aimed at Israeli civilians on buses, in malls and at restaurants have thankfully more or less completely stopped. I had the honor of meeting Col, Danny Tirza, the architect of the Barrier, when I was in Israel in May - he is a man who is solely interested in protecting civilians from terrorist attacks - plain and simple.

But that does not matter to many of the hypocrites in the world at large, who ignore many other similar structures (including longer, larger and more permanent ones) around the world - read all about it in Loving the Israeli Wall. See also this article.

By the way - here is a picture I took during my recent trip - it was taken in Gilo, a suburb of Jerusalem and shows a part of the Barrier that is partly fence and partly wall. The reason for the wall portion in this case is that the wall provides protection from sniper fire that a chain link fence cannot provide.

2. Leftists, Part 2 - The Violent Left, Part 2.

3. Real Jewish Leaders - as opposed to the sanitized list of Jewish "leaders" that the President met with recently, today the Democratic Senate leadership met with a broad range of Jewish leaders that according to reports, were not afraid to speak out on issues relating to Israel and Iran. Here is an update about comments made by David Harris of the American Jewish Congress.

4. Bibi Makes it Clear - The Prime Minister has told the leaders of major U.S. Jewish organizations that Iran's potential acquisition of nuclear weapons as a "hinge of history,"and said it is in the world's interest to stop the Iranian regime. The full story is here.

5. Settlements - Here is an odious article by Debra Delee, formerly Chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee and presently - surprise, surprise - president and CEO of Americans for Peace Now. Here is a good response from Israeli journalist Amnon Lord. And as for the most recent aspect of this issue - a defunct hotel near the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem - Jeff Jacoby of The Boston Globe writes Jerusalem - one city, undivided.

7. Excuse Me, What Was That Again? - I would suggest that more than any other nation, Israel gets lots of free and unsolicited advice from its enemies, to its allies, to Jews in the Diaspora with regard to any number of issues. Much of this has to do with the notion of making peace with its adversaries. However, a senior spokesman for one of its main adversaries - Fatah - the supposedly moderate Palestinian faction - recently said We won't recognize Israel.

8. More Human Rights Watch - the fallout mushrooms - even more news on this story.

9. Well, At Least They're Not Criticizing Israel - The United Methodist Church is sticking its nose into the Honduras mess, but as usual, they are being hypocritical about it.

10. I Don't Mean to Be Crass - But can someone show me a story like this emanating from the Arab World?

11. History of Israel, Installment 4 - I have not updated this series in a while, so here is Installment #4, The State of Israel.

12. Now I Know Why I Am A Lousy Golfer - Too much to process....

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

1. "Occupation?" - with all the controversy surrounding the issue of "settlements", here is a very important article from Avinoam Sharon (A.B. (Columbia), LL.B. (Hebrew U.), M.A. (JTS), Lt. Colonel (IDF res.), former IDF Military Attorney for Judea, Samaria and Gaza) of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. It is vital to get beyond the simple phraseology and euphemisms and drill down to the facts and legalities. This article does just that. Please take the time to read it.

Also, please read the comments of Dan Meridor, Likud Cabinet member, in US must honor its deal with us on settlements.

2. Operation Cast Lead and Military Ethics - on the heels of the comments of retired Colonel Richard Kemp from a JCPA conference in June, and contrary to the (to be kind) garbage claims of biased NGOs, comes this from Azure -Ideas for the Jewish Nation comes Operation Cast Lead and the Ethics of Just War. Also, and obviously, an important read.

3. "Uh-Oh!" Presidential Popularity.

4. Direct from the Horse's Mouth - Could it be that the mythology of the 'nakba" (the "catastrophe" of the alleged forcible eviction of the Arab population from the lands partitioned for the fledgling State of Israel) is not true. According to this - Self-exiled by Guilt - from the mouth of President Abbas, the leader of Fatah and of the Palestinian Authority - his family left on its own to preserve its wealth. But the lie has been repeated too many times and too loudly such that I doubt that this story will make any meaningful difference.

5. More from Abbas - What Killed Arafat? Here is a story (see final item after the list of the other alleged causes of death) that alleges that Abbas colluded with Israel to murder Arafat (of non-blessed memory). When al-Jazeera published this allegation, the PA briefly shut down the news outlet.

6. "Is this the Bernard Lewis of the Muslim World?" Egypt’s Jewish Studies Doyen Looks Back. Notwithstanding the compliments contained at the end of the article, I am not impressed.

7. This Is What Separates "Them" From "Us" - This story from the Jerusalem Post disturbs me as much as the story about the violent haredim in Jerusalem. We are supposed to be based on the rule of law, not taking the law into our own hands. So, despite criticisms from many that the Israeli High Court is too liberal, this story restores my faith in the Israeli system - Shooting of bound Palestinian reexamined - and the accused officer will have his day in court to prove his innocence. Stories like this never get reported in the broader press.

8. There's a Jewish Perspective on Everything - Here are some interesting comments (with some of which I do not necessarily agree) on various issues in the baseball world - Campaign Secrets.

9. Conspiracy Theories - Paul Schneidereit of the Halifax Herald wrote this great column about the conspiracy theories related to the moon landing in 1969. I'm just surprised that (a) the Jews have not been blamed for it and (b) the Palestinians do not suggest that the moon is part of "occupied Palestine". Wow.....

10. Canadian anti-Americanism - A dirty little secret in "Canada the Good" - it is often true, in my personal experience.

11. China and the Muslim World - Update on this story - even China, which I would think would not care a whit about what anyone thinks of its policies, is worried about its reputation in the Muslim world.

12. The late Dennis Wolfberg - a very funny guy, who died from cancer way too soon. The video clip is worth watching to the very end.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

1. From the "Give an Inch, Take a Mile Department" - and the worst part is that they don't do anything for it - nothing to rein in the hatred dispensed daily in their news outlets, education system, mosques, etc. - 'No difference between Ma'aleh Adumim and Gilo'. See also this commentary by Daniel Pipes. In the meantime, go Bibi, go, while this guy should mind his own darn business.

2. Self-Loathing Jews Department - Hater of Israel. Wow. If Israel is such an evil place, I hear that each and every day there are planes leaving Ben Gurion Airport for other places - maybe we should take up a collection.... no doubt she belongs to this crowd.....

3. Speaking of Leftists - See these 2 articles - The Violent Left, and, somewhat more mildly, Dennis Prager.

4. In Case You Were Wondering - Middle East atomic conflict would kill tens of millions. But we're basically only talking Jews and Arabs, so who cares. Oh, there's oil there?

5. Another Idiot Alert! - This time from Romania. And if he thinks that the SS was the only part of the Nazi military that murdered Jews, he is dead wrong - see, for example - here and here.

6. Have to Always Drag In Israel - Genocidal Linkage.

7. Human Rights Watch Disgrace - more on this issue that emerged last week - hey boys, time to 'fess up - as the saying goes (in one of its many iterations) - you can put perfume on a pig, but it's still a pig.

8. Hezbollah - How does what is going on Iran affect this group of terrorist thugs? Here's a view.

9. British Hostility Toward Israel - Things seem to be at an all-time high. Hey - you've got your own problems - see below - call us when you sort that out first.

10. The Shoah and Political Correctness - Political correctness has now even crept into this area - who else but the Jews were specifically targeted for total physical destruction? But sure, in the "kumbaya world" of today, let's give everyone equal billing. Would not want to offend anyone...

11. Moon Landing Anniversary -

Did not get to comment on this yesterday as I was traveling. One July 20, 1969 I was a 9 year old Junior camper (before the advent of the current sections of Giborim, Goshrim, etc.). Our section was in the Ulam (rec hall) watching the moon landing on TV. I do not remember a thing - most likely, I probably fell asleep (I much more vividly remember the dramatic and safe return of Apollo 13 about a year later). Here are some items to remember that momentous occasion - Moon landing changed our world forever, We're over the moon, NASA - Apollo 40th Anniversary Events and Activities and of course, this video.

12. A Lighter Note - needed badly today, like most days. Red Green (played by Steve Smith, a Canadian comedian) has this advice for retrofitting your older vehicle so it can have power windows:

Mini-Blog from Bangor, ME - Sunday, July 19, 2009

1. Here's a nice story to lead off - The shul that survived Eichman's 'Final Solution' .

2. Shocker! - Foreign Nationals have infiltrated Gaza - and they are linked to global jihad!!

3. With Apologies to Dr. Strangelove - for movie buffs familiar with the full title of this wild 1964 movie (check out this site) - this article should be entitled "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Eurabia".

4. Speaking of which - I am sure there is no connection (......sure.....) - Leniency for Barbarians.

5. Walter Cronkite - As everyone knows, Walter Cronkite died this past week at age 92. Here is a tribute to him by John Podhoretz, as well as another tribute here. Quite frankly, I was surprised to read criticism like this.

6. Boston and Baseball - People in Boston seem to have a strong affinity to their local team, I think called the Red Sox, and an antipathy to the American League team from New York, I think called the Yankees. I guess that explains this shirt that is available for purchase at Fanueil Hall in Boston.

One Last Blog from Boston - Sunday, July 19, 2009

1. NGOs and their Funding - Following on the recent story about Human Rights Watch and its sales pitch in Saudi Arabia for funds (we dislike the Jews more than y'all) comes this story about the sources of funding for "Breaking the Silence", the group behind the most recent allegations against the IDF and its conduct of Operation Cast Lead in Gaza.

So foreign governments fund an organization dedicated to demanding accountability for IDF actions in the disputed territories. Have these guys ever heard of full and timely disclosure or transparency, in the way that they run their organization, let alone in the anonymous style of their reports? Giving the IDF the report 24 hours before its release (as in this case) - that's fair - leaves lots of time for a reasoned response.

Sounds like their main interest is to attack by ambush to cause maximum sensation. In fact, when I googled "breaking the silence" this evening, all of the results were with respect to the initial Gaza story from a few days ago - there was only one reference to the sources of their funding.

2. Useful Idiot Alert - Neturei Karta representatives meet Haniyeh in Gaza. These are the same idiots who went to the Holocaust denial conference in Tehran a couple of years ago. I don't think that I would have let them back into Israel.

3. Who's Afraid of UNIFIL? - I am not sure which part of this story amazes me more - that UNIFIL actually tried to do something, or that the supposedly tough UNIFIL was chased off by civilians (or that previously, UNIFIL would not patrol at night - because all good terrorists sleep at night because they need their rest too). An ineffectual UN mission to southern Lebanon - say it ain't so!

4. Nonie Darwish - When someone like her speaks, we'd better listen - especially those left wing apologists for everything. The Silencing of Soraya M.

5. Way to Go Bibi - The US tells Israel to stop Jerusalem settlement activity - Bibi tells them where to go and how to get there.

6. The Perils of Politics in Putin's Russia - What might Obama say about this? Another political assasination in Russia.

7. Understanding the Enemy - Understanding the jihadis, by way of Sun Tzu.

8. President Obama - I gave him a few days off, now it's back at him. First - Sycophant in Wolffe’s Clothing, and then Obama's Immoral Authority.

9. Naomi Klein - She and her arrogant, smarmy and condescending husband Avi Lewis (his interview of Ayaan Hirsi Ali was a new low in journalistic integrity) should just move to Gaza City or Ramallah and get it over with. Don't forget NOT to call or write! Here is a criticism of her most recent comments.

10. Cool Video - Post-It Notes in Action!

Blogging from Boston (Part 4), Friday, July 17th, 2009

1. These are the Swiss, After All - For years the Swiss Government and its banks were regarded as exemplary models of stability and neutrality in the middle of Europe. Indeed, prior to the Shoah, many Jews sought to preserve parts of their fortune by moving funds into legendary secret Swiss bank accounts. Of course, many, if not most, of these people perished. And what happened to these funds? The full story will never be known, but what is known is that it took concerted legal action some 55 years after the end of World War II to get any sort of resolution. Other findings about the "neutral" Swiss included indictments of Swiss immigration & refugee policy and economic complicity with Nazi Germany.

So perhaps it is not surprising to see this comment from the Swiss Foreign Minister. In responding to allegations that the Swiss have met with Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by, among others, the EU (of which the Swiss are not members), she said that that while individuals can be terrorists, organizations cannot. Breathtaking "logic" - besides, who else can be counted on to provide banking services to these homicidal thugs?

2. Breaking the Silence - Yesterday I blogged about the newest report of alleged IDF misconduct during Operation Cast Lead, linking to a story making the allegations and the initial response of Defense Minister Barak. A regular reader of my blog was good enough to bring this further essential information to my attention - (thanks to AS).

3. How Human Rights Watch Raises Funds - This is a disgraceful story about Human Rights Watch and its fundraising efforts in Saudi Arabia. That ought to ensure impartiality and objectivity. No wonder the sensational anti-Israel reports of so many NGOs should be examined so carefully.

4. Whoops! - Antisemitic Rant Causes Red Faces at Islamic Confab.

5. Free Speech In Ohio - Maybe the INSA was embarrassed by the previous item, but an Islamic Group in Columbus, Ohio seems to have no such concerns.

6. The More You Repeat a Lie - the better the chance that someone will believe it. Well, you have to admire the Episcopal Church in the United States for its tenacity...

7. Canadian Human Rights Commission v. the Catholic Church - Last week I blogged about a decision in the UK that purported to intervene in the determination of who is considered to be Jewish. This week on this side of the Atlantic is this story involving the Catholic Church that raises similar types of issues. Well, at least the Church has the bankroll to fight the CHRC.

8. KGB and Islamic Terror - You can add these wonderful allegations to the allegations that Pakistan's Intelligence Agency gives aid and comfort to the Taliban. My guess is that the KGB is far more dangerous. As a side note, while I admire this guy's courage, I hope he is ready for the "Litvinenko Effect".

9. Gentiles with Nice Things to Say About Jews - Next entry in this returning feature - John Adams, the 2nd President of the United States:

"The Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation. If I were an atheist, and believed blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations."

10. Something Light - I go out of my way NOT to watch shows like American Idol, Britain's Got Talent and so on. But there are occasional great moments that make their way around the internet - like this.....