Wednesday, November 17, 2010 - brief blog

1. Jews In The News - I never thought much of reality shows - they are too contrived and pander to the lowest common denominator - be that as it may - but Canadian TV just has to have its very own "Jersey Shore" - and this is what one gets - Lake Shore creators apologize for anti-Jewish trailer Posted Toronto National Post.


But please rest assured - Sibel Atlug - who no doubt is president of Mensa and possesses post-graduate degrees from all the world's great universities, had this to say about her controversial comments:

"In an interview with the National Post on Friday, Ms. Atlug tried to distance herself from her comments on the trailer.

“I don’t hate Jewish people,” she said. “I actually say I hate everybody equally. I was just poking fun at it.”

She said she would be “clarifying” her position at a press conference Tuesday before declining to comment further."

Well, now I feel better! She is an equal-opportunity hater.

The other thing that stood out to me is the typical modern-day PR driven "apology" from the producers:
“Our intention is to make provocative television,” said Maryam Rahimi, executive producer of Lake Shore, a reality series modelled on the successful format of MTV’s popular Jersey Shore. “On one hand, we received a lot of attention, but on the other hand it was not necessarily the kind of attention that we wanted. For the record, we are not a racist show. If we offended anyone in any way, we apologize.” (my emphasis)
How about a simple - "we made a serious error in judgement, and we unreservedly apologize for being so stupid"

2. Reaction to the PM's comments on antisemitism - Here are 2 rather different views:
I am submitting a response to the second item, and will include it in my next blog even if it is not published in the Herald.


4. Did You Like the TV Show "Bonanza"? - I'm pretty sure that watching the Bonanza cast sit around the conference table and read through the script was better than the above-lamented "Lakeshore" - Heym on the Range - by Ruth Ellen Gruber Tablet Magazine - A New Read on Jewish Life.




6. Alert - They Walk Among Us..... - British politician: ‘Israel is the root cause of terrorism' - better increase the dosage of those meds!!


"American Jews have long prized education and knowledge. So why do we suddenly throw those values out the window when it comes to synagogue life? Is it really more inclusive to be patronized by a service aimed at the lowest common denominator? Wouldn’t it be truer to our shared values of educational excellence to invite everyone to learn these forms and take ownership of the Jewish tradition?"
8. Behind The Scenes - Entebbe Transcript Reveals Israel Was Pessimistic Mission Would Succeed - thank G-d they were wrong and had the courage to undertake the mission!

9. Which Geographically Segues Into This - (ok, it's a weak segue) - Why the star of David is rising across Africa The Jewish Chronicle

10. Nothing Like "Dry Bones" And His Amazing Ability To Get Right To The Point - here is a sample of some recent cartoons:


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November 11, 2010 - Remembrance Day

1. Solemn Day - today is a very solemn day in Canada - Remembrance Day - where we observe and remember the sacrifices of the Canadian military. This ceremony is especially poignant in Halifax, which has always been a "military town". While Canada's military has never been the size of that of the US, the UK and other larger countries - its military has played vital roles in numerous important and famous battles - Vimy Ridge in World War I, the disastrous Dieppe Raid, the Juno Beach landings on D-Day, the Battle of the Atlantic and Ortona (Italy) in World War II. The Canadian military commitment continues to this day - Korea, the Balkans, Somalia and Afghanistan.

And while the Canadian military regularly achieved important and dramatic results - they were paid for in blood. 65,000 dead and 150,000 wounded in World War I. 42,000 dead and 54,000 wounded in World War II - a lower set of numbers that probably reflects the different nature of the war. 518 killed in Korea, and another 1,000 wounded.


The casualties continue to this day with service in Afghanistan.

Take time today to remember our Canadian veterans. Do not underestimate the depth of the sacrifices nor the results they achieved. In particular, note their vital role in the fight against the evil of Nazism. Remember that their sacrifices preserved the democratic ideals we are privileged to enjoy in Canada - and which we often take for granted.


Also, as hopefully the last word on the "white poppy controversy" - the indomitable Rex Murphy - Rex Murphy: Poppies show our regret at war’s horrors, not our love for it | Full Comment | National Post

We Remember Them

At the rising of the sun and at its going down,
We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and the chill of the winter,
We remember them.
At the opening of the Buds and in the rebirth of spring,
We remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of Autumn,
We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends,
We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live,
For they are now part of us as we remember them.

When lost and sick at heart,
We remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share,
We remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make,
We remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs,
We remember them.
As long as we live they too will live,
For they are now a part of us as we remember them.

We Remember was written by Rabbi Sylvan Kamens in the 1960's and published in 1970 in "New Prayers For The High Holy Days".



(Disaster at Dieppe - August 19, 1942)

(Canadian Casualties at Juno Beach)

(Ortona, Italy, 1943)





Also - check this out:




4. The Beat Goes On - and no one says a word or sees anything unusual (Saudi Arabia on the UN Women's Rights Agency - please!!!)......and this is just this week
5. Truth In Media - Iconic Palestinian image a hoax, says critic - World - Canoe.ca - reminds me of the quote attributed to Winston Churchill to the effect that a lie is halfway around the world before the truth has the chance to get its pants on. And, as is pointed out - this is not just a Jewish-Palestinian issue - it's much larger than that.


5A. Speaking of Truth - An open letter to Tutu




8. Can't Stop That Loving Feeling... - oops, I meant "killing" feeling - Pajamas Media » Still Killing: IRA Linked to FARC, Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, and Taliban


9. Israel Is Not For Sale - We are not for sale

10. Yitzchak Rabin a'h - assassinated November 4, 1995 by a Jewish extremist - Why I Still Miss Yitzhak Rabin - By David Makovsky | Foreign Policy



12. Uh-oh - The Duke Of Wellington is said to have remarked that the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing-fields of Eton. If so - we'd better be concerned about our future - Pajamas Media » It’s How You Play the Game: The Fate of Western Civilization and Grade-School Soccer


13. This Defies Belief - and shows we have a long way to go on issues of racism and tolerance - No excuses for racist costumes at the Legion Joe Warmington Columnists News Toronto Sun

14. From Last Month - Security officials vet speeches of Iranians in Canada for peace conference - to the Iranians who complained - too bad - and I'd hazard a guess that it's a lot less than if the shoe was on the other foot.

15. Can't Wait - Durban III Set for New York City in September 2011 | The Weekly Standard - not to prejudge unfairly, but does anyone have any realistic expectations of fairness for this event? If so, I have some prime Florida swamp to sell you (the Brooklyn Bridge is extra).



17. Benny Morris - continues his reevaluation of the 1948 War - Benny Morris: "The 1948 War Was an Islamic Holy War"

18. A Final Tribute To Our Veterans - it's been around before, but that does not diminish its message.






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Brief Blog - Wednesday, November 3, 2010

1. Antisemitism - The Anti-Semite’s Finger


2. Caroline Glick - pulls no punches......The Age of Dissimulation
"In the end, there is only one credible explanation for the West's willingness to lie about the nature and goals of Islamic supremacism. There is only one credible explanation for the West's willingness to collaborate with Islamic supremacists as they purge the historical record of the Jewish roots of Western civilization. There is only one explanation for the West's willingness to accept the Islamic supremacist assertion that Israel is to blame for Islamic aggression against Jews and Christians alike.
But if I mention anti-Semitism, I will be attacked as a paranoid Jew."


3. A Vile Comparison - below are letters from the National Post responding to a comparison between Jews and Nazis - the disgraceful item that provoked the letters is found here - take the time to read it - in my opinion, it is written by someone who has such an incredible fundamental misunderstanding of history and current facts that one can only believe that the true motivation is rabid anti-Israel bias. Maybe she should have compared the ghettos established for North American aboriginal and First Nations people with the Warsaw Ghetto. Nah - can't delegitimize Israel with that approach!!


(Warsaw Ghetto or Gaza?)

(Warsaw Ghetto or Gaza?)

4. Poppies - As November 11 - Remembrance Day in Canada -approaches, an extremely common sight is the poppy that Canadians wear on their jackets, suits, sweaters and hats. I bought my poppy yesterday at one of the numerous temporary locations where poppies are sold (for a volunteer donation) by veterans. I took the time to chat with the man who sold me the poppy, asked about his war-time experience, then thanked him for his service to our country.


The poppy was chosen as a symbol of remembrance because of this excerpt from the famous World War I poem "In Flanders' Fields", which, incidentally was written by a Canadian (Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, who himself did not survive the war).
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
I guess it is a sign of the times that one gets this story - Canadian Legion in new fight over white poppies. I would hazard a confident guess that the number of veterans who wish to romanticize war are minuscule - to quote the famous Robert E. Lee - "It is good that war is so terrible, else we should become accustomed to it."

Instead of a stupid campaign like this, people should take the time to learn about the enormous sacrifices made (in this case) by Canadian veterans in World War I, World II, Korea, the Balkans and Afghanistan - as well as in numerous peace-keeping missions. Would these people do for our country what our veterans did and what our current military continues to do? Who do they have to thank for their ability to make such a ridiculous public protest with no fear for their safety or liberty? I'm just sayin.....

5. Great Advertisement:





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Monday, November 1, 2010

1. US Mid-Term Elections - Tuesday, November 2 marks the date for the US mid-term elections (note - this analysis is from CNN). The universal prediction is that the Democrats are going to get badly beaten all over. Here is one fearless prediction - Commentary » Blog Archive » Predictions - will it come true? We will see tomorrow, I guess. And if it is bad as expected - then watch out - Tomorrow's spin today: Three ways the Democrats can lose, and how they'll explain it. - By David Weigel - Slate Magazine.


2. No One Mentions The Elephant In The Room - Monsters Breeding - by Lee Smith Tablet Magazine - A New Read on Jewish Life. Of note from the article:
"Rather than making our enemies pay, we’ve let them off time and again over the last 40 years, thus ushering in the golden age of international terrorism, which is helping to capsize the short-lived Pax Americana. Our leaders will not speak frankly to the people who elected them because they fear the American electorate has no stomach for it. War in the Persian Gulf that sends gas to $10 a gallon combined with terror attacks at home would ravage the American economy and our national psyche. So we are silent. And in our silence, monsters breed."



4. Another Unknown Hero of the Shoah


5. Another (sarcasm on) Surprise (sarcasm off) - Gotcha! Hamas Admits Cast Lead 'Policemen' Were Actually Fighters


6. Another Example Of Outstanding Israeli Technology - Israeli technology has chief role in battling world threats

7. Colbert & Stewart in Washington - a variety of views


8. Seems Pretty Clear To Me - Its about hate and intolerance, Stupid « - I guess the rest of the world doesn't care, is blissfully ignorant, or willfully blind.


9. The Road to Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions - Pajamas Media » Sixty-Five Years of Circling the Drain: Happy Birthday, UN!


10. Creative! - I do not think that this is what really happened in the Bible.....

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Saturday, October 20, 2010 - Motzei Shabbat & Shavuah Tov

1. Something Light to Start - a brief sampling of the use of Hebrew in TV shows and movies


2. In The Same Vein - dedicated to my math professor friend Jason and "Delaware Guy" Joel:



4. Khadr Controversy :


6. Surprise, Surprise (Sarcasm) - leave something in the hands of the UN, and this is what you get - Israel slams 'absurd' UNESCO decision on Jerusalem, West Bank holy sites - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News - see also - PM slams UNESCO's classifying Rachel's Tomb as a mosque.




8. Surprise, Surprise (Honest Surprise) - Israel wins Cambridge Uni debate - Israel News, Ynetnews




11. Mind Your Own Business - After everything the Catholic Church as an institution has done that has resulted in harm to Jews over hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years (check out the book "Constantine's Sword" for example), maybe it could just mind its own darn business - do you would this have occurred under Pope John Paul II? I wonder. And I do not refer to Pope Benedict XVI's past personal history as much as that I generally understand he deals with matters of theology in a much stricter way than did Pope John Paul II.



12. A Different View on Iran - Michael Totten » If Iran Gets the Bomb






17. Another Moron From The UN - Serry slammed for equating Israeli and Palestinian 'terror' - do you even think before you open your mouth?


18. Children Do The Darndest Things!

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