Category Archives: Judaism

With God Not On His Side

Posted on April 18, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Despite political differences there is one thing that those of the Orthodox persuasion, whether Christian, Jewish or Muslim are in total agreement, those who do not believe can not be believed. Muslim Morocco blogger, Kacem El Ghazzali has aroused fear and anger because of his comments regarding religion. He began an anonymous blog on which he professed not to believe in God, but it did not take long for someone to find out his name–such is the modern world. Article 220 of  the penal code in Morocco makes it a crime if anyone employs incitement “to shake the faith of a Muslim or to convert him to another religion.”

Kacem daily receives  death threats and warnings of beatings unless he shuts up. As one person put it to him, “we can tolerate an atheist, but not an atheist activist.”  After living underground for a year, Kacem got a visa to Switzerland. Such is life in the democracy known as Morocco.

 

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, Islam, john kerry, Judaism, Middle East, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, US Foreign Policy, World News

Subhuman Terrorists?

Posted on April 16, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave another stirring speech in which he denounced “subhuman terrorists” as the cause of problems in the Middle East. He was presiding over the death of an Israel child who was hit by a stone leading to her death. Bibi used the death of an innocent child to ramble on about “the terror of stones thrown in an ambush joins the terror of petrol bombs, the terror of knives, the terror of shots and missiles and explosive devises, car bombs and suicide attacks.” Death by any means is still death. The death of the innocent is a reminder to all that death can be avoided by working for peace.

Unfortunately, it is humans, not subhumans who are responsible for death of people on this planet. Nazi Germany was composed of intelligent, well educated people, not  subhumans and they did not bother with casting stones. Sorry Bibi, the enemy of Israelis is not subhumans, it is humans, just like yourself!

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Islam, Israel, john kerry, Judaism, Liberals, Middle East, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Modern Nazi Lovers??

Posted on April 14, 2013 by | Leave a comment

World War II ended 68 years ago and left in its wake not only over forty million dead people, but millions of survivors who would never forget what the German people did in Europe. This March, German TV introduced a miniseries called “Unsere Mutter, Unsere Vater,” which means, “Our Mothers, Our Fathers.” The series describes lives of ordinary Germans who lived through the Holocaust that swept through Europe. Most Germans apparently enjoyed seeing film about World War II that depicts ordinary “innocent Germans” just trying to get along. However, many in Poland-three million Poles died– have a different take on the series. The Polish magazine, UwazamRze, concludes the series is simply an attempt to prove that Germans were “victims” of Hitler, not the perpetrators of horror.

In one scene a Jew who is in Poland has to hide his Jewish identity from anti-Semitic Polish resistance fighters. Polish commentators regard this idea as having “nothing to do with historial reality.” Sorry, it is historically valid and the evidence is overwhelming. Perhaps, Poles would like to deny murdering hundreds of Jews AFTER the war ended!

There are decent people who were in Germany and decent people who were in Poland, it was a horror and it cannot be changed. Portraying Chancellor Merkel in a Concentration Camp picture is not funny. It is sad

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Europe, Gender Issues, Germany, Human Rights, john kerry, Judaism, Liberals, Military, Multicultural, Peace, Poland, Politics, Republicans, Social Justice, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Rabbi In Trouble

Posted on April 13, 2013 by | Leave a comment

I was raised in a poor Jewish community in the Bronx, New York City and we attended a shul. No, we did not have fancy words for the place in which we prayed, just a simple shul which usually looked sort of bare and common. We did have a  rabbi and he had a beard and he did not have much money. We gave him whatever could be spared from the small income that was available to those who did have a job. In France, the Chief Rabbi Gilles Bernheim, confessed to having fudged his academic career in the process of becoming an important person in the Jewish community. These days it is not kosher unless a Rabbi has some sort of formal college education.

I have no idea as to whether Rabbi Bernheim is a caring,  loving and learned man, but as to the need to go to college in order to be a wise Jewish man, it really is not necessary. Frankly, it is as likely that a person with college education is wise as it is unliikely.  If you are truly a wise man, just be who you are and forget about the college degree.

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Posted in Conservatives, Education, France, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Judaism, Liberals, Multicultural, Politics, Religion, Social Justice, US Foreign Policy, World News

Bibi And Peace

Posted on April 13, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Them history of Israel’s desire for peace in the Middle East is a story of failed hopes and ironic twists of fate. At the birth  of Israel  in 1948, Jewish leaders were willing to accept less land in exchange for more peace. They wanted recognition of the state of Israel and were willing to accept the reality of Palestinians having their own  land. Of course, up until the 1970s, what we term, “the West Bank,” was part of Jordan. Time after time Palestinian leaders refused offers of peace and land on grounds they wanted more and more. Secretary of State John Kerry will once again attempt to use the power of America in  order to stimulate the possibility of peace in the Middle East.

Of course, these days Israel plays the role of Yasser Arafat or other Palestinian leaders who turn down peace. Kerry may try and try but the ultimate decision rests with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and his collection of petty Israel leaders. Whenever people claim that “God” told them to do something, you can rest assured hope for human peace will not occur.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Islam, Israel, john kerry, Judaism, Liberals, Middle East, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Jimmy Carter, A Real American

Posted on April 9, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Jimmy Carter has spent his post presidency years being described as a failure. He did lose the 1980  election to Ronald Reagan, the man who spoke very well, and acted very poorly. People like Obama still refer to Reagan as a successful president. Ron assumed the presidency when the National Debt was $900 Trillion and left when it was now $2 Trillion 800 Billion. He helped destroy labor unions and reduced taxes on the wealthy. Carter was honest, not an excellent idea for a president.

1. He warned of global warming and urged reduction on oil use.

2.  He did not send our national debt sky high.

3. He remains the only American president who actually negotiated a peace treaty between Israel and Arab nations.

Carter spent his post presidency working with the poor, he works to eradicate disease throughout the world.  He has negotiated with North Korea, and obtained an agreement that was ended by George Bush. He never used being president as a means of making money. A good man.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Islam, john kerry, Judaism, Liberals, Middle East, Military, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

No Room At Inn For Jesus?

Posted on April 9, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Peter and Hazelmary Bull are devout Christians or at least Christians with specific points of view. They run a Bed and Breakfast establishment which is open to the public. One day two strangers showed up at their Inn, no, the strangers were not Jesus and his parents, but two gay men. Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy wanted to spend the night at the Chymovah Hotel in the same room! Wow! Imagine two men in the same room sharing a bed! The Bull family made clear they were Christians and thus did not allow two men to share the same room if they were going to sleep.

The Bull family was sued and paid a fine. They have gone to higher courts still clinging to their “religious beliefs.” In an effort to avoid their hotel being contaminated with “gay people” it has been transformed into a not-for-profit establishment.

The Bull pair insist they are Christian. As I recall, we celebrate at Christmas time when the Jesus family finally got a room in the stable.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Education, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Judaism, Liberals, Mitt Romney, Politics, Ron Paul, Social Justice, UK, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Throw Flowers!

Posted on April 7, 2013 by | Leave a comment

There is no question that Israel occupation of the West Bank is in violation of international law and violates the essence of what it means to be a Jew. Amira Hass is an Israeli journalist who hates the occupation of  Palestinian land by Jewish soldiers and settlers. She justifies violence against those who occupy the lands of Palestinians and argues, “throwing stones is the birthright and duty of anyone subject to foreign rule.” She is correct in noting the presence of “systematic, institutionalized violence” on the part of Israeli occupiers.

However, throwing stones is bound to receive a response that is violent. During the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King youth were urged to respond to violence with peace and love. During the anti-Vietnam war demonstrations,  youth threw flowers at soldiers rather than hate and anger. Sorry, Ms. Hass, throw a flower with love, it will not receive hate in return-maybe confusion.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Islam, Israel, john kerry, Judaism, Liberals, Middle East, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Morsi Muddles Along In Egypt

Posted on April 6, 2013 by | Leave a comment

It is increasingly evident that President Morsi of Egypt is not among the world’s great experts on foreign policy, let alone even having the slightest idea how to handle a modern economy. Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Parliament is prepared to pass new legislation which will restrict the activity of human rights groups and other non-government organizations(NGOs) to perform their work. According to the law each NGO must receive permission to engage in efforts such as  protecting women rights, a topic that does not fit into goals of the Muslim Brotherhood. The law allows the government to define what constitutes human rights, what is permissible to educate people in voting or seek to defuse ethnic and religious conflict.

About 90% of human rights work in Egypt has been funded by foreign sources. The Tahrir rebellion began when young people demanded freedom and now the Muslim Brotherhood intends to become the Big Brother who decides what is or is not freedom of speech or freedom of the press. It is time for the American government to make clear-if you want funds, then protect the basic rights of Egyptians.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Egypt, Islam, john kerry, Judaism, Liberals, Middle East, Military, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Morsi Meanders To Dictatorship

Posted on April 4, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Ah, it was only a year ago that Egyptians believed a new era was dawning with the overthrow of President Mubarak and the end of military rule. Mr. Morsi did have a Muslim Brotherhood background, but he had spent years in the United States and understood something about democracy. Alas, that was before videos were released in which this man who supposedly represented democracy blasted away at Jews calling them apes and pigs. Frankly, being called a pig is not very kosher in my view of life. Now, President Morsi has aroused fury in the American comedy section of society by attacking noted Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef.

Jon Stewart mocked Morsi on his comedy show for seeking to send to jail a man who pokes fun at society. The President  of Egypt is rather upset that anyone can mock him-he is THE president. Things are getting worse because the US State Department is getting tired of this petty little man. Spokesperson, Victoria Nuland expressed John Kerry’s concern of the “disturbing trend” in erosion of free speech.

I wonder if Americans are also descended from apes and pigs?

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Education, Egypt, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Islam, john kerry, Judaism, Liberals, Middle East, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, World News