This will be cross-posted to me-ander.
On an email list the topic of freelance writing vs our blogging and getting our posts/articles into all sorts of publications, just for fun. Or just so people will know what we think, etc.
The note that follows is from a freelance writer.
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2005 08:25:17 EDT
Subject: Re: Second Job / Volunteering
From: friedmanj@aol.com
I just came back from a press association conference where a handful of
freelancers learned that we are an endangered species hovering on the
edge of extinction because editors no longer want to pay for our
stories--cause all those people out there want to write for free. (Many
of them just express their personal opinions and glory in the ink.)
Here's the reality: It essentially means that those people who are
writing for newspapers for free are stealing the food and rent money
away from the professionals who have been working hard to make a living
at it for at least 25 years. Now, instead of story assignments, we get
editors calling us in emergencies to fill their bar/bat/wedding
celebration section at $30-50 a pop. No one pays to sniff out
investigative stories (like the rabbi and child abuse story that was
squelched until an editor moved to town and heard about it).
Each year there are less and less column inches left for freelancers to
fill. And we are talking Jewish freelancers for Jewish media here. Not
the "real" world. No freelancer purely freelances anymore because it's
becoming impossible to eat, let alone pay for medical coverage, which is
$25,000 a year for two middle aged people.
And that fact doesn't make retirement likely for any of the Jewish
freelancers I know who write for Jewish papers--and are working twice as
hard to make the same amount of money they made five years ago.
So those of you who write for free--be aware, you could be ruining other
people's lives. Some of those people, and I met them, are over 70 years
old and without the income...well, you can guess the rest.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
WARNING!
At present, there "agents" working "underground" pretending to be patriotic, enthusiastic anti-Disengagement activists. Unfortunately, the truth is something else.
There are at least two groups of kids who were arrested simultaneiously for preparing "tacks" to blow tires. Activities like these are not part of the civil disobedience. Road blocking does not endanger anyone, and the legal situation is simpler.
Do yourself and everyone else a favor, and WARN YOUR KIDS, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS. I know that it's hard not to trust, but remind people that they can't protest when jailed in a "sting."
cross-posted in Shiloh Musings
There are at least two groups of kids who were arrested simultaneiously for preparing "tacks" to blow tires. Activities like these are not part of the civil disobedience. Road blocking does not endanger anyone, and the legal situation is simpler.
Do yourself and everyone else a favor, and WARN YOUR KIDS, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS. I know that it's hard not to trust, but remind people that they can't protest when jailed in a "sting."
cross-posted in Shiloh Musings
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
a bissel naive
Maybe I'm just a bissel, that's "a little" in Yiddish, naive. Don't you think that crime and terrorism could be wiped out, or seriously reduced here in Israel if the police and army would put all the effort and manpower it's using against patriots, teens and pre-teens?
The country is in high alert, believe it or not, against kids who hold up signs, or orange bands, bracelets and banners. Horses, water cannons and brute strength are being used against young demonstrators.
Lots of special interest groups, like unions demanding more money for themselves. These kids are trying to save the country. Tonight the TV news told of twelve year olds arrested. Aren't those policemen embarrassed?
The country is in high alert, believe it or not, against kids who hold up signs, or orange bands, bracelets and banners. Horses, water cannons and brute strength are being used against young demonstrators.
Lots of special interest groups, like unions demanding more money for themselves. These kids are trying to save the country. Tonight the TV news told of twelve year olds arrested. Aren't those policemen embarrassed?
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Power and Influence
Musings #127
June 23-8, 2005
16th to 21st of Sivan
Power and Influence
When I was growing up, the feeling was that if you wanted to "change the world" have power and influence; you'd go into politics. President Kennedy's motivating speeches are quoted to this day.
Fortunately or unfortunately, things have changed. This week an enormous tragedy, a terror attack that challenges the imagination, was, thank the Good Lord, prevented. An Arab, one of the lucky ones from Gaza, a patient in the Israeli hospital, Soroka, prepared for her check-up by strapping explosives to her body. The same body that Israeli doctors had labored to heal was going to be used as a murder weapon to murder her doctors, nurses, and fellow patients and to destroy part of the hospital itself. The Soroka Hospital, in the Southern city of Beersheba, treats both Jewish and Arab patients, and its staff is also integrated. One of the Arab doctors who works there wrote a very moving article against such terror in the hospital he considers a home.
This horrendous, unthinkable for normal minds, plan was barely mentioned in the international press. Via the Internet, I'm in touch with concerned people of all religions, and we are all surprised and disappointed by the lack of press coverage. The media has no problems magnifying and saturating the airwaves with anything that may be considered a fault of Israel, but to expose the immoral Arab terror is considered so much less important.
Everyone remembers the little Arab boy photographed next to his father in the crossfire of Arab and Israeli bullets. Israel was roundly condemned all over the world press and diplomatic world for his death, though extensive ballistic tests proved beyond a doubt that Arabs killed him. If there was a "clarification" it was hidden in the back pages and certainly the TV and radio didn't publicize corrections.
My family has had a lot of experience with the international media as residents of Shiloh. Journalists call us with requests that sound like they're ordering from a Chinese restaurant. "Can you find us an American immigrant living in the Hebron area and a native Israeli near Tel Aviv?" When queried about the stereotypes, we've been told that the editor ordered a specific article, and the reporter has to find people "to fit the bill." Meaning that the true situation, like a "native Israeli" descended from Jewish residents murdered in the Hebron Massacre of 1929 and an American immigrant living near Tel Aviv wouldn't convey the message the editor desires. Truth is what the editors want it to be. Apparently this phenomena isn't exclusive to Israel.
Here in Israel we're constantly warned of the dangers of "the extreme right wing," and any Arab injured is described as "innocent of guilt," a phrase never used to describe Jewish victims of Arab terror. Yesterday's simple 15 minute Stop a Moment to Think Again Protest was heralded with warnings from the media that the demonstration was irresponsible and will certainly cause death.
Tens of thousands of vehicles and at least 200,000 pedestrians lined various roads throughout the country in one of the simplest and calmest demonstrations imaginable. I participated in Jerusalem standing near the Israeli Supreme Court with hundreds of others of all ages and backgrounds. Almost everyone wore something orange and some waved Israeli flags. Passing cars tapped out the "we support you" beep. And then after a short time, as planned, we all returned to our everyday lives.
Last but most important. The big mystery: why in the world did Arik Sharon declare the Disengagement policy? According to a recently published book, Boomerang, it was Ariel Sharon's attempt to escape punishment for corruption.
In addition more and more proof of media manipulation have been revealed. A decision was made by the Israeli media to "coddle and protect" Ariel Sharon in order to promote Disengagement. Instead of honestly reporting the news, the media campaigns for its favorite issues, trying to influence the trusting public and in some cases, even orchestrates events to suit its agenda.
The Arutz 7 station was closed down and is now only available via phone and internet. It was closed down in order to prevent the public from hearing the truth. Today, thank G-d, some of us at least have the option of the internet and blogs as an alternative news source.
So if you want to change the world, forget politics. True power is in front of the camera and tapping the keys. It's up to all of us to tell the truth and not to believe everything we see and hear.
Remember the old saying:
"Everything's true in the newspaper, except for the things you know about personally."
Batya Medad, Shiloh
Copyright©2005BatyaMedad, Contact me for publication permission; private distribution encouraged.
Shilohmuse@yahoo.com
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/
http://me-ander.blogspot.com/
http://www.shilo.org.il
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA
June 23-8, 2005
16th to 21st of Sivan
Power and Influence
When I was growing up, the feeling was that if you wanted to "change the world" have power and influence; you'd go into politics. President Kennedy's motivating speeches are quoted to this day.
Fortunately or unfortunately, things have changed. This week an enormous tragedy, a terror attack that challenges the imagination, was, thank the Good Lord, prevented. An Arab, one of the lucky ones from Gaza, a patient in the Israeli hospital, Soroka, prepared for her check-up by strapping explosives to her body. The same body that Israeli doctors had labored to heal was going to be used as a murder weapon to murder her doctors, nurses, and fellow patients and to destroy part of the hospital itself. The Soroka Hospital, in the Southern city of Beersheba, treats both Jewish and Arab patients, and its staff is also integrated. One of the Arab doctors who works there wrote a very moving article against such terror in the hospital he considers a home.
This horrendous, unthinkable for normal minds, plan was barely mentioned in the international press. Via the Internet, I'm in touch with concerned people of all religions, and we are all surprised and disappointed by the lack of press coverage. The media has no problems magnifying and saturating the airwaves with anything that may be considered a fault of Israel, but to expose the immoral Arab terror is considered so much less important.
Everyone remembers the little Arab boy photographed next to his father in the crossfire of Arab and Israeli bullets. Israel was roundly condemned all over the world press and diplomatic world for his death, though extensive ballistic tests proved beyond a doubt that Arabs killed him. If there was a "clarification" it was hidden in the back pages and certainly the TV and radio didn't publicize corrections.
My family has had a lot of experience with the international media as residents of Shiloh. Journalists call us with requests that sound like they're ordering from a Chinese restaurant. "Can you find us an American immigrant living in the Hebron area and a native Israeli near Tel Aviv?" When queried about the stereotypes, we've been told that the editor ordered a specific article, and the reporter has to find people "to fit the bill." Meaning that the true situation, like a "native Israeli" descended from Jewish residents murdered in the Hebron Massacre of 1929 and an American immigrant living near Tel Aviv wouldn't convey the message the editor desires. Truth is what the editors want it to be. Apparently this phenomena isn't exclusive to Israel.
Here in Israel we're constantly warned of the dangers of "the extreme right wing," and any Arab injured is described as "innocent of guilt," a phrase never used to describe Jewish victims of Arab terror. Yesterday's simple 15 minute Stop a Moment to Think Again Protest was heralded with warnings from the media that the demonstration was irresponsible and will certainly cause death.
Tens of thousands of vehicles and at least 200,000 pedestrians lined various roads throughout the country in one of the simplest and calmest demonstrations imaginable. I participated in Jerusalem standing near the Israeli Supreme Court with hundreds of others of all ages and backgrounds. Almost everyone wore something orange and some waved Israeli flags. Passing cars tapped out the "we support you" beep. And then after a short time, as planned, we all returned to our everyday lives.
Last but most important. The big mystery: why in the world did Arik Sharon declare the Disengagement policy? According to a recently published book, Boomerang, it was Ariel Sharon's attempt to escape punishment for corruption.
In addition more and more proof of media manipulation have been revealed. A decision was made by the Israeli media to "coddle and protect" Ariel Sharon in order to promote Disengagement. Instead of honestly reporting the news, the media campaigns for its favorite issues, trying to influence the trusting public and in some cases, even orchestrates events to suit its agenda.
The Arutz 7 station was closed down and is now only available via phone and internet. It was closed down in order to prevent the public from hearing the truth. Today, thank G-d, some of us at least have the option of the internet and blogs as an alternative news source.
So if you want to change the world, forget politics. True power is in front of the camera and tapping the keys. It's up to all of us to tell the truth and not to believe everything we see and hear.
Remember the old saying:
"Everything's true in the newspaper, except for the things you know about personally."
Batya Medad, Shiloh
Copyright©2005BatyaMedad, Contact me for publication permission; private distribution encouraged.
Shilohmuse@yahoo.com
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/
http://me-ander.blogspot.com/
http://www.shilo.org.il
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA
quick news round up
Yesterday's demonstration is considered a success. The spot I was in, near the Supreme Court, was calm, but the police attacked demonstrators in other places. I'm just curious. I searched for articles on the demonstration on the Jerusalem Post site and couldn't find any. If anyone can confirm this oversight, please let me know by commenting to this post or by email. thanks
The memorial ceremony for Israeli spy Eli Cohen turned into an anti-Disengagement demonstration to the embarrassment of Arik Sharon.
Soldier Avi Beiber's refusal to destroy homes in Gush Katif is getting more support.
The memorial ceremony for Israeli spy Eli Cohen turned into an anti-Disengagement demonstration to the embarrassment of Arik Sharon.
Soldier Avi Beiber's refusal to destroy homes in Gush Katif is getting more support.
Best of... #83
One of our all time favorites about a very special wedding, was included in the latest BOMS. Read all the wonderful posts from all over the world
right here
right here
Monday, June 27, 2005
orange, today
Orange is in the air and on the streets. You can't ignore it, though i'm sure some people keep their dark glasses on just to try.
I was at today's demo. Went to the Keneset, then walked looking for the demonstration. Finally near the Supreme Court. People of all ages and backgrounds.
I was at today's demo. Went to the Keneset, then walked looking for the demonstration. Finally near the Supreme Court. People of all ages and backgrounds.
reactions/comments/letters
I've been totally overwhelmed with the responses to #126. Most agree, some thought I was writing about simple Americans, and a few found it traumatic. Arutz 7 put it up, and at last count over 60 comments to that site and quite a few wrote to me. It's no loner on the homepage, but it can be accessed.
The Bush Dynasty/Clan
In response to my writings about the United States, I was send this letter. The truth about the Bush clan or dynasty is easy to discover.
If you Google GW Bush's youngest brother Marvin Bush you will find interesting info that the media doesn't tell you.
Marvin Bush heads a huge Kuwait investment company.
Mavin Bush sits on the board of the arab controlled Del Monte fruit and vegetable corp.
On 911 Marvin Bush headed the company that provided security for the WTC and Dulles airport.
GW Bush's father former pres. Bush is a leader of the Carlyle group.
Google the carlyle group for info. on this.
The Carlyle group has literally billions of dollars in contracts with the saudis.
Now combine the 2 for the theory.
Kuwait and saudi arabia used their financial leverage with poppa Bush and baby Bush in order to get them to lobby GW to invade iraq and overthrow saddam.
Is this a conspiracy theory or is it the truth?????
If you Google GW Bush's youngest brother Marvin Bush you will find interesting info that the media doesn't tell you.
Marvin Bush heads a huge Kuwait investment company.
Mavin Bush sits on the board of the arab controlled Del Monte fruit and vegetable corp.
On 911 Marvin Bush headed the company that provided security for the WTC and Dulles airport.
GW Bush's father former pres. Bush is a leader of the Carlyle group.
Google the carlyle group for info. on this.
The Carlyle group has literally billions of dollars in contracts with the saudis.
Now combine the 2 for the theory.
Kuwait and saudi arabia used their financial leverage with poppa Bush and baby Bush in order to get them to lobby GW to invade iraq and overthrow saddam.
Is this a conspiracy theory or is it the truth?????
Sunday, June 26, 2005
yummy
I hope you're hungry! It's time to read Carnival of the Recipes at http://noteitposts.com/index.php?p=1125.
And don't forget to tell me how yummy the easy cake is.
And don't forget to tell me how yummy the easy cake is.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Hevel Hevelim #26
Sorry about all the foulups. Someday......
If there are any other problem, just let me know....
Your computer clutz
This week’s Hevel Hevelim is celebrating aliyah. It’s thirty-five years since my husband and I got married and voted with our feet by packing our meager possessions onto the Greek Lines ship, the AnnaMarie. Yes, we came by water, not by air, so this year I’m joining a Nefesh B’Nefesh flight to see how modern olim, immigrants travel.
Let’s start with Pinchas who is making aliyah!!! That is really great, and we Israeli bloggers all hope to meet you here in Israel.
And before I go any further, I’d like to mention the survey request from Am Echad. It’s for those who made aliyah, whether you're still here or not.
Now for one of those absolutely Siyata d’shmaya true stories, just now I discovered which Parshat Shavua, Torah Portion of the Week this is, Shlach, which has the story of the “spies.” Read more about the parsha here.
It’s wonderful to know that there are people who really want to come to Israel. Read of Celestial Blue’s Israel dreams.
In my pre-aliyah days, as a young Zionist activist in the 1960’s, the Israel Folk Dance Festival was an annual highlight. We danced up a storm in Carnegie Hall. Are there any other dancers out there blogging?
Besides all the spiritual, historical reasons for wanting and needing to be here, one mustn’t forget that there’s also great beauty here in Eretz Yisrael. Thanks Fred.
Shmuel Sackett gives a very important and sometimes ignored reason for making aliyah.
You really must read about Balagan’s shoes. It’s no joke, and makes me wonder if some “big brothers” will pull out my orange nail-polished nails. And if you want to read about modern civics lessons here in Israel, Mozemen will tell you what her kids learn from classmates.
Mystical Paths gives us an idea of what his life is like in the Shomron.
And Cosmic X tells us of an interesting dialogue in Jerusalem.
Rishon Rishon has made up for lost time in a very high IQ post.
As one of the, bli eyin haraa, eldest in my synagogue to walk out for Yizkor I’m interested in the discussion mentioned on Bloghead .
L’havdil, the opposite type of religious ceremony is the naming a baby girl, which is discussed by Devarim. My husband named our daughters in shul the first Shabbat after they were born, whether the baby and I were home or still hospitalized, and a small Kiddush was done that very Shabbat. I didn’t know anything about benching gomel. Yes, that was a very long time ago.
Since we’re mentioning females, Orthomom writes about a great Torah Scholar, yes, a female one.
The Pillage Idiot
discusses American anti-semitism http://pillageidiot.blogspot.com/2005/06/guide-for-perplexed.html. Maybe that's why http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2005/06/126-is-usa-really-israels-ally.html and http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2005/06/122-american-imperialism.html
I have no doubt that there’s more truth in these blogs, than on CNN. Read what Esther says: http://outsidetheblogway.blogspot.com/2005/06/anti-israel-bias-thy-name-is-cnn.html. http://outsidetheblogway.blogspot.com/ She gives us some important information. And Nathan http://www.ngng.co.il/ reminds us to be suspicious of nameless sources http://ngng.co.il/archives/001031.html.
Mirty writes of ribbons, not the type for your hair. Mirty's ribbons
And Soccer Dad writes about Israel should G-d forbid have to do, but I really didn't want to get into politics, as if I could avoid it.
Politics in Israel isn't so clean; Sha! tells us about one political party.
According to Willow Green real life is making a joke come true. I’m sure you’re familiar with the three nationalities joke with the punch line “the Israeli says that we have two months to learn to live under water.”
And whom can we trust? Israpundit reminds us that the universities have their agendas, which may be the source for the bad analogies that Rachak writes about.
Does anyone really trust Ms. Rice’s judgment? Read what Michael Freund has to say.
blogus gives some useful bus-traveling instructions.
Yes, many of us travel by bus in Israel, the dilemma and I must admit that I’ve reached the “age” when some people give me their seats, though being middle-aged, I sometimes get up, too.
Sadly Treppenwitz writes of dead dreams.
The View From Here offers something very unique, as only American Jews living in Israel can produce.
Shavua Tov to All
PS for information of future hosts check Soccer DadSoccer Dad (Yes, there's a problem, but the link works! And I'm one of the oldest bloggers in town.)
and this is also cross-posted on me-ander.
If there are any other problem, just let me know....
Your computer clutz
This week’s Hevel Hevelim is celebrating aliyah. It’s thirty-five years since my husband and I got married and voted with our feet by packing our meager possessions onto the Greek Lines ship, the AnnaMarie. Yes, we came by water, not by air, so this year I’m joining a Nefesh B’Nefesh flight to see how modern olim, immigrants travel.
Let’s start with Pinchas who is making aliyah!!! That is really great, and we Israeli bloggers all hope to meet you here in Israel.
And before I go any further, I’d like to mention the survey request from Am Echad. It’s for those who made aliyah, whether you're still here or not.
Now for one of those absolutely Siyata d’shmaya true stories, just now I discovered which Parshat Shavua, Torah Portion of the Week this is, Shlach, which has the story of the “spies.” Read more about the parsha here.
It’s wonderful to know that there are people who really want to come to Israel. Read of Celestial Blue’s Israel dreams.
In my pre-aliyah days, as a young Zionist activist in the 1960’s, the Israel Folk Dance Festival was an annual highlight. We danced up a storm in Carnegie Hall. Are there any other dancers out there blogging?
Besides all the spiritual, historical reasons for wanting and needing to be here, one mustn’t forget that there’s also great beauty here in Eretz Yisrael. Thanks Fred.
Shmuel Sackett gives a very important and sometimes ignored reason for making aliyah.
You really must read about Balagan’s shoes. It’s no joke, and makes me wonder if some “big brothers” will pull out my orange nail-polished nails. And if you want to read about modern civics lessons here in Israel, Mozemen will tell you what her kids learn from classmates.
Mystical Paths gives us an idea of what his life is like in the Shomron.
And Cosmic X tells us of an interesting dialogue in Jerusalem.
Rishon Rishon has made up for lost time in a very high IQ post.
As one of the, bli eyin haraa, eldest in my synagogue to walk out for Yizkor I’m interested in the discussion mentioned on Bloghead .
L’havdil, the opposite type of religious ceremony is the naming a baby girl, which is discussed by Devarim. My husband named our daughters in shul the first Shabbat after they were born, whether the baby and I were home or still hospitalized, and a small Kiddush was done that very Shabbat. I didn’t know anything about benching gomel. Yes, that was a very long time ago.
Since we’re mentioning females, Orthomom writes about a great Torah Scholar, yes, a female one.
The Pillage Idiot
discusses American anti-semitism http://pillageidiot.blogspot.com/2005/06/guide-for-perplexed.html. Maybe that's why http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2005/06/126-is-usa-really-israels-ally.html and http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2005/06/122-american-imperialism.html
I have no doubt that there’s more truth in these blogs, than on CNN. Read what Esther says: http://outsidetheblogway.blogspot.com/2005/06/anti-israel-bias-thy-name-is-cnn.html. http://outsidetheblogway.blogspot.com/ She gives us some important information. And Nathan http://www.ngng.co.il/ reminds us to be suspicious of nameless sources http://ngng.co.il/archives/001031.html.
Mirty writes of ribbons, not the type for your hair. Mirty's ribbons
And Soccer Dad writes about Israel should G-d forbid have to do, but I really didn't want to get into politics, as if I could avoid it.
Politics in Israel isn't so clean; Sha! tells us about one political party.
According to Willow Green real life is making a joke come true. I’m sure you’re familiar with the three nationalities joke with the punch line “the Israeli says that we have two months to learn to live under water.”
And whom can we trust? Israpundit reminds us that the universities have their agendas, which may be the source for the bad analogies that Rachak writes about.
Does anyone really trust Ms. Rice’s judgment? Read what Michael Freund has to say.
blogus gives some useful bus-traveling instructions.
Yes, many of us travel by bus in Israel, the dilemma and I must admit that I’ve reached the “age” when some people give me their seats, though being middle-aged, I sometimes get up, too.
Sadly Treppenwitz writes of dead dreams.
The View From Here offers something very unique, as only American Jews living in Israel can produce.
Shavua Tov to All
PS for information of future hosts check Soccer DadSoccer Dad (Yes, there's a problem, but the link works! And I'm one of the oldest bloggers in town.)
and this is also cross-posted on me-ander.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Ladies' Day
It seems to be ladies' day on Arutz 7, http://www.israelnn.com/ and it's not even Rosh Chodesh.
For those of you not familiar with their homepage, it includes "introductions" to five opinion articles (which can be read with a click), right in the middle of the page. They offer a wide variety of writers, and I'm one of them. And I'm not the only female featured on a regular basis.
Today, while I should be cooking for Shabbat, I discovered that my most recent article is up, and I'm in good company. All of today's authors are ladies.
That's all for now, must cook for Shabbat. Yes, I may have my articles published all over, but I still do the cooking.
This will be cross-posted on me-ander
Shabbat Shalom
For those of you not familiar with their homepage, it includes "introductions" to five opinion articles (which can be read with a click), right in the middle of the page. They offer a wide variety of writers, and I'm one of them. And I'm not the only female featured on a regular basis.
Today, while I should be cooking for Shabbat, I discovered that my most recent article is up, and I'm in good company. All of today's authors are ladies.
That's all for now, must cook for Shabbat. Yes, I may have my articles published all over, but I still do the cooking.
This will be cross-posted on me-ander
Shabbat Shalom
Thursday, June 23, 2005
to be young
I'm glad I'm not young in today's age. My youth was such an optimistic time. Don Quixote reigned supreme. We followed him and our own dreams. My windmill was across the ocean, and now here I am in my holy Land, in Shiloh.
Today's Israeli high school students took their "civics" test about Israeli government, democracy. They memorized what was required, even though they knew that reality is something very different. Then, after the test, many went to protest. http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=84446 They're learning at a young age to be very pragmatic. It's one of the hardest lessons for me personally.
And the little kids in Yitzhar will have to rebuild their little "petting zoo." http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=84438 One hundred of the toughest (I wouldn't say finest) of Israel's police used their strength and daring to destroy the simple, home-made structures housing the two horses, three goats and four chickens.
And just in case you think that Disengagement is an isolated withdrawal, the IDF is giving Beit Lechem to the Arabs. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119493344816 Just for those who aren't familiar with Israeli geography, Beit Lechem is next to, like in adjoining, Jerusalem, like Little Neck and Great Neck, common border.
Today's Israeli high school students took their "civics" test about Israeli government, democracy. They memorized what was required, even though they knew that reality is something very different. Then, after the test, many went to protest. http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=84446 They're learning at a young age to be very pragmatic. It's one of the hardest lessons for me personally.
And the little kids in Yitzhar will have to rebuild their little "petting zoo." http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=84438 One hundred of the toughest (I wouldn't say finest) of Israel's police used their strength and daring to destroy the simple, home-made structures housing the two horses, three goats and four chickens.
And just in case you think that Disengagement is an isolated withdrawal, the IDF is giving Beit Lechem to the Arabs. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119493344816 Just for those who aren't familiar with Israeli geography, Beit Lechem is next to, like in adjoining, Jerusalem, like Little Neck and Great Neck, common border.
American tax money to terrorists
Does this mean that Israeli hospitals will no longer have to accept terrorists http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=84382 as patients? http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=84198 The terrorist was so grateful for the excellent care she had gotten that she was willing to murder the doctors, other patients and even herself.
Wouldn't it make more sense if Israeli Arabs and Beduin went to American supported Gaza hospitals?
Homepage > NewsNews
$500 Million in Supplies to Gaza Hospitals
Thursday 23/06/2005 10:05
Archive Photo: IDF SPokesperson
Medical supplies worth $500 million have been distributed to four hospitals in the Gaza Strip by USAID in response to a request by the Liaison and Coordination Administration in the Gaza Strip. The medical supplies, which include oxygen compressors to produce oxygen rich air, were placed yesterday (Wednesday) in the hospitals 'Beit Hanun' in Beit Hanun, 'Dora' in Gaza City, 'Nasser' in Khan Yunis and 'Tel Sultan' in Rafiah.
Coordinating the activities in the field was Maj. Gen. Yosef Mishelov, who went to the head of USAID about six months ago with a request to improve the hospitals in the Gaza Strip by installing four air compressors. The cost of the donation by USAID includes a budget to build reinforced rooms for the compressors in the hospitals. The four compressors arrived via the Port of Ashdod and were then taken to the Karni Crossing where they entered into the Gaza Strip.
The entrance of the compressors into the Gaza Strip reduces the dependence on imported Israeli oxygen tanks for medical needs while improving the quality of medical care offered to residents of the Gaza Strip.
The Liaison and Coordination Administration in the Gaza Strip has accompanied this project from the beginning, coordinating the transfer of the compressors and was even present today after the supply transfer. The Liaison and Coordination Administration is looking to collaborate with international organizations on similar projects. With the approval of the Activity Coordinator in the Territories, it has been recognized that relief projects to Palestinians should be exempt from import taxes.
Wouldn't it make more sense if Israeli Arabs and Beduin went to American supported Gaza hospitals?
Homepage > NewsNews
$500 Million in Supplies to Gaza Hospitals
Thursday 23/06/2005 10:05
Archive Photo: IDF SPokesperson
Medical supplies worth $500 million have been distributed to four hospitals in the Gaza Strip by USAID in response to a request by the Liaison and Coordination Administration in the Gaza Strip. The medical supplies, which include oxygen compressors to produce oxygen rich air, were placed yesterday (Wednesday) in the hospitals 'Beit Hanun' in Beit Hanun, 'Dora' in Gaza City, 'Nasser' in Khan Yunis and 'Tel Sultan' in Rafiah.
Coordinating the activities in the field was Maj. Gen. Yosef Mishelov, who went to the head of USAID about six months ago with a request to improve the hospitals in the Gaza Strip by installing four air compressors. The cost of the donation by USAID includes a budget to build reinforced rooms for the compressors in the hospitals. The four compressors arrived via the Port of Ashdod and were then taken to the Karni Crossing where they entered into the Gaza Strip.
The entrance of the compressors into the Gaza Strip reduces the dependence on imported Israeli oxygen tanks for medical needs while improving the quality of medical care offered to residents of the Gaza Strip.
The Liaison and Coordination Administration in the Gaza Strip has accompanied this project from the beginning, coordinating the transfer of the compressors and was even present today after the supply transfer. The Liaison and Coordination Administration is looking to collaborate with international organizations on similar projects. With the approval of the Activity Coordinator in the Territories, it has been recognized that relief projects to Palestinians should be exempt from import taxes.
...sick of...
Nebich, former Jerusalem Mayor, Ehud Olmert, is "sick of stupid settlers" and their dire predictions. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119406734258 Well, I'm sick of slick politicians putting down honest people who are telling the truth. But Olmert has no idea of truth.
He's pushing us down a slippery path to, G-d forbid, destruction. The "international leaders" supporting the destruction/uprooting of Gush Katif, Northern Shomron, have no plans to stop at Olmert's red lines. He's not listening to them, and that's stupid. The sharks and the vultures circling us do not have Olmert's priorities. What do you really think they'll allow us, when we're so weakened we'll have no choice and no independence? My guess is Yad Veshem, the wealthiest museum, because it celebrates dead Jews.
In the same http://www.jpost.com/ of June 23 (our wedding anniversary on the goyish calendar) you can read about the vibrant communities of Gush Katif in the "blog" by Rabbi Ari Katz http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119320279290.
People are always amazed at the great variety of topography and weather in such a small country as ours. We have even a greater variety of people.
The problem is when some endanger others and then belittle the warnings.
He's pushing us down a slippery path to, G-d forbid, destruction. The "international leaders" supporting the destruction/uprooting of Gush Katif, Northern Shomron, have no plans to stop at Olmert's red lines. He's not listening to them, and that's stupid. The sharks and the vultures circling us do not have Olmert's priorities. What do you really think they'll allow us, when we're so weakened we'll have no choice and no independence? My guess is Yad Veshem, the wealthiest museum, because it celebrates dead Jews.
In the same http://www.jpost.com/ of June 23 (our wedding anniversary on the goyish calendar) you can read about the vibrant communities of Gush Katif in the "blog" by Rabbi Ari Katz http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119320279290.
People are always amazed at the great variety of topography and weather in such a small country as ours. We have even a greater variety of people.
The problem is when some endanger others and then belittle the warnings.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
When push comes to shove.....
While the government is trying to bribe soldiers to evict/TRANSFER Jews from their homes, http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=84368 some soldiers are refusing. http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=84374
The government is ripping the country appart, but we will win.
The government is ripping the country appart, but we will win.
Accident or terror?
The latest news says that ten people were killed in the train accident yesterday. http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=84339 Many, many more were injured when heavy truck crashed into a passenger train in the south of Israel.
Before anything could be investigated, everyone was asking:"Was it an accident or a terror attack?" A few years ago, the mother of a student of mine was killed/murdered (along with two passengers) when an Arab truck driver slammed into her car. There have been many other similar "accidents" which seem so intentional they must be terror attacks.
Last night on the news, they were discussing the employment conditions of the drivers for the truck company involved in yesterday's tragedy. Apparently the drivers are forced/required to drive ridiculously long hours without proper breaks.
More will be discovered in the coming days http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119320279660
Before anything could be investigated, everyone was asking:"Was it an accident or a terror attack?" A few years ago, the mother of a student of mine was killed/murdered (along with two passengers) when an Arab truck driver slammed into her car. There have been many other similar "accidents" which seem so intentional they must be terror attacks.
Last night on the news, they were discussing the employment conditions of the drivers for the truck company involved in yesterday's tragedy. Apparently the drivers are forced/required to drive ridiculously long hours without proper breaks.
More will be discovered in the coming days http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119320279660
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
strange perspective
You must click this NY Times article, even if it's just to see the picture. C. Rice looks giant, a big black Amazon, and Sharon looks like a round, white pygmy.
Don't eat before reading the article, or you may "gag." http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/20/international/middleeast/20rice.html?th&emc=th
Don't eat before reading the article, or you may "gag." http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/20/international/middleeast/20rice.html?th&emc=th
Why every Arab must be body-checked!
IDF SPOKESPERSON BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Attributed to Security sources
Suicide bombing attack thwarted earlier today at the "Erez" Crossing
21-year old Wafaa Samir Ibrahim Bass was arrested this morning, June 20th 2005, at "Erez" crossing, after attempting to smuggle an explosives belt through the crossing with the intent of carrying out a suicide bombing attack.
Wafaa, a resident of Jabaliya, aroused the suspicion of the IDF soldiers at the crossing and during her security check, when she realized that the soldiers had discovered the explosive belt on her body, she attempted unsuccessfully to detonate it.
Wafaa stated in her questioning that she had been dispatched as a suicide bomber by the Fatah Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade infrastructure based in the northern Gaza Strip. Wafaa was to use her personal medical authorization documents, allowing her to cross through into Israel to receive medical treatment. Wafaa stated that she had been directed to carry out the suicide attack in a crowded Israeli hospital.
Wafaa had been admitted to an Israeli hospital for medical treatment in the past.
Between December 2004 and January 2005 she was treated at the "Soroka" hospital in the Israeli city of Beersheva for massive burns she received as a result of a gas tank explosion.
Wafaa was given permission to enter Israel today, June 20th, for admission to the hospital for medical treatment. The terrorist infrastructure took advantage of her medical condition in order to carry out a major suicide bombing attack inside Israel.
There have been several different attempts by terrorist organizations to dispatch terrorists to Israel from the Gaza Strip by exploiting those in need of medical treatment:
Hamed A-Karim Hamed Abu Lihiya, born in 1981 and a resident of the Jabaliya refugee camp was arrested on December 20 th, 2004 by security forces. He was suspected of operating as part of the Hamas terror organization and had been smuggled into Israel to carry out a suicide bombing attack.
Abu Lihiya confessed in his questioning that he had been smuggled through the Erez security crossing into Israel as a "sleeper" agent of the Hamas terror organization four months before, in August 2004. Abu Lihiya was brought through the Erez crossing using forged documents claiming that he was a cancer patient in need of medical treatment from an Israeli hospital.
Lihiya was to join an additional terrorist, after which the two would receive weaponry and carry out the attack with the help of terrorist aides inside of Israel.
An additional attempt was thwarted in early December 2004 when Hassan Ahmed Ali Tom and Mahmed Diab Namer Ja'arur, two terrorists belonging to the Gaza based El Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror organization were arrested by security forces. The two had intended to infiltrate Israel and carry out terror attacks.
Hassan Tom crossed into Egypt through the Rafah crossing after presenting medical documents which allowed him entry. Tom was arrested on December 12 th 2004 in a chase that ensued after he infiltrated into the Negev area from Egypt. During questioning he admitted that his intent had been to murder an Israeli citizen and bury his body in order to jumpstart negotiations between Fatah factions in the Gaza Strip and Israel for the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the Israeli citizen. In addition, Tom intended to sabotage the train rails near Netanya using an explosive device which he was to receive from the Fatah infrastructure in the West Bank.
A week before Tom's arrest, Muhammed Ja'arur was arrested at the Rafah crossing as he attempted to cross into Egypt. In his questioning Ja'arur stated that he was intended to cross into Egypt to join Tom and from there they would infiltrate Israel and carry out the terror attacks.
This morning's incident is only one example of the numerous attempts by terrorist organizations to carry out attacks since the beginning of the period of calm was declared in February.
In a joint operation conducted in Ramallah on March 10th , 2005, IDF forces and the ISA arrested Hamas terrorist Machmad Bachitsi. Bachitsi, a resident of Gaza, received permission to leave Gaza by claiming to be a kidney donor, but in fact planned to carry out a suicide bombing inside Israel.
During his investigation, Bachitsi admitted that he had been drafted by the Hamas organization in the Gaza Strip and that, as part of his preparations, he underwent theoretical and military training, including lessons on electrical circuitry and the production of explosive devices and belts.
Attributed to Security sources
Suicide bombing attack thwarted earlier today at the "Erez" Crossing
21-year old Wafaa Samir Ibrahim Bass was arrested this morning, June 20th 2005, at "Erez" crossing, after attempting to smuggle an explosives belt through the crossing with the intent of carrying out a suicide bombing attack.
Wafaa, a resident of Jabaliya, aroused the suspicion of the IDF soldiers at the crossing and during her security check, when she realized that the soldiers had discovered the explosive belt on her body, she attempted unsuccessfully to detonate it.
Wafaa stated in her questioning that she had been dispatched as a suicide bomber by the Fatah Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade infrastructure based in the northern Gaza Strip. Wafaa was to use her personal medical authorization documents, allowing her to cross through into Israel to receive medical treatment. Wafaa stated that she had been directed to carry out the suicide attack in a crowded Israeli hospital.
Wafaa had been admitted to an Israeli hospital for medical treatment in the past.
Between December 2004 and January 2005 she was treated at the "Soroka" hospital in the Israeli city of Beersheva for massive burns she received as a result of a gas tank explosion.
Wafaa was given permission to enter Israel today, June 20th, for admission to the hospital for medical treatment. The terrorist infrastructure took advantage of her medical condition in order to carry out a major suicide bombing attack inside Israel.
There have been several different attempts by terrorist organizations to dispatch terrorists to Israel from the Gaza Strip by exploiting those in need of medical treatment:
Hamed A-Karim Hamed Abu Lihiya, born in 1981 and a resident of the Jabaliya refugee camp was arrested on December 20 th, 2004 by security forces. He was suspected of operating as part of the Hamas terror organization and had been smuggled into Israel to carry out a suicide bombing attack.
Abu Lihiya confessed in his questioning that he had been smuggled through the Erez security crossing into Israel as a "sleeper" agent of the Hamas terror organization four months before, in August 2004. Abu Lihiya was brought through the Erez crossing using forged documents claiming that he was a cancer patient in need of medical treatment from an Israeli hospital.
Lihiya was to join an additional terrorist, after which the two would receive weaponry and carry out the attack with the help of terrorist aides inside of Israel.
An additional attempt was thwarted in early December 2004 when Hassan Ahmed Ali Tom and Mahmed Diab Namer Ja'arur, two terrorists belonging to the Gaza based El Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror organization were arrested by security forces. The two had intended to infiltrate Israel and carry out terror attacks.
Hassan Tom crossed into Egypt through the Rafah crossing after presenting medical documents which allowed him entry. Tom was arrested on December 12 th 2004 in a chase that ensued after he infiltrated into the Negev area from Egypt. During questioning he admitted that his intent had been to murder an Israeli citizen and bury his body in order to jumpstart negotiations between Fatah factions in the Gaza Strip and Israel for the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the Israeli citizen. In addition, Tom intended to sabotage the train rails near Netanya using an explosive device which he was to receive from the Fatah infrastructure in the West Bank.
A week before Tom's arrest, Muhammed Ja'arur was arrested at the Rafah crossing as he attempted to cross into Egypt. In his questioning Ja'arur stated that he was intended to cross into Egypt to join Tom and from there they would infiltrate Israel and carry out the terror attacks.
This morning's incident is only one example of the numerous attempts by terrorist organizations to carry out attacks since the beginning of the period of calm was declared in February.
In a joint operation conducted in Ramallah on March 10th , 2005, IDF forces and the ISA arrested Hamas terrorist Machmad Bachitsi. Bachitsi, a resident of Gaza, received permission to leave Gaza by claiming to be a kidney donor, but in fact planned to carry out a suicide bombing inside Israel.
During his investigation, Bachitsi admitted that he had been drafted by the Hamas organization in the Gaza Strip and that, as part of his preparations, he underwent theoretical and military training, including lessons on electrical circuitry and the production of explosive devices and belts.
Monday, June 20, 2005
postscript to the postscript
A reader sent me this link showing more of the true relationship between The USA and Israel. http://emperors-clothes.com/gilwhite/ally.htm Click. It's worth your time.
Best of...
We're one of the "best of..." again.
Read the best internet magazine
http://gcruse.typepad.com/the_owners_manual/2005/06/82_best_of_me_s.html
Read the best internet magazine
http://gcruse.typepad.com/the_owners_manual/2005/06/82_best_of_me_s.html
official announcement
WWW.IDF.IL
June 20, 2005
IDF SPOX UPDATE
An Israeli civilian killed and an Israeli wounded in a terrorist shooting attack
One Israeli civilian has been killed; and a second civilian has been lightly wounded, in a terrorist shooting attack in the village of Baka A-Sharkiya in the northern west bank. Two Israeli civilians, residents of the community of Hermesh, were traveling from the community, to the security crossing between the villages of Baka A-Sharkiya and Baka A-Garbiya. As they were traveling, a number of Palestinian gunmen, arriving from a southern direction, opened fire at them, hitting them. The Israeli civilians continued to drive towards the crossing, during which time their vehicle set on fire. Both civilians received initial medical treatment at the crossing by IDF medical personnel who were called to the scene; however one Israeli civilian died of his wounds. The other civilian was lightly wounded and was taken to hospital for further medical treatment. Searches are being conducted in the area in order to locate the terrorists who carried out this attack.
Let's have an official re-write exercise. How would you write this press release?
June 20, 2005
IDF SPOX UPDATE
An Israeli civilian killed and an Israeli wounded in a terrorist shooting attack
One Israeli civilian has been killed; and a second civilian has been lightly wounded, in a terrorist shooting attack in the village of Baka A-Sharkiya in the northern west bank. Two Israeli civilians, residents of the community of Hermesh, were traveling from the community, to the security crossing between the villages of Baka A-Sharkiya and Baka A-Garbiya. As they were traveling, a number of Palestinian gunmen, arriving from a southern direction, opened fire at them, hitting them. The Israeli civilians continued to drive towards the crossing, during which time their vehicle set on fire. Both civilians received initial medical treatment at the crossing by IDF medical personnel who were called to the scene; however one Israeli civilian died of his wounds. The other civilian was lightly wounded and was taken to hospital for further medical treatment. Searches are being conducted in the area in order to locate the terrorists who carried out this attack.
Let's have an official re-write exercise. How would you write this press release?
HH #25
For the latest Hevel Havelim, see: http://soccerdad.baltiblogs.com/archives/006352.html
Next edition is by yours truly. My theme will be ALIYAH TO ISRAEL, since this summer we celebrate 35 years in Israel. We actually docked on September 5 after two weeks on a boat, large ship.
I'm beginning the celebrations already, since I'll be taking a Nefesh B'Nefesh flight, G-d willing, this summer. I'll be one of the journalists on board and hope to get a new perspective over a generation later.
Send your entries to shilohmuse at yahoo dot com before Shabbat.
Next edition is by yours truly. My theme will be ALIYAH TO ISRAEL, since this summer we celebrate 35 years in Israel. We actually docked on September 5 after two weeks on a boat, large ship.
I'm beginning the celebrations already, since I'll be taking a Nefesh B'Nefesh flight, G-d willing, this summer. I'll be one of the journalists on board and hope to get a new perspective over a generation later.
Send your entries to shilohmuse at yahoo dot com before Shabbat.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
postscript to #126
Please don't take #126 as anti-American. It's davka/actually the opposite in a sense. America is doing what it believes is right for America, and it doesn't matter if it may endanger Israel. For America that's fine. My complaint is that Israel is blindly following America's instructions, and by doing this Israel is endangering Israel.
America does not decide on policy for Israel's benifit and good. It's a dangerous mistake for Israel to think that America's good is Israel's good.
Israel must think ISRAEL FIRST! If there's a conflict, each country must do what's best for itself.
The question if the destruction of Israel is good for America is something else and definitely something I will cover. I honestly think that America will suffer (security-wise, etc) if G-d forbid Israel is destroyed, or so weakened that it's hardly a "colony." The USA, Europe, political philosophers like Sharansky and Peres will find that their grand theory of a democratic Arab middle-east will be a nightmare of a fairy tale, like the original unedited ones by Grimm and Anderson.
Israel is like the legendary Dutch boy with its finger holding back the flood of world terrorism.
If you take away the boy's finger, the waters will flood the world. G-d forbid! Instead we must all fight terrorism whose core is here in the Holy Land. Without destroying Arab terror here in Israel, the entire world as we know it will be in danger.
America does not decide on policy for Israel's benifit and good. It's a dangerous mistake for Israel to think that America's good is Israel's good.
Israel must think ISRAEL FIRST! If there's a conflict, each country must do what's best for itself.
The question if the destruction of Israel is good for America is something else and definitely something I will cover. I honestly think that America will suffer (security-wise, etc) if G-d forbid Israel is destroyed, or so weakened that it's hardly a "colony." The USA, Europe, political philosophers like Sharansky and Peres will find that their grand theory of a democratic Arab middle-east will be a nightmare of a fairy tale, like the original unedited ones by Grimm and Anderson.
Israel is like the legendary Dutch boy with its finger holding back the flood of world terrorism.
If you take away the boy's finger, the waters will flood the world. G-d forbid! Instead we must all fight terrorism whose core is here in the Holy Land. Without destroying Arab terror here in Israel, the entire world as we know it will be in danger.
#126 Is the USA Really Israel's Ally?
Musings #126
June 19, 2005
12th of Sivan
Is the USA Really Israel’s Ally?
With friends like them, we don’t need enemies. Sorry, but facts prove the myth a lie. The United States of America is not a friend of Israel.
I’ll start with a little history, something I’ve mentioned previously. It’s no secret that the Jewish and Zionist leaders had to lobby hard to convince President Harry Truman and the State Department to vote “yes” in the United Nations, November 29, 1947. The United States had no interest in a Jewish State in the middle-east, just like it didn’t use its military to stop the extermination of Jews during World War II, and it turned back Jewish refugees from Europe, even when their return to Germany meant death for them.
The United States didn’t aid Israel in its war for Independence; arms had to be smuggled out by pro-Israelis. Individual Jews and non-Jewish supporters donated money to Israel. Any American “aid” was for American benefit, and the eventual military aid only succeeded in damaging Israel’s own military and aircraft industry. The United States demands full control over any arms Israel develops with parts bought from the states. http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=84093 and http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83829 We would do much better without American “help.”
Jonathan Jay Pollard has been jailed for twenty years under the most severe conditions for following the terms of American-Israeli defense treaties, which the United States blatantly ignored. There is no precedent for such punishment. The documents he passed to Israel concerned her defense needs, which were included in treaties between the two countries. http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=82552 Not even the most serious espionage by spies from the USSR, during the communist regime received such severe punishment. Doesn’t it make you wonder whom America considers friend and foe?
America has promised to “stand by” Israel in times of trouble. I think Clinton was president at a time when Israelis were frequently being targeted by Arab terrorists, and he told Israel not to worry, since America would “stand by” Israel. Now I’m a native American and an English teacher here, and I don’t see how such a promise could be a comfort. There’s an implied distance; America will wave from the sidelines, but don’t expect any active help. America will “stand by” and watch, supervise, criticize, be “evenhanded.”
Jun. 18, 2005 9:39 Updated Jun. 18, 2005 23:44
Rice urges Mofaz to release more Palestinian prisoners
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119061894421 No true friend would tell someone to give gifts to murderous enemies, to reward terrorism. Why should we listen? The United States wouldn’t release terrorists that endanger its citizens; why should we? No normal country would. Honestly, doesn’t it make you wonder on which side is the United States?
As the saying goes: “It takes two to tango.” The only reason that the United States continues treating Israel like an errant child is that we accept it. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, the Israeli government sees itself as illegitimate. It accepts the abuse and waits patiently for more.
Today Israeli society is experiencing an internal struggle. Some of us want to be truly independent of foreign rule and others are afraid. Are we a “western democracy” or a “Jewish State?” Do we need a foreign “patron?” And most important: Do we owe our existence to another country?
We are at a crossroads. If we don’t rid ourselves of foreign control we will cease to exist. Israel won’t be viable without YESHA. G-d forbid the government succeeds in its plans to amputate our Land, we will find ourselves defenseless, locked in fragile ghettos.
There is no foreign country we can depend on. We must look to G-d and to our own strength. And for our survival, we must send the American busybodies back to Washington. If they’re such experts at making “peace,” they should invite Castro to the White House for a festive banquet.
Shavua Tov, A Wonderful Week to All,
Batya Medad, Shiloh
Copyright©2005BatyaMedad, Contact me for publication permission; private distribution encouraged.
Shilohmuse@yahoo.com
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/
http://me-ander.blogspot.com/
http://www.shilo.org.il
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA
June 19, 2005
12th of Sivan
Is the USA Really Israel’s Ally?
With friends like them, we don’t need enemies. Sorry, but facts prove the myth a lie. The United States of America is not a friend of Israel.
I’ll start with a little history, something I’ve mentioned previously. It’s no secret that the Jewish and Zionist leaders had to lobby hard to convince President Harry Truman and the State Department to vote “yes” in the United Nations, November 29, 1947. The United States had no interest in a Jewish State in the middle-east, just like it didn’t use its military to stop the extermination of Jews during World War II, and it turned back Jewish refugees from Europe, even when their return to Germany meant death for them.
The United States didn’t aid Israel in its war for Independence; arms had to be smuggled out by pro-Israelis. Individual Jews and non-Jewish supporters donated money to Israel. Any American “aid” was for American benefit, and the eventual military aid only succeeded in damaging Israel’s own military and aircraft industry. The United States demands full control over any arms Israel develops with parts bought from the states. http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=84093 and http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83829 We would do much better without American “help.”
Jonathan Jay Pollard has been jailed for twenty years under the most severe conditions for following the terms of American-Israeli defense treaties, which the United States blatantly ignored. There is no precedent for such punishment. The documents he passed to Israel concerned her defense needs, which were included in treaties between the two countries. http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=82552 Not even the most serious espionage by spies from the USSR, during the communist regime received such severe punishment. Doesn’t it make you wonder whom America considers friend and foe?
America has promised to “stand by” Israel in times of trouble. I think Clinton was president at a time when Israelis were frequently being targeted by Arab terrorists, and he told Israel not to worry, since America would “stand by” Israel. Now I’m a native American and an English teacher here, and I don’t see how such a promise could be a comfort. There’s an implied distance; America will wave from the sidelines, but don’t expect any active help. America will “stand by” and watch, supervise, criticize, be “evenhanded.”
Jun. 18, 2005 9:39 Updated Jun. 18, 2005 23:44
Rice urges Mofaz to release more Palestinian prisoners
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119061894421 No true friend would tell someone to give gifts to murderous enemies, to reward terrorism. Why should we listen? The United States wouldn’t release terrorists that endanger its citizens; why should we? No normal country would. Honestly, doesn’t it make you wonder on which side is the United States?
As the saying goes: “It takes two to tango.” The only reason that the United States continues treating Israel like an errant child is that we accept it. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, the Israeli government sees itself as illegitimate. It accepts the abuse and waits patiently for more.
Today Israeli society is experiencing an internal struggle. Some of us want to be truly independent of foreign rule and others are afraid. Are we a “western democracy” or a “Jewish State?” Do we need a foreign “patron?” And most important: Do we owe our existence to another country?
We are at a crossroads. If we don’t rid ourselves of foreign control we will cease to exist. Israel won’t be viable without YESHA. G-d forbid the government succeeds in its plans to amputate our Land, we will find ourselves defenseless, locked in fragile ghettos.
There is no foreign country we can depend on. We must look to G-d and to our own strength. And for our survival, we must send the American busybodies back to Washington. If they’re such experts at making “peace,” they should invite Castro to the White House for a festive banquet.
Shavua Tov, A Wonderful Week to All,
Batya Medad, Shiloh
Copyright©2005BatyaMedad, Contact me for publication permission; private distribution encouraged.
Shilohmuse@yahoo.com
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/
http://me-ander.blogspot.com/
http://www.shilo.org.il
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA
Something New
Take a look at the links, and you'll find something new. I'm featured in THE WORLD JEWISH NEWS AGENCY. My column is titled: "Food for Your Thoughts." It can be accessed via the sidebar links. From there, go to the site's homepage for a fantastic variety/range of articles.
Shavua Tov!
Shavua Tov!
Saturday, June 18, 2005
fences
Don't put your faith in fences. Military history is full of farcial fences that didn't protect. When the Nazis were attacking the rest of Europe, didn't France expect to be protected by the Maginot Line? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maginot_Line
Which was no better than Israel's Bar Lev Line. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maginot_Line
Defense experts are starting to admit that the wall defacing our landscape will just endanger us. http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=84048
But my favorite true life story is what I saw daily when we lived in England. The girls studied in the Barkley House School, a Jewish elementary school on Finchley Road, London. It was surrounded my a high cement fence, and there were tv cameras and security guards. This was in the middle 1970's. In the afternoon, parents were supposed to enter through a door in the fence that went to the school yard. There we picked up the kids.
The door was kept locked during the school day, and sometimes the door didn't open easily when school was over. The guard would vault over the fence to try from the other side.
Need I say more?
Shavua tov!
Friday, June 17, 2005
polls
If you've ever wondered about polls, who's called, etc? Yoohoo, they called me yesterday. I really didn't pay attention at first and didn't have time so didn't hear who was doing the poll. But there was something in the way the poor woman said, "it's important for you" that made me cooperate.
Most of the questions were the same thing, just worded differently. (Remember, I teach reading and listening comprehension.) For how much money or under what conditions would you/I be willing to leave my home?
I just kept repeating: It's not a matter of money, under no conditions!
I've been pretty busy the past few days, so I haven't seen any article about it.
Shabbat Shalom
Most of the questions were the same thing, just worded differently. (Remember, I teach reading and listening comprehension.) For how much money or under what conditions would you/I be willing to leave my home?
I just kept repeating: It's not a matter of money, under no conditions!
I've been pretty busy the past few days, so I haven't seen any article about it.
Shabbat Shalom
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Carnival of Education
Baile Rochel's "Little Darlings" is being featured on this week's Carnival Of Education . Take a gander at all the great articles and features.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Musings #125 Trust
Musings #125
June 14, 2005
Eve of 8th of Sivan
Trust
Do you trust Michael Jackson, even though the American jurors declared him innocent? Would you let your son, grandson, brother or any other young male you care about sleep in the same bed together with Michael Jackson?
Tonight, on the Israeli TV news one of the commentators very wisely said that he couldn’t understand how any normal responsible mother permitted her son to lay together in bed with Michael Jackson or any other adult male. As a mother, grandmother and suspicious by nature adult, I agree. But I couldn’t help but wondering why all those outraged broadcasters and social and political experts can’t transfer this wisdom to our political and defense situation.
I have a few very simple questions, which to my mind are very similar.
Do you trust that the Arab terrorists Israel keeps releasing will be law abiding and avoid participating in terrorist activities against Jews and Israelis? Would you want any of your loved ones near them?
Do you trust Abu Mazen to protect Israeli cities after Disengagement? Would you want to live in Sderot, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Yad Mordechai and the Southern Negev after Disengagement? http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83862 Do you think that the Arabs will be satisfied after the Jews of Gush Katif and the Northern Shomron are made homeless? Now for a different question: Have the Arabs promised peace in exchange for Gush Katif and Northern Shomron?
If anyone can honestly answer yes to these questions, then I guess they should pack up their young sons, grandsons, nephews and brothers and send them to Neverland to sleep with Michael Jackson. If you can honestly say that you trust Yassir Arafat’s successor, Abu Mazen, then trusting Michael Jackson’s should be real easy for you.
Michael Jackson may be a tad peculiar, and he may even be some sort of pervert, but remember: the godly American System of Justice declared him innocent of any crime. According to the jurors who spent months together listening to the sort of testimony that kept “peeping Tom’s” reading the tabloids, Michael Jackson was innocent. He didn’t commit any crime at all. He wasn’t even convicted of serving alcoholic drinks to minors. This was all “child’s play.” Michael Jackson was just an innocent victim.
That’s what happened this week in America, the country idolized by many Israelis. This week the Jewish World celebrated the holiday of Shavuot. Shavuot is the holiday that commemorates the Jewish People’s acceptance of the Ten Commandments, which encompass, symbolize all of the mitzvot, the G-d given commandments.
Tradition tells us that all Jewish souls, who would ever exist, were together at Mount Sinai. We all said: “Na’aseh v’nishma,” “We will do and we will listen.” First we promised, without reading the fine print, without even knowing what we were agreeing to.
As Jews our laws and standards are set. They were given to us thousands of years ago, and we agreed. They are for all of us. There’s no jury to decide according to someone’s celebrity if he’s guilty or innocent. No other country has the right to determine of borders and our means of defense and commerce.
While the rest of the world may celebrate or condemn Michael Jackson, we have more important things to worry about.
We must save our country! We must stop Disengagement, now!
Batya Medad, Shiloh
Copyright©2005BatyaMedad, Contact me for publication permission; private distribution encouraged.
Shilohmuse@yahoo.com
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/
http://me-ander.blogspot.com/
http://www.shilo.org.il
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA
June 14, 2005
Eve of 8th of Sivan
Trust
Do you trust Michael Jackson, even though the American jurors declared him innocent? Would you let your son, grandson, brother or any other young male you care about sleep in the same bed together with Michael Jackson?
Tonight, on the Israeli TV news one of the commentators very wisely said that he couldn’t understand how any normal responsible mother permitted her son to lay together in bed with Michael Jackson or any other adult male. As a mother, grandmother and suspicious by nature adult, I agree. But I couldn’t help but wondering why all those outraged broadcasters and social and political experts can’t transfer this wisdom to our political and defense situation.
I have a few very simple questions, which to my mind are very similar.
Do you trust that the Arab terrorists Israel keeps releasing will be law abiding and avoid participating in terrorist activities against Jews and Israelis? Would you want any of your loved ones near them?
Do you trust Abu Mazen to protect Israeli cities after Disengagement? Would you want to live in Sderot, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Yad Mordechai and the Southern Negev after Disengagement? http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83862 Do you think that the Arabs will be satisfied after the Jews of Gush Katif and the Northern Shomron are made homeless? Now for a different question: Have the Arabs promised peace in exchange for Gush Katif and Northern Shomron?
If anyone can honestly answer yes to these questions, then I guess they should pack up their young sons, grandsons, nephews and brothers and send them to Neverland to sleep with Michael Jackson. If you can honestly say that you trust Yassir Arafat’s successor, Abu Mazen, then trusting Michael Jackson’s should be real easy for you.
Michael Jackson may be a tad peculiar, and he may even be some sort of pervert, but remember: the godly American System of Justice declared him innocent of any crime. According to the jurors who spent months together listening to the sort of testimony that kept “peeping Tom’s” reading the tabloids, Michael Jackson was innocent. He didn’t commit any crime at all. He wasn’t even convicted of serving alcoholic drinks to minors. This was all “child’s play.” Michael Jackson was just an innocent victim.
That’s what happened this week in America, the country idolized by many Israelis. This week the Jewish World celebrated the holiday of Shavuot. Shavuot is the holiday that commemorates the Jewish People’s acceptance of the Ten Commandments, which encompass, symbolize all of the mitzvot, the G-d given commandments.
Tradition tells us that all Jewish souls, who would ever exist, were together at Mount Sinai. We all said: “Na’aseh v’nishma,” “We will do and we will listen.” First we promised, without reading the fine print, without even knowing what we were agreeing to.
As Jews our laws and standards are set. They were given to us thousands of years ago, and we agreed. They are for all of us. There’s no jury to decide according to someone’s celebrity if he’s guilty or innocent. No other country has the right to determine of borders and our means of defense and commerce.
While the rest of the world may celebrate or condemn Michael Jackson, we have more important things to worry about.
We must save our country! We must stop Disengagement, now!
Batya Medad, Shiloh
Copyright©2005BatyaMedad, Contact me for publication permission; private distribution encouraged.
Shilohmuse@yahoo.com
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/
http://me-ander.blogspot.com/
http://www.shilo.org.il
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA
money, money
Color this green.
Advertisers follow the money and, in the states, are putting it in the gossip magazines. Forget about serious, politics, science etc. The big consumers consume "People," its clones and competitors. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/13/business/media/13adco.html?th&emc=th
And when talking about money and greed, what comes to mind? Politicians of course. Read about how the politicians are making it impossible for another Abraham Lincoln to get a crack at public office.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/13/opinion/13mon2.html?th&emc=th
Not very pleasant. It's the same all over. In Israel there's lots of campaign money abuse, especially by Shimon Peres.
http://israelbehindthenews.com/Aug-06-00.htm
http://israelbehindthenews.com/Aug-06-00.htm#peres
http://israelbehindthenews.com/Archives/Apr-21-05.htm#poodle
Two laws here, for sure, and don't forget Ehud Barak and other left-wing politicians.
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=51569
http://israelbehindthenews.com/Archives/Sep-17-02.htm
But Naomi Blumental is the one prosecuted, or persecuted.
http://www.socialismtoday.org/73/israel.html
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=43252
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=52374
Of course the real crooks run free.
Advertisers follow the money and, in the states, are putting it in the gossip magazines. Forget about serious, politics, science etc. The big consumers consume "People," its clones and competitors. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/13/business/media/13adco.html?th&emc=th
And when talking about money and greed, what comes to mind? Politicians of course. Read about how the politicians are making it impossible for another Abraham Lincoln to get a crack at public office.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/13/opinion/13mon2.html?th&emc=th
Not very pleasant. It's the same all over. In Israel there's lots of campaign money abuse, especially by Shimon Peres.
http://israelbehindthenews.com/Aug-06-00.htm
http://israelbehindthenews.com/Aug-06-00.htm#peres
http://israelbehindthenews.com/Archives/Apr-21-05.htm#poodle
Two laws here, for sure, and don't forget Ehud Barak and other left-wing politicians.
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=51569
http://israelbehindthenews.com/Archives/Sep-17-02.htm
But Naomi Blumental is the one prosecuted, or persecuted.
http://www.socialismtoday.org/73/israel.html
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=43252
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=52374
Of course the real crooks run free.
Monday, June 13, 2005
news updates after Shavuot
Here's a variety.
First, Peres is beating his dead horse. Read all about it.
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2005/05/plea.html
What world does he live in?
Soldiers are being encouraged to do whatever is needed to drag people out of their homes. And if they're sued... free lawyers.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1118543083381
Amazing, since our soldiers don't have the same support fighting terrorists.
When I was growing up in the states, I never felt truly American. And I wasn't raised in a religious, nor Zionist home. I always felt different. Considering this
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1118457904696
my feelings were pretty accurate.
Things haven't changed here. In the early days of the states, religious immigrant kids were sent to secular schools to make them "real Israelis." Read this.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1118283816266
Brain washing planned.
Baruch Hashem! We have some wonderful people here. They're not letting the government close down the Zionist enterprise.
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83805
G-d willing, all of the communities in YESHA will thrive and more will be established.
B'ezrat Hashem, bli neder, I'll write about the wonderful Shavuot Shiurim by Rabbis Dov Berkovits and Elchanan Bin Nun. I'm really blessed living in Shiloh.
First, Peres is beating his dead horse. Read all about it.
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2005/05/plea.html
What world does he live in?
Soldiers are being encouraged to do whatever is needed to drag people out of their homes. And if they're sued... free lawyers.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1118543083381
Amazing, since our soldiers don't have the same support fighting terrorists.
When I was growing up in the states, I never felt truly American. And I wasn't raised in a religious, nor Zionist home. I always felt different. Considering this
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1118457904696
my feelings were pretty accurate.
Things haven't changed here. In the early days of the states, religious immigrant kids were sent to secular schools to make them "real Israelis." Read this.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1118283816266
Brain washing planned.
Baruch Hashem! We have some wonderful people here. They're not letting the government close down the Zionist enterprise.
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83805
G-d willing, all of the communities in YESHA will thrive and more will be established.
B'ezrat Hashem, bli neder, I'll write about the wonderful Shavuot Shiurim by Rabbis Dov Berkovits and Elchanan Bin Nun. I'm really blessed living in Shiloh.
Best of... #81
Again, we're included in BOMS, Best of Me Symphony. It includes a fantastic variety of articles.
Take a gander.
http://gcruse.typepad.com/the_owners_manual/2005/06/81_best_of_me_s.html
Take a gander.
http://gcruse.typepad.com/the_owners_manual/2005/06/81_best_of_me_s.html
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Heval Hevalim #24
Just in time, the latest http://mirty12.blogspot.com/2005/06/milk-and-honey-haveil-havalim-24_12.html is posted.
There are lots of new, at least for me, blogs mentioned.
Take a gander and Chag Sameach (though not at the same time!)
There are lots of new, at least for me, blogs mentioned.
Take a gander and Chag Sameach (though not at the same time!)
news digest erev shavuot
Just a quick selection of news items.
first and most important
All the "new middle east" and Sharansky's plans are based on stable and democratic Arab countries, yes, I also consider it an oxymoron.
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83762
The Israelis who are in favor of disengagement try to pain the post D picture as idyllic. The truth is frightening, and the Negev is trying to get prepared.
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83784
Polls always can be manipulated. Here's some more info on recent polls.
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83761
How does Olmert plan on doing this? and how many Israelis would die if he gets his way?
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83789
And why can't the Chabad women bring holiday treats to the imprisoned youth? Can you imagine the condemnation if Arabs or leftists were prevented from bringing to Arabs?
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83788
Chag Shavuot Sameach
first and most important
All the "new middle east" and Sharansky's plans are based on stable and democratic Arab countries, yes, I also consider it an oxymoron.
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83762
The Israelis who are in favor of disengagement try to pain the post D picture as idyllic. The truth is frightening, and the Negev is trying to get prepared.
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83784
Polls always can be manipulated. Here's some more info on recent polls.
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83761
How does Olmert plan on doing this? and how many Israelis would die if he gets his way?
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83789
And why can't the Chabad women bring holiday treats to the imprisoned youth? Can you imagine the condemnation if Arabs or leftists were prevented from bringing to Arabs?
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83788
Chag Shavuot Sameach
Image Change
This may not be pleasant, but the truth is that the world is very materialistic and totally influenced by the superficial. Maybe our political problems could be solved by one of these specialists.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/11/business/11makeover.html?pagewanted=1&th&emc=th
Yes, just like Nixon lost the election to JFK because of his 4 o'clock shadow and wet underarms, our local dress costumes may be losing us support.
There's a fine line between sloppy, eccentric and exotic. "Tsni'usdik" doesn't have to be rummage sale hippie. And there's nothing wrong with cleanliness. And Israeli men should boycott the slacks companies that sell those that don't cover bending backsides.
There are some very classy dressers out here. Those involved in "hasbara" should take a good look at how they look on the screen. It was only after seeing myself interviewed that I realized that I should use an eyebrow pencil.
Thank G-d, there's no single uniform for us. We do have more freedom of expression in our dress style than in many parts of the world. And don't forget, that this year's color is orange!
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/11/business/11makeover.html?pagewanted=1&th&emc=th
Yes, just like Nixon lost the election to JFK because of his 4 o'clock shadow and wet underarms, our local dress costumes may be losing us support.
There's a fine line between sloppy, eccentric and exotic. "Tsni'usdik" doesn't have to be rummage sale hippie. And there's nothing wrong with cleanliness. And Israeli men should boycott the slacks companies that sell those that don't cover bending backsides.
There are some very classy dressers out here. Those involved in "hasbara" should take a good look at how they look on the screen. It was only after seeing myself interviewed that I realized that I should use an eyebrow pencil.
Thank G-d, there's no single uniform for us. We do have more freedom of expression in our dress style than in many parts of the world. And don't forget, that this year's color is orange!
Friday, June 10, 2005
To obey or not to obey?
...that's the question.
Many people are being forced to answer the question "should they obey the orders to throw people out of their homes in Eretz Yisrael?" These guys aren't from the mortgage bank. They're part of the police or military and they always envisioned their jobs as a way of protecting the innocent. Now they're being ordered to attack the innocent and banish them from their homes.
They're being taught techniques to grab protesting home-owners, both men and women. They're being taught how to take howling children from their cribs and away from their toys. They're being taught how to work as a group on each determined adolescent.
They're being brainwashed to do things against their conscience and all the ideals they were raised with.
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83731
And Baruch Hashem, Thank G-d, some of them are strong enough to resist orders, even if it means giving up their jobs. They are true heroes of today.
Shabbat Shalom
Many people are being forced to answer the question "should they obey the orders to throw people out of their homes in Eretz Yisrael?" These guys aren't from the mortgage bank. They're part of the police or military and they always envisioned their jobs as a way of protecting the innocent. Now they're being ordered to attack the innocent and banish them from their homes.
They're being taught techniques to grab protesting home-owners, both men and women. They're being taught how to take howling children from their cribs and away from their toys. They're being taught how to work as a group on each determined adolescent.
They're being brainwashed to do things against their conscience and all the ideals they were raised with.
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83731
And Baruch Hashem, Thank G-d, some of them are strong enough to resist orders, even if it means giving up their jobs. They are true heroes of today.
Shabbat Shalom
NY Times and the Six Days War
You can use this link to read the articles written in 1967. It gives a different perspective.
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0610.html#article
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0610.html#article
What did the rabbi mean?
Yes, there are times rabbis speak in "riddles." Nowadays it's pretty dangerous in Israel to speak clearly.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1118283814230
I've been saying something similar to what the rabbi's son explains. There are a few important advantages to doing it. If one of my sons would be given the job, it's what I would recommend. Also, it's the most effective way of stopping the Disengagement if it really gets that far.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1118283814230
I've been saying something similar to what the rabbi's son explains. There are a few important advantages to doing it. If one of my sons would be given the job, it's what I would recommend. Also, it's the most effective way of stopping the Disengagement if it really gets that far.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach
Visiting Gush Katif
This was sent to me by a good friend. It's a report of her Visit to Gush Katif.
JUDITH NUSBAUM <etzion76@netvision.net.il> wrote:
Yesterday I visited Gush Katif with 200 other people. There were six busloads of people, all wearing orange, who left Jerusalem at 8 in the morning to spend the day in Katif to show our support for the residents and our opposition to PM Sharon's Plan.
Our guide, Tali, a resident of the area and 3 generation Katifnick, took us to Kfar Darom. There we were taken though a gigantic lettuce packing plant. The vegetables grown in Katif are grown in sand, thereby preventing the possibility of bugs getting into the produce.
Then we visited Netzer Hazani, where Anita Tucker explained how she had come to Katif several decades ago and established a celery crop when she had told it would be impossible to grow anything in the sand.
We then drove the Hof Hadekelem Hotel, also known as the Palm Beach Hotel on the shore of the Mediterranean. The hotel had been a favorite of mine for many years and I've spent many a Shabbat there. Since the Oslo War it has been closed and is now is a terrible state of disrepair. There we met with Nadia who has moved from her home in Efrat, with her children, to Katif and is helping to fix up the hotel so that others may move into the small apts to fight the withdrawal.
The Yeshiva at Neve Dekelim hosted the group for lunch. A young women spoke of her life before she moved to Katif and how the terrorist attack she and her family survived strengthened her determination to live remain there.
After lunch we were taken to the cemetery at Neve Dekelim. As we read the tombstones we realized that many of those buried here had been killed by terrorists. What will become of the dead if withdrawal is realized?
We drove to Kerem Atzmona, a small community of caravans, by way of the sea road. The Mediterranean was calm, yet glistening. There, surrounded by hostile Arab villages, we knelt in the sand to plant trees.
It was an inspiring day. I believe that no one has the right to form any opinion until they have visited Katif and spoken with the residents.
Judith
JUDITH NUSBAUM <etzion76@netvision.net.il> wrote:
Yesterday I visited Gush Katif with 200 other people. There were six busloads of people, all wearing orange, who left Jerusalem at 8 in the morning to spend the day in Katif to show our support for the residents and our opposition to PM Sharon's Plan.
Our guide, Tali, a resident of the area and 3 generation Katifnick, took us to Kfar Darom. There we were taken though a gigantic lettuce packing plant. The vegetables grown in Katif are grown in sand, thereby preventing the possibility of bugs getting into the produce.
Then we visited Netzer Hazani, where Anita Tucker explained how she had come to Katif several decades ago and established a celery crop when she had told it would be impossible to grow anything in the sand.
We then drove the Hof Hadekelem Hotel, also known as the Palm Beach Hotel on the shore of the Mediterranean. The hotel had been a favorite of mine for many years and I've spent many a Shabbat there. Since the Oslo War it has been closed and is now is a terrible state of disrepair. There we met with Nadia who has moved from her home in Efrat, with her children, to Katif and is helping to fix up the hotel so that others may move into the small apts to fight the withdrawal.
The Yeshiva at Neve Dekelim hosted the group for lunch. A young women spoke of her life before she moved to Katif and how the terrorist attack she and her family survived strengthened her determination to live remain there.
After lunch we were taken to the cemetery at Neve Dekelim. As we read the tombstones we realized that many of those buried here had been killed by terrorists. What will become of the dead if withdrawal is realized?
We drove to Kerem Atzmona, a small community of caravans, by way of the sea road. The Mediterranean was calm, yet glistening. There, surrounded by hostile Arab villages, we knelt in the sand to plant trees.
It was an inspiring day. I believe that no one has the right to form any opinion until they have visited Katif and spoken with the residents.
Judith
Wednesday, June 8, 2005
#124 Strange, Peculiar and Dangerous Thinking
Musings #124
June 8, 2005
1st of Sivan, Rosh Chodesh
Strange, Peculiar and Dangerous Thinking
After my neighbor, Avihu Keinan, was killed in a badly planned army action, his father, Moshe, started a campaign against the perverse morality dominating our Israeli army.
This morning I found two very disturbing news articles showing that things are actually getting worse. Rocket attacks by the Arabs on Israel, on both the Negev and Gush Katif, are increasing. Only G-d’s miracles have protected our civilians and soldiers. The IDF’s response defies logic.
Now, what is that supposed to mean? Even more peculiar, the nicest, most polite word I can think of, was the statement of IDF Chief of Staff Lt-General Dan Halutz
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83550
The statement was quoted by both “The Jerusalem Post” and Arutz 7; so have not doubt that the Chief of Staff said it. Since when is defensive army action “terrorism?” What’s an army supposed to do? March in parades in fancy dress, unfurling banners? This isn’t Monaco. We’re a country constantly under attack. Our very existence is threatened. We don’t have to apologize nor rationalize military actions against aggressors.
Recent statements by Islamic Jihad leaders warn of increased terror against Israel.
When will World Jewry understand that no foreign government nor international body is going to save endangered Jews? We have to do it ourselves and for that we have an army. Sixty years ago Jews who survived the Holocaust made their way to the Holy Land to fight for Jewish Independence. Other Jews trekked across deserts from Arab countries to join them to establish a Jewish State. Leaking boats and legendary airlifts brought Jews from all over the world to strengthen our young country.
And now, almost sixty years later, despite our victories and technological sophistication, our military won’t fight like soldiers. They pretend to be philosophers and diplomats. Sorry, but in the real world, the world of bombs, bullets and explosives those “pretty words” are farcial and dangerous.
Something’s wrong with our national psyche, but Baruch Hashem, not every brain is infested with the “virus.”
Refuah Shleimah and Chodesh Tov,
Batya Medad, Shiloh
Copyright©2005BatyaMedad, Contact me for publication permission; private distribution encouraged.
Shilohmuse@yahoo.com
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/
http://me-ander.blogspot.com/
http://www.shilo.org.il
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA
June 8, 2005
1st of Sivan, Rosh Chodesh
Strange, Peculiar and Dangerous Thinking
After my neighbor, Avihu Keinan, was killed in a badly planned army action, his father, Moshe, started a campaign against the perverse morality dominating our Israeli army.
This morning I found two very disturbing news articles showing that things are actually getting worse. Rocket attacks by the Arabs on Israel, on both the Negev and Gush Katif, are increasing. Only G-d’s miracles have protected our civilians and soldiers. The IDF’s response defies logic.
“IDF Chief of Operations Major-General Yisrael Ziv stated this is not the timehttp://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83546
to respond, citing the sensitive nature of the current political
situation.”
Now, what is that supposed to mean? Even more peculiar, the nicest, most polite word I can think of, was the statement of IDF Chief of Staff Lt-General Dan Halutz
“As a nation, we won’t act like terrorists…”http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1118110991022
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=83550
The statement was quoted by both “The Jerusalem Post” and Arutz 7; so have not doubt that the Chief of Staff said it. Since when is defensive army action “terrorism?” What’s an army supposed to do? March in parades in fancy dress, unfurling banners? This isn’t Monaco. We’re a country constantly under attack. Our very existence is threatened. We don’t have to apologize nor rationalize military actions against aggressors.
Recent statements by Islamic Jihad leaders warn of increased terror against Israel.
“The period of calm is over and the Palestinians should be prepared to resumehttp://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1118110993487&p=1078027574097 Why isn’t Israel defending its citizens? What are they waiting for? The Arabs are telling everyone their plans; they’re not embarrassed. They have tacit support from the world just like the Nazis did when the “concentration camps” were working at full capacity.
their attacks on Israel, a senior Islamic Jihad leader in the Gaza Strip
declared on Tuesday.”
When will World Jewry understand that no foreign government nor international body is going to save endangered Jews? We have to do it ourselves and for that we have an army. Sixty years ago Jews who survived the Holocaust made their way to the Holy Land to fight for Jewish Independence. Other Jews trekked across deserts from Arab countries to join them to establish a Jewish State. Leaking boats and legendary airlifts brought Jews from all over the world to strengthen our young country.
And now, almost sixty years later, despite our victories and technological sophistication, our military won’t fight like soldiers. They pretend to be philosophers and diplomats. Sorry, but in the real world, the world of bombs, bullets and explosives those “pretty words” are farcial and dangerous.
Something’s wrong with our national psyche, but Baruch Hashem, not every brain is infested with the “virus.”
Refuah Shleimah and Chodesh Tov,
Batya Medad, Shiloh
Copyright©2005BatyaMedad, Contact me for publication permission; private distribution encouraged.
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Tuesday, June 7, 2005
Israeli army and religion
I probably should invest more time on this topic into a real numbered musing, but I don't have the patience right now.
There are religious and especially chareidi (who consider themselves more religious than religious people like me) who say that religious people should stay out of the army, because it's not religious enough.
Of course, if there had always been more religious people in the army from the beginning of the state, the army would be more religious.
The Labor (Ben Gurion's) party was always anti-religious, so think back to why, as the state was being formed, when the Chareidi parties requested that their kids, the yeshiva students, even though at that time there weren't too many, be exempt. Do you think Ben Gurion agreed because he loves the religious? Of course not. He didn't want the religious, especially chareidi in the army. He wanted to segregate them from his people. The vast Beis Medresh industry only grew so much because it kept the chareidim out of the army.
There is no Jewish Law forbidding Jews from serving in the army!
Remember the classic Rav Goren, Chief Rabbi of the army, story. He visited the paratroopers and was told not to eat there. He asked why and was told that the food was traif. "Why" "Because there aren't any religious paratroopers." "So I'll become one," said the rabbi. And today there are lots of religious paratroopers.
The Israeli government was always happy to "shtupp" the chareidim money to keep them out of power. And they took the money, and that's one of the major problems in Israeli today.
There are religious and especially chareidi (who consider themselves more religious than religious people like me) who say that religious people should stay out of the army, because it's not religious enough.
Of course, if there had always been more religious people in the army from the beginning of the state, the army would be more religious.
The Labor (Ben Gurion's) party was always anti-religious, so think back to why, as the state was being formed, when the Chareidi parties requested that their kids, the yeshiva students, even though at that time there weren't too many, be exempt. Do you think Ben Gurion agreed because he loves the religious? Of course not. He didn't want the religious, especially chareidi in the army. He wanted to segregate them from his people. The vast Beis Medresh industry only grew so much because it kept the chareidim out of the army.
There is no Jewish Law forbidding Jews from serving in the army!
Remember the classic Rav Goren, Chief Rabbi of the army, story. He visited the paratroopers and was told not to eat there. He asked why and was told that the food was traif. "Why" "Because there aren't any religious paratroopers." "So I'll become one," said the rabbi. And today there are lots of religious paratroopers.
The Israeli government was always happy to "shtupp" the chareidim money to keep them out of power. And they took the money, and that's one of the major problems in Israeli today.
Organ transplants, Jewish aspects
This is an important topic. I have a neighbor who has been living with a donated liver for a few years. Since then most of his children have married, and lots of grandchildren were born. It's a real gift.
As I've already posted, a friend is looking for a kidney donor.
And friends made the difficult decision to donate their son's organs when he died from an accident.
Soccer Dad mentioned to me that it may be a good idea as a special blog or list.
Yes, this is a sensitive topic, but important.
As I've already posted, a friend is looking for a kidney donor.
And friends made the difficult decision to donate their son's organs when he died from an accident.
Soccer Dad mentioned to me that it may be a good idea as a special blog or list.
Yes, this is a sensitive topic, but important.
Monday, June 6, 2005
Hevel Havelim #23
We're in the latest Hevel Havelim. It's a nice big one, lots of great posts for your reading and linking pleasure.
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