Quick history and Future plans

There's no connection between these two things, but they're not an "oxymoron." Combining them into one post is more of an example of my blogging consolidation.

Here's a wonderfully done 90 second illustration of imperial aggression. (thanks, Fred) I don't agree with every little bit of their clever little film, but it gives an excellent general message.

And now for the future plans of Anatoly Natan Sharansky...
He has announced that he's leaving politics to join up with the Jerusalem-based Shalem Center.
This isn't the place and post and time to discuss the pros and cons of the most famous Jew to leave Russia for Israel. But I will say some things about Sharansky as politician. Simply, he was never cut out to be a politician. He doesn't have that sort of charisma, and even though many people wanted to trust and follow him, it was obvious that he couldn't play the game.

Sharansky did/does not have the trust of the majority of Russian immigrants here in Israel, though other Israelis, especially the English-speakers will always be enamored by him and the legend. He wows people with his speeches and vocabulary, much like Henry Kissinger.

I'm curious to know if they're in touch, two Jews who've gained the respect of the powerful, though they have very different approaches. But one must remember that Kissinger arrived in the United States when still a child; don't let his accent fool you. And Sharansky was imprisoned by the USSR when an adult and only later was released to Israel.

I'm sure that Sharansky will enjoy his relationship with the Shalem Center a lot more than he ever enjoyed politics.