A few news tidbits you might have missed

I know that because of the holiday you might not be following the news as much as usual. I know I am not. So here are a few of today's news items you might have missed.

1. Some guy, seemingly Haredi, went to a store (Tiv Taam) that was selling Chametz under the new understanding of the courts that a store is not considered a public place and therefore is not included in the law banning the sale of chametz in public places, and stripped himself naked (he covered his privates with his sock).
   His logic is difficult to argue with, considering the courts recent decision. He argued that he could not be prosecuted for an indecent act in public, as a store is no longer considered a public place.
   Needless to say, they arrested him anyway.
   Surprisingly enough, this did not even happen in Jerusalem.
2. Jimmy Carter, the Kitniyot man (as peanuts are his favorite food and peanuts are Kitniyot), is busy on a one-man, self appointed mission to bring peace to the Middle East. I commend his efforts. We can rest assured knowing that whatever Olmert does not give away to the Arabs, Carter already has.
   Today Carter announced he has come to an understanding with Hamas that Hamas will live in peace with Israel (for about 10 years) if Israel goes back to the 1967 border. And if the Palestinian people approve. I wonder what happens when the 10 years will be over. What will we have to give Hamas to continue the hudna? Or will we then just accept their right to attack us regularly, but as equals at the state level? Thank you, Mr. Carter.
3. Speaking of Jimmy Carter, I noticed an interesting thing. Last year pesach time, the discussion of whether we should cancel the halachic decree against eating Kitniyot was all the rage. The supporters of the cancellation, mostly the followers of Machon Shilo, had articles published in mainstream media, issues were discussed in yeshivas and in the public forums, etc.
   This year, I do not recall the Kitniyot issue being discussed much. I guess people figured they can live without their Hummous for a week and it is not such a big deal. Unless you are some guy in the Shomron... This topic leads in to an article that was recently published and sent to me. Maybe I will post it tomorrow. It is fairly "controversial", and provides some food (chametz free, of course, but possibly not kitniyot free) for thought.. Keep your eyes peeled for the article.