Mar 18, 2011
Groggers Up! (video)
I ran Groggers Up already, but these are my cousins, so they get another plug..
Mar 17, 2011
QADDAFI WINS! QADDAFI WINS!
QADDAFI WINS! QADDAFI WINS!
Go Tell It To the Fighters for Democratization
Guest Post by Dr. Harold Goldmeier
March, 2011
“The world has failed us.” This lament is from freedom fighters in the Libyan people’s revolutionary “army” known as the National Federation for the Salvation of Libya. The world powers have done next to nothing to intervene on their behalf, while the forces of Muammar el-Qaddafi counter attack with air strikes, terrorize and torture their families and civilians, and brutalize even peaceful protestors who model themselves after Egyptian and Tunisian regime change antagonists. The ultimate failure is the credibility of the European Union, America, and the United Nations. Their message is we will talk a good game, but you are on your own if an oil rich despot will not accede and negotiate with you. They created a climate of disbelief in letting despots violently crush the democracy movements in Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.
The monarchs at first tried to reason with the protestors. They distributed cash handouts. The monarchs were really trying to buy time watching to what Presidents Obama and Sarkozy, Prime Minister Brown, and the U.N., would do anything to stop Qaddafi besides plea for maximum restraint. After two weeks of nothing but pitiful words and finger shaking did Bahrain and Yemen order their secret police to crush the protests killing and wounding thousands. The Saudis and three other nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council sent 1,000 troops to Bahrain to protect the monarchy, while Syria sent air force pilots to aid Qaddafi. The implied promises of aid and intervention to assure the democratic core issue would be insured proved mendacious and sounded the death knell for the rebels when Obama, Sarkozy, Brown, Deiss and Ban Ki-moon of the UN, did nothing to protect people from military attacks.
The two most potent actions taken against Qaddafi are the UN suspension of Libya from the Human Rights Council, and the freezing of $30 billion in assets of Qaddafi outside Libya. I forgot, Hillary Clinton had a meeting with Libya’s opposition leader after she had dinner with the leaders of the G8. Libya as a member of the HRC is an obscenity to civilized people having ordered the bombing of a Pan Am civilian aircraft, imprisoning and torturing political prisoners, and tearing up the UN Charter when he spoke before the General Assembly. The UN could not even bring itself to boot Libya, and expel its ambassador. With the price of oil exceeding $100 per barrel, Qaddafi will replenish his wealth in less than two years. Worse, when he regains full control of his country, he will use oil as weapon to further strangle Western economies, and finance evermore terrorist plots.
Qaddafi built a web of sycophants spreading his money to give him cover. The Economist and some newspapers are now reporting how his son bought his degree from The London School of Economics. Professors at the University of Chicago and across the education landscape of America and Europe take Qaddafi money. They then act as spokespeople for the anti-Israel movement lending intellectual credence to the boycott and divestment groups. Entertainers are paid millions for a few hours of work, and urged to encourage others to boycott performing in Israel. Politicians get access to power and money for their libraries, pet projects, and travel the world promoting Qaddafi’s anti-Western, anti-Israel messages.
The EU, the UN, and the Obama administration constantly reassure Israel and the Jews that they will protect Israel in the face of an Arab military threat to her existence. They encourage Israel to revert to 1967 borders, give up sole ownership of Jerusalem, and take in thousands of Palestinians as Israeli citizens, while threatening her with sanctions and selective boycotts. In return, Israel is promised she will have the good faith, trust, and protection from the rest of the world if ever threatened by an Arab army. Jews are a trusting people, the model immigrant community assimilating and acculturating more completely into their countries of exile more than most others. No one has ever accused the Jews of being stupid, but now the freedom fighters in Libya and elsewhere in the Middle East know how it feels when the West forces you to act live like a mendicant.
Now the fighters for democracy suffering for so long in the Arab prison-states know how we feel. The world stood by during World War II with President Roosevelt refusing to even bomb the train tracks to Auschwitz; they watched massive Arab armies attack the new State of Israel within hours after the UN vote that created her and they did nothing to protect her existence. They followed Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s to let the Jews bleed a little at the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, and refused to swiftly resupply her military arms lost in the first two days. Does anyone really believe the Western leaders anymore? Do they believe Israeli leaders of for that matter Palestinian leaders trust their words when the West stands idly by watching democracy seekers slaughtered? The world has always failed the Jews, and now they are failing you.
Dr. Harold Goldmeier Chicago, Ill. 773-764-4357 hgoldmeier@aol.com Dr. Goldmeier was a Chicago Public School teacher, a Research and Teaching Fellow at Harvard University earning a Doctorate in Education, and taught as an Assistant Professor at Tufts Medical School. He worked in government for three Governors, the U. S. Surgeon General, and in children and youth advocacy for nearly two decades. He recently sold his business after nearly three decades. He has been married more than forty years with children living in America and Israel, and a son who recently served with the Israel Defense Forces. He has published more than two-dozen articles in professional journals and popular magazines and newspapers. Dr. Goldmeier currently a writer, consultant to government agencies, and to small businesses on economic growth and marketing. His most recent articles appeared in The Jewish Press on terrorism, and in Haaretz of Israel and he writes a guest post for LifeinIsrael.blogspot.com., Open.Salon.com., and more.
Interesting Posts #252
1. Navel Gazing - Introspection and "how does it affect me" in certain communities
2. Helen Thomas, True Friend of the Jews - a different approach to Helen Thomas
3. When do you get your kids cellphones?
4. Japan should stop provoking the sea
5. Was the tsunami predicted by a tractor driver?
6. A Kollel Revolution is brewing
7. Not just a disaster of nature
8. The truth about segulas
9. The aqueducts of Armon HaNetziv
2. Helen Thomas, True Friend of the Jews - a different approach to Helen Thomas
3. When do you get your kids cellphones?
4. Japan should stop provoking the sea
5. Was the tsunami predicted by a tractor driver?
6. A Kollel Revolution is brewing
7. Not just a disaster of nature
8. The truth about segulas
9. The aqueducts of Armon HaNetziv
The Maccabeats and The Ein Prat Fountainheads
Did the Maccabeats steal the idea for their Purim song from the Ein Prat Fountainheads? Did the Ein Prat Fountainheads steal it from the Maccabeats? Are the similar songs just a coincidence?
The question is being raised because both groups put up Purim songs within a short time span of each other, and they are both parodies and remakes of Pink's song "Raise Your Glass".
Ein Prat put their song up first, and two weeks later the Maccabeats released theirs. It is unlikely the Maccabeats stole the idea after the Ein Prat release, as two weeks is not enough time to write a song, practice it, and shoot a music video. The only question is whether one stole the idea from the other while it was in production. (source: NRG)
There are two interesting points to this discussion:
Ein Prat (note: there are female singers and dancers in this clip):
The question is being raised because both groups put up Purim songs within a short time span of each other, and they are both parodies and remakes of Pink's song "Raise Your Glass".
Ein Prat put their song up first, and two weeks later the Maccabeats released theirs. It is unlikely the Maccabeats stole the idea after the Ein Prat release, as two weeks is not enough time to write a song, practice it, and shoot a music video. The only question is whether one stole the idea from the other while it was in production. (source: NRG)
There are two interesting points to this discussion:
- if you have not yet had enough of the Maccabeats, they announced that they are beginning to work on a clip to be released for Pesach.
- There is talk of the two groups putting out a Pesach clip together as a joint venture.
Ein Prat (note: there are female singers and dancers in this clip):
Responsiveness to Itamar Leads To Kever Yosef wedding
The people of Itamar are in a very unusual situation right now. Because of the grisly murder of the Fogel family, there is an outpouring of sympathy towards the people of Itamar. It also helps that they have responded so responsibly, for lack of a better word, and have not made calls for revenge, they have avoided the "price tag" policy of retribution that is fairly common among other similar yishuvim, but have showed a tremendous level of faith and commitment. Right now, they can ask for whatever they want, and Israel will rush to try to help with a sympathetic ear.
2 examples:
1. It turns out that the yishuv of Itamar has never received its final approval signature as a legal yishuv with construction approval, despite its being built by the government and in existence for 27 years! (source: Srugim)
During the shiva, with the rush of MKs visiting the shiva house, this was discussed, and many MKs were receptive and insistent on this being taken care of immediately. The final signature has to be given by the Defense Minister, because it is in the West Bank, and for some reason, no DM has granted his signature. This is actually why many of the yishuvim have illegal status, despite having been constructed and promoted for many years by the government - because of a technical situation of one signature being withheld.
2. A couple that was due to get married last night, in the yishuv, decided that they wanted to get married in Kever Yosef.
That is not an easy request to fulfill. Kever Yosef is a hot situation, and it requires a lot of coordination between the PA and the IDF. Until recently, visits to Kever Yosef were only approved very sparingly, though in the past half year it seems to have opened up a bit more.
So they made the request to move the wedding to Kever Yosef, and immediately all issues were resolved, and it was approved. They say it was the first wedding to take place in Kever Yosef in Shchem. The wedding took place, with a band, rabbis, and hundreds of guests, in the kever complex. (source: Srugim and Haaretz)
2 examples:
1. It turns out that the yishuv of Itamar has never received its final approval signature as a legal yishuv with construction approval, despite its being built by the government and in existence for 27 years! (source: Srugim)
During the shiva, with the rush of MKs visiting the shiva house, this was discussed, and many MKs were receptive and insistent on this being taken care of immediately. The final signature has to be given by the Defense Minister, because it is in the West Bank, and for some reason, no DM has granted his signature. This is actually why many of the yishuvim have illegal status, despite having been constructed and promoted for many years by the government - because of a technical situation of one signature being withheld.
2. A couple that was due to get married last night, in the yishuv, decided that they wanted to get married in Kever Yosef.
That is not an easy request to fulfill. Kever Yosef is a hot situation, and it requires a lot of coordination between the PA and the IDF. Until recently, visits to Kever Yosef were only approved very sparingly, though in the past half year it seems to have opened up a bit more.So they made the request to move the wedding to Kever Yosef, and immediately all issues were resolved, and it was approved. They say it was the first wedding to take place in Kever Yosef in Shchem. The wedding took place, with a band, rabbis, and hundreds of guests, in the kever complex. (source: Srugim and Haaretz)
New Matanos La'Evyonim Minhag
I learned a new minhag today.
In the middle of Shacharis, actually it was smack in the middle of selichos, after getting permission from the rabbi of the shul and from the gabbai, a representative of one of the local tzedaka organizations gave a klapp on the bimma and announced that he is collection tzedaka, and how so many people need help, and that they are trying to reach x amount of money for Purim, blah blah blah.
And then he said that it is a minhag to give Matanos La'Evyonim on Taanis Esther and on Purim (and then he repeated that it is a minhag to give on Taanis Esther), and minhag yisroel torah hee, customs of Israel are like actual Torah (and should be treated like obligations).
I was not aware of any such minhag of giving matanos la'evyonim on Taanis Esther. I am aware that gabbaim like to get people to give money early for matanos la'evyonim, so as to avoid as much of the Purim rush as possible, but that is a convenience, not a minhag. There, of course, is also the general mitzva of tzedaka on Taanis Esther just like on any other day, but a minhag of matanos la'evyonim?
So I am proud to say that today I learned a new minhag. Has anybody heard of this one before?
In the middle of Shacharis, actually it was smack in the middle of selichos, after getting permission from the rabbi of the shul and from the gabbai, a representative of one of the local tzedaka organizations gave a klapp on the bimma and announced that he is collection tzedaka, and how so many people need help, and that they are trying to reach x amount of money for Purim, blah blah blah.
And then he said that it is a minhag to give Matanos La'Evyonim on Taanis Esther and on Purim (and then he repeated that it is a minhag to give on Taanis Esther), and minhag yisroel torah hee, customs of Israel are like actual Torah (and should be treated like obligations).
I was not aware of any such minhag of giving matanos la'evyonim on Taanis Esther. I am aware that gabbaim like to get people to give money early for matanos la'evyonim, so as to avoid as much of the Purim rush as possible, but that is a convenience, not a minhag. There, of course, is also the general mitzva of tzedaka on Taanis Esther just like on any other day, but a minhag of matanos la'evyonim?
So I am proud to say that today I learned a new minhag. Has anybody heard of this one before?
Mar 16, 2011
The Purim Curse Of The Brisker Rav
The weather forecast for the coming week is expecting pretty nice weather. Unseasonably hot weather, to be more precise. Of course that can change at any moment, and/or the weathermen can be wrong.
That raises the question if the supposed "curse" on Purim, placed, supposedly, by the Brisker Rav, will or will not happen this year. The "curse" was, supposedly, that the weather would be bad on Purim in Israel (Yerushalayim only? all frum areas?) so that people would not dress in preetzusdige costumes.
When the weather is less than optimal, we all talk about how it is always that way because of the curse. What happens when the weather is nice?
That raises the question if the supposed "curse" on Purim, placed, supposedly, by the Brisker Rav, will or will not happen this year. The "curse" was, supposedly, that the weather would be bad on Purim in Israel (Yerushalayim only? all frum areas?) so that people would not dress in preetzusdige costumes.
When the weather is less than optimal, we all talk about how it is always that way because of the curse. What happens when the weather is nice?
Gan Subsidies Returned To Bet Shemesh For Coming Year
The Ministry of Education had announced a while back that the 80% subsidy for kindergartens in Bet Shemesh, and select other cities, can no longer be continued, as per the decisions of the court. The delayed implementation of the court decision has come to an end, and the payment terms will be raised in stages over the next couple of years.
This upset many in the city, and Bet Shemesh shut down registration for the coming year until they could get this resolved. The city wants to bring the prices back down, by getting the subsidies back. Cancelling the subsidies would mean either that many parents will not send their little kids to gan, or the payments would end up falling on the city, as many lower income families would default on their payments.
It was announced this morning that the solution has been found. The Ministry of Education has agreed to continue the full 80% subsidy for the city of Bet Shemesh. The decision is just extending the delayed implementation by another year. For now at least, Minister Gideon Saar has agreed to continue the subsidies in Bet Shemesh. He agreed because he was made to realize that many fanilies in bet Shemesh are large families with large numbers of children, and the burden of paying the full payment would be overwhelming. Along with the fact that many already registered for gan with the information that the payments would include the subsidy.
This upset many in the city, and Bet Shemesh shut down registration for the coming year until they could get this resolved. The city wants to bring the prices back down, by getting the subsidies back. Cancelling the subsidies would mean either that many parents will not send their little kids to gan, or the payments would end up falling on the city, as many lower income families would default on their payments.
It was announced this morning that the solution has been found. The Ministry of Education has agreed to continue the full 80% subsidy for the city of Bet Shemesh. The decision is just extending the delayed implementation by another year. For now at least, Minister Gideon Saar has agreed to continue the subsidies in Bet Shemesh. He agreed because he was made to realize that many fanilies in bet Shemesh are large families with large numbers of children, and the burden of paying the full payment would be overwhelming. Along with the fact that many already registered for gan with the information that the payments would include the subsidy.
Purim Pledge
A friend has created a Facebook group asking that people commit to the following Purim Pledge:
In order to help ensure a safer Purim, I pledge thatSounds like a great pledge to stay safe on Purim. Head on over to the Facebook Group to join the pledge..
1) I will not operate or attempt to operate a vehicle if I have consumed any alcoholic beverages whatsoever.
2) I will not get into a vehicle driven by anyone who has consumed any alcoholic beverages whatsoever.
3) If, in consultation with my parents and Rebbeim and while obeying all applicable laws, I choose to drink on Purim, I will make safe transportation arrangements before Purim.
For an additional raffle entry: I will encourage my friends to sign the Purim Pledge.
Eligibility:
Teenagers and young adults between 15-24.
Follow-Up:
National advertisement publishing the names of participants and winners. (include a disclaimer in Purim Pledge that notes that their names may be published), No Smoking Pledge.
For more information or questions, please contact Chaim Shapiro at chaimshapiro@aol.com or chaimshapiro.com
The Top Secret Mission Everybody Knows About
The tzedaka called "Vaad HaRabbonim" has beaten, in my opinion, all the competing tzedaka organizations in their pre-Purim marketing campaign.
Vaad HaRabbonim is sending, in a top secret mission, into Iran, despite the sanctions, a clandestine team of people who will daven for all the people who donate to the cause, beside the graves of Mordechai and Esther.
1. With the massive advertising they did, I am not sure how they call it a top secret mission. I hope the Iranians dont find out about it.
2. I guess they will be keeping Shushan Purim, considering they will be in Shushan. So, do they have to daven on the graves on Sunday or Monday?
Vaad HaRabbonim is sending, in a top secret mission, into Iran, despite the sanctions, a clandestine team of people who will daven for all the people who donate to the cause, beside the graves of Mordechai and Esther.
1. With the massive advertising they did, I am not sure how they call it a top secret mission. I hope the Iranians dont find out about it.
2. I guess they will be keeping Shushan Purim, considering they will be in Shushan. So, do they have to daven on the graves on Sunday or Monday?
Dairy Steak
Have you ever wanted to have a dairy steak? What is a dairy steak anyway? Even bigger question, what the heck are potato chips that taste like steak but are dairy?
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| huh? |
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