"What is this, some sort of dork outreach program?"

Growing up in the mid-west, I was very active in NCSY and I recall on numerous occasions that people would ask me: "Why are you so involved in an organization that is mainly for non-religious youth who want to become more religious and not for religious FFB (Frum From Birth)". I always countered that in order for them to see how "normal" it is to be religious, they should be able to interact with FFB's also.

The truth is, I was not completely correct back then and even til today, I had trouble admitted to myself the truth.

I was emailed this video clip of a speech given at a dinner in NYC last week and the speaker really put into words what I've always known deep in my heart.

Watch this video: (it's close to 10 minutes long, but really worth watching)

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scroll down after you watch the video clip

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Now that you have watched the video, I can explain. I always (and still do) envy those kids, I wished that my quest for bettering my level of observance was like theirs. There are many times where I feel that I'm "just going thru the motions" and not completely using my heart as I should, by finding ways to better myself and my committment to Judaism.

Hopefully this will help serve as an additional wake-up call for many of us who strive for more.

J.







Quote from She's All That (1999)

------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"okay you know what, take you scrubby little paws *off* my bag, okay? It's not like I have a bomb in here. It's not like I wanna blow up the plane."

I wouldn't say that this guy made the correct decision here....nothing like a chillul hashem right on TV.

Here's the video

Here's the article

Long Beach Airport Evacuated Following Bomb Threat

(CBS) LONG BEACH, Calif. A man was arrested after phoning in a bomb threat to Long Beach Airport in an attempt to catch a plane.

The incident occurred about 9:15 p.m., involved JetBlue Flight 243 to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to Sharon Jackson, an airport spokeswoman.

Authorities located and arrested Yechezkel Wells about 9:30 p.m., an American citizen, in the area around the airport, based on specific information he provided in the phone call.

Three others were detained, questioned and released. Wells was upset that he was kept off the plane.

Officers from the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and Long Beach police conducted a search of the plane with the aid of bomb-sniffing dogs, according to Jackson.

Wells confessed to the authorities that there was no bomb, according to FBI Media Coordinator Kenny Smith.

Passengers were delayed about 50 minutes before the flight resumed, Smith said.

Quote from Meet the Parents (2000)

------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"Man how the hell can they call Pluto a planet?"

Shavua Tov!!

I'm sure by now, most of you have heard that the Planet Pluto has been demoted from planet status to dwarf planet status. The thing that bothers me abt it is that now the song I was taught in 3rd grade to remember the order of the planets is obsolete.

My Very Energetic Mother Just Sent Us Nine

Nine what? It use to be Nine Pizaapies, but now it's just Nine. To think astronomers coulda thought abt that before declassifying Pluto. Oh weell, I guess they didnt want to have to add new words to the song by adding 3 new planets...

The last cartoon is the best in my opinion.

Have a good one.

J.








Quote from Me, Myself and Irene (2000)

------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I had to... I... it's kind of a long story."

Mel, only has 14 million Jews left to apologize to.

I got this from this website

J.

Mel Phones Jews -- "I'm Really Sorry"


Mel Gibson has decided to make good with the Jewish community, one Jew at a time.

TMZ has learned that Gibson has been calling entertainment industry honchos with whom he's worked in the past and apologizing for his anti-Semitic rant the morning of his DUI arrest.

Two of the people he called, who wish to remain anonymous, say Gibson told them that he wanted them to know that he was really sorry and he was working on his "problem." Gibson also said that he hoped he would be able to work with them again.

"...he wanted them to know that he was really sorry and he was working on his 'problem.'"

The two people who gave the debrief on Gibson's conversation to TMZ say that they were less than moved by the actor's apology. One said he was civil to Gibson but was unconvinced that Gibson has changed his stripes.

Gibson has declined offers to speak before larger groups. His publicist says the actor is consumed with his recovery at the moment and cannot deal with other matters until he gets his life under control.

It is unclear why Gibson began making the calls, however his rep has told TMZ that his client was in a recovery program, which includes a 12-step program to sobriety. Step #9 is making amends. If Gibson is on Step #9, he clearly is on the fast track.

Quote from Gotcha (1985)

------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"And finally, Jews for Jesus - buptkiss. But can you really put a price on offending two major religions at once?"

To even think that Krusty the Klown is an advocate of Jews for Jesus is totally absurd!!!!!

I love the J4J spokewoman's line at the end of the article. I can't believe she would actually say something like that...

Stupid people...


J.

Oy! Jackie Mason sues Jews for Jesus
Comedian says group used his name in vain, seeks $2 million
The Associated Press

Updated: 10:12 a.m. ET Aug. 25, 2006

NEW YORK - Saying he’s “as Jewish as a matzo ball or kosher salami,” Jackie Mason filed a lawsuit against Jews for Jesus for using his name and likeness in a pamphlet.

The $2 million lawsuit seeks the immediate destruction of the pamphlet, which members of the missionary group have been handing out at various points around New York City.

“While I have the utmost respect for people who practice the Christian faith, the fact is, as everyone knows, I am as Jewish as a matzo ball or kosher salami,” the 75-year-old comedian said in documents filed in state Supreme Court in Manhattan.

Founded in the 1970s, Jews for Jesus practices Judaism but regards Jesus as the Messiah.

The pamphlets feature an image of Mason next to the words “Jackie Mason ... A Jew for Jesus!?” with information inside that outlines the similarities between Jews and Christians.

“The pamphlet uses my name, my likeness, my ‘shtick’ (if you will), and my very act, which is derived from my personality, to attract attention and converts,” Mason said in an affidavit.

Susan Perlman, a spokeswoman for Jews for Jesus, said the pamphlet was “good-natured.”

“Shame on him for getting so upset about this,” she said Friday.

Mason has starred on Broadway and in films including “Caddyshack II.”

Quote from The Daily Show (1996)

I know this is a TV show, but the quote was so good. The full quote is "That's it for This Week In God. But before we go, let's check last week's collection plates! The Catholics are once again number one, no surprises there. The Baptists come in second, followed by the Methodists. Ooh, Scientology, I'll just check Variety. And finally, Jews for Jesus - buptkiss. But can you really put a price on offending two major religions at once?"

------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"What do you mean there's no government? There's always a government, they're in a bunker or a plane somewhere!"

Got this by email from a friend and thought it was pretty funny. Maybe if we find one of Whitney Houston Osama will come out of his cave.

;)

J.





Quote from 28 Days Later (2002)

------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"Every hero has a weakness. Superman has kryptonite. Indiana Jones has snakes. Whitney Houston has Bobby Brown."

Monday, Aug. 21, 2006 12:13 a.m. EDT

Osama Bin Laden 'Obsessed' With Whitney Houston

As if Whitney Houston doesn’t have enough problems with her rumored struggles with drug addiction, now there’s news that the superstar may be pursued by a high-profile admirer: Osama bin Laden.

The New York Post’s Page Six reports that bin Laden is apparently "obsessed” with the one-time chart-topping pop diva, who is married to troubled entertainer Bobby Brown.

Bin Laden, according to novelist Kola Boof who claims to have been the terrorist mastermind’s "sex slave,” considered Houston to be "the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen,” and even talked about having her husband (Brown) killed so he could make Houston one of his wives.

"He [Bin Laden] said he wanted to give [her] a mansion that he owned in a suburb of Kartoum,” Boof told the Post. "He explained to me that to possess Whitney he would be willing to break his color rule and make her one of his wives.”

Bin Laden is apparently "dismissive of black women,” but he was so taken by Houston’s beauty, that he reportedly carried photographs of the singer from Star magazine in his briefcase.

Quote from Taxi (2004)

------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"See, you did what you were trained to do. You should be proud of that, be proud of that."

WHY I’M PROUD TO BE A JEW - by Bruce from New York


With war raging in the Middle East, with global terror reaching new heights, with global anti-Semitism on the rise, I thought it might be a good time to reflect on why I’m proud, more than ever, to be a Jew.

I’m proud to be a Jew because Jews don’t kidnap.

I’m proud to be a Jew because Jewish education does not consist of teaching martyrdom and hatred.

I’m proud to be a Jew because my religious leaders and religious services don’t whip me into a frenzy to kill others.

I’m proud to be a Jew because in the middle of a war, Jews still demonstrate and protest to protect the rights of the Arab-Israeli minority to voice their opposition to the war.

I’m proud to be a Jew because even when Israel is wrongly and falsely accused of killing innocent civilians, Jewish leaders apologize immediately for any loss of life—instead of celebrating these deaths by passing out candy and shooting celebratory gunshots into the air.

When the world accuses Israel of massacre in Jenin—when the world accuses Israel of bombing civilians on a Gaza beach—when the world accuses Israel of shooting a child cowering against a wall—when the world accuses Israel of bombing a Lebanese apartment building killing 56 civilians—when all of these accusations turn out to be totally false—to be vicious anti-Semitic lies—and when all along I knew in my heart that these stories just could not be true—and I’m later proven to be right—then I’m proud to be a Jew.

I’m proud to be a Jew because the Israeli Army is so, so good, that when it takes more than four weeks to wipe out a sophisticated enemy who has prepared six years for this war, the world criticizes the IDF for not getting the job done quickly.

I’m proud to be a Jew when my army, the Israeli army, drops leaflets and makes calls to Lebanese citizens on their cell phones to warn them to evacuate before bombing begins.

I’m proud to be a Jew when the democracies of the world talk about fighting the war on terror, but only Israel is left alone to bear the burden of eradicating Hezbollah, the proxy army of Iran and Syria.

I’m proud to be a Jew when entire Israeli towns in the north—Nahariya, Kiryat Shimona, Safed, are reduced to ghost towns due to the constant shelling, and yet not one looter has appeared to empty out the property of others.

When Israel must defend its very right to exist, when it must fight a well armed enemy representing the Islamic fascists, as President Bush has called them, when Israel must conduct this war on terror with its hands tied behind its back so as not to take an innocent life lest the media have something true to report, that it must fight this war of survival under the cloud of “disproportionality”, as if thousands of Katusha rockets falling on its citizenry is somehow “proportionate”—when Israel simultaneously pushes back these threats both in the North and in the South under the added pressure of a biased media, then I’m proud to be a Jew.

I’m proud to be a Jew when the Edinburgh Scottish film festival tells an Israeli director to stay home although his film is being screened and the director says “No, I’m coming.”

I’m proud to be a Jew because Mel Gibson is not a Jew.

I’m proud to be a Jew when the UN’s Human Rights Commission consists of countries like Syria, Libya and Iran and Israel is not asked to join.

I’m proud to be a Jew when magician David Blaine announces his trip to Israel next week to entertain the children living in bomb shelters and tells the press he’s doing it to encourage other performers to stand up for Israel and its right to defend itself.

I’m proud to be a Jew when a Russian/Israeli businessman single-handedly creates not one but two tent cities on the beach to house Israelis fleeing the North and provides shelter, bedding, food and drink, showers and bathrooms—all done without red tape in a matter of 24 hours—to house over 6,000 Israeli’s, one of whom described it as a “poor man’s Club Med.”

I am proud to be a Jew when Israelis on the left and on the right support the government’s decision to fight—when 97% of the country is united in its own defense—when Israeli’s from Jerusalem give shelter to families from Haifa—when food from the Negev is donated to feed soldiers at the front—when the IDF deploys soldiers on special assignments to deliver diapers to shelters and to entertain and calm the frightened children.

I’m proud to be a Jew when the three weeks preceding Tisha B’Av reminds us of the terrible things we have endured as a people and as a nation—and yet immediately thereafter, Hashem offers us consolation, redemption and hope—plus the promise that we shall defeat our enemies, that we shall endure, that Am Yisrael Chai.

And I am proud to be a Jew because when we proclaim that God is on our side, we have the book to prove it.

Quote from Black hawk Down (2001)

------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"Baseball may be a religion full of magic, cosmic truth, and the fundamental ontological riddles of our time, but it's also a job."

To continue with my Mel diatribe, here is a clip from Tuesday nights game between the Red Sox and the Tigers where Denis Leary was invited to "help out" the radio announcers.

Quite funny!!

Thanks to Elliot for sending me the URL and to Deadspin and Alternet for the link





Quote from Bull Durham (1988)

------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"It was a typical wedding: enemies of the bride on the right, enemies of the groom on the left."

I guess you can say Mazal Tov.

:)

J.

Suha Arafat marries

According to rumors, Yasser Arafat's widow marries Tunisian president's brother-in-law, who was supposed to marry her sister, but chose Suha due to her large fortune
Roee Nahmias

From now on say Suha al-Trablusi: Suha Arafat, widow of Yasser Arafat, secretly married Lahasn al-Trabulsi, the brother-in-law of the Tunisian president, a number of days ago, a Tunisian website reported.

As is fitting to the widow of the former Palestinian Authority chairman, this time Suha also married someone close to power. Al-Trablusi is the brother of Leila Ben Ali, who is the wife of Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.

The sister and her husband gave their blessing to the marriage.

The marriage followed a wave of stubborn rumors in Tunisia, according to which al-Trabulusi planned to marry Suha's sister. However, credible sources said that he divorced a few months ago to marry Suha and not her sister, and that one of the main reasons for the wedding is that is his interest in Suha's large fortune.

Two years ago, after Arafat's death, Suha was personally promised by Mahmoud Abbas' staff that she would receive USD 22 million a year, on the basis of an agreement Arafat himself sent his wife while on his death bed – USD 11 million to cover her lifestyle in Paris for half year.

Blackmail

Abbas and Palestinian senior figures were forced to come to a deal with Suha, after she "created facts on the ground," in accordance with French law, and prevented PA members from visiting Arafat as he was dying, or to take decisions on disconnecting the life support machine, until she received her promise. PA senior figures concluded it was worth paying her and ending the episode.

The money given to Suha comes from the "secret fortune" of the PA, managed personally by the PA president. The fortune is worth around USD four billion, and is kept in a number of bank accounts – in Tel Aviv, London, and Zurich.

Since Arafat's death, Suha refused to live in PA territory or any Arab capital other than Tunis, and enjoys close relations with the Tunisian president and his wife.

Quote from Yours, Mine and Ours (1968)

------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"The final measure of bravery is to stand up to death."

Here is a video with a montage of pics of our brave soldiers during these troubling last few weeks.



Quote from The Brave (1997)



------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"Thoughts raced through his mind. Did she really want him? What had he done to deserve this bounty? Does God exist? Who invented liquid soap and why?"

Due to Ifyouwillit's comment about Mel being out of the news lately, I decided to put up more "relevant" cartoons.

Thanks Mate ;)

Enjoy

J.





ok, Mel snuck in one of them....





This is my favorite




Quote is from The Sure Thing (1985)
------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"You think I'm an anti-Semite.?"

More of Mel....

J.












Quote is from Gentelman's Agreement (1947) This is an excellent movie about anti-semitism in the US in the 1940's. Amazingly, it doesn't once mention the Holocaust and gets it's point across. It won Best Picture at the Oscars and stars Gregory Peck. It also has a very young Dean Stockwell (Al from Quantum Leap) as Peck's son. Highly recommended.

J.
------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"Say, that's a pretty good slogan! Top of the page - just ahead of the editorial column!"

Got this by email don't know who wrote it (but I assume it's not Treppenwitz) ;)

J.

Lebanon: An International Wake-up Call

While the naysayers are out in force, it is important to recognize that Israel has
accomplished a lot toward restoring its deterrence in this conflict against Hezbollah.

Menachem Begin used to say that it's not so terrible if the world thinks Israel is a
little crazy. While Israel has actually taken great care in this struggle to limit
civilian casualties in Lebanon, the world chooses to see Israel's actions as out of
control and disproportionate. This has a major down side in terms of Israel's image in
the world, which we combat. On the other hand, it reinforces the message to Israel's
enemies than when the country's basic security is at stake, Israel will do what it has
to do to protect itself. Or as Golda Meir once said, "better a critical editorial than a
praiseworthy obituary."

Furthermore, it woke up the international community which two years ago passed UN
Security Council Resolution 1559, demanding the dismantlement of Hezbollah. The world,
however, did absolutely nothing to implement it while Hezbollah was accumulating a huge
arsenal of rockets now raining down on Israel's cities. Now, however, to a large extent
because they see that Israel is indeed serious about defending itself, the security
council has drafted a new resolution , which while having some weak spots, does provide
a mechanism to implement 1559. By providing for a multi-national force with authority,
together with the prevention of the redeployment and rearming of Hezbollah, the
resolution creates the framework for a different dynamic in southern Lebanon.

The challenge for the US and others who understand what this conflict is about is to
make sure that the goals of the resolution are lived up to. If they are, then southern
Lebanon will no longer be a terrorist state within a state, Israel's cities will be
secure and Iran will know that its efforts to threaten Israel with Hezbollah did not
succeed, nor will their nuclear ambitions.

It is therefore important, while not ignoring the problems and sadness of this conflict,
to recognize and commend the strides, at great cost, that Israel has made. That
recognition itself is part and parcel of the deterrence that makes Israel a safe place
in a dangerous neighborhood.

Quote is from Cimmaron (1931)

------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"C'Mon, Wizard, I'm gonna send you back to the land of Oz."

Here's an interesting quote from Israeli author and columnist Amos Oz...

J.

The minute we leave south Lebanon we will have to erase the word
Hizbullah from our vocabulary, because the whole idea of the State of
Israel versus Hizbullah was sheer folly from the outset. It most
certainly will no longer be relevant when Israel returns to her
internationally recognized northern border.

Amos Oz in "Try a Little Tenderness" (Interview) Ha'aretz, March 17,
2000

Quote is from The Toy (1982)
------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"Well Hang tough baby! Do what Rocky would do!"

Got this by email.

Very nice editorial.

It turns out that I credited this editorial to the wrong person, and it has been brought to my attention that the original author is Treppenwitz and I apologize for the quoting of the wrong author.

J.

** Why the World Should Stand Back and Let Israel Do What It Has To Do **


When I was in the Navy, I once witnessed a bar fight in downtown Olongapo ( Philippines ) that still haunts my dreams. The fight was between a big oafish Marine and a rather soft-spoken, medium sized Latino sailor from my ship.

All evening the Marine had been trying to pick a fight with one of us and had finally set his sights on this diminutive shipmate of mine... figuring him for a safe target. When my friend refused to be goaded into a fight the Marine sucker punched him from behind on the side of the head so hard that blood instantly started to pour from this poor man's mutilated ear.

Everyone present was horrified and was prepared to absolutely murder this Marine, but my shipmate quickly turned on him and began to single-handedly back him towards a corner with a series of stinging jabs and upper cuts that gave more than a hint to a youth spent boxing in a small gym in the Bronx.

Each punch opened a cut on the Marine's startled face and by the time he had been backed completely into the corner he was blubbering for someone to stop the fight. He invoked his split lips and chipped teeth as reasons to stop the fight. He begged us to stop the fight because he could barely see through the river of blood that was pouring out of his split and swollen brows.

Nobody moved. Not one person.

The only sound in the bar was the sickening staccato sound of this sailor's lightning fast fists making contact with new areas of the Marine's head. The only sound I have heard since that was remotely similar was from the first Rocky film when Sylvester Stallone was punching sides of beef in the meat locker.

Finally the Marine's pleading turned to screams.... a high, almost womanly shriek. And still the punches continued relentlessly. Several people in the bar took a few tentative steps as though they wanted to try to break it up at that point, but hands reached out from the crowd and held them tight. I'm not ashamed to say that mine were two of the hands that held someone back.

You see, in between each blow the sailor had begun chanting a soft cadence: "Say [punch] you [punch] give [punch] up [punch]... say [punch] you [punch]were [punch] wrong [punch]". He had been repeating it to the Marine almost from the start but we only became aware of it when the typical barroom cheers had died down and we began to be sickened by the sight and sound of the carnage.

This Marine stood there shrieking in the corner of the bar trying futilely to block the carefully timed punches that were cutting his head to tatters... right down to the skull in places. But he refused to say that he gave up... or that he was wrong.

Even in the delirium of his beating he believed in his heart that someone would stop the fight before he had to admit defeat. I'm sure this strategy had served him well in the past and had allowed him to continue on his career as a barroom bully.

Finally, in a wail of agony the Marine shrieked "I give up", and we gently backed the sailor away from him.

I'm sure you can guess why I have shared this story today.

I'm not particularly proud to have been witness to such a bloody spectacle, and the sound of that Marine's woman-like shrieks will haunt me to my grave. But I learned something that evening that Israel had better learn for itself if it is to finally be rid of at least one of its tormentors:

This is one time an Arab aggressor must be allowed to be beaten so badly that every civilized nation will stand in horror, wanting desperately to step in and stop the carnage... but knowing that the fight will only truly be over when one side gives up and finally admits defeat.

Just as every person who had ever rescued that bully from admitting defeat helped create the cowardly brute I saw that evening in the bar, every well-intentioned power that has ever stepped in and negotiated a ceasefire for an Arab aggressor has helped create the monsters we see around us today.

President Lahoud of Lebanon , a big Hezbollah supporter and a close ally of Syria , has been shrieking non-stop to the UN Security Council for the past two days to get them to force Israel into a cease fire.

Clearly he has been reading his autographed copy of 'Military Success for Dummies Arab Despots' by the late Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt Ever since Nasser accidentally discovered the trick in '56, every subsequent Arab leader has stuck to his tried and true formula for military success:

** Instigate a war. **

Once the war is well underway and you are in the process of having your ass handed to you... get a few world powers to force your western opponent into a cease fire.

Whatever you do, don't surrender or submit to any terms dictated by your enemy. That would ruin everything! All you have to do is wait it out and eventually the world will become sickened at what is being done to your soldiers and civilian population... and will force a truce.

Once a truce has been called you can resume your intransigence (which probably caused the conflict in the first place), and even declare victory as your opponent leaves the field of battle

This tactic has never failed. Not once. In fact it worked so will for the Egyptians in 1973, that to this day they celebrate the Yom Kippur War - a crushing defeat at the hands of Israel - as a military victory! No kidding... it's a national holiday over there!

President Lahoud has already begun to shriek like a school girl to the UN Security Council to "Stop the violence and arrange a cease-fire, and then after that we'll be ready to discuss all matters."

Uh huh. Forgive me if I find that a tad hard to swallow. He allowed Hezbollah to take over his country. He allowed the regular Lebanese army to provide radar targeting data for the Hezbollah missile that struck the Israeli destroyer. He has turned a blind eye while Iranian and Syrian weapons, advisers and money have poured into his country. And now that his country is in ruins he wants to call it a draw.

As much as it may sicken the world to stand by and watch it happen, strong hands need to hold back the weak- hearted and let the fight continue until one side finally admits unambiguous defeat.

Quote is from Mr. Mom (1985)
------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"Okay, I'll admit it, you know. I'm an anti-Semite. I crack Jew jokes, think they're dirty, greedy. And you know what? He's the only one I've known"

I couldn't resist.

Have a great week

J.










Quote is from School Ties (1992)
------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

Woe Unto Israel - A Lament for Leadership - Reprint from The Muqata

Woe Unto Israel - A Lament for Leadership

This is a reprint of Jameel's important posting from last night.

It's the evening of Tisha B'Av now in Israel. The day Jews mourn the destruction of the Jewish Temples and other calamities that have befallen the Jewish people.

I already sat on the floor of our shul, and heard "Eicha" -- The Book of Lamentations, and thought long and hard about this posting.

The stated cause of the destruction of the Second Temple 2000 years ago, was that of "sin'at chinam" -- baseless hated among the Jewish people. For the past 3 weeks since the start of the war, I have tried to to put politics aside, and let the Israeli Prime Minister run the war as best as he sees fit.

I have encouraged a united front, and encouraged Jews around the world to unite against our common enemy -- so that we bring our kidnapped IDF soldiers safely home, remove the missile threat of Hizbolla from South Lebanon, and instill the fear of the IDF into the Palestinians in Gaza, so that they realize it's not worthwhile to shoot rockets at Israel.

However, tonight, I can no longer remain silent.

As awful as it is to write this on Tisha B'Av, I have checked and rechecked myself to make sure that the source of this posting is not based on sin'at chinam -- needless hatred.

Today, the Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert, has showed the world his true colors -- that the unity of Israel is unimportant to him. Olmert said:

"Israel's victory in Lebanon will give a new momentum to complete the disengagement from the Palestinians by evacuating most settlements in Judea and Samaria." YNETNEWS

At a time when Israel needs its unity the most, when rightwing/leftwing, secular and religious soldiers are fighting shoulder to shoulder in South Lebanon and Gaza, when rockets are falling on civilians of all walks of life and shades of Israel -- more than anything we need unity, NOW.

And yet, Olmert decided that now, the day before Tisha B'Av, on the one year anniversary of the destruction of Gush Katif, is the perfect time for him to announce that his "convergence" plan of the evacuation and destruction of many more settlements in the West Bank, will be served by a victory in Lebanon.

There were many who said that the national-religious youth would shun the IDF as a result of the Disengagement, yet they are still signing up in droves for the most elite of combat units. This war is being fought by the IDF -- the unified army of Israel, for the protection of the State of Israel.

And yet, Olmert has ulterior motives for this war?

There's a story running around in my head since last week, that I can't let go of.

Major Roi Klein...IDF combat officer...who gave his life fighting last week in Bint Jebail, South Lebanon.

Major Roi Klein...just shy of his 31rst birthday from the hilltop settlement of Eli. He was married with 2 young boys...and went off to battle in South Lebanon.

While leading the charge against a Hizbolla terrorist position, a grenade was thrown at his IDF platoon, and Roi made the decision to jump on top of the grenade. Falling flat over it, his body absorbed the explosion -- saving the lives of the soldiers under his command.

What goes through the mind of a soldier, a husband, a father when he sees the grenade being thrown at him, and the split second decision that will end his life, yet save those around him?

This noble Jewish soldier not only sacrificed his life, Al Kiddush Hashem, for the sanctification of G-d by defending the Jewish State, but in the process, saved the individual lives of his fellow soldiers around him. Every soldier's life he saved was a world in and of itself.

And those soldiers whose lives were saved all told the same story...that as he jumped on the grenade, everyone was able to hear him say, "Shma Yisrael, Hashem Elokaynu, Hashem Echad." (Hear O Israel, Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is One)

Over the past week, Olmert has cynically invoked this story of Roi Klein and now professes that the purpose of the war is to promote his political plan of the "convergence". Olmert knows perfectly well that bombastic statements at this point in time will only serve to rile up the right wing. Roi Klein's widow and children live in Eli -- a settlement slated for destruction by Olmert's convergence plan -- and now he says that the war in Lebanon -- Roi Klein's heroic death, will serve to springboard that PLAN?!

This week, Olmert sent the Israeli Police to "unauthorized" hilltop outposts -- the very same ones that Ariel Sharon encouraged to be built -- and the police served destruction/eviction orders. Unfortunately, many of the husbands of those caravans didn't receive the "orders" and their wives did instead. That's because their husbands are currently fighting in South Lebanon in the IDF.

We can not be silent any more. There is a limit to how much Am Yisrael can stomach for the sake of unity, when the Prime Minister of Israel is purposely acting divisively to achieve his own narrow political goals...during wartime!

And you know what? Olmert is entitled to his political opinion as Prime Minister, and he is even entitled to try and push his plan forward.

However, to do so now, during wartime, intentionally targeting the settlers who are showing incredible loyalty to a State which turned it's back on them last year, who are fighting as one in a war of survival for the Jewish State -- shows incredible cynicism, small mindedness, and I'm sad to say...evil.

And for Olmert to say so on the day before Tisha B'Av...shows that he is not worthy of leading the Jewish State.

I seriously suggest you take a minute to send PM Olmert and his staff a comment on how the Prime Minister of Israel is acting. And if you really are incensed by his words and actions -- then pass this along to others.

A Meaningful Tisha B'Av to the Entire Jewish People,


Jameel.


You can send Olmert and his staff your comments at the following locations:

By Web Form: Here
By Email: pm_eng@pmo.gov.il
By Fac: [+972]-2-670-5475
By Phone: [+972] -2-670-5555

Rachael Risby-Raz
Diaspora Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister
Phone; 02-6706182
Fax: 02-6706179
risbyraz@it.pmo.gov.il


Erez Halfon
Advisor to the Prime Minister
Phone; 02-670-5235
Fax; 02-651-0630
pm_eng@pmo.gov.il




------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"Well, I remember Mel Gibson accurately, and he didn't say that. That Polonius guy did."

Here are a few political cartoons about everyone's favorite "friend of the Jews"

J.







Quote is from Clueless (1995)

------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"They're always upset. They're Arab terrorists."

Now that the 9 days have finished, here is the latest hit song in Israel for your listening pleasure....


Yalla Yalla Nasralla



J.

Quote is from Naked Gun 33 1/3 (1994)

------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

Tzom Kal

Just wanted to wish you all a meaningful and easy fast.

See ya on the Temple Mount with Mashiach.

:)

J.



------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"I read this article a while back, that said that Microsoft employs more millionaire secretary's that any other company in the world"

I know that there are many things going on around here, but I was sent this short video by my brother and I felt that it needed to get posted.

This is for all you microsoft "lovers" out there.



Have a good one

J.

Quote is from Boiler Room (2000)


------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"He *says* he was hit in a bombing raid."

Great article by Naomi Regan

A few things journalists might want to check out, re:Qana.


1. The men parading around with dead children dressed as
"rescue workers" are the same man, photographed again and
again. He's the main actor.


2. The same man was caught in similar photos in 1996
parading around with a dead child, which means that he is a
professional dead-child parader, a very prestigious job that
has been created by terrorists concerned about CNN's
ratings.

3. A Lebanese blog says that Hezbollah filled the house in
Qana with crippled children who couldn't run away. It then
placed a rocket launcher above them, and waited.



4. Another possibility - the bodies may be the same ones
paraded around in Tyre a few days before for the benefit of CNN


5. If these things don't sound possible to you, that no one
could be that callous or horrible, then let me remind you of
Beslan, where hundreds of children were held hostage on the
first day of school, the little girls raped, and then the
building exploded. Might I remind you of the terrorist
massacre of Israeli children in Maalot. Might I remind you
of the flying of several passenger planes filled with women
and children into skyscrapers. Terrorists are not nice
people. Other questions: How did that building alone have
so many people when other buildings had none? And why so
many children? And why not a single man? And why, dafka,
the building in which they stored the rocket launchers? Why
would people have chosen to huddle there against the bombs
instead of somewhere else unless they were forced to?

And what about the gap of eight hours between the bombing
and the explosion?

Inquiring minds want to know. Isn't that what journalists
used to do, dig beneath the obvious to get the truth instead
of guzzling down and regurgitating staged propaganda like
so much draft beer in a cheap bar? And another question, if
the death of children is being staged for the benefit of
CNN, then isn't CNN responsible for their deaths?

Quote from Platoon (1986)

------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin

"Atrocity and terror are not political weapons. We will never negotiate. We will no longer tolerate or be afraid. It's your turn to be afraid."

Hat tip to Sobersumrnr who showed me this link and I thought you would all enjoy it.

This is a talk show host "discussing" Islamic extremism with a Muslim caller.

J.




Quote is from Air Force One (1997)
------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

– Benjamin Franklin