Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Happy Birthday to Me
Happy birthday to me, happy birthday, dear busywolf, happy birthday to me!
Therefore, fellow bloggers, whoever and wherever you are, although I nowadays frequent mostly Jewish and Israeli pages, dear talented and devoted people, although I am a frequent visitor and even leave an occasional comment on your blogs, please understand why I don't have a blogroll or "favorite links" list: I fear I might put a jinx on you. Even Barbara's blog was vandalized after she mentioned me and I understand that Soccer Dad had to help her put it up again. I was also linked by other blogs, although I can't locate those mentions any more, but I remember however that a talkbacker on none other than the Guardian's Comment is Free (or rather Cheap, but that's a different story) recommended a post I wrote about Azmi Bishara. (Unfortunately the anti-Semitic Guardian remains immune to my noxious influence). Oh, and last but by no means least, I got to be mentioned by someone whom even the Grand Master Lizard quotes ever so often: Brian at snappedshot.com.
I lack the discipline to post daily, and I still haven't made up my mind about the topics I want to cover. But I am working on it. However, my daily dives into the blogosphere (contributors whom I admire and look up to as sources of inspiration) reveal that my role models also dwell on a variety of subjects, which suits me just fine, because the way I see it, human beings resemble chemical elements: multiple valences yearning to form bonds that satisfy our intellectual curiosity and our need to communicate. So perhaps I won't work too hard on it and I'll blog about whatever takes my fancy or drives me mad. We'll see.
By the way, I got the NC-17 rating for content because of my wanton choice of vocabulary. Yeah, right! But be warned anyway!
Still, it only proves that I am Passion-ate about blogging for Israel (yes, I registered to attend the Nefesh b'Nefesh Jewish Bloggers Convention in person, yet I only managed to watch it online. So I apologize if I prevented anyone from taking part). Which means that I have to focus more on Ingenuity and Fusion as soon as I work out a coherent way to integrate them into my rants.
I also learned that it might be a good idea to post about personal issues, such as children (did anyone say pets?). So I will consult my children and my pets and write something about them when I've obtained their informed consent.
So that's it for now. Welcome and enjoy!
One last word: I would not have been able to put up this blog and many things on it without a special someone who would probably rather remain anonymous, and whom I love very much.
This blog has just turned two (years old). The stats are nothing to brag about: roughly 6,000 hits. I know, the counter says fewer, but for the first few weeks I didn't have one, due to my reduced (make that totally absent) technical prowess. Although I have gained some skills since, I am still not very good at it.
Most visitors just touch down and go, but every now and then someone takes the time to read a few pages and even leave a comment. Somewhere down the line I decided to moderate comments because of the spammers. Those are the "deleted by administrator" comments.
I made Haveil Havalim once, and I thank Barbara('s Tchatzkahs) for the mention. Also Elaine over at Aaron's rod linked me as a favorite, but she stopped blogging almost a year ago. I hope she's busy doing other (good) things. She even sent me a meme, but I wasn't exploring other people's domains at the time (i.e. I wasn't reading eight blogs), so I let it go. I mean I was, but how does one tag LGF, Mypetjawa or Eureferendum? The one blogger who really got me considering my own space and who was very kind to me and replied almost instantly whenever I wrote to him was Randy at Rightwinged.com, whose blog seems to be no longer online. I hope he is doing fine and I want him to know that I miss him and I am in his debt blogwise.Therefore, fellow bloggers, whoever and wherever you are, although I nowadays frequent mostly Jewish and Israeli pages, dear talented and devoted people, although I am a frequent visitor and even leave an occasional comment on your blogs, please understand why I don't have a blogroll or "favorite links" list: I fear I might put a jinx on you. Even Barbara's blog was vandalized after she mentioned me and I understand that Soccer Dad had to help her put it up again. I was also linked by other blogs, although I can't locate those mentions any more, but I remember however that a talkbacker on none other than the Guardian's Comment is Free (or rather Cheap, but that's a different story) recommended a post I wrote about Azmi Bishara. (Unfortunately the anti-Semitic Guardian remains immune to my noxious influence). Oh, and last but by no means least, I got to be mentioned by someone whom even the Grand Master Lizard quotes ever so often: Brian at snappedshot.com.
I lack the discipline to post daily, and I still haven't made up my mind about the topics I want to cover. But I am working on it. However, my daily dives into the blogosphere (contributors whom I admire and look up to as sources of inspiration) reveal that my role models also dwell on a variety of subjects, which suits me just fine, because the way I see it, human beings resemble chemical elements: multiple valences yearning to form bonds that satisfy our intellectual curiosity and our need to communicate. So perhaps I won't work too hard on it and I'll blog about whatever takes my fancy or drives me mad. We'll see.
By the way, I got the NC-17 rating for content because of my wanton choice of vocabulary. Yeah, right! But be warned anyway!
Still, it only proves that I am Passion-ate about blogging for Israel (yes, I registered to attend the Nefesh b'Nefesh Jewish Bloggers Convention in person, yet I only managed to watch it online. So I apologize if I prevented anyone from taking part). Which means that I have to focus more on Ingenuity and Fusion as soon as I work out a coherent way to integrate them into my rants.
I also learned that it might be a good idea to post about personal issues, such as children (did anyone say pets?). So I will consult my children and my pets and write something about them when I've obtained their informed consent.
So that's it for now. Welcome and enjoy!
One last word: I would not have been able to put up this blog and many things on it without a special someone who would probably rather remain anonymous, and whom I love very much.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Miss Piggy
Fadwa Barghouti was there celebrating Samir Kuntar's release. She is now campaigning (not that she ever stopped) for the release of arch-terrorist husband, who masterminded quite a number of terrorist attacks against Israelis. Was she born looking like a celeb, or is it a case of life imitating art/nip 'n' tuck? Inquiring minds want to know (as Carl would put it).
Sunday, August 24, 2008
The Good News and the Bad News
The good news is that Sir Paul McCartney is scheduled to perform in Israel on September 25th 2008. The bad news is that Salem Fayyad might think that the ex-Beatle's visit to Israel is undermining the Palestinian dream of destroying the Jewish State. Left with practically nothing to do with his time, the Prime Minister of the now defunct Palestinian authority is crafting a new career as an epistle-writer. Whenever someone announces their intention to visit Israel or pursue some joint project with Israel, Mr. Fayyad can be counted on to produce a letter of protest. That is when he is not diverting international aid to fund Hamas.
More good news is that the Ships of Fools have reached Gaza. Or is it the bad news?
The bad news is that the "people of Gaza" were disappointed that the boats were carrying only useful idiots instead of the free lunch anticipated by the local populace. Or is it the good news? I can't make up my mind. But I like it! Me likes it, bwana, because the "people of Gaza" have turned their backs on the pathetic bunch of peaceniks and made them look like the complete fools that they are. I mean they braved the waves and the Israeli Navy warships, for crying out loud, only to be abandoned on the beach by the object of their affection? That's some anticlimax!
So here is an idea for future Gaza solidarity campaigns: buy them gift baskets and save face!
Hamas, on the other hand, might consider smuggling food items through the tunnels, instead of the usual traffic of ammunition, explosives and exotic animals for their squalid zoos.
This might be a good time for Ms. Lauren, nee Sarah, Booth to throw her weight about a bit and demand that the moneys showered on the Palestinians be put to better use. In addition, she might also ask permission to interview Gilad Shalit in captivity. Well, let's not get carried away...
Still, can't say I'm sorry to see the blockade runners embarrassed and thrown under the bus (or under the boat, I should say) by their ungrateful proteges. Disappointed, that's what they were, seeing the anemic solidarity show but no chow. Coooool...
More good news is that the Ships of Fools have reached Gaza. Or is it the bad news?
The bad news is that the "people of Gaza" were disappointed that the boats were carrying only useful idiots instead of the free lunch anticipated by the local populace. Or is it the good news? I can't make up my mind. But I like it! Me likes it, bwana, because the "people of Gaza" have turned their backs on the pathetic bunch of peaceniks and made them look like the complete fools that they are. I mean they braved the waves and the Israeli Navy warships, for crying out loud, only to be abandoned on the beach by the object of their affection? That's some anticlimax!
So here is an idea for future Gaza solidarity campaigns: buy them gift baskets and save face!
Hamas, on the other hand, might consider smuggling food items through the tunnels, instead of the usual traffic of ammunition, explosives and exotic animals for their squalid zoos.
This might be a good time for Ms. Lauren, nee Sarah, Booth to throw her weight about a bit and demand that the moneys showered on the Palestinians be put to better use. In addition, she might also ask permission to interview Gilad Shalit in captivity. Well, let's not get carried away...
Still, can't say I'm sorry to see the blockade runners embarrassed and thrown under the bus (or under the boat, I should say) by their ungrateful proteges. Disappointed, that's what they were, seeing the anemic solidarity show but no chow. Coooool...
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Who Is the Israeli Government Working for?
I have to congratulate the Israeli government for a job well-done. Today our democratically elected rulers managed to get together, overcome their differences and unleash 200 terrorists on us and the world at large. Some, not all undoubtedly, are hardened criminals, responsible for many deaths. In other countries, Jordan, e.g., they would have been executed a long time ago. Not in Israel, though. We are merciful: we keep them alive so they can be released and resume their activities.
I am glad that our honorable ministers have performed this additional "confidence-building" and "goodwill" gesture towards the moderate terrorists of the Palestinian Authority, who except giving us the finger in return, have not much else to do except instruct us and the rest of the world on a great variety of issues: here, here, here, here, here, and here. And there must be other examples, taking into account that these people have no country to rule and nothing to do except steal the aid money and undermine Israel.
It is common knowledge that Israel literally saved PA representatives by the skin of their teeth when Hamas conquered Gaza, and this is how they see fit to return the favor. Imagine de Gaulle in exile writing letters and encouraging the "world" to boycott or otherwise harm England. This may be twisted Arab logic, but it seems to work nicely on the twisted minds of our rulers. An old Romanian proverb says: "He whom you won't let die won't let you live."
I am glad, therefore, that our government has this important and significant Palestinian-appeasing step out of the way, as they might find some time and energy to engage in such insignificant activities as passing the budget. That is if they can take a few moments to separate themselves from one another's throats, and if they are not too busy evading police investigations, lining their pockets with money of dubious provenance, arranging Israeli citizenship for enemies of the state and generally running this country into the ground.
When they have done that, I suggest next time they consider releasing more convicted terrorists from our prisons, they send them where they are welcome: Italy or other coveted travel destinations. Alternatively, they may be offered as a goodwill gesture to Condi Rice or Tony Blair, who seem so enamoured of them. Mr. Blair is out to pasture soon to be joined by his colleague Ms. Rice, and this looks like a useful project to keep them from getting bored with life.
And while at it, throw their leaders, all those Abu's, into the bargain. Let us not forget that Abu-something is not just a nickname, it's a nomme de guerre, as Abu-Kuntar was so kind to let us know.
So I am left with this question: who on earth is the Israeli government working for?
I am glad that our honorable ministers have performed this additional "confidence-building" and "goodwill" gesture towards the moderate terrorists of the Palestinian Authority, who except giving us the finger in return, have not much else to do except instruct us and the rest of the world on a great variety of issues: here, here, here, here, here, and here. And there must be other examples, taking into account that these people have no country to rule and nothing to do except steal the aid money and undermine Israel.
It is common knowledge that Israel literally saved PA representatives by the skin of their teeth when Hamas conquered Gaza, and this is how they see fit to return the favor. Imagine de Gaulle in exile writing letters and encouraging the "world" to boycott or otherwise harm England. This may be twisted Arab logic, but it seems to work nicely on the twisted minds of our rulers. An old Romanian proverb says: "He whom you won't let die won't let you live."
I am glad, therefore, that our government has this important and significant Palestinian-appeasing step out of the way, as they might find some time and energy to engage in such insignificant activities as passing the budget. That is if they can take a few moments to separate themselves from one another's throats, and if they are not too busy evading police investigations, lining their pockets with money of dubious provenance, arranging Israeli citizenship for enemies of the state and generally running this country into the ground.
When they have done that, I suggest next time they consider releasing more convicted terrorists from our prisons, they send them where they are welcome: Italy or other coveted travel destinations. Alternatively, they may be offered as a goodwill gesture to Condi Rice or Tony Blair, who seem so enamoured of them. Mr. Blair is out to pasture soon to be joined by his colleague Ms. Rice, and this looks like a useful project to keep them from getting bored with life.
And while at it, throw their leaders, all those Abu's, into the bargain. Let us not forget that Abu-something is not just a nickname, it's a nomme de guerre, as Abu-Kuntar was so kind to let us know.
So I am left with this question: who on earth is the Israeli government working for?
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Tisha B'Av
1938 years after the destruction of the temple they are still plotting against us
Dan Margalit
Tisha b'Av, August 10, 2008
Israel Today
Today we mark the destruction of the Temple 1938 years ago. We reflect on the national and moral contents of this day rather than the religious and ceremonial ones, while our Jewish sovereignty is still being challenged with delicate and complex security issues.
The desire to destroy the Jews is as old as the hills and as stubborn as a mule.
Three years ago it had the Jews forcibly expelled from Gush Katif and was going to establish normal economic and trade relations with Pleshet. Except painful unilateral concessions were rewarded with Qassam and mortar salvos at the Negev, leaving the IDF with no choice but to return fire and slam shut the gates of commerce. In any other part of the world, Palestinian terror would have been met with a severe military and economic response.
But the world does not hold Israel up to equal and uniform standards, such as are acceptable in any other violent conflict. Thus Hamas was allowed to raise its head, overtake Gaza and recruit ill-wishing, perhaps naïve, elements who are now preparing to sail from Cyprus aiming "to break the siege" on Gaza and "bring Israel down on her knees."
While the Jewish State is raking its brains trying to find a way to stop the boat from running the blockade, Russia has attacked Georgia without any signs of mercy: 2,000 casualties in just two days. The land of the czars has been and always will be imperialistic.
The Russian State has imposed a cruel and unjust war and has pounded Georgia unrelentingly, until the latter had no choice but to beg for mercy and a ceasefire. When one goes to war – whether justified or not – one must not hesitate nor bat an eyelid. Not the way Israel went to war two years ago in Lebanon and was defeated.
Former US Secretary of State George Schultz once reminisced how upon joining the marines, his commander gave him a rifle and said to him: "Hold on to this weapon only if you are going to use it when necessary. Otherwise get a broom." In plain English. It sounds pretty clear in Russian as well. But for the time being it does not sound very clear in Hebrew.
The important lesson is that Israel must stand her ground and not lose sight of the objective. Israel must demand that this hostile world apply the same criteria that are in order when Russia unjustly invades Georgia.
1938 years ago today our second Temple was put to the torch. Today, more than ever, we call upon our rulers to focus on Jewish sovereignty. Even if it means a token focus.
On this Tisha b'Av our rulers need to stop the Hamas ship from reaching our shores. Perhaps those on board, Israelis included, had better steer for the bleeding shores of Georgia.
Dan Margalit
Tisha b'Av, August 10, 2008
Israel Today
Today we mark the destruction of the Temple 1938 years ago. We reflect on the national and moral contents of this day rather than the religious and ceremonial ones, while our Jewish sovereignty is still being challenged with delicate and complex security issues.
The desire to destroy the Jews is as old as the hills and as stubborn as a mule.
Three years ago it had the Jews forcibly expelled from Gush Katif and was going to establish normal economic and trade relations with Pleshet. Except painful unilateral concessions were rewarded with Qassam and mortar salvos at the Negev, leaving the IDF with no choice but to return fire and slam shut the gates of commerce. In any other part of the world, Palestinian terror would have been met with a severe military and economic response.
But the world does not hold Israel up to equal and uniform standards, such as are acceptable in any other violent conflict. Thus Hamas was allowed to raise its head, overtake Gaza and recruit ill-wishing, perhaps naïve, elements who are now preparing to sail from Cyprus aiming "to break the siege" on Gaza and "bring Israel down on her knees."
While the Jewish State is raking its brains trying to find a way to stop the boat from running the blockade, Russia has attacked Georgia without any signs of mercy: 2,000 casualties in just two days. The land of the czars has been and always will be imperialistic.
The Russian State has imposed a cruel and unjust war and has pounded Georgia unrelentingly, until the latter had no choice but to beg for mercy and a ceasefire. When one goes to war – whether justified or not – one must not hesitate nor bat an eyelid. Not the way Israel went to war two years ago in Lebanon and was defeated.
Former US Secretary of State George Schultz once reminisced how upon joining the marines, his commander gave him a rifle and said to him: "Hold on to this weapon only if you are going to use it when necessary. Otherwise get a broom." In plain English. It sounds pretty clear in Russian as well. But for the time being it does not sound very clear in Hebrew.
The important lesson is that Israel must stand her ground and not lose sight of the objective. Israel must demand that this hostile world apply the same criteria that are in order when Russia unjustly invades Georgia.
1938 years ago today our second Temple was put to the torch. Today, more than ever, we call upon our rulers to focus on Jewish sovereignty. Even if it means a token focus.
On this Tisha b'Av our rulers need to stop the Hamas ship from reaching our shores. Perhaps those on board, Israelis included, had better steer for the bleeding shores of Georgia.
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