Year End Reflections, Part IV (Sometimes Big News Stories Break)

Article II, Section 2 of the US Constitution says "The President...shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in case of Impeachment."  So. impeachments are excluded, but so are offenses under state law, as the power applies to pardons for offences against the United States, which would be federal law.  

I don't know about you, but I was not surprised by Biden's pardon of his son Hunter.  Yes, it seemed as if Biden promised dozens of times that he would not pardon Hunter.  Yes, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre seemed to say dozens of times that Biden would not pardon Hunter.  But absent a conviction for murder, rape or other violent offense, did anyone really think Biden would not pardon his son?

Biden justified the pardon factually by saying that the filling out of a gun form (lying actually) almost never results in a felony charge.  That may be true.  Then he said his son was late in paying his taxes because of his serious addiction; and he eventually paid the taxes with interest and penalties.  Well, his serious addiction did not prevent Hunter from splurging on various things, rather than using that money to pay his taxes...but that's another topic.

Let's talk about Biden's legal justifications for the pardon.  "No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter's case can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son.  And that is wrong."  Yes, well, Hunter was definitely singled out.  First, the special counsel let many of the possible charges lapse due to the running of the statute of limitations.  Who else would get such slow walking of a prosecution?  Who else would get such a favorable plea deal?  But the Judge saw it differently, and refused to accept the special treatment given to Hunter.  So, yes, he was singled out - favorably.

Biden:  "I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice..."  There's the rub.  So, President Biden, exactly when was it that "raw politics" infected your son's prosecution?  Clearly not when you said so many times that you would not pardon Hunter.  Or, were you lying all those times to the American people?  And you let your press secretary lie also?

Karine Jean-Pierre, after also telling us many times that Biden would not pardon Hunter, said "how politically infected these cases are."  Once again, just when did she and the president become aware that the cases against Hunter might be politically infected?  Which, of course, brings me to my next question:  Are you freaking kidding me?  Let's talk about politically infected cases.

President Biden, here is what you said about your hand-picked Attorney General, Merrick Garland, when speaking with your "inner circle."  As reported by the New York Times in 2022:  "As recently as late last year, Mr. Biden confided to his inner circle that he believed former President Donald J. Trump was a threat to democracy and should be prosecuted, according to two people familiar with his comments.  And while the president has never communicated his frustrations directly to Mr. Garland, he has said privately that he wanted Mr. Garland to act less like a ponderous judge and more like a prosecutor who is willing to take decisive action over the events of Jan. 6."

The President never said anything to Mr. Garland directly?  He sure as hell did, because unless you believe in everything being a coincidence, that conversation was leaked, and Mr. Garland got the message loud and clear.  The next thing you know, we had Jack Smith appointed as special counsel, bringing charges against President Trump.  What about the unspoken rule that says presidents should not be involved in deciding who gets prosecuted?  Clearly, Biden did not care about that.  (Well, he did not care about lying numerous times either, so no surprise I guess.)

Every case brought against President Trump has been, allow me to say, "infected"...by "raw politics."  But it's worse.  Not only did Biden place his hand on the scales of justice, he did so against the likely (and eventual) Republican nominee for president.  In other words, Biden wanted political prosecutions to defeat his political opponent.  Biden acted like a third world dictator.  Many of Trump's associates who faced prosecution, did so because they had been affiliated with Trump.

I think we can all agree (or should agree) that Biden just opened the door for Trump to pardon, or commute the sentences of, the January 6 defendants (and others).  Obviously, it should be on a case by case basis.  Anyone who committed violence, especially against a police officer, should not necessarily get a pardon.  But if the sentencing was disproportionately long compared to others, that would warrant a commutation.  And, if Biden means what he said about politics infecting prosecutions, he should immediately pardon President Trump.  I won't hold my breath,

Year End Reflections, Part III (Are The Jewish People Safe Anywhere?)

When the pro-Hamas crowd talks about globalizing the intifada, take them seriously.  In London, someone or some group distributed leaflets in a Jewish neighborhood.  This is what the leaflets said:  "Zionists leave Britain or be slaughtered."  Meanwhile, in Stamford, England, north of London, a 16 year old Jewish girl "was pelted with bottles and suffered injuries to her head and face in a deliberate and violent attack."  (As described by the Jerusalem Post.)

Back to London, there were 2 buses of Jewish kids going home from a Jewish school, when rocks were thrown at them.  Four teenagers from another school got on the buses and shouted at the Jewish kids:  "Fuck Israel!"  And:  "Fuck Israel!  Nobody likes you!  Fuck off you bitches!"  Needless to say, the Jewish kids were terrified.  Said the Campaign Against Antisemitism:  "Is it any wonder that 69% of British Jews now hide visible signs of their Judaism in public?"  (Again, as reported in the JPost.) 

In Melbourne, Australia, a fire was set at a synagogue.  Two people were injured, and, not surprisingly, there was extensive damage to the building.  It was reported by the police that the fire was set deliberately.  Meanwhile, Australia joined 156 other countries in the UN General Assembly, voting yet again in favor of an anti-Israel resolution.  The resolution called for Israel to withdraw from Gaza, the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and so-called "East Jerusalem."  

When the countries of the world vote against Israel, is it any surprise that antisemitism and outright Jew hatred then spreads around the world?  If Israel is so bad, then anyone supporting Israel must be bad, and Zionists support Israel.  Jewish people who believe in the right for Jews to have a home in the land of Israel are, by definition, Zionists.  As I hold the same belief in the Jewish people's right to their homeland, that makes me a Zionist.  

In Cape Town, South Africa, an IED was thrown at a Jewish Community Center.  Thankfully, it failed to explode.  I wonder what the pro-Hamas crowd makes of this story, as reported by The Guardian.  They say that UNRWA (the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine) has suspended aid deliveries to Gaza.  Why?  Because of the "hijacking of nearly 100 aid trucks last month."  Even though armed gangs were hijacking these trucks, Israel was blamed.  Of course.  Might it be Hamas terrorists taking the trucks for their fighters?  How dare you ask!

How are things here on the home front?  A man in Massachusetts was guilty of threatening to kill Jewish kids, and bomb a synagogue.  Here is what this evil man wished for:  "kill of all Jews," and "stomping their babies dead in the ground."  Lovely.  

About 25 people were arrested at the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, when they sat down in the street, in an effort to block the huge balloons.  Of course, these pro-Hamas protesters accused Israel of genocide.  The people who came to see the parade were not amused, with one yelling at the protesters "get the hell out of here!"  Meanwhile, the pro-Hamas crowd was shouting "Free Free Palestine."  And the now common:  "globalize the intifada."  Said one Brooklyn cop:  "This is a day for families to enjoy and not be interrupted by these a-holes."  Thank you, officer.

Joe Biden wanted a black woman for his vice president and he got one.  He wanted a black woman on the Supreme Court and he got Ketanji Brown Jackson.  Too bad.  KBJ (it's easier) recently attended a convention of the National Council of Teachers of English.  She should not have gone.  The speakers included pro-Hamas "activists."  One of the speakers tore down posters of the hostages being held by Hamas.  One, with a Palestinian flag, said:  "This is the only flag I fly with pride."  I've said it many times before - the Israel haters are also America haters.  So, obviously, this person would have no pride in the American flag.  Some of these people justified the October 7 assault on innocent Israelis.  And they teach our children.  Disgusting!  Does Biden's SCOTUS pick agree with these pro-Hamas people?  I'd like to know.

I'll end with this.  November 29 was the 77th anniversary of the UN General Assembly vote to partition the British Mandate into a Jewish state and an Arab state.  Israel then declared their independence as a state in May, 1948.  A mere 76 years ago - a single lifetime.  Said Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres (of NY's 15th district, and a democrat not afraid to speak up on behalf of Israel):  "Never in human history has a nation of so few done so much so quickly in the face of so many threats to its survival and security.  The achievements of the Jewish state are nothing short of astonishing."  Some might say miraculous.  Thank you Congressman Torres. 

  

Year End Reflections, Part II (Are The Jewish People Safe Anywhere?)

It turns out that all the member countries of the European Union are signatories to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC.  The United States and Israel are not.  While Canada, and a number of EU members have said they would enforce the arrest warrant should Netanyahu set foot in their countries, some are on the fence.  Agreeing to enforce the arrest warrant are the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Lithuania, Ireland, the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Austria and Slovenia. It appears that Germany is backing off, given what we might say is their rather blemished history vis-a-vis the Jewish people.

Josep Borrell is the EU Foreign Policy chief.  As such, he declared that every EU member is obligated to execute the arrest warrant against Israel's Prime Minister.  Borrell's comments took a rather nasty turn when he also said:  "I have the right to criticise the decisions of the Israeli government, be it Mr. Netanyahu or someone else, without being accused of antisemitism.  This is not acceptable.  That's enough."  There are two words that I have for Mr. Borrell, words that I do not use in the blog, unless those words are in a quote from someone else.  You know what I mean.

Why do I say that?  The ICC was a creature of the UNGA, although it is independent of that body.  But it maintains the same anti-Israel attitude as the UN.  For example, according to UN Watch, from 2015 through 2024, the UNGA has passed how many resolutions concerning Israel?  164!  And the rest of the world combined?  84.  How about the UN Human Rights Council?  Surely they must have condemned Russia and Iran and Syria more than Israel.  Nope.  From 2006 through 2024, the UNHRC passed 108 resolutions against Israel.  And the really bad actors in the world?  Venezuela, 3.  Russia, 8.  Iran, 15.  And Syria, 44.

But surely Israel's war with Hamas has resulted in far more civilian deaths than elsewhere, right?  Nope again.  The Syrian civil war, from 5/21 through 3/24, resulted in an estimated 580,000 to 617,000 deaths.  Sudan's civil war?  Over 61,000 civilian deaths.  Russia's war with Ukraine?  Estimated at 1 million by the WSJ, including fighting troops on both sides.  How about in Gaza in the latest war?  44,000 is the number frequently reported.  I would bet many of my readers are aware of the 44,000 in Gaza.  The DP-MSMC reports on it daily.  Would anybody have a clue as to the other numbers?

So, what is the explanation for this non-stop reporting of civilian casualties in Gaza?  What is the explanation for these non-stop anti-Israel resolutions at the UN?  It's antisemitism, Mr. Borrell, you #%$&@!  Unless you care to debate me as to why you believe that Israel is the worst country on the face of the earth, you sonofabitch!  (Oops.)  Mike Waltz is Trump's choice for National Security Adviser.  Said Waltz:  "You can expect a strong response to the antisemitic bias of the ICC and UN come January."  That may be the toughest language he can use before assuming his office. 

Chabad is the fastest growing branch of Judaism.  Personally, I have found the sermons given by the Chabad Rabbis to be the most inspiring and meaningful.  Chabad sends young Rabbis, known as emissaries, all over the world to minister to Jews wherever they might live.  Recently, a 28 year old Rabbi, Zvi Kogan, was kidnapped and murdered in the UAE.  His body was found in Abu Dhabi.  Israel considers it to have been a terrorist attack.  While the UAE says they have arrested the likely perpetrators, I would have preferred that they were captured by the Mossad, and dealt with accordingly.  (If it turns out that Iran had a hand in his death, I don't doubt that the Mossad will find out and then act accordingly.)  May Rabbi Kogan's memory forever be a blessing to his family.      

How are Jews faring here in America?  More of the same at Columbia University.  More pro-Hamas protests in NY and NJ.  At the University of Rochester, these pro-Hamas people put up hundreds of "wanted" posters with the names of Jewish faculty members.  At the University of Washington, the President's home and car were both vandalized with anti-Israel messages. such as "Free Palestine," and "Blood on your hands."  The inverted red triangle, a symbol used by Hamas to target Jews, was also seen. 

I am so grateful that President Trump will be back in office soon.  (See the Mike Waltz comment above.)  Also, here is what President-elect Trump had to say about all the antisemitism on college campuses and elsewhere.  "My first week back in the Oval Office, my Administration will inform every college president that if you do not end antisemitic propaganda they will lose their accreditation and federal taxpayer support."  

And this:  "I will inform every educational institution in our land that if they permit violence, harassment, or threats against Jewish students, the schools will be held accountable for violations of the civil rights law.  Jewish Americans must have equal protection under the law.  They're going to get it."  Not sure what else to say about that other than  "Welcome back, Mr. President, and Amen." 

Year End Reflections, Part I (Are The Jewish People Safe Anywhere?)

(Note.  It may be a little bit early to start my Year End Reflections.  But we have two major stories this year.  One is the attack on Israel and on Jews everywhere.  The other, of course, is the return of Donald Trump to the White House.  There are other major stories, such as the war between Russia and Ukraine.  But the rising Jew hatred and antisemitism, along with the reelection of Donald Trump, are the major stories affecting our country.)

There are so many disturbing stories, it is difficult to know where to start.  This may be hard to believe, but while Israel has been in a fight for its survival since October 7, 2023, self-hating Jewish Senator Bernard Sanders introduced resolutions seeking to cut off military aid to Israel.  Now maybe you might think that with our close ally Israel at war for over a year (against Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Syria, Iraq and Iran) and with 100,000 Israelis being displaced from their homes in the north and south, with Hamas promising another October 7 style attack "over and over and over again," with Hezbollah having fired 8000 rockets and missiles into Israel since last October 7, with Iran launching hundreds of missiles into Israel, (anyway you get the picture) that Sanders would not be able to get more than a handful of Senators to go along with his Israel-hating resolutions.  You would be wrong.

Currently, the Senate consists of 49 Republicans, 47 Democrats and 4 Independents.  As the Independents caucus with the Democrats, the Democrats control the Senate.  Not a single Republican voted for these resolutions.  But 17 Democrats and 2 Independents did.  Imagine that.  That amounts to over 37% of the Democratic caucus voting against aid to Israel.  I think it's important to name these Senators.  Independents:  Sanders (Vt), and Angus King (Maine).  The Democrats:  Durbin (Ill), Heinrich (NM), Hirono (Hawaii), Kaine (Va), Lujan (NM), Markey (Mass), Merkley (Ore), Murphy (Conn), Ossoff (Ga), Schatz (Hawaii), Shaheen (NH), Smith (Minn), Van Hollen (Md), Warnock (Ga), Warren (Mass), Welch (Vt), and Helmy (NJ).  Baldwin (Wis) voted "present.."

You may have heard about the violence in Montreal committed by a pro-Hamas crowd.  It was organized by a group called "Divest for Palestine."  This group smashed store windows, lit cars on fire, and generally engaged in antisemitic violence.  (Yes, they also opposed NATO.)  And where was Prime Minister Trudeau at the time?  Dancing at a Taylor Swift concert.  More on Trudeau in a minute. 

The Toronto Sun editorial of November 23 had this title:  "Jew hatred is now a national emergency."  The Sun:  "...some demonstrators have gone beyond calling for the destruction of Israel to advocate for the extermination of Jews in Canada and around the world."  Jews are less than 1% of the population in Canada, and .001875% of the world's population.  According to the paper, police report a skyrocketing of "hate crimes against Jews."  And this sad commentary:  "Jews have been targeted and threatened in the communities where they live, work, worship and go to school - both at the elementary and university levels."  

At a recent soccer match in Amsterdam between the Dutch team, Ajax, and the Israeli team, Maccabi Tel Aviv, things did not end peacefully.  Ajax apparently has both Arab Muslim and Jewish fans in the Netherlands.  There were claims that Maccabi fans yelled insults at the Arabs.  But there were violent attacks against Israelis at the game.  Some described it as nothing short of a pogrom against the Jews.  It was so bad that Israel sent 6 EL AL planes to rescue the Jews from Amsterdam.  What?  Jews had to be rescued from Europe?  That sounds appallingly familiar.  Yet, Jews were also attacked at a soccer game in Berlin.  

Last week, the the ICC (International Criminal Court) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.  Of course, this is all related to Israel's ongoing war with Hamas and others.  The ICC has jurisdiction over signatories to its establishment.  The US and Israel are not signatories.  And the Court made up a Palestinian state in Gaza, in order to justify the warrants.  As the Democratic Party-Mainstream Media frequently reports, the ICC asserts too many civilian deaths in Gaza and insufficient humanitarian aid/intentional starvation of the civilian population of Gaza.

But, as the Wall Street Journal has reported:  the Israeli "military may have achieved the lowest ratio of civilian-to-combatant deaths in the history of urban warfare."  That's because Israel warns civilians to leave a building or an area before they attack.  But Hamas does not want them to leave.  They know that the more civilian deaths there are, the more the fools in the Western world will side with Hamas.  The Journal also says that the claim of starvation is "absurd."  "Israel has facilitated the transfer of more than 57,000 aid trucks and 1.1 million tons of aid, even though Hamas's  rampant theft means Israel is provisioning its battlefield enemy, something the law can't require."

Post Election Reactions and Reflections, Part II

As readers know, I like to look at the letters to the editor in whatever paper I may be reading.  One letter said it particularly well.  "I am stunned by the Democratic Party's reaction, from its leadership and pundits, to the recent election.  Their cries that racism, fascism and misogyny are the cause of their rejection by the voters reflects blindness to reality and serious self-delusion."

The writer continued:  "They ran an unpopular, ill-prepared candidate who offered no changes from the past four years, which produced a high level of inflation, wide-open borders and attendant crime, a weakened international posture, tepid support for Israel and a military increasingly encumbered by wokeness.  It's no wonder voters rejected the Democratic offering."  Ironically, when Harris was given an opportunity in an interview to say what she would change from the way Biden did things, she said she would not change anything.  That is what may be referred to as an inability to read the room.

Just how did people vote.  The BBC gave a breakdown based on exit polls.  They had men breaking for Trump 55% to 42% for Harris.  But women went 53% for Harris and 45% for Trump.  It turns out that abortion was not the main issue in this election, as some expected.  Whites voted 57% for Trump and 41% for Harris.  Blacks went 85% for Harris and 13% for Trump.  Blacks had previously gone as high as 95% Democratic.  Latinos went 52% for Harris, with Trump coming in strong at 46%,

Trump got 55% of the Latino vote in Texas.  He even captured 14 of the 18 counties within 20 miles of the border, with several having 90% plus Latino population.  Trump was also the first Republican in over 30 years to win Miami-Dade County in Florida.  What about the Jewish vote?  One research poll claimed that 79% of the Jewish vote went for the Democrats, with only 21% going for the Republicans.  But it made no sense.  The poll only covered 10 states, and left California, New York and New Jersey - three states with large Jewish populations.

Apparently, Fox reported that Jews broke 66% for Harris and 32% for Trump.  But in New York, they reported 54% for Harris and 46% for Trump.  The NY Post concurred, saying that Trump got 45% of the Jewish vote in NY State, compared to the 30% he got in 2020.  And in Rockland County, New York, with the highest concentration of Jews, and where Biden won by 2 points in 2020, Trump won by 12 points.  

College graduates did break 55% for Harris and 42% for Trump.  Those without a college degree voted 56% for Trump and 42% for Harris.  Trump also did surprisingly well with young voters.  In the 18 to 29 year old range, he captured 43% of the vote.  In the 30 to 44 year old range, Trump got 48% of the vote.  And in the 45 to 64 year old range, Trump got 54% of the vote.  65 and above were split 49-49. 

Thankfully, with Republican control of the House, we won't have to deal with non-stop impeachment proceedings.  But things could change in 2 years when the entire House is up for reelection.  So, Trump has a two year window to get done what he wants to see accomplished.  Of course, the Democrats can be expected to challenge everything he does with non-stop litigation.  And several governors, in California, Illinois and New Jersey, have already announced their intentions to fight Trump.  Think about that.  What if these Democrat governors had instead said:  "While Donald Trump was not our choice, he did win this election.  Therefore, we will do our best to work with him in order to benefit the people of our state and the American people."

It does remind me of how the Democrats, and their allies in the media, created so much dissension and chaos during Trump's first term, and then turned around and said:  "look at all the chaos and dissension with Trump in the White House."  

So, getting back to what I said in the second paragraph of Part I...one family member compared Trump to Hitler.  It is a ridiculous comparison, and serves only to minimize the horrors of the Holocaust.  That same family member said anyone who voted for Trump will have to beg for his forgiveness.  Not only will I obviously not be doing that, but why alienate friends and family like that?  Why not wait to see what Trump actually does, and then criticize as necessary.  I have never been a believer in letting politics divide families, or friends from one another.  Closer to home, one family member has not spoken with me for the 12 days since the election; although we have had some rather heated text exchanges.  

As I mentioned in Part I, I do not intend to suffer abuse from others quietly, and I let that be known.  Quite aggressively.  This same person even inquired of their siblings why they were still talking to me.  That is beyond infuriating.  So, as we approach Thanksgiving, and the rest of the holiday season, I am disappointed by those who have chosen to sew discord within the family.  I am reminded of the Biblical verse:  "He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind."     

Post Election Reactions And Reflections, Part I

For Republicans and conservatives it was a very good night.  Trump ended up with 312 electoral college votes (58%) compared to Harris' 226 (42%).  Some call that a landslide.  In terms of the popular vote, the latest numbers I saw had Trump with 76,429,164 votes, with Harris getting 73,736,923 votes.  Republicans also captured the Senate, 53 seats to 47.  As for the House, Fox says it's 218 seats (enough for control) for the Republicans, and 212 for the Democrats.  But Real Clear Politics says it's 220 for the Republicans to 213 for the Democrats.  The governors' mansions?  27 for the Republicans vs 23 for the Democrats.  A clean sweep.   

Before I get to the current reactions, let's recall for a minute the hand-wringing of the Left back in 2016, after Trump won.  The "resistance" began before Trump was even sworn in, because the world was going to end.  Of course, it didn't.  On a personal level, one colleague got in my face in court and was yelling at me.  A friend of 25 years also thought it was appropriate to yell in my face; and as he stormed off, yelled "I'm done with you."  Another friend of 40 years was not able to speak with me anymore.  And, one of my first bosses, for whom I had a great deal of affection, was done with me after 45 years.  This time around, I resolved not to put up with any of that abuse.  (More on that later.)   

Sonny Hostin, of The View, might be typical of the Left in her reaction.  She blamed Harris' defeat on "uneducated white women" and Latino men.  (She later apologized and said she meant "non-college educated white women."  These after the fact apologies are meaningless.  And less than sincere, in my opinion.)  But the significance of her comment, and why I'm discussing it, is the Leftist/elitist belief that college education makes you "smarter."  Book smarts, perhaps.  And that college gives you "wisdom."  It decidedly does not.  And. college definitely does not give anyone "common sense."  Not these days, anyway.  

Nobody needs a college education to figure out whether or not the household budget can pay for all the necessities.  Nobody needs a college education to realize that open borders, along with the attendant criminal aliens and gang members, are a danger to their communities and their families.  And, it is only a college education that will teach you that men can give birth. 

Laura Helmuth is resigning as the editor-in-chief of Scientific American.  She thought it was appropriate to refer to Trump voters as the "meanest, dumbest, most bigoted" group, and also "fascists."  (Another phony apology followed.)  But I am curious about one thing.  I wonder how  many of these "bigots" had previously voted for Obama and/or Biden.  Were they bigots when they voted Democrat, as some likely did?  Trump very wisely campaigned in areas of the country where he had no reasonable expectation of winning.  But by doing so, he won the popular vote.  On one site, it was reported that Trump won 40% of the popular vote in California, although Fox had Trump getting 38%.  Either way, it was an increase from the 31% he received in 2016, and the 34% he received in 2020.  

Trump won all the swing states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada  and North Carolina.  Rachel Zegler is a 23 year old actress, who will be playing the role of Snow White in a Disney remake of the classic.  Here is what she posted on Instagram:  "I find myself speechless in the midst of this.  Another four years of hatred, leaning us towards a world that will will be hard to raise my daughter in.  Leaning us towards a world that will force her to have a baby she doesn't want.  Leaning us towards a world that is fearful."  She described the country has having a "deep sickness."  Then her hope:  "may Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace."  And:  "Fuck Donald Trump."  I would ask Ms. Zegler to take a look in the mirror and tell me exactly who it is that is filled with hate.   

But notice how Ms. Zegler makes things up.  Things she likely hears from MSNBC or CNN.  Why won't she be able to raise her daughter?  Maybe in a few states she might not be able to get an abortion on demand.  But why is it always the worst case scenario for the Left?  Why do they live in permanent fear?  How does she know her daughter will someday want an abortion?  Or that she will live in a state where it is difficult to get one?  And why is she worried about that now, at age 23?  Laws change all the time.  

At the mere mention of Trump's name, I have seen a look on the faces of colleagues and family members that I would not describe as mere anger.  Rather, it is best described as a look of rage.  And it can be quite frightening.  I have described it to a friend as going from zero (a normal facial expression) to sixty (outright rage) in about a half of a second.  I would seriously be worried about being around a group of such individuals if they knew I voted for Trump.  A mob is always a greater danger than a single individual.  Along the same lines, family members are unable to understand how I could possibly vote for Trump.  It never, and I mean never, occurs to them that I might wonder how they could possibly have voted for Obama, Biden and Harris.  After all, isn't that how all the smart, decent people vote?      

Is It Enough Yet? Part I

I ask this question in regards to two different Op-Eds in the New York Times.  On October 6, 2024, we have Bret Stephens piece:  "The Year American Jews Woke Up."  Stephens had been a conservative writer at the Wall Street Journal, but as an anti-Trumper he left and went to the Times.  Then, on October 13, 2024, we have the article by Dr. Feroze Sidhwa:  "What 65 Doctors, Nurses and Paramedics Saw in Gaza."  Dr. Sidhwa worked as a trauma surgeon for approximately two weeks in Gaza.  Both articles merit discussion.

After recounting various antisemitic incidents across America over this past year, Stephens makes a very important assessment of what it means to be a Jew in America.  "At some point, an awakening of sorts occurred.  Perhaps not for every American Jew, but for many.  I've called them the Oct. 8 Jews - those who woke up a day after our greatest tragedy since the Holocaust to see how little empathy there was for us in many of the spaces and communities and institutions we thought we comfortably inhabited.  It was an awakening that often came with a deeper set of realizations.  One realization:  American Jews should not expect reciprocity."

Stephens discusses the history of American Jews supporting many progressive causes, only to see those same progressive individuals and organizations turning on us after October 7, 2023.  A second realization:  "'Zionist' has become just another word for Jew."  "Anti-Zionists" claim that they have nothing against Jews, but rather the political idea of Zionism, reflecting a return to the land of Israel for the Jewish people.  Stephens makes it clear that the attacks on "Zionists" have become indistinguishable from attacks on individual Jews.  At that point, "the distinctions between anti-Zionist and antisemite blur to the point of invisibility."

A third realization:  "This isn't going to end anytime soon."  In part because American politics has moved "towards forms of illiberalism."  Stephens is referring to a move away from classical liberalism; something this writer has discussed many times, and particularly in the July 17, 2016 post "Classical Liberalism."  Stephens:  "Unless this changes, the American Jewish community is on its way to living how the European Jewish community has for decades:  apprehensive, suspected and under ever increasing layers of private and state protection."  

Stephens then discusses the current "grand theory of "settler colonialism," a label which the antisemites place on the Jews (settler colonialists).  Stephens:  "Zionism, which since the days of the Maccabees has been the most enduring anticolonial struggle in history, is now the epitome of what college activists seem to think is colonialism, the only solution to which is its eradication."

Noting that the college educated are often the worst offenders, Stephens tells us:  "When people argue that education is the answer to bigotry, they often forget that bigotry is a moral failing, not an intellectual one - and few people are more dangerous than educated bigots."  Where Stephens and I diverge is on his apparent emphasis on the right-wing, and the unnamed Trump, moving us away from classical liberalism - towards illiberalism.  But that has been going on for some time, well before Trump came on the scene.  

Citing a book discussing where German Jews had gone wrong politically, we are told:  "They had, in tolerant Prussia, lost their instinct for danger, which had preserved them through the ages."  That is a discussion which my conservative friends and I have frequently had.  When will American Jews wake up?  Many are so consumed by their hatred of Donald Trump, that they have remained blind to all the dangers of the radical left, and of radical Islam.  

Stephens:  "Are we going to be proud Jews or (mostly) indifferent ones?  And if proud, what does that entail?  It's an open question that each of us will have to answer for ourself."  For Stephens:  "To be a Jew obliges us to many things, particularly our duty to be our brother's, and sister's, keeper.  That means never to forsake one another, much less to join in the vilification of our own people."  Finally, it means "to embrace - often as a thoughtful critic, but never as a hateful scold - the great, complicated, essential project of a Jewish state.  To imagine we can do without it is to forget how close we came to extinction before it was born." 

So, is it enough yet?  Have my fellow Jews seen enough antisemitism and outright Jew hatred to awaken from their slumber?  Have they seen enough to realize that, no matter how much they may detest Donald Trump, the problem is far wider and deeper than Trump.  I don't expect them to recognize Trump as the best President for Israel and the Jewish people.  But maybe they will awaken to the fact that the these college protesters, and their anti-Israel professors and administrators, are on the Left.  That most of the mainstream media is on the Left.  The same applies to Hollywood.  It is a mistake to assume that these Leftists are on our side.

I have said in the blog that antisemitism, whether from the Right, the Left or Radical Islam - is all bad.  I made it a point of criticizing Tucker Carlson twice, for his apparent antisemitism, because he is such a prominent voice on the Right.  It's past time for my fellow Jews on the Left to criticize those on the Left, such as Bernie Sanders and members of the Squad, for their anti-Israel and anti-Jewish/antisemitic comments. 

My Chabad Rabbis teach that this is not the time to shrink from one's Judaism.  This is the time to be a proud Jew.  Put a mezuzah on the entry to your home.  Wear your yarmulke (kippah) in public.  And go to services.  And, as I have advocated previously, speak out for Israel and against antisemitism everywhere - on social media, in print media and at every opportunity you have.  As a friend said to me, if we don't speak up now, Never Again will happen again.    

Just How Many Times Can Joe Biden Be Wrong? (Part II, Some Other Voices)

Gerard Baker, in the October 1, 2024 Wall Street Journal, made this observation:  "Israel has in 12 months done nothing less than redraw the balance of global security, not just in the region, but in the wider world."  But today's leaders in the Western world do not understand.  And, like Biden, they are fearful.  Baker:  "In Europe, they have gone even further, as usual, rewarding Hamas and Hezbollah by nominally recognizing a nonexistent Palestinian state and prosecuting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on bogus war-crime charges."  

In an Op-Ed in the September 17, 2024 WSJ, Walter Russell Mead discussed a report issued by the Commission on the National Defense Strategy.  The report was written by eight "experts" appointed by both parties from the House and Senate Armed Services committees.  With unanimous opinion, the Commission wrote that the US currently faces the "most serious and most challenging" threats since 1945, including a real risk of "near-term major war."  Said the Commission:  "...the U.S. military lacks both the capabilities and the capacity required to be confident it can deter and prevail in combat."  

Mead does not lay all the blame on Biden, stating that there has been a generation of failed leadership.  Mead:  "Even more appalling than the report is the general indifference with which it has been received," citing Mitch McConnell as an exception.  But the WSJ title of their September 23, 2024 editorial observed:  "How Freedom Faded on Biden's Watch."  After citing numerous foreign policy failures by the Biden-Harris Administration, they conclude with this:  "All of this and more adds up to the worst decline in world order, and the largest decline in U.S. influence, since the 1930's."

But does our President even have a clue?  The WSJ:  "Yet Mr. Biden continues to speak and act as if he's presided over an era of spreading peace and prosperity."  Additionally, Biden "has proposed a cut in real defense spending each year of his Presidency, which may be his greatest abdication."    The Journal:  "The first task will be restoring U.S. deterrence, which will require more hard power and political will."  And that, my dear readers, will require a U.S. leader who does not fear the threat, and if necessary, the use of military power.

I am well aware that there is a segment of the Republican Party that wants nothing to do with "foreign" wars.  A fair number are even isolationists.  I am not of that mind.  But I am of the mind that believes in peace through strength.  Peace does not come about through weakness and trying to appease the evil actors in the world.  Such weakness and appeasement only increases the likelihood of war.  The other issue is whether we side with our allies, or defer to our enemies.  Biden's actions have mostly sided with our ally Israel, but his words have deferred to Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran.  

"Mr. Biden has undermined the U.S. ability to deter adversaries because he fears any escalation, ceding the advantage to Iran, Russia and China.  Israel can't afford such indulgence.  It's survival is at stake."  (From the 9/30/24 editorial in the WSJ.)  

At the very beginning of my blog, in 2009, I wrote a post called "Iranian Nukes."  (It was written on 9/26/09 and posted on 11/26/09 - the date my daughters set up the blog for me.)  That post was followed shortly thereafter with "Iranian Nukes, Part II," posted 2/21/10.  Then, on 3/11/2012, I posted "What To Do About Iran?"  That post gives the opinions of multiple commentators.  As you can see, the issue of how to deal with the nuclear program of the religious fanatics who rule Iran has been going on for quite some time.  

When George W. Bush was president, I advocated for a joint strike force of the U.S., France, the U.K. and Israel, conducting an aerial assault on Iran's then much less developed nuclear facilities.  I felt that such a unified force would send a message to Russia and China to stay out of it.  But, while many U.S. presidents have said they would not allow Iran to get nukes, the reality has been quite different.  

Which is why I agree with the 10/3/2024 editorial in the WSJ:  "If Mr. Biden won't take this opportunity to destroy Iran's nuclear program, the least he can do is not stop Israel from doing the job for its own self-preservation."  After all, says the Journal:  "Israel has made its biggest military and strategic gains when it has ignored such U.S. advice" to stand down.  Amen to that.   

Just How Many Times Can Joe Biden Be Wrong? (Part I, A Look At Some History)

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates famously said that "I think he's (Biden) been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades."  Let's take a look at a few past examples, before we get to today.

Recall his January, 2022 press conference, during which he suggested that a "minor incursion" by Russia into Ukraine might be acceptable.  Was that supposed to give comfort to the Ukrainian people, or any of our European allies.  Anyway, big surprise.  The next month - February, 2022 - Russia invaded Ukraine.  I trust I need not remind everyone of the disastrous withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, because Biden was determined to exit before 9/1/2021.  

In 2020 he criticized Saudi Arabia and sided with Yemen/the Houthis in their war.  After becoming President, Biden took the Houthis off the list of terror organizations, after which they promptly attacked Western shipping in the Red Sea.  Yes, he eventually put the Houthis back on the terror list, but after much damage had already been done.  And the Houthis continue to act with impunity.   

Remember the Abraham Accords?  I guess Biden did not, as he has been unable to expand on it.  However, he did restore funding to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, as well as to UNRWA in Gaza, a UN organization that has been shown to work hand in glove with Hamas.  What did Biden ask in return for this largesse?  You know, maybe commit to stop killing Jews.  Nope.  No such thing.  But Trump did all that - cut off funding to the PA and UNRWA, as long as they participated in, or assisted in, the killing of Jews.

But let's talk about Iran.  It was bad enough that Biden refused to enforce the sanctions on Iran.  This allowed Iran to sell oil (mostly to China) and make billions of dollars.  He even gave them six billion dollars.  Guess where Iran spent their billions?  Supplying Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.  Biden basically begged Iran to reenter the nuclear deal, which Trump realized was nothing other than a path to get nukes for Iran.  

So what about now?  What about after Iran attacked Israel for the second time in six months, with the latest attack resulting in over 180 ballistic missiles being fired at Israel by Iran.  Let's think about the current situation.  Iran's proxy in Gaza - Hamas - has been significantly degraded by Israel.  Iran's strongest proxy - Hezbollah in Lebanon - has also been significantly weakened.  Almost all of Iran's missiles fired at Israel were shot down, by Israel's multi-layered anti-ballistic missile system and with the help of the US.  The political head of Hamas, Haniyeh, has been taken out - when he was a guest in Tehran no less.  The head of Hezbollah, Nasrallah, has been taken out.  (Hezbollah, recall, was responsible for the deaths of 241 US Marines in Lebanon in 1983.)  

So, with Hamas and Hezbollah weakened, with Iran unsuccessful with their missile attack, what does Biden counsel the Israelis?  Might this be the time to take out Iran's developing nuke program?  Maybe even bring about regime change in Iran?  Not a chance.  Not when Biden fears our enemies more than they fear him.  Hence, his policy is one of appeasement.  Which does not work, and has never worked.  When Trump was in the White House, our enemies feared him.  Which would explain why Russia and Hamas did not try anything during his four years in office.  

Anyway, Biden made sure to get the leaders of the G7 on board when he was at the gathering of the UNGA.  What was the consensus pushed by Biden?  Israel should not attack any of Iran's nuclear sites.  And probably not their oil fields either.  Just as Russia got the message in early 2022 (see the top of this post), Iran has undoubtedly gotten the message now - you are free to develop nuclear weapons.  Would Iran use nukes against Israel?  The Ayatollahs have repeatedly said they want to destroy Israel.  Would Iran possibly attack the US - who they refer to as the Great Satan?  One thing is certain - it would be far more dangerous for Israel to attack Iran once it has nuclear weapons.  Yet that seems to be what Biden wants.  Biden's fear of a wider war makes that war all the more likely.    

Let's Talk Turkey - I Need To Talk About Some People, Part III

It's unclear if Tucker Carlson does not like Israel, and/or he does not like Jews, of if he is just another antisemite.  I previously discussed Carlson's problems with Jews in my 12/31/23 post "Year End Reflections, Part VI (My Beef With Tucker Carlson).  Now, we have another story about Carlson, reflecting very poor judgment at best, or antisemitism at the worst. 

Recently, Carlson conducted an interview with Darryl Cooper, an individual he referred to as "the best and most honest popular historian working in the United States today."  Carlson:  "I want people to know who you are and I want you to be widely recognized as the most important historian in the United States."  Really?

According to this "historian" (as reported in an editorial in the 9/11/24 WSJ), the Nazis had "launched a war where they were completely unprepared to deal with the millions and millions of prisoners of war, of local political prisoners...they went in with no plan for that and just threw these people into camps."  

And then what happened?  "Millions of people ended up dead there."  They just ended up dead?  Anybody know how that happened?  I do.  It's called the Holocaust!  One of the most well documented events in history.  And the Jews did not just end up dead.  They were murdered - brutally slaughtered - by the Nazis.  This very impressive historian also blames Churchill, not Hitler, for WWII.  Trump and Vance need to stay away from Carlson.  Far away.

And what about Jeremy Mayer?  Okay, I did not know who he is either, until I read a recent Op-Ed of his in the USA Today.  Turns out that he is a professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, in Arlington, Virginia.  In discussing the recent explosions of pagers and walkie talkies in Lebanon, the Professor tells us that 37 people were killed, including 2 children, and that thousands were wounded.  

Although Israel has not claimed credit, Mayer tells us that the operation "almost certainly originated in Tel Aviv."  That was the first clue as to his political leanings.  He did not say originated in Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel, because many on the Left do not accept Jerusalem as Israel's capital.  (Yes, I know, Israel's military headquarters are in Tel Aviv, but I'd bet the professor was not thinking that.)

Professor Mayer goes on to question both the "morality and legality" of sabotaging pagers, because of the high risk of collateral damage.  And, he asserts that some of the pagers did not go to Hezbollah fighters but to medical staff and others.  Mayer:  "As an American, I financially support Israel with my tax dollars.  If they are murdering Lebanese children, then to some extent, I did that."

And there it is - Israel is murdering children.  In a recent post, I expressed my displeasure with many on the Left saying that, of course, Israel has a right to defend itself.  There should be no need to say that.  It's obvious.  What these people are really saying is that Israel has a right to defend itself - as long as they don't kill anybody.  As usual, sympathy lies with Israel only when Jews are dead.  Not when they fight back. 

Here is my favorite part of his Op-Ed, after saying that a war between Hezbollah forces and the Lebanese army would end within one week, with Hezbollah as the victor.  "The long term hope for Israel in its relationship with Lebanon has to be that Hezbollah is eventually brought under control of the political authorities in Beirut, and that a coalition of Sunni, Druze, Christian and moderate Shiite leaders makes peace with Israel."  "That is the dream..."  The "hope" and the "dream."  Could there be any better proof of my oft stated truism that liberals let their beliefs (as reflected in his hopes and dreams) dictate their reality, whereas conservatives let reality dictate their beliefs.           

Let's Talk Turkey - I Need To Talk About Some People, Part II

President Biden has said that Trump is "dangerous."  He has said that Trump leads "an extremist movement that does not share the basic beliefs of our democracy."  I share those basic beliefs of our democracy.  But it has been my opinion that the reason for the extreme hostility between the two sides is that the Democrats are no longer the party of classical liberalism.  Rather, they are leftists.  And leftists everywhere oppose Western democracy.  

VP Kamala Harris has said that "Trump is a danger to our troops, our security, and our democracy."  She also said that Trump was behind "the worst attack on democracy since the Civil War."  Trump was not indicted for "insurrection."  He said the protesters on January 6 should march "peacefully and patriotically" over to the Capitol.  As I have said before, I did not approve of everything Trump said that day.  But Harris clearly has a different understanding of the threats to American democracy from my understanding.  

David Plouffe was Obama's first campaign manager.  Here's Plouffe:  "It is not enough to beat Trump.  He must be destroyed thoroughly.  His kind must not be allowed to rise again."  "Destroyed thoroughly."  Wow!  Not sure I want to ask him what he thinks should happen to Trump.  

Hillary Clinton wasted no time.  Only one day after the second assassination attempt on Trump, she called him a "danger to our country and the world."  How's that exactly?  The magazine The Economist agreed, saying "Donald Trump poses the greatest danger to the world in 2024."  This is all rather curious.  Trump started no wars.  Russia did not invade Ukraine, as they did with both Obama and Biden in office.  Hamas did not attack Israel, as they did with Obama and Biden in office.  Trump brought us the Abraham Accords.  But Trump is more dangerous than Putin, Xi, the Ayatollahs and various others?  I get it.  Some on the Left call Trump "Hitler."  So, as ridiculous as that comparison is, it's not a stretch for those who believe in that comparison to say that Trump is the biggest danger to the world.  

I would be remiss if I did not mention a critique of my 8/4/24 post ("I don't view the Dems with the same fear as I do Trump").  In that post, which started as an email to friend who is also a reader of the blog, I also said "As Rome is burning all around us, you will vote for the most radical presidential candidate in history, someone who just may help bring about the end of Israel, and the end of America as you and I have known it."  There was no risk of that email inducing my friend, whom I have known for 70 years, to cause harm to VP Harris.  I suppose the question is whether I should have removed that sentence when I put the email online as a blog post.  I'll allow my readers to opine on that, should they choose.  For now, I accept the criticism, and I shall think about if different phrasing would have made the same point in a less inflammatory manner.

Speaking of Hillary Clinton.  She is apparently concerned with "Americans who are engaged in this kind of propaganda (referring to the Russians indicted by Mueller), and whether they should be civilly, or even in some cases criminally, charged is something that would be a better deterrence, because the Russians are unlikely, except in a very few cases, to ever stand trial in the United States."  Can you believe it?  She wants to criminally charge Americans for their speech?  As I said at the beginning of this post, the Left has no appreciation for the values of Western democracies.  But they very much do care about power, in order to gain ever greater control over our lives.

But lets think about it for a moment.  Can Clinton be prosecuted for pushing the phony Russian collusion story?  Can many in the media be prosecuted for the same thing?  Can Clinton be prosecuted for saying that Trump was an illegitimate president?  Can we prosecute the 51 then current and former intelligence officials who told us that the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian disinformation - when, in fact, it was Biden's actual laptop?  Based on Clinton's approach, why can't they all be prosecuted?  

Let's Talk Turkey - I Need To Talk About Some People, Part I

First, I want to talk about "anonymous," and specifically his/her comment on my September 8, 2024 post, "Odds & Ends."  Here is the criticism of me:  "And because of some loud mouthed stupid students you are going to vote for Trump who is a convicted felon who only cares about himself and give away our country!!"  I have to assume that the "loud mouthed stupid students" the writer refers to are the pro-Hamas crowds on college campuses.  Does this writer really believe that those students constitute the full extent of the growing antisemitism, Jew hatred and Israel hatred?  Can you believe it?

Let's see.  Protests on college campuses around the country.  Professors and administrators siding with these Jew haters.  Protests on the streets in other countries around the world.  Elected officials in Congress and in localities across the country (virtually all Democrats) who speak against Israel and on behalf of Hamas.  Don't get me started on the UN.  Israel at war since October 7, 2023.  80,000 to 100,000 Israelis displaced from their homes in the North and the South.  Over 100 hostages still being held by Hamas.  

Iran funding Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis - thanks to Biden.  Yes, Biden!  Trump had sanctions on Iran.  Biden lifted those sanctions, allowing Iran to make billions from the sale of oil.  Biden released funds to Iran.  The question is not why would I vote for Trump.  Rather, the question is why any Jew would ever vote for these Democrats who are funding Iran with money used to kill their fellow Jews.  The writer of the ridiculous comment suggested I move to Russia.  I suggest that he/she moves to Gaza.  And let me ask:  is there another country being so demonized that there are calls from around the world for its destruction?  No, only Israel has calls for its destruction.

The writer also calls Trump a convicted felon.  I'm sure he/she means a "wrongly" convicted felon.  Not only was the prosecution purely political in nature.  What did Trump allegedly do?  He is said to have mischaracterized so-called "hush money" payments as legal expenses.  When Hillary Clinton was determined by the FEC to have mischaracterized payments for the phony Steele dossier as legal expenses, her campaign was fined $113,000.  She was not prosecuted.  But the double-standard political prosecution is only half the story.

The other half is that the Federal government determines violations of federal election laws, not some local Democrat DA hack.  The question is - why didn't Attorney General Garland step in to prevent this prosecution from going forward, and preserve what we lawyers refer to as "federal preemption."  When Congress passes a law, if it is determined that the law occupies the field, then federal supremacy over state law applies.  And, lo and behold, the Federal Election Campaign Act does indeed say that the federal law's provisions "supersede and preempt any provision of state law with respect to election to Federal office."

So why didn't AG Garland step in and seek an injunction against Manhattan DA Bragg?  Recall that Obama's AG, Eric Holder, had no hesitation in seeking to block Arizona from enforcing federal immigration law.  All Arizona wanted to do was enforce federal immigration law.  But Holder said they can't do that.  The Supreme Court ended up agreeing with Holder, for the most part.  Did anyone really expect Merrick Garland to protect federal supremacy of the law when there was a chance to get Trump?  This conviction will have to be overturned on appeal.

Speaking of Merrick Garland...we have now had a second assassination attempt on president Trump.  A mere two months apart.  July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, and September 15 at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, only 5 minutes from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.  Garland told the country that "we are grateful he (Trump) is safe."  Excuse me if I do not believe that for one second.  Garland said they will "spare no resource," and "tirelessly work together" with federal and state and local law enforcement in order to do a thorough investigation of this latest attempt on Trump's life.  Sure.  

Let me understand this.  The Democrats tried to keep Trump off the ballot is several states.  That failed, as the Supreme Court nixed that by a 9-0 vote.  They have tried to imprison Trump for the rest of his life.  So far, at least, that has not been successful either.  They clearly do not want to risk losing to him at the ballot box.  So what's left?  Could it be assassination?  

 

"Harris, Gaza and the Voters She Leaves Behind"

Such was the headline of an Op-Ed in the Sunday, September 1, 2024, New York Times.  A mere six days before the 11 month anniversary of the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.  It is safe to assume that when an Op-Ed appears in the NY Times, the paper agrees with the contents.  This particular Op-Ed was written by Hala Alyan, who describes herself as a Palestinian American.  Ms. Alyan tells us that she was "raised on stories of the nakba (Arabic for catastrophe, and used to describe the founding of Israel), land theft, a boy burned alive, a young American woman mangled by an Israeli bulldozer (see Rachel Corrie), the searing image of a man trying to protect his son from flying bullets."  She then adds:  "Palestinian Americans and their allies are bringing a context to this election."  

Unfortunately, she gives no context to the events she described.  And one, the nakba, can explain everything that has happened between and the Arabs since Israel's founding in 1948.  It can explain all the attacks on Israel. the intifadas, the suicide bombers, the nonstop rockets and missiles sent into Israel.  The nakba.  The refusal to accept the existence of the State of Israel.  76 years later still living in denial. 

Ms. Alyan expressed her appreciation for Kamala Harris at the DNC, when Harris spoke of Palestinians right to "freedom" and "self-determination," and saying "the scale of suffering is heartbreaking."  But she wanted more.  She wanted Harris to give a "direct naming of who is killing and starving Palestinians."  She wanted Harris to name the perpetrator.  If she did not, allow me:  Hamas!  Along with every Arab who refuses to accept the existence, on a tiny strip of land, of the one Jewish country in the world.  Those are your perpetrators, Ms. Alyan.

However, in her Op-Ed, Ms. Alyan never mentions Hamas.  She never mentions October 7.  She does manage to throw in the usual falsehoods, such as Israel being an apartheid state, and Israel committing genocide.  And she speaks favorably of those who voted "uncommitted" during the Democratic primary, hoping to send a message to party leaders to reverse course on their support for Israel.  Ms. Alyan not only seeks to have a ceasefire, she wants sanctions placed on Israel, and she wants an arms embargo.

I would love to ask Ms. Alyan if she would like to see the United States supply arms to Hamas.  The same Hamas that our country has defined as a terrorist organization.  I would like to ask her why she did not mention the October 7 massacre.  And, if she didn't care about the brutal murder of so many innocents, including children, and the rape and mutilation of women.  I would like to ask her why she did not mention Hamas.  Does she think Hamas bears any responsibility for the events that occurred on October 7 and thereafter?  

As she continues to refer to the "nakba," does that mean Ms. Alyan does not believe Israel has the right to exist?  I'd like to ask her.  Does she support all the wars against Israel?  Does she want to see the Jewish people eliminated?  What does she stand for?  I'd like to ask her.  If she was to ask me my opinion on the killing of innocents in Gaza, I would refer her to my 11/26/23 post about an Op-Ed written by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof.  Mr. Kristof repeatedly asked "how many dead Gazan children are too many?"  

My reply was:  "Here is the answer, Mr. Kristof - one is too many.  But that cannot deter Israel from doing what it must to defeat Hamas.  Were it otherwise, Israel would have to sit back and just accept attack after attack after attack."  

Ms. Alyan writes:  "Ultimately, nobody is owed constituents.  Nobody is owed votes.  They must be earned."  Her conclusion:  "A democratic system that doesn't represent the wishes of its constituents is either malfunctioning or misnamed."  If that is truly what Ms. Alyan believes, then she does not understand what a democracy is.  I'd like her to explain how her policy towards Israel would represent  Jewish American constituents, and the majority of Americans, who believe the United States should support Israel.  It appears that. for Ms. Alyan. the United States can only be called a democracy, when and if it supports Hamas.

I have so many questions for Ms. Alyan.  Does she think that Hamas, as the governing body of Gaza, operates as a democracy?  Does she support the taking of hostages, including babies?  Does she support Hamas using the people of Gaza as human shields, placing their weapons and arms in people's homes, in hospitals and in mosques?  And, of course, I'd like to ask her what she thinks about the harassment of Jewish students in this country?  And, what place does she see for the Jewish people in America, and in the world?   

Odds & Ends

(Note.  Over the years I have written various posts about "Odds and Ends."  When it's a busy news cycle, there are many things to cover, but I can't write 7 different posts.  So, I put all the issues together in a single post, with a short commentary on each.)

A brief remark about the third comment written on the post titled "Never Mind."  (One of the 8/25/24 posts.)  The commentator says I am willing to give my country away and allow Trump to be a dictator on day one.  The reference is clearly to an interview Trump gave to Sean Hannity.  When Trump made that remark, Hannity asked him to explain.  Hannity knew Trump made a poor choice of words with "dictator", and that the Democrat Party-Mainstream Media Complex would lie about it, just as they had done with Charlottesville.  So Hannity asked Trump to explain what he meant.  "I want to close the border, and I want to drill, drill, drill...After that, I'm not a dictator."  Except, that is not being a dictator at all.  Those are policy decisions.  Closing the wide-open border that the Biden-Harris administration has allowed.  And reversing the non-stop attacks on the oil and gas industry.  An industry that has fostered our modern civilization.  Unfortunately, a poor choice of words by Trump has allowed the DP-MSMC to run with it, and those such as the commentator on the blog buy into it.

Tim Walz was at a State Fair in St. Paul, Minnesota the other day.  Someone (a reporter?) could be heard asking him:  "What's your reaction to the six hostages being found dead in Gaza?"  Walz then waved goodbye as he said "All right, thanks everybody," and walked away.  Newsweek suggested that perhaps Walz did not hear the question.  Of course, Trump would never get any such benefit of the doubt.  My guess is, he feared saying anything that might interfere with the messaging of the Harris campaign, trying to play both sides in the Israel-Hamas war.  And trying not to offend the Arab Muslim population in Minnesota.  Walz later issued a statement condemning Hamas as a "brutal terrorist organization."  Fine, but why couldn't he just say that in front of all the people at the fair, instead of releasing a statement that probably few saw.  

Having watched the video, I don't buy Newsweek's explanation for one second.  Plus, here is what Walz said when speaking to WCMU radio in Michigan, also with a large Arab Muslim population.  Speaking about the protesters, Walz said:  "Those folks who are speaking out loudly are speaking out for all the right reasons.  It's a humanitarian crisis.  It can't stand the way it is."  All the right reasons?  Such as calling for the end of Israel with "From the river to the sea Palestine will be free."  Such as claiming Israel is committing genocide?  Such as saying Zionists are...fill in the blank...racists, Nazis, genocide supporters.

I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of Democrats saying Israel has the right to defend itself, as if that is somehow an issue.  Of course Israel has the right to defend itself.  Why must that pointed out about the sole Jewish country in the world?  Why not just say:  "Hamas started this war, with a brutal massacre of 1200 people, which was the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.  Hamas needs to be eliminated...permanently!"

This was a shocker.  Lifelong Democrat, 86 year-old Alan Dershowitz, announced that he has left the party and become an independent.  Most telling was his explanation:  "I was disgusted at the Democratic National Convention.  Absolutely disgusted."  Why?  "It was the most anti-Jewish, anti-Israel, anti-Zionist convention I've experienced."  While he likely will not be voting for Harris, he has not said that he will for Trump.  Nevertheless, I would love it if my fellow Jews would wake up to the fact of what the Democrat party has become.

The Democrats keep calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.  And I understand that many in Israel are asking for the same thing, in order to get the hostages home.  So let's think about it for a minute.  I have heard some pro-Israel commentators say there was already a ceasefire before October 7, when Hamas started this latest war.  That's simply not accurate.  During this period of a ceasefire/peace, Hamas has continually fired rockets into Israel.  Hamas has fired nearly 20,000 rockets into Israel since 2005, when Israel vacated Gaza.  That's no ceasefire!  Now, Hamas has promised to conduct another operation like the one on October 7 over and over and over again.  So, my only question to those calling for this ceasefire, is:  "What is your plan for when Hamas rearms and carries out the repeated attacks again and again, and takes more hostages?"  What is the plan?

Here is another shocker.  After the SCOTUS decision regarding presidential immunity, special counsel Jack Smith refiled the same charges against Trump.  Trump asked US District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan to delay further proceedings until 2025 - after the election, and after his inauguration should he win.  She refused, agreeing to the timeline suggested by Smith for the filing of motions regarding immunity and other issues.  This timeline - before the election - gives Smith an opportunity to air whatever dirty laundry he has about Trump, in his continued efforts at election interference.  But here is what Judge Chutkan had to say:  "The electoral process...is not relevant here.  This court is not concerned with the electoral schedule."  Excuse me?  It only happens every 4 years, when the country gets to decide who they want to hold the highest office office in the land, and the most important office in the world.  How is that not far more important than the any case before the court?  Oh, that's right.  Judge Chutkan presides over the election interference case.  I think the voting public is well aware of all the claims on both sides.  Why not step back and let the voters decide?  Besides, I thought Justice Department policy was to avoid this type of situation, which clearly has the appearance of election interference.  But, like everything else when it comes to Trump, the usual rules do not apply.

The executive director (Ilya Bratman) of the Hillel at Baruch College, held a welcome dinner for incoming students at the Mr. Broadway kosher deli in midtown Manhattan.  Baruch College is part of CUNY - the City University of New York.  There are an estimated 800 different chapters of Hillel at colleges and universities throughout North America.  Hillel provides not only a meeting place for Jewish students on campus, but religious services and learning as well.  No doubt on some of the more leftwing campuses, they support "social action."  At the welcome dinner, the Jewish students were harassed by pro-Hamas protesters, their faces covered by keffiyehs.  Here is some of what the students heard.  "Where's Hersh, you ugly ass bitch?  Go bring them home."  (Hersh Goldberg-Polin was the American among the six recently murdered hostages.)  The students also reported hearing:  "You ain't going home tonight," "All Zionists are terrorists," and "Ilya Bratman you can't hide, you're committing genocide."  Apparently sponsored by the Muslim Brotherhood affiliated Students for Justice in Palestine, the SJP wants CUNY to cut all ties with Hillel International.  How nice that these are the people the Democrats are trying to placate in order to get their votes.  And for those on the Left, voting with people who want to kill all the Jews, is somehow better than voting for Trump. 

What About Governor Walz?

It was a different Democratic National Convention.  There was much talk of "freedom," not something I usually hear Democrats talk about.  There were lots of American flags and much talk of "patriotism."  I'd say good for the Democrats if I thought that they were sincere about it.  And the focus seemed to be on "joy," apparently replacing Obama's "hope and change."  There were many attacks on Trump, and little discussion of policy, except for abortion.  But all that is for other posts.  Let's talk about the VP pick.

We know that Walz was a teacher, a football coach, and a man who spent over two decades in the National Guard.  But what does he believe?  What are his values?  We get some insight from his signing into law a bill regarding "Ethnic Studies Requirements."  The State's Department of Education fleshed out the details of the new law, which applies to all school districts within the state, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.  Some have called this new law the most radical in the country.  (Note.  Much of the information for this post comes from an Op-Ed by Katherine Kersten, of the Center of the American Experiment, in the 8/22/24 Wall Street Journal.  Some information also came from an article in the National Review.)

First graders are to "identify examples of ethnicity, equality, liberation and systems of power...(and) to construct meanings for those terms."  Excuse me?  First graders?  Makes sense.  If you indoctrinate five year-olds, those ideas will become part of their worldview, and will be difficult to shake off.  You will have lifelong Democrats, possibly lifelong Marxists, as that appears to be the goal.

How about fourth graders?  I remember in elementary school (not sure of the grade) being told to trace a map of the United States, and then trying to correctly name the state for each outline.  Later on we learned countries and oceans of the world.  I actually have loved looking at maps, and atlases from different eras, ever since.  But that is so passe.  Now, fourth graders are to "identify the processes and impacts of colonization and examine how discrimination and the oppression of various racial and ethnic groups have produced resistance movements."  

What about high school?  Those students will be told to "develop an analysis of racial capitalism."  It was obvious that capitalism would come under attack, as this curriculum is Marxist based.  High school students would also be taught about "anti-Blackness," and "racialized hierarchies" based on "dominant European beauty standards."  With a little bit of luck, either white students will be hated by all minorities, and/or they will hate themselves.  Very healthy.

One of the individuals involved in developing this curriculum for the state is Brian Lozenski.  He is a founder of "Education for Liberation Minnesota," aka EdLibMN.  Mr. Lozenski's feelings about America can be summarized in an article that he wrote following the death of George Floyd.  He described the riots that followed as "mass uprisings against racialized state violence," leading to "the inevitable death...(of the) social order that prioritizes vulgar economics."  Again, clearly Marxist.  

It should come as a surprise to no one that America haters also tend to be Israel haters.  "Ethnic Studies explores the colonial roots of the dispossession of Palestinian land and the creation of Zionism."  The curriculum will discuss "the devastating impact of Israeli colonialism."  Also, "studying Israeli settler colonialism in comparison to US settler colonialism" will be a main focus of Ethnic Studies.  Less than two weeks after the massacre of October 7, Lozenski called for a "Student Walkout for Gaza."   

I am frequently asked by my non-Jewish friends why Jews overwhelmingly vote for Democrats.  Do I think that Democrat run states (Minnesota is not alone with these Ethnic Studies curricula) indoctrinating an entire generation of young people into hatred for Israel and the Jewish people will change the minds of my fellow Jews, many of whom I personally know?  Come this November's election results, we should know.  

Trump was recently heavily criticized for saying that "Any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion.  They hate everything about Israel and they should be ashamed of themselves because Israel will be destroyed."  I get the criticism.  I would have counseled him not to say that.  He also said "Any Jewish person who votes for a Democrat or votes for Biden should have their head examined."  I don't see that comment being significantly different from Biden telling a black audience during the 2020 race:  "if you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black."   

"Never Mind"

I watch most events that are of historical significance.  The two political party's presidential nominating conventions definitely qualify.  I did not watch every speech at either convention.  Prior to the opening hour of the DNC convention, I texted a friend (the subject of the first post on 8/4/24) and asked if he thought any of the speakers would condemn the pro-Hamas protesters outside the convention.  After reading Biden's late night speech, I texted him "never mind."

Here was President Biden:  "Those protesters out in the street, they have a point.  A lot of innocent people are being killed on both sides."  I wish the Democrats would stop it.  Stop talking about "both sides."  Hamas started this war.  Hamas targets civilians.  Hamas has made it clear that they do not even care about the civilians in Gaza.  They say dead Gazans are martyrs.  They say people die in war.  Yes, and even more do when Hamas terrorists hide themselves and their weapons in schools, hospitals and mosques.  These protesters do NOT have a point because all they do is blame Israel, and it's sickening.

Which of the protesters has a point?  "From the river to the sea Palestine will be free?"  The point of ending Israel?  "Israel commits genocide?"  That lie?  How about this protester, who was interviewed on Fox:  "Every Palestinian supports Hamas.  Not just me.  Every Palestinian."  Asked if he agreed with the October 7 attack, he replied:  "Yes I do.  What's wrong with October 7?  You tell me."  When the interviewer brought up that women and children were massacred, he replied with "bullshit."  Lovely.

Then, there was the protester walking around with a large Nazi flag.  Did he have a good point?  The Democrats continued to bring up the lie about Charlottesville (claiming that Trump said there were "very fine people" on both sides), a lie has been debunked even by Snopes.  Yet, it sure sounded like Biden had his Charlottesville moment.  Just don't expect the Democratic Party-Mainstream Media Complex to criticize him for it.  

But Biden is no longer running.  What about Harris?  When speaking about a pro-Hamas crowd on campuses, she said:  "I do understand their concerns and I will never attempt to stifle or silence young people from expressing their concerns."  When a student/protester accused Israel of genocide, Harris replied:  "I appreciate you raising the subject and I appreciate your leadership."  Only one side is sworn to the genocide of the other, and that is Hamas, vowing to kill all the Jews.  And Harris appreciates accusing Israel of genocide? 

But Harris appointed an Israeli born, American Jew (Ilan Goldenberg) to be the head of her Jewish outreach.  That's good, right?  This is a man who opposed moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Israel's capital city of Jerusalem.  That was something that President Trump did.  Goldenberg has supported US funding of the Palestinian Authority, something that President Trump cut, given the PA's support for terrorists who kill Jews.  He disagreed with President Trump's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the strategic Golan Heights.  He supported the Iran nuclear deal.  And he felt that Trump was wrong to side with Israel over the Palestinians.  So, if you are a self-hating Jew, Goldenberg is your man, and Harris is your candidate.   

Remember Josh Shapiro, the Jewish Governor of Pennsylvania, who was in the running to be Harris' VP nominee.  (Never mind that Harris feared offending the Arab Muslims in Michigan and Minnesota had she picked a Jew.)  Here is what Shapiro had to say about the pro-Hamas protesters:  I think protesters absolutely have a right to have their voices be heard."  That is simply stating the obvious, although if similar speech was directed at blacks or any other minority, it would be condemned as "hate speech."  Here is more from Shapiro:  "They gotta follow the rules, but their voices should be heard and they should be encouraged to exercise their First Amendment rights.  Whether I agree with them or not is beside the point."  Attaboy, Josh.  "They should be encouraged" to voice their hateful rhetoric against Israel and the Jewish people.  You make me so proud. 

The Democrats have a problem.  They love accusing Republicans of not being moral.  But just how much moral compass does it take to condemn, not praise or encourage, the pro-Hamas, Israel-hating and Jew-hating protesters?  It appears to require a greater degree of moral compass than is possessed by today's Democrats. 

Kamala Harris and Israel

I was not happy that both VP Kamala Harris and Republican VP candidate J.D. Vance failed to attend the speech given by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a joint meeting of Congress on July 24.  Harris' absence was more significant, as she would have jointly presided over the meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson.  And, Harris is a nominee for president, not vice president.  Axios estimated that approximately half of the Democrats in Congress (the House and Senate) failed to attend the speech.  Shameful!  Israel is our major ally in the Middle East, and one of our best allies in the world, and is in a fight for its existence.  Yet all those Democrats couldn't be bothered to attend?  Well, Harris did have to speak at a sorority convention, which of course takes precedence over NOTHING!

Harris did meet with Netanyahu the next day, after which she spoke to the press from previously written remarks.  I will say, she has learned how to read her speeches without her previous unserious demeanor.  And without the ridiculous laughter.  Harris:  "I also expressed with the Prime Minister, my serious concern about the scale of human suffering in Gaza.  Including the death of far too many innocent civilians.  And I made clear my serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation there."

If she had bothered to attend Netanyahu's speech, she would have heard him say that Israel has allowed over 40,000 aid trucks to enter Gaza, delivering half a million tons of food.  According to Netanyahu, that amounts to over 3000 calories a day for every man, woman and child in Gaza.  Except, of course, that we don't know how much Hamas steals and gives to their own leaders and fighters.

Harris:  "The images of dead children, and desperate hungry people fleeing for safety...We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies.  We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering and I will not be silent."  If that's the best you've got, Madam VP, I wish you would shut up.  Yes, war is terrible.  Yes, images of dead children are especially heart wrenching.  But I think we can all be grateful that you were not leading the country during WWII.  I can only imagine how much you would have fretted over the deaths of Germans.  Would you have told Eisenhower to stand down, because too many Germans might die?  I won't even discuss the bombing of Dresden. 

After saying there was a deal on the table, Harris said this:  "It is time for this war to end.  And end in a way where Israel is secure, all the hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can exercise their right to freedom, dignity and self-determination."  Is it time for the war to end before Hamas is eradicated?  Or, do we let Hamas remain in power, even though they have promised to commit another October 7 type raid on Israel over and over and over again?  

How will you make sure Israel is secure, Madam VP?  How will you make sure all the hostages are released?  Did you ever talk about the suffering of Palestinians before October 7, having to live under the dictatorial rule of Hamas?  Because, in your speech you told Israel what it must do.  What must Hamas do?  It would have been nice if you said Hamas must lay down its arms and agree to an unconditional surrender.  But I guess not.  

With a rather strident tone, Harris admonished Netanyahu:  "It is time to get this deal done!"  And:  "To everyone who yearns for peace, I see you and I hear you...And ultimately, I remain committed to a path forward that can lead to a two state solution."  You think that the Israelis don't yearn for peace.  In their short 76 years since declaring independence, Israel has had to fight war after war after war.  Since this current war began on October 7, 2023, it is estimated that up to 100,000 Israelis have been displaced from their homes, some in the North (because of Hezbollah's missiles, thousands of which have been launched since October 8) and some in the South (since Hamas invaded Israel).  Where is your sympathy for that humanitarian crisis?  

Madam Vice President, either you are incredibly naive, or you believe that the bad guys of the world should be appeased.  Which is what Obama and Biden believe.  Maybe you ought to take a lesson from Winston Churchill.  Recall the Munich Agreement, when in 1938 British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain agreed that Germany could take over the Sudetenland.  In believing he had avoided war, Chamberlain returned to England and announced "peace for our time."  But Churchill knew better:  "You were given the choice between war and dishonor.  You chose dishonor, and you will have war."  Which is exactly what Biden's and your appeasement of Iran has accomplished.  War.   

Kamala Harris

Yes, I know she was anointed.  Biden had the right to run as the Democratic nominee by getting enough delegates following his primary victories.  But, following his disastrous debate performance, he was forced out.  Even the New York Times opined that he had to go.  My first thought was that the Democrats would have an open convention, as the the delegates previously bound to vote for Biden were now free to vote for whomever they might want.  I was interested in seeing who might jump in.  But the Democratic power brokers would have none of that.  They did not dare risk a contentious convention - not after seeing how unified the Republicans were at their convention.  

The Democrats could not even tolerate the usual floor vote at the convention, announcing in advance that the delegates had voted and Harris won.  I'm old enough to remember the talk of the "smoke filled backroom deals," when party bosses had a say as to who the nominees for president and vice president would be.  But today's Democrat Party is the party that is going to save our democracy.  Just don't ask them to participate in the democratic process.   And, of course, there's the money.  The $200 million Biden war chest that would pass to Harris because she was (would be) on the ticket with Biden.  

Yes, J.D. Vance had previously made a ridiculous comment about "childless cat ladies."  But does anyone seriously expect the Democratic Mainstream Media Complex to tell us about what Harris has previously said?  Let's take a look.  December, 2017, she expressed her irate concern about illegal immigrant children this way:  "How dare we speak Merry Christmas!" when these children are suffering.  On it's face, it may sound nice.  A concern for the kids.  But is it?  Some kids are suffering in various places around the world at all times.  Does that mean we should take all the joy out of life?  Dennis Prager says happiness is a moral imperative, as happy people make the world a better place.  But, if you prefer to be miserable, I would choose the meme my daughter sent to me:  "If you replace your morning coffee with green tea, you can lose up to 87% of what little joy you have left in life."

On various occasions, and on September 11, 2022, Harris said this:  "The border is secure."  Maybe that depends on what your definition of "secure" is.  But if you watch Fox TV, you would see the daily hordes crossing into our country from countries all around the world.  But she won't watch Fox.  And the border czar isn't interested in going to the border.  But just ignore this, or you might think that Harris is a liar - and we know that only Trump lies.   

August 16, 2019:  "We're not gonna treat people who are undocumented (who) cross the border, as criminals."  Well, except that federal law says it is a crime to enter into the U.S. without authorization.  But, hey, Biden doesn't care about the law either, as he has kept up with his student loan forgiveness plan even after the Supreme Court said he had no power to do so.  Democrats - the party that will protect democracy.  Remember?

Speaking of power.  On September 4, 2019, Harris said this:  "As President of the United States I am prepared to get rid of the filibuster to pass a green new deal."  Just curious, how does the President have the power to change the Senate's filibuster rule?

Harris likes to remind us that she was a prosecutor.  She's tough.  Well, not on illegal aliens.  Or on those arrested following the riots after George Floyd was killed by a police officer.  Here was Harris' post on Twitter:  "If you're able to, chip in now to the MN Freedom Fund to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota."  She said the protesters would not stop, and they shouldn't stop.  Although, she did condemn the violence and looting.  I see.  So, on January 6, 2021, when Trump said the various things he said, and also said "I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard," that didn't count?  Harris get a pass for supporting rioters by saying she condemns violence.  Did Trump get a pass for his support for the January 6 protesters, by saying to protest "peacefully and patriotically?"  Of course not.

And this tough prosecutor said this on September 22, 2020:  "It is wrongheaded thinking to think that the only way you're gonna get communities to be safe is to put more police officers on the street."  That's funny.  It is so lacking in common sense that it must have been meant as a joke.  Cities across the country tried this defunding the police nonsense, and then reversed course when crime spiked.  Crime on NYC subways got so bad that the Governor ordered National Guard troops to assist the police.  Right, who needs cops on the street.

Here is something that Harris said that should offend all Americans.  She was speaking at a Los Angeles mosque:  "We must have the courage  to object when they use that term, "radical Islamic terrorism," which ignores how Muslims have overwhelmingly been the greatest victims of terror."  Listen up, Madam VP, it was RADICAL ISLAMIST TERRORISTS who killed nearly 3000 Americans (and others) on September 11, 2001.  How dare you suggest otherwise!  In fact, law-abiding and America loving Muslims should have also been offended by that comment, because I would think that they would want to distance themselves from the radical Islamists.  And, if Muslims have been the greatest victims of terror, it has been at the hands of radical Islamists.   

What about Harris and Israel?  Please see the next post.  

"I don't view the Dems with the same fear as I do Trump."

So said a dear friend who is a reader of the blog.  I believe he is a registered independent, and describes himself as center-right.  I know he agrees with much of what follows - which is why I frequently said "I think you agree."  After an exchange of some texts, and upon seeing the above from him, I replied as follows:

"I almost don't know what to make of that.  The Left (Democrats) has ruined every institution that they have gained control over.  They ruined our education system, turning it into leftwing America hating and Israel hating and now Jew hating bastions of propaganda.  I think you agree.

They ruined the mainstream media, which only challenges power when it is exercised by Republicans.  They act as a mouthpiece for Democrats.  That is not healthy for our democracy.  I think you agree.

They ruined Hollywood, too, which is now just another leftwing propaganda machine.  I think you agree.

Much of our federal and state bureaucracies are infected with leftwing woke bullcrap and DEI.  I think you agree.

The Democrats have ceded American sovereignty to the drug cartels, in the hopes that all those illegals will become Democrats.  I think you agree.

The Democrats seek permanent power, as occurred in California.  End the filibuster, add states to get extra Senate seats, now the latest Supreme Court "reforms."  You know as well as I do that Biden would not be saying that SCOTUS is a threat to our democracy if all nine justices were leftwing.  I think you agree.

Support for Israel from the Democrats has been waning for some time.  I think you agree.

Leftwing DAs, defunding the police, have made many cities unsafe.  I think you agree.

But you fear Trump.  You and I did not like his words or deeds on January 6.  But, he didn't ask the military to keep him in power.  He left the White House without being thrown out.  The Left has always exaggerated what Trump would do.  Before he took office, they said he would start WWIII.  Just the opposite.  The Abraham Accords.  Russia did not invade Ukraine, as with Obama and Biden.  Hamas didn't attack Israel, as with Obama and Biden.  He didn't appease Iran.  He enforced sanctions so they wouldn't have money to support terrorism.  He killed Soleimani.  There is only peace through strength - from Washington to Kennedy to Reagan to Trump.  Appeasement brings war.  

He's not going to end NATO.  He may not support Ukraine the way you and I would like.  And I've said for decades that neither party watches out for the people's money.  You, my dear friend, are more concerned about a bunch of "what ifs" over "what is."

I am sure that I told you about the best phone call to talk radio that I ever heard.  A self described Jewish woman called (conservative talk radio host) Dennis Prager, and said her father loves Prager, always listens to his show, and always agrees with him.  Prager very knowingly asked:  how does he vote?  I was in my car, and before she could answer I blurted out:  Democrat, I'm sure.  Yep, Democrat.  You are that woman's father.  Your self identity is so ingrained in being a Democrat (I don't care how you're registered), in having a Democratic way of looking at the world, that you are unable to escape it.

As Rome is burning all around us, you will vote for the most radical presidential candidate in history, someone who just may help bring about the end of Israel, and the end of America as you and I have known it.  Because, Trump might start WWIII."

I gave my friend the opportunity to reply to any or all of the above, indicating I would post it as his rebuttal without further comment by me.  He declined.