"You or someone like you" a novel by Chandler Burr

Three weeks ago, I recieved a book in the mail entitled "You or Someone like you" by Chandler Burr.Mr. Burr who I do not know, sent me an accompanying 2 page letter.
The letter starts by explaining that this novel is "about Judiasm". He goes on to say that it relates to "an experience I had in Israel at age 23.I was expelled from a Yeshiva in Jerualem for being racially impure".
After explaining to me his objections to organized religions,he highlights Judiasm which represents "seperatism" Quoting Charles Bronfman ( a businessman-philanthropist, and architect of "birthright ) who is certainly not a Jewish scholar,ethicist or philosopher who said "You can live a perfectly decent life not being Jewish but I think you're losing a lot."..there are people throughout the world who have the same DNA you have.
The reason that he sent me the novel,is because I am quoted in the book by name as saying "intermarriage is sweeping young Jews out to sea".
Mr Burr's father is "ethnically Jewish and his mother Protestant This somewhat mirrors the characters in the book where the mother is an Englishwoman who is gentile,and the father a product of an Orthodox Jewish home.
Mr. Buris concludes his letter to me by saying "you'll instinctivly disagree ( with the novel) but that is just my instinct".
The main characters are this very literate couple with degrees in Literature who become involved in Hollywood,both professionally and socially. She finds a niche in developing an expanding a number of book clubs for the rich and famous.
His parents object to the marriage,but very little is discussed regarding religious differences.The one exception is the annual Passover seder that they attend with their son (Sam) which culminates yearly with the "pledge" NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM.(the mother stops attending after a while)
Subsequent to the grandparents demise, Sam on his own `goes to Israel.At the Kotel(Western Wall)( he is picked up by an obvious right wing "shliach"(representative) doing kiruv (outreach) who asks him "are you Jewish?, he answers affirmatively.After agreeing that he would like to learn more of his heritage,he and 5 similar young men wind up in a yeshiva,where he is again asked the "Jewish" question and again answers "yes".
By the next day,Sam has confided in one of the young men the truth,and is immediately brought to the head Rabbi,who berates him as being "trefe (unkosher) unclean and impure.You are not a Jew.Your father has been part of the destruction of the Jewish people".
From then on the anger of the wife shines through.It is an anger that borders on the antisemitic.Sam returns home, announces his homosexuality,as the father has pangs of guilt for marrying a gentile.He consults a Rabbi,and proceeds to divorce his wife,though they still love each other.

Some of the quotes from this angry wife include
"What is called Judiasm.... is to divide.... 2 groups.The disgust for Trefe is not a disgust for shrimp, but a disgust for non -Jews "(p 298 )

"Israel is a racial security state ..with an exclusivist system of apartheid that distinguishes Jew from non-Jew" (p 298)

'If they don't accept my son..they can all go to the goddamn ovens.If that means mass cultural suicide through the intermarriage that they the racists hate so much,then mass suicide it will be " (p 282)

While Mr. Burr uses real people in his story including many prominent Jews such as David Remnick,Bronfman, Abe Foxman and Mort Zuckerman to name a few,none really touch the heart of the anger that is manifest in Mr. Burr's characters..None of course are learned ,Jewish philosophers or halachik scholars.(Jewish law).

Mr. Burr has fashioned a well written ,literate novel that any student of English literature would love..He notes that he wrote much of the book while in the NYC Public Library.Yet sadly nowhere in the book do we hear a "Jewish voice" defend the proud history of our people.We witness not an analyses of the issue,but a monologue against Judiasm.
Furthermore Mr. Burr lists a number of individuals who assisted him in bringing the novel to fruition.Absent is a single Orthodox Rabbi or scholar to place things into a different perspective at least as a partial rebuttal.Nowhere is there someone to raise a voice to say that whereas the words and actions of the Rabbis were indeed without compassion or based on how Jews should respond under those circumstances, yet they do not represent Judiasm.To me it is like condemning all physicians, because your physician had no bedside manners.
The most critical omission is the failure while in the library,to walk over to Google the 7 Noahide Laws which govern and define how a gentile is viewed by Jewish Law.One who follows the Noahide Law is considered a righteous gentile and as Maimonides (Rambam) notes is equal in stature to our High Priest,and has an equal place in the world to come.
The seven Laws are:
1-Idolatry is forbidden
2-Incest and adultery are forbidden
3-Murder is forbidden
4-No cursing in the name of G-d
5-Theft is forbidden
6-Eating the flesh of a living animal is fordidden
7-A system of Courts of Justice must be established

-. Jews have no special place in this world other than to study and follow Torah.Long before there was DNA knowledge, our Torah, written and oral kept us together.When Jews strayed from that path,they and their progeny were lost.
While we do not seek converts,those with a sincere desire to follow our 613 mitzvoth can do so after study.But why would a non-Jew want to be burdened with 613 Commandments, when he/she can reach the same level of purity and holiness by following seven?
The author describes our seperatism as a "toxin".To me it is a postive mandate pushing me to be the best human being possible whether in dealing with man-man relations,(INCLUDING GENTILES) man-G-d relations and man dealing with himself (to achieve the maximum from your potential) to be the best possible human being possible.

One last personal note.I fashioned my life as a Torah Jew,however my "seperatism" never stopped me from being a good physician whether my patients were Jew, gentile or even prisoner of war(during the Vietnam War).Our way of life is "tikkun olam"-to repair society (all society).
Contrary to living with a "toxin" in my system, my Torah ,and my learnings of Torah have guided me to believe that every human being is precious and made in the image of G-d.
Too bad Mr. Burr never sat down with some truly modern Orthodox Jews.

Gaza / Honduras / New Haven

The Reds Cross and other organizations atack Israel for conditions in Gaza.They claim 1.5 million people are in a "jail", and that Israel will not allow material in for construction.
No mention of the tunn els, nor of the rocket atacks,or the horses with explosives attached to them. We do not hear about Shalit,and most importantly no men tion that the steel and concrete goes to build bunkers.
How about their addressing these issues!


I find it amazing (as outlined in this mornings WSJ) that our Pres. and State Dept. should attack the coup in Honduras where a dictator and ally of Chavez was seeking dictatorial powers.His actions were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.Can't this admisistration be on the right side of anything?

Three cheers for the Supreme Court in the New Haven fire case.Discrimination is just that, even if it is REVERSE!
It is hard to understand the logic of the WH,that says the decision shows Judge Sotomayer is not biased=huh?

Practical Demographics

As you get older and have the benefit of the RETROSPECTOSCOPE,it is both interesting and sometimes sad to both witness and be a part of changing demographics.My most recent involvement of course was living in Monsey for 38 years and seeing the community change from a dynamic modern orthodox Jewish Community to a black hat-chassidish one.Our children moved out upon marriage, and slowly through illness, deaths and moves to Israel, Florida and close to children the changes are palpable.Aside from commenting on the lack of multi-family housing for young married the results were and are almost inevitable .There is still a MODERN Yeshiva (ASHAR),but things are not the same.
For indeed that is the cycle that we have seen in Far Rockway, Forest Hills and other places.
I started thinking about this because when I moved into Fort Lee last tear, I found a small siddur that amazingly was given out at the 39th annual dinner of the Young Israel of Easter Parkway in 1962.The guest of honor was Murray Kotkes.I do not know of his current status, but his son Willie,who went on to get smichah at YU, was my youth leader at the Young Israel in my high school days.
My Rebbi, Rabbi Harold Kanotopsky of blessed memory, was the Rabbi of the Young Israel.It was a vibrant synagogue, that was founded in 1923 and sadly closed its door in the 1980's.During its heyday,it was the home to thousands of young people who learned how to conduct services in the youth minyan,and feel at home in its gym.The Rav was a dynamic leader,and each shabbat another young YU student would get up at the end of services to deliver a sermonette on a relevant torah topic.The level of Torah scholarship that he taught was second to none.
Yet the inevitable population changes took place.Chabad become strong ,and the Black and Haitian Communities grew as our people ran to the suburbs, and our young people got married and took themselves where their careers carried them.
My only thought is to warn young communities, that what you have is not forever.You must reach out and attract young married couples.The role of the Rabbinate must not be forgotten.Considering I retired young,I am cognizant of the fact that many Rabbis do not wish to retire.In general that is not healthy.Not that they cannot continue to provide services ,however when a person is over 60-65, their thoughts are on retirement and the status quo.Excitement , the desire to expand and grow and provide vision for the next decade belongs to the young. Thus Assistant Rabbis must be considered for those tasks.
Thankfully new communities spring up such as Teaneck, Boca etc, however they must plan for the future now before they reach the top of the curve.

PRIORITIES

America is a serious nation.Our people and leaders are not only sophisticated , but well educated on the issues.
Thus tonite for the last few hours ALL cable news shows have been discussing the most important news event of the cycle.
Not the N. Korean nuclear ship or the July 4 N. Korean rocket on Hawaii. Not Iran or the riots. Not even a settlement freeze.You might think its the Cap and Tax bill scheduled for a vote tomorrow.Perhaps an announcement that all 435 Members of Congress will read the 1200 page bill before voting,(FICTION)
No it is the deaths of Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.
We certainly know how to prioitize!
I rest my case.

STRENGTH? through weakness!

Resume diplomatic relations with Syria-no mind that they control with Iran- Hezbollah. Or no mind that many terror groups reside in Damascus.Or that Syria was caught with a mini-nuclear plant in conjuction with N. Korea. or that the Harari murder is still outstanding. It is all part of the reach out to your enemies,and show your weakness.
First you apologize for every American ill,and then promise to squeeze Israel.You don't have to talk about democracy or human rights.Bush was for them, and anything he supported is wrong.
Next is Venezuela, that paragon of human dignity,as Pres-for-life Chavez does his best to screw our country.

I have agreed to speak in Rockland County in Sept on the topic "Were Jewish voters wrong about Obama?"
The Elliot Abrams article in todays WSJ is a must ead.Knowing Hillary she will deny it all.

Romney in '12 /What would Ronald Reagan have done.

The way GOP big wigs are having trouble with the zippers on their trousers, and with the economy still in the tank,the list of real contenders for the next Presidential race is thinning out.While Palin can still bring excitement to a crowd,she has done little since Nov. to work on her foreign policy or for that matter domestic issues resume. No foreign trips, no position papers or comments on Iran, N. korea, Israel or anything.We have not heard her thoughts on the auto bailout etc. In addition her family leaves much to be desired vis a vis the symbols we look for in leadership families.
While it is still a long way to go,the one Republican who can talk the economy based on real business experience is Gov. Romney. Now that we have a quasi-Muslim President, the Mormon issue, will no longer be a factor.His family life and his positions on foreign policy will attract those on the US who voted for Obama, but now are drifting away based upon the feeling they were fooled by BIG LIBERALISM.Romney is handsome and telegenic.

Yesterday when asked why he hasn't been more aggressive on Iran,Obama answered that we don't know how it will end!
When Ronald Reagan stood at the Berlin Wall and said "Mr Gorbachev tear down this wall", he likewise did not know how his words would help bring about the destruction of the wall.
Obama does not care for the young people marching,in fact they are obstructing his grand vision to sit with the Ayatollah and charm him.
In that regard I urge you to read the editorial in the current Commentary magazine by John Podhoretz on the Obama plan to be "honest" with Israel- meaning a Palestinian State with 100% ISRAELI CON CESSIONS AND 0% PALESTINIAN CONCESSIONS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE HIS MASTER PLAN.

double standard-x2 / Sarkozy-Obama

As we all know David Letterman made a disgusting "joke" about Sarah Palin's daughter.NOW and other feminist groups were silent.There is no question that had he made the same remarks regarding the Obama girls,he would be history.
Somehow the old girls network and left wing blogosphere is not there to protect conservatives.
David Letterman himself was living with a woman,and they had a baby-commonly known in our neck of the woods as a mamzer.Then after many years he decides to marry her.No jokes,no barbs no criticisms from the media elite.


Three cheers for French President Sarkozy who flatly said that the female Muslim head covering (Burqua) was not welcome in France.It is not he said a religious article,but a symbol of male dominance and seperation.This is exactly opposit of the Obama Cairo speech.
The President seemed annoyed and defensive when a reporter asked him if his tough rhetoric today on Iran was in response to Sens. McCain and Lindsey Graham's push.In essence the Pres. statements.were exactly taken from the 2 Senators speeches.

E.Jerusalem- JEWS KEEP OUT!

The report that that the State Dept. announced that new Israeli building in E. Jerusalem is included in the Obama " freeze" adds another nail into the coffin of THE MYTH THAT OBAMA IS A FRIEND.
The Jewish Dems are sending e-mails trying to defuse the reality of the sad anti-Israel program that Obama and Hillary have undertaken.
Netanyahu has gone out of his way not to criticize OBAMA ON HIS PASSIVITY IN IRAN,HOWEVER THE FEELINGS and words ARE NOT RECIPROCAL.
Israel must continue to build in Maale Adumim,Efrat,Har Homa and all the E-1 ring.All of these areas are suburbs of Jerusalem.
What is most disturbing is that self hating left wing groups like Peace Now, are monitoring every govt. activity ,including line by line inspection of the budget that includes funding for some projects.
How can Jews do that to undermine the State and their fellow Jews?
Unfortunately we have no mechanism to punish such people, however as we say in the Talmud "yesh din, vyesh dayan" there is a higher power that will judge and apportion punishment.
The faster they build these projects the faster the attacks from the left and Obama will dissipate.
More than that-if the "freeze" that Bibi placed on new settlements is not met by some reciprocal PA moves,then that concession should be taken off the table, and new settlements begun .In fact no matter what concessions Israel makes, there will be no recognition of Israel by the Arab world

ISRAELIS-'OBAMA CONSIDERED PRO-ISRAEL BY ONLY 6%"

It must have been a shock to Jewish Democrats to find out that the most reputable poll in Israel found that only 6% of Israelis believe that Obama is pro-Israel.Of course they have come up with excuses and alibis, but the facts are clear.
The WH took it seriously ,for it immediately issued a statement reinforcing the ties between our 2 countries.Even Sen. Harry Reid the Senate Majority Leader wrote a letter to the Pres. noting the undue and uneven pressure on Israel without asking anything from the Arabs.
Liberal Jewish Democrats can keep parotting the same party lin e, but one nite when they are alone with time to think,they will realize that OBAMA IS NO FRIEND!
THE PRESIDENT IS FIXATED ON HOW HE PERSONALLY CAN SWEET TALK THE WORLD,AND REFUSES TO BE BOTHERED BY THE FACTS.
Thus Iran, N. Korea the ME, are all items that he can solve if only people would not pressure him. Sadly (for Obama) the world goes on.N. Korea readies a rocket against Hawaii,people are dying in the streets of Tehran and Hamas imports rockets and refuses to recognize Israel. Obama is still preparing to negotiate-DON'T CONFUSE ME WITH THE FACTS"

Olive Garden / A thought / Jewish Press on Glanz

kudos to the Olive Garden for cancelling their ads on Letterman.

A gentleman stopped me in the elevator and proclaimed:
If Israel were to disarm, the Arabs would march and slaughter the Jews.
If the Arabs were to disarm, we would have peace.

I picked up my copy of the Jewish Press,which they leave in our shul.Turning to page 58,I did a double take to make sure this was not the Purim edition.
In an article that portrays Rabbi Leib Glanz as a hero and tzaddik who does what every prison chaplain does,the author Rabbi Gershon TANNENEBAUM claims the NY PAPER THAT IS COVERING THIS CHILUL HASHEM "misunderstood and misrepresented the efforts of this orthodox Rabbi in providing for the religious needs of inmates."
How you can write this with a straight face and without admitting the outlandish and irregular conduct which will be investigated for criminal activity and already has caused high level resignations is beyond belief.He wants us to believe that the party was served "leftover or rejected institutional kosher meals" He misses the whole point,namely they are prisoners,who must follow rules that society has placed upon them
Are these people above the law,because their brand of chassidim have political power?
Certainly Tannenbaum deserves an award for his chutzpah-you name it!

A PATHETIC OBAMA FOREIGN POLICY and a word from J.C.

I was going to write a larger piece regarding the foreign policy of Obama vis a vis Iran and N.Korea, however the editorial in todays WSJ pretty much summarizes the Iran part.(better than I could ever do)
The N.Korean part simply follows.However in truth this naive ands simplistic approach is not too much different than Bush. A lot of talk but no teeth in regard to these 2 regions.
The narcissistic approach to the world,is that sweet talk, overwhelming personality, a great speech in a glitzy sorrounding will cause the world to change as Angels hum ..HTH--hail to Obama)
Let's see- the end of nuclear weapons,close Gitmo,peace within 2 years in the ME, a stand-down by Iran on the nuclear issue,a nuclear free friendly N. Korea , and no outstanding issues with Russia.
AT THE SAME TIME, IGNORING REALITY HE WANTS TO REDUCE OUR DEFENSES IN THE US, and not proceed with our committments to E. Europe for missile defense.(No funds in the budget for these agreed upon projects)

Back to the Obama foreign policy look-a-like Jimmy Carter (I'm sure Obama appreciates his imput) who today recommended that the peace-loving Hamas be taken off the terrorist list!

BIBI GOT IT RIGHT /Carter cries!

The more I think of it, the more brilliant does Bibi's speech appear to be.We know Mubarak asked Bibi to announce that negotations would continue from where they left off.
That is the problem.Israeli negotiators over the years negotiate in secret,make concessions and the Arabs ask-no demand for more concessions,and then walk away.They want to start the next round from where they left off-concessions in hand..There is no end point.Arabs believed they could get a Capital in Jerusalem and maybe 50 or 100,000 "refugees" into Israel.
Bibi explained the cause of a lack of peace.Failure to recognize Israel as a Jewish State.The Arabs want 2 States,the first all-Arab, the second a mixed State that eventually will become Muslim.
"You want us to recognize an Arab State-fine,then recognize us as a Jewish State.You want to live in peace,fine but you don't need an Army."
Remember they lost every war they started.Japan and Germany post-war were demilitarized. I saw on the internet,that 23 small nations including Iceland have no Army.
Every single statement of Bibi was on mark.
The Arabs were shocked because they thought that after Obama Bibi would fold.To the contrary he rose to the occasion, outlined a logical and well thought out plan.
He never mentioned the Saudi Plan a non-starter,but placed the onus on the Arab world to face reality.

The JP reports our friend Jimmy Carter held back tears when he saw the destruction in Gaza.No comment on a tour of the tunnels.While he decried bombs on Sderot (7000) the moral equivalency of Sderot-Gaza is nauseating.
I would say his visit to the home of Shaul Goldstein head of the settlers in Nve Daniel-right next to Efrat was encouraging.He told Shaul ,who is an old friend,that these types of settlements will stay forever-THANKS

Benny Begin M.K. / Reform Clergy

One of the Israeli leaders that I have the most respect for is Benny Begin.He is not a politician,rather a very straight and honest academician.
In announc ing that he will not leave the government over Bibi's speech ( he is extremely anti-Palestinian State).he made one important observation.Namely that after a nunber of years a demilitarized State can and has the potential(will) to remilitarize.The end result would make it very difficult for Israel to invade,if the remilitariztion were done slowly.

At a moment when Israel needs unity and support from the diaspora,leave it to the Reform "Rabbinate" to join the ranks of tha attackers.
Yesterday in honor of the PM's talk these "chachamim" (wise ?) "religious " leaders proclaimed the settlements are the greatest obstacle for peace(including natural growth).
Let's remember,their history = anti-Zionist even after the State was formed.Their attachment to the traditions of our people include unkosher Yom Kipper balls in the early days.
It is not hard to fathom why their brand of "religion" has not caught on in Israel, and as Dr Lamm correctly pointed out,theirs is a group populated to a great extent by gentiles-far removed from the halachah.

PA RESPONSE

Listening to Bibi's talk was difficult in that I really don't support a Palestinian State.However he crafted it in such a manner, that the Arabs will not waste even one moment of thought in attacking it, and guaranteeing there will never be a Palestinian State.
Indeed in the few hours since the talk,the vehemence of the PA is off the chart.
I guess they would have liked him to say:
"Yes Pres Obama, we will move 300,000 Jews back to the '48 border,
yes we will help you build barbed wire fences to divide Jerusalem,
yes we will accept 1 million Arabs into Israel so that they can show their love for the "Zionist Entity"
and we will invite the Hamas and all the Arab nations who over the years have tried to destroy Israel to send military units into the new State"
Sorry suicide is not the order of the day

THE IRANIAN EXPERIENCE

Before the Iranian election,the press was portaying the possible election of Mousavi as a step toward liberalism.In fact every analyst knew that in the end no matter who won there would be a continuation of Iranian policy toward Hamas ,Hezbollah and nuclear proliferation.The difference wold be one of tone and abrasiveness.The ultimate policy comes from the religious leader.
In fact a number of sophisticated pro-Israel commentatorsa were rooting for Ahmadinejad,so as not to confuse the issues,and allow the Iranians additional time for nuclear development,as we waste time with negotiations.,
Surely today the Bibi talk will emphasize this existential threat to Israel.It is clear from the toothless UN resolution on N. Korea, that Obama has no stomach to protect the US from those monsters if it means military power-even at sea to interdict a boat.
No one in their right mind at this moment can believe he will lift a finger at Iran .Rather he will accept Iran as a nuclear power.With N. Korea looking to sell nuclear technology and plants,and with a nuclear Iran ,the race to supply terrorists,Syria Saudia Arabia ,Egypt and A WHOLE HOST OF OUR WORLDS GREATEST DEMOCRACIES will be underway.
Only tiny Israel will have the means and desire to stand up-but it will be dangerous,difficult and possibly costly.However preserving ones own nation mandates taking such sacrifices.The option of not doing so yields much worse results.

Again I have no inside information regarding the contents of the Bibi speech.However it is not so much whether he mentions the"2-state" words,but rather defining clearly what such an entity must be.Such a step must be at the END of a process that includes instituting the rule of law,the end of terror,the cessation of incitement and the acceptance of Israel as a Jewish State.Any Arab "refugees" would be free to return to that entity and not Israel.
Demilitarized-open skies for Israel,control by Israel of the borders,no division of Jerusalem,no Hamas State and immediate consequences for violations are all necessary fot the final negotiations.

Letterman/ A jailhouse Simcha

Without rehashing the story. David Letterman is disgusting.CBS should punish him and his advertisors should remove themselves from his program.

The story in yesterdays Post regarding the bar-mitzvah and subsequent engagement party in the NYC Tombs is a real "chilul Hashem" a desecration of the name of the Almighty.Instead of hiding his head in shame for crimes committed, the father shamelessly catered these parties in an ostentatious manner.
Those responible, including the Rabbi and Imam etc should be fired and prosecuted,if found to have broken a law.
Similarly the story in todays Jewish Week of the Rabbi quoted as saying it is permissible to CHEAT ON YOUR TAXES, IF NOT CAUGHT,BRINGS GREAT SHAME TO OUR RELIGION.
REMEMBER- THE DEFINITION OF ORTHODOX IS NOT A BEARD,A BLACK HAT ETC, BUT HOW YOU CONDUCT YOURSELF PRIVATELY AND PUBLICLY IN REGARD TO YOUR FELLOW MAN,AS WELL AS THE
LAWS OF THE RELIGION INVOLVING PRAYER,KASHRUTH ETC.

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Only Bibi knows what he will say on Sun day.The event at Bar Illan will surely highlight the Sadat mission to Israel (its in the Sadat-Begin Peace Center)
Will Bibi return to his old form, or stay strong ?Sadat was not mentioned by Obama!

Anti-semitism

There are different appearance of those who hate Jewa.
Some are the violent type who either irrationally or with planning will try to kill or maim Jews.Such was todays shooter at the Holocaust Museum.
There are those who can control these emotions,but walk the walk, by verbal attacks,membership in organizations that preach their message.They can be found on inernet sites and so on.
Others,would never hire a Jew if they could,or vote for one,nor support a candidate who was pro-Israel.
Obviously there are gradations in all of these.
Of course in todays lingo the Holocaust denier can be the most dangerous.
Then there is the individual who cannot stand the State of Israel,but professes love for Jews.He may even call himself "a friend of Israel".That person may have Jewish advisors and friends(aka anti-zionist).But like Gerrge Ball in a previous era, states that as a friend of Israel, they need "TOUGH LOVE" or "we must help Israel IN SPITE OF HERSELF".
RECOGNIZE ANYONE?

Pres. Peres

During his active role in the political life of the knesset and government,I never was a fan of Shimon Peres.Of course over the years I met him many times,and thought him to be a typical left-winger and anti-religious as well.
I read his autobiography and whether you like him or not,agree with him or not,he is one of the heroes of the creation of the modern State of Israel.
When he was selected as President, I felt that whereas other Presidents did not interfere in policy or public debate,Peres would be different.Despite his age,his intellect is sharp,and his committment to Eretz Yisrael without blemish.
Now that the Obama people are waging a multi-faceted campaign againt Bibi and the Govt.,in the hope of
a-showing Islam they are tough on Israel and
b- hoping the voter will turn against Bibi and bring in the Left,
the role of Peres has become critical.He is respected by the Left in the US,as well as Europe,and he is not a Likudnick.He speaks calmly of a 2 State solution,however notes that the PM is a man of peace.He was the person sent to Washington to see Obama before Netanyahu in the hope of softening the Bibi image.
Yesterday im meeting with Ambassador Mitchell, he sagely advised that they can the public talk on settlements,that will only lead to discord,and concentrate on more productive areas.Wise talk from a repescted senior statesman!
In his role, he serves the country well and though he may disagree with policies, helps put the best face forward.

PART II

Buchenwald-Dresden-Palestinians

Visiting Dresden and Buchenwald, is a nice touch, but not in juxtapostion.To imply by body language a moral equivalency is obscene as was the stupid and tasteless Brian Williams question,on what the Israelis can learn about the Palestinians from your Buchenwald visit. The Nazis tried to make the world Judenfrei,the Arabs only want to make the ME Judenfrau!



THE US NEEDS A NEW BEGINNING WITH ISLAM

Why? Our slodiers have fought in Bosnia ,Iraq and Afghanistan-for who? Muslims!How about the Wahabbis who preach our downfall?WILL THEY CHANGE THEIR TUNE IF ISRAEL STOPS SETTLEMENTS?



OMITTING "TERRORISM" WILL MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE

Terrorism is a war that eminates from Islamic elements that seeks to destroy our way of life.Making believe it is some non-descript extremism will not solve our world-wide problems.Have your CIA and FBI Directors draw up a list of terrorist activities in the US and against the US worldwide-Aren't they 99% of slamic origin?

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD BE ABLE TO WEAR A HEAD COVERING
True eonough,but how about the opposite.Every woman should be free to NOT wear one.How about the freedom to bring a Hebrew or Chrisiann religious article into an Arab country?

APOLOGIES TO IRAN
Part of your APOLOGIA personality.Fine- let's apologize to the American Indians. While you were in Cairo, an apology to the Hebrews for slavery would be in order.How about the U.S. Embassy in Tehran?Hamas support? roadside bombs to kill GI's? Hezbollah?

SETTLEMENTS ARE THE KEY TO PEACE
If you really believe that,then I have a bridge for sale! Hamas just yesterday sent a 10 man Gaza mission to attack and capture Israelis.Would they give up if a few Jewish huts were taken down?

I COULD GO ON AND ON.THE BOTTOM LINE-ANTI-ISRAEL SENTIMENT IS ALIVE AND WELL IN OUR WHITE HOUSE AND IN WORLD CAPITOLS--AND CERTAINLY AT THE UN.
.
THE HOLOCAUST TAUGHT US THE WORLD DOESN'T CARE IF JEWS LIVE OR DIE.FOR A FEW YEARS AFTER BUCHENWALD WAS FREED,WE HEARD "NEVER AGAIN'" NOW WE HEAR "LETS GET IT OVER WITH."
PROBLEM-ISRAEL AND WORLD JEWRY( AFTER THEY WAKE UP) WILL NOT LET THEMSELVES BE LED TO THE SLAUGHTER ( EVEN IF IS PACKAGED IN A FANCY PR RIBBON)

SOME ANSWERS FOR OUR PRESIDENT PART I

Instead of a long essay on the Obama ME tour,in view of so many op-eds,I thought i would try to place in bullet form some thoughts:

1-THERE ARE 7 MILLION MUSLIMS IN THE U.S.-
NOT TRUE.EVERY TEAR THE ISLAMIC PR MACHINE DOUBLES THEIR NUMBERS.IN FACT PROBABLY HALF OF THE 2-3 MILLION ARABS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE CHRISTIANS WHO FLED ISLAMIC TERROR.
If they had 7 million Muslims,we would have seen real ISLAMIC political power and dozens of members of Congress etc.Their absence speaks for itself.

PALESTINIANS RAN AWAY BECAUSE THE STATE OF ISRAEL WAS FORMED.
1-Until recently as the late Golda Meir said "There is no such a thing as a Palestinian people".The Jews were the Palestinians.The newspaper was the Palestine Post,and the symphony, the Pelestine Symphony.
2-resident Arabs ran away when the sorrounding Arab nations attacked Israel in its formsative days.They promidsed these Arabs that in a few days they could come back to a JUDENFREI environment.

WE SHOULD FEEL SORRY FOR THE PALESTINIANS
Why? They started every war and lost.Israel left them a blooming agricultural area in Gaza,and they destroyed it.They took cement needed for rebuilding and built tunnels and bunkers.

PALESTINIAN "REFUGEES" ARE LIKE AFRICAN SLAVES OR BLACKS IN AMERICA.
EXAMINE THE RECORD OF THE UN TO LOOK AT REFUGEE SITUATIONS SINCE THE CREATION OF THE UN.THERE HAVE BEEN MILLIONS OF REFUGEES IN EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD.ALL WERE EVENTUALLY RESETTLED IN NEW COUNTRIES.ONLY ARAB STATES FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES REFUSE TO GRANT CITIZENSHIP TO PALESTINIANS.
At the same time,Israel settled and absorbed an equal mumber of penniless Jews from Arab countries.
TOMORROW PARTII

B Hussein O in Muslimland

He is a master at public speaking ,especially with a teleprompter.But beyond all the "truths" is the simple fact, that our President in his heart of hearts can never forget his fathers, stepfathers and grandfathers religion.
HE IS NO FRIEND OF ISRAEL !
As part of the "apology tour", he never mentioned "terrorism" nor as Steve Emerson pointed out "Islamic extremism".Only a generic "extremism".As though 9/11 and the US Cole etc were perpetrated by a group of multi-ethnic, multi-national hooligans.
As Emerson points out,Obama's promise to help US Muslims find new channels to fund charities,overlooks the repeated indictments and convictions of Hamas and Hezbollah fronts using different names.
Politico.Com has an overview by Josh Gerstein, who notes the similarity between Obama and Jimmy Carters description of the "plight " of the Palestinians as "apartheid".
He glossed over the existential threat Iran poses for Israel,and never mentioned Achmadinejad by name.
He compares the Palestinians to the Black slaves in America.

Look, the Liberal press,and left-wing Jews will rave at this great advance in relations with Muslims.
The proof will be in the facts on the ground.Will Hamas renounce violence and recognize Israel? Will Saudia Arabia make any gestures to Israel? Will we see greater democracy and rule of law/ womens rights in Muslimland? Will the PA make any efforts to stop incitement in schools,TV, etc?Will they take steps to meet their road map obligations?
WILL THE US MAINTAIN THE PROMISES MADE TO ISRAEL BY PRES. BUSH RE. SETTLEMENT ACTIVITY,OR WILL IT BE DAILY PUBLIC ATTACKS AND PRESSURE THAT WILL SURELY BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE?

Tough Talk !

One has the feeling that some of the Obama tough talk from his aides and himself was really testing the waters.
WHEN KADIMAH SAYS THAT ADMINISTRATION PRESSURE THAT SEEKS TO REMOVE BIBI IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE,YOU KNOW THAT (the WH )THEY HAVE OVERSTEPPED THEIR GOAL.
When the only JEWISH party in Israel that totally backs the Obama policy is Meretz,a totally discredited left wing group,again you know the W.H. miscalculated.,
The failure to get Abbas, Mubarak and the Saudis to make concessions,such as overflight permission or opening a consular section in TA , shows that putting pressure on Israel alone will have no better success than previous such foolish attempts.
At the end of the day, N. Korea Iran ,health care, the budget etc. will keep the focus away from a fruitless battle with Israel.This is especially true if Hezbollah wins the election, and Hamas and Fatah keep killing each other.
Our job in America is to stir the pot, and keep the pressure on Congress etc.

Obama Muslim Roots /Road map understandings / N. Korea / early election muses

Tonite Drudge Report has a leading story on the Obama Muslim roots,which is what I wrote about yesterday!

I believe it was Ehud Barack who today pointed out, that the original aceptance by Israel of the " Road Map" was part of an understanding that they could build housing within settlements.
If the Obama administration wants to renege on the deal, then Israel should be free to reject the road map.
Today for the first time,Politico.com ,notes that a few pro-Israel Congressmen are starting to raise their voices.
More and louder voices are needed.

It is hard to believe that as N. Korea prepares for more rocket launches, and further nuclear development, we are talking of decreasing missile defense!


I don't have the NJ primary results yet,but trhe Republicans have a real early shot at Senate seats in NY,(if Pataki runs),Del, Pennsylvania and Illinois.Nevada is another possibility if they can get a candidate.

Govt. Motors/ Obama as Pharoh=throw the newborns into the Desert!

I don't know how this infusion of billions will affect the end result, however it probably would have been better for the govt. to have given each licensed driver 10-15,000 dollars cash as a credit toward a new car .At least we all would have benefitted.
I always loved to buy a new car every 2-3 years.I have had a Plymouth when I got married,then a Pontiac,followed by a Ford when I first started my practice.Subsequently I jumped to Cadillac,Lincoln, Jaguar , Lexus, Infiniti and ended my career im medicine with an Avalon (Toyota).I now have a large Hyundai (Azure) which is probably the best car I ever had (the Infiniti was no 2 ).
I really don't car what the govt is going to mandate,because comfort and safety are no 1 for me.I guess if gas goes to above $5 I would have to think it over.However if they only manufactured small cars,I would fix my Azure up, and not buy a new one for as long as I could last.

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I was wrong during the campaign. I said, Obama at some time would exhibit that PINTELE MUSLIM ,--110 days into his administration, and it is already evident full-blast-aided bt his Chief of Staff.Today we hear talk of threats in the (veto-resolutions)UN,withholding loan guarantees, holding up helicopter sales,because of Gaza.
Sadly the Jewish Liberal Front and the Dems are afraid to speak out.Thus the W.H. thinks they have a blank check.There is also talk of forcing Bibi from Office,
I believe the activists religious groups ,the OU,YOUNG ISRAEL, AGUDA, RCA,AS WELL AS CONSERVATIVE GROUPS,plus ZOA JEWISH WAR VETERANS AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED NATIONAL GROUP, should meet,and set up a program to include;

A-major rallies in at least 10 cities.The theme1-No Pressure on Israel,
2-Force the Arabs to live up to their Road-Map obligations
3-Adhere to the agreements of Pres. Bush re. settlements

4- Jerusalem is not a SETTLEMENT

5-Iran and ME-peace are not connected
B-Congressmen should be invited to these events,to demonstrate to them our Community's feelings
C-Start an on-line petition to give to Obama
D-ARRANGE TO VISIT EACH CONGRESSMAN/SENATOR FROM LOCAL GROUPS
E-ARRANGE FOR A SERIES OF 3-5 MINUTES FILMS FOR YOU-TUBE ETC, ON JERUSALEM, RIGHT OF RETURN, SETTLEMENTS AND SO ON
We cannot wait for AIPAC to lead-now is the time.