A SWAN SONG

This will be my blog swansong.
Firstly I have to admit that I was way off in my analysis and predictions.
Secondly I realize I have been spending too much time watching Fox news, and following all the political blog.You can get a headache  from the background noise.In truth , what the public gets  especially from the media is no longer unbiased,or objective.
I always thought the purpose of papers like the NYT was to cover a story from all angles and allow the reader to make an informed decision.
When you see for example the lack of coverage of Benghazi, or the buildup of a cynical Christie-Obama hug into a Commander-in-Chief showing "BIPARTISANSHIP" you realize that you have a right to be cynical.
The media being "left" from the start , could not in any way contribute to a thorough examination of Obama.They loved the story of our first black President, and did not want to see him defeated.Any criticism was labeled "racist", even though he was the same black man when he ran 4 years ago..
2- This is a new America-single women who don't need a husband to conceive ,an influx of Hispanics,and a black population where 75%  births are illegitimate.
True the blacks have pride in a black President.However , they are worse off economically ,but refuse to see the fact.
3-The role of public service unions are a corrupting influence,since they bare bankrupting cities and states.
4=We have become a society of people who demand and expect anything and everything from govt.-food stamps- birth to burial benefits.However, the piggy bank is almost broke, and unless we face it,there will be riots in the street as we can no longer afford to become another Greece.
5-The talking heads on TV especially Fox misread the voter turnout on many counts-IE.-total voters ,the enthusiasm of young people, Hispanics and blacks and the anticipated turnout of the coal country as well as the evangelicals-who probably could not support a Mormon.

The Republican Party will have to figure out how to not only meet the demographic changes, but get rid of the anti-abortion zealots,who cannot understand that even people who oppose abortion sympathize with rape victimsThe Akins comments poisoned the well for all Rep. Senate candidates
I believe that for myself, I have had enough of the daily dose of "GOTCHA" and for the time will retire from watching Hannity and Greta,as well as this blog.
I thank all those who have contacted me personally over the years to agree or disagree with me.If I can convince one of my sons to rake over I will.

POLLS ==AND MORE POLLS

I was in the dentist's  office today, and a young single woman about 20 started speaking Hebrew to me.She told me that despite her love of Israel, and the knowledge that Romney would be better for Israel, she was likely to vote for Obama.
She then repeated the litany of what policies Romney will  reverse from the women of America.
I cannot tolerate the scare tactics, lies and bitter negative attacks by the Chicago crowd,
T think the last remark by Obama regarding vote for "revenge" says it all.
Romney who looks more Presidential said vote for "love of country"

We will shortly see whether the main street media,and their pollsters have so hyped the numbers or not.
For example today CNN says the race us tied -based on a built-in advantage of 11 for Democrats.
Pew says it is 48-45 for Obama based on D+6
This is despite last Weeks Gallup poll that definitively said unlike 2008, today there are more Republicans inn the electorate, plus a large number if independents who favor Romney.
Thus we will see if Rove, Dick Morris ,George Will , Michael Barone and a few other who are predicting a Romney victory +/- a landslide, are on the ball or behind the 8ball.

PRE-ELECTION THOUGHTS

The statistics from Israel are interesting.
1-A large majority of Israelis favor Romney over Obama
2- There are 80,000 absentee ballots from Israel.
3-7500 come from the State of Florida, and 3500 from Penn
4--The latest figures show that 85% of Americans in Israel voted for.Romney and 15% for Obama

We tried again today to vote early at a different polling place.As in all Palm Beach County sites (14 in all) there was a 2 hour + wait.We have no choice but to wait for Tues.more sites and machines,
One neg is that the computers know who voted, and they stop the robocalls.Unfortunately shabbos the phone rings, and disturbs your sleep.

It is sad to see the long lines at the gas pumps.It is reminiscent of Jimmy Carter's  time.
Gas stations should have generators for such emergencies.

I have to laugh-Obama with his arms around Christie.-looking "presidential"  "bi-partisan"
my Prof. of Surgery taught me- 1 prune does not make a tzimmis".
Inspecting floods and saying "away with red tape" GIVE ME A BREAK~!

ISRAELI / US ELECTIONS

I can follow US political intrigue with relative ease.When it comes to Israel, everyday is a new mental exercise with potential political groupings you  would never think of.Today Communication Minister Moshe Kahlon who promised Bibi a few days ago that he would remain in Likud
may be having a change of heart,
It seems he commissioned a poll to see the results if he started his own party with or without Labor.I assume a left-center party . What he believes in is not clear to me ,except the relative roles of the sephardic community vs the Russians.
With Bibi in Paris, he challenged the French President Hollande, to sponsor an Israeli-Palestinian peace conference with  NO PRECONDITIONS----FAT CHANCE ABBAS WILL ACCEPT
 

As we come down to the wire, political junkies like yours truly can get a headache fro the multitude of polls many of which are contradictory.
If you read Real Clear Politics, twice a day they choose about 12-20 news articles and op-ed from throughout the US to allow their followers to read or copy.
These days you can read on 1 line why the swing states are leaning to Obama.On the next line is an article why they are moving toward Romney.
Next Wed.(hopefully) we will have the ansers and the reasons ( early conclusions)  WHY!    

EARLY VOTING

Sheila and I wanted to go to vote early.When we came to the polling place, the line was around the building.We were told it was a 2 hour plus wait.
We decided to try again another time at another place.Our neighbor yesterday went to 2 places and left because of the wait .This morning he went to a 3rd place and voted after 1 1/2 wait..
The Gallup poll says early voters are breaking for Romney,and that the number of Obama early voters is down 22 % from 4 years ago at this time.

After experts said that the storm has nothing to do with global warming, MSNBC is pushing that theory.What is important to realize that so  many of our bridges and tunnels are old and need repairs.
Some communities have power lines underground-that should be our goal,THE COST ?

GETTING CLOSE-YHE ELECTION & THE STORM

The good news of the day is that Rasmussen who is the most accurate of the polls ,now calls Ohio for Romney by 2 points.Another national poll predicts a Romney victory,
Sadly the Obama team is getting desperate.The storm has knocked off their get-out the vote program.With some predicting power outages of greater than a week,there is always a tendency for angry , frustrated and tired citizens to take it out on the incumbent.
Over the last 3 years , I have read quite a number of books on Obama-however I just  finished reading THE AMATEUR by Edward Klein.It is truly an indictment of Obama as an amateur in the WH, totally incompetent and lost-surrounded by Chicago yes-men.

The bad news of course is the storm.It is hard to hear the constant description  of a monster event when all our children and grand-children are up north in the eye of the storm.With the eye scheduled to make landfall within the hour, our prayers  are with them and the entire region.

A WET PERIOD

The first polls from Israel not only show  no gain from the the Likud-Lieberman venture, but a 7 seat loss.The  rockets today into Beersheba are ominous signs  for Iranian-Hamas intentions.

What effect the massive storm will have on the elections is not clear.
HOW LONG WILL POWER BE OUT?
WILL PEOPLE RUN FOR EARLY POLLING IN HIGHER NUMBERS?
WILL PEOPLE WHO DON'T ROUTINELY VOTE COME OUT OF A 5 DAY PERIOD  WITH NO FOOD,,A NEED FOR CLEAN-UP AND SKIP VOTING?

The trend is toward  Romney---Ohio-Michigan-N.V.-Florida and so on,and I stick with my prediction for a Romney victory

FOR SHAME THAT 4 AMERICANS DIED

Normally I do not blog on Friday, however the news coming out regarding the inaction by the CIA, Defense Dept, White House,State Dept and the President's staff is nothing short of malfeasance and malpractice.
I don't know if definitely the 4 Americans could have been saved,but no  one tried.
With a firefight lasting 7 hours,why did we not have a Drone overhead? why did we not send a jet or helicopter gunship to spray the area.Why not send in special forces?
To me it brings back memories of Vietnam, where at the 45th Surgical Hospital we were surrounded by enemy,We were told that a B52 raid would be sent to save us and they did.
How can it be with all our military and intelligence sophistication  that NO INDIVIDUAL KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING_AND ALL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE GOT WAS SOME CRAP ABOUT AN UNHEARD OF MOVIE?   HEADS SHOULD ROLL! 

THE UN AT ITS BEST / ISRAELI POLITICS

This is the second time in 2 weeks that anti-Israel  activity at the UN almost flies under the radar.
First our Ambassador Susan Rice issued a statement to the Security Council blasting Israel on the settlements and on their treatment of Palestinians.
 The today the Human Rights Council came out with a blast calling for boycott and divestment of Israel,and threatening companies that don't cooperate WITH LEGAL ACTION.

Surprise ==is the announcement of the merger of Likud and Avigdor Lieberman into a united bloc.
Will it last? What happens if he is indicted?
I once did  some research on how many parties are formed, united or disappear each Knesset session.It is considerable.
The political effects?==TOO EARLY TO TELL
STAY TUNED!

A LESSON FROM REAGAN / ROCKET ATTACKS

There has been 1 argument not made by Romney that I believe  is very powerful on how to deal with the Iranians.
The point has been made that mere talk, and "economic sanctions " have not worked .Thus perhaps only a military strike is the answer.
However  there is a proven approach -WHEN WERE THE HOSTAGES RELEASED FROM IRANIAN CUSTODY? AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF OF JIMMY CARTER "KOCKING AROUND" WITH WORDS AND A FAILED MILITARY MISSION, SUDDENLY IRAN RELEASED THEM.
WHEN?
JAN 20 JUST AS RONALD REAGAN WAS BEING INAUGURATED.
The Iranians realized that there was a new head honcho in town who meant business.

THE DAY MITT ROMNEY IS INAUGURATED THE ATMOSPHERE WILL CHANGE.THE LAST THING IRAN WANTS IS A WAR WITH THE US.

80 Rockets from Hamas into southern Israel, causing schools tom be closed.
The attacks caused rhe IDF to call a halt to the joint exercise with the US and shift men and anti-missile batteries down South.
The delicate question is what will happen with the US  forces without a partner?

POST ELECTION ANALYSIS

When the history  of this election is written the Romney victory (which I am predicting) from behind will point to a number of factors.

From the beginning the Obama team, chose to "destroy" Romney as a person of such poor quality as to be unfit for the job-felon- murderer- tax cheat-war monger-woman hater-racist- liar-Bain capital exploiter and so on.
After a while people got tired,and when they finally saw Romney, all these ideas went ot the window.

Obama never campaigned on his economic record or defended "Obamacare"

Obama , unlike Clinton turned left after 2010 , made his base happy ,upsetting the middle.

He never took Romney seriously, thus he failed to prepare for the first debate. His performance turned America around.

Biden acted deranged during his debate, and there is no way independents would have a positive feel for the ticket.

In the last debate,it appears his internal polls showed him losing,  and thus he acted like a challenger and was trite ,sarcastic and nasty.In short he was not Presidential.At the end of the debate he was angry, that he could not draw Romney into an argument to show him as bellicose and war-like
The strategy of Romney not to get into battle with Obama on Benghazi, Syria  etc, angered many conservatives.
However, the debate was not for liberals or conservatives.It was for that small group of undecided who worry about jobs, the economy, and gridlock in WASHINGTON.HE WAS MASTERFUL IN FOLLOWING THIS STRATEGY .
NOTE TODAY RASMUSSEN GIVES ROMNEY A 4 POINT LEAD, AND GALLUP 5 POINTS
ALSO RASMUSSEN GIVES ROMNEY 5 POINT LEAD IN THE SWING STATES.

THE BIG DEBATE

There is much excitement here in Florida pre-debate.
How can this country sanction International observers to monitor our election? ARE WE A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY?=YET?
Dan Rather says the GOP will steal Ohio-I recall ballots floating down the river from Chicago as the State of Illinois went for Kennedy.

Yes the polls are tightening, but are moving in Romney's direction, because after a Romney victory, the polls of the mainstream media do not want to look like they missed the boat.

It is a joke that the Dems are accusing Romney of politicizing Benghazi ! After the machers promised not to discuss Bin Laden's death , the next day Biden was talking about it publicly.
 Since  when is it too pokitical to discuss a foreign policy-security failure where 4 Americans died?

ED minus 15

As we get closer to E Day , I keep coming back in my mind to the fact that the last almost 4 years have been such a failure.
The number of promises not kept.the economic mess, increasing deficit, rising unemployment,reduction of our credit ,increasing poverty and food stamps,and so on all  speak to a failed Presidency,
It is interesting that now during the Benghazi scandal,Panetta, Susan Rice, Hillary and the CIA head Petraeus are AWOL.They are waiting until after the election.Only campaign officials are spinning the bad news.
I probably said this before,however in any business or corporation a CEO/Pres who failed so  miserably would be out on his golden parachute.Unlike the Democratic Party, stockholders would never tolerate such incompetence.

GETTING CLOSE

Yes a 7 point Gallup lead in likely voters-but before we celebrate-the  lead among registered voters is only 1 per cent.  Why the people who have an opinion but will not vote is a mystery to me.

Today early voting begins in S Carolina.

I did not realize it until,a few days  ago that the Jerusalem Post is really an Obama supporter-especially their headlines  and stories.

Watching Biden today makes me think of a clown, not a veep.

What a joke that Shas has brought Deri and Yishai together for the election.I have no problems with ex-convicts being given a second chance.However not as leaders of a national movement or party.Of course everyone is waiting for Olmert to announce!

The firing of anti-aircraft missiles in Gaza and the drone from Iran/Lebanon are ominous signs.In addition the firing of hand held stinger missiles in Syria all add to a difficult strategic  situation.
The US-Israel joint military exercises are just about getting underway.

THE DEBATE IN PERSPECTIVE

IT IS AMAZING WATCHING AND READING THE MAIN STREAM-LEFT WING MEDIA.
They view the debate as one would judge a High School debate-points , style, presentation etc.

To me the debate has to have a context- We are at the tail end of a failed 4 year Presidency-=where did he fail? where did he succeed?  how well did he keep his promises? are we better off today than 4 years ago? what will he do differently in a new term? HOW?  WHY?
And if there are charges ie.. oil permits on federal land, the pipeline, Benghazi -cover up, more foodstamps, increased health costs and so on,= how did he answer them.?

The problem for Obama== he has a record that he cannot defend
In addition compare their economic history-community organizer, chronic campaigner for State Senate, US Senate and WH   vs.24 years in business,, saving the Olympics and Gov. of Mass.
Aside from likability-it is norm contest, and even there Romney is surging.

"you guys"

The debate was sharp and heated.Certainly Obama did better than the first debate,
To me, if you supported Obama,you would say he won.Similarly Romney fans would make an opposite claim.
Probably it was a draw.However to me  ROMNEY LOOKED MORE PRESIDENTIAL.

Romney missed an opportunity on Libya to pin the Amb Rice fiasco on Obama  
It will take a few days to see if the polls change.
Obama  must have used the word  "guys"  30 times. NOT REALLY AN ELEGANT TERM FOR A PRESIDENT.

wise thoughts

I saw the following in a blog from Rick Wilson
"when a wise person debates a fool, the fool rages and laughs and there is no peace and quiet"
Proverbs 29.9

My brother-in-law Kal Hartstein was kind enough to point out that in response to Biden's ATTACK
that the Republicans cut State Dept. funding and therefore they couldn't protect the Benghazi consulate, they have
770 Million for NE and African "Incentives"
7 Billion for International debt relief
2.2 Billion to strengthen Pakistani democracy
499 mil for global climate
587 mil for student exchange
and, a fund to renovate mosques.

The trend is in the right direction!

Biden and his juvenile actions

While I await tonites debate,the polls remain interesting.
Gallup as a result of left wing pressure, now in the middle of our electoral cycle, is increasing the ratio of cell phones.and reducing the number of whites in their tallies==ADVANTAGE OBAMA

Suffolk has stopped polling in Fla,Va and S.Carolina since they feel confident Romney will win these.
Tonites latest Tampa STATEWIDE POLL  ROMNEY-51   OBAMA- 44
Even California which will vote Dem, saw a 12 point drop for O and increase for R.

The Real Clear Politics Electoral College has narrowed, and a number of Obama States are now tossups. 

I was so upset with Biden's behavior last nite, that I forgot to finish the blog.
I thought Ryan should have concluded by saying " I am saddened that VP Biden saw fit to ridicule me, by his juvenile actions .He owes an apology to the American people who take these debates seriously."

liar..LIAR

It is encouraging to see the polls and their trend toward Romney.

The response  of the Obama team to the debate  is "Kerry"  "altitude"  and "Romney is a LIAR"  .
Sadly for them, the economic facts,including unemployment ,debt and so on are facts.
The "5 trillion dollar charge" is patently false.

If Biden brings up "LIAR" the proper answer should be that coming from an admitted plagiarizer    who had to withdraw his Presidential candidacy for that reason and , that is a joke.

When I ran for President of the Student Council in H.S.. if an issue like "BIG BIRD" came up, we would laugh and use it.
That the President uses this argument  to make fun of Romney  in a Presidential race where major issues are at stake, is ludicrous.
The US  Govt. gives  444 million dollars to Public Television. The President of NPR makes a one million dollar salary.They have a few hundred million in the bank.
These programs can be supported by the public and corporations, like operas etc.
Romney used this as an example of what can be cut.
It shows that Obama has no idea of how to cut programs.

LAUGHING WITH YASHERKES

Obama  was out on the campaign trail the day following his debate debacle.He was making jokes and laughing.
MY GRANDMOTHER MAY SHE  IN PEACE DESCRIBED IT AS "LAUGHING WITH YASHERKES"=translation-making believe-putting the best face forward-crying inwardly

The sad part about political commentators-THEY LIE (and politicians)
And they are not ashamed to look you straight in the eye and LIE...LIE   ..LIE


WHEN BILL CLINTON'S TESTIMONY ON HIS GRAND JURY LIES  WAS ABOUT TO BE MADE PUBLIC ON ROSH HASHONA, A REFORM RABBI PETITIONED THE HOUSE COMMITTEE TO DELAY ITS RELEASE SINCE IT WAS NOT FAIR TO JEWS TO BE DEPRIVED OF THE MONICA LEWINSKY GARBAGE FOR 2 DAYS.
I TOLD THE NY TIMES,THAT I WAS THANKFUL THAT WE HAD TIME TO DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ALMIGHTY AND NOT BE EXPOSED TO SUCH FILTH.

TODAY, I AM THANKFUL FOR SHABBAT, AND 2 DAYS YOM TOV.SO WE CAN REST FROM THE 'SPIN' PRIOR TO THE VEEP DEBATE.

THE DEBATE

When I was in high school and college I served as a member of the debating team.We had excellent individuals trying out for the team, and the format was that had one topic each year,as we competed against other schools.
We had great coaches,and when we traveled,we often debated 2 or 3 times in a day. We would be on the affirmative side in one debate, and then the opposite side in the next debate.
Included in my HS team were Avi ( Alan ) Dershowitz and Steve Riskin ( Rabbi Shlomo ).(AND COLLEGE)
We prepared and debated each other.We trained how to walk,stand , and  use our hands,and so on.
Mitt Romney was well trained.He knew his material, had minutiae in his brain in an orderly fashion, was funny, relaxed and aggressive.
Obama was ill at ease.He was not happy being questioned or criticized.
He looked angry that he had to be there.
To me the question as to how he would bring people together,was a no-brainier.Romney had A SET COMMON SENSE ANSWER.
OBAMA RAMBLED AND AVOIDED   A PLAUSIBLE ANSWER .

"HOW DARE SOMEONE QUESTION OR CORRECT HIM?"!
HE COULD NOT HIDE HIS CONTEMPT FOR ROMNEY,THE PROCESS  OR THE ELECTORAL PROCESS-HE DESERVES TO WIN---PERIOD!

ELECTIONS IN THE US AND ISRAEL

It is debate day, and the polls are tightening.  STAY TUNED!
It is very hard for me to comprehend how with such terrible economic news on jobs,deficit ,credit ratings, national debt , trade etc that an incumbent President would even be a serious contender.
Romney thought the election would be a referendum on Obama.However, Obama made it a referendum on Romney.
Mitt has not answered Clinton's charge-No one could have done better---or that it is all Bush's fault.
We don't hear about 2 years of an iron-clad Dem majority in the Congress, the huge  stimulus which went toward union and so on.

It  appears that the recent sabotage at Fordo  in Iran has gained Bibi about 6 months time  before an attack is mandatory.
In the meantime elections on Feb 13 or thereabouts is in the works.
Since Barak has no party,unless Bibi appoints him again as Defense Min., he would be ineligible to serve.Evidently Bibiu has not guaranteed him a slot in the next Cabinet, and that is the basis for the bitterness between the two.Members of Likud are not happy with Ehud.

A SAD COMMENTARY

Prior to wishing everyone a chag sameach, I report the American Jewish Committee survey without comment.

ACTUALLY IT SHOULD BE A TOPIC FOR YOUR SUKKAH

65% OF JEWS FAVOR OBAMA
24% FAVOR ROMNEY
10% UNDECIDED

IN FLORIDA 69% FAVOR OBAMA

ONLY ORTHODOX JEWS FAVOR ROMNEY BY ABOUT 55 %

THE MAIN ISSUES FOR JEWS
  61%  THE ECONOMY
  16% HEALTH ISSUES
   4.7%  ABORTION
   4.5%  ISRAEL

READ AND WEEP!

GOOD YOM TOV

UNSKEWEDPOLLS.COM

There is an old adage

FIGURES DON'T LIE, BUT LIARS KNOW HOW TO FIGURE

WHEN I CAME HOME LAST NITE AND SAT DOWN TO EAT MY SON ELLI CALLED TO WISH US A GOOD YEAR, BUT STARTED BY SAYING  " DAD DON'T LOOK AT THE POLLS.
 The polls this year represent a real danger to the public if they are grossly inflated for the Obama camp.
Many people who see Obama ahead by 8-10 points will assume the race is over and vote for the winner. Republicans may be disheartened and stay home.
Of  course some people  who were doubtful about voting might go definitely to the polls because of anger.
Now the polls traditionally use the turnout in previous elections to calibrate the  polling results.
This year all the polls are using the huge black ,youth and Hispanic turnout in 2008.In fact no one believes that there will be such a huge turnout this year However by using 2008 turnout, the polls are skewed to Obama by 6-8 points.
Therefore there is a new web site  UNSKEWEDPOLLS.COM  which follows the Rasmussen approach Today they have Romney up 7% based on the national polls.
RASMUSSEN TODAY CALLS THE NATIONAL POLLS   EVEN.
DICK MORRIS HAS WRITTEN ABOUT THIS, AND PREDICTS A ROMNEY VICTORY
we shall see in a few weeks.

GEMAR TOV

GEMAR CHATIMAH TOVAH

AN EASY FAST,AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR.MAY BE INSCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF LIFE.
MAY THE STATE OF ISRAEL AND WORLD JEWRY BE SAFE FROM OUR ENEMIES,BOTH WITHIN AND WITHOUT
MENDY

THE VIEW

In our apartment complex there is a small gym with 2 television sets.Often times when I go down a little before noon, there are 2 women who watch The View on each set.I cannot believe that adults would watch this day after day(sometimes it is a cooking show or a quiz show).
This is America.!
Thus I should not be shocked when in the midst of all the world turmoil,including Japan-China , Russia and the West, Syria, Iran Iraq  and a whole host of problems,our President goes to NY to add res the UN, and instead of meeting even one world leader,he proceeds to be seen on THE VIEW.
It is needless to comment further-THE MATTER SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.
AMERICA YOU WILL GET WHAT YOU DESERVE

Romney and the campaign

It has become clear-the race is close.The national polls are even, however the pivotal key states Va, Fl , Wisconsin etc are in the Obama column right now,

However it is still winnable for Romney, if he

a) wins the debate-especially the first one
b)start becoming more specific in his program-ie.-how will he help small business ?
   what tax loopholes will he tackle ?
   which regulations will he immediately move to delete?
   define clearly his difference with Obama on China, N. Korea, Russia and Iran as well as   his          relationship to Israel

I believe the 30 second commercial are not enough time to explain his platform,and perhaps a series of 15 or 30 minute addresses to the country on the economy, other domestic issues(ie the pipeline-energy) and foreign policy would be a better approach

pelosi predictions

The first thing i saw when I opened the political sites tonite-was a prediction by FORMER Speaker Pelosi, that there was a 60 % chance the Dems would take the House  (despite a WH prediction o the contrary)
I went to Google and   put in "PELOSI PREDICTIONS FOR 2010"
The first page shows numerous predictions in May,June, July, Oct and early Nov.
GUESS WHAT-?

EACH ONE DOCUMENTS HER PREDICTION THAT THE DEMS WOULD KEEP THE HOUSE.

SO MUCH FOR HER PREDICTIVE SKILLS.!

BY THE WAY BOTH GALLUP AND RASMUSSEN HAVE OBAMA AND ROMNEY TIED TODAY

the video

When I was a kid, the teacher wanting to make fun of someone with a ridiculous excuse for not doing homework,would say"I don't believe that the dog ate the homework".
The President is still talking the nonsense that some film no one ever saw was responsible for not only the Benhhazi attacks, but anti-American rioting in 20 countries.The President and his team do NOT believe there is such a thing as Islamic or Jihadist terrorism.
To wit the Fort Hood killer was never identified as a Muslim terrorist despite the yelling of "Allah Akbahr" and the facts on the ground.
Four years ago I wrote that Obama would be another Carter.In fact Carter only lost Iran,our President is on the road to losing every Muslim country.He and his team totally misunderstood the Arab Spring-as did Tom Friedman the NYT and the liberal press
The lack of security on 9/11, the failure to heed warnings, the giving of over a billion to Egypt, the invitation to the Moslem Brotherhood to the WH and so on merely point to a breakdown of any reasonable ME policy

Just a word on the polls-They are all over the place- and its too early to give up-everytime you get a little upset a new poll--ie--todays Gallup- 47-47-brings the news--"-IT'S NOT OVER UNTIL THE FAT MAN SINGS"

Romney // MIGHTY ATOM

Although the polls appear to be turning against Romney, it is too early to throw in the towel-especially with the debates coming up=more uncertainty in the ME and any decision by Israel.

Looking back, he knew that he would be under pressure to release his tax returns for 10 years.
Why not release them a year ago,and get that off the table?
He knew Bain Capital    would be an issue, why not have a specific list of companies saved and jobs created vs had they not intervened?
He knew bank accounts in off-shore and foreign countries have a negative connotation,why not have a list released with explanations a year ago.
He knew Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran etc were foreign policy issues why did he not have a detailed program?Why for 1 year didn't he visit a dozen countries,including those 2 ?

Today's WSJ editorial places the 47% remarks in proper context-he should not back down and drive the point home!

Today is the Fast Day of Gedaliah Ben Achikam,a righteous Governor  who after the destruction of the first Temple was assassinated.
Usually I fast well ,but people usually feel a little less energetic.
I write this as an intro to the story of Mighty Atom.
When I was a kid my father of blessed memory, used to tell  stories about 2 characters.One was fictional-Muttele a Jewish superman.The other was Mighty Atom, who lived on our block on Park Place in Brooklyn.He could pull a plane ot train with his hair.His children were part of his vaudeville team.
When I had my own children and grandchildren I told them embellished stories about the two.At a certain age-they turned to me and said -"OK ,its all made up" despite my protestations.
A number of years ago, at a wedding, I met someone from Washington,and while schmoozing , found out he had been brought up on Park Place.
During the ceremony this gentlemen, sitting 2 rows in front me, turned to me.I was sitting with my youngest son Elli, a lawyer.The Gentleman blurted out-"IF YOU WERE ON PARK PLACE, YOU MUST HAVE KNOWN MIGHTY ATOM?"
MY SON ALMOST FELL ON THE FLOOR.
Now the NYT reports that 91 year old Mike Greenstein,is the son of Mighty Atom,He is called Mighty Atom Jr, and he holds the world record for lifting weights with his teeth-586 pounds.
A  great example to instill you with a desire not to slow down.Also be careful about discounting the old wives tales your elders teach to the grandkids.

KTIVAH VACHATIMAH TOVAH

AS WE APPROACH THE DAYS OF AWE,I WISH TO EXTEND MY VERY BEST WISHES  TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND READERS.
MAY HASHEM BLESS US, OUR FAMILIES,THE JEWISH PEOPLE AND HOMELAND

A FATAL LOSS ? THE PRESS

We attended a funeral today in Lakewood N.J..It was quite well attended,as the  deceased lived in a 1300 family senior citizen community.
Right before our eyes, you could see the loss of an entire generation of JEWS,PRIMARILY BORN IN AMERICA,BUT DEVOID OF JEWISH CON TENT IN THEIR LIVES.
When they pass on, their children who had no contact with grandparents who conducted a seder, or said Kaddish will be slowly lost to our people.
In 20-40 years, the American Jewish Community will be in 3 parts
Intermarried-Reform and remnants of Conservative
modern Orthodox
Charedi-Aguda and chassidic

As i sat listening to a boiler plate Rabbi give a eulogy, I wondered what could have been if in 1850-1946 immigrants had not thrown their yiddishkeit overboard as they came to Ellis Island.Thin k of how different things would be today. 

The attacks by the Left wing press on Romney stating the obvious,regarding The Cairo Embassy apology,should teach Mitt a lesson.
Like Gingrich in the debates, he has to hit back at the press he has to hit back when they gang up on him.

GO EGYPT !

i think that we should reward the Egyptian govt with more than the billion dollars Obama promised.
They
gave a new home to Hamas
refused to stop an Iranian ship with weapons
attended the Iranian conference despite being asked by the US  not to go
attacked our Embassy-tore our flag down
appointed Moslem Brotherhood leaders to key positions
emasculated pro-western military leadership
Great friends---NO ?
I looked at the few minutes available on the Internet of the film  the Muslims are complaining about "Innocent Muslims"- not a great movie-but our Govt must protect freedom of speech.
We had our Nazis march in Skokie years ago, Black Power advocates,anti Catholic anti-Jewish publications.
We do not go into the street and riot and kill.We do not apologize to foreign govts about that freedom.
If these clown would have kept quiet-no one would know about the movie.
The WH  attack on 2016 and its huge crowds, mean s that it under their skin.

Another example of distorted liberalism-MSNBC morning moderator asks"who is more dangerous,Netanyahu or the Supreme Leader?

A DENIED VISIT/ new symbol

It is hard to believe that the WH (Obama) has turned down Bibi's request for a meeting at the end of this month.Je is too busy  ia the supposed reason.
Israel should take the lessons of the Convention and the real feelings of Obama over the past 3 years and act accordingly.
The world (except Canada) really doesn't care if there is a nuclear Iran or not.Their feelings about desrtroying Israel are mixed==What a tragedy that would be---next time we should learn our lessons--The Jews are too much trouble anyway  and so on


A friend    WHO MAY NOT WANT TO BE NAMED  sent me a copy of the new Democratic symbol-no longer the Donkey Now the Condom
It allows inflation, halts production,destroys the next generation gives a sense of security while you are being screwed.

MY SON ARI COMMENTED THAT MY USE OF CAPITALS MIGHT INDICATE I WAS ANGRY-NO-I JUST FIND IT EASIER TO READ

MORE BALONEY / 9/11

THIS MORNING A FRIEND OF MINE ATTENDED A CLOSED DOOR MEETING WITH SUSAN RICE OUR UN AMBASSADOR..
HIS IMPRESSION-SUPERFICIALLY A VERY NICE LADY-PLENTY OF PLATITUDES ABOUT US-ISRAEL RELATIONS.
ON THE TACHLIS AREAS= THE "RED LINES", THE OMIS0SION OF JERUSALEM AND HAMAS FROM THE PLATFORM-ETC --BALONEY !

WHILE I WISH ROMNEY WAS AHEAD IN THE POLLS, REMEMBER AT THIS TIME McCAIN WAS AHEAD AS WAS CARTER. MOST OF THE WEEKEND POLLS WERE TAKEN BEFORE THE JOBS NUMBERS.

FOUR YEARS AGO DURING THE CAMPAIGN I PREDICTED THAT IF ELECTED, OBAMA WOULD BE ANOTHER CARTER. I WAS RIGHT ON TARGET.

TOMORROW IS 9/11, AND AS I WRITE THIS I LOOK OUT MY WINDOW AND OBSERVE A COAST GUARD VESSEL SITTING QUIETLY OFF SHORE PROTECTING THE HUDSON RIVER.I  REMEMBER 9/11 CLEARLY.
I WAS SCHEDULED TO DELIVER A TALK A FEW BLOCKS FROM GROUND ZERO  IN HONOR OF MY FRIEND SHELLY FLIEGELM,AN RETIRING FROM THE OU. OUR WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.
SADLY IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN  ARE TURNING TO GARBAGE-WASTED LIVES!

A HOPE FOR SANITY

IF YOU  WERE  A STOCKHOLDER IN A CORPORATION,AND THE PRESIDENT /CEO TOOK THE REINS IN A DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIME,HE WOULD HAVE BEEN HIRED TO REVERSE COURSE.
HE WOULD DESERVE SOME TIME,BUT WHEN AFTER 2-3 YEARS YOU SAW THAT THINGS WERE GETTING WORSE,AND HE REALLY HAD NO NEW IDEAS YOU WOULD BE PREPARING TO MAKE A CHANGE.
IF ON TOP OF THAT, THIS INDIVIDUAL COULD NOT GET ALONG WITH THOSE CORPORATIONS, BANKS, BOND HOLDERS THAT WERE NEEDED TO REALLY TURN THINGS AROUND-THAT CEO WOULD BE OUT OF A JOB.
ONLY IN AMERICA, CAN WE HAVE 16 TRILLION IN DEBT,RISING BY THE SECOND, 13 MILLION MORE PEOPLE ON FOOD STAMPS,GASOLINE TRIPLE WHAT IT WAS,AND OVER 8% UNEMPLOYMENT,AND  THE PRESIDENT SAYS GIVE ME MORE TIME.
IN FACT HAD THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE WORKPLACE BEEN EXACTLY AS WERE PRESENT WHEN OBAMA TOOK OFFICE, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WOULD BE 15%.
PEOPLE LEAVE THE WORK FORCE,BECAUSE THEY JUST GIVE UP!
YES CLINTON SPOKE FOR OBAMA,BUT HE TURNED TO THE CENTER TO WORK WITH THE GOP,NOT FURTHER TO THE LEFT.

IF AMERICA RE-ELECTS OBAMA, THEN THE COUNTRY WILL GET WHAT IT DESERVES.

HOW COULD HE WIN UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES?
LAST WEEK I BELIEVE I SAW HOW.
WE HAVE A MARRIOTT CREDIT CARD AND EACH YEAR THEY AWARD YOU 1 NITE IN  ONE OF THEIR HOTELS( NOT A 5 STAR).WE CHOSE TO DRIVE TO ATLANTIC CITY-EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT GAMBLERS.
IN THE REST STOP OUTSIDE OF AC, ON THE BOARDWALK AND WITHIN 5 DIFFERENT HOTELS WE SAW THE FACE OF AMERICA.
THE MAN WHO GOT UP FROM THE TABLE ,AND PROCLAIMED "I LOST MY SHIRT" MORE THAN LIKELY COULD NOT AFFORD TO LOSE ANYTHING-HOW MANY OF THE MULTITUDE WERE ON FOOD STAMPS?
THE MANNER OF DRESS,THE CONDUCT OF PEOPLE,MADE IT CLEAR TO ME, THAT THIS IS A REALLY BIG COUNTRY,AND THE LEVEL OF POLITICAL SOPHISTICATION
TO PUT IT MILDLY VARIES.
THE ADULATION AND DEIFICATION OF BARACK OBAMA AT THE CONVENTION
MAKES ME FEAR THAT THE WELFARE STATE, THE UNIONS AND THE ENTITLEMENT GENERATION HAVE EATEN AWAY AT THE AMERICAN SPIRIT.
HOPEFULLY AC IS NOT SYMBOLIC OF GREATER AMERICA,AND WHEN THE RESULTS COME , SANITY AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY WILL RETURN.

PURE DISGUST

LET ME START BY SAYING THAT ANY JEW OR FRIEND OF ISRAEL WHO VOTES FOR OBAMA IS RETARDED , BLIND OR ON TOO MANY ANTI-DEPRESSANTS-AND IS NOT AWAKE.

IT WASN'T THAT THE DEMS LEFT JERUSALEM,OR HAMAS OR THE "RIGHT OF RETURN" OUT OF THE PLATFORM THAT IS DISGUSTING=ALONE.
THOSE WHO READ MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY WILL NOTE MY WHITE HOUSE CONVERSATION WITH PRES. CLINTON ON JERUSALEM,AND WITH CONDOLEEZA RICE-PRE-ELECTION
IT IS THE LYING WITH A STRAIGHT FACE BY THE LIKES OF DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, DICK DURBIN, CHUCK SCHUMER CONG LEVIN ET AL.
DO THEY THINK (THEY DO) THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS?
(LIKE MOVING THE VENUE BECAUSE OF THE RAIN THREAT)?
MORE THAN THAT WAS THE REACTION OF 50% OF THE DELEGATES WHO WISHED TO KEEP JERUSALEM OUT OF THE PLANK,

I CAN UNDERSTAND KEEPING G-D OUT, AFTER ALL ISN'T OBAMA OMNIPOTENT?

NOW THE HUFFINGTON POST-BLASTS THE DEMS FOR GIVING IN TO THE JEWS AND THE BELIEVERS.

IF I WERE SITTING IN THE NETANYAHU CABINET RIGHT NOW I WOULD SAY DON'T COUNT ON OBAMA OR THE DEMS-STRIKE NOW BEFORE THE ELECTIONS-AND TELL AMERICANS THAT YOU COULD NOT TRUST OBAMA.

BY THE WAY-WHEN CLINTON STUCK HIS FINGER OUT AND "SWORE" THAT NO PRESIDENT COULD HAVE CLEANED UP THE MESS IN 4 YEARS, WASN'T THAT THE FINGER THAT HE SWORE TO AMERICANS  "I DID NOT HAVE SEX WITH MONICA"?

Eva Braun /.THROW ISRAEL UNDER THE TROLLEY //

IS THERE NO DECENCY LEFT IN THE DEM. PARTY-NOW TO CALL GOV. NIKKI HALEY "EVA BRAUN " HITLER'S MISTRESS BY THE STATE DEM. CHAIRMAN, And no Dem official, no media are screaming
this is a sad commentary on American politics.

TONITE BILL CLINTON, KNOWN PHILANDERER, DISGRACED BY HIS ACTIONS IN THE OVAL OFFICE AND GRAND JURY ROOM---YET AMERICA HAS FORGIVEN (SOMEWHAT )
YESTERDAY THE 3RD PLACE WINNER IN THE GOLF TOURNAMENT PLACED   TIGER WOODS             
IN THE 100 MILLION DOLLAR WINNER CATEGORY.HE STILL HAS HIS FANS AND ENDORSEMENTS,DESPITE ACTING IN A DISGRACEFUL MANNER, AND RUINING HIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.
ARMSTRONG, DESPITE BEING DEPRIVED OF DOPING AND UNETHICAL BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS WAS STRIPPED OF ALL HIS TITLES-YET, HIS FANS STILL CLING TO HIM.
SPITZER HAD TO RESIGN AS GOV, YET MSNBC GAVE HIM A TRIAL IN PRIME TIME.


YET WHEN CONG AKINS MAKES A BONE-HEADED STUPID STATEMENT AND APOLOGIZES -THE MEDIA AND THE POLS WILL NOT FORGIVE!
DOUBLE STANDARD?  HE IS CONSERVATIVE THEREFORE....?

IN 1982 I FIRST MET A YOUNG MAN RUNNING FOR CONGRESS AGAINST PAUL FINDLEY IN ILLINOIS.HIS OPPONENT WAS PAUL FINDLEY KNOWN AS "ARAFAT'S MAN IN CONGRESS"
WHEN HE WON HE CAME TO MY HOME ,TO THANK THE PEOPLE,AND SLEPT OVER-PLAYING WITH MY YOUNG SON ON THE CARPET.
DICK DURBIN UNTIL TODAY NEVER FORGOT HIS ALLEGIANCE TO THE US-ISRAEL RELATIONSHIP.YESTERDAY ON FOX IN DEFENSIVELY DEFENDING THE OMISSION OF JERUSALEM FROM HE PLATFORM , HE WAS DISHONEST AND SENT A MAJOR MESSAGE TO JERUSALEM.
IIF OBAM,A WINS -YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN.
SHAME ON HIM  SEN SCHUMER AND THE OTHER PRO-ISRAEL DEMS"

A SURGEONS ANSWER

will be away today-therefore 1 thought.
when the Dems try to answer circuitously about are we better off off now-they answer look how many jobs have been created-omitting that it does not even keep up with population growth-or a path to full recovery.
To me it is similar-to the  surgeon who comes out of the operating room, meets the patients family who ,ask how is the family member?
He answers, what a beautiful incision I made, You should see, how I sutured the vessel together--
FINE_BUT HOW IS THE PATIENT
OH HE DIED!

someone should wash their mouths with soap--obama narcissism

Think over the GOP convention.I don't recall anyone insulting Obama, Michelle, Biden etc.They attacked their policies.Now look at the Dem rhetoric-insulting -personal and divisive
Compare the NYT op-ed which call Romney every name in the book,and the WSJ that speaks to issues.
Today the Chairman of the Calif. Dem Party John Burton compare Ryan  to Nazi propagandist Goebbels.He had no regrets nor did any leader of the Calif party apologize.
The Dems are not happy  with their standing today FLAT EVEN : 4 years ago today Obama was up 5+ points.
Two spokesmen WOULD NOT GIVE A direct answer to the question of "are you better off today than 4 yrs AGO?" AND GOV. MALLOY (i believe ) SAID No  ! Next day changed his answer
THE DEMS ARE GETTING DESPERATE, AND THE TREND IS TOWARD ROMNEY

FOUR YEARS AGO OBAMA STOOD BY HUGE COLISEUM-LIKE COLUMNS FOR HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH.
THIS YEAR IN AN OPEN STADIUM OF 60.000 SEATS-THEY WILL BUS IN BLACK CHURCHES AND STUDENTS TO FILL THE PLACE.
OH YES--ID REQUIRED !
THUNDERSTORMS PREDICTED

POST CONVENTION

WHEN I WAS A KID,LONG BEFORE TELEVISION OF CONVENTIONS,I FOLLOWED THE PROCEEDINGS AT NITE VIA A RADIO HID UNDER MY PILLOW.THERE  WERE EXCITING MOMENTS, DELEGATE CREDENTIAL, FIGHTS AS WELL AS THE MAIN VOTES.
TODAY, THAT PART OF THE EXCITEMENT IS GONE-IT IS All SCRIPTED .WHAT IS EXCITING IF YOU ARE A POLITICAL JOCKEY ARE THE MAJOR SPEECHES,AND THE
REPUBLICANS LIVED UP TO EXPECTATIONS.
TODAY I WATCHED   LA MAYOR VILLARGAROSA AND DAVID AXELROD.
ALL THEY COULD DO IS REGURGITATE THE SET LINES AND TALKING POINTS WITHOUT REALLY ANSWERING THE ECONOMIC QUESTIONS-KEY OF WHICH ARE YOU BETTER TODAY THAN 4 YEARS AGO?
ACCORDING TO THEM IT IS SO GOOD--THEN HOW COME IT IS SO BAD?
unemployment -8.3% , the deficit hitting 16 trillion
i now have more confidence in a Romney victory.

I LOOKED INTO AXELROD'S FACE--MOUTH DRY-FACE SHOWING DISPLEASURE WITH THE WALLACE QUESTIONS, AND NOT ANSWERING DIRECTLY.

voter id/ RYAN

The decision by the Federal Court to nullify the Texas voter ID law is outrageous.
You cannot get into a private building in NY or Westchester or a government office  without an ID.
Certainly you cannot get on a plane without prior identification .
The left has gone all out to give cover to those in big city political machines primarily Democratic to avoid any crackdown on voter fraud.
The Supreme Court has already ruled on this issue.The States have promised to make it easy for poor people to obtain Id's.
This case will have to go back to the Supreme Court.

Yesterday Condi Rice,Gov. Martinez and Gov Huckabee were perfect as an introduction to Cong. Ryan.
On the very day the Dems issued an attack on him as a r wing zealot,anti woman anti-everything,
he stood up before the nation,and spoke clearly without insulting anyone and gave us a choice.
A bankrupt America for our children and grandchildren or a new beginning.
I hope America will be able to avoid the slash and destroy PR of the Chicago machine.

a second thought for the day

Normally I write one thought  per day.
However all day I have become more and more upset and AGITATED.
The disgusting personal attacks on the Romneys ,and the GOP is beyond the pale of political criticism.
When MSNBC does not broadcast any black or Latino speakers yesterday to show their audience that the GOP is an all-white boys club, that is nauseating.
I was trying to think back when JFK ran for President was he attacked for being out of touch? Was RFK that obnoxious  rich boy? Was FDR with his Hyde Park estate?
When the WH press corp knew of the sexual escapades of JFK  while he was in the WH-did they release the info or protect him?

So the question I have been mulling over today as they pre-emptively attack Ryan..HOW DO YOU ANSWER THESE VICIOUS ATTACKS?
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SIMPLE LOGIC EXPLAINED TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL HELP.
IF PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS TEAM WERE SUCCESSFUL IN OUR ECONOMY,OUR HEALTH POLICIES, EDUCATION, FOREIGN POLICY, AND SO ON-THEY WOULD PROUDLY RUN ON THOSE SUCCESSES.
ABSENT ANY SUCCESSES THE ONLY COURSE OF ACTION IS TO DESTROY MITT ROMNEY.

PUT UP OR SHUT UP IS TRUE NOT ONLY FOR SEQUESTRATION, BUT FOR EVERY AREA OF PUBLIC POLICY
THE OBAMA TEAM CANNOT ENGAGE IN SUCH A DEBATE.

SPORTS -KEY TO OUR CULTURE!

In WWII , when the Germans tried to sneak their soldiers behind our lines in US uniforms,the MP's  would ask a suspect some baseball question to ferret out the infiltrators.
We lament the ignorance of our citizens re: our history , our leaders and the critical issues  we face.
Yet when it comes to sports,whether it relates to  past performance or current  averages.

WHEN YOU READ TO DAYS WSJ AND SEE THAT THE MAJOR LEAGUES SOLD TV RIGHTS FOR CLOSE TO 6 BILLION DOLLARS, OR THE COACH OF ALABAMA COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM HAS A 5.3 MILLION DOLLAR SALARY,YOU REALIZE OUR COUNTRIES PRIORITIES.

PEOPLE COMPLAIN WHEN THE COST OF ADVERTING FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS WILL PROBABLY BE 2 BILLION DOLLARS FOR BOTH SIDES..THERE ARE BEVERAGES THAT SPEND THAT IN A YEAR.(AS WELL AS AUTO COMPANIES ETC)

Politics and governing is just not sexy and except for a select group, is boring for the masses.
It is a reality program that just doesn't connect.
Thus the members of the Cabinet or Supreme Court are nowhere as known as sports figures.

the rascist canard/ Paul Ryan

How sad it is to see the racial card being thrown around.
When all the white people voted for Obama then there was no racism.
When over 50% of the population soured on Obama's policies-that is racism.
When Biden gets up and in southern drawl 'y'all tells blacks the GOP wants to put them into shackles that's not racism
When the GOP attacks Obama as the 'food- stamp President' or for changing the work rules for medicare -that is racist.

It reminds me of the joke of the  Jewish stutterer who goes into a radio station and applies for a job as an announcer.When he does not get it,he is asked "why?"
He answers his friends "such antisemitim"


I cannot describe how thrilled I am by the election of Paul Ryan to the ticket.He was on my favorites for a Ling time.However now with all his exposure he has emerged as the key intellectual bastion for economic policy.
To those who now little of his Pro-Israel record-be assured he is 100%
The  latest polls for the Senate are trending to a 52 seat GOP win, with more possibilities.
The presidential race is tied with Obama slightly ahead, but trending to Romney.
Hopefully "ISAAC" will allow some time for adequate coverage. 

the Senate Races / Jewish Arab Refugees

As you study the daily polls from state to state,you realize that at this time it is difficult to predict who will carry the Senate.
So many races are tied like Virginia and Ohio.(It would be great to see Mandel win in Ohio, as he is a conservative Republican ,a combat veteran and an orthodox Jew).In fact  as you read Real Clear Politics, you realize that in many states  DIFFERENT POLLS HAVE OPPOSITE RESULTS.
Of course the Missouri mess right now has Akin going down to a major defeat. Republicans at the convention still thin k he has a shot at winning.
Perhaps after the 2 conventions, when 1 candidate might shoot into the lead, the Senate races will follow.

In a major effort by the Israeli Govt., and the Wold Jewish Congress among others, there is now a more public demand that any peace talks with the Palestinians must include the 800,000 Jewish citizens who were forced to flee Arab countries to Israel.For the most part their property was confiscated.
The Arabs keep yelling about the"Right of Return"and have refused to resettle their co-coreligionists.Israel has successfully integrated all of the Jews from Muslim countries into society.
For the Arabs they use these "refugees" as political pawns.
The Knesset in 2010 , mandated that this issue be at the head of any negotiations...

THE RACE

The complaint is that Romney cannot relate to the average American because of his wealth.
FDR, Kennedy are among the multi-millionaires beloved by the people.
In essence, the Obama team has painted Mitt to be an ogre.
Anyone who watched the WALLACE INTERVIEW TODAY  on Fox,could not help but be impressed by the warmth openness and genuineness of the Romney family.
When you are looking for a surgeon to undertake life threatening surgery-skip the likability AND LET'S CONCENTRATE ON COMPETENCE AND PERFORMANCE RECORD.
The American people need not love Mitt.
The questions of our economy, fiscal policy. energy policy and so have been totally mishandled.
Obama asked for 1 term, he got it and failed.
Now he says not only give me another chance, but in a second term he will be able to concentrate on compromise  with Congress.
WHAT ABOUT A BUDGET TOMORROW?  WHAT ABOUT TAX COMPROMISE TODAY?

THE POINT BY RUSH LIMBOW IS THAT TOO MANY AMERICANS ARE MORONS"
I think most people are niaeve uninformed and find politics boring and full of egotistical individuals.Thus close to 1/2 don't vote.

addendum---Iran and crying "wolf"

The University I mentioned yesterday that has CORRECTLY CHOSEN THE PRESIDENTIAL WINNER SINCE 1980 IS THE U. OF COLORADO.
With the increase today in unemployment applications, it is not hard to realize our true economic condition.
There was an article today about all the young college graduates ,LIVING WITH PARENTS, NO JOBS OR POSITIONS DESTINED FOR H.S. GRADUATES, AND ANGRY AT THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY.THE  ARTICLE DID NOT MENTION WHO THESE PEOPLE WILL VOTE FOR,HOWEVER THIS IS OBAMA'S ECONOMY.

Martin Indyk who I know well from his WH days,and who was an AIPAC employee,was always on the left side of issues.However when he accused Israel of "cryimg wolf" on Iran he raises an important issue.
What is the strategy of Israel with all the warnings," RED LIGHTS" AND THREATS?
Today the Syrian Ambassador to Jordan said Hezbollah could knock out the Israel nuclear program with 20 rockets.
This game of public threats has reached its goal! either attack or stop threatening!

A WRITE-IN IN MISSOURI

I NEGLECTED TO COMMENT ON THE MO SENATE RACE.IT IS OBVIOUS AKINS IS A JERK WITH LITTLE KNOWLEDGE OF RAPE- OR CONCEPTION.
HOWEVER THE TRUTH IS IT IS BEING USED A DECEPTION AND DISTRACTION FROM THE MAIN ISSUES.
JUST AS IN ALASKA,IT IS TIME FOR THE GOP TO COALESCE AROUND EITHER A WRITE-IN OR A NEW PARTY LINE -IF LEGAL
THERE ARE ENOUGH STARS LIKE SENS DANFORTH -AND KIT BOND THAT COULD PULL OFF THE TRICK.
REMEMBER WHEN TORRICELLI HAD TO BOW OUT FROM THE NJ SENATE RACE AND  FRANK LAUTENBERG  ALTHOUGH RETIRED STEPPED TO SAVE THE ELECTION

GREAT NEWS--MAKING MONEY ON CRUISES

TONITE BRET BAER ON THE 6PM FOX NEWS PROGRAM ANNOUNCED THAT A MID-WESTERN UNIVERSITY  I FORGOT WHICH ONE   HAS CORRECTLY PICKED  THE CORRECT WINNER IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE FOR THE PAST 30 PLUS YEARS.
THEY BASE IT ON COMPUTER  PROGRAMS USING THE ECONOMY, UNEMPLOYMENT ETC.
THEY PREDICT ROMNEY WILL WIN WITH 53% OF THE VOTE, AND A NICE MARGIN IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

AS WE LOOK AT THE CHANGE IN MICHIGAN ( ROMNEY + 5) WISCONSIN (+1 ) THESE ARE STATES OBAMA THOUGHT HE WOULD NOT HAVE TO DEFEND - UNTIL NOW.

I WAS TALKING OF CRUISES.
IN FLORIDA, EVERY WEEK WE GET ANOTHER AD FOR A CRUISE AT A RIDICULOUSLY LOW PRICE.
HOW DO THEY MAKE MONEY?
LIQUOR
SPA TREATMENTS'
ART AUCTIONS
SPECIAL RESTAURANTS
EXPENSIVE SHORE EXCURSIONS
PHOTOGRAPHY
RENTING TUXEDOS
CASINO
BEVERAGES AT LUNCH-DINNER
RETAIL STORES ON SHIP-JEWELRY


THE CABIN ( UPGRADES) ARE JUST THE BEGINNING.

nudity in the Galillee / Rabbis for Barack

Many years ago on our first trip to Israel,we were sitting in the dining room of the Tiberius Plaza  Hotel at breakfast.Our table was at the window facing the Galilee.Suddenly I saw a few
adults in the water.I could not tell  if they were wearing bathing trunks.
Subsequently I found out that baptism was occurring.The hullabaloo regarding the few Congressmen in Israel gong into the Galilee until any real evidence comes up is trivial.

The 600 Rabbis who signed on for Obama, are primarily Reform and Conservative Clergy.I would bet most of them do not support the settlements in Judea-Samaria, or as united Jerusalem.

Good to be back

We had a wonderful time on our 2 back to back cruises.We spent 10 days in Estonia, Russia and Germany.The second cruise was a 7 day Fjord event.
While visiting cities and their historic sites is terrific,there is something awesome about the beauty of nature.
There is a prayer when one sees a miracle or a wondrous site lite a rainbow.This was the feeling of visiting the Norwegian Fjords.I have to say that in our long history of traveling this is the first time we did not spend one penny in local shops etc .The anti-Israel  attitudes of the Norwegians  were a constant reminder to avoid supporting them.
What was interesting was to meet orthodox travelers from Mexico,Panama,Paris Israel and of course the US.

I like my son Elli was thrilled with the selection of Paul Ryan by Romney.It changes the dynamics of the race. Even though some say that the deficit will now take over as no 1 in lieu of the economy and jobs,I believe they are connected.Obama will have to defend his (lack of a ) record. Eventually his campaign will come out of the gutter.hat it won't work.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Elli Ganchrow writes:

The Democrats, led by Rep. Wasserman-Schultz, have already begun their campaign to scare seniors into believing that the Ryan plan will end Medicare. Its a shameful smear and its typical of the outrageous campaign being run by the Democrats. This smear, combined with Harry Reid's tax accusation, combined with the false accusation that Bain Capital had something to do with the death of a laid off worker's wife have made the Democrat's campaign one of the dirtiest and most deceptive in recent history. Lets hope the media begins to challenge the Obama team in the same way that Wolf Blitzer challenged the lies of Rep. Wasserman Schultz in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5NJF5Fcvmg&feature=player_embedded

Kudos to Mr. Blitzer for this piece of journalism- score one for the good guys.

Paul Ryan

Elli Ganchrow writes:

A few thoughts about Romney's selection of Paul Ryan to be his running mate. Firstly, I am thrilled with the pick. Ryan is the brightest star in the Republican Party and is its intellectual leader. He is a master on the budget and will destroy any Democrat who tries to debate on the issues. It will be fun to watch Joe Biden try to keep up with Ryan in their debate. (Charles Krauthammer reminded his viewers that Ryan made mince meat of the President during a White House meeting with Congressional leaders early in the President's term.) Ryan will bring out big crowds (as was evident today) and should help with fund raising). It does make you wonder what position the party would be in if Ryan was the nominee for President and not Vice President. However, I am still waiting to see if this signifies that the Romney team is ready to go for the win. This was a bold pick and is a good sign but now they have to go out and run a meaningful campaign that is on message. Hopefully the next two and a half monthes will be about reforming medicare and social security, cutting spending, cutting taxes, getting the economy moving and jobs. They must explain the major philosophical differences between the parties and allow people to make an intelligent choice based off what they hear. Romney cannot allow the remaining time to be about being on defense or about what year he left Bain Capital or where his tax returns are.
Two final points: One, I was perplexed by the timing of the VP announcement. They leaked it to the press on Friday night and formerly introduced him in a lavish ceremony in front of a battleship on Saturday morning at 9:45am Eastern time. Who did they would be tuning in to watch Ryan on Saturday morning- those watching Saturday morning cartoons or insomniacs on the West coast? They couldn't wait for Monday after the Olympics? Or any other week day to attract a big TV audience? Romney's introduction speech wasn't very good and he ended it by introducing Ryan as "the next President of the United States." Overall, not one of the campaign's better moments. Lets hope for some good moments in the coming monthes. Second, no matter what happens, win or lose, this puts Ryan in the driver's seat as the next leader of the Republican and our next nominee in either 2016 or 2020. That will hopefully mean less attention to our previous VP nominee, Sarah Palin, which can only be a positive thing.

Iran/The battle against the Orthodox

Elli Ganchrow writes:

Today's piece in the WSJ by Michael Oren is as clear a statement from Israel as you will find that Israel's patience with diplomacy and sanctions are running out. Oren points out that Israel has been warning the world about Iran for the last 20 years. "But time is dwindling and, with with each passing day, the lives of 8,000,000 Israelis grow increasingly imperiled. The window that opened 20 years ago is now almost shut." It sounds like the Israelis are either ready to act or just want the world to believe that it is ready to act. In any event, any attack is likely to occur prior to the November 6th elections in America. The next few weeks should be very interesting.

_______________________________________________________________________


There are two battles currently being waged by the non-Orthodox against the Orthodox for the purposes of either ensuring that Orthodox families don't move into certain neighborhoods or reducing Orthodox influence once they move into the neighborhood. The first battle is over the erection of an Eruv and is taking place in the Hamptons (after being waged in other places like Tenafly).  The non-Orthodox in the Hamptons know that if they can keep an Eruv from being erected then they can keep the Orthodox from moving in. They started an organization called " Jewish People against the Eruv" and are fighting in court so that the Orthodox can erect an Eruv around the city. Of course, they claim that their interest is that government not help establish religion by allowing the Eruv to be tied to utility lines. But we all know that their position is fueled by a hatred of Orthodoxy. The second battle is being fought over the school board in Monsey. Again, this is a fight which has played out in other areas where the demographics change and the Orthodox can vote for non-public school parents to the school board. The five towns area on Long Island experienced these fights. In simple terms the public school parents (who tend to be Jewish in Monsey and in the Five Towns) claim that private school parents should not be on the school board. Yet these same parents have no problem collecting our taxes to be used toward these schools. We should pay taxes but not have a say. I guess they forgot the American Revolution's founding cry of "No taxation without representation". Why would any American not want to be represented on a board which spends so much of our hard earned tax money? The bottom line is that the battle being waged by the Non-Orthodox in each case are wasting the time and money of the community and they are unlikely to prevail in either case. If only the Jewish community could act united, instead of these unnecessary fights. What a shame!

Olympics

Elli Ganchrow writes:

The day of Tisha B'Av commemorates all tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people. Unfortunately Jewish history is filled with all types of horrible acts committed against it by anti-semitic nations. This year, the Summer Olympics started on the night of Tisha B'Av. The families of the Jewish victims of the terrorist attacks which occurred at the 1972 Summer Games in Munich begged the International Olympic Committee to have a moment of silence in honor of the eleven holy souls who were massacred by Palestinian terrorists 40 years earlier. The answer from the leaders of this global movement was no- they couldn't risk offending those in the Arab world who believe in brutal terrorist attacks against Jews. As astounding as this sounded, as reported by Sports Illustrated in this week's issue, Arab nations continue to order their athletes to refuse to compete against Israeli athletes. Despite this overt and blatant anti-semitism, the athletic world is silent. Sanctions are not sought against the Arab athletes or their countries despite their horrible acts against the Jewish nation. What an outrage! Centuries after the first Tisha B'Av, the Jewish people are continually reminded of the hatred against them which continues to exist in the world.

Romney II/Chick-Fil-A

Elli Ganchrow writes:

The news on Friday that the unemployment rate is still above 8% allowed political commentators to state the obvious: this is Romney's race to lose. Its been decades since an incumbent won re-election with an unemployment rate this high and it shouldn't be difficult to convince Americans that we are on the wrong track. Yet, as I noted in my previous posts there are some real issues that Republicans need to deal with. The first is Obama's personal popularity which remains high. The second is Romney's awkwardness as a candidate. The third is that the Romney campaign trying to imitate the Dole campaign (and I don't mean that as a compliment. The Dole campaign was inept and lacking in focus and ended up losing to a weak (but personally popular) incumbent by 8 points. The Romney are refusing to play to win but rather they are playing not to lose. Instead of talking about the issues they are making the argument that Obama shouldn't be President. Its a risky strategy that doesn't seem to be working. The fourth is that Romney still has not sealed the deal with conservatives that he can be trusted- the New York Times had an article on Saturday that stated that certain Iowa Republicans are making it known that they may not vote since they don't believe that Romney is conservative enough. It is disconcerting to open up Saturday's WSJ with its rundown of the latest poll information from 12 swing states and observe that Romney trails in every one of them except for North Carolina. As Yogi Berra says, its getting late, early.

_______________________________________________________________________
It has been interesting to note the left's lack of respect for the First Amendment. It appears that the left believes that that the bill of rights protects only that speech to which the government agrees with. All other speech should be regulated or banned. Take the reaction of the left to the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United. In that case, the Court held that held that the First Amendment prohibited the government from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations. It seems logical that corporations would enjoy these freedoms. Yet the left reacted as if the Republic was about to be destroyed. Yet if you ask a Democrat why they don't oppose some corporations (like the New York Times or MSNBC or Newsweek etc, etc.) from being involved in unregulated political speech, they have no answer. Yet its clear what the left's theory is: we are in favor of corporate speech that we agree with ( the left wing media) but we oppose corporations that will give donations to our political opponents. That brings us to last week. The left went crazy when the head of Chick-Fil-A pronounced that he believes in the traditional form of marriage (i.e., man and woman). This is a position held by a clear majority of Americans (gay marriage is regularly defeated when placed on the ballot no matter the state, even in California). Yet Democrats acted as if Chick-Fil-A had pronounced some nutty position. That in of itself would have been fine. Some, including a candidate for Mayor of NYC, wanted the government to punish Chick-Fil-A for its speech. It doesn't take a constitutional expert to figure out that such pronouncements by government officials are outrageous and should be condemned by all members of society (left and right) who believe in the freedoms that are guaranteed by the Constitution. This was partly what led to the huge crowds at the chain's restaurants last week as many wanted to show their support for the First Amendment. It was ironic that as the commotion was continuing over Chick-Fil-A, the head of Amazon gave a sizable donation toward a gay marriage initiative in Washington state. There was no protest from the right as a result of this political speech. We need to stress to our elected officials that the First Amendment is too important to be ignored.

Romney

Elli Ganchrow writes:

Firstly, let me state out the outset that it is imperative that President Obama be defeated. His domestic policies are destroying our economy and his foreign policy is incoherent and dangerous. While Governor Romney would not have been my first choice as Republican nominee, I am enthusiastically supporting his candidacy. His trip to Israel was well-played and it was reassuring to hear him refer to Jerusalem as the capital. With the economy growing slowly and unemployment over 8%, this race is very winnable. However, if you are a Romney supporter and are not nervous about the state of the campaign then you are not paying attention. According to Real Clear Politics, as of today, Obama has 247 electoral votes that are either solid, likely or leaning in his favor. If you add to that Ohio (which Obama has led in every poll for the last 6 weeks) and either Nevada or Colorado and the election is over. A clear and quick turnaround is needed by Romney. What can he do?
1. Stop being distracted by side issues like Bain and out-sourcing. Focus like a laser on jobs, government spending, taxes and Obamacare.
2. Release your taxes during the Olympics (on a Friday night)- make the issue go away when no one is paying attention.
3. Select the Vice Presidential nominee on the Tuesday after the Olympics so that Romney can get a week of positive coverage prior to the convention. It will also give him an extra body to do campaigning.
4. Select Senator Portman as the VP nominee- Ohio is a must win and Portman is the best candidate out there. There is no good reason not to pick him.
There is still time to turn around the race but with just three monthes to go its important that the Romney people pick up the pace now. 

CIAcc

2 points
Hopefully my son Elli will blog while I am away


my son Ari brought over  a Bergen paper with the hatchet job that someone  in the administration or the CIA did on Israel.
Anonymous stories, making it appear Israel is weak on global terrorism ,and not a real partner.
Isn't that Leon Panetta going to Israel again for the 7yh time in a a few weeks?
If they are so untrustworthy ---why? why not partner with MORSI ? , ASSAD?   or the SAUDIS?

Mitt in Israel

It is interesting that over the past 3 years when Obama made a bunch od diplomatic gaffes re; England  including Michelle putting her hand on  the Queen's back,an inappropriate Obama toast ,and his present of a tape of his speeches to the Queen, neither the liberal press here or in the UK made any big deal about it.Howevever they have been all over  Mitt for his truthful comment about the Olympics
Obama went all out to try and undercut Mitt. The signing ceremony for additional Drone funding was opposed by Obama,but put into the budget by Congres after a strong push by GOP committee chairmen.
Jack Lew is coming to NY tomorrow to speak to the JCRC.
Yet, the Romney speech on and in Jerusalem was outstanding.As Gorge Will points out, the Evangelicals besides some Jews will br moved.   

Nice $7000 jacket Michelle wore in London!

We leave tomorrow for 3 weeks in Europe on 2 Kosherica cruises, where I will serve as Scholar-in-residence.

Rasmussen points out that Romney is exactly where Obama was 4 years ago in his polling --

CRUCH TIME

We are getting closer to crunch time with Syria and Iran.
Sadly as Def. Minister Ehud Barack said today the world especially the UN and US are impotent in Syria.
Today Iran announced the addition of 1000 new centrifuges
IF ISRAEL PROMISES TO PREVENT IRAN FROM GETTING THE BOMB, AS BIBI DID TODAY,THEN THEY WILL HAVE TO GO IT ALONE
IN THE MEANTIME AS THE JP REPORTS, THE ISRAELIS ARE CAREFULLY MONITORING SYRIA.
THIS INCLUDES SATELLITES WITH ADVANCED RADAR TECHNOLOGY,RECONNAISSANCE,DRONES AND HUMAN INTELLIGENCE.They ALSO HAVE THE ASSISTANCE OF us INTELLIGENCE...

the campaign

WHILE MITT IS OVERSEAS, HE HAS PROMISED NOT TO CRITICIZE US FOREIGN POLICY.
THIS HAS NOT STOPPED THE WH TEAM FROM ATTACKING.MITT.

THEIR ATTACK THAT ROMNEY has no foreign policy experience seems lame when you consider 2008 and Obama was a total novice with no record, but a bunch of slogans.
Romney did promise to return the bust of Winston Churchill to the WH if elected.Obama sent it back to the British Embassy, after the last election.

Some fast food chains speculate they will have to raise food prices by 2% for Obama care.

it was lucky that no VP announcement was made.
What with the massacre, the Olympics and the foreign trip, it would have not held the attention of the public for too long.

OBAMA AND THE ME

Gov. Romney hit the nail on the head when he attacked Obama for lecturing Israel during his 3 /2 years of his Presidency.Advised by left wing Jewish advisers ,Obama felt he could bully his way to a withdrawal of Israel from  Judea-Samaria and Jerusalem.
He failed miserably and at the same time showed Israel's enemies that he really does not care for Bibi and Israel.
Obama has not accomplished anything in the ME.
The NYT in its usual anti-Israel bend cannot stand Bibi,because he has the nerve NOT to follow their lead.They blast Russian olim AND ORTHODOX-ULTRA ORTHODOX CITIZENS BECAUSE they do not trust the Arabs or the NYT.
They forget that Democracy sometimes has results that the Tom Friedmans of the ELITE WORLD do not agree with.  

SYRIA

We came back to NJ today,to prepare for Tisha B'av, and then off to Europe for our cruises.
Beyond the movie massacre, is the Syrian situation.
For the first time Assad admitted he has chemical weapons.We know his father used it on his own people.The dangers are many.
Losing control of them to the rebels-some of them are Ql Quida
handing them over to Hezbollah to use against Israel
attacking Israel himself to divert attention
Imagine if Iran were to get the Bomb,how difficult it would be to control their terror threats.At present Assad threatens to use them against an external enemy  only.
Remember it would take only 2 hours to remove weapons fro Syria to Lebanon.
As usual Obama is impotent.What good is a threat to Assad that the world would not forget the use of these weapons, if by then 100,000 ISRAELIS HAD DIED?

  As I said last week, he is in way over his head, and should step aside.
As Pres Peres said today, Israel is now in an open war with Iran.

Gun control / Flight school

THE QUESTION OF GUN CONTROL COMES UP AFTER EACH INCIDENT WHERE INNOCENTS ARE SLAUGHTERED.
As an urban citizen, I worry about the number of guns available.Yet as we see in Israel, the presence of guns by settlers does not lead to individuals going on rampages.
The question is why do we need such rapid firing weapons that have such huge clips of ammo.These are not hunting weapons nor are they needed to protect a home or person.
The presence of a  6 year old at a midnite show of this type is sad and outrageous.
When you go the the movies and see the loud coming attractions ,they are all mega-violence.
Similarly sexual content seen by young children leads to earlier and unprotected sex.
The role of parents is still paramount. 

Shame on the TSA for not protecting us from illegal immigrants going to flight school,and after they are trained then looking up if they should even be in this country .and getting flight training,or even running a flight school.

phony cam-kiss / Release from Gitmo == kill Israelis

I have no problem  with any public servant kissing their spouse in a spontaneous gesture.Thus when Pres. Obama kissed his wife the other nite in a public sporting event,that was nice.After the kiss, the press was led out of the arena.
One hour later, they were were brought back to re-record another kiss.
BS ===The kiss was as phony as everything else about him!

The blood of the dead Israelis in Bulgaria lie on the hands of those in this Administration that freed this criminal-jihadist from Gitmo.

MORASHA FLASH MOB

IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, WE HAVE HAD PICTURES OF BLACK YOUTH STORMING A WALMART DOING DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
YESTERDAY MY SON ARI SENT ME AN E-MAIL FROM CAMP MORASHAH, WHERE THE H.S. DIVISION WENT TO A LARGE MALL, AND THEN IN AN ORDERLY ORGANIZED FASHION STARTED TO SING AND DANCE.HIS 2 CHILDREN JONAH AND MATTHEW GO TO THE CAMP.
THE SHOPPERS STOPPED TO TAKE VIDEOS ,SMILE AND GIVE A THUMBS UP.
AT THE END OF THE DANCING, CHILDREN IN WHEELCHAIRS FROM YACHAD, THE DIVISION OF THE OU THAT WORKS WITH DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED,CAME MARCHING DOWN THE CENTER WITH THEIR TEEN- AGE
 COUNSELORS.
THIS WAS A KIDDUSH HASHEM-A SANCTIFICATION O9F G-D'S NAME.
I SENT A COPY OF THE TAPE TO DRUDGE

My Minuet with Hillary / ARIEL U. / ADELSON / BYE BYE MOFAZ

I have a description in my autobiography  of the meeting between Hillary Clinton and myself,Marcel Weber then Chairman of the OU Board and Rabbi Butler then Exec V.P. of the OU in the OU office as she started her campaign for the Senate.The chapter is entitled "My Minuet with Hillary".
One of the issues we discussed was Johnathan Pollard,She was against releasing him on humanitarian grounds then,and now years later took the same tack when she was in Israel.
Today there is a truly magnificent op-ed in the WSJ by Bret Stephens which totally wipes out any objective conclusion that she has been a successful Sec. of State.
Yes she has been loyal to the Pres., and kept faraway from Bill, but accomplishments=ZERO.
One line in the op-ed points to the only world leader she bawled out was Bibi Netanyahu, while she gave passes to Putin etc over Syria, Iran  and other despots.
Anyone who believes that she has been a TRUE friend of Israel is really enamored with her PR machine.
A MUST READ!

Congratulations to the newest UNIVERSITY in Israel ARIEL, which moved from a college to U. status  despite opposition from other universities and the left
.They have 14,000 students, 95 % from within the Green Line, 5% Arabs -plus many Ethiopians.

Another set of kudos to Sheldon Adelson for another 13 million dollar gift to Birth Right, which will enable thousands of additional young men and women to go to Israel.G-d should bless him for these gifts, and his support of pro-Israel candidates in this years election.

As I've said many times you cannot predict Israeli politics.The 91 or so days of merger with Mofaz has come to an end.Yes the Tal law was important however the future actions vs. Iran really require broad
political support.
I have no idea what the polls will show, but I would find it hard to believe that Kadimah helped itself with this quickie marriage-divorce.Nor will Bibi look like a winner for his short-sighted merger in order to avoid an election he would have won easily. 

WASHINGTON POST / ISRAEL POLICY FORUM

The Washington Post has a long front page story starting on page 1 this past Sunday,written by a long time anti-Israel correspondent Scott Wilson.
The article which I read, blames Bibi and Obama for lack of progress in ME peace.Not only does Abbas come off as the good guy,but Wilson claims that pre-1948 the Palestinians has a land,that they lost to Israel.
He totally forgets the League of Nations and the UN partition,and the war by Arab countries.
There is an excellent rebuttal in the American Thinker  today by Leo Rennert(can be seen on Real Clear Politics.com)
What is more worrisome, is that a 2nd Obama term would have him place the screws on Israel  regarding  "refugees, settlements, Jerusalem  and  security".
We have to pray that he does not win!

I almost totally forgot about the left wing Israel Policy Forum.Yesterday, they sponsored a letter signed by 40 left-wing Jewish " leaders" calling on Bibi to reject  the Levy report that would legitimize Israel settlements etc. Well a zebra does not change its stripes.

GENUGH!

After watching just a few minutes of the charges -counter- charges from Obama and Romney,I could not take it anymore.
The bottom line is that Obama has nothing positive to run on.
1-NOT HIS RECORD
2-NOT HIS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
3-NOT HIS ABILITY OR PLANS TO REDUCE THE CRIPPLING NATIONAL DEBT
4-NOT ANY REASONABLE PLAN TO INCREASE EMPLOYMENT
5-NO PLAN ON HOW TO WORK WITH A CONGRESS/SENATE THAT WILL BE REPUBLICAN (AT LEAST ONE OF THEM) EVEN IF HE WINS .

Therefore it is all character assassination "felon" "liar" -ANYTHING BUT THE ISSUES THAT MUST BE SOLVED.
BAIN CAPITAL by all independent experts is something that Romney can be proud of.
Not perfect, but inherent in capitalism is risk taking and the opportunity for profit.
When you take Bain Capital, his stewardship of a failing Olympics, and his Governorship of Mass., he is a proven entity.
The rest is garbage-Perhaps they can shift the debate for awhile,but as we get closer to Nov., even Blacks will see that beyond pride they have not benefited from Obama(14% unemployment).
Perhaps more people like me, not only Republicans, but Independents will say "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"
With all this negative attacks, the race is still tied-hopefully as people assess the negativity, they will wake up, and say "IT JUST HASN'T WORKED' or in the words of Hillary in 2008 "SHAME ON YOU BARACK OBAMA"

TAL negotiations ,youtube / Hezbollah

As of  now, there is no agreement between Kadimah and the Coalition regarding the Tal law, exempting Haredi students from military service.Whether they will extend the deadline,come to some agreement or break up the coalition,I would not venture a guess.AFTER ALL THIS IS ISRAEL

 My son Elli called to say that on YOUTUBE.COM/GANCHROW there was a lady in Denver from a Hebrew book store explaining  what my book Sasson Vesimcha was about(sheva brachot).
I called her and told her about the new book.

 Yesterday I was on a TIP conference call with Ehud Eilam, an expert on the military situation in Israel.
I had submitted a question regarding how Israel would act if Hezbollah tried to transfer weapons including poison gas from Syria to Lebanon.?
He answered that it was a difficult situation,as Israel does not want to get involved in Syria-=for many reasons.If they attacked Syria ,then there might be a reactionnfrom Syria on the Golan.If they attacked Hwzbollah in Lebanon, Hezbollah could  unleash up to 800 rockets/day from a 60,000 weapon stockpile.

MITT TO ISRAEL / MITT AT NAACP

The news that Mitt Romney will spend 2 days in Israel,meeting leaders is a welcome event. He will have a $60,000 a plate fundraiser and will deliver a major address on the middle east.
Two Republican leaders, Ari Fleisher and Matt Brooks have left for Israel in order to stimulate absentee ballot registration.
It is estimated that there are 100,000 American citizens in Israel who could vote.Those from Florida, Nevada and Penn. could help pushing Mitt over the top.
It is still a close race, especially in swing states.

The fact that Mitt was booed  at the NAACP shows poor respect for the office of a Presidential candidate, and a lack of self respect for those who booed.
Common courtesy should have dictated silence.
When I was Pres. of the OU, we had a debate scheduled between Arik Sharon and Yussie Beilin.Of course our delegates favored Sharon.
In the morning I told everyone.Beilin is a guest in our home-Do not embarrass us by being disrespectful.The group was terrific.
Similarly AIPAC has told their delegates not to boo speakers that we do not agree with.
NAACP should learn a lesson.

Obama / Peres

Shimon Peres was always a left wing actor.I remember when I was Pres. of the OU, we had a dinner in the Plaza hotel that was televised live.He sat between Sheila and me.
He could not stand me for my strong (r wing) opinions, so much so ,that the whole dinner, he never spoke to me , only to my better half.That was during his brief PM stint after Rabin died.
He was given the Presidency as a "senior" present,and although the Presidency has no official power,he has performed well.This is due to the fact that the lefties in Washington like him better than Bibi.
However, his attack on the committee report that pushes for legalization of Judea-Samaria-Jerusalem buildings is way out of line.

The campaign is getting very dirty,and Obama is not only negative,his ads and statements on Bain,outsourcing  and other economic news is totally false.He ignores the Fact checkers,but it is a long campaign, and in the absence of a RECORD ,the truth will catch up with him.

Obama shouldn't he do the honorable thing?

In any organization or corporation,if the CEO or President cannot turn that organization around in 31/2
years that person would be asked to resign or be fired.
Any executive where there is conflict between sides, who during his or  her tenure not only cannot work with other groups,but rather makes matters worse,and even brings up issues not to resolve the problems   but to sharpen the disputes, could not last in any organization.
If we had a parliamentary govt.the members of the dominant party in the legislature would remove their leader and substitute another one.
Obama is guilty of being in way over his head.He  is a great gutter Chicago-style politician.But economics, leading a country -that is not his strong point.
Only the American people can save us before we go over the cliff.

IDF DRAFT / ABBAS / THE RCA BATTLE

The current controversy regarding drafting of Haredim (and Arabs) is long overdue.The fact that the Haredi community has grown,with large fanilies mired in poverty with little or no contributions to the welfare of the State (and its economy) could not go on forever.
Torah study is basic to our way of life.However, throughout our history great scholars have also been physicians and merchants.Yes there are a few-very few gifted individuals who deserve to remain in Yeshiva to attain the roles of dayanim and teachers on a high level.
HOWEVER, THESE SLOTS SHOULD BE ALLOCATED BY EXAMS AND NOT POLITICAL PULL.
From the economic point of view, military or public service can be a gateway to learning a profession.
The law will have to be constucted with sensitivity and common sense.
So far we have not seen massive Harerdi demonstrations.

That anyone should be suprised that Abbas is going to Tehran for a conference is beyond me. From the days of his PHD in Lumumba U. in Moscow (on Zionism and Nazism) he has been the consummate anti-semite.He has no desire,for peace with Israel,and all of his actions have negated agreements he made with Israel.
We have no peace partner,and anyone who talks about unilateral anythin(-withdrawal etc)-is just  smoking funny stuff 

The battle currently being waged in the Rabbinical Council of America is for the soul of modern Orthodoxy. After the death of Rabbi Steve Dworken, the leadership of the RCA has been in uncertain hands.
The attempt to hire a left wing Executive vice-President would open the door to admitting graduates of Rabbi Avi Weiss's yeshiva which is way to the left of the modern orthodox spectrum.
The battle is being played out in an on-line election of vice-presidents,who will be in line in 1 year to become President.
Should the left  wing win, I believe  that the organization will have a high chance of breaking up.The majority of YU Rabbis could not tolerate the left taking over,and the Roshei Yeshiva would be in the lead to reject a left wing takeover.  

Hezbollah / UN

Although the northern Israeli border has been quiet for a long time, the dangers are great.
The IDF called in reporters yesterday to clearly make the point that while Hezbollah is stronger now than during the last conflict,should there be hostilities, there will be no question as to who will be the victor.
Though they are encamped within population centers,the Israeli air force and infantry will move with massive forces to rapidly neutralize Hezbollah.

The UN has called for a tax on world billionaires for wealth distribution.Then they have a list of taxes that are unbelievable.This tax would be an annual tax.Of course when the crooks and corrupters in 3rd world countries  finish robbing everything,they would have to tax millionaires.Thereafter the middle class would be subject to UN discipline and taxes.
Our best shot is to leave theUN and their hairbrained schemes.

TEMPLE BNAI CHOSHECH

WEN WE PRAY 3 TIMES PER DAY, WE ALWAYS MENTION OUR FOREFATHERS.
We are the chilgren of Abraham,  Isaac and Jacob.
In Fort Lee, people would say -"my grandother kept strictly kosher""grandfather had a seder"
"my parents almost nothing ,and us zero"

Thus I find it both sad and humorous at   an ad  in the Palm Beach Jewish Journal this week.
Temple Bnai Or has an ad for the High Holidays
(OR MEANS LIGHT)

QUOTE-
THIS IS NOT YOUR GRANDATHER' SYNAGOGUE
THE CANOR (ETTE) SALVA BERTI
"SHOFAR -BLOWER/DANCER CHARLES SCHEIKOVITZ"

SOUNDS TO ME LIKE CONGREGATION CHOSHECH (DARKNESS-OF JEWISH TRADITION)

SOME THOUGHTS

WHAT WITH THE 20 LARGEST OIL IMPORTERS FROM IRAN GIVEN "PASSES' from boycott-the whole thing is a sham!

The Presbytarian dis-investment from Israel involving such companies as Caterpillar is ridiculous on the face of it.
PURE ANTI-SEMITISM!
CATERPILLAR DOES NOT SELL TO ISRAEL.THE MACHINES IN ISRAEL BELONG TO THE US GOVT. FOR PROJECTS.THEY TRIED THIS BEFORE,AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE CATERPILLAR IS DOING FINE WITHOUT THE PRESBYTARIANS.

TOMORROW IS HE 4TH, AND I WILL BE FLYING MY FLAG IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE.THE FLAG AT ONE TIME FLEW OVER THE US CAPITAL ,AND WAS GIVEN TO ME BY MY OLD FRIEND CONG GILMAN.

IF ANY CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY ARE PUNISHABLE-ASSAD IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.HOW IMPOTENT IS THE UN, AND OUR PRESIDENT-WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF BECOMING A SECOND RATES POWER.TODAY ANOTHER APOLOGY TO PAKISTAN.

Israeli politics

A report from CNN today notes that the US polls have remained relatively static in recent weeks.
Israeli politics is much more dynamic and difficult to  predict.
The Israeli Supreme Court ruled that the Tal law exempting Haredi youth from the IDF was unconstitutional (despite the fact that there is no constitution in Israel)
The PM appointed the Keshev commitee and it was on this basis that Mofaz and KADIMAH JOINED THE COALITION.
As the committee was preparing a report for the Knesset this week,which may have include Arab, secular and Haredi communities on the draft,.the PM disbanded thje committee.
Says Mofaz no legislative solution to the Tal Law-NO COALITION!
In the meantime the Labor leader,had a meeting, and an internal poll says that if elections were to be held today,Labor which was on its deathbed a few weeks ago would get 20 seats.
Why? anti Netanyahu and anti- Kadimah for joining the coalition.
Who knows how it will turn ouit?

THE ONLY GOOD NEWS-ROMNEY IS GOING TO VISIR ISRAEL THIS SUMMER!

POLITICAL PRESSURE

My hat is off to the W.H., the liberal press such as the NYT and WP as well as such politicos as Pelosi and Sen. Lahey. Their warnings to the Roberts Court after Citizens United, caused the Chief Justice to do some mental gymnastics, to allow him to come down with a decision that saved the Obama plan,yet knocking out its reliance in the Commerce Clause.
In essence he saved the"reputation" of the Court.from the left.
This type of pressure is seen everywhere in our society.
Take all the marches and campaigns for AIDS. Yes AIDS is a bad disease,however  it can be mostly prevented ( in non-hemophiliacs) by abstinence and safe sex.The Gay community pushed and popularized this.
Yet,the Alzheimer campaigns,helping with a disease which affects millions through no fault of their own,and is a growing publichealth epidemic  is dwarfed by AIDS.
The political power of the homosexual community    which is certainly a small minority of our population-perhaps 1-2% ,has captured the Democratic Party and the liberal media-thus same sex "marriages".
They have huge amounts of money for their cause.A normal family with 2-3 children in our Orthodox
community spends 40-80 thousand dollars on tuition in elementary-H.S. annually.Plus synagogue dues,charity above and beyond normal household expenses.
Absent that, you have plenty of money to spend on liberal causes,and to push the liberal agenda so that it becomes politically correct to espouse these causes.
One has laugh when you see a headline in a Anglo-Jewish paper  quoting a "Rabbi" saying the those Jewish streams (Orthodox) that don't join the same sex bandwagon are missing their place in Jewish destiny.
Unfortunately I will not be around, but I will place my great-grandchildren (AND PEOPLE LIKE ME) against their progeny from a Jewish point of view in 50-75 and 100 years.
As an aside my grandson Jack Ganchrow leaves tomorrow for a summer in Israel-he is a student at TABC.Another grandchild Zachary Ratzker returned last week from Israel after a year of Yeshiva study, and starts Yeshiva College in the fall. 

WOW

WHO COULD HAVE PREDICTED!
The Roberts decision on the surface is an Obama victory.Yet there is much danger ahead for him as a result.
1- with polling showing close to 60% favoring repeal, this will be a dominant issue-along with the economy.
2- The House will vote to repeal on July 11,and the Senate will not go along.However, it will keep the issue alive.
3-In 2010 the Tea Party victory came about because  people were angry and motivated.If the GOP keeps pushing the theme of " the greatest tax increase in the history of the Republic", a similar outpouring could tip the election.The question will,this decision reduce the anxieties of Dem voters and lower  their voting numbers.
4-With the penalties for employers with more than 50 employees in place
how many will, choose to pay the fine(tax) rather than insurance?
how many will ,stop hiring ? 
will the economy nosedive as a result of new taxes,no new employment.austerity in municipal-state govt plus the European sovereign debt crisis causing a huge recession-depression?

This is not the end -but rather the middle of a historic saga-
For Romney the economy AND A WEAK HISPANIC SHOWING TO DATE makes Rubio or Ryan logical VP choices.

WE ARE BACK IN BOYNTON

WE JUST FLEW DOWN TO BOYNTON UNTIL JUST BEFORE TISHA B'AV.
THE SHUL LOOKS BEAUTIFUL FROM THE OUTSIDE-IT IS TRULY A MIRACLE,CONSIDERING THE LOCAL OPPOSITION,OUR SMALL SIZE ET.
TONITE AT MINCHA WILL GET A CHANCE TO DOVEN INSIDE
SIUNCE WE ARE SORT OF KNOCKED OUT FROM THE TRIP,WILL HOLD OFF WITH SOME THOUGHTS UNTIL THE AM , AFTER THE SC DECISION 

RACISM

WHEN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE VOTED FOR OBAMA 4 YEARS AGO NO ONE COULD BE ACCUSED OF 'RACISM'
When Americans became disenchanted with a Young President whose claim to fame was transparency,, and yet there was none , the mood changed.
When he promised to halve the debt,and he increased it people including those who voted for him were singing a different tune.
When he promised to cut unemployment but increased it,the people were not amused.
When his A-G refused to prosecute blacks who stood by a voting booth to harass voters everyone looked on incredulously.
and when  the Pres allows his A-G to hold back documents from Congress or to refuse to appoint a special prosecutor to get to the bottom of security leaks, all the WH can claim is racism

IT IS SAD WHEN YOU ACCUSE AMERICANS OF RACISM IF THEY DISAGREE WITH THE
PRESIDENT OR HIS CABINET .THIS TYPE OF ATTACKS WILL NOT CARRY THE DAY, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUES.

CARTER-OBAMA ISLAMIC SURRENDER

PRES. CARTER BETRAYED THE SHAH, Allowed the prisoners to be taken and kept in a shameful period.Enter the Ayatollah.
When the IIranians started to revolt-Obama failed to act.
Now Obama screwed Mubarek our protector in Egypt.He did not listen to the Saudis and now has put the military on notice to back  off and support the Moslem Brotherhood-
ANTI-AMERICA  -ANTI-ISRAEL.AND ANTI-DEMOCRACY.

THESE 2 DEMOCRATS HAVE WEAKENED AMERICA,AND PLACE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY IN GREAT DANGER. 

VICTORY IN EGYPT

I was watching live on Al Gezeera the Election Comm  results from Cairo that gave the election to the Moslem Brothood's candidate Morsi.
The questions are many;
1-will he keep his word and invite secularists and non MB members into the Cabinet?
2-What role will the Military play.-Have they weakened their hand by allowing the MB to run in the election? Remember in Turkey  the military was in essence marginalized by the Islamists.
3-What will happen with the treaty with Israel? will they rearm the Sinai? put the Israeli traty up for a popular vote,so they can say "they support the treaty, but it is the people who object?
4-What will be their relationship with Hamas-currently strained? and with Iran?
5-With their long range plan to make all of the ME "Islamist" how will they interact with the US under Obama? under Romney?

more bunker busters needed

Former Sen Chuck Robb who heads  a bipartisan Policy Center interested in a strong America,testified today that Israel should be supplied with an additional 200 ( they already have 100 )bunker buster bombs as well as additional KC135 aircraft that can refuel aircraft in midair.
A number ofears ago I inspected an older tanker,and was told then of Israel's needs.
Of course this is for a possible attack on Iran-since no way will Obama act.

Of interest is the MIG-21 pilot that escaped from Syria with his plane.It only took 90 seconds for the plane to each Jordan and ask for Asylum.Tonite Assad grounded all of his planes since possibly the CIA is involved with enticing pilots to escape.

loose tongues

The problem with the former head of Mossad,and Intelligence and a bunch of former national security officials in Israel,is that they cannot stand being out of office.Thus they are constantly criticizing the govt. as it prepares for the coming mega-crisis with Iran.
They would not have appreciated this type of public second-guessing when they were in office.
Dennis Ross chimes in that Israel should give CASH TO SETTLERS TO MOVE TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GREEN LINE.
On the face of it it is outrageous.The Palestinians have shown no desire to compromise.A poll just released that a majority of Palestinians  felt Abbas was corrupt.

COMING OF AGE -VESHINANTEM LEVANECHA , VEDIBARTA BAM

I was informed today that my latest book  COMING OF AGE-VESHINANTEM LEVANECHA ,VEDIBARTA BAM  will be shipped and released this weekend.
This is the third of the simcha trilogy,the first dedicated to sheva brachot, the second to bris milah and this to bar/bat mitzvah.
There are 81 contributors to this volume.All proceeds go to NCSY.
THE CHAPTER ARE ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THE PORTIONS OF THE TORAH.There are also chapters on the Jewish holidays and chapters  written for the deaf bar mitzvah boy, the handicapped and preparing a young lady for bat mitzvah.
There is also a chapter on the relationship of the bar/bat mitzvah to the holu city of Jerusalem.
What is interesting is that the Torah messages can be "mixed and matched"with chapters in the first 2 volumes.
I am deeeply appreciative of all those who helped make this possible.