sad facts

The American Jewish Committee just published a study showing 61% of Jews voting for Obama-down from 78% 4 years ago.This is primarily due to secular Jews.
I would bet orthodox Jews the number would be less than 20% voting for Obama.
If they never attended a synagogue it is 67% -this represented  31% of the group.
If they attended a synagogue once a week-then 52% are for Obama.This was 14% of group.

59% never visited Israel.19% visited once,and 21% more than twice-these numbers were related to synagogue attendance.

It is sad to see Ehud Olmert blast Bibi here in the US joining the former heads of Mossad and intelligence.all of whom for personal vengeance and political bitterness undermine the Israeli position
on the approach to Iran.

Whether the decision of the AG in Israel to talk about a possible upcoming decision on an indictment of Avigdor Lieberman has any role in his decision to bolt the coalition is not clear.

  

upcoming elections?

All of the Israeli papers are talking about the possible calling of elctions in Israel right after the summer.This is not  too suprising, as Bibi called for early primaries long before it was necessary.
What is suprising is that Lieberman announced that after the Tal law vote ( on exemptions of Haredi-Arabs  from the draft )  his party will no longer be obligated to be part of the coalition.
It is hard to understand his reasoning.He has no chance to become PM, and he could even lose his slot in a new coalition which Bibi will once again lead.
The polls show a victory for the right wing .How the possible elections play out in light of a possible summer attack on Iran is difficult at this time to calculate.

THE TAL LAW

One of the greatest conflicts in Israeli life  centers around the secular-religious divide.While the settler-nationalistic Zionist community has become such a part of the IDF,that some in the secular world co- mplain it is too much..They fear the influence of the Hesder yeshivoth in military affairs.
A more serious problem is the failure of the Haredi community to serve in the army ,while collecting stipends from the govt. for yeshiva attendance.Sadly this not only brings hatred upun the orthodox,but as these people marry and have many children they have no means of getting a good job, and depend upon govt.
The Tal law which tried to smooth over the problem was declared unconstitutional by the Court.Now is the time for the Knesset to come up with a new law.
Yesterday FM Lieberman advanced a law mandating all to join govt. service or the army while allowing 1000  students to be exempt-instead of the 60,000 currently excused.
Those who fail to report would be deprived of govt.grants.
In general I support such an approach.
I believe that the numbers excused should be 5% of the applicants=3000, who should have to  take an exam to prove they are top flight candidates worthy to be considered Judges, Rabbinic teachers, and scholars.
If the haredi  community balks-then they have a problem 
howevever the defense of the country is everyones responsibility.

jimmy fallon /romney speech /epa / rubio

The appearance if Obama on the Jimmy Fallon show was trite and demeaning to the prestige of the Presidency.
Perhaps some young people found it 'hip" but mauture adults,or even young people looking for kobs will understand the differencebetween standing on your recorord or pure bull----.
THE APPEARANCE WAS IN CONTRAST TO THE MAGNIFICENT SPEECH BY ROMNEY LAST NITE.
He sounded presidential and stayed on message-jobs-economy,and a comparison where we  were four
years ago.
There is a quote on Drudge tonite from an EPA official who said thei job is to"crucify the oil and gas industry".
The foreign policy speech today by Sen. Marco Rubio is a step in the right direction as he develops an approach that will come in handy if not in 2012 then in 2016.

obama / govt bonuses / shirtless judge/ armenia

Fot the life of me I do not understand how independents can vote for Obama.His rhetoric  is full of mean attacks but without any solid accomplishments.For the first 2 years of his term, he had a Dem. majority in both Houses,yet nothing except "cash for clunkers" the bailout and Obamacare were enacted.
All terrible mistakes.Gasoline, unemployment and the economy as well as our debt are all on the  wrong side of the ledger.
Other than killing OBL, his foreign policy has been weak and devoid of leadership.

This concept that govt. employees should get bonuses simply for showing up, or arranging a party is ludicrous.The Senate amendment approved today about limits on conventions, spending and listing all expenses etc. on the internet is a step in the right direction.The program whereby the govt helps pay off student loans in order to keep govt employees sounds reasonable for doctors, nurses, scientists and other hard to replace positions.However most jobs especially in this job market do not need taxpayer incentives every 6 months  to convince workers like clerks etc. to stay on the job. This program has gotten out of hand.

The Judge who sent an e-,ail to his female clerk in a shirtless pose, should be censured by the appropriate body.His clerk is a married woman, and the husband complained.

For the fourth year ,Pres. Obama did not keep his campaign promise to label the GENOCIDE of the Armenians by name.His fear-offending Turkey.

turkey vetoes israel / pollard / female agents

The news that Turkry has the right to veto the attendance of Israel at the Chicago NATO meeting is quite upsetting. Howevever, if I was Israel and the decision could not be changed,I would rent a ballroom in the same or nearby hotel and have a conference and cocktail party for the NATO delegates with or without Turkey..The goal-to embarress Erdogan  and to show his small-mindedness and anti-semitism.

As President Peres is about to be honored at the White House, he should make a STRONG PUBLIC STATEMENT REGARDING THE RELEASE OF POLLARD.
The 3 religious streams have joined in a statement calling on  the President to do so.
If he refuses, then Peres should turn down the award.

The suggestion that had there been female agents in Columbia, the sex scandal would not have occurred is ridiculous.Unless they were suggesting that the agents would have sex with each other and keep the hanky panky in-house. You might have to look for male prostitutes, unless the females were lesbians.

ZIMMERMAN CASE ? /. IRAN AND THE DRONE

I WATCHED SOME OF THE BAIL HEARING IN THE ZIMMERMAN CASE.While I am not a lawyer ,nor do we have all the evidence,a number of things seem clearer.
The lead investigator has no evidence that Zimmerman did not turn around after being told that he should not follow Tryvon.
The lead detective cannot say who  started the fight and apparently how Zimmerman was on the bottom.
There is no evidence of racism, bias, stalking or any violation of "stand your ground".
How to justify a second degree murder charge is hard to UNDERST ,EXCEPT IT WAS NOT BASED ON THE EVIDENCE,  BUT ON  THE NEED TO COOL THE MOB MENTALITY.
The appearance of Zimmerman was a suprise, but he handled himself in a mature and calm manner.
The question is can he get a fair trial in that County?

The Iranians are claiming that they have broken the codes on the Drone that fell on their territory.Based on the history of Iranian bluster we do not know if they are telling the truth.However Obama made a huge error in not having our planes or drones destroy the downed drone to prevent this from happening.HIS WHOLE APPROACH TO THE IRANIANS HAS BEEN TALK AND BLUSTER,BUT NO "TACHLIS".

HOLOCAUST REMEMBERANCE

Tonite we attended a ceremony commemorating Holocaust Rememberance Day.
The testimonies of survivors , while chilling to the bone is hard to believe,had it not been that we visited the concentration camps.
Yet today, Iran denies the existance of the slaughter of 6 million,while others believe Jews use it to extract sympathy or perhaps blackmail for support of Israel.
The history of anti-semitism did not start with Germany
Spain, the Chuch, the Crusades all perfected . and popularized over the ages a hatred for Jews.Today we have a State and an army but the call by even left wing self-hating Jews and classical anti-semites do not feel any guilt in trying to delegitimize Israel.
Sadly as long as we live( until the Messiah ) and in every generation our enemies will try -but fail to wipe us off the face of the earth.

ehud barak ' / polls / YAAKOV NEEMAN

THE ATTEMPT BY EHUD BARAK TO GET HIS LITTLE FACTION INCORPORATED INTO THE lIKUD SLATE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.This is one of the reasons thst has been advanced why he is not sympathetic to the settlements.

Romney has blasted the media for a vast l wing conspiracy.It is unfortunate that the main st media is really in the Obama camp.Except for the WSJ and Fox the fix is in to support the Dems.Nevertheless the early polling is not only good for Romney, but he approches 50%-for example Gallup 48-43 in favor of Romney.

MY OLD FRIEND A-G YAAKOV NEEMAN HAS MADE THE HEADLINES BY PUSHING A BILL IN THE KNESSET THAT WILL ALL THE KNESSET TO OVERETURN SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

Israel / Obama /IDF

The news that Israel has not made any committments to refrain from an attack on Iran while negotiations are underway has Washington on edge.We have to be concerned of backroom concessions by the Obama administration regarding enriched uranium.The 5 week hiatus is certainly not in the interest of a speedy resolution of the whole issue.

The threat to veto the Keystone pipeline is another sellout to the far left environmental crowd.The talk by the President today in the Rose Garden regarding oil traders,was a repeat of previous talks,without any influence on the price at the pump.

Kudos to the first graduating class of 30 IDF soldiers trained in protecting military units against cyber warfare.We live in a highly technologically advanced era, where the goal must be to be steps ahead of the enemy.

GOP FUNDRAISERS / BUFFETT /CENTRAL AMERICA

It is gratifying to see the financial heavy hitters starting to give big money to the GOP super-Pacs..It is so important not only to send Obama packing,but to win control of the Senate as well-PERHAPS,PERHAPS with a 60 vote majority.
As I said yesterday,it is early, but Mitt is looking good at this stage.
THIS bUFFETT RULE CIRCUS TODAY, WAS JUST AN ATTEMPT TO HIDE THE DEFECIT AND BIG SPENDING BEHIND SMOKE AND MIRRORS.
Still no Obama budget,and no Senate action on the many fiscal bills that the House has passed.

THE MEETING IN CENTRAL AMERICA WAS A BIG BUST FOR OBAMA!
First the Secret Service scandal took all the headlines
Second there was not even a statement from the group, because they could not agree with the US on the exclusion of Cuba
Third the US was not in the loop on narcotics issues.
This President who thought that he could talk to any country and get his way, now shows us that he DOES NOT WALK ON WATER>

Passover -- postone the Iranian talks--Women

Reading the story of the Exodus in the Hagadah of Passover is quite dissimilar to the Pesach vacations that are part and parcel of our lives.
The basic problem is that grandparents want to bring their families together-followed by the fact that women are pleased when offered an opportunity to have a whole holiday, without cooking and changing the dishes etc.
On top of this as long as you are going away, you might as well aim for a region with good weather-for swimming-golf and tennis.
So,you have financially able grandparents-parents bringing 10-25 family members together to a five star hotel .Every year more and more hotels open -or try to open for the holiday, at increasing costs.
After a while the whole picture loses its religious or spiritual flavor.
The problem is if you want to bring the family together,and your home cannot accomodate the crowd-what are the alternatives?

The Iranian conference is already off to a ridiculous start-hold off further discussions for the end of May.In the meantime Iran can working on its nuclear programs-Does anyone believe there will be progress?

I am quite shocked that Mitt is a few points ahead of Obama-in light of the vicious primary fight.Morever the fact that Obama cannot hit 50% is a sign that he is in trouble.Of course Nov is a long way off.The WH attempt to attack Ann Romney has backfired.As someone pointed out Hilary Rosen has been in the WH more than Panetta and other administration leaders.

GOOD YOM TOV

I WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL MY FRIENDS AND READERS A CHAG KASHER VESAMEACH-A "SWEET AND KOSHER PESACH"
WILL RESUME ATER THE HOLIDAY

EHUD BARAK ? AN ANGRY OBAMA

Aside from a close personal relationship going back to their army days,I do
not know what Ehud Barak brings to the government.
HE HAS NO POLITICAL PARTY, IS A THORN IN THE BUTT OF THE SETTLERS AND THE R WING PARTIES.his judgement leaves a lot to be desired.
There are plenty of former Generals who would be a terrific replacemnt.The R wing parties in the govt., want to take over responsibility for housing in the settlements-good idea!

Looking at Pres. Obama the last 2-3 days make it appear that we have an angry man striking out irrationally at the Court, the Reps, and Cong Ryan.
His attacks on the Ryan budget are full of cliche's but short on substance and truth.It is always easier to attack a person than debate the issues.
WHERE IS THE OBAMA SENATE BUDGET? IN LIMBO/

AMERICAN JEWS / THE ATTACK

A new poll shosw 62% of American Jews want Obama re-elected.This is down from the 78% who voted for him 3 years ago.In a close election in Fla for example that cold be enough to change the results.
The ObamA attack on the S.C. has many sources such as the editorial page of the WSJ attacking him for forgetting Marbury vs Madison.The priciple of overturning unconstitutional laws has a 121` case precedent.
To me he appears as a bully.Primarily he uses the bully pulpit of the WH .to attack from.When he attacks Republicans., they can answer.Here, the Justices cannot retort until their decision is rendered,and then only in the form of a written legal opinion.
I assume Obama's attack is because either he believes or WAS TIPPED OFF that his plan is going down the tube.

THE ATTACK BY OBAMA ON THE SUPREME COURT TODAY, MATCHES HIS STATE OF THE UNION BLAST 2 YEARS AGO AGAINST THE cOURT.
IT IS HEAVY HANDED AND VIOLATES THE SPIRIT OF THE SEPERATION OF POWERS.
We hope that in the end, the case will be decided on constitutional grounds ,and not verbal attacks by the media or the WH.
The left is running scared,and on the one hand saying a rejection is good, and at the same time saying "don't overturn".
This decision like Gore-Bush will be explosive no matter what.Once the Court decided to take this hot potato in an election year, they have to close their ears to partisan attacks, and do their job.
Not e verone will be happy!

race relations---the S.C.

I watched the dialogue between Piers Morgan and Taure over the Zimmerman case.The MSNBC commentator who I have never heard of before was enlightening.
Taure was full of hate and cliches, and convicted Zimmerman without any finding from the police or a grand jury.
Morgan was totally professional and at the end not only stood his ground but placed Toure in his place-as a non-professional.

It appears to me that race relations has gotten much worse since Obama became President.If he loses,the black community might be in shell-shock.
The amateur act of a member coming on the floor of Congress in a hoodie is a disgrace.
Why is it that liberal commentators opine that if the Supreme Court overturns Obamacare it represents a victory of politics over what is good for the country(policy),yet if the opposite were done ,that would not apply-despite the majority of Americans being against the law. .