Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Iran and nuclear power

i was on a phone conference today with Ephraim Asculai a nuclear expert, with experience in govt, analyzing the Iran situation.It was sponsored by TIP a pro-Israel group that keeps the media and govt abreast of the ME.
He pointed out, that he agreed that Iran had not made the final determination to build the bomb , however using 3.5% uranium, they had completed 76% of the work to achieve 90% of enriched uranium-needed for a bomb.
When asked about a "red-line",he noted that crossing to go above 20% which was considere low-enrichment would be a tip-off that they are moving toward a bomb.
How fast could they achieve a bomb at present rate,=give or take a year
He noted that Iran wants to be a ME power.A 1st strike against Israel, would not help themm in that regard/
As far as the question of them being "rational", he observed that rationality is colored by culture ,thought process and logic.What seems rational to Americans is not the same as those living in a theological country like Iran.
HE BELIEVES THAT THE US AND iSRAEL ARE COMING CLOSER TOGETHER AS WE AWAIT THE WASHINGTON SUMMIT NEXR WEEK -IN THE MIDST OF THE AIPAC POLICY CONFERENCE-WHERE ALL THE TOP CANDIDATES (NOT PAUL ? ) WILL ATTEND IN ADDITION TO OBAMA, PANETTA, PERES AND BIBI.

Three cheers for the terrorists in Guantanamo who got Uncle Sam to build them an expensive new soccer field.

Romney looks Presidential-Santorum more like a Senate candidate-though more likeable. The daily rise of gas prices will be an achilles heel on the Dems.

Monday, February 27, 2012

A huge Mitzvah / Ignorance !

We are told that the mitzvah of attending to an individuals funeral,or to help bury someone found on the road unattended is difficult to quantify.
I refer not to when an individual with a large family or community connections passes away,(this too is a mitzvah) but one without such support.
In NY there is the Hebrew Free Burial Society that provides graves for indigent Jews .
Today in Boynton,we had an opportunity to take part in such a mitzvah.A young lady fron NY called our Synagogue President.She said her 91 year old grandfather had passed away,and while there would be a graveside funeral,there was no minyan available.
Of couse we responded,and there was a good feeling that we could help a Jewish soul. This is called a "chesed shel emes"put simply it was a "favor' that the deceased could never pay back.

While I was at the cemetary, we recieved a UPS delivery. My wife was shocked, since the driver looked just like Rick Santorum.(she knows him both from TV and our reationship when I was active.
Sheila told the driver of his likeness. His response"Who is Eick Santorum?"
She noted that he was running for Pres, and besides looks, he also spoke a liitle like him.
He answered when he ges home tonite he will turn on the boob tube,and try to find this Santorum fellow!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

THE DEBATES

The problem with the debates was clearly manifest in the last one.Liberal moderaters try to fashion the questions so that the candidates will be fighting with one another ,usually over inconsequential issues.
Thus the price of gas was not mentioned.
Earmarks are not number 1 priority for the American people,-jobs,underemployment, the growing welfare State and the overall economy were not stressed.
OCCASIONALLY, IT IS INCUMBENT FOR LEGISLATORS TO PUSH FOR BUDGETARY MATTERS, THAT THE PRESIDENT AND LEADERSHIP DO NOT SUPPORT.
THE QUESTION OF BIRTH CONTROL WAS OBVIOUSLY A WHITE HOUSE PLANT BY STEPHANOPOLOUS.Until that question it was not on anyones radar.
The fact that Senator Santorum served 12 years in the Senate,and was forced to make compromises as part of the leadership team,and vote hundeds of times on amendements is part of the "gotcha' approach.
FOR EXAMPLE SENATORS MIGHT BE AGAINST AS BILL BUT AT ONE STAGE VOTE FOR IT,AS PART OF LEGISLATIVE STRATEGY.
I don't recall candidate Obama being questioned on his role in the State Senate(voting present) or the US Senate-a poor record.
It's time for the candidates speak to the people on the issues and how they plan to solve them-forget CNN and MSNBC.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Hugo Chavez / Media Matters

A NUMBER OF MONTHS AGO I WROTE ABOUT THE HEALTH PROGNOSIS OG HUGO CHAVEZ.Based on my experience as a Colo-rectal surgeon ,I was reasonably convinced that he had incurable perforated colon cancer of the recto-sigmoid.
After calling himself "cured" after ? multiple surgeries plus a series of chemotherapy, he now is going back for additional surgery for tumor tissue in the same region as the original lesion.
Although it is dangerous to diagnose on a patient that you have not seen ,and upon who they are not releasing any record=nevertheless, the prognosis is less than terrific. This is especially so, since the recurrence is so soon after the original surgeries.
Certainly this will impact the Presidential race.
It could not be happening to a more worthy candidate!

M j ROSENBERG of Media Matters the left wing anti-Fox mouthpiece writes in todays Al-Gezera that US Senators are placing Netanyahu's interests above that of the US in their verbal blasts at the Iranian nuclear efforts.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Pat Buchanan / the campaign

A zebra does not change its stripes.
Former MSNBC commentator Pat Buchanan raised the question in an interview
"who is more dangerous, Iran or Israel"?

Yes the polls seem to show Obama being victorious .I would like to remind you of a few factoids.
Hillary and Obama cursed each other out until May=and he won
If gasoline keeps going up,and if Israel attacks Iran with some action against America and if unemployment goes up to 9% + =the numbers could dramatically change.I remember John McCain ahead of Obama early in the campaign,until he screwed up during the bank crisis.So be patient.

I watched the first 45 minutes of the debate.It seemed like deja-vu.Earmarks are not the most critical issue facing this country-too much time was spent on that.Intellectually, Newt is still head and heels above them all.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

GOOD NEWS / THE FBI PURGES IT FILES

I am really excited to learn that the publisher (Ktav) of my latest book in the simcha trilogy "COMING OF AGE- divrei Torah on bar/bat mitzvah went to press today.They expect us to have the sefer before Pesach.
It has been a long haul and I hope that it will be well recieved.
As with the first two volumes,all proceeds will go to NCSY.

How sad to learn that the FBI has discarded 1000 training documents on Islam.
Under this administration the words" radical Islam" do not appear.Despite attempts by Islamic terrorists to blow up the Capitol,Army bases,airplanes and so on,our anti-terrorist experts play dumb.It is part of the appeasement of radical Islam by Obama.
This move came after FBI Director Mueller met with many Islamic groups.
Hopefully the next administration will correct this "political correctness" that is part of our national security weakness.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Iran

IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PRIVATE PRESSURE ON ISRAEL BY THE U.S. NOT TO ATTACK IS NOT WORKING.
Thus the massive public pressure by the administration, military leaders,Britain, and the leaks to the media eespecially the NYT.
Ehud Barak put it suucintly-sovereign state act in their own interests.Meaning the world couldn't care less if Iran destroyed Israel.Oh of course there would be crocodile tears.
Israel and Israel alone must act to prevent another Holocaust.There is no reason to believe that an attack will inflame and upset the Arab world.Except for Syria ,Hamas and Hezbollah the rest of the ME cannot stand and fear Iran.
Israel would be doing them a great favor.
The march of gasoline to the 4-5 dollar level is payback time for the Obama administration refusal to drill,create refineries and approve the Canadian pipeline.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Whutney Houston /Iran / Gaza

Just some brief thoughts
I cannot understand the glory and pomp and circumstance accorded to Whitney Houston.Yes she had talent-lots of people do.I enjoyed her role in the bodyguard.Yet she screwed up her life with drugs ,addiction and mismanagement of her fortune.
She cannot be an example for American youth.Have we lost our marbles to have a Congressional resolution for her? to lower the flags at half staff? why because she is black?Why not name a battleship for her a-la Cong Gifford?
What did she do to deserve such an honor?-get shot in the head for no reason,and worked hard to recover.Yes she is an example for people fighting adversity-but to name a ship?

A US General in advising Israel not to attack Iran noted that they are are responsible and prudent nation.If so it is even more reason to attack.For Iran has no fear of international sanctions or reactions.
To wit-the attack in Argentina,the failed attack on the Saudi Amb in the US,and all the recent attacks in India,Thailand etc.

In 2011 680 rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel This year 30 have already been fired. The IDF is pushing for an assault on Hamas.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

UNESCO / LIBEL VERDICT IN FRENCH COURT

Stacked away in the Obama budget is a plan to ask Congress to waive the prohition on the funding of UNESCO
After the PA applied for UN membership and were rejected, but accepted at UNESCO,the Congress cut off funding to UNESCO. Now Obama in his classical appeasement mode wishes to reverse that.
If approved it would send a signal that you can crap all over the US and get away with it.Hopefully the House and Senate will not go along.

Dr Yehuda David a French-Israeli physician was finally aquitted on libel charges by the French Supreme Court.
In 2000 a Palestinian child allegedly was killed by crossfire from IDF troops.It later came out that he may have bben killed by Palestinian snipers.Or, the whole thing was staged.
In the legal back and forth the father claimed torture by the IDF. showing scars that he claimed were of recent nature.
Dr. Davis wrote that the scars were old,and that he had been involved in the care of those scars years before.
The father sued for libel (defemation), and the lower court awarded him some money.On appeal all the charges were reversed,and he was found not guilty.
A long road to disprove Arab lies.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Obama /Mitt

IF IT WERE NOT AN ELECTION YEAR,WHO KNOW HOW MUCH MORE OBAMA WOULD CUT FROM DEFENSE AID TO ISRAEL.Luckily the Congress especially the House leadership, will not allow significanr missle aid reductions at this critical movement.

The massive attacks by ROMNEY ,FIRST ON GINGRICH IN FLORIDA,and now on Santorum im Michigan leaves a bad taste in my mouth.I have a feeling that these latter attacks will not work out as well for Mitt, since it was much easier to attack the Gingrich persona.
If Mitt cannot beat Santorum here,the question is can he survive?

The polls keep changing evey few hours-but it is still 10 plus months to the election and a lot can change.

The Israelis are concerned the the Syrians are using poison gas.Like father like son-both cold blooded murderers

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

the Iranian -hezbollah assault

Weakness on the part of a "great" country is met by a lack of fear by her enemies.
When Iran sent agents via the Mexican drug cartel to assasinate the Saudi U.S. Ambassador in a public restaurant in Washington,nothing happened.What should have been treated by us as an act of war was played down by the WH.
Now,with no sanctions that have real teeth,(against the Central Bank),the Iranians have stared a terror campaign in India Georgia.Thailand and elsewhere,. against Israel.
This is part of their usual pattern.To wit the Iranian attacks on the Jewish Center in Buenos Aires,
They were never punished.
Israel must see that the world does not give a crap for Jewish lives.Nor does the world care to step up to the plate in Syria.So the Chinese V.P.gets the royal treatment,as his country and Russia block a UN resolution.
Remember it was a Shiite attack on our Marines in Lebanon in 1983 that not only lilled 223 or so leathernecks, but scared us out of Beirut.

Monday, February 13, 2012

SANTORUM / BUDGET

WE ARE A HUGE COUNTRY,SO THAT FOR ME TO MAKE BROAD ASSUNPTIONS AND CONCLUSIONS IS SILLY.
Yet,I know how I feel about Romney.To those who have followed my choice of candidates will be amazed ( or not) how wrong I have been.My personal goal-Beat Obama ,put in a 60 vote Republican Senate.
I thought Perry was the man,after Newt faded.The "oops" finished him off.The Newt came back to life,and I voted for him in Florida.
I always liked Rick,going back to my PAC days,however I did not think him Presidential.I was willing to accept Mitt,if I had to.However, my heart was never in it.
Suddenly I see a surge for Santorum, that represents the last conservative
opportunity to win the nomination.I still believe he should tone down some of the abortion rhetoric.However on foreign policy and security as well as jobs and the economy he is right on target.
He is the real McCoy,nothing phony.What you see is what you get-real down to earth.
I don't know how Michigan ,Ohio, Tenn etc. will do,but there is nothing inevitable about Mitt.


The budget proposed is a farce-and the WH and Lew know it.Instead of working with the Congress, we get tricks and more defecit.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

English / priorities in America

We came back from Las Vegas and everyone asked the same question"did you win"?
Indeed I did win a great case of bronchitis and URI probably from a combination of the plane trip. and the cold temperature at the Grand Canyon,which is truly one of the wonders of the world.

A number of years ago, while driving on one of the highways off the Fla. turnpike,I asked the toll collector a question.Her answer was that she spoke no English.I was amazed.
Going to the airport in Miami ,despite my Gps I was lost.I pulled into one gas station after another (in Miami) -same answer No habla Englas.
The move to make English the national language has nothing to do with discrimination.My grandparents spoke no English when they came to this country.They tried the best they could,and their children born here made the most of this great country.
Schools,government jobs ,voting running for office should demmand a proficiency in English.

Saturday nites at 11 PM is my favorite TV show.It is the FNC rerun of the WSJ roundtable discussion on the politics of the week.Sind the original is on during the sabbath,this is perfect for me.
Last nite Whitney Huston passed away.Surely a great loss to the music world.But as in the deaths of Michael Jackson.Anna Nicole Smith and such mega-stars,is this the most important event that supersedes all others?
For hours all programs on cable were pre-empted ( including my WSJ).
Hundreds dead in Syria,fighting anew in Lebanon,riots in Greece,Iran threatens anew and so on,yet the world stops for the death of an individual talented,yet stricken like so many in her walk of life with the inability to handle fame and fortune.
I assume as long as the public doesn't complaign about such a misappropriation of news sources,this is what wewill be fed.

Saturday, February 04, 2012

The VETOES

Should we expect anything else from the UN? The Russian-Chinese veto speaks to a number of issues.
1-The impotence of the UNSC
2-the weakness of Pres. Obama,that he could not get either of them to abstain.
3-the lesson for Israel-how it cannot place any faith in Obama or the "world
community"
30 years to the day the world stood by as Assad's father slaughtered 30,000 of his countrymen in the same city.
WHO CARES?

I will be away until Fri AM .and if Elli has time he will blog.

At this hour it looks like a Romney victory in Nevada-not unexpected.

Thursday, February 02, 2012

Panetta--Iran - Israel

Why did Panetta make headlines with the story that Israel may attack in the Spring.?
Why make it public?Even though Iran surely realizes that Israel will not wait forever.
Was the announcement a warning to Israel-that they will go it alone?
Remember before the "67 war ,Israel was talking publicly as they are now.
As far as Iran responding ,they have no air force to speak of.Yes they have rockets but Israel believes that the damages,even with a Hezbollah attack (limited in nature would be more acceptable than a nuclear Iran.
Will they attack in Feb. to throw the Iranians off base?
Yes Obama will be pissed off, but he is in the middle of a tough election campaign,and he will not be able to punish Israel.
As I pointed out a few weeks ago Bibi scheduled Likud elections(this week) and probably snap elections soon, to prevent Obama from inteferring in the Israeli elections-especially if they were held after an attack.