It is good news that AIPAC has agreed to fund the legal fees for one of their former staffers-Weissman and negotiating with Steve Rosens attorneys to do likewise.Both are under indictment,and await a trial date-the Judge has previously ruled against having a closed trial.
The admonition of Judge Ellis against the government conduct in preventing AIPAC'S financial legal coverage is admirable.
This case should be dismissed as it is clear,that the two were performing the normal activities of professional staffers of hundreds of organizations.
The Jewish Community is finally waking up to publicly support these two public servants .
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The Wall Street Journal has written much recently about corruption in the international arena.It is one of the areas where Wolfowitz has attempted to crack down in his leadership of the World Bank.It nay be one of the reasons they are out to get him.
Similarly today there has been renewed discussion regarding stolen oil in Iraq-probably amounting to 35 million dollars weekly.
During our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia,every person that we spoke to related part of the poverty problem to massive corruption.
If the US and the UN cannot solve the coruption scandels that permeates foreign aid,then a new approach must be considered.
We cannot keep throwing good money after bad.This corruption apparently goes all the way to the top in the UN and the receiving countries.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
1937-2007, Dejavu?
This shabbat, the Community Synagogue of Monsey had a retreat at the Hudson Valley Spa, honoring Rabbi and Mrs Moses D. Tendler.I was asked to speak and chose the above as my topic.
I first reviewed the events of 1937,(almost on a daily basis) with all the anti-semitic actions of individuals, goverments ,such as France,Poland Roumania as well as the voices of the churches in Europe .
The key to understanding the differences is:
The reactions of the American Jewish Community which in 1937 was tepid,disorganized and impotent.Today we are if anything overorganized.We are accused of controlling the debate,the media and the Congress.We have proven the ability to galvanize hundreds of thousands on short notice to gather together in Washington.
AIPAC,pro-Israel PACS, backed by millions of Christian Zionists help in creaing a large majority of Americans who support the US-Israel relationship.
None of this diminishes the problems and dangers we face:
A nuclear Iran in the hand of an irrational fundamentalist.
The Asymetry of the antagonists.The West with its armies ,navies and air forces, and Islamic fundamendalists, with no uniforms but improvising with box cutters,fertilizer and determination, to destroy us.even if they have to commit suicide.
In addition, the battle to islamicize Europe is ongoing.Perhaps the election of Sarkozy is a step in the right direction.Here too the dangers are great.
While anti-semitism has always been part of the world scene,the New Anti-Semitism (progressive Jewish thought) that seeks to negate the right of Israel to exist,or to allow any sense of nationalism by Jews is the latest illness.These thoughts are primarily by Jewish so called intellectuals.They are out beating the drums showing that zionism is "insanity ...and compared to Nazism"
These groups are raising funds to spread the message of how we are preventing a discussion of the "occupation ..and the Apartheid State."
Despite all these and other problems,I see no real connection with '37.Nuclear weapons and oil have changed the ground rules.However we are strong as is Israel.There have been no further successful attacks on our soil since 9/11.We have the ability to cut off most funds from those that support terrorism.We can apply greater economic and political pressure on Iran etc ,holding out the military option if necessary.
Yes there are anti-semitic act by individuals in Europe, and American left wing professors encourage hate, but despite it all we are strong and proud and vigilant.
The final point is that we must believe in the guiding hand of G-d.
I first reviewed the events of 1937,(almost on a daily basis) with all the anti-semitic actions of individuals, goverments ,such as France,Poland Roumania as well as the voices of the churches in Europe .
The key to understanding the differences is:
The reactions of the American Jewish Community which in 1937 was tepid,disorganized and impotent.Today we are if anything overorganized.We are accused of controlling the debate,the media and the Congress.We have proven the ability to galvanize hundreds of thousands on short notice to gather together in Washington.
AIPAC,pro-Israel PACS, backed by millions of Christian Zionists help in creaing a large majority of Americans who support the US-Israel relationship.
None of this diminishes the problems and dangers we face:
A nuclear Iran in the hand of an irrational fundamentalist.
The Asymetry of the antagonists.The West with its armies ,navies and air forces, and Islamic fundamendalists, with no uniforms but improvising with box cutters,fertilizer and determination, to destroy us.even if they have to commit suicide.
In addition, the battle to islamicize Europe is ongoing.Perhaps the election of Sarkozy is a step in the right direction.Here too the dangers are great.
While anti-semitism has always been part of the world scene,the New Anti-Semitism (progressive Jewish thought) that seeks to negate the right of Israel to exist,or to allow any sense of nationalism by Jews is the latest illness.These thoughts are primarily by Jewish so called intellectuals.They are out beating the drums showing that zionism is "insanity ...and compared to Nazism"
These groups are raising funds to spread the message of how we are preventing a discussion of the "occupation ..and the Apartheid State."
Despite all these and other problems,I see no real connection with '37.Nuclear weapons and oil have changed the ground rules.However we are strong as is Israel.There have been no further successful attacks on our soil since 9/11.We have the ability to cut off most funds from those that support terrorism.We can apply greater economic and political pressure on Iran etc ,holding out the military option if necessary.
Yes there are anti-semitic act by individuals in Europe, and American left wing professors encourage hate, but despite it all we are strong and proud and vigilant.
The final point is that we must believe in the guiding hand of G-d.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Vietnam revisited /Olmert hangs tough
I have just returned from a three week trip to Vietnam,Cambodia,and Hong Kong.It was June 1969 when I completed my one year stint as a surgeon in the US Army.
Aside from the tunnels in Cu Chi, and the War Museum in Ho Chi Minh City,(formerly Saigon) the war is almost invisible.The old Presidential headquarters are open for tourists,but Hanoi in the north, is the center of government.
While everyone smiles at the Americans,I believe we are looked at as the purveyors of an immoral war, full of criminality and torture.
The five star hotels are terrific,and the service excellent.Certainly the people are very friendly.The weather there and in Cambodia went over the 100 degree level.
The poverty in Cambodia ,with begging children, reminded me of India.In both places, the opulence of the hotels stands in sharp contrast to the streets.
Cambodia,does have historic sites in Seam Riep which in the heat were not easy to climb.The number of businessmen in all cities is quite amazing.
In Hong Kong,the Sephardic synagogue in Kowloon, had 250 primarily visitors-business people for Fri nite and Shabbat services/meals.There is a kollel both in this synagogue/restaurant and one on the Hong Kong side.This is in addition to Chabad and the main Synagogue on Robinson.
We were told that Shanghai,Bejing and another city had similar accomodations.The travelling orthodox (business) community-primarily sephardic,from the US, Israel and Panama ( among others)help to maintain these centers.
I am grateful to my son Elli for his thoughtful blogs during my trip.
===================================================================================
The Winograd Report should have been enough to bring down PM Olmert's administration.I remembeer the Counsel on the McCarthy Senate hearing ask McCarthy
"have you no shame Sen McCarthy?
We can ask- Have you no shame Mr Olmert?
His time in office is limited,however it is the actions or lack therof of his Kadima colleagues that shock me.
Yes a cabinet title,limousine,security detail are all prestigious-but what about your duty to the people and the State?
Aside from the tunnels in Cu Chi, and the War Museum in Ho Chi Minh City,(formerly Saigon) the war is almost invisible.The old Presidential headquarters are open for tourists,but Hanoi in the north, is the center of government.
While everyone smiles at the Americans,I believe we are looked at as the purveyors of an immoral war, full of criminality and torture.
The five star hotels are terrific,and the service excellent.Certainly the people are very friendly.The weather there and in Cambodia went over the 100 degree level.
The poverty in Cambodia ,with begging children, reminded me of India.In both places, the opulence of the hotels stands in sharp contrast to the streets.
Cambodia,does have historic sites in Seam Riep which in the heat were not easy to climb.The number of businessmen in all cities is quite amazing.
In Hong Kong,the Sephardic synagogue in Kowloon, had 250 primarily visitors-business people for Fri nite and Shabbat services/meals.There is a kollel both in this synagogue/restaurant and one on the Hong Kong side.This is in addition to Chabad and the main Synagogue on Robinson.
We were told that Shanghai,Bejing and another city had similar accomodations.The travelling orthodox (business) community-primarily sephardic,from the US, Israel and Panama ( among others)help to maintain these centers.
I am grateful to my son Elli for his thoughtful blogs during my trip.
===================================================================================
The Winograd Report should have been enough to bring down PM Olmert's administration.I remembeer the Counsel on the McCarthy Senate hearing ask McCarthy
"have you no shame Sen McCarthy?
We can ask- Have you no shame Mr Olmert?
His time in office is limited,however it is the actions or lack therof of his Kadima colleagues that shock me.
Yes a cabinet title,limousine,security detail are all prestigious-but what about your duty to the people and the State?
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