Since 9/11 ,there has been a sense of complacency since we have not had another attack on this soil.The Mumbai attack confirms what we know ,that a small group of dedicated ,well trained terrorists who have taken the time to scout out their targets, can cause unbelievable destruction.More than the loss of life and property is THE FEAR THEY INSTILL IN THE POPULACE.
Some names come into mind,Maalot,Munich, 9/11, USS Cole and all the suicide bombs in Israel.The world cannot relax, and when intelligence experts push for safeguards-ie. the Patriot Act, wiretapping on suspected international terrorists, we must be vigilant to prevent the far left from preventing their enactment in the name of civil liberties.
The greatest threat to our civil liberties is terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism.Of course there has to be both Judiciary and legislative oversight,plus good common sense and the use of real experts who have walked the walk and not just talked the talk.
My son Elli may blog for me over the next few days, as we take 2 grandchildren to Disney
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Mumbai / Bad girls club
About four or five years ago Sheila and I stayed at the Haj Hotel during our visit to India.It is one of a chain of magnificent 5 star hotels all over the country. It is old worldly with unbelievable amenities.
During that trip, we prayed in the synagogue.but there was no Chabad House there yet.Rabbi and Mrs. Holtzberg had just come to the country a few weeks earlier.They invited us to eat with them in a one room hotel apartment that they were renting on a temporary basis ,until they could get settled.I remember vividly the hot plates with cholent etc with extension cords going out the door into the hall, since there were not enough outlets in the room.Latest reports have them both as hostages and unconscious.
Thus it is personally sad to see what is transpiring.We pray for the safe release of all of the hostages,and the defeat of terror.
One thought: What would have possibly changed if this attack occurred 1 week before our elections?
This morning while changing channels I came across a program "the bad girls club". This is the picture of white trash ,which is none of my business.Except at 11 AM on a holiday day, when kids are by the TV watching the parade and changing channels this is the wrong message to send out.
Drinking, smoking,baring of breasts,sexually fooling around, is the theme of this program.
I do not advocate govt. censorship,however advertisers, parents, TV stations have to live up to their obligations.
Then, when we hear rape is up in the country,we ask why? Similarly when we hear that moral standards are lower, we again ask the same question.
During that trip, we prayed in the synagogue.but there was no Chabad House there yet.Rabbi and Mrs. Holtzberg had just come to the country a few weeks earlier.They invited us to eat with them in a one room hotel apartment that they were renting on a temporary basis ,until they could get settled.I remember vividly the hot plates with cholent etc with extension cords going out the door into the hall, since there were not enough outlets in the room.Latest reports have them both as hostages and unconscious.
Thus it is personally sad to see what is transpiring.We pray for the safe release of all of the hostages,and the defeat of terror.
One thought: What would have possibly changed if this attack occurred 1 week before our elections?
This morning while changing channels I came across a program "the bad girls club". This is the picture of white trash ,which is none of my business.Except at 11 AM on a holiday day, when kids are by the TV watching the parade and changing channels this is the wrong message to send out.
Drinking, smoking,baring of breasts,sexually fooling around, is the theme of this program.
I do not advocate govt. censorship,however advertisers, parents, TV stations have to live up to their obligations.
Then, when we hear rape is up in the country,we ask why? Similarly when we hear that moral standards are lower, we again ask the same question.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The Indictment / CBS story
The decision to indict Olmert is long overdue,based on the public testimony.That he will not step aside voluntarily, is quite unbelievable.That he thinks he has the power in such a critical moment to run the affairs of State is delusional.
The CBS story on sexual immorality in the hasidic community is of course sad.No group is immune from human frailties, and sexual immorality is as old as the bible.
Once again we see that the definition of a Torah Jew is not the black hat,or any other dress or "chumra" (additional prohibitions )but rather how he/she conducts themselves not only in the synagogue,but in the home, business ,as well as all areas that inter-relate to society whether in their own family,closed community, or the greater world.
Whether these stories are the tip of the iceberg or are anomolies I do not know.However, when I was pushing the investigation into the Lanner affair,the anonymous complaints from students and others made me believe that there is cause for concern.Look at the web sites that specialize in discussing such behavior on the part of "religious" figures
Surely these stories represent an assault on the torah way of life.What is needed is early intervention in schools and synagogues to weed out those that have suffered sexual or physical abuse in their homes and families.
How chasidic leaders will handle the issues of loveless arranged marriages in the
21st century will determine whether we will see more such stories being made public.
Marriage counseling must be made an integral part of the support network of their community.
The CBS story on sexual immorality in the hasidic community is of course sad.No group is immune from human frailties, and sexual immorality is as old as the bible.
Once again we see that the definition of a Torah Jew is not the black hat,or any other dress or "chumra" (additional prohibitions )but rather how he/she conducts themselves not only in the synagogue,but in the home, business ,as well as all areas that inter-relate to society whether in their own family,closed community, or the greater world.
Whether these stories are the tip of the iceberg or are anomolies I do not know.However, when I was pushing the investigation into the Lanner affair,the anonymous complaints from students and others made me believe that there is cause for concern.Look at the web sites that specialize in discussing such behavior on the part of "religious" figures
Surely these stories represent an assault on the torah way of life.What is needed is early intervention in schools and synagogues to weed out those that have suffered sexual or physical abuse in their homes and families.
How chasidic leaders will handle the issues of loveless arranged marriages in the
21st century will determine whether we will see more such stories being made public.
Marriage counseling must be made an integral part of the support network of their community.
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