To those who are able to see a bigger picture, it seems the world is going crazy. We live in a world of pure chaos, where logic and reason have taken a backseat to sensationalism and whimsy.
In the United States, regardless of what actual facts are out there, our government still spends more money than it is taking in. The people we voted into office (almost none of which I voted for, thank G-d) have completely disregarded the people's voice for their ideological theories. It has led to widespread chaos in the country. Flash mobs, as reported on many major news outlets, have taken to many stores, not to steal money, but supplies that are essential to life. Molesters and murderers are being acquitted. People are out of work.
In a worldview, I just read that Malaysia is blaming the Jews, of which I can find no records of ANY Jewish community there at the moment, the last record was one 87 year old Jew in 2010, for de-Islamisizing Malaysia. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is still spewing hateful rhetoric to Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom and anyone else who they oppose. Hugo Chavez is flying to Cuba for cancer treatment. There are uprisings all through the Arab world, some of which are being reported, like Libya, and some of which are being swept under the rug, like Syria, who has killed hundreds of citizens and no one has said a peep.
It seems that there is a bigger picture point here. It seems that we, as citizens of the world, have lost our way. In the push for equality and lovingkindness, we have been steered off of that course. We have forgotten about evil. We make excuses for evil. Whats worse, we can even rationalize why evil is doing evil.
There is evil in the world, no doubt about it. There are degrees of evil, however. Someone stealing has committed an evil act, but is not on the level of Levi Aron, who murdered Leiby Kletzky in Borough Park, NY. Levi Aron, as sick and twisted as he is, is not as evil as the mass murderers in the Arab world who decide that human life, regardless of their religious affiliation, is not as important as the establishment of a global caliphate. They would rather see their citizens killed in a "holy war" then to capitulate and live in harmony with their neighbors.
Even worse, there are people, who live in civilized countries, who agree with the insane Jihadists. These people, who I consider terrorists as well, not only rationalize what the Jihadists are doing is correct, but they praise them for "fighting the occupation." Groups like BDS, Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, a group that calls for fighting Israel economically and politically, has forgotten that if they would wander over into Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iraq or Iran, they would see real apartheid, poverty and suffering. Israel is a place where the Arab population can actually have a voice, a good life and security.
Why are people not more worried? As a Jew, unfortunately, I have become accustomed, rightfully so or not, to pay attention to my surroundings. Nothing bodes well. We just see more unfathomable acts of violence and malevolence being perpetrated. Yet, we, as a whole, turn a blind eye. We would rather not have to worry about these things. We would rather want to choose what we get riled up for. Unfortunately, the choices are slim, so when the loudest voices, which are usually the idiots, begin to speak up, they tend to be followed.
They are followed to Greece, where a country is going bankrupt, to riot in support of more nanny state subsidies. They are followed to Israel, to fight against a fictional apartheid. They are supported in the Arab world, to fight the "occupation" and the "anti-Muslim" policies of the West. Note how I said "supported" and not "followed" because they would never really put themselves in real danger, as there is in extremist cultures. They light fires in garbage cans and called other Jews "Nazis" at a peaceful protest to maintain the sanctity of Jerusalem.
We should all be worried, not just the Jews. We should all be concerned that we are being led astray. Its time to open your eyes and to start righting the wrongs. I just hope and pray that we aren't too late.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Geert Wilders: Hero or Whacko?
Article Found Here
To be perfectly frank, I don't know how to feel about Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch Political Party, the Party for Freedom(PVV). On one hand, he is basically, what would be considered in the US, a Conservative. Lower taxes and lower government intervention. He is a rising star in the Netherlands and has a wild personality that speaks to his fellow countrymen. On the other hand, I feel the guy is a raving lunatic. Albeit, I agree with his a lot of stances on Islam/Islamification, I feel the way he has presented his views on it are crazy.
As well, these views can be easily interchanged with any other ethnic group, including the Jews. With the insane rhetoric in much of Europe over the highly influential position of the Jews, which is largely a ludicrous accusation, reminiscent of "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion," such "free" speech can be dangerous.
Mr. Wilders loves Israel, so I am not worried that he will be attacking Jews any time soon, but this example can be taken up by any extreme group, calling for the destruction, deportation and containment of Jews and Jewish ways of life is frightening to say the least.
The following article, found on VosIzNeias.com, is representative of the anti-Religious sentiments in a very liberal Europe. A ban on ritual slaughter is the most outright insane thing a government can do. It makes no difference to people how the animals are slaughtered, frankly, as long as they are kept in a humane way and killed in a humane way. This is not a PETA attack, although I'm sure they had something to do with it. This is an attack on the religious views of people in the world, which include Jews and Muslims.
As I said, this type of anti-whatever rhetoric is dangerous. The same type of inane laws were passed in Germany before WWII, in Spain before 1492, in Russia for who knows how long. Making it difficult for religious practitioners to live in these countries are the beginning steps of a mass expulsion. Whether it will lead to it or not is moot. Historically, it begins slowly.
Geert Wilders is not the problem. He is merely representative of the problem. Europe, claiming its "liberal" and "open" societies, haven't learned much from its history. Before it is too late, it is time for Jews to consider living elsewhere. Obviously, I definitely push for Israel. A stronger, populated Israel is good for Jews and good for the world, but it wouldn't be a bad idea just to get out as soon as possible.
To be perfectly frank, I don't know how to feel about Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch Political Party, the Party for Freedom(PVV). On one hand, he is basically, what would be considered in the US, a Conservative. Lower taxes and lower government intervention. He is a rising star in the Netherlands and has a wild personality that speaks to his fellow countrymen. On the other hand, I feel the guy is a raving lunatic. Albeit, I agree with his a lot of stances on Islam/Islamification, I feel the way he has presented his views on it are crazy.
As well, these views can be easily interchanged with any other ethnic group, including the Jews. With the insane rhetoric in much of Europe over the highly influential position of the Jews, which is largely a ludicrous accusation, reminiscent of "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion," such "free" speech can be dangerous.
Mr. Wilders loves Israel, so I am not worried that he will be attacking Jews any time soon, but this example can be taken up by any extreme group, calling for the destruction, deportation and containment of Jews and Jewish ways of life is frightening to say the least.
The following article, found on VosIzNeias.com, is representative of the anti-Religious sentiments in a very liberal Europe. A ban on ritual slaughter is the most outright insane thing a government can do. It makes no difference to people how the animals are slaughtered, frankly, as long as they are kept in a humane way and killed in a humane way. This is not a PETA attack, although I'm sure they had something to do with it. This is an attack on the religious views of people in the world, which include Jews and Muslims.
As I said, this type of anti-whatever rhetoric is dangerous. The same type of inane laws were passed in Germany before WWII, in Spain before 1492, in Russia for who knows how long. Making it difficult for religious practitioners to live in these countries are the beginning steps of a mass expulsion. Whether it will lead to it or not is moot. Historically, it begins slowly.
Geert Wilders is not the problem. He is merely representative of the problem. Europe, claiming its "liberal" and "open" societies, haven't learned much from its history. Before it is too late, it is time for Jews to consider living elsewhere. Obviously, I definitely push for Israel. A stronger, populated Israel is good for Jews and good for the world, but it wouldn't be a bad idea just to get out as soon as possible.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
My Thoughts on Jonathan Pollard
Welcome to the first post of Saving Our Israel. In a fashion that is more recognizable to my personality, Saving Our Israel will have the distinct taste of my unchecked thought process. Supporting Our Israel, my efforts at a positive PR campaign for Israel, was so well received that I decided to start Saving Our Israel. I can only hope and pray that it is received as well. Thank you all for reading.
The name Jonathan Pollard, in many circles, brings a certain rage and uneasiness to the surface. The opinions of his incarceration vary between it has been too long through he probably deserved it. Whatever your feelings are, the very story will illicit some response from a caring person.
In 1987, he was handed a Life sentence for the crime of spying for Israel. As an American, had he spied for an enemy country, probably would have been convicted of Treason and probably given the Death sentence. As he spied for a friendly country, he was not given such a harsh sentence. His Life sentence, however, raises the question of why? The longest sentence given for an American spying for a friendly country was 14 years, given to Steven Lalas for spying for Greece. Comparatively, the American spy Robert Hanssen, who spied for the Soviet Union during the Cold War, until 2001. He too has received a life sentence, with 23 hours of solitary confinement a day.
There will always be people calling "Anti-Semitism" when a Jewish person is incarcerated. In this case, such a cry may or may not be applicable. It is certainly not out of the question, but honestly, it is probably highly unlikely. This is not the Dreyfuss Affair. Jonathan Pollard did spy. He has paid his dues and has been imprisoned for longer than anyone else in this situation. The question is, however, why?
In many discussions with people, I have found that a strong amount of people believe that Mr. Pollard knows something that is still damning for the US or Israel and that he remains a threat. Only the Governments know exactly why he is still in jail and I guarantee they wont be telling anytime soon. As supporters then, are we obligated to continue pressing for his release? In Jewish Law, we are obligated even to sell a Torah scroll, the holiest item found in Jewish life today, so important is a Jewish life.
I believe that we must act according to the present situation, if he really doesn't know anything that is potentially damaging to the parties involved. When President Bush was in office, between 2000 and 2008, would have been the most opportune time to really press for his release. President Bush's support of Israel and his support of the Jewish people was strong and the Jewish people truly had his ear. Presently, we are confronted with President Barak Obama. His contempt for America's only ally in the Middle East is apparent to all who have seen his comments before the 2011 AIPAC conference. During the conference, he stood defiantly in a room filled with pro-Israel supporters and continued with his anti-Israel rhetoric.
Does anyone really think that the Jewish people actually have the President's ear now?
To ask for his release would be a silly waste of time. Last week, Jonathan Pollard's supporters called for his temporary release to see his 95 year old father, who was very ill and on his death bed. The call went beyond unheeded. I scoured the internet for hours to see any reply from the White House and there was nothing. It wasn't even a blip on their radar. Unfortunately, on June 18th, 2011 Mr. Pollard's father passed away, without seeing his son. The renewed push for his temporary release for the burial will also go unchecked.
In the end, reality must set in. Jonathan Pollard will die in prison. I wish it weren't so. I support his release whole-heartedly, but I am resigned to the fact that a man, who paid his dues, will rot away in prison. This is not to say he didn't do anything wrong. To be honest with you, I believe anyone who spies, regardless of a friendly status, should be given Life sentences. Since this is not the case, his sentence must be compared to other situations. His wrong doing was not worse than Robert Hanssen.
The only thing we can do now, until the Oval Office sees a friendly face, is pray. Pray for the release of Jonathan Pollard. Pray for a President who shows compassion. Pray for a day where reason and logic reign supreme and Pollard can see the light of day. Until then, pray.
The name Jonathan Pollard, in many circles, brings a certain rage and uneasiness to the surface. The opinions of his incarceration vary between it has been too long through he probably deserved it. Whatever your feelings are, the very story will illicit some response from a caring person.
In 1987, he was handed a Life sentence for the crime of spying for Israel. As an American, had he spied for an enemy country, probably would have been convicted of Treason and probably given the Death sentence. As he spied for a friendly country, he was not given such a harsh sentence. His Life sentence, however, raises the question of why? The longest sentence given for an American spying for a friendly country was 14 years, given to Steven Lalas for spying for Greece. Comparatively, the American spy Robert Hanssen, who spied for the Soviet Union during the Cold War, until 2001. He too has received a life sentence, with 23 hours of solitary confinement a day.
There will always be people calling "Anti-Semitism" when a Jewish person is incarcerated. In this case, such a cry may or may not be applicable. It is certainly not out of the question, but honestly, it is probably highly unlikely. This is not the Dreyfuss Affair. Jonathan Pollard did spy. He has paid his dues and has been imprisoned for longer than anyone else in this situation. The question is, however, why?
In many discussions with people, I have found that a strong amount of people believe that Mr. Pollard knows something that is still damning for the US or Israel and that he remains a threat. Only the Governments know exactly why he is still in jail and I guarantee they wont be telling anytime soon. As supporters then, are we obligated to continue pressing for his release? In Jewish Law, we are obligated even to sell a Torah scroll, the holiest item found in Jewish life today, so important is a Jewish life.
I believe that we must act according to the present situation, if he really doesn't know anything that is potentially damaging to the parties involved. When President Bush was in office, between 2000 and 2008, would have been the most opportune time to really press for his release. President Bush's support of Israel and his support of the Jewish people was strong and the Jewish people truly had his ear. Presently, we are confronted with President Barak Obama. His contempt for America's only ally in the Middle East is apparent to all who have seen his comments before the 2011 AIPAC conference. During the conference, he stood defiantly in a room filled with pro-Israel supporters and continued with his anti-Israel rhetoric.
Does anyone really think that the Jewish people actually have the President's ear now?
To ask for his release would be a silly waste of time. Last week, Jonathan Pollard's supporters called for his temporary release to see his 95 year old father, who was very ill and on his death bed. The call went beyond unheeded. I scoured the internet for hours to see any reply from the White House and there was nothing. It wasn't even a blip on their radar. Unfortunately, on June 18th, 2011 Mr. Pollard's father passed away, without seeing his son. The renewed push for his temporary release for the burial will also go unchecked.
In the end, reality must set in. Jonathan Pollard will die in prison. I wish it weren't so. I support his release whole-heartedly, but I am resigned to the fact that a man, who paid his dues, will rot away in prison. This is not to say he didn't do anything wrong. To be honest with you, I believe anyone who spies, regardless of a friendly status, should be given Life sentences. Since this is not the case, his sentence must be compared to other situations. His wrong doing was not worse than Robert Hanssen.
The only thing we can do now, until the Oval Office sees a friendly face, is pray. Pray for the release of Jonathan Pollard. Pray for a President who shows compassion. Pray for a day where reason and logic reign supreme and Pollard can see the light of day. Until then, pray.
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