Daily Archives: November 17, 2010

11/17/10

HEBRON FUND “FLOTILLA” DINNER SAILS TO SUCCESS IN NEW YORK

By: Fern Sidman

Over 600 people boarded a luxury multi-level vessel called “The Cornucopia Majesty” at Pier 59 at Chelsea Piers on Tuesday evening, November 16th, as they set sail around the island of Manhattan in a unique celebration of Jewish life in Hebron. The “flotilla supporting peace and life” was the venue of choice for the 22nd annual gala Hebron Fund Dinner in New York.

In a twist of irony, the organizers of the dinner selected this setting as a direct response to the international condemnation of Israel following the Mavi Marmara episode on May 31st, in which Israeli commandos boarded the Turkish flagged ship that was headed to Gaza with the intent of breaking the naval blockade that Israel had imposed in order to prevent the smuggling of lethal weaponry to Hamas terrorists in the region. The purported “peace activists” on board the “Gaza Aid Flotilla” brandished knives and guns and violently attacked Israeli soldiers.

Distinguished criminal defense attorney, Benjamin Brafman, served as the master of ceremonies for the much heralded event that attracted the usual contingent of counter-protestors who represented themselves as members of Jewish Voice for Peace and other assorted anti-Israel organizations.

“This is our idea of a real flotilla, where peaceful, fair minded, productive citizens come together to stand in support and solidarity with the people of Hebron,” said Mr. Brafman to thunderous applause. Spotlighting the centrality and prominence of Hebron to the Jewish nation as the very first capital of Israel, established by King David, Mr. Brafman and others spoke of Hebron as “the eternal resting place of our beloved antecedents” and a place that “is our permanent home; a place that symbolizes the unbreakable bond between Am Yisroel and Eretz Yisroel” and a place of “beauty and majesty where the past, present and future come together.”

Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum led the attendees in the recitation of chapter 21 in Tehillim (the book of Psalms) and explained that there is a dual meaning for the word “Horim” (mountains). “While the word “horim” that we read in Tehillim means mountains, it also means parents, telling us that in the mountains near Hebron there lies the resting places of our precious fathers and mothers and there is an inextricable bond between our ancestors, ourselves and our land,” he said.

Special prayers for the sick and infirm in Hebron were said along with prayers for those missing in action including Cpl. Gilad Shalit (Gilad ben Aviva) who was abducted by Hamas terrorists in June of 2006 and American Jew, Jonathan Pollard (Yonatan ben Malka), the former civilian intelligence analyst who was convicted of spying for Israel.

Yossi Baumol, the executive director of the Hebron Fund said, “The Hebron Aid Flotilla was an exercise in freeing our minds from the hypocrisy and falsehoods of our times. But wielding the “Big Lie” is no modern invention. This evening’s dinner falls out on a most significant day. Tonight the Moslem world celebrates the holiday Eid-Al-Aida or in English, “Feast of the Sacrifice.” In Moslem tradition Yishmael replaces Yitzchak at the site of the Akeida. In their minds Yishmael is the sanctified bearer of the holy legacy.”

Also delivering remarks expressing gratitude to the honorees and those supporting the community in Hebron were dinner chairman, Teddy Pollak, Rabbi David Wilder and Rabbi Noam Arnon, spokesmen for the Jewish community of Hebron, Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum, Director of Tourism for the Jewish community of Hebron and Avraham Ben Yosef, Mayor of Hebron.

Popular attorney, columnist and Long Island community leader, David Seidemann of Lawrence, New York along with his esteemed wife Jane, were the recipients of the “Bonei Hevron” (Builders of Hevron) award. Mr. Seidemann is a longtime Hebron Fund board member and former Fund president. Mr. Seidemann is also an award winning columnist receiving national recognition for his articles that appear on a weekly basis in “The Jewish Star.”

The “Chasdei Avot” (Charity of the Patriarchs) award was presented to David and Joclyn Stern, two beloved activists on behalf of Hebron. The Sterns are regular guests in Hebron during the special “Chayei Sarah” weekends attended by tens of thousands each year. Mr. Stern is the president of Brooklyn’s Young Israel of Midwood synagogue and has led numerous missions to Hebron.

Fred and Carole Samuel were the recipients of the “Magen Avraham” (Abraham’s Shield) award for their constant devotion to the security of the people of Hebron. During their frequent trips to Hebron, they have established close and enduring friendships with the local residents and Mr. Samuel is currently spearheading an important Hebron related security project.

The “Aishet Chayil” (Woman of Valor) awardee for 2010 was the distinguished Ester Arieh-Hatanian. She is the mainstay of the Hebron Fund office in Brooklyn, New York and received the recognition that she so justly deserves for over a decade of dedicated service that can only be termed as above and beyond the call of duty.

The highlight of the evening was the address delivered by the guest of honor and keynote speaker, Ms. Caroline Glick. Ms. Glick is the managing editor of The Jerusalem Post, the Senior Fellow for Middle East Affairs of the Washington, DC based Center For Security Policy and chief diplomatic correspondent for the Makor Rishon newspaper. Ms. Glick was named by the Israeli newspaper Maariv as “the most prominent woman in Israel” and she also served as producer of the video clip entitled, “We Con the World” which spoofed the hypocrisy inherent in the public reaction to the Gaza flotilla incident. As a retired IDF captain, Ms. Glick received the auspicious “Gevurat Ha’Imahot” (Bravery of the Matriarchs) award.

“Tonight we celebrate not only the Jewish community of Hebron but the extraordinary tenaciousness of the Jewish people”, declared Ms. Glick. She spoke of the pre-1967 period when the closest Jews could come to praying at the Maar’at HaMachpela was on the seventh step, but she said, “This Jew stood as close as he could to the front of that seventh step and would not budge. She said that “this Jew” describes the core essence of the Jewish nation. “This Jew wouldn’t move, he wouldn’t be humiliated, he remained fully dedicated to Torat Israel and Eretz Yisrael; standing tall and upright just as a cedar tree. This Jew represents his nation; a people who exuded Jewish pride and said Kaddish despite everything,” she said, adding that, “When I get tired I think of that Jew on the seventh step.”

Ms. Glick cited the miraculous accomplishments of the nation of Israel over the last 62 years since the birth of the modern State of Israel and said, “Israel is a work in progress and it waxes and wanes with the strength of the Jewish people. She lauded the courageous Jewish residents of Hebron saying that they are, “the North Star of our people, a community that is fiercely dedicated to Torah, to G-d and to their people and is representative of the kind of perseverance that has come to define our nation.”

Making oblique references to the lack of leadership in the current Israeli government, Ms. Glick said, “The Talmud tells us that the year before Moshiach is expected to arrive, we will be led by dogs. Dogs are not leaders, but rather they stand in front of you waiting for you to guide them where to go. The more boldly we lead, the more boldly our leaders will be.”

She called upon those present and the entire Jewish people to “bring the geulah closer by supporting the people of Hebron who live in the very same place that remains the resting place of our patriarchs and matriarchs” and by proclaiming to the world that “the land of Israel is not a refuge, it is not a ghetto, but it is our home; a country where Jews can live freely.”

Commenting on Ms. Glick’s address, Helen Freedman, executive director of Americans For a Safe Israel said, “Our AFSI chizuk mission just returned from Hebron where we spent Shabbos Chaya Sora with thousands of Jews in Hebron and it is clear that if the Jewish people do not have a right to Hebron, we certainly have no right to a Tel Aviv that was built in 1905. The Jewish ownership of Hebron is stated in the Torah and it is through our connection to our ancestors that we will survive as a nation.”

11/17/10

“Who Wants a Carbon Tax?”

By: Trevor Loudon
New Zeal

From Australia’s Carbon Sense Coalition:

The Carbon Sense Coalition said today that to introduce a carbon tax would be to wage war on consumers for the benefit of vested interests.

The Chairman of “Carbon Sense”, Mr Viv Forbes, also accused Australian PM Gillard of deceptive advertising in her support of a carbon tax.

“When our PM says “we need a price on carbon”, she is just sprouting another misleading Wongism like “we must reduce carbon pollution”.

“Most forms of carbon already have a price – coal, oil, gas, petrol, diesel, beef, bread, butter, diamonds and whiskey – all have a price (which usually includes a few taxes).

“What Ms Gillard wants, but dares not say, is another tax on our usage of many carbon products.

“Who wants a tax on carbon?

“The Greens do. They hate humans and their farm animals, crops, coal, oil, cars, power generators and heavy industry. They would like to see the end of most mining, farming, fishing and forestry. A carbon tax will hit all of these people so the Greens support it.

“Ms Gillard and her Fiscal Czar want a carbon tax. They lead a party of taxaholics who need a new tax to support their extravagant spending. Unions, even those in industries that will be directly harmed by a carbon tax, ignore the interests of their members to maintain party solidarity.

“Taxes are the life blood of the tax consuming industries – there will never be enough taxes to satiate the nationalised education, health, media, research and welfare industries. So they all want a carbon tax.

“And of course the wind and solar subsidiesuckers want heavy carbon taxes to hide their chronic inability to provide economic and reliable power.

“The nuclear power industries love carbon taxes – it gives them a cost advantage against coal, oil and gas in the production of base load power.

“Many big businesses are trying to buy green respectability by plugging a carbon tax – they will pass it on to Australian consumers, but exporters will get exemptions.

“For lawyers and accountants, new taxes bring new business. They love new taxes with complex rules and many exemptions.

“And of course all of Asia hopes that Australia imposes a carbon tax. It will shift our industries to countries with no carbon taxes.

“So there is a powerful and diverse carbon tax lobby.

“Where are the environmental benefits?

“There are none. Carbon dioxide is not a pollutant – more of it will help plant growth thus creating a greener earth. And it is fanciful to believe that a carbon tax in Australia could possibly produce any beneficial effect on our climate. Climate will continue to change as it always has.

“Who will be hurt by a carbon tax?

“Whenever you tax something, a marginal producer somewhere closes up, and less of it is produced. Its price rises because of the cost of the tax and the reduced supply.

“Carbon taxes must increase the cost of electricity, fuel, food, fibres, building materials and transport. They will harm every Australian consumer, especially the poor who have no savings cushion and who spend a greater percentage of their income on these essentials.

“So who is our government protecting – taxaholics and vested interests, or consumers?”

11/17/10

The New Illegal Immigration Problem – American Liberals Invade Canada

By: Trevor Loudon
New Zeal

Hilarious.

From The Manitoba Herald – as Reported by Clive Runnels:

The flood of American liberals sneaking across the border into Canada has intensified in the past week, sparking calls for increased patrols to stop the illegal immigration. The recent actions of the Tea Party are prompting an exodus among left-leaning citizens who fear they’ll soon be required to hunt, pray and agree with Bill O’Reilly and Glenn Beck.

Canadian border farmers say it’s not uncommon to see dozens of sociology professors, animal-rights activists and Unitarians crossing their fields at night. “I went out to milk the cows the other day, and there was a Hollywood producer huddled in the barn,” said Manitoba farmer Red Greenfield, whose acreage borders North Dakota. “The producer was cold, exhausted and hungry. He asked me if I could spare a latte and some free-range chicken. When I said I didn’t have any, he left before I even got a chance to show him my screenplay, eh?”

In an effort to stop the illegal aliens, Greenfield erected higher fences, but the liberals scaled them. He then installed loudspeakers that blared Rush Limbaugh across the fields. “Not real effective,” he said. “The liberals still got through and Rush annoyed the cows so much that they wouldn’t give any milk.”

Officials are particularly concerned about smugglers who meet liberals near the Canadian border, pack them into Volvo station wagons and drive them across the border where they are simply left to fend for themselves.

“A lot of these people are not prepared for our rugged conditions,” an Ontario border patrol officer said. “I found one carload without a single bottle of imported drinking water. They did have a nice little Napa Valley Cabernet, though.”

When liberals are caught, they’re sent back across the border, often wailing loudly that they fear retribution from conservatives. Rumors have been circulating about plans being made to build re-education camps where liberals will be forced to drink domestic beer and watch NASCAR races.

In recent days, liberals have turned to ingenious ways of crossing the border. Some have been disguised as senior citizens taking a bus trip to buy cheap Canadian prescription drugs. After catching half-dozen young vegetarians in powdered wig disguises, Canadian immigration authorities began stopping buses and quizzing the supposed senior citizens about Perry Como and Rosemary Clooney to prove that they were alive in the ’50s. “If they can’t identify the accordion player on The Lawrence Welk Show, we become very suspicious about their age,” an official said.

Canadian citizens have complained that the illegal immigrants are creating an organic-broccoli shortage and are renting all the Michael Moore movies. “I really feel sorry for American liberals, but the Canadian economy just can’t support them,” an Ottawa resident said. “How many art-history majors does one country need?”

11/17/10

Communists to Organize the Unemployed

By: Trevor Loudon
New Zeal

The Party for Socialism and Liberation leader Brian Becker on organizing the unemployed – “a top priority for our movement” – at the P.S.L. National Conference in Los Angeles last weekend.

There is also an interesting segment on the youth of communist leaders.

Back in 1994, when he was with the pro-North Korean Workers World Party, Becker was a signatory to an International Peace for Cuba Appeal letter alongside Quentin Young, the personal physician, friend and mentor of an ambitious young lawyer named Barack Obama.

11/17/10

NAKED BODY SCANNERS AND OTHER WASTEFUL SPENDING

By: AJ

Naked body scanners cost taxpayers $734,000 each and the DHS plans to spend $734 million in FY2011 to purchase another 1,000 scanners. Contrary to what Janet Napolitano is telling us, the naked scans can be saved, stored and disseminated via the internet. Full disclosure: President Obama’s BFF, George Soros, owns 11,300 shares of stock in the company that makes the scanners and Michael Chertoff, former DHS secretary, also benefits financially from scanner sales.

It was the Christmas Day underwear bombers’ failed attack that led to naked body scanners in our airports. Due to inexperience and misguided ideology, President Obama and Eric Holder decided to conduct a trial on US soil, granting the underwear bomber all the rights and privileges afforded to American citizens.

The DHS plans to “spend $200 million to pay state and local costs of securing terrorism-related trials; a 10 percent increase.” This is unacceptable and unnecessary. Military tribunals have been established, and that’s were these terrorists need to be tried.

The TSA, which President Obama intends to unionize, has received a $508.7 million increase, bringing their FY2011 budget to $8.2 billion. Once unionized, TSA leaders will have free reign over Americans and they will be as difficult to fire as teachers who call students the “n” word or sexually assault children. Clearly, the TSA budget should be cut in half and the remaining $4.1 billion needs to be used for private companies who can fulfill the needs of airport security in a professional manner. Private competition from companies who have no ties with politicians will be far superior to what we’re getting from the TSA as evidenced by this video, and this one.

Explosive-sniffing K-9 teams cost $258,182 per team. The DHS plans to spend $71 million for 275 more teams. Taxpayer dollars are better-spent on K-9 teams than $734,000 per scanner!

Summarizing the above FY2011 Federal Budget cuts of $5.034 billion, coupled with those specified below, we can now add $315 billion to the $1.2 Trillion identified in my prior article. This brings our total to $1.515 Trillion in spending cuts thus far.

When we hear media pundits and politicians state that a few hundred million are no big deal, clear thinking Americans know it’s an egregious misstatement. As we can see in this article, millions here and billions there, add up to an enormous amount of taxpayer dollars.

If ordinary Americans are able to find $1.515 Trillion in wasteful government spending, imagine how much more our newly elected Congress will find. It’s up to us to request that they do so, and to insist that they do not appropriate funding for these wasteful programs in a time of financial crisis.

Reference: HOW TO REDUCE U.S. DEBT BY $1.2 TRILLION – “DEAR CONGRESSMAN BOEHNER”

11/17/10

The New TSA Theme Song

By: Snarky Basterd
Feed Your ADHD

Try it.

Sing the chorus of this song the next time Big Sis’ goons want to pat your crotch and grab your breasts to see if you, a law-abiding American citizen, are planning to blow up an airplane.

See how long they continue to keep groping us for no reason other than to give Janet Napolitano a hard on.

Do you wanna touch (Yeah)
Do you wanna touch (Yeah)
Do you wanna touch me there, where
Do you wanna touch (Yeah)
Do you wanna touch (Yeah)
Do you wanna touch me there, where
There, yeah

Yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

————

And from The People’s Cube:

Janet Napolitano Unveils New TSA Public Relations Campaign