Why President Obama’s Concept of the Middle East Will Fail
By Barry Rubin, PJ MEDIA
To put it plainly, the press briefing supposed to indicate how President Barack Obama’s thinks about Israel on the eve of his trip here, is a combination of fantasy and insult. It is likely that the Obama Administration made such statements for show, to persuade the Arabic-speaking world on the even of Obama’s trip that the United States is striving for peace, is not acting like a puppet (or should one say, ally? of Israel) and using its influence to change Israeli policy even as it does nothing of the sort.
As proof that Obama isn’t going to do anything, he reportedly told Arab-American leaders before his trip that he wouldn’t make some peace initiative because the government in Israel is not ready to make concessions and so there is no point in bringing pressure to bear at this time. I see that as a mixed statement. On one hand, he isn’t going to pressure Israel because he knows that to be a waste of time. That’s good.
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How New Mexicans Beat State Gun Control Legislation
How Others Can Do The Same — And Take On National Legislation
By Andrew L. Jaffee, netwmd.com
… It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
At the time, President Lincoln was speaking in the context of the horrors of the American Civil War. But his words are most appropriate at a time when Americans face great societal, economic, and political problems, be it health care, the national debt, and/or “gun control.” In some ways, our country is divided. It doesn’t have to be so. If people get involved with the democratic process, they can surely bring about astonishing changes for the betterment of our great nation. With a little effort, Americans can have “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” We just proved it New Mexico.
Gov Palin is #1 TV Pundit on Mediate Power Grid
[But everyone says she's irrelevant]
The following is a guest submission by Ron Devito
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is currently ranked as the top TV Pundit on Mediate’s Power Grid, a tool which ranks the influence of TV Commentators, of whom 191 are currently in the list. Gov. Palin’s ranking at the top of the stack means the algorithms the tool uses to measure influence have calculated her as having the highest influence.
Reviewing the rankings in the graphic, Gov. Palin has had 1,303 appearances or mentions on TV in some for other during the past seven days as compiled by TVEyes. Gov. Palin has an astonishing 30,300,000 web searches, was mentioned in the news 47,800 times, and has been blogged about 19,800,000 times. She has 885,924 Twitter followers. Facebook is not accounted for in the Grid, however, Gov. Palin has 3,517,586 likes on her Facebook page as this story goes to press and 85,172 are talking about her Facebook Page. (Read more…)
Yes, Minister
The day after insisting that everyone understands what their major principles are in depth, the “new politics” ministers will realize that their real battle has only now begun. The exact manner of politicking, accurately portrayed in the British series “Yes, Minister,” is just beginning. The real opponent they face — government bureaucrats — don’t all share one name or party, but they have principles, values, a corporate culture and practices that enable thwarting almost any important decision made by a minister.
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Biased, Prejudiced, and Unprofessional
Amb. Alan Baker
- On 31 January 2013 the “International Fact-Finding Mission on Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” published its findings on the implications of Israeli settlements on the human rights of the Palestinian people.
- The enabling resolution of the Human Rights Council, the composition of the mission, its mandate, mode of operation, and substantive content are, from the outset, based on a premise that considers Israel’s settlement policy to be illegal. This premise dictates the one-sided and prejudiced nature of the mission and its report.
Very Good News Israel- Mar 17
In the 17th March 2013 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
- Israeli researchers are using cancer cells to help fight cancer.
- Ethiopian-born Miss Israel has a dinner date with the US President.
- An Israeli female professor won the computer industry’s “Nobel Prize”.
- With Israeli software, you can control your smartphone using just your eyes.
- In a noisy room, Israeli voice recognition software can read your lips.
- Barbara Streisand is to perform in Israel for the first time.
- Israeli windsurfer Lee Korzits won her 3rd consecutive world championship.
Ted Belman
Jerusalem, Israel
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