Standing with Israel Today — How to help Israel at such a dark time (August 21, 2011 / 21 Av 5771) …


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Then on August 18, 2011, the terror escalated. Over a dozen terrorists, originally from Gaza, some wearing Egyptian army uniforms, walked past an Egyptian police checkpoint, entered Israel from Egypt and started murdering Israelis. (It seems their goal was to kidnap, echoing the 2006 kidnapping of 18-year-old Israeli Gilad Shalit, who is still in captivity.) Seven Israelis died in the attack.

item 1)….aish.com….Standing with Israel Today….How to help Israel at such a dark time.

by Yvette Alt Miller

www.aish.com/jw/id/Standing_with_Israel_Today.html

We’ve been down this road before. For every exciting world event, there is always a uniquely “Jewish” impact.

The euphoria of the “Arab Spring” of 2011 is no exception. While the world watched and cheered as people rose up against dictators in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria and other countries, newly-emboldened activists started cutting Egypt’s gas lines to Israel, cutting off energy supplies to the Jewish state.

Then on August 18, 2011, the terror escalated. Over a dozen terrorists, originally from Gaza, some wearing Egyptian army uniforms, walked past an Egyptian police checkpoint, entered Israel from Egypt and started murdering Israelis. (It seems their goal was to kidnap, echoing the 2006 kidnapping of 18-year-old Israeli Gilad Shalit, who is still in captivity.) Seven Israelis died in the attack.

Egypt and Gaza have exploded in anger at Israel. The proximate causes are the actions that Israel has taken to defend its citizens. (In the ensuing fight on the Egyptian border, three Egyptian police officers were killed, and in Israel’s subsequent bombing of terrorist sites in Gaza, according to Hamas, 10 terrorists and two innocent bystanders died.)

But the outpouring of fury speaks to a deeper, long-seated hatred of the Jewish state. (Egypt is, after all, the country where the smash hit “I Hate Israel” by Egyptian crooner Shaaban Abdel Rahim has been a favorite song for the past decade.) In Egypt, people have flocked to the center of Cairo to burn Israeli flags and shout for “death to Israel.” The Cabinet Committee that governs Egypt right now announced its intent to withdraw Egypt’s ambassador from Israel. And Egyptian presidential candidates are vying to outdo each other in condemning the Jewish state.

Meanwhile, Hamas has unleashed a barrage of attacks on Israeli cities from Gaza. Over 80 rockets from Gaza landed in Israel in the day after the attack on the Egyptian border. An Israeli toddler, a 9-year-old boy and others were injured when their house in the town of Ofakim was hit. Boys studying at a yeshiva in Ashdod were wounded when their school was hit. And 38-year-old Yossi Shoshan was killed in Be’er Sheva as he raced home to check on his pregnant wife, while that major Israeli city was deluged with rockets.

—– How to Help

This is such a dark time for Israel and its supporters. How shall we stand with Israel now? What can we do?

Here are seven ideas to connect with Israel today, both practically and spiritually. Try to focus on one suggestion each day, for a week of connection with the Jewish state.

1. Perform a mitzvah

There is a strong mystical belief in Judaism that we can elevate our state of national protection by performing Jewish commandments. Resolve to take on one additional mitzvah today. You might want to experiment with keeping kosher, or light Shabbat candles.

2. Study some Torah

Jews traditionally undertake to learn a portion of Torah in order to strengthen our connection. Make a decision today to read one extra Jewish-themed work this week, in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel, and in memory of those who have died in terror attacks.

3. Stay informed

Many news outlets try to compete by reporting news in sensationalist ways, which can make it hard to figure out what is really going on. Keep informed by including some Israeli news sources in your reading. (www.jpost.com, www.haaretz.com, www.israel21c.org) Also, keep an eye out for unbalanced or distorted coverage through sites such as www.honestreporting.com .

4. Find a connection to Israel within yourself

Israel is such a diverse, exciting place, there is a way for everyone to connect. If you are an art aficionado, check out Israeli museums on the internet. For sports, start cheering for an Israeli team. With social networking sites, making connections with people in Israel is as easy as a mouse click, and can lead to rewarding, long-lasting friendships as well as a feeling of kinship with the Jewish state.

5. E-mail your political representative

Get to know the name and e-mail address of the politicians who represent you in your local and national politics. Contact them to tell you how you feel. If Israel is important to them, let them know. You don’t need to know all the ins and outs of pending legislation; just let your representative know that you care about the Jewish state.

6. Say a prayer

Jews have always turned to prayer in times of danger. You can recite prayers in your own words, or experiment with more formal prayers. (Many people recite Psalms in difficult times; Psalm 119 is one that many people recite specifically in times of risk.) Alternately, you can write your own prayer and have it placed in the Western Wall, the remnant of our ancient Temple in Jerusalem. It can be exciting to know that your own prayer is in such a sacred place.

7. Give of yourself

Donate your time to a Jewish cause. Contribute your efforts to help the Jewish community. Pledge tzedakah to a Jewish or Israeli charity to help make the world a better place. In Judaism, giving of ourselves to improve our community and our world is one of the most profound ways to connect. Particularly when we are worried about Israel, worried about our fellow Jews, this is a powerful way to introduce some light into the darkness of current events.
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Inside Politics with Bill Schneider January 2011 Guest: GOP pollster David Winston


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READ FROM THE LATEST ISSUE OF INSIDE POLITICS with Bill Schneider www.thirdway.org/publications/367

Republican pollster David Winston, President of The Winston Group, joined Third Way’s Bill Schneider for the latest Inside Politics press breakfast to discuss polling data from the 2010 election and perspectives on legislative priorities for the 112th Congress.

THE HILL writes-up the breakfast
thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/141933-gop-faces…

GOP faces challenge sustaining ‘broad’ coalition
By Sean J. Miller – 02/03/11 11:03 AM ET

House Republicans were catapulted into the majority with a broad base of support but will need to work "very hard" to sustain it, according to David Winston, a GOP pollster who advises Speaker John Boehner (Ohio).

In November, Republicans captured 63 House seats and control of the lower chamber. They did that by appealing to traditionally Democratic constituencies, Winston said Thursday at a breakfast hosted by the Third Way, a centrist think tank.

"Republicans won women in this election" by one point — "in the previous majority we never won them," he said, citing exiting polling from last November. "Suburban voters minus 2 [percent] to plus 13; Catholics minus 10 to plus 10 [percent]; senior citizens [evenly split] to plus 21."

The GOP also increased its share of the Hispanic vote from 30 percent in 2006 to 38 percent in 2010, he added. "This is a broad majority coalition."

Winston said Democrats sought to motivate their base voters by prioritizing healthcare reform over job creation and painting the GOP as poor stewards of the economy. But as a result, the GOP was able to win independents by a large margin.

Republicans had lost independents by 18 percent in 2006, when the Democrats retook the House majority, he said. "This election, it was plus 19. That’s a huge shift and that’s where the majority came from."

The challenge for Republicans now to is sustain that broad support in a cycle when they have a presidential primary stirring up the conservative base and the Tea Party movement playing in congressional nominating contests.

It won’t be easy, Winston admitted.

"Sustaining and continuing a majority coalition, it’s just very hard work," he said. "It means you’ve got to get people who don’t necessarily always agree going in the same direction. Whether it’s Nancy Pelosi or John Boehner, it’s just hard."

Republicans, who ran on a message of "where are the jobs?," need to instill confidence in voters that they’re effectively handling economic issues. "If that confidence isn’t there, it’s a real problem for Republicans," he said.

Prohibition Party leaders of 1884


Image by Cornell University Library
Collection: Cornell University Collection of Political Americana, Cornell University Library

Repository: Susan H. Douglas Political Americana Collection, #2214 Rare & Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library, Cornell University

Title: Prohibition Party leaders of 1884

Political Party: Prohibition

Election Year: 1884

Date Made: ca. 1884

Measurement: Print: 22 x 28 in.; 55.88 x 71.12 cm

Classification: Posters

Persistent URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1813.001/5z53

There are no known U.S. copyright restrictions on this image. The digital file is owned by the Cornell University Library which is making it freely available with the request that, when possible, the Library be credited as its source.

An open source political party?


Image by opensourceway
Image sources:
www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/4328166138/in…
www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/4328121736/in…

Read the article on opensource.com
An open source political party?

Created by Colleen Simon for opensource.com

The Jewish Brotherhood – Here Come Those Jews! …..item 2..Why a Unilateral Declaration of Palestinian Statehood is a Bad Idea (Sept 21, 2011 / 22 Elul 5771) …


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History has shown that the odds of being successful are formidable. Organizing brotherhood associations in various synagogue basements is one thing. Starting a national movement in a country with the world’s most political parties per capita is quite another.

…..item 1)….web-link…aish.com….jewlarious….Jewish humor, arts, and entertainment…

The Jewish Brotherhood

Israel’s future political force?

by Newton Hoffer

www.aish.com/j/fs/The_Jewish_Brotherhood.html

Jewlarious Satire: Today’s Arab countries are witnessing mass public demonstrations where daily uprisings are now de rigueur. Many experts are concerns that extremists will come to power in countries like Egypt thanks to the well organized Muslim Brotherhood.

It is in this kettle of Middle-East political reformation that an international movement has quickly transformed itself into a new Israeli political party – The Jewish Brotherhood, and it is intent on reshaping Israeli politics…forever.

The Jewish Brotherhood is intent on reshaping Israeli politics…forever.

Who are these newly politicized activists?

Broadly speaking, they are your fathers, brothers, uncles and your uncle’s gardeners. Together they represent a loose collection of spirited men affiliated with shuls, temples and synagogues throughout the world. It is in Israel, however, where membership to the ‘Brotherhood’ has now taken on political overtones.

Typical members are Jewish men who enjoy breakfast meetings, tax write-offs and recognition in the form of plaques prominently displayed throughout their shuls. If not for their efforts, egos and love of golf, the imprinting and plaque-manufacturing sector would be totally devastated.

As far as religious affiliation is concerned, it’s not so much a case of “don’t ask don’t tell” as it is “who cares?” The Jewish Brotherhood doesn’t care what kind of kippah you wear in shul – as long as you like a good piece of schmaltz herring.

Regardless, whether it is their desire to do good for their community or their self perceived destiny to fill a decision-making vacuum in their congregations, these men share a single, common bond: Guys united by fully paid memberships dues.

Why Jews Are Wandering to the ‘Brotherhood’

Political analysts agree that the decisive reason accounting for the sudden rise in the Jewish Brotherhood’s is its Action Agenda: A straight forward, no nonsense manifesto embracing social committees, fund raising events, and missions to Israel which will prominently feature numerous trips to army bases and falafel and shawarma restaurants.

Here Come Those Jews!

The Jewish Brotherhood has lately been the subject of rising discussions in Western media. There are worries within secular circles that once in power, the Brotherhood will immediately implement Jewish law in the Holy Land which would include requirements for citizens to honor their mother and fathers, give charity and love their neighbors as themselves!

Deflecting this criticism, Mohammed “Moish” Goldstein, Golan Heights Chapter President, said in a prepared statement: “We believe that the only thing preventing us from seizing power is the law. That is why we want to start our own party. It is also a lot safer and far less bloody.”

History has shown that the odds of being successful are formidable. Organizing brotherhood associations in various synagogue basements is one thing. Starting a national movement in a country with the world’s most political parties per capita is quite another.

Strategy: The Classic Seat-By-Seat Approach

Slow and steady seems to be the course. Mohammed “Moish” Goldstein Sr. (no relation but a long-time member) agrees. “What’s the rush? We’ve waited this long for unity. How long have you waited for good service at a kosher restaurant? Believe me, there’s still time to bake several challahs before we really get this thing rolling.”

And that is why the Jewish Brotherhood is winning the hearts of Israelis.

“First we’ll start with getting a seat on the Jerusalem #9 bus, then we’ll worry about winning seats in the Knesset. Look. It’s a long ride for me. I’m old and I hate to stand the entire way through the Old City.”
At this rate, the Jewish Brotherhood should form a majority government in another 5,000 years.

Who Wants In?

Whoever wants to get involved is encouraged to join. Left-wing candidates who previously ran under the slogan “Fight Terror With A Smile”, now feel welcome at the Brotherhood. Also, fiscally conservative voters attracted to tremendous tax write-offs also find the Jewish Brotherhood appealing — as long as there are Jewish men able to claim tax receipts, there will be a need for the Jewish Brotherhood.

As Mohammed “Moish” Goldstein says, “The beauty is that we’re not tied to any single one ideology except that all dues must be paid up in full. I just can’t stress that more.”
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…..item 2)….website….aish.com….Jewlarious…Why a Unilateral Declaration of Palestinian Statehood is a Bad Idea

If the consequences weren’t so serious, it might just be funny.
by Jewlarious.com Staff

Sept 21, 2011 / 22 Elul 5771

www.aish.com/j/mm/Why_a_Unilateral_Declaration_of_Palesti…

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…..item 3)…..website….aish.com…About the Author

Jewlarious.com Staff

www.aish.com/authors/51470672.html

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Cleaning


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Indiana Election laws


Image by IndyDina with Mr. Wonderful
yep…can’t buy someone drinks to persuade that person to vote for you…unless you buy the drinks the night before?

I think this is included in the list of ‘Sunday laws’ or ‘blue laws’ even though it’s not on Sunday (but could make someone blue).

2014-2020 budget freeze not possible unless agreed policies are slashed


Image by European Parliament
The European Parliament has issued a challenge to the Member States who want to freeze the EU’s next long-term budget covering the period 2014-2020. These countries should spell out which priorities they would drop as a consequence of the freeze, say MEPs. If all the objectives and policies agreed for the EU are to be completed, a minimum increase of 5% is needed compared to the 2013 budget, says Parliament.

"We have to put an end to this bad habit of entering into a political commitment without having enough funding to back this… Reducing the EU budget is not a viable option for those of us who believe in a competitive Europe" said Salvador Garriga Polledo (EPP, ES), the MEP responsible for the report on the seven-year budget, known as the multiannual financial framework (MFF) or financial perspective.

www.europarl.europa.eu/en/headlines/content/20110526FCS20…

Rapporteur Salvador Garriga Polledo during the debate on a new Multiannual Financial Framework

© European Union 2011 PE-EP/Pietro Naj-Oleari

Southern Sudanese Return Home from Darfur


Image by United Nations Photo
A close-up of a Southern Sudanese returnee from Darfur, shortly after being dropped off by bus in Wanjok, near Aweil in Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State.
Photo ID 461597. 16/01/2011. Wanjok, Sudan. UN Photo/Paul Banks. www.unmultimedia.or​g/photo/

The President of the Poor


Image by Laser Burners
Amable Aristy is runniing as the Domincan Christian Democratic Party candidate this year.

He appears to have advertised strictly in Bushwick and Williamsburg.