International

The Pentagon Must Stop Using Off-the-Shelf Computers

Staying with commercial off-the-shelf systems (COTS) and the security solutions we have today is a guaranteed loser. No one can deny the appalling security record. Moreover, the public has a right to be outraged that DOD has had huge parts of its programs compromised by hacks. Take for example the F-35 and ask yourself why China has two stealth fighters (the Chengdu J-20 and the Shenyang FC-31)? [Stephen D. Bryen]

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International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Stephen D. Bryen, USA

USD Professor: Food factories May Be Next Source of Pandemic

University of San Diego Prof. Aaron S. Gross, a former president of the Society of Jewish Ethics, on Tuesday cited four reasons why industrialized farming of animals – especially chickens — is likely to be the cause of a future pandemic. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA

West Coast Jewish Youth Recite the Poetry Within Them

Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices featured the poetry of young writers from San Diego, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, last month.  The Internet audience for the Lawrence Family JCC sponsored event consisted of poetry lovers young and old from the entire West Coast. [Eileen Wingard]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Three major controversies ahead of Israel’s election

What’s worse?

1) The decision of the Israeli Supreme Court, authorizing the conversions to Judaism by Conservative and Reform Rabbis in Israel? 2) The onset of investigations against Israel for war crimes by the International Criminal Court? 3) The opening of Israeli schools in all grades, as well as shopping centers, restaurants, coffee houses, bars, theaters, and halls for weddings and Bar Mitvot, as well as the opening of Israel’s borders to 4,000 per day of returning Israelis and the weakening of what had been screening by a government committee of applicants and allowing the return of some 600 per day? [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]

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International, Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East

Army Resistance to ‘Iron Dome’ Imperils Overseas Bases

The other day and yet again a US forward operating base (shared with the Iraqi Air Force) at Ain al-Asad was hit by rockets.  There was one death (allegedly from a heart attack during the attack) and six injured (5 contractors and 1 US service member).  There was no prior warning and, it appears, the air defenses at the base failed to detect the threat or respond to the incoming missiles. How do we know this?  There is drone video of part of the attack that shows 6 incoming rockets.  There are no interceptor rockets or tracer rounds from the ground trying to knock down the rockets.  Hence, there was no air defense response. The big question is this:  Why didn’t the Pentagon ask Israel to supply Iron Dome systems that could have defeated any rocket, drone, artillery, mortar or cruise missile attack? (Stephen D. Bryen)

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Middle East, Stephen D. Bryen, USA

Thomas Jefferson, Religion, and the Cancel Culture

Often when I hear people wanting to destroy statues of historical figures and burn books of authors who mentioned something they considered wrong, even though these men and women also did good things and are part of our history, I wonder what they would do with the Hebrew Bible if they found out that all the men and women mentioned in the Hebrew Bible arguably did something wrong, such as King David’s adultery. The only totally innocent good man in the Hebrew Bible is Job, and that story according to many rabbis and scholars is just a parable. By pointing out the wrongs, the Torah is telling us that the biblical heroes were humans like us. The Bible does not expect any human to never do wrong. We should learn from these narratives to strive to be as good as we can be. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, USA

Kindness Initiative Aids Impoverished Jews in San Diego

  By Selwyn Isakow and Lita Kleger SAN DIEGO — The Kindness team is pursuing an ambitious mission – to alleviate poverty in the San Diego Jewish Community.  Yes, ambitious, but achievable if taken one person, one household at a time through  collaborations with local service providers, volunteers and supporters who believe the time is

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Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA

Good News from Israel (March 7, 2021)

NETANYA, Israel — In the March 7, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

90% of Israel’s high-risk citizens are now protected against Covid-19.
The first woman-led billion-dollar Israeli company.
The UAE’s first Ambassador to Israel arrived in the Jewish State.
An Israeli kit transforms tractors into self-driving vehicles.
Israel is one of the world’s leaders in telecommuting.
An Israeli chess competition attracted players from many Muslim countries including Iran.
Israeli superheroes brought joy to sick children on the Jewish festival of Purim [Michael Ordman]

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International, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Europeans spineless about confronting Iran

A Christian, a Muslim, and a Jew enter a bar. The bartender asks, “Is this a joke?” That’s how I feel after reading a recent Reuters article (3/4/21) entitled, “West scraps plan for IAEA rebuke of Iran.” Evidently Britain, France and Germany scrapped their plan, backed by the US, criticizing Iran for its many, serious actions regarding its nuclear activity. This must mean that the three European countries believe that they will be more successful in reining in Iran by being nice and continuing negotiations than by showing diplomatic strength. [Steve Kramer]

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International, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA

4 S.D. Congressmembers extol $1.9T American Rescue Plan

Just how much is $1.9 trillion, and what can be done with that much money?  Well, on Friday, just to cover the basics of the American Rescue Plan that they all voted for. it took speeches by four Democratic members of Congress who represent San Diego County. Another eight speakers amplified on various aspects of the landmark legislation. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA

Public performances again allowed in Israel

At last! After a year of living in a cultural desert, the ban on public performances in Israel has finally been lifted. And last night when we were able at last to attend a real live concert. The requirements were clear: anyone who had bought tickets had to provide proof of having been vaccinated twice, as well as a certificate of identity. The seating arrangements were equally stringent, with an empty seat between anyone not from the same household (very handy as a place to put one’s coat). [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

U.S. Rejoining U.N. Human Rights Council is Insanity

t has been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. This is especially true concerning the wishful thinking in the moral divide of international affairs. One month into his administration, President Joe Biden’s foreign policy team is about to embark on a measure of what is pure political insanity by rejoining the United Nations Human Rights Council—a decision that contradicts everything that the United States is supposed to stand for. [Nitsana Darshan-Leibner]

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International, Middle East, USA