By David Bedein JERUSALEM — In February 1977, after four years of activity, the US based organization Breira held its first and only national conference in Washington, DC. I was witness to the event, which convened only one month after Jimmy Carter was sworn in as the US President. The Israel Labor Party was then […]
Being an agent for change different than being a government agent for change Read More »
USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Mark Twain could return to describe the United States efforts in the Middle East. Democracy in Iraq, a remaking of Afghanistan, the establishment of a peaceful Palestine alongside Israel are only three of Washington’s efforts that have not gone well, despite considerable investment of high-ranking officials’ time, money, and the
U.S. policy setbacks evident across the Middle East Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Congressman Brad Sherman (D – CA), the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, on Thursday, March 8, introduced new legislation, the Iran Financial Sanctions Improvement Act, with several new provisions to tighten international financial pressure on Iran’s banking sector. The bill is cosponsored by
Legislation introduced to cripple inter-bank transfers to and from Iran Read More »
USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– Following are the remarks delivered by President Barack Obama to the America Israel Public Affairs Committtee’s annual meeting. The transcript was provided by the White House. THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Well, good morning, everyone. Rosy, thank you for your kind words. I have never seen Rosy on the basketball court. I’ll
While all options on the table, Obama decries ‘loose talk’ of war against Iran Read More »
USA
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON D.C. — The aftermath of the American disposal of Korans mutilated by Afghan Muslims requires revisiting our position in Afghanistan. Not because Americans were killed by their Afghan “partners.” Not because dozens of Afghans have died in rioting as well, or because the UN evacuated its northern offices. Not even because
U.S. squanders military aid on non-Allies Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USABy Daniel Halper WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last Saturday, a front-page story in America’s newspaper of record, the New York Times, reported that “American intelligence analysts continue to believe that there is no hard evidence that Iran has decided to build a nuclear bomb.” Apparently, the Times’s reporters-as it would otherwise be a betrayal of their
Debating Iran’s intentions vs. its capabilities Read More »
USA
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California —A congregant shared with me a wonderful story about his little nephew who lived in the State of Illinois. One day, his uncle was trying to teach him some Hebrew blessings. After he taught him the blessings, he went home. A week later, he asked his nephew,
Words must be chosen carefully in international affairs Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — National Public Radio commentators recently discussed a very interesting question: Should President Obama have “apologized” for the accidental burning of the Qur’an? Some argue that the President should have expressed “regret” over the incident, which acknowledges some degree of culpability. Regret does not contain any element
Who’s right in debate over President Obama’s apology? Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA
By David Brin ENCINITAS, California — My own fascination with Rick Santorum is partly rooted in the fell prediction that Papa Robert Heinlein made, in his future history, way back in the 1950s… that a fundamentalist preacher would win the presidency on a court decision, without a plurality (sound like 2000?) and thereupon clamp down
Santorum, a futurist’s nightmare come true? Read More »
USA
By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO –He was often called “Rooster” by his college chums, due to a stubborn cowlick and a kind of “in-your-face” attitude. He has unquestionably suffered grievously in his lifetime, having lost a child even as he and his wife Karen have raised another youngster that struggles with Edwards syndrome (Trisomy
Santorum’s sectarianism negates principles of the nation’s founders Read More »
USABy Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO –In the snowy village of Chardon, Ohio yesterday, a teenage gunman from another school entered the cafeteria of Chardon High School and opened fire—wordlessly—into the bodies of several other students. At the time of this writing, there are three confirmed deaths. The wounds, of both flesh and spirit, the
Saturation television coverage of school shootings intensifies fear Read More »
USABy Ira Sharkansksy JERUSALEM –The leap of Barack Obama from the academic and political provinces to the White House, and now Rick Santoram knocking at his door highlights a significant weakness of American democracy. Democratic it is, but too much so when individuals with no experience in foreign policy can think of themselves in
Would world be better off if U.S. had parliamentary system? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSAELM — The latest nonsense to come out of the summit of American government is that there is “no hard evidence that Iran has decided to build a nuclear bomb.” By some reports, American analysts are talking about “absolute certainty” as a standard for concluding that Iran is intent on nuclear weapons.
U.S. need for ‘hard evidence’ on Iran is political nonsense Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USABy Rabbi Michael Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Last Halloween, two atheists decided to poke some adolescent fun at the expense of Catholicism and Islam. One person dressed up as “Zombie Pope” and the other dressed up as “Zombie Mohammed.” Their behavior was outrageous. This is what happened afterwards. A Muslim man named Talaag Elbayomy
Free speech vs. religious sensibility at issue in Pennsylvania case Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA