Two San Diego members of Congress – Democrats Sara Jacobs and Scott Peters –had personal reasons for joining with the majority in the House of Representatives that passed companion gun safety measures on Thursday. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jacobs, Peters Tell Why They Voted for Background Checks Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Now may be the opportune time for Serbia to reconcile its past unspeakable atrocities against the Albanian Kosovars. The sooner Belgrade comes to terms with its past, the sooner it can begin its moral self-salvation, without which it will continue to be shackled with no redemption in sight. Serbian leaders should ask themselves one simple question: under what circumstances would Kosovo’s independence be reversed? They know the answer, but do not have the moral courage to admit that it is beyond their ability to undo Kosovo’s independence now or ever. Here is why. [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
Serbia should repent for its atrocities, make peace with Kosovo Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, USA
Two ideas for fighting antisemitism and domestic extremism were offered Thursday by Democratic Reps. Brad Schneider of Illinois and Tom Malinowski of New Jersey during a Zoom meeting sponsored by the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA). [Donald H. Harrison]
Government, Social Media Reform Needed to Fight Extremism Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, USA
There’s been quite a bit of buzz about “Cancel Culture.” For some, this may be just a ploy to avoid weightier topics like economic disparity, unemployment, healthcare, and looming evictions. But it can also open up a serious discussion about who we are as a society, where we have been and where we want to go. In some ways, I can see both sides. So, like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, I’d like to do a little “on one hand this, on the other hand that” exploration of who and what is being “cancelled.” [Eric George Tauber]
Op Ed: Cancel Shmancel Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eric George Tauber, Lifestyles, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
The stories of Sephardic and Mizrachi Jews who came to the U.S. from the Middle East should be included in the Asian-American section of California’s proposed Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum that goes before the State Board of Education on Thursday, March 18, panelists sponsored by the pro-Israel organization, StandWithUs, said Wednesday. (Donald H. Harrison)
SWU presses for Jewish history in Ethnic Studies Curriculum Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
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]
The Pentagon Must Stop Using Off-the-Shelf Computers Read More »
International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Stephen D. Bryen, USA
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]
USD Professor: Food factories May Be Next Source of Pandemic Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA
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]
West Coast Jewish Youth Recite the Poetry Within Them Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Science, Medicine, & Education, USAThe 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)
Army Resistance to ‘Iron Dome’ Imperils Overseas Bases Read More »
Middle East, Stephen D. Bryen, USA
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]
Thomas Jefferson, Religion, and the Cancel Culture Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, USA
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
Kindness Initiative Aids Impoverished Jews in San Diego Read More »
Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA
There has never been a sovereign state called Palestine. There may well become such a nation that includes Israel’s territories in the West Bank and Gaza. Many of us hope there will be a sovereign state called Palestine or whatever name its people want to attach to it. But not yet. [Bruce S. Ticker}
NY Times Refers to ‘Palestine’ as a Country Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA
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]
Europeans spineless about confronting Iran Read More »
International, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA
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]
4 S.D. Congressmembers extol $1.9T American Rescue Plan Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA