t`s open season on Israel
Israel Harel - Aug 28, 2009
Haaretz
Avigdor Lieberman is a nuisance - a nuisance to those who hide their heads in the sand and deny that a storm is raging around us. Lieberman broke official Israel`s conspiracy of silence in the face of the worldwide smear campaign being waged by various media outlets and countless nonprofit organizations (including Israeli ones), which are preparing public opinion - and the governments that follow public opinion - to see the Jewish state as a virus that endangers world peace.
Only due to the uproar that Lieberman fomented did the public become aware of the anti-Israel zealotry of many of these nongovernmental organizations, which are financed, inter alia, by donations from Arab oil powers, huge western foundations like the Ford Foundation, countries such as Britain, the Netherlands and Switzerland, and the European Union.
The assault on the Israel Defense Forces by a Swedish newspaper is part of a worldwide blood libel campaign. When this campaign`s participants include organizations that present themselves as global guardians of human rights, it stops being merely absurd (the IDF traffics in organs and kills women and children waving white flags), and becomes another link in the chain of depredation.
Millions of people worldwide are deluged morning and evening with a flood of libelous op-eds and reports, broadcasts full of crude lies, and hate-filled caricatures. The language used to criticize the globe`s worst tyrannies does not even come close to the hate-filled language used against Israel.
If a Swedish newspaper, albeit a tabloid, decided to publish this libel about organ trafficking, that means the author and the editor deem it conceivable that it really happened. If the Los Angeles Times published an op-ed by an Israeli who urged a total boycott of his own country, there is only one possible conclusion: A global boycott of Israel would be perfectly legitimate.
Indeed, since the reports issued by Breaking the Silence (an Israeli organization) and Human Rights Watch (an international organization) include allegations of crimes against humanity committed by members of a nation that was itself a victim of such crimes just 70 years ago, it must be proper to impose a boycott. In the past, before the demonization had gained a foothold even in the serious press, no American paper would have dreamed of publishing an op-ed like this.
Lieberman`s response in the affair of the Swedish paper was not the opening shot of a comprehensive campaign against the dehumanization of Israel. It seems doubtful that his statements will succeed in breaking the conspiracy of denial about the gravity of the problem, even within his own ministry. The Foreign Ministry, even if the minister assigns it this task, is not built - primarily due to lack of motivation and deep faith in the justice of Israel`s cause - to wage a multipronged strategic campaign against the numerous tentacles of organizations whose main goal, and perhaps even their only one, is to bring about Israel`s collapse. Fact: It is not the Foreign Ministry, with its hundreds of employees, that has gathered most of the information we have about these organizations, but NGO Monitor, a small nonprofit headed by Prof. Gerald Steinberg, which obtained this information via patient, diligent footwork.
Words, screamed Peace Now earlier this week, can kill. That is true. And what about the millions of words denouncing Israel that this organization, and others like it, export overseas, where they serve as weapons of propaganda against Israel? (In 2007, to take one example, the British government donated more than NIS 4 million to radical leftist organizations like Peace Now and Breaking the Silence in order to fund these words. And that is on top of the money from private donors, the European Union and various foundations.) Can these words not also kill?
As far as is known, Military Intelligence and the Mossad have not identified the globalization of anti-Israel hatred as a strategic threat. Nor has the "sextet" of key cabinet ministers ever dealt with this issue, even though each one of them personally understands that the de-legitimization of Israel undermines the rest of the world`s motivation to stand up to Iran`s rulers over that country`s nuclear program. Maybe now that the National Security Council, under Uzi Arad`s leadership, is assuming both an authority and a strategic vision that it lacked before his arrival, there will be someone capable of correctly identifying the magnitude of the threat. But merely identifying it is not enough.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
MONETARY POLICY: THINGS TO CONSIDER
Could These 3 Strikes
Mark the Beginning of the End for the Dollar?
“...reserve currency status isn't a birthright and it can vanish when nations are irresponsible for too long.”
- The Wall Street Journal
The U.S. dollar's “reserve currency” status
is all that stands between you and a tidal wave of
crushing interest rates and soaring prices.
Ensure you don't become a casualty by taking
these three simple steps...
Dear Dollar Holder...
For over 60 years, the U.S. dollar has been the world's reserve currency – the currency the rest of the world must have to trade. But China has already started taking dramatic steps to remove the dollar from that role.
Three recent, undeniable developments – strikes against the dollar – could now prove to be the tipping point in that collapse...
My name is Erika Nolan, Publisher of World Currency Watch. Right now I want to expose these facts to you. I want to show you exactly what the Chinese are doing and how it threatens everyone's, including your, wealth...
Then I want to show you the steps you must take to safeguard you wealth as this end game plays out. Simple, effective ways you can not only escape this inevitable assault on the dollar, but multiply the value of your capital and quickly and easily take back full control of your wealth and future.
And finally I want to introduce you to a market wizard who will show you how to do it. An “outside-of-the-mainstream” thinker – who understands the global economic realities that have brought the dollar to this end. A giant in his industry whose guidance has earned his legion of followers huge returns year after year. And who wants to show YOU how to bullet-proof your wealth and maximize your returns using the worlds largest, most liquid financial market.
This is not a drill. Ignore these warnings and everything you've worked for your whole life could disappear in a wave of dollar selling. BUT read on and you'll learn how to protect your life-savings and safely earn market-beating returns.
But first, let me show you the dangerous trend China has undertaken. And more importantly why you must do everything you can right now – not a year from now, not in six months – to immediately secure your wealth from it...
Three Strikes and the Dollar's Out
China is the largest holder of dollar denominated investments and reserves in the world. And they're losing money on it all. How much? Charles Dumas, chief economist and director at Lombard Street Research — economic consultants to some of the world's largest banks for nearly 20 years — sums it up...
"China makes 1-2 percent on its (largely) dollar reserves. It then loses up to 10 percent on the exchange rate and suffers a Chinese inflation of 6 percent for a total return in renminbi of about minus 15 percent. That is a loss of $270 billion a year, or a stunning 7-8 percent of gross domestic product."
The bottom line is, China is losing big on its dollar investments. And they're looking to get out of this losing trade. First by reducing reliance on the dollar.
Over the last six months, China has entered into currency swap agreements with several of Asian neighbors including Malaysia, South Korea, Hong Kong and Indonesia. Currency swap lines are essentially currency accounts with the others currency so they can trade with each other directly. Without having to swap for dollars first.
“Sooner than we think,
the dollar may be challenged by other currencies, most likely the Chinese renminbi. This would have serious costs for America...”
— The New York Times
Ordinarily you might say "so what" to agreements like these between Asian nations. But now China has arranged swaps with Brazil and Argentina. Two commodity-rich, Latin American countries who are just as happy to take the dollar out of the trade loop as well.
Fact: China kicks dollars out of their
trade loop – STRIKE ONE.
But that's only the beginning.
China's down payment on the future
Since they're not using as many dollars for international trade, they're putting them to another use.
The Wall Street Journal reports... "Chinese government banks are willing to extend huge foreign loans to further China's long-term energy-security goals: ensuring diverse global supplies and winning entree into competitive regions for its oil companies."
This buys them a lot of good will and favorable trade terms from countries around the world.
They recently extended $10 billion in loans to Brazil's national oil company, Petrobras.
They've also injected more of their reserve dollars into other resource rich countries like Russia, Kazakhstan and regions of Africa. Lending money these countries wouldn't have access to otherwise, but also buying goodwill of some of the most resource rich countries in the world.
arrowFact: China is investing their dollar reserves outside the U.S. to ensure their future economic security. STRIKE TWO.
What's bad for the dollar can be VERY good for you!
China turning its back on the dollar carries big, bad implications for dollar holders everywhere – including you...
Being the world's reserve currency is a big deal. It means the U.S. can buy commodities like food and oil cheaper than the rest of the world, because we don't have to buy another currency first. It also means that we can borrow money to fund our deficits cheaper because other countries who hold large stores of dollars will lend them back to us (by buying our treasury bonds) more readily.
Without that edge, it would lead to skyrocketing prices everywhere, from the supermarket to the gas pump. On top of that, we'd see soaring interest rates – including the all the rates that affect you... From your mortgage to your credit cards...
But...
Investors who know how to take advantage of currency swings can find hugely lucrative opportunities to profit. From FDIC insured CDs that can pay up to 13% annually to NYSE listed securities making 34% in only 18 months all the way to huge triple-digit winners like these World Currency Watch members:
“I'm up 67.5% for a total of $12,296 profit. That translates to over
300% annually...”
Eddie B, CA
“Started with $3k and today it was almost $17k.. Not bad at all for less than 8 weeks.”
Sam W, FL
“I am 6 for 6 since July… 142%, 72%, 187%, 148%, 59% and 105%.”
Mike T, AZ
“I have booked 215 % profit ...position closed yesterday. Harvesting can be really sweet...”
Jos B, Netherlands
These members have already seen the light.
(Want to know how you could make this dollar assault work for you? See the box at right.)
Three strikes and it's time to arm yourself against the long term fallout of their actions
Finally there are “experts” who claim the Chinese would never do anything to hurt the dollar. They say the Chinese simply have too much exposure to dollar based investments. It would be like committing financial suicide.
But here's the truth. China controls nearly $700 billion in U.S. debt. And they certainly want to appear as if they're still willing to support U.S. debt. But in reality, they've been quietly adjusting their holdings to shorter terms underlining their loss of faith in the U.S. In fact, Reuters reported China...
“...has turned its back on long-term U.S. debt in favor of shorter maturities. Between August 2008 and March 2009, China bought $171.3 billion of bills, debt that carries a maturity of up to a year, compared with just $22.9 billion of longer-term notes and bonds with a maturity of two years or more. It also sold $23.5 billion of long-term agency debt.”
Now this isn't happening by accident. And the shift isn't going to play out in one day. It's a complex undertaking – like a game of chess. When you play chess, you try to maneuver your opponent into the most defensive position possible taking his pieces one by one.
That is exactly what China is doing. And when they're finished...
arrowFact: China won't care what happens to the US dollar. STRIKE THREE.
Because these steps are so subtle and the complex, you need to take steps to protect your savings – right now. Because in a year from now, or maybe even less, when the Chinese' actions are felt widespread, it will be too late. You must act while your dollars still have value left.
First: you need to arm yourself with knowledge of what's really going on. If you've read this far then you're already ahead of the game on that count. Second and more importantly...
Arm yourself with the tools to capitalize on this shift
Right now it's critical to move at least a portion of your portfolio into investments that are impervious to these dollar threats. Simple, safe, proven and profitable solutions that offer any investor the protection and income potential of the largest, most liquid markets on earth. Returns significantly higher than U.S. stocks. No matter your experience level, your capitalization, your investment needs.
Like NYSE listed securities that have low correlations to stocks and bonds. And pricing mechanisms that make them surge relative to a dying dollar. Securities that could have paid you inflation-crushing returns of 12% in just over three months... 34% in just over 18 months... and longer term returns of 55% in just three and a half years.
Or FDIC insured, short-term CDs that offer the same superior protection against the declining dollar. Plus, these can also pack your portfolio with spectacular gains of up to 13% annually. Nearly 4 times what a one-year CD will pay you here. All the safety and liquidity of cash, without the dollar's constant value drain.
Or like the 5.5% two-year bond you could have just cashed in. At maturity this bond paid an incredible total return of 53%! Imagine getting returns like that – 25% or even 30% – on a short term bond! More than FIVE TIMES what U.S. Treasuries would have paid you!
And finally, you need to...
Arm yourself with the only resource that will show you where
you can take advantages of opportunities like these..
The how-to is simple. To survive this relentless assault on your capital, you need to take at least a portion of your investments outside the dollar. To take advantage of currencies and currency investments.
But before you put this letter down and say “currencies aren't for me,” there are two things you must know.
First, whether you realize it or not, foreign currencies already impact your investments. They are the very lifeblood of every global economy. Offering you information absolutely vital for protecting any investments. Even if you think you'll never trade a currency in you life – understanding currency markets and the events that drive them is key to your future success.
Second, it's easier than ever to take full advantage of all the protection and profitability that currencies offer. Today there are literally hundreds of solutions from currency ETFs to CDs to foreign bonds that not only earn you interest income, but also pay you the appreciation on the currency itself.
Remember that two-year bond that earned 53%? It was a 5.5% “Kiwi” bond that earned a spectacular 37% on the rise in the New Zealand dollar.
And you can implement all these solutions right away. Without ever opening a Forex account. Currency investments you can trade directly into your stock account. Or even better, instruments that you can add to your IRA.
You'll be able to undo the devastation the dollar has already done to your portfolio. Cash in while others are cashing out. And do it under the watchful eye of one of the best in the business...
Introducing Chuck Butler —
Your Ultimate Guide to Currency Investing for Individuals
A 35-year veteran of the financial markets, Chuck Butler has done more to advance investor awareness and participation in currency based vehicles than perhaps any other banker alive today. Innovating new products to protect and grow investors money. Investments that could be held in FDIC insured deposit accounts or even IRAs.
Chuck Butler photo
Chuck Butler
He's spread his vision in the media in op-ed pieces for Forbes magazine. He has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, MarketWatch and The St. Petersburg Times. He has an entire chapter dedicated to him in Craig Karmin's brand new, best-selling book The Biography of the Dollar, How the Mighty Buck Conquered the World and Why It's Under Siege.
His daily observations and analysis are read by upwards of 200,000 currency investors each day. And his predictions have been nothing short of stunning. In 2002 he wrote to clients, “... we believe that 2002 will see the beginning of a secular bull market in the euro that should take it to new highs.” The euro went on a straight line rally to gain an amazing 59% in only 3 short years. And it has continued its rise ever since.
And his pinpoint analyses have continued to this day. His predictions for 2008 alone included...
* The euro returning to record levels... In February 2008, the euro shattered previous all time highs and has since put in five new record highs...
* The Australian dollar to reach 96 cents against the U.S. dollar... In January 2008 the Aussie dollar began its climb from 85 cents reaching 96 cents in June...
* The Swiss franc to reach parity against the U.S. dollar... In the first quarter of 2008, the Swissie took off from 86 cents to US$1.02!
Raves for Chuck Butler…
“Reading (Chuck) has really broadened my global horizon. It is a lesson in politics, federal reserve and finance.”
— MT, St. Louis, MO
“Chuck Butler has talked good economic — especially monetary — sense for years...”
— TA, Jacksonville, FL
“I think Chuck is one of the best, or maybe he's got a crystal ball!”
— PL, Gainesville, FL
“...his shared introspection on the financial markets broaden my knowledge on the subject, but his general affability and good humor lasts the whole day.”
— DN, Chicago, IL
“Chuck's...right on the money.”
— VK, Las Vegas, NV
He has averaged 30 speaking appearances a year including Money Shows across the country. He's been a featured speaker at Agora Financial's Investment Symposium — a global conference regularly attended by investors from 50 states, 7 Canadian provinces and territories and 6 continents.
And he has lectured at the podium of the New Orleans Investment Conference. One of the world's leading investment symposiums that has also featured such luminaries as Milton Friedman, Steve Forbes, Colin Powell, William F. Buckley Jr., and Lady Margaret Thatcher to name only a few.
Today, as President and Chief Currency Trader of EverBank in St. Louis, he monitors the pulse of currency markets constantly. Hedging the bank's $1.1 billion foreign currency portfolio, he understands the diversifying and risk-managing power that currencies offer. The low correlation to standard investments and the diverse pricing mechanisms that make them essential to any investors portfolio.
And now currency pioneer and innovator Chuck Butler will bring his decades of experience and insight to you.
Introducing Currency Capitalist...
Your Road Map to the Bullet-proof Protection
and Soaring Profit Potential of Currency Investing
Right now you have the opportunity to take advantage of all that expertise in a critical new publication, Currency Capitalist. Your road map to defying the dollar’s drain on all your investments for years to come.
Each month Currency Capitalist will bring you vital research and analysis on the forces driving currency markets — critical barometers of global financial health. Plus simple, safe, profitable opportunities to grow AND PROTECT all your investments.
Easy to read and to the point, this information-packed publication will put you light years ahead of anything the average investor thinks he knows about currencies. All in less than 30 minutes a month.
It’s a no-risk investment that will pay massive returns in your financial future. Each issue of Currency Capitalist will bring you: Currency Capitalist
* The Big Picture — Currency Capitalist's feature article will give you an in depth analysis of the forces driving one of the “Big Eight.” Information and insights you won't hear anywhere else. Plus a crystal clear explanation of what it all means. And exactly what opportunities are arising from them. A level of reporting, research and analysis unmatched in any other publications.
* Capitalist Insights —A concise overview of all the major currencies around the world. You'll be armed with knowledge about events impacting markets in every corner of the world. Not just dollar news, but an international view of economic developments and opportunities vital for anyone. A perspective that few people have access to. And still fewer fully understand.
* Capitalist Emerging Opportunities —Take your investments, and returns, to the next level. Learn about spectacular opportunities from currencies that the average investor has probably never heard of. “Exotics” like the Brazilian real, Hungarian forint, the Polish zloty. Currencies in emerging and smaller markets that could turn a small stake into a substantial return – all in safe liquid markets.
* The Capitalist Scoreboard —Your at-a-glance source of currency information. In seconds you'll have key data at your fingertips — from the most recent currency prices to the highest yields offered anywhere around the world. From macro trends to key economic reports driving them. You'll instantly know where the best opportunities in the world lie. So easy to read, you'll be on top of all the information you need in seconds
* The Capitalist Portfolio —Never be in doubt about Chuck's recommendations. Everything you need to know; from each currency's performance to its buy, hold, sell status. How each recommendation might fit in with your investment needs. And simple to follow instructions that will make the “how to” of currency investing a snap. Always be sure of where you need to be in terms of your currency positions.
* Plus FLASH updates as necessary —while we never expect it, should opportunities arise between issues, we'll update you with “flash” email reports so you never miss an opportunity.
...And you'll get it all every month without fail.
Plus with your subscription you get access to Currency Capitalist password protected website...
* Home to the “live” portfolio — updated regularly to show you exactly how our expert's picks are performing. You get 100% straight forward reporting on everything from Currency Capitalist.
* You'll also get access to the complete Currency Capitalist issue archive. Lose or miss an issue and you can instantly retrieve it from our complete archives. Accessible 24/7 from anywhere you have an Internet connection.
* And Currency Capitalist is delivered both electronically and via mail every month. Instant electronic access to the most timely currency information and research anywhere. And a print version to take it with you anywhere.
This is an opportunity that you must not miss. And to make sure you don't, I want to offer you one of the most valuable currency resources you can get — absolutely FREE when you sign up...
The Currency Capitalist's 2009
Dollar Independence Library
Five Reports to Inflation-proof ALL Your investments and
Make You A More Profitable and Knowledgeable Investor
A comprehensive collection of 5 brand new online reports that will give you the most complete picture of what has happened to the once mighty dollar. Your road map for turning the dollar's demise into a gold mine for you. Both for protecting against the disastrous effects of inflation at home. And opportunities for earning substantial gains when other dollar based investments come under fire...
Inside your Dollar Independence Library you'll receive...
special reportSpecial report #1: “The Plot Against the Dollar: The Shocking Truth Behind the Demise of the Dollar” — An eye opening exposé that will show you the truth about what the Federal Reserve has done to your dollars. It's creation as a force to control the monetary policy of the United States. And the greed that has driven it to destroy our economic system. An incredible story 99% of investors have no clue about. — VALUE $49
special reportSpecial report #2: “The Currency Capitalist Investor's Guide: Your Go-to Guide for Putting the Portfolio Boosting Power of Foreign Currencies to Work for You” — Your step-by-step guide to the ins and outs getting it done including sections on “Why currencies,” “Currency pricing,” “Recommended investments,” “Setting up accounts,” and “What to expect from Currency Capitalist.” This report on its own will be enough to get you started on your way to a more secure, “dollar-proof” future. — VALUE $49
special reportSpecial report #3: “Currencies to Secure Your Retirement: Simple, Safe and FDIC Insured Deposits You Can Add To Your IRA” — Your guide to one of the simplest yet most opportunity-rich ways to take advantage of currency fluctuations. Deposit instruments as simple as opening a bank account. Your one-step way to change ever-weakening dollars into stronger more robust currencies. Reap the benefits of interest income PLUS price appreciation. Or better, invest in a basket of currencies to multiply your protection and profit potential. And find out how to deposit these currencies right in your IRA. — VALUE $49
special reportSpecial report #4: “Ultra-Simple Currencies: The ETF Solution to Harness the Dollar-busting Power of Foreign Currencies” — A revolutionary way to take full advantage of the protection currency markets offer. Traded right on the NYSE, these ETFs replicate the movement of the underlying currency. They let you combat the dollar's draining effects right in your stock account. Plus they pay dividends equal to the interest these currencies pay at home. A highly liquid market offering you all the protection and profit potential of the Forex market without any specialized knowledge about “currency pairs” or “pips.” — VALUE $49
special reportSpecial report #5: “Foreign Bonds: Your AAA Way to Security, Income and all the Power of Foreign Currencies in a Single Investment” — Explains a segment of currency investing that few ever consider. Foreign currency bonds that pay multiples of what the average investor can earn in the United States. From two to ten years, they offer assured coupon yields. Plus massive currency appreciation can make these simple investments pay truly unbelievable returns. An incredible opportunity for almost any investment need no matter what stocks, real estate or the U.S. economy does. — VALUE $49
PLUS you'll receive Chuck's very best recommendations for each investment covered. Get started right away protecting your portfolio from the dollar’s endless devaluation of your investments and savings.
Currency Capitalist's Dollar Independence Library — your first step in understanding all the incredible opportunities that are available to you today. Opportunities that will let you neutralize the dollar's stranglehold on your investments. And help you earn market-shattering returns.
This amazing resource sells in the Currency Capitalist bookstore for $245. But it's yours FREE when you sign on.
Act Now and Save More Than 50%
An annual subscription to Currency Capitalist is only $99. But if you take advantage of this opportunity right away, you can get a special subscription price of only $49. A discount of over 50%.
That's 12 monthly issues of Currency Capitalist. The publication that will give you investment research from one of the most respected currency professionals in the world. Information other investors can't get anywhere at any price. A view of international events that will make you a more savvy investor while protecting you from the devastating effects the dollar is wreaking on your investments. And the inside scoop on opportunities to reap market shattering returns at the same time.
Plus you get your FREE Currency Capitalist Dollar Independence Library — a $245 value. Your brand new online five-report resource that will explain everything from the forces driving the dollar’s decline to the best currency investments for your needs.
And you can have it all — a $344 value — for the tiny investment of less than 14 cents a day.
Your “110%” Satisfaction GUARANTEE!
And you can try it all with Currency Capitalist's iron clad guarantee of complete satisfaction. Take a full 60 days to read and digest your first two issues of Currency Capitalist. Read all the reports in your Dollar Independence Library as well. If for any reason you don't believe that Currency Capitalist will start you on your way to a higher level of investing, protection and profit, simply contact us to cancel and we'll gladly refund the full amount of your subscription. And you keep the both issues of Currency Capitalist and all five online reports as our gift to you.
It's that simple.
But I truly believe that you will find this information indispensable for all your investments. Especially in a time when the dollar's negative impact on your life and your investments is multiplying exponentially. In fact, to make sure you don't miss out...
Respond in the Next 7 Days —
Get a Sixth Special Report Absolutely FREE
and Lock In Your Subscription Price
The timing of this offer is so critical and the information so vital for your wealth and prosperity, I want to offer you a special bonus to act right now. AND an opportunity to lock in your subscription discount.
Simply call 1-800-818-7110 or click below in the next seven days and indicate you want to take advantage of our auto-renew option. Once you do I'll send you a sixth FREE online report…
special report“A World of Opportunity: Understanding and Profiting From the Most Explosive Currencies in the World” — This cutting-edge report will show you all the opportunities in the world of lesser known currencies. Often spectacular opportunities that even investors familiar with currency markets don't fully comprehend. Currencies like the zloty, forint, ruble, real and more! You'll get the inside on some of the best emerging and off-the-radar currency investments. From South America to Europe. From Asia to Scandinavia. Opportunities with explosive potential. — VALUE $79
Like the others, it comes with our editor's best play for the sector. And it's yours absolutely FREE if you act now.
PLUS when you sign up for our auto-renew option, you'll lock in your discounted subscription rate — for as long as you choose to remain a subscriber.
Each year when your subscription comes due, we'll simply bill your credit card $49. You'll never be bothered with renewal notices. Or price increases. Never worry about interrupted service or writing and mailing checks. Simply get your issues every month and stay on the cutting edge of currency investment opportunities.
An Amazing Value From Your
Ultimate Dollar Protection Advocate
Currency Capitalist is dedicated to protecting and growing your wealth in the face of this massive dollar adversity. It promises to bring you opportunities that will shield you from all the dangers the grossly devalued dollar has on your savings. And offer potential profit opportunities even if a dollar-led meltdown of financial markets occurs.
Just look at all the profit protecting and wealth-growing value you'll get...
* Twelve issues of Currency Capitalist...a $99 value
* Your online Dollar Independence Library ...a $245 value
* Your fast response bonus — A World of Opportunity: Understanding and Profiting From the Most Explosive Currencies in the World — a $79 value
* Password protected access to Currency Capitalist website including the live portfolio and issue archive
* Flash email updates whenever breaking news hits the markets
A total value of $423. And you can lock it all in for the tiny discount subscription price of $49 a year.
Don't wait for the dollar to bleed out further —
Protect and grow your capital now
Act now before the dollar does more damage to your investments. It only takes a minute. Simply click below. Or for even faster service, call us at 800-818-7110 and we'll start your subscription right away. And we'll send you your Dollar Independence Library PLUS your special fast action report.
Don't delay. Everyday the Fed is finding new ways to pump more money into the system devaluing your dollars. And worse, increasing the chances of a dollar fire-sale by foreign investors.
Currency Capitalist is the only publication of its kind and will immediately get you started on your way to bigger, more secure returns while eliminating the disastrous effects the collapsing dollar is having on your investments.
I urge you to act now...you have absolutely no reason not to...
For your wealth and prosperity,
Erika Nolans signature
Publisher, Currency Capitalist
P.S. – Remember, the regular price of Currency Capitalist is $99 — a publication well worth the price. But by choosing the auto-renew option, not only can you avoid the hassle of renewal notices and writing checks, you'll lock in our $49 discount subscriber rate. (You'll never miss an issue. And you can cancel any time.)
P.P.S. — You'll also get our online Dollar Independence Library PLUS your special bonus report totally risk free. Remember, if in the first 60 days you aren't absolutely thrilled with the potential Currency Capitalist delivers to you, simply call and cancel for a full refund. There are no minimums — even with auto-renew. Call now or click below. You have absolutely nothing to lose.
Mark the Beginning of the End for the Dollar?
“...reserve currency status isn't a birthright and it can vanish when nations are irresponsible for too long.”
- The Wall Street Journal
The U.S. dollar's “reserve currency” status
is all that stands between you and a tidal wave of
crushing interest rates and soaring prices.
Ensure you don't become a casualty by taking
these three simple steps...
Dear Dollar Holder...
For over 60 years, the U.S. dollar has been the world's reserve currency – the currency the rest of the world must have to trade. But China has already started taking dramatic steps to remove the dollar from that role.
Three recent, undeniable developments – strikes against the dollar – could now prove to be the tipping point in that collapse...
My name is Erika Nolan, Publisher of World Currency Watch. Right now I want to expose these facts to you. I want to show you exactly what the Chinese are doing and how it threatens everyone's, including your, wealth...
Then I want to show you the steps you must take to safeguard you wealth as this end game plays out. Simple, effective ways you can not only escape this inevitable assault on the dollar, but multiply the value of your capital and quickly and easily take back full control of your wealth and future.
And finally I want to introduce you to a market wizard who will show you how to do it. An “outside-of-the-mainstream” thinker – who understands the global economic realities that have brought the dollar to this end. A giant in his industry whose guidance has earned his legion of followers huge returns year after year. And who wants to show YOU how to bullet-proof your wealth and maximize your returns using the worlds largest, most liquid financial market.
This is not a drill. Ignore these warnings and everything you've worked for your whole life could disappear in a wave of dollar selling. BUT read on and you'll learn how to protect your life-savings and safely earn market-beating returns.
But first, let me show you the dangerous trend China has undertaken. And more importantly why you must do everything you can right now – not a year from now, not in six months – to immediately secure your wealth from it...
Three Strikes and the Dollar's Out
China is the largest holder of dollar denominated investments and reserves in the world. And they're losing money on it all. How much? Charles Dumas, chief economist and director at Lombard Street Research — economic consultants to some of the world's largest banks for nearly 20 years — sums it up...
"China makes 1-2 percent on its (largely) dollar reserves. It then loses up to 10 percent on the exchange rate and suffers a Chinese inflation of 6 percent for a total return in renminbi of about minus 15 percent. That is a loss of $270 billion a year, or a stunning 7-8 percent of gross domestic product."
The bottom line is, China is losing big on its dollar investments. And they're looking to get out of this losing trade. First by reducing reliance on the dollar.
Over the last six months, China has entered into currency swap agreements with several of Asian neighbors including Malaysia, South Korea, Hong Kong and Indonesia. Currency swap lines are essentially currency accounts with the others currency so they can trade with each other directly. Without having to swap for dollars first.
“Sooner than we think,
the dollar may be challenged by other currencies, most likely the Chinese renminbi. This would have serious costs for America...”
— The New York Times
Ordinarily you might say "so what" to agreements like these between Asian nations. But now China has arranged swaps with Brazil and Argentina. Two commodity-rich, Latin American countries who are just as happy to take the dollar out of the trade loop as well.
Fact: China kicks dollars out of their
trade loop – STRIKE ONE.
But that's only the beginning.
China's down payment on the future
Since they're not using as many dollars for international trade, they're putting them to another use.
The Wall Street Journal reports... "Chinese government banks are willing to extend huge foreign loans to further China's long-term energy-security goals: ensuring diverse global supplies and winning entree into competitive regions for its oil companies."
This buys them a lot of good will and favorable trade terms from countries around the world.
They recently extended $10 billion in loans to Brazil's national oil company, Petrobras.
They've also injected more of their reserve dollars into other resource rich countries like Russia, Kazakhstan and regions of Africa. Lending money these countries wouldn't have access to otherwise, but also buying goodwill of some of the most resource rich countries in the world.
arrowFact: China is investing their dollar reserves outside the U.S. to ensure their future economic security. STRIKE TWO.
What's bad for the dollar can be VERY good for you!
China turning its back on the dollar carries big, bad implications for dollar holders everywhere – including you...
Being the world's reserve currency is a big deal. It means the U.S. can buy commodities like food and oil cheaper than the rest of the world, because we don't have to buy another currency first. It also means that we can borrow money to fund our deficits cheaper because other countries who hold large stores of dollars will lend them back to us (by buying our treasury bonds) more readily.
Without that edge, it would lead to skyrocketing prices everywhere, from the supermarket to the gas pump. On top of that, we'd see soaring interest rates – including the all the rates that affect you... From your mortgage to your credit cards...
But...
Investors who know how to take advantage of currency swings can find hugely lucrative opportunities to profit. From FDIC insured CDs that can pay up to 13% annually to NYSE listed securities making 34% in only 18 months all the way to huge triple-digit winners like these World Currency Watch members:
“I'm up 67.5% for a total of $12,296 profit. That translates to over
300% annually...”
Eddie B, CA
“Started with $3k and today it was almost $17k.. Not bad at all for less than 8 weeks.”
Sam W, FL
“I am 6 for 6 since July… 142%, 72%, 187%, 148%, 59% and 105%.”
Mike T, AZ
“I have booked 215 % profit ...position closed yesterday. Harvesting can be really sweet...”
Jos B, Netherlands
These members have already seen the light.
(Want to know how you could make this dollar assault work for you? See the box at right.)
Three strikes and it's time to arm yourself against the long term fallout of their actions
Finally there are “experts” who claim the Chinese would never do anything to hurt the dollar. They say the Chinese simply have too much exposure to dollar based investments. It would be like committing financial suicide.
But here's the truth. China controls nearly $700 billion in U.S. debt. And they certainly want to appear as if they're still willing to support U.S. debt. But in reality, they've been quietly adjusting their holdings to shorter terms underlining their loss of faith in the U.S. In fact, Reuters reported China...
“...has turned its back on long-term U.S. debt in favor of shorter maturities. Between August 2008 and March 2009, China bought $171.3 billion of bills, debt that carries a maturity of up to a year, compared with just $22.9 billion of longer-term notes and bonds with a maturity of two years or more. It also sold $23.5 billion of long-term agency debt.”
Now this isn't happening by accident. And the shift isn't going to play out in one day. It's a complex undertaking – like a game of chess. When you play chess, you try to maneuver your opponent into the most defensive position possible taking his pieces one by one.
That is exactly what China is doing. And when they're finished...
arrowFact: China won't care what happens to the US dollar. STRIKE THREE.
Because these steps are so subtle and the complex, you need to take steps to protect your savings – right now. Because in a year from now, or maybe even less, when the Chinese' actions are felt widespread, it will be too late. You must act while your dollars still have value left.
First: you need to arm yourself with knowledge of what's really going on. If you've read this far then you're already ahead of the game on that count. Second and more importantly...
Arm yourself with the tools to capitalize on this shift
Right now it's critical to move at least a portion of your portfolio into investments that are impervious to these dollar threats. Simple, safe, proven and profitable solutions that offer any investor the protection and income potential of the largest, most liquid markets on earth. Returns significantly higher than U.S. stocks. No matter your experience level, your capitalization, your investment needs.
Like NYSE listed securities that have low correlations to stocks and bonds. And pricing mechanisms that make them surge relative to a dying dollar. Securities that could have paid you inflation-crushing returns of 12% in just over three months... 34% in just over 18 months... and longer term returns of 55% in just three and a half years.
Or FDIC insured, short-term CDs that offer the same superior protection against the declining dollar. Plus, these can also pack your portfolio with spectacular gains of up to 13% annually. Nearly 4 times what a one-year CD will pay you here. All the safety and liquidity of cash, without the dollar's constant value drain.
Or like the 5.5% two-year bond you could have just cashed in. At maturity this bond paid an incredible total return of 53%! Imagine getting returns like that – 25% or even 30% – on a short term bond! More than FIVE TIMES what U.S. Treasuries would have paid you!
And finally, you need to...
Arm yourself with the only resource that will show you where
you can take advantages of opportunities like these..
The how-to is simple. To survive this relentless assault on your capital, you need to take at least a portion of your investments outside the dollar. To take advantage of currencies and currency investments.
But before you put this letter down and say “currencies aren't for me,” there are two things you must know.
First, whether you realize it or not, foreign currencies already impact your investments. They are the very lifeblood of every global economy. Offering you information absolutely vital for protecting any investments. Even if you think you'll never trade a currency in you life – understanding currency markets and the events that drive them is key to your future success.
Second, it's easier than ever to take full advantage of all the protection and profitability that currencies offer. Today there are literally hundreds of solutions from currency ETFs to CDs to foreign bonds that not only earn you interest income, but also pay you the appreciation on the currency itself.
Remember that two-year bond that earned 53%? It was a 5.5% “Kiwi” bond that earned a spectacular 37% on the rise in the New Zealand dollar.
And you can implement all these solutions right away. Without ever opening a Forex account. Currency investments you can trade directly into your stock account. Or even better, instruments that you can add to your IRA.
You'll be able to undo the devastation the dollar has already done to your portfolio. Cash in while others are cashing out. And do it under the watchful eye of one of the best in the business...
Introducing Chuck Butler —
Your Ultimate Guide to Currency Investing for Individuals
A 35-year veteran of the financial markets, Chuck Butler has done more to advance investor awareness and participation in currency based vehicles than perhaps any other banker alive today. Innovating new products to protect and grow investors money. Investments that could be held in FDIC insured deposit accounts or even IRAs.
Chuck Butler photo
Chuck Butler
He's spread his vision in the media in op-ed pieces for Forbes magazine. He has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, MarketWatch and The St. Petersburg Times. He has an entire chapter dedicated to him in Craig Karmin's brand new, best-selling book The Biography of the Dollar, How the Mighty Buck Conquered the World and Why It's Under Siege.
His daily observations and analysis are read by upwards of 200,000 currency investors each day. And his predictions have been nothing short of stunning. In 2002 he wrote to clients, “... we believe that 2002 will see the beginning of a secular bull market in the euro that should take it to new highs.” The euro went on a straight line rally to gain an amazing 59% in only 3 short years. And it has continued its rise ever since.
And his pinpoint analyses have continued to this day. His predictions for 2008 alone included...
* The euro returning to record levels... In February 2008, the euro shattered previous all time highs and has since put in five new record highs...
* The Australian dollar to reach 96 cents against the U.S. dollar... In January 2008 the Aussie dollar began its climb from 85 cents reaching 96 cents in June...
* The Swiss franc to reach parity against the U.S. dollar... In the first quarter of 2008, the Swissie took off from 86 cents to US$1.02!
Raves for Chuck Butler…
“Reading (Chuck) has really broadened my global horizon. It is a lesson in politics, federal reserve and finance.”
— MT, St. Louis, MO
“Chuck Butler has talked good economic — especially monetary — sense for years...”
— TA, Jacksonville, FL
“I think Chuck is one of the best, or maybe he's got a crystal ball!”
— PL, Gainesville, FL
“...his shared introspection on the financial markets broaden my knowledge on the subject, but his general affability and good humor lasts the whole day.”
— DN, Chicago, IL
“Chuck's...right on the money.”
— VK, Las Vegas, NV
He has averaged 30 speaking appearances a year including Money Shows across the country. He's been a featured speaker at Agora Financial's Investment Symposium — a global conference regularly attended by investors from 50 states, 7 Canadian provinces and territories and 6 continents.
And he has lectured at the podium of the New Orleans Investment Conference. One of the world's leading investment symposiums that has also featured such luminaries as Milton Friedman, Steve Forbes, Colin Powell, William F. Buckley Jr., and Lady Margaret Thatcher to name only a few.
Today, as President and Chief Currency Trader of EverBank in St. Louis, he monitors the pulse of currency markets constantly. Hedging the bank's $1.1 billion foreign currency portfolio, he understands the diversifying and risk-managing power that currencies offer. The low correlation to standard investments and the diverse pricing mechanisms that make them essential to any investors portfolio.
And now currency pioneer and innovator Chuck Butler will bring his decades of experience and insight to you.
Introducing Currency Capitalist...
Your Road Map to the Bullet-proof Protection
and Soaring Profit Potential of Currency Investing
Right now you have the opportunity to take advantage of all that expertise in a critical new publication, Currency Capitalist. Your road map to defying the dollar’s drain on all your investments for years to come.
Each month Currency Capitalist will bring you vital research and analysis on the forces driving currency markets — critical barometers of global financial health. Plus simple, safe, profitable opportunities to grow AND PROTECT all your investments.
Easy to read and to the point, this information-packed publication will put you light years ahead of anything the average investor thinks he knows about currencies. All in less than 30 minutes a month.
It’s a no-risk investment that will pay massive returns in your financial future. Each issue of Currency Capitalist will bring you: Currency Capitalist
* The Big Picture — Currency Capitalist's feature article will give you an in depth analysis of the forces driving one of the “Big Eight.” Information and insights you won't hear anywhere else. Plus a crystal clear explanation of what it all means. And exactly what opportunities are arising from them. A level of reporting, research and analysis unmatched in any other publications.
* Capitalist Insights —A concise overview of all the major currencies around the world. You'll be armed with knowledge about events impacting markets in every corner of the world. Not just dollar news, but an international view of economic developments and opportunities vital for anyone. A perspective that few people have access to. And still fewer fully understand.
* Capitalist Emerging Opportunities —Take your investments, and returns, to the next level. Learn about spectacular opportunities from currencies that the average investor has probably never heard of. “Exotics” like the Brazilian real, Hungarian forint, the Polish zloty. Currencies in emerging and smaller markets that could turn a small stake into a substantial return – all in safe liquid markets.
* The Capitalist Scoreboard —Your at-a-glance source of currency information. In seconds you'll have key data at your fingertips — from the most recent currency prices to the highest yields offered anywhere around the world. From macro trends to key economic reports driving them. You'll instantly know where the best opportunities in the world lie. So easy to read, you'll be on top of all the information you need in seconds
* The Capitalist Portfolio —Never be in doubt about Chuck's recommendations. Everything you need to know; from each currency's performance to its buy, hold, sell status. How each recommendation might fit in with your investment needs. And simple to follow instructions that will make the “how to” of currency investing a snap. Always be sure of where you need to be in terms of your currency positions.
* Plus FLASH updates as necessary —while we never expect it, should opportunities arise between issues, we'll update you with “flash” email reports so you never miss an opportunity.
...And you'll get it all every month without fail.
Plus with your subscription you get access to Currency Capitalist password protected website...
* Home to the “live” portfolio — updated regularly to show you exactly how our expert's picks are performing. You get 100% straight forward reporting on everything from Currency Capitalist.
* You'll also get access to the complete Currency Capitalist issue archive. Lose or miss an issue and you can instantly retrieve it from our complete archives. Accessible 24/7 from anywhere you have an Internet connection.
* And Currency Capitalist is delivered both electronically and via mail every month. Instant electronic access to the most timely currency information and research anywhere. And a print version to take it with you anywhere.
This is an opportunity that you must not miss. And to make sure you don't, I want to offer you one of the most valuable currency resources you can get — absolutely FREE when you sign up...
The Currency Capitalist's 2009
Dollar Independence Library
Five Reports to Inflation-proof ALL Your investments and
Make You A More Profitable and Knowledgeable Investor
A comprehensive collection of 5 brand new online reports that will give you the most complete picture of what has happened to the once mighty dollar. Your road map for turning the dollar's demise into a gold mine for you. Both for protecting against the disastrous effects of inflation at home. And opportunities for earning substantial gains when other dollar based investments come under fire...
Inside your Dollar Independence Library you'll receive...
special reportSpecial report #1: “The Plot Against the Dollar: The Shocking Truth Behind the Demise of the Dollar” — An eye opening exposé that will show you the truth about what the Federal Reserve has done to your dollars. It's creation as a force to control the monetary policy of the United States. And the greed that has driven it to destroy our economic system. An incredible story 99% of investors have no clue about. — VALUE $49
special reportSpecial report #2: “The Currency Capitalist Investor's Guide: Your Go-to Guide for Putting the Portfolio Boosting Power of Foreign Currencies to Work for You” — Your step-by-step guide to the ins and outs getting it done including sections on “Why currencies,” “Currency pricing,” “Recommended investments,” “Setting up accounts,” and “What to expect from Currency Capitalist.” This report on its own will be enough to get you started on your way to a more secure, “dollar-proof” future. — VALUE $49
special reportSpecial report #3: “Currencies to Secure Your Retirement: Simple, Safe and FDIC Insured Deposits You Can Add To Your IRA” — Your guide to one of the simplest yet most opportunity-rich ways to take advantage of currency fluctuations. Deposit instruments as simple as opening a bank account. Your one-step way to change ever-weakening dollars into stronger more robust currencies. Reap the benefits of interest income PLUS price appreciation. Or better, invest in a basket of currencies to multiply your protection and profit potential. And find out how to deposit these currencies right in your IRA. — VALUE $49
special reportSpecial report #4: “Ultra-Simple Currencies: The ETF Solution to Harness the Dollar-busting Power of Foreign Currencies” — A revolutionary way to take full advantage of the protection currency markets offer. Traded right on the NYSE, these ETFs replicate the movement of the underlying currency. They let you combat the dollar's draining effects right in your stock account. Plus they pay dividends equal to the interest these currencies pay at home. A highly liquid market offering you all the protection and profit potential of the Forex market without any specialized knowledge about “currency pairs” or “pips.” — VALUE $49
special reportSpecial report #5: “Foreign Bonds: Your AAA Way to Security, Income and all the Power of Foreign Currencies in a Single Investment” — Explains a segment of currency investing that few ever consider. Foreign currency bonds that pay multiples of what the average investor can earn in the United States. From two to ten years, they offer assured coupon yields. Plus massive currency appreciation can make these simple investments pay truly unbelievable returns. An incredible opportunity for almost any investment need no matter what stocks, real estate or the U.S. economy does. — VALUE $49
PLUS you'll receive Chuck's very best recommendations for each investment covered. Get started right away protecting your portfolio from the dollar’s endless devaluation of your investments and savings.
Currency Capitalist's Dollar Independence Library — your first step in understanding all the incredible opportunities that are available to you today. Opportunities that will let you neutralize the dollar's stranglehold on your investments. And help you earn market-shattering returns.
This amazing resource sells in the Currency Capitalist bookstore for $245. But it's yours FREE when you sign on.
Act Now and Save More Than 50%
An annual subscription to Currency Capitalist is only $99. But if you take advantage of this opportunity right away, you can get a special subscription price of only $49. A discount of over 50%.
That's 12 monthly issues of Currency Capitalist. The publication that will give you investment research from one of the most respected currency professionals in the world. Information other investors can't get anywhere at any price. A view of international events that will make you a more savvy investor while protecting you from the devastating effects the dollar is wreaking on your investments. And the inside scoop on opportunities to reap market shattering returns at the same time.
Plus you get your FREE Currency Capitalist Dollar Independence Library — a $245 value. Your brand new online five-report resource that will explain everything from the forces driving the dollar’s decline to the best currency investments for your needs.
And you can have it all — a $344 value — for the tiny investment of less than 14 cents a day.
Your “110%” Satisfaction GUARANTEE!
And you can try it all with Currency Capitalist's iron clad guarantee of complete satisfaction. Take a full 60 days to read and digest your first two issues of Currency Capitalist. Read all the reports in your Dollar Independence Library as well. If for any reason you don't believe that Currency Capitalist will start you on your way to a higher level of investing, protection and profit, simply contact us to cancel and we'll gladly refund the full amount of your subscription. And you keep the both issues of Currency Capitalist and all five online reports as our gift to you.
It's that simple.
But I truly believe that you will find this information indispensable for all your investments. Especially in a time when the dollar's negative impact on your life and your investments is multiplying exponentially. In fact, to make sure you don't miss out...
Respond in the Next 7 Days —
Get a Sixth Special Report Absolutely FREE
and Lock In Your Subscription Price
The timing of this offer is so critical and the information so vital for your wealth and prosperity, I want to offer you a special bonus to act right now. AND an opportunity to lock in your subscription discount.
Simply call 1-800-818-7110 or click below in the next seven days and indicate you want to take advantage of our auto-renew option. Once you do I'll send you a sixth FREE online report…
special report“A World of Opportunity: Understanding and Profiting From the Most Explosive Currencies in the World” — This cutting-edge report will show you all the opportunities in the world of lesser known currencies. Often spectacular opportunities that even investors familiar with currency markets don't fully comprehend. Currencies like the zloty, forint, ruble, real and more! You'll get the inside on some of the best emerging and off-the-radar currency investments. From South America to Europe. From Asia to Scandinavia. Opportunities with explosive potential. — VALUE $79
Like the others, it comes with our editor's best play for the sector. And it's yours absolutely FREE if you act now.
PLUS when you sign up for our auto-renew option, you'll lock in your discounted subscription rate — for as long as you choose to remain a subscriber.
Each year when your subscription comes due, we'll simply bill your credit card $49. You'll never be bothered with renewal notices. Or price increases. Never worry about interrupted service or writing and mailing checks. Simply get your issues every month and stay on the cutting edge of currency investment opportunities.
An Amazing Value From Your
Ultimate Dollar Protection Advocate
Currency Capitalist is dedicated to protecting and growing your wealth in the face of this massive dollar adversity. It promises to bring you opportunities that will shield you from all the dangers the grossly devalued dollar has on your savings. And offer potential profit opportunities even if a dollar-led meltdown of financial markets occurs.
Just look at all the profit protecting and wealth-growing value you'll get...
* Twelve issues of Currency Capitalist...a $99 value
* Your online Dollar Independence Library ...a $245 value
* Your fast response bonus — A World of Opportunity: Understanding and Profiting From the Most Explosive Currencies in the World — a $79 value
* Password protected access to Currency Capitalist website including the live portfolio and issue archive
* Flash email updates whenever breaking news hits the markets
A total value of $423. And you can lock it all in for the tiny discount subscription price of $49 a year.
Don't wait for the dollar to bleed out further —
Protect and grow your capital now
Act now before the dollar does more damage to your investments. It only takes a minute. Simply click below. Or for even faster service, call us at 800-818-7110 and we'll start your subscription right away. And we'll send you your Dollar Independence Library PLUS your special fast action report.
Don't delay. Everyday the Fed is finding new ways to pump more money into the system devaluing your dollars. And worse, increasing the chances of a dollar fire-sale by foreign investors.
Currency Capitalist is the only publication of its kind and will immediately get you started on your way to bigger, more secure returns while eliminating the disastrous effects the collapsing dollar is having on your investments.
I urge you to act now...you have absolutely no reason not to...
For your wealth and prosperity,
Erika Nolans signature
Publisher, Currency Capitalist
P.S. – Remember, the regular price of Currency Capitalist is $99 — a publication well worth the price. But by choosing the auto-renew option, not only can you avoid the hassle of renewal notices and writing checks, you'll lock in our $49 discount subscriber rate. (You'll never miss an issue. And you can cancel any time.)
P.P.S. — You'll also get our online Dollar Independence Library PLUS your special bonus report totally risk free. Remember, if in the first 60 days you aren't absolutely thrilled with the potential Currency Capitalist delivers to you, simply call and cancel for a full refund. There are no minimums — even with auto-renew. Call now or click below. You have absolutely nothing to lose.
A PRESIDENTIAL MISTAKE?
Netanyahu's Success
by Daniel Pipes
Jerusalem Post
September 30, 2009
http://www.danielpipes.org/7665/netanyahu-quiet-success
http://www.danielpipes.org/article_send.php?id=7665 Send http://www.danielpipes.org/7665/netanyahu-quiet-success#comment_submit Comment http://www.danielpipes.org/rss.xml RSS Share: http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&url=http://www.danielpipes.org/7665/netanyahu-quiet-success&title=Netanyahu's+Quiet+Success&topic=Political_Opinion&bodytext=Almost+unnoticed,+Binyamin+Netanyahu+won+a+major+victory+last+week+when+Barack+Obama+backed+down+on+a+signature+policy+initiative.+This+about-face+suggests+that+U.S.-Israel+relations+are+no+longer+headed+for+the+disaster+I+have+been+fearing.+Four+months... http://del.icio.us/post?v=4&noui&jump=close&url=http://www.danielpipes.org/7665/netanyahu-quiet-success&title=Netanyahu's+Quiet+Success¬es=Almost+unnoticed,+Binyamin+Netanyahu+won+a+major+victory+last+week+when+Barack+Obama+backed+down+on+a+signature+policy+initiative.+This+about-face+suggests+that+U.S.-Israel+relations+are+no+longer+headed+for+the+disaster+I+have+been+fearing.+Four+months... http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://www.danielpipes.org/7665/netanyahu-quiet-success
Almost unnoticed, Binyamin Netanyahu won a major victory last week when Barack Obama backed down on a signature policy initiative. This about-face suggests that U.S.-Israel relations are no longer headed for the disaster I have been fearing.
Barack Obama officiates between Binyamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel (left) and Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestinian Authority.
Four months ago, the new U.S. administration unveiled a policy that suddenly placed great emphasis on stopping the growth in Israeli "settlements." (A term I dislike but use here for brevity's sake.) Surprisingly, American officials wanted to stop not just residential building for Israelis in the West Bank but also in eastern Jerusalem, a territory legally part of Israel for nearly thirty years.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton launched the initiative on May 27, announcing that the president of the United States "wants to see a stop to settlements – not some settlements, not outposts, not natural growth exceptions," adding for good measure, "And we intend to press that point." On June 4, Obama weighed in: "The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. … It is time for these settlements to stop." A day later, he reiterated that "settlements are an impediment to peace." On June 17, Clinton repeated: "We want to see a stop to the settlements." And so on, in a relentless beat.
Focusing on settlements had the inadvertent but predictable effect of instantly impeding diplomatic progress. A delighted Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority responded to U.S. demands on Israel by sitting back and declaring that "The Americans are the leaders of the world. … I will wait for Israel to freeze settlements." Never mind that Abbas personally had negotiated with six Israeli prime ministers since 1992, each time without an offer to stop building settlements: why should he now demand less than Obama?
In Israel, Obama's diktat prompted a massive popular swing away from him and toward Netanyahu. Further, Netanyahu's offer of even temporary limitations on settlement growth in the West Bank prompted a rebellion within his Likud Party, led by the up-and-coming Danny Danon.
Poster showing Barak Obama in Arab headdress, seen in downtown Jerusalem on June 14, 2009.
The geniuses of the Obama administration eventually discerned that this double hardening of positions was dooming their naïve, hubristic plan to settle the Arab-Israeli conflict within two years. The One's reconciliation with reality became public on Sept. 22 at a "summit" he sponsored with Abbas and Netanyahu (really, a glorified photo opportunity). Obama threw in the towel there, boasting that "we have made progress" toward settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and offering as one indication that Israelis "have discussed important steps to restrain settlement activity."
Those eight words of muted praise for Netanyahu's minimal concessions have major implications:
* Settlements no longer dominate U.S.-Israel relations but have reverted back to their usual irritating but secondary role.
* Abbas, who keeps insisting on a settlement freeze as though nothing has changed, suddenly finds himself the odd man out in the triangle.
* The center-left faction of the Obama administration (which argues for working with Jerusalem), as my colleague Steven J. Rosen notes, has defeated the far-left faction (which wants to squeeze the Jewish state).
Ironically, Obama supporters have generally recognized his failure while critics have tended to miss it. A Washington Post editorial referred to the Obama administration's "miscalculations" and Jonathan Freedland, a Guardian columnist, noted that "Obama's friends worry that he has lost face in a region where face matters."
In contrast, Obama critics focused on his announcing, just one day after the mock summit, that "America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements" – a formulaic reiteration of long-established policy that in no way undoes the concession on settlements. Some of those I admire most missed the good news: John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, stated that Obama "put Israel on the chopping block," while critics within the Likud Party accused Netanyahu of having "prematurely celebrated" an American policy shift. Not so. Policy winds can always change, but last week's capitulation to reality has the hallmarks of a lasting course correction.
I have repeatedly expressed deep worries about Obama's policy versus Israel, so when good news does occur (and this is the second time of late), it deserves recognition and celebration. Hats off to Bibi – may he have further successes in nudging U.S. policy onto the right track.
Next on the agenda: the Middle East's central issue, namely, Iran's nuclear buildup.
Mr. Pipes is director of the Middle East Forum and Taube distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford
PRETEND PEACE
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Let's Pretend We're Making Arab-Israeli, Israel-Palestinian Peace.
by Barry Rubin
Here’s one of my favorite stories explaining how the Middle East works. It was told by Muhammad Hussanein Heikal, the famed Egyptian journalist. Like all Heikal’s stories, it may or may not be true, which is also part of the lesson being taught.
When Muammar Qadhafi first became Libya ’s dictator, Heikal was dispatched to meet and evaluate him by Egypt ’s ruler, Gamal Abdel Nasser. After returning to Cairo , Heikal was quickly ushered into the president’s office.
“Well,” said Egypt ’s president, “what do you think of Qadhafi?”
“He’s a disaster! A catastrophe!”
“Why,” asked the president, “is he against us?”
“Oh no, far worse than that,” Heikal claims to have replied. “He’s for us and he really believes all the stuff we are saying!”
The point was that the Egyptian regime took the propaganda line out of self-interest that all Arabs should be united into one state under its leadership, all the Arab monarchies overthrown, Israel wiped off the map immediately, and Western influence expelled, but it knew itself incapable of achieving these goals and to try to do so would bring disaster. Indeed, when Nasser had tried to implement part of this program in 1967, he provoked Israel into attacking and suffered his worst disaster.
Come to think of it, Arab regimes are still playing this game of systematically purveying radicalism, hatred, and unachievable goals to distract their populace, excuse their own failings, focus antagonism against foreign scapegoats and seek regional ambitions.
Western governments do this kind of thing a bit differently.
In this regard, recent statements by a number of leaders including President Barack Obama, prime ministers Gordon Brown and Benjamin Netanyahu, and others, establish an important principle:
Actually achieving Middle East peace is of no importance. The only thing that is important is saying that progress is being made and that peace will come soon.
I don’t mean that as a statement of cynicism but as an accurate analysis of what goes on in international affairs at present. What’s achieved by pretending there is progress and there will be success? Some very real and—in their way—important things:
--World leaders are saying that they are doing a great job, doing the right things, remaining active and achieving success.
--By saying peace is near, the issue is defused. Why fight if you are about to make a deal?
-- Israel (and anyone else from the region who joins in—see below) shows that it is cooperating so others should be patient and not put on pressure.
--Since the West is taking care of business, Arab states supposedly will feel comfortable working with it on other issues, like Iran for example.
I want to stress that this behavior is not as silly as it might seem. Often this is how indeed politics do work. Moreover, pretending is better than a sense of desperation which would lead to very bad mistakes being made by energetically doing stupid and dangerous things. Certainly, it inhibits strong pressure or sanctions against Israel .
The freeze on construction within settlements is a scam. If Israel gives something on this issue, the Western governments declare victory and go home, so to speak. That doesn’t mean there aren’t reasons for not doing so, but the virtually open cynicism of the U.S. and European strategy is striking.
When the U.S. president portrays the possibility of two tiny states, Oman and Qatar, letting one-man Israeli trade offices re-open as a major triumph in confidence-building , despite being his sole achievement after months of top-level diplomacy, what can one do but snicker?
Finally, since Israel-Palestinian peace is not within reach, pretending it is while knowing the truth is not such a bad alternative. It is certainly progress since the Obama administration came into office and originally pursued a policy based on the idea that it could achieve peace in a matter of months.
What is the downside here?
There are three problems. The first is if Western leaders believe their own propaganda. Because if peace is “within reach” but isn’t actually grasped, then someone must be blamed. That someone will, of course, be Israel .
Why? Because if the West blames the Palestinians, leaders presume that Arabs and Muslims will be angry and not cooperate on other matters. There could be more terrorism and fewer profitable deals and investments. They gain nothing.
But if they insist that everything is going well there is no need to blame anyone. This is the phase we are now entering.
The second problem, however, is that neither the Palestinians nor Arab regimes will join in the optimism. Their line is: The Palestinians are suffering! The situation is intolerable! Something must be done! And since we will make no concessions or compromises, the only solution is for the West to pressure Israel to give more and more while getting nothing in return.
Since this is not going to happen too much if Israel resists, they fall back on their alternative approach. Ok, so since you aren’t forcing Israel to give us what we want you have to give us other things, like money and you cannot demand we help you.
The best outcome is that certain Arab states, since they have other interests at stake, will downplay the conflict altogether and focus on more pragmatic needs. The radicals—principally Iran and Syria —will never do so, of course, and will claim that the situation shows how the West cannot be trusted and must be defeated.
What’s the third problem? That certain actions which might promote regional stability, or even Arab-Israeli peace, are not taken. These include two especially important tactics:
--More energetic efforts to overthrow the Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip. As long as Hamas is running about half the Palestinian territories and outflanking Fatah in militancy, there won’t be any peace. Keeping Hamas from taking over the West Bank , isolating it, and maintaining sanctions against it is a good policy and can preserve the status quo. It is not, however, the best policy and the pressure on Hamas could erode over time.
--More pressure on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to moderate and compromise. The PA and its positions are the main barriers to peace. As the PA possibly becomes more radical, the likelihood of violence increases. Thus, while in the short- to medium-run the “feel good” and status quo policy may work, it also has risks and limits.
Still, it is the best that can be expected at present.
Barry Rubin
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
Let's Pretend We're Making Arab-Israeli, Israel-Palestinian Peace.
by Barry Rubin
Here’s one of my favorite stories explaining how the Middle East works. It was told by Muhammad Hussanein Heikal, the famed Egyptian journalist. Like all Heikal’s stories, it may or may not be true, which is also part of the lesson being taught.
When Muammar Qadhafi first became Libya ’s dictator, Heikal was dispatched to meet and evaluate him by Egypt ’s ruler, Gamal Abdel Nasser. After returning to Cairo , Heikal was quickly ushered into the president’s office.
“Well,” said Egypt ’s president, “what do you think of Qadhafi?”
“He’s a disaster! A catastrophe!”
“Why,” asked the president, “is he against us?”
“Oh no, far worse than that,” Heikal claims to have replied. “He’s for us and he really believes all the stuff we are saying!”
The point was that the Egyptian regime took the propaganda line out of self-interest that all Arabs should be united into one state under its leadership, all the Arab monarchies overthrown, Israel wiped off the map immediately, and Western influence expelled, but it knew itself incapable of achieving these goals and to try to do so would bring disaster. Indeed, when Nasser had tried to implement part of this program in 1967, he provoked Israel into attacking and suffered his worst disaster.
Come to think of it, Arab regimes are still playing this game of systematically purveying radicalism, hatred, and unachievable goals to distract their populace, excuse their own failings, focus antagonism against foreign scapegoats and seek regional ambitions.
Western governments do this kind of thing a bit differently.
In this regard, recent statements by a number of leaders including President Barack Obama, prime ministers Gordon Brown and Benjamin Netanyahu, and others, establish an important principle:
Actually achieving Middle East peace is of no importance. The only thing that is important is saying that progress is being made and that peace will come soon.
I don’t mean that as a statement of cynicism but as an accurate analysis of what goes on in international affairs at present. What’s achieved by pretending there is progress and there will be success? Some very real and—in their way—important things:
--World leaders are saying that they are doing a great job, doing the right things, remaining active and achieving success.
--By saying peace is near, the issue is defused. Why fight if you are about to make a deal?
-- Israel (and anyone else from the region who joins in—see below) shows that it is cooperating so others should be patient and not put on pressure.
--Since the West is taking care of business, Arab states supposedly will feel comfortable working with it on other issues, like Iran for example.
I want to stress that this behavior is not as silly as it might seem. Often this is how indeed politics do work. Moreover, pretending is better than a sense of desperation which would lead to very bad mistakes being made by energetically doing stupid and dangerous things. Certainly, it inhibits strong pressure or sanctions against Israel .
The freeze on construction within settlements is a scam. If Israel gives something on this issue, the Western governments declare victory and go home, so to speak. That doesn’t mean there aren’t reasons for not doing so, but the virtually open cynicism of the U.S. and European strategy is striking.
When the U.S. president portrays the possibility of two tiny states, Oman and Qatar, letting one-man Israeli trade offices re-open as a major triumph in confidence-building , despite being his sole achievement after months of top-level diplomacy, what can one do but snicker?
Finally, since Israel-Palestinian peace is not within reach, pretending it is while knowing the truth is not such a bad alternative. It is certainly progress since the Obama administration came into office and originally pursued a policy based on the idea that it could achieve peace in a matter of months.
What is the downside here?
There are three problems. The first is if Western leaders believe their own propaganda. Because if peace is “within reach” but isn’t actually grasped, then someone must be blamed. That someone will, of course, be Israel .
Why? Because if the West blames the Palestinians, leaders presume that Arabs and Muslims will be angry and not cooperate on other matters. There could be more terrorism and fewer profitable deals and investments. They gain nothing.
But if they insist that everything is going well there is no need to blame anyone. This is the phase we are now entering.
The second problem, however, is that neither the Palestinians nor Arab regimes will join in the optimism. Their line is: The Palestinians are suffering! The situation is intolerable! Something must be done! And since we will make no concessions or compromises, the only solution is for the West to pressure Israel to give more and more while getting nothing in return.
Since this is not going to happen too much if Israel resists, they fall back on their alternative approach. Ok, so since you aren’t forcing Israel to give us what we want you have to give us other things, like money and you cannot demand we help you.
The best outcome is that certain Arab states, since they have other interests at stake, will downplay the conflict altogether and focus on more pragmatic needs. The radicals—principally Iran and Syria —will never do so, of course, and will claim that the situation shows how the West cannot be trusted and must be defeated.
What’s the third problem? That certain actions which might promote regional stability, or even Arab-Israeli peace, are not taken. These include two especially important tactics:
--More energetic efforts to overthrow the Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip. As long as Hamas is running about half the Palestinian territories and outflanking Fatah in militancy, there won’t be any peace. Keeping Hamas from taking over the West Bank , isolating it, and maintaining sanctions against it is a good policy and can preserve the status quo. It is not, however, the best policy and the pressure on Hamas could erode over time.
--More pressure on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to moderate and compromise. The PA and its positions are the main barriers to peace. As the PA possibly becomes more radical, the likelihood of violence increases. Thus, while in the short- to medium-run the “feel good” and status quo policy may work, it also has risks and limits.
Still, it is the best that can be expected at present.
Barry Rubin
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
AMERICA'S RACIST POLICY?
http://ohmyvalve.blogspot.com/
Wear It With Pride03 September 2009
The White House's Racist Israel Policy Evolves
As if Marack Pajama's racism toward the Jewish homeland wasn't enough, his administration of stupid zombie leftist idiot morons is taking the racism to the next level...paternalism. Arutz Sheva quotes a senior US official who went on record with Politico's Ben Smith saying:
"Netanyahu's at a pivotal moment. Depending on what he decides, he could wind up with a very strong relationship with President Obama and potentially become a historical figure in Israel."
In other words, if Bibi is a good little Jew boy, lets the PLO cut out the heart of the land of Israel, and withdraws to borders that Abba Eban referred to as "The Auschwitz Lines," Papa Barry will give him poisoned candy. That would certainly put Bibi in the history books; as one of the greatest betrayers of Israel and the Jewish people. I hardly think that's what he's going for, but that is how he will be recorded if he makes the deal with the devils.
What would be historic would be for Bibi to tell the White House to take their freeze and their Palestinian state and park 'em where the sun don't shine.
So, just so we're clear, Bibi is supposed to submit to the suicide of Israel so that Papa Poison will be good to him and pat him on the head before he shoves us into the line of fire of Arab rockets from all sides.
It is now coming out that Papa Lying Jew Hater not only wants Israel to cease all construction in the portions of Jerusalem that were liberated from the Jordanian army in 1967, he wants little Jew boy Bibi to stop demolitions of illegally built Arab housing, and evictions of illegal Arab residents. In the real world we call that racism. From the evidence provided from the White House, the only opinion I can render is that Marack is a Jew hating racist (not that I haven't thought that since last year as long time readers know).
Not only that, but the Jew Hating Racist White House Resident is doing absolutely nothing about Arab "incitement" against the Jewish people and Israel. The Jew Hating Racist White House Resident has given a lot of lip service on this issue, but has applied no pressure at all; unless transferring $200 million dollars into the PA's coffers is now passing as pressure. Here's a little slice of how the Arabs are responding to the Racist Jew Hater's "demands":
I have said repeatedly that if Bibi does not end this process, openly name Marack as a Jew Hating Racist, openly declare a rejection of a settlement freeze, expulsion of Jews from Yesha, and the notion of a Palestinian state west of the Jordan, then he should be removed from power.
Marker after marker passes, and still Bibi engages the White House. I don't give a crap about what Yossi Peled says he heard. I think that story was a load of crap. The Jew Hating Racist's agenda is clear, as is the will of the Israeli people. Bibi is not exercising the will of the people of Israel. He is not exercising the Likud platform, protecting the people of Israel from Iran, or from the White House's racism. If he will not enforce the will of his party, which is the will of the people, then he must go. When an Israeli Prime Minister fails to stand up against anti-Jewish racism they are declaring themselves unfit to lead the nation.
I understand the desire of Likud MKs to rally the people, and the party, to shore up Bibi's spine, to help him withstand the pressure. But in the end, this pressure is nothing more than words. The US can cut off the money. The EU can demand sanctions. None of these things have halted brutal regimes like North Korea, Iran, or pre-war Iraq. A democracy like Israel with strengthening ties with economic power houses like India has nothing to fear by doing what it has had to do since it was born: stand on her own two feet. She has done it before. She will do it again. What will make a greater difference is when Jews of America wake up, realize what time it is...time to go home.
Posted by Shtuey at Thursday, September 03, 2009
comments:
Nunly said...
I just don't see it...there's no way in hell he'll submit to Obama. Obama is not that good of a leader, heck..he's NO leader. I'm sure Bibi sees that by now. What would Bibi gain from getting in bed with an ineffective dufus who can't even keep his own Democratic party from destroying themselves?
I have the feeling the White House is doing nothing but blowing smoke, you can't believe anything you hear coming from them. It's propaganda on steroids over there.
Hang tough, kiddo.
September 3, 2009 9:53 PM
Shtuey said...
Actually, it's starting to look like that's exactly what is going to happen. There are headlines now that a partial agreement has been reached. It could be a rumor, but as my next post will point out, Likud MKs are taking it seriously and are preparing to rally.
If the freeze happens, bulldozers will be next. In the end I have faith in the words of the Naviim, but going this way will mean a lot more blood will be shed before the land is redeemed. I think the only hope now is that Likud can elect a new party leader like Moshe Feiglin or Moshe Yaalon, who will not sacrifice Yesha and give it over to the Arabs so they can kill us from our highlands.
September 3, 2009 10:00 PM
Shtuey said...
BTW Nunly, I know your blog has been back in service. I'm sorry I haven't gotten over there yet. I will soon.
September 3, 2009 10:01 PM
Anonymous said...
Great Article. I must say that my biggest let-down since moving to Israel has been Bibi. There was a time when I was fooled by his speeches--he is truly a good speaker and can raise the flag with his talks on the history of the Jews. But, sadly it is just talk. He needs to be replaced with someone who can stand up for Israel, not sell it down the river.
September 5, 2009 1:52 PM
01 September 2009
From Bibi's Mouth to Yossi's Ears
Yossi Peled, at a gathering of Likud Party activists in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, said that he heard Netanyahu say that there was no agreement on settlements:
"I heard the prime minister say with my own ears that he has no intention of freezing construction in the settlements or in Jerusalem. He said there is no agreement to freeze construction in the settlements. I am telling you this first-hand."
This was confirmed by officials close to Netanyahu.
Now, it's great to hear this from Yossi Peled. But we haven't heard it from Bibi, the only mouth that really matters.
Is it possible that this is true, that this is Bibi's stance? Of course it could be true. But this is politics in Israel. It is also just as possible that Bibi told Peled to address his antsy Likud activists, that he knows are lining up, and preparing to take him on and take him down if he agrees to the freeze, or giving up Yehuda and Shomron and any part of Jerusalem, in order to placate them while he caves behind closed doors and see who will stand by him and who will not.
It is also possible that he did in fact say it, meant it, and had Peled say it in order to assess just how strongly his MKs would support him, while sending a message to Washington, Europe, and the rest of the world. Bibi got to say it, without actually having to say it.
Tzipi Hotovely rocked the boards as usual:
"The Likud campaign promised no more withdrawals. Don't delude yourself into thinking the world is talking to us about outposts. It is talking about our core, about Jerusalem. We need to maintain our platform and not allow the Likud to become a second Kadima."
Hotovely has been outspoken in her support of Yesha, and maintaining the Likud's integrity and dedication to the platform they ran on. It is well known that she and a handful of other Likud MKs hold the keys to Bibi's staying in power. It all rests on how he handles Yesha and Jerusalem. Though she is only in the Knesset for six months, she has shown that she is tough, smart, shrewd, and that she knows how the game is played. An observant Jew with all this, and an unwavering dedication to Israeli sovereignty in Eretz Yisrael? Is it any wonder why I think she's the bee's knees?
She knows the best course for Israel, and Likud, is to stand on their principles; the principles that put them in office:
"I'm sure the prime minister is a partner to our path. We will do everything possible to preserve the Likud's ideology. We will tell the prime minister, 'We stand behind you in the face of international pressure and will help you tell the world that we won't surrender.'"
Likud MK Yariv Levin a said:
"We won't let what happened in the past happen again," Levin said. "We got the mandate. The Likud must reign."
Knesset speaker Reuvin Rivlin, in comments apparently directed at Marack Pajama, said:
"No one can prevent the people of Israel from exercising their sovereignty in the land of Israel. Next year in an undivided Jerusalem."
Considering all that is riding on this, Bibi had best not even attempt pulling a Sharon on Yesha. Manhigut Yehudit is waiting in the wings should Bibi crack. After the failure of "land for peace," in the wake of the betrayal and destruction of Gush Katif, the refugees of which are still without homes, there is no way Israel, a country where Marack has a lower approval rating than Nancy Pelosi has in America, is going to accept a settlement freeze and evacuation of Yesha in the name of giving up the land of Eretz Yisrael to a bunch of blood thirsty, Jew hating maniacs like the PLO and Hamas.
I pray this is for real, and not some b.s. diversionary game. And I wonder what Danny Danon thinks of all this? I hope Hotovely and the other nationalist Likudniks are able to strengthen Bibi's spine. With a hostile dingdong douche like Marack in the Oval Office this is not the time for party games and no confidence votes.
The message to the world must be clear and unwavering. The Arabs had their chance for peace. Sixty-one years they had. No more negotiating with these genocidal PLO idiots. They showed their face in Beit Lechem. The peace process sham is over.
There's already a Palestinian state. It's called Jordan. Let the PLO go to war with the Hashemites for it. It couldn't happen to bigger bunch of scumbags.
Posted by Shtuey at Tuesday, September 01, 2009
2 comments:
Mary Ellen said...
It's impossible to make peace with terrorists and that's exactly what the PLO are. I always shake my head when I hear our government trying to negotiate with those clowns, you can't negotiate with terrorists. If Mexicans or Canadians were coming over our border with bombs strapped to themselves as they blow up innocent people on buses or in restaurants, we would not try to "negotiate" peace with them. We'd bomb the living crap out of them. No?
September 2, 2009 1:05 PM
SwanSpirit said...
from BIBIS LIPS to EVERYONE EARS !!!!!!
September 2, 2009 9:53 PM
1 August 2009
We Don't Need No Education
Looks like Gideon Saar's plan for remodeling the Israeli education curriculum has really got the Arabs in a snit. Saturday night and Sunday I blogged on how Hamas didn't want the Holocaust being taught in their schools, and how Arabs in Israel don't want Jewish tradition and culture taught in school. Now it looks like Arabs in Israel are getting bent out of shape at the thought of the "Nakba" (the Catastrophe), the phrase Arabs use to refer to Israel declaring her independence, being dropped from their curriculum.
From JPost:
"In the past five months since its formation, the government, along with the Education Ministry, has announced a number of dangerous decisions," the head of the Follow-up Committee on Arab Education in Israel said at a press conference. "Such as a prohibition to commemorate the Nakba of the Arab people in schools, the changing of road signs, forcing the singing of the 'Tikva' national anthem at schools and setting the promotion of military service or national service as a criterion for rewarding schools and staff."
"We reject these decisions outright," Atef Moaddi said. "And we stress that if an attempt is made to carry them out in Arab schools - the response will be refusal and civil disobedience."
Committee members vowed to continue to fight "for the rights of half a million Arab students to an education that respects their national and cultural uniqueness." They promised to continue to commemorate "central historical events such as Nakba Day, the Kafr Kassem massacre, Land Day and the October 2000 events."
So, the Arabs of Israel, who have the highest degree of civil rights and political freedom of any Arab population in the Middle East (name an Arab country where anyone has the freedom to protest proposed changes in the schools) consider it their right and heritage to refer to the country that provides them with all these benefits as a catastrophe. It's such a tragedy to you? Here's an idea: GET OUT.
Seriously, leave.
If you have a problem with equitable distribution of resources, funding, municipal services, etc, by all means, petition the government, protest, make your concerns heard. But if you are going to expect the government of the Jewish homeland to fund the education of its Arab population with anti-Israeli propaganda you are...what's the word...STUPID. So please, if the existence of Israel is such a catastrophe, get out so the government can stop wasting its money on teaching your kids to hate Jews and Israel.
But take heart; the stupidity of the Arab expectation that this practice should continue is equally matched by the stupidity of Israeli leftists who spend money to promote the belief that the existence of their country is a catastrophe.
See? There is common ground. Let's negotiate!
Posted by Shtuey at Monday, August 31, 2009
0 comments:
30 August 2009
Hamas Just Says No To The Holocaust
Hamas is mad at the UN. Incredible isn't it? But what else would you expect from the genocide loving, bestial slave masters of Azza when rumors are flying that UNRWA, supplier of textbooks to Hamas run schools laden with Jew hate, was going to supply textbooks to 13 year olds containing a chapter on the Holocaust?
The reviews are in. The terrorists aren't happy:
"We refuse to let our children study a lie invented by the Zionists."
"Regardless of the controversy, we oppose forcing the issue of the so-called Holocaust onto the syllabus, because it aims to reinforce acceptance of the occupation of Palestinian land."
[The Holocaust is] "a lie invented by the Zionists."
So like H(A)FUC that doesn't want Israeli schools teaching Jewish history and culture, Hamas doesn't want Arab kids in Azza learning about the Holocaust.
I have a great idea! Let's give Hamas a their own state so they can live side by side with Israel in peace and harmony. Then the magic pixies will come out and sprinkle faery dust and it will be sunshine lollipops and rainbows for everyone!
I bet it'll be just like this...
Whoops! Wrong video. I meant like this...
and this...Clearly the problem is not a lack of Holocaust studies in Hamas UNRWA schools. What these kids really need is a choreographer.
So really I can understand why Hamas doesn't want the Holocaust being taught in the classroom, when their intention is to carry it out themselves. I guess they'd rather teach Holocaust studies with a "hands-on" approach.
So, ya think Ban Ki Moon is getting the picture yet?
Nah, me neither.
Posted by Shtuey at Sunday, August 30, 2009
comments:
Mary Ellen said...
Oh geez, Shtuey---those videos made me cry...those children being taught about killing and hate. And that last video, the only thing that came to my mind was Obama wanting to protect those animals,even though they preach about hatred towards Americans. How can our government be so blind?
And then there is this....
"Regardless of the controversy, we oppose forcing the issue of the so-called Holocaust onto the syllabus, because it aims to reinforce acceptance of the occupation of Palestinian land."
"So-called"?????? Hate blinds and destroys the soul of those who harbor it. I'm so sorry, Shtuey, that you have to write about this stuff...but who else will put out the truth?
Thank you so much for this blog.
August 31, 2009 6:06 PM
Shtuey said...
This is why it is ludicrous to talk peace with these people. Israel requires a leadership that is not afraid to use its military, not to weaken Hamas, but to destroy it. The same is true of Fatah, the PFLP, etc. There will never be peace without victory.
Israel, contrary to popular belief, has never won a war against the Arabs. It beats them nearly to submission and then accepts a ceasefire.
Against an intractable, genocidal enemy, victory is the only way to secure peace. We've tried everything else.
Denying the Holocaust serves two purposes. They believe, just like jackass Obama, that Israel's existence is due to the Holocaust. If they remove the Holocaust from the scenario, in their idiot minds there is no reason for Israel to have come into being in the first place. The other reason to deny it is this allows them to deny our suffering as a means of further dehumanizing us. If we are the victims of the greatest single act of genocide in history then it means we suffer, and that we are not the unthinking, unfeeling, inhuman blood drinking dogs they portray us as.
In the wake of Education Minister Gideon Saar's announcement that, starting in 2010, grades 5-9 will have classes on "Jewish Tradition and Culture" ), Arab Israeli lobbyists are raising objections. This course of study is one that has been a long time coming. After all, Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people. But apparently there are some Arabs in Israel who don't think this is such a good idea.
Shocking, I know.
The High (Arab) Follow-Up Committee is threatening to strike if Zionism is to be taught in Arab schools. Committee members have declared that Arab parents will not send their children to school. The study of Zionist leaders is one of the proposed topics to be covered under this new curriculum.
Apparently HFUC (people really should look at the names of their groups before bloggers like me start calling them HFUC) has forgotten that they live in the Jewish homeland. It has been for more than 3000 years. UN Resolution 181 defines it as a Jewish state. The League of Nations recognized that all the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean is the Jewish homeland, a notion endorsed at the time by the House of Saud.
So while HFUC was okay with Israeli schools teaching about the so-called "naqba," the "tragedy" of the revival of Israel, teaching about leaders of the movement that helped make that revival possible just ain't kosher. Ironically, Arabs enjoy a higher degree of civil liberties, and political freedom in the "naqba" than any Arab run country. What a tragedy.
But what really has me puzzled is what makes the Arabs of HFUC higher than other Arabs. Is it genetics? Stilts? Platform shoes? Lifts?
Maybe they are standing on boxes in a trench.
Posted by Shtuey at Sunday, August 30, 2009
Nazi Fetishist Suspended by HRW
September 15, 2009
• Visit HonestReporting's Website
• Submit examples of media bias
• Encourage your friends to join HonestReporting
Make A Difference!
Your generous, tax-deductible donations keep us going – and the media on its toes!
Last week we reported on the outing of Human Rights Watch's Marc Garlasco as a collector of Nazi memorabilia. To recall, Garlasco has appeared regularly in the media, touted as a military "expert". Garlasco played a prominent role in promoting the 2006 Gaza Beach Libel, which wrongly blamed Israel for a "massacre" of Palestinians. (See HonestReporting's interactive Big Lies presentation for more on this story.)
Initially, HRW used every means available to defend Garlasco, including, as revealed by Harry's Place blog, resorting to creating a fake "activist" with a Middle Eastern sounding name to post comments defending Garlasco on various blog sites.
Mark Gardner of the CST blog addresses HRW's response, which involved attacking Jewish and pro-Israel organizations rather than the very legitimate concerns arising from Garlasco's collecting of Nazi memorabilia.
Garlasco himself wrote a piece for The Huffington Post defending his bizarre "hobby". Even associates of HRW, however, such as Helena Cobban, who sits on HRW's Middle East advisory board have been suitably disturbed.
HRW has finally succumbed to pressure by suspending Garlasco (pictured here wearing a Nazi-themed sweatshirt) with pay "pending an investigation," according to HRW's associate director Caroll Bogert. "We have questions about whether we have learned everything we need to know," she said.
The New York Times, however, adds its own bias in its report:
The suspension comes at a time of heightened tension between, on one side, the new Israeli government and its allies on the right, and the other side, human rights organizations that have been critical of Israel. In recent months, the government has pledged an aggressive approach toward the groups to discredit what they argue is bias and error.
As in the case of the Gaza Beach libel, many of HRW's reports that Garlasco wrote or contributed to have been found to be academically unsound and methodologically faulty, as documented by NGO Monitor. Concern over this issue should not be dependent on one's political views. Yet the New York Times continues to muddy the waters with the implication that genuine concerns over Garlasco's professionalism as well as his extra-cirricular activities are driven solely by a right-wing agenda.
The NY Times continues by interviewing not those organizations that have expressed these concerns but a left-wing academic who states:
he did not believe that Mr. Garlasco's interest in memorabilia could support allegations of "premeditated bias." He said, however, that Human Rights Watch's credibility might have been wounded because Mr. Garlasco's hobby "has armed the right-wing fanatics" who "work day and night to demonize any individual or organization that raises questions about the military practices of Israel when they end up even with unintended civilian casualties."
The NY Times is a prime example of a media outlet that has supported and followed HRW's lead without question. Could this attempt to smear those organizations that have questioned HRW and Garlasco be the NY Times's way of deflecting the real question for the newspaper - its reliance and support for potentially discredited anti-Israel sources?
Write to the NY Times and express your concerns - letters@nytimes.com
BREAKING NEWS: GOLDSTONE REPORT RELEASED - MORE POLITICIZATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Human Rights Watch and Marc Garlasco demonstrate the dangers of treating such organizations and figures as infallible or beyond reproach. Such is the case with the United Nations, particularly the politicized and institutionally anti-Israel Human Rights Council.
The lengthy report of the Goldstone Mission set up by the UNHRC, puporting to examine allegations of human rights violations during the Gaza conflict, has just been released at a hastily convened press conference in New York and accuses Israel of committing "war crimes."
An initial reaction to the report has been released by Israel's Foreign Ministry:
The unbalanced nature of the resolution establishing the Mission was the reason that so many States on the Council, including all member states of the European Union, Switzerland, Canada, Korea and Japan, did not support it, and why many distinguished individuals, including former High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, refused invitations to head the Mission.
Notwithstanding its reservations, Israel will read the Report carefully - as it does with all reports prepared by international and national organizations. Israel is committed to acting fully in accordance with international law and to examining any allegations of wrongdoing by its own forces. To date, the IDF has opened investigations into over 100 allegations regarding the conduct of its forces during the Gaza Operation. While most of these investigations were closed because the allegations were found baseless, 23 criminal investigations were opened and are still pending.
HonestReporting will be releasing responses to the Goldstone Report within the next 24 hours. Stay tuned and be prepared to react to what will undoubtedly be a major story in your media.
NEW YORK TIMES: ONLY JEWS INVOLVED IN "TERROR"
The New York Times, along with many other media outlets, has consistently refused to call Palestinian terror by its name, preferring terms such as "militants" or similarly weak terminology.
In a feature article on Israeli settlers, the NY Times does use the word "terror":
Jewish terror is not new. A religious student assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, and a settler, Baruch Goldstein, killed 29 Muslims at prayer in Hebron in 1994.
Thankfully, the examples cited above were acts of violence that stand out precisely due to the unususal scenario of Jews initiating such acts. But while the NY Times refers to "Jewish terror", the thousands of acts of violence carried out by Palestinians against Israeli civilians are carried out by "militants," "fighters" or "gunmen" according to the newspaper.
Where is the consistency?
In addition, the article itself discusses the potential for violent resistance should settlers be evacuated by Israeli security forces (concluding that this would be unlikely). So, while Palestinian acts of violence against Israeli civilians are not "terror" according to the NY Times, this term is abused to describe a scenario where it loses its real meaning.
Ask the New York Times whether or not its reporters have checked the definition of the word "terror" in their dictionaries - letters@nytimes.com - and read our most recent Long Term Analysis of the New York Times's Mideast coverage.
SYRIANS RILED BY HR FACEBOOK SUCCESS
HR's successful campaign to allow residents of the Golan wishing to write "Israel" in the Hometown section of their profiles was covered by The Jerusalem Post, Ha'aretz and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Not everyone was pleased however.
Syria will launch a campaign demanding a boycott of Facebook according to a report in Arab language newspaper Al Quds al Arabi. Damascus will also deny its citizens access to Facebook as part of the protest, the newspaper reported.
While HR and other organizations prefer to campaign through debate and engagement, we were struck by the Syrian reaction that mirrors that of so many of Israel's enemies - a boycott and an assault on freedom of expression. Do some so called "human rights" activists who call for boycotts, divestments and sanctions on Israel have more in common with the anti-democratic and authoritarian Syrians than they would care to admit?
URL: http://www.honestreporting.com/articles/45884734/critiques/new/Nazi_Fetishist_Suspended_by_HRW.asp
To subscribe to HonestReporting, enter your email at the top of our homepage.
• Visit HonestReporting's Website
• Submit examples of media bias
• Encourage your friends to join HonestReporting
Make A Difference!
Your generous, tax-deductible donations keep us going – and the media on its toes!
Last week we reported on the outing of Human Rights Watch's Marc Garlasco as a collector of Nazi memorabilia. To recall, Garlasco has appeared regularly in the media, touted as a military "expert". Garlasco played a prominent role in promoting the 2006 Gaza Beach Libel, which wrongly blamed Israel for a "massacre" of Palestinians. (See HonestReporting's interactive Big Lies presentation for more on this story.)
Initially, HRW used every means available to defend Garlasco, including, as revealed by Harry's Place blog, resorting to creating a fake "activist" with a Middle Eastern sounding name to post comments defending Garlasco on various blog sites.
Mark Gardner of the CST blog addresses HRW's response, which involved attacking Jewish and pro-Israel organizations rather than the very legitimate concerns arising from Garlasco's collecting of Nazi memorabilia.
Garlasco himself wrote a piece for The Huffington Post defending his bizarre "hobby". Even associates of HRW, however, such as Helena Cobban, who sits on HRW's Middle East advisory board have been suitably disturbed.
HRW has finally succumbed to pressure by suspending Garlasco (pictured here wearing a Nazi-themed sweatshirt) with pay "pending an investigation," according to HRW's associate director Caroll Bogert. "We have questions about whether we have learned everything we need to know," she said.
The New York Times, however, adds its own bias in its report:
The suspension comes at a time of heightened tension between, on one side, the new Israeli government and its allies on the right, and the other side, human rights organizations that have been critical of Israel. In recent months, the government has pledged an aggressive approach toward the groups to discredit what they argue is bias and error.
As in the case of the Gaza Beach libel, many of HRW's reports that Garlasco wrote or contributed to have been found to be academically unsound and methodologically faulty, as documented by NGO Monitor. Concern over this issue should not be dependent on one's political views. Yet the New York Times continues to muddy the waters with the implication that genuine concerns over Garlasco's professionalism as well as his extra-cirricular activities are driven solely by a right-wing agenda.
The NY Times continues by interviewing not those organizations that have expressed these concerns but a left-wing academic who states:
he did not believe that Mr. Garlasco's interest in memorabilia could support allegations of "premeditated bias." He said, however, that Human Rights Watch's credibility might have been wounded because Mr. Garlasco's hobby "has armed the right-wing fanatics" who "work day and night to demonize any individual or organization that raises questions about the military practices of Israel when they end up even with unintended civilian casualties."
The NY Times is a prime example of a media outlet that has supported and followed HRW's lead without question. Could this attempt to smear those organizations that have questioned HRW and Garlasco be the NY Times's way of deflecting the real question for the newspaper - its reliance and support for potentially discredited anti-Israel sources?
Write to the NY Times and express your concerns - letters@nytimes.com
BREAKING NEWS: GOLDSTONE REPORT RELEASED - MORE POLITICIZATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Human Rights Watch and Marc Garlasco demonstrate the dangers of treating such organizations and figures as infallible or beyond reproach. Such is the case with the United Nations, particularly the politicized and institutionally anti-Israel Human Rights Council.
The lengthy report of the Goldstone Mission set up by the UNHRC, puporting to examine allegations of human rights violations during the Gaza conflict, has just been released at a hastily convened press conference in New York and accuses Israel of committing "war crimes."
An initial reaction to the report has been released by Israel's Foreign Ministry:
The unbalanced nature of the resolution establishing the Mission was the reason that so many States on the Council, including all member states of the European Union, Switzerland, Canada, Korea and Japan, did not support it, and why many distinguished individuals, including former High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, refused invitations to head the Mission.
Notwithstanding its reservations, Israel will read the Report carefully - as it does with all reports prepared by international and national organizations. Israel is committed to acting fully in accordance with international law and to examining any allegations of wrongdoing by its own forces. To date, the IDF has opened investigations into over 100 allegations regarding the conduct of its forces during the Gaza Operation. While most of these investigations were closed because the allegations were found baseless, 23 criminal investigations were opened and are still pending.
HonestReporting will be releasing responses to the Goldstone Report within the next 24 hours. Stay tuned and be prepared to react to what will undoubtedly be a major story in your media.
NEW YORK TIMES: ONLY JEWS INVOLVED IN "TERROR"
The New York Times, along with many other media outlets, has consistently refused to call Palestinian terror by its name, preferring terms such as "militants" or similarly weak terminology.
In a feature article on Israeli settlers, the NY Times does use the word "terror":
Jewish terror is not new. A religious student assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, and a settler, Baruch Goldstein, killed 29 Muslims at prayer in Hebron in 1994.
Thankfully, the examples cited above were acts of violence that stand out precisely due to the unususal scenario of Jews initiating such acts. But while the NY Times refers to "Jewish terror", the thousands of acts of violence carried out by Palestinians against Israeli civilians are carried out by "militants," "fighters" or "gunmen" according to the newspaper.
Where is the consistency?
In addition, the article itself discusses the potential for violent resistance should settlers be evacuated by Israeli security forces (concluding that this would be unlikely). So, while Palestinian acts of violence against Israeli civilians are not "terror" according to the NY Times, this term is abused to describe a scenario where it loses its real meaning.
Ask the New York Times whether or not its reporters have checked the definition of the word "terror" in their dictionaries - letters@nytimes.com - and read our most recent Long Term Analysis of the New York Times's Mideast coverage.
SYRIANS RILED BY HR FACEBOOK SUCCESS
HR's successful campaign to allow residents of the Golan wishing to write "Israel" in the Hometown section of their profiles was covered by The Jerusalem Post, Ha'aretz and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Not everyone was pleased however.
Syria will launch a campaign demanding a boycott of Facebook according to a report in Arab language newspaper Al Quds al Arabi. Damascus will also deny its citizens access to Facebook as part of the protest, the newspaper reported.
While HR and other organizations prefer to campaign through debate and engagement, we were struck by the Syrian reaction that mirrors that of so many of Israel's enemies - a boycott and an assault on freedom of expression. Do some so called "human rights" activists who call for boycotts, divestments and sanctions on Israel have more in common with the anti-democratic and authoritarian Syrians than they would care to admit?
URL: http://www.honestreporting.com/articles/45884734/critiques/new/Nazi_Fetishist_Suspended_by_HRW.asp
To subscribe to HonestReporting, enter your email at the top of our homepage.
Daddy's Poem.....
Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.
But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.
But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to school
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees a dad
who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in
back, for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats
One by one the teacher called
a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
a man who wasn't there.
"Where's her daddy at?"
She heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"
another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day."
The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,
who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.
"My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me stories
he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.
"Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart."
With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere there in the crowd
of dads, her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was a right.
And when she dropped her hand back
down, staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.
"I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.
You see he is an American Soldier
and died just this past year.
When a roadside bomb
hit his convoy and taught
Americans to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.
And to her mother's amazement,
she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me Daddy,"
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for
a moment, by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person,
an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them,
but to them an entire life to forget them.
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.
But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.
But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to school
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees a dad
who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in
back, for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats
One by one the teacher called
a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
a man who wasn't there.
"Where's her daddy at?"
She heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"
another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day."
The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,
who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.
"My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me stories
he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.
"Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart."
With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere there in the crowd
of dads, her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was a right.
And when she dropped her hand back
down, staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.
"I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.
You see he is an American Soldier
and died just this past year.
When a roadside bomb
hit his convoy and taught
Americans to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.
And to her mother's amazement,
she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me Daddy,"
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for
a moment, by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person,
an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them,
but to them an entire life to forget them.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
HURRAH FOR NETANYAHU. HURRAH FOR ISRAEL.
\http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1253820677120&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
HEAR IT ALL AT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44HkjBDQz_k
General Praise for Netanyahu`s Historic UN Speech
Hillel Fendel - Sep 25, 2009
Arutz-7
(IsraelNN.com) Rare wall-to-wall praise was heard in Israel and abroad for Netanyahu’s historic speech in the UN on Thursday - though Hamas didn`t like it.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who was present in the hall, was restrained in his praise: “It was a very persuasive speech, the hall was filled, there was great interest, and he did it well.” Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who was also there, was more effusive: “The prime minister’s speech was a speech that will be imprinted in the world’s consciousness. He knows how to do it. The photograph of him with the plans for Auschwitz will be carved into international memory.”
President Shimon Peres and many government ministers called Netanyahu immediately afterwards to warmly congratulate him, and it took him some 40 minutes to exit the building because of all the well-wishers. He even received an embrace from a long-time guard at the UN who said he remembered Netanyahu from his days as Israel’s Ambassador from over 20 years ago.
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Michael Oren, called the speech, “Successful and even historic.” Oren told Army Radio that the speech received across-the-board support in the UN, adding, “In general this was a good week for Israeli diplomacy. Netanyahu had a very full and successful week – a historic week in terms of American-Israeli relations.”
Netanyahu was applauded twice during his speech: When he said that though the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish People, and despite the historic links between them, Israel is willing to allow a demilitarized PA state to be formed there; and when he concluded with quotes from Churchill and the Prophets.
Some criticism was leveled, both in Israel and in New York, at the fact that Netanyahu saw fit to go to such lengths to rebut Iranian President Ahmadinajad and prove the veracity of the Holocaust. On the other end of the spectrum, a Hamas spokesman lambasted Netanyahu`s "crooked logic" and said he was merely trying to recruit the UN in his "Zionist-terrorist agenda."
The Palestinian Authority delegate walked out of the hall when Netanyahu spoke about Gaza, the thousands of rockets fired by Hamas, and Israel’s restrained response.
Netanyahu: We Have to Know if We Should Take Risks
Netanyahu blasted the international community for encouraging Israel to leave Gaza, and then condemning Israel in the Goldstone Report when it responded to the rocket attacks that resulted: “This biased and unjust report is a clear-cut test for all governments. Will you stand with Israel or will you stand with the terrorists? We must know the answer to that question now, and not later. Because if Israel is again asked to take more risks for peace, we must know today that you will stand with us tomorrow. Only if we have the confidence that we can defend ourselves can we take further risks for peace.”
The Mattot Arim grassroots organization did not like that implication: “A thousand risks have already been taken, a thousand Israelis have already lost their lives, and the Netanyahu government must not repeat this pointless approach.
Please share this letter from Brigitte Gabriel
Remembering a Fallen Soldier…
Remembering What We Are Up Against
and Why We Must – and Will – Prevail
by Brigitte Gabriel
Dear Batya,
I don’t believe I’ve ever written a letter quite like this to you before. Indeed, it is difficult to write this without tears welling up in my eyes.
It started as a rainy Friday morning in late August. I was flying from my presentation in Springfield, Missouri, to my next destination connecting through Atlanta. Little did I know that what I was about to experience that day was going to shake me to the depth of my soul, inflame my passion for our country (I didn't think it was possible to be more passionate) and remind me why ACT! for America is so important to our security and the future of America.
I looked out my window at gloomy Atlanta as the plane took off, closed my eyes and pictured home and my loving family meeting me at the airport with open arms, smiles and kisses, waiting to whisk me off to Outback Steak House for dinner as planned.
It was a quiet, uneventful flight. No beverage service. No announcements from the captain — until we landed at our final destination:
"Welcome to "......." . Ladies and Gentleman we have a special request to ask of you. We are carrying on this plane today a fallen soldier brought home from Afghanistan. His body is accompanied by Sgt. "......". Please kindly allow Sgt. "...." to deplane first so he can do his job in escorting the body below. We will leave the seat belt sign on until the body has been taken off the plane. Then when the seat belt sign is turned off, you can deplane."
The plane continued slowly down the runway as the captain’s shocking announcement reverberated among the passengers. As we taxied closer to our gate, tears began to flow as we saw a police car, a military hearse, and a team of Marines standing in formation waiting to carry the body.
And the saddest scene of all — his family, wife and children, all lined up against the wall waiting for him.
Burning tears were flowing down my face as my heart sank into utter pain and agony at such a sight. We always hear about this on the news and feel sad but to experience it in person is completely different.
We pulled up to our gate and Sgt. "...." stood up in all his gloriously decorated uniform, opened up the overhead compartment carrying a folded American flag and a back pack, and started walking out of the plane amid the clapping and tears of all of us on board.
No one in the plane even touched their cell phone. People were transfixed, staring out the window, sharing our respect and sorrow. At that moment we were not Democrats, Republicans or Independents. We were Americans soberly watching one of our own come home in a coffin draped with an American flag.
As they removed the body from the plane, two men holding his wife started walking towards the plane as the wife covered her face and began sobbing. She was followed by her children. The Marines walked in formation and carried his body to the hearse.
We started getting out of our seats and deplaning without a word from anyone except the sounds of crying coming from different people looking out the window as they walked out of the plane.
As I entered the airport, people were standing in lines and rows facing the window watching all this.
Some men were saluting the body. We all stood next to each other, honoring this soldier until his body was finally in the hearse and he was driven off the tarmac.
It was the most sobering, heartbreaking, and patriotic scene. As I cried for the following few hours sitting with my family at home eating Chinese take-out for dinner (I just wasn’t up to going out for dinner), I was reminded of why we need to continually remind Americans that we are at war.
Our men and women are fighting and dying overseas to protect America from an enemy who is not only fighting us across the globe but also advancing here at home.
Just because we have not been successfully attacked at home doesn't mean our enemy has forgotten about us. Their tactics have become more sophisticated. They not only wish to attack us militarily, they are moving at full speed in the advance of their cultural Jihad invading America.
Islamic foot-washing basins in airports; Shariah finance being introduced by American banks; college campuses designating Islamic prayer rooms for Muslims only; Islamic compounds practicing Shariah law springing up across America; public schools using our tax dollars to indoctrinate American students into Islam; demands by Muslim parents that their children be provided private prayer rooms in their public schools; Muslim workers demanding special workplace accommodations no other religious person would ask for; and the list goes on.
As history demonstrates, only organized resistance will stop this. Unopposed by organized resistance, the advance of cultural Jihad in Europe has proceeded to the point that many think a full-blown “Eurabia” is inevitable and irreversible.
And even if we win the war against Islamic terrorism, but lose the struggle against cultural Jihad here at home, we may protect our safety but lose our liberties and our way of life. I just don’t believe this young man who fell on the field of battle would consider that a victory.
“Freedom” is not just freedom from the physical harm our Islamist enemies want to inflict on us. It is freedom from the tyranny and oppression of shariah Islamic law and the supremacist political ideology our enemies are determined to impose upon us.
So, just as that soldier was on the front lines of this war overseas, we are on the “front lines” here at home. That soldier was part of the “organized resistance” in Afghanistan. We are part of the “organized resistance” here in America.
We cannot afford to fail in our military missions overseas. Failure would embolden and empower Islamists throughout the world.
We also cannot afford to fail here at home.
This is why I appeal to you to take heart and help me continue building ACT! for America. We are the only nationwide organized resistance to this threat. As I said, we are the front lines here at home.
Our families, our communities and our nation are depending on us, even though many do not yet realize it.
For instance, two years ago ACT helped pass the bill in Congress that protects every citizen from lawsuits when they report suspicious activity in public places.
How many Americans know this happened? Very few. Yet they are now protected from lawsuits, which means America is safer as a result.
I know there are other issues right now, such as health care and the economy, that are dominating the attention of the American people. And I understand why that is.
But for those of us, you and me, who grasp the seriousness of the threat of radical Islam, we must continue to do everything we can to make sure that the reason 9/11 occurred is not forgotten. That the reason we are fighting in Afghanistan is not forgotten.
We must continue to push forward, to inform, organize, and ring the alarm bells, even when it feels like a lot of people aren’t paying attention right now or don’t seem to “get it.”
Because there are many good Americans out there ready to respond to our message, if we can only get it to them.
Because we are the modern “Paul Revere's,” the messengers who are warning America even when a lot of America is preoccupied with other matters. It is estimated that over 2/3 of the colonists either were loyal to Britain or were indifferent to the political struggles the colonies were experiencing in 1776.
Yet, through the leadership and sacrifice of the remaining colonists, independence was declared and Britain was defeated.
How I wish I could be standing in your presence this very moment, to grasp your hands, look into your eyes, and say “be encouraged!”
We will win this struggle against radical Islam. It won’t be tomorrow, or next year, but we will, in time, prevail — so long as good, patriotic Americans like you do not lose hope and keep taking action.
We are winning victories, and we will continue to win more – and bigger – victories, so long as good, patriotic Americans like you do not lose hope and keep taking action.
Let’s remember how far we have come together. In less than two years we have built the largest grassroots organization in America dedicated to combating the threat of radical Islam, with 62,000 members and 315 local chapters.
Be encouraged!
I want to close with this. Last week, when Guy Rodgers and I were at the EMP conference in Niagara, NY, the president of a national security organization sat down with us and thanked us profusely for what ACT! for America is doing and has already accomplished.
I wish you could have seen his face and heard his words. This is a man who has served at high levels of government and been around Washington politics for decades.
His message to us – and ultimately to you – was that ACT! for America is KEY to all our efforts to defeat radical Islam. He has watched us grow, witnessed our activism, and rejoiced for our victories.
So I’ll say it again. Be encouraged!
Always devoted,
Brigitte Gabriel
www.aipac.org
www.standwithus.com
www.thankisraelisoldiers.com
www.pro-israel.org
www.adl.org/
www.science.co.il
www.milwaukeejewish.org
www.israelsoldiers.org
www.ujc.org
www.americancongressfortruth.org
www.terrorismawareness.org
Courage is a special kind of knowledge: the knowledge of how to fear what ought to be feared and how not to fear what ought not to be feared.
David Ben-Gurion
WHY THE CHARADE IN WASHINGTON D.C.?
How to perpetuate the conflict in one easy move
Evelyn Gordon - Sep 17, 2009
The Jerusalem Post
As of this writing, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is still refusing to meet Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. And given recent media reports about the Obama administration`s planned peace initiative, one can understand why: If they are true, he has no reason to bother negotiating with Netanyahu. All he has to do is sit and wait, and in two years, the international community will give him everything he wants on a silver platter.
The plan in question was first broached publicly by the European Union`s foreign policy czar, Javier Solana, at a speech in London in July. The international community should set a deadline for negotiations, Solana said, and if no agreement is reached by this deadline, the world should immediately recognize a Palestinian state, admit it to the UN and announce its own solution to all outstanding issues (borders, refugees, Jerusalem, security arrangements), along with a binding timetable for implementation.
Washington never publicly endorsed this idea. But this week, it was reported that Solana floated his trial balloon with backing from "the highest levels of the US administration," and that the US indeed plans to adopt it - with some twists that make it even worse.
Specifically, Washington will announce a two-year deadline for talks that will focus mainly on borders. If no agreement is reached by then, the US and EU - and presumably the rest of the world, too - will recognize a Palestinian state with borders "based on" the June 4, 1967 lines.
IN OTHER words, Abbas will receive international recognition of the borders he has consistently demanded, the 1967 lines - and by implication, also east Jerusalem, which was not Israeli pre-1967. The announcement will say the parties "may" alter the border via territorial exchanges, but that is up to them: The world will not insist.
And in exchange, he will have to concede absolutely nothing - not the settlement blocs, not Jewish neighborhoods of east Jerusalem, not the Western Wall, not security arrangements, not the "right of return," not recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. Some of these will be awarded him outright; others, like the refugees and recognition, will be left to future negotiations. But he would obviously have no incentive to compromise in these future negotiations, since the only thing Israel has to trade is land, and the international community will already have awarded him every inch of that.
In contrast, even an EU diktat would have mandated Palestinian concessions on some issues, like the "right of return." Moreover, Solana`s original plan stipulated that implementation of the international diktat would constitute a definitive, internationally recognized end to all Palestinian claims. This version does nothing of the sort, since it leaves major issues like the refugees up in the air.
Thus from Abbas`s perspective, this is a dream come true: He receives international recognition of a state in his preferred borders without having to make any concessions in exchange. Even Hamas could this embrace this deal. They could simply pocket their gains and move on to their next demands.
But if merely doing nothing for two years would produce such a bonanza, why would any sane Palestinian leader bother negotiating? Granted, the fact that this plan was reported in the media does not mean it is true. First, journalists` sources always have their own agendas, and the European sources behind this report could easily have presented an idea that is merely being considered as settled policy - either with Washington`s consent, as a trial balloon, or without such consent, in an effort to pressure the US to adopt it. Second, even if Obama does favor this plan, wiser heads within his administration might yet prevail.
NEVERTHELESS, THERE are reasons to fear it might be true. First, Washington has not denied it. Second, it accords with Obama`s known desire to create a Palestinian state within two years, thus assuring him of one foreign policy success in what otherwise looks likely to be an unbroken string of failures. Third, it would appease his left-wing base, which is currently furious at him over issues ranging from the "surge" in Afghanistan to his apparent willingness to make concessions to moderates on health care reform. Fourth, it would please the EU and the Muslim world, and Obama has made better relations with both a major goal of his foreign policy.
Finally, he has even found a way to avoid alienating his big-ticket Jewish donors: The media reports market the plan as being based, inter alia, on ideas presented by Israel`s very own president, Shimon Peres. What Jewish donor could possibly object to that? That Peres`s proposal actually called for a Palestinian state in temporary borders - which, until a deal was finalized, would comprise only part of the West Bank and would exclude east Jerusalem - is a mere bagatelle.
Indeed, the plan has only one drawback: Far from bringing peace, it would perpetuate the conflict for all eternity. If 16 years of deadly terror combined with refusing to budge an inch on any of their demands could produce such stellar results, why would any Palestinian want to abandon these successful tactics?
Thus they will continue the terror, and Israel will continue its counterterrorism operations. They will continue refusing to make concessions on the settlement blocs, Jerusalem and the refugees, and Israel will continue refusing to evacuate tens of thousands of settlers with no quid pro quo. They will continue teaching their children that the Jewish state has no right to exist, and Israeli attitudes toward the Palestinians and the "peace process" will continue to harden.
Evelyn Gordon - Sep 17, 2009
The Jerusalem Post
As of this writing, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is still refusing to meet Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. And given recent media reports about the Obama administration`s planned peace initiative, one can understand why: If they are true, he has no reason to bother negotiating with Netanyahu. All he has to do is sit and wait, and in two years, the international community will give him everything he wants on a silver platter.
The plan in question was first broached publicly by the European Union`s foreign policy czar, Javier Solana, at a speech in London in July. The international community should set a deadline for negotiations, Solana said, and if no agreement is reached by this deadline, the world should immediately recognize a Palestinian state, admit it to the UN and announce its own solution to all outstanding issues (borders, refugees, Jerusalem, security arrangements), along with a binding timetable for implementation.
Washington never publicly endorsed this idea. But this week, it was reported that Solana floated his trial balloon with backing from "the highest levels of the US administration," and that the US indeed plans to adopt it - with some twists that make it even worse.
Specifically, Washington will announce a two-year deadline for talks that will focus mainly on borders. If no agreement is reached by then, the US and EU - and presumably the rest of the world, too - will recognize a Palestinian state with borders "based on" the June 4, 1967 lines.
IN OTHER words, Abbas will receive international recognition of the borders he has consistently demanded, the 1967 lines - and by implication, also east Jerusalem, which was not Israeli pre-1967. The announcement will say the parties "may" alter the border via territorial exchanges, but that is up to them: The world will not insist.
And in exchange, he will have to concede absolutely nothing - not the settlement blocs, not Jewish neighborhoods of east Jerusalem, not the Western Wall, not security arrangements, not the "right of return," not recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. Some of these will be awarded him outright; others, like the refugees and recognition, will be left to future negotiations. But he would obviously have no incentive to compromise in these future negotiations, since the only thing Israel has to trade is land, and the international community will already have awarded him every inch of that.
In contrast, even an EU diktat would have mandated Palestinian concessions on some issues, like the "right of return." Moreover, Solana`s original plan stipulated that implementation of the international diktat would constitute a definitive, internationally recognized end to all Palestinian claims. This version does nothing of the sort, since it leaves major issues like the refugees up in the air.
Thus from Abbas`s perspective, this is a dream come true: He receives international recognition of a state in his preferred borders without having to make any concessions in exchange. Even Hamas could this embrace this deal. They could simply pocket their gains and move on to their next demands.
But if merely doing nothing for two years would produce such a bonanza, why would any sane Palestinian leader bother negotiating? Granted, the fact that this plan was reported in the media does not mean it is true. First, journalists` sources always have their own agendas, and the European sources behind this report could easily have presented an idea that is merely being considered as settled policy - either with Washington`s consent, as a trial balloon, or without such consent, in an effort to pressure the US to adopt it. Second, even if Obama does favor this plan, wiser heads within his administration might yet prevail.
NEVERTHELESS, THERE are reasons to fear it might be true. First, Washington has not denied it. Second, it accords with Obama`s known desire to create a Palestinian state within two years, thus assuring him of one foreign policy success in what otherwise looks likely to be an unbroken string of failures. Third, it would appease his left-wing base, which is currently furious at him over issues ranging from the "surge" in Afghanistan to his apparent willingness to make concessions to moderates on health care reform. Fourth, it would please the EU and the Muslim world, and Obama has made better relations with both a major goal of his foreign policy.
Finally, he has even found a way to avoid alienating his big-ticket Jewish donors: The media reports market the plan as being based, inter alia, on ideas presented by Israel`s very own president, Shimon Peres. What Jewish donor could possibly object to that? That Peres`s proposal actually called for a Palestinian state in temporary borders - which, until a deal was finalized, would comprise only part of the West Bank and would exclude east Jerusalem - is a mere bagatelle.
Indeed, the plan has only one drawback: Far from bringing peace, it would perpetuate the conflict for all eternity. If 16 years of deadly terror combined with refusing to budge an inch on any of their demands could produce such stellar results, why would any Palestinian want to abandon these successful tactics?
Thus they will continue the terror, and Israel will continue its counterterrorism operations. They will continue refusing to make concessions on the settlement blocs, Jerusalem and the refugees, and Israel will continue refusing to evacuate tens of thousands of settlers with no quid pro quo. They will continue teaching their children that the Jewish state has no right to exist, and Israeli attitudes toward the Palestinians and the "peace process" will continue to harden.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)