If I Could Move Anywhere..

...I'd probably head to an Israeli settlement in the West Bank or Gaza. Yeah, sure, they may not be around for much longer (at least according to multiple world governments) but let's think of the bright side-- real estate values must be super cheap given the current political climate!

Now, I'll be the first to admit that I cited Charles Krauthammer's July editorial which praised the security fence as effectively ending the Intifada. I'll also be the first to admit that I had reservations about the fence... namely the fact that it goes against the Biblical verse about redrawing the boundaries of Israel (essentially, the point of the verse was "don't do it"). Now I can see that my spiritual reservations have worldly implications. While the world press, and even the JPost aren't focusing on it, the fact is that the security fence is quickly becoming an ineffective barrier against terrorism. Why? The Palestinians and their ilk are tunnelling underneath it. According to one Israeli soldier who was stationed at the scene of a massive tunnel attack on Dec 16th: "the tunnels have negated the concept of a security-fence. 'The army simply cannot find these tunnels except by locating their entrance or exit – usually hidden beneath an Arab home. The security fence isn’t going to protect anyone, it is simply a way to abandon those living on the ‘other’ side. Without even talking about missiles and the development of biological missiles within years, the fence itself is incredibly dangerous in that it will lead to a reduction of forces on the Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza) side and cripple the IDF’s ability to find these tunnels and prevent the firing of rockets and missiles.'"

In the meantime, the evacuation of the first of the settlements has begun, and these Jews are not taking it lightly. Convinced that "the political struggle" has failed, Yesha Council heads are organizing a massive sit-down rally in Jerusalem, set for next week, to peacefully protest the disengagements. Already, there have been small protests outside of the Disengagement Authority offices in Jerusalem, and a group of demonstrators in northern Shomron gathered to block Disengagement Authority officials from entering the area on 12/28. The residents, including one local Mayor, demonstrated by physically blocking the road by holding a sit-in.

Of course, the Palestinians, er, the Fatah members (different denotation, same connotation) are openly mocking the Disengagement. According to their plans, a two-State solution was part of a greater plan to slowly, but surely eliminate Israel completely. Don't believe me? According to the article (which contains the link to the lengthier report): "Fatah chief Farouk Khaddoumi said the PA strategy toward Israel was two-fold, according to the report. The first stage is acceptance of Israel alongside a
PA state. But this is to be followed by an attempt to eliminate the Jewish
state." Meanwhile, Abu Mazen, the man expected to be elected into Arafat's shoes, delivered a speech today demanding the "Palestinian right of return." Hint: he's digging the ideological tunnels while his lackies are stuck in the mud.

The most frightening aspect of the entire venture is the fact that it is tearing the Israeli people apart at the seams. For months there have been reports of IDF soldiers refusing or requesting not to patrol during settlement disengagements, horrified at the idea of kicking a fellow Jew out of their home. Now, one Yesha Council member is warning that there could be thousands of soldiers on strike should these settlement disengagements take place. At the same time, Israel's Religious Kibbutz Movement (considered a "moderate voice" in the nation) and the nation's pre-military academies are speaking out against soldiers who refuse to fulfill their orders. And all of this for what? To try and placate a people who are absolutely determined to destroy Israel and the Jewish people, no matter what? You can't compromise with evil; you simply must destroy it before it destroys you.

Personally, if I had enough cash for a plane ticket, I'd be the first to head over and help protest this gross and foolish injustice. It makes me sick that the American government not only supports but encourages both the Security Fence and the Disengagement Plan. It's absurd to placate terrorism, and goes against our mission in the War on Terror. Moreover, we as Americans should understand that you DO NOT play politics with the Word of G-d. I like President Bush a lot; anyone who has read any part of this blog knows that I support him in a great many of his measures. This one, however, I cannot support in any way. It is politically foolish, militarily absurd, and a rotten way to treat our greatest ally-- Israel.

So, what should we do? We could stop giving the Palestinian Authority any kind of recognition, including doing all we can to censor its voice in the U.N. Start calling a spade a spade and putting it on the list of enemies in the War on Terror. Give up the idea of a Palestinian State, because it'll never happen. Like Mr. Fatah said in the above-quoted statement-- they won't be happy until Israel is dead. DON'T ENCOURAGE THEM with placation! Instead, encourage the Israeli government to wipe out terror cells through military action. Cut the funding sent out to various countries in the EU that support terror and use it to build our own military and Israel's. Discourage the disengagement along with any other measure that placates terrorists, including prisoner exchanges where Israel gives up tens to hundreds of terrorists for one man or woman. In short, we should fully support Israel instead of acting like a fair-weather friend. They are the best ally we have, and without their military intelligence and strategy, we wouldn't have a chance in winning this war, for a variety of very logical reasons.

And let us never forget to follow one of the greatest commands G-d ever made on behalf of His people-- Sha'lu Shalom Yerushalayim, literally "Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, for those that love her will prosper."

Four More Years...

From the Washington Times @ >>http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20041213-052632-7010r.htm<<:

"Senate Democrats Monday signaled they would continue to try and unofficially oversee the Bush administration.
...
But the hearings -- eight this year on subjects ranging from the deficit to U.S. contracting in Iraq -- have had little impact beyond political show because they are highly partisan affairs with no subpoena power."

Does this count as pork, because I'm smelling some fatty bacon on this fryer. Great... now, not only are my tax dollars going to rebuild crumbling Turkish baths in Hot Springs, Arkansas, simply because "Bill Clinton vacationed here as a boy," but I'm also paying for a bunch of Congressional Democrats to go Mulder & Scully on the White House. Sure, I believe the truth is out there-- although I think they'd find it a lot quicker if they started investigating the reflections in the bathroom mirror.

Which brings me to a greater issue: the Libs are Soooooo yesterday's news. I can't decide who's more out of touch, the Congresspeople, or Mo Dowdy with her endless "Rummy" complaints and whining over Christmas. (I know Orthodox Jews who can handle Santa better than she can. Honestly, if she were to ask for a Red Ryder beebee gun with a compass and a stock and a thing that tells time, I'd probably hand it to her, hoping she WOULD shoot her eye out.) George Will is right (big surprise there) these Libs need to get with the times... America is Bush Country, whether they like it or not. So, instead of moaning, they can either ask for the "Idiot's Guide to Public Debate" for the holidays, or a one-way ticket to France. If that requires some mid-season elections to take place, so be it; I'm all about Democracy in action.

I'm so sick of President Bush being skewered by, well, anyone with a mic and the ashes of their bra sitting on their mantel. LEAVE HIM ALONE! Good holly, even I don't agree with everything he does, but I do believe he's a decent, intelligent human being with a huge task before him, and that even though he may have to play politics and make compromises, he does have our best interests at heart. In fact, he's done a better job at being President than most of the leaders we've ever had. What does he get for it? Media treatment and bipartisanship that's beginning to rival what Nixon got fed for being a McCarthyite. Unfathomably lame, if you ask me, and a strategy that will only backfire-- every time someone picks on W. for no reason, it makes me like him even more, and I know I can't be the only one.

Movie of the Week: "You Can't Take it With You" d. Frank Capra, starring Jimmy Stewart, Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore... a bit of a zany film that promotes the "pure Americanism" of the 1930s. Discusses such things as socialism, communism, welfare/New Deal policies, income tax, and personal creative freedom versus big business. Interesting film... I wouldn't mind watching it again; it's on DVD, and running on TCM this month.

TV Show of the Week: "Sue Thomas F.B.Eye", PAX, Sunday/Wednesday @ 9 pm. Rumor has it that they're cancelling this gem, the only positive portrayal of American Law Enforcement and the War on Terror, supposedly because PAX is pulling funding... apparently they have a dream, a dream of becoming yet another useless infomercial channel on your television dial. Official website: >> http://www.pax.tv/shows/suethoma<<>>http://www.suethomasfbeye.net<< fans are trying to save the show; the writers say other networks have shown interest. Who knows? Just when the show was getting really good, too.... you know, like "Remember WENN" and "Christy". Yet another reason to not bother paying for cable....

CD of the Week: Barenaked Ladies: "Barenaked for the Holidays". Cute; contains the best Hanukkah song I've ever heard, written by one of the gentlemen, I believe. Yes, the CD contains "Happy Birthday, Jesus" which is outright grotesque, but other than that its a fun, contemporary holiday CD with some nifty versions of traditional classics.