What a month! After traveling half way around the world meeting some of the most interesting people, I still have a deep feeling of appreciation when re-entering these United States of America. Seriously, I've had this same feeling for many years and I hope I never lose it when coming home. Nothing appreciates being home more than being away for long stretches of time!
While away though, we did have access to international news outlets. So despite being "on holiday", I was sufficiently frustrated by what was coming out of Washington and even from some reports coming from the media. Huh? The media? You bet. Allow me to explain.
The very day we headed to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, three Arabs attacked Israeli Druze police officers at the Lion's Gate entrance to the Temple Mount, killing two of them before being shot themselves. Instead of the International Media reporting this as an outright senseless terrorist attack, it instead focused on the deaths of the Arab attackers and the fear of additional violence from the "Oppressed Palestinians." Not too long after, the media down played the senseless murder of three Israelis in their home by an invading Arab, claiming the deaths were due to Israeli "Occupation" of the West Bank. Reacting to the violence, Israel moved metal detectors to the entrances of the Temple Mount, which brought about widespread International condemnation. In fact, Arab leaders proclaimed such measures accentuated Israel's "oppression" and "wrongful occupation" of Arab lands. Except the Media failed to report one major point in this discussion, allowing the matter to fit the narrative of the Arabs.
That point? Every person, including every Jew entering the area surrounding the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism, are required to pass first through strict security, including metal detectors. That day, my wife and I walked through the Arab Shook (Market), to find it virtually deserted (we had not heard about the shootings). We did notice the amount of security though - one could not miss it. Upon reaching the security checkpoint, the lines to enter the Kotel (holy area around the Wailing Wall), were stretched far and wide - all from the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. No one was hurling rocks, bottles, or wielding knives. Everyone appreciated the need for high security and the requirement to pass through metal detectors. As my wife and I passed through security, we noted how the faces of the happy folks entering the secure area juxtaposed with the serious and businesslike looks from Police and IDF security. My beef with the media? Failing to explain EVERY JEW must go through metal detectors to get to the holiest site in Judaism, with no exceptions. So why the media blitz portraying Israel as being "oppressive" for requiring Arabs to go through similar security measures after Israeli police are murdered and caches of weapons are found subsequent to those murders stored on the Temple Mount? A double standard does indeed exist in the Media when it comes to Israel. Despite my continued efforts to support a free and independent American media, I cannot help but appreciate that omissions of facts also can lead to irresponsible reporting - and (gasp), "fake news."
On the Trump Front, I can only point out that most folks are now realizing how much of a disaster Trump is for America. I say, "most folks" because too many adore the man, no matter how ignorant and irresponsible he is. Dishing divisive political rhetoric to patriotic children who were awash with enthusiasm is one thing, having his Press Secretary openly state she saw nothing wrong with the speech is another. (See: thehill.com/homenews/administration/344178-white-house-declines-to-apologize-to-boy-scouts).
I doubt I need to remind anyone about TrumpCare's failings along with the disastrous week the GOP Senate leadership had. One can only wonder if any of this will carry over to the 2018 Midterm elections. The GOP better hope not. It didn't get much better when Trump's call to end Transgender participation in the armed forces was met with surprising opposition by military leaders. Seems "par" for the president's week (I couldn't resist - he's playing golf AGAIN this weekend)! What caught my attention though was Peggy Noonan's Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal calling out President Trump. To my Republican friends that adored the messages of Ronald Reagan, considering those messages were crafted by Ms. Noonan, her view of Mr. Trump should be appropriately appreciated;
"He's not strong and self-controlled, not cool and tough, not low-key and determined;
he's whiny, weepy and self-pitying. He throws himself, sobbing, on the body politic. He's a
drama queen."
So much for left-leaning ideologically oriented criticism of man-baby Trump. Ever wonder what folks would think if Ronald Reagan said these words about Trump? I bet he's rolling over in his grave at what has happened to his party. I wonder if he would say these words instead - "I didn't leave the Republican Party, it left me!" So I will leave you with a Reagan quote just for further reflection. "To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last - but eat you he will." It's time all Americans see our President for what he truly is. It's also time we demand the GOP stop feeding the crocodile! As noted, I will be delivering a Key Note Address to the Florida Council on History Education this Thursday in Sarasota, Florida. Have a great week!
While away though, we did have access to international news outlets. So despite being "on holiday", I was sufficiently frustrated by what was coming out of Washington and even from some reports coming from the media. Huh? The media? You bet. Allow me to explain.
The very day we headed to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, three Arabs attacked Israeli Druze police officers at the Lion's Gate entrance to the Temple Mount, killing two of them before being shot themselves. Instead of the International Media reporting this as an outright senseless terrorist attack, it instead focused on the deaths of the Arab attackers and the fear of additional violence from the "Oppressed Palestinians." Not too long after, the media down played the senseless murder of three Israelis in their home by an invading Arab, claiming the deaths were due to Israeli "Occupation" of the West Bank. Reacting to the violence, Israel moved metal detectors to the entrances of the Temple Mount, which brought about widespread International condemnation. In fact, Arab leaders proclaimed such measures accentuated Israel's "oppression" and "wrongful occupation" of Arab lands. Except the Media failed to report one major point in this discussion, allowing the matter to fit the narrative of the Arabs.
That point? Every person, including every Jew entering the area surrounding the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism, are required to pass first through strict security, including metal detectors. That day, my wife and I walked through the Arab Shook (Market), to find it virtually deserted (we had not heard about the shootings). We did notice the amount of security though - one could not miss it. Upon reaching the security checkpoint, the lines to enter the Kotel (holy area around the Wailing Wall), were stretched far and wide - all from the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. No one was hurling rocks, bottles, or wielding knives. Everyone appreciated the need for high security and the requirement to pass through metal detectors. As my wife and I passed through security, we noted how the faces of the happy folks entering the secure area juxtaposed with the serious and businesslike looks from Police and IDF security. My beef with the media? Failing to explain EVERY JEW must go through metal detectors to get to the holiest site in Judaism, with no exceptions. So why the media blitz portraying Israel as being "oppressive" for requiring Arabs to go through similar security measures after Israeli police are murdered and caches of weapons are found subsequent to those murders stored on the Temple Mount? A double standard does indeed exist in the Media when it comes to Israel. Despite my continued efforts to support a free and independent American media, I cannot help but appreciate that omissions of facts also can lead to irresponsible reporting - and (gasp), "fake news."
On the Trump Front, I can only point out that most folks are now realizing how much of a disaster Trump is for America. I say, "most folks" because too many adore the man, no matter how ignorant and irresponsible he is. Dishing divisive political rhetoric to patriotic children who were awash with enthusiasm is one thing, having his Press Secretary openly state she saw nothing wrong with the speech is another. (See: thehill.com/homenews/administration/344178-white-house-declines-to-apologize-to-boy-scouts).
I doubt I need to remind anyone about TrumpCare's failings along with the disastrous week the GOP Senate leadership had. One can only wonder if any of this will carry over to the 2018 Midterm elections. The GOP better hope not. It didn't get much better when Trump's call to end Transgender participation in the armed forces was met with surprising opposition by military leaders. Seems "par" for the president's week (I couldn't resist - he's playing golf AGAIN this weekend)! What caught my attention though was Peggy Noonan's Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal calling out President Trump. To my Republican friends that adored the messages of Ronald Reagan, considering those messages were crafted by Ms. Noonan, her view of Mr. Trump should be appropriately appreciated;
"He's not strong and self-controlled, not cool and tough, not low-key and determined;
he's whiny, weepy and self-pitying. He throws himself, sobbing, on the body politic. He's a
drama queen."
So much for left-leaning ideologically oriented criticism of man-baby Trump. Ever wonder what folks would think if Ronald Reagan said these words about Trump? I bet he's rolling over in his grave at what has happened to his party. I wonder if he would say these words instead - "I didn't leave the Republican Party, it left me!" So I will leave you with a Reagan quote just for further reflection. "To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last - but eat you he will." It's time all Americans see our President for what he truly is. It's also time we demand the GOP stop feeding the crocodile! As noted, I will be delivering a Key Note Address to the Florida Council on History Education this Thursday in Sarasota, Florida. Have a great week!
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