A reasonable suggestion to counter missiles and rockets

OK, OK, it's not a serious suggestion, but it does demonstrate the frustration felt by the many Israelis living within rocket and mortar range of the terrorists in Gaza.

Boycott of Israel defies logic, morality. Couldn't agree more.

Frida Ghitis writes, Boycott of Israel defies logic, morality - MiamiHerald.com

If you want to work against peace between Israelis and Palestinians, if your aim is to ensure the two sides never work out their differences, then it’s a really good idea to support the boycott of Israel.

Ms. Ghitis is not being ironic; she's pointing out that efforts such as these undermine Israeli willingness to trust the "other side" in any sort of negotiations.

In my opinion, it is the bedfellows of anti-Israel and Jew-hatred incitement, and anarchistic groups, that causes Israel to hunker down.

As she says,

Boycotts against Israel are the worst possible way to help Palestinians. They are such a terrible idea that even Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas declared he opposes them.

Boycotts are a bad idea, a very bad idea when it comes to singling our Israel and its Jews.

That's my opinion.

After 3-Year Freeze, Government Seeks "Prompt Resolution" of Al-Arian Case

This is from the truth is stranger than fiction department.  Terror supporter Sami Al-Arian is still waiting a decision in his contempt of court case after everyone was promised one three years ago.

Here's the incredulous report from the IPT.

After 3-Year Freeze, Government Seeks "Prompt Resolution" of Al-Arian Case :: The Investigative Project on Terrorism

By way of background, Al-Arian is an admitted supporter of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) that was responsible for the April 9, 1995 terror attack that murdered Alisa Flatow and 7 others.  Unfortunately, his trial did not result in any convictions of the more serious charges.  He pleaded guilty to the support charge to avoid a re-trial.

He should be thankful that he has not been deported where a crueler fate could await him.

Well, that's what I have to say.

Stephen M. Flatow

Saudis looking to Israel for defense? Allies, Adversaries and the Right to Self-Defense :: Gatestone Institute

Ali Salim, writing for the Gatestone Institute, issues a warning about the perceived decline in American power and, I guess, worth overseas.

One view of diplomacy, deemed misguided by leaders such as Churchill, is to abandon one's friends and court one's enemies in the assumption that the friend is yours and will not abandon you. The United States deserted the Shah for the Ayatollah's Revolutionary Guards; it abandoned Mubarak for the Muslim Brotherhood Islamist Mohamed Morsi, and it has abandoned Iraq and Afghanistan to domestic chaos, growing terrorism and the approaching Islamist takeover.

America's withholding of aid to the Egyptian government and Saudi Arabia's refusal to accept a seat on the UN Security Council don't bode well for American influence in the Middle East.  Add to that the shopping for a new ally to take the place of the US.

While Israel's nuclear umbrella may work for a while, no Islamic nation will rely on it for too long (the Israelis are Jews, after all), a nuclear arms race in the Middle East may be on the table.

So, rather than criticize America's eavesdropping and drone attacks, the world should focus on destroying terrorism now, rather than later.

That's what I think.

The full report will be found here - Allies, Adversaries and the Right to Self-Defense :: Gatestone Institute

Stephen M. Flatow

Drone strikes - what's the fuss?

The fuss over drone strikes against terrorists?  "Innocent" bystanders.  OK, so you are going to ask what they had to do with the dead terrorist?  All I'm saying is that there's a larger question, one not being asked.

The question - what happens when you allow terrorists to use your country, your neighborhood, your streets, and you, as a ploy to avoid attack?  These guys are counting on, they're absolutely depending on, those tasked with the job of removing these creeps from society on stopping cold in their pursuit when their target is in the midst of a public situation involving people on the street.

But isn't a missile strike from the air better than armies moving into the streets using tanks, artillery and other large weapons?

Isn't this a war?

Read from Voice of America -  http://www.voanews.com/content/pakistani-taliban-leader-dead-in-us-drone-strike/1782006.html

From Al-Jazeera - http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/10/31/pakistan-report-saysonly3percentofdronedeathswerecivilians.html

Well, that's what I think.

Stephen M. Flatow