Passover recalls the bondage and suffering of Jews in Egypt and the miracle of the Exodus, but U.S. President Barack Obama says its message is reflected in Muslim uprisings.
-- From "Obama, the Interpreter of the Message of Passover" by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu, Israel National News 4/18/11
In his annual message, prior to his third straight participation in the Passover Seder, President Obama stated, “The story of Passover…instructs each generation to remember its past, while appreciating the beauty of freedom and the responsibility it entails. This year that ancient instruction is reflected in the daily headlines as we see modern stories of social transformation and liberation unfolding in the Middle East and North Africa.”
Having constructed a link between the Arab uprisings and Chosen People's experiencing the miracles of the Creator that led them out of Egypt and towards the receiving of the Ten Commandments, the President concluded, "As Jewish families gather for this joyous celebration of freedom, let us all be thankful for the gifts that have been bestowed upon us, and let us work to alleviate the suffering, poverty, injustice, and hunger of those who are not yet free.”
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Friday, April 01, 2011
Christian Archaeological Find Ignored by Media
What is being described as a possible discovery more significant than the Dead Sea Scrolls, has been largely ignored by American mainstream media.
-- From "Derby expert examines 'ancient Christian books'" posted at BBC News 3/30/11
New Testament history expert Margaret Barker, of Borrowash, is examining photographs of the "metal books" found in a cave in Jordan.
She was contacted by British archaeologist David Elkington, one of the few people to have seen them.
It is thought the artefacts might be almost 2,000 years old.
Mrs Barker believes that if the books are genuine, they could be unique evidence of Christian activity as early as 33AD - about the time Jesus is thought to have been crucified.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Could this be the biggest find since the Dead Sea Scrolls?" by Fiona Macrae, UK Daily Mail 3/30/11
This ancient collection of 70 tiny books, their lead pages bound with wire, could unlock some of the secrets of the earliest days of Christianity.
On pages not much bigger than a credit card, are images, symbols and words that appear to refer to the Messiah and, possibly even, to the Crucifixion and Resurrection.
The books were discovered five years ago in a cave in a remote part of Jordan to which Christian refugees are known to have fled after the fall of Jerusalem in 70AD. Important documents from the same period have previously been found there.
The prospect that they could contain contemporary accounts of the final years of Jesus’s life has excited scholars – although their enthusiasm is tempered by the fact that experts have previously been fooled by sophisticated fakes.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Could new discovery trump Dead Sea Scrolls? Scholars intrigued but cautious." by G. Jeffrey MacDonald, Correspondent, Christian Science Monitor 3/31/11
Written on lead in Hebrew and Aramaic, the secretly coded books – or codices – were hidden for centuries in a remote Jordanian cave until a traveling Bedouin found them some five years ago, according to a statement released last week by British Egyptologist David Elkington. Depictions of crosses on the lead-bound leaves, coupled with metallurgical analysis, suggest to Mr. Elkington that these might be early Christian texts that pre-date even some letters in the New Testament.
New Testament scholar Craig Evans also hesitates to assume much about the early codices. They could be very significant, he said, if they really do trace to an early Jewish group that regarded Jesus as Messiah. . . .
But “that’s a big if,” says Mr. Evans, a professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. At this point, little is known about the content, purpose, or date of the codices. He says he’s hopeful that they’ll shed fresh light on Christian origins, but he’s not confident they will.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Derby expert examines 'ancient Christian books'" posted at BBC News 3/30/11
New Testament history expert Margaret Barker, of Borrowash, is examining photographs of the "metal books" found in a cave in Jordan.
She was contacted by British archaeologist David Elkington, one of the few people to have seen them.
It is thought the artefacts might be almost 2,000 years old.
Mrs Barker believes that if the books are genuine, they could be unique evidence of Christian activity as early as 33AD - about the time Jesus is thought to have been crucified.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Could this be the biggest find since the Dead Sea Scrolls?" by Fiona Macrae, UK Daily Mail 3/30/11
This ancient collection of 70 tiny books, their lead pages bound with wire, could unlock some of the secrets of the earliest days of Christianity.
On pages not much bigger than a credit card, are images, symbols and words that appear to refer to the Messiah and, possibly even, to the Crucifixion and Resurrection.
The books were discovered five years ago in a cave in a remote part of Jordan to which Christian refugees are known to have fled after the fall of Jerusalem in 70AD. Important documents from the same period have previously been found there.
The prospect that they could contain contemporary accounts of the final years of Jesus’s life has excited scholars – although their enthusiasm is tempered by the fact that experts have previously been fooled by sophisticated fakes.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Could new discovery trump Dead Sea Scrolls? Scholars intrigued but cautious." by G. Jeffrey MacDonald, Correspondent, Christian Science Monitor 3/31/11
Written on lead in Hebrew and Aramaic, the secretly coded books – or codices – were hidden for centuries in a remote Jordanian cave until a traveling Bedouin found them some five years ago, according to a statement released last week by British Egyptologist David Elkington. Depictions of crosses on the lead-bound leaves, coupled with metallurgical analysis, suggest to Mr. Elkington that these might be early Christian texts that pre-date even some letters in the New Testament.
New Testament scholar Craig Evans also hesitates to assume much about the early codices. They could be very significant, he said, if they really do trace to an early Jewish group that regarded Jesus as Messiah. . . .
But “that’s a big if,” says Mr. Evans, a professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. At this point, little is known about the content, purpose, or date of the codices. He says he’s hopeful that they’ll shed fresh light on Christian origins, but he’s not confident they will.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Christian Tea Party Congressman Keynotes CPAC
Congressman Allen West opened with Isaiah 54:17, and went on to say, “If we are to have a new dawn in America, it means reclaiming our Judeo-Christian faith heritage. . . . This is not about a separation of church and state, it is about making sure that we do not separate faith from the individual. You must never forget that the American motto is ‘In God We Trust’.”
For background, read Christian Tea Party is Enigma to Liberal Media
Above video is Part 3 of West's speech. Click here for Part 1 -- Click here for Part 2.
-- From "A closing dish of red meat from West" by James Hohmann, Politico 2/12/11
Rep. Allen West, the firebrand conservative Republican freshman from Florida, closed CPAC with a speech full of red meat applause lines for fiscal, social and national security conservatives.
“We must hold sacred the privilege of the institution of marriage as a bond between a man and a woman to promote the promulgation of our society because we cannot allow the destruction of the American family,” he said.
... “When tolerance becomes a one-way street, it leads to cultural suicide.”
“I will never support late-term abortion or the use of abortion as birth control because I do not believe that having a baby is punishment,” he said.
West, one of two blacks among the 87 Republican freshmen, pushed back against criticisms that the tea party movement is racist. “Perhaps they should see me standing here as your keynote speaker,” he said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Rookie U.S. Rep. Allen West taking bulldog's approach" by Alex Leary, St. Petersburg (FL) Times Staff Writer 2/13/11
West arrived in Washington after defeating two-term Democrat Ron Klein, who argued that his opponent's views were out of step with the 22nd congressional district, a span of mostly-white and fairly affluent voters that runs from north Palm Beach County to Fort Lauderdale in Broward County.
In normal times, West likely would not be able to get elected. . . .
In January, West drew fire for saying that Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the first Muslim member of Congress, "really does represent the antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established." A group of religious leaders condemned West, who insisted he was referring to Ellison's support for the Council on American Islamic Relations.
"One of the critical things that if we do not get beyond will end up destroying this country," West said, "is political correctness."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "The Meteoric Rise of Allen West" by Jessica Taylor, National Journal 2/12/11
On Saturday night, when the freshman lawmaker gives the closing keynote address at the Conservative Political Action Conference, it will cap an improbable journey. Three years ago, West was a first-time candidate trying to get a campaign off the ground and didn't even have a speaking slot at the annual CPAC gathering. This year, he's been rewarded with a prime slot usually reserved for presidential aspirants or major media commentators.
The fiery Republican made his first run for Congress in 2008 against Rep. Ron Klein, D-Fla. A retired Army lieutenant colonel, West boasted a military career that was lengthy but not without controversy. In 2003, West was charged by the military after threatening to kill and firing a handgun near the head of Iraqi police officer while interrogating him about attacks on U.S. forces in the area. But the investigation resulted in no court martial. The conservative media came to West's defense. But, facing a Democratic headwind and a much better funded opponent, West fell short by by 10 percentage points in his first political foray.
That was before the rise of the tea party. West began running again the next year, and he became a conservative internet celebrity after an October 2009 video of his barnburner of a speech at a Ft. Lauderdale tea party rally went viral, getting over two million hits after he told attendees to "stand up, to get your musket, to fix your bayonet and to charge into the ranks."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
For background, read Christian Tea Party is Enigma to Liberal Media
Above video is Part 3 of West's speech. Click here for Part 1 -- Click here for Part 2.
-- From "A closing dish of red meat from West" by James Hohmann, Politico 2/12/11
Rep. Allen West, the firebrand conservative Republican freshman from Florida, closed CPAC with a speech full of red meat applause lines for fiscal, social and national security conservatives.
“We must hold sacred the privilege of the institution of marriage as a bond between a man and a woman to promote the promulgation of our society because we cannot allow the destruction of the American family,” he said.
... “When tolerance becomes a one-way street, it leads to cultural suicide.”
“I will never support late-term abortion or the use of abortion as birth control because I do not believe that having a baby is punishment,” he said.
West, one of two blacks among the 87 Republican freshmen, pushed back against criticisms that the tea party movement is racist. “Perhaps they should see me standing here as your keynote speaker,” he said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Rookie U.S. Rep. Allen West taking bulldog's approach" by Alex Leary, St. Petersburg (FL) Times Staff Writer 2/13/11
West arrived in Washington after defeating two-term Democrat Ron Klein, who argued that his opponent's views were out of step with the 22nd congressional district, a span of mostly-white and fairly affluent voters that runs from north Palm Beach County to Fort Lauderdale in Broward County.
In normal times, West likely would not be able to get elected. . . .
In January, West drew fire for saying that Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the first Muslim member of Congress, "really does represent the antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established." A group of religious leaders condemned West, who insisted he was referring to Ellison's support for the Council on American Islamic Relations.
"One of the critical things that if we do not get beyond will end up destroying this country," West said, "is political correctness."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "The Meteoric Rise of Allen West" by Jessica Taylor, National Journal 2/12/11
On Saturday night, when the freshman lawmaker gives the closing keynote address at the Conservative Political Action Conference, it will cap an improbable journey. Three years ago, West was a first-time candidate trying to get a campaign off the ground and didn't even have a speaking slot at the annual CPAC gathering. This year, he's been rewarded with a prime slot usually reserved for presidential aspirants or major media commentators.
The fiery Republican made his first run for Congress in 2008 against Rep. Ron Klein, D-Fla. A retired Army lieutenant colonel, West boasted a military career that was lengthy but not without controversy. In 2003, West was charged by the military after threatening to kill and firing a handgun near the head of Iraqi police officer while interrogating him about attacks on U.S. forces in the area. But the investigation resulted in no court martial. The conservative media came to West's defense. But, facing a Democratic headwind and a much better funded opponent, West fell short by by 10 percentage points in his first political foray.
That was before the rise of the tea party. West began running again the next year, and he became a conservative internet celebrity after an October 2009 video of his barnburner of a speech at a Ft. Lauderdale tea party rally went viral, getting over two million hits after he told attendees to "stand up, to get your musket, to fix your bayonet and to charge into the ranks."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Jesus Was First Palestinian to Die in Jihad: Muslims
Jesus was the first Palestinian martyr while the Virgin Mary was a Palestinian "par excellence," according to Palestinian Authority television.
-- From "Muslims: Jesus was 1st 'Palestinian martyr'" by Aaron Klein © 2010 WorldNetDaily 12/24/10
The television network, run by PA President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, also implied the late Palestinian Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat followed in the footsteps of Jesus.
"The shahid (martyr) President Yasser Arafat used to say: 'Jesus was the first Palestinian shahid.' I heard him say that sentence many times," stated Samih Ghanadreh, an author who was being interviewed on Fatah television earlier this month.
The word shahid, or martyr, is routinely used to describe suicide bombers or those who die while carrying out jihad.
Fatah officials routinely claim Jesus was a prophet for Islam.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "This Christmas, remember, 'Jesus was a Palestinian'" by Ryan Jones, Israel Today Magazine 12/26/10
Palestinian Media Watch, which provided translation of the above interview, reports that earlier in the year, the Communications and Education Authority of the ruling Palestinian faction Fatah issued this statement on its official website:
“If we are proud of the holiness of our land, then we are proud and pride ourselves that the first and most important holy woman among the nations and peoples is from the holy land: The Virgin Mary - the woman of love and peace - is of the nation of Palestine…”
A year earlier, Abbas’ appointed Mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammed Hussein, preached on PA TV that “Jesus was born in this land; he took his first steps in this land and spread his teachings [of Islam] in this land. He and his mother [Mary], we may say, were Palestinians par excellence.”
These examples confirm that among average Palestinians, it is an ingrained belief that Jesus, the Messiah of Israel, was a Palestinian and even a pre-Islam Muslim. All historic or religious ties between Jesus and the Jews have been severed, just as they have severed all historic and religious ties between the Jews and this land.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Muslims: Jesus was 1st 'Palestinian martyr'" by Aaron Klein © 2010 WorldNetDaily 12/24/10
The television network, run by PA President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, also implied the late Palestinian Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat followed in the footsteps of Jesus.
"The shahid (martyr) President Yasser Arafat used to say: 'Jesus was the first Palestinian shahid.' I heard him say that sentence many times," stated Samih Ghanadreh, an author who was being interviewed on Fatah television earlier this month.
The word shahid, or martyr, is routinely used to describe suicide bombers or those who die while carrying out jihad.
Fatah officials routinely claim Jesus was a prophet for Islam.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "This Christmas, remember, 'Jesus was a Palestinian'" by Ryan Jones, Israel Today Magazine 12/26/10
Palestinian Media Watch, which provided translation of the above interview, reports that earlier in the year, the Communications and Education Authority of the ruling Palestinian faction Fatah issued this statement on its official website:
“If we are proud of the holiness of our land, then we are proud and pride ourselves that the first and most important holy woman among the nations and peoples is from the holy land: The Virgin Mary - the woman of love and peace - is of the nation of Palestine…”
A year earlier, Abbas’ appointed Mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammed Hussein, preached on PA TV that “Jesus was born in this land; he took his first steps in this land and spread his teachings [of Islam] in this land. He and his mother [Mary], we may say, were Palestinians par excellence.”
These examples confirm that among average Palestinians, it is an ingrained belief that Jesus, the Messiah of Israel, was a Palestinian and even a pre-Islam Muslim. All historic or religious ties between Jesus and the Jews have been severed, just as they have severed all historic and religious ties between the Jews and this land.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Muslims Worldwide Disappointed in "The One"
[A year after Obama's Cairo speech], many Muslims in Egypt and the rest of the Middle East say they're dismayed that the promise of the speech has fizzled into U.S. policy-as-usual toward the region: civilian deaths in Afghanistan, an unstable Iraq, no pressure for reforms on Washington-friendly autocrats, no resolution for Guantanamo prisoners and no end in sight for the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
UPDATE 6/17/10: Pew Research poll finds Muslim nations hold an overwhelmingly negative view of the U.S.
UPDATE 6/7/10: Obama Has Yet to Connect with American Muslims
-- From "Muslim praise for Obama dries up a year after Cairo speech" by Miret el Naggar and Margaret Talev, McClatchy Newspapers 6/3/10
A year ago Friday, President Barack Obama stood in Cairo and vowed "a new beginning" in a speech about how he'd change U.S. relations with the Muslim world. Egyptian vendors sold T-shirts portraying Obama in King Tut regalia, and Muslims throughout the region thrilled at his middle name: Hussein.
Israel's deadly raid in international waters on an aid flotilla en route to break the siege on Gaza - and Obama's tepid response, in comparison to the condemnation of other world leaders - cemented perceptions for many of unconditional U.S. support for Israel. Some Arab commentators and bloggers said Obama no longer deserves his Nobel Peace Prize.
Gallup surveys conducted between February and April of this year showed a dramatic decline in Arab countries' approval ratings of the U.S. administration. In Egypt, where he delivered the speech, the poll showed that Obama's popularity dropped by 18 percentage points. While some Middle Easterners said it was unfair to judge the president so early on issues that have persisted for decades, others said they definitely expected more in the year since his oratory olive branch to Muslims.
Consulates and U.S. embassies in various countries held roundtables for months after the Cairo speech and forwarded input through the State Department. The White House's Office of Public Engagement has sought input from American Muslims. The administration monitors overseas press and international polling.
The centerpiece of Muslim grievances remains the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which was exacerbated by Israel's continued construction of settlements on Palestinian lands, a key obstacle for progress on peace negotiations.
The administration also continues to support the autocratic rulers in Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf countries, a fact widely noted by Arab commentators. In Central Asia, U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan have killed Muslim civilians, drumming up support for militants.
In Cairo , Obama pledged "to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear." But many Muslims abroad feel that religious discrimination persists. Even the crowning of a Miss USA of Muslim and Arab descent - at first cheered on by fans in the Middle East - turned sour when the beauty queen was accused of having ties to the Hezbollah militant group.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 6/17/10: Pew Research poll finds Muslim nations hold an overwhelmingly negative view of the U.S.
UPDATE 6/7/10: Obama Has Yet to Connect with American Muslims
-- From "Muslim praise for Obama dries up a year after Cairo speech" by Miret el Naggar and Margaret Talev, McClatchy Newspapers 6/3/10
A year ago Friday, President Barack Obama stood in Cairo and vowed "a new beginning" in a speech about how he'd change U.S. relations with the Muslim world. Egyptian vendors sold T-shirts portraying Obama in King Tut regalia, and Muslims throughout the region thrilled at his middle name: Hussein.
Israel's deadly raid in international waters on an aid flotilla en route to break the siege on Gaza - and Obama's tepid response, in comparison to the condemnation of other world leaders - cemented perceptions for many of unconditional U.S. support for Israel. Some Arab commentators and bloggers said Obama no longer deserves his Nobel Peace Prize.
Gallup surveys conducted between February and April of this year showed a dramatic decline in Arab countries' approval ratings of the U.S. administration. In Egypt, where he delivered the speech, the poll showed that Obama's popularity dropped by 18 percentage points. While some Middle Easterners said it was unfair to judge the president so early on issues that have persisted for decades, others said they definitely expected more in the year since his oratory olive branch to Muslims.
Consulates and U.S. embassies in various countries held roundtables for months after the Cairo speech and forwarded input through the State Department. The White House's Office of Public Engagement has sought input from American Muslims. The administration monitors overseas press and international polling.
The centerpiece of Muslim grievances remains the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which was exacerbated by Israel's continued construction of settlements on Palestinian lands, a key obstacle for progress on peace negotiations.
The administration also continues to support the autocratic rulers in Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf countries, a fact widely noted by Arab commentators. In Central Asia, U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan have killed Muslim civilians, drumming up support for militants.
In Cairo , Obama pledged "to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear." But many Muslims abroad feel that religious discrimination persists. Even the crowning of a Miss USA of Muslim and Arab descent - at first cheered on by fans in the Middle East - turned sour when the beauty queen was accused of having ties to the Hezbollah militant group.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Obama, Reid, other Congressmen Push Homosexuals in Military
To liberal Americans, who worship Europe and other nations, the world's greatest defense establishment (the American military) is seen as just a playground for their sexualization experiments.
UPDATE 9/30/09: Boston Globe implies Pentagon wants to rescind ban on homosexuals in military
-- From "Reid Backs Plan to Repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy" by Carl Hulse, posted at The New York Times 7/14/09
With a possible fight brewing in Congress over repeal of the Pentagon’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays in the military, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, came down . . . solidly in favor of eliminating the ban.
“We’re having trouble getting people into the military,” Mr. Reid told reporters when questioned about whether he could support an 18-month moratorium on enforcing a prohibition on gays in the armed forces. “And I think that we shouldn’t turn down anybody that’s willing to fight for our country, certainly based on sexual orientation.”
Mr. Reid said he would go the proposal, being considered by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat of New York, one better and support a permanent repeal of the ban.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Allies' stance cited in US gays-in-military debate" by David Crary, The Associated Press 7/13/09
When it comes to dealing with gay personnel in the ranks, the contrasts are stark among some of the world's proudest, toughest militaries - and these differing approaches are invoked by both sides as Americans renew debate over the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
In the United States, more than 12,000 service members - including dozens of highly trained Arabic linguists - have been dismissed since 1994 because it became known they were gay. . . .
In Britain, on the other hand, gay and lesbian service members marched in crisp uniforms in the annual Pride London parade July 4. Gay Australian soldiers and sailors had their own float in Sydney's Gay Mardi Gras parade. In Israel, the army magazine earlier this year featured two male soldiers on the cover, hugging one another.
America's "don't ask, don't tell" policy - which prohibits gays from serving openly in the armed forces - is the target of intensifying opposition, and President Barack Obama says he favors lifting the ban. But he wants to win over skeptics in Congress and the Pentagon, and a fierce debate lies ahead that will inevitably touch on the experiences of allied nations that have no bans.
U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, the first Iraq war veteran elected to Congress, has just launched a campaign for a bill to repeal "don't ask, don't tell." He observed British troops in Iraq operating smoothly with a serve-openly policy and bristles at the contention that America's armed forces would suffer morale and recruiting problems if they followed suit.
"We are the military leaders in the world - everybody wants to be like us," said Brian Jones, a retired sergeant major who served in the Army Rangers. "Why in the world would we try to adjust our military model to be like them?"
To read this very lengthy review of homosexuals in militaries around the world, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 9/30/09: Boston Globe implies Pentagon wants to rescind ban on homosexuals in military
-- From "Reid Backs Plan to Repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy" by Carl Hulse, posted at The New York Times 7/14/09
With a possible fight brewing in Congress over repeal of the Pentagon’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays in the military, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, came down . . . solidly in favor of eliminating the ban.
“We’re having trouble getting people into the military,” Mr. Reid told reporters when questioned about whether he could support an 18-month moratorium on enforcing a prohibition on gays in the armed forces. “And I think that we shouldn’t turn down anybody that’s willing to fight for our country, certainly based on sexual orientation.”
Mr. Reid said he would go the proposal, being considered by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat of New York, one better and support a permanent repeal of the ban.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Allies' stance cited in US gays-in-military debate" by David Crary, The Associated Press 7/13/09
When it comes to dealing with gay personnel in the ranks, the contrasts are stark among some of the world's proudest, toughest militaries - and these differing approaches are invoked by both sides as Americans renew debate over the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
In the United States, more than 12,000 service members - including dozens of highly trained Arabic linguists - have been dismissed since 1994 because it became known they were gay. . . .
In Britain, on the other hand, gay and lesbian service members marched in crisp uniforms in the annual Pride London parade July 4. Gay Australian soldiers and sailors had their own float in Sydney's Gay Mardi Gras parade. In Israel, the army magazine earlier this year featured two male soldiers on the cover, hugging one another.
America's "don't ask, don't tell" policy - which prohibits gays from serving openly in the armed forces - is the target of intensifying opposition, and President Barack Obama says he favors lifting the ban. But he wants to win over skeptics in Congress and the Pentagon, and a fierce debate lies ahead that will inevitably touch on the experiences of allied nations that have no bans.
U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, the first Iraq war veteran elected to Congress, has just launched a campaign for a bill to repeal "don't ask, don't tell." He observed British troops in Iraq operating smoothly with a serve-openly policy and bristles at the contention that America's armed forces would suffer morale and recruiting problems if they followed suit.
"We are the military leaders in the world - everybody wants to be like us," said Brian Jones, a retired sergeant major who served in the Army Rangers. "Why in the world would we try to adjust our military model to be like them?"
To read this very lengthy review of homosexuals in militaries around the world, CLICK HERE.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Airline Maps Omit Israel
The maps were tailored to the airline's predominantly Muslim passengers, and also highlighted Islamic holy sites including Mecca.
-- From "British airline 'sorry' for deleting Israel from map" posted at The Telegraph UK 4/30/09
Most Israeli cities were not marked on screens showing flight maps to passengers on two [British] BMI-owned Airbus A320 aeroplanes. Only Haifa was identified - by its Arab name, Khefa.
BMI, which runs flights from London to Tel Aviv twice daily, apologised for the omission on Thursday and denied that there was any political agenda behind the exclusion.
The two aeroplanes were acquired from British Mediterranean Airways (BMED), a now-defunct airline that flew to several Arab countries in the Middle East, Phil Shepherd, a company spokesman, told The Jerusalem Post.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "British airline 'sorry' for deleting Israel from map" posted at The Telegraph UK 4/30/09
Most Israeli cities were not marked on screens showing flight maps to passengers on two [British] BMI-owned Airbus A320 aeroplanes. Only Haifa was identified - by its Arab name, Khefa.
BMI, which runs flights from London to Tel Aviv twice daily, apologised for the omission on Thursday and denied that there was any political agenda behind the exclusion.
The two aeroplanes were acquired from British Mediterranean Airways (BMED), a now-defunct airline that flew to several Arab countries in the Middle East, Phil Shepherd, a company spokesman, told The Jerusalem Post.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Prominent Evangelical Backs Out of Pro-Israel Event Over Proselytizing Disclaimer
From "Prominent evangelical backs out of pro-Israel event over proselytizing disclaimer" by Jim Brown, posted 3/28/07 at OneNewsNow.com
Christian radio talk-show host Janet Parshall, a high-profile American evangelical known for her strong support of Israel, has dropped out of a Jerusalem conference sponsored by a Christian caucus of the Israeli Parliament. Parshall says she decided not to speak at the conference after she learned that the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus "condemns" and does not associate with groups that share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hear This Report.
Parshall says she is also troubled that the strict religious political party Shas has yet again introduced legislation in the Knesset that would give up to a one-year prison sentence for people who share the gospel in Israel. "I thought, wait a minute: we can't just blindly support Israel," she observes. "We have to be able to tell them, as a friend, [that] you can't do that. You can't silence us."
Christian radio talk-show host Janet Parshall, a high-profile American evangelical known for her strong support of Israel, has dropped out of a Jerusalem conference sponsored by a Christian caucus of the Israeli Parliament. Parshall says she decided not to speak at the conference after she learned that the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus "condemns" and does not associate with groups that share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hear This Report.
Parshall says she is also troubled that the strict religious political party Shas has yet again introduced legislation in the Knesset that would give up to a one-year prison sentence for people who share the gospel in Israel. "I thought, wait a minute: we can't just blindly support Israel," she observes. "We have to be able to tell them, as a friend, [that] you can't do that. You can't silence us."
The Christian radio commentator says Israel understands by now who evangelical Christians are and that their very nomenclature as evangelical Christians "means that we share the love of Jesus Christ." Individual Israelis may not accept Jesus as the Messiah, she notes, but they "cannot silence us from sharing [the gospel] with whomever might be interested in that message."
Also, Parshall points out, there is the added problem of censoring Christian evangelism, i.e., that "as Israel begins to move deeper and deeper in that direction, they start to replicate their Islamic neighbors." The talk-radio host says the Apostle Paul was given the exact same message in Jerusalem, told to "stop talking about the empty grave." But Paul did not follow that dictate, the American evangelical asserts, and neither will she.
Read the rest of this article.
May God bless Ms. Parshall for her integrity and faithfulness.
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