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Journal Entry: August 10, 2022


It’s not about Left or Right, it’s about Israel, Stupid!

I’ve paraphrased my headline based on its "The economy, stupid" a phrase that was coined by James Carville in 1992.

(The phrase is often quoted from a televised quip by Carville as "It’s the economy, stupid." Carville was a strategist in Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign against incumbent George H. W. Bush. His phrase was directed at the campaign's workers and intended as one of three messages for them to focus on. The others were "Change vs. more of the same" and "Don't forget health care.")

My point is that the forthcoming November 1 election is perhaps Israel’s most significant, most critical to date. Yes, I know each election is significant, and each election is critical to Israel’s continued growth and development.

But somehow, this time around, Israel’s fifth general election in three and half years takes on an added significance.

Contrary to the spin from "Bibi" Netanyahu and his band of poodles and the cries from the hard-left, this election is not about Left and Right, it is about what is best for Israel.

Ideally what is needed is vast amounts of Common Sense.

While the general public as a whole appears to have sufficient Common Sense to understand the nature of the beast looming in front of them, the same can’t be said of the majority of wannabe Knesset members and their supporters.

Gadi Sukenik, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, alluded to this situation in late June this year. With all the screaming and foot stamping that comes from “Bibi’s” poodles, just maybe he has a point. Perhaps not all but certainly some Likud Knesset members and their votes are so blinkered that they can’t see the wood for the trees.

Just maybe Netanyahu understands this. I am referring to the following story: “Overturning decision, Likud court okays primaries candidate convicted of assault” “Panel rules that David Laniado, convicted of burglaries, can’t be disqualified for failing to disclose additional offense, due to statute of limitation; Netanyahu appeals decision” https://www.timesofisrael.com/overturning-decision-likud-court-okays-primaries-candidate-convicted-of-assault/

According to the Walla news site, “party chair Netanyahu, who is the opposition leader, has led the process to bar Laniado from candidacy”

And, Likud MK David Bitan, himself indicted for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust called him (Laniado) a “real Likudnik” and said he had the potential to be an “excellent” lawmaker, despite his criminal past.

I always find the reader's comments on various articles the most telling. Review the comments regarding Laniado and the Likud.



Speaking of crooks and the like, “Former health minister Yaakov Litzman sentenced to 8 months in jail” "Litzman resigned from the Knesset after admitting to breach of trust in the Malka Liefer case earlier in the year as part of a plea agreement, avoiding a charge of obstruction of justice and moral turpitude.” https://www.israelhayom.com/2022/08/08/former-health-minister-yaakov-litzman-sentenced-to-8-months-in-jail/

Here is the issue, according to Israel Hayom, Litzman was sentenced to 8 months in jail. And yet according to The Times of Israel, Litzman’s sentence was suspended for three years. https://www.timesofisrael.com/litzman-gets-minor-fine-no-jail-for-shielding-alleged-pedophile-leifer-from-justice/

Maybe Guy Zohar and his team at MeHaTzad HaSheni ("From the Other Side") on Kan – the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation; need to take a close look at this reporting given that they investigate and uncover gaps between the information provided by the media and what is actually happening.



The hostilities this past weekend were of course distressing, not only for Israel and the communities along the Gaza border and further afield, but once again for the rank and file population of Gaza. As a way of distraction, three media articles caught my eye:

AND

“Marjorie Taylor Greene Defends Nationalist Speech as 'She Is a Nazi' Trends” https://www.newsweek.com/marjorie-taylor-greene-defends-nationalist-speech-she-nazi-trends-1727783

Here is my problem, I have no issue with this crackpot calling herself a Christain. If that is what she believes in, good luck to her. I’ve said this before, I am in awe of those who believe in religion regardless of which faith. As I grow older, I just can’t see it.


My grip with this outlandish individual is her assertion of her nationalism. This strikes to the heart of fascism in all its many forms. Hilter, Mussolini, Franco, Salazer, and many others in recent history have embraced the nationalist/fascist creed. In Israel, we have to look no further than Ben Gvir and his band of merry men. We see it in Hungary, Russia, and numerous other countries around the world that are in some cases rapidly moving far right. Are the 1930s about to reappear?


Alex Jones got his comeuppance a few days ago. It’s generally accepted by those with at least tuppence worth of common sense and a real-world view that Mr. Jones and his band of raving lunatics are utterly and completely bonkers. Enough said.

Just check out these Alex Jones-related links to endorse the point. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvHmvSQYudc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc33gDAfNJQ&t=39s

There are just so many clips and media reports on this gentleman and his comeuppance, the problem is he appears not to have changed his tune, and his dim-witted, mentally challenged followers are still drinking his every word. Sad.



Initially, on hearing that former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, resort home in Palm Beach, Florida, had been raided by the FBI, I thought that it could not happen to a nicer guy. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/08/trump-says-fbi-raiding-his-mar-a-lago-home.html

And while I accept the notion that there is no smoke with fire, i.e. that the idea of raiding Mar-a-Lago was discussed and approved at the highest level of the FBI and Justice Department, and despite his denial maybe even Joe Biden, there is something of an underlying concern. Maybe more will come out in the coming days. Certainly, as of now the likes of Alex Jones, Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, MTG, and millions of other Americans are concerned that their hero, the most persecuted man in America's history (according to Trump himself) https://www.businessinsider.com/video-trump-says-the-most-persecuted-person-american-history-2022-7?op=1 is further being victimized.

While I appreciate the FBI’s investigation maybe possibly revealing sensitive information perhaps even at a national security level, the general public both in the US and around the world needs to know and understand why a former US president's home was raided.



In the past few days, the world of popular entertainment has lost two bright stars, both Australian.

This past weekend Judith Durham, lead singer with The Seekers died, and a few days Olivia Newton-John. https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/the-resurfaced-tribute-olivia-newton-john-did-for-judith-durham/ar-AA10sWkB

I appreciate that unlike Judith Olivia was born in the UK and only moved to Australia years later.

I suspect that many younger people don’t know of either entertainer and yet for my generation both are pillars of popular entertainment. Their passing is our loss.

It’s just not possible to evaluate the sheer joy, and pleasure both brought to audiences around the world.

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