Christian, Muslims, & Jews, A Wakeup Call For What Is Right

Christians, Muslims & Jews, A Wake Up Call For What Is Right

    June 27, 2011

There is blood running in the streets of Homs, Aleppo, and Damascus. There is blood running in the streets of other Syrian cities. The same blood ran in the streets of the cities in Rwanda, and in Cambodia, and in Darfur and in Buchenwald and Auschwitz, where there was little or no protestation when these slaughters were taking place. Some say that it was a world with little communication of what was taking place in any corner of the world; that we were unaware of the unfolding of these heinous and abject acts.

Today we have no such excuses. We know every day what is going on, and yet our religious leaders of all three major religions  have failed to organize us, educate us, and inspire us to protest loudly now.

If ever there was a time to be unified despite the deep divisions in our faiths,

it is now. To set aside who is right about the Almighty, the correct practice, procedures and prayers that claim uniqueness in opening of  the heavens , the different daily incantations recited in many different tongues and styles across the face of the earth all beseeching salvation and protection. Asking forgiveness for our sins, and gratitude for the gift of life itself. This is the time to demonstrate that we speak with one voice, and that we demand that the killing fields be stopped, and that the Syrian people be protected from further extermination.

Let’s set aside politics, and other issues that separate us, and shout with all our vigor “Stop The Killing Now”. Today we are in the world of Facebook, Google, and Linkedin, and many other social media applications. Today’s world captures the news and instantly it is flashed everywhere. We need to see millions protesting the indiscriminate extermination taking place in Syria; to contact our religious leaders; to contact our affiliated social organizations; to contact our government; to demonstrate in front of the Syrian consulates and embassy; to vehemently protest in writing to the United Nations, and to the Arab nations and Israel and to those who have lived through, and witnessed personally the horrors of the Holocaust. They must not be silent now! Should we not demonstrate that we are against what is happening right before our eyes?  Or are we waiting for things to just fade away from our consciousness. Shall we repeat the inaction of the past and let one man, Bashar Assad and his inner circle of friends, relatives, his army and his secret police perpetuate the slaughter? Or are we capable of being proactive in demanding  results?

I propose that this Friday July 1, 2011, Yom Ha Jumaa, when Muslims observe their holy day, that the Imams sermonize that the killing of Muslims and Christians in Syria today should be stopped immediately; that the executions and tortures should cease immediately, and that their congregants leave the Mosque with the idea of expressing their protest to all of the above organizations and entities in a unified manner.

I propose that this Saturday, July 2, 2011 The Sabbath where Jews universally celebrate the “Shabat”, here in the United States, in Israel, and all over the world, that their Rabbi’s cry out to stop the killings, and inspire their congregants to protest to the above mentioned countries and organizations, to stop the exterminations.

I propose that this Sunday July 3, 2011, The Sabbath for Christians of all denominations for special sermons by their priests and pastors. To declare from their pulpits the immorality of the acts of the Syrian government and Army, and to demand action by the governments and organizations mentioned above who are responsible for justice.

Maybe this time, all of us will begin to realize that we must speak up and take every action that could save more lives and bloodshed; that we have learned our lessons of the past of letting things slide, and to fade away until such time that we see the bodies of those who have been slaughtered. Those who might have lived had we acted when it began. It’s not too late to act now.

Let’s unite and show the real meaning of our religious affiliation and beliefs. 

A Simple Non-Violent Method To Free Gilead Shalit Now

                                               

June 4, 2011

For more than a few years Private Gillead Shalit has been held in bondage in a location probably well known to Israel leaders. Equally considered, it is also assumed that any attempted rescue to free him would lead to his execution. Hamas, and their proxies we can assume, have taken the necessary precautions in case of any such attempt to liberate him (A la Entebbe Uganda) and are prepared to execute him if such a rescue was attempted. Shalit is the pawn to be traded for thousands of terrorists incarcerated in Israeli prisons, and many with terrible blood on their hands. He is the pawn to force Israel to bend to the demands of Hamas, and in so doing compel Israel to display weakness and humiliation. If there was a deal concluded would not the same event reoccur? Positively! For once the game is played and won why wouldn’t it be repeated again?  Who knows how long this current game will go on!  One day there is a deal. The following day negotiations for his release collapse.  Each side blames the other for the collapse of any agreement. I have a non violent plan to free private Shalit now which my hope that those who hold the power to execute it will take the appropriate action to carry it out without delay. So, I will share with you the reader as well as President Peres, Premier Netanyahu, The Shin Bet, The Mossad and the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), a simple plan to free Shalit, and without a drop of blood being shed in the process.

There key leaders of Hamas that are currently living in comfort in Samaria or Judah,   and whom are well known to the Israeli authorities, are by there own declarations driven by thoughts of destroying Israel, and replacing it with a Muslim state of their own. This of course implies physically murdering all of Israel’s Jewish residents. My plan calls for the arrest of all of them by due process, and with the proper legal court orders. Prior to trial and with bail prohibited since they are all assumed dangerous criminals they should be charged as terrorists for planning violent terrorist activities. They should be incarcerated in total isolation, and held within the most stringent and harsh prisons that Israel possesses. This then would allow them to understand what private Shalit must be feeling every day of his present life in some hovel in Gaza. What it must be like for years not to be able to communicate or visit with his loving family and not knowing whether he would ever see the light of day in his own country again. The families of the imprisoned Hamas leaders may not be permitted to visit them. Their meals should be prepared with the minimum of such nutritious foods as to keep them alive but nothing more. Prison food is not the most appetizing. Now we have the ultimate bargaining chip that has meaning and immediacy. The families of all the imprisoned should be contacted to inform them that they should lobby the Hamas leaders to free Shalit so that their husbands and fathers could be set free.  How long will the leaders of Hamas allow their best men and women to suffer an isolated and imprisoned life before they concede that holding Shalit is not worth the pain inflicted upon their followers and their families; that it would be better to free Shalit than have their own undergo such harsh and unjust conditions. But, do not misinterpret my proposals.  I am for democracy, and I respect the law as well as Israel’s citizens and their government does. Israel is a democracy, and if these Hamas leaders are arrested they should have a fair trial. A trial to defend themselves with the best, and most expensive attorney’s available. A trial that should not be postponed for more than two years in order to give the prosecution and the defense adequate time to prepare their cases.

Let the wives and children, family and friends of the Hamas leaders experience directly what it must feel like as the Shalit family suffers, and which their friends and families have felt everyday for the past five years having  someone they love living in  the hell that all prisons provide. Let them cry out to leaders of Hamas in Gaza and Syria to let Shalit go in order that their loved ones can return to the comfort and freedom of their homes.

Simple and non violent. The Government of Israel with all their powers should exercise their right to force the hand of the kidnapper to free one of their own, and to do it now. Free Shalit now without bloodshed in a simple and non violent manner.

Middle East and Terrorism: The Full-Blown Return of Anti-Semitism in Europe

Middle East and Terrorism: The Full-Blown Return of Anti-Semitism in Europe

Why Are We Afraid To Speak Out ?

Why Are We Afraid To Speak Out

May 15, 2011

Today is a most historic one to note. Sixty Three years ago The State Of Israel was created, and it was a turning point in both Jewish and World History. For the Jewish people it was the fulfillment of a prayer that kept them alive for 2,000 years. It was a reenactment of a third homecoming. First from Egypt, then Babylonia, and then Europe. For the world it was a nation that ignited a new wave of democracy, science, medicine and technology that commenced from a tiny flame that grew to a power driven force of energy and creativity, that would be a renewed ‘light unto the nations of the world.’ No nation in the world has experienced such a meteoric advance in its development and influence in world affairs as Israel has in the past sixty three years. Yet despite this success, despite the contributions Israel has made, there remains nothing but scorn, deceit, hostility, and anger at her.

The vast majority of the nations of the world try in every way to find things wrong and unjust in Israel’s right to exist and prosper. They continually side with the left, a sworn enemy to her existence, in all disputes concerning a just and lasting peace in the Middle-east. For without Israel, the left would not have a better scapegoat to attract those to their cause and hence camouflage their real objective of seeking a world utopia, and with it a loss of freedom so clearly proven by the demise of the Soviet Union, and for the predicted  fall of Communism in China destined to change one day into a free nation.

Today, a historic day to remember,  commemorates that a small population of 650,000 Palestinian Jews stood up to, and defeated seven  armies and nations comprising 40 million people without the alliance of a single nation in the world. Only Czechoslavaki sold weapons and planes to Israel. No other nation offered financial and military support.  More than eight wars to date have been endured. Eight wars where the attempt was clearly aimed at the destruction, expulsion, and erasure of a nation people and its territory. Twenty Four Thousand military fatalities where not a family escaped the sacrifice of losing one of their own.  Yet despite those devastating wars, those great human losses, Israel forges forward to greater success. The world, if not indifferent to this monumental achievement, is  actually hostile to her existence, and ready to acquiesce to any and all intentions to weaken her in order that she will be more easily destroyed.

For the Arab terrorists and politician May 15^th Nakba (The Catastrophe)  is again an opportunity to fool the Arab street, and world public opinion into furthering the myth that Israel is the source of their misery. How ludicrous to hear Syria condemn Israel for firing on innocent unarmed civilians whose aim was hardly peaceful. Where those so called demonstrators were out to  kill and destroy. Where in Syrian territory they are killing dozens every day for demonstrating for freedom and human rights. How the Palestian leadership together with the Hamas are willing to sacrifice their constituents by inspiring them to surrender their lives and become martyrs. These immoral tactics will not succeed because one day, the people will realize how they were and are being manipulated and exploited.

Where then are the voices of support for real justice? Where is the recognition that history should not be turned around to please the Oil and Moneyed interests, the autocrats, the nations that tie their financial gains from siding with the Arab dictators, and Islamic Jihadists? Where is the morality that is preached to us daily by the major religions of the world to do well, and to love their fellow man; to help the poor and oppressed, to follow the golden rules? Where were the nations of the world when the gas chambers controlled by the Nazis were working overtime to complete their plan of extermination before their time would run out by their crushing defeat from the Allies? Where was the world when Darfur, and the Congo, Rwanda and Cambodia cried out for someone to speak out and take real action against the murders, rape, and extermination of millions? So today,  we remain silent to the continued threats to Israel’s threatened destruction. We remain silent to the blatant murder, imprisonment, and torture of millions of Syrians by a dictator as notoriously despicable as Sadam Hussein. We join in the bombing of Libya, but allow Assad of  Syria a free hand in killing hundreds as they demand their freedom from the tyranny from a so called and alleged socialist government pretending to be interested in the equal welfare of all of their people. Most of  Assad’s people are living on pennies a day while he and his cronies dine on caviar. Most of his people who have no rights and also lack the opportunity to compete in their controlled economy since most of the Syrian enterprises are run through the Assad family chain of control. But no public outcry! No support for those protesters! The world continues its silence and inaction.

There are those who say if we speak out we may invite even worse alternatives than the brutal force that controls Syria at present; that Assad’s control might be better than other fundamental extremists who may take power, and who may resort to more harm than good if he is replaced. ‘The devil you know may be better than the devil you don’t know.’ If we bomb Libya, then why should we not bomb Syria, and stop if not slow down the oppression and murder as we did in Libya? The U.S.A. and Israel should provide some support and encouragement to the Syrian opposition. To let the Syrian people know that even though their nation is a sworn enemy of Israel and the United States, that Israel respects their citizens right to freedom, human rights, and the right to live without fear; that we support their right to arm themselves, and we will help them in their rebellion just as Assad helps Hizballah and Hamas.We should help them with the hope that one day they will recognize that in the time of their greatest need Israel & The United States supported them. If democracy evolves in Syria we may expect that some will speak out at that time, and possibly remember that it was Israel & the United States that helped them achieve their freedom.

We should never be afraid to speak out! All of us in an indifferent world, have a powerful voice individually if we would only attempt to speak to the oppressed and inform them that we support their causes of truth and justice. We could use our Facebooks, Linkedin, Twitters, and other social media to communicate directly with the people who rarely ever receive the truth from their own media. To inform them that they are living under a repressive government whose policies is to terrorize their citizens, and to threaten to destroy Israel. To cease hating the United States who wants no less than to have a peaceful friendly relationship with all their people.  To email Iranians and tell them that we sympathize with their suffering under their oppressed surroundings; that we are not their enemies, but desire to be their friends and support their attainment of freedom and justice. To email those we can that we support a radical change in their country that would allow freedom and human rights. To email President Obama to do more than just talk about sanctions that are weak and not easily enforced against Syria, nor words condemning the brutality perpetuated upon the Syrian people that lack any force to bring about changes. To encourage the Syrian Army to defect to the side of the oppressed. To email Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel that this is a historic moment to aid the rebellion with the hope that a new regime

would be a real partner for negotiating a final peace treaty,  and a chance for real peace between Syria and Israel with a democratic government.  Speak Out! Speak Out! And then, Find The Truth!

Ira Feinberg’s blog “Finding The Truth” can be found at http://findingthetruth.irafeinberg.com

or www.irafeinbergblog.blogspot.com

The Horse Is Out Of The Barn

April 26, 2011

The Horse Is Out Of The Barn

For over sixty years now most of the nations of the world have sided with the Arabs whenever there was a dispute between Israel and Arab countries. The importance of oil, and the market oriented developed countries who wanted to sell their products to the Arab countries were other key factors in this blatant discrimination. Israel was to be blamed for every incursion, every act of self defense, and any alliance that it entered into that might be interpreted to be siding with those who respected human rights and democratic change. This one sidedness by the world at large because of their self interests in courting the Arabs, allowed for the most egregious blaming of Israel for all of the problems in the Middle-east, if not for all the problems of the entire world. If only Israel would make the necessary concessions, the surrendering of territory gained through the 1967 six day war where Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian armies threatened to destroy Israel, the acceptance of a truncated Israel with defenseless borders, the complete return of the refugees to their original homes, the division  of Jerusalem, the elimination of Israel’s nuclear capability, the end of the occupation of the West Bank and The Gaza Strip. If only Israel did all of the above then the next day there would be peace in the world,  and the problems of Europe and The United States, and the rest of world would be forgotten, and no more hostilities. Israel was cited as  the center of all the problems with Islam in general, and with Al Queda in particular. Solving the Palestinian problem was tantamount to solving all the problems of the world with Israel making all the concessions.

No need then to consider that all the Arab countries were either controlled by dictators, or benevolent kings, or by proxy by outside forces that interfered with the governing of their country with little of anything concerning freedom and human rights. No need to consider the total imbalance of wealth where most of the Arab world lived on pennies a day, and where the rich oil sheiks, and plutocrats lounged on the beaches of the Riviera. No need to consider the seething anger and pain of the average Arab

Citizen for the daily injustices they experienced.  No need to consider that women were treated like chattels, third class citizens, and with no voice, and little if any rights. Where rape was considered a crime by the woman, and not the man, or the men inflicting it. No need to consider that Christians were attacked and murdered with little government involvement for their protection, and where churches were burned to the ground without bringing the guilty to justice in a court of law. No need to mention the Wahabi money from Saudi Arabia that funded Al Queda (that may still be doing so to this day) that attacked our World Trade Center, and Pentagon killing thousands in 2001, and further fanned hate for the United States in Pakistan provoking attacks that killed, and are killing American and Nato soldiers. No need to take in account the age long strife and battles between Sunni and Shia, Kurds and Turks.  No need to consider any of the above if you wanted to understand the Middle-east, and the  wars with radical violent Islam. There was an easy and comfortable response, and the best distraction for the Arab street of the real conditions of life in any Arab country, and why daily there were incidents that triggered more hate, and more hostility. Israel was the answer. Israel was to blame for all the problems. Warfare, explosions, terrorist attacks, and murder. Blame her for the continued recruiting of young boys and girls as suicide bombers, and the enlisting of Al Qaeda soldiers trained to become martyrs. Blame her for the Gaza starvation and blockades, and ignore the thousands of rockets fired on civilians in Israel, and the poverty that exists both in Gaza and the rest of the Middle-east.

The horse is out of the barn. It is so apparent that for over sixty years the world has sided with the Arabs, and designated Israel as the devil, Nazi like, occupier, apartheid promoter, and the discriminator of all Palestinians. They, the Arab nations have used their political and commercial buying power to intimidate the rest of the world into hating Israel, and finding Israel as the source of all the problems in finding peace in the Middle-east, and peace in the world. It does not take too long to witness what has taken place in the Middle-east as of yesterday, with the common people rebelling against the tyrannies that they had to live under day after day. The brutal slayings in Syria, Yemen, and Bahrain of people demonstrating for change.

When the world recognizes this disparity of blame, and releases themselves from the oil intimidation card, and the economic pressures of the Arab countries as huge buyers and investors in the developed countries, then, and only then when the world will not treat Israel with a double standard and will look at  both sides objectively can there be a chance for peace in the Middle-east and in the world as well. The Horse Is Out Of The Barn, and we can only get him back in when the nations of the world realize that the truth has been revealed, and nations should act accordingly, in justice and fairness.

The Best Way To Eliminate All Wars

The

Best Way

To Eliminate All Wars

Did it ever occur to you that all wars are totally useless events? First and foremost there are the lives that are lost. Secondly there are buildings, homes properties, and personal possessions that are destroyed. There is nature that is defiled. Finally the costs in terms of dollars and cents for guns, planes, ships, and the ammunition expended. Billions and Billions. Even trillions and trillions. For what!  For the sake of winning, and only for sowing of the seeds for the next war which will extract the revenge well seeded in the loser’s heart.

The world has been trying to recognize the problem of wars. We even have an organization that embraces the idea that before a war erupts, or after it happens a heated drawn out debate takes place as to what to do to prevent it, or cease it to stop. Regional organizations intercede and try to mediate between the warring parties. Others actually take sides and support one side or the other for the sake of bringing order to the fore. They all seem to fail, or if they don’t fail they are late and the destruction that takes place cannot be undone.

I have the solution which I hope will be honored by the nations of the world.

The only ones I pity are the present manufacturers of arms who will be obliged to lose a lot of money. Or the present day generals and admirals who will no longer be able to play their favorite game which they have been so aptly trained for. Nor all the defense ministers who supervise and manage vast departments with astronomical expenditures. Nor the very leaders of nations who have the power to declare wars.  If we want to eliminate wars forever then my plan should be adopted by all the nations of the world and all humanity.

It starts with recognizing that the ones who are most sacrificed in wars are our youngest. Since they are very young they are willing to take chances and gamble that their heroics will pay off. It isn’t that they are just willing to die for a cause they have been indoctrinated with, or for their patriotism. Nor for the human altruistic instinct to sacrifice oneself for the sake of preserving the tribe. It is all of the above and one more concept. They do not have the fear of death yet having lived short lives and not having witnessed the killing fields and the men, women and children to appease  the gods of war.

My solution is simple, but will be highly effective, and will be the only solution to eliminate the game of war. All Armies, Navies and Air Forces will representing every country in our world agree to recruit their combatant personnel with a prerequisite rule that those who wish to serve in those armed forces have the requirement of being over seventy years of age.

Now all of us know that anyone blessed to having survived this life for seventy years has done something right to have arrived at that time in one piece, and with a sane mind. They are a class of humans who are not prone to engaging in frivolous activities that might shorten their mortality. They seek peacefulness, tranquility, and with a spirit of let others be in peace as well. Why would they want to give up their monthly retirement payments. Their pleasurable vactations. They would distain to engaging in battles and the killing of innocent humans like themselves. They have learned to prevent abrupt actions that could endanger even an innocent animal let alone another human like themselves. They are ready to find a common ground in any dispute since engaging in pugilistic encounters might force them to return  to their dentists for implants or surgeons for new jaws, hips or knees. They have learned to detest hospitals or even doctors which might indicate a malady that would debilitate them, and take them away from the tranquility that they have gained by their age and stature. Wars would cease. Battles would be prevented. Lives would be saved and there would be no more rehabilitation for wounded warriors suffering from the after effects of not only amputations but of the symptoms and scars of battle fatigue that strips the mind of its protection against insanity. If, and god forbid, there was a battle between two armies where the minimum age to be involved would be seventy plus it would probably be a very mild action, and one where both sides already tired from too much activity that day would be inclined to say “Lets not fight over this. Let’s sit down have a cup of coffer or tea and talk it over”. Then all wars would cease. All bloodshed would be countered, and man would learn to live with his fellow man in peace. No more wars. Let’s staff our armed forces with septuagenarians and for sure peace will prevail.

Give It All Back For The Sake of Peace In The World

Here am I in the safety of America looking out on the calamities facing mankind. No bombs exploding. No Air raids. No violence in the streets, and plenty of good fresh food on my table. Why not the whole world like us? It dawned on me unexpectedly that I finally understand how to bring the whole world to a balanced one of tranquility, love and prosperity for all.

All that need be done is for Israel to hand back unconditionally all of the West Bank, the supposed occupational territory, and including most of Jerusalem.

If this were done expeditiously all wars would cease. All revolutions causing turmoil would stop. All bombings, all rapes, all suicide bombers, all religious bigotry and hostility would cease, all human rights issues,  all women currently treated as chattels would be liberated and accepted with equal rights.

I am in favor of Israel giving it all back, every square meter for the sake of peace in the world, But, under only one pre-condition that will make the playing field fair and even,  and then and only then, there  should be only one pre-condition.

Since the disputed territory that the Palestinians claim is theirs, and it  should be returned to them, then this act should be used as the model for all the other countries in the world to follow. Is it just, that after a war to have the victor inhabit and annex the defeated nation’s territory whether or not  the war was morally justified? Of course not because that would be immoral and unfair.

Here  then is my suggestion for a pre-condition for forcing Israel to give up all the land they are repudiated to have occupied and in part inhabited.

Demand the Russians,who after sixty six years and who  have held on to the Kurile Islands off the coast of Japan, and considered a part of  Japan taken by force after only a few last days of World War II,  be returned immediately.

Demand that the United States return Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and other Caribbean Islands to Spain after the Spanish American War. Demand The United States return to Mexico Texas,  Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and California taken from Mexico after the Mexican American Wars.

Return or compensate all the land and territory seized ,abrogated and annexed by  The United States from the Native North Americans who were defeated by our army,  and ethnically cleansed by moving them to reservations.

Demand that The British return the Falkland Islands (Maldives to Argentinians) after first colonizing them by force and then fighting a recent limited war with Argentina to hold on to them.

As for the Chinese who have occupied and usurped Tibet. Should they not  with all their power, and new found wealth, follow The Russian, American, and British examples and do the same? Give back the land and territory to the Tibetans and set an example for Israel to do the same

Yes give it all back to the Palestineans after the world demands the Russians, The Americans The British, and the Chinese set the example for Israel to follow in their footsteps, and then there will surely  be peace in the world with no more problems to address, and with peace and prosperity for all.

Israel has to date fought five wars having been attacked by outside countries

sworn to destroy her and drive their Jewish inhabitants into the sea. The problems that followed could have been solved many times peacefully were it not for the intransigence of the Arab nations that refuse to recognize that one state in Middle-east and  that existed over two thousand years ago should be allowed to flourish again. The core reason has been and continues to be that beating Israel down, bashing her democratic success, and which allowed for the status quo to continue, and is the cause of peace being denied both Palestinians and Israeli’s to live together in harmony and security.

For without the scapegoat of Israel,  and the deliberate distraction used by her enemies who fan the flames of nationalism  in order to distract their citizenry in  the middle-east how would their rulers protect and  maintain their rule over their  blinded masses who remain repressed and held back from experiencing equality with all its economic and human rights. So too is the world fooling themselves when they blame all the problems of the world on Israel’s back. If only Israel would give back all the so called occupied territory, all the problems of the world would be solved.