Barack Obama's World View and How it Affects America

by Maggie Thornton at Maggie's Notebook

How many times have you commented that Barack Obama voters knew nothing about him when they cast their vote at the polls? I've said it often. How well do you verbally size him up? Who is he? What is he up to? Can you put it into words, or explain it to your nephew or your daughter? See photos and a video below.

Barack Obama

Remember when Tom Brokaw and Charlie Rose sat down just three days before the November 2008 election and admitted they hadn't a clue who Barack Obama really is. Rose asks about Obama's "world view," and his views on China - both say they know nothing about either. They know nothing about Obama's "universe of thinking." It doesn't get more pathetic than these two S.O.B.'s admitting how they robbed the American people of vital information about Barack Obama. Brokaw says the media must be "vigilant," but they weren't. He said a reporter needed to bring "intellectual vigor" to this election, but they didn't - they didn't dare. You can see the video of that conversation below.

When I'm trying to explain what makes Obama tick, I know plenty.

I can talk about his father, his father's philosophy, his father's connections, his father's communism, his father's writings, and the Muslim influence in both of their lives. I can talk about Obama's own admission in his book Dreams From My Father, when he said he tried to take his father's "high blown ideals" as his own. He said he sought his father's attributes in himself. He needed to "prove" himself through political organizing, as did his father.

President Obama's Father, Barak Hussein Obama, Sr.

To discount his distant father's influence, and his ardor for communism is foolish, but that's just what America did. A quote from Obama Sr.:

...there is nothing that can stop the government from taxing 100% of income so long as the people get benefits from the government commensurate with their income which is taxed.

I do not see why the government cannot tax those who have more and syphon some of these revenues into savings which can be utilized in investment for future development.

Obama Sr. believed in the communal ownership of land, and the forced confiscation of privately controlled land. He wanted the nationalization of European and Asian owned enterprises, including hotels...and writing from Kenya for the East Africa Journal, Problems Facing our Socialism, published in July 1965, he wanted these operations handed over to the indigenous black population." He attacked the economic proposals of pro-Western ideals proposed by African leader Tom Mboya. Obama sided with communist-allied leader Oginga Odinga. You can view a pdf of the original document by following the links from Sweetness and Light.

Then there's the mother who loved Muslim men, who painted with broad, vibrant strokes, the son's father...and seeded those stories in the mind of the boy. There's the mother who left her son behind in Hawaii at a certain age to pursue her own self-interests.

I know about Barack Obama's years with with the Gamaliel Foundation and his gloried community organizing in Chicago. This article sums it up succinctly and offers credible links.

So knowing all this and more, I admit that I still find it difficult to put into words who I think Barack Obama is, or what I believe his motives to be, but another blogger has found those words and put them together ingeniously. The entire article wastes not a word. Here are some snippets from The Return of Scipio.

His life has been fully marinated in the world view of those who hate capitalism, call the US the source of much of the world’s evil, believe the Jews to be the main problem of the Middle East, see themselves as most qualified to govern “the people”, equate opposition with heresy and despise traditional religions and values. They are absolute and total creatures of government and could not survive outside of it. Indeed, this is the reason why all of their proposals involve government. The greater the size of government, the more power they have. The fact that liberty is reduced for the citizenry is irrelevant, since the ruing classes will always have the freedom to do what they wish.

Obama and his sorts exist in some bounteous ether where taxes, small cars, high gas prices, reduced incomes and the toil of daily life affect only those who do the actual work of the nation. They award themselves beautiful homes, large and fancy automobiles, excellent food and citizen subsidized foreign travel. Indeed, their entire lives are subsidized by the taxes they impose upon the masses. And with the increase of government—which really is an increase of job prospects of the ruling classes and their families—the numbers of these types will increase, as will the taxes imposed to maintain such sumptuous lifestyles of these rich, famous and powerful.

[omissions....]

The grand design of all these teeming intellectuals all over the globe is to create a world system where they and their type sit at all the tables of governance, control all the levers of power and distribute all the world’s wealth. Obama sees himself at the head of this motley throng. It is obvious that these types have no particular loyalty to any particular geographic area. Obama himself has nothing particularly American about him. Search all you like but in him you will find no Jefferson or Madison. He is really a citizen of that transnational body of intellectuals that imagines the entire world as its proper stage and the rest of us as mere bit players in its grandiose drama. The members of this elite regard the entire earth as part of their rightful inheritance and desire a world government composed of themselves.

Read every word at The Return of Scipio and thanks to Jim Simpson at Truth and Consequences.

Barack Obama's World View and How it Affects America(Video)

Media Jumps to Its Feet for Obama, Not for Bush: Watch a Military Response (Video)

by Maggie at Maggie's Notebook

Silly me, I thought every American "stood" for a U.S. President. Watch this and then check out the video below.

If President Bush didn't have the love and respect of White House reporters, he certainly had it from our military, and he gave it back to the military. Watch how Bush and Obama approached our troops. Hat tip to Blue Star Chronicles.

British Female Judge Converts to Islam - Video

by Maggie at Maggie's Notebook

A female District Judge in Britain, Marilyn Mornington, has converted to Islam. She specializes in violence against women and child abuse, and specifically abuse against women in the Muslim community. She involved herself in the lives of Muslims to learn more about it. She says as she began to read the Koran she had no choice in the matter. I believe she is saying it was inevitable that she would convert. She mentions that someone (name is inaudible) "had his eyes on me." If you know who she is talking about, please leave a comment. See the video below.

Mornington is talking to Imam Hamza Yusuf, an American. He teaches at the Zaytuna Institute in California. He was born Mark Hanson in Walla Walla, Washington, and converted to Islam at the age of 17.

One blessing is that we can choose how or if we will worship, and who we will worship. This lady has every right to convert, but I have to wonder, who will do the mediating for her when Islamic violence dogs her every step. What if she changes her mind? No chance of leaving Islam - and especially for a woman.

And, as a side note, can't you imagine how a Brit will feel standing in court in front of this woman?

Watch the two women looking on as this Judge speaks. By the way, have you ever seen a Muslim woman wearing yellow or red burqas? Perhaps these are not technically burqa's??? Have you ever seen a Muslim woman flaunting blonde bangs? Any color bangs?

Thank you to Holger Awakens

Maersk Alabama's Shane Murphy Leaves a Comment at Maggie's Notebook

by Maggie at Maggie's Notebook

I recently responded to a comment made by Chief Mate Shane Murphy of the Maersk Alabama, which was taken hostage by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden on April 8th, 2009. Mr. Murphy dropped by Maggie's Notebook and left a reply to my blog post.

Once back to the homeland, Murphy made some comments critical of Rush Limbaugh's coverage of the hijacking, and the emotional hours that ensued as Maersk Alabama Captain Richard Phillips was held hostage in a lifeboat with four pirates.

As background, Chief Mate Shane Murphy accused Rush of "trying to make this [hijacking] into a race issue."

Here are Mr. Murphy's comments:

"It feels great to be home," said Murphy in an interview with WCBV in Boston. "It feels like everyone around here has my back, with the exception of Rush Limbaugh, who is trying to make this into a race issue...that's disgusting."

"You gotta get with us or against us here, Rush," Murphy said. "The president did the right thing...It's a war.... It's about good versus evil. And what you said is evil. It's hate speech. I won't tolerate it."

I responded with a blog post, defending Rush's statement that included the words "Black Muslim teenagers." You can read it here.

Mr. Murphy responded back to me, with the following comment on my blog post:

This is Shane Murphy the Chief Mate from the Alabama. I know the four men that came into my home with automatic weapons were black, I don't' know what their religion is. I don't' care really. Assumptions about people are dangerous. Don't assume I'm a liberal. I love and Respect George Bush and am one of his die hard supports. I'd like to think if he gave the order to save Captain Phillips he' be viewed as a hero as well. Mr. Bush is not a racist, he's proven that throughout his life. I probably do need to grow up politically, I sail half the year and the other half I watch movies sports or play with my boys. I don't listen to Limbaugh's program. I know he has a lot of loyal followers, many of whom I consider close friends. Don't assume anything about me and where I"m from, nobody knows my soul and what I've lived or experienced. What can I say you caught me on a bad day, I just got home after being HIJACKED by PIRATES yes thats not a story that really happened to me. I just want the other hostages to be set free, and to come up with a long term solution to the problem. I'm willing to help, sign me up, but aint' it great to live in a country where I can have my opinion, and the people that really know me, know that regardless of what was said, I detected race baiting. Baiting is something I know a thing or two about, and when you're trying to catch a fish, it's all in the bait. I'm just not falling for that one. Rush needs to be more carefull with his words, he has a powerfull voice and he can sway opinion one way or another, I don't mind an open discussion but lets stick to issues, this is not about race, it's about changing the culture of fear. I could easily close my door and tell people to read the news, but thats not being reported correctly, I'll tell the world what happened, and I'll tell it my way. I'm no politician, I'm a seaman and I can walk the street anywhere in the world and find a friend. We are ambassadors of America and I'm telling as someone who spends some time outside the country our image could use a makeover. This is a good story lets keep it out of the gutter, and honor the families that lived it and be greatfull that the support and will of the American people brought this to a quick ending. God Bless America.

Mr. Murphy got it right...this is a war, and it is about good versus evil. The Huffington Post report on Murphy's comments to WCBV said Murphy was responding to this comment from Rush:

"He was worried about the order he had given to wipe out three teenagers on the high seas," Limbaugh said. "Black Muslim teenagers."

One of my points Mr. Murphy, was that President Obama DOES NOT see Somali pirate hijackings as a war - so the President would disagree with you on that. A second point was that these men were teenagers, they were Black and the chances that they are Muslim are much greater than that they are not Muslim. The CIA Factbook doesn't even bother delineating religion in Somalia by percentages. It just says that Somali's "Religions" are Sunni Muslim" - there are no other religions there, and it is interesting to note that with the failure of a central government, the Somali's may be governed by "traditional Somali customary law, or Sharia (Islamic) law."

Mr. Murphy, you stated that you do not care about the religion of the pirates, and you make the point that "assumptions about people are dangerous." I think what you are missing, Mr. Murphy, and I say this with the greatest respect, is that we can and should make assumptions about criminals and terrorists, Muslims or not, who invade your sanctity or mine. If the likelihood is that the pirates are Muslim, and we know that radical Islam is behind many piracy's, then we should identify them as Muslim. If they are Black or Caucasian or Asian or Hispanic, it is reasonable to identify them as such. The politically correct stance is that these are starving young men who only want to eat, and feed their families. While it may be that simple, it probably isn't.

Chief Mate Murphy took exception to Limbaugh's assertion that had President Bush shot these teenage Black men in the open seas,

"I guarantee there would be hell to pay and war crime trials."

Mr. Murphy, you have said you would

"like to think "if he [President Bush] gave the order to save Captain Phillips he'd be viewed as a hero as well."

That's just not reality. The Obama administration is considering hauling Bush and his administration's officials into court for supposed "torture" techniques that didn't even come close to killing those being interrogated. Does it matter that terror plots were interrupted because of the intelligence gained? No, it doesn't matter. What does matter to this administration is that America "shape up," because this is a country to be apologized for. What matters is that we respect the terrorists and take the interrogators to court. That's just one more way to make apologies to the world. Each and everyone of those interrogated enemies are Muslim - radical Islamics. They are out to destroy our way of life. They hate us. They were heeding the call of their holy book.

In August 2008, Jihad Watch reported on "monetary jihad" and Somali pirates. EVEN the always-liberal Reuters reported on an "explosion" of piracy to funneling "hefty ransom payments to Islamic rebels...." That quote came a "maritime official." There is a lot of information about jihadist ties to Somali piracy. A google search yields some 268,000 results.

The spike in attacks at sea has coincided with a rise in assaults on land by radical al-Shabaab insurgents, including the capture on Friday of Somalia's strategic southern port Kismayu.

The United States say al-Shabaab is a terrorist group with close ties to al Qaeda. Experts say some of the businessmen and warlords who command the pirates are also funding the rebels.

"The entire Somali coastline is now under control of the Islamists," Andrew Mwangura, head of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme, told Reuters in an interview.

"According to our information, the money they make from piracy and ransoms goes to support al-Shabaab activities onshore."

The article goes on to explain that many of the pirates are considered "local celebrities," and their new-found avenue to wealth had allowed them to live lavishly, which includes "marrying extra wives," and driving "flashy cars." The Koran explains that all of this is okay when you are abusing an infidel. In otherwords, they are heeding the call of their holy book.

You have cautioned me to not assume anything about you because I do not know your "soul" or the experiences you have lived. To be fair, I assumed little, except that you were probably liberal. I knew you were young, so that was not an assumption. I think it fair, however, to assume that you meant what you said - Limbaugh was racist and disgusting and participated in hate speech.

Rush Limbaugh can say the same back to you - don't assume that he doesn't recognize good versus evil, and certainly do not assume that he uses hate speech or is a racist. There's such a thing as "context." You've said you do not listen to him. If you did, you would know that he is among the staunchest champions of human rights you'll find, regardless of race, color or creed. Without putting words in Rush's mouth, I see him as believing each of us must be responsible, do the most that we can do, and do it the best that we can. That is the way we pursue happiness, as guaranteed in our founding documents. We are not guaranteed that we will each achieve equal success. I heard Rush pummel many, but never based solely on color or ethnicity. If you listen to him long enough, you realize that he really does want everyone to be the best they can be, and you also learn that he is not tolerant of parasites.

Rush wasn't "baiting" anyone [my opinion]. I heard his comments. He is just brave enough, and serious enough about what he is doing, to say what absolutely none of the mainstream media will say...radical Islam is coddled by the politically correct. Rush will say it because radical Islam is an enormous threat to the entire world. It is critically important that America understand the threat. We cannot get around the many Islamic terrorist attacks attacks that were practically ignored before September 11, 2001.

That's what this is about, Mr. Murphy, and from your vantage point, I understand why you can't see it. You were, as you say, in your home and you were invaded. It was criminal - and you don't care the color of their skin or their religion. I really do understand that, but from the vantage point of those of us who are out here watching, every day - intently watching, just as you intently watch the open ocean ahead of you, or the port you are pulling into - we see the pattern, over and over and over. IF your hijacking was not connected to radical Islam, that is as improbable as it is probable - and no one will ever know the complete truth. You have the right to see it how you want to see it, as do I. This was an international event. It happened to you but it affected everyone who cares about violence against the West.

I do believe that you are a mighty ambassador for America. I am not of the mind, though, that America's image needs repair. You may see hate for America, but the truth is, America is the most benevolent country in the world. We are heads and shoulders above any other country. In Africa alone, our HIV/AIDS funds have had a tremendous affect in saving lives, although not slowing down the transmission of the disease. We needn't even mention the massive food and agricultural aid we provide, the healthcare we provide, the education we support. I do believe America is a force for good in this world. Just look at the cargo you were carrying. Someone bought and paid for it - either the taxpayers through the government or private enterprise, which is also funded by the taxpayer. The best way for all of us to raise the image of America, when among American haters, is to hold our heads high and testify to her greatness by defending her - just knowing a few facts gives us plenty to testify with. The truth is, everyone in these disadvantage lands would be here if they could. The want what you have.

You've asked that we honor the families involved. America grieved for these families, and most importantly, we prayed for these families. We thought about the many hidden somewhere on the Somali coast - hijacked individuals with families of their own. As you said, your captivity was short but many are kept for months, maybe years, against their will. It is time to end that scenario once and for all. That may not happen though because it isn't politically correct, so people in your industry will have to find a way to protect yourselves.

You've asked that we stick to the issues because this is not about race. The issue is, the Maersk Alabama was hijacked, and because you and your brave crew took action, you are not hidden away in the bowels of Somalia somewhere, wondering if and when you will be ransomed-out or rescued in some unbelievable act of bravery. Many Americans are fed-up with the terrorist motivations behind the attacks on the West and our culture. Many of us want to fight back against terrorism in all of it's forms and natures. Somali pirates are one of those forms. In Somalia, Islam rules - and that's one of the natures of the terrorism behind Somali piracy.

When you made your comments, the press loved it, and they hate Rush Limbaugh. It was a gleeful moment for them. Your comments about Rush were harsh. I believe exactly as Rush does and I'm not alone, so I take it personally when one of the few among us has the courage to tell the hard truth, and then is accused of evil hate speech. I intend to do my small part in standing up for Lady Liberty's warriors.

I thank you for coming by to clarify your position. I do understand that you had many more bad days than good ones for awhile. I do understand that you were a very busy man while we were close by the radio and television to catch every bit of information available. I am grateful that you and the crew of the Maersk Alabama lived through this terrible event. I am grateful that you are free to speak out. You have every right to do so. May God bless you and your family, Shane, and keep you safe in your journeys, and may God bless America.

Missing Cabo, Wish We Were There, Glad We're Not - I Think!

by Maggie at Maggie's Notebook

Hello Radarsite readers. I should be in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on our annual vacation this week but the flu-scare kept us home. I wrote a blog about our past vacations there with some photos and thought I would share it with Roger's readers. Maggie

This moment, I should be standing on a balcony overlooking the Cabo San Lucas bay, with a cup of coffee in my hand. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico has glorious mornings. Instead, I am safely at home with no sign of any kind of flu in my area, on a cold rainy morning, drinking coffee at my computer.

Cabo Parade of Boats

For the past thirteen years my husband and I have gone to Cabo for a week. Nine years ago we added another week at the Cabo San Lucas Golf Resort. Everything about the little town of Cabo is nice. It is clean and pretty and unless you are young and drunk and hanging out at the Giggling Marlin late at night, Cabo is safe. In fact, I've heard few bad rumors about Cabo nightlife, and they are only rumors. I'm sure the Giggling Marlin is safe, as well as fun, and I've had many a mid-afternoon coke there when I needed a break from shopping.

Margaritas at Cabo Marina

A few years ago, when the amnesty issues arose and stats on the high cost of illegal aliens on the American taxpayer became known, I regretted purchasing our timeshares. I regret spending money there. I would not buy a timeshare in Mexico again today, but I will continue to go each year because we already own our units. Our timeshares are American owned. Many businesses there are American owned. The residents are always smiling, and it is our understanding that the people there have jobs and are doing well. The children go to school. You see no children diving for change when a cruise ship arrives. Cabo is a much sought-after destination for mainland Mexicans. They want to live in Cabo and raise their children in Cabo. A few years ago, we were told that Cabo limits the number of Mexican nationals arriving from the mainland, seeking a permanent home. I think you must have a job to be there.

Cabo Arc at Land's End

My hubby, brother and a friend would be playing seven straight days of golf and then hitting the Golf Club's pool late afternoon. The golf course is challenging, and the pool is beautiful.

Los Cabos Golf Resort and Country Club

Los Cabos Golf Resort - One of two pools

Los Cabos Golf Resort Lobby and Foot Pool

In the early years, I shopped late each afternoon after some beach time. I decorated my laundry room in Cabo "suns and moons," a paper machai statue of a lady balancing a basket of peppers on her head, and the man with the straw hat carrying a basket of seeds. I stocked up on Mexican pewter which we could not buy in the U.S. at that time. It goes from the freezer to the oven. Amazing stuff. My friends were envious. Now we can buy it everywhere. I have a few favorite silver jewelry shops, but after many visits, I need no more earrings, bracelets, or slides. On the beach from the comfort of my palapa, vendors display beautiful bathing suit sarong pareos, which I buy; jewelry which I do not buy on the beach, and some really gorgeous pottery. In recent years, I've seldom shopped. I'm over it. I do add to my Mexican table linens each year. They are the best for casual dining. The napkins wash over and over, keep their color and never need ironing. Recent visits find us relaxing here:

Los Cabos Golf Resort 'Personal' Hammock

We vacillated about cancelling our trip. We talked to friends in Cabo and there was no flu. The banks and federal building personnel were wearing masks as a precaution. At 6 p.m. the night before leaving we cancelled. Raising the World Health Organization threat to Level 5 made the decision for us. Once down there, if the borders were closed we knew we might not be able to get back across. We knew there was only a slim chance of borders closing, but we also knew that if we made the trip, got sick or could not get back home, absolutely no one would feel sorry for us, and rightly so.

View from our hot tub to the ocean

Last year, one of our favorite restaurants on the Marina, Margaritavilla, was closed for renovations. We were looking forward to enjoying the spectacular view and especially the chips and salsa. We're still looking forward to it...maybe in November.

Margaritavilla Restaurant on Cabo Marina

My very favorite restaurant in Cabo is Pancho's Restaurant and Tequila Bar. Pancho's is a long-time American-owned eatery, and it is a joy to be there. The the fish is fresh, with many choices of preparation. The Mexican dishes are bright and deliciously prepared, and the salad is the best in Cabo or about anywhere in the world. Cabo is not known for salads, so Pancho's is the place to find a really good one.

Pancho's Restaurant and Tequila Bar in Cabo

When we need a hot dog or a quesadilla just a few steps away from our palapa, we sit on the deck of Tabasco's, the beach shack next door. The beer is ice cold, the cokes are good and the Guacamole and chips are not the best, but okay for a snack.

Tabasco's on Cabo Bay

Our home restaurant, however, is at Club Cascades de Baja, on the beach overlooking El Arco. The breakfasts are amazing - the best in Cabo. Hamburgers served on the beach are excellent some years - not so excellent some years. Their Puttanesca is a dish I look forward to. The fruit is fresh and the chips really good.

Club Cascades de Baja Dining

We fell in love with Club Cascades de Baja the minute we walked into the open-air lobby. There are no elevators, nothing is new and slick and shiny, but everything is beautiful and beautifully maintained. We have a third floor unit with 1200 square feet and two large terraces. We walk a private outdoor stairway to get there, with gorgeous views. How lucky are we to love the climb? You can see the stairway below to our unit.

Club Cascades de Baja

We have two pools at our disposal along with the beach at Club Cascades. The below is the one farther from the beach. It's a "quieter" pool. I don't know the people in this photo. It's difficult to find the pool empty for a photo op. We spend a part of each day here after some beach time. Our unit looks like the one in the pic with the blue railing, except that our overlooks the ocean.

Club Cascades Pool

We get to the beach right after breakfast every day. The air is soooooo fresh. Many books are read, many sudoku puzzles solved, many chats with people you see only once a year. I swear, that is not me in the green bathing suit. I swear I was behind the camera. I really need a good photo shop program. From here we can see a sunrise and a sunset.

A Cabo Morning

Back to reality. The day has turned from rain to sunshine. We are going to our favorite hometown Mexican eatery tonight. They have better margaritas than we can find in Mexico. We're playing bridge after dinner with my brother and sister-in-law, who would have been in Mexico with us, along with long-time friends from Texas. It's a good life. I'm blessed.

Sderot: Remembering the fallen and the terror continues

By Findalis

From the Sderot Media Center:

Sderot elementary school students remember Israel’s fallen

By Anav Silverman

At Madaim Alon Elementary School, principal Leora Fima stands before her students, marking the beginning of Memorial Day for Israel’s Fallen service held at the school on Tuesday morning.

The 160 students, from first grade to sixth grade, sit quietly in the school hall-- one of the last areas of the school that remains unprotected by rocket attacks.

When Principal Fima tells the students that the siren will go off at any moment in remembrance of Israel’s fallen, a first grader in the crowd asks if she means the Tzeva Adom, or Color Red siren warning of impending rockets. “No, a different siren,” responds Principal Fima.

“The students were badly affected by the impact of the Gaza war,” Principal Fima later tells Sderot Media Center. “It was very difficult to get the students back on track in terms of studying. It was impossible to get them to concentrate and their motivation was completely gone.”

During the Gaza war, many schools in southern Israel including Sderot remained closed.

However, through outside financial contributions, Madaim Alon was able to establish an intensive psychological therapy program for the students. “Once a week, each child in our school undergoes an hour of psychological therapy,” says Fima. “This has helped the students tremendously. Since Passover vacation there has been a significant change in their behavior. The kids are noticeably more relaxed.”

Madim Alon Elementary School is the only school in the western Negev which offers such counseling for students-- many of whom suffer from PTSD symptoms that result from sirens and rocket attacks.

“The kids here understand, perhaps better than anyone else, the meaning behind Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israel’s Wars,” says Fima.

” One student even told me earlier in the week that from war, can we can strive for peace. The kids know that these young soldiers gave up their lives for us to live here today.”

Indeed, the hall was completely quiet as a Madaim Alon student read off the names of Sderot’s fallen soldiers during the ceremony. When the names of the Sderot residents killed by rocket attacks were called out loud, the silence among the children was almost deafening.

“These kids have had to sacrifice so much already at such a young age. And yet they are not consumed by hatred or anger,” said Fima.

Last week Madaim Alon held a Peace Day for its students in light of Operation Cast Lead. The elementary school students organized sessions exploring how the recent Gaza war affected everyone including Palestinian children, Fima explained.

“There is a time for building bridges,” she says.

April Recap: Palestinian terror activities continue in Gaza Strip

By Anav Silverman

Color Red Siren Sounds in Sderot on Israel's Remembrance Day for Fallen of Israel's Wars

While those living outside of Sderot may be under the impression that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is going well, Sderot and western Negev residents continued to experience rocket fire during the recent Passover holiday and Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers earlier this week.

On Tuesday afternoon, April 28, the Tzeva Adom or Color Red siren blared throughout Sderot, sending residents racing to shelters.

On Wednesday April 16, a Qassam rocket slammed into the western Negev, with another rocket following 24 hours later. The second rocket was fired hours after the Israel Air Force struck a booby-trapped building in central Gaza.

Both rockets landed in the Eshkol region of the western Negev, in an open an area, causing no reported injuries or damages.

Since the ceasefire began on January 19, over 180 rockets including five grad rockets supplied by Iran, were fired at southern Israel according to the IDF spokesperson's office. There has been a marked decrease in the number of rockets fired at Israeli civilians since Operation Cast Lead. According to the IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Hamas has been deterred from firing Qassam rockets into Israel since the operation.

"It is not coincidental that there is no [Kassam] rocket fire from Gaza, but we know that terrorism or attacks along the border fence, by sea or from the Gaza Strip into the Sinai Peninsula, are still on the agenda and we are therefore preparing with all the necessary measures," Ashkenazi stated on Monday, April 16, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

Other terrorist activities have continued in Gaza. On Thursday April 13, Egyptian officials arrested nine Sinai Beduin near the Gaza border on the suspicion of smuggling weapons, merchandise and money to Hamas. Two of the suspects were caught at the Rafah border crossing in possession of more than $90,000.

Egyptian police had discovered the day before 900 kilograms of TNT hidden in 18 sacks near the Gaza border. Egyptian authorities also arrested three Palestinians on suspicion of infiltrating into the country.

On April 13, the Israeli Navy spotted an unmanned Palestinian fishing boat off the coast of the Gaza Strip. The boat was loaded with hundred of kilograms of explosives and remotely detonated as it approached an Israeli Navy ship, which distanced itself away from it. The fishing boat exploded seconds later, injuring no one.

In the past, Palestinian have tried to detonate explosives-laden ships next to Israel Navy vessels.

According to the Jerusalem Post, four Israeli sailors were wounded in 2002 when Palestinian detonated a fishing boat next to a navy patrol off northern Gaza.

In October 2000, a small ship exploded next to the USS Cole in Yemen, which killed 17 American sailors.

Also last week, Egyptian authorities cracked a Hezbollah-run terrorist ring based in Egypt. Thanks to intelligence information provided by Israel's Mossad and other foreign intelligence services including the CIA, the crackdown led Egyptian authorities to arrest dozens of suspects on Thursday April 16.

According to Ha'aretz, the head of the ring was Lebanese citizen Sami Shihab who was in touch with a special branch of Hezbollah for some time. Egyptian security sources said that the Hezbollah agents had planned a series of terrorist attacks against tourist sites in Sinai where western and Israeli tourists frequent. Egptian sources also noted that the Suez Canal was a target of the ring.

Egypt had been hunting for 13 members of the 49 member Hezbollah ring which included Lebanese and Sudanese citizens for some time. The men had taken shelter in the central Sinal town of al-Nakhl and authorities had feared that the men might escape north into Gaza located 120 miles away through secret tunnels or head further south.

A senior Egyptian source told Haaretz that "Egypt will take active measures against anyone who threatens its national security. We will not allow anyone to do this: Hezbollah, Iran or others. They sought to strike at the national security of Egypt, but luckily we stopped them and uncovered their plot."

The world does not care that over a million people live under the daily threat of rocket attacks from an entity that has sworn to kill each and every one of them. Instead it applauds and rewards the purveyors of the terror with massive amounts of financing in the guise of aid. The Obama administration alone has pledged to give $1.1 billion to help Gaza. US taxpayer funds that will go straight into the hands of Hamas. Obama is even orchestrating the means to put it directly into Hamas' hands. Funds that will not go to the people of Gaza, but to purchase the weapons of terror.

If you feel that funding terror is against the principles that this nation was founded on, then write Congress and let them know that. Let them know that you stand tall with the people of Sderot. That you do not want your tax dollars given to a known terrorist group. That $1.1 billion could be spent better here at home. Just don't be silent!


And like always, I ask you to donate to the Sderot Media Center. Just click on the logo at the top or bottom of this post.

It is time that the sirens fall silent over Sderot!

Hillary's "Accomplishments" at State

Cross-posted by Gary Fouse
fousesquawk


"The most traveled secretary of State in a new administration"


File this Department of State announcement in the "are you kidding me?" folder.
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OVERALL DEPARTMENT POLICY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, REGULATORY INITIATIVES, AND INTERAGENCY EFFORTS

"In the first 100 Days of the Obama Administration, Secretary Clinton and the State Department have made significant progress in advancing America’s national security goals and promoting America’s values around the world.

Secretary Clinton is already the most traveled Secretary of State in a new Administration. The Secretary’s trips have included her inaugural trip to Asia, the Middle East and Europe, Mexico and across the border to Texas, the Hague in the Netherlands, Europe with President Obama, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago with President Obama, and to Iraq and Kuwait.

The work undertaken on these trips, the many bilateral and trilateral meetings hosted by Secretary Clinton, and the tireless efforts of others throughout the State Department have contributed to early and significant progress on the following priorities: Afghanistan/Pakistan policy, the Middle East, Iraq, Asia, Russia, North Korea, the Western Hemisphere, the climate crisis, engaging in public diplomacy, and other core issues."
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Boy, I'll say! Things are looking great in Pakistan with the Taliban now 60 miles from Islamabad, North Korea firing its missiles, Haiti really developing, Russia still giving us the finger, the Middle East being well.......still the Middle East.

Maybe DOS would like to be a little more specific about Mrs Clinton's so-called "significant progress". Maybe they would also like to explain what "across the border to Texas" means. Or "the most traveled secretary of state in a new administration". If you read between the lines, "work", "meetings", and "tireless efforts" do not equate to accomplishments or progress.

It looks like the Clinton Spin Machine has taken up residence at Foggy Bottom. Based on my own experience with the Department of State when I was working overseas with DEA, I would have to admit that when it comes to arrogance, Hillary Clinton and the State Department are a good match after all.