Blog

My running commentary on events: local, national, and international. Areas of special interest include Israel, Iraq, and dissidents in the Muslim world.

Democracy Takes Time, Even in the Middle East

June 27, 2012

From The Algemeiner

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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Last week’s Wall Street Journal ran a sobering piece by Bret Stephens about the disappointing results of democratic elections in Egypt the previous weekend. It’s true that democracy’s defenders have lately been mugged by reality.

On...

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Nora Ephron, a writer for all seasons, dead at 71

June 27, 2012

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A few thoughts on the death, last week, of screenwriter, journalist, essayist, film director, and playwright Nora Ephron at age 71. Nora Ephron defied the conventional wisdom that you can only do one thing well in life.

Born into a...

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Democracy is not a panacea – but with real commitment, it is a possible future

June 19, 2012

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Last week’s Wall Street Journal ran a sobering piece by Bret Stephens in about the disappointing results of democratic elections the previous weekend. It’s true that democracy’s defenders have lately been mugged by...

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Up up and away with JICNY

June 14, 2012

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Last night I was fortunate to attend the yearly gala for Jewish International Connection New York (JICNY). Founded by Gavin and Jodi Samuels and Steve Eisenberg, the organization holds over 200 free and low-cost events a year and provides a...

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Calling out Jewish self-haters

June 13, 2012

Interesting piece in today’s Jerusalem Post about self-hating Jews. Of particular value is the psychologist’s perspective in the piece that, just as an abused child will sometimes internalize the abuser’s...

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Senator Dick Lugar Departs with a Statesman’s Warning

May 27, 2012

From Algemeiner

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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It’s a departing statesman’s job to share what he has learned. George Washington famously cautioned Americans to take advantage of a “detached and distant situation” to “pursue a different course” from that of Europe and avoid...

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Ay Caramba! Berkley Weeps for Workers–While Her Hubby’s Trust Collects Wal-Mart Dividends

May 27, 2012

From Algemeiner

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV), the liberal Democrat Senate candidate trying to unseat Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) in November, is a gung-ho supporter of labor unions who highlights her tight relationship with Big Labor in her...

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Cory Booker’s spring

May 26, 2012

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With Newark’s mayor in the headlines for braving a burning building to rescue a neighbor and more recently characterizing as “nauseating” efforts on both sides of the political aisle to demonize the other...

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Conservatives imagine Lugar has a ‘tude –when he’s simply making a point

May 9, 2012

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Full disclosure: with yesterday’s defeat of Indiana Senator Richard Lugar, this independent political commentator believes the American people lost a decent and experienced legislator. As I wrote in two previous posts here and here...

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Too bad the American family is enjoying no such surplus

May 8, 2012

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In April, the federal government notched its first budget surplus since President Obama took office, according to today’s news.

Too bad it would appear that American families aren’t seeing any such surplus.

I’m no...

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