Current status of Mideast Peace

I don't believe this, Pres. Obama goes out of his way to try to end the ongoing dispute between Israel and the Palestinians, and at every step, PM Netanyahu continues to fight him. I don't know how Israel can think that by putting off the peace process and demand that it get recognized not as a state, but a Jewish state, when that was not a part of the initially agreed upon text. I think for the Arabs to complain is more than legitimate, as Israel has been dragging its feet for the past year or so.

As for the Arab side process, I think that Pres. Abbas needs to realize that by daring Israel to annex the areas the Palestinians want for a state is only giving the Israeli radicals and settlers what they want, the right to oppress the Palestinians without any kind of rebuke from the international community. Additionally, it is going to damage Obama's credibility as an even-handed broker, working to bring both sides together. Abbas should not give in or cave, he should continue to fight for Palestinian sovereignty and call for Israel to end the construction of settlements. As long as he continues to work in tandem with the Arab League, and the UN, that should provide him enough political cover to make the hard choices necessary to create a Palestinian state.

As for President Obama, he needs to be more vocal. He really needs to display more disapproval of Israel's severe misbehavior on the international scene. If he doesn't start showing America as being more assertive, it'll only show that America will always turn a blind eye to any of Israel's consistent flouting of international law with its settlements. Not to mention, it will forever damage America's role as an honest peace negotiator in the eyes of the Muslim world. Now is not the time to give in to Israeli demands, Mr. President. Today is the day that, politics aside, someone can actually make a situation a lot easier for a nation with no homeland. The last thing we need to do is treat a humanitarian crisis as a military conflict, and this should be your consistent message to Netanyahu. Where are you now, Mr. President? We need someone of your standing to go out and really create a fuss. We need you to remind Israel that its actions are alienating its one true ally in a world where everyone else remains extremely critical.

One more note to play before concluding. Iran has been causing more hell than Israel, which is something I do recognize off-hand. They still provide support to various militias in the Mideast, such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Not to mention, it's this kind of backing that's keeping the Arab states in a constant cycle of fear, more than anything else. I don't see how everyone is blaming the Arabs for all the violence directed towards Israel, or more specifically how there's state funding from the Arabs. Let me be clear on this, outside of possibly Syria, the Arabs are largely content on leaving Israel in peace. Most have become resigned to the fact that Israel is not going anywhere anytime soon, and are still trying to settle old disputes and extend diplomatic recognition. However, they're not venturing anywhere near the final step of recognition, not only because of the settlements, but because of Iran's meddling in their affairs. Most Arab states fear a revolt from Iran, so they largely stay quiet. Which brings me back to my original point, which is that if anyone is causing trouble for Israel these days on a state-based level, it's Iran. The Arabs see the militias largely as an unnecessary hindrance to peace and are making it clear that their aims don't reflect Arab nationalism. Iran doesn't and that's how these groups are still able to operate.

To conclude, this process does not seem to make itself any easier to work with. Now matter how many steps forward are taken, we always have to take about four steps backward to compensate. I don't see how in a world where people can agree on a consensus gap of 95%, can kill each other of the remaing 5%. Oh wait, I remember, it's because of extremism.

Life as of today

Well, I'm back in school and have been moving crap for a very long while. Thank God I'm finally outta University Park North. It's not to say that it was a bad place, it was decent for what it was, but I just didn't feel that it was the right place for me. I would have preferred to have lived elsewhere only because I didn't want to be in an area I knew I'd be bored in. The area around SFSU has almost nothing to keep you entertained. I'm serious, you have to take between a 30-60 minute trip on Muni to go for some entertainment. Most people on the weekends don't hang out on campus anyway.

It also doesn't help that I don't do anything, either. Now at this point in time, I'm thinking I may want to spend more time out of the next domain. It's better to do that, than staying inside bored all day. That was the problem @ UPN. Just bored all day, looking for something instant to keep me hooked. Well I gotta say that it was the worst decision I could have made. I'm on campus another 2 years, might as well see what's there.

Fire Alarms

I don't know how to put this. I'm sitting at work, about to start doing something, then I hear some fire alarms go off. And to think I deal with this on a 6-8 week basis at school, where my ears still ring even with earplugs in after they're turned off. Well, right now it's giving me a massive headache and I wish that SFFD would simply shut them off wherever they're coming from (most likely Westfield). God, they're so flipping annoying. Whatever, I'll end the rant here.

Israel & International Flottila Inquiry

Once again, Israel has proven it's not willing to live up to international transparency standards. It's saddening to think that the land of my ancestors would threaten to return to their boycott of these kinds of international investigations. And yet, it's not surprising either, as they claim bias within the investigations. It's not bias, it's the fact that Israel has a tendency to overreact and blow all kinds of nonsense out of proportion. I don't even believe for a second that Israel acted in self-defense against the pro-Palestine activists, it was more like a case of state-sanctioned piracy and terrorism on the high-seas. This is the 21st Cent., most countries don't engage in this kind of activity any more.

My hope is that Pres. Obama, and his administration, will reign in PM Netanyahu's govt. Not only are they backing down on their promise to let an international investigation look into this, they also promised to participate. I personally think that America should condemn this and let a resolution go through the security council condemning Israel's decision. To let Israel get away with this is completely absurd. They should be held to the same standards as everyone else. America needs to face this fact and get out of the way of any international appeals to reign Israel in.

Western Islamophobia

God, I've been seeing so much Islamophobia in several Western countries. It's been breeding laws that seem to restrict what Muslims can and can't wear when out in public. Example: In Spain, there's currently a law in the Parliament to ban the wearing of Burqas (just like in France and Switzerland). I can't believe the amount of ignorance and intolerance being thrown around. This kind of hatred just saddens me, especially because it suppresses people who are only trying to live their lives. I understand the countries want the new comers to adopt the dominant culture, but those same countries should allow them to retain some parts of their culture as well.

Not to mention, there's still a bit of Islamophobia in America, as well. Like, just this year, there was some large scandal about CAIR (Council of American Islamic Relations) infiltrating the Congress, forcing it to hire more Muslims. It was a bogus scare tactic, that can be used Republican strategists to gain seats this November. I think its callous and cruel, and I largely condemn this. It's sickening to think that people can be this cruel, especially in America. I know of America's violently racist past, and I've seen pictures of it. I also know of the same violence happening today. Muslims are one target today, just like they were years ago.

And to think, much of this comes as a reaction to Islamic extremism. That's the problem: extremism breeds extremism, and, before we know it, we'll all be at war. I think that it's this veneral hatred that's driving the West to war with Iran. I give you, Iran has been baiting Israel, to a point, but still Israel is very close to nuking Iran, as is America. I fear, within the next couple of years, war will come to fruition.

America and Russia: spies in our midst

Oh God, where do I begin with this? Well, after Obama and Medvedev had successfully recalibrated the America-Russia strategic relationship, a spy scandal pops out. Now everyone knows about the diplomatic posturing of denying any knowledge, which was appropriate on Russia's part. Of course, they demand an explanation for why some of their citizens have been arrested and about to be prosecuted for espionage. Well, turned out that didn't happen.

I'm absolutely amazed at the expediency exercised by the Obama Foreign and Justice Depts. as well as the CIA chief working with his Russian counterpart for a swap. It looked like the details of what played out were agreed upon in backroom dealings and that Obama had approved before meeting with Medvedev. Well, seeing that neither Obama nor Medvedev are likely to publicly comment on this, shows that they're moving past the scandal and will likely not have to deal with too many politics involved.

Israel's at it again

I find this hard to believe, that as a Jew, I see extremists hijacking my faith and twisting its text for their own grand designs. I'd like to ask where they get the evidence within the Old Testament that allows them to settle in the disputed areas, but I'm not in Israel. I don't plan to go either, as these extremists will try to do everything possible to get me to see the Palestinians, as well as other Arab nationalities, as evil. I don't see them that way, they're people who want to live their lives in peace and respect.

Now as for why I'm slamming Israel yet again, it's that they're cutting off a Palestinian village in the West Bank from the rest of the World. Most routes in and out are not accessible and are largely blocked off by the Israeli govt. I know that once they cut off this village, they'll bulldoze it to place another settlement. The international community, along with America, has called upon Israel to quit doing this, and meanwhile, Israel is thumbing its nose, saying it can do what it wants. This is a bogus argument and an immense double standard, as when the Palestinians try to rebuild their lives, they're looking to steal Israeli land. It's no wonder that the Palestinians have no interest in direct negotiations, the Israelis won't listen to their needs. They never will, because the extremists run the country. America needs to pull out of these negotiations now, Israel is only going to make it look bad in the Muslim World.

Beck's University

God, I know that America has become a nation that honors immense stupidity, but this is the worst. Beck opening a new university is the biggest laugh I can have. Honestly, for a guy who never graduated from college, nor one who's particularly fond of education as it is, happens to be the biggest joke ever. Seriously, it undermines the real prestige of American higher education.

Look, it's nothing more than a scheme of Beck's to grab your money. Not to mention, the rewriting of American history for purposes to advocate violence is undeniably idiotic, and I'm being very kind in saying that. Beck is a business man who goes about scaring you so that you will buy his sponsors' products, i.e., Gold. He's an excellent pitchman, I'll give him that, but for the love of God, actually expand your horizons and listen to other news sources.

Reasons for Why Not to Elect Republican Congress

The Republican Party, has over the last year, been going balls to the wall over its hatred of our President. Let's face it, a Southernized Congress will only try to bring back Jim Crow and look to make America a Christian nation, with no room for free expression. This is not what we need, as they are nothing more than extremists. It's only their way or nothing, and if you don't like that, go elsewhere.

At the same time, their economic policy is you are on your own if you can't find work. We need to extend permanent tax-breaks to our corporate cronies and keep the offshoring break legal. It's wealthfare for the top. Don't worry, you will be subsidized if you are in the wealthiest 1-5%. This is just ludacris!

We need to keep the Democrats in charge for another 2 years. They're the ones with the ideas, not the Republicans. The Republicans only want to piss you off to the point that you'll give up your rights. Also, they wish to enshrine division & hatred.