Absolutely Pernicious Influence

Qatar is against the West. Qatar purchases clout, such as their "investment" of buying 17 percent of Volkswagen, then demands VW not participate in building Israel's purely defensive Iron Dome missile systems. The Qataris give Trump an Air Force One as his opulent Presidential jet. Did they do that because they liked his Apprentice episodes so much? No, they did that to curry favor with Team Trump while they continue to be the second most generous funders of terror, just behind Iran. Qatar is no ally to America but a malignancy infiltrating the body politic from universities they donate to, to companies they buy into, to leaders they compromise through their "gracious generosity". 

Are We Moral?

At this time of reflection about our shortcomings and atonement for them, we Jews must remember it is a constant effort to remain among the righteous. We will surely fall short but must know our Creator is aware of that, and as Yom Kippur approaches, Hashem is willing to forgive our sins. 

World's Preposterous Demands

Did the Allies actively feed the German People while they were battling the Nazis? No, and no sane person would have expected them to make sure the enemy's noncombatants did not suffer. There were no giant airdrops of food to Hitler's nation, just bombs, day and night and many tons of them. So why should Israel be told to provide aid to Gaza whose residents carried out the largest Nazi-style massacre of Jews since the Holocaust? Those Gazans that did not actively participate in the mass rape and slaughter of Israeli civilians did absolutely nothing to help the IDF recover the hostages seized on October 7, 2023. There was not even one Gazan "righteous among the nations" helping a Jew escape the hell of captivity. How is the Jewish State responsible for feeding a hornets' nest of fanatics who want to burn our babies in ovens? 

A Tennessee Original

Beyond any measure, Dolly was a Tennessee treasure. She came from humble beginnings and in many ways stayed humble as she built an entertainment empire. She didn't have a Harvard MBA or even an associate degree. What she did have was a creative mind, a good voice, and dedication to pleasing her audience. She also possessed a generous heart, perhaps from growing up without much but never being bitter about it. Some might say Parton had "the common touch", but what she had was uncommon gifts the Lord had bestowed upon her that she felt were given to her to uplift others, and she did by making millions of lives better. Dolly Parton will surely be missed, but her legacy will live on for generations

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Uniquely Aggressive Religion

In the modern context, not going back to the Crusades and Inquisition, only one major faith is called upon to gain converts "by the sword". Christians today do proselytize but that is relatively innocuous, discipleship without coercion in almost every instance. It is only Muslims who impose their religious will through violence, from Nigeria to the Sudan and beyond. Islam is after all not only a religion but a judicial and political force advancing "submission" to its uncompromising doctrine. 

Titans Are Back!

Not meaning to tamp down the enthusiasm folks, but it must be tempered with reason. Yes, my hometown team did just defeat the defending world champions, but the Seattle starters mostly sat out the game, so the victory was not against the top tier players but only back-ups and athletes that are about to be cut, many of whom will not be on any NFL active roster. By the way, former starting quarterback Will Levis looks like he will be lucky to end up on a practice squad. Are the Titans improved? Probably, but it is hard to say for sure after two preseason contests that will NOT count in the record book. 

Another Palestinian Attack

A Jewish father taking his family on vacation was stabbed multiple times by a terrorist, but thankfully the wounded Israeli is in stable condition. Remember that at almost any opportunity to harm Jews, Palestinians will. That is why the so-called "two-state solution" is a non-starter. The other side does not want peace with Israel or a piece of the Holy Land, but only to eradicate the Jews in the Middle East.