"If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month."
"Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering. "
Theodore Roosevelt
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
Thomas Edison
"A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer."
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
Aristotle
"My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure."
Abraham Lincoln
"A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people."
"Everything is funny as long as it is happening to someone else."
Will Rogers
"The heart has its reasons which reason knows not of."
Pascal
"Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then."
Katherine Hepburn
Gaza Update #6.5
"Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster."
General William Tecumseh Sherman
The War in Gaza continues and there are mixed reports about what is going on. We are continuing to provide you with a round up of news reports and blog posts regarding the war. The round up includes professional analysis, front line reports as well as human interest stories.
The goal is to provide you with a more complete picture than you would receive solely by watching the news or surfing the net on your own.
Previous editions of the round up can be found below:
1* 2 *3* 3.5* 4* 4.5* 5* 5.5* 6
**************
Let's get started by presenting a report from CNN that says bombs continue to fall as tanks wait on the outskirts of Gaza.
Xinhua reports that Hezbollah says Israel would be surprised by Hamas rockets. The article says that Israel will be surprised by the range of the rockets. Sounds to me like a good reason to continue the offensive.
The BBC reports that a variety of stars have issued a ridiculous call for an end to bombing. Where were they when the rockets were falling on Sderot and why do they not condemn Hamas.
JPost says Israel to treat more injured Gazans.
Caroline Glick's piece Column One: Hamas's march to victory is worth reading. She questions the wisdom of the government and what their goals are.
One more JPost piece about what is going on in The Arab Street.
The Times Online reports Israel set to begin ground war against Hamas in Gaza.
Andrew Sullivan writes that Israel holds the higher moral ground but faces some challenges in
Some Truths for Now
Glenn Greenwald claims that the US doesn't spend time discussing American interests when it comes to Israel in More oddities in the U.S. "debate" over Israel/Gaza.
From the IHT Divisions deep at Arab league meeting.
From Breitbart On eve of his death, Hamas leader in Gaza predicted victory. Guess again.
From the blogosphere:
Jameel and Aussie Dave are still liveblogging the conflict.
Powerline shared The Conflict's Root Cause
The IDF has a blog called IDF Spokesperson.
At Seraphic Secret you should read Gaza: A Matzav Within The Matzav.
Daled Amos came across a Podcast From Gaza.
Want to know the character of Hamas? Go read:
Video: Hamas Prepares Army Of Women And Children To Be Suicide Bombers During Urban Warfare
Bookworm's post How to define proportionality in the face of evil should be read.
Don't forget to read But it’s anti-Zionism, not anti-Semitism.
Judeopundit shared New horizons in nonsense. A look at ridiculous remarks made by Norman Finkelstein.
Israpundit follows up on the Caroline Glick column with a post called Israel is capitulating.
Esser Agaroth has a list of updates and good links that merit attention, including the S'deroth Media Center.
The Elder has some good posts Quick fisking of Richard Falk and Secondary explosions - another shortcoming of international law.
Solomonia has a good round up of news and information here.
Right Wing Nuthouse blogged GLENN GREENWALD IS PATHOLOGICAL LIAR.
Life in Israel has a map that provides a look at the range of the rockets.
A Blog For All has some good statistics to review in Operation Cast Lead: Day 7.
Hot Air asks the rhetorical question, Gloves coming off?
Mottel blogged Social Media and How it Will Help Israel Win the War.
Soccer Dad's post The memeorandum difference shows that we are getting the word out there.
Ezzie has suggestions for Where To Read About The War.
Avodah Ivrit discusses Common Sense.
Stay Tuned for more update throughout the day and beyond.
General William Tecumseh Sherman
The War in Gaza continues and there are mixed reports about what is going on. We are continuing to provide you with a round up of news reports and blog posts regarding the war. The round up includes professional analysis, front line reports as well as human interest stories.
The goal is to provide you with a more complete picture than you would receive solely by watching the news or surfing the net on your own.
Previous editions of the round up can be found below:
1* 2 *3* 3.5* 4* 4.5* 5* 5.5* 6
**************
Let's get started by presenting a report from CNN that says bombs continue to fall as tanks wait on the outskirts of Gaza.
Xinhua reports that Hezbollah says Israel would be surprised by Hamas rockets. The article says that Israel will be surprised by the range of the rockets. Sounds to me like a good reason to continue the offensive.
The BBC reports that a variety of stars have issued a ridiculous call for an end to bombing. Where were they when the rockets were falling on Sderot and why do they not condemn Hamas.
JPost says Israel to treat more injured Gazans.
Caroline Glick's piece Column One: Hamas's march to victory is worth reading. She questions the wisdom of the government and what their goals are.
One more JPost piece about what is going on in The Arab Street.
The Times Online reports Israel set to begin ground war against Hamas in Gaza.
Andrew Sullivan writes that Israel holds the higher moral ground but faces some challenges in
Some Truths for Now
Glenn Greenwald claims that the US doesn't spend time discussing American interests when it comes to Israel in More oddities in the U.S. "debate" over Israel/Gaza.
From the IHT Divisions deep at Arab league meeting.
From Breitbart On eve of his death, Hamas leader in Gaza predicted victory. Guess again.
From the blogosphere:
Jameel and Aussie Dave are still liveblogging the conflict.
Powerline shared The Conflict's Root Cause
The IDF has a blog called IDF Spokesperson.
At Seraphic Secret you should read Gaza: A Matzav Within The Matzav.
Daled Amos came across a Podcast From Gaza.
Want to know the character of Hamas? Go read:
Video: Hamas Prepares Army Of Women And Children To Be Suicide Bombers During Urban Warfare
Bookworm's post How to define proportionality in the face of evil should be read.
Don't forget to read But it’s anti-Zionism, not anti-Semitism.
Judeopundit shared New horizons in nonsense. A look at ridiculous remarks made by Norman Finkelstein.
Israpundit follows up on the Caroline Glick column with a post called Israel is capitulating.
Esser Agaroth has a list of updates and good links that merit attention, including the S'deroth Media Center.
The Elder has some good posts Quick fisking of Richard Falk and Secondary explosions - another shortcoming of international law.
Solomonia has a good round up of news and information here.
Right Wing Nuthouse blogged GLENN GREENWALD IS PATHOLOGICAL LIAR.
Life in Israel has a map that provides a look at the range of the rockets.
A Blog For All has some good statistics to review in Operation Cast Lead: Day 7.
Hot Air asks the rhetorical question, Gloves coming off?
Mottel blogged Social Media and How it Will Help Israel Win the War.
Soccer Dad's post The memeorandum difference shows that we are getting the word out there.
Ezzie has suggestions for Where To Read About The War.
Avodah Ivrit discusses Common Sense.
Stay Tuned for more update throughout the day and beyond.
Gaza Update Number 6
We are continuing our series of round ups of news and information about the War in Gaza. We have been informed by a number of reliable sources that things are on the verge of really heating up. With that in mind we may slow down a bit so that we can keep up later. We shall see.This marks installment number 6 about the conflict in Gaza.
Here are links to the previous editions:
In the MSM we have procured the following links for your review and consideration:
The Washington Post Ephraim Sneh explains Why Israel Is Bombing Gaza.
The Jerusalem Post has several articles No tears for Hamas leader in Ramallah, IAF hits cell that fired at Ashkelon and an article in which the Egyptian Foreign Minister says Hamas must stop firing rockets.
Uh oh, CNN reports that Hamas is clamoring for more blood. What a shock, more flowery rhetoric about revenge. Let's not forget that Nizar Rayan was pushing for more suicide attacks. Ever wonder why their leaders don't lead by strapping a bomb to themselves.
The Times Online says that Gaza rockets put Israel’s nuclear plant in battle zone.
From Reuters Palestinian arrested, charged for Denmark shooting.
And now on to the blogosphere:
Jameel and Aussie Dave are still liveblogging the conflict.
Ezzie sent in a tip to go check out a blog called IDF Spokesperson.
Westbankmama says The Magic Word is “Harta’a”
The Rasmussen Report says Americans Closely Divided Over Israel’s Gaza Attacks.
In a post called Progressive Blogs and Zionist Concern Trolls American Power Blog suggests we should read about the intra-ideological debate taking place among progressive bloggers.
Want to see some suggestions for how to help Israel? Go read The Rebbitzin's Husband.
Soccer Dad continues his round ups and links to The Watcher's Council here which includes a number of posts about the war.
Judeopundit shares his Required reading. I'd include this post among many that you should read:
Egyptian Foreign Minister Slams Hamas Again...
The Shwarma Mayor (Ok, now I am hungry) blogged about the rockets reaching Dimona in Times-Onlines: Israel Nuclear Plant in Battle Zone, Really?!
Meryl's right, Someone shut Hamas up already, please.
At the American Thinker they are Confronting Hamas' Genocidal Jew-Hatred.
Israel Matzav discusses whether turning Gaza over to Fatah would improve things.
Go to Mere Rhetoric and read about the classy actions of Hamas:
Video: Hamas Brags About Using Women And Children As Human Shields and
Gaza Hospitals Overflowing With Hamas Weapons, Palestinian Vigilante Murder
That's it for now, more to come.
New Years Day Music
Here is a collection of some of the songs that have come through on the good old iTunes shuffle.
I am a Man- The Spencer Davis Group
I Want to Take You Higher- Sly and The Family Stone
The Boxer- Simon and Garfunkel
Born to Hand Jive- Sha-Na-Na Grease Soundtrack
Hold On, I'm Coming- Sam & Dave
Soul Man- Sam & Dave
Ain't No Mountain High Enough- Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Right Now- Van Halen
Pride (In The Name Of Love) - U2
867-5309/Jenny- Tommy Tutone
Rock This Town- Stray Cats
I Was Made To Love Her- Stevie Wonder
That's The Way (I Like It) - K.C. & The Sunshine Band
Crazy Train- Ozzy Osbourne
Mansions of the Lord-West Point USMA Cadet Glee Club
Human- The Killers
Anduril- Lord Of The Rings Soundtrack
Belshazzar- Johnny Cash & The Carter Sisters
Can't Get It Out of My Head- Electric Light Orchestra
God's Going to Cut you Down- Johnny Cash
I am a Man- The Spencer Davis Group
I Want to Take You Higher- Sly and The Family Stone
The Boxer- Simon and Garfunkel
Born to Hand Jive- Sha-Na-Na Grease Soundtrack
Hold On, I'm Coming- Sam & Dave
Soul Man- Sam & Dave
Ain't No Mountain High Enough- Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Right Now- Van Halen
Pride (In The Name Of Love) - U2
867-5309/Jenny- Tommy Tutone
Rock This Town- Stray Cats
I Was Made To Love Her- Stevie Wonder
That's The Way (I Like It) - K.C. & The Sunshine Band
Crazy Train- Ozzy Osbourne
Mansions of the Lord-West Point USMA Cadet Glee Club
Human- The Killers
Anduril- Lord Of The Rings Soundtrack
Belshazzar- Johnny Cash & The Carter Sisters
Can't Get It Out of My Head- Electric Light Orchestra
God's Going to Cut you Down- Johnny Cash
Why Argue With Strangers
Every now and then the Shmata Queen and engage in a conversation about blogging. More specifically we have a back and forth about the merits of engaging in dialogue with people who are unlikely to agree with our politics, let alone those who should rightly be labeled as trolls.
My answer to this question is relatively simple. On certain topics that I freel strongly about I readily engage for a number of reasons. For the purpose of this example we'll focus on religion and politics.
I am Jewish and a Pro-Israel blogger. The opposition and I use that term loosely is constantly spewing out hateful material. Some of is easily identified as being over the top and completely ridiculous, but not all of it. Some of it is clothed in finery and disguised as if it is the legitimate work of academia. In this guise the less informed may be fooled into believing that it is accurate.
Let me clarify two things. I do not believe that being Jewish makes me better or that Jews are above criticism. I do not believe that Israel is above criticism. There is legitimate criticism of both Israel and Judaism.
But we aren't talking about legitimate criticism. We're talking about gross mischaracterizations that are designed to delegitimize and dehumanize. We're talking about an agenda in which the opposition does their best to wreak havoc for terrible purposes.
Oftentimes when I engage it is not with the goal of convincing the person on the other side. There are two other groups that I am reaching out to.
1) The lurkers who are undecided about their opinions on a particular topic. I want to provide them with a reason to align with my side.
2) Those who are already on my side but are afraid to engage because they feel like they do not know enough to argue or are too shy to participate.
The other reason that I engage is because I appreciate the intellectual exercise. I appreciate the stimulation of trying to formulate an appropriate response. Part of the reason I read the opposition is because I like to see what they are saying. I like to be informed so that I can come up with an appropriate counter argument.
Second clarification. There are many people out there who are smarter than I am. Many who write better or are more insightful. I do not want this post to come off as bragging. It is merely an explanation of why I do what I do.
What do you think? Is it a waste of time to argue online or are their benefits?
My answer to this question is relatively simple. On certain topics that I freel strongly about I readily engage for a number of reasons. For the purpose of this example we'll focus on religion and politics.
I am Jewish and a Pro-Israel blogger. The opposition and I use that term loosely is constantly spewing out hateful material. Some of is easily identified as being over the top and completely ridiculous, but not all of it. Some of it is clothed in finery and disguised as if it is the legitimate work of academia. In this guise the less informed may be fooled into believing that it is accurate.
Let me clarify two things. I do not believe that being Jewish makes me better or that Jews are above criticism. I do not believe that Israel is above criticism. There is legitimate criticism of both Israel and Judaism.
But we aren't talking about legitimate criticism. We're talking about gross mischaracterizations that are designed to delegitimize and dehumanize. We're talking about an agenda in which the opposition does their best to wreak havoc for terrible purposes.
Oftentimes when I engage it is not with the goal of convincing the person on the other side. There are two other groups that I am reaching out to.
1) The lurkers who are undecided about their opinions on a particular topic. I want to provide them with a reason to align with my side.
2) Those who are already on my side but are afraid to engage because they feel like they do not know enough to argue or are too shy to participate.
The other reason that I engage is because I appreciate the intellectual exercise. I appreciate the stimulation of trying to formulate an appropriate response. Part of the reason I read the opposition is because I like to see what they are saying. I like to be informed so that I can come up with an appropriate counter argument.
Second clarification. There are many people out there who are smarter than I am. Many who write better or are more insightful. I do not want this post to come off as bragging. It is merely an explanation of why I do what I do.
What do you think? Is it a waste of time to argue online or are their benefits?
Gaza Update 5.5
This marks installment number 5.5 about the conflict in Gaza.
Here are links to the previous editions:
Gaza Round Up Part One
Gaza Round Up Part Two
Gaza Round Up Part Three
Gaza Round Up 3.5
Gaza Round Up Part 4
Gaza Update 4.5
Gaza Update 5
***********************
CNN reports the successful removal of one of the leaders of Hamas. Kol Hakavod to the IDF. Be sure to read EOZ's post Hamas spiritual leader forced his kids to die with him.
From The New York Times Israel Pursues Diplomacy but Presses Attacks and Striking Deep Into Israel, Hamas Employs an Upgraded Rocket Arsenal.
The Washington Post published Israel's Attacks On Gaza Deepen Palestinian Rift.
From MSNBC Israelis get creative in coping with rocket threat.
Jeff Jacoby opines that concessions such as land for peace are meaningless in his column Has Israel Learned its Lesson?
Al Jazeera offers a video about the tunnels between Gaza and Egypt. Is anyone really naive enough to believe that they aren't pulling weapons through also.
Even if they are this NY Times story offers the following comment, "Muhammad al-Zarb said that the Israelis somehow seemed to know which tunnels were commercial and which were run by Hamas, and that they seemed to be selective in their bombing. “If someone has a tunnel for Chipsy, it seems O.K.,” he said. “When a Hamas guy has a tunnel for weapons, they bomb it.”
The war isn't just being fought in Gaza but also online. P.C. World reports that there have been many cyber attacks. More comments and criticism can be found at Computerworld.
Victor Davis Hanson has The Gaza Rules. In case you missed it here is a link to Roundtable on the Gaza Violence.
Jameel and Aussie Dave are still liveblogging the conflict.
Seraphic Secret just released Why We Fight II. At The Better Part of Valour Israel, Palestine and Gaza.
Planck's Constant discussed Israel and Disproportionate Response.
Sigmund, Carl and Alfred cover this in The Doctrine of ‘Proportionate Response’
and
“There is no such thing as a ‘disproportionate response’ to calls for genocide.”
Don't forget to read The Incredible Arrogance Of The Beast.
Jihad Watch offers Israeli strike kills Hamas top dog; AP says this "escalates campaign."
Linda points to a poll from Al Jazeera. Want to guess what it is about.
Treppenwitz wants to know why Foreign Press are allowed into Gaza.
From WestbankMama “Mistadrim” - The Israeli Method of Making Do.
Yourish has a bunch of posts. Try these: Signs of the times: Praying from bomb shelters and War crimes: Hiding weapons in mosques.
Yid with Lid says Israel's Window is Closing IT MUST ACT NOW !!!
In regard to whether there is a humanitarian crisis or not take a look at Gaza aid update: The despicable UNRWA.
Don't forget to read Looks Like Gaza Has Both Guns AND Butter.
My Right Word has discovered more shoe bombers. The war is taking its toll upon the health of many people.
At Ezzie's blog Make Noise! - A Heroine's Cry.
There is a blog for Negev refugees. If you want to know more please click here.
The Grouchy Old Bear let a guest poster put up What Did You Do AFTER The War Daddy?
Ok folks, this completes update 5.5. Stay tuned for update 6.
Here are links to the previous editions:
Gaza Round Up Part One
Gaza Round Up Part Two
Gaza Round Up Part Three
Gaza Round Up 3.5
Gaza Round Up Part 4
Gaza Update 4.5
Gaza Update 5
***********************
CNN reports the successful removal of one of the leaders of Hamas. Kol Hakavod to the IDF. Be sure to read EOZ's post Hamas spiritual leader forced his kids to die with him.
From The New York Times Israel Pursues Diplomacy but Presses Attacks and Striking Deep Into Israel, Hamas Employs an Upgraded Rocket Arsenal.
The Washington Post published Israel's Attacks On Gaza Deepen Palestinian Rift.
From MSNBC Israelis get creative in coping with rocket threat.
Jeff Jacoby opines that concessions such as land for peace are meaningless in his column Has Israel Learned its Lesson?
Al Jazeera offers a video about the tunnels between Gaza and Egypt. Is anyone really naive enough to believe that they aren't pulling weapons through also.
Even if they are this NY Times story offers the following comment, "Muhammad al-Zarb said that the Israelis somehow seemed to know which tunnels were commercial and which were run by Hamas, and that they seemed to be selective in their bombing. “If someone has a tunnel for Chipsy, it seems O.K.,” he said. “When a Hamas guy has a tunnel for weapons, they bomb it.”
The war isn't just being fought in Gaza but also online. P.C. World reports that there have been many cyber attacks. More comments and criticism can be found at Computerworld.
Victor Davis Hanson has The Gaza Rules. In case you missed it here is a link to Roundtable on the Gaza Violence.
Jameel and Aussie Dave are still liveblogging the conflict.
Seraphic Secret just released Why We Fight II. At The Better Part of Valour Israel, Palestine and Gaza.
Planck's Constant discussed Israel and Disproportionate Response.
Sigmund, Carl and Alfred cover this in The Doctrine of ‘Proportionate Response’
and
“There is no such thing as a ‘disproportionate response’ to calls for genocide.”
Don't forget to read The Incredible Arrogance Of The Beast.
Jihad Watch offers Israeli strike kills Hamas top dog; AP says this "escalates campaign."
Linda points to a poll from Al Jazeera. Want to guess what it is about.
Treppenwitz wants to know why Foreign Press are allowed into Gaza.
From WestbankMama “Mistadrim” - The Israeli Method of Making Do.
Yourish has a bunch of posts. Try these: Signs of the times: Praying from bomb shelters and War crimes: Hiding weapons in mosques.
Yid with Lid says Israel's Window is Closing IT MUST ACT NOW !!!
In regard to whether there is a humanitarian crisis or not take a look at Gaza aid update: The despicable UNRWA.
Don't forget to read Looks Like Gaza Has Both Guns AND Butter.
My Right Word has discovered more shoe bombers. The war is taking its toll upon the health of many people.
At Ezzie's blog Make Noise! - A Heroine's Cry.
There is a blog for Negev refugees. If you want to know more please click here.
The Grouchy Old Bear let a guest poster put up What Did You Do AFTER The War Daddy?
Ok folks, this completes update 5.5. Stay tuned for update 6.
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