A. Osama bin Laden was killed. Period.

It’s absurd to say that it is merely a re-election tactic. First, it is way too early and much too risky for a president to play such games. Furthermore, in doesn’t take much for Al Qaeda to prove that he’s indeed alive. It would be the most idiotic move an administration ever did in US history (far worse than Watergate).

Additionally, while I disprove Obama’s way of handling this country (including his counter-terrorism approach), I do not believe that Obama is a fraud or charlatan; he’s simply an ideological liberal.

Charlie,

As I posted elsewhere, it is the Taliban, terrorists and Muslims that are denying the fact that Osama bin Laden was killed. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said: This news

is only coming from one side, from Obama’s office,

and America has not shown any evidence

or proof to support this claim.”

Link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1382828/Osama-Bin-Laden-dead-picture-White-House-NOT-release-gruesome-photo.html

popa_bar_abba,

Well said. These monsters want to harm us regardless of what we do. If they have the opportunity to carry out an attack on America or its allies — they will do it! Pictures or not, they seek our downfall anyway. It might give them an excuse for the despicable act, but we ought to remember that they sought “revenge” on 9/11 — before we went to war with them and published pictures.

I believe, to the contrary, that gruesome images of the “Emir” dead, will break their morale even more and it might even have a positive effect. Every warrior, human or not, needs “esprit de corps” to fight a battle.

I, respectfully, disagree with Chairman Rogers and President Obama.

Boro Park Girl,

Just a minor correction: Birchas Ha’Ilanos can be said anytime during the year (when one sees trees blossoming). It is, nevertheless, preferable to recite it during the month of Nissan.

The following is what I pulled out of my archives (that I’ve written previously) in support of HASC:

While schooling may be enough to thrust a person into life, it is insufficient for one with special needs. HASC has therefore initiated many training exercises to prepare the unfortunate with life experience. Vocational training is done with a workshop on premises, built precisely for handicapped and impaired individuals. A stimulated factory-like setting maximizes their money management skills and teaches them proper work conduct. This instructs the intellectually challenged and disabled how to sustain in a working environment, ultimately placing them into stable jobs. Programs and techniques are used to give them the independence needed for daily challenges. Special activities teach them the importance of good health and communication skills. Workshops and one-on-one interactions train them for daily responsibilities, such as shopping, preparing meals, etc. A scenic camp, located in the picturesque Catskill Mountains, is a great outlet for their physical being cultivating their social understandings at the same time.

Education and training may still not be enough. They might also need individualized care, health and living quarters being just a mere fraction. Parents and families suffer terribly having a special child or sibling in their midst, often leaving a mark on the special child. Previously planned vacations are terminated abruptly, and family events may be shattered. Special requirements must be set and much attention must be given. Quality residences house these individuals, built and designed specifically for disabled and handicapped persons. A warm, homey atmosphere surrounds its inhabitants with caring counselors on location, teaching them home responsibilities and neighborly relations. Respite homes reprieve the family from constant obligations and at-home habilitation offers them time to breathe. In addition, HASC has a health clinic with a team of devoted physicians to care for disabled patients. Trained nurses with keen understanding have the ability to understand their therapeutic demands. Custom equipment and therapists are suited to give handicapped patients the rehabilitation they require.

I’ll answer with a quote from Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels: “It isn’t about ideology — it’s about mathematics.”

cucumber,

No matter what the situations is or who is right, the Democratic legislators are obstructing democracy with their strike. (Read more here http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=85397) While the Republicans also engaged in such methods of preventing quorums (including Abraham Lincoln – while he was a member of the Whig Party in the Illinois House and, most recently in 1988, in the US Senate), it wasn’t on a vote pertaining to a budget which creates chaos. It is interesting to note that when the GOP shut down the government in 1995 after multiple vetoes from President Clinton and in an attempt to balance the budget (which they did – the first time in 30 years!), they were demonized by the media and eventually lost the gains they made in the midterms. Yet, when lawmakers in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan (soon to come – New York and New Jersey) obstruct a government from being effective – they get a free ride with bashing those seeking to balance the budget.

We must also highlight the difference in quorums that were prevented in the past (involving both parties) and those of today. It has become a phenomenon. Instead of governing, they flee (without basic explanations of flaws they see in the bill). It’s like the domino effect of the Middle East, one man burned himself and the entire region is engulfed in protests – one legislative body decided to play the sore-loser game and the rest followed. However, while those in the Middle East and Africa do it to promote democracy, these legislators do it to protect tyranny and special interests. While those civilians voice their opposition to the evil dictators that oppress them, these elitists are here to quiet down the voice of the mainstream people.

If you want to know why unions are no good for a state budget, look at Indiana. Six years ago, Governor Mitch Daniels did the same thing that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is proposing for Wisconsin – the outcome? A balanced budget and AAA bond ratings. It isn’t a partisan fight. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is trying to do the same (as is California Governor – former tax and spend liberal – Jerry Brown). Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) slammed President Obama for his failure to lead on the budget. Debt is not good for anyone even those that are public employees that are members in a union. Read former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s Opinion in the Boston Herald today about the threat of lingering debt. Think of it: less economic growth equals less tax revenue which means less benefits for public employees. Of course you might say that a government never runs out of money; well, look at California that had to issue IOU checks in return for work.

Unions do not negotiate on behalf of the workers – rather on behalf of their leaders. It is the bonuses they earn and the deals they make that drives them. They understand that an effective and capable teacher should stay longer than the one teaching for ages with low average grades. They understand that private workers earn less and do a better job; yet, they seem to be selfish on the taxpayers’ account. This is wrong and must be stopped. It was FDR, a Democrat, that warned against public employee unions. Today, we should heed to his warning and limit their rights in order to make government effective again.

We should note that Governor Walker campaigned with a platform to limit public unions, hence their strong support to his opponent and Democrats in general. He’s doing what the people elected him to do and is doing it faithfully. Liberals like Charlie Hall (and his sources at DailyKos) can try to distort things, but facts remain facts. We know that they oppose all of the bill they just decided on a culprit to demonized those trying to balance budgets and it was Walker and collective bargaining rights.

Moshe Laufer’s take: “I doubt that someone like Fried or Mordechai Ben David will ever come up. I don’t think that they currently have any heirs, after so many years of such dominance. I work with many singers, but for now they have no replacement, in terms of their performance and emotion – they are really the greatest ever.”

It’s on Veineini Sirenu – an All-Star produced by Yossi Gil.

Midwest2, here’s my take on a liberal:

You are a liberal. You are a liberal because you claim to be bi-partisan while bashing Republicans and conservatives at any attempt. You are a liberal because although I’ve given you facts and answers to your questions, you remained oblivious and ignorant; that is a liberal.

Another typical example of a liberal: one that will blame everything and anything to support an agenda. Here’s the latest the Egypt uprising isn’t about Islam radicalism – it’s a direct effect from Global Warming!

The Jewish people should feel indebted to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was Hashem’s messenger to the American people about ‘Civil Rights.’ He is to be credited for true religious freedom in this country and, by large, the insignificant amount of anti-Semitism on this side of the globe. His essence was pro-Semitic. He was a man who understood that the differences between people don’t make them different. Although the letter may be a hoax, as many claim, it is largely based on a speech he gave. Nevertheless, he didn’t have to say it; he did it. Unlike the NAACP and other ‘Civil Right’ groups that preach civil unity all day but don’t practice it, MLK was a man of honor and truth. His ‘dream’ enabled for many of us to achieve the ‘American dream.’ He should be honored today as an hero for all. We ought to carry on his legacy for a color-blind society where no one “will be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

I’ll address Joseph:

I’ll start with a parable: A wealthy man once had an excessive amount of cash that he wished to invest. He went around asking his confidants for good investment deals. One day, a friend approached him with a great offer. He told him about a deal that sounded just right; he would earn huge profits on the given investment. He profusely thanked him and placed a call to the investor. The funds investor sounded warm and sincere as he explained the deal in great detail. Before agreeing to make an appointment, the wealthy man asked the investor for references. The investor rattled off a few names and numbers as the man jotted them on a piece of paper. The referees gave him outstanding reviews on this investor and encouraged him to go for the deal. At last, a meeting was set where they would discuss the specifications of the investment before coming to an agreement. The day arrived as the man made his way to the investor’s office. He rang the bell and the door opened. What shock did he have when he realized that the investor was none other than the aforementioned friend, the one who recommended him. “Why didn’t you tell me it was you?” asked the man. His friend answered him that he simply wanted him to feel comfortable and confident about the deal. “I wanted you to understand this investment from many angles,” he further explained to the man. “Are you suggesting that all of the referees I spoke to was you?” “Yes,” explained his friend, “I wanted you to get all aspects.” “I won’t do the deal,” announced his friend. “Although I trust you, I cannot agree to do this deal now that you fooled me.”

Everyone would agree that this fellow who wouldn’t finalize on the deal has a point. Although he knows that his friend is an honest man, he felt deceived. He was coerced into thinking that many people already invested with the prospective investor and reaped fruits of their investment. Can someone say that his friend did something wrong? No. Was it unethical? Yes.

When someone feels the need to abuse multiple screen-names to support his cause, he isn’t necessarily doing something wrong; however, it isn’t straightforwardness. It just shows that he lacks self-esteem or that he isn’t completely sure of his theory or opinion. You might fool some of the people some of the time, but not all the people all time. A name is only powerful when it’s sincere and identified; an anonymous post is only half the truth. If your name isn’t enough to put leverage on your claim, it needs to be strengthened. Perhaps, you shall seek a social worker to work on your self-esteem and honesty. Your selfishness only ruined the trust of yourself and many others in the Coffee Room. Words have consequences and it should have the power to do so. You ruined it for many of us that aren’t considered trustworthy anymore because of your indecisiveness. People who came here to have sincere talk and honest debates, are now second-guessed. My image has been tarnished because of your immaturity, as many now question my integrity. My suggestion to you is: Work on your self-respect and then come back.

I agree with Charlie Hall. This guy was instigated by the recent rhetoric in the country. Never before have people wished death upon a President and no action was taken. After all, this fellow had stalked her since 2007 – before Sarah Palin’s cross-hairs and long before the Tea Party’s emergence. That was during the Nancy Pelosi ( HERE and HERE ) days of rhetoric when a death wish upon a President was no big deal. I agree that we don’t have any concrete evidence that he shot Giffords because she was too conservative; however, did we have more evidence on Timothy Mcveigh? I see where his stances were and what philosophies he supported. Seems like the left has gone from death threats to actual killing sprees…

Shticky Guy,

I always knew that I’m talented but never knew to what extent. Are you actually indicating that I can play chameleon so well while changing my writing skills, philosophies and of course creative screen-names more often than most change their socks? Well, thanks for the compliment.

I was inspired (most) at the following locations:

Kosel (Western Wall) – Jerusalem

Kever Rochel – Bethlehem

Me’orat Hamachpeila – Hebron

Kever Yosef (Hatzadik) – Nablus (Shechem)

Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai – Meron

The following are famous as well:

Har Hazeisim (Jerusalem) – Zecharya Hanavi, Bartenura, Ohr Hachaim and more

Tzfas Cemetery (Safed) – Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair, Rabbeinu Bchayei, Arizal, Beis Yosef and more

Teverya (Tiberias) – Rebbi Meir Baal Haneis

There are many other places in Teverya (Imaos, Reb Chiya, Talmidei Rav, Cemetery etc.)

On the road between Tzfas and Miron you can make many stops (Rebbi Yehuda bar Iloi, Krispidoi etc.)

There are more Kevarim in many small towns in the Galilee.

I would most probably vote against a Jewish candidate. However, the reason won’t be his faith rather his stance on issues. Unfortunately, the majority of the Jews in the United States have the liberal philosophy. Otherwise, a phenomenal Jewish candidate (in the likes of Eric Cantor) that will be the best of the pack will get my vote. I don’t vote for religion (he’s won’t be my Rav), race (I’m not a liberal), sex (I’m not a feminist), or anything else but issues, stances, performance and intellect. When I walk into the voting booth I put aside the looks and religious affiliations for a moment as I pull the lever (or fill out the ballot). That is why I can often criticize Frum politician, because it is a non-issue for me. For example, I believe that had Dov Hikind’s name been Al Sharpton, he’d been out long ago. Of course, two politicians of equal belief and quality with one a Frum Jew, he’d very likely get my vote.

An anti-Semite will blame all troubles on the Jew regardless. It was always

the “Jewish Bankers” etc. and so it will stay. I was horrified when I read anti-Semitic comments on DailyKos (a shout-out to charliehall) about a story regarding Eric Cantor. If the candidate won’t cause a Chillul Hashem (by conducting anti-Torah policy and be scandal-plagued) and won’t be prejudice (as Barack Obama was – Gates’ arrest, Black Phanters etc.), anti-Semitism will most probably only rise a minor percent.

Bottom Line: A candidate for president should be elected according to his positions not religion. It shouldn’t affect the way you vote either way, for or against.