Author Archives: Soccerdad

About Soccerdad

I'm a government bureaucrat with delusions of literacy.

How much will Israel be an issue in November?

Three months ago Daled Amos asked if Israel would be a major campaign issue in 2010 and presented polling data to show the difference between Democrats and Republicans. Yesterday Meryl picked up on a story that Israeli Ambassador MIchael Oren … Continue reading

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Friedman’s just another word for nothing left to lose

Clearly Friedman doesn’t understand history. It’s even clearer that he hasn’t learned from it either.

… why not be wrong about the Middle East too? He’s got no credibility left to lose. Continue reading

Posted in Israel, Israel Derangement Syndrome, Media Bias | Tagged | 6 Comments

Common sense has “largely eluded” the international community

In typical newspaper-ese, Janine Zacharia reports in the Washington Post: Israel has sought to isolate Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and has urged allies to do the same. But how to deal with Hamas as a political reality has … Continue reading

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Si vis pacem, para bellum

One of the memes coming out of the administration and eagerly parroted by the press is that Israel is a strategic liability for the United States. The reason, of course, is because Israel is too aggressive (and, thus, does not … Continue reading

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WaPo editors: we helped Hamas

The editors of the Washington Post sounded off about the recent Supreme Court ruling about providing assistance to terror groups: WHICH OF the following is illegal under the law that bars providing “material support” to terrorists?: 1. Giving money to … Continue reading

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Why is israel isolated Janine? Why don’t you take a bow for your efforts to help the cause?

Today the Washington Post reports Israel’s feeling of isolation is becoming more pronounced: Israel is no stranger to feelings of isolation. It weathered years of Cold War-era Arab and Soviet hostility. Books have been written about the United Nations’ perceived … Continue reading

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Potato power

I’ve argued in the past that Israel’s portrayal in the media is extremely unfair given the aid it provides to nations suffering from disasters. But there are other ways that Israel helps less developed nations. Engadget tells us (via memeorandum): … Continue reading

Posted in Israel | Tagged | 2 Comments

Eroding Israel’s position; shoring up Hamas

The New York Times reports: Bowing to worldwide pressure and condemnation, Israel on Sunday formally announced an eased blockade of Gaza that could significantly expand the flow of goods overland into the impoverished coastal Palestinian enclave, isolated by the Israelis … Continue reading

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Computers for better living: Syrian edition

Syria’s SANA news agency is promoting its latest e-government efforts: The Ministry of Local Administration reviewed on Saturday the applications of e-government in Syria and future plans in this regard, discussing some of Turkey’s strategies and pioneering experiences in this … Continue reading

Posted in Syria | Tagged | 2 Comments

And the Goldstone Commission was a paragon of impartiality

A few days ago Robert Mackey of the New York Times made a case against Israel’s inquiry into the attack on the Mavi Marmara: The selection of Mr. Trimble, a former leader of Northern Ireland’s Ulster Unionist party, was described … Continue reading

Posted in Israel, Israel Derangement Syndrome, Israeli Double Standard Time | 2 Comments

What is being debated: the actions or the actor?

PM Netanyahu’s (post-facto) rationale for the commission of inquiry into the raid on the flotilla is: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened a cabinet meeting Monday called in order to approve the committee elected to investigate the IDF raid on a … Continue reading

Posted in Israel, Israeli Double Standard Time | Tagged | 3 Comments

If we throw Israel under the bus, will you like us then?

Former Mayor Ed Koch on his buyer’s remorse|: Senator Obama received 78 percent of the votes of the Jewish community nationwide. The only group giving him a higher percentage was the African-American community. Many Jewish leaders, myself included, have concluded … Continue reading

Posted in Israel, The One | Tagged | 2 Comments

Ten years of the Dorktator

Daniel Pipes observes that it is just ten years ago that Hafiz al-Asad died and was succeeded by his son, the British trained opthamologist, Bashar. And so, with Asad’s passing, my interest waned. His son and successor, Bashshar, inherited a … Continue reading

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Critic, investigate thyself

The PA’s Abbas isn’t happy that Israel chose to investigate its actions regarding the attack on Israeli commandos by terrorists on the Mavi Marmara. “We totally agreed with the inquiring commission that was mentioned in the final declaration by the … Continue reading

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Normalcy in Gaza, Ramallah

Yesterday Elder of Ziyon blogged about an article in the New York Times. The NYT’s bureau chief, profiled a reporter who recently returned from Gaza. Elder of Ziyon observed: But there are a number of stories that do not get … Continue reading

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