BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS

Not once, since the Cordoba House Mosque controversy started - not ONCE have I heard the Imam or any of the mosque's planners, etc.  say they would be willing to move the mosque elsewhere.  No - they are SET on it being 2 blocks from Ground Zero. People actions speak MUCH louder than words and this action says it all - the mosque is a provocation.  An excuse for those who will be deluged with protests, attacks on the building, attacks on people worshipping there to say " SEE!! Americans are anti-muslim ."  And that's bulls**t.   If it was about a place of worship, moving it would a simple, easy to discuss matter.  A matter openly on the table.  But no, they're adamant.  And frankly, they're bullies.  Muslims have the right to worship in peace just like anyone else.  Since the planners won't discuss moving it - peaceful worship is obviously not the driving force here, is it? This is a very sensitive issue to people who lost loved ...

Is PUMA the new jew - a people persecuted for their beliefs, and eventually for their failure to fall in line, and follow the chosen one? Now, I am not saying that PUMAS have been subjected to the horrors of the holocaust, or the years and years of persecution, but I thought it was a snappy intro that might grab your attention. I started this post with the intent of trying to better understand the current Israel/ Hamas conflict, by creating *what if’s*. I thought if I brought the concepts *home* I might be able to better understand the anger and outrage coming from both sides. The process, and research led me to thinking about the hate directed towards one group for holding beliefs different than the majority, which brings me to the comment, *is puma the new jew* . For example, following 9/11, do I think the US had a right to launch a nuclear attack on Al Qaeda territory? The attack on 9/11 was massive, devastating, and had lasting effects, and still does. Would I have approved of a m...

Hard to be a Jew? by Ben Goldfarb President, Paradigm Shift Communications Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986), one of the greatest legal authorities of our generation, attributed part of the high assimilation rate of Jewish children in the United States to their parents' repeated usage of the phrase "It's hard to be a Jew." When children hear their parents use this phrase, they internalize this notion and it becomes their new mantra. Most people tend to avoid pain and choose pleasure, so it's no wonder that kids who grew up on the "It's hard to be a Jew" mantra have strayed from their tradition. Although any worthwhile pursuit will have its challenges, the mantra that our children should hear is "It's a pleasure to be a Jew." One of the problems facing the Jewish people in our generation is the inability to create a joyous atmosphere in our homes in general, and around our Shabbat (Sabbath) table in particular. Furthermore, there seems ...

WHAT DOES SARKOZY'S WIN MEAN? It's too early to tell but it looks like perhaps France (or some of it) has finally gotten a clue. This will be interesting to see unfold. However, the American media still whitewashing the news. In this article they fail to mention that a large portion of the rioters? were Muslims. Now if the Islamofascists are upset about this guy - I think I like him already. But the media is another story... France looks to reform after Sarkozy win U.S. hails election of conservative; new leader will replace Chirac on May 16 PARIS - French president-elect Nicolas Sarkozy plans to waste no time making France a friendlier place for business — and a less inviting place for criminals and would-be immigrants — but first he must win control of parliament in new elections next month. Sarkozy, a U.S.-friendly conservative and an immigrant’s son, defeated Socialist Segolene Royal by 53 percent to 47 percent with about 85 percent voter turnout Sunday. The win gav...