BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS

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...

NO GAYS IN IRAN? THINK AGAIN! We all know what Iran's President said last week at Columbia was horse-poo. So I will leave the rest to this article. On Being Gay in Iran A gay Iranian discusses Ahmadinejad’s ‘no gays’ comment and what it’s like to live in a country that refuses to accept homosexuality. by Patrick Falby To be gay in Iran means a life of fear. Shortly before Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won his country’s presidential election in 2005, Iranian authorities hanged two teenagers officially charged with raping a 13-year-old boy—but whom gay activists say were executed for their sexual orientation. Life for Iranian gays has not improved since then. Even though Iran’s senior religious figures have made statements calling for the whipping or killing of homosexuals, the country’s authorities continue to deny that they prosecute gays. Against this backdrop it’s hardly surprising that the community is outraged over Ahmadinejad’s glib comment to his Columbia audience this week that “in I...

Recognition for the Silent Jewish Refugees (on today's landmark hearing - a must read!) By Andrew G. Bostom The bicameral Congressional Human Rights Caucus (CHRC ) will hold a landmark hearing on Thursday July 19th regarding the hundreds of thousands of Jews forced to flee their communities in the Arab Muslim nations as a result of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Oriental Jews suffered profound violations of their basic human rights under the Islamic regimes throughout North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf Region. This persecution -- including pogroms and expropriations -- caused their subsequent flight despite longtime residences in these countries. The Congressional Human Rights Caucus, under the auspices of its Chairman, Congressman Tom Lantos, will hear testimony from legal experts on the rights of Jewish refugees from Arab countries as well as from "living witnesses'" -- Oriental Jews who will testify as to their plight in, and flight from, the Arab countries ...

PUNITIVE PATTERN OF INVESTIGATIONS? YA THINK? Here's what seems to be my practically daily addition to the DUH News ... you know, that newspaper with HAND, FOREHEAD, STAPLE plastered on its masthead? Let me preface this by saying that personally, I see no one on either side of the aisle right now with the cajhones to do what needs to be done in this country. No one. Last night's Republican debate was a nightmare, and the Democrats are too busy posturing and pandering. I am disappointed -- and scared. Where's the leadership? (crickets chirping) I often tell my friends, 'the older I get, the stupider everyone around me often seems.' Lately its the folks in charge!! The lunatics have taken over the asylum and we are just waking up to it. Sigh. That said, I have never made any secret of my dislike of President Bush and his Administration. My gut said corruption from Day One. Sadly, I was right. And he and his cronies appear to operate a McCarthy-like Witch ...