Odds & Ends before the blog closes shop for the weekend

I implemented full comment moderation for two reasons. Firstly, there are long periods when I am away from a computer and cannot effectively 'monitor' comments left by visitors. This became more of an issue as a matter concerning comments has now come before the courts in Canada.

While this situation has not been fully resolved in a ruling, and until it does, full comment moderation will be on whenever I am away for an extended period…like from nightfall on Friday until at least Saturday night/Sunday morning. At the urging of some long-time readers, who felt the commenting had become too cumbersome, I have lifted the moderation levels somewhat during the week.

I won’t alter comments but I will delete any comments left by spammers, or those which breach the criminal or civil code of Canada. In other words, my blog is not the place where anyone should feel comfortable for calling for the death of anyone – and that includes calls for my demise so you will have to satisfy your death urges the old fashion way via email.

Since there are a number of new readers to my blog I want to draw your attention to the the blog ad running on the side bar. Every click doesn’t represent money in my pocket but money in the pockets of various Israeli charities. More on that here - the last remittance went to Warm the Needy and I can state with confidence not a penny will go to Peace Now or other like-minded organizations.
- so ‘right’ click away.

no honour from thieves

UNRWA announces an immediate halt to all aid in the Gaza Strip due to Hamas thieving ways – and we are not talking about a couple boxes of crackers or a few blankets here and there. Ynet News:

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) announced Friday that it was suspending all import of aid into the Gaza Strip because Hamas had seized the supplies for the second time this week.

According to the agency's press release the recent looting involved hundreds of tons of food. "During the night of February fifth 10 truckloads of flour and rice were taken from the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom Crossing into Gaza," the statement from spokesman Christopher Gunness said.

He said the food "had been imported from Egypt for collection by UNRWA today," but was "taken away by trucks contracted by the Ministry of Social Affairs." The ministry is run by Hamas. "UNRWA's suspension of imports will remain in effect until the aid is returned and the agency is given credible assurances from the Hamas government in Gaza that there will be no repeat of these thefts," the statement said. Gunness added that it was the second such incident in three days. "On Tuesday three thousand five hundred blankets and over four hundred food parcels were taken at gun point from a distribution store in Beach Camp, Gaza. UNRWA has demanded the return of this aid as well," Gunness concluded.

And the Hamas response:

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum called UNRWA's decision to suspend its aid to Gaza due to Hamas' theft of supplies "unjustified."

He said Hamas supports UNRWA's work, but believes that some of the agency's employees were giving aid to groups attached to rival political parties. "We as Hamas refuse all use of the people's needs for political ends," he said. He called on UNRWA "to put an end to using aid for political means, and to distribute it to all the needy equally."

Well, well. I can't wait for some progressive to show up here and tell me how noble, honest and upright Hamas really is. Actually, given the large scale thugacracy going on in the Gaza Strip I would bet today there probably a few BBC officials who are breathing a sigh of relief for choosing to exercise a little prudence rather than having a hand in duping the British public into lining the coffers of Hamas.

Rappers are the New Wusses

50 Cent to launch his own skin care line

The Candy Shop singer - who already has a G Unit clothing range - has reportedly put his music career on hold to focus on the new products, designed for men who like to be "pampered". The line will include a moisturiser and night creams.

My last husband didn't have pierced ears or even wear any jewelry except his wedding band. In fact, I can't imagine any of my deceased husbands in bras, stay-ups or wearing moisturiser. I admit I am conservative - I still haven't adjusted to tattoos being manifestations of modern pop culture and find the sight of them rather jarring. I expect it's the whole 'mark of the dead thing', which is, psychologically speaking, rather off-putting for me.

I'm trying to see the upside in this 'new man' thingy for my daughter's sake – but its hard. Bras, nylons, garters, now make-up - at the rate things are going I am going to be a whole lot more 'manly' than any potential sons-in-law.

Ship of Fools

Another alleged aid boat was impounded by the Israeli Navy. Ha’aretz carries the details.

The Israel Navy boarded a freighter trying to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip on Thursday and escorted it into the port of Ashdod, Israeli officials said.

The Israel Defense Forces said that troops found about 150 bottles of mineral water and a few dozen kilograms of food and medicine on board, despite earlier claims that it was carrying dozens of tons of humanitarian aid. Israel has decided to redirect the ship and its passengers back to Lebanon on Friday with the help of international organizations.

Israel has decided to redirect the ship and its passengers back to Lebanon on Friday with the help of international organizations. The Tali, a cargo vessel flying the flag of the West African state of Togo, was sent by the Palestinian National Committee Against the Siege in cooperation with the U.S.-based Free Gaza Movement. Its cargo was claimed to have included about 60 tons of medicine, food and toys, plus 10,000 units of human blood plasma which requires constant refrigeration.

Maybe someone should ask Hamas where all the aid went? Anyway, the other truly remarkable thing besides a lack of ‘aid’ cargo was a ‘passenger’. The former Greek-Catholic Archbishop of Jerusalem, Monsignor Hilarion Capucci. There is much I could say about a PLO gun smuggling priest but I have always preferred how La Passionata summed him up in an opinion piece in Corriere della Sera, December 2, 2002

I find it shameful that the Catholic Church should permit a bishop, one with lodgings in the Vatican no less, a saintly man who was found in Jerusalem with an arsenal of arms and explosives hidden in the secret compartments of his sacred Mercedes, to participate in that procession and plant himself in front of a microphone to thank in the name of God the suicide bombers who massacre the Jews in pizzerias and supermarkets. To call them "martyrs who go to their deaths as to a party."

Indeed.

Business as usual in the den of thieves...

I admit this is ungenerous of me, but when I read Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had authorized a transfer of NIS $170 million to the Hamas run Gaza Strip my first thought was to ask myself - what was his cut in this?

But then again, maybe Hamas is finally feeling the pinch of a global downturn.

Another day, another Zionist war crime

I’m off to another late start this morning and haven’t time to really read the papers. I saw this article a few days ago and meant to post it then, but one thing or another came first, and I forgot I had it until this morning. Just chalk this down as another Zionist crime, but take heart all you pompous haters of Zion - the Belgiums won’t let the Israelis get away with this and mean to implement a ban. Ha’aretz:

Belgium's government has agreed to ban the export to Israel of weapons that "strengthen it militarily," a Belgian minister said on Thursday. A Brussels-based research group accused Israel of enlisting child soldiers.

The Belgian daily De Morgen quotes Minister Patricia Ceysens from the Flemish regional government as saying: "There's a consensus [among ministers] not to approve exports that would strengthen Israel's military capacity."

Ceysens said this after a discussion on policy regarding weapons exports to Israel following the operation in Gaza. A final resolution has not been passed yet, but Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht already said recently that "given the current circumstances, weapons cannot be shipped from Belgium to Israel."

(…)According to a recently-released report by the European Institute for Research and Information on Peace and Security on Belgian arms exports to the Jewish state, Israel is the fourth largest importer of Belgian arms in the Middle East. In 2007, Belgium sold Israel weapons (mostly light firearms) to the tune of $5,409,223, according to the report.

The report, which accuses Israel of human rights violations, also says that Belgium's major weapons clients in the Middle East are Saudi Arabia (69 percent), Jordan (17 percent) and the United Arab Emirates (4.2 percent). The 15-page report does not deal with human rights violation in those countries. Quoting a 2003 amendment to Belgian law which forbids the sale of weapons to armies with child soldiers, the report says that Israel "accepts and arms underage volunteers."

About those child soldiers of the IDF:

The Israeli Defense Forces' Gadna program runs a one-week military training session on a base as part of the curriculum at most Israeli high schools. The army accepts volunteers from the age of 17 into non-combat posts.

There is rarely a day which goes by when I am not grateful my family left old Europe.

work ethics

This is the first story which caught my eye this morning. It sounds like a story out lifted out of the Great Depression when a job interview would have took priority over seeking medical attention. The Toronto Star:

A 16-year-old student went to a job interview instead of the hospital after he and a schoolmate were stabbed yesterday.

Staff at the King West Vets veterinary clinic said the Central Commerce Collegiate student showed up on time for his 1 p.m. co-op placement interview. But when employees noticed blood on his leg, they called police. "He did really well on the interview and we were very proud of him for sticking to the appointment," said veterinarian Kent Ackerman. He wouldn't say if the student will get the job.

Actually, it sounds like something my oldest son would do but he wouldn't have left until he knew he got the job.

Lifting the lid on the Palestinian Pandora Box

The Jerusalem Post is reporting this international twist of the knife:

The Palestinian Authority has recognized the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in a move aimed at allowing an investigation of possible war crimes during the recent Gaza conflict, the court said.

The court can only investigate if asked by the UN Security Council or an involved state that has recognized the court. Israel has never recognized its jurisdiction. Only states can recognize the court and it is unclear if the Palestinians can do so.

Even if the Palestinian Authority manages to hurdle itself over the ‘statehood’ issue, the ICC is a double edged knife to hold. While it remains to be seen if any Israelis would be successfully prosecuted by the court, there is no end of Palestinian players who could also be brought before the court on charges. I have no doubt this will set back Fatah – Hamas reconciliation talks for at least another generation or two.

US Mid-East Envoy needs a regional office

US Presidential Mid-East Envoy, George Mitchell, is apparently looking to open a regional office according to this USA Today report.

A Jerusalem locale spot is on the shopping list but until the US Embassy moves, I say the best place for his regional office is a prime downtown location in Sderot. Nothing says incoming like a kassam to lower real estate values, and due to the downturn in the global economy, I think it prudent for the US government to show a little fiscal restraint.

Israeli election quiz

Don’t know who to support in the upcoming Israeli elections? Ynet News is one of the sponsors of an Israeli election compass to help you determine the party which most closely aligns with your own views. While most of my readers won’t have a ballot in this election it can be fun to see which party represents your viewpoint.

I really wasn’t surprised to find where my views ‘fit’ in, and if you are curious - my ‘party’ can be found in the comments.

Well, well, my, my

Surprise, surprise. A new report on the UNRWA operations suggests the UNRWA has no screening process to ensure local staff are not terrorists. Jerusalem Post:

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees does little to check whether its staff or clients are terrorists, its former chief attorney, James Lindsay, says in a newly published report. Allegations linking terrorists to UNRWA are not new. Israel has said many times its troops were fired on by gunmen using UNRWA facilities, that UNRWA vehicles transported weapons and that some of its staff members were terrorists.

UNRWA has denied those charges and Israel has often retracted them or found them hard to prove. This latest claim against UNRWA, contained in a 67-page critique of the organization published at the end of January by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, has more authority behind it, because Lindsay was a senior lawyer for UNRWA from 2000 to 2007.

UNRWA has taken very few steps to detect and eliminate terrorists from the ranks of its staff or its beneficiaries, and no steps at all to prevent members of terrorist organizations such as Hamas from joining its staff," he wrote. "These failings have occurred not because UNRWA consciously supports terrorism but rather because it is not particularly concerned about the issue. Its main focus [is] the provision of services and protection of Palestinian refugees," he wrote.

Of course, the UNRWA has denied this and in other news, the US State Department has upped the funding for the UNRWA’s efforts in the Gaza Strip.

The No Jews Involved, and so, the Disporportionate Pass is invoked

Ynet News carried this extremely under reported account of African Union peacekeepers in action in Somali yesterday.

Somali officials and an eyewitness say African Union peacekeepers opened fire on civilian vehicles and fatally shot 18 people after an AU vehicle hit a land mine. AU spokesman Bahoku Barigye says peacekeepers were responding to gunfire and he does not know whom they hit. Mogadishu Deputy Mayor Abdifitah Ibrahim Shawey says the peacekeepers fired at three minibus taxis carrying civilians after the land mine damaged an AU vehicle in the Somali capital.

Personally, this is what I would call a disproportionate response but I would just like to point out that this incident passed yesterday without a word of protest or a voice issued in righteous indignation from our Canadian progressives for this 'response’ by peackeepers. If I were to hazard a guess as to why - I’d say it was because no Jews were involved – and you can bet there will be absolutely no international hue and cry for our man Daffy to ‘investigate’ African Union peacekeepers actions in Somali.

United States of Africa

Our man Daffy has a new title, position, and some spiffy new duds. BBC reports:

Col Gaddafi was elected by the heads of state of the 53-member union behind closed doors at a summit in Ethiopia. A BBC correspondent at the summit says Col Gaddafi was seen to be the obvious choice, but some delegates are uneasy about his nomination. Col Gaddafi replaces the Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete. Wearing a golden brocade robe and cap, Col Gaddafi sat with the traditional African leaders who accompanied him at the front of the room, rather than in the seat for the Libyan delegate.

"I shall continue to insist that our sovereign countries work to achieve the United States of Africa," he said in his inaugural speech. But he admitted that African leaders were "not near to a settlement" on the issue. He told fellow summit leaders that his unity project would be approved at the next meeting in July unless there was a majority against it, reports the BBC's Elizabeth Blunt from Addis Ababa.

The AU normally relies on consensus in reaching decisions, but Col Gaddafi introduced what he described as the Islamic concept that "silence is approval," she said. Under this principle, at least two-thirds of AU leaders would have to actively oppose Col Gaddafi's proposals, rather than simply ignoring his ideas, she added.

The Globe and Mail reported his arrival to take the chair of the AU:

Once ostracized by the West for sponsoring terrorism, Mr. Gadhafi has been trying to increase Libya's presence on the global stage and its regional influence — mediating African conflicts, sponsoring efforts to spread Islam on the continent and pushing for the creation of a single African government.

He attended the session dressed in a gold-embroidered green robe and flanked by seven extravagantly dressed men who said they are the “traditional kings of Africa.” Mr. Gadhafi told about 20 of his fellow heads of state that that he would work to unite the continent into “the United States of Africa.”

Mr. Gadhafi arrived at the summit Sunday with the seven men, one carrying a 4-foot gold staff, and caused a stir when security officials did not admit them because each delegation gets only four floor passes. All seven “kings” were seated behind Mr. Gadhafi when he accepted the chairmanship. “I think the coming time will be a time of serious work and a time of action and not words,” he said.

And can you imagine what our man Daffy will come up with next? Frankly, I'm stumped but how long before self-declared divinity comes next?

Sez Fire!

During the recent ceasefire it has been anything but a cease of fire from the launching of rockets and mortars into Israel from the Gaza Strip. Recently, the claims of responsibility for these missiles and mortars come from some unheard of group or from some of the smaller groups acting within the Gaza Strip. This morning the Jerusalem Post reports a grad missile hit Ashkelon.

Palestinians fired a Grad rocket at Ashkelon Tuesday morning, the first instance of such a rocket being fired into Israel since the end of Operation Cast Lead approximately two weeks ago. There were no casualties reported in the attack, but some damage to the surrounding area was reported.

It is from Ynet News where we learn the ‘some damage’ is really a miracle no one’s life was lost in this attack.

Rafi Zvi, a bus driver, was making his way from the city's central bus station. "The siren sounded as I left the station and began driving. I screamed to the passengers to get out immediately. There are sometimes those who are very confident and just stay there, but this time I had a bad feeling and I virtually pushed the passengers out.

"We ran towards the Israel Electric building, and as we escaped we saw the missile above our heads and heard a loud explosion. The back part of the bus, where quite a few passengers had been sitting, was shattered. We were really lucky, it was simply a miracle."

A grad missile cannot be made in a Palestinian kitchen or basement. It can only be purchased from China or from one of countries importing Chinese grad missiles. There is only one group acting in the Gaza Strip which has possession of these Chinese made missiles – Hamas.

There are those who would have you believe all missiles launched into the Israeli state are relatively harmless and point to the low casualty figures as evidence but do not be suckered into believing this for a minute. These rockets are lethal and the only reason more Israelis have not died as a result has more to do with providence – some would say divine, others would say luck, and still others would say it is the result of an interesting coincidence but still providence all the same.

Blurring the lines and bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase 'men's undies

Early Saturday morning water burst from my kitchen and living room ceilings. Apparently, my upstairs neighbor got a portable washing machine and was still working out the kinks on how to use it - such as turning off the machine when the kitchen sink overflows. This is the second time my flat has been flooded in a week.

Subsequently, I have been without all kinds of modern conveniences waiting for the wiring to dry out in the walls but imagine my surprise when I realized just how far out of touch I have been…first it was a Japanese company producing a line of bras for men. Now, I discover there is an American company producing nylons, stay ups and garter belts just for men. Comfilon:

Versatility in summertime! Our trademark Microfabric™ material is ideal for warmer weather. With 5 colors from which to choose, you can’t go wrong! Order them in a skin-matching color for an invisible cool barefoot or bare leg look or in a contrasting color for a sheer socks look. This silky style of male stockings provides a medium level of compression, effectively massaging and energizing your legs all day. The fabric of these men's thigh highs is soft and luxurious, providing superb comfort and great durability.

Will there ever be another generation of young women who will not cringe when someone asks – what does a Scotsman wear under his kilt?

I suppose that is just another rule to add to my dating rules series – thou shall not date men a) who have longer hair than you, b) who wear the same bra-size, or c) who wear the same sized stay-ups.

Turkish honour - yes, we need the Terrorist State's stinking drones

The Jerusalem Post is reporting the Turkish Prime Minister gets a hero's welcome after having a tempter tantrum and walking out of a World Economic Forum debate in Davos.

The Turkish leader was warmly greeted as some 5,000 supporters waving Turkish and Palestinian flags flooded Istanbul's airport when his plane touched down before dawn.

Some outside of the airport gate held banners that applauded his Palestinian stance in Davos. "The conqueror of Davos," one banner read. CNN television said extra buses were put on duty so more people could turn out to welcome him.

In brief comments at the airport, Erdogan said he had been insulted. "My responsibility is to protect the honor of the Turkish nation."

I am betting know one mentioned the phrase Kurdish Independence or Armenian Genocide at the airport.

Nothing like a man with high principles, and just in case, you were wondering, the Turkey is still expecting to receive the Israeli drones as per their weapons deal.

Twist of the Screw when the Fog of War lifts

This morning I had another post all ready to go when I decided at the last minute to skim the headlines and found this one at the Globe and Mail.

JABALYA, GAZA STRIP — Most people remember the headlines: Massacre Of Innocents As UN School Is Shelled; Israeli Strike Kills Dozens At UN School.

They heralded the tragic news of Jan. 6, when mortar shells fired by advancing Israeli forces killed 43 civilians in the Jabalya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. The victims, it was reported, had taken refuge inside the Ibn Rushd Preparatory School for Boys, a facility run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
The news shocked the world and was compared to the 1996 Israeli attack on a UN compound in Qana, Lebanon, in which more than 100 people seeking refuge were killed. It was certain to hasten the end of Israel's attack on Gaza, and would undoubtedly lead the list of allegations of war crimes committed by Israel.

There was just one problem: The story, as etched in people's minds, was not quite accurate.

No doubt the ‘etching in the minds’ was caused by these kind of reports – like this one from France 24 when placed within the grasp of Jew-haters everywhere.

But the shorter story is there was no attack launched by the IDF on the Jabalya UN run school. No one inside the UN school compound was killed. Did the IDF public relations department fumble the ball when the first reports surfaced on an attack on a school where Gaza civilians had taken refuge? Absolutely, and in the fog which is war - it will always do so when it reacts to allegations rather than waiting for the smoke to clear and cooler heads to prevail. Think massacre at Jenin any one? The Israelis are in the untenable position of not only having to fight a battle in a war zone but also having to wage a PR battle simultaneously in the world’s media.

In other news, The Elder of Ziyon digs out a Palestine Press Agency report from April 2008 about tunnels being dug under a UNRWA school in the Gaza Strip. What an odd the world we live in.

The 18 – Call President Obama

This is what I wrote circa 2006 in a post called let’s all sing “imagine”:

Removing the settlers from their homes in the West Bank might be the straw which breaks the Israeli back. I suspect they will not go gently into the Gush Katif nightmare without fighting back. All the pie in the sky promises of cash for the leaving their homes, jobs, and communities will fall short with the evidence of the plight of Gush Katif refugees firmly before their eyes (who by the way are still waiting for the promised compensation, employment and homes.)

Read this article from Arutz Sheva last week and see if you don’t hear the first faint notes of the echoes of resistance in Yesha. Will the Irgun rise again? I don't know, but these Israelis are not the pampered latte sippers of the Tel Aviv sidewalk cafes, and I know that I would be very reluctant to give up my home for a place in a caravan for the next 5-7 years.

Not to mention the huge toll any large scale evacuations may have on the IDF and its ability to be able to muster the will and moral needed to fight against their brethren. Nor should one forget religious soldiers represent the backbone of the might of the IDF. Can an army be an effective force if it is so divided?

Kadima and Olmert at the height of its electoral popularity won only 29% of the vote. The last figures I saw gave Olmert a 7% job approval rating. Where is the political support in Israel to carry any large scale withdrawals? Lieberman, leader of the Israel Our Home party has sworn to do everything in his power to stop any withdrawals from the West Bank.

But the larger question should be where would one potentially house 50,000 to potentially nearly a half a million Jews for resettlement in Israel? Eighteen months later and almost 9,000 Jews are still are without permanent housing. The potential strain on health care, education and local economies could potentially bankrupt the country from which it might never recover.

And I haven’t even begun to ask how a second Palestinian state would be economically feasible. Check out this Rand feasibility study which projects that a West Bank – Gaza State would need an estimated investment of USD$33 billion over a minimum of ten years – if not longer. And the Rand feasibility study takes it as a given that the Palestinian economy would be fully integrated into the Israeli economy but ask yourself why any Israeli government would want to tie the Palestinian economy to Israel’s? Let's play a free word association game. I say, "Good Steward" and you tell me how many times you think of something before the word "Palestinian" comes to mind.

Now take a deep breath and think about the logistics of returning a few million people to a geographical area that is just somewhat larger than the Canadian province of PEI. Where would they be housed? What sanitation measures would be needed or even where would adequate supplies of water be found to sustain such an influx of 3-4 million people?

But even more pressing, is to ask who is willing to make the long-term commitment to invest the billions upon billions year in and out to make this barren cow milk for at least half a generation - if not two, three or more generations? Especially, when there is a quicker and cheaper solution available but it has a high cringe factor for lefties worldwide.

This trip down memory lane was inspired by an email I received from a group called The 18 who have issued a new video called Call President Obama.



I would be remiss if I did not remind readers that full compensation has yet to be paid out to the majority of the former residents of Gush Katif and almost four years later - the prospects for permanent housing for the majority of Gush Katif refugees is still bleak in the short-term.

So the next time anyone has a suggestion or peace plan for the region, let us start with the cost of calculating the "peace" by evicting any where from 50,000 to almost half a million Jews from their homes in Yesha.

Furthermore, the Rand study is a more than a few years old and was calculated before the rise of Hamas. It also counts on the non-destruction of the greenhouses of the Gaza Strip, as well as allowing for a significant influx of Palestinian labour fully into the Israeli economy which may or may not be allowed to happen. The Rand study, lowball-best-case scenario, starts at US$33 Billion circa 2003-2004.

First there was Pallywood, now there is Pal-ffiti

In report meant to highlight the innate racism displayed by IDF soldiers in Operation Cast Lead Ynet News is reporting this:

A painful reminder for Operation Cast Lead remained evident in Gaza in the form of blatant, racist graffiti sprayed on houses' walls by IDF soldiers. Residents of the Zeitun neighborhood who returned to their homes once the fighting in the region was over discovered that their walls had been sprayed with slogans such as "Die you all," Make war not peace," "Death to Arabs," "Arabs must die," and "One down, 999,999 to go."

The IDF is currently conducting an investigation and promises to severely reprimand the ‘offender(s)’ but this smells surprisingly suspicious to me. While I am not suggesting it is out of the realm of possibilities for IDF soldiers to write racist graffiti. Although, this does suggest some Israeli soldiers had far too much time on their hands while allegedly engaged in fighting in hostile fire zone.

What does surprise me is the writers did so in English rather than in Hebrew or Arabic – the two official languages of the state of Israel. Israel does have a rather large well-educated population with a fluency in a multitude of languages but isn’t the point of the alleged soldier’s graffiti meant to convey a message to the predominately Arab residents of the Gaza Strip who overwhelmingly speak and read only in Arabic?

But it does make for a nice photo op for the international press. Let’s call it Pal-ffiti.

Why should it be against the law to call anyone a putz or a doughnut eater?

I love Israel, I love the fact it exists, I love the fact if things get ‘hairy’ for me there is a place for me and mine. I love the fact that this tiny country which is ringed by a sea of enemies and baptized by war is still dedicated to life – no matter how many city buses or restaurants are/were imploding or kassams incoming. I love the brashness and the warmth; the mixture of the sacred and the profane.

In spite of all this, there are some obvious flaws – like the fact it is against the law to insult the dignity of a public official. If there is going to be a law concerning the alleged dignity of a public official I think it should be mandatory to insult the dignity of a public official at all times and I am surprised the Israelis haven’t thought of this – in fact, its kind of a let-down.

I believe there is a great deal we in Canada can learn from the Israelis but emulating a stupid Israeli law shouldn’t be one of them. The Toronto Star:

MONTREAL–Montreal police have asked the city to make it illegal for citizens to hurl insults such as "pig" and "doughnut eater" at officers. Mayor Gérald Tremblay said yesterday his public security committee is mulling the request by Montreal's police brotherhood to slap offenders with fines. The union wants Tremblay to make it illegal for the public to fire insults at police, regardless of whether they are profanity-laced.

As long as I can call my neighbor a putz, I should be allowed to say the same thing to a police officer, because sometimes a police officer can be a putz or at least act like one. I realize there are some of you who are going to suggest the police have a dirty job with little gratitude. Well, so does a plumber, and if we aren’t going to enact laws sparing the dignity of plumbers; why should police officers be a protected speech class of citizenry? We have laws against incitement and uttering threats of bodily harm. That’s enough or it should be.

One more thing while I can still say it – Fuck the Montreal Police Union.