A Jewish Scorecard: Trump vs. Sanders

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “A Jewish Scorecard: Trump vs. Sanders.”

In nine months, we will go to the polls again to elect the next President of the United States. Right now, it’s looking like it will be Donald J. Trump versus Bernie Sanders. What is the scorecard of these two men when it comes to the State of Israel⁠—the Jewish homeland that we have returned to after 2,000 years of exile, persecution, and deep yearning, and where the majority of the world’s Jewish people currently reside?

In the end, no candidate is perfect, and each has their own critical flaws. However, you, as the voters will need to tally the score for yourselves and decide who will be President in 2020 and what that means for this country as well as for the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

(Photo: Adapted from Flickr post by The White House (Public Domain) and Linda Sarsour’s Twitter account profile picture)

The Coming Annexation

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, “The Coming Annexation.”

There has been much talk about Annexation of the Area C settlements in the West Bank (i.e. Yehuda and Shomron), and I believe that we are definitely moving in that direction. According to the 1993 Oslo Accords. Area C is where Israel maintains both security and civilian control. It represents about 60% of the West Bank and is of vital importance to the State of Israel and its future, and therefore is soon likely to be annexed.

Israel is the Promised Land and the one nation state for the Jewish people. Israel has absorbed millions of Jewish refugees from around the world. It is surrounded by hundreds of millions of Arabs in twenty-two countries. Israel captured the West Bank in a war of self-defense and should be prepared to annex it for the peace and security of its people and the region. If Israel has faith, remains strong, recognizes the military, geographical, and sociological realities on the ground and provides for the depth and settlement of its people, while at the same time being compassionate to the Palestinians, then it will continue to survive and thrive as a State, a democracy, and as light unto the nations.

 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Mother’s Day Trump Mug

Mother’s Day appreciation mug for my wife. 

I knew she would love it. 

– She’s a great mom, terrific, beautiful, fantastic. 

– Other moms, total disasters, everyone agrees. 

Trump says it best.  

Happy Mother’s Day! 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Israel and The Golan Heights

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, “A Great Day On The Golan Heights.”

Between 1948 and 1967, the Golan was used by Syria to indiscriminately shell and harass Israeli villages in the Galilee, including in April 1967 at which time Israel shot down six Syrian MIG fighter planes as a warning to Syria. Finally, after twenty years of these continuing attacks by Syria on Israel from the Golan, did Syria finally lose the Golan to Israel in the ensuing 1967 War. Contrary to those who say that recognizing Israel’s control of the Golan endorses the forceful taking of land from other countries, the monumental shift in American policy on Purim this week actually provides critical deterrence against war by recognizing the potential consequences to those like Syria that unjustly wage war and lose.

Thank you to President Trump for setting the record straight with respect to Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights and for supporting Israel’s right to peace and security.  

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Israel – Day 2 – Tel Aviv Downtown

(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

A Disgrace On The Democrats

The Democratic Party should be ashamed of themselves. 

They have become the new hate-mongering party!

Progressives no way. 

Their bigotry, racism, and hatred are taking us backwards. 

Their members’ attack friends, allies, and patriots of this country. 

And these bigots are worshipped and placed on the cover of Time Magazine. 

To the 3,000 that were killed on 9/11, it is a disgrace. 

To this great nation, it is bringing us down from being a light unto nations to ushering in darkness and prejudice. 

Shame on Pelosi and Schumer and the other democrats who are allowing extremism and hate to dominate their agenda. 

First they hated on Trump 

(Ilahn Omar even hated on Obama!)

Then they hated on Israel and the Jews. 

Who are they coming for next America?  

(Source Graphic: Adapted from Time Magazine By Andy Blumenthal)

Compromise = Winning

So this shutdown has really been an education in political dysfunction, bickering, and childish behavior. 

But when President Trump yesterday went on the air and provided a compromise solution whereby he gets funding for a 200 mile border wall/barrier and the Democrats get money for humanitarian relief at the border, high-tech sensors, and years of protection for 700,000 children that came to this country illegally (DACA) and another 300,000 for immigrants from designated countries that prevent their sage return (TPS)–it seems like everybody would come out a winner!

That’s negotiation.  That’s compromise.  That’s diplomacy.  

When President Trump did this, I thought he really won the day, especially when the Democrats rejected his proposals and offered nothing in return or as an alternative. 

Even if the other side disagrees with the solution, they can and should offer what their version of a compromise/agreement would be and so on between the parties–this way, they can negotiate until both sides get to the magical compromise that everyone can agree to and live with. 

What I learned from this is that regardless of your political leanings, the side that shows flexibility and compromise and the desire to get something done, is the side that wins the argument, period. 

Those that want it all or are simply obstructionist and haters are the big losers in the debate. 

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Trump Vs. Pelosi — The Citizens Lose

Yesterday, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, majorly dissed President Trump by attempting to cancel his State of the Union address for Tuesday, January 29 citing lack of resources to secure the National Special Security Event (NSSE) due to the government shutdown. 

In turn, CNN applauded Pelosi for having:

– Just pulled a major power move on Donald Trump’s State of the Union

Today, President Trump reciprocated by refusing to provide military aircraft for Pelosi’s trip aboard citing the same shutdown. 

In this case, The Guardian condemns President Trump stating that he:

– Escalates shutdown row by cancelling Pelosi trip

I am not taking sides (seriously), but just can’t help but notice the incredible bias in the “Fake News” that we are all being fed in the massive media “echo chamber.” 

Again, Pelosi cancels Trump and its reported on as she did a great thing, while when Trump responds and cancels Pelosi, then that is reported on as he is escalating the situation. 

Something is very wrong in this country–regardless of which politicians and parties you love or hate and whether you agree with a border wall or not–shouldn’t we get news that is honest and even-handed. 

The system is broken and we are the masses that are being controlled in our thinking and our voting.  

This is not democracy–it is social control and b*llsh*t brainwashing! 😉

Election Day Dead 2018

This just seemed so perfect for election day this year. 

With the country torn asunder between left and right. 

We are the grateful dead of the U.S. of A. 

– Our political system is stymied and our representatives are only self-minded. 

The integrity of our founding fathers has vanished and last century’s great national hope has languished. 

Cause the liberals hate the conservatives. 

And the conservatives hate the liberals. 

All of my folks hate all of your folks, and everyone blames the Jews.  

– The Constitution has become malarkey, and the Bill of Rights now makes people snarky. 

Polarization and they’re a lyin’, fake news and no one is even tryin’.

It’s either my way or the highway, and everyone else can go to h*ll. 

– Throw a fit and curse your neighbor, chase the opposition to the wayward. 

Know that threats and violence are better than silence, and resistance means persistence. 

How could this have even happened, and you’re all on the wrong side of history.

– Are we making things great, and they’re only about hate.

Or are they racist deplorables, and we’re the self-righteous ennobles.

From the economy to trade wars, and from immigration to healthcare.

Why is it that we can’t listen, negotiate, compromise, and play fair.

– I don’t know why we’re even having an election.

When we only want to defeat the opposition.

Cause the Democrats hate the Republicans.

And the Republicans hate the Democrats.

All of the Obamanicks hate the Trumpeans, and vice versa is certainly true too.

– It’s up to everyone to put the country first and stop the bickering and the hate.

Practice patriotism and nationalism, tear down the walls so progress does not stall.

No one is all right and no one is all wrong, instead we’ve got to come together and just let everyone belong.

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Trump’s Uncanny Ability To Call A Horse A Horse

So President Trump has an uncanny ability to call something what it is and literally brand it that way. 

After Stormy Daniels lost a recent lawsuit against Trump, he called her “Horseface.”

Not a nice term about people and things he doesn’t like.

But you know what when I looked at her, I could see what he saw.

And you know what, she will go down in the history books as Horseface. 

Similarly, with many other brands Trump has bestowed on others:

“Crooked Hillary (Clinton)”

“Failing New York Times”

“Crazy Joe (Biden)”

“Criminal Enterprise (Clinton Foundation)”

“Save Your Energy Rex (Tillerson)”

“Countries That Rip Us Off (NATO)”

“Worst Deal Ever (Iran Nuclear Deal)”

“Losers, Thugs (Islamic State)”

“Fake News (CNN)”

“Pocahontas (Elizabeth Warren)”

“Cryin Chuck (Schumer)”

“Will Make America Weak Again (Nancy Pelosi)”

“Crazy Rants (Maxine Waters)”

“Rocket Man (Kim Jong-Un)”

“Doing Many Bad Things Behind Our Back (Iran)”

Again, I’m not condoning name-calling of any kind.

And words certainly do hurt. 

However, Trump does seem to see things that are like, “Oh yeah!”

And once, he coins a term, it sticks!

Not that it’s right, but he has a genius to brand people and things.  

What he sees and what he calls it, just like a branding iron, will stick with them forever. 

Why?  Because a horse is a horse, especially once it gets called out. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)