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The Zionist Conspiracy

A clandestine undertaking on behalf of Israel, the Jets and the Jews.

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Sunday, July 22, 2007
 
Noah Feldman On Orthodoxy

I am finding it difficult to take seriously Noah Feldman's New York Times Magazine article about his feelings toward modern Orthodoxy. For me, it is neither offensive nor thought provoking, but merely one man's rant - albeit a rant couched in a high brow intellectual tone - toward the school he attended.

I suppose that many, if they had a forum such as The New York Times Magazine and were very high achievers like Feldman - and also had years of pent-up anger about being slighted and delegitimatized - would similarly draft a long rant like Feldman's.

Feldman's complaints about being mistreated by modern Orthodoxy follows and are consistent with his unsuccessful efforts on behalf of the town of Tenafly to block Orthodox Jewish residents from erecting an eruv.

 
Continued Hiatus

It will be awhile before I will be able to return to active posting. If all goes according to plan, I will be extremely busy with work for the next two weeks, then go to Israel from August 7-21, and then upon my return be very busy for another few weeks. I am hopeful that I will be able to post at least semi-regularly by the start of the NFL season and in time for the MLB September stretch run.

Wednesday, July 04, 2007
 
July 4 Thoughts On President Bush

The current controversy involving President Bush is his commutation of Scooter Libby's 30 month prison sentence. On this I have mixed feelings. On one hand, the prosecution of Libby was conducted on rather dubious grounds, and the sentence probably was excessive. On the other hand, a jury did find Libby guilty, the sentence was within the guidelines, and the Bush Administration has never been bothered by the prison sentences handed out to anybody other than Libby.

It is almost certain that the Libby controversy will be a historical footnote, and that the overwhelming legacy of President George W. Bush will be our complete failure in Iraq. When we withdraw our occupation ground forces, probably in mid-2009, not only will thousands of American lives have been wasted, but our interests in the Persian Gulf and in the region will have been badly harmed, with things far worse for us and for Iraqis than before our failed invasion and occupation.

Defenders of Bush often blame Donald Rumsfeld or Condi Rice for his administration's lack of direction. Rumsfeld and Rice both deserve blame, but there is no sense among conservative diehards that Bush is our President and that the responsibility for national failure is ultimately his.

I am especially perplexed by the fact that many of us in the pro-Israel community who recognize that the Oslo accords, the ensuing phony "peace process," and the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza were all disasters cannot state the obvious fact that Iraq has similarly been a disaster.

Indeed, the Iraq disaster, while primarily hurting America and Iraq, has also weakened Israel and allowed Iran to continue its nuclear program and its support for Hamas and Hezbollah essentially unabated.

Monday, July 02, 2007
 
Sports Musings

1. It is borderline criminal for Julio Franco to remain on the Mets' roster. If he is such a good clubhouse influence, make him a coach. If he wants to play until he's 50, add him to the roster on September 1. Continuing to waste a roster spot on Franco is crazy, albeit not as crazy as Willie Randolph's continued use of Franco despite the obvious fact that Julio can no longer catch up to even decent fastballs.

2. With the signings of Scott Gomez and Chris Drury, yesterday was an exciting day for Rangers fans. I agree with both signings, though suspect that the Rangers will miss Michael Nylander. I disagree with the team's decision to sever ties with Jed Ortmeyer, who played hard and excelled on penalty kills.

3. I don't mind if Bruce Ratner wants to overpay for Vince Carter, but I do take issue with the team's generosity toward Carter and ensuing frugality toward Mikki Moore. If the Nets insist on paying Moore less than $3.5 million, they will lose a difficult to find productive big man.

As for the drafting of Sean Williams, it's a worthwhile risk by the Nets since Williams would fill a glaring need.

4. I rarely listen to WFAN anymore, but last night while driving to Manhattan, I had FAN on to keep updated about the hockey free agency situation. Turns out it was the 20th anniversary of the FAN's launch on July 1, 1987. Jim Lampley - who hosted the first ever show on the station - guest-hosted for an hour, and was sure to have Bruce From Flushing and Sam From Bayonne call in. Brought back memories of the days when I did little but listen to sports talk.