I've Moved

Hello all,

You can now read my posts at Little Green Footballs, which I've been a member of since last year (2010). And no, I'm not with Mossad.

Thanks,
Bernard Anderson

Shameless Promotion

If you like vintage music, wrestling or both then check out my best friend Johnny Crivaro's blog. I should mention he's a huge Roger Waters* fan and has attended several of his concerts across the U.S. As I write this, he's waiting to attend the concert tonight in Omaha.

*As you may know, I hate Roger Waters' politics but love his music and do not believe he is an anti-Semite; just bitterly misguided at times.

On Criticizing Israel (Or How Not To)

Abe Foxman and the ADL are often portrayed as an organization who blacklist anyone that criticizes Israel. Now that's not to say Abe can't be overly defensive on his personal values (i.e. his opposition of Park 51) but there's usually a good reason why an individual or organization are targeted. Unfortunately, some anti-Zionists do (intentionally or unintentionally) engage in anti-Semitism to promote their cause. Popular themes include but are not limited to: well poisoning, tentacles, the Devil, vampires, Nazis, harvesting organs, misquotes from the Talmud and the "New World Order" cabal.

And what is a loaded "anti-Zionist" to do when they get caught? Play the victim card. Ex-Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters and Helen Thomas would have you believe that there's a conspiracy in the media against people like them. Yet Pat Buchanan and Christine Amanpour (commentators with completely different values) often criticize Israel and are still reputable. I can't help but find the same victim attitude of the loaded "anti-Zionists" in people who claim that Obama "lynched" America.

In short, it's not that you criticize but how you criticize. Please be responsible.

Bigotry & A Tree

There are those on the far-Right who are horrified of a Muslim community “mega-mosque” center 2 blocks away from the former World Trade Center site. As of today, Park51, as it is called has been approved and the former Burlington coat factory building will be demolished to make way for its construction. This is a victory not for “sharia” but religious freedom as guaranteed by the often misinterpreted law of the land, the U.S. Constitution.

Meanwhile in the Middle East, Israel and Lebanon are (literally) fighting over the removal of a tree near the Blue Line.

On Marxism

Marxism, like Libertarianism, relies on the theory of class structure. It believes that the upper, ruling class can oppress the people below them. However, the major difference between the Right and Left wings of Libertarianism are that Right-Libertarians believe that the middle class are part of the oppressed while Left-Libertarians believe that the middle class are “petit bourgeois” and contribute to the oppression of the lower, working class. But radical Libertarians of both persuasions desire the abolition of the “State” and its ruling class. If there is one problem with Marxists/radicals it is the demonization of power, the “powers that be”.

Like many Christians, Marxists believe that the upper and lower classes have fixed intentions: the upper class are only concerned with wealth and are evil, and the lower class are compassionate and good at heart. So with little regard for others’ individual intentions, justice is relative and with the encouragement of abolishing power by “any means necessary”, values such as peace and equality cannot be absolute.

Anarchy gives the opportunity for tyranny, the seizure of power for one’s own interests. There is no guarantee for good intentioned people to govern if there is no government to evaluate them. Oppression comes in many forms, even under the guise of the interest of “the people”. Democracy cannot only be a “tyranny of the majority” but also the minority.

“The enemy of my enemy is not my friend.”

-Penn Jillette

My Take On The Flotilla Incident

Well, it’s been a turbulent week. Monday morning’s event has sparked many accusations and leaves a number of questions to be asked. Who attacked first? Were the passengers terrorists? Were there weapons among the cargo? Did Israel act in self-defense? Are Israeli-Turkish relations at a dead end?

A more troubling question is currently on my mind: Could Israel’s blockade of Gaza be helping Hamas? British PM David Cameron thinks so:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk/10218450.stm

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a proud Zionist and believe that the “humanitarian” passengers had the intention of provoking Israel but the IDF have failed to present a clear argument for taking control of the flotilla. And using grainy black & white footage does little to help that.

http://www.youtube.com/v/0LulDJh4fWI

So for the time being, let’s all take a deep breath and keep an open mind. We don’t need conspiracy theories clouding our judgment.

Jihad of the Infidels

I am shocked by the attitude of some of the so-called opponents of terrorism, particularly Islamic terrorism. Their attention seems to be placed more on Islam proper or even worse, on Arabs for the sake of being non-white immigrants in Western countries.

The latter focus of attention is that of Vlaams Belang, a white supremacist party in Belgium. For some reason, blogger Pamela "Atlas" Geller thinks that more Jews should support them. Vlaams Belang, mind you, are proponents of Holocaust denial. Surprise?

A blog who has been wise enough to expose these racists is (ironically), Little Green Footballs, one of the few Republican blogs I trust. I can't help but give them kudos for nuggets like these:

About Vlaams Belang and Swedish Democrats

A French Documentary On Vlaams Belang