Blog

My running commentary on events: local, national, and international. Areas of special interest include Israel, Iraq, and dissidents in the Muslim world.

U.S. Aid to Israel is Pragmatic

February 11, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) certainly picked a chaotic moment to say that the U.S. should end all foreign aid, including to Israel. More pragmatic heads in the Senate — including New Jersey’s own Sen. Robert Menendez — should prevail. (See...

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Would Opportunity Scholarship Act Hurt Public Schools? Local Pols Square Off On Controversial Issue

February 11, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

The Opportunity Scholarship Act, a bill that would provide tax credits to companies that help struggling families to send their children to private or parochial schools in New Jersey, passed an Assembly committee vote last Thursday after six...

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Inside the Beltway

February 11, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

New Jersey’s senators last week teamed up with fellow lawmakers in sending out letters supportive of Israel to parties ranging from the German government to Republican members of Congress.

Eleven senators, led by Frank Lautenberg...

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Rutgers Students Rise Up To Protest Anti-Zionist Program

February 5, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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Hundreds of students and community members assembled on Saturday at Rutgers University to protest an event sponsored by two non-campus groups that invoked the memory of the Holocaust to criticize Israeli policy towards...

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World Wide Wrap Welcomes Worshippers

February 5, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers won’t be the only ones praying on Superbowl Sunday.

Across New Jersey, the United States, and the world, men, women, and children will gather to participate in a morning minyan, or...

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Israel and Jews Worldwide Should Support an Independent South Sudan

February 5, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

This week all eyes are on Egypt. It is uncertain who will succeed President Hosni Mubarak and what kind of government will be in power. But we should not miss other important developments. In a world where so few can truly be considered...

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Who Knows What Will Happen in the Middle East? Omar Sharif Knows as Much as the Pundits Do

February 3, 2011

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What the H&^% is going to happen to the middle east? Darned if this middle east commentator knows. I’ve avoided writing about the uprising in Egypt as long as I possibly could because this one’s got me stumped. I have...

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Tunisians Overthrow Dictator; World Watches and Waits

January 23, 2011

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Last week’s street demonstrations and overthrow of Tunisian dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali were fascinating and inspiring to behold.

As a believer in democracy who cheers people everywhere who show the courage to demonstrate –...

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Holding up a mirror to Palin’s critics

January 20, 2011

From Jewish World Review

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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Sarah Palin appeared on FOX News’s “Hannity’s America” to defend herself and her use of the term “blood libel” in reference to suggestions that she bore some partial responsibility for inciting the massacre that left...

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Palin’s Use of Term Blood Libel Spurs Controversy Among Jewish Leaders, Others

January 18, 2011

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Last night Sarah Palin appeared on FOX News’s “Hannity’s America” to defend herself and her use of the term “blood libel” in reference to suggestions that she bore some partial responsibility for...

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