YOU AIN'T GONNA LEARN WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW

Great Quote... Yossi Klein Halevi

Great Quote...

Yossi Klein Halevi in the New Republic:

"Nothing unites Israelis in outrage more than the seizure of hostages. On July 4, Israel will mark the 30th anniversary of the Entebbe operation that freed over a hundred Israeli hostages, and little has changed since then in the national ethos of rescue. The last Zionist ideal still shared by most Israelis is the determination to fight back. An Israeli soldier held hostage is a taunt against the Zionist promise of self-defense, an unbearable reminder of Jewish helplessness.

"Our obsession with hostages is a tactical weakness but a strategic strength. It allows terrorists a stunning psychological advantage: With a single random kidnapping, they hold an entire society emotionally hostage. Strategically, though, hostage-taking only strengthens Israeli resolve."

Gloves off.....about time Hats off

Gloves off.....about time

Hats off to Ehud Olmert.

I hope he continues to put the heat on Hamas, and ANYONE associated with them.

Yesterday, the arrests of Hamas Legislators in the West Bank, is a start.

Another Strong Message to Bashar Assad, "President" of Syria.

"In a clear warning to Syrian President Bashar Assad, Israeli airplanes flew over his seaside home near the Mediterranean port city of Latakia in northwestern Syria, military officials confirmed, citing the "direct link" between his government and Hamas. Israeli television reports said four planes were involved in the low-altitude flight, and that Assad was there at the time."

That was a calling card.

Israeli F-16 flew over his house. It was a signal to let him know that he could have been a casualty of war. Anytime Israel wants, Israel can take him out.

From another site, about the Assad flyover....

"Our intelligence sources disclose that, straight after the Israeli buzzing early Wednesday, Assad returned to Damascus and soon after, met Jordanian prime minister Maaruf Bahait (former ambassador to Israel), who had come over to discuss the Palestinian reconciliation document and the crisis in Gaza. According to our sources, Assad kept on complaining agitatedly about the Israeli over flights"

Good.

Now, lets keep up the pressure. Ratchet up the STRESS level for the entire population of Gaza....so that their OWN PEOPLE, and citizens of the Palestinian territories force changes on their society.

The people must understand, that TERROR is not a bargaining chip.

Hamas has brought this situation to the people of Gaza.

Mr. Olmert, keep up the pressure. This is the first encouraging sign I have seen from the government (in terms of standing up to terrorists) - and it gives me hope for a resolution.

For those that want DIPLOMACY, wake up. This is what Israel has attempted to do for 15 years. You can't negotiate with people that don't accept your, "right to live." You can't strike a deal with terrorists who threaten to fire missles and kidnap citizens if they are not given what they desire.

Only defeat and shame, for ANYONE, who supports and harbors terrorists will bring about an end to this conflict. Hear that Hamas? Hear that Assad?

That's the sound of F-16 that just knocked your fine "china" off the table. Mr. Assad, that's the faint sound of the Israeli Military letting you know that you could be 6 feet under -- and it's only because of Mr. Olmert's, "diplomatic graces" that you are alive.....

I am praying for Gilad Shalit.

Little Business Plug.... What I've

Little Business Plug....

What I've been focused on, and I intend to build it into a world class organization.

My new venture is HERE.

I've officially become -- that

I've officially become -- that DAD, to my kids.

The Dad, that always takes pictures

The Dad, that loves his kids so much, embarrassing them is secondary - to my need to "capture the moment for posterity."

The Dad, that tells his kids they will appreciate the pictures one day.

What happened to me?

Am I destined for early bird dinners in Boca?

2nd Day of Camp.....getting on the bus.

I hope HE MEANS IT.....

I hope HE MEANS IT.....

Ehud Olmert, the prime minister of Israel, said there would be "no negotiations, no bargaining, no agreements".

He warned the kidnappers and the political leaders who ordered the operation: "Let it be clear. We will reach everyone, no matter where they are and they know it. There will not be immunity for anyone."

Unfortunately, I fear he does not mean what he says. (that Hamas Terrorists will pay a price)

The same party (in Israel, Kadima) that believes in giving terrorists LAND, in the hopes it will "placate" and ease them, and bring them into negotiations....is a twisted, losing option.

Olmert endorsed the land giveback. Olmert has put plans on the table to give a large portion of Samaria/West Bank to HAMAS.

And, he supports the 20X LARGER giveback, of the West Bank -- than he did of GAZA....(and is Southern Israel any safer?) to the SAME GROUP of terrorists..that hold Gilad Shalit.

You kidding?

Giving valuable land and GIFTS to terrorists....is a risky, foolish proposition - that ensures further loss.

The viewpoint of dealing with terrorists, whether it be land, money, hostages, or a "voice.." is a world view I oppose.

"That world view involves a denial of a basic, fundamental truth: When you empower terrorists, terrorists are empowered. "

Coming Home from the 1st

Coming Home from the 1st day of Camp.....

Up the driveway, exhausted....

Why This Continues To Bother

Why This Continues To Bother Me....???

Foolishness.

Repeated mistakes, and mis-steps that cost lives, over long periods of time are at some point, unacceptable to digest, and fathom.

The toll on the human psyche, is to TURN OFF - and stop caring.
I feel as though I'm approaching that abyss. I feel as though the leaders of Israel, CARE MORE ABOUT TERRORIST'S DESIRES, AND MORE ABOUT WHAT WILL APPEASE THEM - AND LESS ABOUT THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THEIR OWN CITIZENS. Another writer agrees with me.....

Last evening, Palestinian Terrorists (not militants) attacked a Border Patrol Outpost, on the ISRAELI SIDE OF THE BORDER.

The attack details from the Jerusalem Post is HERE.

Any human being, who has a SHRED of humanity, or understanding of what motivates these people, (terrorists) - would NOT for one minute, consider dealing with them on any level.

ZERO. CAPUT. NADA.

They fire missles from dense urban centers, (and not in a open field) - hoping that Israel will fire back - and KILL INNOCENT PALESTINIANS. Alan Dershowitz explains it VERY well, and he is correct in his overview.

Now, a Israeli soldier has been kidnapped by Hamas.

In 1994, I followed a story literally - hour to hour for 5 days...

The Israeli soldiers name was Nachshon Waxman.

He was taken by HAMAS, and brutally tortured -- (I will not go into GREAT Detail) - but let's just say -- they pulled his teeth out with pliers, while questioning him.

He was murdered, but not before a painful, and horrific ending.

In yesterday's attack -- there was a Israeli soldier kidnapped.

"Cpl. Gilad Shalit sustained stomach and chest wounds, but was walking; Hamas calls on factions to protect his life and treat him well."

My prayers are with Gilad.

I cannot imagine what he (Gilad) is going through right now...the horror, the pain --the confrontation, and treatment by the WORST HUMAN BEINGS ON EARTH -- Hamas terrorists.

But yet, Gilad represents the people of Israel.

He is THE FACE, THE SOUL, AND THE COMPLETE EMBODIMENT, OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL.

This is what leads me to say:

"Defeat and kill terrorism. Stop playing diplomatic politics, and END terror -- by crushing people, and societies in which terrorism is allowed to flourish, and be represented. If the societies that harbor these people, DO NOT take responsibility for their own peoples actions (Palestinian Authority) - -then a neighbor being threatened (Israel) must take responsbility."

There is no peace.

There will be no peace, until there is a victor.

To date, terrorism in the middle-east yields BIG dividends.

The Palestinians have been given --- "Land, Acceptance, and a Chance" over the past 15 years, a gift from Israel...by making promises they never had any intention to uphold...

BECAUSE OF FALSE PEACE, AND ACTUAL TERRORISM from the Palestinians --- they have found that this formula actually brings Israeli concessions....CONTINUALLY

Now, the time has come, to NOT blame the Palestinians for their actions (terrorism) -- but BLAME ISRAELI LEADERS, for not dealing with what is happening. They (Israel officials) are not dealing with the actions of their enemies -- but rather, they are contemplating -- GIVING MORE LAND TO THE TERRORISTS, FOR THEM TO LAUNCH MISSLES -- AND DO FURTHER HARM TO ISRAEL. (Maybe, giving more land will cause the Arab terrorists to sing kumbaya, drop their desires to kill Jews, and they will drop their manifesto of exhuming the mid-east of all non-Islamic people....and this dream will come true...)

Hardly.

Time to come to put a HARD stop on this ridiculous path for Israel - and focus efforts on one thing......

BRINGING SHAME AND EMBARASSMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF GAZA........through deep, and violent military action.

It works.

Ask Germany or Japan. Only a CRUSHING DEFEAT (by US forces in World War 2) -- can yield a future, and hope, for the Palestinian society.

My prayers go out to Gilad Shalit.....for he is now a metaphorical face for the STATE, and condition of Israel.

Anyone who uses...... A few

Anyone who uses......

A few of my "Favorite Terms"....is worth 2 minutes of my time, (and maybe your's) to read a compelling piece....

Words like:

* optimization
* aggregate data
* QC and Process Improvement
* Politics
* The use and power of data.

Would you think a sports owner would write these words about the organization that his team plays in? (The NBA)

It's Mark Cuban.....and he is DEAD-ON.

You see, people who have worked for the NBA (in the past) or with the league in some capacity, all say the same thing (about working for the NBA).....THAT THE NBA CAN'T EVOLVE, OR EMBRACE CHANGE BECAUSE OF POLITICS -- and anyone who dares challenge the "cushy" status quo, (with new ideas) is fired, or run out of the organization.

Mark, is the only one that can say it - because he BOUGHT into it, he does not work, FOR THE NBA. Mark, does not owe his career, or success to the National Basketball Association.

You can call him a crybaby, rich guy, whatever you want....

In my book, he is solid, as well as smart - and he consistently challenges the STATUS QUO.

From Mark's keyboard.....(Click here)

The Natural Forces, Coming to

The Natural Forces, Coming to a Portal Near You.....

Any one think this is NOT gonna happen? A Microsoft/Yahoo Marriage?

I've written about this before, and for my money, it's as natural as ---
Green Eggs and Ham.

READ THIS.