THE DIOGENES REPORT
The Wit, Wisdom & Wituperation of Emanuel L. Strunin
“a few steps ahead of the curve”
June 2004, VOL. IV, # 20
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SOME GET RICH AND SOME GET KILLED

A front page story in the business section of the June 6 New York Times recounts the discovery of over $650 million in U.S. currency hidden in Iraq. Serial numbers and other information indicated that the money came directly from U.S. Federal Reserve Banks via some major banks that the Fed uses for distribution. One of the banks was fined $100 million for its part in dealing with Saddam during a period when sanctions were in force. Of course no one at the Fed or its business partner banks has any idea of how these funds got to Iraq—or to any of the other countries that were under sanctions.

As I have noted before, these fines, no matter how large, are meaningless. The fines never catch up with the profits. The profits going to banks, and, personally, to bank officers and other employees, from laundering and distributing terrorist money, drug money and money in violation of sanctions are so great that these practices will continue. 

Unless….

Unless the punishments meted out involve prison time, real prison time and not just an assisted living facility adjacent to a golf course. That kind of punishment will fit the crime!

Perhaps, just perhaps, these cruel and ruthless activities can be slowed down, if not ended. Cruel and ruthless are not terms that are too harsh to use about actions that help terrorists, drug dealers and tyrants to destroy people’s lives.

What struck me as I was reading the Times article was that while the bankers, basically aided and abetted by our Government due to its lack of proper oversight, if not actual collusion, were reaping millions of dollars through illegal activities, American boys and girls were dying. They are dying in a war in which we helped, and likely continue to help, finance the enemy. 

It’s time for the American voters to demand that real action be taken against terrorism—on all fronts and that the current Administration and the wannabees stop blowing smoke in our eyes.

ANOTHER “LEADER’S” REPUTATION GOES DOWN THE TOILET

I, among a great many other people, believed the story that came out after the Wye Plantation talks that C.I.A. director George Tenet said that he would resign if President Clinton pardoned Jonathan Pollard. Now it is revealed by Malcolm Hoenlien, the executive VP of the Conference of Presidents that Tenet denied at the time that he had made such a threat. So instead of trying to whip up support for a pardon, Hoenlien’s approach was to let Pollard rot in prison. Whether Hoenlien did this because of conviction that Pollard should remain in prison or to save his own ass/job in keeping with the policy of his organization is immaterial. His action or lack thereof is an unforgivable moral lapse.

This story disturbs me firstly because an opportunity was missed to rescue Jonathan Pollard from an unfair incarceration. Secondly, I attended a lecture by Hoenlien a couple of years back and was impressed with his knowledge, humor and the difficulty of his position. But, to my thinking, this latest information reduces him to just another scumbag in the pantheon of Jewish scumbag leaders.

THE PRESIDENT’S DREAM

President Bush was jolted awake by a vivid, but troubling dream. He stayed awake for about half an hour before he was able to fall back to sleep, He got up at his regular time that morning but he couldn’t get the dream out of his mind. All day long the dream gnawed at him, so much so that he couldn’t concentrate on his duties as the leader of the free world. He told Cheney and Rummy and Condi about his dream and they all told him to forget about it—that dreams don’t mean anything.

But he couldn’t get the dream out of his mind. Then he recalled something from his Bible studies. He remembered the story about Pharaoh’s dreams and how Joseph was able to explain them. Then it struck him that Joseph was a Jew and the right kind of Jew might be able to tell him what his dream meant.

That afternoon, the President called Andy Card and said, “Andy, get me one of them Jews. You know, the kind with a beard who wears a black outfit with a black hat all the time. Maybe, even one of the rabbis. There must be a bunch of them around Washington.”

The next morning, even before the cabinet meeting, Card led a man who fit the President’s description into the Oval Office. “Mr. President,” Card announced, “this is Rabbi Yosef ben Yaacov. He heads a yeshiva, a Jewish seminary, down in Baltimore. The Library of Congress picked him as the kind of dream expert you’re looking for.”

“Pleased to meet you rabbi and thanks for taking the time to come up to the White House,” the President said genially. “Now let me tell you about this dream I had a couple of nights ago. I can’t get it out of my mind and nobody can explain it—nobody. I tried everyone in my cabinet and even the head of the Joint Chiefs and my personal doctor who seems to be an expert on everything,” the President said in a low but serious voice. Then I remembered from my bible class that the Jews were good at figuring out what dreams mean. That’s why you’re here rabbi,” the President said, getting right to the point.

The rabbi responded, “I certainly will try, Mr. President. So what was your dream?”

The President immediately launched into a description of his dream.

“I dreamt I was out on a cattle ranch—it looked like a typical Texas ranch-- and there was this huge bull—I never saw a bull that big-- in one of the pens. I thought it would be fun to ride the bull, just like in a rodeo. So I climbed over the fence, ran over to the bull, jumped on his back and held on for dear life. The bull started running and spinning around the pen but I hung on to him. I thought of jumping off, but I couldn’t get myself to do it. It was a dream but it seemed so real.

Suddenly, the bull stopped. He raised his head like he was looking into an adjoining pen. I looked too and I saw about a dozen-and-a-half cows milling around in the next pen. Suddenly, the bull took off and jumped the fence and landed in the pen with all those cows. I was still riding him, he couldn’t throw me off. If this was a real rodeo, I guess I would have won first prize.

“The cows scattered in all directions but the bull chased them down, one at a time, but they wouldn’t allow the bull to mount them—no matter how hard he tried. Those cows kept wriggling away from the bull and even rolling over, if you can picture that. Finally, the bull got so frustrated that he charged each cow and knocked it to the ground. With all of this, I was still riding the bull. It felt like I was glued to his hide.

When all of the cows had been knocked off their feet and were stretched out on the ground, the bull jumped the fence again and landed back in his own pen. When he hit the ground, I was thrown over the fence and landed outside the pen. I think I felt a little embarrassed but I wasn’t in any pain. As I picked myself up and reached for my Stetson, I woke up. 

“It’s been three days and I can’t shake this dream. Can you tell me what it means, rabbi?”

“I believe I can, Mr. President, but you may not like my interpretation,” the rabbi answered cautiously.

“I’m a big boy and I can take whatever it is you have to tell me,” was the President’s quick response.

“Very well. The dream is a message about what’s going on in the world right now and also a little peek into the future. The bull represents the United States and its great power. You, Mr. President, as the head of this country, are riding the bull although you have little control over this huge, powerful beast, but the bull senses what you want him to do. The cows represent the Arab countries and the bull jumps into the cow pen—which represents the Middle East—to inseminate the cows with democracy. Normal cows would openly accept being inseminated by a bull but these are “Arab” cows. In your dream, they are fighting to the death to avoid being inseminated with democracy. The bull—America—sees that he cannot fulfill his desire so instead he tries to destroy the cows. Frustrated he returns to his own pen—the United States. And, you being thrown from by the bull signifies the end of your leadership,” the rabbi softly concludes his explanation.

“Thank you for your time rabbi, but I think that my advisors are right, dreams don’t mean anything. Andy will show you the way out,” the President notes cheerfully. 

FROM MY IN-BOX

There is nothing new about the following, but I’m pleased that other Americans are getting the message.

This past Friday evening Phyllis and I attended services at Temple Bethel in Palm Beach. We went there specifically to listen to a lecture by Dr. Khaleel Mohammed. Dr. Mohammed is a professor of Islamic Studies at the University of San Diego. He received his Ph.D. at the University of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and is an Imam schooled in the Wahabi-Sunni tradition of Islam. The title of the lecture was "Can Militant Islam Co-exist with the State Of Israel?" What we heard was blood chilling, but not at all surprising. 

His opening statement was, "The people of the United States worry about Osama. He is nothing but a tiny offshoot of the problem. The main problem is (and I quote) "EVERY SINGLE MOSQUE IN THE USA ESPOUSES FROM THE PULPIT THAT EVERY SINGLE JEW (not just Israel) IN THE WORLD MUST BE ANNIHILATED. No ifs ands or buts!! And these mosques don't even consider themselves militant. 

Trading land for peace. A big joke! The Koran states (as he quoted) that any treaty between a Muslim and a non-Muslim nation is not binding and is meant to be broken once the Muslim nation becomes stronger than the non-Muslim nation with whom the treaty was made. So all the treaties with Israel to be made in the future will eventually (and must) be broken once the Muslim nation feels it is strong enough. It took 200 years for the Crusaders to be vanquished and driven from the Holy Land.

Israel is a mere 50 yrs old. Islam has patience. Dr. M. has received numerous death threats and is constantly booed and driven off the pulpit in the many mosques that he lectures in because he espouses peaceful co-existence with Israel. The frightening aspect of this is that there a huge 5th column right here in the USA.

HEADLINES AND COMMENTS
Headlines from the world’s press. Comments by Diogenes.

New Buses Hit The Streets In Norwalk
Great, as long as they don’t hit pedestrians or potholes.

Society Will Benefit From Gay Marriages
I don’t know about society, but the economy will be improved when you can sell two bridal gowns for each wedding.

Court Rules Against Clarett
He’ll be terrific when he gets to the NFL, it already takes three judges to stop him.

Traditional Medicine Gets New Respect In South Africa
It will keep getting respect as long as there is a South African left who hasn’t died from AIDS.

High Court Lets Ala. Death Row Inmate Pursue Lethal Injection Appeal
He claims lethal injections are cruel and inhumane. Maybe they should just shoot him in the back of the head like he did to the guy he murdered. 

Border Desert Proves Deadly For Mexicans Crossing Over
Mexico needs a real revolution if life is so miserable there that their people are willing to risk death by escaping to the U.S.

India Erecting A Barrier Along Bangladesh Border: Targets Terrorism, Illegal Migration
As long as they don’t keep “Palestinians” out there will be no international complaints.

Pakistan Test-Fires Nuclear-Capable Missile: Analysts See Signal To India Despite Peace Efforts
It’s just a Muslim friendship message.

Ex-Managers Of East Haven Prostitution Ring Sentenced
Part of their sentence is community service. Hmmm!

Syria Wants To Join OPEC
All Syria wants deliveries.

United Nations Denies Press Credentials to Israeli Reporter
Is Kofi afraid that he’ll call a spade a spade?

Sudan Accused Of Blocking Relief For Nation’s Hungry
Another example of Islamic charity? I guess that’s why Muhammad kept hammering away in the Koran on the importance of charity because he knew how mean spirited his followers were.

Islamic Center To Hold Spring Fair
They say that Arabic food, games, arts and crafts will be featured. Allow me to speculate on the arts and crafts: “how to create a suicide bomber’s vest”; “the best way to decapitate an infidel”; “how to build a roadside bomb in your basement”; and “how to launder money without using harsh detergents”. 

[Turkish FM] Gul: Egypt Claims To Own [Seized] Containers [With Rockets]
Time for a pre-emptive strike is drawing near.

Anti-Aircraft Missiles & Katyusha Rockets Held In Sinai For Palestinians
Some of us said that giving up the Sinai would come back to haunt Israel.

Bush Plan For Group Of 8 To Hail Democracy In The Middle East Strains Ties With Arab Allies
Our Arab “allies” will only hail a “democracy” plan that screws Israel and Muslim women.

Major Relief Agency Halts Afghan Operations
It’s a relief that someone knows when to halt Afghan operations.

Bush Tries To Fix French Relations
Why doesn’t he start by taking Jacques Chirac to a veterinarian and have him fixed?

Palestinian Factions Attack Gaza Plan 
They want the right to continue their armed struggle. Only the Israeli Government and the West thinks that Israel is dealing with pussycats and not with Arab attack dogs.

Earl Of Romney, 83, A Speechless Lord (obit)
How did he let them know that he was dead?



QUOTES I LIKE
Diogenes considers them clever, not that he necessarily agrees with them.

With due respect to Tom Paine, ‘all times’ try men’s souls.
    - Diogenes

When someone tells me he is making a living “but it wouldn’t hurt if things were a little better,” I ask, “How do you know it wouldn’t?”
     - “The Chofetz Chaim”

Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater.
     - William Hazlitt

Thank you for your book; I shall lose no time in reading it.
     - Benjamin Disraeli

Nowadays most women grow old gracefully; most men disgracefully. 
     - Helen Rowland

1st woman: Well, I finally got rid of my husband’s old leisure suit.
2nd woman: How did you manage that?
1st woman: I had him buried in it.
     - SHOE (comic strip)

Two sorts of writers possess genius: those who think and those who cause others to think.
     - Joseph Roux

From a sociological perspective, a Jew is one whose grandchildren are Jewish.
     - Eliezer Berkovits

Seeker of Truth: Oh, great Guru what is the real meaning of “life.”
Guru: With good behavior, you can be out in ten years.
     - B.C. (comic strip)

We are responsible for what we do unless we are celebrities.
     - Anonymous

The only difference between a pigeon and the American farmer is that the pigeon can still make a deposit on a John Deere.
     - Jim Hightower

The time has come for a new realism on the part of all the peoples of the Middle East. The State of Israel is an accomplished fact; it deserves unchallenged legitimacy within the community of nations. But Israel's legitimacy has thus far been recognized by too few countries and has been denied by every Arab State except Egypt. Israel exists; it has a right to exist in peace behind secure and defensible borders; and it has a right to demand of its neighbors that they recognize those facts.

I have personally followed and supported Israel's heroic struggle for survival, ever since the founding of the State of Israel 34 years ago. In the pre-1967 borders Israel was barely 10 miles wide at its narrowest point. The bulk of Israel's population lived within artillery range of hostile Arab armies. I am not about to ask Israel to live that way again.

Beyond the transition period, as we look to the future of the West Bank and Gaza, it is clear to me that peace cannot be achieved by the formation of an independent Palestinian state in those territories…. So, the United States will not support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza….

Finally, we remain convinced that Jerusalem must remain undivided….
    - President Ronald Reagan (1982)

When Paul Proudhomme dies will the C.I.A. (Culinary Institute of America) band play “Hail to the Chef?”
     - Diogenes

Knight: There goes the wealthiest doctor in town…and he works only one day a week.
King: Then how come he’s so wealthy?
Knight: He works Wednesdays.
     - WIZARD OF ID (comic strip)

We may give advice, but we cannot give conduct.
     - Benjamin Franklin

Men of the pen have seldom any great skill in conquering kingdoms, but they have strong inclination to give advice.
     - Samuel Johnson

It is the glory and merit of some men to write well, and of others not to write at all.
     - La Bruyere


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