THE DIOGENES REPORT
The Wit, Wisdom & Wituperation of Emanuel L. Strunin
“a few steps ahead of the curve”
November 2004, VOL. IV, # 32
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I’VE MADE MY VOTING CHOICE

Since there are a great many things that I don’t like about George W. Bush’s domestic policies, I have been waiting for some indication from the Kerry camp that they are strong for a strong Israel. No such luck. All I got was a Richard Holbrook –a key Kerry advisor and a possible Secretary of State—interview in which he stated that the first thing a Kerry administration should do is put pressure on all of the countries in the Middle East (he included Israel) to support U.S. policies in the region. There is only one reason to put pressure on Israel and that is for it to make more concessions to the Arabs. I don’t need Kerry for that, I could cast a write-in vote for Jimmy Carter.

In addition, Kerry has surrounded himself with the whole Clinton gang of Middle East advisors who are mainly Peace Now people and State-Department-brain-washed-Jews to whom Israel is just another problematic small country out there that they visit between trips to Egypt and Saudi Arabia. This does not bode well for a Kerry Israel policy.

Charles Krauthammer, in his syndicated column titled “Sacrificing Israel” offered a very interesting perspective on Kerry’s desire to end America’s “isolation.” He asks, what separates America from most countries and the answer he gives is Israel. In order to win over the rest of the world, we would have to “re-engage” the “peace process” in return for troop support. .Sandy Berger, the Kerry advisor already has proposed this agenda. 

Krauthammer writes: “We know what “peace process” meant during the Clinton White House—a White House to which Yasser Arafat was invited more often than any other leader—talking peace while letting him get away with the most virulent incitement to and unrelenting support of terrorism—while pushing one territorial concession after another in return for nothing. Worse than nothing: Arafat ultimately murdered thousands of Israeli innocents.

“You want to appease the "international community"? Sacrifice Israel. Gradually, of course, and always under the guise of "peace." Apply relentless pressure on Israel to make concessions to a Palestinian leadership that has proved (at Camp David in 2000) it will never make peace. 

“The allies will appreciate that. Then turn around and say to them: We're doing our part (against Israel), now you do yours (in Iraq). If Kerry is elected, the pressure on Israel will begin on day one.”

As far as I’m concerned, the Krauthammer analysis is right on target. And I will add another dimension to his argument. As I noted earlier, to the Clinton/Kerry experts, Israel is just another speck on a world map. To a powerful group of Bush supporters—the Christian fundamentalists- Israel is at the center of their world. It doesn’t bother me that they would like to convert us when their messiah comes; right now they support the State of Israel and the Land of Israel.

Since support of a powerful Israel is at the top of my foreign policy and domestic policy checklist, I will vote for George W. Bush.



BLACK DAYS FOR ISRAEL

The vote in favor of uprooting the Jewish communities in the Gaza region and elsewhere was indeed a black day for Israel and the Jewish people. The belief that some Jews had when Sharon first voiced his intentions that he really didn’t mean to carry out his intentions and that it really was a cover for a different plan was merely a sign of unwarranted Jewish optimism. On the other hand, the Arabs and their associates like ‘Uncle Tom’ Friedman see Sharon’s ‘disengagement’ plan as part of a sinister hidden plot against the ‘noble savages of Islam.’ 

A New Pale of Settlement

I find it incredible how hundreds, if not thousands, of years of Jewish striving against restrictions as to where they may live are being reversed without an outcry of anguish and outrage from the worldwide Jewish community. Jews fought to escape the ghettos into which they were forced by Christians and Muslims, they fought for the right to live wherever their economic status would permit, and they fought for the right to resettle the Land of Israel.

Along comes a “leader” whose main claim to fame was being a war hero. We should recall from history that famous generals do not necessarily make great political leaders. Think of Josephus and Benedict Arnold and Ulysses S. Grant. Early in his career, Ariel Sharon was a man of the left, later; he became a man of the right. We cannot look into his soul to judge whether this transformation was based on a change of beliefs or a calculated move to further his political career.

Until he won the nomination to run for the premiership on the Likkud ticket, he maintained his nationalist façade. During the campaign, however, he already started dropping subtle messages that that his supporters would be in for some surprises. They did not get the hints. Sharon was elected overwhelmingly. The Israeli people—right, left and center—voted against the candidates of defeat and against rewarding the forces of terror. But what did they get?

Israel has a leader who makes show-biz moves that imply strength and nationalism but his meaningful policies signal to the Arabs and to the United States that he’ll only do what pleases them. For example, the IDF’s tit-tit-for-tat response against the Intifada; Sharon’s public support for a Palestinian state; warning the Palestinians when their facilities are going to be attacked; allowing the Arabs on both sides of Gaza—the Egyptians and Palestinians –to smuggle arms into the Strip; to uproot Jewish settlements; the plan to allow the CIA and Arab forces to train Palestinians in Gaza after the Jewish settlements are uprooted; dismantling new settlements in Judea and Samaria; growing and continuous threats from the Government against anyone that opposes Sharon’s policies; overriding the wishes of the majority of his own party—the party that elected him.

Arik, we hardly knew ye

Have we witnessed a sudden turn-around by Arik Sharon? I don’t believe so. I believe that we are seeing a long-held plan based on his true but long-subdued left-wing beliefs—or, at least his vision of the left wing policies that suit the current situation. And just like he did throughout his military career—he will listen to no advice, defer to no one. For the most part, except for Lebanon, his approach was successful. Until he is removed from office he will continue to bull his way forward regardless of how his policies tear the nation apart.

What I have described above is Sharon’s major motivating force. There is another force motivating his behavior to some degree. That is the wishes of the United States. He appears to take great pride in his “friendship” with President George W. Bush. The Israeli—the Jew—is invited to the White House; he is welcomed by the American President, the most powerful man in the world. It kind of reminds me of the American-Jewish “leaders” who for the benefit of having tea at the White House never spoke up to Roosevelt about the holocaust or the current “leaders” who never speak up on behalf of Jonathan Pollard. You might think that Sharon is above this kind of kowtowing, but who knows what goes on in his guts?

Regardless of his “friendship” with Bush, Sharon knows that the U.S. calls most of the shots in Middle East. As a matter of fact, I believe this is why he took the military approach in Lebanon that he did. Sharon recognized that a step-by-step advance from the south to end the terror attacks would be condoned by America. He knew that an attack from north to south—which fit his military tactics—would have brought down the wrath of America on Israel.

A bleak future

With all of the influence of the U.S. in the Middle East, the secret of success of an effective Israeli leader is how well he or she can maneuver with the help of Congress and the public “against” the President (regardless of “friendship”) and the State Department. Israel has a real problem when its Prime Minister and the American President are following the same Road Map developed by the cartographers at the State Department.

How about Sharon’s promises that if violence from Gaza will follow the uprooting of the Jewish Gaza communities, he will strike hard at the Arabs. Why should we believe this when he doesn’t strike hard at them now? Not only will the Arabs be able to send their rockets to Tel Aviv, but also response will become more difficult as the Europeans and Americans demand that Israel stop bombing an “independent nation.” Even more to the point, I do not believe that he wants to crack down hard on the Arabs—no more than Beilin or Sarid or Peres want to.

The best immediate solution to prevent the fulfillment of Sharon’s policy is to topple his government. The organization that led the drive to defeat Sharon in the Likkud referendum must organize the anti-dismantlers in every party to threaten the Sharon supporters with being blackballed when it comes to selecting candidates for the Knesset. Since most Israeli politicians have no deep convictions about anything except being elected and the perks that go with it, the fear factor may work. Every technique must be used including rulings by the rabbis that it is against Jewish law to up-root Jewish communities in the land of Israel. Even prayer should be employed.



YOU KNOW….

You know that the elections are over when the “Politician for Sale” signs come down and the “House for Sale” signs go back up.



WHY ARE WE STILL THERE?

Every day there are news reports about more deaths.

Every night on TV there are photos of death and destruction.

Why are we still there?

We occupied this land, which we had to take by force, but it causes us nothing but trouble.

Why are we still there?

Many of our children go there and never come back.

Why are we still there?

Their government is unstable, and they have loopy leadership.

Why are we still there?

Many of their people are uncivilized.

Why are we still there?

The place is subject to natural disasters, which we are supposed to bail them out of.

Why are we still there?

There are more than 1000 religious sects, which we do not understand.

Why are we still there?

Their folkways, foods and fads are unfathomable to ordinary Americans.

Why are we still there?

We can't even secure the borders.

Why are we still there?

They are billions of dollars in debt and it will cost billions more to rebuild, which we can't afford.

Why are we still there?

It is becoming clear... WE MUST PULL OUT OF CALIFORNIA



NAMES
Names that fit and names that don’t.

This one fits: Maryann Welcome, part-time mayor of Winsted, CT. (The Advocate, Stamford, CT, Oct. 25, 2004)



SICK DAY

Hung Chow calls in to work and says, "Hey, boss I not come work today, I really sick. I got headache, stomachache and my legs hurt. I not come work."

The boss says, "You know Hung Chow, I really need you today. When I feel like this I go to my wife and tell her give me sex. Makes everything better and I can go to work. You try.

Two hours later Hung Chow calls again: "Boss, I do what you say and I feel great. I be at work soon...You got nice house."



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

Reps Consider Amending City Ethics Code
I’ll bet that they would like to amend it out of existence.

Violence Erupts In Liberia, Curfew Imposed
The fighting is between the Christians and the…(I’ll give my readers one guess).

(From The Advocate, Stamford, CT, October 30, 2004 -- Not a headline)
Today’s Doonesbury was not pulled for political reasons. Its content is not appropriate for a family newspaper, especially on the comics page that is widely read by children.
Diogenes will provide a free membership to Mensa for any child that reads and understands the “comics” page.

Ailing Arafat Going To Paris As Uncertainty Grows
Before I go to the hospital, take me to the Follies Bergere.

Vaccines Are Good Business For Drug Makers
Despite the trial lawyers?

First Boston Weighs Name Change And Layoffs
How about “No More Bambino Curse” and getting rid of some of those high-priced groundskeepers at the ballpark? 

It’s Not Just Al Qaqaa
Did we step in the caca again?

FBI Widens Probe Of Halliburton
Those feds better watch out or they may wind up at Guantanamo.

Most Latinos Say Iraq War Was Wrong
That’s what they say about the War on Drugs too.



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

To the prosperous any land is a native land.
- Greek proverb

It is dangerous to awaken a lion, the teeth of the tiger can prove fatal, but the most fearsome of all is the human fanatic.
- J. C. F. von Schiller

No one has ever taught anyone to think truly who has previously thought falsely.
- Plato

Roz: You seem a little nervous Cosmo.
Cosmo: I’m meeting a blind date here in a little while.
Roz: What do you know about this girl?
Cosmo: Not much. I met her on the Internet,
Roz: So what’s the problem?
Cosmo: I have forty minutes to get younger, richer and thinner 
- SHOE (comic strip)

When did reason ever direct our desires or our fears?
- Juvenal

Who can live without a snack?
- Suetonius

Don’t joke about humor—humor is serious.
- Jacques Prevert


So says Diogenes. What do you say?  Click here to send in your comments 

Comments welcome. e-mail to: editor@diogenesreport.com
All issues of The Diogenes Report are on the website -- 
www.diogenesreport.com