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#1 Former-PM Incarcerated
José Sócrates, the Portuguese former socialist Prime Minister, was arrested last Friday charged with corruption, money laundering and tax evasion.
It is the first time, in Portugal, that a high profile politician is nicked – an evidence that the country is finally changing and justice is beginning to be equal for all.
Although I should be absolutely satisfied that he (an individual who ruined Portugal) is finally in prison, something tells me that there's a lot more behind what appears to be. It is said that:
- He, as premier, had €20Mio from an unknown source (is the money really his or did it belong to someone else?).
- He, as a premier, acquired an apartment of €2.8Mio, in Paris, to where he retired after his resignation (did he really buy it or was it a gift?).
But I ask:
- Did he build a fortune by doing favours to the “exclusive” group he belonged to and if so, will he admit it or will he take the fall (in the worst way possible)?
- Is all this linked to Ricardo Salgado (from the now disgraced Bank Espírito Santo)?
I don't like socialists; I don't agree with Sócrate's positions; I believe he has a despotic streak, but nevertheless I acknowledge that he had a vision for Portugal (more or less similar to mine), therefore I find it hard to believe that he was this witless. Admittedly, he is vain, arrogant, megalomaniac, but dumb? I never thought so.
So what happened here? I'd say he lacked situational awareness – i.e. he didn't study well the environment which he wanted to operate in. Result: his name is being dragged through the mud by people who live in their own simple little world. My advice would be to cut a deal by handing over everything he knows about those who are with him in the plot.
The world is changing indeed. May José Sócrates' case serve as an example for any high profile individual.
#2 Jewish State Law
Israel finally passed a bill stating that Israel is a Jewish State. I support this bill for two reasons:
- How can Israel demand recognition of a Jewish State to anyone, if itself doesn't acknowledge itself as such?
- In a time when Europe wants to encourage Israel to commit suicide and is failing to protect the European Jewry, it is important for all of us to know that there is a Jewish Home, the one and only, to go back to.
The critics of this law (e.g. Justice Minister, Tzipi Livni) argue that somehow this bill will ruin the country for it stabs democracy in the back and it discriminates against the non-Jewish citizens. PM Netanyahu, in order to reach a compromise, decided that he will tone down the language of the bill and Hebrew will not be the sole official language of the Jewish State...
- Portugal is a Democratic Catholic country. The official language is Portuguese. The rights of non-Catholics and foreigners are fully protected.
- Spain is a Democratic Catholic country. The official language is Spanish. The rights of non-Catholics and foreigners are fully protected.
- Italy is a Democratic Catholic country. The official language is Italian. The rights of non-Catholics and foreigners are fully protected.
- Greece is a Democratic Orthodox country. The official language is Greek. The rights of the non-Orthodox and foreigners are fully protected.
- Brazil is a Democratic Catholic country. The official language is Portuguese. The rights of the non-catholic and foreigners are fully protected.
- India is a Democratic Hindu country. The official language is Hindi. The rights of the non-Hindi and foreigners are fully protected.
- Japan is a Democratic Shintoist country. The official language is Japanese. The rights of the non-Shintoist and foreigners are fully protected.
- England is a Democratic Anglican country. The official language may still be English. The rights of the non-Anglican and foreigners are fully protected.
Et cetera...et cetera...
So why must it be different for the Jewish State? It's bad enough that the world seeks, once again, the destruction of the Jewish identity in Israel, but for Jews to seek the same is treacherous.
Comments
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Dissecting Society™ welcomes all sorts of comments, as we are strong advocates of freedom of speech; however, we reserve the right to delete Troll Activity; libellous and offensive comments (e.g. racist and anti-Semitic) plus those with excessive foul language. This blog does not view vulgarity as being protected by the right to free speech. Cheers
We have been having high profile politicians being sent to jail for corruption and losing their positions and it is Schadenfreude undiluted for me. I am glad that Israel did this. I am all for declaring India as a Hindu nation and get away from the pseudo secular socialist package that the Nehru family hoisted on us.
ReplyDeleteHi Rummy :D!
DeleteIt's time for all countries to do the same, don't you think? Corrupt politicians are unacceptable.
I hear you.
Rummy, thank you ever so much for your comment :D.
Cheers
Portugal, welcome to the first league. It was about time for Israel to declare itself in writing a Jewish State. For far too long Israeli politicians have fed the Arab illusion and it's time for the truth, if the left doesn't like it: stuff it!
ReplyDeleteApparently the US has also beef with the Jewish Law but received the proper response:
Delete'Bennet to US: Jewish Law is Our Problem, Not yours' http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/187849#.VHTj64usXdo
Hi Adam :D!
DeleteIndeed, Portugal seems to be on the right path.
I agree with you. If the left doesn't like it, oh well...
Adam, thank you so much for your comment :D.
Cheers
The ridiculous examples you gave are about religions but this bill is about a people, it has nothing to do with religion! So yes, it discriminates against Muslims, Christians and others religions in Israel!
ReplyDeleteThe ridiculous comment you made is typical of leftists! You say the bill has nothing to do with religion but then you say the rights of people professing religions other than Judaism will be discriminated against? Does that make any sense?
DeleteWhy do you even bother to return here?
Arab High Court judge Salim Jubran said “I could talk about equality and fairness for many hours, but instead I will quote the Declaration of Independence. You be the judge. The Declaration spoke about equality, but unfortunately we do not see equality in society. According to the Or Commission on equality in society, Arab citizens of Israel live in a different reality from Jews and are discriminated against.” I rest my case!
DeleteCelia, the origin of the Western concept of equality is from the Torah: "You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor, nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly" - Leviticus 19:15. The Arabs have no such concept, nor does Western secularism, given that secularism is - by definition - a perfect vacuum of concepts. As a Christian, I would much prefer to stand before a Jewish judge who I knew honored the Torah, than before a "secular" or Mohammedan judge, unless I were guilty and wanted to pay a bribe.
DeleteCelia, if I recall well Salim Jubran is a perfect example of an Arab who profits from the Israeli democratic system and yet refuses to sing the national anthem. Israelis at the time had to swallow that unpatriotic act but I don't think they should continue to do that.
DeleteNaturalized Arabs, Muslims, objectors of conscience, republicans have no issues with singing western national anthems that speak of freedom for all under one nation, in general terms Muslims don't believe in it if we go by the Qoran; anthems that speak of fighting and keeping the invaders at bay, objectors of conscience faint at the sight of a gun let alone go to fight; anthems that wish the King/Queen to live long, republicans are anti-monarchy, but people have a problem to sing Hatikvah because it speaks of Jews returning to their historical homeland? Talking about hypocrisy and anti-Semitism!
Salim Jubran refuses to sing the Israeli national anthem and by doing so he shows that he's just waiting for Arabs to take over Israel and by then he'll sing the Hamas/PLO murderous national anthem. Does that make more sense to you?
Ms Celia if you want to pass image that Muslims, arab or not, respect principles of equality I recommend and article called "Beautifying Islam":
Delete"Also, historically, a number of Muslim kings, sultans and emperors in Andalusia, Spain -- and in the Ottoman Empire in Turkey, as well as in Mughal India -- who treated their non-Muslim subjects kindly, albeit not with full equality."
"Maimonides, the early medieval Jewish scholar, for example, makes it clear that even in the "golden age" of Islamic rule in Spain, it could be a bit nightmarish for the non-Muslims"
http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/4894/beautifying-islam#%2EVHabeeQeZm0%2Elinkedin
Celia, what do you mean you rest your case? You have NO case to rest!
DeleteHi Celia :D!
DeleteFirst of all, you recognise the existence of the Jewish people, right? Israel is the State of the Jewish people, yes? What is then the issue with legally recognising Israel as a Jewish State of the Jewish People with guaranteed rights for the minorities?
Second, how does a Jewish State automatically discriminate against Muslims, Christians and others? I know that Muslim nations, the vast majority of them, do not tolerate other religions and the Sharia law prevails (with minorities being discriminated everyday), so how come you are not irate about that fact but feel indignated with Israel being a Jewish State, not based exclusively on the Torah but, based on Basic and common Law?
You are not thinking this through, I'm afraid.
Celia, thank you so much for your comment :D.
Cheers
Given that Israel's neighbors already recognize Israel as a Jewish States, and have postured their rage accordingly, it seems to me quite fitting that Israel embrace this identity. But I still must wonder, has the Jewish State come to any agreement on what it means to be in the State of Jewish? And what exactly is Jewish State Law?
ReplyDeleteLooney, basically the Jewish Law bill states:
Delete- Israel as the site of self-determination for the Jewish people
- national rights only for the Jewish people; a flag, anthem (Hatikvah), the right of every Jew to immigrate to Israel, and other national symbols
- national home of the Jewish people with equal rights for every citizens
- use of the Hebrew calendar
- official language: Hebrew with Arabic holding a special status
- holy places must be protected from “anything that could harm the freedom of access by religions to the places that are sacred to them or to their sentiments toward those places.” (some fear that this part is a prelude to the decision that Jews should be allowed to pray on the Temple Mount).
Many, if not most, Arab Muslims in Israel don't sing Hatikvah, are not loyal to the country with Knesset members working and spying against it, so what are they bitching about? If they don't like it they can go back to where they came from.
And then you have those Israeli Jews who claim this bill cause lack of unity. Unity with whom, the enemy? Give me a break.
Arabs say "We will never recognize the Jewish state" but at the same time say "Let's wipe off the Zionist state"...aren't Zionists Jewish? They are ridiculous and the Obama administration plays along with it!
Ana, thanks for that response. It helps and I will now see if I can learn to sing the Hatikvah!
DeleteI have a synagogue up the road from me called "Temple Beth Torah", which is anxious to turn the US into a Sodomite Theocracy, and I am surprised that they would have the nerve to refer to their building as a "Temple". This is why I am thoroughly confused about Jewish identity. But the same could be said for Christian identity thanks to creative theology of the last century.
Looney, no problem! Hehehehe it's easy to sing Hatikvah, do you know Hebrew?
DeleteTemple Beth Torah...from the description you gave I say it's a reformist synagogue. Wait, let me google it....yep, it is! Reformists are the worst, they even have female rabbis! But now they are recognized in Israel too, I guess they have a lot of money or we can't afford to spare any Jews :-)
Jewish identity is resumed by me as God, Torah, Shabbat and other Chagim, love for Israel and Jerusalem, Kotel and sense of community. All the rest is commentary, as Rabbi Hillel said hehehe.
Ana, I had three semesters of Biblical Hebrew classes plus a lot of modern Hebrew studied on my own. Which is to say, I know a smattering of Hebrew. But I am from the Fundamentalist Christians, who require some Hebrew and Greek studies from their teachers. So I am not Jewish, and am skeptical about Jews being Jewish, yet also am part of the America that is favorable to Jews and Israel. And as God said regarding the nation that would come from Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse" (Genesis 12:3).
DeleteLooney, that's incredible actually! You're skeptical about Jews being Jewish, I'm curious about that: what do you mean? אמן ואמן
DeleteAna, first, this is stated with a fondness for Jewishness, since I had a Yiddish speaking grandmother, or so I was told. And the dilemmas are something that I expect that fervent Jews wonder about as well.
DeleteIf I consider Jewishness to be ancestry, we must acknowledge the confusion going back to the Assyrian conquest of northern Israel so that the entire middle east now likely has some genetic link to Abraham via Jacob (Israel). Only God can sort that out. We can consider Jewishness to be a tradition and community identity, but I hardly would consider the "reformed Jews" to be Jews, since they reject most of the Torah. The Christian part of me says that religion is about meaning and a relationship with God, making it more like a philosophy than a set of traditions, which makes it hard for me to understand many sects. i.e. Someone can be born Christian, follow Christian traditions, identify with Christians, preach Christianity, and still not be Christian due to the state of their heart. Of course there are other issues, that have to do with how we interpret the symbols of Judaism, but I am not wanting an argument. It is not for me to sort such things out.
Hi Looney :D!
DeleteExactly. Arab neighbours never miss a day without reminding the world why they hate Israel: it is a Jewish state that needs to be obliterated.
"But I still must wonder, has the Jewish State come to any agreement on what it means to be in the State of Jewish?"
Excellent question. From what I have seen there are three groups within the Jewish State: the Jewish Left (that would have no problems with giving Israel to the Arabs in the name of "peace", but then I'd like them to tell me where the hell they'd live), the Jewish Right (divided by the rational and the irrational but who share more of less the same objective: a reunited Israel for the Jewish people) and then the Jewish Religious extremists (who don't believe in the Jewish State before the coming of the Mashiach). It's complex, however I think we all agree that a Jewish State is a safe haven for all Jews around the world...it's Zion and we waited around 2000 years to go back to it.
"And what exactly is Jewish State Law?"
Here's a FAQ document explaining what the law is all about:
http://kohelet.org.il/uploads/file/nation-state%20FAQ2(1).pdf
There is a lot of confusion about this law, even withing the Jewish community; but the above link helps to understand it better.
Looney, thank you so much for your comment :D.
Cheers
Max, I left the only possible comment I could make about sócrates in your Portuguese blog.
ReplyDeleteMy comment on the Jewish state law: IT WAS ABOUT TIME!!! Israel is a Jewish State for the Jewish People. And the argument that it discriminates against minorities is ridiculous: how many of us are discriminated in Europe? The EU passed laws against ritual slaughtering, circumcision, we can't go to goyim restaurants without being contaminated with treyf and do complain? No! If we don't like it we move to the only Jewish State in the world! In Europe we can't wear kippot in public or magen David for fear of being assault by anti-Semites and Muslims, do we complain? Maybe but we are starting to move to the only Jewish State in the world!
Are certain Jews in Israel forgetting this shit? Sod off all of you!
Hi Ana :D!
DeleteWill answer that comment at Etnias: thanks.
Good points, indeed. And the discrimination in Europe is getting worse by the day, with Muslim citizens feeling free enough to attack Jews - they and their neo-Nazi and leftist friends. It's sad that things have reached this point.
Of course certain Jews in Israel forget these facts: do you forget they were the same people asking if diaspora Jews had the right to get involved in Israeli politics (simply because the diaspora is mainly composed by right wingers)?
Ana, thank you so much for your comment :D.
Cheers
Max, a quick comment on your thought of the week. Ed Miliband is a Jewish sell-out: he ate a bacon sandwich just to win votes. Check out the link below and see his face, he clearly hates bacon and he probably doesn't eat pork at home even though his mother does everything to pretend they're not Jews
ReplyDeletehttp://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9409370.ece/alternates/w620/v3-miliband-selwynv2.jpg
That guy makes me sick.
Hi Joe :D!
DeleteI remember that pic: he looks disgusted *nodding*. The things people do for votes and money.
Joe, thank you so much for your comment on the thought of the week :D.
Cheers
Israel does well of course to pass this law cause her enemies want to obliterate her identity again. The Serbs know this very well, they know what's like to see their identity stripped from them by Muslims exactly. For this reason I support Israel now and forever.
ReplyDeleteHi Pietr :D!
DeleteIndeed.
Thank you for your support :D.
Pietr, thanks for your comment :D. I appreciate it.
Cheers
I agree with everybody that supported Israel here. That Celia character is a typical anti-Semite! Yah, you have the right to protest against Israeli governments but when you say things that don't make sense then you are picking on something, you are a bully not a political activist!
ReplyDeleteBut since some people like to defend the "poor Palestinians" let me share something the PLO leadership said in the past:
"The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct 'Palestinian people' to oppose Zionism." (PLO executive committee member Zahir Muhsein, March 31, 1977, interview with the Dutch newspaper Trouw.)
What does people like Celia have to say?
Leila, great comment!! Celia won't say anything cause she vomits her shit and then runs away to avoid confrontation of her lies!
DeleteOf course the Palestinian people doesn't exist, they are Arabs period! Max should do something with that info...
Hi Leila :D!
DeleteYou wouldn't believe the amount of folks that are bullies but pass as political activists.
Yeah, I shared quote on G+ too: did you watch the documentary that came with it? It's fabulous.
People like Celia are on a mission, my darling.
Leila, thank you so much for your comment :D. Keep on fighting the good fight.
Cheers
Ana,
DeleteI might do something with it...stay tuned. :)
Cheers