Islamic School in Illinois Cancels Caliphate Planning Conference

An Islamic school in Bridgeview, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, has canceled the scheduled Hizb ut-Tahrir America (HTA) program designed to "support the establishment of a Caliphate" in America. The event, promoted as "The Fall of Capitalism and Rise of Islam" was scheduled for July 19th at the Aqsa School. A "Caliphate" or "Khilafah" refers to a traditional form of Arabic government based on Islam. It denotes a single nation of Muslim believers. Hizb ut-Tahrir means "The Islamic Liberation Party." GlobalSecurity.org sees Hizb ut-Tahrir somewhat different from what you will read below from Counterrorism Blog (CTB). I think GlobalSecurity is saying that the goal of Hizb ut-Tahrir is to bring all Muslims back into an Islamic society. It plans to do this by "changing the society's existing thoughts to Islamic thoughts so that such thoughts become the public opinion among the people, who are then driven to implement and act upon them...Hizb ut-Tahrir believes its faithful will cause secular governments to crumble because loyalties will then lie solely with Islam - not nationalities, politics or ethnic identifications. At that point the group says a supreme Islamic leader, a Caliph like those of past centuries would rule all Muslims with both political and religious authority." So, I would summarize GlobalSecurity.org as seeing Hizb ut-Tahrir as wanting to bring all Muslims back to Muslim thought without a political identity. In other words, their goal is not to convert the world, but to bring Muslims back into a strictly Islamic way of thinking and living. This contrasts (if I'm characterizing GlobalSecurity.org correctly) with Counterrorism Blog who sees HTA attempting to take over the world and see the rise of Islam and the destruction of capitalism. The video you'll see below seems to uphold this theory. You can decide for yourself. If you have thoughts about it, leave a comment. The following is from the Counterrorism Blog (CTB), via and with thanks to El Te de las Cinco: [Note that some paragraph formatting is Maggie's]

Hizb ut-Tahrir America (HTA) has indicated that it has transitioned from its covert status to a public phase of operations by issuing an announcement, signed in its own name, that it will host a conference in July 2009 to support the establishment of a Caliphate. The promotional video can be viewed on YouTube [or below]. The event, titled "The Fall of Capitalism and Rise of Islam," is scheduled for Sunday, July 19th, 2009, at the Aqsa School in Bridgeview, Illinois.

Last fall, after HTA issued a leaflet in its own name calling for Muslims not to participate in the U.S. elections, I wrote a brief post on CTB about the possible transition of HTA to the second stage of its development. According to party doctrine, Hizb ut Tahrir (HT) implements its strategy in three stages-- 1) The first stage is the covert level of development in which members are recruited and trained. 2) In the second stage, members promote the party's methods and objectives publicly in order to win the support of the Muslim population. 3) The final stage is the establishment of an Islamic government and military, in order to carry HT's "message to the world."

Counterrorism Blog theorizes that HTA must be comfortable within the branch (presumably Bridgeview) to "withstand opposition." Nevertheless, something happened that Aqsa School shut-down the conference. The promotion video and HTA website does not offer a list of speakers, but CTB says prominent HT members from overseas are usually invited.

HT is not designated as a terrorist organization in the United States, however many consider it to be a stepping stone to more militant organizations.

For more information on Hizb ut-Tahrir, please see Hizb ut-Tahrir: Islam's Political Insurgency, by Zeyno Baran. For more information on the background of Hizb ut-Tahrir America, please see my article in the Jamestown Monitor.

Why Aqsa canceled the conference is not known. Aqsa School in Illinois Cancels Caliphate Planning Conference (Video)

Cap and Trade Eight: Eight Republicans Sell Out to Environmentalists and Obama

A report out today explains why the Cap and Trade Eight Republicans defected to the Cap and Trade Bill and voted for it, even with heavy protests from voters at home. It's always about money. This time wasn't any different. Rush Limbaugh asks the questions that need to be asked:

Cap and TRADE. Trade. Who's gonna trade? Who's gonna monitor the trades? Who's going to do the trades? Who's gonna get the profit? Who's gonna get the fees? Who's going to get the commissions on the caps that are traded, the pollution credits and so forth? Wall Street! Goldman Sachs. And I speculated that these Republicans, particularly the Northeast Republicans, voted for this abomination because campaign cash from Wall Street firms weighed more than their constituents desire for the bill to not pass. Well, according to the Washington Examiner, Kevin Mooney: "House Republicans who received campaign donations from environmental groups helped make up the narrow margin of votes needed to send the Waxman-Markey 'cap and trade' bill over to the US Senate. The legislation passed by a vote of just 219 to 212 on Friday with critical assistance from eight Republicans," and we identify them again for you. "They are: Mary Bono Mack (Calif.), Mike Castle (Del.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), Leonard Lance (NJ), Frank LoBiondo (NJ), John McHugh (NY), Dave Reichert (Wash.), Chris Smith (NJ). ... Political Action Committees (PACs) connected with the League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, Ocean Champions and Republicans for Environmental Protection have made donations to most of these same eight Republican lawmakers in recent election cycles, according to OpenSecrets.Org. Rep. Kirk of Illinois, for instance, was among the top 20 recipients of PAC donations from environmental[ist wacko] groups in the 2008 election cycle."

This story details all of the contributions to all of these Republicans. So it wasn't Wall Street money. It's even worse. It's environmentalist wacko money. Republicans! Republicans taking environmentalist wacko money -- and those of you who live in the districts represented by these people, you have to know that the money donated to them mattered more to them (you know, paying back that donation) than voting your desires. And probably what they instinctively think about this bill anyway. Here are some more details about the cap-and-trade program. You know, home sales, by the way... As Obama would say, "Most economists from across the spectrum agree." That's how he does it. "Economists from a wide spectrum of thought all agree..." Home sales are critical for the recovery of the American economy, and the administration is saying this, and it's true. Home sales are critical. So why put these provisions in the cap-and-trade bill? Listen to this. "Homebuyers Beware. Trying to save up for a new home? You may have to save up a little longer for your purchase. The Democrats’ bill would dramatically increase new home costs by mandating California’s expensive new building codes for the entire nation. Immediately upon enactment, the Democrats’ bill would demand a 30 percent increase in energy efficiency for new construction. A couple of years later, the Democrats’ bill would require an additional 50 percent improvement. These numbers were chosen with no concern for cost to consumers or feasibility in implementation," and most people voting on it didn't even know these provisions were in the bill 'cause there was not a bill. So this is going to stifle the American economic recovery because it's going to stifle home sales. That's just one of two or three items I want to tell you about.

I'm not sure what more Rush wanted to tell us, but I'll mention this once again: Under the House Cap and Trade, all states...that's ALL STATES, will be forced to adopt California's zoning laws. So you will pay for earthquake proof construction whether you need it or not. Environmentalists in California are close to convincing the state Father's that certain colors need to be outlawed...like the color black...(what happens with asphalt)? There is already talk that black automobiles will be against the law in California. One of the most important things to remember is that almost every single Congressman, and maybe every Congressman, who voted for this legislation, had not read the legislation. I'm going to attempt to wade through the Bill and report back if my brain isn't fried. Graphic courtesy Michelle Malkin Related: California Zoning Laws Coming to your Neighborhood, In Any State EPA Silences, Suppresses Opposition: EPA Lies Warren Buffet Cap and Trade: Huge Tax and Regressive

Rowe Jackson Not Bio Parents of Jackson Children? Jackson Children Egg and Sperm Donors Unknown

Reports today confirm what many have long believed: Debbie Rowe's eggs were not used to fertilize the babies she gave birth to, and Michael Jackson's sperm was also not used in the fertilization, according to a TMZ exclusive. See updates below. See new update on Paris Jackson's paternity below.

Debbie Row Not Bio Mom Of Jackson Children? In Vitro

All three children were reportedly conceived outside the womb, or "in vitro." TMZ says their sources are "deeply connected" to the births. They are reporting that the mother-surrogate of Prince Michael "Blanket," the youngest child, was never told the identity of who her child's father, or guardian, would be. Blanket was born in a San Diego hospital and a Jackson attorney picked up the boy when he was three days old. When Rowe said that she gave the "gift of her womb" to Michael, it appears to be the truth if the TMZ report is true. TMZ points out that Rowe and Jackson were married at the time of the births of the two oldest children, and even though she is not the bio Mom she might have a claim to the children in the court's eyes, should she seek custody.

We know there are documents outlining the whole arrangement for the birth of all three kids. Nonetheless, it's still an open issue with the courts.

Update 6-30-09: TMZ further reports that Jackson NEVER adopted his children, although he is listed as the father on all three birth certificates. For background: Mark Lester Paris Jackson's Dad: Godfather Lester Claims Paternity - New 8-8-09 Geraldo on Michael Jackson, and Jackson Handlers: Joe Jackson Speaks on Who is Responsible for Michael's Death Arnold Klein is Bio Dad of Michael Jackson's Children? Michael Jackson had Lupus? John Branca, John McCalin are Michael Jackson Estate Executors Cherilyn Lee is Michael Jackson's Nutritionist Nurse Rowe Jackson Not Bio Parents of Jackson Children? Jackson Children Egg and Sperm Donors Unknown Jackson Nanny Grace Rwaramba: Grace Has Ties With Nation of Islam? Jackson Couldn't Sing House of Representatives Weird Tribute: Michael Jackson's "Big Heart" Remembered Grace Rwaramba is Michael Jackson's Children's Nanny The Best of Michael Jackson: Michael Jackson Before the Weird and Freakish Debbie Rowe is Michael Jackson's Childrens Mother (Photos)

Gary Stanton is Dad Abandoning Nine Children: Gary Stanton Having Twins

A Nebraska man, Gary Stanton, abandoned his nine children after his wife RebelJane died during the birth of the ninth child. Taking advantage of Nebraska's "Safe Haven" Law, he left the kids, ranging in ages from 1 to 17 at Omaha's Creighton University Medical Center. Now Stanton is having twins with his girlfriend, "Gail."

Gary Stanton

The seven youngest Stanton children are reported to be living with their deceased mother's aunt. The two oldest boys are said to be living with a 75-year-old woman in Omaha where they plan to graduate high school. Stanton's former mother-in-law, Joanne Manzer says Stanton still visits with the children, the children know about the expected twins and they understand that their father is "stressed." Manzer said Stanton would not have abandoned the children had his wife lived, but she also says he should have come to the family before considering abandoning them to strangers and ultimately the state. Nebraska changed their Safe Haven Law in November 2008, and will now accept only "babies."

The last use of the state's safe haven law was on November 21, the last day it applied to children up to age 18. A 14-year-old boy from Yolo County, Calif., was abandoned at the Kimball County Hospital by his mother, who drove roughly 1,200 miles to get there.

A spokesman for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said Gary Stanton's family had received more than $995,000 in government aid as of Fall 2008.

Saudi Slapping Women Around: Muslim Spousal Abuse

Oh the controversy! Is it okay to slap your wife's face if she overspends, or is it not? Is Muslim spousal abuse reasonable? Can punishing your wife be considered "spousal abuse?" This question has Saudi Arabia pondering. These were the topics of a recent Saudi "Domestic Violence" seminar.

Spousal Abuse

Reportedly, women in the seminar audience were shocked that the subject of slapping a wife was brought up for discussion. This leaves me wondering just what the women thought they would talk about or learn in a "domestic abuse" seminar. Maybe the women thought the seminar purely preventative. Maybe they would receive recipe ideas so that their man would not whack them for inadequate cooking skills, a bottle of Clorox to clean better, or maybe instruction on how to raise their man-child to be like his father...maybe never, never ask the kid to take out the trash, or make the bed, or treat his sister with respect? According to this CNN interview, the country needs Saudi King Abdullah to come out against slapping wives, which will signal to Saudi judges to cut-out the support for domestic violence. So far, this King, characterized as a "reformer" in the video, has not weighed-in. While not mentioned in the interview, I'll point out that murdering your daughter for fraternizing with a man the dad doesn't like, is also not considered domestic violence or abuse, but a justifiable honor killing.

Muslim Woman - Honor Killing (Photo)

In the West, we seem to offer no relief or voice to the abuse of Muslim women. Psychology professor Phyllis Chesler in her book, The Death of Feminism, says there is an "unwillingness to take on Islamic sexism because of "an...American-blaming position." Feminists have embraced "an anti-Americanism that is toxic, heartless, mindless and suicidal." Philosopher Martha Nussbaum wrote the following in the New Republic in 1999:

Too many fashionable gender theorists, she said, have lost their dedication to the public good. Their "hip quietism...collaboreates with evil.

Nussbaum was accused of "flag waving" and being on a "civilizing mission." In this article written by Christina Hoff Sommers appearing in The Weekly Standard on May 21, 2007, Hoff points out that the name calling: flag waver and civilizing, ignores Nussbaum's "core point:"

Two few feminist theorists are showing concern for the millions of women trapped in blatantly misogynist cultures outside the United States."

In November 2007, we learned of a British schoolteacher in the Sudan sentenced to a Sudanese jail for "allowing" a 7-year-old male student to name his teddy bear "Muhammad." In Saudia Arabia, a woman out with a man who was not a male relative was gang-raped. The rape was upheld as justified because the woman defied Sharia Law. She was punished with prison time and over 200 lashes. She will be shunned by family and friends for the rest of her life. Atlas Shrugs shows what 50 lashes does to a woman and suggests we think about the devastation of 200 lashes. On both incidents, American feminists refused to say anything. Radio talk show host and self-described "progressive feminist, Tammy Bruce, explained the silence this way:

...God forbid we should be reminded that there is a disturbed enemy [Islamic terrorists] out there worth fighting, and God forbid that for one moment we should suggest that the United States might not be the heinous imperialist the Left casts us to be.

The truth is, those of us who are appalled at the treatment of female Muslims, no matter where they live on the face of the earth, the reality is, we can do nothing to shield them from spousal abuse, but that does not excuse silence and an absence of outrage. While we are trying to make the world sit up and pay attention, the only solution for these women is to leave Islam and get to a non-Islamic country. Islam is the tormentor in the guise of a Muslim man. It is a very, very simple thing to understand, although most are unwilling to let their minds go to that enlightened place.

Saudi Slapping Women Around Okay (Video)

Honduras Defending Constitution: Constitutional Succession - Defending Democracy

In researching the events taking place in Honduras, I see President Obama immediately cited the outster of President Manuel Zeyala as "not legal." Another "gird your loins" moment for the American President. The question is: was this a coup d'etat or a constitutional succession? See updates below.

Constitutional Succession - Roberto Micheletti

Why did the Supreme Court rule that ousted President Manuel Zelaya was subverting the rule of law in Honduras? Why did Congress rule the same? Zelaya's term of office ends in 2010. He called for a "controversial referendum" to take place on June 28th. The referendum, if approved, would have made changes to the Honduran Constitution to allow Zelaya to run for office for another term, an action the Supreme Court says is not lawful.

While Honduran law allows for a constitutional rewrite, the power to open that door does not lie with the president. A constituent assembly can only be called through a national referendum approved by its Congress. But Mr. Zelaya declared the vote on his own and had Mr. Chávez ship him the necessary ballots from Venezuela. The Supreme Court ruled his referendum unconstitutional, and it instructed the military not to carry out the logistics of the vote as it normally would do.

After the Supreme Court declared the referendum not lawful, Zelaya vowed to hold a vote on the referendum anyway. Zelaya dismissed "the military chief," Romeo Vasquez, who opposed Zelaya's position on the referendum. The Supreme Court asked that Vazquez be reinstated. Zelaya refused.

So on Thursday he [Zelaya] led a mob that broke into the military installation where the ballots from Venezuela were being stored and then had his supporters distribute them in defiance of the Supreme Court's order. The attorney general had already made clear that the referendum was illegal, and he further announced that he would prosecute anyone involved in carrying it out. Yesterday, Mr. Zelaya was arrested by the military and is now in exile in Costa Rica.

The Supreme Court voted to remove Zelaya "to defend the rule of law."

The Honduran Congress later swore in its leader, Roberto Micheletti, as the new head of state after voting to remove Mr. Zelaya for "manifest irreuglar conduct" and "putting in present danger the state of the law."

Micheletti said that the orders carried out as issued by the Supreme Court and the Congress "was not a coup d'etat, but a constitutional succession." The new government's foreign minister, Enrique Otez Colindres said the new government looks forward to meeting with OAS officials:

...so they can realize that this is a government that respects all laws and the only thing it did was to remove a president for systematically violating the constitution.

Manuel Zelaya was elected as a conservative. He has progressively moved away from that position and cemented relationships with Cuba's Castros, Venezuela's Chavez and Bolivia's Morales. As Wall Street Journal writer, O'Grady said, it is not "about left-right politics."

It is about defending the independence of institutions that keep presidents from becoming dictators.

So how do the Honduran people feel about the ouster? The Latin Business Chronicle says that Honduran business support the Supreme Court and Micheletti's new government:

It is extremely popular,” says Jacqueline Foglia Sandoval, former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Honduras. “I don’t know of any one who isn’t celebrating." [The attempted referendum] followed three years of Zelaya policies that were seen as arbitrary and often hurting business, Foglia Sandoval says. Over the last three years, our ex president had created political and social chaos,” she says. “He [was] very unpredictable and many times [imposed] arbitrary actions that …affected the business climate.

The Latin Business Chronical reports that wage hikes smacked of socialism and resulted in the loss of 150,000 jobs.

[Zeyala] in December to raise the minimum wage by 60 percent despite that unions had demanded 20 to 30 percent and employers had countered with zero to 10 percent.

Not only did he exceed the union demands, but also imposed the new laws as companies already had their 2009 budgets ready, Foglia Sandoval points out. As a results some 150,000 jobs were lost during the past six months, she says.

Another concern was his talk about implementing socialism of the 21^st century, modeled on Venezuela. “People associate socialism with ration cards, with lines, with the things we do not want,” Foglia Sandoval says. “It’s a poor country, but we don’t have rationing, or lack of mobility, or have to ask permission for moving.” Further issues raised by the business community is the lack of security, which Sandoval said Zelaya completely ignored. Drug trafficking is growing and people fear for their personal safety. Foreign investment has diminished, and Zelaya's treatment of foreign oil companies was considered "hostile."

In January 2007, Zelaya announced plans to temporarily assume control of oil terminals and restrict imports of oil to one company in an effort to reduce fuel prices. However, after the US Embassy in Honduras warned that the takeover would have serious consequences, the government reversed its position on the terminals.

Fogliz Sandoval said relations with the U.S. were "worsening." The people of Honduras are standing to protect their Constitution. This is a hallelujah moment for Democracy. President Obama has said that the ouster of Manuel Zelaya was "not legal." Obama has said the U.S. will "stand on the side of democracy." He has said nothing about the legality of Zelaya subverting the Honduran Constitution. That is the issue. If a democratic election is held, and then the one democratically elected attempts to take over the government illegally - then why are we not talking about that? Rudi Stettner at Rant Rave looked at the differences in Obama's handling of the Iranian election and the Honduran succession and summed it up this way:

One thing that was established in the Honduran coup. When there is a "progressive" consensus, Obama will quickly find his voice. Since Islamic radicals are the fascists that liberals love, a blind eye will be turned to their sins.

Update 6-30-09 4:10 p.m. CDT: Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich in The Hill "blasted" Obama for opposing the "coup," or as I prefer, the Constitutional succession in Honduras.

Having castro call for defending democracy should convince any reasonable person that honduras was on the edge of a leftist dictatorship

Read an article written by Juan Diego Zelaya - another Zelaya, who is general counsel to the mayor of Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. He is an advisor to the National Party, the opposition party to former President Manuel Zelaya. Juan Diego Zelaya: Very Constitutional Coup. Thanks to Bloviating Zeppelin for finding the "other" Zelaya article. Background: Lugar Clinton: Explain Honduras Foreign Policy Please Honduras Thousands in the Street: Michelletti Supporters in the Streets Zelaya Returns: Zelaya Retreats Honduras Threatened with Banishment from Organization of American States Zelaya Returns to Honduras: Micheletti Government to Block Zelaya Plane Micheletti Still Denies Zelaya Entry: Zelaya Visits Hillary Instead Honduras: Last Bastion of Democracy

Ahmadinejad Newsflash to Obama: Liberal Thought, Liberal Democracy Ends

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the June 12th elections were "the end of liberal democracy and liberal thoughts."

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

In other words, the next time "Western states" meddle in Iran's affairs, the President has a plan.

President Ahmadinejad said, “From now on, we will bring you to justice at any international meeting.”

He excoriates the West and cannot understand how the U.S., Germany, France and the U.K. can talk about human rights when our own hands are "stained with the blood of innocent people," and then there's our rotten and satanic attempts to "damage Iran's Islamic system...." Ahmadinejad had something to say about Obama's outreach to Iran - you remember that offer to "talk." After Obama's comments during the Iranian street protests, Ahmadinejad said the U.S. didn't follow "international rules and norms," and besides that, we were just downright "impolite." He advises us to "correct" our "behavior." You can read the article here or here at Judeopundit who also has some commentary worth reading.

Warren Buffet Cap and Trade: Huge Tax and Regressive

In this video below, which I found at the stellar Conservative Thoughts blog, big time billionaire Liberal Obama supporter and donor, Warren Buffet, says that Cap and Trade is a huge tax, it's regressive and it will cost "some very poor people a lot more for electricity."

Warren Buffet

What Buffet doesn't say is, it will also cost a lot of us who are not yet poor, but work hard every day to pay our bills. The thing is, we will continue to pay our bills but live on less, thanks to this Democrat garbage legislation. Now the Senate must pass its version of Cap and Trade. Start contacting your Senator now, even if you think he/she would never vote for this massive tax hike. Get your opposition registered with your Senator's office now. Who knows what the administration has planned to purchase your Senator's good judgement. Update 6-30-09 Fellow blogger Bungalow Bill's Conservative Wisdom has been doing some major work on Cap and Trade and he reminds me that there is a rebate for low-income families. Call that rebate a "Redistribution of Wealth" right inside this Democrat legislation. Read it explained fully and simply here. Related: EPA Silences, Suppresses Opposition: EPA Lies Warren Buffet Opposes the Energy Tax Warren Buffet - Cap and Trade a Huge Tax (Video)

David Lemon Clay to Bronze: Watch a Master Sculptor at Work

It's a hot and lazy afternoon here and I've just spent some delightful time looking at the website of master sculptor David Lemon. Mr. Lemon has occasionally commented here and that's how I found his amazing work. The photos below may not do justice, but the video below does.

David Lemon - Smokey Joe

Lemon is working on what I will call a "series," titled Somewhere A Cowboy's Walking. His website documents his daily work with beautiful photography and often includes "today's video," which is a unique look at how he works with each piece.

David Lemon - Somewhere a Cowboy's Walking

On some days, you'll find photography of his surrounds in Montanta, or a visit he made to Yellowstone Park. Have you wondered how bronze is colored? David walks us through the process thanks to the wonder of YouTube.com. See his collection of western bronzes and clays (video below) All are set beautifully to music. Look to his right-hand side bar for links. At times we think the world is bleak and mean - our leaders are wrong on every major level, and then we run across someone like David Lemon who spends his life creating beauty from the things our eyes no longer see.

David Lemon - Sunshine

Visit Clay to Bronze - 2009 for current pieces in progress, including Somewhere a Cowboy's Walking and Clay to Bronze - 2008, which is where I started. Visit his gallery at David Lemon

I guess I should end this by telling you that this is not an "affiliate" relationship, or any relationship. I haven't corresponded with Mr. Lemon in months. I'm not selling anything. I think he has a phenomenal website and I want to share it with my friends.

David Lemon - Western Bronzes

Apostle Paul Grave Unearthed: Vatican Finds Apostle Paul

The Vatican announced that they have unearthed the sarcophagus containing the remains of the Apostle Paul. The grave dates back to "at least AD 390."

Apostle Paul - Vatican

The sarcophagus was excavated by Vatican archaeologists but has not yet been opened, and it is unclear whether it will ever be opened. Vatican officials said they heard many expressions of disappointment from tourists that the sarcophagus of Paul cannot be viewed by the public, and they decided to do something about it.

Our objective was to bring the remains of the tomb back to light for devotional reasons, so that it could be venerated and be visible," said Giorgio Filippi, the Vatican archaeologist who headed the project at St. Paul Outside the Walls basilica.

The grave of the Apostle Paul had two churches built above it before the current basilica was erected. Some history the website The Papal Basilica St. Paul Outside-the-Walls

Basilica of St. Paul

THE TOMB In 61 A.D. Paul arrived in Rome to undergo judgment. Here he was beheaded [1] between 65 and 67 A.D. His body was buried two miles away from the place of his martyrdom, in the sepulchral area along the Ostiense Way, owned by a devout Christian woman named Lucina, which was part of a pre-existent burial place [2]. Even though he was a Christian, it was possible to bury the Apostle Paul in a Roman necropolis, due to his Roman citizenship. Shortly thereafter, his tomb would become a place of worship and veneration. Upon it was erected a cella memoriae or tropaeum, namely a memorial, where during the first centuries of persecution many of the faithful and pilgrims would go to pray, drawing the strength necessary to carry out the work of evangelization of this great missionary [3].

THE MARBLE TOMBSTONE At 1.37 meters below the present Papal Altar lies a marble tombstone (2.12 m. x 1.27 m.), bearing the Latin inscription PAULO APOSTOLO MART (Apostle Paul, martyr)... It is composed of various pieces. On the piece where PAULO is written there are three holes, a round and two square ones [4].

THE SARCOPHAGUS It is above a massive sarcophagus, measuring 2.55 meters long, 1.25 meters wide and 0.97 high, that the “Altars of Confession” were later placed. During recent work in the Basilica, a large window-like opening was made just below the Papal Altar, in order to allow the faithful to see the Apostle’s tomb.

Sonia Sotomayor Loses to Firefighters: Supreme Court Agrees with Firefighters: Sotomayor Overturned

Developing and just in, Judge Sonia Sotomayor's ruling at the 2nd Circuit Court holding that White New Haven, Connecticut firefighters were not discriminated against has been overturned in a 5-4 vote in the Supreme Court with retiring Justice Kennedy writing the opinion. Updates below.

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has overturned the Sotomayor 2nd Circuit decision denying discrimination. Sotomayor must be used to this by now, as 60% of her decisions reviewed by the Supreme's have been overturned.

The Supreme Court has ruled that white firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied promotions because of their race, reversing a decision that high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor endorsed as an appeals court judge.

As background, the city offered tests for promotions. Whites outscored Blacks. No one got a promotion because the city felt it would be discriminatory to award the Whites passing the tests with promotions and denying promotions to Blacks who did not. Update 6-30-09: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg read the dissenting opinion, but it is unclear who wrote the dissent:

In dissent, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said the white firefighters "understandably attract this court's sympathy. But they had no vested right to promotion. Nor have other persons received promotions in preference to them."

Other dissenting Justices: Breyer, Souter and Stevens. Judges upholding the claims of the White firefighters: Kennedy, Thomas, Scalia, Alito and Roberts.

The Supreme Court ruled that white firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied promotions because of their race, reversing a decision that high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor endorsed as an appeals court judge.

New Haven was wrong to scrap a promotion exam because no African-Americans and only two Hispanic firefighters were likely to be made lieutenants or captains based on the results, the court said Monday in a 5-4 decision. The city said that it had acted to avoid a lawsuit from minorities.

Frank Ricci was the lead plaintiff firefighter in the lawsuit. Here's a quote from his father:

Now we're going to get the best managers as far as firefighters go.

An outside firm developed the test given to 77 candidates for lieutenant and 41 candidates for captain:

Fifty six firefighters passed the exams, including 41 whites, 22 blacks and 18 Hispanics. But of those, only 17 whites and two Hispanics could expect promotion.

Sonia Sotomayor Loses to Firefighters

EPA Silences, Suppresses Opposition: EPA Lies

Repeated lies from a Government to the people is usually the strategy of a third-world country or a dictatorship, but we find it happening in the United States every day. These are big lies, important lies, lies that affect the future of all of us...the future of our children and grandchildren and their children. Just as the media has refused to do much reporting on the Cap and Trade Bill, they also will not tell you of the lies leading up to the vote on the Waxman-Markey Bill. In this case, the EPA silenced and suppressed opposition, and blatantly lied. See a video below.

EPA

Here's the opening of an Investor's Business Daily editorial from Friday, June 26th, 2009 - the day of the House vote:

Climate Change: A suppressed EPA study says old U.N. data ignore the decline in global temperatures and other inconvenient truths. Was the report kept under wraps to influence the vote on the cap-and-trade bill?

The Competitive Enterprise Institute released a study that they say was "suppressed" by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The report says that the United Nations uses "outdated research" on climate change and "ignores the latest scientific findings." From the report:

Given the downward trend in temperatures since 1998 (which some think will continue until at least 2030), there is no particular reason to rush into decisions based on a scientific hypothesis that does not appear to explain most of the available data."

As Obama and Pelosi have shoved this legislation down our collective throats, many Americans are gullible enough to think this legislation takes us to nirvana. Many are dreaming of working among the "green" jobs that will save America. Wake up America. Those dreams you are dreaming of, will turn into nightmares.

Little evidence? Outdated U.N. research? No reason to rush? This is not what the Obama administration and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were telling us when they were rushing to force a Friday vote on Waxman-Markey. We were given the impression that unless we passed this cap-and-tax fiasco, polar bears would be extinct by the Fourth of July.

Internal EPA emails show that the Agency knows and understands that their data is wrong, and those emails also show that they were intentionally suppressed. This is the people's EPA. Wake up America. Do you get your news from David Letterman?

The report was the product of Alan Carlin, senior operations research analyst at the EPA's National Center for Environmental Economics (NCEE). He's been with the EPA for 38 years but now has been taken off all climate-related work. He is convinced that actual climate observations do not match climate change theories and that only the politics, not the science, has been settled. One of the e-mails unearthed by CEI was dated March 12, from Al McGartland, office director at NCEE, forbidding Carlin from speaking to anyone outside NCEE on endangerment issues such as those in his suppressed report.

All this is particularly interesting because of the charges by Al Gore, NASA's James Hansen and others that the Bush administration and energy companies actively suppressed the truth about climate change.

Carlin was told March 17: "The administrator and the administration have decided to move forward on endangerment, and your comments do not help the legal or policy case for this decision. . . . I can only see one impact of your comments given where we are in the process, and that would be a very negative impact on our office."

In other words, the administration and Congress had their collective minds made up and didn't want to be confused with the facts. They certainly didn't want any inconvenient truths coming out of their own Environmental Protection Agency, the one that wants to regulate everything from your lawn mower to bovine emissions and which says the product of your respiration and ours, carbon dioxide, is a dangerous pollutant and not the basis for all life on earth.

Thank you to Investor's Business Daily for making this information available. I hope you will read the entire editorial. Thank you to Senator Jim Inhofe who has led the way to understanding the deception behind global warming/climate change. This video is a bit long, but it's full of useful information. Related: Media Ignore EPA Suppressing Skeptical Global Warming Report California Zoning Laws Coming to Your Neighborhood, In Any State - Courtesy Cap and Trade Senator Jim Inhofe

California Zoning Laws Coming to Your Neighborhood, In Any State - Courtesy Cap and Trade

Did you know that the Cap and Trade Bill the House passed last Friday forces California zoning laws on your neighborhood and town, no matter the state you live in?

Caifornia Zoning Laws Coming to Your Neighborhood

If you were listening to Mark Levin's show last Friday before the vote on cap and trade, we learned the Democrats snuck into the climate bill a provision that forces the states and local communities to follow and enforce California zoning laws. I shouldn't have to tell you this kills the Tenth Amendment. If the Senate passes the climate bill, the federal government will micromanage your communities zoning laws regardless of whether you live in Strafford, Missouri or Chicago, Illinois. This is so far beyond Constitutional, and if your state and community doesn't challenge this, then you may as well surrender the rest of your rights as well.

Hmmmm. Do you want to pay the construction costs for building to earthquake code, whether you need it or not?

California house building laws will be forced upon the other 49 states as well. Remember California is debating outlawing colors like black because they believe the color black encourages global warming. I wrote earlier this year about how they are looking to require people to paint roofs white in order to cut down on global warming. California's silliness will drive up the costs of new homes.

Bungalow Bill points out that California's existing zoning makes it impossible build new power plants - the perfect goal for a greenie. Read it all Bungalow Bill's Conservative Wisdom and let your Senator's office know that you will not accept a vote for Cap and Trade when it comes to the floor, and if they do vote for the legislation, you will make it your personal mission to see to it they lose their seat in the Senate.

John Edwards Sex Tape: John Edwards, Rielle Hunter Sex Tape?

Reports are abuzz that not only is Rielle Hunter's baby's daddy definitely the former Senator John Edwards', but there was a sex tape made as well. See 1-29-10 Update Below.

John Edwards - Rielle Hunter

Edwards has been out of the spotlight since his affair with Hunter was discovered during his 2008 run for U.S. President. You might remember that the National Enquirer "got it right," as they often do these days. The Enquirer reporter got all the info and hung at the hotel. They reported that Edwards was not only visiting Hunter, but a baby was part of the story also. The next day when Edwards tried to leave, he was confronted by National Enquirer reporters.

Shocked to see a reporter, and without saying anything, Edwards ran up the stairs leading from the hotel basement to the lobby. But, spotting a photographer, he doubled back into the basement. As he emerged from the stairwell, reporter Butterfield questioned him about his hookup with Rielle.

What a story that was. So here's what happened next: Andrew Young, a former aid to John Edwards claimed that Hunter's baby was his during the 2008 campaign - not Edwards. That was before the Young's book deal was signed. Funny thing, Andrew subsequently moved to a new home, unpacked and guess what he found? A videocassette:

Hunter had been hired by the Edwards campaign to videotape the candidate’s movements, but this one is said to have shown him taking positions that weren’t on his official platform.

The purported sex tape confirmed to Hunter that Edwards was even more reckless than he thought.

According to our source, Hunter confided to Young that she and Edwards talked about getting married should the candidate’s cancer-stricken wife, Elizabeth, pass away, even discussing what music they’d play at their wedding.

John Edward's wife, Elizabeth, was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer while John and Rielle were filming their fun. I just have to ask: how did Andrew Young end up with the tape?

I predict Young's book will be a bestseller. Other Commentary on the despicable Edwards affair: Track-A-'Crat

Related and Background:  

Update 1-19-10 - See the latest on the sex tape - Rielle admits there is one!

Rielle Hunter and Edwards Sex Tape: Restraining Order - Rielle Admits Sex Tape 

John Edwards and Elizabeth Separated: Edwards Admits Fathering Rielle's Baby

John Edwards Most UnPopular Person Ever!

John Edwards: Andrew Young's Book The Politician

John Edwards Sex Tape: John Edwards, Rielle Hunter Sex Tape?

Elizabeth Edwards is Cherubim? Elizabeth Blogs about Rielle

John Edwards Blames His Own Celebrity

O'Reilly Geraldo Edwards: Disingenuous Grandstander

Jackson Nanny Grace Rwaramba: Grace Has Ties With Nation of Islam? Jackson Couldn't Sing

Remember when the Nation of Islam became Michael Jackson's security detail and we were all thinking...what's a Witness (yes, he was raised as a Jehovah's Witness) doing surrounded by the Nation of Islam? It was about a year-and-a-half-ago that London papers screamed the news of Michael Jackson's Islamic conversion...following in the footsteps of his brother Jermaine...or was it Grace...or did it happen at all? See updates below. See update on Paris Jackson's paternity below.

Nanny Grace Rwaramba

Ian Halperin at the UK Mail Online says Nanny Grace Rwaramba had ties to the militant Nation of Islam. With her help, he embraced Louis Farrakhan and Leonard Muhammad, Farrakhan's son to the position of "business manager" for awhile. After the child molestation trial, Jackson moved to Bahrain, then Dubai and wore women's Arab dress and some say, even used the women's toilets. Now what is a good Arab man to think about that?

Forbes had an article up this week "Arab world mourns Michael Jackson." It seems the Muslim world loves Michael because of the possibility that he converted to Islam, but what about all those infidel-like ways of Michael's. Doesn't anyone read the Koran????? Halperin's article is ripe: 1) Jackson could no longer sing due to a genetic lung condition 2) Jackson has worn a wig for years because his hair was so thin. 3) Jackson is definitely homosexual and had his trists often This is a revealing article that rings of the truth from someone who seems to have an inside connection to Michael Jackson, his family and others surrounding him. Most of it, you and I could have pondered only a moment or two, woven our own story and had it turn out exactly like Halperin's because none of it is far-fetched. I was shocked, however, to consider that Jackson could no longer sing, but it makes sense whether he had a genetic condition or because he abused himself physically for so many years. And who wouldn't guess that he wore wigs? Fifty-year-old hair doesn't "shine" like his usually did, and hair with African DNA doesn't hang straight and swingy, as did Michael's. Halperin seems to be a U.K. celebrity reporter and Michael Jackson's biographer - unofficial biographer, I'm guessing. Halperin is the man who famously predicted that Michael Jackson would be dead in six months - that was six months and one day before Michael Jackson died. Update 6-29-09: A reader points out that Grace Rwaramba has denied introducing MJ to the Nation of Islam. Related: Mark Lester Paris Jackson's Dad: Godfather Lester Claims Paternity - New 8-8-09 Geraldo on Michael Jackson, and Jackson Handlers: Joe Jackson Speaks on Who is Responsible for Michael's Death Arnold Klein is Bio Dad of Michael Jackson's Children? Michael Jackson had Lupus? John Branca, John McCalin are Michael Jackson Estate Executors Cherilyn Lee is Michael Jackson's Nutritionist Nurse Rowe Jackson Not Bio Parents of Jackson Children? Jackson Children Egg and Sperm Donors Unknown Jackson Nanny Grace Rwaramba: Grace Has Ties With Nation of Islam? Jackson Couldn't Sing House of Representatives Weird Tribute: Michael Jackson's "Big Heart" Remembered Grace Rwaramba is Michael Jackson's Children's Nanny The Best of Michael Jackson: Michael Jackson Before the Weird and Freakish Debbie Rowe is Michael Jackson's Childrens Mother (Photos)

California Blogger Gives Insight Into Cap and Trade

Bloviating Zeppelin has posted a speech from his Congressman, Tom McClintock, who voted against the House Cap and Trade legislation last week. Unfortunately, Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein will speak on his behalf when the legislation comes before Senate. If that's not a depressing thought, I don't know what is. My own Senators, Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn will vote against the legislation and Senator Inhofe has said there is no chance Cap and Trade will pass.

Rep. Tom McClintock

In the meantime, as you continue to contact your own Senators, advising them to vote against this man-made disaster or else...read Congressman McClintock's history on a similar bill that has already wreaked havoc on the beautiful State of California [just a snippet below - read the entire speech at Bloviating Zeppelin]:

Up until that bill took effect, California’s unemployment numbers tracked very closely with the national unemployment rate. But then in January of 2007, California’s unemployment rate began a steady upward divergence from the national jobless figures. Today, California’s unemployment rate is more than two points above the national rate, and at its highest point since 1941. So when economists warn that we can expect electricity prices to double under the cap and trade bill, I can tell you from bitter experience that in my district, that’s not a future prediction, that is an historical fact.

Al Gores Role in Cap and Trade: Stinking Up Perfectly Good Words - The Audacity of Cap and Trade

As Al Gore worked the phones for Cap and Trade, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi counted her votes for the legislation which passed the House on June 26th, Wesley Pruden at the Washington Times explains a few things, including why the Bill is not titled with the words "global" or "warming."

Al Gore's Role in Cap and Trade

The only "crisis" Thursday in Washington was what to do with Al Gore. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had invited the ex-veep to Washington to appear Friday with senior Democrats to make a last-minute appeal for votes for the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Note there's not a word about "global" or "warming" in the title of the legislation. Once you stink up perfectly good words, you have to find new ones. (That's why liberals now call themselves "progressives.")

Republicans attempted to temper the legislation which will bring the largest tax increase ever by offering three amendments to safeguard what the future has in store for us, but the House would have none of it:

But the most acute pain will be the rising costs of everything as companies pass the effects of the tax on to consumers. Nobody knows this better than Mrs. Pelosi and her merry band of robbers. When this far-reaching legislation was debated in the House Energy Committee, the Republicans offered amendments to suspend the legislation if the price of gasoline exceeds $5 a gallon, if the price of electricity rises more than 10 percent over 2009, and if the unemployment rate, now hovering close to 9 percent, exceeds 15 percent. The Democrats, who know very well the devastation this "biggest tax increase in history" is likely to wreak on American families, nevertheless defeated all three amendments.

Read Pruden's entire article including a little story about Al and Tipper Gore's commitment to energy savings. Thanks to Hyscience for the graphic - read some cold hard facts right here at Hyscience.

House of Representatives Weird Tribute: Michael Jackson's "Big Heart" Remembered

Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) led our esteemed U.S. House of Representatives in a "one minute recess" tribute to King of Pop, Michael Jackson - and was a "weird" tribute, as most things with Congress these days fit the "weird" category.

Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Michael Jackson was an extraordinary entertainer, once upon a time. More recent, he has been just a weird and freakish person shunning who God made him. Jesse Jackson, Jr. remembered him in this bazaar statement:

His heart couldn't get any bigger, and yesterday, it arrested," said Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. "I come to the floor today on behalf of a generation to thank God for letting all of us live in his generation and in his era."

Although Michael Jackson is reported to make $20 million per year, he is said to owe $400 million. When $20 million a year is not enough to live on, and pay your everyday expenses, like your pharmacy bill, something is wrong...most of which can be easily explained as a character flaw.

A Jackson associate said:"Michael constantly let people down when it came to money. He kept them hanging on by promising to pay his debts.

If this is a legacy, Congress needs to examine it and do some explaining to America. Shame on Congress for this act of submission. A tribute to Pvt. William Long would have been appropriate because he was gunned down by a Muslim. He was hunted down and murdered because he was a soldier...murdered at the behest of the most intense threat, of all threats to our country, Islam. Everyday...every single day, Congress should open with a moment of silence to those who have died protecting the United States because Islam exists. We do not need tributes in Congress to the likes of Michael Jackson. Leave that to the entertainment industry where it belongs, or churches or...but not on the floor of Congress Related: Geraldo on Michael Jackson, and Jackson Handlers: Joe Jackson Speaks on Who is Responsible for Michael's Death Arnold Klein is Bio Dad of Michael Jackson's Children? Michael Jackson had Lupus? John Branca, John McCalin are Michael Jackson Estate Executors Cherilyn Lee is Michael Jackson's Nutritionist Nurse Rowe Jackson Not Bio Parents of Jackson Children? Jackson Children Egg and Sperm Donors Unknown Jackson Nanny Grace Rwaramba: Grace Has Ties With Nation of Islam? Jackson Couldn't Sing House of Representatives Weird Tribute: Michael Jackson's "Big Heart" Remembered Grace Rwaramba is Michael Jackson's Children's Nanny The Best of Michael Jackson: Michael Jackson Before the Weird and Freakish Debbie Rowe is Michael Jackson's Childrens Mother (Photos)

Sderot: Iran and A Cinemateque

by Findalis Just 2 separate articles on the occurring violence that is happening in Sderot from Gaza:

Iran too close for Israel's Comfort

by Noam Bedein While the world follows Iranian developments from the grandstands of YouTube, the people of southern Israel have had front row seats for some time now. When Iran's protege, Hamas, staged a coup in Gaza that placed 1.4 million Palestinians under 'Hamastan' military rule, no one thought of how southern Israelis would be affected. Located less than one mile away from Sderot, Gaza's dramatic developments would come to affect everyone in the region. Before Israel disengaged the Jewish communities from Gaza in August 2005, the Palestinian Authority had promised vast properties of some of these communities to Hamas. Four months later, in January 2006, Hamas won a stunning victory in the Palestinian Authority legislative elections, which resulted in the Mecca Accord of March 2007, which obligated the PA to share all foreign assistance with the Hamas organization. All this placed Hamas in a strategic position from where it could launch attacks on Israel, even before the Hamas military coup. Iranian Hamas terror tactics have dominated the lives of the people of Sderot. A town battered by sustained attacks for eight years, Sderot has become the only city to remain under continuous siege in the 21st century.

Sderot woman overlooks her home, damaged in a Qassam attack during the recent Gaza war.

Photo: Noam Bedein

In 2008 alone, the Hamas-controlled Gaza regime fired over 3,300 rockets, mortars and Grads towards the Western Negev and southern Israel, 50 percent more than the previous year. Five months after Operation Cast Lead, Hamas has fired over 215 rockets during the Hamas-Israel 'ceasefire.' Is anyone even keeping track of the number of failed ceasefires that Israel has held with Hamas in the past two years? For Sderot residents, the knowledge that this has been Israel's third failed ceasefire with Hamas is not surprising. In a June 17 appearance at the Knesset, Israel Security Agency director Yuval Diskin warned that "Hamas is continuing to increase its strength, manufacture longer-range rockets and smuggle rockets of a far superior quality,". In that light,every citizen of southern Israel knows that a massive escalation is around the corner, which will force more than one million Israelis in southern Israel into the seeming safety of protected rooms and bomb shelters. Shoshana Swissa, a kindergarten teacher in Sderot recently told Sderot Media Center that ”Even today, in these relatively quiet days in Sderot, every single morning we exercise a drill for the 3-year-old children in our kindergarten. The staff teaches them how to run in 15 seconds towards the safe room when the Color Red alert siren sounds. ” Turning the Gaza Strip into an Iranian military buffer zone During Israel's second ‘ceasefire’ with Hamas, between June 2008- December 2008, Hamas did not waste any time building up its military capabilities. Israeli intelligence sources confirm that Hamas dug between 400 and 600 smuggling tunnels that connected Sinai and Gaza in order to “import” guns, missiles, explosives, money,and terrorists, along with oil, fuel, metal, cloths, electronics and even a lion for Gazan's zoo - earning the Hamas regime between 30-50 million dollars a month from the digging of the tunnels and the goods smuggled through. The Iranian influence and involvement with the Gaza Strip peaked during the summer of 2008, when hundreds of Iranian missiles were smuggled in, to be fired massively only a few months later at southern Israelis during Israel's last military operation in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Hamas regime trained tens of thousands of children and woman in Gaza during summer 2008, in anticipation of an Israeli counterattack to the Hamas reign of missiles. Accepting Iran, accepting Hamas Hamas today has become more acceptable as a resistance organization among political sectors worldwide. The most recent acceptance overture was made by the former US president Jimmy Carter, who visited Gaza this June and asked the European Union to take Hamas off the charts as a terrorist organization. It should come as no surprise that a terrorist organization like Hamas, which has killed and wounded thousands of Israeli by suicide bombings and rocket fire, is now accepted as a legitmate governing body. If Iranian President, Ahmedinejad is invited to open a UN Conference on Human Rights and is then invited to meet with the Swiss President, then Western embrace of Hamas is just around the corner. In the meantime, Sderot and southern Israel can only gear up for another round of rocket fire in the near future.

If Iranians really want to know where all their money from the sale of oil is going to they only have to look at 3 places: Their nuclear program which IS attempting to build an Nuclear bomb, Hamas and Hezbollah. With poverty in their own land, food prices soaring and violent crackdown on dissent, Iran is more concerned with providing weapons to Hamas and Hezbollah, then anything else. If you ever wondered where the Kassams that Hamas still fires into Sderot and the rest of Israel come from, look no further than Iran.

Bringing Israeli and Arab Worlds Together at the Sderot Cinemateque

by Anav Silverman In a region where rockets have hammered civilian residents for the past eight years, the local Sderot Cinemateque remains a popular pastime for residents looking to enjoy a film. As the only rocket-proof cinema in Israel, the Sderot Cinemateque was built eight years ago, right around the time when the first Qassam slammed into Sderot. The rocket-proof cinema allows local residents to enjoy a film uninterrupted when the rocket alarm, or Tzeva Adom sounds to warn residents of impending Qassams from Gaza. It remains a popular hangout regardless of rocket fire. A week ago, I had the opportunity to watch a film at the Cinemateque during the eighth annual Cinema South Festival which was held from June 7-12. The festival features the films of graduate students studying in the Department of Film & TV at the local Sapir College. The festival also screened Israeli films that were awarded top prizes abroad as well as international films from Mexico, Hong Kong, and France. International festival guests included filmmakers Carlos Reygadas from Mexico, Thierry Michel from Belgium, Osvalde Lewat-Hallade of Cameroon and Abi Feijo from Portugal among many others. I had the opportunity to watch Ajami, one of the featured films of the festival,along with the hundreds of other area residents and international guests. Ajami, named after the largest Arab neighborhood in Jaffa, was co-directed by Israeli Yaron Shani and Jaffa-born Arab, Scandar Copti. The film tells the story of two Muslim Arab brothers and is set against the background of a revenge murder, gangs, Bedouin revenge squads, a Christian Arab godfather and Israeli police. Ajami was filmed in Arabic -and most of the actors were from the Ajami neighborhood. The mostly Israeli audience at the Sderot cinemateque, myself included, followed along by reading the Hebrew subtitles below. The film has won international acclaim and was shown in France’s prestigious Cannes Film Festival this past May. In an interview with the New York Times, the directors of the film, Copti and Shani described their relationship outside of directing of the film, to which both wrote the script. When Shani’s city, Ashdod, was targeted by Gaza rockets in the recent war, Copti called him and said “Take your daughter and your wife and leave.” According to the NYT article, Shani does the same for Copti. Both the directors and the cast where present at the screening in Sderot. There was something quite unique about watching Ajami in an Israeli rocket-proof theater on the Gaza border. In area that has been devastated by rockets and trauma, it is cultural events like the Cinema South Festival which brings hope for a normal reality that citizens on both sides of the Gaza border continue to seek.

Strange that a movie theater has to be bomb-proof, isn't it? But that is the reality of life in Sderot. Sderot is a small town that has faced the brunt of rocket attacks for 9 years now. Israel was guaranteed that if they "ethnically cleansed" Gaza of all Jews the rockets attacks would cease. The Israelis did just that in 2005, and the attacks got worse. Now President Obama is singing the same song: "If you "ethically clean" Judea and Sameria of all Jews, there will be peace!" Right, and I have a bridge in Brooklyn for those who believe this lie to buy. Unless the PA is willing to be demilitarilized, there can never be peace. Strange as that sounds, it is not Israel who is anti-peace (regardless of what the Useful Idiots of Free Gaza keep saying), but it is the thugs and murderers of Hamas and the PA who will never accept a Jewish nation, never accept Israel and never stop their attacks. Yet the world loves Hamas. It cries make peace with Hamas. How can one make peace with them when they have openly stated that their goal is the total destruction of Israel and the death to all Jews world-wide? Again I ask you, my reader to pray for the people of Sderot, to pray for an permanent end to the rocket attacks, and if you are able to, to donate a few coins to the Sderot Media Center. They do such good work in the city of Sderot. Just click here and follow the instructions. All the funds collected go directly to helping the people of Sderot.

Iran Cleric Wants Executions: Mousavi Caves

An unnamed Iranian cleric has called for the execution of some protestors of Iran's June 12th election. The good news is that he only wants to execute those who are "worthy of execution." Ahhh, the peace of letting an Islamic cleric decide whether you live or die. It makes living under Islamic rule, so....so....tolerable.

Muslims Praying

Just think, someone gave birth to the child above - and fortunately for the child, he was born male. If you are female, doctors are not available to you because your man doesn't want the doctor "touching" his property...and so you'll die sooner rather than later from breast cancer. If you are a female doctor trying to help your enslaved "sisters," you will be shunned because you may treat males, you have the audacity to work, and you are not home with your family. During the protests in Iran the past two weeks, I have read over and over how powerful the Iranian women are. The truth is they have no power...no power at all. Mir Hossein Mousavi, the opposition candidate to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that in the future, he will seek permits for future rallies. Good luck with that Mr. Mousavi. If you truly want to lead the people, denounce Islam.

Denounce Islam

This is life living under Islamic rule. There are no surprises here. The youth of Iran need to realize that it is Islam, no matter who presides over them, that set the rules. There is no freedom for Muslims. Life revolves around hating Jews and everyone else not Muslim. What a glorious way to live. Prayer five times a day? Worship? Please! Attacking Islam and those who interpret it is the only gateway to freedom.