No Thanks UNESCO! First the Knives; Now the Bombs

by Delta R. Vines

On September 10, 2015, the UN voted for the Palestinian flag to fly at it's headquarters.  Soon after the random stabbing of Israeli Jews by Palestinians began.

On September 30, 2015 the PA flag was raised at the UN.  Increased attacks by  Arab/PA citizens, including running people down with cars before stabbing them, have since occurred.



One week ago, on April 11, 2016, UNESCO ruled that the Jewish people have no history on the Temple Mount or in Hebron or in Bethlehem. Furthermore, it ruled that these sites are part of Palestine.  History, archaeology, and scripture disputes such a ruling. 



Photo by Magen David Adom -Jerusalem

Today a bus in Jerusalem was bombed, which in turn caused a nearby bus to catch afire and blow up.  As a result 21 people were injured, some seriously.  Hamas, located in the Gaza Strip,  has claimed responsibility for the bombing.  Every time the UN praises the PA, circumvents negotiations, and hands the PA a political victory, the PA/Hamas starts and or increases violent terror attacks against the Israeli citizens in Israel. 

There seems to be something very wrong here.



The UN surely realizes by now that making moves to create a Palestinian state without requiring negotiations that would require Abbas and then PA to recognize Israel's existence as a Jewish state that it is emboldening terror attacks against Jewish people in Israel.

The UN, which has an Arabic/Islamic majority membership, is rewarding terrorism against Jewish people in Israel.  Why negotiate when one can blame Israel when the PA digs tunnels and fire's rockets against it's citizens?  Why negotiate when the world is eager to buy into the erroneous and fictitious  "reports" of how much "abuse" the PA suffers "at the hands of Israel"?  Why try to save lives when they can shoot guns and rockets from schools and churches and UN sanctioned buildings with the intent to have many of it's own citizens killed?  Then they yell "disproportionate response" and have the world turn against Israel.

Yes, something is very, very wrong here. That is certain.

In the midst of such a "big wrong", the fact remains that God, who watches over Israel, neither slumbers or sleeps (Psalm 121:4).  It is to Him we will all answer one day.

Even the UN.

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Trump's Football

by Delta R Vines

Donald Trump has a habit of throwing his weight around in the business world.  He has been catered to in the political world of late, with apparent success of late.  All of this despite a lack of restraint on various commentaries making fun of reporters with disabilities, deprecating commentary regarding Meghan Kelly, the looks of Carly Fiorina, a lack of respect toward women, in general, and calling voters in a specific state "stupid".  Where the citizens of the U.S. would have at one time turned their back on such a candidate, they've stuck to this presidential candidate like glue.

Apparently he has been holding a BIG grudge against Meghan Kelly to the point of insisting to Fox News Network that she not be a moderator for the debate this Thursday (tomorrow) night.  He did not like the questions she asked him in the Fox News Network Debate on August 6, 2015.  They were not any harder than questions she asked the other candidates.

Reporters do ask hard question, regardless of the network for which they work.

Mr. Trump also did not like the tongue-in-cheek comments from Fox News which actually makes a pretty good point:

“We learned from a secret back channel that the Ayatollah and Putin both intend to treat Donald Trump unfairly when they meet with him if he becomes president — a nefarious source tells us that Trump has his own secret plan to replace the Cabinet with his Twitter followers to see if he should even go to those meetings.”

Donald has been pushing Fox News to drop Kelly as a moderator for the debate tomorrow night.  Fox has consistently refused to capitulate to his demands, as they should.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as written in the Bill of Rights states:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances"   (emphasis mine)

If Fox News Network were to acquiesce to Mr. Trump's condition, they would be setting a negative precedence for reporters of news and their networks the world over.  Candidates, (and officeholders) would constantly be making demands of which reporters can report what.  No other network would in good conscience give in to similar demands; not ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNN, BBC, or any other.  

The U.S. has a free press system which at times can be frustrating even to the casual viewer.   

But, it's free of oppression.  It's free from dictates.  And it's free from oppressive dictates by a narcissistic presidential candidate - or possible subsequent presidential candidate.

Mr. Donald Trump has shown the type of leader of the United States he would be.  When a world leader doesn't do what Mr. Trump wants, he would threaten and cajoul, and pout when his demands aren't met.  

The press the world over is going to ask hard questions.  Our own congress will not just say "yes sir!" to whatever the president (whomever that may be) may say. As the Fox News comment pointed out, leaders of other countries will not agree with our president in all things. What would be his way of dealing with such conflicts?  Would he freeze all aid our country may contribute to that country (i.e. blackmail)?  That is one reason he is choosing to boycott the FNN debate - to see how much money Fox looses as a result.  

The way Mr. Trump deals with news networks and reporters is an indicator of how he would be if elected to the U.S. presidency.  "Taking your football and going home" is not a way to make America great again.  Instead it portrays Donald as a spoiled brat having a temper tantrum.  

The world would laugh at such.  The world would not have respect for that behavior.  I know I definately don't.  People want someone strong enough to face adversity with dignity.

Welcome to the real world, Mr. Trump!

Presidential Pains - Hillary Clinton

Since Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have been in a virtual tie, I waited a couple of days before writing this opinion. This was in hope of a more clear front runner coming forth. Instead, it's still a virtual tie.  Therefore, I'm going with the old adage of "ladies first" and starting with former First Lady and Senator, Hillary Clinton.

What positives has Mrs. Clinton accomplished?  As First Lady she jumped in feet first to the public eye and tried to establish policies during her husband's administration.  The most prominent project of Mrs. Clinton was to start a nation wide health care system.  She had a bully pulpit from which she spoke loud and often.  In many ways she reminded me of the title character in the musical "Evita". That project failed.  Mrs. Clinton however revamped, became much quieter, and was able to help establish an expanded health care program for children.

As New York Senator, Mrs. Clinton worked very hard after the WTC attacks on 9/11, (along with other members of Congress), to make sure first responders and their families had the care they needed.  (Of course, they did the same for the families of citizens who died or were injured in those attacks).  Also during her term as Senator, Mrs. Clinton worked for LGBT rights.

As Secretary of State she followed the dictates of President Obama and did her job well.  In 2012 Mrs. Clinton negotiated a (short-lived) stoppage to Hamas rockets daily being shot into Israel. She also championed women's rights in China. Mrs. Clinton was also a main architect in the sanctions against Iran.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Clinton also has a lot of baggage:

1. Using a private server for government emails and other information.  Much of the information was "top secret" and could have been hacked, thus compromising U.S. security

2.  Benghazi and the death of staff at the embassy there including Ambassador Chris Stevens because no military defense was allowed when the embassy came under fire. No pro-active actions taken to prevent such an occurrence when intel said it was a real possibility.

3. Over 15 women have accused Mr. Clinton of having one night stands, short term affairs, sexual assault, and rape.  One of those women have had the Clinton's settle out of court to the tune of high three figures. The question comes to mind is how could a President H.R. Clinton concentrate on her job as POTUS while wondering what her husband is doing.

Hillary Clinton is still ranking high in the democratic candidates polls despite the baggage following her.   She definitely has a great deal of experience in governmental issues. However, I'm not sure she can overcome the trust issues many voters have with her.  Plus there is the potential she will be tried for treason in regard to the emailed documents. 

It definitely gives food for thought, and reasons for prayer as voters consider for whom they will vote.