HIGH HOPES FOR PEACE

THE WORLD IS READY FOR BIG BOLD NEW APPROACH TO PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

The Trump Administration is starting to foreshadow the announcement of their Middle East Peace Plan in April.

It is surely no coincidence that Kushner chose the start of the month of Nissan on the Hebrew calendar.  Nissan is a month associated with miracles.  Expect to see other profound associations between the devine and the physical world in the design of the new plan. It is no coincidence that Kushner is now going around to Arab countries collecting "gold & silver" to build a better future in Israel for both the Palestinians and the Israelis.  Surely students of Torah can see my point.  There are practical physical things going on to prepare for a miracle. 

I HAVE HIGH HOPES . . .

I look forward to the announcement of the new plan for peace that Kushner has been working on.  It is likely to be a very different and exciting approach, with significant practical elements which create great opportunities for prosperity, a better quality of life and a fresh start.  It may be a brilliant new paradigm that finally alters the way we perceive the future for the two sides and how the Palestinians and Israelis can not only coexist but thrive together. 

If so, if the plan is as promising as I hope it will be for the Palestinians especially, it will cut the legs right out from underneath Hamas, and force Fatah's hand.  In the court of world public opinion, Hamas will lose it's leadership credibility and be fully exposed for the corrupt, destructive, hateful and lying organization it is.

The choice that the Palestinian people will have to make, between new leadership with a fresh new vision verses the failed Hamas and Fatah leadership, will be the greatest ultimate test of the Palestinians. 

What could be truly amazing is the reaction to the new plan by Israel's Middle eastern neighbors, particularly Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.  I would not be surprised to hear them enthusiastically support Kushner's bold plan in words and deeds.

I stand with Israel, but we all would be happy to see the Palestinian people living happy, peaceful and productive lives in harmony with the Israeli people. 

Time will tell. IT'S TIME!

NISSAN WILL ARRIVE SOON. LET'S ALL HOPE/PRAY FOR A MIRACLE.

PREDICTION OF POSSIBLE PLAN:
First a preface - With the Israeli election decided and Netanyahu serving another, and historic term, Bibi can take decisive actions to deal with the Palestinians that were not likely prior to the election.

In addition, with the Mueller investigation closed and no collusion found, let alone with the tables turning on the accuser's after Barr's accusations of spying, Trump is in the strongest position he has been in politically since being elected, even after losing the House.

The stage is set for Netanyahu and Trump to announce the long promised and highly anticipated Trump/Kushner Peace plan.

The big question is what will they be offering the Palestinians in exchange for peace.  Most of the attention has been on whether the offer of a two-state solution is still on the table.  I predict the centerpeace of the plan that Kushner has devised is a NEW ELECTION.  I'll explain.

I believe the deal will contain the following elements:

1. Israeli's IDF will re-enter Gaza in order to ensure a process whereby a fair election can be conducted by the Palestinians.

2. Very shortly a Palestinian opposition party and candidates will emerge to compete against Hamas and Fatah.  Israeli IDF forces will provide them protection against Hamas leaders who otherwise would "eliminate" them.

3. Such opposition candidates will have the backing of several Arab countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and possibly Jordan.  I believe Kushner has been working on such arrangements over the last two years and the very recent visit of Egypt's President to meet privately with Trump was to finalize details for the Plan.

4. The USA and other Western allies, as well as perhaps even Russia, will support the new Palestinian party candidates.

5. Thanks to prior commitments of support from Arab countries and the USA*, the new leader will be able to make an incredibly rich and wonderful offer to the Palestinians. (E.g. new schools, new hospitals, jobs, greater freedom to move about, and peaceful coexistence with Israel.)

* The USA halted hundreds of millions in support for the U.N. and Abbas.  That money can be redirected to the new party and projects to help Palestinians if they win the election.

6. I do not have a strong sense of whether they will be offering actual Statehood, but I do believe the Palestinians will have greater freedom of governance. Plus, I would not be surprised if Egypt and Jordan contributed some territory for the Palestinians which will be added to the area in Gaza.  Perhaps at some point in the future if the Palestinians live up to conditions this territory can actually transfer to the Palestinian people and they will be able to form a new state.

Again, the point in all this is that the centerpiece of the peace plan is an ELECTION.  The Palestinians will be given the opportunity to chose their fate.

Hamas will run on it's record, which as we all know promises only greater pain and misery.  Or the Palestinians can make the only sensible choice - The NEW Plan.  And when the Palestinians choose the new party they are not only choosing a bright future, they will also be rejecting IRAN!!

In the process, the world will have no choice but to accept the United States and Israel's newest ally - the new Palestinian government!

This will be the deal of the century worthy of higher praise than the cheapened Nobel Peace Prize.

PLAIN AS THE BLACKFACE ON THEIR FACE

Here is an easy way to look at how far we've come as a Nation in terms of openness and tolerance.

Culture mirrors society. It reveals how a society thinks, it's attitudes and preferences, what's popular and what's important. It reflects who we are.

The broadest example of this are the most pervasive, or popular, cultural medium - Such as TV, movies and popular music.

If America is as racist and intolerant of Blacks and gays as some politicians, media/news figures and even some athletes would have you to believe, it would be apparent in our Culture.

Guess what -- IT IS!!  Yup, if you look at TV shows and movies from the 60s, 70s, even the 80s it is pretty obvious who is missing -- Blacks and gays!!   NOT so today!  The contrast between when I grew up and today is enormous.

Half of America are Trump supporters. IF half of America were racists, bigots and homophobes, America would NOT look the way it does in popular culture today.

America has NEVER been more open and tolerant as it is today.  And yet, since Obama ran for President on a platform to "bring America together," the Democratic party platform has obsessed with racism, bigotry and homophobia.

STICK WITH WHAT WORKS ...
Perhaps the reason that the Democratic party is so obsessed with that message is because it helps Democratic politicians to win elections. It worked in 60s, the 70s and it worked for Obama!

Don't get me wrong, the Democratic Party has other political themes it works with as well.  Since Al Gore ran on the Presidential ticket with Bill Clinton 28 years ago, the theory that humans have to stop changing the climate is rather popular.  Socialism is hot too. But the all-time favorite go-to message of the Democratic Party still seems to be that they will address our nation of racists, bigots and homophobes.

Demographics turn elections, and in places like Chicago, Baltimore, Newark and NYC, that message finds an audiences who may find it extremely appealing.  But I ask you, is it because those cities are actually more racist and homophobic?  Or could there be other reasons why that message is appealing.  I believe it is the later. But that is different discussion.

The obsession, and the way certain Democratic leaders and media assert that Trump and his supporters are predominantly racists, bigots and homophobes is not just unfair. The worst part is how it has divided us.

America should be celebrating our accomplishments!  And when we do we come together.  But that image is woefully lacking in much of mainstream media. There have been many events and moments that have deserved greater attention.

During Black history month and on other occasions when we look back, we can celebrate how far we have come in building a Nation in which Black children can truly believe that if they study and work hard and make the better choices in life that they can rise as high as their G-d given talent and ability will take them!

Plus, NO gay man or woman has to be trapped in a closet of fear or humiliation.

They say one has to be taught to hate.  And it is true. And that is what some politicians and folks in the media are doing.  They have created a narrative that America is a hateful Nation.  And what is the natural reaction to someone who hates you and is trying to portray you in a terrible and false way?  To hate them back.

STOP THE HATE and division that we are promoting in America.  Let's all start to appreciate that America is the more free, open and tolerant than it has EVER BEEN!

THE HYPOCRISY IS GREATER THAN THE TRUTH.

Identity Twister

IRONY SWEET KARMA!  HE WANTED ATTENTION AND HE GOT IT.

THE WORLD IS OUT TO GET HIM.  THAT'S WHAT JUSSIE WANTED US TO BELIEVE, ISN'T IT. WELL NOW IT REALLY IS.

Jussie is a unique case. But he represents an all too common pattern. 

Because to Leftist Democrats and the Leftist media and Hollywood, victumhood is everything. Victumhood is virtuous. Victumhood elevates you to the top of the intersectionality hierarchy.  Victumhood grants you membership into a special identity-based club of those who are entitled to reparations in the form of celebrity and special opportunities. 

The Left has formulated a narrative which paints America as a Nation of homophobes, bigots, racists and xenophobes. This image forms the foundation, the platform, upon which the Left has built it's basis for political justification. 

The Democrats have imaged a world that their leaders must save us from.  The Party leaders and those competing for office are the heroes who say they will rescue the suffering victims. The greater the suffering the greater the hero who "must save us" - The more we need the courageous and righteous politician to fight our battle. 

The Right can't save us - OH NO - because Democrats want us to believe that Republicans and especially Conservatives are guilty of creating this world with so many victims and so much suffering.  Libertarians are just ridiculous because they think we don't need government to save us from practically anything.

In order for the hero to be legitimate they must truly understand the suffering of the victims.  They must acknowledge and accept the image of our country as a nation that is dominated by evil oppression. The hero can never emerge from the evil class of wealthy white privileged oppressors. And of course, they must be a Democrat!

In addition, the Left must never let us believe that Republican and Conservative ideas create a better world. The opportunities for advancement in life must never be perceived as coming from policies put forth by the Right. So today's fact of historically low Black and Hispanic unemployment is a disaster from a Democratic political perspective.

It doesn't matter that America's success is the envy of the world.  Ideals such as Capitalism, free markets and American Exceptionalism are the problem because there can never be justice in a world that doesn't distribute wealth. To Democrats, equality by definition equates to equality of results. So billionaires are as much proof of a country filled with injustice as people below the poverty line. 

This warped understanding of economics, the power of competition and the nature of human behavior explains part of the appeal of Socialism. It was inevitable that the Democratic move to the Left would end up on the doorstep of Socialism.

The game of politics for the Left is like a game of "Identity Twister" with the winner, the most viable and worthy candidate, being the one who touches the most "Intersectionality dots." But instead of the real game of Twister by Milton Bradley where the dots are the colored plastic spots on the rubber mat you lay down to play that game, in the game of "Identity Twister" that I am making up, the dots represent victims of racism, bigotry and homophobia, xenophobia, class, etc.

There is just one very big problem with all this.  The Foundation upon which the Democratic platform is built is only as strong as the narrative is that they want us to believe. Therefore, the Democratic Party needs victims. They need evidence that our Nation is filled with racists, bigots, homophobes and xenophobes. And they need those evil people to not just exist in the privacy of their own thoughts - they need those evil doers to be doing evil. 

The Democrats need visible acts of oppression to justify their heroes who must rise up to meet and defeat the antagonist, who is of course, a white Supremacist Republican wearing a red #MAGA hat. Just ask Nick Sandmann, the Christian junior high school student.

What Democrats love and admire most of all is when the victim shows the courage to stand up to their oppressor. That makes sense since human nature is to love the survivors and the fallen martyrs. American's are famous for rooting for the underdog.

Victims validate and perpetuate the Leftist narrative. Victims are so prized and rewarded by the Democratic Party and the Leftist media that some sick Leftist are willing to fake it - to act the part.  Enter Jussie Smollett.  There are hundreds of little Jussie's.

THE HYPOCRISY IS GREATER THAN THE TRUTH.

If We Hate the Artist We Miss the Point

IF WE HATE THE ARTIST WE MISS THE POINT.  IF WE LOVE THE ART, WE MAY MISS IT TOO.

My point is that there is an aspect to Jim Carrey's art that transcends his message.

Jim Carrey (JC) says his art is "his way of dealing with the NIGHTMARE of life under the Trump presidency in a civilized fashion."

JC is a rare talent. While I don't agree with his point of view, he is brilliant and his art is pretty amazing.  But as I see it, the most important thing about Carrey's art is that he needs to do it at all.

Carrey is expressing a deep emotional trauma.  He is the quintessential artist who needs to release his complex feelings through his art in order to process and cope with them. He "has to" do his art or he would go insane.  Or he IS insane and he uses his art in order to claw his way back. But either way, that is not the most important point either. That is actually a classic artistic process.  Think Vincent Van Gogh.

The most important message about JC's art is in my opinion, that JC represents the cultural reaction to the phenomenon that IS Trump and Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Artists traditionally capture the human psyche and express it through their art.  Their sentiments may be highly personal, but artists often tap into a more popular subject. When that subject is a relatable trauma, the artist "treats" their audience in a somewhat clinical sense through their art. Such is the "power of art."

Sometimes in history a large part of society or even an entire country can experience a shared traumatic experience, such as a war or a revolution. When this happens, artists invariably capture it and process it in various medium such as on canvas, books, poetry, music and even cartoons, for example Captain America and Superman.  JC's art is very "cartoonish."

Society can experience a trauma from significant transformation from one "AGE" to another. For example, the legend or lore of Paul Henry captured America's psyche regarding the industrial revolution and the spread of mass transportation with the railroad, and Paul Bunyon did the same regarding deforestation. The movie the Matrix speaks to the fantasies and fears of AI and Virtual Reality.

JC's art is the artistic manifestation of one of the political/cultural phenomenons of our day, Trump Derangement Syndrome. Which in turn is the clash of multiple political ideologies.

Carrey has the guts to admit he is having a a difficult time coping. There are many who do not know we have a problem. To those in denial the problem exists outside of us - in Trump, his base, his supporters, Republicans.  But the problem exists in us. The problem is our inability to cope with our differences.  The problem is our inability to have respectful and meaningful dialogue with the "enemy."

Tragically, there are those with powerful influence that don't want us to cope. They don't seek resolutions - to the contrary!  They profit off our discord. They exploit our anger. They revel in our rage. They add to and stir the pot of our emotions and make sure that there is just enough heat to keep them simmering.  They feed us the drug of our addiction. They are literally in the business of promoting, fostering and maintaining our "nightmare," to put it as JC did.  That nightmare has a name - Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Who are the "THEY" I keep referring to?  They are certain people in the news media, and many partisan politicians. They truly are "the enemy of the American people."

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE

SOMETIMES THE DIFFERENCE IS JUST HYPOCRISY. AND OFTEN TIMES THE HYPOCRISY IS JUST HATE. AND HATE DOESN'T GET THE USA WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO.

Obama used tear gas nearly 30 times at the border.  Do you remember hearing the outrage in the mainstream media?

During the Obama Administration we had terrible racial division. There were race riots and violent BLM protests which required the use of tear gas.  Did the mainstream media express outrage at the use of tear gas on American citizens?

French President Macron has been using tear gas for weeks on his own people? Where's the outrage from American mainstream press?

We heard hardly a peep about the terrible use of tear gas in all those situations.  Because it was understandable.  Some situations call for it.

When a massive group of migrants are rushing the USA border with the full intention to break US immigration laws and break into America, the Federal Homeland Security used tear gas cautiously to turn back their advance. And the AMERICAN MAINSTREAM MEDIA WENT BALLISTIC!  This is a prime example of how biased they are.  They aren't objectively reporting news in a balanced way. They are operating with an agenda and the news narrative is worked into order to serve their Leftist anti-Trump agenda.

WHEN they do that they ARE Fake News!  WHEN they violate the standards for accurate, objective, balanced reporting in order to promote a Partisan purpose they are doing what George Washington warned us about in his Farewell Letter. As such, they are the "enemy of the people."

The globalists readily admit that they want open borders.  But most MODERATE Democrats say they are NOT for open borders. Yet they all have fits of rage every time the Trump Administration does anything to enforce our immigration laws.  It is NOT odd. We have seen this sort of rage every time Conservative thinking is ascending.

From Goldwater to Reagan to Bush I & II there has been a consistent pattern of hypocrisy born out of Partisanship that is born out of the hate the Left as for Conservatives and their values.
And it is a far greater threat to America than President Trump.

Trump does bring out the worst, as well as the best. Because of his political incorrectness he  highlights, exposes and draws out the extreme Partisan attitudes people have.

But Trump isn't the cause. He is the symptom. He is the result when the Left refuses to listen or acknowledge any valid Conservative approaches to governing.  Trump is the outcome of an American government that isn't working for the American people.

Our State and Federal governments are working for themselves - the government worker's Unions, the lobbyists and special interests, rather than for the freedom and prosperity of the American people.  We have become taxpaying slaves to the entitlement system, government pensions, the military industrial complex and hundreds if not thousands of obsolete government programs.

The Political Parties aren't doing what is best for AMERICA -- They are doing what is best for their PARTY.  We need to PUT AMERICA FIRST.

Macron and the globalists throughout Europe are discovering, that President Trump was right when he spoke at the U.N. recently - every country's leadership needs to put it's people first. Then, as strong, prosperous and diverse Nations, each with their own special strengths, the Nations can work together in a spirit of cooperation to address greater problems.

Globalism has become like unhealthy codependency, and it isn't working. Sovereignty and Nationalism are healthy things. Their meaning has been distorted by Globalist and Socialist.  Globalism isn't Patriotism. It is an attempt at a world order which puts government over G-d.

The Difference Is This:
Our moral values do not come from government. And if people think it does they are sorely mistaken.  Sadly, there are too many people in this world who think they do. And many of them are globalist who believe they represent truth and morality and have the higher authority to control our lives. Many of them are uber-Left globalist who believe they represent truth and morality and have the higher authority to control our lives and have put their faith in politicians. Unfortunately, many of them are controlling the Leftist media and view their truth as the only truth and all other views unholy lies that need to be silenced. 

Government's morality comes the PEOPLE.  And where do the people get morality from? If I need to tell you, you may be part of the problem. 

THE HYPOCRISY IS GREATER THAN THE TRUTH.

CATCH-2020

Democrats banked everything on taking full control of Congress.  They were nearly assured to get back the House, though they didn't do as well as the opposite party typically does in the Mid-term Election. But what really messed Democrats up was losing more seats in the Senate.  The Senate is crucial!

The Left threw everything they could at the Senate - spending a fortune, the most ever.  They threw illegal aliens and fraudulent vote handling in key races like Florida. And now they are throwing lawyers at it. On the flip side Trump threw himself at it with an amazing set of enormous rallies. How does he find the energy at 72 years old?

For the Democrats it is not about an agenda for the American people as much as it is about power, money and gaining the control they need to stop the President.  While Trump promoted more success for America. The Left's platform was essentially "if you hate Trump pick us."

What's at stake?

1. First and foremost, Trump is going to confirm a record number of Federal and Supreme Court Conservative judges.  For Democrats, it is absolutely critical for them to have Progressive Liberal ideologues on the bench because they legislate with lawyers. They can't get their uber-Left agenda through the Houses of the People, so they need Judges who let them Legislate through the Courts.

2. Trump is going to defend our borders and reform our messed up immigration laws.  Trump wants more immigrants, but he wants them to enter legally, through an orderly process that protects us. He also wants sensible criteria that prioritizes immigrants who are more likely to contribute to society and our nation. The Left wants open borders. Democrats would count every illegal alien as a voter if they could -- Process, security and cost to the taxpayers be dammed.

3. Trump is going to protect the 2nd Amendment from overly ZEALOUS gun laws. Reform, yes!  But the Democrats want to go too far.

Besides, in many cases of mass murder, the laws existed that should have thwarted the crime. Enforcement, errors in judgment and oversight were the problem, not existing gun laws.  And lets face it, someone set on committing mass murder isn't concerned with law anyway.  That is why it's said that "the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun."

4. Health care. The Right wants to drive down costs through competition, negotiating with drug companies, innovative approaches and other free market methods. The Left wants a massive increase in government coverage, a Socialist approach. A large Government program that citizens depend on is the best job security that Democratic politicians can hope for. That is why we are in the unsustainable entitlement situation we are in today! What is the best solution for health care cost, quality and delivery?  One indication - drug companies loved Hillary!  They gave mightily to her campaign.

5. Removing Trump. Democrats are by no means done with what Comey, Lynch and Obama started, and Peter Stroyk called "Plan B."  Like Bill Clinton, Trump can not be removed through impeachment without support in the Senate.

With different political Parties in Congress it means one of two things:  Gridlock or Bipartisanship. Trump is NOT an ideologue. He can work with Democrats, and has offered many times to do so. Together we can accomplish some positive Legislative results. Truly!

The problem is that a more successful America puts Democrats in a Catch-2020. Positive results for America while Trump is President may help Trump's reelection. And for Partisan focused politicians, Party comes before country. Citizens are the losers!

What can we do?  If you are a hyper-partisan person inflicted with Trump Derangement Syndrome, I have no suggestion you want to hear. But for the rest of us regardless of Party, we can demand that Congress work together with the POTUS to fix the problems our Nation has.

The answers do exist. There are solutions!!!! But they require cooperation from both sides. This takes dialogue rather than debate. Listening with an open mind. It takes empathy and respect. It means individual accountability versus the blame game.  It means having the courage to stand up for what is right, even when it's not popular.

THE HYPOCRISY IS GREATER THAN THE TRUTH.

WE NEED TO REMEMBER. BUT WE ALSO NEED TO SEE.

November 9th marks the anniversary of one of the darkest day's and times in history - Kristallnacht (crystal night) 1938. Also know as "The Night of the Broken Glass." The name Kristallnacht comes from the shards of broken glass that littered the streets after the windows of Jewish-owned stores, buildings, and the many hundreds of synagogues that were smashed, ransacked and burned with support of German authorities. Additionally, ~30,000 Jewish men were arrested and incarcerated in concentration camps. The unimaginable "Final Solution" was underway.

How could this happen, especially in Germany which was the pinnacle of culture and civilization? In the context of the Great Depression, the people and media let hate get out of control.  

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In America today, we have too much hate.  Uncivil behavior is too prevalent. The media needs to put a check on it's biase and incessant efforts to foster division and anger which leads to hate.  

President Trump is NOT the root of the problem. The problem stems from hyper-partisanship where BOTH SIDES, Left and Right compete for the outrageous power and money associated with politics. Why else would people raise and spend $80 million to win a position that pays about $200k? 

Both sides use their philosophical views, to justify their desires. Said another way, both sides use their knowledge of good and evil to justify their behaviors in an effort to seek power (control and money). This should sound familiar!! 

We are witnessing an old story that has played out long before Trump. When leaders like Trump and Reagan and Goldwater and especially Lincoln, all on the Right, give the Left a real "run for their money and power" things get very ugly.  Just do a little research to see what the opponents of Reagan and Lincoln said about them in their day, and you will see the similarities.

The problems of politics today should be familiar because the Father of our Country, George Washington, warned us of putting Party over country in his Farewell Letter. 

Today's political battles should also sound familiar because the roots can be traced all the way back to Genesis when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden because they ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil. 

Ever since Mankind was expelled from the Garden of Eden, we have used our knowledge of "good & evil" to justify our "desires."  The differences and competition in our desires have been at the core of the greatest destruction in history.  It is how a society even as sophisticated as Germany digressed into insanity and hell.  And it can happen again in America if we don't stop the direction we are going in. Anarchy just needs a catalyst, such as an economic depression and a spark like an assassination for there to be another "Kristallnacht" as society spirals out of control.

Americans need to stop dividing ourselves from one another!  We need to align along our common challenges and American interests, not along COMPETITIVE PARTY LINES!  We need to hold ourselves and the leaders of our OWN PARTY accountable, and expect others to do the same, not through BLAMING THEM but by setting a better example. 

We need to have a dialogue rather than debate. Together we must identify common concerns and practical solutions that are consistent with our Constitution and the Vision of the Founders of this great Nation. 

The press has to do it's part to encourage cooperation rather than exploiting controversy and contention to get ratings.  Their objective should only be to report the news fairly, honestly and objectively with high professional and ethical standards. They must police their own in ways that bring out better behavior.  America's greatness depends as much on the integrity of the press as any institution!

Last but not least, we need to anchor ourselves to the moral code of our Judeo-christian valves. We have to put our Faith in G-d not Government.  George Washington warned on this as well  

Our Government leaders must be our SERVANTS!!  Our Government must protect our freedoms, not rob them from us through excessive taxation and control. 

In the spirit of the Golden Rule, we must rely more on ourselves and give generously to help our friends and neighbors DIRECTLY through acts of loving kindness, volunteerism and charity.

All the problems are solvable. But they will only get worse if we refuse to work together and blame one another.  We need to demand that politicians work with one another. Debating and defeating each another is not a way forward, it is an endless circle that leads to frustration, corruption and decay.