USA

Obama and Holder make many mistakes in terror trial discussion

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C.–Was there ever an administration that cared so much how it sounded to itself, but so little how it sounded to the American people? The President’s tin ear was on full display as he tried to reassure the public about the soundness of the decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in […]

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Shoshana Bryen, USA

ACLU, Americans United demand public school graduation ceremonies be moved from Cathedral

ENFIELD, Connecticut (Press Release) – The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Connecticut and Americans United for Separation of Church and State on Wednesday demanded that school officials in Enfield stop holding high school graduation ceremonies at a Christian church and instead hold them at any of a number of secular locations available in the

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USA

Protect woman's right to abortion in health bill —Saperstein

WASHINGTON, D.C.(Press Release)– Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, recently sent a letter to the full Senate in support of comprehensive health insurance reform legislation that protects women’s reproductive health. The full text of Rabbi Saperstein’s letter follows: Dear Senator: On behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose

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USA

Sanctions against Iran may come 'within weeks' —Obama

SEOUL, South Korea (WJC)–United States President Barack Obama has warned Iran of the consequences of its rejection of the proposed package on uranium enrichment. Obama said a new measures against Iran could be agreed within “within weeks”. Obama said at a press conference with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in Seoul: “Iran has taken weeks

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USA

Is President Obama the new George McGovern?

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Remember George McGovern? His clone is sitting in the Oval Office.   The 2008 campaign differed in several ways from 1972 that explain Obama’s victory. His speaking ability excels that of other politicians, including McGovern. Obama was running against a ticket with an intellectually handicapped vice presidential candidate, whereas McGovern was embarrassed

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

This blind taste test is not to compare foods, but to build our compassion

By Sara Appel-Lennon SAN DIEGO–Picture yourself wearing a blindfold while eating. A blind person is challenged with eating in darkness at each meal. In 1999 Jane Clifton and Dave Ward from the Hillcrest Mission Valley Lion’s Club were invited to eat lunch blindfolded while Blind Center students cooked and served them. This experience prompted the couple

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San Diego Calendar, USA

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History~December 25, 1953, Part III

Compiled by Gail Umeham * Lionel Van Deerlin Moderates Panel for Nat’l. Council of Jewish Women  Southwestern Jewish Press December 25, 1953 Page 5 On Tuesday, January 5th, 12 o’clock noon at Temple Center, the National Council of Jewish Women will hold their regular monthly meeting.  In observance of the forthcoming Brotherhood Week a round-table

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Adventures in SD History, San Diego Calendar, USA

Killing Al Qaeda now U.S. primary purpose in Afghanistan

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Post intoned on the front page, “Poll Finds Guarded Optimism on Obama’s Afghanistan Plan.” What plan? Plumbing the article, it turns out that support for the President on the issue has “plummeted” since the summer; more than half think “the war is not worth the cost”; and

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Shoshana Bryen, USA

White House denounces construction in Gilo section of Jerusalem

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–The White House on Tuesday issued the following statement concerning construction in the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem: “We are dismayed at the Jerusalem Planning Committee’s decision to move forward on the approval process for the expansion of Gilo in Jerusalem. At a time when we are working to re-launch negotiations, these actions

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Middle East, USA

Peace recedes as Obama policies harden Palestinian positions

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Barack Obama was six years old when the Jordanian army opened fire on Jerusalem as its part in the 1967 war. Shortly after the fighting, Israel expanded the city’s boundaries. Four years later it began construction the Gilo neighborhood. Gilo was in the news early in the intifada that began in 2000, when

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Manny Farber exhibit begins Dec. 14 at Gotthelf Art Gallery

  SAN DIEGO (Press Release) – “Manny Farber: Four Decades of Painting and Drawing” will be exhibited December 14 through February 24 in the Gotthelf Art Gallery, part of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS. A free opening night reception with a keynote speaker

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San Diego Calendar, USA

Israel dedicates monument to U.S. 9/11 victims

JERUSALEM (Press Release)– On Thursday, November 12,  Israel took another step in the country’s long history of solidarity with the United States and global victims of terror as international diplomats, U.S. and Israeli politicians and religious leaders unveiled a monument dedicated to the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Commissioned and built by

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Middle East, USA

State Department bias favoring Palestinians shows in report on international religious freedom

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM—More than 40 years ago I chose public administration as my specialty in political science. I still poke at it, despite being interested in other things as well. Here I will poke at the 2009 Report on International Religious Freedom published by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor of the

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA