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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
Jan. 28, 2011
23 Shevat, 5771
Is Obama Now a Tower of Jell-O?
By
Roger Simon
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
The Democratic wing of the Democratic Party has left the building. The two-fisted, no sleeping with the enemy, fighting for what we believe members of the party have been shown the door, and President Barack Obama has slammed it shut behind them.
In his State of the Union address Tuesday, the president made clear that compromise, not fighting, is the order of the day, not just in the future, but retroactively to the past.
Remember that big health care bill the Democrats fought so hard to pass last year? The bill that cost some of the Democrats their jobs, which they were willing to sacrifice for the good of their fellow citizens?
Remember the bill that was Barack Obama's great achievement, accomplishing what no president had ever accomplished before, putting him in the history books along with Franklin Roosevelt's passage of Social Security and Lyndon Johnson's passage of Medicare?
Well, forget about it. President Obama has turned into a tower of Jell-O when it comes to defending it.
"Now, I've heard rumors that a few of you still have some concerns about the new health care law," Obama said. "So let me be the first to say that anything can be improved."
The president doesn't want to re-fight the battle over the bill, but instead "let's fix what needs fixing and move forward," he said.
Fix what needs fixing? I have a feeling the president doesn't mean he is going to fight for a public option, which is what the liberals in his party wanted. I have a feeling he means he wants to fix what the Republicans think needs fixing.
I am baffled as to why so many commentators were so dazzled by this speech. No, scratch that, I am not baffled. It was a dazzling speech. It was designed to be a dazzling speech.
But when you dig the stardust out of your eyes, what do you find? You find a beginning that somberly and genuinely honored Gabby Giffords and the others who were gunned down in Tucson, Ariz., just two-and-a-half weeks ago.
But do you find a single word about gun control? Do you see any attempt to use the public outrage over the six dead and 13 wounded to make this country safer and try to prevent such slaughter in the future?
You do not. Because that would be controversial. That would be a fight. Robert Gibbs, the White House spokesman, assured reporters Wednesday: "I wouldn't rule out that at some point the president talks about the issues surrounding gun violence. I don't have a timetable or obviously what he would say, but I wouldn't rule that out in the future."
So we do not know what the president will say about guns or when he will say it. All we do know is that he did not want to shine the spotlight of a State of the Union address on the issue.
I am not saying the president did not propose or mention some good things. He did. But most were carefully balanced: He supports gays in the military, but in return he wants military recruiters on campuses.
He wants to keep workers safe, but he doesn't want unnecessary burdens on business.
He wants to lower the corporate tax rate, but he wants to do this by eliminating loopholes.
It reminded me of the old joke by Harry Truman about how he wanted a one-handed economist, because his economists were always saying, "On the one hand, but on the other."
President Obama wants to protect Medicare and Medicaid, but he wants to slow their rising costs and he is willing to throw the Republicans a big bone: medical malpractice reform "to rein in frivolous lawsuits."
There was a lot of important talk about spending and deficits and numbers. But how about some different numbers: How about a sentence or two about our epidemic of military suicides, which reached 334 in 2009, a higher number than those killed in combat in Afghanistan?
And how about the number of U.S. troops killed by IEDs in Afghanistan in 2010, which rose by 60 percent over 2009 and amounted to 268 killed and more than 3,360 injured, an increase of 178 percent.
The Democratic wing of the Democratic Party was a peace wing, but there isn't really a peace wing anymore (unless you count Bill Maher and a few others with the guts to continue to talk about the issue). And when you hear how U.S. troops will still be in Afghanistan in 2014, you do the math from the paragraphs above and pause for a moment to consider all those families whose loved ones will be killed or injured.
But we didn't hear about those numbers Tuesday night. They were beneath the dignity of a State of the Union address.
The ending of the address was pure Obama: "The idea of America endures. Our destiny remains our choice. And tonight, more than two centuries later, it's because of our people that our future is hopeful, our journey goes forward, and the state of our union is strong."
It was upbeat, emotional, sincere … and absolutely dazzling.
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© 2009, Creators Syndicate
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