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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Feb. 2, 2005
/ 23 Shevat, 5765
Potpourri
By
Ed Koch
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Events have proven that President Bush was right in his ongoing support of the January 30 elections in Iraq.
Against strong opposition from his critics, the president had and has faith in the willingness of Iraq's people to confound and confront the insurrectionists. The Iraqi people who voted this week deserve enormous credit for exercising their precious right to vote, notwithstanding the enormous physical danger they faced in simply going to the polls. In fact, there were 9 suicide bombers, 44 deaths and 100 wounded during the voting.
Now I hope the president announces that we will begin withdrawing on May 1 and be out of Iraq by August 31, leaving the Iraqi army and police to protect the state and its people. If we are asked to join a multinational force made up of all the members of the Security Council and the nations in the region, with them providing a majority of the boots on the ground and willing to share and bear the monies expended to date by the U.S. and Britain, as well as future costs incurred in the liberation of Iraq, we should then consider remaining for as long as the Iraqi government asks us to or we determine necessary to provide a permanent peaceful climate, whichever is the earlier exit date. The Iraqi military personnel, having seen the courage of their civilian fellow citizens, men and women at the polls, will hopefully rise to the occasion and protect their own country from those seeking to disrupt and terrorize the government and the people. President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice should deliver that message during their upcoming trips to Europe and the Mideast.
The administration's effort to frighten the American public with respect to Social Security going "bankrupt" in 2042 will not succeed. If nothing is done to address the current financial situation which would mean insufficient Social Security revenues to pay beneficiaries, by 2042 continued payments would require a cut of 20 percent if the Social Security fund were to remain balanced. That is not "bankruptcy" and can be avoided by the U.S. Treasury making up the difference by honoring the legal commitment made by the U.S. government that it would redeem the Social Security surpluses invested in U.S. Treasury Bonds over many years. Far better for the country than increasing our national deficit by borrowing to repay those Social Security investments — they having been spent in the annual U.S. budgets to pay for other services — would be exercising a combination of options, including a reduction in benefits, increases in employees' salaries and employers' contributions subject to Social Security taxes (now capped at $90,000) and changes in age qualifications for beneficiaries.
The president's attempt to convince the public that providing the opportunity for individual investment accounts is a red herring, having absolutely nothing to do with stabilizing Social Security for the beneficiaries. It is an effort to deliver brokerage commissions that will provide Wall Street an annual bonanza of billions of dollars. Republican members of Congress know they will be in great danger of defeat in the next election if they support the President on this issue, and they won't in very large numbers do so. Democrats, on the other hand, know if they stick together on this issue and convey the facts to the public, and the President stays with his current position, they will take back both Houses of Congress in 2006.
Another great shame is the tax giveaways to the giant corporations having derived profits offshore which they do not repatriate to avoid taxes. The Congress passed legislation allowing corporations to bring those profits back to the U.S., this year, and instead of paying the regular corporate tax of 35 percent, to pay instead 5.25 percent, a loss to the U.S. Treasury of billions, providing a huge windfall in the billions for these bloodsuckers. That law was passed with the support of 207 Republicans and 73 Democrats.
One of the great challenges for every level of government is assisting the integration of immigrants into the U.S. In the last ten years, immigrants have poured into New York City. The number of all immigrants in the city with limited or no English speaking ability is estimated to be at least 1.5 million. Immigrants are vital to New York City's economy and growth. One limitation on an individual's personal growth is the inability to speak English. The city's existing programs annually provide English instruction for 35,000. I believe the city should begin a program using movie and legitimate theaters, including Lincoln Center facilities, every weekday and weekend morning when they are empty to teach English using master teachers capable of instructing large audiences, either live or on video, so that no one seeking instruction would have to wait for an available class.
Currently signed up for instruction with no seats available are 10,000 to 15,000 applicants. More than a million others should be encouraged to apply. I believe theater owners and Hollywood would be proud to provide facilities pro-bono and financial support as well to accommodate adult New Yorkers who want to learn English. I suggest the new program costs would be at the minimum, consisting primarily of the salaries for master teachers and TV broadcasting expenses. The payoff to the city in an upgraded potential labor force would be enormous. The pleasure, increase in income, and sense of self worth for the immigrants and their families would be indescribable and inestimable.
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