Paradigm Shift Your Life

A black and white photo ...

2012-01-25T07:01:00.002+02:00

The Jews have forgotten, but Desmond Tutu remembers

2011-11-08T18:38:00.003+02:00

Desmond Tutu, the outspoken critic of Israel and longtime ‘defender’ of human rights continues to highlight the ‘injustices’ and violations of human rights that Israel continues to display

The Archbishop, still remembers to continue his support of the ‘Israel-is-an-Apartheid-state’ claim

He remembers to support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction campaign

Just this week, he remembered to remind the world that:

“They (the Jews) have forgotten their own history. They have forgotten what their own prophets have said about our God,"

Of the ongoing situation in the Middle East, he remembered to tell the world:

"There is a great deal of preventable suffering being caused by people who themselves suffered so deeply

His memory, and his effort in reminding the world of evil, apartheid Israel, is not a short one.

In 2009, he remembered to remind the Jews that they have forgotten about their own suffering. In reference to Israels’ actions, he said: "But who pays the penance? The penance is being paid by the Arabs, by the Palestinians. I once met a German ambassador who said Germany is guilty of two wrongs. One was what they did to the Jews. And now the suffering of the Palestinians."

In 2002, he remembered to inform the world of the atrocities committed by Jews. He said: "My heart aches. I say why are our memories so short. Have our Jewish sisters and brothers forgotten their humiliation? Have they forgotten the collective punishment, the home demolitions, in their own history so soon? Have they turned their backs on their profound and noble religious traditions? Have they forgotten that God cares deeply about the downtrodden?"

In 1989, in a visit to Jerusalem, he remembered to draw comparisons between apartheid South Africa and Israel, when he commented that he is a “black South African, and if I were to change the names, a description of what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank could describe events in South Africa”

In 1988, he remembered to demonise Zionsim, and told the world that Zionism has "very many parallels with racism”

There are approximately 27,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Israel today. These are mostly Africans, Muslim and Christian, from countries such as Eritrea, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ivory Coast. Every year, thousands of refugees attempt to cross, via Egypt into Israel. These African, black, Muslim and Christian, refugees, come from Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia. These refugees are fleeing genocide and persecution.

They are trying to get to one country that they believe will help them.

They are not trying to get to Egypt or Libya. They are not trying to get to Syria where 3,500 Muslims have been killed by their own government in the past 6 months

Desmond Tutu remembers. That I am sure of

They are not trying to get to Saudi Arabia, where Christians cannot express their religious beliefs openly, or where women cannot drive cars.

Desmond Tutu clearly remembers this

They are not trying to get to the Palestinian Territories under the Palestinian Authority or Hamas control, where political freedoms and freedom of the press is curtailed, summary executions practiced and where persecution of gays and lesbians is rife

Desmond Tutu, I am sure, remembers to fight those injustices

Thousands of black, African Muslim and Christian, men and women, desperate refugees, looking for a better life, are trying to get to Apartheid Israel

They are trying to get to the evil, Apartheid Israel, country of the insensitive Jews, that Desmond Tutu has, for over 20 years, remembered to remind us about

I am sure that the desperate, black, men and women, Muslim and Christian refugees are upset, because with all of his remembering about Apartheid Israel, Desmond Tutu clearly forgot to send these people the memo

Video: Is Israel and Apartheid State? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0DJBrO5ux8&feature=player_embedded

Israel’s response is ALWAYS disproportionate

2011-10-25T21:16:00.001+02:00

Israel has long been accused of its ‘disproportionate response’, when confronting terror, or attacks on its populace

In Israel’s last war in Lebanon with Hezbollah, Israel was blasted for its disproportionate response when dealing with Hezbollah’s terror/military infrastructure

During Israel’s last incursion into Gaza to stop rocket fire into its territory, Israel was widely accused of using excessive force. The press, international community and ‘humanitarian’ organizations fell in love with the term: "disproportionate use of force"

Last week saw the Hamas release of Gilad Shalit, along Israel’s release of 1,027 Palestinians

Once again I witnessed Israel’s disproportionate response to violence and terror in the prisoner ‘exchange’ that took place

Gilad Shalit was taken captive while sitting on Israeli territory, defending Israeli lives. Many of the Palestinian prisoners were arrested after committing murder, or for plotting attacks on civilians. Attacks that included the bombing of restaurants, clubs and busses and the stabbing of teenagers.

Everyone now knows of Gilad Shalit. But what about Nasser Yataima who killed men, women and children in a bombing attack on a Netanya Hotel. Or Yussuf Dhib Hamed Abu Aadi and Na'el Barghouti who stabbed Israelis to death

Israel’s release of 1,027 prisoners for one Israeli is pretty darn disproportionate. But the figures are not the key driver of Israel’s (once again) disproportionate dealing with the situation

Calling the proceeding a prisoner ‘swap’ is a disservice. It was no ‘swap’. A swap is regarded as an exchange of equal value.

But in this situation, the value is indeed disproportionate.

A defender of human life was exchanged for takers of human life

This is not my twisted, right wing view of the situation. Israel and its enemies have disproportionate/unequal values, disproportionate/unequal ideologies and disproportionate/unequal world views

After a prisoner deal between Hezbollah and Israel, Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah said the following:

"We have discovered how to hit the Jews where they are the most vulnerable. The Jews love life, so that is what we shall take away from them. We are going to win, because they love life and we love death."

Chief Palestinian Authority cleric Mufti Sheikh Ikrimeh Sabri has stated:

"We tell them, in as much as you love life, the Muslim loves death and martyrdom. There is a great difference between he who loves the hereafter and he who loves this world. The Muslim loves death and [strives for] martyrdom."

I followed the prisoner exchange closely. I watched ‘Western’ channels – BBC, Fox, CNBC, France 24 and I watched ‘Arab/Islamic’ channels, including Al Jazeerah and Iran’s Press TV

It was clear from the all the interviews with Palestinian prisoners, the one with Gilad Shalit, as well as from all the footage, that once again, Israel showed it’s disproportionate response to terror and violence.

• Israel disproportionately fed the Palestinian prisoners – they looked nice and plump, vs Gilad’s gaunt look

• Israel disproportionately gave Palestinian prisoners access to sunlight – they looked good, vs Gilad’s deathly white complexion form the lack of exposure of sunlight

• Israel disproportionately gave the Palestinian prisoners access to humanitarian organizations – They had access to the Red Cross, Red Crescent and United Nations representatives, vs Gilad’s access to NONE OF THESE

• Israel disproportionately gave the Palestinian prisoners access to legal representations – vs Gilads’ access to NOTHING

• Israel disproportionately allowed the Palestinian prisoners to have contact with their families (even if only telephonic at times) – vs. Gilad’s contact with NOBODY

• Israel disproportionately gave the Palestinian prisoners access to education (in Arabic, their mother tongue), with many earning Masters and Doctoral Degrees while in prison – vs. Gilad’s periodic access to a radio and TV (also in Arabic, his captor’s mother tongue)

I’m reminded of Israel’s disproportionate response, following the devastation of the earthquake in Haiti.

At the time, Peggy Shapiro noted:

“Despite its small size, Israel sent a large contingent of highly-trained aid workers to quake-stricken Haiti. Two jumbo jets carrying more than 220 doctors, nurses, civil engineers, and other Israeli army personnel, including a rescue team and field hospital, were among the first rescue teams to arrive in Haiti. In fact, they were the first foreign backup team to set up medical treatment at the partially collapsed main hospital in Port-au-Prince.

The international agencies that condemn Israel for its "disproportionate response" when it is attacked are not mentioning Israel's disproportionate response to human suffering. The U.S. has pledged 100 million and sent supplies and personnel. The U.K. pledged $10 million and sent 64 firemen and 8 volunteers. China, a country with a population of 1,325,639,982 compared to Israel's 7.5 million sent 50 rescuers and seven journalists.

The 25 Arab League nations sent nothing.”

Israel continues to be regarded as a ‘rogue state’ and a ‘violator of human rights’ whose response to fighting terror is always regarded as ‘disproportionate’. This latest ‘prisoner swap’ has once again made it clear to me, that in an effort to achieve peace, Israel will always demonstrate its disproportionate value for human life and human dignity

The rise of the Jewacide Bomber

2011-10-12T10:50:00.004+02:00

It has long been asked: Why?

Why are there no Jewish suicide bombers?

Why has Judaism not created extremists, fundamentalists, and (dare I say) lunatics, the kind of which have brought disgrace to Islam and embarrassment to Moslems the world over?

Why is there no Taliban style movement in the Jewish world, where women are degraded and people attacked, in order to maintain a system of religious control?

Why are there no Jewish martyrs?

Is it because followers of the Jewish faith are less extreme? Is it because ‘religious’ Jews place a higher value on human life? A greater significance on human dignity? A greater respect for fellow human beings?

The people who dispatch suicide bombers, and most of the bombers themselves, believe that they are in a war. A war between Islam and the West. A battle between the infidels and those that submit to the will of the Almighty God. A fight between good and evil.

The people who dispatch suicide bombers and the bombers themselves are willing to die for, and kill for, the values that they believe are true, the system they ‘know’ is right, the religion they trust, the people they trust, and the God they serve

These people have passion. They have anger. They have desperation. And they are willing to do something about it

They are willing to martyr themselves, and take a few sacrificial lambs with them in the process

And there are always the majority of Muslim leaders who condemn these actions as ‘non-Islamic’ and the perpetrators as not representing ‘true Islam’

And there are always the minority of extremists who defend the actions, and claim it’s a battle between Islam and the West, Good and Evil

Why are things different for the Jews?

Do religious Jews feel no passion? Do they have no anger, or desperation, or a willingness to protect the faith they believe in. Are religious Jews not willing to defend and fight for what they ‘know’ is right? Do they not have the same passion that would drive them to defend their principles and values at any cost?

Would religious Jews not do anything to protect themselves and their communities from the onslaught of ‘western’ values and the threat it poses to their religious system?

Are religious Jews not keen to become martyrs for their cause, and take a few sacrificial lambs along for the ride?

Well, the concept of martyrdom is not alien to ‘religious’ Jews.

Judaism has cardinal sins which should be avoided at all costs. A person must give up their lives, rather than transgress these sins. And over the millennia, famous Jews have given their lives for far less than the cardinal sins, and in the Jewish world, these people are considered saints and heroes

But there have also been people that not only martyred themselves, they took other with them

Baruch Goldstein was deeply concerned about the threat to Israel’s existence and the deligitmisation of so-called ‘settlers’. He believed he had a religious duty to do something about that threat. And that religious duty demanded action, sacrifice and martyrdom.

On 25 February 1994, Baruch Goldstein martyred himself. It was after all, for the cause. For the defense of Israel. For the protection of Judaism. And it was perpetrated in the name of Almighty God

And in the process of martyring himself, Baruch Goldstein took 29 sacrificial lambs with him

The majority of Jewish leaders condemned the massacre, and called it a misrepresentation of Judaism.

A minority of extremists defended the actions and view Baruch Goldstein as a defender of the faith

Yigal Amir was frustrated with the concessions Prime Minister Rabin was making to the Palestinians. He was concerned about the future of the Jewish Promised Land. He was worried about the safety and security of Jews, and the relinquishing of land, promised to the Jewish people, by God

Yigal Amir martyred himself. He gave up his ‘life’ (of freedom), for the cause. He was willing to be imprisoned for the rest of his life, in the defense of the people of Israel, the land of Israel and God. In fact, he would have been more than happy to give up his life (in this world) for the cause. If secret service agents, or the Prime Ministers body-guards had killed Yigal Amir, Yigal Amir would have still succeeded in his plans to halt the ‘peace process’ and defend the values he believed in

And in the process of martyring himself, he took a sacrificial lamb with him

And again, most of the Jewish world condemned the assassination. A few praised it

These two examples are of two individuals. They could be considered truly ‘fringe’. Is a sample of 2 big enough to generalize, despite the support and admiration that both these individuals received in certain circles?

Are there no communities, or larger grouping of extremist Jews? Entire schools of Taliban style thought? And again, the question is asked: Why?

Why is there no Taliban style movement in the Jewish world?

This week, the BBC ‘exposed’ the extremist, ‘ultra-Orthodox Jews’ who are defending their value system in Beit Shemesh, Israel. They are fighting the threat that is posed to their lifestyle, their beliefs and their practices. For these ultra-orthodox Jews the young school girls from the adjacent neighbourhood are a threat. The school girls’ sleeves and skirts don’t meet the same religious criteria imposed by the ultra-orthodox Jews. The ultra-orthodox Jews feel that their sensitivities are being ignored, and the Jewish value that is placed on modesty is being threatened.

These ultra-orthodox Jews are willing to martyr themselves. They are willing to be beaten by police officers, arrested, and imprisoned, all for the sake of protecting their value system and defending God.

They are even willing to a few sacrificial lambs with them. Not through the murdering of Jewish school girls, but by subjecting them to abuse, taunts, rock throwing. They even throw feces at the school children

These ultra-orthodox Jews have staged similar protests in the past, violently clashing with police and local communities, protesting what they call “the evil regime”. There have many incidents too, of women being beaten, spat at and taunted for sitting on the men’s side of segregated busses. They believe that these Taliban style actions are required in the battle of good and evil. And martyrs and lambs are required too

Some in the ‘religious’ Jewish world condemn such attacks, beatings and public humiliations. Many, do nothing. These ultra-orthodox Talibani Jews belong to a value system that the religious Jewish world relies on for religious rulings, conversions, marriages and even the certification of Kosher products.

Most of the religious world turn a blind eye to the growing number of attacks on women, on secular Jews and even on other religious Jews (as is the case in Beit Shemesh)

The real number of Jewish extremists is low, but that low real number is merely a factor of the size of the Jewish population, which is, sadly, low. There are many in the religious Jewish world (whether ultra orthodox, or ultra-nationalistic or ultra-anything) that are feeling frustrated and threatened.

And these people have shown a willingness to martyr themselves and take a few sacrificial lambs with them.

Just as the majority of Moslem leaders denounce martyrdom operations, these Jewish extremists are widely condemned in the Jewish world. But condemnation does not make an extremist’s frustration and fear disappear. Neither does condemnation make an extremist’s willingness to be a martyr fade away. And condemnations will not stop an extremist from taking some sacrificial lambs along for the ride, as long as the cause is justified

And it always is

The number of incidents perpetrated by ‘Jewish extremists’ will continue to rise. And the methods employed will continue to escalate. Martyrdom operations will move from a willingness to be subjected to teargas and imprisonment to a willingness to die. And the throwing of feces at sacrificial lambs will simply not be sufficient in the war between good and evil

The question of :WHY are there no Jewish Suicide Bombers? is irrrelevant

The question is: WHEN will the first one strike?

Israel's best piece of Public Relations: The Goldstone Report

2011-04-11T18:38:00.006+02:00

Since the Six Day War, I don't think the State of Israel has had a better piece of PR than the Goldstone Report.

Let me more precise: The Goldstone Report was a PR disaster. However, The Goldstone Report and it's subsequent 'press' has been the best thing that has happened to Israel since winning the Six Day War

Ofcourse there is debate as to whether Judge Goldstone should have accepted the role in the first place. However, his acceptance of the role was a coup for the State of Israel

Judge Goldstone, an internationally respected jurist, well known defender of human rights, and a Jew, was best suited to take up the role.

Judge Goldstone's credibility within the international community is (now, possibly: was) extremely high

In taking up the role, Judge Goldstone had to prove to the world that, despite being Jewish, he was able to 'objectively' assess the human rights violations, and the fall-out of the Gaza conflict

If a non-Jew, or a 'real' anti-semite (not the Judge Goldstone type, as portrayed by Jewish Extremists) had accepted the role, the report would have had zero credibility within the Jewish world, and limited credibility within the rest of the world

The fact that Judge Goldstone, a respected jurist, defender of 'human rights' and JEW took up the role, gave the Goldstone report the highest levels of credibility within the non-Israel/non-pro-Israel/non-Zionist world (i.e. 99% of the worlds population - rounded down to the nearest percent)

Judge Goldstone and his colleagues released a report that was accepted by 99% of the world as credible, accurate and objective. Israel and it's supporters viewed the report as biased (and anti-semitic)

Judge Golstone's op-ed in the Washington Post (click on the link to read) revealed the true nature of a man who went into the process, with his eyes open (despite what Israel's 'defenders' initially claimed). Israel was not forthcoming with information (and they never should have been). However, that was seen as a pity by Judge Goldstone, since he knew that impartiality could not be guaranteed.

Regarding Israel's refusal to cooperate in the fact-finding mission, Judge Goldstone expressed his regret back then, when the report was published, and he expressed his regret last week, when he said: "I regret that our fact-finding mission did not have such evidence explaining the circumstances in which we said civilians in Gaza were targeted, because it probably would have influenced our findings about intentionality and war crimes"

The op-ed noted the following crucial points (actual quotes from Judge Goldstone's op-ed):

That the crimes allegedly committed by Hamas were intentional goes without saying — its rockets were purposefully and indiscriminately aimed at civilian targets
Indeed, our main recommendation was for each party to investigate, transparently and in good faith, the incidents referred to in our report. McGowan Davis has found that Israel has done this to a significant degree; Hamas has done nothing
Regrettably, there has been no effort by Hamas in Gaza to investigate the allegations of its war crimes and possible crimes against humanity

Judge Goldstone's most telling, important and powerful statement is the following:

I had hoped that our inquiry into all aspects of the Gaza conflict would begin a new era of evenhandedness at the U.N. Human Rights Council, whose history of bias against Israel cannot be doubted

When the Goldstone report was released, it was hailed for it's objectivity and it's open criticism of Israel. It's acceptance was widespread in particular because of who headed the fact finding mission: Judge Goldstone

And now, that Judge Goldstone has been honorable and just, and dealt wisely (and bravely) with the new evidence that he has before him, does that make him less credible?

Do the 99% of the world who accepted the Goldstone Report and used it to violently attack Israel now see Judge Goldstone as a sell-out?

Possibly

But that would speak of those peoples' own fallability and flaws in their arguements against Israel. Arguements that are based more on hatred and vitriol. than on facts and objectivity

For those people, Judge Goldstone's (or any report) would not have changed their postions/mindsets anyway

Whether Judge Goldstone should have taken up the position is debatable.

However, the fact that Judge Goldstone did take up the role, could not have worked out any better for Israel. Any other person leading that Gaza mission would never have resulted in such a positive outcome for Israel

It was Judge Goldstone's credibility and objectivity then that still holds true today.

And that has resulted in a wake-up call to Israel's detractors

The freight industry strike got me thinking....Is this country the next Zimbabwe?

2011-02-14T19:53:00.007+02:00

The freight industry strike that started yesterday saw truck drivers take the streets, with the (usual) airing of grievances through initimidation, violence and vandalism

The scenes on Joburg's streets probably got the dinner table discussions quite heated, with debates about whether South Africa was headed for doom...with the standard arm chair analysis...

'South Africa is the next Zimbabwe'

The images of violence on Joburg's streets got me thinking about other, similar, images

The events of the past several weeks have presented the world with remarkable images.

Some of those images are inspiring

Many of them, scary

Egypt's (still pending) 'transition' has seen mostly peaceful protests, with footage of tens of thousands of people, united in song, united in prayer, united in celebratory exuberance

There has also been footage of destruction, looting, and murder

Over 300 people have died

The violence in Egypt, while tragic, was, in many circles, anticipated.

Expected

A given

The violence, some say, can easily be explained away

After all, Egypt is an Arab country

An African country

Some argue that Egypt is not a civilised, westernised, country

Backward Egypt is no civilised Europe

Egypt is going to the dogs

The images in Egypt remind me of other, recent, violent clashes. Clashes that took place in other parts of the world

In October 2010, France was gripped by terror.

This terror initiated was initiated by protestors who opposed the increase of the retirement age from 60 to 62

City centres bacame war-zones. There were violent clashes between protestors and police. Many people were injured.

Shops were looted.

Property was destroyed

The rule of law.....non-existent

This kind of behaviour was not expected. France is a westernised, developed country, and thriving democracy

The violence and destruction was an anomoly, wasn't it?

Surely this is not the behaviour of civilised Europeans

France is doomed

In November 2010, university students in the UK took to the streets to protests increased tuition fees.

The authorities struggled to control the crowds.

The protests turned violent. Public and private property was vandalised and destroyed.

Police men and women were attacked

Scores were arrested.

The images were disturbing

Frightening

And then, in December 2010, Prince Charles and Camilla's car was attacked. 20 demonstrators attacked their vehicle, while chanting 'Off with their heads'

Surely the people in that country must feel ashamed? I doubt they can explain away their behaviour, considering the UK is a civilised, a westernised, and above all, a moral society

How could things have gone so wrong?

Clearly, the UK has no future

The year ended a little quieter in that part of the world. But, still a little disturbing

In late December 2010, thousands of homes in Northen Ireland had no water supply. Around 40,000 people were left 'water-less' after pipes burst during the freezing weather

People had to collect water from distribution centres, with limits on how many litres each citizen could take

That begs the question: How could a developed, western country, not plan sufficiently for aging water pipes? How could the wise Europeans not anticipate the problem, and ensure that the water system was capable of enduring extreme water conditions.

It's apparent, Northen Ireland is on the brink of collapse

The images from Egypt, France, England, Northern Ireland clearly present societies that are in disarray with no clear leadership, or vision.

How could people turn so violent?

How could grievances spur such tragic a violent behaviour?

How could protestors destroy public property and bring countries to a standstill?

How could the police be targeted by these thugs?

How could a prince of a nation be attacked, in public?

I do not know the answer to those questions.

However...

When seeing the scenes of violence, intimidation and vandalism on their streets and on their TV screens, the liberated Egyptian citizens, aggrieved French workers, disenfranchised English youth and thirsty Northern Irish probably didn't say:

''Our country is the next Zimbabwe''

And neither should we

Desmond Tutu is not an Anti-Semite....He's anti-Christian

2011-01-13T07:49:00.003+02:00

The following countries have total or partial bans on Hijabs or Burqas:

Tunisia

Morocco

Turkey

France

Belgium

Germany

Kosovo

Spain

In Israel, however, all religions are protected, and all people are free to practice their faiths.

In private… in public…however one chooses

That includes Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Ba’hai, Buddhists….

In October 2010, Desmod Tutu called on the Cape Town Opera to call off its Israel tour

Some right-wing, fanatical Jews have claimed that Desmond Tutu is anti-semitic.

They want to know: Why, oh why, does Desmond Tutu target Israel for its 'human rights' violations... Much more so than China, Sudan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Tunisia, Cuba, Nigeria, Russia, Libya or Indonesia?

This group of Jewish freaks claims that Desmond Tutu specifically (and unjustly) targets Israel in his continued calls to boycott Israel. They say that his pre-occupation with Israel borders on anti-semitism

This claim, by the right-wingers, settlers and other Jewish fanatics, is fallacious

Desmond Tutu is a champion of human rights. He highlights injustices and atrocities that are perpetrated across the globe.

The fact that Israel is associated with Jews is inconsequential

His call to boycott Israel is based on furthering the cause of human rights, and follows his recent call to boycott Saudi Arabia.

Last month, Desmond Tutu attended the “Conference of Anglican Bishops”, held in Saudi Arabia

At this conference, he voiced his dismay at how the Saudi Arabian authorities treat Christians, women, gays and lesbians

After all, in Saudi Arabia, Christians are not able to practice their faiths freely, or in public.

Okay,……

Did you really believe my 'report' that a Conference of Anglican Bishops took place in Saudi Arabia…

Or my 'report' that Desmond Tutu has EVER called for a boycott of Saudi Arabia because of its treatment of Christians?

Wouldn’t it be great if The Most Rev. Dr. Desmond Mpilo Tutu loved Christians more than he despised Israel

---------------------------

paradigmshiftyourlife.blogspot.com

Israel is a shocking Occupier of Gaza

2010-11-01T17:16:00.002+02:00

Israel is accused of ‘occupation’. The terms ‘Occupation’, ‘Occupiers’ and ‘Colonisers’ are widely used when addressing the long-standing war between Israel and the Palestinians over disputed territories.

The disputed territories (particulalry the 'West Bank') are the subject of ongoing peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

We pray for a peaceful resolution to the Arab/Israeli conflict, where both Palestinians and Israelis live, and thrive, in peace

But what about the Gaza Strip. What's going on with that 'occupation'?

Colonisation involves the assimilation of the indigenous population or/and the conversion of the indigenous culture to the culture of the colonizers.

Let’s look for a moment at that concept of occupation and colonization. Let’s take a look at several occupations and colonisations of relatively recent history

The British occupied and colonized the United States. They imposed British law and the English language. And then, most of the local, Indian population, got wiped out by the new immigrants

The Portuguese occupied and colonized Mozambique. They imposed Portuguese law on the indigenous population, made sure that most converted, and made them speak Portuguese too

The French occupied Morocco, imposed French law and the French language on the mostly Arabic, Muslim Population. The same happened in Algeria

The British occupied India. They imposed British law, and made English an official language within the mostly Hindi speaking country

The white, Afrikaans led apartheid regime, imposed Afrikaans on the South African black population. Through subjugation, the National Party enforced bantu education. Bantu education was aimed at controlling the local population’s mind, sources of educational material, and freedom. It was aimed at creating a new history, one where the local population’s languages and cultural identities would be eroded, so that the National Party’s agenda would be furthered, with limited resistance

All nations protect their borders and Israel has indeed protected its borders in an effort to limit attacks from Gaza. Without a doubt, movement for Gazans into Israel has been curtailed. But so has movement of Gazans into Egypt. Neither Israel nor Egypt want to jeopardize their security. The issue of cross-border restriction of movement has more to do with Hamas’ intention than Israel’s ‘apartheid style tactics’.

Egypt has never accused of being an ‘apartheid state’, and ‘occupier’ or a ‘coloniser’ when it too restricts movements of Gazans into Egypt, in an effort to protect its citizens.

Why is Egypt not called an ‘occupier’? Because everybody knows that Egypt is not ‘occupying’ the Gaza strip, it’s merely protecting its borders… and it’s citizens

Egypt does not ‘occupy’ the Gaza strip

Protection of a nation state’s border does not define ‘occupation’ or ‘colonisation’

Restrictions of cross-border movement is legitimate, and practiced across the world. In South Africa, there are border control posts between South Africa and ALL it’s neighbouring countries

Gaza is controlled by Hamas (not Israel). Arabic is the official language (not Hebrew). Islam is the official religion (not Judaism).

School text books (which include calls for the destruction of Israel and the murder of innocents) are used in the public school system. Freedom of the press is curtailed. Journalists are imprisoned. Suspected traitors are executed. Women are not regarded as equals within civil society, and do not share equal rights. Gays and Lesbians are tortured, and some get murdered/executed. Family honour killings are tacitly encouraged. Political prisoners and prisoners of war do not have access to the Red Cross.

Israel is a democratic state. It guarantees freedom of religion, freedom of the press, equality of the sexes, rights for Gays and Lesbians. All holy sites, for all religions, are protected by the state. Religious freedom is enshrined in, and upheld by, the law. Women have the vote. Gays have parades. Jewish schools teach in Hebrew and the curriculum includes Jewish studies. Muslim Arab schools teach in Arabic and the curriculum includes Muslim studies. Yeshivahs flourish for those wanting to engage in intense study of the Torah and other Jewish texts. Madrassahs flourish for those wanting to engage in intense study of the Koran and other Islamic religious texts. Muslims, Christians and Jews practice their faiths openly and freely. Muslims have Mosques (including one on Judaism’s holiest site), and Muslim worship is protected under Israeli law. Christians have churches (including many in Judaism’s holiest city), and Christian worship is protected under Israeli law. There is freedom of association and all people, religions, races and creeds are protected, as equals, by Israeli law. Political prisoners, including those militants that Israel calls ‘terrorists’, have access to legal aid, the Red Cross and humanitarian organisations

If Israel were ‘successful’ occupiers and colonisers, they would impose their laws and way of life on the occupied population. Israel would have assimilated the indigenous Gazan population or Israel would have converted the indigenous Gazan population to Israeli culture.

This is what all ‘successful’ occupiers and colonisers have done.

Hamas would not control Gaza. There would be freedom of the press in Gaza. Jews would have synagogues. Journalists would be respected and free to report (and opine) on what they see (and believe in). There would be freedom of association. Political opposition would be encouraged. Gays and Lesbians would be able to freely express their love without the threat of torture or murder. Young women would not have to fear family honour killings for getting into relationships that their families, or the political leadership, do not approve of. Prisoners would have access to legal aid, the Red Cross and humanitarian organizations.

To those who continue to despise Israel for its ruthless 'occupation' of Gaza...

Fear not....

As an ‘Occupier’ and ‘Coloniser’ of Palestinians in the Gaza strip, Israel has clearly failed

Cosatu's fight against (in)justice is not based on anti-semitism....Is it?

2010-10-15T14:40:00.002+02:00

The 86th session of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Tourism Committee conference will be hosted in Isreal, next week.

SA Tourism was invited, but are unable to attend. "Cosatu saluted the SA tourism ministry on Thursday for not attending a tourism conference to be hosted by Israel"

It is no surprise that Cosatu is happy about SA tourism's non-attendance. Cosatu openly supports the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) campaign against Israel, which Cosatu says is an Apartheid state.

Cosatu has been accused by right-wing, conservative Jews (and some others) for being not only anti-Isreal, but anti-semitic too. The Jews argue that while the dispute between Israelis and Palestinians needs to be resolved peacefully and quickly, Cosatu's focus on Israel as an 'apartheid state' is not only unjustified, but smacks of anti-semitism.

Cosatu denies these accusations, claiming that calls to boycott Israel are not anti-Israel per se, nor anti-semitic, but simply part of their continued fight against injustice wherever it may occur

Cosatu is right to support the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) campaign. After all, Cosatu has led the ethical and moral transaformation in South Africa. Cosatu fought against apartheid, and continue to highlight the injustices that pervade the world.

Here are some other BDS campaigns that Cosatu vocally supports:

BDS Saudi Arabia

Cosatu has led multiple marches on the Saudi Arabia embassy in Pretoria. Cosatu continues to fight for the rights of Christians, who are all too often oppressed and repressed. These marches aim to highlight the religious intolerance of the Saudi authorities.

Here's why Cosatu continues to march on the Saudi embassy:

"Saudi Arabia's treatment of religious minorities has also been described by both Saudis and non-Saudis as "apartheid" and "religious apartheid"

Testifying before the Congressional Human Rights Caucus on June 4, 2002, in a briefing entitled "Human Rights in Saudi Arabia: The Role of Women", Ali Al-Ahmed, Director of the Saudi Institute, stated: Saudi Arabia is a glaring example of religious apartheid. The religious institutions from government clerics to judges, to religious curricula, and all religious instructions in media are restricted to the Wahhabi understanding of Islam, adhered to by less than 40% of the population. The Saudi government communized Islam, through its monopoly of both religious thoughts and practice. Wahhabi Islam is imposed and enforced on all Saudis regardless of their religious orientations. The Wahhabi sect does not tolerate other religious or ideological beliefs, Muslim or not. Religious symbols by Muslims, Christians, Jewish and other believers are all banned. The Saudi embassy in Washington is a living example of religious apartheid. In its 50 years, there has not been a single non-Sunni Muslim diplomat in the embassy. The branch of Imam Mohamed Bin Saud University in Fairfax, Virginia instructs its students that Shia Islam is a Jewish conspiracy."

BDS Jordan

Cosatu's fight for women's rights is widely known. Cosatu has been particulalry pro-active in highlighting the lack of women's rights in Jordan. The apartheid style discrimnation of women in Jordan has led to Cosatu's calls for the South African government to break all diplomatic and trade ties with that country.

Here is why Cosatu is furthering the cause of women in Jordan:

"While Jordan, compared with many other Middle Eastern countries, scores quite highly in democratic league tables” , human rights, especially women’s rights perform poorly.

Article 340 of the Jordanian Penal Code stipulates: "He who discovers his wife or one of his female relatives committing adultery (with a man) and kills, wounds or injures one or both of them, is exempt from any penalty." Another clause states: "He who discovers his wife or one of his female relatives with another in an adulterous situation, and kills, wounds or injures one or both of them benefits from a reduction in penalty. When an attempt to cancel article 340 did not succeed, MP Mahmoud Al-Kharabshehm, speaking for 31 other MP's, said: "The changes will lead to a degredation of Jordanian society, affect the Jordanian family, and remove the deterring element embedded in article 340."

Furthermore, women do not have the same status as men with respect to nationality. A Jordanian man may marry a foreigner and pass on his nationality to his children; women can not. Women can't even pass on their nationality to their husbands

BDS Bangladesh

In staging demonstrations against the persecution of Buddhists in Bangladesh, Cosatu have managed to raise the profile of this community. Cosatu has opposed what is tantamount to Apartheid style torture and forced removals by the Bangladeshi government

Here's why Cosatu continues to hold demonstrations and rallies in support of Bangladeshi Buddhists:

"The Buddhist communities of Bangladesh are under pressure from the military and police not to practice Buddhism, and Buddhists have suffered abuse, arrest, and even rapes. The government encourages Muslim settlement in Buddhist areas, as part of its campaign to promote Islam. According to Jumma exiles, torture and murder of Buddhists is a frequent occurrence"

BDS Iran

Cosatu has called for the boycott of all good manufactured in Iran. This has been in solidarity of the Gay and Lesbian community of Iran, who continue to be subjected to Apartheid-style state executions and persecution

Here's why Cosatu has called for Iranian products to be pulled from South African shelves:

"On July 19, 2005, when two teenage boys, Mahmoud Asgari, 14, and Ayaz Marhoni, 16, were hanged in a particularly brutal manner in Iran for the crime of homosexual activity. Although Iranian officials insisted that the death sentence was for the rape of a third boy, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, has said otherwise.

But Asgari and Marhoni were not alone. According to the Iranian gay and lesbian rights group Homan, the Iranian government has put to death an estimated 4,000 homosexuals since 1980. According to Scott Long, director of the Human Rights Watch Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights Program, Iranians who are suspected of being gay commonly face torture. Hossein Alizadeh of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission said Iran gays live with “constant fear of execution and persecution and also social stigma associated with homosexuality.”

BDS Israel

Despite Israel's commitment to a peaceful and speedy resolution of its conflict with the Palestinians, Cosatu continues to fight apartheid-style practices by the Israeli apartheid state.

Here's why Cosatu's anti-Israel marches, boycotts and demonstrations against Israel are not anti-semitic in nature, but rather fall in line with Cosatu's other campaigns against injustice around the world:

"Israel's Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty seeks to defend human rights and liberties in Israel. Israel is the only country in the region ranked "Free" by Freedom House based on the level of civil liberties and political rights

In 2010, Israel was also the only country in the Middle East to be ranked "free" by Freedom House's "Freedom of the Press report, ranking the highest in the region."

Women in Israel have been guaranteed gender equality since the establishment of the state in 1948. This has enabled women to actively participate in Israeli life. The Israeli Declaration of Independence states: “The State of Israel (…) will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex.”

Israel has no entrenched constitution, but freedom of religion is anchored in law. While the Basic Laws of Israel that serve in place of a constitution define the country as a "Jewish state," these Basic Laws, coupled with Knesset statutes, decisions of the Supreme Court of Israel, and various elements of the common law current in Israel, also protect free practice of religion in the country. Legal accommodation of the non-Jewish communities follows the pattern and practice of the Ottoman and British administrations with some important modifications. Israeli law officially recognizes five religions, all belonging to the Abrahamic family of religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Druzeism and the Bahá'í Faith. Furthermore, the law formally recognizes ten separate sects of Christianity: the Roman, Armenian, Maronite, Syriac, and Chaldean Catholic Churches; the Eastern Orthodox Greek Orthodox Church; the Oriental Orthodox Syriac Orthodox Church; the Armenian Apostolic Church; and the Anglican Evangelical Episcopal Church.

Rights for sexual minorities in Israel are considered to be the most tolerant in the Middle East. A national gay rights law bans some anti-gay discrimination"

So, back to the question:

Does Cosatu’s support of the BDS campaign against Israel smack of anti-semitism?

I'm not sure

I would be in a much better position to answer that question if BDS campaigns against Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bangladesh and Iran actually existed

---------------------------------------

Paradigm Shift Your Life

paradigmshiftyourlife.blogspot.com

South Africa appears to be ahead of the Totalitarian Curve

2010-08-16T20:39:00.001+02:00

In general, I am a President Zuma supporter. In general, I believe President Zuma has led South Africa well.

At times, this has been through his active involvement in issues. At other times, this has been achieved through his staying out of the issues.

But I am disturbed by his recent comments regarding The Protection of Information Bill - a bill he openly supports

Throughout history, there have been people in positions of power and control that believed that what they did was in the mass's best interests. These people usually started out in movements that fought for the rights of their people. These people usually began their political lives fighting against injustice. These people usually embarked on political journeys, fighting for the freedom their followers were so desperate to enjoy.

At some point in time, these people won their battles for freedom. At some point in time, these freedom fighters won control of state structures. At some point in time, the oppressed masses gained their freedom from the all powerful state.

And then, at a later point in time, the people in positions of power became 'holier than thou'. These people believed they had access to the 'truth'. These people started fighting to protect their own interests. These people started to protect their own interests. These people started using state structures to further their own political ambitions. These people started placing 'The State' above the rights of individuals. These people told the 'ignorant' masses that these laws were in their best interests. These people told the populace that new laws were being introduced to protect the state and its organs.

These people started out as liberators, freedom fighters and as voices for the oppressed. These people included Verwoerd, Stalin, Hitler, Kim Jong-Il, Ahmadinejad and Mugabe.

These people followed typical cycles: Fighting the Oppression that was justified as the 'State's Best Interest'. Then winning Liberation for their followers. Then, oppression in the Name of the State's Best Interests

The Protection of Information Bill would give the State the power to classify any information it deems to be in the national interest. The bill would also make publishing what The State can regard as top secret information, punishable with up to 25 years in prison.

The Protection of Information Bill does not surprise me in the least. It's (potential) adoption was inevitable.

After all, freedom fighters forget their roots.

What does surprise me is the speed at which such a bill came into the political debate. In 1994, South Africa held its first free and fair elections. 16 short years later, and ANYONE can (potentially) be arrested if they uncover/report on/question something that THE STATE deems not to be in THE STATE'S best interest

Here is my advice' to our leaders:

Remember

Remember what it was like when a regime used 'protection of the State' as a justification to limit the rights of citizens

Remember what it was like to be persecuted for uncovering the truth

Remember what it was like to fight injustice - and go to jail for doing so

Remember what it was like to speak out against corruption - and be prosecuted for doing so

"I feel..that most people in the world if given the choice between being guaranteed food...shelter...and other basic necessities of life..if given the choice between those basic needs and their freedom of speech...would give up that freedom" Dalton Trumbo (Blacklisted American screenwriter and novelist, 1905-1976)

Maybe freedom of the press is no longer an issue for most South Africans.

Perhaps freedom of speech is overrated.

Perhaps I have nothing to fear.

After all, I don't do, say or think anything that is a threat to The State

Well, let me be more accurate: I don't do, say or think anything that is a threat to The State, according to my interpretation of 'threat to the state'

I just have to pray that The State sees things the same way I do

And I pray that's true for all of you too

South Africa's public transport - Rea Vaya Rocks

2010-06-04T09:40:00.003+02:00

Last week, I was fortunate enough to see SA vs Colombia at Soccer City (image attached). The vibe at the stadium was inspiring. But, the ‘inspiring’ experience started before that.....

Very few northern-suburbs, middle-class South Africans are aware of the fact that South Africa has an amazing public transport infrastructure. The public transport is lacking in many repsects. I still cannot get from home to work. But parts of the system are phenomenal.

Despite the real problems facing SA, despite the arm-chair critcisms, despite the naysayers.....Many parts of the South African system are actually working (see my post on the public health system too. Click here)

Following the unexpected interest in my Rea Vaya trips last week, I thought I would post a short description of what transpired.

My Rea Vaya experience was awesome. I am proud of the public transport Johannesburg offers. It was professional and efficient.

It was as good as any public transport I have used in the US, Asutralia, Israel or England. I felt like a tourist, in my own city.

Sadly for me, too efficient. I had to wait at Soccer City for 2 hours for my mates to arrive with the tickets. They used the park and walk facilities

Workplace To Soccer City

I left my car in the work-place parkade. Time: 6:28pm.
I got onto Sauer, and walked to Commissioner Street
I turned right into Commissioner street. There is Rea Vaya bus stop a few metres from the Commissioner/Sauer intersection

I waited in line to buy tickets (image attached). That took approximately 5 minutes (image attached). The ticket booth staff were friendly and helpful. Tickets cost R6 (each way). I bought both tickets (for each way) at that point.

There were Rea Vaya staff members on the bus stop platform. They too were helpful, and told me which bus to use.
It was a brand new, modern bus.
It was full of passengers (approx 100)
And it was spotless.

We passed SAPS and Metro Police stationed along the way. The route was safe and secure. There were two stops (if I recall) before getting to Soccer City.
I arrived at the Soccer City stop, where fellow passengers said to me “This is your stop. Enjoy the game”. Time: 6:54pm

The Soccer City Rea Vaya stop is a few hundred metres from the stadium (image attached). There is an underground tunnel from the bus stop, linking the bus stop with the stadium grounds.

Soccer City to Jo'burg CBD

After the game, I made my way to the Rea Vaya NORTH station. Nite: NORTH is for people going back to the CBD
There were several busses waiting for passengers. I got into the first one. We waited for the bus to fill up before heading back to the CBD. That took approximately 10 minutes
Once in the CBD, the bus turned into Market. The trip back into the CBD took less than 15 minutes

I got off at the first Market Street bus stop, and walked up to Sauer(image attached), turning left into Sauer, towards the my workplace parkade.

The streets were quiet, clean, but unfortunately deserted. There is not much life in the Jo'burg CBD. That is a great pity. People asked me if it was safe.

The answer:

"Absolutely Yes"

There was nobody on the streets. Ofcourse it was safe. Being at home, or in a car - one is probably not too safe. But on Jo'burg city streets - one of the safest places to be.

If a mugger is waiting for passing trade on Jo'burg's streets - he has the kakkest job in the world.

I say: Get out of your homes and cars and onto the streets people.

The Rea Vaya service was brilliant.

It was simple, quick and safe

I would advise any Jo'burg resident to us public transport for the World Cup Soccer games
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note:

My Rea Vaya experience was amazing.

The service was simple, quick and safe…..

But I cannot guarantee simplicity, speed and safety

This is South Africa after all :)

Organic food has no extra health benefits, say researchers

2010-05-31T07:16:00.002+02:00

From Friday's Daily Mail (UK)

---------------------------------------------------------------

Damning verdict: Organic food has no health, taste or nutritional advantages over conventionally manufactured or harvested food, according to a new study

By Allan Hall

Last updated at 10:08 AM on 28th May 2010

Organic food has no health, taste or nutritional advantages over conventionally manufactured or harvested food.

That is the damning verdict of a study by Berlin based consumer watchdog group Stiftung Warentest.

The results, from one of the most respected consumer groups in Europe - backed and funded by the German government but totally independent - is a massive embarrassment for the organic food industry.

Damning verdict: Organic food has no health, taste or nutritional advantages over conventionally manufactured or harvested food, according to a new study

It said it carried out 85 investigations over eight years to come up with an overall assessment on bio food.

The foundation said that organic products were 'not necessarily healthier, or even better-tasting, than regular groceries.
'Despite being on average 30 percent more expensive, there was little overall difference in quality.'

Of 13 organic baby food products tested, they all rated only in the 'satisfactory' range.

The reason was that they actually contained too little fat and often too little iron for babies’ nutritional needs.

Some 45 percent of ecological products got a 'good' or 'very good' nutritional rating, compared with 41 percent for conventional foods.

Some 15 percent of organic foods were rated 'poor' – slightly higher than the 14 percent of regular products given such a score.

There was considerable variation among products, with organic performing well in some areas but poorly in others. Organic rape seed oil did not score well.

Only on the pesticide front did the bio products come out far ahead - some 75 percent were completely pesticide free compared with just 16 percent of conventional groceries.
The Soil Association dismissed the German research as 'irrelevant'

It emerged that the German consumer group only surveyed the nutrient content of processed and packet foods, rather that raw produce and meat.
Consequently, the association said it would be unable to provide a definitive picture of the quality of organic food.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1281948/Organic-food-extra-health-benefits-say-researchers.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0pTt81wZ2

When Bad Jews worship the Jelly Tot Rebbe

2010-05-27T17:36:00.000+02:00

A story….

About a year ago, BBDC* (see key below), I was chatting to a friend of mine.

Jelly Tots BBDC came up in the conversation.

Regarding Jelly Tots BBDC, she said:

“I’m a bad Jew. I give my kids Jelly Tots BBDC”

And my blood boiled

Jew’s calling themselves ‘Bad Jews’

This, from a woman who is a nurturing mother

A dedicated wife

A loving and respectful daughter

This, from a woman who is kind, caring and does charity work.

A woman who always helps and gives assistance to people.

Note my word. ‘GIVES’.

She NEVER offers.

NEVER

She just goes ahead and does.

Why would such a woman, who represents so many of the Godly attributes Jews should aspire to, call herself a ‘Bad Jew’?

Why would such a woman, who our Mother Sarah would be proud of, regard herself as being a ‘sinner’?

Oh ja, she told me why:

Because she gives her children Jelly Tots BBDC!

Excuse me.

What did I just write?

Where on earth would Jews get the idea that eating Jelly Tots BBDC makes them a “Bad Jew”? What a ridiculous concept. How can someone regard themselves as ‘bad’. As ‘sinners’

Where would such un-Godly thoughts and concepts come from?

Oh, I know where these ‘Bad Jews’ get these alien concepts from…..

They get them from ‘Frum’ Jews

Frum Jews who place the importance of Kosher Certification, a hechsher, over all other Godly pursuits

Another story….

On Shavuot (last week), we had lunch at some friends of ours. A friend of theirs arrived for lunch. Over the past several years, their friend has been getting more involved in Judaism.

Jelly Tots came up in conversation, which included the fact that Jelly Tots are now Beth Din Certified. We discussed the fact that the ‘frum’ Jewish community was abuzz with excitement when the news broke ….

…..news that Jelly Tots were “Kosher”.

When stock first arrived on the shelves, the ‘Good Jews’ who were lucky to be at the stores suffered minor injuries, attacking one another to get a piece of the Jelly Tot BDK# (see key below) action

This friend of theirs could not believe that ‘frum’ Jews were so concerned about Jelly Tots BDK. She could not believe that ‘frum’ Jews got so excited about the Beth Din certification. She could not believe that ‘frum’ Jews fought each other to get their hands on the newly launched product.

She wondered why ‘frum’ Jews didn’t spend that time helping poor people, or doing other Godly work? Why would ‘frum’ Jews, ‘Godly’ Jews spend more time discussing Jelly Tots BBDC and Jelly Tots BDK than having more meaningful discussions

What leads Godly Jews to refer to themselves at ‘Bad Jews’? What leads ‘frum’ Jews to focus their Jewish pursuits on the hechsher of an already Kosher product?

Jelly Tots have always been Kosher. Yes, there are opinions who would disagree, but there are many opinions that would wholeheartedly agree that Jelly Tots BBDC* were Kosher. I am not talking about the opinions of my mate Rob’s Rebbe (his Rebbe is his pet dog). I am talking about opinions of well respected rabbinic minds and halachists.

If you think that only the most ‘left’, ‘liberal’, ‘reform’ of Rabbis would say Jelly Tots BBDC* were Kosher, you are wrong.

Yes, there are opinions that say Jelly Tots BBDC* were not kosher, but many more would call Jelly Tots BBDC Kosher.

Kosher according to halacha.

Kosher according to Torah

Perhaps you are a ‘frum’ Jew, like me, who thinks that only ‘lenient’ opinions would have allowed Jelly Tots BBDC

If that’s what you are thinking, let’s look at it from the other extreme (word chosen intentionally)

Let’s look it from another perspective (word chosen for those who took offense to previous word).

Let’s see if we should rely on hechshers to determine our ‘frumkeit’, our Godliness.

Let’s use the largest Glatt Kosher slaughterhouse in America.

Yep, Glatt Kosher.

For those that don’t know, in simple terms (after all, I am simple)Glatt Kosher is Very kosher. Extra Kosher

The cows wear sheitels.

Anyways, over the past few years, there have been a few ‘issues’ at this Glatt Kosher facility. The issues include the hiring of illegal and underage workers, the treatment of staff, the treatment of the animals and, the one all ‘Good Jews’ care about, the Kosher methods by which the animals are slaughtered/shechted.

Once the largest Glatt Kosher slaughterhouse began appearing in the press, various leading Rabbis , primarily in the United States and Israel, started to assess the methods by which the animals were being killed (by the way, when determining whether the meat was Kosher, the way the staff and animals were treated were not of concern to these ‘leading’ Rabbis – but that pathetic Rabbinic behavior is an aside)

Turns out, there was a split of opinions. There were rabbis who called the meat ‘treif’. There were rabbis who labeled the meat not-kosher. And there were rabbis who said the meat was perfectly Kosher.

Now, here is a Glatt Kosher slaughterhouse, with many rabbis who claimed the meat was treif and/or not-kosher. Other Rabbis said it was indeed Kosher.

Some Rabbis would agree to Kosher certification(i.e. a hechsher). Other Rabbis would not.

So, if the Kosher certification of certain kashrut agencies hechsher did not appear on the meat, would the ‘frum’ people eating that meat suddenly stop consuming?

No, they would not

But why?

Because the consumers of this Glatt Kosher meat did not care if Rabbi X or organization Y gave the meat hechsher or not. People who ate, and continue to eat the meat, KNOW, that according to their opinions, and their Rabbinic leaders, the meat is Kosher.

They did not care if other’s disagreed.

There was enough halachic support to show that the meat was, and is, indeed Kosher

In this Glatt Kosher case, was it ‘liberal’, ‘lefty’, ‘reform’ Rabbis who agreed (or were of the opinion) that the Glatt Kosher meat was Kosher?

Certainly not

Some leading Rabbis said the meat was treif and/or not-kosher and some leading Rabbis said…

“Ez Gezunt”

It’s not the certification that determined the Kashrut of the meat. It was the halacha, and the opinions of Rabbis that people choose to follow

Some leading Rabbis and organisations refuse to Kosher certify this particular Glatt Kosher meat. They regard this Glatt Kosher meat at treif and/or not-Kosher.

Does that mean it is not-Kosher or/and treif?

Some leading Rabbis regard Jelly Tots BBDC as Kosher.

Does that mean it is?

Well…..here is the beauty - and complexity - of Judaism…..

The answer to both those questions is:

Yes, depending on who you follow

Here’s the dilemma for us ‘frum’ Jews:

We now use the term “Kosher” when we should be using the words “Kosher Certified”

• Have we become ’frum’ Jews who have placed Kosher certification above Torah and God?

• Have we reduced our Judaism to rebuking Jews incorrectly and inappropriately?

• Have we turned our Judaism into an ‘us’ and ‘them’, labeling Jews as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ over the eating of flippin’ Jelly Tots?

How many of us ‘frum’ Jews would:

Say to another Jew, “Don’t eat that, it’s not Kosher”

Or

Say to another parent: “Don’t give that to your kids, it’s not Kosher”

Or

Freak out when you see your kids dig into a marshmellow Easter Egg

(aahh, I used to love those things)

Well, many of the treats, mass produced products and drinks that appear on our supermarket shelves are indeed Kosher (according to many leading Rabbis). I am not talking about chicken, and meat, and fish, and eating at non-kosher restaurants. I am talking about your average sweet. Or snack. Or loaf of bread. Or drink.

Yes, even the ones without kosher certification

I don’t eat, drink, or consume products that do not have Beth Din Certification. And I don’t give my kids food or drink that is not Beth Din Certified. But I do that because I am damn lazy. It’s easy to rely on the Beth Din. Whether I should or not (given the Glatt Kosher slaughterhouse example) is another debate.

But I do.

I could investigate every product. I could read all the ingredients. I could learn the halacha about certain food additives and animal derivatives. I could use my God-given brain to study Kashrut Halacha and apply it to my life.

But I am too freakin’ lazy.

So, I rely on the Beth Din (for better or for worse).

The fact that I rely on the Beth Din does not mean that non-Beth Din certified products are not Kosher.

What it means, is that non-Deth Din Certified products are not Certified by the Beth Din.

There are many products and services out there are NOT-Kosher……..according to ALL opinions

(aahhh, I miss Spur)

But many products are Kosher, according to MANY opinions, despite not having the Beth Din Certification

So, next time we ‘frum’ Jews call people, or allow Jews to call themselves, ‘Bad Jews’ for eating Jelly Tots BBDC (or similar), think about what’s important:

• Have we degraded our religion to one that focuses on Jelly Tots?

• Should we rebuke someone for eating something that is Kosher according to the Torah and halachah, but perhaps not Kosher Certified?

• Should we acknowledge that there is a difference between Kosher and Kosher certified?
• Should we rely on our ‘holier than though’ hechsher rating system to make us feel good about our ‘progress’ in developing ourselves as Godly Jews, in the mould of our Father Abraham, our Mother Sarah, our Prophet Moses (no image attached)?

• Should we be doing our homework, and use our God given brains and intellect to investigate for ourselves, and discern the difference between Kosher and Kosher Certified?

Nuff said….

For now

-------------------------------------

Key:

*Before Beth Din Certification

# Beth Din Kosher

Farewell to Lolly Jackson: King of kiddie entertainment

2010-05-07T12:40:00.003+02:00

Lolly Jackson had many titles. "The King of Sleaze". "The Rainbow Nation's Hugh Hefner". The man who sold "Visual Viagra". A "legend" of the adult entertainment industry

While the death of Lolly Jackson is tragic, I have been wondering about the term 'adult entertainment'.

Why are so many forms of entertainment, or so many activities, associated with the word 'adult'?

We try and look after our children. We try and protect them from the evils of this world. We tell them to eat healthy food. We ask them to exercise. We tell them not to smoke.

Activities like smoking, and eating junk food are not for children. We tell them that they can only do these things when they are older. Only when they are older, will they be able to make 'informed', 'responsible', 'adult' decisions.... to harm themselves.

We tell our children to look after themselves.

And that's pretty 'grown-up' thinking. That is very mature advice.

And yet, as adults, we act like children. Harming our bodies.

Harming our minds

Our sessnce

Look. I like the female form.

Hey, I love the female form. Women are gorgeous. The female body is beautiful.

We tell our children to respect their own bodies. We guide our children in respecting their own, and other people's 'private parts'.

We teach our children to behave like human beings, and not let animal instincts guide their behaviour.

We advise our children to eat healthy foods. To say please and thank you. Not to grab. Not to be greedy.

We guide our children to follow deep meaning relationships. We tell them that cheap thrills are dangerous, and the pursuit of vanity is valueless

When we teach our children, we teach them to behave, and act, like adults.

We teach our children to think with their brains.

Not with their stomachs

Or their penises.

The society we live in tells us that going to strip clubs is a form of "adult entertainment"

Our society accepts, and indeed encourages adults to act like children.

As adults, we act like children in the way we seek cheap thrills. In the way we respect our bodies. In the way we pursue vanity. In the consumer-driven, brand-conscious greed that we aspire to.

Our "adult entertainment" and "grown-up" way of life, keeps us acting (and thinking) like children.

And thanks to the societal acceptance of concepts like 'adult entertainment', we remain completely infantile in our treatment of women...

And ourselves

The Judge Goldstone Saga: Let the beheadings begin

2010-04-16T10:25:00.011+02:00

The local and international press is running with the Judge Goldtsone 'Barmitzvah Barring' story. The South African Jewish community has been outraged, following the release of the 'Goldstone Report' and there are reports that the outrage, and attacks, are now 'personal'

The Times has reported that the SA Jewish board of deputies has denied that any barring has taken place. YNet News reported that the 'banning' is indeed in place. According to the Business Day, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies called the reports of banning "completely untrue".

I think the Goldtsone report is a travesty of justice.

Judge Golstone led the UN fact finding mission on Gaza. The mission kicked off in April 2009 and the report was published in September 2009.

The "Judge Goldstone event of 2009" irrevocably damaged Israel's reputation. It 'exposed' Israel as being a war-hungry, blood-thirsty colonialist state. It 'presented' the inhumane tactics used by Israel's war machine and blatant disregard the Israeli military, and government, has for Palestinian life and Palestinian territory.

(An often ignored and overlooked "by-the-way": The report accused both the Israeli Defense Force AND Palestinian militants of war crimes and, alleged, crimes against humanity)

But, should the outcome and recommendations of that report be of any surprise to Israel and the international Jewish community?

Has the UN and any of it's agencies been 'friends of Israel' over the past decade, two decades, four decades?

The feeling among the general Jewish community, and supporters of Israel, is that Goldstone has undermined the Jewish state, and fueled the flames of anti-Jewish, anti-semitic and anti-Israel sentiment

While the Jewish Board denies reports of the 'barring' of Judge Goldstone from attending his grandson's barmitzvah, there are many members of the Jewish community (and leaders too) who would (and do) support such a barring

Should he have declined the opportunity to lead the fact-finding mission?

Yes

But the findings would have been the same. In fact, Israel probably could have expected an even worse, more damaging report from the 'we-haven't-supported-Israel-since-1947' UN

"Anti-semitism", "anti-Torah", "anti-Jewish lifestyle", "anti-Jewish homeland" movements (and wide support for those movements) have always existed. There is nothing new about these movements, sentiments, lunatics.

Judge Goldstone did not invent anti-semitism, anti-Torahism and anti-Jewish Homelandism

And he hardly fuels it

Judge Goldstone sits way down on the list of issues and people who undermine the Jewish community, our beliefs, our Torah values. Judge Goldstone is small fry when it comes to fueling anti-semetism, anti-Jewish lifestyle, anti-Torah views and anti-Israel sentiment

Judge Goldstone should NEVER be banned from any shul, or Jewish institutions. There should be NO debate about such bannings, barrings or Taliban style community dealings

But that does not mean barrings, bannings, and possible beheadings should be entirely ruled out. The target of these efforts needs to be the people and activities that threaten the Jewish community, what it stands for, and what it believes in.

Judge Goldtsone does not feature on that list

Who is undermining the Jewish community's credibility? Who is bringing disrepute to the Jewish way of life and our Torah values? What type of people are weakening the standing of Israel within the community of nations? What activities are sabotaging our efforts to be a 'light unto the nations'

So, who should we be banning from our shuls and communities?

These kinds of people and activities cause harm to us as a Jewish community, our beloved Torah and our precious State of Israel

There's has been a lot of talk about Judge Goldtsone

Maybe, maybe too much talk

The AWB's "Die Stem" vs Malema's "Ayasab' amagwala"

2010-04-09T12:50:00.002+02:00

In the past few days, following Eugene Terre-Blanche’s murder, the ANC leadership has called for calm. It has asked South Africans not to take the law into their own hands.

On Sunday, April the 4th, President Jacob Zuma appealed to the South African public "not to allow agent provocateurs to take advantage of this situation by inciting or fuelling racial hatred".

The ANC's secretary general, Gwede Mantashe asked members of the ANC to restrain themselves from singing songs that "can be seen and be interpreted to be contributing to a racial polarisation of society"

However, the AWB and Julius Malema have remained defiant.

On Wednesday, the 7th of April, Julius Malema said that Gwede Mantashe "did not say Mr Malema should not sing this song". This was a reference to the song "Ayasab' amagwala" and ""Shoot the Boer"

On the 8th of April, Julius Malema (partly) agreed to stop singing the song. Malema said he would replace offending words, but would continue to sing the song. Malema went on to say: "The ANC has ruled on the matter and we are accepting the decision of the ANC, but we are not accepting the decision of the court. We are continuing to challenge the matter in court"

On Friday the 9th of April, the AWB's secretary general, Andre Visagie, said: "It is time we stick to our culture and sing the national anthem. We are singing Die Stem and we won't let go". Die Stem is the old South African anthem

Visagie went on to say: "We don't say kill someone from another race group."

Malema, head of the ANC's Youth League, supposedly represents the ANC's ideals of democracy, multi-culturalism, respect.

Visagie, secretary general of the AWB, supposedly represents the 'fanatical', 'right-wing', 'hard-line' AWB.

Let's see what these two, defiant, individuals are fighting for. Below, are the words to 'Die Stem' and 'Ayasab' amagwala', along with English translations.

Die Stem van Suid-Afrika (The Call of South Africa)
Uit die blou van onse hemel, (Ringing out from our blue heavens)

Uit die diepte van ons see, (From our deep seas breaking round)

Oor ons ewige gebergtes (Over everlasting mountains)

Waar die kranse antwoord gee. (Where the echoing crags resound)

Deur ons vêr verlate vlaktes (From our plains where creaking wagons)

Met die kreun van ossewa. (Cut their trails into the earth)

Ruis die stem van ons geliefde, (Calls the spirit of our country)

Van ons land Suid-Afrika. (Of the land that gave us birth)

Ons sal antwoord op jou roepstem, (At thy call we shall not falter)

Ons sal offer wat jy vra: (Firm and steadfast we shall stand)

Ons sal lewe, ons sal sterwe, (At thy will to live or perish)

Ons vir jou, Suid-Afrika. (O South Africa, dear land)

In die merg van ons gebeente, (In our body and our spirit)

in ons hart en siel en gees, (In our inmost heart held fast)

In ons roem op ons verlede, (In the promise of our future)

In ons hoop op wat sal wees. (And the glory of our past)

In ons wil en werk en wandel, (In our will, our work, our striving)

Van ons wieg tot aan ons graf. (From the cradle to the grave)

Deel geen ander land ons liefde, (There's no land that shares our loving)

Trek geen ander trou ons af. (And no bond that can enslave)

Vaderland, ons sal die adel, (Thou hast borne us and we know thee)

Van jou naam met ere dra: (May our deeds to all proclaim)

Waar en trou as Afrikaners, (Our enduring love and service)

Kinders van Suid-Afrika. (To thy honour and thy name)

In die songloed van ons somer, (In the golden warmth of summer)

in ons winternag se kou, (In the chill of winter's air)

In die lente van ons liefde, (In the surging life of springtime)

in die lanfer van ons rou. (In the autumn of despair)

By die klink van huw'liksklokkies, (When the wedding bells are chiming)

by die kluit-klap op die kis. (Or when those we love do depart)

Streel jou stem ons nooit verniet nie, (Thou dost know us for thy children)

Weet jy waar jou kinders is. (And dost take us to thy heart)

Op jou roep sê ons nooit née nie, (Loudly peals the answering chorus)

Sê ons altyd, altyd ja: (We are thine, and we shall stand)

Om te lewe, om te sterwe - (Be it life or death, to answer)

Ja, ons kom, Suid-Afrika. (To thy call, beloved land)

Op U Almag vas vertrouend (In thy power, Almighty, trusting)

het ons vadere gebou: (Did our fathers build of old)

Skenk ook ons die krag, o Here! (Strengthen then, O Lord, their children)

Om te handhaaf en te hou. (To defend, to love, to hold)

Dat die erwe van ons vadere (That the heritage they gave us)

Vir ons kinders erwe bly: (For our children yet may be)

Knegte van die Allerhoogste, (Bondsmen only to the Highest)

Teen die hele wêreld vry. (And before the whole world free)

Soos ons vadere vertrou het, (As our fathers trusted humbly)

Leer ook ons vertrou, o Heer: (Teach us, Lord to trust Thee still)

Met ons land en met ons nasie (Guard our land and guide our people

Sal dit wel wees, God regeer. (In Thy way to do Thy will.)

Ayasab' amagwala (the cowards are scared)

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

ayeah

dubula dubula (shoot shoot )

ayasab 'a magwala (the cowards are scared)

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

awu yoh

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

aw dubul'ibhunu (shoot the Boer)

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

aw dubul'ibhunu (shoot the Boer)

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

aw dubul'ibhunu (shoot the Boer)

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

aw dubul'ibhunu (shoot the Boer)

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

awe mama ndiyekele (mother leave me be)

awe mama iyeah (oh mother)

awe mama ndiyekele (mother leave me be)

awe mama iyo (oh mother)

aw dubul'ibhunu (shoot the Boer)

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

aw dubul'ibhunu (shoot the Boer)

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

aw dubul'ibhunu (shoot the Boer)

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

aw dubul'ibhunu (shoot the Boer)

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

Ziyarapa lezinja (these dogs are raping)

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

ay iyeah

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

Ziyarapa lezinja (these dogs are raping)

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

ay iiiyo

dubula dubula (shoot shoot)

The deafening outcry over the Middle East insult to a leading diplomat

2010-03-18T14:00:00.002+02:00

This week saw an international diplomat being insulted in the Middle East

Actions were taken which were seen (by too few) as counter-productive to the Middle East peace process.

Moves were made that were seen (by too few) as major stumbling blocks to progress in resolving the long standing dispute between Palestinians and Israelis

A high level delegation arrived in the Middle East, only to be completely undermined, insulted and ignored

An important diplomat was undermined, just as the diplomat was hoping to bring the 2 sides together, and make a renewed push towards peace

Leading politicians, the world's media and international news networks commented heavily on:

This 'incident'

(Or did they?)

They covered, extensively,:

This 'insult'

(Or did they?)

They were alarmed by:

The 'bad timing'

(Or were they?)

They were concerned about how such a move would:

'Undermine the peace process'

(Or were they?)

Catherine Ashton is the EU's chief of Foreign Affairs and is the EU's top diplomat. She crossed into Gaza on Wednesday night.

Hours before her arrival, 2 rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel.

One hour after her arrival, a third rocket killed a person within Israel's Negev region.

The outcry from the world's media and politicians regarding this latest 'insult', 'bad timing' and 'undermining of the peace process' is deafening

Or is it?

I support Julius Malema's: "Nationalisation will become ANC policy"

2010-02-22T10:24:00.004+02:00

Malema, and the ANC Youth League are calling for the nationalisation of South African mines and other 'profitable' businesses. Last week, at a commemoration of Nelson Mandela's release, Malema said the following:

"We don't care who says what. Nationalisation will become the policy of the ANC....We don't want Zuma's or Mbalula's support ... we want the support of the masses. If the masses say you are correct, we will march on"

According to reports in the Sunday Times, City Press and Rapport. For the past two years, Julius Malema's (one) company, SGL Engineering Projects, has won government tenders to the value of R140mil.

This revelation has come to light, following Malema's purchase of a house, valued at R3.5mil. Malema reportedly earns R20k, per month, from the ANC (he denied this amount, and admitted it was higher). Malema now owns two houses, one of which is bonded, but by less than 50% of the value. He also, reportedly, owns a small fleet of luxury cars (he claims it's just the Mercedes Benz C Class)
Of this latest Malema affair, the ANC Spokesperson Brian Sokutu said:

'Comrade Malema is neither a member of Parliament or a Cabinet Minister and he has therefore not breached any law or code of ethics by being involved in business.'

SGL Engineering has won tenders for, among other projects, road construction and business district upgrades. Clients include the Mopani district, Waterberg district, Greater Letaba and Tzaneen municipalities.

On Monday the 22nd of February, Julius Malema held a press conference. He stated that he had resigned from all directorships when he was appointed as ANC Youth League president (documents show that he is still a director at SGL Engineering Projects). He was not clear about other sources of income. The ANC's Brian Sokutu's statement leads me to think that Julius does indeed have other lucrative sources of income.

It's great work.....

If you can get it.

And seeing that I (and approximately 45 million other South Africans) can't get it, I am starting a call to mass action.

I, and I am sure millions of fellow South Africans, would also like a piece of Julius Malema's action.

Join me comrade Julius. Together, we will march on

For once, I am (almost) proud to be an Absa customer

2010-02-17T09:01:00.002+02:00

I bank with Absa. And I have for years.
Over the years, I have seen my banking charges rapidly increase. For the past 3 years, I have threatened to close my accounts, and move to FNB. FNB has fixed pricing options where transactional and monthly charges are capped.

3 weeks ago, I opened my FNB account. FNB's pricing.....competitive. FNB's service.....spectacular

I now bank with both Absa and FNB. And while FNB has won my business through great service and competitive pricing, Absa has won my praise through its most recent 'cutting' exercise

Absa's results were released this week and the details appeared in yesterday's press. Net income dropped by 36 percent, to R6,8bil (from R10.7 bil).

Absa has announced that it will be cutting the directors' and executives' bonuses. 35 percent of incentive pay will be in cash, with the balance paid over 3 years.

Speaking on behalf of Absa, the acting head of human resources, Nadine Drutman, said:

“Given where the earnings are, we don’t think it’s appropriate to go with huge cash bonuses,”

There are still questions I would like answered:

- Why are the executive receiving bonuses in the first place?

- By how much has each executive's bonus been reduced?

- How many people have been retrenched due to 'adverse' trading conditions?
Despite these questions, Absa deserves praise for taking the bold move of cutting executives' bonuses

Alan Knott-Craig and a lesson in how not to get public sympathy

2010-02-15T09:50:00.006+02:00

Alan Knott-Craig is an amazing businessman. He helped turn Vodacom into a leading South African, and African, telecoms service provider. He is proudly South African, and has provided leadership, and business acumen, within the companies he has served.

For all his great work, for the value he has added, and for the returns he has provided to shareholders, he has been rightly rewarded.

But there is a lesson from the latest 'debacle' that highlights the flaws in our current system

The weekend's press claimed that the former CE of Vodacom, Alan Knot-Craig, receives a (monthly) R1mil retainer from Vodacom. The allegation goes on to say that the retainer has been in place since March 2009, and that it will last 2 years.
Alan Knot-Craig was quick to respond. And I commend him in issuing a response, as opposed to the deathly silence the public is accustomed to from weighty politicians and powerful business leaders.

Alan Knott-Craig's response reads as follows:

"Whilst I cannot disclose my remuneration, my before tax monthly remuneration is significantly less than half (a) R1 million,"

What was the press thinking? How could they make such a salacious claim, suggesting that Alan Knott-Craig is over-compensated with a princely R1mil, per month?

Thankfully, Alan Knott-Craig, himself, put our minds to rest on the matter.

In a world where excess is being questioned, the thought of R400k per month (not R1mil) seems....well....very fair.

Thanks Alan for issuing the statement.

Thanks Alan for putting the public mind at rest

South Africa's unemployed and under-compensated feel much better now

This is why Jacob Zuma will never be a leading, first world, politician…

2010-02-07T23:01:00.003+02:00

On the 8th of May, 2006, Jacob Zuma was acquitted of rape charges. Fezeka Kuzwayo accused him of rape. He openly admitted to the sexual conduct, and claimed that the sex was consensual. The sexual encounter took place at his private residence.

The public was disgusted with Zuma’s hypocrisy. After all, he claimed to support the fight against HIV/AIDS and admitted to unprotected sex (and the famous, deep-cleansing, shower)

While Fezeka was young, and voluptuous, many felt that Jacob could have done better

The 1st of February saw the revelation that President Jacob Zuma has fathered a love-child with Sonono Khoza, daughter of Irvin Khoza. I am not sure where conception took place, but I assume it was somewhere comfortable…and private

The public was outraged with this revelation, and Zuma’s hypocrisy. After all, the president supports the campaign to eliminate promiscuity

While Jacob Zuma is a charismatic leader and dynamic personality, many felt that Sonono could have done better

Our polygamous president faces yet another sex scandal.

And some people were (surprisingly) surprised.

It took several days, but here is what President Jacob Zuma had to say about the latest ‘affair’:

''I deeply regret the pain that I have caused to my family, the ANC, the alliance and South Africans in general. 'I also acknowledge and understand the reaction of many South Africans.''

In January, 1998, news broke of Bill Clinton’s liaisons with Monica Lewinsky. She claimed that there were 9 encounters. All of them took place in the White House. Most of them in the Oval Office

The news broke on the 17th January 1998. Bill Clinton denied all the allegations, famously saying:

“Now, I have to go back to work on my State of the Union speech. And I worked on it until pretty late last night. But I want to say one thing to the American people. I want you to listen to me. I'm going to say this again: I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. I never told anybody to lie, not a single time; never. These allegations are false. And I need to go back to work for the American people. Thank you”

Seven months later, on the 17th of August 1998, Bill Clinton finally admitted to the “improper physical relationship” with Monica Lewinsky.

While Monica was an astute, bright woman, many felt that Bill could have done better

American politicians are famous for sex scandals and hypocrisy. Some examples:

Congressman Bob Barr of Georgia introduced the ‘Defense of Marriage Act”, only to be photographed licking whipped cream off strippers at his inaugural party.

President Warren G Harding had repeated sexual encounters with a woman 30 years his junior – in a White House closet. He also fathered a child with her

Senator Strom Thurmond supported segregation and opposed civil right, but still got his 16 year old African American maid pregnant. He ran for president in 1948, and was a senator for 47 years.

Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s Prime Minister, has been accused of ‘gallivanting’ with young women, including a teenager. Photographs of parties at his villa include pictures of nude women.

Berlusconi has remained defiant. In June 2009, he told Italians (and the world):

“This is how I am. I’m not going to change a thing. If they like me this way, they like me this way.”

Berlusconi’s female companions are mostly young, attractive women, including models. Many feel that Sergio Berlusconi has done very well

In addition to the United States, and Italy, Australia has also had its share of sex scandals. Just last year, in Australia, South Australian Premier Mike Rann was accused of having sex with a former Parliament House barmaid – on his Parliament House desk.

Many South Africans are appalled at Jacob Zuma's behaviour. And they should be.

But, many South Africans also use Jacob Zuma's bahaviour to legitimise their lack of faith in South Africa, in general, and his presidency, in particular.

I feel that Jacob Zuma should deny the allegations (at least for a few days).

I believe Jacob Zuma should lie about the sexual misconduct (at least for seven months).

I advise that Jacob Zuma conducts his lascivious behaviour in the hallways of the Union Buildings, on the desk of his Presdential Office, on the Tuinhuis kitchen floor

Perhaps then, he would be viewed as a worthy, first-world politician.

And perhaps then, the doomsdayer South African public and the naysayer South African media would give him a break

"Fok, fok, fok, fok"....South Africa is in the spotlight....again

2010-02-03T08:56:00.001+02:00

The nominations for the 82nd Academy Awards are out. South African based films have made a good showing.

District 9 received four nominations, including: Film Editing, Best Picture, Visual Effects and Writing (Adapted Screenplay). The film cost $US30mil to produce, and has grossed over $US200mil. The film’s director, Neill Blomkamp had the following to say:

"Every aspiring filmmaker dreams of being nominated by the Academy, but when we began making District 9, none of us dared to think that our small film, shot in South Africa, with no well-known actors, could be Oscar nominated. And honestly, if it weren't for Peter Jackson’s belief in the film, we wouldn't be here today. I'm extremely gratified, excited, and humbled, and I'm also grateful to the Academy for recognizing so many of the talented people who helped make it a reality."

Invictus received 2 nominations, one for Best Actor (Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela) and the other for Best Supporting Actor (Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar). The film cost $US50mil to produce.

This kind of exposure is wonderful for South Africa. In my opinion, the positive exposure that South Africa has received from these films, and the $US 80mil spent on producing these films, far outweighs the benefits of the expensive, traditional marketing of South Africa.

Soweto, the Johannesburg skyline, rugby and terms like “Are you okay bru?”, “What a doos!” and "Fok, fok, fok, fok" are now firmly entrenched in the international entertainment and tourism industries.....

......and for all the right reasons.

Did Haiti's earthquake damage extremist Islam's foundation?

2010-01-15T10:52:00.016+02:00

On Tuesday of this week, Haiti was struck by a devastating earthquake. The destruction has been widespread and the Red Cross estimates that 50,000 people have been killed.

Sadly, that figure could be conservative.

Aid organisations and the United Nations have appealed to the international community for assistance. The response has been overwhelming, and planes are being turned away from Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport.

Haiti is regarded as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. It has a population of 10 million, with per capita GDP at $US790. 80% of the population live below the poverty line.

Haiti has nothing to offer to the Western world. No natural resources. No oil. Haiti is no threat to the Westerm world. It does not even have an army. There is no need for the Western world to support, or assist, Haiti. The Western world has nothing to gain by assisting Haiti. And the Western world has no Haitian threat is has to be fearful of.

However, news agencies were quick to report on those countries, NGO's and aid agencies that have responded to pleas of assistance.

I praise The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. They have been essential in providing assistance and attempting to coordinate relief efforts.

The United States has pledged and intial $100 million in aid, and Barack Obama has promised more. 800 American paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division were deployed from North Carolina. 2000 marines will be joining them.

America is also sending a naval hospital ship, the USNS Comfort. It is best described as a 'floating hospital'. It has a trauma facility that can treat 1000 patients at a time.

Britain has sent a team to Haiti that will assist with rescue and relief efforts. Gordon Brown has appealed to the Brtish public to donate money to the relief effort.

Israel was one of the first countries to respond, with assistance in search and rescue as well as field hospitals. An Israeli military official, Gidi Shenar, said "We have been in several places in the world. We are bringing our knowledge and we are coming to assist the people over there and save lives. As fast as we can, we will be over there."

This kind of assistance, from the West, is not unique. And it's not limited to predominantly 'Christian countries', like Haiti.

For example, following an earthquake in Iran, in June 2002, America sent aid and supplies to Iran. President Bush stated ""Human suffering knows no political boundaries". Following a December 2003 earthquake in Iran, the USA, Russia, Britain, Germany and Spain all offered help.

Israel has sent teams to assist in rescue and aid efforts following, for example, the August 1999 earthquake in Turkey, the January 2001 earthquake in India, the June 2006 earthquake in Indonesia, the December 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka and Thailand.

There has been amazing support being sent to Haiti from the Muslim and Arab world as well as Muslim and Arab charities. South Africa based Gift of the Givers is just one example of a charity that responded within hours of the news breaking. Turkey is sending a mobile hospital and humanitarian aid to Haiti.

Here is a list of countries that were reported, in the 'West' and the 'East', as first to respond to Haiti's calls for assistance:

United States, United Kingdom, China, Brazil, the European Union, Britain, Germany, Israel, France, Switzerland, South Korea and Canada.

However, there is something that stands out, for me, from the list of countries that were first to respond to Haiti's humanitarian crisis.

And, whether the humanitarian crisis is in Haiti, Sudan, Somalia, Iran or Zimbabwe... the lists of those countries who are first to offer (and indeed provide) assistance, are almost always made up entirely of Infidels
----------------------
If you are based in South Africa, and would like to donate to the relief effort in Haiti, contact Gift of the Givers on Tel: +27 (0) 33 345 0163 or visit http://www.giftofthegivers.org/

Great start to 2010 for South African film industry

2010-01-12T22:06:00.001+02:00

Skin nominated for Best Foreign Film at the NAACP Awards

(With thanks to the National Film and Video Foundation)

Skin, a true-life story about South Africa¹s Sandra Laing has been nominated for Best Foreign Film award at the NAACP Image Awards, while Sophie Okonedo, who plays the role of Sandra Laing in the film, has been nominated for the Outstanding Actress award.

Celebrating outstanding achievements and performances of people of colour in the arts, and individuals and groups that promote social justice through their creative endevours, the NAACP Awards will be held on Friday 26 February 2010 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Skin follows Sandra¹s thirty-year old journey from rejection to acceptance, betrayal to reconciliation, as she struggles to define her place in a changing world - and triumphs against all odds. The film tells the story of Sandra Laing (Sophie Okonedo), a coloured woman born to white parents (Sam Neill, Alice Krige) who were unaware of their black ancestory. Though classified as white, Sandra struggles to be accepted by the white community.

Sandra ultimately falls in love with a black man and together they have two kids.

Skin is due for release in South Africa on Friday 22 January 2010. The film will be screened at the following cinemas: Cape Town - V&A Waterfront Cinema Nouveau and Cavendish Nouveau; Durban - Gateway Nouveau; Johannesburg - Bedford View Nouveau, Cedar Square Nouveau, East Rand Mall (Ster-Kinekor), Rosebank Nouveau, Maponya Mall (Ster-Kinekor), Westgate (Ster-Kinekor), and Pretoria - Brooklyn Nouveau, Wonderpark (Ster-Kinekor). For tickets visit www.sterkinekor.com during the week of release.

Skin had its World Premiere at the 2008 Toronto Film Festival in September 2008, and premiered to rave reviews in the United States late 2009. Since its international exhibitions Skin has won over 12 Festival awards including the Audience Award for Best Film at the Santa Barbara Film festival, Best Narrative and Best Jury Awards at the Pan African Film Festival, Audience Award at the Afrika Film Festival, Belgium , Audience Award at the AFI Dallas, Best Feature Film at the Palm Beach International Film Festival 2009, and Circle Audience Award at the Film Fest DC - Washington DC.

Starring Award-winning Sophie Okonedo, Sam Neill, Alice Krige, Tony Kgoroge and Ella Ramangwane, Skin is produced by Anthony Fabian, Genevieve Hofmeyr and Margaret Matheson, and directed by Anthony Fabian. The film’s release in South Africa is supported by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), The History Channel, Ster-Kinekor, United Independent Pictures (UIP), and Mail & Guardian.

For more information on Skin visit http://www.skinthemovie.net/

Hitler would be so proud of Sandton attitudes, doll

2010-01-08T11:53:00.005+02:00

(This tale has been translated from the original German)

Berlin

Nazi Germany

1939

In January of 1939, a German man, Harold Maximilian (Harry), aged 35, went for a dental check-up. Harry visited a respected German dentist. The German dentist performed standard procedures, and replaced some old fillings.

However, from that first visit to the German dentist, Harry started experiencing problems with his teeth. 1939 saw numerous complaints and visits to the German dentist, but Harry’s teeth issues persisted. Harry’s German dentist had done something wrong, and he could not correct the problem. In November 1939, the pain got unbearable. Harry’s German dentist informed him that Harry would now require root treatment. In utter disgust, Harry left the German dentist’s office and started looking for a new dentist.

Harry found one, not too far from his home. Very convenient. And Harry made an appointment, visited the new dentist, and started the root treatment with his new dentist. The German, Harry, now had a new dentist, a Jewish dentist . A graduate of the University of Berlin.

Harry was impressed with the service and professionalism. The young Jewish dentist was far superior to his experienced (and recommended) German dentist.

So the German, Harry, started recommending the dentist, and told his friends and family about the great new dentist he had found.

Harry: “I have had a nightmare of a year with my dentist. And now, he tells me I needed root treatment”

Friends: “So, what did you do?”

Harry: “I stormed out of his office and looked for a new dentist. I found a great new dentist, close to home. In the heart of Berlin’s financial and commercial district. He is based on Bernauer Strasse. I highly recommend him”

Friend 1: “That is great. What’s his name?”

Harry: “Doctor Steinberg”

Friend 2: “A Jewish dentist?”

Harry: “Yes"

Friend 3: “Why not a German dentist?”

Harry: “What’s the difference? This dentist is great, professional, and graduate of the University of Berlin. You should use him. He’s great”

Friend 4: “Yes, but he’s Jewish. I would never use a Jewish dentist”

Friend 5: “And he probably didn’t even get through his studies at the University of Berlin”

Friend 6: “Yes. And the University of Berlin certificate on his wall is probably forged"

Friend 7: “Or stolen”

Friend 8: “I could never use a Jewish dentist. I would not trust him to do a good job”

Harry: “Do you realize that it was German dentist who caused all the problems in the first place?”

Friend 9: "I reckon the Jewish dentist will probably rip you off"

Friend 10: “And I suppose his nurse is also Jewish”

Friends: “You should use a German dentist. A Jewish dentist does not know what he’s doing”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank God, I have a found an amazing new dentist, based on Grayston Drive, Sandton

Dr P.W. Mdudli
BDS (Wits)