Thursday, August 17, 2006

In-depth update....

Until this weekend comes, updates have been as best as I could do. However, once this weekend comes, blogging will return to normalcy. Unlike last semester when I hardly blogged during the early morning on Mondays and Wednesdays, I will have the time to do that.

Aish.com has a new movie on the photo fraud in Lebanon. Speaking of Eretz Yisrael, the UN must make sure that Hezbollah is disarmed.

Okay, so it looks like I have to break my own rule again in reporting about the CT senatorial race. JTA actually has an article on Lamont's position on Israel.
He has spoken out strongly in support of Israel, is skeptical about faith-based initiatives and opposes what he sees as unnecessary restrictions on civil liberties.

Those views could help Ned Lamont win more Jewish support in this fall’s election for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut — even though his major opponent is a leading Jewish politician.[...]

Pudlin said the primary campaign included very little direct outreach to the Jewish community, which represents about 3 percent of the state’s population and 5 percent of the electorate. CBS/New York Times exit polls showed Lieberman outpolling Lamont 61 percent to 39 percent among Jewish voters.

Lieberman’s pledge to run as an independent in the November general election against Lamont and Republican Alan Schlesinger may create a dilemma for some Jewish voters, who will have to choose between loyalties to the Democratic Party and to a co-religionist.

Ira Forman, executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council, said Lamont has handled issues of importance to Jews adeptly so far.

“He’s saying the right things on issues that are important for the vast majority of Jewish voters. His statements on Israel have been correct, and he’s been criticized from the left for being too supportive of Israel,” said Forman, whose group generally does not make endorsements during primaries.

During the campaign, Lamont was endorsed by the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, civil rights activists who sometimes have had strained relations with the Jewish community.

Marvin Lender, a Connecticut resident and chairman of the Israel Policy Forum who has been a strong Lieberman financial backer and adviser, said Lamont would have a solid voting record on issues of importance to Jews.

But he predicted Lamont would be less effective as a policy-maker because of Lieberman’s long involvement in the Middle East.

“The Lieberman-Lamont primary wasn’t about Jewish issues. Lamont would do all the right things with respect to Israel, and no one has led me to believe he doesn’t care about these issues,” said Lender, who is backing Lieberman’s independent candidacy.

But he added that Lamont “doesn’t have Joe’s experience in the region and the firsthand knowledge you need to make a contribution to trying to find a solution.”
Bruce Springsteen is releasing a special edition of We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions on Oct 3, 2006.

In Red Sox news, they have traded for Eric Hinske of the Blue Jays. Also,

August 15
Detroit 4, Boston 6
Winning pitcher - David Wells (2-2)
SV - Jonathan Papelbon (32)
HR: David Ortiz (42)

Neil Young has a new music video for "After the Garden."

Mel Gibson has been sentenced to probation for three years.

Some of the victims in Northern Israel from the Hezbollah rockets included animals.
When tens of thousands of Israelis fled their homes as Hezbollah rockets began raining down on northern Israel, they left behind not only hastily locked-up houses but, in many cases, their pets.

After days and weeks of being left to fend for themselves, many of the animals were found starving and dehydrated in the streets of northern towns and cities. Estimates put the number of animals in distress at about 8,000.

Three dogs were killed after a rocket hit the house in Kiryat Shmona where their owner had tied them up and left them. Some dogs were found wounded, their bodies riddled with shrapnel.

Many others, terrified by the sound of rocket fire and artillery blasts, fled their homes and began living on the streets.

Soon after the fighting began, Hakol Chai, an Israeli animal welfare group, began sending volunteers to feed and water animals and rescue those in need of medical attention. Yadin Elam, the organization’s director, finds it hard to believe so many pets were left behind.

The owners “probably thought it wouldn’t take so long, thinking, ‘We’ll leave food for our pets.’ Some of them called us,” Elam said. “I have some issues with those people, but they’re not the same as people who didn’t do anything. Some even chained their dogs in the yard.”
I wouldn't leave man's best friend behind.

Senator George Allen (R-VA) made some remarks recently about a Jim Webb supporter. I admit to not being the biggest Jim Webb fan since his campaign advertisement dealing with Harris Miller but Allen's remarks went too far. I give the edge in the race to Webb.

Here's an update about Kentucky Democratic Party's Family Day:
Release to Party Officials 8/16/06

Kentucky Democratic Party - Allison Haley

FRANKFORT - Many thanks to Kentucky Democratic Party Vice-Chair Joni Jenkins, who, last night, brought to our attention the scheduled date for the 2nd Annual KDP Family Day falls on the same day as Rosh Hashanah. This was an oversight on our part, brought on by an effort to plan a date that did not conflict with any other events in the state.

We apologize to anyone who may have been offended by this oversight and hope you realize it was simply a scheduling error.

Originally, KDP Family Day was planned as part of a two-day event on September 9 and 10. We then rescheduled due to conflicts with other planned events, including the St. John's Picnic in Western Kentucky.

In an effort to include all Democrats in Kentucky, we have again rescheduled KDP Family Day for Sunday, September 24, from noon to 5 p.m.

We hope that you, your family members and friends will join us for this fun, family event. There will be free food and drinks, games, carnival rides, music and face painting. There will also be a healthy dose of political speaking from former Democratic governors, current lawmakers and candidates, which will begin at 2 p.m.
Apparently, nobody told schedulers that Rosh HaShanah doesn't end til Sunday EVENING. So count me out for the event that I was really looking forward to going to and getting together with old friends in Frankfort.

I was at last year's family day and enjoyed it.

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