Epilogue to High Crimes on the High Seas Part I

I have come to expect politicians (especially those of the Washington, DC variety) to flip-flop on just about any issue without warning. In fact, I am often suspicious of Pols who do not do an about-turn, from time-to-time—especially in the age of instant poll results and active constituent involvement. I was not surprised, therefore, when President Barack Obama made such an about-face in his treatment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Compared with his last visit to the White House, Mr. Netanyahu met a different Barack Obama; I would even go as far as saying: Mr. Obama and the First Lady were civil to the Netanyahus, and by all appearances, treated them with the respect they deserve.

Why the sudden change of heart? Has Mr. Obama’s position on Israel suddenly change in the several weeks since Mr. Netanyahu’s last White House visit? Well, in keeping with political tradition, the answer to these questions is a profound NO! Make no mistake; Mr. Obama is as shrewd a politician as there ever was; every move [no matter how subtle] is carefully planned. What did change in the President’s views on Israel has nothing to do with the Gaza Blockade, nor does it concern Israel’s “treatment of the Palestinians.” It has everything to do with money. You see, the reality of the Democrat’s reliance on wealthy [American] Jews for fund raising is Mr. Obama’s primary focus, this time around.

I am convinced that President Obama’s position on Israel has not changed; not even to the slightest degree. Mr. Obama still views Israel as a pariah, and one that must be stopped and dealt with accordingly. In his own calculating way, Mr. Obama feels justified with his public condemnation of Israel, while at the same time relying on American Jews to help fund his mission to reduce their homeland down to size. The United States is morally obligated to stand by Israel and to protect and defend her sovereignty. Israel has withstood the front-line assault of America’s enemies in protection of our oil interests. Mr. Obama’s ideological position requires him to smash all such alliances, all in the name of portraying the right image to presumed new friends.

I wonder whether those who elected Mr. Obama, believe they are getting what they were promised. Irrespective of those promises, Mr. Obama’s handling of recent events with Israel serve only to highlight his foreign policy experience. The abandonment of Israel is reckless, and does not bode well for America’s strategic interests in the region. At this pace, the US would be out of allies well before the end of Mr. Obama’s term in office.

Happy Birthday America

God Bless America, U-S-A

It started in the Revolution and continued through the Civil War
In World War One, she was there to greet our boys back on the shore
In World War Two when we dropped the bomb, then onto Korea and Vietnam
Waving proudly for all to see --- our Stars And Stripes, our Old Glory

You see them flying on the poles and they mark every grave
For every soldier that perished for a country they fought to save
And those who seek to burn her never tasted the agony of war
They just don't understand what she really does stand for:

She stands for freedom and for justice and the right to live in peace
She stands for unity among all nations and for future wars to cease
>From the tip of Maine across fruited plains to Californ-i-a
We can all rejoice and say in one voice, "We love the U-S-A!"

It's just a simple story of honor, pride, and glory
And a bond of courage and trust to stand for the one who stood for us
A true image of democracy for generations through and through
As we walk hand-in-hand across this great land --- God Bless the Red, White, and Blue

That flag, she's seen us through it all through those conflicts in the past
We stood tall with us in victory and mourned with us at half-mast
How could anyone ever take a flame and try to erase every name
Of every soldier that paved the way for us to live, as one, in the U-S-A

She stands for liberty and bravery and the rights of all mankind
The hopes and dreams of everyone and the time we all can find
That everyone, everywhere can stand and proudly say
"God Bless America,
"God Bless America,
"God Bless America, U-S-A"

By Thomas Beechey
Copyright 2005

High Crimes on the High Seas

Israel Faces Down International Thuggery

Part one

I waited to publish this post because I wanted the typical news cycle to fade, as I suspected that the initial salvo of two runs at the Gaza blockade was just the beginning. My desire was to comment on the full breadth of the situation in order to maintain an order of fairness and balance. While I was puzzled when there were no other attempted incursions, it came as no surprise that as I write this article, Iran has ratcheted up its intention to “escort aid ships” into the Port of Gaza.

Imagine you inherit a home from a wealthy relative who promised the home for as long as you can remember. In fact, he also promised this home to your father and his father before him. Now, imagine that you have moved into your newly inherited home, and as you are hard at work, organizing your home, there is a knock at the door. You rushed excitedly to see who is there-it could be one of your new neighbors welcoming you to the neighborhood; then you discover that while you were correct about it being a neighbor, your were dead wrong about them welcoming you to the neighborhood. Instead of a neighborly welcome, you are pelted with rocks, told to leave because you have no claim to the house or the land. What is worse, your home is routinely fire bombed and a number of your children killed. Pretty ridiculous would you not say? Well, such is the case with Israel. As evidenced by GOD’s promise, Israel is obliged to protect and defend its homeland.

Exodus 13:11 "After the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as he promised on oath to you and your forefathers…”

Recently, the news media have been abuzz with reports of “aid ships” headed to the Port of Gaza claiming to carry “humanitarian aid” to the Palestinians. What many of these news reports failed to mention is the fact that the naval blockade in question has been in effect since 2006. The result of a military action, the [2006] blockade was an attempt by the Israelis to stem the flow of heavy arms (most notably rockets) that were being used to bombard Israel on a daily basis.

Also missing from news reports was an explanation of “why now?” Did the Palestinians suddenly run out of food and critical supplies? Did the Israelis suddenly decide to start blocking aid? The obvious answer is NO!

To suddenly focus world attention on a four-year-old blockade smacks of politics; the kind of politics that hopes to shape public opinion against the [chosen] enemy, Israel. It came as no surprise then, to discover that many of the so called humanitarians aboard these ships are known anti-Semitic agitators. These are individuals who have committed their lives to working towards the eradication of Israel. Keep in mind that three of the four nations that share a border with Israel have stated publically their desire to wipe Israel from the map. The fourth neighbor, Lebanon is largely toothless militarily; however, Lebanon has been overrun by Hamas—a wildly idealistic terrorist organization—with the backing of Iran.

Now, you might be wondering why you should care about a conflict that is centuries old; a conflict between individuals who seem not to want a solution. The Bible is clear about the fate of the enemies of Israel; it is therefore, incumbent upon people of faith to stand in support of Israel—the earthly home of the Messiah. In spite of our theological differences, Christians and Jews [for the most part] serve the same GOD. For practicing Christians who know that our Messiah was Jewish, why then, would we not stand with the Jews? The Bible is clear on the role of the Jewish nation in the fulfillment of prophecy.

In answer to the question of why now? Israel’s enemies have been emboldened by the public alienation by the United States. Arguably Israel’s strongest ally—and quite possibly its only ally—by making it clear to Israel’s enemies that we cannot be counted upon in times of need, the US has signaled open-season on Israel. The Obama administration has ushered in a drastic shift in US/Israel relations. In fact, President Obama has, on numerous occasions, gone out of his way to affront the Israeli President, Benjamin Netanyahu. Most recently, during Mr. Netanyahu’s May visit to the Whitehouse, Mr. Obama publically refused to pose for pictures with Mr. Netanyahu—breaking with standing State protocol. What is worse, Mr. Obama showed up for the official State Luncheon with the Israeli delegation, only to tell Mr. Netanyahu that he should make other arrangements for lunch. Has the US suddenly joined the ranks of Israel’s enemies? Have we now abandoned the only functioning democratic nation in the region? If the answer to any of these questions is anything other than an emphatic NO, then we [the US] have certainly lost our way. Yet again, the bible is clear on this matter:

Matthew 12:30 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.”

In the world of geopolitics, as in the social realm, integrity, character and trustworthiness are essential traits. The Obama Administration signaled its position on Israel long before the 2008 presidential election, so it comes as no surprise to me that the President would go out of his way to publically distance himself from Mr. Netanyahu.

True to his character though, Mr. Netanyahu took these affronts with a dignity befitting the Jewish people—a people not unaccustomed to adversity. One could argue that Netanyahu’s poise is bolstered by the knowledge that GOD’s will, would prevail.

Now, the United Nations (UN) has waded in with its usual condemnation of Israel and calls for an investigation. It is shamefully obvious that the UN, like Israel’s neighbors believes Israel should not exist. Worst still, the Obama administration has indicated its intent to support Israel’s reprimand in this corrupt body.

It is time for Believers everywhere to stand in support of Israel and for Israel’s right to defend itself. Failure to do anything less would betray our Messiah, Jesus Christ, a Jew by birth.