THANKS SO MUCH,, IT MEANS THE WORLD TO US IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES
“I don’t speak because I have the power to speak; I speak because I don’t have the power to remain silent.” Rav Kook z"l
THANKS SO MUCH,, IT MEANS THE WORLD TO US IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES
THANKS SO MUCH,, IT MEANS THE WORLD TO US IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES
by Tuvia Book
I recently returned home to Israel on a so-called “rescue” flight. (Another name could be, “Israeli citizens legitimately returning home” flight). I witnessed shocking scenes of a sizeable minority of the Ultra-Orthodox passengers, including the person next to me, constantly removing their masks.
I and other passengers repeatedly asked these individuals very politely to please wear their masks. The El Al crew also asked them. The result usually was that they would put it on for a few minutes and then remove it. Then there were the prayers. Apparently, there is a perceived Divine dispensation when one is praying to do so without a mask, for as long as one wants. In exasperation one of the El Al crew members was reduced to threatening one particularly stubborn Ultra-Orthodox individual that unless he put his mask on there would be police waiting at Ben Gurion for him. The aforementioned individual put his mask on…for five entire minutes.
What I personally witnessed, in addition to what was reported in the press this week about the consistent flouting of the mask rules by certain members of the Ultra-Orthodox community is a massive “hillul Hashem” (desecration of God’s name) in addition to a threat to the safety of not just other passengers, but indeed to the entire state of Israel. The Times of Israel reported the following:
A passenger told Channel 12 that the ultra-Orthodox passengers failed to wear masks for much of the time and stood near other passengers. He says repeated requests to flight attendants to enforce mask-wearing and distancing did not help, and that the latter were afraid of confronting the Haredi passengers on the matter.
There is a simple solution to this problem. There should be a representative of the Israeli Police on every flight. Every time someone is warned and still refuses to wear a mask, there should be a heavy, on-the-spot, fine issued. Upon arrival at Ben Gurion airport they should be detained, and not allowed to leave, until the fine has been paid in full and they receive a court summons. If they refuse to pay the fine, then they should be put on the next flight back to where they came from. In addition, they should also be put on a “no-fly “ list for a considerable time period. One who does not respect the laws of the country, or indeed their fellow human beings, has forfeited the right to enter this country. These laws should be explained clearly to the passengers before the flight and everyone should sign an agreement of understanding.
I know that this sounds harsh, but you were not on that flight with me. The sheer disdain and hubris of these individuals, who seem to believe that they are better than others of God’s creations and that the rules do not apply to them, was only matched by the frustration and fear of the other passengers. There is no reason for this, and it should not be tolerated! I should not have to move my seat (which I did) because the person next to me refuses to comply with the rule of law and order. If the carrot does not work, it is time for the stick. A police representative on every flight is the simple solution.
THANKS SO MUCH,, IT MEANS THE WORLD TO US IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES
THANKS SO MUCH,, IT MEANS THE WORLD TO US IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES
Archaeologists have unearthed a Roman chariot near Italy's buried city of Pompeii in a discovery that experts say has 'no parallel'.
A ceremonial carriage was found at a villa close to the walls of ancient Pompeii, which was buried in a volcanic eruption in 79AD.
The almost perfectly preserved four-wheeled carriage made of iron, bronze and tin was found near the stables of an ancient villa at Civita Giuliana, around 765 yards (700 metres) north of the walls of ancient Pompeii.
Massimo Osanna, the outgoing director of the Pompeii archaeological site, said the carriage was the first of its kind discovered in the area.
Previous excavations have yielded functional vehicles used for transport and work, but not those used for ceremonies.
Osanna said: 'This is an extraordinary discovery that advances our understanding of the ancient world.'
He added that the carriage would have 'accompanied festive moments for the community, (such as) parades and processions'.
The culture ministry called it 'a unique find, without any precedent in Italy'.
Pompeii, 23 km (14 miles) southeast of Naples, was home to about 13,000 people when it was buried under ash, pumice pebbles and dust as it endured the force of an eruption equivalent to many atomic bombs.
About two-thirds of the 66-hectare (165-acre) ancient town has been uncovered. The ruins were not discovered until the 16th century and organised excavations began in about 1750.
'Pompeii continues to amaze us with its discoveries and it will do so for many years, with 20 hectares still to be dug up,' said Culture Minister Dario Franceschini.
A rare documentation of Greco-Roman life, Pompeii is one of Italy's most popular attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
THANKS SO MUCH,, IT MEANS THE WORLD TO US IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES
Joan Wakefield has barely been able to walk for the best part of six months. The 72-year-old from Stockport had a knee replacement in October and has since suffered infections in the scar tissue, causing agonising pain.
Then at the beginning of this month she received the first dose of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine. 'I woke up the next morning and the leg pain and stiffness was gone,' she says.
'I couldn't believe it. I joked with my partner about whether the vaccine had anything to do with it. Previously, I couldn't even bend my leg. Now I can extend it fully, and even put my shoes and socks on. I'm optimistic I'll be able to return to work sooner, rather than later, now.'
It seems ludicrous – a vaccine designed to protect against one virus can, somehow, improve other totally unrelated elements of health.
But Joan Wakefield is far from alone.
Last month, Mail on Sunday GP Ellie Cannon wrote about the curious case of a man with Lyme disease who'd found his long-term fatigue had evaporated just days after having the Covid vaccine. Scores of you wrote in to tell similarly miraculous tales.
THANKS SO MUCH,, IT MEANS THE WORLD TO US IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES
This is an outrageous lie .. as the Palestinians by in large refuse to take the vaccine ..
Bernie Sanders Slams Israel for Sending COVID Vaccines Abroad While Palestinians ‘Still Waiting’
U.S. senator says Israel responsible for health of Palestinians under its control, ‘outrageous’ for Netanayhu ‘to reward his foreign allies’
Senator Bernie Sanders slammed the Israeli government for distributing COVID-19 vaccines to countries with which it has bolstered relations in recent years before sending vaccines to Palestinians.
“As the occupying power, Israel is responsible for the health of all the people under its control,” Sanders tweeted. “It is outrageous that Netanyahu would use spare vaccines to reward his foreign allies while so many Palestinians in the occupied territories are still waiting.”
Israel will send a few thousand doses of vaccines to several countries with which it has boosted its ties in recent years – the Czech Republic, Hungary, Guatemala and Honduras. Israel is also expected to send additional vaccines to health care workers in the West Bank, as well as another unnamed country, as confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office.
“In light of the successful vaccination campaign in Israel, the leading country in the world in inoculating the population, Israel has received many requests from the countries of the world to assist with the supply of vaccines,” the Prime Minister’s Office statement read.
THANKS SO MUCH,, IT MEANS THE WORLD TO US IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES
Jill Biden looks to be the most involved, overbearing First Lady in modern history right now, and I don’t think that’s purely due to her own ambition, though she has plenty of that.
These constant joint interviews appear to be a necessity.
Perhaps we’ve had it all wrong about who is really acting as president while Joe Biden goes to bed at sundown. Most have figured that the shadow-presidency we are currently witnessing would be run by Kamala Harris. After all, she’s the vice president and she’s nakedly ambitious.
Yet, more and more, it looks like Harris is being pushed into the background while Jill Biden is really pulling the strings. In fact Harris was not informed in advance of the Syrian bombing.
Not only does she routinely act as the President’s crutch during interviews, she’s now interrupting him to articulate policy in language that makes it seem a lot like she’s in charge.
There’s being a supportive First Lady, and then there’s the assertiveness with which Jill Biden shuts her husband down in order to explain what “we” are doing as an administration on immigration policy. Further, why is she even there? Have you ever seen a president do so many joint interviews? Barack Obama certainly didn’t drag Michelle to almost ever media interview he did.
That would leave anyone with the ability to think critically asking what exactly is going on here. Jill Biden sure appears to be operating as her husband’s caregiver at this point. Why is he unable to explain the immigration policies that are ostensibly his creation? I can speculate with a reasonable expectation of accuracy that Joe Biden is simply incapable of explaining his policies on any given day.
Jill Biden looks to be the most involved, overbearing First Lady in modern history right now, and I don’t think that’s purely due to her own ambition, though she has plenty of that. These constant joint interviews appear to be a necessity. I’d love to see the outtakes and moments between questions to get a better idea of what’s really going on here. But because the president only talks to the friendliest of media outlets, that’ll never happen. They will protect him at all costs.
Regardless, this isn’t normal, and it’s not OK. We are supposed to have a president in office, not a shell of man who needs his wife to explain policy for him during interviews.
THANKS SO MUCH,, IT MEANS THE WORLD TO US IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES
Bring your COVID-19 test results, a face mask and a tape measure to the next wedding reception you attend.
New York’s strict new rules for weddings and catered events, which take effect March 15, will allow up to 150 people to gather — but not too closely and only for guests with a negative coronavirus test result or completion of COVID-19 vaccinations.
Guests can only dance — masks on — with members of their own immediate party/household/family who are seated together and then only in “designated and clearly marked areas or zones that are assigned to them.”
The zones are to be at least 36 square feet and six feet apart from any other dancing areas or zones, the rules say.
And don’t even think about busting a move with someone in another zone.
Guests “cannot enter, use, or otherwise visit other dancing areas or zones,” the state says.
It’s OK for “select attendees” to join the bride and groom when they take their first dance “so long as they maintain six feet of separation from other attendees throughout the dance.”
The band can play, but only if at least 12 feet away from guests or separated by a barrier.
And guests must keep their masks on unless they are eating. They cannot eat or drink “if members of different parties/households/families are within six feet.”
THANKS SO MUCH,, IT MEANS THE WORLD TO US IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES
A second woman has accused Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment, according to a new report.
Charlotte Bennett, a 25-year-old former aide to Cuomo, told The New York Times that the governor asked her inappropriate personal questions, told her he was open to relationships with women in their 20s, and left her feeling that he “wanted to sleep with me.”
Bennett, who worked as an executive assistant and health-policy adviser, told the Times the interactions took place in the spring, as the coronavirus pandemic flared.
Cuomo, 63, never made any physical advances, she said.
Still, she described a June meeting in Cuomo’s Albany office, during which he griped about being lonely during the pandemic and whined he “can’t even hug anyone.”
Cuomo, 63, then pressed her: “Who did I last hug,” she said.
She tried to dodge the question by saying she missed hugging her parents. “And he was, like, ‘No, I mean like really hugged somebody,’” she said.
“I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared,” Bennett told the Times.
“And [I] was wondering how I was going to get out of it and assumed it was the end of my job.”
THANKS SO MUCH,, IT MEANS THE WORLD TO US IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES