“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

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

John Fetterman Sends His Fellow Democrats a Reality Check After Meeting with Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel


 The Democratic Party has long since degenerated into a cult united primarily by members' unhinged hatred of President-elect Donald Trump.

Recently, however, a few signs have emerged suggesting that some Democrats have grown tired of their party's anti-Trump obsession.

In a Sunday interview with ABC's Jonathan Karl on "This Week," Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania urged fellow Democrats to "chill out" and even expressed "no regrets" at having met with Trump's Cabinet picks, including Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth and FBI Director nominee Kash Patel.

"I have met with all of them so far," Fetterman said. "And the ones that we haven't, they're on the schedule back in January."

Karl then asked if Fetterman regarded Hegseth as qualified, to which the senator replied, "We're gonna learn more."

Fetterman's full comments, however, suggested that Democrats cannot rely on him to vote against Hegseth.

"The president picked these people," the Pennsylvania senator said. "Not gonna be my first choice, second choice, third choice, but that's democracy."

"And, to me, it would be distressing if he is confirmed, if the Democrats are gonna turn our back collectively to the leader of Defense. That's astonishing, and that's dangerous," he added.

Fetterman expressed similar openness following his meeting with Patel. In that meeting, for instance, the two men talked about immigration-related stories in their respective families.

"I have learned things, and I have heard things, and I have no regrets," the senator said.

Indeed, the entire tone of the interview suggested, at minimum, an eagerness to avoid appearances of anti-Trump hostility.

"I've been warning people, like, 'You gotta chill out,'" Fetterman said of the Trump Derangement Syndrome that has plagued many in his party since 2016.

The senator also pledged to root for Trump, whom he called a "singular political talent."

Readers may watch the entire interview in the YouTube video below. Fetterman's comments on Hegseth and Patel began around the 6:30 mark.

Cynics, of course, might speculate that Fetterman simply sees the political writing on the wall.

"The support's astonishing," he said of voters' enthusiasm for Trump in "red" Pennsylvania counties. According to the Associated Press, in the 2024 election Trump won the swing state by more than 120,000 votes.

Thus, a Pennsylvania senator calculating his own political future might want to get on Trump's good side.

On the other hand, to view things less cynically, senators absolutely should consider their constituents' views. In that sense, self-interest and proper public service should dovetail. And on the issue of Trump's Cabinet picks, at least, it appears that they have done so in Fetterman.

Moreover, the Pennsylvania senator reflects a segment inside the Democratic Party that has grown tired of fighting Trump. Opposing the president-elect where necessary is one thing, but the over-the-top anti-Trump rhetoric has left them exhausted.

That fact alone suggests that even Trump's most anti-establishment nominees might win unexpected support from a small number of dissident Democrats.


Monday, December 23, 2024

Banality of Evil on 93rd and Columbus

 

Trump Serenades Crazed DemonRat Representative

 

Cargo vessel transporting Russian military equipment from Syria breaks down in open sea


 The cargo vessel Sparta sent to Syria to bring out Russian military equipment broke down in the open sea and now drifts near the shore of Portugal, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) claimed in a post on Dec. 23.

Concurrently, marine traffic monitors show a Vladivostok-bound cargo ship, Ursa Major, previously registered as Sparta III and visually matching the picture published by HUR, moving at a very low speed of little over 1 knot in the open sea between Spain and Algeria.

"The cargo ship Sparta, which Russia sent to transport its weapons and equipment from Syria, broke down during movement. A fuel pipe of the main engine failed," Ukraine's military intelligence claimed.

"The Russian crew is trying to fix the problem and (the ship) is drifting in the open sea near Portugal."

Marine traffic monitors show the Ursa Major sailing under the Russian flag and previously making port calls in St. Petersburg.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify whether the vessel was sent to Syria to transport Russian military equipment as HUR claims.

Russia, the main backer of the recently ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, began evacuating its military stationed in its bases in Syria. According to HUR, Russian military assets in Syria are now limited to two bases: the airbase in Khmeimim and the naval base in Tartus.

In an earlier statement, the agency claimed that losing the Tartus and Khmeimim bases would significantly damage Russia's presence in the Middle East and solidify its defeat in the region.

According to the agency, the victorious rebel leadership is negotiating with the Kremlin to close their remaining bases in the country no later than February 2025.


Scandal: Wall Street Journal Reports that Biden Was Already "Mentally Declined" Four Years Ago When He took Office

 

Thank you, Israel, for saving the world, defending freedom and reshaping the Middle East

 

In just over a year, Israel has succeeded in reducing Iran’s regional influence, effectively dismantling or weakening the pillars of its strategy—the Syrian regime, Hezbollah, and Hamas.

By Majid Rafizadeh, Gatestone Institute

After Hamas carried out its horrific October 7, 2023 massacre by invading Israel, murdering hundreds of people and kidnapping individuals from various countries, Israel reached a breaking point.

This act of terrorism ignited a wave of decisive actions across the Middle East that catalyzed remarkable developments, aimed at countering and eliminating terror networks.

For decades, the region has been plagued by violence and instability, but Israel’s response marked a significant turning point, showcasing its resolve to confront terrorism head-on and help usher in a new era of security.

Israel has consistently demonstrated its commitment to thorough and resolute action. When it comes to national security, appeasement is not an option. Bribing aggressors only finance their militaries for attacks on the West in the future.

Israel’s approach to combating terrorism has always been characterized by thoroughness and determination — for which is usually put through the tortures of hell by the very countries it is working to save.

Refusing to leave any task incomplete, Israel, in its counteroffensive against Hamas, targeted and significantly diminished the terrorist group’s military capabilities and crippled its ability to function effectively.

The Iranian regime, a staunch supporter of Hamas, reacted by activating other proxies, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, to attack Israel.

In an unprecedented move, Iran also launched ballistic missiles from Iranian soil into Israel, thereby escalating the conflict.

Iran’s regime, however, underestimated Israel’s resilience. As a Persian proverb says, “Iran was playing with the lion’s tail.” The consequences were severe.

Israel’s broader objective appears to be not merely to respond to isolated acts of terrorism, but to dismantle the infrastructure of terror in the region.

With a vision of ultimately fostering peace, harmony, security and prosperity throughout the region, as in the Abraham Accords, Israel expanded its military operations beyond Hamas.

It launched targeted strikes against Hezbollah, significantly weakening its military capabilities, and extended its efforts to Syria, striking Iranian military bases and weapons-supply chains.

These decisive actions underscored Israel’s commitment to reshaping the Middle East into a region free of the grip of terror.

One of the most extraordinary developments spurred by Israel’s actions was the unexpected collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.

Within a week of launching an offensive last month, armed rebel groups achieved what for decades had seemed impossible: the conquest of key cities and the end of Assad’s reign.

This monumental shift not only dealt a devastating blow to Iran’s regional ambitions but also signaled the possibility of a brighter future for the region.

The ramifications for Iran were profound. Losing Syria, one of its closest allies, severely weakened the regime’s ability to project power and support its proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In just over a year, Israel has succeeded in reducing Iran’s regional influence, effectively dismantling or weakening the pillars of its strategy—the Syrian regime, Hezbollah, and Hamas.

This achievement is unparalleled. It disrupted decades of Iran’s poisonous dominance in the region.

Thanks to Israel’s strategic and calculated actions, Iran’s regime, which had survived Western sanctions and interventions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, now faces unprecedented challenges to its survival, which cannot come to an end soon enough.

Israel’s efforts to eradicate terrorism and destabilize its sources have largely been accomplished without substantial assistance from Western democracies.

It is now time for the West to step up and support Israel and most of the Iranian people in addressing the root of the problem: the Iranian regime.

This final step requires decisive action to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program and empower the Iranian people to achieve freedom. Make Persia Great Again!

So long as Iran’s regime remains in power, brutalizing its people and making plans for global expansion, there can be no chance for peace in the region.

Removing the regime, often described as the “mother of all terrorism” and the godfather of terrorist groups, would bring lasting security and prosperity to the Middle East and beyond.

With the regime’s collapse, its proxies would be starved of funding and weaponry, paving the way for a more peaceful Middle East. One could then set about subduing Turkey and its terrorist proxies in Syria.

Israel’s contributions to global peace and the fight against terrorism are unparalleled. This small nation has accomplished what many larger powers have failed to do: confronting evil, dismantling terror networks, and advocating for freedom and security.

The world owes Israel an unpayable debt of gratitude for its unwavering courage and commitment to these ideals.

It is time for Western nations to align with Israel, offer their full support, and take the necessary steps to ensure a safer, more secure future for all. Bravo, Israel! Thank you for your remarkable efforts in making the world a safer, freer, better place.



Look at how the media reported the Terrorist Attack in Germany by a Saudi Muslim




 

Saudi Arabia's Chief Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Herzog to Visit Damascus




 Saudi Arabia's Chief Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Herzog to Visit Damascus


In a historic move, Rabbi Herzog is scheduled to meet with representatives of Syria's new rebel government during an upcoming visit to Damascus.

Iran recruiting children for attacks on Israeli targets across Europe

 

 

In Sweden alone, several incidents involving teenagers have occurred this year, including a 15-year-old attempting to reach the Israeli embassy with a loaded weapon, a 13-year-old shooting at the local subsidiary of Haifa-based defense company Elbit Systems, and a 16-year-old participating in a bombing attempt.

Swedish and Norwegian security services have raised alarms about these Iran-backed operations, with Norway temporarily elevating its terror threat level from medium to high in October, Bloomberg noted. The situation has prompted Norwegian authorities to arm police officers and implement border controls with Sweden.

Iran’s use of children in military operations has historical precedent. During the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), the Iranian military deployed children, some as young as nine, in combat roles including dangerous mine-clearing operations. According to U.N. refugee agency documents, these child soldiers were given “keys to paradise”—symbolic tokens promising immediate entry to heaven if they died in battle against Iraqi forces.

Peter Nesser, a terrorism researcher at Norway’s Defense Research Institute, told Bloomberg that Iranian operatives use social media platforms such as Telegram, TikTok and WhatsApp to recruit attackers. According to tracking data, payments for attacks can range from approximately $1,560 for more serious operations to as little as $125 for smaller-scale incidents.

The Swedish Security Service (SΓ„PO) stated earlier this year that many recruits were unaware they worked for a foreign power. This was evident in May when police intercepted a teenage recruit who needed to call for directions to the Israeli embassy in Stockholm.

The vulnerability of Nordic countries stems from their traditionally open societies and growing Muslim populations. Sweden, which has welcomed more than 1.5 million immigrants since 1980, faces challenges with integration, as recent surveys indicate that 40% of migrants feel disconnected from Swedish society.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr StΓΈre has prioritized addressing youth crime ahead of next year’s elections, while Swedish authorities have introduced youth detention facilities for children under 15 in response to the growing threat.

“They might try to create more havoc,” Nesser warned, discussing the potential for increased Iranian-backed activities in the region after recent setbacks to Tehran’s traditional proxy network in the Middle East.

Georgia homeowner arrested after trying to move back into her own house inhabited by squatter


 A Georgia woman was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing after she tried to move into her own home — but was rebuffed by an alleged squatter.

“I spent the night on a mat on a concrete floor in deplorable conditions while this woman, this squatter, slept in my home,” said Loletha Hale, who was arrested outside her mother’s old home in Livingston on Dec. 9.

Hale had arrived at the house to clean the place out after a months-long battle with the alleged squatter, Sakemeyia Johnson, whom a court had ordered out in mid-November.

But when she arrived, Johnson – who had never been a tenant of Hale, and was merely related to an evicted tenant’s partner — was still inside, and had brought somebody along to intimidate Hale.

“I returned on Monday to start painting and she had broken the locks at my property,” Hale told WSB-TV.

“She just caught up out of nowhere. She had this guy with her, and I locked the door. I locked the screen door, and he forced himself in telling us to get out,” she added.

Hale refused to back down, and the police eventually arrived. And when they did, bodycam footage showed an officer asking her to see Johnson’s side of things.

“Just think of it from this perspective, though. Everybody isn’t as fortunate as you to have a bed. All the little things, a bed in their house, food in the kitchen,” the officer said.

When Hale refused to back down, she was cuffed and carted off, and with her arrest report alleging she “executed an illegal eviction and forcibly removed Ms. Johnson’s belongings,” and at one point “could clearly be heard stating ‘leave before I get my gun.’”

She was charged with a misdemeanor count of terroristic threats and criminal trespassing, while Johnson has received no charges, according to WSB-TV.

“To see that woman walk into my mom’s house while I was in the police car, something is wrong with this picture. Something is inherently wrong with this picture,” Hale said.

Trouble started at the house back in August when Hale says she caught Johnson living there without her knowledge.

Johnson received a squatting citation, but a Clayton County judge ruled “Sakemeyia Johnson is not a squatter” because of her relation to the evicted tenant’s partner – which she could be heard using in her favor on bodycam footage from the Dec. 9 altercation.

“I was written a citation saying I was a squatter. But a judge signed an order saying that I wasn’t a squatter,” Johnson said in the footage.

Hale fought that decision through a series of grueling hearings and appeals, eventually succeeding in legally ousting Johnson on Nov. 18. 

But the woman appears to have ignored the eviction.

“How can she not be squatting when I’ve never had any type of contract relationship with this person?” Hale asked.

Squatting has become a more common problem in Georgia in recent years.

In 2017 there were just three squatting cases, but in 2021 it had climbed to 50.

By 2023, there were 198 civil squatting cases across the state.