Jerusalem: Barkat, who takes Michael Bloomberg as his role model, will be the next mayor of the Holy City. New York City is his ideal town. Barkat aspires to make Jerusalem an international metropolis as the eternal capital of the Jewish people. Having spent a lot of time there, I have a hard time imagining that. It would be a very different place. Jerusalem is perched high on the Judean ridge looking east into hard desert and west down the slope to the sea. The only part of the city that has any real charm or tourist value is the tiny Old City with its winding cobblestone streets and its burden of history. What does he want to do, tear some of that down for redevelopment? Will we see the Holy Sepulchre Spa, Casino and Convention Center? Are we going to see massive development on the Mount of Olives? Many Americans think that New York City is of doubtful national identity. Is that what he wants for Jerusale
m?
Lieberman: An interesting "Kabuki Drama" is being played out within the nascent Obama Administration concerning Good Old Joe. Lieberman votes liberal on nearly everything. The exceptions are things that his neocon buddies at AEI want concerning the Middle East. He has been a BIG backer of the Iraq War. Obama has been a staunch opponent of that war. Lieberman endorsed McCain, spoke for him at the GOP convention, campaigned with him everywhere and was short listed as among the choices to be McCain's VP running mate. Now, the Chicago crowd want Harry Reid to allow him to retain chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee? Why? I say again, why? I gave Joe a thousand dollars once for one of his senate campaigns. That was a long time ago. He can send it back.
Stolen Valor: The FBI is now investigating violations of the "Stolen Valor Act" of 2006. Good. Try reading the book, "Stolen Valor." It is about all the little pukes who have awarded themselves decorations for valor or have falsely claimed to have served. Former personnel clerks who simply drew up orders giving themselves the medals, people who never served who claim to own the Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, etc. Other people who simply claim to have served in units that would have scorned them. Special Forces, the Airborne force and the US Marines are the usual claimed identities. Over the years I have had many, many men tell me that they were Green Berets. I always ask them a few questions abut that service. This is a revealing process. Famous people make such claims. The actor Brian Dennehy is an example. He falsely claimed to have served in Vietnam. Hang'em high! pl