The Highway Department To The Rescue
The Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper Delivered A Speech For Israel’s 60th.
“All of my life, Israel has been a symbol of the triumph of hope and faith. After 1945, our battered world desperately needed to be lifted out of post-war darkness and despair. After so much pain and suffering, humanity needed comfort and optimism. After so much death and destruction, we needed the renewal of the dream of a better and more civilized world. In short, we needed to be inspired. It was the people who had suffered who most provided that inspiration. By their example, they led the world back to the light. From shattered Europe and other countries near and far, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob made their way home. Their pilgrimage was the culmination of a two-thousand-year-old dream; it is a tribute to the unquenchable human aspiration for freedom, and a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people.
“In the sixty years that followed, Israel blossomed into one of the most successful countries on earth; a land of ingenuity and enterprise, an oasis of agricultural genius, a wellspring of fine art and high culture, a model of democracy. Israel truly is the ‘miracle in the desert.’
“But the source of Israel’s strength and success, in my view, is its commitment to the universal values of all civilized peoples: freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law…
“Unfortunately, Israel at 60 remains a country threatened by those groups and regimes who deny to this day its right to exist. And why? Make no mistake; look beyond the thinly-veiled rationalizations: because they hate Israel, just as they hate the Jewish people. Our government believes that those who threaten Israel also threaten Canada, because, as the last world war showed, hate-fueled bigotry against some is ultimately a threat to us all, and must be resisted wherever it may lurk.
“In this ongoing battle, Canada stands side-by-side with the State of Israel, our friend and ally in the democratic family of nations. We have stood with Israel even when it has not been popular to do so, and we will continue to stand with Israel, just as I have always said we would…
“There will be many challenges along the way, but considering how far Israel has come in such a short time, in the face of such seemingly insurmountable odds, I can foresee no dark force, no matter how strong, that could succeed in dimming the light of freedom and democracy that shines from within Israel .”
How rare in this highly politicized and twisted world is such unqualified support. Imagine how different our position would be if other world leaders spoke similarly. P M Harper is to be saluted.
Rupert Murdoch May Endorse Obama
That’s what the Wall Street Journal is reporting. This campaign has crossed the “surreal line.” Not a word about this on Fox. Very interesting, would say Arte Johnson of Rowan and Martin’s Laugh- in fame. This was far and away my grandmother’s favorite show of all time.
Speaking of Laugh- in, I note the passing earlier this week of Dick Martin, the co-host and one of the creators of the show. RIP
Cars That Run On Air?
Dick Berk sent me an email telling me of this revolutionary invention. It seems that they may soon be available, just not in the good ol’ US of A… You don’t think the big oil companies will do what they can to keep it that way? Nahh, that couldn’t happen. Yea, right.
In any event, check it out.
Willie Randolph Helps Mets Prepare Plank
This has been a disastrous week for my beloved New York Mets. After breaking a six game loosing streak yesterday in Colorado, they dropped yet another game today to the Rockies. Manager Randolph assured his eventual fate by playing the “race card.” It seems that the same press in New York who supported him until he was unable to “stop the bleeding” in the last week of last season, now is calling for his head. Willie claims it’s because of the color of his skin. What poppycock. Enjoy your walk, meat.
I’m for the return of Bobby Valentine, master of disguises.
“Honorary Mayor” Of Alameda
Sure our real Mayor is Beverly Johnson, seen here shaking hands with me boy Phillip Satin Tyko…
… but my pal William Piehl [pictured bellow taking a much needed break] takes over from time to time. He greets we Alamedans with a dose of good cheer at Java Rama Coffee Shop most every day. He is the happiest person I know.
John Lester No-No A First For Otters
No hits, just two walks and no runs gave the California Sea Otters a boost [as one might imagine it would] in my Fantasy League.
I recently picked up the very brittle but extremely productive [when healthy] Milton Bradley and his and Geovany Soto‘s nice numbers have contributed to my resurgence, such as it is.
Here’s a picture of John Lester celebrating our good fortune:
Camelot, It Was Not…
We thought it was real. It wasn’t. It was a dream.
We were certain Ted Kennedy would actualize his brother’s hopes and dreams for our country. He didn’t.
We watched him change from this…
… to this:
Literally and figuratively he represents a failed generation. My generation.
He’s ailing now, but when there’s life there’s hope. Maybe he’ll recover and help make it all right again to dream. I hope so.
Comfortably Zoned with Ralph Zig Tyko 