THE HIDDEN HOLY LAND
If there is one place on more TTPers’ bucket lists than any other, it’s the birthplace of the two founding religious traditions of Western Civilization, Judaism and Christianity.
You could spend a lifetime in the Holy Land and not see it all, for under every rock there’s 4,000 years of extraordinary history. Yet millions of visitors come here and see so little.
They go to the famous places, take a lot of pictures, hear a lecture most of which they forget once they’re back home, and that’s about it. Israel, the Holy Land? Yeah, been there, done that.
So how about doing it for real? That means:
*Experiencing all those famous places to get an in-depth understanding of what actually happened there and why.
*Experiencing places you never heard of, yet are equally fascinating.
*Experiencing Israel on a personal level, making friendships that last a lifetime with people who live here.
*Gaining a revelatory grasp of modern Israel that’s deeper than has anyone you know.
*Having all of this sink into your bones so you never forget it as long as you live.
Isn’t that what’s on your bucket list? If so, consider joining me on an unparalleled experience of the Hidden Holy Land this coming April.
WIPING OUT ON THE BLUE WAVE
Every day now we hear Democrats talking about their “Blue Wave” that will put this Alzheimer’s sufferer back in the House Speakership:
Yet, as all surfers know, riding a big wave risks what they joyously call a “wipeout.” So let’s do a thought experiment.
TRUMP TEACHES THE GOP HOW TO FIGHT
It’s an observation so strikingly true that you wonder why you didn’t think of it earlier. “Donald Trump,” a friend told me the other day, “is teaching the Republican Party how to fight and how to win.”
The evidence is everywhere every day, and it was on vivid display at the SOTU last night (1/31). The president remains in a fighting mood, determined to keep punching his way forward.
The Trump way starts with the passage of the historic tax cuts despite tiny Republican majorities in Congress and scare tactics from the Left. Before passage, polls showed the public was strongly opposed — but Trump pulled, pushed and bullied his party over the finish line.
The roaring results, with millions of workers already getting bonuses, pension boosts and pay hikes, vindicate his determination.
The decision by the House intelligence panel to write and release its memo on possible FBI misdeeds is yet more evidence of a new fighting spirit. Even Speaker Paul Ryan, averse to conflict by temperament and training, forcefully supported the memo’s release, saying it was time to “cleanse” the FBI.
This is not George Bush’s or John Boehner’s Republican Party. This is Trump’s GOP, as he demonstrated in spades in his first State of the Union address.
DEMOCRATS DEMONSTRATE HOW THEY’VE BECOME THE ANTI-AMERICA PARTY
Sitting on their hands as Trump proclaims record low black unemployment
It is difficult to imagine a more galling demonstration of incivility than the Democrats in the House Chamber for Trump's SOTU speech last night (1/30).
They scowled, frowned, and sat on their hands throughout the speech. They could hardly be bothered to acknowledge the heroes in the audience when they were introduced. While the Dems brought illegal immigrants, Trump invited actual paragons of American character and the families of victims of illegal immigrant crimes, as well as a victim of North Korea.
It was embarrassing, like watching the anti-Semites in the UN stomp out of the room when Benjamin Netanyahu speaks. How is it any different? Our Democrats behave exactly like the most racist, intolerant people on the planet, and in their own Capitol.
Besides blind hatred of Trump, Democrats have one issue and one issue only, the prioritization of illegal immigrants. The Democratic Party is today the party of illegal immigrants. That is their core constituency, that is who they represent over and above Americans.
CHANGING THE GEOGRAPHY OF POWER
Port-au-Prince Haiti – where the UN should be relocated
It matters where the seats of power are located. Given the populist revolt in the United States and Europe against the so-called "global elite," it is time to refigure the geography of governmental and transnational power.
Take the United Nations.
Much of the international body's perceived negatives derive from being in the world's richest and most visible city, New York. But what if U.N. elites did not have easy access to instant television exposure, tony Manhattan digs, and who's-who networking?
Most of the world is non-Western. Many Western elites are apologetic over past sins of imperialism and colonialism. So why not move the United Nations to Haiti, Libya or Uganda?
Liberals treasure the United Nations. Conservatives don't trust its often anti-democratic and anti-American tenor. So why not split the difference by staying in the United Nations but, after 66 years of a New York headquarters, finally allowing another country a chance at hosting the U.N.?
Washington, D.C., is often considered out of touch, both politically and geographically, with the rest of America. Given Washington's huge number of federal workers, why not disperse at least some of its agencies westward to ensure demographic diversity?
THE REMARKABLE IRRELEVANCE OF RUSSIA AT DAVOS
“Sorry, Vlad, but you’re not invited to Davos anymore”
Russian affairs used to attract outsized attention at the annual gatherings of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Not this year.
In Davos last week, the global business elite appeared not to be interested in either the problems or opportunities connected to this troubled and trouble-making power.
Moscow’s delegation of Davos-schmoozing veterans tried to give the Russian question a new spin, but they had next to nothing to say on any of the topics at the focus of this year’s debates: whether it was the fourth industrial revolution, disturbances in world trade, or deepening inequality (which Russia exemplifies) (New Times, January 24).
At Davos, the main theme is the future of the world economy – and in that regard, Russia doesn’t matter much in 2018.
United States President Donald Trump’s keynote address was the highlight at Davos, and he didn’t even bother mentioning Russia. Neither did British Prime Minister Theresa May nor Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. No wonder Putin didn’t attend, but sent underlings.
SCANDAL FREE?
Comey, Lynch, Holder, McCabe, Yates, Hillary, Zero – A Perp Walk Is In Your Future
CHANGING THE GEOGRAPHY OF POWER
Port-au-Prince Haiti – where the UN should be relocated
It matters where the seats of power are located. Given the populist revolt in the United States and Europe against the so-called "global elite," it is time to refigure the geography of governmental and transnational power.
Take the United Nations.
Much of the international body's perceived negatives derive from being in the world's richest and most visible city, New York. But what if U.N. elites did not have easy access to instant television exposure, tony Manhattan digs, and who's-who networking?
Most of the world is non-Western. Many Western elites are apologetic over past sins of imperialism and colonialism. So why not move the United Nations to Haiti, Libya or Uganda?
Liberals treasure the United Nations. Conservatives don't trust its often anti-democratic and anti-American tenor. So why not split the difference by staying in the United Nations but, after 66 years of a New York headquarters, finally allowing another country a chance at hosting the U.N.?
Washington, D.C., is often considered out of touch, both politically and geographically, with the rest of America. Given Washington's huge number of federal workers, why not disperse at least some of its agencies westward to ensure demographic diversity?
THE REMARKABLE IRRELEVANCE OF RUSSIA AT DAVOS
“Sorry, Vlad, but you’re not invited to Davos anymore”
Russian affairs used to attract outsized attention at the annual gatherings of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Not this year.
In Davos last week, the global business elite appeared not to be interested in either the problems or opportunities connected to this troubled and trouble-making power.
Moscow’s delegation of Davos-schmoozing veterans tried to give the Russian question a new spin, but they had next to nothing to say on any of the topics at the focus of this year’s debates: whether it was the fourth industrial revolution, disturbances in world trade, or deepening inequality (which Russia exemplifies) (New Times, January 24).
At Davos, the main theme is the future of the world economy – and in that regard, Russia doesn’t matter much in 2018.
United States President Donald Trump’s keynote address was the highlight at Davos, and he didn’t even bother mentioning Russia. Neither did British Prime Minister Theresa May nor Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. No wonder Putin didn’t attend, but sent underlings.
TRUMP TEACHES THE GOP HOW TO FIGHT
It’s an observation so strikingly true that you wonder why you didn’t think of it earlier. “Donald Trump,” a friend told me the other day, “is teaching the Republican Party how to fight and how to win.”
The evidence is everywhere every day, and it was on vivid display at the SOTU last night (1/31). The president remains in a fighting mood, determined to keep punching his way forward.
The Trump way starts with the passage of the historic tax cuts despite tiny Republican majorities in Congress and scare tactics from the Left. Before passage, polls showed the public was strongly opposed — but Trump pulled, pushed and bullied his party over the finish line.
The roaring results, with millions of workers already getting bonuses, pension boosts and pay hikes, vindicate his determination.
The decision by the House intelligence panel to write and release its memo on possible FBI misdeeds is yet more evidence of a new fighting spirit. Even Speaker Paul Ryan, averse to conflict by temperament and training, forcefully supported the memo’s release, saying it was time to “cleanse” the FBI.
This is not George Bush’s or John Boehner’s Republican Party. This is Trump’s GOP, as he demonstrated in spades in his first State of the Union address.