Bob Seger Whose Eating Your Lunch this Morning?

Obama Admin Attacks Israel over West Bank Settlements

Wicki notes: In the Torah (Tanakh or Old Testament), the term Promised land is used tjo define the geographic area on everyone's map that is called Land of Canaan, Land of Israel and Promised land.  The Bible defines that promised land to include Judaism's holiest cities [669 times] which include Jerusalem and others since the time Abraham began to be associated with the Jews. In the Hebrew Bible, Jerusalem and the Holy Land are considered a divine gift, part of several covenants. Jerusalem has long been embedded into Jewish religious consciousness.  The Western Wall of the Temple Mount, nicknamed the "wailing wall", is the holiest site to Jews and a site of pilgrimage for centuries. From the first century on Christians, the concept of a Holy Land is derived from the renaming of the Land of Canaan as the Land of Israel (e.g. Genesis 15:18-21). The Holy Land is also significant in Christianity because of the lands association as the place of birth, ministry, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, who Christians regard as the Saviour or Messiah. One of Jesus' most important final teachings called the Olivet Discourse links prophecies from Daniel to prove Jesus will one day return to that holy mount. Jihadist's did not rip the holy land away from Christians until a very bloody series of wars in the 6th century AD they call the Crusades. 

Source: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cc6cffd6-994e-11de-ab8c-00144feabdc0.html
Date: September 4 2009 13:32

By Daniel Dombey in Washington and Vita Bekker in Jerusalem

Published: September 4 2009 13:32 | Last updated: September 4 2009 21:55

FINANCIL TIMES

Q: What Happened to Obama's Promises to Protect Israel???

The Obama administration attacked Israel on Friday for giving the green light to the building of hundreds of new homes in the occupied West Bank even as the two sides negotiate a freeze on settlement construction.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, is set to approve the new homes in the coming days, a move that appears aimed at softening opposition within his rightwing Likud party to a temporary settlement freeze.

An official close to Mr Netanyahu who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue said the PM would consider freezing building “for a few months” only after giving the green light to the construction of the new units for Jewish settlers.

“We regret the reports of Israel’s plans to approve additional settlement construction,” said Robert Gibbs, White House spokesman. “The US does not accept the legitimacy of continued settlement expansion and we urge that it stop. We are working to create a climate in which negotiations can take place, and such actions make it harder to create such a climate.”

George Mitchell, the Middle East envoy for Barack Obama, the US president, is due in Israel next week to continue the settlements negotiations, which Washington hopes will facilitate a resumption of stalled peace talks with the Palestinians.

The Obama administration has indicated it could sign up to less than the complete freeze on new building that it has demanded. “In a negotiation, people always stake out a variety of positions,” a state department spokesman said on Thursday. “Will that be the final position? Who knows?”

The Israeli official said the new expansion would be in addition to some 2,500 units already being built in the West Bank. None of the new homes will be in East Jerusalem, which Palestinians want as the capital of their future state.

According to the Israeli official, a suspension of construction would be authorised only if the “conditions are right”, including if Arab countries made efforts to normalise ties with the Jewish state.

The US has sought to persuade Arab states to make gestures to Israel, such as allowing it to open local trade offices and organising meetings between Israeli and Arab officials.

Mr Netanyahu is under pressure from members of his own party and from the pro-settler, rightwing allies in his governing coalition to resist the call for a settlement freeze.

Israeli media have suggested Mr Mitchell and Mr Netanyahu could announce an agreement next week ahead of a possible summit between Mr Netanyahu, Mr Obama and Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority president, during the United Nations General Assembly late this month.

However, Palestinians have so far resisted taking part in such a meeting, insisting that only a total freeze on construction would prompt the resumption of peace talks.

Nabil Abu Rdainah, an aide to Mr Abbas, was quoted by Reuters as saying that “a partial settlement freeze is not enough”.


Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. You may share using our article tools. Please don't cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web.


Author's Google docs:

Hamas Intl Terror Group [Are Our Eyes Open to this Threat]
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.96664b26-a7f8-4450-8c60-349e6c122174&hl=en


Fall of Capitalism Rise of Islam
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.ed370757-b2ac-4657-8bee-f70e84259ec4

Decepticon’s Alynsky War Room “Media Malpractice?”
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0jE9taMWseFNDZmZjBmYzMtZmQ0NC00NGE1LWI1ZDAtN2FlMDEzNDQ0ZGI0&hl=en


Obama Ran as a man of faith?
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.9b22e150-5869-409a-85de-376b2649ff2e&hl=en

Obama: Humanist ~ Utopian Commander in Chief
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.c08ced83-30b0-47e0-8506-abd86f55322a

Truth Justice & the American Way? Does it Still Exist?
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.ba0ce396-ca6b-484f-875e-0e93b7e56602&hl=en

Are We Holding Our Current Leaders Accountable to Their Oath?
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0jE9taMWseFMWM4NDgyNTAtZTBjNS00YTc3LTgwOTgtNGIzMWQ2ZWY5MTc0&hl=en

Military Oaths General Orders, Jerry Stokes 2009–08–26
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0jE9taMWseFZGY1MGIyNzQtYjAwNy00OTVhLTk5ZTMtMDg0MDQzMjc5YjA4&hl=en

Simple Path to Retaking Our National Roots

Is It Too Late to Defeat Socialism in America Today?

Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.7505039f-1bb8-410b-b928-a798e4aa4ecb&hl=en

Newport Beach Teen Zac Sunderland Accomplishes Global Trek

Source: http://www.sailzac.com/faqs.html http://cbs2.com/watercooler/sailor.17.youngest.2.1082843.html

Date: July 12, 2009

Jul 12, 2009 4:54 pm US/Pacific

Newport Beach Local Sailor arrived in Marina Del Rey becoming the youngest sailer to sail the entire globe.

Zac Sunderland set sail June 14, 2008 from Marina Del Rey in his 36-foot sailboat "Intrepid," a vessel he bought with $6,000, all his savings, and with the help of his shipwright father, who retrofitted the Islander for the circumnavigation trip.

"His progress is good so far. He's doing well," Laurence Sunderland said, talking by cell phone from his car. "I've got loads of thoughts going through my mind. It's been an incredible journey that I've been able to support. It's been so exciting."

"It's hugely exciting. Any father would be proud," he said. "He's left a boy and come back a man. It's been a huge inspiration for many people, young and old. I think Zac would agree with me that he would like this to serve as an example for young people to continue doing great things."

Zac is off the Baja California Sunday, headed upwind.

In his latest blog, Zac wrote: "I am still fighting the tight winds on my way back to Marina Del Rey. The weather has warmed up a bit. I guess I have passed out of the cold current I was in. It's been really nice to not be so cold.

"As I get closer and closer to home it is getting really exciting to be finishing up this yearlong adventure. It is going to be strange getting back but awesome to see my friends from Southern California. Just a few more days."

Zac's Web site, updated daily with his trials and tribulations, has had more than 150,000 hits a day, his father said.

Wiki on Zac:

When Sunderland decided to attempt the circumnavigation, he purchased a 36' Islander for $6,000, using all of his savings. With the assistance of his father, he retrofitted the yacht for the trip.

Sunderland planned to complete his voyage in April 2008 with a maximum time of 18 months.

He continued his schooling while on his trip, saying, "I have all my books with me. I have one more year to finish at high school and I have to send back my tests (via e-mail) to my mom. She's going to grade them and make sure I am doing well."

Sunderland’s voyage began on June 14, 2008 in Marina del Rey. The Intrepid featured the logos of Shuman’s RealSweet, Mastronardi’s Sunset Produce, and his sponsor Produce for Kids, promoting healthy eating and produce consumption for children.

On June 14, 2008 set sail from Marina del Rey. On July 11, Zac made his first stop at Ala Wai Boat Harbor, Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu, off Diamond Head. He left Hawaii headed towards the Marshall Islands (about 2,500 miles), on July 16 2008.

On August 4, 2008, Marshall Islands President Litokwa Tomeing (a sailor in his youth), formally welcomed and congratulated Zac in the President's Office, on Majuro: "And how is your boat?

He has made only 3 stops since his departure and his next stop is Darwin, Australia on September 18, amid a faulty bilge pump and fuel problems forcing him to land in Papua New Guinea.

Pirates: Zac suffered his first pirate encounter on October 7 after leaving Darwin. Locking himself in the bullet-proof glass of his cabin, he escaped.

Zac had endured 25-knot winds and 10-foot seas for more than 24 hours on October 13. Amid continuing engine and fuel problems, snapped boom, and a broken tiller, needing repairs, Zac Sunderland reached Cocos Islands (a.k.a. Keeling Islands) in the eastern Indian Ocean on October 14.

Zac turned 17 on November 29 2008, while still at sea.

Zac arrived in Durban, South Africa on December 14, after a delay of around 10 days because of a lack of wind.

Sunderland then sailed short hops to East London, Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay, then finally get to Cape Town, where he had a completely unplanned, chance meeting with Mike Perham, who is also vying for a record as the world's youngest solo-circumnavigator, and Minoru Saito who at 75 is making his eight solo-circumnavigation and holds the record as the oldest solo, non-stop circumnavigator.

After 13 months and 2 days at sea, Zac Sunderland completed his solo-circumnavigation by entering Marina del Rey on Thursday, July 16, 2009. At 17 years old, he is the youngest person to sail around the world alone; nobody under 18 has set this record before.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zac_Sunderland

Get Stoked google docs: I liked Zac's story. I bought my first sail boat in Marina del Rey. It was a 25' Coronado. My last boat was a 30' Newport I bought near Canada and sold in Portland, Oregon. Today as we look around at sooo many of this generation following the dark side Zac encourages me. It takes personal discipline to accomplish this. Its easy to have a good day or even a good week but Zac held it together for 13 months. I hope his DVD is very popular and profitable he deserves it. Americans are getting soft.

Pirates Destroying Freedom Globally

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.ea06a33c-6e28-474f-8018-2a5f49282523&hl=en

Independence Day Tea Parties!

Source: http://blatheringsblog.com/
Date: July 2, 2009

era is, of course, deeply meaningful to me. one of our founding fathers, benjamin franklin, once said ‘Where liberty dwells, there is my country.’ that statement is powerful and incredibly beautiful isn’t it? it’s one of my very favorites.

if at all possible, take the time to celebrate the 4th of july - our nation’s independence day - by meeting up with other like-minded freedom lovers at a tea party near you. there are more then 1,440 scheduled this weekend and you can go HERE to find a state-by-state comprehensive list including locations and contact names.

demanding fiscal responsibility from our elected officials is completely non-partisan. after all, this is our country.

we’ll be at the portland, oregon tea party raising heck and having some fun. i’ll be the one with a wild-eyed look and a bullhorn calling out dade’s name!

National Tea Party Movement Web:

http://www.nationwidechicagoteaparty.com/

National Leadership Tea Parties
http://www.nationwidechicagoteaparty.com/about.php

Good News Liberty Restored Sup Court

Source: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casesummary/index.html

Ricci v. DeStefano (U.S.S.C.) - In a Title VII action claiming that a city discriminated against white firefighter candidates for a promotion by discarding their test results based on a statistical racial disparity, summary judgment for Defendants is reversed where the city's action in discarding the tests violated Title VII, because a threshold showing of a significant statistical disparity is far from a strong basis in evidence that the city would have been liable under Title VII had it certified the test results.

RICCI et al. v. DeSTEFANO et al.
certiorari to the united states court of appeals for the second circuit
No. 07-1428. Argued April 22, 2009--Decided June 29, 2009*
New Haven, Conn. (City), uses objective examinations to identify those firefighters best qualified for promotion. When the results of such an exam to fill vacant lieutenant and captain positions showed that white candidates had outperformed minority candidates, a rancorous public debate ensued. Confronted with arguments both for and against certifying the test results--and threats of a lawsuit either way--the City threw out the results based on the statistical racial disparity. Petitioners, white and Hispanic firefighters who passed the exams but were denied a chance at promotions by the City's refusal to certify the test results, sued the City and respondent officials, alleging that discarding the test results discriminated against them based on their race in violation of, inter alia, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The defendants responded that had they certified the test results, they could have faced Title VII liability for adopting a practice having a disparate impact on minority firefighters. The District Court granted summary judgment for the defendants, and the Second Circuit affirmed.

Held: The City's action in discarding the tests violated Title VII. Pp. 16-34.

(a) Title VII prohibits intentional acts of employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin, 42 U. S. C. §2000e-2(a)(1) (disparate treatment), as well as policies or practices that are not intended to discriminate but in fact have a disproportionately adverse effect on minorities, §2000e-2(k)(1)(A)(i) (disparate impact). Once a plaintiff has established a prima facie case of disparate impact, the employer may defend by demonstrating that its
policy or practice is "job related for the position in question and consistent with business necessity." Ibid. If the employer meets that burden, the plaintiff may still succeed by showing that the employer refuses to adopt an available alternative practice that has less disparate impact and serves the employer's legitimate needs. §§2000e-2(k)(1)(A)(ii) and (C). Pp. 17-19.

c) The City's race-based rejection of the test results cannot satisfy the strong-basis-in-evidence standard. Pp. 26-34.

(ii) The City's assertions that the exams at issue were not job related and consistent with business necessity are blatantly contradicted by the record, which demonstrates the detailed steps taken to develop and administer the tests and the painstaking analyses of the questions asked to assure their relevance to the captain and lieutenant positions. The testimony also shows that complaints that certain examination questions were contradictory or did not specifically apply to firefighting practices in the City were fully addressed, and that the City turned a blind eye to evidence supporting the exams' validity. Pp. 28-29.

530 F. 3d 87, reversed and remanded.

Kennedy, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C.J., and Scalia, Thomas, and Alito, JJ., joined. Scalia, J., filed a concurring opinion. Alito, J., filed a concurring opinion, in which Scalia and Thomas, JJ., joined. Ginsburg, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Stevens, Souter, and Breyer, JJ., joined.