Trump Fat-Shames His Own Supporter

Ben Shapiro: Israel made a 'big mistake' barring Omar and Tlaib from visiting

https://www.foxnews.com/media/israel-omar-tlaib-ben-shapiro-trump

Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief Ben Shapiro claimed Thursday that Israel made an error in judgment by barring Rep. Ilhan Omar D-Minn., and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., from visiting the Jewish state and said the Israeli government played right into the lawmakers' hands.

"Is this a smart move by Israel? No. It is a very not smart move by Israel," Shapiro said on his eponymous radio program Thursday.

"If Omar and Tlaib had just gone to Israel and then they had done their little propaganda tour about how Israel is evil and shouldn't exist -- then their ten fans would cheer and everybody else would sigh and roll their eyes," Shapiro said. "This is actually giving Omar and Tlaib what they want in terms of PR so they can falsely claim that Israel doesn't tolerate dissent."

How Trump Bullied Israel Into Punishing His Political Opponents, to the Jewish State’s Great Detriment

https://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/289728/trump-bullied-israel-into-punishing-his-opponents

On July 19, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Ron Dermer, announced that Israel would permit entry to U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, despite their support for boycotting the Jewish state: “Out of respect for the U.S. Congress and the great alliance between Israel and America, we would not deny entry to any member of Congress into Israel.” Dermer, Netanyahu’s closest confidant and colloquially known as “Bibi’s Brain,” had reportedly recommended this course to his boss. As Haaretz correspondent Amir Tibon later reported, the decision was made to focus on this past week’s pro-Israel visit of 41 Democratic representatives, led by House Whip Steny Hoyer, rather than give more oxygen to an anti-Israel trip by just two Democratic congresswomen.

That entire plan, however, was detonated by Donald Trump for his own political purposes, to Israel’s great detriment. The president’s effort to undermine and alter the Israeli government’s approach began in early August, when Axios’ Barak Ravid reported that Trump was privately signaling that Israel should bar both Omar and Tlaib—personal antagonists who he had repeatedly assailed, often in bigoted terms. “Trump’s private views have reached the top level of the Israeli government,” Ravid reported.

Trump’s complaint put Netanyahu and his government in a bind—between their own original judgment that banning members of Congress would create a major rift with American Democrats and an erratic president who could be alienated by the smallest slight. Netanyahu himself, facing a tough reelection fight, could not afford a spat with Trump—the man whose face he had festooned on giant campaign posters. In an effort to buy time, the government announced on Thursday morning that it was “reconsidering” its position. Then Trump forced the issue:

Editorial: The Omar and Tlaib ban from Israel is a disgrace. True democracies aren’t afraid of critics

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2019-08-15/ilhan-omar-rashida-tlaib-israel-ban-trump-netanyahu

Last we checked, both the United States and Israel were democracies — and allies. Yet on Thursday the leaders of both countries sounded more like crazy autocrats with a penchant for silencing their critics. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to prohibit U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) from entering Israel on an official congressional visit not only smacks of tin-pot authoritarianism, it elevates his critics.

Netanyahu justified this shameful decision by citing a recent bit of daft legislating, an Israeli law prohibiting foreign nationals who back boycotts against Israel or its West Bank settlements from entering the country. That’s bad enough. Even more outrageous is that President Trump appears to have goaded Netanyahu into making this decision.

Not content to call for Omar and Tlaib (and their two progressive Democratic colleagues on the so-called “squad”) to leave the United States, Trump has been pressing Israel publicly not to let them into that country. To quote his tweet Thursday: “It would show great weakness if Israel allowed Rep. Omar and Rep. Tlaib to visit. They hate Israel & all Jewish people, & there is nothing that can be said or done to change their minds.” He added, “They are a disgrace!”

The only disgrace here is Trump’s behavior.

Israel Bans Reps. Omar and Tlaib From Entry Over Support for Boycotts

https://time.com/5652989/israel-bans-omar-tlaib-representatives/

Israel said Thursday that it will bar two Democratic congresswomen from entering the country ahead of a planned visit over their support for a Palestinian-led boycott movement, a decision announced shortly after President Donald Trump tweeted that it would “show great weakness” to allow them in.

The move to bar Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota from visiting appeared to be unprecedented. It marked a deep foray by Israel into America’s bitterly polarized politics and a sharp escalation of Israel’s campaign against the international boycott movement.

The two newly-elected Muslim members of Congress are outspoken critics of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians and have repeatedly sparred with Trump over a range of issues. Tlaib’s family immigrated to the United States from the West Bank, where she still has close relatives.

Trump accuses news media of trying to crash the economy

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/15/trump-economy-recession-stock-market-media-1464577

President Donald Trump on Thursday baselessly accused the press of trying to tank the American economy, shrugging off any blame for a prospective economic slowdown and possible recession heading into his reelection next year.

“The Fake News Media is doing everything they can to crash the economy because they think that will be bad for me and my re-election,” he said in a tweet. “The problem they have is that the economy is way too strong and we will soon be winning big on Trade, and everyone knows that, including China!”

The president offered no evidence to support his claim that the media, a frequent target of his ire, is working to weaken the U.S. economy.

Donald Trump Grapples With Self-Inflicted Economic Wounds As Markets Plunge | The Last Word | MSNBC

‘Keep the Hasidic Out’: A Small-Town Housing Showdown

In a peaceful corner of the Hudson Valley, a broad expanse of land sits at the ready for hundreds of homes ranging between 2,500 and 3,400 square feet, with views of the surrounding hills. There will be a recreation center and tennis courts, and nearly half of the development’s 117 acres will be kept as open space.

they most have read Joe Orlow's comment

Let's put this in perspective.

If I gave you a choice to take a walk at night unescorted through an American neighborhood filled with an overwhelming majority of White people, or through a neighborhood in any inner city neighborhood in America with a minority of White people, which would you choose?

RenameFifthAvenueinfrontofTrumpTower:"PresidentBarackH.ObamaAvenue"

https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/rename-fifth-avenue-in/?source=search

To be delivered to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York City Council

We request the stretch of Fifth Avenue between 56th and 57th Streets be renamed "President Barack H. Obama Avenue." Any addresses on that stretch of Fifth Avenue should be changed accordingly.

(v.3) Travel Advisory to All Draft-Age Girls With Israeli Citizenship Traveling to Israel, & other news from Israel

IMPORTANT International Travel Advisory to All Draft-Age Girls With Israeli Citizenship - INCLUDING DUAL US/Foreign - ISRAELI CITIZENSHIP - Traveling to Israel:

In light of a harrowing experience of an American Bais Yaakov girl with DUAL US-Israeli citizenship last Thursday at the Tel HaShomer Draft Office, ALL religious girls - of whatever religious affiliation [Mizrachi; Dati-Leumi; Chardal; Modern Orthodox; Chareidi; et. al., and especially Sefardi] - should remember to secure their religious exemption from IDF military service by sending their "Tatzhir Dat" ("certification of religiosity") to the IDF by CERTIFIED MAIL. By NO means should a girl ever venture into any draft office IN PERSON, regardless of any "advice" to the contrary.

Important: A "Tatzhir Dat" (available through a Bais Din) is not to be confused with a "Rayon Dat" (a Test of Religiosity," see below), which is to be totally avoided. Additionally, make sure to obtain a full service "Exemption," not merely a (temporary) "Deferment."

Last Thursday, one particular American Bais Yaakov girl, as reported by an eyewitness, ignored warnings to avoid entering the Draft Office, naively thinking (like anyone who deal with government offices in western countries) that she'd be "in and out." Like other girls seeking an exemption, she entered the building alone, inasmuch as they don't even allow parents in. Additionally, on entering, the girl lost all contact with the outside world (cellphone reception was blocked).

After an unexpectedly long period of waiting outside, her mother started saying Tehillim for her. After a tense 45 minutes, the girl exited, drained and tense. Her mother was shocked to hear that that if she'd not been so adamant about her refusal to enlist, her Bais Yaakov Seminary daughter would have actually been enlisted in the IDF.

° We just received another eyewitness report today of a similar scenario narrowly averted this Monday (Aug. 12), outside the Draft Office on Rechov Rashi. A 20 y/o American (Bais Yaakov type- appearing) girl, whose family recently made Aliyah, almost walked right into the Lishkas HaGiyus, where should could have easily been arrested. Bereft of basic information, she was clearly naive about the process and the dangers of entering the Draft Office premises, initially thinking she'd be out in five minutes. When she was properly informed, she B"H took care of her exemption process without entering the building, by obtaining her Tatzhir Das to send it in by registered mail. (She didn't even know she needed to a have a credit card to pay the 55 shekel for the tatzir. B"H one of the volunteers helped her out.)

° On Tuesday, Aug. 13, a emergency call went out to come to the Lishkas haGiyus to demonstrate to help free yet another religious girl who entered the building and got stuck inside. B"H she was freed.

This all highlights the critical need to support the lifesaving work of the volunteer sentinels stationed outside some of the various draft offices. Moreover, who knows how many girls are being drafted - or arrested, incarcerated, physically and emotionally abused, and even broken - without us even knowing about it? This is literally a matter of pidyon shevuyim and haztolas nefashos.

For individual girls, following proper procedures should not be taken lightly, especially now that the government is becoming much more resistant to providing religious exemptions. Another draft-age girl, recently visiting Israel for Pesach, was reportedly compelled to expend much time and effort before Pesach, during Chol HaMoed, and after Pesach, all just to ensure she'd be allowed to leave Israel without being stopped due her draft status.

Unlike in the past, even the most religious background and appearance may not shield girls from extensive attempts to prevail on them to enlist in the IDF. Ever since 5773, the government has made it a goal to recruit religious girls into the IDF. Consequently, draft office personnel are well trained to employ all types of techniques to pressure or maneuver even fully religious girls into signing up.

°°°

IF IN TROUBLE:

If ever confronted with such a situation, some useful advice for girls being pressured to enlist in the IDF is:

(1) firmly provide an unwavering and unequivocal response ("NO, by no means whatsoever will I ever enlist, no matter what the consequences (pursuant to the psak din of Torah authorities from across the spectrum).");

(2) don't give any more information than the Tatzhir Dat process requires;

(3) cut off all further communications (this also helps avoid being harassed by the varied threats often employed to break girls' resistance);

(4) You're not legally obligated to agree to submit to a "Rayon Dat" - "Test of Religiosity," nor should you. It can (and frequently does) hurt exemption prospects immensely. It is often merely a tool to trip up girls and make them feel like phonies, to break their resistance.

(5) If you're ever in trouble, feel free to contact the Israeli organization "Shalhevet" for immediate assistance (free of charge):

For emergency assistance:

Shalhevet:

v: 03-958-4048 ext 2

Or 3192 * to leave a message

e: 6202300@gmail.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

information on Giyus Banos available online at the site of Chotam, an Israeli Dati Leumi organization:

Immigration official Ken Cuccinelli: Statue of Liberty poem refers to immigrants from Europe

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/08/13/ken-cuccinelli-statue-liberty-poem-refers-migrants-europe/2004455001/

Acting U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ken Cuccinelli on Tuesday evening doubled down on his characterization of the famous Emma Lazarus Statue of Liberty sonnet, saying the poem was referring mostly to immigrants coming from Europe.

Cuccinelli early Tuesday made headlines after he gave his own revised version of the famous poem, "The New Colossus," when asked whether it would still be a part of the American ethos once the new rule was implemented.

‘We Are Being Eaten From Within.’ Why America Is Losing the Battle Against White Nationalist Terrorism

https://time.com/5647304/white-nationalist-terrorism-united-states/

When you think of a terrorist, what do you see? For more than a generation, the image lurking in Americans’ nightmares has resembled the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks: an Islamic jihadist. Not a 21-year-old white supremacist from a prosperous Dallas suburb.

But long before that young man drove to El Paso, Texas, on Aug. 3 and allegedly murdered at least 22 people at a Walmart crammed with back-to-school shoppers, it was clear that white nationalists have become the face of terrorism in America. Since 9/11, white supremacists and other far-right extremists have been responsible for almost three times as many attacks on U.S. soil as Islamic terrorists, the government reported. From 2009 through 2018, the far right has been responsible for 73% of domestic extremist-related fatalities, according to a 2019 study by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). And the toll is growing. More people–49–were murdered by far-right extremists in the U.S. last year than in any other year since the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress in July that a majority of the bureau’s domestic-terrorism investigations since October were linked to white supremacy.

Yet the nation’s leaders have failed to meet this menace. In more than a dozen interviews with TIME, current and former federal law-enforcement and national-security officials described a sense of bewilderment and frustration as they watched warnings go ignored and the white-supremacist terror threat grow. Over the past decade, multiple attempts to refocus federal resources on the issue have been thwarted. Entire offices meant to coordinate an interagency response to right-wing extremism were funded, staffed and then defunded in the face of legal, constitutional and political concerns.

Today, FBI officials say just 20% of the bureau’s counterterrorism field agents are focused on domestic probes. This year alone, those agents’ caseload has included an investigation into an Ohio militia allegedly stockpiling explosives to build pipe bombs; a self-professed white-supremacist Coast Guard officer who amassed an arsenal in his apartment in the greater Washington, D.C., area; an attack in April at a synagogue outside San Diego that killed one; and the July 28 assault at a garlic festival in Gilroy, Calif., that killed three. Cesar Sayoc, a 57-year-old man from Florida, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Aug. 5 after pleading guilty to mailing 16 pipe bombs to Democrats and critics of President Donald Trump.

TRUMP, REPUBLICANS RIDICULED AS FEDERAL DEFICIT, $3.7 TRILLION SPENDING HIT RECORD HIGHS

https://www.newsweek.com/conservatives-criticize-republican-federal-deficit-trump-spending-record-congress-debt-tax-cuts-1454024

Fiscal conservatives and Democrats alike are ridiculing Republican congressional members and President Donald Trump after federal spending hit a $3.7 trillion record and the budget deficit climbed to $867 billion so far this fiscal year.

The massive 27 percent deficit increase from last year is only expected to worsen as Trump's $1.5 trillion tax plan from a year-and-a-half ago fails to "pay for itself" as the White House previously claimed. Congress also passed another over-budget spending bill earlier this month. The Treasury Department report predicted on Monday a $1 trillion deficit in two months at the end of the fiscal year and analysts noted it's the most money the federal government has spent in the first 10 months of a fiscal year since 2009 efforts to pull out of the Great Recession.

"In case there were any remaining doubts about whether Trump's tax cut would pay for itself, it hasn't," Chris Lu, a previous White House cabinet secretary and deputy secretary of Labor under former President Barack Obama, said on Tuesday.

Fiscal critics blasted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 which was passed by a Republican majority in both chambers of Congress before being signed into law by Trump that December. This week, both Democrats and Republicans criticized the budget passed August 1 which suspended the debt ceiling until the end of July 2021 and put spending levels about $320 billion above limits set by a 2011 law. Trump championed the budget deal as a "great victory" for the U.S. military and veterans as the Defense Department was allotted record amounts of taxpayer money.

Kentucky GOP Senator Rand Paul said earlier this month the budget deal marked the "death of the Tea Party movement" among fiscal conservatives. Twenty-three Republicans joined five Democrats to oppose the budget deal.

"Great work by Mitch McConnell in deepening our budget deficit. I guess it was worth it to give his rich friends and donors a tax break," said Amy McGrath, the Kentucky Democratic challenger to the current Republican Senate Majority Leader.

UN ASKS PALESTINIANS TO EXPLAIN HATE SPEECH, ANTISEMITISM

https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/UN-asks-Palestinians-to-explain-hate-speech-antisemitism-598536

The Palestinian Authority was called to task for hate speech and antisemitism in its official statements and in its textbooks during the government’s first ever review by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination held in Geneva on Tuesday.

“Several NGO reports pointed out antisemitic and anti-Israel prejudice and incitement to hatred, especially in the [Palestinian] media and speeches of state officials. Can the state party [the PA] provide any explanation in this regard?” asked committee member Chinsung Chung of South Korea. She is the special rapporteur for the Palestinian Authority’s review by the committee. Its members paused to note the “historic” quality of the moment before tackling the more complex issues at hand.