Flawed Electoral System
The need for an Israeli prime minister to be skilled at coalition building has only deepened with the degeneration of Israel’s electoral system increasingly into a free-for-all of multiple parties — with 12 electoral blocs and as many as 17 distinct parties in the current Knesset. Israel has an extreme form of proportional representation, with a threshold of votes for getting into parliament that is too low, at about two percent, for a stable majority to govern.
No single party or list has ever won a majority of the 120 seats in the Knesset, but the major parties have declined to a historical low. Labor and Meretz have fallen from 44 and 12 members elected respectively with Rabin in 1992, to 19 and five seats today — paying the political price for the failure of the peace process of the 1990s.
As for Kadima, it’s still reeling from last year’s dismal war with Hezbollah; Olmert is consistently shown in the polls as leading Kadima to defeat. But elections are not due until 2010 and sitting Members of Knesset who know they are vulnerable have little incentive to vote no-confidence in the government, precipitating an early election. (And Olmert’s stock has risen lately due to the popularity of the mysterious military move against a target in Syria the other week.)
Contrary to what is generally believed, a possible silver lining of Olmert’s weakness is that this might embolden him to seriously negotiate a two-state framework agreement with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, to be consecrated at an upcoming international conference scheduled for November. Such a dramatic development, if it is seen as bolstering prospects for peace, would boost Olmert electorally. (But, given a host of factors, its success must be regarded as a longshot.)
Barak is apparently basing his comeback strategy on a hardline stand. He is said to have discounted the possibility of any West Bank withdrawal in the near term. He has reportedly proclaimed the need for three to five years for Israel to develop a technological defense against such rocket and missile attacks from the West Bank as Israel has experienced from the other territories it evacuated — Gaza and southern Lebanon. Barak may undermine Olmert’s efforts to bolster Abbas with the dismantling of West Bank checkpoints or the further release of prisoners.
Barak could have delivered much yet failed miserably as prime minister. Today’s resurrected version has been hardened by that experience.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
New York Open - 29 & 30 Sept
In exactly one month La Boule NY will hold their annual New York Open Tournament.Open to all players, from beginners to champions.
"Select doubles" means teams of two players.
Registration fee is $40 per team.
Total purse min. $2500.
Update:
All 32 slots are filled, but do come and watch some of the best players in the country.
Bryant Park is beautiful and we will organize some fun pick up games for anyone interested as from Sunday at 11am.
For further info visit La Boule NY.
New York Open - 29 & 30 Sept
In exactly one month La Boule NY will hold their annual New York Open Tournament.Open to all players, from beginners to champions.
"Select doubles" means teams of two players.
Registration fee is $40 per team.
Total purse min. $2500.
Update:
All 32 slots are filled, but do come and watch some of the best players in the country.
Bryant Park is beautiful and we will organize some fun pick up games for anyone interested as from Sunday at 11am.
For further info visit La Boule NY.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Barak's Second Coming, Part 1
The following is a modified version of my "Column Left" in the pending autumn 2007 issue of ISRAEL HORIZONS, and an article in the October issue of IN THESE TIMES:
Nearly 10 years to the day since Ehud Barak was first elected chair of Israel’s Labor party (June 3, 1997, defeating Yossi Beilin), he emerged victorious again this past June 12 — in a narrow primary win over his more dovish opponent, Ami Ayalon. On June 17, he replaced the hapless Amir Peretz as minister of defense.
In 1999, Barak had trounced the incumbent Likud prime minister, Bibi Netanyahu, with 57 percent in a direct vote. This was under the short-lived experiment that mandated a separate ballot for prime minister — a reform ended after the 2001 election with a return to Israel’s traditional means of electing prime ministers, via competing parliamentary lists.
Although prime minister for a mere 20 months, Barak was energetic:
negotiating within a few meters of a peace agreement with Syria, withdrawing Israeli forces unilaterally from Lebanon, attempting an agreement with the Palestinians at Camp David in the summer of 2000, presiding over the beginnings of the intifada that followed, making one last-ditch negotiating attempt at Taba and then succumbing in a nearly two-to-one electoral debacle to Ariel Sharon. Barak resigned from politics, loudly proclaiming that Yasir Arafat had proven himself incapable of making peace.
The reality is that both leaders can legitimately share blame: Barak for delaying and in other ways mishandling negotiations with the Palestinians and Arafat for disastrously attempting to use the violent uprising known as the Al-Aksa Intifada as leverage on the Israelis, rather than doing all he could to quickly end it.
Even so, Barak came close to concluding agreements with both Syria and the Palestinians. But he also fatally tried the patience of Palestinians by heading a coalition that included the pro-settler National Religious Party (allowing them to expand settlements) and rejecting the option of including supportive Arab parties in his coalition. He refused the further interim withdrawal agreement called for under Oslo and negotiated with Syria first – coming to a blind alley because he insisted on those extra few meters (as, of course, did the Syrians).
Barak had not made a successful transition from armed forces chief of staff, a general who leads by commanding subordinates, to being a political leader who must negotiate decisions as first among equals. An example was his falling out with the Meretz party, his more left-wing but also ideologically closest ally. (For a time, Barak wasn’t even on speaking terms with Yossi Sarid, then the leader of Meretz.) To be continued.
Nearly 10 years to the day since Ehud Barak was first elected chair of Israel’s Labor party (June 3, 1997, defeating Yossi Beilin), he emerged victorious again this past June 12 — in a narrow primary win over his more dovish opponent, Ami Ayalon. On June 17, he replaced the hapless Amir Peretz as minister of defense.
In 1999, Barak had trounced the incumbent Likud prime minister, Bibi Netanyahu, with 57 percent in a direct vote. This was under the short-lived experiment that mandated a separate ballot for prime minister — a reform ended after the 2001 election with a return to Israel’s traditional means of electing prime ministers, via competing parliamentary lists.
Although prime minister for a mere 20 months, Barak was energetic:
negotiating within a few meters of a peace agreement with Syria, withdrawing Israeli forces unilaterally from Lebanon, attempting an agreement with the Palestinians at Camp David in the summer of 2000, presiding over the beginnings of the intifada that followed, making one last-ditch negotiating attempt at Taba and then succumbing in a nearly two-to-one electoral debacle to Ariel Sharon. Barak resigned from politics, loudly proclaiming that Yasir Arafat had proven himself incapable of making peace.
The reality is that both leaders can legitimately share blame: Barak for delaying and in other ways mishandling negotiations with the Palestinians and Arafat for disastrously attempting to use the violent uprising known as the Al-Aksa Intifada as leverage on the Israelis, rather than doing all he could to quickly end it.
Even so, Barak came close to concluding agreements with both Syria and the Palestinians. But he also fatally tried the patience of Palestinians by heading a coalition that included the pro-settler National Religious Party (allowing them to expand settlements) and rejecting the option of including supportive Arab parties in his coalition. He refused the further interim withdrawal agreement called for under Oslo and negotiated with Syria first – coming to a blind alley because he insisted on those extra few meters (as, of course, did the Syrians).
Barak had not made a successful transition from armed forces chief of staff, a general who leads by commanding subordinates, to being a political leader who must negotiate decisions as first among equals. An example was his falling out with the Meretz party, his more left-wing but also ideologically closest ally. (For a time, Barak wasn’t even on speaking terms with Yossi Sarid, then the leader of Meretz.) To be continued.
Toward Carfree Cities 2007 - Istanbul
“Naked streets” for a “car free” city - Turkish Daily News
Eduardo Green shares his lovely photos from this year's gathering.
See you all in Portland, Oregon, USA in 2008!
To get on the email list for planning Portland TCFC 2008 send an email to: eleanor[dot]blue[at]gmail[dot]com
Google and Call Centers?
A couple of weeks ago, we exhibited at a conference specifically for call center managers, the 'ACCE' show in
Our story was simple - call centers want to provide faster customer service. Their agents need to access the right information at the right time. These agents are used to Google at home, so why not give them Google at work?
The attendees really understood the story once we explained how one of our customers, a global auto manufacturer, was using the Google Search Appliance. Their agents would get questions like "Why are the brakes on my 1996 hatchback model squeaky?" While much of the information resided in 22,000 documents in their knowledgebase, their previous search system was not providing relevant results. Immediately after piloting the Google Search Appliance, they said "Straight out of the box, without any customization, we were seeing a lot better results with the Google Search Appliance."
Needless to say, the attendees of the ACCE show quickly 'got it' and understood exactly why Google was at a call center show. (Of course, from our end, the show being in
To find out more about our call center solution, read our white paper.
AAEA President & Condoleezza Rice At Climate Summit
AAEA President Norris McDonald attended the "Major Economies Meeting on Energy and Climate Change at the U.S. Department of State. He is pictured at left with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. McDonald expressed AAEA's support for President Bush's climate change programs. He mentioned that AAEA is working hard on climate change mitigation and offered our organization's assistance to the State Department to assure the success of the administration's current effort.
President Bush addressed the delegation at the State Department on the second day. McDonald attended the speech. He proposed a new International Clean Technology Fund that would help developing countries buy nuclear power plants, clean burning coal fired power plants and other technologies.
(More) (White House Statement)
Video of Protest Outside the State Department & Secretary Rice Inside
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
"We don't want you up here on your bike."
The Town Center Plaza in Leawood, Kansas is run by idiots.
Here is a quick course in how to alienate potentially loyal customers.
The Return of the Enterprise Superstars
Last year we established the Google Enterprise Superstars award to recognize companies that use Google's enterprise search solutions in particularly innovative ways.
Today we're announcing three new award winners.
Williams Scotsman International, a leading provider of modular space solutions, has earned a Google Enterprise Superstar award for deploying the Google Mini for site search on www.willscot.com and for setting up a different Mini to power search on their intranet inside the company. Read their story here.
eCompressed air has won the Google Enterprise Superstar award for using the Mini on ecompressedair.com, its e-commerce business-to-business website for the compressed air market. Site search powered by the Google Mini has increased website transactions by a whopping 204%! Click here to read their story.
ESAB Welding has earned the Google Enterprise Superstar award by improving their site's user experience by adopting a Google Mini. ESAB Welding previously had separate search engines for its product catalog and for its company information, but with the Google Mini, they were able to create a search engine for both kinds of content, thus simplifying the user experience on their site. Read how the Google Mini helped them.
We'll be announcing additional Enterprise Superstars over the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Bollinger and Ahmadinejad
Columbia University’s president Lee Bollinger was most impressive when I saw him speak last spring at a meeting organized by the American Jewish Committee. He has been outspoken in his opposition to academic boycotts of Israel and on the "Israel = apartheid" argument.
He may have misstepped in inviting Ahmadinejad to Columbia the other day, but it was with the best of intentions: to challenge and expose the latter’s outrageous views on the Holocaust and Israel. Bollinger’s take-no-prisoners introductory remarks made this abundantly clear.
But while he and Columbia were in their rights to invite this guy– and I applaud Mayor Bloomberg’s dismissal of New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s threat to punish Columbia financially – this may not have been wise. It gave Ahmadinejad a high-profile forum to espouse his odious views. Although this revealed his bigotry on homosexuality and his unwillingness to forthrightly own up to his antisemitism, Ahmadinejad expertly used Columbia as a platform to advance his propaganda assault against Israel.
"Why should the Palestinians pay for an event they had nothing to do with?" he stated to a round of applause, in responding to a query on the Holocaust.
While I certainly understand why this answer resonates with some, I wish to counter it. I do so not to deny the sufferings and injustices endured by the Palestinian Arab people in the wake of the Holocaust, but to provide some important historical details and to add moral texture.
Palestinian-Arab nationalist forces were uncompromising in their demand that Jewish immigration to the British Mandate of Palestine be ended, despite the fact that the Jews of continental Europe desperately needed a place of refuge from the looming Nazi onslaught. The most powerful Palestinian wartime leader, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, was an active ally of Hitler; he fought for the establishment of a pro-Nazi regime in Iraq and after fleeing to Germany following the defeat of the Iraqi rebellion in the spring of 1941, made propaganda broadcasts for the Axis and against the Jews and recruited Balkan Muslims to the SS.
When the Palestinians rejected the UN partition plan of 1947, they launched an all-out assault on the Yishuv, the Jewish presence in Palestine, attempting to destroy it a full six months before Israel’s declaration of independence and the invasion of Palestine by regular armies from neighboring Arab states. They did not attack to implement a binational state in Palestine, mind you, but to extinguish Jewish autonomy in that country and perhaps the physical existence of Jews there.
Again, this is not to excuse the harsh treatment meted out by Jewish militias and then by the nascent Israeli Defense Force in the fighting of November 1947 through January 1949. Nor to excuse Israel’s uncompromising stance toward the refugees over the decades or to condone the second-class status that Arab citizens of Israel have lived under. But Israel was reacting to a traumatic effort to destroy it at its birth, one that came close to succeeding during the darkest days of the independence war in the first half of 1948. Neither side was pristine in their actions;
innocents suffered on both sides in their thousands.
If not for Iran’s strident hostility, and its active assistance to Hezbollah and Hamas, Israel would pose no military threat to Iran — a non-Arab country that it has never fought and that does not even border on any of Israel’s immediate neighbors. It is raw antisemitism that fuels Iran’s hatred of Israel and Ahmadinejad’s infuriating Holocaust denial.
Iran’s Jewish community of 25,000 is not persecuted in a wholesale way, but there is no question that its status is precarious. Prominent Jews have been imprisoned as "Zionist agents" and the community has shrunk precipitously from its peak of about 80,000 at the time of the Islamic revolution, 28 years ago.
He may have misstepped in inviting Ahmadinejad to Columbia the other day, but it was with the best of intentions: to challenge and expose the latter’s outrageous views on the Holocaust and Israel. Bollinger’s take-no-prisoners introductory remarks made this abundantly clear.
But while he and Columbia were in their rights to invite this guy– and I applaud Mayor Bloomberg’s dismissal of New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s threat to punish Columbia financially – this may not have been wise. It gave Ahmadinejad a high-profile forum to espouse his odious views. Although this revealed his bigotry on homosexuality and his unwillingness to forthrightly own up to his antisemitism, Ahmadinejad expertly used Columbia as a platform to advance his propaganda assault against Israel.
"Why should the Palestinians pay for an event they had nothing to do with?" he stated to a round of applause, in responding to a query on the Holocaust.
While I certainly understand why this answer resonates with some, I wish to counter it. I do so not to deny the sufferings and injustices endured by the Palestinian Arab people in the wake of the Holocaust, but to provide some important historical details and to add moral texture.
Palestinian-Arab nationalist forces were uncompromising in their demand that Jewish immigration to the British Mandate of Palestine be ended, despite the fact that the Jews of continental Europe desperately needed a place of refuge from the looming Nazi onslaught. The most powerful Palestinian wartime leader, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, was an active ally of Hitler; he fought for the establishment of a pro-Nazi regime in Iraq and after fleeing to Germany following the defeat of the Iraqi rebellion in the spring of 1941, made propaganda broadcasts for the Axis and against the Jews and recruited Balkan Muslims to the SS.
When the Palestinians rejected the UN partition plan of 1947, they launched an all-out assault on the Yishuv, the Jewish presence in Palestine, attempting to destroy it a full six months before Israel’s declaration of independence and the invasion of Palestine by regular armies from neighboring Arab states. They did not attack to implement a binational state in Palestine, mind you, but to extinguish Jewish autonomy in that country and perhaps the physical existence of Jews there.
Again, this is not to excuse the harsh treatment meted out by Jewish militias and then by the nascent Israeli Defense Force in the fighting of November 1947 through January 1949. Nor to excuse Israel’s uncompromising stance toward the refugees over the decades or to condone the second-class status that Arab citizens of Israel have lived under. But Israel was reacting to a traumatic effort to destroy it at its birth, one that came close to succeeding during the darkest days of the independence war in the first half of 1948. Neither side was pristine in their actions;
innocents suffered on both sides in their thousands.
If not for Iran’s strident hostility, and its active assistance to Hezbollah and Hamas, Israel would pose no military threat to Iran — a non-Arab country that it has never fought and that does not even border on any of Israel’s immediate neighbors. It is raw antisemitism that fuels Iran’s hatred of Israel and Ahmadinejad’s infuriating Holocaust denial.
Iran’s Jewish community of 25,000 is not persecuted in a wholesale way, but there is no question that its status is precarious. Prominent Jews have been imprisoned as "Zionist agents" and the community has shrunk precipitously from its peak of about 80,000 at the time of the Islamic revolution, 28 years ago.
Joe M. Sprinkle on 2 Kings 3 - History or Historical Fiction?
The following article is now available on-line:
Joe M. Sprinkle, "2 Kings 3: History or Historical Fiction?" Bulletin for Biblical Research 9 (1999): 247-270.
Summary:
Joe M. Sprinkle, "2 Kings 3: History or Historical Fiction?" Bulletin for Biblical Research 9 (1999): 247-270.
Summary:
It has become fashionable in recent decades for biblical scholars, sometimes termed “biblical minimalists,” to deny thoroughly the historicity of virtually all biblical narratives. 2 Kings 3 has not escaped this trend to repudiate reconstructions that harmonize the biblical account with extrabiblical data, in this case with the Mesha Inscription (Moabite Stone). Rather, such minimalists label 2 Kings 3 “historical fiction” with the emphasis on fiction and see little genuine history in the chapter. This paper examines the arguments of biblical minimalists concerning 2 Kings 3 in comparison with the Mesha Inscription and presents what can be termed a “historical maximalist” response for this story, evaluating the arguments of the minimalists while providing a positive historical reconstruction of this period on “maximalist” assumptions. It is concluded that a reconstruction that takes both 2 Kings 3 and the Mesha Inscription as essentially accurate history is possible, and that the objections raised by historical minimalists to such a reconstruction, though not without weight, are by no means conclusive. Hence, historical maximalism for 2 Kings 3 appears to be a viable option.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Congressional Black Caucus EJ & Energy Forums 2007
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is hosting its 37th Annual Legislative Conference at the Washington Convention Center.
Rep. James E. Clyburn, left, wil host the CBC Environmental Justice Forum, which will address, "Environmental Justice: Federal Efforts to Strengthen Environmental Justice Through Enforcement of Civil Rights," Friday, Sept 28, 2007, 10:30-12 noon, Room 143-B.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, right, will host the CBC Energy Forum, which will address, "High Gasoline Prices & High Utility Costs: Building Bridges Between the African American Community and America's Energy Industry," Friday, Sept 28, 2007, 9-12 noon, Room 202-A. (All Friday Forums)
Budapest Critical Mass 2007, and a birthday
Budapest holds their annual Critical Mass celebration on Earth Day (April 22.)
This year 35,000 people participated.
Festivities included a world-record breaking bike raising.
Enjoy.
P.S. The original Critical Mass (San Francisco) turns 15 years old on Friday, September 28, 2007. Participants will meet at the usual spot. Justin (Pee Wee) Herman Plaza across from the Ferry Building.
The San Francisco Chronicle notes the anniversary.
New Report: Livable Cities = Global Cooling
Meeting the growing demand for conveniently located homes in walkable neighborhoods could significantly reduce the growth in the number of miles Americans drive, shrinking the nation’s carbon footprint while giving people more housing choices, according to a team of leading urban planning researchers.
In a comprehensive review of dozens of studies, published by the Urban Land Institute, the researchers conclude that urban development is both a key contributor to climate change and an essential factor in combating it.
Urban Land Institute
In a comprehensive review of dozens of studies, published by the Urban Land Institute, the researchers conclude that urban development is both a key contributor to climate change and an essential factor in combating it.
Urban Land Institute
Dueling Climate Change Meetings
The press, pundits, politicians, heads of state and armchair analysts are debating whether the United Nations meeting on climate change or the Bush Administration meeting on climate change will lead to the better solution. This is a very busy week for discussing climate change. AAEA believes there has to be some sort of hybrid with components from each point of view. President Bush is right that we should do nothing to destroy the American economy in attacking climate change and that technology can make a very big difference. But The United Nations is right in recommending some sort of cap and trade program. On one side President Bush opposes mandatory caps and on the other side the caps imposed by the Kyoto Protocol are not working. Kyoto obliges 35 industrial nations to cut emissions by at least 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-12.
AAEA will participate in President Bush's meeting on climate change and will promote its technology-based solutions to climate change. We have developed a Green Carbon Bank and Carbon Mercantile Exchange to promote carbon dioxide offsets. We also support nuclear power and plug-in fuel cell hybrid (lithium ion battery) electric vehicles as the front line technologies to fight climate change. President Bush is promoting the Asia-Pacific Partnership and Methane-to-Markets as his lead programs to fight global climate change. The Bush will address the conferees (heads of 15 industrialised and developing countries) at the Sept. 27-28 conference, which will be hosted by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Yvo de Boer, upper right, the head of the Bonn-based U.N. Climate Change Secretariat, will address the UN meeting on Monday, Sept 24. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, upper left, called for the conference of 100 government leaders to discuss climate change in New York, a day before the UN general assembly opens.
'Information Commissioner & Tribunal Decisions' course
A half-day course presented by Maurice Frankel, director Campaign for Freedom of Information:
Central London 1 November 2007, Liverpool 6 November 2007, Bristol 8 November 2007
The course is aimed at practitioners with a working knowledge of the legislation. It will look at the implications of key decisions from recent months on the main exemptions, public interest test and procedural requirements. It will examine the approach being taken by the Commissioner and Tribunal in part by discussing apparently similar cases which have reached different outcomes.
Issues will include: "fair" and "unfair" disclosures of personal data; protection of commercial interests under FOI and EIRs; disclosures that inhibit frankness; vexatious requests; where the public interest test has tipped the balance; when is information "held"; neither confirming nor denying - decisions to date; advice and assistance.
There are significant discounts available for more than one booking from the same organisation.
For further information - http://www.cfoi.org.uk/pdf/decisions_course.pdf
A half-day course presented by Maurice Frankel, director Campaign for Freedom of Information:
Central London 1 November 2007, Liverpool 6 November 2007, Bristol 8 November 2007
The course is aimed at practitioners with a working knowledge of the legislation. It will look at the implications of key decisions from recent months on the main exemptions, public interest test and procedural requirements. It will examine the approach being taken by the Commissioner and Tribunal in part by discussing apparently similar cases which have reached different outcomes.
Issues will include: "fair" and "unfair" disclosures of personal data; protection of commercial interests under FOI and EIRs; disclosures that inhibit frankness; vexatious requests; where the public interest test has tipped the balance; when is information "held"; neither confirming nor denying - decisions to date; advice and assistance.
There are significant discounts available for more than one booking from the same organisation.
For further information - http://www.cfoi.org.uk/pdf/decisions_course.pdf
Act Now Training Courses
Act Now Training has produced its Autumn 2007 program of training courses on Freedom of Information.
Courses range from a basic A-Z to the more advanced exemptions workshop. There is also a new workshop on implementing the Records Management Code of Practice. All courses are priced at £245 plus vat and are at city centre venues close to transport links.
See http://www.actnow.org.uk/aut07.htm
Or Phone 01924 451054
Act Now Training has produced its Autumn 2007 program of training courses on Freedom of Information.
Courses range from a basic A-Z to the more advanced exemptions workshop. There is also a new workshop on implementing the Records Management Code of Practice. All courses are priced at £245 plus vat and are at city centre venues close to transport links.
See http://www.actnow.org.uk/aut07.htm
Or Phone 01924 451054
FOI Podcast - Episode 8 available
Episode 8 of the UK’s first Freedom of Information podcast by Ibrahim Hasan.
In July and August 2007 the Information Commissioner published sixty four FOI decisions whilst the Information Tribunal published seven. This podcast guides you through some of these.
Amongst other things, in this episode Ibrahim will be discussing
• The first appeal against an Information Notice
• Disclosure of staff names and contact details
• The first Commissioner decisions involving GPs
• Disclosure of bids received for the purchase of council land
• Whether statistics can still be personal data
• Disclosure of dead peoples’ information
• AND when retrieval of information amounts to the creation of new information
The podcast can be listened to by going to http://www.informationlaw.org.uk/page10.htm
The raw feed http://informationlaw.jellycast.com/podcast/feed/5 for those of you with RSS feed readers.
There you can also download previous scripts and podcasts.
Episode 8 of the UK’s first Freedom of Information podcast by Ibrahim Hasan.
In July and August 2007 the Information Commissioner published sixty four FOI decisions whilst the Information Tribunal published seven. This podcast guides you through some of these.
Amongst other things, in this episode Ibrahim will be discussing
• The first appeal against an Information Notice
• Disclosure of staff names and contact details
• The first Commissioner decisions involving GPs
• Disclosure of bids received for the purchase of council land
• Whether statistics can still be personal data
• Disclosure of dead peoples’ information
• AND when retrieval of information amounts to the creation of new information
The podcast can be listened to by going to http://www.informationlaw.org.uk/page10.htm
The raw feed http://informationlaw.jellycast.com/podcast/feed/5 for those of you with RSS feed readers.
There you can also download previous scripts and podcasts.
Dr FOI September 2007
The September e-bulletin from Dilys Jones Associates can be downloaded from the following link http://www.dilysjones.co.uk/archive/index.html
Training dates for Autumn and Winter have been added to http://www.dilysjones.co.uk/training/Training_Home_Page.html
The September e-bulletin from Dilys Jones Associates can be downloaded from the following link http://www.dilysjones.co.uk/archive/index.html
Training dates for Autumn and Winter have been added to http://www.dilysjones.co.uk/training/Training_Home_Page.html
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Michael Green’s ‘Jerusalem Postcard’
Even amid the prospect of new punitive measures by Israel against the Gaza Strip as a response to ongoing rocket attacks, the dovish deputy prime minister, Haim Ramon, speaks of the necessity for Israel to cede Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem to the Palestinians. Progressive-Zionist blogger, Michael Green, writes from Israel of right-wing demonstrators against possible territorial concessions contemplated by Prime Minister Olmert’s government in ongoing discussions with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (aka Abu Mazen):
I’ve never felt entirely comfortable with slogan-chanting or banner- waving and this was no exception. But in truth, it was satisfying to publicly take a stand against the people who litter the city with their garish orange ribbons. It reminded me of experiences in England campaigning against anti-Zionists. In common with the far-right in Israel, British anti-Zionists also resort to crude Holocaust comparisons, as well as branding me and my brethren ‘Nazis’. One thing both have in common is the ability to privilege the rights of one people at the expense of another. Both of their ideologies are black and white: excluding the narrative and sufferings of the ‘other’ whilst rejecting any role they have to play in the current state of affairs. They are simply ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys’. Whilst the effectiveness of banner-waving may be limited (2 million people took to the streets of London to protest against the Iraq war), it’s surely better to do so than let extremism and racism go unchecked – whether Israeli or Anti-Zionist.Click here for entire posting.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
What Price Conversion to Christianity in the United Kingdom?
Earlier this week Channel 4's Dispatches programme "Unholy War" focused on a subject that is close to my heart - the fate of Muslims in the UK who convert to Christianity. It described in graphic terms the abuse converts received from their relatives and neighbours. From my own experience I know that many people are living in denial of the problem, but hopefully this programme will serve to raise awareness of it. Converts often complain that other Christians are not doing enough to help them and do not understand their situation. The Bishop of Rochester (Michael Nazir-Ali) warned that it was only a matter of time before someone lost their life in the UK for converting to Christianity.
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Temporary parks dominate parking spaces across the U.S.
"People have gotten inspired because it's easy to understand (how to) improve the quality of urban habitat," said John Bela, a co-founder of Rebar. "People are taking their ideas into the streets. People are transforming these parking spots into extraordinary, creative acts, and acts of generosity."
CNet
View some of the Bay Area's most creative Park(ing) spots from 2007.
StreetsBlog has a nice roundup of the day's activities in New York City.
Craig Bartholomew on Babel and Derrida
The following article is now available on-line here:
Craig G. Bartholomew, "Babel and Derrida: Postmodernism, Language and Biblical Interpretation," Tyndale Bulletin 49.2 (1998): 305-328.
Summary:
Craig G. Bartholomew, "Babel and Derrida: Postmodernism, Language and Biblical Interpretation," Tyndale Bulletin 49.2 (1998): 305-328.
Summary:
This article assesses the challenge postmodernism constitutes for biblical interpretation via an analysis of Derrida’s reading of the Tower of Babel narrative. Derrida’s setting of the text in play is found to be an unhelpful model for biblical interpretation, but his foregrounding of language in the narrative and the implications of philosophy of language for interpretation are useful. The contours of Derrida’s Babelian philosophy of language are explored and its insights noted. It is argued that the ultimate issues in philosophy of language are theological and that Christian scholars need to articulate a Christian view of language.
Friday, September 21, 2007
White House Invites AAEA to Climate Change Summit
The African American Environmentalist Association (AAEA) has been invited by the Bush Administration to participate in the international climate change summit that will include 16 nations. The summit will take place on Sept 27-28 and will be hosted by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. James L. Connaughton, Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and Mr. Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will give opening remarks. The summit will be held at the Department of State.
President Bush relies on investment in new technologies, efficiency and flexibility in achieving global warming mitigation. AAEA will continue to promote technologies to reduce climate change. The Center for Environment, Commerce & Energy, AAEA's parent organization, recently traveled to China to tour facilities and promote new technologies. The conference will "seek agreement on the process by which the major economies would, by the end of 2008, agree upon a post 2012 framework," the expiration of the Kyoto Protocol. The following countries have been invited to send representatives to the summit: Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and South Korea.
Jobs Available At Grist Magazine & Nuclear Energy Institute
Are you a seasoned editor with online media know-how, management experience, a passion for the news, and an appreciation for life's absurdities? Also, do you think our puns are squirt-milk-out-your-nose funny? Then you should apply to be Grist's executive editor
The Nuclear Energy Institute’s (NEI) Engineering Department has an immediate opening for a Project Manager (PM). The initial assignment will be to manage the regulatory interface on fire protection issues. Responsibilities will change over time in response to regulatory pressure, industry priorities, and personal experience and interests. Minimum requirements for the position are an engineering degree and at least 7 years experience in the nuclear industry. Other important attributes include nuclear plant systems experience, project manager experience and familiarity with fire protection related regulations.NEI works issues through a committee structure where the assigned PM manages the activities of a committee of industry experts who meet regularly with the NRC to achieve resolution of generic issues with regulatory significance. To apply, send your resume to resumes@nei.org.
The Nuclear Energy Institute’s (NEI) Engineering Department has an immediate opening for a Project Manager (PM). The initial assignment will be to manage the regulatory interface on fire protection issues. Responsibilities will change over time in response to regulatory pressure, industry priorities, and personal experience and interests. Minimum requirements for the position are an engineering degree and at least 7 years experience in the nuclear industry. Other important attributes include nuclear plant systems experience, project manager experience and familiarity with fire protection related regulations.NEI works issues through a committee structure where the assigned PM manages the activities of a committee of industry experts who meet regularly with the NRC to achieve resolution of generic issues with regulatory significance. To apply, send your resume to resumes@nei.org.
AAEA Comments At Nuclear Regulatory Commission Hearing
AAEA President Norris McDonald and AAEA New York Officer Director Dan Durett presented testimony before the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on the License Renewal Application for the continued operation of Indian Point nuclear power plant located in Buchanan, New York. The NRC hearing was held on Sept 19, 2007 and included hundreds of participants. The vast majority of those attendees support the license renewal. The comments in support of the facility vastly outnumbered those in opposition. AAEA supports the relicensing of the plant to operate for twenty additional years beyond its current license.
We must also mention an unfortunate incident that involved a long-haired environmental activist harassing Hazel Dukes, President of the New York State Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) after her statement before the NRC. This is another recent example of how extremist environmentalists show extraordinary disrespect for Blacks who disagree with them.
Click on the video link below to watch the statements. The written statements are also available at the links below:
We must also mention an unfortunate incident that involved a long-haired environmental activist harassing Hazel Dukes, President of the New York State Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) after her statement before the NRC. This is another recent example of how extremist environmentalists show extraordinary disrespect for Blacks who disagree with them.
Click on the video link below to watch the statements. The written statements are also available at the links below:
R.K. Harrison on the Son of Man
The following article is now on-line in PDF:
Roland K. Harrison, "The Son of Man," The Evangelical Quarterly 23.1 (1951): 46-50.
R.K. Harrison provides a brief overview of an important area of Christological study.
Roland K. Harrison, "The Son of Man," The Evangelical Quarterly 23.1 (1951): 46-50.
R.K. Harrison provides a brief overview of an important area of Christological study.
AAEA Supports Fresh Kills Wind Energy Project
The New York Affordable, Reliable Electricity Alliance (NYAEA) recently arranged for AAEA to meet with Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro, left, to discuss his proposal to convert Fresh Kills landfill, which closed in 2001, into a wind farm. Fresh Kills was the world's largest landfill. AAEA agreed to support the project right after the briefing. This project is more important now because another proposed wind project on Long Island was cancelled this year.The project would include 7 wind turbines with a capacity of 17 megawatts of electricity, which could power about 17,000 homes. The projected cost of the project is $40 million. AAEA supports such renewable energy projects because they are emission free and do emit any smog forming gases or greenhouse gases. It would also be a very productive reuse strategy for this closed landfill. (See Staten Island Advance)
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Zel Lurie on mysterious incident in Syria
What follows is a lightly edited version of the column submitted by our khaver, J. Zel Lurie, for publication in the Jewish Journal of South Florida, 9/23/07. You can also check out a JTA piece of a few days ago -- plus this just published in the NY Times -- on this subject. G’mar Khatima Tova! [May you finish with a good decree!]
“Israel bombs Syria, but please don’t mention it” By J. Zel Lurie
On September 3, a small North Korean 1700-ton cargo ship docked at the Syrian port of Tartus. It unloaded its cargo into waiting trucks. The cargo was listed as cement.
Syria has never purchased cement from North Korea, nor was this cargo added to Syria’s inventory of cement. The trucks went across Syria, northeast, to storage bunkers near the Euphrates River, at the Iraqi border.
The Mossad had been tracking this ship and its cargo for some time. They believed the cargo was nuclear material including warheads. Israel did not wait long to strike: In the pre-dawn light of September 6, the bunkers were obliterated by Israeli precision bombs.
Syria complained to the UN about the invasion of its air space. They said nothing about the bombing. Why not?
Turkey was also involved. A Turkish minister complained that empty Israeli fuel tanks were dropped in Turkey. The Turkish Army, which cooperates closely with Israel despite being a Moslem country, did not interfere with the Israeli F-15s.
Not a single country, with one exception, commented on the invasion of Syria’s air space. The exception was North Korea, which slammed Israel for its action without mentioning the bombing.
North Korea had agreed, in exchange for ample payment, to dismantle its nuclear bomb facilities. Dismantle means dismantle. It does not mean exporting its nuclear capabilities to the Middle East.
The diplomats knew what was going on. Despite its preoccupation with the 2008 Olympics, China decided to act. China abruptly cancelled a scheduled meeting of diplomats in Beijing.
Christopher R. Hill, the top American negotiator with North Korea, had his bag packed to leave for Beijing when he was informed of the cancellation. Reporters for the Washington Post put two and two together. On September 15 the Post broke the story of the bombing in Syria nine days earlier that nobody has admitted ever happened. I believe this is the first time in world history that a country was bombed by its neighbor and neither the bomber nor the bombed admitted it.
The Israel press has been muzzled by the Army censor. They are not allowed to discuss what happened in the skies over Syria, but many commentators seem to think that Bashir Assad would like to forget it and talk about peace with Israel and getting the Golan back.
Bashir has hinted about peace often in the recent past and has sent unofficial emissaries to Jerusalem. Many in Israel believe that Ehud Olmert has been prevented from responding to the Syrian initiative by Washington. Which prompted Ma’ariv columnist Jacky Hugy to write in an open letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates:
So there we have it. Syria tries to import nuclear material from North Korea. Within three days of its arrival, Israel bombs it to smithereens. But forget it. Don’t mention it. Bashir Assad still wants peace.
In the ever-changing [and bizarre] Middle East, this could be right.
“Israel bombs Syria, but please don’t mention it” By J. Zel Lurie
On September 3, a small North Korean 1700-ton cargo ship docked at the Syrian port of Tartus. It unloaded its cargo into waiting trucks. The cargo was listed as cement.
Syria has never purchased cement from North Korea, nor was this cargo added to Syria’s inventory of cement. The trucks went across Syria, northeast, to storage bunkers near the Euphrates River, at the Iraqi border.
The Mossad had been tracking this ship and its cargo for some time. They believed the cargo was nuclear material including warheads. Israel did not wait long to strike: In the pre-dawn light of September 6, the bunkers were obliterated by Israeli precision bombs.
Syria complained to the UN about the invasion of its air space. They said nothing about the bombing. Why not?
Turkey was also involved. A Turkish minister complained that empty Israeli fuel tanks were dropped in Turkey. The Turkish Army, which cooperates closely with Israel despite being a Moslem country, did not interfere with the Israeli F-15s.
Not a single country, with one exception, commented on the invasion of Syria’s air space. The exception was North Korea, which slammed Israel for its action without mentioning the bombing.
North Korea had agreed, in exchange for ample payment, to dismantle its nuclear bomb facilities. Dismantle means dismantle. It does not mean exporting its nuclear capabilities to the Middle East.
The diplomats knew what was going on. Despite its preoccupation with the 2008 Olympics, China decided to act. China abruptly cancelled a scheduled meeting of diplomats in Beijing.
Christopher R. Hill, the top American negotiator with North Korea, had his bag packed to leave for Beijing when he was informed of the cancellation. Reporters for the Washington Post put two and two together. On September 15 the Post broke the story of the bombing in Syria nine days earlier that nobody has admitted ever happened. I believe this is the first time in world history that a country was bombed by its neighbor and neither the bomber nor the bombed admitted it.
The Israel press has been muzzled by the Army censor. They are not allowed to discuss what happened in the skies over Syria, but many commentators seem to think that Bashir Assad would like to forget it and talk about peace with Israel and getting the Golan back.
Bashir has hinted about peace often in the recent past and has sent unofficial emissaries to Jerusalem. Many in Israel believe that Ehud Olmert has been prevented from responding to the Syrian initiative by Washington. Which prompted Ma’ariv columnist Jacky Hugy to write in an open letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates:
The level of trust between Israel and Syria is just about level with the ground. Each country believes that the other is plotting war against it.. But despite everything Bashir is till on Olmert’s side, He is also interested in turning down the flame, calming down the region and getting back to business as usual. But your people are not letting him. They are eager to embarrass him in front of the whole world. And over here, we are afraid that if Assad is embarrassed too much he will be forced to respond, That is our problem. Mr. Gates.And the Americans for Peace Now’s report for September 17 points out that despite the Israeli strike in Syria on September 6th, Israel’s top military leaders are calling for a return to Israeli-Syrian peace talks.
So there we have it. Syria tries to import nuclear material from North Korea. Within three days of its arrival, Israel bombs it to smithereens. But forget it. Don’t mention it. Bashir Assad still wants peace.
In the ever-changing [and bizarre] Middle East, this could be right.
George Eldon Ladd on Apocalyptic in Biblical Religion
The following articles are now on-line in PDF:
George Eldon Ladd, "The Place of Apocalyptic in Biblical Religion," The Evangelical Quarterly 30.2 (1958): 75-85.
George Eldon Ladd, "The Origin of Apocalyptic in Biblical Religion," The Evangelical Quarterly 30.3 (1958): 140-146.
These articles represent the text of a lecture originally delivered at a meeting of the Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical Research at Tyndale House, Cambridge.
George Eldon Ladd, "The Place of Apocalyptic in Biblical Religion," The Evangelical Quarterly 30.2 (1958): 75-85.
George Eldon Ladd, "The Origin of Apocalyptic in Biblical Religion," The Evangelical Quarterly 30.3 (1958): 140-146.
These articles represent the text of a lecture originally delivered at a meeting of the Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical Research at Tyndale House, Cambridge.
Roland K. Harrison on the Problem of Suffering
The following article is now available in PDF:
Roland K. Harrison, "The Problem of Suffering and the Book of Job," The Evangelical Quarterly 25.1 (1953): 18-27.
Professor Harrison looks at the problem of suffering and offers some insights from Job's experiences.
Roland K. Harrison, "The Problem of Suffering and the Book of Job," The Evangelical Quarterly 25.1 (1953): 18-27.
Professor Harrison looks at the problem of suffering and offers some insights from Job's experiences.
Driving Alone Is Gonna Cost Ya
52.2 -- the average cost in the US, in cents per mile, of driving a car alone, according to AAA. Compare that to...
20.7 -- the average cost in the US, in cents per mile, of riding public transportation, according to the American Public Transportation Association.
Treehugger
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
George Eldon Ladd on Revelation and Jewish Apocalyptic
The following article is now on-line in PDF:
G.E. Ladd, "The Revelation and Jewish Apocalyptic," The Evangelical Quarterly 29.2 (1957): 94-100.
Despite my best efforts to track down the copyright holder of this article I was unsuccessful, so if you know who holds the rights, please contact me. I have a few more articles by Ladd from Evangelical Quarterly which will appear shortly.
This article provides a pithy summary of the differences between the book of Revelation and other contemporary works of Jewish Apocalyptic.
G.E. Ladd, "The Revelation and Jewish Apocalyptic," The Evangelical Quarterly 29.2 (1957): 94-100.
Despite my best efforts to track down the copyright holder of this article I was unsuccessful, so if you know who holds the rights, please contact me. I have a few more articles by Ladd from Evangelical Quarterly which will appear shortly.
This article provides a pithy summary of the differences between the book of Revelation and other contemporary works of Jewish Apocalyptic.
Craig D. Allert on Evangelicalism and Sola Scriptura
The following article is now on-line in PDF:
Craig D. Allert, "What are we Trying to Conserve? Evangelicalism and Sola Scriptura," The Evangelical Quarterly 76.4 (2004): 327-348.
My thanks to Dr. Allert for his kind permission to reproduce this article.
Abstract:
Craig D. Allert, "What are we Trying to Conserve? Evangelicalism and Sola Scriptura," The Evangelical Quarterly 76.4 (2004): 327-348.
My thanks to Dr. Allert for his kind permission to reproduce this article.
Abstract:
At its heart Evangelicalism is a conservative movement. But the various streams of influence that converge in this movement have left Evangelicalism with a confused legacy - controlling influence. This legacy is readily apparent in Evangelicalism’s claim of anchoring itself in the Reformation and its insistence on biblical authority. The appeal to the ‘Reformation view’ is often made without understanding or indicating the contextual issues fundamental to understanding that very view. Thus the contemporary evangelical is often called to hold a version of sola scriptura that was not, in fact the version of Luther or Calvin. The contemporary version of sola scriptura, apparently based on Luther and Calvin, is then used as a reason to reject Tradition as a source for theology. It is here shown these Reformers did not reject Tradition in favor of the Bible alone. The slogan must be understood within its proper historical context. The dangers of a rejection of Tradition can be seen in the radicals Franck and Grebel. If appeal is made to ‘the reformers view’ of sola scriptura it is essential that we understand the context o£ that appeal if we are to offer it as the evangelical view.
Against shrillness re Mearsheimer and Walt
The book on the “Israel Lobby” by Professors Mearsheimer and Walt has risen to the NY Times non-fiction bestsellers’ list. Surely, attacks on them as out and out antisemites or kooks are inappropriate. But their complaint that they are subject to a latter-day variety of McCarthyism is overblown and their success proves this.
I recommend recent blog postings by Dan Fleshler (click here and there) for a more tempered view that both criticizes and commends M & W’s book in a thoughtful way. Dan still sees their work as deeply flawed but argues that their book is an improvement over their earlier, shorter version.
Rabbi Michael Lerner of Tikkun is to a large degree siding with M & W and he denounces the mainstream media for belittling M & W's thesis that THE “Lobby” was THE primary factor in influencing the US to go to war in Iraq. Lerner also defends Congressman Jim Moran from attacks by the Jewish Democrats’ organization (whatever that's called) and by Congressmen Hoyer and Cantor (the former, the House majority leader, and the latter, a Republican) . Yet both Hoyer and Cantor, especially Hoyer, seemed quite reasonable in their criticism of Moran. They point out that his primary contention, that the Jewish community had the power to prevent the war, is both wrong and dangerous in its implications.
Any criticism of M & W and their supporters is being viewed as "McCarthyism." This in itself resembles McCarthyism, or at least manifests a degree of shrillness that precludes the debate that M & W claim to want. I am in favor of such a debate.
I recommend recent blog postings by Dan Fleshler (click here and there) for a more tempered view that both criticizes and commends M & W’s book in a thoughtful way. Dan still sees their work as deeply flawed but argues that their book is an improvement over their earlier, shorter version.
Rabbi Michael Lerner of Tikkun is to a large degree siding with M & W and he denounces the mainstream media for belittling M & W's thesis that THE “Lobby” was THE primary factor in influencing the US to go to war in Iraq. Lerner also defends Congressman Jim Moran from attacks by the Jewish Democrats’ organization (whatever that's called) and by Congressmen Hoyer and Cantor (the former, the House majority leader, and the latter, a Republican) . Yet both Hoyer and Cantor, especially Hoyer, seemed quite reasonable in their criticism of Moran. They point out that his primary contention, that the Jewish community had the power to prevent the war, is both wrong and dangerous in its implications.
Any criticism of M & W and their supporters is being viewed as "McCarthyism." This in itself resembles McCarthyism, or at least manifests a degree of shrillness that precludes the debate that M & W claim to want. I am in favor of such a debate.
Moonie Paper Defends Auto Dominance in America
There is no single preferable "lifestyle" in America. Motorists are free to motor whenever and wherever they can. It's called personal freedom.
Washington Times
Learn more about the Washington Times owned by Rev. Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
In Praise of Carfree Day (A testimonial)
How Selling My Car Saved My Life
When you grow up in the Central Valley of California, having the right car to drive is very big deal. I mowed lawns and slung pizzas to pay for the privilege of driving. On my 16th birthday, I made that mythic teen-age journey to the DMV for a driver’s license. I was cool, in a 1965, baby blue, Mustang.
Well, times change. As a city-dweller for the last six years, I’ve decided that paying for car loans, insurance, parking tickets, and gas, not to mention circling for hours for a parking space, just doesn’t make sense anymore.
At age 36, I sold my 5th car and I didn’t replace it. Sure, this was frightening.
Would I become a hermit, or get stranded all the time? How would I get out of town?
Well, guess what, life without a car is much happier, and healthier. I ride my bike to work and through the park more often; I take the train to go visit friends and family in the Stockton area; and rent a car for camping trips down on the Coast.
The biggest hurdle was my own ego. I had internalized all those ads that said, ‘What you drive, is who you are.’
These days, my self-image is based on the books I read on the train. I’m smelling the flowers and smiling at strangers. I'm losing weight cycling to work and weekend activities. I never feel that blood pressure spike of sitting in traffic. I can get anywhere by bus, train, or bike, and occasionally I’ll spring for a late-night taxi. With the $600 a month I'm saving, I’m planning a trip to New Zealand next spring with the girlfriend.
That tumor in my brain, the one that thought about cars for 20 years, has been removed. Perhaps I will fill that space with learning Italian or memorizing limericks to entertain my loved ones.
One thing is for sure, auto-free, my quality of life has improved dramatically, and yours can too.
World Carfree Week is here
When you grow up in the Central Valley of California, having the right car to drive is very big deal. I mowed lawns and slung pizzas to pay for the privilege of driving. On my 16th birthday, I made that mythic teen-age journey to the DMV for a driver’s license. I was cool, in a 1965, baby blue, Mustang.
Well, times change. As a city-dweller for the last six years, I’ve decided that paying for car loans, insurance, parking tickets, and gas, not to mention circling for hours for a parking space, just doesn’t make sense anymore.
At age 36, I sold my 5th car and I didn’t replace it. Sure, this was frightening.
Would I become a hermit, or get stranded all the time? How would I get out of town?
Well, guess what, life without a car is much happier, and healthier. I ride my bike to work and through the park more often; I take the train to go visit friends and family in the Stockton area; and rent a car for camping trips down on the Coast.
The biggest hurdle was my own ego. I had internalized all those ads that said, ‘What you drive, is who you are.’
These days, my self-image is based on the books I read on the train. I’m smelling the flowers and smiling at strangers. I'm losing weight cycling to work and weekend activities. I never feel that blood pressure spike of sitting in traffic. I can get anywhere by bus, train, or bike, and occasionally I’ll spring for a late-night taxi. With the $600 a month I'm saving, I’m planning a trip to New Zealand next spring with the girlfriend.
That tumor in my brain, the one that thought about cars for 20 years, has been removed. Perhaps I will fill that space with learning Italian or memorizing limericks to entertain my loved ones.
One thing is for sure, auto-free, my quality of life has improved dramatically, and yours can too.
World Carfree Week is here
Another dent in the Wall
A lead headline in this week's Maariv newspaper reads "Residents of Bil'in Defeated the IDF".
The headline refers to the fact that a forum of three supreme court justices, headed by Israeli supreme court president Dorit Beinish, ruled that the government must change the route of the wall that is being built on the land of the Palestinian village of Bil'in, because the current route "disproportionately damages the lives and rights of the residents of Bil'in". The judges go on to note that the route is meant to protect a neighbourhood in the West Bank settlement of Upper Modi'in, which is being built without appropriate permits, and that they were not convinced that there are sufficient security reasons to maintain the current route.
This was a clear victory for the joint Israeli-Palestinian struggle against the route of the separation wall/barrier on the lands of Bil'in. For the past three years, members of the Israeli peace movement have been following, and participating, in the weekly protests in Bil'in against the wall. The struggle was led by the local Palestinian residents of Bil'in, together with the Israeli group Anarchists Against the Wall. Every Friday, they gathered in Bil'in to carry out a joint, non-violent protest against the wall. And now that struggle has been crowned by victory.
Rona Even, a young Israeli MA student at the Hebrew University who was a regular activist in the protests, told me she is of course happy and relieved at the verdict, but is still concerned about where the alternative route will be built. And she adds, "the struggle will continue, since the wall violates Palestinian rights in many other areas as well."
Just two days earlier, I had the opportunity to witness another victory of non-violent protest against the route of the wall. The Palestine-Israel Journal had the privilege of hosting Professor Johan Galtung, the father of peace research and peace journalism, at an event held at Al-Quds University in the Palestinian town of Abu Dis on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Before he met with the faculty to talk about future options to resolve the conflict, we were taken on a tour of the campus by the deputy president of the university, Professor Hasan Dweik.
He took us up a hill overlooking the campus, and proudly described how the students had saved one third of the campus space from the wall which runs through the city of Abu Dis, one side of which is in the West Bank, and the other in the Israeli-controlled Jerusalem municipal district. "Our students gathered, played music, studied, and carried out all sorts of activities in the area meant for the wall. Day after day, in a totally non-violent manner. And we won, the route of the wall was moved, and the campus saved." Galtung, who runs workshops on non-violent conflict resolution techniques throughout the world, was very impressed, and justifiably so.
There are many subtexts to this story: the clash between violent and non-violent strategies within Palestinian society over how to end the occupation, the joint Israeli-Palestinian struggle, the fact that the Jewish settlement of Upper Modi'in is a bribe by rightwing Israeli elements to provide cheap housing for ultra-orthodox Haredi Jews who are one of the poorest segments in Israeli society, and even the struggle over the role of the supreme court within Israeli society.
In Maariv, opinion page editor Ben-Dror Yamini praised the supreme court's decision, and he wrote: "The State of Israel must decide what type of Zionism it wants: A Zionism which provides a national home and the right to self-determination for the Jewish nation in its own state, or a real estate Zionism which steals from the Palestinians." He praised the supreme court decision as reflecting a "humanistic Zionism, which recognizes the Jewish right to self-determination, while not denying that same right to the Palestinians".
The struggle and victory in Bil'in should be studied by all who believe in the importance and potential efficacy of non-violent protest against human rights violations and oppression. An excellent film called Bil'in Habibti (Bil'in my Beloved), made by director Shai Carmeli-Pollak, the brother of protest leader Yonatan Pollak, should get as broad a distribution as possible.
It took 28 years for the Berlin Wall to come down. This wall will come down too, in the context of a future Israeli-Palestinian peace.
This entry originally appeared in the UK Guardian's "Comment is free" Weblog.
The headline refers to the fact that a forum of three supreme court justices, headed by Israeli supreme court president Dorit Beinish, ruled that the government must change the route of the wall that is being built on the land of the Palestinian village of Bil'in, because the current route "disproportionately damages the lives and rights of the residents of Bil'in". The judges go on to note that the route is meant to protect a neighbourhood in the West Bank settlement of Upper Modi'in, which is being built without appropriate permits, and that they were not convinced that there are sufficient security reasons to maintain the current route.
This was a clear victory for the joint Israeli-Palestinian struggle against the route of the separation wall/barrier on the lands of Bil'in. For the past three years, members of the Israeli peace movement have been following, and participating, in the weekly protests in Bil'in against the wall. The struggle was led by the local Palestinian residents of Bil'in, together with the Israeli group Anarchists Against the Wall. Every Friday, they gathered in Bil'in to carry out a joint, non-violent protest against the wall. And now that struggle has been crowned by victory.
Rona Even, a young Israeli MA student at the Hebrew University who was a regular activist in the protests, told me she is of course happy and relieved at the verdict, but is still concerned about where the alternative route will be built. And she adds, "the struggle will continue, since the wall violates Palestinian rights in many other areas as well."
Just two days earlier, I had the opportunity to witness another victory of non-violent protest against the route of the wall. The Palestine-Israel Journal had the privilege of hosting Professor Johan Galtung, the father of peace research and peace journalism, at an event held at Al-Quds University in the Palestinian town of Abu Dis on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Before he met with the faculty to talk about future options to resolve the conflict, we were taken on a tour of the campus by the deputy president of the university, Professor Hasan Dweik.
He took us up a hill overlooking the campus, and proudly described how the students had saved one third of the campus space from the wall which runs through the city of Abu Dis, one side of which is in the West Bank, and the other in the Israeli-controlled Jerusalem municipal district. "Our students gathered, played music, studied, and carried out all sorts of activities in the area meant for the wall. Day after day, in a totally non-violent manner. And we won, the route of the wall was moved, and the campus saved." Galtung, who runs workshops on non-violent conflict resolution techniques throughout the world, was very impressed, and justifiably so.
There are many subtexts to this story: the clash between violent and non-violent strategies within Palestinian society over how to end the occupation, the joint Israeli-Palestinian struggle, the fact that the Jewish settlement of Upper Modi'in is a bribe by rightwing Israeli elements to provide cheap housing for ultra-orthodox Haredi Jews who are one of the poorest segments in Israeli society, and even the struggle over the role of the supreme court within Israeli society.
In Maariv, opinion page editor Ben-Dror Yamini praised the supreme court's decision, and he wrote: "The State of Israel must decide what type of Zionism it wants: A Zionism which provides a national home and the right to self-determination for the Jewish nation in its own state, or a real estate Zionism which steals from the Palestinians." He praised the supreme court decision as reflecting a "humanistic Zionism, which recognizes the Jewish right to self-determination, while not denying that same right to the Palestinians".
The struggle and victory in Bil'in should be studied by all who believe in the importance and potential efficacy of non-violent protest against human rights violations and oppression. An excellent film called Bil'in Habibti (Bil'in my Beloved), made by director Shai Carmeli-Pollak, the brother of protest leader Yonatan Pollak, should get as broad a distribution as possible.
It took 28 years for the Berlin Wall to come down. This wall will come down too, in the context of a future Israeli-Palestinian peace.
This entry originally appeared in the UK Guardian's "Comment is free" Weblog.
Monday, September 17, 2007
We are pleased to present...
A few months ago at the Web 2.0 conference, our CEO Eric Schmidt, in conversation with John Battelle, announced our plans to launch an online presentation application this summer. Well, summer is winding down, and today, people who use Google Apps can create, share, upload and collaborate on online presentations in real time. As part of Google Docs (formerly Google Docs & Spreadsheets), your presentations can be edited from anywhere, shared with specific individuals or an entire organization, and viewed in presentation mode simultaneously by distributed teams.
Maybe you need to revamp an outdated sales presentation -- import it into Google Docs and invite your colleagues to chime in. When it's finished, you can drive the presentation directly from Google Docs as your field sales team looks on. Or maybe you just found out that your group has been called on to deliver a presentation in a couple of hours -- create a presentation from scratch, add your teammates as collaborators, and work on it simultaneously to get it done faster.
For a while now, Google Apps users have asked for a presentations feature within Google Docs to make it easier to create and share presentations online, so this launch is particularly exciting for the Google Docs team. We look forward to developing increased functionality for Google Docs, and we hope to have more to share with you soon.
For more on this, read the post on the main Google Blog.
Open tournament in Dallas, TX
Good news from Bill in Texas!The Dallas Pétanque Group is holding its 4th annual “End of Summer Pétanque Tournament and Pique-nique"
Sunday, 23 September 2007 at Churchill Park, Field # 2.
Doublettes tournament (teams of 2).
Entry fee $10 per team.
Registration from 12:00 to 12:45 PM.
Play begins promptly at 1:00 PM.
Every team will play 4 games in the first round, followed by “Knockout - Lose and Out” until the champions are crowned.
Awards will be for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, plus a drawing for other various prizes.
Feel free to bring food and drink for you and to share.
Come and join us for a fun day.
Further information: F. William Baker at 214-460-0209 or provencial@aol.com
Open tournament in Dallas, TX
Good news from Bill in Texas!The Dallas Pétanque Group is holding its 4th annual “End of Summer Pétanque Tournament and Pique-nique"
Sunday, 23 September 2007 at Churchill Park, Field # 2.
Doublettes tournament (teams of 2).
Entry fee $10 per team.
Registration from 12:00 to 12:45 PM.
Play begins promptly at 1:00 PM.
Every team will play 4 games in the first round, followed by “Knockout - Lose and Out” until the champions are crowned.
Awards will be for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, plus a drawing for other various prizes.
Feel free to bring food and drink for you and to share.
Come and join us for a fun day.
Further information: F. William Baker at 214-460-0209 or provencial@aol.com
How Salesforce.com uses Google Custom Search
Today I'm at Salesforce.com's Dreamforce conference. Marc Benioff just unveiled Force.com and the new VisualForce service for customizing application user interfaces. But rather than write up a review of the keynote, we wanted to share Salesforce.com's story about how they use our latest SaaS product, Google Custom Search Business Edition.
A few weeks ago I sat down with Adam Gross, Salesforce.com's VP of Developer Relations, to hear how developer.salesforce.com uses Google Custom Search. It's interesting to hear Adam stress how important search is to developers, and it's great that Salesforce.com was able to quickly implement our search solution to provide search across a large number of disparate websites. You can't even tell that the search engine is powered by Google since there's no Google branding.
To hear the story in Adam's own words, check out the video below.
And if you're interested in hearing more about what Google and Salesforce are up to with SaaS, we'll be at Salesforce.com's Dreamforce conference for the rest of the week.
Carfree China Day is Saturday
China will initiate its first-ever nationwide "no car day" this weekend in an effort to promote environmental health and alleviate increasingly gridlocked urban roads, state press said Monday.
Residents in 108 cities will be urged to take public transport, ride bikes or walk on the nation's first "no car day" on Saturday, the China Daily reported.
AFP
It might be a little late to put the toothpaste back in the tube. But best of luck, China.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Reflections on end of Jewish Year 5767
All of us at Meretz USA - Officers, Board, and Staff - send you heartfelt greetings for this New Year. May the New Year bring you health and happiness and may it bring us all - our brothers and sisters in Israel and throughout the world, and our cousins in Palestine and everywhere - peace, shalom, salaam.
With the Jewish Year 5767 having ended, this News Review directs its focus to the twelve months gone by so that we can remember (and perhaps learn from) the events of the year past.
Israel and Palestine: Can Palestinian disunity help the peace process? Perhaps the most important factor this year in Israeli-Palestinian relations has been the rivalry and conflict between Fatah and Hamas.
When 5767 began, Israel was helping maintain the international boycott of the Hamas government, leaving only the most meager room for contacts with the Palestinian Presidency of Mahmoud Abbas. Internal Palestinian tensions ran high, as Hamas and Fatah used their respective power bases to jockey for control of the Palestinian Authority. The peace process was at a standstill.
Prodded and pushed by Saudi Arabia, the two warring parties seemed to end their power struggle in February when they signed the Mecca Accord and entered into a power-sharing unity government. Though some viewed the Accord as a way to restart Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy (the unity government ambiguously agreed to respect the agreements signed by the PLO), both Israel and the US maintained their refusal to deal with a government in which Hamas was the senior member.
Unable to break the continued international boycott, the Palestinian unity government began to implode, as the worst of the Hamas-Fatah fighting erupted in Gaza in May and June. When Fatah's forces in Gaza were routed in June by a surprise Hamas offensive, President Abbas used the opportunity to disband the government and set up an interim emergency Cabinet led by moderate Salam Fayyad, and devoid of Hamas members.
The Hamas victory in Gaza, and heightened concerned that Hamas could soon take control on the West Bank as well, have recently propelled the US, Israel and Abbas' Fatah towards more concerted action. President Bush has called a peace conference, scheduled to take place in mid-November, and US diplomats are trying to enlist public Saudi support.
After ignoring Abbas at the beginning of his Presidency (before Hamas' election victory in legislative elections in January 2006), Israel began exploring the possibility of dialogue, and Olmert and Abbas are now trying to work up an agreed "declaration of principles" that would form the backbone for a future peace agreement.
On the West Bank, the Fatah party has gone on the offensive against Hamas, rounding up its operatives there and shutting down many of its affiliated charities. In Gaza, meanwhile, Fatah supporters have begun waging a battle for public opinion, holding a series of Friday protest prayers demonstratively outside the walls of the Hamas-controlled mosques.
Israel and Syria - Moves for Peace, Rumbles of War: The year 5767 once again taught us to take the opinions of the pundits - even when a near-consensus reigns among them - with more than a grain of salt. All through the year, commentators in Israel predicted a Syrian-Israeli war over this past summer as if were almost an inevitability. Fortunately, however, both the Israeli and Syrian governments showed a bit more sense and moderation than what the prognosticators gave them credit for.
This is not to say, of course, that the leaders in Damascus and Jerusalem have fully embraced the peace option. As always, the political reality is neither black nor white. The months gone by have seen a curious, almost surreal combination, of sabers being rattled and olive branches being extended - at one and same time. The speeches of Syrian and Israeli officials have seemed well-nigh identical at times: We sincerely seek peace, each country tells us, but we stand ready to repulse the other side should it commit an act of aggression.
Nor has the US Administration lived up to its commitment to advance the peace process. As Prime Minister Olmert himself has indicated, the United States had made it clear to Israel that America is adamantly opposed to Israeli-Syrian peace talks - lest Damascus find a way to wriggle out of the diplomatic isolation to which Washington has committed it.
But 5767 also delivered some positive signs: It was revealed in January that between September 2004 and July 2006, Israel and Syria had been unofficially negotiating a peace deal, employing unofficial negotiators Alon Liel and Abe Suleiman to draft an unofficial, non-binding "non-paper". Although the talks broke down amid last year's war and Israel's reported refusal to move these talks to an official level, the non-paper helped lay the foundations for peace talks at a future time.
Arab Minority Pushes for Autonomy; Right-Wing Pushes Segregation: The most profound development in 5767 from the standpoint of Jewish-Arab relations within Israel was the series of documents produced by Israeli Arab think-tanks and NGOs that tried to energize the debate over the unequal status of Israel's Arab community. Foremost among these papers was "The Future Vision of the Palestinian Arabs in Israel," produced by The National Committee for the Heads of Arab Local Authorities in Israel.
The "Vision document" issued an important call for a restructured Israeli polity in which all citizens were accorded full legal, political and socioeconomic equality - in practice as well as in theory. Unfortunately, however, the document also contained a provocative introduction that drew all public attention away from this core message: Referring to the Palestinian Arabs as the only indigenous people in the area, the document treated Zionism as an alien, colonialist project and hinted at the illegitimacy of Israel's creation.
In the short term at least, the Vision document seems to have boomeranged - creating increased suspicion of and hostility for Israeli Arabs, even among centrist and left-of-center Israelis. It is perhaps this changed atmosphere that gave right-wing Knesset Members (with support from some Labor and Kadima MKs) the courage to push the "JNF bill", which endorses state-sponsored discrimination in the sphere of land-leasing.
The bill is making its way through the legislative process and is shaping up to be a major issue when the Knesset returns from its summer recess. The question of Jewish-Arab equality in Israel will certainly remain a central challenge for Israel, as it seeks to maintain the balance between its Jewish and democratic characteristics.
Women in Israel - Sex Offenses in High Places: The year 5767 was a year of shame in Israel in terms of the treatment of women in the workplace. Remarkably, two of Israel's most senior politicians, outgoing President Moshe Katzav and Minister Haim Ramon, were both found guilty of sexual offenses committed against their female employees. And, much to the chagrin of women's organizations throughout the country, both politicians seem to have escaped with less than maximal punishment.
Ramon was convicted in January of forcibly kissing a female employee. However, an appeals court later ruled that, due to his record of public service, Ramon would serve no jail time, and his crime would not be considered one of "moral turpitude". The "absence of moral turpitude" decree enabled Ramon to resume his work in government. In fact, Ramon even won a promotion, returning to the Cabinet in the new role of Vice (no pun intended) Prime Minister.
Although Moshe Katzav was escorted out of public life, suspending himself from the Presidency in midyear until his term ended in July, he, too, managed to emerge relatively unscathed. Although the initial indictment sheet against Katzav included counts of rape, blackmail and obstruction of justice, the now ex-President managed to strike a plea bargain with the Attorney-General. Katzav agreed to plead guilty to lesser counts of sexual harassment and acts of indecency, and to receive a suspended jail sentence. Tens of thousands of Israelis turned out to a rally in Rabin Square to protest the deal.
Israeli Politics: To paraphrase Mark Twain, "the reports of Ehud Olmert's political death are greatly exaggerated."
When 5767 began, Olmert was a failed Prime Minister, who had mismanaged the war in Lebanon, and whose public-opinion ratings were in the single digits. As 5767 ends, the situation is not entirely different. However, much to the surprise of the pundits (once again), Olmert is still standing. And, to a certain extent, he's even managed to bounce back.
The interim report of the Winograd Committee (late April), which looked into the handling of the Lebanon War II, managed to rock Olmert's boat, but not sink it. The Committee accused Olmert of a "serious failure in exercising judgment, responsibility and prudence"; newspapers called for Olmert's immediate resignation. But Foreign Minister Tsipi Livni's brief attempted rebellion from within Kadima never got off the ground. And the promises issued back in May/June by the two rivals in the Labor Party primaries, Ehud Barak and Ami Ayalon, to lead the party out of the Olmert government turned out to be empty election slogans. Months later, both are members of the same government - Barak as Defense Minister, and Ayalon as Minister without Portfolio. Olmert's position seems solid for now.
Labor's lack of enthusiasm to leave the government should come as no surprise, though: Back in October, Olmert's addition of the far-right Avigdor Lieberman to his government drew no more than the feeblest protests from his Labor colleagues.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As 5768 begins, we once again hold out the hope that the Israeli and Palestinian people will choose the path of co-existence, not the path of mutual enmity, rejection and destruction offered by extremists on both sides. And we look forward to seeing an American administration that realizes the importance of active US engagement for the sake of Middle East peace. We wish for all of Israel a year of peace with its neighbors, and a year of civil rights, without the scourges of sexism, racism, homophobia and religious intolerance. Y'hi Ratzon!
Shana Tova!
With the Jewish Year 5767 having ended, this News Review directs its focus to the twelve months gone by so that we can remember (and perhaps learn from) the events of the year past.
Israel and Palestine: Can Palestinian disunity help the peace process? Perhaps the most important factor this year in Israeli-Palestinian relations has been the rivalry and conflict between Fatah and Hamas.
When 5767 began, Israel was helping maintain the international boycott of the Hamas government, leaving only the most meager room for contacts with the Palestinian Presidency of Mahmoud Abbas. Internal Palestinian tensions ran high, as Hamas and Fatah used their respective power bases to jockey for control of the Palestinian Authority. The peace process was at a standstill.
Prodded and pushed by Saudi Arabia, the two warring parties seemed to end their power struggle in February when they signed the Mecca Accord and entered into a power-sharing unity government. Though some viewed the Accord as a way to restart Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy (the unity government ambiguously agreed to respect the agreements signed by the PLO), both Israel and the US maintained their refusal to deal with a government in which Hamas was the senior member.
Unable to break the continued international boycott, the Palestinian unity government began to implode, as the worst of the Hamas-Fatah fighting erupted in Gaza in May and June. When Fatah's forces in Gaza were routed in June by a surprise Hamas offensive, President Abbas used the opportunity to disband the government and set up an interim emergency Cabinet led by moderate Salam Fayyad, and devoid of Hamas members.
The Hamas victory in Gaza, and heightened concerned that Hamas could soon take control on the West Bank as well, have recently propelled the US, Israel and Abbas' Fatah towards more concerted action. President Bush has called a peace conference, scheduled to take place in mid-November, and US diplomats are trying to enlist public Saudi support.
After ignoring Abbas at the beginning of his Presidency (before Hamas' election victory in legislative elections in January 2006), Israel began exploring the possibility of dialogue, and Olmert and Abbas are now trying to work up an agreed "declaration of principles" that would form the backbone for a future peace agreement.
On the West Bank, the Fatah party has gone on the offensive against Hamas, rounding up its operatives there and shutting down many of its affiliated charities. In Gaza, meanwhile, Fatah supporters have begun waging a battle for public opinion, holding a series of Friday protest prayers demonstratively outside the walls of the Hamas-controlled mosques.
Israel and Syria - Moves for Peace, Rumbles of War: The year 5767 once again taught us to take the opinions of the pundits - even when a near-consensus reigns among them - with more than a grain of salt. All through the year, commentators in Israel predicted a Syrian-Israeli war over this past summer as if were almost an inevitability. Fortunately, however, both the Israeli and Syrian governments showed a bit more sense and moderation than what the prognosticators gave them credit for.
This is not to say, of course, that the leaders in Damascus and Jerusalem have fully embraced the peace option. As always, the political reality is neither black nor white. The months gone by have seen a curious, almost surreal combination, of sabers being rattled and olive branches being extended - at one and same time. The speeches of Syrian and Israeli officials have seemed well-nigh identical at times: We sincerely seek peace, each country tells us, but we stand ready to repulse the other side should it commit an act of aggression.
Nor has the US Administration lived up to its commitment to advance the peace process. As Prime Minister Olmert himself has indicated, the United States had made it clear to Israel that America is adamantly opposed to Israeli-Syrian peace talks - lest Damascus find a way to wriggle out of the diplomatic isolation to which Washington has committed it.
But 5767 also delivered some positive signs: It was revealed in January that between September 2004 and July 2006, Israel and Syria had been unofficially negotiating a peace deal, employing unofficial negotiators Alon Liel and Abe Suleiman to draft an unofficial, non-binding "non-paper". Although the talks broke down amid last year's war and Israel's reported refusal to move these talks to an official level, the non-paper helped lay the foundations for peace talks at a future time.
Arab Minority Pushes for Autonomy; Right-Wing Pushes Segregation: The most profound development in 5767 from the standpoint of Jewish-Arab relations within Israel was the series of documents produced by Israeli Arab think-tanks and NGOs that tried to energize the debate over the unequal status of Israel's Arab community. Foremost among these papers was "The Future Vision of the Palestinian Arabs in Israel," produced by The National Committee for the Heads of Arab Local Authorities in Israel.
The "Vision document" issued an important call for a restructured Israeli polity in which all citizens were accorded full legal, political and socioeconomic equality - in practice as well as in theory. Unfortunately, however, the document also contained a provocative introduction that drew all public attention away from this core message: Referring to the Palestinian Arabs as the only indigenous people in the area, the document treated Zionism as an alien, colonialist project and hinted at the illegitimacy of Israel's creation.
In the short term at least, the Vision document seems to have boomeranged - creating increased suspicion of and hostility for Israeli Arabs, even among centrist and left-of-center Israelis. It is perhaps this changed atmosphere that gave right-wing Knesset Members (with support from some Labor and Kadima MKs) the courage to push the "JNF bill", which endorses state-sponsored discrimination in the sphere of land-leasing.
The bill is making its way through the legislative process and is shaping up to be a major issue when the Knesset returns from its summer recess. The question of Jewish-Arab equality in Israel will certainly remain a central challenge for Israel, as it seeks to maintain the balance between its Jewish and democratic characteristics.
Women in Israel - Sex Offenses in High Places: The year 5767 was a year of shame in Israel in terms of the treatment of women in the workplace. Remarkably, two of Israel's most senior politicians, outgoing President Moshe Katzav and Minister Haim Ramon, were both found guilty of sexual offenses committed against their female employees. And, much to the chagrin of women's organizations throughout the country, both politicians seem to have escaped with less than maximal punishment.
Ramon was convicted in January of forcibly kissing a female employee. However, an appeals court later ruled that, due to his record of public service, Ramon would serve no jail time, and his crime would not be considered one of "moral turpitude". The "absence of moral turpitude" decree enabled Ramon to resume his work in government. In fact, Ramon even won a promotion, returning to the Cabinet in the new role of Vice (no pun intended) Prime Minister.
Although Moshe Katzav was escorted out of public life, suspending himself from the Presidency in midyear until his term ended in July, he, too, managed to emerge relatively unscathed. Although the initial indictment sheet against Katzav included counts of rape, blackmail and obstruction of justice, the now ex-President managed to strike a plea bargain with the Attorney-General. Katzav agreed to plead guilty to lesser counts of sexual harassment and acts of indecency, and to receive a suspended jail sentence. Tens of thousands of Israelis turned out to a rally in Rabin Square to protest the deal.
Israeli Politics: To paraphrase Mark Twain, "the reports of Ehud Olmert's political death are greatly exaggerated."
When 5767 began, Olmert was a failed Prime Minister, who had mismanaged the war in Lebanon, and whose public-opinion ratings were in the single digits. As 5767 ends, the situation is not entirely different. However, much to the surprise of the pundits (once again), Olmert is still standing. And, to a certain extent, he's even managed to bounce back.
The interim report of the Winograd Committee (late April), which looked into the handling of the Lebanon War II, managed to rock Olmert's boat, but not sink it. The Committee accused Olmert of a "serious failure in exercising judgment, responsibility and prudence"; newspapers called for Olmert's immediate resignation. But Foreign Minister Tsipi Livni's brief attempted rebellion from within Kadima never got off the ground. And the promises issued back in May/June by the two rivals in the Labor Party primaries, Ehud Barak and Ami Ayalon, to lead the party out of the Olmert government turned out to be empty election slogans. Months later, both are members of the same government - Barak as Defense Minister, and Ayalon as Minister without Portfolio. Olmert's position seems solid for now.
Labor's lack of enthusiasm to leave the government should come as no surprise, though: Back in October, Olmert's addition of the far-right Avigdor Lieberman to his government drew no more than the feeblest protests from his Labor colleagues.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As 5768 begins, we once again hold out the hope that the Israeli and Palestinian people will choose the path of co-existence, not the path of mutual enmity, rejection and destruction offered by extremists on both sides. And we look forward to seeing an American administration that realizes the importance of active US engagement for the sake of Middle East peace. We wish for all of Israel a year of peace with its neighbors, and a year of civil rights, without the scourges of sexism, racism, homophobia and religious intolerance. Y'hi Ratzon!
Shana Tova!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
FAQ page now on-line
Life is still very hectic for myself and my family. In order to deal more efficiently with the number of questions I receive each week about the articles I upload and so give me more time to work on them I have created a FAQ page. I hope it proves of help.
Friday, September 14, 2007
A Silent Revolution in Bookselling - 13 Digit ISBN's
From the 1st January 2007 the the 10-digit International Standard Book Number (ISBN) system began to be replaced with the new 13-digit system. For the first year the two systems have existed side by side - the 10 digit system was simply prefixed by 978, but from January 2008 the introduction on the 979 prefix will signal the end of the 10-digit system. You can read the press release about it here and a manual of instructions here.
For most this news will be of little interest, apart from those who are directly involved in either publishing or bookselling. Unless, like me, you are also an Amazon Associate and have product links to Amazon on your website that are based on 10-digit ISBN's. I was therefore somewhat surprised when I contacted the Amazon Associates helpdesk to find that they have no information at all about when the old system will cease and what effect this will have on Amazon product links - though they said that they would get back to me when they had further information.
So it would seem that Amazon Associates should be prepared to change to the new system at short notice. If, like me, you have a large number of Amazon product links on your sites (I have around 15,000) this will keep you busy towards the end of the year!
If anyone knows more about Amazon's policy on this please feel free to leave a comment.
For most this news will be of little interest, apart from those who are directly involved in either publishing or bookselling. Unless, like me, you are also an Amazon Associate and have product links to Amazon on your website that are based on 10-digit ISBN's. I was therefore somewhat surprised when I contacted the Amazon Associates helpdesk to find that they have no information at all about when the old system will cease and what effect this will have on Amazon product links - though they said that they would get back to me when they had further information.
So it would seem that Amazon Associates should be prepared to change to the new system at short notice. If, like me, you have a large number of Amazon product links on your sites (I have around 15,000) this will keep you busy towards the end of the year!
If anyone knows more about Amazon's policy on this please feel free to leave a comment.
Craig Bartholomew on Anthony Thiselton's Hermeneutic Proposals
The following article is now on-line in PDF:
Craig G. Bartholomew, "Three Horizons: Hermeneutics from the Other End - An Evaluation of Anthony Thiselton's Hermeneutic Proposals," European Journal of Theology 5.2 (1996): 121-136.
If I admit that I find Anthony Thiselton's works on hermeneutics difficult to understand I am certain that I am not alone. For that reason it is good to be able to make available an article that seeks to make them more comprehensible to non-philosophers.
Update 26/09/07:
The two missing footnotes have been supplied by Dr Bartholomew and are now on-line.
Craig G. Bartholomew, "Three Horizons: Hermeneutics from the Other End - An Evaluation of Anthony Thiselton's Hermeneutic Proposals," European Journal of Theology 5.2 (1996): 121-136.
If I admit that I find Anthony Thiselton's works on hermeneutics difficult to understand I am certain that I am not alone. For that reason it is good to be able to make available an article that seeks to make them more comprehensible to non-philosophers.
Update 26/09/07:
The two missing footnotes have been supplied by Dr Bartholomew and are now on-line.
Many GOP Presidential Candidates Skip Black Debate
Arizona Sen. John McCain, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney have declined to participate in the Sept. 27 debate at Morgan State University in Baltimore that will address issues of concern to African Americans.
GOP candidates who will participate include Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, California Rep. Duncan Hunter, Texas Rep. Ron Paul and Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo. Our respect for Mike Huckabee increases monthly.
We are disappointed because we sent some good questions to ask the candidates about environmental issues. All of the GOP candidates except Senator John McCain declined a similar invitation to debate Spanish American issues. All of the Democratic Party presidential candidates participated in a similar debate addressing Black issues at Howard University. (Booker Rising)
GOP candidates who will participate include Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, California Rep. Duncan Hunter, Texas Rep. Ron Paul and Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo. Our respect for Mike Huckabee increases monthly.
We are disappointed because we sent some good questions to ask the candidates about environmental issues. All of the GOP candidates except Senator John McCain declined a similar invitation to debate Spanish American issues. All of the Democratic Party presidential candidates participated in a similar debate addressing Black issues at Howard University. (Booker Rising)
See Also: J.C. WATTS: "Does GOP care about the black vote?"
Labyrinth boules
Not all the boules we ship end up on a 'boulodrome'.
We all remember the labyrinth:
a challenge for your hand-eye coordination. In a way the predecessor of numerous video games, without the need for electricity.
Kerry Veenstra, always looking for novel creations, wanted to make a table size version of this old favorite, to be displayed at the annual Burning Man Festival in Nevada. And thus needed big balls. Hollow, obviously, if not they would be way too heavy. And well calibrated, so they would roll straight.
So we supplied him stainless steel Obut pétanque boules, without any markings, that look exactly like a big brother of the originals.
Here's the result:
Anyone wants to make a big pinball machine? Call us!
We all remember the labyrinth:a challenge for your hand-eye coordination. In a way the predecessor of numerous video games, without the need for electricity.
Kerry Veenstra, always looking for novel creations, wanted to make a table size version of this old favorite, to be displayed at the annual Burning Man Festival in Nevada. And thus needed big balls. Hollow, obviously, if not they would be way too heavy. And well calibrated, so they would roll straight.
So we supplied him stainless steel Obut pétanque boules, without any markings, that look exactly like a big brother of the originals.Here's the result:
Anyone wants to make a big pinball machine? Call us!Labyrinth boules
Not all the boules we ship end up on a 'boulodrome'.
We all remember the labyrinth:
a challenge for your hand-eye coordination. In a way the predecessor of numerous video games, without the need for electricity.
Kerry Veenstra, always looking for novel creations, wanted to make a table size version of this old favorite, to be displayed at the annual Burning Man Festival in Nevada. And thus needed big balls. Hollow, obviously, if not they would be way too heavy. And well calibrated, so they would roll straight.
So we supplied him stainless steel Obut pétanque boules, without any markings, that look exactly like a big brother of the originals.
Here's the result:
Anyone wants to make a big pinball machine? Call us!
We all remember the labyrinth:a challenge for your hand-eye coordination. In a way the predecessor of numerous video games, without the need for electricity.
Kerry Veenstra, always looking for novel creations, wanted to make a table size version of this old favorite, to be displayed at the annual Burning Man Festival in Nevada. And thus needed big balls. Hollow, obviously, if not they would be way too heavy. And well calibrated, so they would roll straight.So we supplied him stainless steel Obut pétanque boules, without any markings, that look exactly like a big brother of the originals.Here's the result:
Anyone wants to make a big pinball machine? Call us!Thursday, September 13, 2007
Uptown Oakland, a new neighborhood replaces old parking
One of Oakland’s downtown neighborhoods in most need of rejuvenation is the Uptown District, an aging area located just north of Oakland’s City Hall. The Uptown was once an entertainment and shopping mecca, and City planners are hoping that this moribund neighborhood will be revitalized by an elaborate 12-acre project that eventually will add 1200 residential units and up to 45,000 square feet of retail. This project by Forest City West is only a couple of blocks from the BART station at 19th and Broadway, and is regarded as an anchor for one of the many TODs [transit oriented developments] that are envisioned for the East Bay.
TND West
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
For the latest in on-demand, join us at Dreamforce
Our collaboration with the fine folks at Salesforce.com continues to roll next week as we will be participating in their Dreamforce '07 user and developer conference. In fact we'll be there in a few different forms which speaks to the growing synergy between our organizations.
Given the hosted model leveraged by many of Google's business offerings, it makes sense that many of Salesforce's 35,000+ business customers have interest in complementary offerings from Google. To that end, we partnered with the Salesforce team this past June to make available our Adwords advertising platform right from within Salesforce Group Edition. So businesses can seamlessly manage their online advertising campaigns using Adwords and then convert the leads that get generated into new customers using Salesforce.com's CRM solution. We're also seeing a lot of interest in Google Apps from this customer base. So, in the Salesforce.com Campground, our product managers will be eagerly available each day of the conference to further discuss how you can take advantage of the Google Adwords integration and/or Google Apps.
Meanwhile on the developer and IT front, we're also seeing a lot of overlap in our respective communities. Google is exposing a growing set of functionality and content through its APIs and developers are realizing that they can use those APIs to enrich their own business applications. So in the developer track on Tuesday of the conference, we'll be hosting a breakout session discussing Google Gadgets, Google Data APIs, and Google Gears and their specific applicability to the business use case. We'll also welcome Google Enterprise Professional partners Appirio and Theikos who will show some of the recent ways in which they've built product that makes use of both Google and Salesforce technologies. And our developer programs engineers will be available for discussion Tuesday in the Developers Lounge, including a special featured session in the ADN theater during the lunch break.
So come check out the conference and visit us in the Campground, in the Developers Lounge, and at the breakout session talk. Salesforce is even offering a special 50% off deal for developers and customers new to their platform. See you there!
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