THYME Magazine: Prisoner for His Faith

Citizen Journalism with a Better Flavor


Volume IX, Issue IV

Prisoner for His Faith

Last week Naghmeh Abedini, wife of Pastor Saeed Abedini, was finally granted a meeting with the President after two years of asking. Saeed, you may recall, is the United States citizen of Iranian ancestry who was arrested as a 'threat to national security' by the Iranians. His crime, meeting with local Christians as he worked to establish an orphanage in the country. Abedini became a Christian in 2000, converting from Islam. Though Christianity at that time was recognized as a 'minority religion,' Christians have been regularly subjected to persecution.

In July of 2012, Abedini, now a Pastor and an American Citizen, made his ninth trip to Iran since 2009. He visited his family and the orphanage project in Rasht. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confiscated his passports and placed him under house arrest. He was then transferred to Evin Prison, where he has been incarcerated since late September. In January of 2013 was sentenced to eight years in prison. Saeed has faced torture and horrible conditions in the prison as his family in America sought the attention of the administration on his behalf.

Though Secretary of State John Kerry has issued statements demanding his release, the administration presses ahead with nuclear negotiations with Tehran. Americans have seen dangerous Guantanamo prisoners exchanged for an American deserter who wanted to join the terrorists. All the while Pastor Saeed languished in a terrible prison. Fortunately the American Center for Law and Justice [click to read] has labored tirelessly to make Pastor Saeed's case known. We urge our readers to visit the ACLJ site and sign the petition for Pastor Saeed's release. [1.]

The President met for ten minutes with Naghmeh Abedini and the couple's two children: Jacob and Rebekka on a post-State of the Union Speech tour stopover in Boise, Idaho. He told them that their husband and father's freedom is a "top priority."

There can be little doubt that the tireless work of this fine organization and the heartfelt support of thousands of citizens has resulted in Naghmeh Saeed gaining the attention of those in Washington. Now we must not relent. America must not hammer out any deal that lifts sanctions while an innocent American citizen is illegally detained and tortured.

Binyamin Netanyahu to Speak

On March 3, 2015, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress in Washington, DC. His subject will be the situation in Iran as regards to weapons and the policy the free world must follow in dealing with this nation. Our elected representatives need to heed his clear warning. It is not coincidental that the date the Prime Minister was originally invited to speak to Congress, February 11, is the anniversary of the overthrow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi thirty-six years ago.

The invitation to address the joint session was given by Speaker John Boehner and the administration was caught off-guard since such invitations in the past have typically been coordinated first with the White House and the State Department. The President does not plan to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu. In the State of the Union Speech the President had threatened to veto a bill strengthening sanctions against Iran if negotiations failed to result in the curtailment of the country's nuclear enrichment program.

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) says of the President's Iran policy: “The more I hear from the administration and its quotes, the more it sounds like talking points that come straight out of Tehran. And it feeds to the Iranian narrative of victimization, when they are the ones with original sin, an illicit nuclear weapons program going back over the course of 20 years that they are unwilling to come clean on. So I don’t know why we feel compelled to make their case.” [2.] 

With Obama’s diplomatic policy toward Iran enabling rather than preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power, members of the House and Senate are seeking a credible, unwavering voice that offers an alternative path. For the past 20 years, Netanyahu has been the global leader most outspoken about the need to take all necessary measures to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, not only for Israel’s benefit, but to protect the entire free world. From the perspective of the congressional leadership, then, inviting Netanyahu to speak was a logical move." -- The Jerusalem Post [3.]

There is little doubt that Tehran under President Hassan Rouhani has aspirations to become a power, at least in the region. [4.][5.]


Saeed Abedini and his children, Jacob and Rebekka.

Photos of Lynchburg Virginia


Houses on Garland Hill, Lynchburg, Virginia.
Photo by Bob Kirchman


Piedmont Flour Mill, Lynchburg,Virginia.
Photo by Bob Kirchman


Amazement Square, Lynchburg, Virginia.
Photo by Bob Kirchman

A Time When America Faced Her Real Enemies

The Debt We Owe to the Defenders of Liberty


The World War II Memorial.

There was a time, in our recent past Century, where the world faced the ugly fact that there was a great evil set to overtake it. The Greatest Generation stormed Omaha Beach and fought long and hard to turn the tide. America's survival was NOT inevitable. Indeed, the Axis powers stood ready to dominate the planet.

After Pearl Harbor our fleet had been battered, and our resolve would be well-tested by the years to come, but our fathers pressed on to take the high ground. Does such resolve still exist in our time? Indeed the news that WWII Veterans [click to read] refused to allow their Memorial to be shut off from them proves that great men still walk our land.

Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

As America's President  talks tough about honest opposition to his unpopular healthcare legislation and refuses to allow Congress to fund government operations all would agree on, compare and contrast his rhetoric with the straightforward message of Binyamin Netanyahu. The world has seen the likes of Hassan Rouhani before. Netanyahu, an astute historian, knows how to address them.

America's leadership needs to take a lesson from that of Israel. With Rouhani, "Distrust and verify" is a wise option, but Americans who have pointed out real flaws in the President's "Affordable Care Act" are reasonable and should be negotiated with. The American people have real concerns about this legislation. Holding government services hostage is the worst sort of grandstanding.

Indeed many Americans long for leadership that will take Rouhani to task while opening real constructive dialogue about the problems we face at home.

THYME Magazine

Citizen Journalism with a Better Flavor


Volume V, Issue III

Leadership Often Unheralded

The 'other' weekly news magazine is presenting Chris Christie of New Jersey as "The Boss" [click to read]. Calling him the: "Master of Disaster," TIME seems determined to build Christie's cred as a "reasonable" politician. Sadly, for some of us the 'disaster' that Christie is the master of might be the public appearances with the President [1.] (right before the election), that look more like campaigning than compassion. Also, revelations that Christie's wife presided over a charity for Sandy victims that may have failed to actually deliver funds to the intended recipients have come to light [2.].

A Profile in Quiet Courage

In contrast, one of our good friends has just experienced tragedy in the form of possible arson. His response to a situation most of us would have a very hard time with is challenging. Earlier this morning I wrote:

"We think of the dangers faced by our brethren in places like Nigeria and thank G-d for our relative safety. Yet one has to look at the series of malicious actions toward this fine church in Stuarts Draft and see that effective Christianity is not without opposition anywhere it is practiced.

Lives are changed through the ministry of people like Pastor Chuck Balsamo and, more importantly, by the people he mentors.

We wonder why horrific crimes, such as occurred in a small Connecticut town, happen. We've tried to construct a post-faith model for our society and are reduced to external regulation because we dare not address the issues of the human heart.

Pastor Chuck and his flock are dedicated to life-changing ministry to the heart. The Gospel of Christ is powerful and effective. Through Christ, people experience transformation. I rejoice in that fact, for it is my experience as well. Some in our world, unfortunately, find that very upsetting."

 Here is what Pastor Chuck wrote, still feeling the freshness of this tragedy:

"Dear G-d, please give a change of heart to people who do these things… and please protect our church from further attack. Please protect the beautiful, loving, and compassionate people of our congregation… and give us courage to continue with our mission… to make this community and world a better place. I still thank You for making me the pastor of Destiny Family Center. Our vision is clear and our future is bright. I thank You for our fire department and those who risked their lives for us again tonight. Bless them, and their families as they’ve willingly placed themselves in harm’s way for us.

I feel humbled. I don’t know what to think. So, I pray… with hope in my heart to a G-d who cares more than anyone can ever imagine. Amen."

 He continues:

"Thank you all for your many prayers and kind comments to us. What a blessing it is to feel the love of G-d, through friends, in times like this. Please continue to respond with G-d’s love.

Things can be replaced.

Our mission and our focus has nothing to do with things… it is about making a forever difference in the hearts and souls of people… our families, friends, and even our enemies. This fire is further evidence of the need for churches, and good-hearted Christian people.

This fire inspires me to care for people more, not less. It makes me more so thankful to G-d for saving me from the person I could have become. It compels me to reach out to corrupted people when they are young… before they end up hurting others and themselves. To the people of Destiny Family Center, and to all who feel hurt with us…

Please respond with us by deciding to make a greater difference with your lives this year, than any other year of your life.

Our church has always been known for reaching out to people who are at the lowest rock bottom… to the drug dealers and addicts and people who are fresh out of jail, and those who are fresh out of divorce, and every kind of destruction imaginable. May we continue to do this, no matter what happens to us in the process. Love is greater than hate. Mercy is greater than judgment.

Today is another beautiful day to be alive and shining for Christ. G-d bless you all!

Keep The Dream Alive,

Chuck Balsamo"

Please read Pastor Chuck's Original Letter [click to read] and pray about how YOU can make a greater difference today!

Iranian Pastor on Front Lines of Faith


American Pastor Saeed Abedini, who is being held in one of Iran’s most abusive prisons because of his Christian faith, faces a new challenge.  His case was just transferred to a judge who is notorious for violating human rights.

Follow His Story [click to read] and PRAY!

“Prison is a test of faith. I was always worried that the storms of this life would break the ship of my faith, but when you stand steadfast, the storms are like a nice breeze. Nothing can break my faith. These walls have created more fervor for me to love others through sharing the Gospel, but more than that, the walls have deepened my love for my Savior. I feel the prayers of all who are praying for me.” -- Saeed Abedini

Children of the Middle-East

A Celebration of Imago Dei from a Church Mural


Girl of Iran.


Boy from Iraq.


Girl from Egypt. Details of a Mural by Laney Riley and Bob Kirchman.

Looking beyond the news, and praying for the peace of this region, it helps if we remember that the world is primarily populated by beautiful individuals, not idealogies.

THYME Magazine

Citizen Journalism with a Better Flavor


Volume IV, Issue X

The Deadly World We Live In Today

Recently my lovely wife and I watched Hotel Rwanda, the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, the manager of the Sabena Hôtel des Mille Collines, a Hutu married to a Tutsi, Tatiana. During the Hutu extermination of the Tutsi, Rusesabagina shelters refugees from the conflict in the hotel and eventually they find their way to freedom. He works to get their story told to an international audience, hoping that will lead to help in ending the atrocities.

When the news media finally run the story, Rusesabagina says: "Now help will come." The reporter responds: "No, they'll exclaim that it is terrible and go back to their dinners." Indeed, the 24/7 continual feed of sensory overload does not automatically lead viewers to informed involvement. On the contrary, it may make many of us immune to the suffering of our fellows.


Paul Rusesabagina.

Afghanistan exploded recently as outrage over the burning of defaced Quorans resulted in the deaths of four American soldiers at the hands of supposedly friendly Afghan troops. Even more saddening was the news that over seventy Afghans died in the violence. We wept for the four, but do we weep also for the seventy?

In the wreckage of the Second World War, the United Nations was formed in the hopes of stopping such sensless conflicts and killing. In Hotel Rwanda, the inability, or lack of will to stop so much of the world's carnage is vividly portrayed.

Social media offers the promise that the printing press offered to generations past as an agent of change. I have received the Joseph Kony 2012 video from a number of friends and family members. This would seem to be a most welcome development in a world that is immune to others' suffering. Indeed, Kony deserves to be called out for his atrocities.

The problem of social media as a change agent is perhaps best summed up in this blog post from Ugandan Journalist Rosebell Kagumire:

"For the last many hours I have followed a campaign by Invisible Children NGO called KONY2012 that has gone viral getting more than 20 million hits on Youtube. I am a story teller and i know the danger of a single story . It is something many people can easily ignore especially if we are outsiders to the story.

This is the Video [cick to watch] that I recorded late in the night. It’s longer than i would have wanted but i just wanted to put my views out there on a conflict I have covered as a journalist and a people I have worked among as a communications officer at Isis-WICCE. I don’t in any way think I represent views of Uganda like some comments I have seen. This is me talking about the danger of portraying people with one single story and using old footage to cause hysteria when it could have been possible to get to DRC and other affected countries get a fresh perspective and also include other actors."

Another danger is when the storyteller, or the media takes sides. Israel is often portrayed as the opressor of the Palestinians, yet little background is given, such as the history of the region and the refusal of neighboring Arab states to assimilate the Arabs who fled the region in 1947, believing they would soon return led by the victorious Arab conquerers [1]. Likewise few will ruminate over the 1951 expulsion of Jews from Baghdad and how they were subsequently assimilated into Israel [2]. The Nakba Narrative remains unquestioned in the minds of many [3].

As Binyamin Netanyahu stated in his recent speech, Israel is the only nation in the Middle-East that offers rights to religious minorities. There are Arabs serving in the Knesset! Netanyahu makes the point that his nation is not perfect and often deserving of criticism [4]. Despots make no such claims of vulnerability. At least I don't hear Syria's Bashar al-Assad making such statements. Human Rights groups, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have detailed how Bashar's regime and secret police routinely tortured, imprisoned, and killed political opponents, and those who speak out against the regime. The 'other' weekly news magazine addresses this in the current issue.

Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad regularly promises to eliminate Israel and the United States. His nuclear ambitions should have people taking him seriously. The death sentence pronounced on Iranian pastor Yousef Naderkhani should call into question the human rights policies of the Iranian regime.

What might the answer be? Perhaps it lies in our being willing to hear the real stories of those who live in dangerous places in the world. At the very least their stories might give us new appreciation of the free and secure society our forefathers bled to give us.

Sick and Tired of the Middle East [click to read]. Perspective from Victor Davis Hanson in Jewish World Review.

Syrian Christians Fear for Survival [click to read] by Alexandra Zavis in Jewish World Review.



Noam Bedein's Mission is Unique, But It's Not New

"But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. "What is this you are doing?" they asked. "Are you rebelling against the king?" -- (Nehemiah 2:19)


Noam Bedein, Founder of Sderot Media

I frankly expected someone much older. The website I discovered while trying to get perspective on the situation in Southern Israel Sderot Media [click to read], is the creation of Noam Bedein, a young man in his twenties. Just like Nehemiah of old, Bedein saw the perilous situation of his beloved city and became both advocate and activist to change things. In the face of opposition from the Western Media, Uninformed pressure from Western Leaders and downright hostility from Hamas, the young photojournalist found his mission to tell Sderot's story and work for the healing of her people. Bedein’s ultimate goal is: "to make people aware of the crisis and present the Israeli perspective that is not often portrayed accurately in the media."

Bedein has lived through about 7000 rockets raining down on the city, who's population consists largely of new immigrants [many from Russia] who are simply too poor to move elsewhere. Many of the citizens are dug in to stay, fearing their exodus would simply create a vacuum for terrorists to move in.

Through Sderot Media, he has also founded Sderot Community Treatment Theater. This theatre project helps young residents of Sderot suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome.

Who is Manee Singmueangphon?
...And Why You Need to Know

Every now and then I check in on Noam Bedein's site: Sderot Media [click to read] and pray for the safety of the residents of this city in Southern Israel. Manee Singmueangphon is a Thai greenhouse worker who was killed in a rocket atack recently. He worked alongside other Thais and Nepali guest workers in Israel's agriculture industry. He was 33 years old, a husband and father who's death left a grieving family back in Thailand.

Sderot Media Has More [click to read] on the tragic death of Mr. Singmueangphon and why the media needs to get an understanding of the type of terror attacks being made on Sderot by Hamas.

"As long as the world tolerates those Islamic jihadists who fire rockets against innocent Israeli civilians and accepts their legitimization for it, terrorism will continue to strike innocent civilians everywhere. The killing of Manee Singmueangphon by a Gaza rocket should serve as a constant reminder that people of all nationalities are indiscriminate victims of Iranian-sponsored Islamic terrorism."


A child's drawing from Sderot shows
the horror of war.


Sderot children have fifteen seconds to reach this pipe
when the missles start coming in.
Photo courtesy of www.sderotmedia.com

"Israel Must Always Retain the Right to Defend"

"The Greastet Threat to Any Living Organism...
...any Country, is Not to Recognize Danger in Time."


Once again, Mr. Netanyahu proves to be the leader of the free world.

Thank you. Todah rabah.

Thank you very much.

Sara and I want to thank you for that wonderful reception. This applause that could be heard as far away as Jerusalem . Jerusalem – the eternal and united capital of Israel.

Thank you Howard, Rosy, Michael, and thank you all the leadership of AIPAC. Thank you for everything that you do.

I know that more than a half of the members of Congress are in attendance here tonight. I deeply appreciate your being here.

Michael, you said that when I spoke last May, in Congress, you – the members of congress – stood up to applaud the State of Israel.

Now I ask for another applause. Now I ask the 13,000 supporters of Israel who are here tonight to stand up and applaud you for standing up for Israel. Democrats and Republicans alike, I salute your unwavering support to the Jewish state

I want to send a special message to a great friend of Israel who is not here tonight: Senator Mark Kirk, the co-author of the Kirk-Menendez Iran Sanctions Act.

Senator Kirk, I know you're watching this tonight. Please get well soon. America needs you; Israel needs you.

I send you wishes for a speedy recovery. So get well and get back to work.

I also want to recognize Yossi Peled, who is here tonight. Yossi, would you please stand up.

Yossi was born in Belgium. His parents hid him with a Christian family during the Holocaust, World War II. His father and many other members of his family were murdered at Auschwitz.

His mother survived the Holocaust, returned to reclaim Yossi, and brought him to Israel. He became one of Israel's bravest and greatest generals. And today, he serves as a minister in my cabinet.

Yossi's life is the story of the Jewish people – the story of a powerless and stateless people who became a strong and proud nation, able to defend itself.

And ladies and gentlemen, Israel must always reserve the right to defend itself.

I want to recognize Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren. Michael, you're doing an outstanding job. Thank you for all you do for our country. And thank you for everything you are doing for the friendship between Israel and the United States.

I also want to recognize Ambassador Dan Shapiro, the United States' Ambassador to Israel. President Obama is right, your Hebrew is improving, though it is not on par with Michael Oren's. Dan, we appreciate your efforts to strengthen the alliance between America and Israel.

Are there any students here tonight?

Is there anyone here from Florida?

from New York?

from Wisconsin? -- that's important. I'll tell you about it later

from California?

You're the future, and thank you all for ensuring the future of the great alliance between Israel and the United States.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Tonight, I'd like to talk to you about a subject that no one has been talking about recently…: Iran.

Every day, I open the newspapers and read about these redlines and these timelines. I read about what Israel has supposedly decided to do, or what Israel might do.

Well, I’m not going to talk to you about what Israel will do or will not do, I never talk about that. But I do want to talk to you about the dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran. I want to explain why Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

President Obama has reiterated his commitment to prevent that from happening. He stated clearly that all options are on the table, and that American policy is not containment.

Well, Israel has exactly the same policy -- We are determined to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons; we leave all options on the table; and containment is definitely not an option.

The Jewish state will not allow those who seek our destruction to possess the means to achieve that goal.

A nuclear armed Iran must be stopped.

Amazingly, some people refuse to acknowledge that Iran’s goal is to develop nuclear weapons. You see, Iran claims to do everything it's doing, that it’s enriching uranium to develop medical isotopes.

Yeah, that's right.

A country that builds underground nuclear facilities, develops intercontinental ballistic missiles, manufactures thousands of centrifuges, and that absorbs crippling sanctions, is doing all that in order to advance…medical research.

So you see, when that Iranian ICBM is flying through the air to a location near you, you’ve got nothing to worry about. It’s only carrying medical isotopes.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then what is it?

That’s right, it's a duck. But this duck is a nuclear duck. And it’s time the world started calling a duck a duck.

Fortunately, President Obama and most world leaders understand that the claim that Iran's goal is not to develop nuclear weapons is simply ridiculous.

Yet incredibly, some are prepared to accept an idea only slightly less preposterous: that we should accept a world in which the Ayatollahs have atomic bombs.

Sure, they say, Iran is cruel, but it's not crazy. It’s detestable but it’s deterrable.

My friends,

Responsible leaders should not bet the security of their countries on the belief that the world’s most dangerous regimes won’t use the world’s most dangerous weapons.

And I promise you that as Prime Minister, I will never gamble with the security of the State of Israel.

From the beginning, the Ayatollah regime has broken every international rule and flouted every norm. It has seized embassies, targeted diplomats. It sends its own children through mine fields; it hangs gays and stones women; it supports Assad's brutal slaughter of the Syrian people; it is the world's foremost sponsor of terrorism: it sponsors Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and terrorists throughout the Middle East, Africa, even South America.

Iran's proxies have dispatched hundreds of suicide bombers, planted thousands of roadside bombs, and they fired over twenty thousand missiles at civilians.

Through terror from the skies and terror on the ground, Iran is responsible for the murder of hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans.

In 1983, Iran's proxy Hezbollah blew up the Marine barracks in Lebanon, killing 240 US Marines. In the last decade, it's been responsible for murdering and maiming American soldiers in Afghanistan and in Iraq.

Just a few months ago, it tried to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to the United States in a restaurant just a few blocks from here. The assassins didn’t care that several Senators and Congressmen would have been murdered in the process.

Now this is real chutzpa: Iran accuses the American government of orchestrating 9/11, and that's as brazen as denying the Holocaust, and they do…

Iran calls for Israel's destruction, and they work for its destruction – each day, every day, relentlessly.

I say all his to make one point clear -- This is how Iran behaves today, without nuclear weapons. Think of how they will behave tomorrow, with nuclear weapons. Iran will be even more reckless and a lot more dangerous.

There's been plenty of talk recently about the costs of stopping Iran. I think it's time we started talking about the costs of not stopping Iran.

A nuclear-armed Iran would dramatically increase terrorism by giving terrorists a nuclear umbrella. Let me try to explain what that means, a nuclear umbrella.

It means that Iran's terror proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas will be emboldened to attack the United States, Israel, and other countries because they will be backed by a power that has atomic bombs. So the terrorism could grow tenfold.

A nuclear-armed Iran could choke off the world’s oil supply and could make real its threat to close the Straits of Hormouz.

If you're worried about the price of oil today, imagine how high oil prices could get once a nuclear-armed Iran starts blackmailing the world.

If Iran gets nuclear weapons, it would set off a mad dash by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and others to acquire nuclear weapons of their own. The world's most volatile region would become a nuclear tinderbox waiting to go off. And here's the worst nightmare of all, with nuclear weapons, Iran could threaten all of us with nuclear terrorism.

It could put a nuclear device in a ship heading to any port or in a truck parked in any city, anywhere in the world.

I want you to think about what it would mean to have nuclear weapons in the hands of those who lead millions of radicals who chants of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."

When you think about that m you'll reach a simple conclusion: for the sake of our prosperity, for the sake of our security, for the sake of our children, Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons!

Of course, the best outcome would be if Iran decided to abandon its nuclear weapons program peacefully. No one would be happier than me and the people of Israel if Iran dismantled its program.

But so far, that hasn't happened. For fifteen years, I've been warning that a nuclear-armed Iran is a grave danger to my country and to the peace and security of the entire world.

For the last decade, the international community has tried diplomacy. It hasn't worked.

For six years, the international community has applied sanctions. That hasn't worked either.

I appreciate President Obama's recent efforts to impose even tougher sanctions against Iran. These sanctions are hurting Iran's economy, but unfortunately, Iran's nuclear program continues to march forward.

Israel has waited patiently for the international community to resolve this issue. We've waited for diplomacy to work. We've waited for sanctions to work. None of us can afford to wait much longer.

As Prime Minister of Israel, I will never let my people live in the shadow of annihilation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Some commentators would have you believe that stopping Iran from getting the bomb is more dangerous than letting Iran have the bomb. They say that a military confrontation with Iran would undermine the efforts already underway; that it would be ineffective; and that it would provoke an even more vindictive response by Iran.

I’ve heard these arguments before. In fact, I've read them before -- In my desk, I have copies of an exchange of letters between the World Jewish Congress and the United States War Department.

Here are the letters:

The year was 1944. The World Jewish Congress implored the American government to bomb Auschwitz. The reply came five days later. I want to read it to you.

"Such an operation could be executed only by diverting considerable air support essential to the success of our forces elsewhere…

and in any case, it would be of such doubtful efficacy that it would not warrant the use of our resources…"

And, my friends, here’s the most remarkable sentence of all, and I quote:

"Such an effort might provoke even more vindictive action by the Germans."

Think about that – "even more vindictive action" -- than the Holocaust.

My Friends,

2012 is not 1944. The American government today is different. You heard it in President Obama's speech yesterday.

But here's my point:

The Jewish people are also different. Today we have a state of our own. And the purpose of the Jewish state is to defend Jewish lives and to secure the Jewish future.

Never again will we not be masters of the fate of our very survival. Never again.

That is why Israel must always have the ability to defend itself, by itself, against any threat.

My Friends,

We deeply appreciate the great alliance between our two countries. But when it comes to Israel's survival, we must always remain the masters of our fate.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Israel's fate is to continue to be the forward position of freedom in the Middle East. The only place in the Middle East where minorities enjoy full civil rights; the only place in the Middle East where Arabs enjoy full civil rights; the only place in the Middle East where Christians are free to practice their faith; the only place in the Middle East where real judges protect the rule of law.

And as Prime Minister of Israel, I will always protect Israel's democracy – always. I will never allow anything to threaten Israel's democratic way of life. and most especially, I will never tolerate any discrimination against women.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This week, we will read how one woman changed Jewish history.

In Synagogues throughout the world, the Jewish people will celebrate the festival of Purim. We will read how some 2,500 years ago, a Persian anti-Semite tried to annihilate the Jewish people.

And we will read how that plot was foiled by one courageous woman – Esther.

In every generation, there are those who wish to destroy the Jewish people.

In this generation, we are blessed to live in an age when there is a Jewish state capable of defending the Jewish people.

And we are doubly blessed to have so many friends like you, Jews and non-Jews alike, who love the State of Israel and support its right to defend itself.

So as I leave you tonight I thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for standing up for the one and only Jewish state.

Thank you all and happy Purim.

Purim, A Holiday with a Timely Message

Deliverance from Destruction is Worth Remembering


Homemade hamentaschen. Photo by Yoninah.

"In the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on its thirteenth day ... on the day that the enemies of the Jews were expected to prevail over them, it was turned about: the Jews prevailed over their adversaries." - Esther 9:1

"And they gained relief on the fourteenth, making it a day of feasting and gladness." - Esther 9:17

[Mordecai instructed them] "to observe them as days of feasting and gladness, and sending delicacies to one another, and gifts to the poor." - Esther 9:22

For a gentile, I'm told, I make a pretty good Hamantaschen! A while ago I had the assignment to teach the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther in our church in an adult sunday school. The class began in Winter and was to end in early March. Of course we would have to celebrate Purim! Just as Passover has food traditions that are an integral part of telling the story, Purim does as well.

So here I was baking cookies for my class. My lovely wife banned all jokes about Mrs. Clinton as I searched websites for a recipie. I chose the one that included this descriptive from the woman who posted it: My kids love them so much they don't want to share them! This kid tested and Mother approved treat was well received by the adult sunday school.

The class was instructed as to how Esther would be read. The mention of Haman was to be greeted with boos, cat calls and all manner of impolite noise in keeping with the best tradition of Purim celebration. We had a great time!

More important, we impressed the history of this reading into our memories.

So when I read This Piece by Richard Z. Chesnoff about Jews in Iran today [click to read] and how New York Times columnist Roger Cohen makes it sound like this persecuted minority lives happily in Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's neighborhood, I was incredulous. I've always thought of Ahmadinejad as a modern day Haman [he did say he wanted to destroy Israel, didn't he]?

Modern day Agagites have continued to threaten the existence of the Jewish people. There are other 'Purims' celebrated to remember deliverance from other would-be destroyers. The Purim Vintz is observed in Frankfurt am Main to remember the Fettmilch uprising in 1616 when Vincenz Fettmilch attempted to destroy the Jewish community there.

This week, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with President Obama and presented him with a scroll of the book of Esther. The message of this gift could not be more profound!

This year Purim begins at sunset on March 7. Learn more about this holiday at Judaism 101 [click to read]. The site even has a recipe for hamentaschen!

Thirty-two Years Ago Today

The Return of Ayatollah Khomeini to Tehran


The return of Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979.

Abolhassan Bani-Sadr was the Iranian President in the post-revolution days. Thirty-two years later he says an open future for the Arab world could mean the flowering of democracy -- or resurgent dictatorship. To keep a new strongman from taking over, certain conditions must be met: His Thoughts [click to read] in Jewish World Review today.

The Muslim Brotherhood [click to read] by Frank J. Gaffney, Jr. in Jewish World Review.

Resentment toward US Growing in Egypt [click to read] by Edmund Sanders in Jewish World Review.


What have we learned... thirty-two years later?

With Ezra and Nehemiah in Modern Iraq

Christians Fear Being Wiped Out Like Jews Before Them


Jewish refugees from Baghdad in 1951.

A few years ago I was given the monumental task of teaching the Biblical texts of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther in one Sunday school class. The study involves what happened to the people after the Babylonian captivity and the rise of the Persian Empire.

They probably thought the class would be small, but the historical and application relevance kept people coming. One thing we learned was that not everybody went back to Jerusalem. In fact, Baghdad had a fairly large Jewish population right up until the middle of the Twentieth Century. Just as in Daniel's time, Jews occupied important positions managing essential institutions in Iraqi society. The Baghdad Symphony was once composed mainly of Jewish musicians.

At one time almost a third of Baghdad's population was Jewish. During British rule from 1922. During the British Mandate and following independence in 1932, these Jewish residents were instrumental in the development of judicial and postal systems.

In 1941 the Mufti-inspired pro-Nazi coup of Rashid Ali led to the murder of 180 Jews and the wounding of many more in the Farhud pogrom. The British Army reoccupied Baghdad and restored security for the population. Once again Jewish residents managed essential institutions.

In 1948, when Israel was established, anti-Jewish violence once again broke out. In 1950 Jews were permitted to leave the country within a year. They had to forfeit their citizenship, liquidate their businesses and sell their property [at great loss] in order to do so.

In all, 104,000 Jews were evacuated from Iraq in Operations Ezra & Nehemia [named after the leaders who took the people back to Jerusalem from exile in Babylonia]. 20,000 more were smuggled out through Iran. In 1952 the government stopped all emegration.

Persecution heightened again in the 1960's, especially at the time of the Six Day War. Jewish property was seized, bank accounts were frozen. The Baghdad government quietly allowed the remaining Jews to leave in 1970. Only a handful of people remain, most are too old to leave. The entire Jewish population, if evacuated today, would not even fill one motor coach.

The Jews of Iraq [click to read] by Mitchell Bard tells their story in greater detail.

The recent attack on a Christian church and the murder of two priests has Jane Arraf in Jewish World Review Pondering the Situation [click to read] of Christians in Iraq today.

"Iraqi Jews, once an integral part of society here with a history dating back to Babylon, began fleeing in the 1940s. Now only stories of their once vibrant community remain.

Christians, most of them eastern rite Catholics, trace their history in this country to the earliest days of Christianity. Before the 2003 war, there were up to a million Christians here — about 3 percent of the population. Half that number is estimated to have left in the past seven years, continuing an exodus begun after the 1991 Gulf War when Saddam Hussein's secular regime turned increasingly Islamic.

Although thousands of Assyrian Christians and others were killed under Iraq's Ottoman rule a century ago, the attack on the church last week is the worst in the country's recent history. The attack, claimed by an Al Qaeda-linked group, was followed two days later by 16 bombings in Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad that killed at least 70 people."

Update: More Iraqi Christians Murdered [click to read] from Jewish World Review.

THYME's 'Woman of the Year' -- A Clear Voice!

Governor Palin Speaks Straight on Foreign Policy


THYME's 'Woman of the Year.'

Carolyn B. Glick [click to read] in Jewish World Review points out why a lot of people who are dismissing Palin need to take another look. The elitist view that excludes her from serious consideration is shutting the door on one of the best friends those who seek real peace in the Middle East really have.

"National security, that's the one place where you've got to call it like it is."

"We need a foreign policy that distinguishes America's friends from her enemies and recognizes the true nature of the threats that we face." -- Governor Sarah Palin, in her Tea Party Convention speech

"Palin's future in politics is unknowable. But what is clear enough is that today hers is the strongest single American voice opposing Obama's foreign policy and the loudest advocate for supporting Israel and denying Iran nuclear weapons." -- Carolyn B. Glick

Add that to her already stated mission to make America energy independent and you have a pretty solid hand to play in the resolving of the big issues we face in the all too immediate future.

Study in Similarities...

National Institute for the Study of Rodent Mutation


Rodent Mutation, a threat to Western Civilization!

'Augusta Al' looked disturbingly familiar. Then, last week Bin Laden started talking global warming. That is when I discovered the NISRM.

The NISRM has analyzed disturbing similarities in history that the MSM and Revisionists tend to ignore, such as The Origins of the Aryan People [click to read]. ht/Glenn Beck

"I am Dariush, the great king, the king of kings
The king of many countries and many people
The king of this expansive land,
The son of Wishtaspa of Achaemenid,
Persian, the son of a Persian,
'Aryan', from the Aryan race"

-- From the Darius the Great's Inscription in Naqshe-e-Rostam

As Ahmadinejad pursues his space program and continues to lash out with threats to Israel and America, it is worth pursuing the connection between Hitler's 'Aryan' theories and the history of Iran. Glenn Beck has been connecting the dots on this one.

Here the Citizen Journalist makes a simple plea that all who value the truth pursue this information as well.


Hitler and Ahmadinejad... scary!

The Power of Prayer

Our Greatest Resource is Found on the Road Unseen


Although possessing 10% of the world's crude oil reserves, Iran's economy is in very difficult times. Life is very difficult for the average person there.

A Call to Common Sense

The Wake-Up Call the UN Circus Should Give Us

Three Dangerous Stooges [click to read] By Victor Davis Hanson in Jewish World Review.

We need to become energy independent NOW. Here's one compelling argument for drilling here and cutting off our dependency on energy from despots like Hugo Chavez, Moammar Gadhafi and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Prayer for Iran

Our Greatest Resource is Found on the Road Unseen


Thirty day prayer guide for Iran.

What You Can Do for Iran Today!

I look at the faces of the martyrs. Ordinary people who have paid the ultimate price for their beliefs in modern Iran. Centuries ago Haman almost exterminated G-d's people but Queen Esther called for prayer and went before Xerxes to plead for their safety. The rest is history [literally]. Read the book of Esther if you want to be encouraged.

Today the need is greater than ever as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stands as a threat greater than Haman. The prayer guide is available from Advancing Native Missions [click to read].

The Power of Prayer

Our Greatest Resource is Found on the Road Unseen

Sometimes it seems as though life is just too big. We've learned of many friends with health concerns, some pretty dire by human reckoning, yet we go to our Lord and we've seen His touch in their situations. Lynn has shared two urgent prayer requests at Her Blog [click to read] and we join in those prayers. Please join in prayer for Chris Klicka and Vickie Farris.

Prayer for Iran [click to read]. Advancing Native Missions sent us a beautiful Thirty Day Prayer Guide for Iran. You can request your own copy Here [click to read].

Iran is in the headlines a lot lately as they test long range missles and their radical Muslim leadership lays down challenges to the world. But did you know that the Iranian people are not all like that. They are not Arabs, but Indo-European people. Their language is Farsi, not Arabic.

In her later years my Mother taught the physics labs at Howard Community College and one of her students was a young Iranian. The year was 1979 and this young man came to Mom's office very frightened when the revolution occurred. The clerics did not speak for him any more than the ruling party in Washington speaks for me today. Mom's friendship helped him through this difficult time.

There are many more Iranians like that young man. We can befriend them by praying for them and learning about them.

THYME Magazine

Citizen Journalism with a Better Flavor


Volume I, Issue III

Special Edition: Madness in Manhattan

The UN hosted a bizarre collection of world leaders this week. Here is a sampler courtesy of Jewish World Review:

If I Ran the Circus [click to read] from Dave Weinbaum. "Community Organizer of the World Obama"

If Iran's the Circus, Libya is the Freak Show [click to read].

Jonah Goldberg on the President's Speech [click to read].

But, There Were a Couple of Clear Voices at the Unided Nations [click to read].

When Binyamin Netanyahu spoke, he spoke for me. Having read just enough history to be dangerous, I recognize certain very real threats in the world. The 'disarmament summit' presided over by President Obama looked to me like taking two asprin when you're having a brain annurism. The problem is the clear and present danger of mad tyrants with nukes they can deliver. I have only found two world leaders who acknowledge this, Netanyahu and Sarkozy.

Imagine that! The President of France taking a tougher stance than the President of the United States! It is a Mad Mad World!

United Against Nuclear Iran [click to read]. Sign the Petition.

Finally Some Clarity and Sanity

Binyamin Netanyahu Addresses the UN

Netanyahu Lays Down the Gauntlet [click to read]. Joel Rosenberg.

Here's the Full Text [click to read] of Mr. Netanyahu's speech.

Sarkozy Calls for Immediate Action [click to read].

The Speech He Actually Gave...

Some Thoughtful Analysis

Obama's Arabian Dreams [click to read] by Caroline B. Glick in Jewish World Review.

"Unfortunately, for a speech billed as an exercise in truth telling, Obama's address fell short. Far from reflecting hard truths, Obama's speech reflected political convenience."

The Settlements Myth [click to read] by Charles Krauthammer in Jewish World Review.

Iran Nuclear Threat

The American People 'Get It' More than Washington

No surprise, Polls Show Americans Understand the Threat [click to read]. I hope Binyamin Netanyahu hangs tough on this. ht/Joel Rosenberg.

Washington Still Does Not 'Get It' [click to read]. ht/SWAC Girl.

This is no time to get it wrong!


Range of Iranian missles.

This is Just Wrong!

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Missile Range Should Concern You


Here's how far Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can shoot.

Investors Business Daily/TIPP poll found that:

65% of Republicans favor using military force against Iran, while 23% oppose
48% of Democrats favor the use of force, while 43% oppose
44% of Independents favor a military option, while 45% oppose

Here is a man who openly advocates the destruction of Israel and the United States. Yeah, like we can just sit down and talk with him with no preconditions, right?