"Over the past 5 years, the bellicose natures of US-Iran relation have followed a well trodden trajectory, and the tiff over Iran’s nuclear programme and the ascendency of Ahmadinejad has played a pivotal role. That is to say fiery rhetoric employed by Washington and Tehran interwoven with covert collaboration between the two, has resulted in America consolidating its presence in the region."

"If you think that Fannie and Freddie’s bust is a big deal, just wait until Medicare comes crashing down. Then, the wailing and gnashing of teeth will be truly unbearable. As that day rapidly approaches, however, you’ll notice that the politicians are doing utterly nothing to forestall it."

"What kind of states(wo)man would a Prime Minister Tzipi Livni be? No one can know, perhaps not even she herself. Her basic mental world is right-wing. Her world view is centered around the concept of a Jewish State."

"Community organizing is inclusive in its approach and often results into cross-sectoral partnerships that include government. It seeks to reform society through an evolutionary process of improving social relationships, advancing socio-economic development, and a healthier natural environment."

"Good leaders promote action but more importantly they improve the society by changing the character of the people. Leaders give those under their charge the chance to own the challenge, along with the glory of overcoming it. That is exactly what leadership is all about. How long will the Muslim world wait to have leaders that care about those led or ruled, and that know of their accountability for every act he/she was responsible on this earth?"

"Despite the image of coexistence cultivated by the Israeli authorities, Jaffa is far from offering a shared space for Jews and Palestinians, according to Sami Shehadeh of the Popular Committee for the Defence of Jaffa’s Homes. Instead, Palestinian residents live in their own largely segregated neighbourhoods, especially Ajami, the city’s poorest district."

I can see the newspaper advert: “Dustin Hoffman as ‘Mega,’ the Israeli Spy who outwitted U.S. officials for more than 20 years!” In May, 2008, an ex-U.S. military engineer, Ben-Ami Kadish, was indicted for spying for Israel. Supposedly, he has ties to the convicted Israeli spy, Jonathan Pollard. The Feds believe that another Israeli operative, known only as “Mega,” is still on the loose. But, they are closing in on him--fast. What a film “Mega” will make!

"In 1965, the Israeli authorities cancelled and banned a concert by the Beatles on the grounds that their music corrupts the Israeli youth. Now it is your turn to join the many millions of peace campaigners (including thousands of Jews and Israeli peace activists ) and take a stance against Israel's intolerable record on human rights and against the brutal repression of the Palestinian people."