But We Said . . .

When Gaza was a sea of anarchy filled with competing criminal gangs and terrorist cells, Israel had to respond to missile attacks by trying to "take out" the guys who were launching the Qassam rockets at Sderot and other Israeli towns.

But Gaza is now under the iron rule of Hamas, a disciplined, IslamoFascist organization. Anarchy and independent action is gone. Finished. It's a new ballgame.

So why isn't Gaza being declared an area at war with Israel? Why isn't it being treated as an enemy territory?

Why are we still responding to daily missile attacks from Gaza as if the guys who were launching the rockets were free-lancers??

Your ideas?

Nu?

Israeli Democracy (1974)

This Golden Oldie was done back in 1974!!

In today's Israel an entire nation, Leftists and Right-Wingers alike, agree on one point. Olmert, our current Prime Minister is a disaster and must be taken out of his position. In our parliamentary system that is really easy to do.

Our Knesset members represent us, the people. And the Knesset can simply remove the present government and put another in its place. No big deal. But they're not doing it. Why not?! Is there a problem with our political system? ...or with our politicians? ...or are we to blame?

Ideas? Thoughts? Suggestions?

Back to School

Here in Israel it's "back to school" days at local stores, markets, and shopping malls. Naturally my mind turned to the question of the approaching start of the new school year for Palestinian kids. * * * An "incident" just took place in Jenin when an Israeli soldier took a wrong turn and drove into the West Bank Palestinian town:

"The Jenin incident took place Monday afternoon, when local Palestinian residents who noticed the officer driving into the city hurled rocks at his car, forced him out and began beating him.

A Palestinian policeman spotted the angry mob and called for backup. The security officers struggled to reach the battered officer and several shots were apparently fired before they managed to extract him from the crowd moments before his vehicle was set aflame."-more

The bloodthirsty mob was apparently led by crowds of crazed, hate-filled youngsters who had grown up in the school system of Palestinian "moderate" Mahmoud Abbas.

The West Bank.

Not Gaza!

* * * Flash!! Update!! I just found a picture of the Jenin "incident" in which West Bank Palestinians failed in their attempt to lynch an Israeli driver. The news photo shows the torched car of the Israeli in flames. Is it me or does the kid in the blue shirt in the news photo look like the kid in the blue shirt in my cartoon?

Summer Heat Wave (1980)

Cartoonists have this problem. Sometimes when you write about a heat wave you're really talking about things like threats of war, international pressure, and folks in Sderot being under fire. Other times a heat wave is just a heat wave.

Today's Golden Oldie is from back in the summer of 1980. The heat wave was just a heat wave. No metaphors intended.

Yesterday a friend called on his mobile to tell me that he and his girlfriend were driving to the Galilee for a few days in nature. An hour later my daughter called to say that she was packing her young kids and a tent and heading off for a camping trip. Later, at lunch, a colleague explained that he was off for a few days.

To all concerned my response was the same. "In This Heat Wave?!! ..Are you crazy?!"

Yes, we're having a heat wave. And any picnic that I'd take part in would have to be right here, in my air conditioned studio!

Their Tragic Blunder

Just a few days ago I posted a piece about the Saudi Interior Minister recently appealing to Muslim clerics for help in stopping the plague that's been released. If you missed it (and the MEMRI video clip) click here. * * * By the way, back in 2001, the Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheik Abd Al-Aziz Bin Abdallah Al-Sheik said:

"I am not aware of anything in the religious law regarding killing oneself in the heart of the enemy's ranks, or what is called 'suicide'. This is not a part of Jihad, and I fear that it is merely killing oneself." -more

The Mufti's words fell on deaf ears back then. The whole disaster of violence being played out daily in Iraq and the broader region has indeed turned into some Greek tragedy with evil unleashed, people blinding themselves, and dire prophets of doom.

* * * And speaking of Greek tragedy:

In Greek mythology Pandora, like Eve, was the first woman.

Pandora, like Eve, didn't listen to orders and unwittingly unleashed pain and suffering upon mankind.

Interesting that in such antithetical belief systems as Greek Paganism and Abrahamic Monotheism, there is one common thread.

Mankind blames his woes on womankind.

Moral Compass

The ADL says:

"In light of the heated controversy that has surrounded the Turkish-Armenian issue in recent weeks, and because of our concern for the unity of the Jewish community at a time of increased threats against the Jewish people, ADL has decided to revisit the tragedy that befell the Armenians.

We have never negated but have always described the painful events of 1915-1918 perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenians as massacres and atrocities. On reflection, we have come to share the view of Henry Morgenthau, Sr. that the consequences of those actions were indeed tantamount to genocide. If the word genocide had existed then, they would have called it genocide."-more

So how big is this story in Turkey? Here's today's front page of a Turkish paper, the New Anatolian. The ADL story is one of the "Three Setbacks in a Day" headline. There are also several columns about it. Too small for you to read? Just click on the image and we'll open up a bigger (big enough for you to read) scan of the front page.

click to enlarge

So what's YOUR reaction to the whole story?

What do YOU think? Nu?

Oh, and was the bigger front page large enough for you to read?

An Arabic Europe (1973)

Today's "Golden Oldie" is from 1973. Thirty four years ago. Back then I was upset at Europe's surrender to hostage-taking. I used the cartoon technique of "carrying it to the absurd" and reported on Europe being taken over by the Arabs.

Back then the idea was ludicrous. Back then I called the new Europe "the United Emirates of Europe".

These days, an Arab dominated Europe is not funny. And we already have a name for it, which you're probably familiar with.

It's called Eurabia.

* * * Notice that our early seventies newscaster is sporting sideburns!

The New China

When did China turn into a manufacturing powerhouse? Have I just not been paying attention? Have you?

Poisonous formaldehyde (an embalming chemical) has been found in candies, sweets, cookies, toothpaste, pet food and now clothing manufactured in The Peoples' Republic of China!!

If you're interested in ordering some Chinese formaldehyde (in quantity) here's the link.

If you feel like checking out what other kind of stuff they're now producing in China, spend a few fun minutes browsing Made-In-China.

Occupied Territory in Africa (1977)

Today's Golden Oldie was first published on August 22, 1977... exactly 30 years ago. So you never heard of the Occupied Territory of Ogaden? well, it's about to pop back into the news!

Here's a report from the Guardian as quoted on a pro-Somali Ogaden website called OgadenNews:

Ethiopian strife tests US commitment
Wednesday August 8, 2007
"Rising tensions in the Ogaden region of eastern Ethiopia, combined with chronic instability in neighbouring Somalia, Eritrean enmity, and human rights concerns, are testing US support for the Addis Ababa government led by Clinton-era good governance pin-up Meles Zenawi" -more

Two days after that report, on Aug 10 2007, Reuters reported that

Ethiopia signs Ogaden gas deal with Petronas
Aug 10 (Reuters) - "Ethiopia has signed a deal allowing Malaysian state oil firm Petronas [PETR.UL] to develop natural gas in its Ogaden region where rebels have warned oil companies to stay away, an official said on Friday.
'The agreement signed between Ethiopia and Petronas focuses on the development and marketing of Kalub and Hilal gas deposits in the Ogaden,' a Ministry of Mines and Energy official, who declined to be named, told Reuters." -more

* * * The Ethiopian government (also this month) issued a statement that:

"Various parties, in particular members of certain foreign media with their own hidden agenda and mission, have been disseminating erroneous stories alleging that the Ethiopian Government was blockading emergency food aid, restricting trade, causing price hikes and burning down villages in retaliation for support given to the so-called Ogaden National Liberation Front, (ONLF).

The truth, however, is that the ONLF, a terrorist group acting in collaboration with the defunct Union of Islamic Courts and the Eritrean Government, has been committing various heinous atrocities in the region. It has carried out horrendous human rights violations, including the indiscriminate murder of innocent civilians. Through such acts, it has also severely affected the peace and stability of the region."-more

* * * Surprise!
It's another Moslem/Infidel conflict.

Or is it the same unreported world wide Moslem/Infidel war that we're all in?

Western Semantics

I assume that there are some people who would object to this cartoon about incitement coming from Islamic clerics. Only natural as the Western media continues to ignore the reality of this cruel and murderous mass movement which recruits followers in the name of Islam and sends its true believers to their deaths in missions of murder.

Here's what the Saudi Interior Minister (Prince Nayef bin Abd Al-Aziz) had to say about the problem. He pleaded for help from religious authorities to stop the threat. He said that young Saudis were being enticed to go to Iraq:

"...in order to carry out bombings. Either they strap on explosives belts and blow up in public places, or else they drive a car, crash into some place, and blow it up. Who are the ones who die? Are they senior officials? Are they soldiers in any army? No. The ones who die are innocent men, women, and children. Would you be pleased if your sons became tools of murder? This is the reality. Moreover, those who escape being killed come back here with deviant ideas, and they try to implement them in our society. Hence, security activity is insufficient if it is not accompanied by ideological activity. This is a virus in the body of this nation, and if we do not kill this virus, if we do not reach, diagnose, and kill it – it will remain. The men of the security agencies amputate a decaying organ in this body, but who should fight this deviant ideology, if not clerics and sheiks like you? I refer especially to the preachers and imams of the mosques."

Oh and if you want to see a video clip of him saying it, click on MEMRI TV.

Yazdis in Iraq

I've always been fascinated by the variety of human religious belief systems, but the Yazdi (Yezidi, Yazidi,...) was a new one on me. According to Wikipedia:

"The Yezidi faith contains elements of Manicheism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Gnostic and pre-islamic beliefs. It might be based on the original religion of the Kurds. In about 1162, Sheik-Adi Ibin Mustafa radically reformed the religion, so that some believe the previous form was a different religion from current belief. Different clans may also have different interpretations.

According to Yazidi, Malak Taus is a fallen peacock angel who repented and recreated the world that had been broken. He filled seven jars with his tears and used them to quench the fire in Hell. Although primarily monotheistic religion, Yezidism also includes minor deities and saint Shaykh Adii who cooperates with Malak Taus.

Malak Taus is also connected to the name Shaytan, which is similar to Muslim name to Devil and therefore they have been accused of devil worship. Because of this and due to their pre-Islamic beliefs, they have been oppressed by their Muslim neighbors and the Ottoman Empire."-more

* * * The world of comic book superheroes does not ignore the Yazdis! Here's an incredible website that lists all the superheroes by religion (Yes, you can find out who's Jewish, or Seventh Day Adventist, or whatever)

...and the Yazdi superhero (King Peacock) is here.

So tell me, who's your favorite superhero?

Hmm?

The Russian Game (1980)

This cartoon is a Golden Oldie from back in 1980. Recent developments on the international scene (the North Pole, Naval bases in Syria) seem to indicate that the expansionist Russia is back... and this time its anti-Western moves are not hidden behind idealistic communist slogans.

So the question today is... has Putin successfully halted the democratization of the former USSR? ...is he the first of a new succession of Ruskie dictators? ... are we back to where we were when I did this cartoon, 27 years ago?

. . . or am I just being alarmist?
What do you think?
Nu?

Incitement and Political Correctness

The ability of Western Civilization to delude itself and ignore the real threat is amazing! Incitement to commit genocide and murder is being preached by Islamic "religious" leaders, absorbed by the faithful, and protected by the West's unwillingness to face the truth.

Political Correctness does not make people stupid. It just makes them act that way.

Ben Gurion's Dream (1974)

David Ben Gurion, (Israel's George Washington) had a dream. It was to make the desert bloom and populate it with Israeli towns and cities... to make it a healthy, living breathing part of the country. New roads and RR lines are beginning to make that dream look like a possibility at last.

The current Israeli government's amazing unwillingness or inability to protect the Negev city of Sderot in the face of attacks from Gaza does not help the dream very much.

Global Warning

First the Russian moves at the North Pole and now, as reported by EuroNews:

Russia weighs relocation of Black Sea Fleet to Syria
"The head of the Russian Navy has raised the prospect of the Black Sea Fleet relocating to a Syrian naval base. Chief Admiral Vladimir Masorin emphasised the strategic importance of the Mediterranean to Russia during a visit to sailors in the Ukrainian port of Sebastapol. The Soviet Union withdrew warships from the Syrian port of Tartus in the 1990s, at the end of the Cold War"-more

Folks don't seem to be very concerned about the developing climate change brought about by the latest Russian moves around the globe... that's why I chose to title this cartoon Global Warning instead of Global Warming... (one of those subtle touches that I figure nobody notices).

Today's Global Warning cartoon is a follow-up to a Dry Bones cartoon I did two Friday's ago. I titled that one Pole Dance... (another overly cutesy touch).

Can You Dig It?

The story of Abbas's asking Egypt to dig a moat was reported yesterday in the Jerusalem Post:

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo Thursday and appealed to him to authorize the construction of a moat that would prevent weapons being smuggled into the Gaza Strip from Egypt via the Philadelphia Corridor, Channel 1 reported Thursday.

Abbas proposed that the corridor, currently a land barrier under which terror groups dig tunnels in order to move weapons and ammunition, be turned into a trench and flooded with sea water.

Once the corridor was flooded, any tunnels dug beneath it would collapse.

.

The setting up of a new Hamas "naval" unit is reported in the Times (UK):

It may not have any ships, sailors or seafaring equipment, but those logistical details have not prevented Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the Gaza Strip, from launching a naval defence force.

'The requirements to join are that you have to be a good soldier, be fit, and know how to swim,' said the coastal patrol’s only confirmed member and commander, Jamil al-Dahashan, a veteran of the armed wing of Hamas. -more

* * * So what do you think is really going on? ...And more importantly, what do you think will happen next in this "good terrorist/bad terrorist" stage play that seems to be unfolding before us.

Nu?

Charming the Americans (1979)

August 1979. 28 years ago. American Ambassador to the UN, Andrew Young secretly met with PLO terrorist chieftain Arafat. Back then, meeting with PLO terrorist chieftains (like Arafat or Abbas) was frowned upon.

In the ensuing years the terrorists have managed to charm the whole world... and especially the western media. Ambassador Young was fired back then for what Secretary of State Rice has now been ordered to do.

Olmert Explains

According to Chinese reports of a few hours ago:

Haneya aide: Hamas, Fatah in secret talks
GAZA, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Secret talks are going on between the rival movements of Fatah and Hamas to resume the general dialogue, which collapsed following Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip, an aide to sacked Hamas prime minister Ismail Haneya revealed on Tuesday.
"There are efforts and initiatives to bridge the gap between Hamas and Fatah but these attempts remain behind closed doors," said Ahmed Youssef, Haneya's political advisor. -more

* * *

And amazingly, the frustrated Israeli public still cannot find a way to dump this disaster of a Prime Minister whose attempts to find peace may prove to be even more dangerous than his incompetent waging of war.

Something New Under the Sun

Today's Golden Oldie is from August 1992. Back then we were worried about the hole in the Ozone Layer... You don't hear much about the hole in the Ozone these days. We seem to have simply accepted the situation. The sun is carcinogenic. Exposing yourself to its rays for too long is dangerous.

When I was a kid there was nothing healthier than laying in the sun and getting a "nice tan" ...and if you "got sunburned" there were salves like Noxzema and calamine lotion to slap on.

Vintage Coppertone Suntan Oil Ad

The Latest Bush Plan

As reported in Egypt:

Fuelling the arms race doesn't make peace
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates's current tour of the region had been heavily trailed as a mission to promote peace in the Middle East. Indeed, it is their first visit in this part of the world since US President George W Bush called on 16 July for an international Middle East peace summit to be held in autumn.
Yet the only tangible outcome of the Rice-Gates visit so far has been $63 billion worth of arms deals concluded with America's "allies" in the region -- $30 billion for Israel, $13 billion for Egypt and $20 billion to be shared between Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Oman and Bahrain. Little has been heard of peace, or even Bush's hoped-for conference.-more

As reported in China:

Rice defends U.S. arms sale to Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice defended on Sunday the Bush administration's decision to sell military equipment and technology to Saudi Arabia to guard against alleged threat from Iran. -more

And for a detailed and informed analysis check out:

An Idealistic Alternative to the Saudi Arms Deal by Walid Phares.

* * *

So now... what do YOU think?

Sunday Mail: August 5, 2007

Posting a cartoon every weekday leaves no room for me to simply share news, ideas, and other stuff with you, so here's: 'Sunday Mail: Letters from Dry Bones'.
Item One: Uke-Playing Cartoonist in Studio.
When I started this blog (two years ago) I stuck up an old photo of myself. It was a chubbier me in a bow tie. Recently we bought a digital camera and the LSW (Long Suffering Wife) snapped this photo of me with my back to my computer screens playing the ukulele in my studio.
Item Two: Free Free Free
I've located this incredible freebie! It's a DVD Video of a monumental project that unravels the secrets of 4,000 years of Jewish history. The DVD contains rarely seen photos & film footage from more than 40 Archives worldwide. There's a limit of 1 per address and the offer stands only as long as supplies hold up. Click to get your Free DVD. Made possible by Jewishsoftware.com & the Destiny Foundation.

Pole Dance

The Russians have planted a flag on an undersea mountaintop at the North Pole?! Here's the story as first reported by the Russians (TASS)...and here's the story as updated in English by Al Jazeera (complete with video).

Today's Hindustan Times in India reports on U.S. counter moves.

* * * We're all familiar with the standard maps of the world or of the Middle East. Could it be that the little-seen Polar Projection map is going to push its way onto our front pages?.

A new planetary hot spot?

What's your guess?

American Pressure (1992)

Today's Golden Oldie is a cartoon done fifteen years ago this month. August 1992.

It seems to me that the only issues that have been "settled" since then are the IRA problem and Cambodia... I'm not sure about the Shining Path, although it was in 1992 that the Shining Path leader, Abimael Guzmán was captured.

At this moment in history, with America pushing to force Israel and the Arab states into a new accord against the background of the Iranian threat... and with the battle for Iraq still raging, the cartoon is, depressingly, another one of those "I could run it today as is" cartoons.

* * * The 20th Century has been called the American Century. What do you think that the 21st Century will be called? Hmm?

And Now ...The Splurge!

As reported in a Pakistani Newspaper site: first the "surge" and now this.

So is arming the Egyptian dictatorship and the Saudi monarchy/theocracy a smart move? ...Or will it turn about to be one of the West's major mistakes?

What's your opinion? Nu?