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Remembering America's Iraq War 'Patriotic Opposition'
Last night, President Obama cited the "patriots who opposed" the war. Well, given the president's tribute, I thought I'd pause to offer a summary of the loyal opposition.
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¿Sabía que…
…en muchos países se sigue llamando a constante Ludolphina?
La razón es bien sencilla. A finales del siglo XVI se descubrieron varias aproximaciones del número :
- V. Otho y A Anthonisz redescubrieron sobre el año 1573 de forma independiente la aproximación
a partir de las aproximaciones de Ptolomeo y de Arquimedes.
- Viète encontró una aproximación de con 10 decimales exactos.
Pero el matemático alemán Ludolph Van Ceulen llegó más allá. En 1596 publicó una aproximación de con 20 decimales exactos, obtenida a partir de un polígono de 15 lados y duplicando sucesivamente el número de lados 37 veces. Pero fue más adelante cuando Van Ceulen encontró la aproximación que impresionó a sus sucesores. Mediante un polígono regular de lados Van Ceulen obtuvo una aproximación de con 35 decimales exactos. Según parece, su viuda hizo grabar en la tumba de Van Ceulen dicha aproximación:
Fuente:
- Historia de la matemática, de Carl B. Boyer.
- Ludolph Van Ceulen en la Wikipedia española.
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The Innocent Lives Lost
Ynet reports:
Hundreds of people on Wednesday attended the funerals of the four residents of the West Bank settlement of Beit Hagai who were murdered in a terror attack the previous evening near Hebron.
Talya Imes, 45, and her husband Yitzhak Imes, 47, are to be buried at the Mount of Olives cemetery, while Avishai Shendler, 24, is to be buried in Petah Tikvah and Kochava Even-Haim, 37, will be buried in Ashdod.
Beit Hagai’s synagogue filled with family members during the morning hours, and as the bodies were brought in they could be heard weeping and tearing their clothes in mourning.
The Imes couple left six orphans behind, who took shelter in each others’ arms. Moriah, Avishai’s widow, was held by the women of her family.
The Imes’s son, Ariel, eulogized the couple. “Mother, father, something changed yesterday. You were a natural part of the family, and suddenly you’re not here. I can’t believe that a mother that took such good care of us is no longer here,” he said. “Come back to me, mother.”
Momi Even-Haim eulogized his wife. “How can I say goodbye to you? I only want you to stay. I don’t want you to be hurt like this. It’s cowardice to shoot a woman in a moving vehicle like that,” he said.
“I want to tell you about everyone who came, the place is full here. You probably would have hidden in the corner and said, ‘You shouldn’t have’.”
The families and friends of the victims gathered around the bodies at the synagogue in the settlement of Beit Hagai to pay their final respects. “I promise to raise my family and my siblings. I promise that we will all remain together. We’ll get through this. I’m sorry that I didn’t spend enough time with you,” said the Ames’ eldest son, one of their six children.
—-
Kochava’s husband, Momi Even Haim, lamented the loss of his wife, saying “My Kochava, my love, my partner, how will I say goodbye to you?”
“I’m afraid,” he continued. “I just want you to stay. Monsters, cowards, to shoot innocent civilians – only a coward would think that shooting an innocent woman was a legitimate form of warfare.”
“You and I are embarking on separate journeys. But you are not alone – you are with a group of righteous people with whom you shared a final ride,” Momi added, referring to the other victims of the attack. “I want you to know one important thing: thousands of angels are accompanying you, my righteous one. I remain behind with a giant hole in my heart.”
Avishai Schindler’s uncle, rabbi Zvi Shalva, said “during the month of Elul we get closer to God, but he wanted you closer than the rest of us. All your acquaintances, neighbors and students felt your grace and humility.”
Tali and Yitzhak Ames with five of their children
Kochava Even-Haim
Avishay Schindler
May G-d avenge their blood.
Update: And while the PA reportedly carried out arrests following the murder of these 4 innocent people, they have also honored the mother of 4 terrorists.
The Palestinian mother is a central partner in the struggle…
It is she who gave birth to the fighters, and she deserves
that we bow to her in salute and in honor.”
Those were the words of the Palestinian Authority’s Minister for Prisoners’ Affairs, Issa Karake, when he honored a Palestinian woman by awarding her “the Shield of Resoluteness and Giving.”
The Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs, Karake, honors mother of 4 terrorists with PA Shield. [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Aug. 28, 2010]
She received this honor because she is the mother of four sons who are serving a total of 18 life sentences in Israeli prisons. They all killed Israeli civilians in terror attacks.
The Minister also “praised the Abu Hamid family as a model of willpower and of the struggle for the independence of Palestine” when he visited the family with a ministry delegation, human rights organizations and released prisoners, the official PA daily newspaper reported.
The four sons are serving life sentences for the following crimes:
Nasser Abu Hamid – 7 life sentences + 50 years – commander in Fatah’s military wing the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades in Ramallah. Convicted of killing seven Israeli civilians and 12 attempted murders.
Nasr Abu Hamid – 5 life sentences – Member of terror faction of Fatah, Tanzim, and convicted of involvement in two terror attacks and arms dealing.
Sharif Abu Hamid- 4 life sentences – a member in one of the brothers’ units carrying out terror attacks against civilians and soldiers. Accompanied a suicide bomber to his attack in March 2002.
Muhammad Abu Hamid – 2 life sentences + 30 years – involvement in terror attacks.
Minister Karake also chose this week to visit the home of the suicide terrorist Ayyat Al-Akhras who in 2002 entered a Jerusalem supermarket and detonated a bomb murdering two Israelis and killing herself. The minister’s visit took place on the occasion of the Palestinian “National Day for Returning the Bodies of Palestinian and Arab Shahids and MIA’s.”
The mother who received the award for having four terrorist sons was described as “Khansa of Palestine,” which is a reference to Al-Khansa, a woman from the earliest period of Islam who sent her four sons to battle and rejoiced when they all died as Martyrs. Calling the Palestinian mother by this name reinforces the message that seeking death as a Martyr is a worthy and honorable goal and that parents should proudly sacrifice their children.
Update: Footage from one of the funerals.
Categorías: Web Log
If Looks Could Kill..
..they’d both be dead.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu address reporters at his hotel suite in Washington August 31, 2010. Clinton met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Tuesday ahead of Thursday's direct peace talks. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
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Live Updates From World Jewish Congress – Day Two
As I did yesterday, I will be posting updates from the World Jewish Congress via Twitter.
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Categorías: Web Log
What American President Would Do That?
Other presidents have been wrong. Other presidents have been misguided. Other presidents have been weak and pusillanimous and pathetic. Only one truly disdains America.
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The Unstoppable Left?
There is an unstoppable force that drives a person if he willingly submits.
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Football Is the Model for Education Reform
Consider an education-related endeavor that abhors mediocrity, deception, and lame excuses: football.
Categorías: Web Log
O, Palestine!
The notion of a Palestinian people and Palestinian identity, although taken for granted today, has neither a long nor a distinguished history.
Categorías: Web Log
The European Disunion
Pardon my schadenfreude, but I was pleased to read an article in Sunday's Washington Post that questions the long-term viability of the European Union
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C-SPAN's 'Washington Journal' -- Home of the Anti-Jewish Lunatic Fringe
C-SPAN has given the lunatic fringe an establishment address.
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AFP = A**holes For Palestinians?
Israeli settlers express their anger in front of Israeli policemen after a settlers car was ambushed by Palestinian gunmen next to Kiryat Arba settlement in the southern West Bank. Four Israelis, including a pregnant woman, were gunned down in the West Bank in what Israel called a "terrorist attack" on Tuesday. (AFP)
Besides the use of the word “settlers” to dehumanize the people pictured – not to mention the murder victims – notice how the AFP caption writer suggests this was only a “terrorist attack” in the eyes of Israel.
Update: At least here, AFP refers to the victims as Israelis and is honest about Hamas’ reaction to the attack.
Categorías: Web Log
Israeli September
One of the pleasures of my life is the enjoyment of Israeli culture. The constant propaganda war against us hides the realities and entertaining quirks of Israeli life. In response, I feel the need to do battle against those who malign and try to delegitimize our wonderful, creative, amazing, and brave little land and its people. But every now and then it's fun to take the time to reveal what it's like to live here. What it's like to be at home. Like in today's cartoon about trying to deal with a local repair man in the days ahead. -Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973
Categorías: Web Log
Weekly Emuna Live Broadcast
G-d willing, our weekly emuna lesson will be broadcast live today (Wednesday) at 6:00 PM local time from the Chut Shel Chessed Yeshiva, 56 Shivtei Yisrael Street, Jerusalem. Since the main study hall of the Yeshiva is being renovated, the shiur will be broadcast from the young-men's yeshiva across the street.
This week's lesson is entitled, "180 for the Best" and is open to the public, both men and women are welcome. Don't miss it, because the next emuna broadcast will only be after the High Holidays, G-d willing.
You can see today's lesson live right here at 11:00 AM EDT, 4:00 PM in the UK, or 6:00 PM Israel time. As soon as we can, G-d willing, we'll post a link to the lesson for all those who couldn't see it live.
Categorías: Web Log
A Breslever Birthday
Uman is a Breslever birthday.
If you ask a Breslever Chassid how old he is, he’ll answer “eight” or “ten” or “sixteen”, dependant on the number of times he’s been to Uman on Rosh Hashana. Everyone that participates in the Rosh Hashana gathering in Uman has a share in the Geula, the full redemption of our people.
Also in this week's issue of Breslev Israel web magazine, Clarifying Truth by Rav Shalom Arush. Your First Rosh Hashana, important advice for newcomers to Uman, by yours truly.
Top Ten for the Soul is a must-read on today's music, while The Sheitel Lady will surely make you smile.
It must be the Money is a candid piece of self assessment, while It's not A Competition gives vital tips about child-rearing.
Tzalaii's Trial is griiping Part 31 of Warriors of Transcendence, by Rabbi Erez Moshe Doron.
This week's Torah portion is Nitzavim-Vayelech.
This week is your last chance to send a Pidyon Nefesh to Rabbi Shalom Arush, if you'd like for him to pray for you in Uman this coming Erev Rosh Hashana.
Categorías: Web Log
The Best Insurance
Let's take a closer look at the blessings we recite every morning:
Boruch.....Po-kay-ach Iv-rim, "Blessed are You… Who gives sight to the blind," is not only thanks for our eyesight, but thanks to Hashem that He enables us to see the light of day.
Boruch.....Ma-tir Ah-su-rim, "Blessed are You… Who releases the incarcerated," is not only thanks to Hashem that we're not in jail or in captivity, but that we're free to come and go as we please.
Boruch… Zokaif Kefufim, "Blessed are You… Who straightens the bent," is not only thanks that we're not cripples or hunchbacks, but that we're not confined in a place where we don't have the room to stand up straight.
We'd be saying these - and all our other blessings - with a lot more intent if we appreciated the fact that we're not one of the miners in Chile, entrapped now for nearly 4 weeks.
Showing Hashem that we don't take for granted what we have is the best insurance for not losing what we have.
Failing to thank Hashem daily for the oxygen we breath is crass ingratitude. Ingrates are never happy, but grateful people always are.
Our daily blessings are designed to keep us unspoiled, grateful, and therefore happy.
While we thank Hashem for our freedom to walk around as we please, we shouldn't forget the less fortunate, like Jonathan Pollard, Gilead Shalit, and those Chilean miners, may they all see daylight as free men soon, amen.
Categorías: Web Log
Beams Bulletin: Palestinian Terror Claims the lives of 4 near Hevron
A short while ago, four Jews from Beit Hagai, were brutally murdered at close range south of Hevron. We are awaiting further details. Hamas boasts responsibility for the murders.
Categorías: Web Log
Terror Attack
At least 4 Israelis – including a pregnant woman – have been murdered in a terror attack.
Photo by: Lior Mizrachi
According to initial reports, an Israeli vehicle traveling in the area came under fire directed at it from a passing vehicle at the Beni Naim junction on Highway 60.
More than one terrorist apparently took part in the attack, which security officials say was a well-planned ambush. Channel Two said the attackers apparently confirmed the death of the Israeli victims before fleeing the scene.
The victims’ death was pronounced by medical personnel at the scene. One of the victims was a pregnant woman, officials said.
Security forces and Magen David Adom ambulances rushed to the scene. Palestinian security forces were also informed of the attack, which took place just as the Ramadan fast was ending, and are looking into the incident.
I believe the timing is no coincidence. The palestinians are constantly perpetrating such attacks when”peace” talks are about to begin.
Update: Ha’arez reports that the victims were all members of the same family: two men aged 25 and 40 and two women, also aged 25 and 40.
Update: One of the victims reportedly had a license for a firearm that was suspended shortly before the attack.
Update: The PA is blaming Hamas, Hamas is being coy, and the PRC has stated it was a message to the palestinian negotiating team ahead of the resumption of direct talks (as I initially surmised).
Palestinian security forces were also informed of the attack, which took place just as the Ramadan fast was ending, and are looking into the incident. A Palestinian security official said that a Hamas cell is believed to be behind the lethal attacks. He noted that the last attack in the Hebron region, which left an Israeli police officer killed, was also the work of Hamas.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told Ynet the attack was not meant to foil direct peace talks, and said the negotiations had failed even before starting.
“This is a natural response by the Palestinian resistance to the enemy’s crimes, and is proof that despite the resistance’s persecution by the security services and despite Israel’s crimes, the Palestinians are capable of responding to these crimes.”
“This is proof that the Palestinian resistance is living, breathing, and kicking,” he said.
Addressing the Palestinian Authority’s estimate that Hamas was behind the attack, Barhoum said: “Things are not as they were described by the Authority’s security forces.”
Meanwhile, the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) told Ynet Tuesday’s shooting attack was a message to the Palestinian negotiating team ahead of the resumption of direct talks with Israel.
“They should not have embarked on this move without the support of the Palestinian people,” PRC Spokesman Abu Mujahid said. “Our people still espouse the resistance and do not believe in the fictitious talks scheduled to commence tomorrow. “
Categorías: Web Log
The File Clerks of Racism
When someone in America is charged with racism today, what does it mean to most Americans? It means nothing morally serious at all.
Categorías: Web Log
