By James M. Wall
Listening to the 59 Illinois state senators solemnly repeat their “yes” vote to remove Governor Rod Blagojevich from office, one had to wonder: How many of them thought, “there but for the grace of God go I”? [...]
Entries from January 2009
January 30, 2009
A Sad Reminder from Illinois:”Money is the mother’s milk of politics”
January 25, 2009
In “Waltz With Bashir” Art Connects Gaza to Sabra and Shatila
by James M. Wall
Waltz With Bashir, an animated documentary film by Israeli Director Ari Folman, arrived in U.S. theaters during the recent Israeli invasion of Gaza.
During the invasion, Gary Kamiya wrote a review of the film for Salon.com. He entitled it: “What Waltz With Bashir can teach us about Gaza”. [...]
January 22, 2009
Obama Names George Mitchell Top Middle East Envoy
Friday update follows below:
by James M. Wall
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Or, if you prefer, there is a God in Heaven who has finally figured enough is enough. You know the God I mean, the One who led President Barack Obama to choose George Mitchell as his Middle East envoy.
OK, if [...]
January 20, 2009
“Lift Every Voice and Sing”
by James M. Wall
After Barack Hussein Obama became the 44th president of the United States, he delivered a stirring inaugural address that called on Americans to join with him in addressing the problems facing the nation.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will [...]
January 18, 2009
Pastor to Obama:”Perhaps you are where you are for such a time.”
by James M. Wall
On Sunday morning, President-elect Barack Obama and his family worshipped together at the 19th Street Baptist Church. The Obamas’ new hometown newspaper, the Washington Post, covered the event:
President-elect Barack Obama and his family attended services this morning at one [...]
January 17, 2009
Israel Calls a Timeout While Gaza Continues to Suffer
by James M. Wall
Late Saturday night, Israel and its allies, the US and Egypt, made a grand show of calling a “time out” (also known as a “ceasefire”) in Israel’s relentless attacks against Gaza’s civilian population.
The US has agreed for its part to monitor the border between Egypt and Gaza. Egypt’s President Hosni Muburak will [...]
January 14, 2009
War crimes? Or “part of a new strategic ballgame in the Arab-Israel arena”?
by James M. Wall
With the invasion of Gaza ending its third week, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported Friday, January 16, that the Palestinian death toll is now 1115, of whom 370 are children and 85 are women.
The number of injured is at least 5,015, of whom 1,745 are children and 740 are women. An estimated 400-500 [...]
January 12, 2009
Memo to Team Obama: Read Rabbi Rosen and Roger Cohen Before You Announce Your Middle East Team
by James M. Wall
On Sunday morning, our pastor led us in a ”Congregational Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant”. We were asked to respond to a series of questions, including this one:
“Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in [...]
January 11, 2009
Obama Breaks his Silence; Promises Effective, Consistent and Immediate Action on Gaza After January 20
Update Number One:
Read Roger Cohen’s column in today’s New York Times. It is not to be missed. He throws some cold water on the hopes recorded in this posting and my “How come there ain’t no brothers on the wall? posting.
I trust you are able to link to Cohen’s column because I don’t want to spoil it for you [...]
January 8, 2009
Question for Barack Obama on Middle East Envoys: How come there ain’t no brothers on the wall?
by James M. Wall
The word [...]
