Category Archives: current affairs

Dangers of windows without bars

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The terrible tragedy of a Crown-Heights toddler falling to his death out a 6’th floor window is indescribable , and we feel the pain of the parents at this aweful time and wish them comfort, for what its worth.

It is absolutely frightening how many apartments in today’s day and age are not childproof, and this highlights the importance of adequate bars being installed  on windows in order to help prevent such tragedies in the future- this should be a legal requirement.

TRAGEDY IN CROWN HEIGHTS: Toddler Who Fell Out Of Window Is R”L Niftar

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When great people do or say terrible things

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Justifying the unjustifiable

Why do so many people believe that it is a Torah requirement to justify unjustifiable behavior when it is carried out by great people?

The Gemoro I know says “In a situation where there is Chillul Hashem, we do not show respect for a teacher.” – in other words, one does not refrain from criticizing one’s own Rabbi, if Chilul Hashem is involved, even if it seems disrespectful. [Brachos 19b]

It also tells us that the obligation to rebuke one’s neighbor applies even to a student in front of his Rabbi [B.M. 31a]-

I have always asked my students to apply this halocho to me, and they have usually obliged!

obviously humility is needed when criticizing those greater than oneself, but refraining from doing so, or even worse, justifying actions of theirs that are clearly wrong, is not the Torah way- its the way of a different religion

Incitement from a Torah Teacher

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I felt so nauseous over this yesterday, that its was hard to enjoy Shabbos. the very fact that a “Ben Torah” could even say such a thing in 
“error”, or as a “joke” is probably reason to tear keriya.

things are getting out of hand and I fear that this incident will be swept under the carpet instead of the roots of the terrible rhetoric being addressed- hopefully, I am wrong

http://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-Features/Rabbi-says-government-officials-should-in-theory-be-killed-promptly-retracts-remarks-352568

Why the D.A. lost Gauteng- lessons from Khayalitsha

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WHY THE DA LOST GAUTENG- LESSONS FROM KHAYALITSHA

Much hoped was placed in the opposition “Democratic Alliance’s” David vs Goliath campaign to take South Africa’s wealthiest province from the A.N.C.

In a province where the local A.N.C. branch opposed President Zuma’s re-election as A.N.C. president, and where frequent power outages, the e-tolling debacle, and crimehave had a serious impact on home and business alike, the charismatic and black Mmusi Maimane should have been swept to victory.

However, those of us who feel shocked and disappointed that despite some growth in Soweto and Alexandra, the masses in those great bastions of the anti-Apartheid struggle stuck with the comfort-zone of the party they know and trust, despite its failings and corruption, should look to the province we all jealous of for some guidance.

the DA has been in power for no short time in Cape Town and the Western Cape, and has had plenty of opportunity to garner support and loyalty by changing the lives of the impoverished masses in its own black townships like Khayalitsha and Gugulethu- it certainly promised much in this area.

It even promised a rapid transport system between Khaya and the city before the last local elections, which does not seem to have materalized.

Yet the results speak for themselves- the DA won the Western Cape again due to its non-black majority, in fact with an increased majority.

in this ward in Khaya, however ,and many others, it coudln’t even manage 2% of the vote:

http://www.news24.com/Elections/Results#level=vd&provid=WC&munid=CPT&map=live&election=national&ward=19100095

NATIONAL RESULTS FOR19100095?

PARTY VALID VOTES SEATS %VOTE
ANC 17 191 88.77%
EFF 1 309 6.76%
DA 256 1.32%

If in a province where the black minority is a relatively small percentage of the population, the DA has been unable to change the lives and loyalties of the urban poor blacks of the townships, and certainly hasn’t got the votes to show for it, how could we honestly have expected their cousins up on the Highveld to swallow Helen and Mmusi’s promises of free rent and 6 million jobs?

It is only when the D.A. is able to win the black vote in its own “success story”, the Western Cape, that it will have a chance of convincing the masses in Soweto and Alex to give it a try too, and this should be its focus in the next 5 years, not just planning for the coming local elections.

The ANC might be corrupt, but at least it gave its people water,electricity,and hope, so their monopolistic tyranny and arrogance has been given yet another 5 years, not because of their greatness, but because of the lack of real alternatives that people can trust.

Maybe the people aren’t as stupid as some think?

 

the biggest loser in these elections is the constitution

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hippo_pilansberg

 

The biggest loser in the 2014 elections in South Africa could be our constitution

 

With all the hype around how many seats the ANC and the DA will secure, and whether the ANC will get a two thirds majority, one very  poignant fact seems to have been ignored:

For the first time ever, left-wing parties with serious support and a serious socialist/populist agenda, will have far more than a two-thirds majority in parliament.

Should the ANC , under Cosatu pressure, or for its own ideals, wish to alter property rights enshrined in the constitution and allow Zimbabwe style land grabs, for example, the EFF will happily lend them its support, and any such amendments will easily pass, democratically, and constitutionally.

Not bad news for those who think the Zimbabwe model  is good for growth

Those who believe in  the free market, and that liberty should outweigh equality, should cry the beloved country……….