Passover begins tonight, and I’ll be taking a break for the next few days.

Don’t panic– you can count on our core of Gentile bloggers to keep the site fresh in the interim.

Thanks again to everyone for your support of LST; I’ll have a final update on the Begathon– and possibly some other major announcements– on Monday.

B’shalom,

David Benzion

Here’s where the auction stands, as of 4:07 p.m.:

• Headshaker’s Teddy Bear as Big as Texas: $30, Bob2.
• Fred Hill’s Bubble Quote: $10 starting bid
• Dan’s Bubble Quote: $20, Smacktle.
• Ban Your Nemesis: $40, Neocon.
• Bramanti’s Bubble Quote: $20, The Dude.
• Booze With Bramanti: $75, Buddy.
• FasterNU426’s Custom T-Shirts: $135, CajunGalTX.
• BBQ With the RINO: $80 starting bid.
• Property Tax Rent-A-Mercenary: $100, Buddy.

Come on folks, bid on the BBQ with the RINO. If you don’t, Benzion will make us go. Less than 8 hours left to bid!

I was reading an AP article that was linked to by Right Wing News and I had an epiphany. I realized why the felon portion of the immigration bill is getting so much friction from both party machines. FELONS CAN’T VOTE! It may take a long time, but eventually under most guest worker/amnesty plans that are being proposed, those immigrants will become citizens, but if they were ever felons, they’d still not be able to vote. 

Today’s the last day of bidding in the inaugural LST Auction, so I’d like to offer one last item for bid:

I will fight your taxes.

I don’t mean in the broad, generic, write-letters-to-Austin way. I mean I will get the forms, file your protest, do the research, dig up the data, and personally handle the property tax protest hearing on your home.

During summers while I was in college, I worked as a property tax consultant for the biggest protest firm in Texas. I’ve personally handled more than 2,500 hearings in Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Travis, Williamson, Dallas and Tarrant Counties — everything from shotgun shacks to private jets. I’ve successfully cut millions in dollars of value from the tax rolls and saved clients hundreds of thousands of dollars.

There are no guarantees in life, but this item is potentially worth thousands of dollars. Most property tax firms will charge you half of what they save you.

We’ll start the bidding at $50. I’m good at this, folks. Get me back in the fight!

Where to even begin…

Let’s start with the facts– the Houston Chronicle has an editorial today headlined "Message of Love":

For many Christians, there is no more reviled person in the New Testament than Judas Iscariot, traditionally regarded as the disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ with a kiss for a handful of silver coins.

Over the past two millenniums, the figure of Judas in art and religious literature increasingly became a thinly disguised caricature for the Jewish people and a tool for generating anti-Semitism, particularly in Europe, where Passion plays re-enacting the crucifixion often provoked murderous riots called pogroms directed at Jewish neighborhoods. The hatred culminated in the Nazi-directed Holocaust during World War II.

It’s fitting that National Geographic chose to broadcast a documentary at the start of this Holy Week detailing the discovery of an 1,700-year-old Christian text depicting Judas in an entirely different light. Found bound in leather in an Egyptian cave more than 30 years ago, the painstakingly restored papyrus sheets written in Coptic portray Judas as the disciple entrusted by Christ to carry out the steps necessary for his sacrifice and resurrection, a notion echoed in several passages of the four Gospels of the Bible.

LST’s Matt Bramanti noted the documentary here.

The Chronicle continues:

The documentary bluntly confronts the shameful history of Christian anti-Semitism and details how the image of Judas has been employed to stir up hatred and intolerance over the centuries. By contrast, instead of a plot with a despised villain, the Gospel of Judas focuses entirely on Christ’s love and willing sacrifice.

As a Jew, I don’t think it’s my place to tell Christian’s how to "correctly" interpret their Scriptures.

Oh, that my fellow coreligionists would exercise the same humility; instead we get these classic examples of left-wing American Jewish cliches–

CLICHE #1: Wildly disproportionate concerns about Christianity

Houston Rabbi Amy Weiss describes the document as "an opportunity that has presented itself, and the question is, what will be done with it next?" If major Christian evangelical ministers were to confront the issue of the anti-Semitic characterization of Judas in public sermons, she believes it would have a very positive effect.

Yes, we all know that the primary threat to the well-being of American Jews in 2006 emanates from "Christian evangelical ministers" and their Judas-crazed flocks.

I’m certain Rabbi Weiss is a wonderful human being doing much good in the community, and I’d love to have the opportunity to learn with her.

But I think it only fair to note– and the Chronicle’s readers would probably find it useful to know– that Rabbi Weiss is not exactly what most Gentiles would think of as a conventional congregational rabbi.

She’s head of the Initiative for Jewish Women, a group that, to it’s credit, comes out right up front on it’s webpage and announces that [Emphasis added by LST}:

The Initiative for Jewish Women is a non profit 501(c)3 serving liberal Jewish women in the Houston, Texas area.

IJW's calender is excited to announce an upcoming speech by...

... Sarah Weddington, the attorney who argued Roe v. Wade before the Supreme Court.  Women’s health rights are at stake right now and Jewish women need to be aware of our bodies, the most precious of God’s gifts, and the issues that face us in the coming year.

This is the sole religious authority the Chronicle editorial writers choose to quote for a Jewish perspective on the Gospels of Judas.

I'm betting that had they asked any of these folks, they might have gotten an answer that didn't focus on telling "Christian evangelical ministers" what to do with their sacred scriptures.

CLICHE #2: Anti-Parochial/Traditionalist Jewish Self-Hatred

Jews and Christians in America have forged increasingly close social and ecumenical bonds in recent years. American Jewish Committee Houston Director Randy Czarlinsky says the obvious evidence of anti-Semitism has dwindled as the Jewish community has become more acculturated into society and intermarriage is at approximately 50 percent.

Hey, why bother acknowledging the progress faithful Christians and American society as a whole have made towards greater pluralism and tolerance?

Instead, let's credit a reduction in "obvious evidence of anti-Semitism" to fewer Jews acting so damn Jewish ("acculturated into society") and progenerating themselves out of existence ("intermarriage")!

For this we need a Committee? Oy.

Which brings us to The League.

Still, anti-Semitic attitudes remain a fact of modern American life. The Anti-Defamation League reported last week that incidents of anti-Semitism nationwide declined by 3 percent in 2005, although 2004 represented a nine-year peak.

Frankly, I think it's a bit of an insult to our brethren in Israel and our fore bearers throughout history to treat every swastika scribbled by a 13-year-old punk on a playground in Poughkeepsie like it's a crime against humanity-- especially so in our post-modern culture, where graphic icons like Che Guevara are now plastered and sold on everything from spaghetti-string tank-tops to air-fresheners.

Regardless, it is one particular section from the Chronicle editorial [highlighted in bold by LST] that I found most disturbing– and that, in fact, prompted me to write this post in the first place:

More troubling, California reported an increase in incidents for the third straight year, including vandalism, threatening letters to Jewish businesses and residences, and an alleged plot targeting synagogues. [snip]

Whether one is sitting down tonight to Passover Seder or looking forward to Sunday Easter services (or both, as some Christians invited to Jewish households will do), the antidote to the poison of anti-Semitism is mutual respect and recognition of the two great religions’ shared values. If renewed attention to the Gospel of Judas contributes to the elimination of even one stereotype promoting intolerance and hatred, it will be a welcome development.

Well, Kumbaya.

Just one problem– that plot targeting synagogues in Los Angeles was organized by a militant Islamic prison gang, not Judas-hating Christians.

I’m going to extend the benefit of the doubt to the Chronicle’s editorial writers, and assume they were simply working from talking-points, without all the necessary information.

But the fact remains that their published editorial implies that it was Christians– non-shared-value recognizing, anti-mutual-respecting, led-by-Evangelical-minister Christians– who were behind the California synagogue attack plots.

That’s dead wrong.

And at the very least, a clarification– if not a widely publicized apology– is due.

The network news shows Monday night and all day Tuesday were filled with scenes of peaceful "undocumented" protestors, "wearing white to show their solidarity," and carrying American flags "to show their patriotism and undying love" for this land of opportunity. But there were plenty of scenes that somehow did not make it onto the six o’clock news, such as this image highlighted by blogger Michelle Malkin:

I saw a lot of American flags dragged on the ground, worn as capes, crumpled in plastic bags, and flapped around carelessly as sun canopies at the illegal alien demonstration on the Mall in D.C. yesterday. But this obnoxious use of an American flag by a thug protester in Los Angeles wins the most offensive prize…

When did it become acceptable for non-citizens — people who are in our country illegally — to publicly demand more rights and entitlements than our own hard-working, tax-paying citizens receive? And all while abusing the patriotic symbol of our nation? I am frankly amazed that we have not yet been favored with a good, old-fashioned flag-burning at one of these rallies.

For other images of Monday’s rallies that the American media does not want you to see, check out the California Conservative, Expose the Left, or back to Michelle’s.

And in case you weren’t yet feeling a little topsy-turvy from that bit of non-news, a student group from Berkeley has been protesting again. But this time, they are on the right side of the issue! That’s right — Berkeley students on Monday were protesting in support of the enforcement of current immigration laws, the toughening of border security and closing the border to illegal immigration.

In the eternal words of the great Mel, "It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world!" Or maybe it’s all just a dream…

Sometimes you embark on a journey and arrive at a completely different destination.

I was scheduled to take a trip to Washington D.C. for job related purposes.  As life would have it, I got pre-occupied with everyday mundane details and it slipped off my radar.  By the time I realized my deadlines, I had to scramble to get reservations and get ready.

I just dreaded going.  I mean I was going to Washington D.C. for goodness sakes.  This was the lair of all that is wrong with our country.  I would happen to be right there while our leaders dithered on immigration policy.  How much more symbolic could you get? (Also, not to mention the heavy inconvenience to my family, especially my husband who would have to deal with three kids and their issues for almost a week by himself.)

My fateful day for travel arrived and I started my journey.

My plane trip was uneventful until the end. 

The Captain of the plane announced to us that we were 20 minutes away.  He told us that if we looked over to our left, we could see the Pentagon and The Washington Monument and The Capital.  As luck would have it, I was seated in a window seat on the left. I looked down and saw the Pentagon almost right away.  It looked like a tiny lugnut just sitting there.  I couldn’t help but think for a moment "how could "they" find it?"

I then looked up and over a little bit and saw a very familiar site; a site that I’ve seen in innumerable pictures, movies and TV reports. It was the Washington Monument with the great expanse of green all around it, and at the end, our Capitol building.  My heart skipped a beat at this realization.  Isn’t that funny? Not only did I recognize what I was looking at from pictures, but my body recognized it too and reacted accordingly?

At that moment I realized that this trip was going to be something more than just work or an inconvenience, it was going to be something special.  It was going to be important to me and I needed to recognize it.

As we continued on our final approach I looked out my window and saw Mr. Vernon, the home of George Washington.  Mt. Vernon!  I forgot that it was close to Washington. As a matter of fact I didn’t realize it was so close to Washington D.C.

As we landed and began our long taxi toward the terminal, it dawned on me that Washington is a whole lot more than the area that houses our politicians, lobbyist and other members of the "political machine" while they plot and execute having "their way" with us.  It was ground zero for our historical heritage, something we tend to forget about.

After this realization, I decided to try and take in everything I could and enjoy the experience. 

I won’t bore you with the mundane details of getting lost, finding my way and attending the seminar as scheduled.  As busy as I was with work, there were two opportunities for me to take in the District.  Our seminar hosts gave us a night tour one night. (It was absolutely spectacular!) The last day I was there, I had some time before my flight departed and after the seminar ended, so I took the subway back into the District on a mission to buy gifts for the family as well as one last look-see.

During these times, I tried to feel, see, hear, smell and observe everything I could.

I saw The Capital, The White House, The Supreme Court, The Washington Monument, The Lincoln Memorial, The Korean War Memorial, The WWII Memorial, The Vietnam War Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, The Iwa Jima Memoril, The Potomac River, The Reflection Pool, The Treasury building, The Agriculture building, The IRS building (boo hiss), CBS’s (network) Studio (another boo hiss), The Smithsonian, museums everywhere and The great National Mall. I also saw things that I don’t even know I saw because I couldn’t identify it properly.

The other thing that floored me was how you could stand in one place and see several other identifiable landmarks. They were all so connected.  You read about this, but it is another thing to experience it.

All of this is in Washington D.C, which I had no appreciation for prior to my whirlwind visit.

Most families take at least one "great" vacation.  Instead of Florida and the amusement parks, I am suggesting we go to Washington D.C.  Oddly enough, my oldest is actually lobbying for doing that, and not going to Disney. My youngest is constantly talking about seeing The White House and The Lincoln Memorial. 

It is an important place but not because "important" people are there. It is important because so much of our historical heritage lives there and we need to visit it from time to time and connect with it. I came away thinking that every young person, between the ages of 18-28, should try to live and work in Washington.  They should not do it forever, just for a limited amount of time.  Living and working there might help provide this connection.

I will end with this one last observation: You could smell the sweet scent of flowers blooming everywhere punctuated by new mulch.  It is a great illustration of the city: it looks great but the manure is heavy and present (but that shouldn’t keep you from enjoying it).

If you want to read more and see some of the pictures I took on my little adventure, you can look here on my nome de blog, Rightmom.

Happy Wednesday– the last day of LST’s 2006 Spring Begathon!

First, I want to sincerely express my deep appreciation to all of you who have given so far– we are more than 70% towards our final goal! Thank you for your support!

What sucks is / Our problem is / Because a bunch of you are cheap bastards, however The opportunity we are all presented with today is to close that remaining gap (i.e., 30%, or almost "one third" for you Chronicle headline writers).

Together we can do it!

Don’t like PayPal? We’ll gladly cash your check, the bigger the better!

Send it to our snail mail address, as follows:

LoneStarTimes.com
5315 B FM 1960 W #169
Houston, TX 77069

Note– Do not personally travel to this location expecting to visit the LoneStarTimes.com building and receive a guided tour of our blog production line, ending with a quick handshake and picture with Benzion in front of the RINO in the lobby.

"Suite #169" is nothing but a box in the Champions Forest UPS store. Sorry to shatter your illusions.

Want something more tangible for your money then great conservative blog commentary on the news of the day each morning?

Go ahead and bid on one of our online auction items– HeadShaker’s Teddy Bear; Fred Hill’s Bubble Quote; Dan’s Bubble Quote; Ban Your Blog Nemeses; Bramanti’s Bubble Quote; Booze With Bramanti; Fasternu426’s Custom T-Shirts; or best of all– BBQ With the RINO.

Note– In response to questions, yes, Benzion will be there in person to assist the RINO in grilling your burgers, and yes, I know that technically grilling burgers isn’t the same thing as as BBQ. In the strange land where I come from (Milwaukee), "BBQ-ing" just means cooking anything on a grill. Sorry for the confusion.

Finally– please don’t forget that I KNOW how many of you visit LST every day, and I can count how many have made a donation. There is a difference in the two numbers.

If you can’t bring yourself to give "generously," fine– I’m asking that you at least give something.

Or, in the words of Johnny the Newspaper Boy from the 80’s comedy classic Better Off Dead, I’m asking for two dollars.

That’s it, you cheap bastard– just two dollars. 25-cents more then a single Sunday Chronicle. Half of what you’d pay for some drinks at Starbucks. Less then a penny-per-day for every day you read LST.

If everyone who is a regular reader of LST but who hasn’t donated yet were to simply click on the button below and donate $2.00, we’d be in awesome shape.

So the question you face this morning is– Guilt, or NO Guilt?

1. Do you want to feel like a typical liberal, taking advantage of society’s benefits because you’re entitled to them and shouldn’t have to pull your own weight?
2. Or do you want to be a stand-up, patriotic, God-fearing conservative, who acts responsibly and pitches-in to strengthen the bonds of family and community by recognizing that there is no such thing as a free lunch?

In your heart, you know I’m right.

Not "a dime"– two dollars.

Thank you.

Just click on the little button below.