Israel

In just a few weeks, the United Nations general assembly will meet. They are expected to take up the demands of the Palestinians to be recognized as an independent nation. Already, more than 100 nations or counties have pledged their support for such a measure. Since the general assembly is overwhelmingly anti-Israel, the measure is expected to pass there. A veto in the Security Council by the United States would prevent it from talking full effect, but given the recent pro-Palestinian positions taken by the Obama administration and their repeated demands on Israel for concessions in the name of peace, such a veto is not a certainty.

Vice President Joseph Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan will allegedly debate subjects that affect the economic and physical security of the United States. However, the questions may not be the real concerns of the American people but the ones the news media, bankers and the owners of the Federal Reserve dictate. Two primary Congressional Acts should be discussed: HR 4133, US - Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act 0f 2012 and HR 459, Federal Reserve Transparency Act (Audit the Fed.)

We have had a change in government, but not a change in our attitude toward Israel, which can mean only one thing: The government of Israel owns both the Democrat and Republican parties. How else can you interpret the two recent vetos in the United Nations Security Council, which condemned Israel for killing women and children in Gaza? That was the Republicans. Now, the new leaders of the Democrat party criticized Jimmy Carter for telling the truth in his new book about Israel's policies of apartheid in Palestine.

Eleven Asbury Theological Seminary students were evacuated from Israel last Friday night after escalating violence spurred military action between that country and Hezbollah militants in neighboring Lebanon. "Wednesday morning we heard artillery fire, and by Wednesday evening the bus was on its way to take us to Jerusalem where we were removed from the frontlines," said Kathy Noftsinger, a seminary student who traveled with the group. They evacuated the country on an 11:40 p.m. flight Friday, and arrived in Lexington at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, said Tina Pugel, director of communications at the seminary.

Dear Editor, Liberal thought, represented by Brian Cooney in a recent column, often tries to assign moral equivalency between the Palestinian Hamas terrorists and the democratic nation of Israel. It's ironic that liberals, who clamor for big government, often selectively reject the positions of their own government. The United States government, which keeps up with these things, designates Hamas as a terrorist organization, well, because they are. Despite concessions of territory by Israel, Hamas has fired more than 3,000 rockets into Israel with the sole intention of indiscriminately maiming and killing Israelis.

Dear Editor, My friend Eric Mount reminds us that we are answerable to our children for the decisions we make today, and it might be hard to explain why we acquiesced while our government was "torturing" its captives. He is right about our responsibility to generations that follow; but, I am not so sure he is right about the most compelling issue of the day. I know my children, who are adults themselves, have a sense of proportion and that they are more concerned about how our enemies treat captives.

The treachery of Syria and Iran in using Hezbollah as their proxy in a military effort to damage Israel defies description, much less understanding. According to U.S. News & World Report, the combined military resources of Syria and Iran far exceed that of Israel, they have a combined population 23 times that of Israel, and almost five times the active troop strength. Yet and even though Syria shares an open border with Israel of some 45 miles over which it can easily move men and equipment, Iran and Syria armed/supplied Hezbollah and allowed it and southern Lebanon to be decimated rather than risk their far superior forces.

Dear Editor: When First Lady Laura Bush made a visit to Israel, a Muslim boy asked her why America is killing Muslims. I ask the same question. Why are Muslims killing our people? They should practice what they preach. As a former military person, I know that you don't back up from the enemy. You give them as good as they send. The only way to deal with these terrorist animals is to stay the course until these lowlifes are defeated. For years, they have killed our people and soldiers all over the world.

Clark Middle came away with a sweep over Conkwright Saturday at Norton Gymnasium. The sixth-grade Eagles posted a 30-23 win in the first game, while the seventh-grade team won, 39-17. Clark Middle’s eighth-grade team came away with a 50-16 win to complete the sweep. The two rivals are scheduled to meet again at noon on Jan. 30 at Norton Gymnasium. Sixth-grade CLARK MIDDLE — Owens 12, Kiniry 8, Bryant 2, Carrington 8. CONKWRIGHT — Ashcraft 6, Back 4, Jones 15. Seventh-grade CLARK MIDDLE — Glover 6, Israel 4, Finley 10, Bennett 2, Cornelius 2, Norris 4, Barrett 1, Fraley 2, Irvin 5. CONKWRIGHT — Cantrell 5, Frye 3, Riddell 4, Tipton 3. Eighth-grade CLARK MIDDLE — Israel 13, Greene 8, Dawson 5, Williams 11, Sharrock 1, Wilhite 1, Shackleford 2, Barrett 3, Shoemaker 7. CONKWRIGHT — Blevins 7, Ford 2, Harrison 2, Hisle 2, Stevens 3.

Clark Middle took three games from Conkwright Tuesday night at Norton Gymnasium. The Eagles won the sixth-grade game 31-23, followed by a 52-26 win in the seventh-grade contest. Clark Middle completed the sweep with a 56-26 victory in the eighth-grade contest. Sixth-grade CLARK MIDDLE — Owens 8, Kiniry 4, Bryan 4, Lowry 1, Doan 2, Carrington 8, Howard 1, Bordas 3. CONKWRIGHT — Back 2, Farris 4, Johnson 3, Jones 12, May 2. Seventh-grade CLARK MIDDLE — Glover 15, Israel 5, Finley 17, Cornelius 8, Wilson 2, Barrett 2, Bradley 2. CONKWRIGHT — Craft 2, Flynn 6, Grimes 2, Israel 2, Menchen 2, Riddell 3, Spoonamore 2, Tipton 2, Jones 1, Livingson 3. Eighth-grade CLARK MIDDLE — Israel 17, Green 7, Dawson 2, Williams 5, Sharrock 8, Shackelford 7, Barrett 4, McQuerry 4, Boggs 2. CONKWRIGHT — Bradley 4, Clarke 5, Crump 4, Ford 12, Stevens 1.

Vice President Joseph Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan will allegedly debate subjects that affect the economic and physical security of the United States. However, the questions may not be the real concerns of the American people but the ones the news media, bankers and the owners of the Federal Reserve dictate. Two primary Congressional Acts should be discussed: HR 4133, US - Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act 0f 2012 and HR 459, Federal Reserve Transparency Act (Audit the Fed.)

In just a few weeks, the United Nations general assembly will meet. They are expected to take up the demands of the Palestinians to be recognized as an independent nation. Already, more than 100 nations or counties have pledged their support for such a measure. Since the general assembly is overwhelmingly anti-Israel, the measure is expected to pass there. A veto in the Security Council by the United States would prevent it from talking full effect, but given the recent pro-Palestinian positions taken by the Obama administration and their repeated demands on Israel for concessions in the name of peace, such a veto is not a certainty.

Clark Middle took three games from Conkwright Tuesday night at Norton Gymnasium. The Eagles won the sixth-grade game 31-23, followed by a 52-26 win in the seventh-grade contest. Clark Middle completed the sweep with a 56-26 victory in the eighth-grade contest. Sixth-grade CLARK MIDDLE — Owens 8, Kiniry 4, Bryan 4, Lowry 1, Doan 2, Carrington 8, Howard 1, Bordas 3. CONKWRIGHT — Back 2, Farris 4, Johnson 3, Jones 12, May 2. Seventh-grade CLARK MIDDLE — Glover 15, Israel 5, Finley 17, Cornelius 8, Wilson 2, Barrett 2, Bradley 2. CONKWRIGHT — Craft 2, Flynn 6, Grimes 2, Israel 2, Menchen 2, Riddell 3, Spoonamore 2, Tipton 2, Jones 1, Livingson 3. Eighth-grade CLARK MIDDLE — Israel 17, Green 7, Dawson 2, Williams 5, Sharrock 8, Shackelford 7, Barrett 4, McQuerry 4, Boggs 2. CONKWRIGHT — Bradley 4, Clarke 5, Crump 4, Ford 12, Stevens 1.

Clark Middle came away with a sweep over Conkwright Saturday at Norton Gymnasium. The sixth-grade Eagles posted a 30-23 win in the first game, while the seventh-grade team won, 39-17. Clark Middle’s eighth-grade team came away with a 50-16 win to complete the sweep. The two rivals are scheduled to meet again at noon on Jan. 30 at Norton Gymnasium. Sixth-grade CLARK MIDDLE — Owens 12, Kiniry 8, Bryant 2, Carrington 8. CONKWRIGHT — Ashcraft 6, Back 4, Jones 15. Seventh-grade CLARK MIDDLE — Glover 6, Israel 4, Finley 10, Bennett 2, Cornelius 2, Norris 4, Barrett 1, Fraley 2, Irvin 5. CONKWRIGHT — Cantrell 5, Frye 3, Riddell 4, Tipton 3. Eighth-grade CLARK MIDDLE — Israel 13, Greene 8, Dawson 5, Williams 11, Sharrock 1, Wilhite 1, Shackleford 2, Barrett 3, Shoemaker 7. CONKWRIGHT — Blevins 7, Ford 2, Harrison 2, Hisle 2, Stevens 3.

“The Book of Ruth” is a triumphant love story and a promise of redeeming grace in the face of adversity. This selfless journey of love and devotion is seen through the eyes of a young widow. Choosing to leave her homeland of Moab, she follows her mother-in-law Naomi to Israel after the death of her husband. Upon reaching Bethlehem, she meets and marries a man named Boaz, who is of the Royal House of Judah. This chain of seemingly unrelated events, sets the stage for the future kings of the nation of Israel, and the glorious coming of the Messiah.

By Linda Duncan Yesterday was a whirlwind of exploring the New City of Jerusalem. There we saw the Upper Room, Mount Zion, the tomb of King David and Dormition Abby. We entered the Jewish Quarter of the Old City to visit the Wohl Archaeological Museum which is displaying the newly restored Herodian Quarter; remains of this area of Jerusalem date back to the time of Herodian Dynasty (37BC-70AD). You get a surreal feeling actually being able to walk on and touch something that is that old. We went to the Shrine of the Book to see the Dead Sea Scrolls on display.

The Rev. Thomas Hall of Franklin Avenue Church of the Living God returned home recently from a visit to Israel that began two days after Israeli armed forces began retaliating against Palestinian militants for rocket attacks. The fighting ended with a cease fire this past weekend. Hall was one of a group of 20 led by Gary Fisher of Lion of Judah Ministry in Franklin, Tenn. Last Wednesday, Randy Patrick, managing editor of the Sun, visited Hall at his church and talked with him about being in Israel during the war. Q. What is Lion of Judah?

Dear Editor, Liberal thought, represented by Brian Cooney in a recent column, often tries to assign moral equivalency between the Palestinian Hamas terrorists and the democratic nation of Israel. It's ironic that liberals, who clamor for big government, often selectively reject the positions of their own government. The United States government, which keeps up with these things, designates Hamas as a terrorist organization, well, because they are. Despite concessions of territory by Israel, Hamas has fired more than 3,000 rockets into Israel with the sole intention of indiscriminately maiming and killing Israelis.

Dear Editor, Well, Professor Cooney, maybe we respond as Israel's friend, because they are the only democracy in the region, and it is the stated goal of Hamas to eliminate Israel from the face of the Earth. The United Nations Charter reserves to every nation the right to engage in self-defense against armed attacks. Palestinian terrorists, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have fired thousands of rockets at Israeli civilian areas. How many Jews should have to die in these thousands of rocket barrages falling on Israel since 2005 when Israel disengaged from Gaza?

Israel has launched what its defense minister calls "all-out war" against the Hamas government in Gaza. Its air and naval bombardments had killed more than 460 Gazans (including 100 civilians) as of Saturday, and it has now begun a ground offensive with troops and tanks. The likely consequences are much more bloodshed on both sides, and a total collapse of what was left of the "peace process" between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel claims it has the right and obligation to wage war in response to the rockets that Hamas militants have been firing into Israel.