Robert - I enjoyed reading your channeling-debbie-reynolds upbeat assessment but I'd like to bring up something related

A rabbi I learn with makes a brilliant, arch point about shabbat, turning around the circa 1935 question "Why do we need shabbat now that we have electricity". Quite to the contrary, he says: "Why did anyone bother observing shabbat until the assault on our psyche of the 20th century?"

I'm beginning to wonder if the same is true about the sad days of the Jewish calendar: in the past, people could only experience one opressor at a time: they had to read about the others, or compress time (as in the reading of the 10 martyrs). Now - in 2006, we are "blessed" - we get to see, in real time, the entire "seventy nations" ganging up on us. What our forefathers had to take on faith, we get to see in real life Before television, who needed fast days?

Judd:

Good to hear from you. But do I detect a bit of a less than respect for the late Ms. Reynolds? Gosh, I hope not. Singin in the Rain might be one of the greatest performances in modern cinema.

As to your other points: no argument from me: Sigh. I'm still busy mentally defending defending Debbie.

Interesting assessment. Makes sense to me.

Boker tov!

I hope you are correct.

The Jerusalem Post reports: "Senior officers in the northern command criticized the decision, claiming it hurt the momentum that ground forces had achieved against Hizbullah in southern Lebanon.

The officers said the decision had taken them by "complete surprise." Some noted that they first heard of the suspension by journalists."

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1153292036616&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Unless this is a just a show by the officers.

Robert -

It would be wonderful if you were right...the picture we seem to be getting here is one of retreat.

We can still hope...

Robert -

It would be wonderful if you were right...the picture we seem to be getting here is one of retreat.

We can still hope...

to mr. magilnick, if i may: if taking a look at the darker possibilities (punny refererence to your first paragraph intended), inspires and pushes us to fight harder on the home front, through torah study, prayer and activism, than it is a look worth taking. but don't let it get you feeling down. besides, with kids like yours, there is a bright future (please send them my regards).

to mr. averech: in regard to this post - i do hope that, as you predict, israel has at least a few aces and secrets up her sleeves. as much as i want to know what they have planned, i'd rather plenty of those plans stay inaccesible to the general populace.

in general, i want to thank you for the incredible amount of quality information you have made available on your blog in regard to israel and (bad) company. now, if we could only find a way to redirect cnn's homepage here....

Robert

I wish I shared your optimism. I fear that we are being led by political midgets and worse. Most military commentators are bewildered by why the IDF is not undertaking a wider ground offensive. Many predicted that a wayward bombing would result in a terrible PR fiasco. This is exactly what happened.

I think the decision to stop bombing is simply another strategic and political mistake. It is an admission of guilt when none should be made. Instead, Olmert should have stated that if Hezbolah continues to operate among civilians, the results are on them, not the IAF.

I only hope that you are right and I am wrong.

Speaking of the news media at its finest:

On Friday, a Muslim guy walks into a Seattle Jewish center and shoots 6 people, killing one of them. Also on Friday, Mel Gibson gets pulled over for DUI and yells some Anti-Semitic comments. Guess which story got more media coverage?

By the way, Mel Gibson IS Pat Buchanan. But that's a story for another day.

Jack:

It is a personal assessment only. Only time will tell if it is correct.

I agree, sir. We could all use a big dose of old fashioned Israel heroic military success right about now. It would be a great morale booster. We are hoping and praying that we will prevail during this historically dangerous and sad time. G-d should bless Israel and grant her a powerful, stunning victory against the forces of evil.

Ari:

I'm hearing the same line from every Israeli information officer all over the airwaves. Same talking points. Hmmm. Could it be a case of disinformation? I hope so.

Jameel:

Try and find out if the Nachal Brigade has been mobilized.

Azriel:

I'm not a great admirer of the present government or of Dan Chalutz the Chief of Staff, but even from midgets, there are Generals below who can draw up battle plans from classical IDF doctrine that somehow manage to slip by the higher-ups.

We can only hope. We can only pray.