The top item on Haaretz' website this morning is a poll that tells of 54% dissatisfaction with Netanyahu's government. The government was sworn in towards midnight yesterday, and Haaretz goes to press at, I dunno, probably 3:30 am, so either the folks were polled at 1:30 am, or - more likely - they were polled during the final hours of the previous government. I recognize that the stone-age tradition of allowing a government 100 days of grace is hopelessly anachronistic, but perhaps we might wait ten days? Ten hours? A hundred minutes?
It's not only Israel. Over at the Guardian Jonathan Freedman, a (comparatively) sane voice, bemoans that Obama, coming to a meeting in London today, hasn't yet saved the world; matter of fact, he isn't even JFK! As I never tire of mentioning in these cases, JFK was a mediocre president at best and it's not clear why Obamaites think he's a model they ought to be striving for. On a more serious note, the thought that any American president could successfully figure out the job in less than a year, even without global recession, is childish. Two years would be more plausible. For those who lack enough fingers to count with, Obama also is still in his first hundred days.
Sheesh.
Jaacov you said "Jonathan Freedman a (comparatively) sane voice". You should have to highlight the word comparatively.
ReplyDeleteIt is just a matter of time before some of the hardcore Obama supporters turn on him.
ReplyDeleteThey have unrealistic beliefs. No one could do what they are asking in such a short time.
It is an age of instant gratification.
I'm afraid you mixed up two very different Guardian writers: yes, Jonathan Freedland is comparartively sane, relatively well informed etc. Seth Freedman, on the other hand...
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Freedland. All these Bad Guys with Jewish names...
ReplyDeleteThat brings a question I've been meaning to ask you for some time Yaacov. How do you know when someone is Jewish? I mean, it's easy enough in Israel and within the Jewish communites but all these people with Jewish sounding names aren't necessarily Jewish... are they? Does birthright automatically make one able to say they're Jewish? How many of the anti-Israel mob who say they're Jews actually are? I've heard the term 'secular Jews' lately & must say I'm getting confused over it all.
ReplyDeleteI heard a comment from young man recently, disparaging Jews. He said everyone on his mothers side was Jewish & he found them all arrogant. I had to laugh, he was a bit arrogant.
Regards, Gavin.