Nobody Wanted War

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Nobody Wanted War."

We know that Israel wants more than anything to live in peace and that they have tried virtually everything to make peace with their neighbors, including multiple offerings of a state for the Palestinians (and even giving in to practically their every demand, often to the Israelis own detriment), only to meet with one repeated rejection after another reiterating the Arab League's Khartoum Resolution: "no peace with Israel, no negotiation with Israel, and no recognition of Israel."

After October 7, the deadly abuse absolutely could not continue any longer.

There is a time to walk away and a time for necessary action.

(AI generated image via Craiyon)

Nobody Wanted War

Cow Buttocks

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Cow Buttocks

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Candy Time

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Candy Time

Swan Boat

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Swan Boat

Colored Balls

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Colored Balls

It Comes Down to Leadership

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "It Comes Down to Leadership."

While surely all decent, patriotic American people want to see the United States continue as a beacon of freedom and leadership in the world, the problems this country is facing both internally and externally are wearing down our ability to cope with them. From our economy to our border and national security, from our universities to our urban centers, from radical wokeism to vile protests overcome with hate, racism, and violence, our nation is threatened perhaps like never before.

While there are many factors that contribute to our national success, certainly if we are going to be able to confront the challenges we face both at home and abroad, we must have strong and courageous leadership. Not only to unite us but also to evoke our very best, we need leadership that commands respect from both left and right, with a mighty and passionate vision that moves us not only to farseeing human progress but equally to moral righteousness. With this, we can instill pride in both who we are and where we are going and not be in fear of what’s threatening our streets or our shores anymore.

(AI generated Image via Craiyon)

It Comes Down to Leadership

Make My Day

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Make My Day

Toxic Soda

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Toxic Soda

Batman Bust

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Batman Bust

Cheese Pizza

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
 

Cheese Pizza

Trees and Sky

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Trees and Sky

How to Get The Hostages Out Alive

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "How to Get the Hostages Out Alive."

In my opinion, the only tactical way to rescue the hostages is to locate and map the tunnel they are hiding in and then gas them all to sleep. The gas would need to be carefully regulated so as not to alert the terrorists that it is being used and not to harm the hostages. The gas needs to be odorless and colorless (like nitrous oxide) to camouflage its use, and the Israeli commandos will need to be hairpin-ready to blow the blast doors and get in to rescue the hostages.

This alternative is far better than releasing 100 Palestinian prisoners (many “with blood on their hands”) for every 1 Israeli hostage like Hamas is demanding (or 10,000+ Palestinian prisoners), thereby creating the terror environment for yet another, and perhaps many, October 7-like attacks in the future that would put many more Israelis at risk. Unfortunately, this is what happened when Israel released Sinwar as part of the 1,000 for 1 deal in 2011 for Gilad Shalit, and look where it got us.

(AI generated image vis Craiyon)

How to Get The Hostages Out Alive

Demand for Retribution

Demand for Retribution

Horse-Drawn Chariot

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Horse-Drawn Chariot

Balloons Ready To Blow

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Balloons Ready To Blow

Tall and Stout

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Tall and Stout

Standing Fish

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Standing Fish

L'Chaim for Body and Soul

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "L'Chaim for Body and Soul."

Everything that happens in this world has not only a physical dimension but a spiritual one as well. Our very existence is a combination of body and soul, so naturally they work together in tandem. And our physical well-being must be matched by our spiritual alignment with God.

(AI generated image from Craiyon)

L'Chaim for Body and Soul

Red Pickup Truck

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Red Pickup Truck

Blue Whale

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Blue Whale

Amazing Sky

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Amazing Sky

Mr. Plush Purple Monster

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Mr. Plush Purple Monster

Häagen-Dazs Pumpkin Spice Shake

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
 

Häagen-Dazs Pumpkin Spice Shake

Amazingly Beautiful Prayer for the IDF

Thank You to the IDF and to Hashem our Ultimate Protector!

Am Yisrael Chai!!!

(Credit: Prayer for the IDF- Netanel Hershtik & The Maccabeats featuring Lt. Gen Benny Gantz)

Amazingly Beautiful Prayer for the IDF

Victimhood for the Cameras

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Victimhood for the Cameras."

With the October 7 invasion, Hamas was after something much bigger and more important to them than the one-day massacre of Israelis; they wanted a massive blood libel against Israel to turn the world against them.

Just like Hamas used a barrage of missiles on the day of their attack to divert from their invasion, so too was the invasion and massacre itself a manipulative provocation, for any forceful response whatsoever automatically turns the perception of Israel into the “genocidal” aggressors.

To our great detriment, Hamas’s strategy was largely successful. They inflicted significant damage on Israel and the Jewish people not only through sheer terrorism but also through the insidious setup for Israel to be perceived as the perpetrator rather than the victim. However, now it is Israel's turn not only to destroy Hamas and rescue the hostages but also to set the record straight.

(Credit Photo: Aurel_Cham via https://pixabay.com/illustrations/propaganda-obey-shepard-fairey-7287298/)

Victimhood for the Cameras

Art on Plates

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Art on Plates

Moe, Larry and Curly Puppets

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Moe, Larry and Curly Puppets

Taking a Picture

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Taking a Picture

Cheesy Crispy Fries

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Cheesy Crispy Fries

Pomegranates and Oranges

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Pomegranates and Oranges

My Supernova

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "My Supernova."

Years ago, there was a time when I rebelled against religion, Judaism, and G-d. It was my version of running to the Supernova Music Festival, where I could dance and party to the music under the desert sky. I was young, and probably like many others, went through a stage when I wanted to express my freedom and independence.

On October 7, of the almost 1,200 people massacred that day, 364 were at the music festival. No one can say why anyone lost their lives, were brutally tortured and raped, or were abducted by these radical Islamic terrorists that day—it was pure evil—but like me missing Rosh Hashanah years ago, people at Supernova were also misplaced from the holy Shabbat services and the singing and dancing with the Torahs for the holiday. This is a kind of Jewish tragedy.

(AI Generated Image via Craiyon)

My Supernova

Lovely Stained Glass

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Lovely Stained Glass

Two Buddhas

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Two Buddhas

Hawaiian Mug

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Hawaiian Mug

Nature Scene

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
 

Nature Scene

Preventing a Future October 7

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Preventing a Future October 7."

First and foremost, we need more and better capability to think outside the box and see things not only as they appear, but what's behind the curtain as well. War gaming, planning, modeling and simulation, and using artificial intelligence are just some of the tools at our disposal for breaking the paradigm and thinking about what's possible and even what's probable. Most importantly, we need a diversity of thinking to end the groupthink and mind-numbing stasis of seeing things only as we think they are and not as they really are or could be. Whether we employ think tanks and advisory boards; military and intelligence assets; strategic planners, futurists, and statisticians; technologists, scientists, and engineers; psychologists, sociologists, and anthropologists to get into the heads of our adversaries or the realm of the unthinkable, we must break down the barriers to novel thinking and creative solutions. Along with faith in the Almighty and a strong, technologically advanced, and well-trained IDF, this deep planning must become the bedrock of our security preparedness.

(AI Generated Image via Craiyon)

Preventing a Future October 7

Torah Stickers

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Torah Stickers

Relaxing In Coffee Shop

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Relaxing In Coffee Shop

OMG! Were They Delicious

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

OMG! Were They Delicious

Cartoon Shoes

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Cartoon Shoes

Am Yisrael Chai

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Am Yisrael Chai

The Ticking Iran Time Bomb

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Ticking Iran Time Bomb."

In the end, we're dealing with a serious and determined Iranian adversary, along with their network of regional terrorist groups. Let's hope and pray that we have the strategic foresight to fully comprehend the multifaceted threat posed by Iran, both internally and externally, and that we take decisive action to implement the educational, political, and military solutions to neutralize the most dangerous global threat we face.

(Credit Photo: Safwat Sayed via https://www.flickr.com/photos/77068017@N07/6925502641)

The Ticking Iran Time Bomb

Walking Away With the Mannequin

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Walking Away With the Mannequin

Batman Bikini

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Batman Bikini

Face Painting

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Face Painting

Chicken Lo Mein

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Chicken Lo Mein

Cute M&M's Tins

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Cute M&M's Tins

Why Wokeism Hurts More Than It Helps

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Why Wokeism Hurts More Than It Helps."

While we should continually strive to promote mutual understanding and empowerment, we must also call out the false messiah of wokeism for what it is: a hateful, corrupt, and self-righteous ideology of entitlement and dictatorship. Instead of wokeism endlessly talking about victimhood, trying to turn one against another, and taking "all you can get," we should instead take a more positive and unifying approach that includes strong individual and family values, hard work, constructive reform, and of course, faith in the One above.

(AI Generated Photo via Craiyon)

Why Wokeism Hurts More Than It Helps

Stainless Steel Serving Bowls

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Stainless Steel Serving Bowls

Score!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Score!