Ilhan Omar, Who Has Questioned The Loyalty of American Jews, Says She's "Somali First"

Minnesota Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is under fire for stating she is "Somali first". During an address to members of the Somali community in Minneapolis on January 27th, Omar said the following:

We are an organized society, brothers and sister. People of the same blood. People who know they are Somalians first, Muslims second.

Tom Emmer, a Republican from Minnesota who very nearly became House Speaker earlier this year until defeated, former President Trump put the kibosh on it, has demanded a House ethics investigation against Omar.  Florida Governor and failed GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis has demanded that Omar be deported. 

Barring more specific evidence that Omar has acted on behalf of the Somali government and against U.S. interests, Emmer's call for Omar to be investigated is grandstanding. So, too, is DeSantis' declaration as Omar is an American citizen even if she isn't particularly fond of being one. Both Emmer and DeSantis utterly miss the point.

What I find most revealing about this episode is that nearly five years ago Omar openly questioned the loyalty of American Jews. In reference to Israel, Omar stated at a March 2019 town hall meeting in Washington, D.C.:

I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country.

This is anti-Semitism 101. Omar holds Jews and whatever affinity we might have for Israel to a different standard than she does for her own affinity towards Somalia. 

In Ilhan Omar's world, it is O.K. for her to say she is Somali first, but it is not OK for American Jews to stand in solidarity with Israel when it is attacked by Hamas.  

It is this for which Ilhan Omar ought to be taken to task.

Thoughts on The Federal Court of Canada Ruling Trudeau's Invocation of Emergencies Act Against Trucker Convoy Was "Unreasonable"

Last week, the Federal Court of Canada ruled that the Trudeau government's invocation of the Emergencies Act during the trucker convoy protest two years ago was "unreasonable" as it was not an emergency. The ruling arrives at the opposite conclusion of the Rouleau Commission which in February 2023 concluded the Trudeau government was justified in invoking the order. 

The Trudeau government naturally intends to appeal the decision all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. It is my hope the Supreme Court of Canada will overturn this ruling.

Let us remember that the so-called "freedom convoy" shut down several Canada-U.S. border crossings for weeks on end including the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. Several members of the convoy were armed and intended to murder RCMP officers. Convoy members also wreaked havoc during its occupation of Ottawa up to and including rendering its 911 system inoperable. 

As one might expect, the ruling was praised by Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre. After all, Poilievre became leader of the Conservative Party as a result of his support for the convoy pushing out his predecessor Erin O'Toole. Poilievre went all in with the convoy despite its use of Nazi and Confederate symbols. 

However, let's suppose the Supreme Court of Canada upholds the Federal Court's ruling. Let us also suppose that Canadians elect the Conservative Party to a majority government next year. Now let us further suppose that, say, pro-Hamas demonstrators see fit to emulate the convoy's tactics of blockading Canada-U.S. border crossings, disrupt essential services (i.e. 911) and conspire to kill members of law enforcement. Poilievre invoke the Emergencies Act faster than you could say notwithstanding clause. Even if the Supreme Court of Canada upheld the Federal Court's decision on the trucker convoy, this would not deter Poilievre. He would find a reason to justify his decision even if the Federal Court and the Supreme Court were to subsequently rule against him. 

Mind you, if such a scenario came to pass, I would be inclined to agree with the Poilievre government's decision against pro-Hamas protesters as I do with the Trudeau government's decision against the trucker convoy. I think anyone who shuts down a border crossing for an indefinite period of time, disrupts essential services and conspires to commit murder warrants the use of the Emergencies Act regardless of who happens to be in power. From where I sit, it is a reasonable use of the law.

In Poilievre's case, however, I don't think he opposes the Emergencies Act, but rather he opposes its use against organizations which support his political agenda.

The Lions Cannot Sustain Their Roar Against the 49ers Who Will Face Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII

Tonight, I watched the NFC Final between the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers. The Lions led at the half 24-7. But the 49ers roared back with 34 unanswered points. The Lions did have the option of kicking two field goals but opted to go for it on fourth down. While this tactic often worked for them during the regular season, it did not succeed. Lions QB Jared Goff did toss a touchdown pass with a minute left in the game to make it a 34-31 game. A failed onside kick, however, sealed the Lions fate.

The 49ers will face the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs who won the AFC Final earlier today besting the Baltimore Ravens 17-10. It will be a rematch of Super Bowl LIV in which the Chiefs won 31-20. The Chiefs will attempt to become the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since the New England Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVIII and Super Bowl XXXIX in 2004 and 2005. 

I was rooting for the Lions as they have never played in the Super Bowl. When I lived in Thunder Bay, Ontario, we received our U.S. TV signals from Detroit. The Lions were the fourth most popular team in Detroit behind the Tigers which had won the World Series in 1984 and an AL East title in 1987, the Pistons which won back-to-back NBA titles in 1988 and 1989. Although I would leave Thunder Bay in the early 1990's, the Red Wings were contenders and won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1997 and 1998 and win two more Cups in the 2000s. 

Yes, the Lions did have one of the greatest running backs in NFL history with Barry Sanders and they did have some good teams in the 1990's they could never get to the championship game. The Lions regressed in the 2000's reaching their nadir with an 0-16 season in 2008. The early 2010s were better when Matthew Stafford was at QB, but he would find Super Bowl success in Los Angeles two years ago. After trading Stafford for Goff, the Lions were in danger of replicating that season two years ago when Dan Campbell was named head coach losing their first 10 games finishing the season 3-13-1. In 2023, the Lions would have a Cinderella season. But alas they will not be going to the ball.

With that said, I hope the 49ers prevail against the Chiefs. This might make Taylor Swift fans unhappy, but it's been almost 30 years since the 49ers last won the Super Bowl and it has been a long road back.

The Real Meaning of the International Court of Justice's Ruling Against Israel

On Friday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel had to take measures to prevent genocide in Gaza although it stopped short of calling for a ceasefire. Mind you, even if it had called for a ceasefire the ICJ has no way to enforce such a ruling.

However, Israel must demonstrate to the ICJ's satisfaction measures it has taken to avoid committing genocide within 30 day or face further sanction. The court ruled that South Africa's claims of genocide were "plausible". This could also mean Israel could face further measures by the UN Security Council unless the U.S. stands by it. 

Of course, the case against Israel is a perversion of justice. Hamas raison d'etre is genocide. One only need read its founding charter. Hamas kidnaps, rapes and murders Israeli civilians and foreign nationals and declares to repeat October 7th again and again until Israel is destroyed. In the same breath, Hamas claims it is the victim Israel is committing genocide with South Africa legitimizing these claims. 

It is also worth mentioning the ICJ is a UN body, and the UN isn't impartial where it concerns Israel. Indeed, there is evidence to suggest employees of the UN Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) aiding Hamas in its attack against Israel.

The aim and objective of the case is merely the latest in a decades long international campaign to delegitimize Israel. This particular aspect of that campaign is to make Israel synonymous with genocide even if the evidence doesn't support that claim. But as with any lie, big or small, if it is repeated often enough then most of the world will accept it as fact. 

Haley's Statement on The E.Jean Carroll Verdict Against Trump Was Mealy-Mouthed and Meaningless

On Friday, Nikki Haley weighed on a New York jury's decision to order defeated, former President Donald Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll $83 million for defamation:

Donald Trump wants to be the presumptive Republican nominee and we’re talking about $83 million in damages.

America can do better than Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

This statement is completely mealy-mouthed. President Biden hasn't been ordered to pay E. Jean Carroll $83 million in damages. Nor has President Biden been charged with any criminal offense whereas Trump has been charged with 91 charges on both the state and federal level. Yet Haley is trying to put President Biden on the same moral plane as Trump.

Of course, this statement is not only mealy-mouthed, but also completely meaningless. Haley has already declared that she will support Trump even if he is found guilty in any of the trials he faces. 

Republican voters are going to support the man who sexually assaulted E. Jean Carroll. 

And so will Nikki Haley.

More Hate at Harvard Against Jews as Hostage Posters Defaced

(via Aviva Klompas on X)

Harvard University has yet again made headlines for anti-Semitism on campus. 

This time it has taken the form of graffiti on posters of hostages being held by Hamas. 

The graffiti includes linking the hostages to the attacks of September 11, 2001, and Jeffrey Epstein although perhaps the most sickening desecration on the poster of an infant named Kfir Bibas which read, "Head still on."

While it is unclear whether this heinous act was committed by Harvard students, faculty or staff, it is clear that it was done by someone in my neighborhood. Even if the perpetrator or perpetrators have no affiliation with Harvard, it is clear there are many at Harvard who share these vile sentiments.

Earlier this month, I participated in a march commemorating the hostages who have been by Hamas for 100 days. The march commenced at Harvard Chabad. At the time I wrote:

While I consider it my duty to remind the world that Hamas still hold hostages, I do so with the knowledge that much of the world either doesn't care or is glad Hamas did what it has done and hopes the likes of Omer Neutra dies in captivity. 

What I ought to have added is that a great many people have minimized or ignored Hamas behavior towards hostages most notably where it concerns rape and sexual assault. In the case of this graffiti, there is now the claim that Hamas has not taken hostages at all. If there are people who deny that Hamas has taken hostages is it really a stretch of the imagination to think that these same people would deny the Holocaust?

Cambridge, Massachusetts is my home. But I have come to accept that many of my neighbors hate Jews and have been increasingly willing to express this hatred. I have no desire to leave, yet I must tread carefully.

Trump Beats Haley By Double Digits in New Hampshire

Defeated, former President Donald Trump bested Nikki Haley in New Hampshire tonight. Although Trump did not win by 30 points as he did last week in Iowa, he did win comfortably and will likely win by double digits. As of this writing, Trump is leading Haley 54.6% to 43.9% with 71% of the ballots cast for a lead of 10.7%. O.K, make that by 11.5% (55% to 43.5%) with 74% of the vote tallied.

Haley plans to carry on to South Carolina. But unless Haley improves on a 30% deficit against Trump in her home state quick, I don't see her lasting very long. And when she does give up, she will rally to Trump's side and hope he will still consider her as a VP pick even if he says she "probably" won't be. 

To paraphrase the late Lesley Gore, this is Trump's party and Haley can cry if she wants too. 

The only two matchups which really matter is President Biden vs. Donald Trump and, with it, Democracy vs. Authoritarianism on November 5, 2024.