Category Archives: Uncategorized

September 12, 2014

ISIS-ISIL-IS: The only Constant is Islamic

By davidgroen1

isis-2No matter what you call the terror group now running an area of land the size of Belgium, the one thing you must call them is Islamic.  I wish this was the worst of it, but the whole name thing is making me a little crazy. First they were called ISIS:The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.  Then they were called ISIL:The Islamic State of Syria and the Levant. Finally they are IS:TheIslamic State.  Or are they? Depends on who you listen to.  Even then pronunciations seem to change.

In the beginning everyone called them ISIS, pronouncing it as one word sounding almost identical to the English world Ices.  Back then, when the administration saw them as the JV(Junior Varsity) team, they went along with calling them ISIS as well.  Even when the terrorists started calling themselves ISIL, initially most people  still called them ISIS.  Now however, the administration has such an insistence on calling them ISIL they won’t even acknowledge the name ISIS when mentioned.  What makes it even more bizarre, or even irritating is that the President and Secretary of State call the group ISIL and pronounce close to the English words, ICE-ILL, while the President’s Press Secretary and Pentagon Spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby spell it out, referring to them as  I-S-I-L.   This all creates an annoying distraction at press conferences.  A CNN reporter might ask: “What’s the next move against ISIS (ICES)?” Then, depending on who answers, “We must degrade and destroy ISIL(ICE-ILL) or I-S-I-L.”  One area in which the administration is coordinated though is that they never respond using the name ISIS anymore.

Despite the theories from those most suspicious of the President’s motives, I don’t believe the insistence on calling it ISIL is based on something dangerously devious, rather an acknowledgment that it is a threat to a greater area, since the IL covers significant more territory than the IS.  The last IS that is.  The first IS, whether you call it ISIS or ISIL stands for Islamic, which means very simply this group is an Islamic group, no matter what anyone including the President might want you to believe.  And more importantly, no matter what you call them, they are very dangerous.  This is a war.  Oh wait. Not sure if that’s what it’s being called either.  It just might also depend on who you ask.  At least I hope what we have now is a coordinated effort to conduct this whatever they’re calling it against whatever it is they call them.

 

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September 11, 2014

Letter to CUNY: Please copy and Send

By davidgroen1

 

 

Israeli-flag

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Friend of Israel,

I am writing to you with a sense of urgency regarding an impending vote in the City University of New York (CUNY).   What CUNY’s Doctoral Students’ Council (DSC) has planned is actually more of an ambush than a vote. Tonight, Friday September 12, 2014,  there will be an attempt to pass a student government measure boycotting Israel. However, this vote was planned in a quiet and secretive manner and purposely planned for Friday night since it is the Jewish Sabbath and therefore eliminates the possibility of a stronger Jewish voice and a significant group that is supportive of Israel and against the boycott.

Besides the gross injustice and hypocrisy of the boycott itself, the way this process is playing out is an abuse of the democratic system within the University’s system.  If this action should go forth without strong objection from the people within the community who are supportive of true justice even if they are not necessarily friends of Israel, the precedent it would set would be damaging to the image and integrity of the entire institution.  It is with that thought that I urge you to contact CUNY and make them aware that you object to this action, particularly in the underhanded and stealth manner it is being conducted.

Thank you in advance for your help on this matter.

Sincerely,

David Groen

Global Coalition for Israel

 

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September 11, 2014

Open Letter to Brigitte Bardot

By davidgroen1

BBArDear Ms. Bardot,

I’ll be honest.  I’m not even mad.  I actually feel sorry for you.  It seems as though you have not aged happily.  I say this because all your recent pictures make you look like a sourpuss and the only time anyone hears anything from you is when it has to do with animals.  I wouldn’t have said anything at all but since you decided to give your expert opinion about Jewish Dietary laws in your Open Letter, I decided to share my opinions with you in an Open Letter of my own.  The difference is, I have every intention of enjoying the writing of mine. You honestly don’t give the appearance of someone enjoying much of anything anymore, and that’s just sad.  For the record, I do hope I am wrong about that.

Anyway, you referred to Shechita, the Hebrew word for the Jewish ritual slaughter of animals, as a “ritual sacrifice.”  Well Ms. Bardot, as hard as you may find it to believe, I love animals as well as Kosher meat, especially when my mother or sister-in-law prepares it.  You see you can actually love both.  I don’t know if you’ve actually studied the process, but without getting into too much detail, the animals are killed in a way designed to eliminate as much suffering as possible.  So much so that one of the requirements is that the knife used must be sharpened extensively.  By the way, did you know that Jewish law looks so negatively on cruelty to animals that in its teachings it consider non-Jews to have 7 basic commandments, of which one is based on humane treatment of animals?  Although I don’t know that your comments are rooted in any anti-Jewish sentiment, especially with your track record on animals and the fact that you go after Halal rituals too, but they do show an ignorance to the careful process of Shechita.

But here is the issue I really have with all of this.  Like I said in the beginning of the letter, I love animals.  I really do.  I even choose not to have a dog because I’m afraid I wouldn’t give it the proper attention.  I really don’t like cats much, but other than gently pushing one away from me, I could never imagine using any type of physical force on one.  So I agree with the idea that mistreating animals is inhumane, so much so that it is correct that it be punishable under the law.

My problem is when someone who seems to not like people anymore and is high-profile like yourself puts animals way ahead of people.  I mean really. Shechita?  Now? Rising anti-Semitism in your native land and this is what you write a letter about?  Do you realize that your words in the name of humane treatment of animals may give additional fuel to those who want to hurt Jews, who are people by the way, more so in your country than maybe any other in Europe. Don’t get me wrong.  There is anti-Semitism in France whether you say anything or not, but this certainly doesn’t do anything to help.  And if you watch the news you’ll see there are a lot worse things going on, like beheadings, and terrorists overrunning countries and killing and raping and beheadings again.  It’s a nasty world out there. Especially now.  Shechita? Really?

So please, you want to help animals? So do I.  Maybe start by showing some compassion to people.  Because there are plenty of those who are defenseless as well. I know, well I don’t know but I’ve heard, that you are disappointed with people, but that really doesn’t mean you have to put animals first all the time.  Please don’t forget that people matter too.

Anyway, off to dinner.  Won’t tell you what I’m having though.  I don’t think you’d like it.

Sincerely,

David Groen

 

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September 11, 2014

9/11 Chronicles- Volume 3

By davidgroen1

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A Letter from Ground Zero

On that morning I got up and went to work like every other morning. I had my breakfast, said good morning to some of my favorite faces, and innocently went about my business. I arrived at my office and was intending to do nothing more than work hard and earn my money. I liked my routine. It worked well for me and and only benefited the people around me. I was considered a good person by some and a bad person by none. For the most part I was living a very decent life. I hoped to keep it going for a long time. And then at 8:46 it all changed. By no means was I ready to die. I enjoyed my life and wished to keep it going for as long as I could. I was not someone who enjoyed danger or found it exciting. And I was very quick to move myself out of a high risk situation. Despite all that, I was not afraid to die. I accepted as part of what was meant to be.However, since I did die I wish to let you know a few things. I have gone somewhere so wonderful it can’t be adequately described. It is a place that the people who murdered me will never see. And the joy people will feel in celebrating my life will be so much more powerful and meaningful than any feeling these people will ever have in their existence of hatred, murder, and strife.When you and your murdering followers destroy themselves, they will be gone forever. They will leave nothing but shame and lies behind. But now that I am gone, my spirit is alive in the goodness of the many who must continue the fight and see it through to the intended outcome.The power and kindness of God is made clear by the fact that they were not successful. I was never terrorized. And now in my death I become immortalized and give strength to those I have left.Do not cry when you remember me, because I died happy. And do not cry because you miss me, for I will never be gone.

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September 10, 2014

A Prayer for Safety and Peace

By davidgroen1

ground zero, 9/11, Tribute in Light

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we get ready to remember the 9/11 attacks that took place 13 years ago, I would like to express my hope that everyone will be safe tomorrow and in all the days to come.  We live in troubling times and with many concerns for the future.  I pray to God that we will all be fortunate to realize a genuine peace in our lifetime and that very soon, good will win the battle over evil.

Maybe the best way to honor the people we remember on 9/11 is with an optimism that the world can become the place we hope it can be, and to continue to thank God for that in the world that is indeed good and right.

Let us never lose out hope, our love , and our faith in a bright future.

 

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September 10, 2014

Open Letter to Mark Zuckerberg

By davidgroen1

Mark-Zuckerberg.Dear Mr. Zuckerberg,

This is not the most difficult letter for me to write but it may be the most complicated.  I have written Open Letters to a number of different celebrities over the past 2 months, some of which praised these celebrities while many were critical of their position on Israel and the Jewish people. Although I’ve been persuaded by a number of people to write this letter to you, I hope I they won’t be disappointed, since in this letter I won’t be criticizing you nor will I be making any demands.

The argument can be made that in attacking you in a letter I’d be biting the hand that feeds me.  Not that I make any money through Facebook, but I do use it as a forum for which to express my opinions, make friends, but maybe most importantly support Israel.  Be that as it may, if I felt your actions were against what I believe in, it wouldn’t stop me.  The reason I am taking this uncertain approach towards you is simple.  I don’t really know how you feel or what you actually do.

I hope I’m not going to be punished on my page for saying this, but I  never saw the movie “The Social Network.”  So I don’t know for sure when I say this, but I am guessing your main reasons for starting Facebook was because it was fun and lucrative. Well I don’t know if you’ve been having fun, but you’ve certainly made money.  You’ve achieved enormous fame and fortune, most likely beyond your wildest dreams.  What I don’t think you could have expected is the immense power your creation has given you.  And this is not the type of power usually provided to people who make a lot of money.  You have access to global information and personal information unparalleled in human history.  This may in some ways make you the most powerful man in the world.

I hope you’ll forgive the Spiderman reference, but as I am sure you know, with great power comes great responsibility.  People asked me to write this letter to protest pages and expressions of hate against Israel and the Jewish people.  Although I don’t like the pages I’ve seen in this category, I don’t actually believe that the best thing you can do is eliminate them.  This is where I get to the message I want to convey in this letter.  We all know the saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.  It is my hope that somewhere somehow you are using information provided, information revealing threats or possibly exposing criminals and terrorists to help authorities keep people and free societies safe.  If you are indeed doing this and if you’ve provided access that has helped uncover terrorist plots or other heinous actions, you are using your immense power for a remarkable good.  For all any of us know you may have already saved the lives of thousands of people.  The problem is, by the nature of the service I hope you are providing, there is no way we would or to be honest, should know that you are. That is what made this letter so complicated.

There are those who may think I am being naive, but let me make something clear.  It’s not that I necessary believe you are doing this, it’s that I hope that you are.  And since this is the type of theory that is almost unverifiable by definition, I just don’t know what you think or what you are doing.  Knowing this takes away any passion I might have to attack you verbally, for if you are doing this, you are not only doing the right thing, you’re using your power for the ultimate good.  If that’s the case, not only do you not deserve criticism, you’re actually a great man.

It’s also possible that you’re just another very rich guy only concerned about yourself, enjoying your money, and choosing not to get involved.  If that’s the case, with all due respect, please get off your ass and do the right thing.

While I have your attention, thanks for Facebook. I really like it.  Usually.

Sincerely,

David Groen

 

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September 9, 2014

9/11 Chronicles- Volume 2

By davidgroen1

david-weiss-nyfd-911Those of you who were in NY after 9/11 certainly remember how Mayor Giuliani encourage New Yorkers to attend the funerals of fallen police and firemen.  The following is the story of my experience at one of these funerals.

The friend I never knew

I recently had the moving experience of attending a memorial service for one of the fallen firemen from September 11th. Mayor Giuliani made a request for New Yorkers to go out and attend these services to insure that a proper number of people would be showing their respects to each individual victim. It wasn’t till after the service that I began to wonder whether his suggestion was meant to be for the victims and their families, or for the many common citizens who were able to show up.On this day I learned many things that I did not know about the New York City Fire Department. I heard the stories of how their performance on September 11th played and enormous part in saving tens of thousands of lives. I heard how they were running up the stairs trying to save people while the people were running down the stairs trying to escape. I saw the respect and love they all have for each other and the matter of fact way in which they approach their job. They love what they do and feel little to no fear for dangers that would certainly frighten most people.On this day I just missed being able to greet the Mayor but I did have the honor of shaking Fire Commissioner, Thomas Von Essen’s hand. I had a few conversations with a few people here and there, but most of all, I made a new friend. Fireman David Weiss.David Weiss was originally from Pennsylvania and always knew that he wanted to be a fireman. He became a member of the elite branch of the department, Rescue 1, a few years ago, following an extraordinary situation. When traveling on the FDR Drive in Manhattan one day while off duty, he spotted a car sinking in the East River. He pulled his car over and jumped into the river, pulling the man out of the car, and brought him safely to shore. News of David’s heroics reached he department’s brass and David was promoted to Rescue 1. It was a dream come true for him to be in the top unit of what he knew was the greatest fire department in the world and to be able to do on the highest level that which he loved most. One time while Rescue 1 was working on a very dangerous situation David approached a fireman who was new to the unit. He told the fireman that he must be finding this rough as one of the new guys and that he would have no trouble taking over one of his shifts in order to help him out. The fireman agreed and David ended up working a double shift. Later on the fireman found out that David too was one of the new guys. This was typical of his personality. Loved by his family, friends, and coworkers, a person of David’s quality is very hard to find. Even with all this, the friendship I feel for him is different from any other that I know. Since I never met David Weiss.On September 11th, David’s unit was one of the first to arrive at the scene of the attack. He and his fellow firemen helped evacuate the buildings and guide many people to safety. Sadly, David was one of the more than 300 firemen that died that day heroically doing their job. The memorial service I attended this past Sunday was for David Weiss. The words spoken by those closest to him paint a very vivid picture of a man who although sadly died at a much too early age, died in the exact way he would have wanted. Not only saving lives, but saving thousands of lives. The words of these people made me feel as if I had gotten to know this man, and at the end of the day I felt as if I had lost a friend. Maybe the Mayor knew this would happen for some when he encouraged people to turn out. This was a display of unity and respect and even beauty in the midst of greatest sorrow. On a day when I was one of many to pay last respects to a dear friend. A friend I never knew.

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September 9, 2014

Want a Better World? Treat Women better

By davidgroen1

yaziI was sitting watching Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless discuss the Ray Rice incident on ESPN’s First Take, and my thoughts kept wondering back to the situation in the Middle East. After all that is the subject first and foremost on my mind these days. Between the threats Israel continues to face from Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran and the immediate threat ISIS poses to the region and the rest of the world, I couldn’t help but have the thought so many people of us have these days. The world is a really messed up place.  All of a sudden the Ray Rice incident and international politics crystallized into one as I realized what is actually one of the main sources of everything that is wrong in the world today.  The treatment of women.

This was actually mentioned to me in a discussion I had with a cousin of mine about a month ago.  She stated how so much of the bad behavior of Muslim extremists has its root in the mistreatment of women.  I agreed with her when she said this, never disputed it, and put the thought somewhere in the back of my mind.  But over the past few weeks it kept gnawing at my brain, and little by little has worked its way back to the forefront.  Here’s why.

The promise of 72 virgins up in heaven is genuinely used as motivation in terrorist training.  Somehow certain elements within Islam that require women on earth to cover up any degree of beauty they have, are promising available and virginal women up in heaven as a reward for men that kill, maim and destroy.  They are exploiting perversion to encourage murder.  A man’s desire for a woman is not a perversion.  A man pursuing 72 virgins is a perversion, especially in a society where women’s natural beauty is suppressed and covered up,  and especially when they have the  perception of acquiring the virgins through mass murder and suicide. The whole idea of having a woman who is specifically a virgin is more about conquest than it is about desire.  Wanting a woman for conquest rather than desire or companionship is in itself inherently degrading to women.

I believe part of what has drawn some to join ISIS or ISIL is the ability to live a lawless life in which they have the power to do whatever they want.  The abuse of women is no small part of this.  As tragic and despicable as it is, I don’t think anyone was terribly surprised to hear of how Yazidi women captured by ISIS terrorists have been and still are being used brutally as sex slaves.  If there were no women to abuse in the “Levant” I wonder if we would see the same unrelenting pursuit by these terrorists to conquer these territories.

Basic respect for women makes a man behave a certain way.  It’s not about the basic or natural needs of  a man, it’s about seeing a woman as nothing less than an equal human being.  It’s about not tolerating abuse of a woman in any form, including a football player punching his fiance in an elevator.  I make no claims to be perfect nor do I claim to have treated every woman perfectly, but this is not about perfection.  This is about basic decency and not having tolerance for the abuse of women.

Stop and imagine for one second what the world would be like if women weren’t being treated improperly.  If you do this openly and honestly you’ll not only see a better world, but a safer one as well.

 

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September 8, 2014

Open Letter to Ray Rice

By davidgroen1

1406825883000-AP-Ravens-Rice-Football

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Ray,

What happened today made me angry for a few reasons.  First of all, the obvious one which is the one most decent people can relate to, is the fact that a “big strong man” didn’t have enough inner decency to stop himself from knocking out a woman.  The second reason I was angry was because this story didn’t bother me enough when it first came out.

Don’t get me wrong.  I have always been outspoken about this subject.  I have never hit a woman and I never will.  I have put myself in danger by getting involved in a confrontation between a woman and her very violent ex-husband, causing him to be arrested and prosecuted.  When it comes to physically protecting a woman the only thing I would ever fear is apathy.  So when I look back at the part of the video I did see, and I realize I didn’t get all up in arms then, I get angry.  Mainly at myself, but also at those who managed to get this somewhat pushed under the rug.

As a man, who thinks women are God’s greatest creation, let me say this to you.  A real man does not raise his hand to a woman.  Today was also the first time I saw your statement after the story broke and to be quite frank it was very revealing to me.  Your words were something along the line of  “I made the worst mistake of my life.”  That tells me a lot.  It tells me had you not gotten caught, and not become infamous for the incident, you would not have been close to as remorseful as you were.  Ray, it’s not that you made a mistake, it’s that you did something disgusting and vile.  Your statement should have been something along the lines of, “I did a terrible thing. My actions were despicable.” But no.  You “made a mistake.”   What was the mistake? Doing it in a public elevator with a camera?

Some may feel sorry for you, but I am not that forgiving.  I am not the almighty judge who determines your fate in the future, so I don’t know where you end up after all this is said and done, but for now, in my opinion, you are exactly where you should be, unemployed and humiliated.  Whether you end up with any further punishment I leave to those smarter and more qualified than me.

I leave you with this thought.  Again, you, and all those “men” who think it is OK to hit a woman need to understand that doing so makes you anything but a man.  It makes you a weak coward with no character whatsoever.  And also, take accountability.  That means realizing that what you did was not so much a mistake, but a disgraceful act of violence against the fairer sex and that you deserve whatever punishment you get.

Sincerely,

David Groen

 

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September 8, 2014

9/11 Chronicles-Volume 1

By davidgroen1

911

As we approach the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks I will be posting some of what I wrote on the days following September 11, 2001. The following I wrote within days of the attacks and was the first piece I wrote in reaction to what took place.

Living in NY on 9/11/01

On Tuesday morning Sept.11, 2001, we witnessed an event that will change the world forever. This act committed by the forces of evil against the civilized world is one that changes the shape of our future. As a resident of New York, I have seen a city traumatized, saddened, and angered. We were all abruptly forced to change the way we look at everything that we do and to alter our perspective on a daily basis. The average New Yorker will take serious umbrage to anyone touching something that belongs to them, especially when it belongs to them collectively.
At around 10AM on Tuesday morning I found myself around the corner from the original symbol of New York City, the Empire State Building. I am not ashamed to say that I was afraid to be there, yet like so many others there, felt a comfort in being with my fellow New Yorkers. After managing to get one call out, a call that created a chain to let my family know that I was OK, I started to walk uptown and to the East, and like many of the people who live in Queens, I walked over the 59th Street Bridge. When I looked to my right, where I used to see the symbol of the New York skyline, now all I saw was a trail of black smoke. I got home safely after a day of much walking and fear yet never lost sight of the fact that I was one of the lucky ones.
As someone who considers himself to be a New Yorker I have been deeply moved and grateful for the attitude and support of our fellow Americans. Today when I bought my first American flag, I did it for 2 reasons. Out of a tremendous pride for living in the greatest city in the world, and out of a gratitude and pride for living in the greatest country in the world. This week while we are all Americans, to us in New York it felt like the entire country was a country of New Yorkers.
The war that was declared on us a few days ago was an act of evil against our basic good. But true good will always conquer evil, and the victims of the attack on Tuesday will not die for nothing if the proper actions are taken to make this the beginning of a series of events that will insure the safety and freedom for us and our future generations.

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