Carol moseley braun grabs lead - will squash rahm emanuel now that black voters/liberals united behind her. Not even steinberg can hurt her

Jenny mccarthy stiffed the marine teasing to kiss him at midnight in ny, but kissed some other dude ... so much for supporting our troops

Happy New Year to everyone!!!! I hope the new year brings good news for everyone here and that any challenges you face are turned around

Hanania Jerusalem Post: Arab World needs to shut down the fanatics http://ping.fm/pdb1S

On live with Just Peace Radio and Nadia Ali in Atlanta on Helen Thomas controversy. Listen live here: http://ping.fm/5rnU4

Is Rahm Emanuel really the best choice for mayor of Chicago? WJJG AM 1530 radio 8-9:30 am this morning http://ping.fm/syKEr

Jewish Israeli Grinch steals Christmas from Nazareth Christians http://ping.fm/wBkOr

Hanania column: don't take anything for granted
http://ping.fm/VzRfW

spj prepares to undermine american arab journalism members over Helen Thomas http://www.NAAJA-us.com

Hanania Jerusalem Post: A time when we all had shame http://ping.fm/snBa0

Is it possible the Chicago Bears are not used to the WEATHER HERE OR SOMETHING? @(*@&#!! ...

Elder of Ziyon hate blog continues to lie about Helen Thomas and defame Arab community. But what else is new?

Another Bernie madoff victim ... His son. A life of crime has many tragic consequences, though many believed the son was complicit

Enjoying great food and people who can't drive at shatilla bakery in Dearborn. Then al-ajami for a lunch strategy session on Helen Thomas

Huffington post is biased ... Headline not my words but right on http://ping.fm/cwcYe

Phenomenal turnout of 1,000 people at ADC Michigan banquet tonight with the great Clovis Maksoud and standing ovation salute to Helen Thomas

Wayne State Journlaism professor defends attack against Helen Thomas http://ping.fm/kMPCf

Arab American News: Detroit American Arabs stand up for Helen Thomas http://ping.fm/TnKKR

ADL launches all out war against Helen Thomas and American Arabs http://ping.fm/As08t

Hanania column: GOP playing games with those in need in Southwest News-Herald http://ping.fm/VOPZI

Arab journalists group condemns ADL Foxman & Huffington Post for fear-mongering http://ping.fm/lMo42

Arab journalists group condemns ADL Foxman & Huffington Post for fear-mongering http://ping.fm/lMo42

Wild Garden Hummus Dip ... my favorite. Now at Shaws in Boston Area ... check it out at http://ping.fm/0VFIE

Hanania column in Jerusalem Post: WikiLeaks offers us some honest insights. http://ping.fm/h8zlA

SEN. JAMES MEEKS TO CALL ON CITY COUNCIL TO PASS THE URGENTLY NEEDED SET-ASIDE ORDINANCE THAT DEDICATES 20% OF TIF FUNDS FOR REHABILITATION OF HOMES IN FORECLOSURE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING

SEN. JAMES MEEKS TO CALL ON CITY COUNCIL TO PASS THE URGENTLY NEEDED SET-ASIDE ORDINANCE THAT DEDICATES 20% OF TIF FUNDS FOR REHABILITATION OF HOMES IN FORECLOSURE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Sen. Meeks also to call on all candidates to make clear their position on this issue, including Mr. Emanuel who served on the board of Freddie Mac, the financial institution at the heart of the home foreclosure crisis

Sen. Meeks will visit the Englewood community today, a neighborhood hit hard by the foreclosure crisis, as part of his 50 Wards in 50 Days tour. He will urge the Mayor and city council to pass a proposed ordinance that would dedicate 20% of TIF funds to affordable housing and to the rehabilitation of foreclosed homes. He will also call for City Hall to "open" the books on TIF funds so Chicagoans can be assured that the funds are properly allocated as intended - to blighted neighborhoods.

Sen. Meeks will also call on all candidates to take a position on this issue, particularly Mr. Emanuel in light of his actions and responsibilities as a board member of Freddie Mac, the financial institution at the heart of the foreclosure crisis.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

2:00pm

6701-3 S. Carpenter St., boarded up homes, blocks away from where Sen. Meeks grew up. In the Englewood community of Chicago, in the 17th Ward

# # # #

We are giving away copies of Little Town of Bethlehem, documentary about a Jew Christian & Muslim trying to bring peace to Palestine/Israel

The Wall Street Journal is WORSE THAN BIGOTED
http://ping.fm/lWHcZ

Your comments and tirades against Helen Thomas are pernicious and racistly anti-Arab. Ms. Thomas has the RIGHT to challenge a political organization that has headquarters in New York and has chapters around the country and whose agenda is to lobby for Israel. That she claims they have been excessively effective is her right. The real truth is that the bigotry and hatred in this country against American Arabs is so obscene and disgusting that it is accepted without challenge. The Wall Street Journal should apologize for their one-sided approach to the American Arab community, their failure to allow American Arabs to challenge the rabidly vicious anti-Arab commentary, such as this blog, and for advocating an unprincipled approach to a complex problem that is brushed aside by defenders of Israel's government as "anti-Semitism."

Pathetic
Ray Hanania
National Arab American Journalists Association

I'm giving away 24 copies of "Little Town of Bethlehem." Just listen to the show & chat and email me your mailing address

It's a great film produced by Mart Green, written, directed and filmed by Jim Hanon. An EGM Film. Three men from different sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict risk everything for peace, one Jew, one Christian, one Muslim. Go to my Facebook page and send me your mailing address DURING THE SHOW 8-9:30 am Tuesday Dec. 7.
http://ping.fm/BLINH

Elder of Ziyon, Ikhras and KabobFest all have something in common -- hatred of the moderate voices. How about hosting a joint HateFest guys?

Elder of Ziyon blog is an often racistly anti-Arab and anti-Muslim hate site; I just had to acknowledge their repetitive attacks against me

SECRETARY NAPOLITANO ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF “IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING” CAMPAIGN TO WALMART STORES ACROSS THE NATION

SECRETARY NAPOLITANO ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF “IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING” CAMPAIGN TO WALMART STORES ACROSS THE NATION

WASHINGTON—Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the expansion of the Department’s national “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign to hundreds of Walmart stores across the country—launching a new partnership between DHS and Walmart to help the American public play an active role in ensuring the safety and security of our nation.
“Homeland security starts with hometown security, and each of us plays a critical role in keeping our country and communities safe,” said Secretary Napolitano. “I applaud Walmart for joining the ‘If You See Something, Say Something’ campaign. This partnership will help millions of shoppers across the nation identify and report indicators of terrorism, crime and other threats to law enforcement authorities.”
The “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign—originally implemented by New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority and funded, in part, by $13 million from DHS’ Transit Security Grant Program—is a simple and effective program to engage the public and key frontline employees to identify and report indicators of terrorism, crime and other threats to the proper transportation and law enforcement authorities.
More than 230 Walmart stores nationwide launched the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign today, with a total of 588 Walmart stores in 27 states joining in the coming weeks.  A short video message, available here, will play at select checkout locations to remind shoppers to contact local law enforcement to report suspicious activity.
Over the past five months, DHS has worked with its federal, state, local and private sector partners, as well as the Department of Justice, to expand the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign and Nationwide SAR Initiative to communities throughout the country—including the recent state-wide expansions of the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign across Minnesota and New Jersey.  Partners include the Mall of America, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Amtrak, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, sports and general aviation industries, and state and local fusion centers across the country.
In the coming months, the Department will continue to expand the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign nationally with public education materials and outreach tools designed to help America’s businesses, communities and citizens remain vigilant and play an active role in keeping the county safe.

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If Rahm Emanuel has a residency problem what about Sen Meeks, whose lawyer Burt Odelson is filing the residency challenge? Hypocrites galore

Beyond the Beltway tonight 6 pm CST - tax cuts, unemployment & defending Helen Thomas. WLS Radio/Public TV http://ping.fm/fjbP0

Helen Thomas stands up to those who would deny her right to free speech. Her remarks at the Arab Detroit conference 12-02-10 http://ping.fm/Q25kO

3 inches of 1st snow. Got to try my new super charged snow blower, motorized wheels, far-distance direction shooter. Doing the MAN Dance now

American Arabs should defend Helen Thomas -- who I call "Helen of Oye" for the vicious attacks she endures from extreme Israeli supporters

Wayne State University casts doubt on its diversity and commitment to professionalism after vicious attack against Helen Thomas http://ping.fm/qjJ3A

Finally some good news. Jim Morrison to be pardoned for false indecent exposure conviction
http://ping.fm/y1hp6

Accidentally heard FOX News (hotel TV in Dearborn) argue people making $250,000, $1 mil a year r not rich, can't afford to pay higher taxes

GOVERNOR QUINN ANNOUNCES ILLINOIS INAUGURAL COMMITTEE 2011 AND SCHEDULE OF INAUGURAL EVENTS

GOVERNOR QUINN ANNOUNCES ILLINOIS INAUGURAL COMMITTEE 2011 AND SCHEDULE OF INAUGURAL EVENTS

CHICAGO - Today, Governor Pat Quinn announced the creation of the Illinois Inaugural Committee 2011. The Committee is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization responsible for the planning of the 2011 Inaugural events, with the newly-elected constitutional officers serving as honorary co-chairs. The Inauguration is dedicated to the people of Illinois – showcasing their strength, spirit and character. All funds for the Inaugural events will be raised from private donors and any remaining funds will be contributed to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund.
“The 2011 Inauguration marks the start of a new era in Illinois Government,” said Governor-Elect Pat Quinn. “This committee will work closely with all the Constitutional Officers to present Inaugural events that will bring Illinoisans together in a bipartisan way that will move our State forward."
The Inauguration will be held in Springfield on Monday, Jan. 10. All events will be held in Springfield; schedule as follows:
Sunday, Jan. 9

• Gold Star Families Reception (military families only): 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at the Executive Mansion. The Governor and his family will welcome Gold Star family members for a reception honoring their loved ones.

Monday, Jan. 10

• Inter-Faith Service: 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. (doors will open at 8:15 a.m.) at the First Presbyterian Church (321 South 7th Street). The Governor and his family will join the Constitutional Officers and their families for an interfaith service.
• Inaugural Ceremony: 11 a.m. -1 p.m. (doors will open at 8:00 a.m.) at the Prairie Convention Center. The Governor and the Constitutional Officers will take the Oath of Office and deliver their inaugural addresses.
• Executive Mansion Open House: 2:30p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Executive Mansion. Governor Pat Quinn will be joined by Lieutenant Governor-Elect Sheila Simon in greeting the public at the Executive Mansion.
• Inaugural Ball: 8 p.m. – Midnight at the Prairie Convention Center. The Governor and Constitutional Officers will take part in the traditional Inaugural Ball.

More information on the Illinois Inauguration 2011 can be found at http://www.IIC2011.com.
NOTE: Members of the press should visit the "Contact Us" section of the website (http://www.IIC2011.com) to request credentials for Inaugural events. Additional details for media to come.

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Yalla Peace: Hanukka and Holidays at the Hanania household

Yalla Peace: Hanukka and Holidays at the Hanania household

By RAY HANANIA

12/01/2010 JERUSALEM POST

In recent years, as Hanukka and Christmas overlapped,

the holiday season became a minefield of decoration-related decisions.

Over the past few years, Hanukka, Christmas and the Id al-Adha all seemed to coincide. That made Arabs, Jews and Israelis happy. They saw it as a sign of better things to come. People were singing “Kumbaya.”

They were mixing words and phrases from each religion to create new “words of peace,” like “holiday treats for peace.” And they were offering trades to kickstart the stalled peace process: felafel for matza.

Arabs and Jews even tried writing Middle East peace songs together, until each side discovered that wasn’t easy either. Promises made in some of the choruses had been changed. Important words had been replaced. Some of the lyrics required side notes to explain what the original intent of the song was.

Pretty soon, everyone was singing a different tune. Like Middle East peace, we all know what the melody is but we just can’t get the words right.

MAKING PEOPLE believe in miracles may have been good for everyone else, but it wasn’t good in the Israeli-occupied Hanania household, where marriage has achieved what negotiations and even proximity talks have failed to do in the Middle East. It may have coincided for everyone else. But for my family, the holidays collided.

That Hanukka and Christmas both overlapped was a big problem. My wife, Alison, and I found ourselves in a cast iron battle over whose settlements – I mean decorations – would get the best locations in and around our house.

We fought over the front room coffee table. Do we put a menora or a crèche (Nativity scene)? Who gets to hang something on the front door? A Star of David or a picture of Jesus wrapped in a Palestinian flag? Both?

I discovered that Hanukka lights are more Jewish than Christian lights. The lights on her string decorations had shapes of dreidels, menorot, Stars of David and images of Binyamin Netanyahu.

Mine were little bulbs called “Italian lights.” What have the Italians ever done for peace anyway? She got to do something new every day with our son Aaron. Lighting one extra candle every night for eight days. I got to turn on a switch.

The lawn was a battleground too. I wanted to put up a big Santa Claus. You know, that chubby guy with the long, white beard that needs to be dyed, wearing an effeminate looking red suit with white fur. What does he really have to do with Christmas, I wonder? Although Jesus had a beard too, but it wasn’t bushy white.

She had a huge display of Jerusalem with a big sign quoting Ariel Sharon “indivisible capital for all eternity” that she said she wanted to keep there all year long. She got it free – after a small donation of $1,500 – from the Jewish United Fund.

Believe me, by the time we got through arguing over what went where, who got what and who started the Gaza war, we were beat, so tired we could barely enjoy the meal, the one moment when Arabs have an advantage over Israelis.

After all, Arabs may know how to build settlements and walls, barriers and murals, but Israelis can’t cook. They end up making our food and while we Arabs complain that they stole our culinary style, our humous and our Syrian – yes, Syrian – bread, the fact is deep down we prefer to have them serve us something.

THANK GOODNESS all that “signs from heaven” stuff has stopped. This year, Hanukka comes first and Christmas comes after.

She puts her stuff up and then I get to take it down and put up my stuff.

I then get to celebrate secular New Year and, afterward Orthodox New Year. My stuff goes up last and never gets taken down.

No “Kumbaya.” No pretending there are going to be any miracles of peace. No arguing over whose food is best or who owns what land.

One Christmas, Alison even stopped painting a green line through the house to designate what part was hers and what part was mine. She always said she would be fair in our marriage and we each get “half.” She gets 78 percent and I get 22.

But then I realized that her not painting the green line in our house was just an Israeli trick to make me forget where the 1949 armistice marriage agreement really was.

And I demanded that she paint it, but she still refuses till this day.

So this year, no fights over bells ringing or who gets to “deck” the Halls – the Halls, our neighbors, always hated it when we decked them when they came by, although the Halls are Jewish so I didn’t mind. No sighs pretending like there is going to be peace.

Just a lot of mistletoe, zaide’s sandwiches of corned beef, pastrami and chopped liver, and real happiness knowing we each get our turn. And I go last.

The writer is an award-winning columnist and Chicago radio talk show host. www.YallaPeace.com

Holidays, Hanukkah and XMas at the Hanania Household, Jerusalem Post http://ping.fm/XE5Eq