Poisonous Political Lies

A Tale of Two Poisonings

Shaping a story to fit the agenda

Poisoning enemies has a long history with Augustus Caesar’s wife Livia allegedly a master of the art, as were the Borgias in Renaissance Italy. Lately there has been a resurgence in allegations regarding the use of poisons of various types by several governments. The claims are particularly damaging both morally and legally as international conventions regard the use of poisonous chemical compounds as particularly heinous, condemning their use because they, when employed in quantity, become “weapons of mass destruction,” killing indiscriminately and horribly, making no distinction between combatants and civilians. Their use is considered to be a “war crime” and the government officials who ordered their deployment are “war criminals,” subject to prosecution by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

There are two important poisoning stories that have made the news recently. Both are follow-ups to reporting that has appeared in the news over the past few months and both are particularly interesting because they tend to repudiate earlier coverage that had been largely accepted by several governments as well as the media and the chattering class of paid experts that appears on television.

The first story relates to the poisoning of former Russian intelligence agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in March. There was quite a bit that was odd about the Skripal case, which relied from the start “…on circumstantial evidence and secret intelligence.” And there was inevitably a rush to judgment. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson blamed Russia less than forty-eight hours after the Skripals were found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury England, too soon for any chemical analysis of the alleged poisoning to have taken place.

British Prime Minister Theresa May threw gasoline on the fire when she addressed Parliament shortly thereafter to blame the Kremlin and demand a Russian official response to the event in 36 hours, declaring that the apparent poisoning was “very likely” caused by a made-in-Russia nerve agent referred to by its generic name novichok. The British media was soon on board with a vengeance, spreading the government line that such a highly sensitive operation would require the approval of President Vladimir Putin himself. The expulsion of Russian diplomats soon followed with the United States and other countries following suit.

Repeated requests by Russia to obtain a sample of the alleged nerve agent for testing were rejected by the British government in spite of the fact that a military grade nerve agent would have surely killed both the Skripals as well as anyone else within 100 yards. As the latest British account of the location of the alleged poison places it on the door handle of the Scripals’ residence, the timetable element was also unconvincing. That meant that the two would have spent three hours, including a stop at a pub and lunch, before succumbing on a park bench. Military grade nerve agents kill instantly.

The head of Britain’s own chemical weapons facility Porton Down even contradicted claims made by May, Foreign Minister Boris Johnson, and British Ambassador in Moscow Laurie Bristow. The lab’s Chief Executive Gary Aitkenhead testified that he did not know if the nerve agent was actually produced in Russia, a not surprising observation as the chemical formula was revealed to the public in a scientific paper in 1992 and there are an estimated twenty countries capable of producing it. There are also presumed stocks of novichok remaining in independent countries that once were part of the Soviet Union, to include Russia’s enemy du jourUkraine, while a false flag operation by the British themselves, the CIA or Mossad, is not unthinkable.

Nevertheless, the politically weak May government, desperately seeking a formidable foreign enemy to rally around against, insisted that Russia, almost certainly acting under orders from Vladimir Putin himself, carried out the killing of a former British double agent who had been released from a Kremlin prison in a spy swap and who was no longer capable of doing any damage to Russia. Putin apparently did all that in spite of the fact that he had an election coming up and would be the host of the World Cup in the summer, an event that would be an absolute top priority to have go smoothly.

Now there has been an actual death in Amesbury near Salisbury that has been attributed to novichok. On June 30th, Charlie Rowley and Dawn Sturgess were admitted to hospital after being found unconscious. Sturgess died eight days later. The May government has not yet blamed it on Putin or even on a clumsy Russian operative that might have inadvertently left behind a vial of poison or a used syringe, though Home Secretary Sajid Javid came close to that when he suggested that Russia was using Britain as a “dumping ground for poisons.” Police suggestions that the poisoned couple appear to have handled novichok infused material of some kind before succumbing appears to be contradicted by inability to find the actual source of the alleged exposure.

British government dancing around the issue notwithstanding, there have been suggestions that the closest source of more novichok might well be the U.K. government labs at nearby Porton Down, only seven miles from Salisbury and Amesbury, which increases suspicion about the original story promulgated by Downing Street. Would the British government actually poison an expendable ex-Russian spy and his daughter to divert attention from a domestic political problem at home? It’s worth considering as the “blame it all on Putin narrative” becomes even less credible.

The second story comes from Syria, where there is also a Russian hand as Moscow is aiding the government of Bashar al-Assad. The by now notorious April 7, 2018 alleged chemical attack on the rebel-held Syrian city of Douma was widely blamed by Western countries and the mainstream media on Assad’s forces. This resulted in a decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to order massive U.S.-led retaliatory airstrikes against targets reportedly involved in chemical production in and around Damascus.

Trump blamed “animal Assad” for “using nerve agents” and both the media and most European governments followed that line, concluding that Damascus had ordered the chemical attacks a mere moments after videos purporting to show scores of chemical attack victims first surfaced from rebel sources, long before U.S. intelligence could have made its own assessment. A 5-page White House assessment released on April 13th, just days after the alleged attack asserted that sarin was used at Douma, claiming that “A significant body of information points to the regime using chlorine in its bombardment of Duma, while some additional information points to the regime also using the nerve agent sarin.”

Independent sources warned at the time that not a single neutral observer was on the ground to confirm that chemical agents launched by the Syrian government had, in fact, been used, but were ignored. All of the sources reporting the attack were either affiliated with the rebels who occupied the area or were not physically present in Douma.

Now, finally, three months later, there has been a credible independent report on what was determined about the attack through chemical analysis of traces recovered in Douma. A preliminary report published last Friday by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) found no traces of any nerve agent like sarin at the site. The OPCW report states this clearly: “No organophosphorous nerve agents or their degradation products were detected in the environmental samples or in the plasma samples taken from alleged casualties.”

This means that the Trump Administration claimed to have details relating to an event in a foreign country that it did not know and could not actually confirm to be true. And it used that as a justification for ordering an airstrike that killed people and destroyed targets in Syria. Will the White House respond to the OPCW report and apologize, possibly to include reparations for an unjustified attack on another sovereign nation? Don’t hold your breath.

The Salisbury and Douma attacks are illustrative of just what happens when a government is prepared to dissimulate or even lie to go the extra mile to make a case to justify preemptive action that otherwise might be challenged. Theresa May is, unfortunately, still in power and so is Donald Trump. In a better world an outraged public would demand that they be thrown out of office and even possibly subjected to the tender ministrations of the International Criminal Court in The Hague. With power comes accountability, or at least that should be the rule, but it is a dictum that has for some time been ignored. Even given that, one might hope that the blunders will not be repeated, but there is not even any assurance that either May or Trump is much given to “lessons learned” or that a Mike Pence or Boris Johnson would be any better. That is our tragedy.

Reprinted with permission from The Unz Review.

Sabbateanism On Sin

I tried to explain to someone that half the Berland camp think nothing ever happened (or is busy happening!), while the other half, too well aware of the sordid facts, spin justifications employing counterfeit terms such as “Aveirah Lishmah”, “Yeridah Letzorech Aliyah”, etc. (and ‘never shall the twain meet’).

As my interlocuter correctly explained the kosher version of “Yeridah Letzorech Aliyah”:

“A person is not permitted to sin; but if he finds himself in sin, it’s because he’s not really at the spiritual level he thought he was, and he has the opportunity to make a true teshuva, if he can bring himself to avail himself of it, and not remain depressed over his sin (like Reuven over the sale of Yosef, and Ohn ben Pelet, over his near-miss with Korach)”.

Sabbateans, on the other hand, pretend/ed a “Tzaddik” nevertheless has a special license (or even “obligation”) to purposely sin, either (1) so as to “infect” others with his awesome greatness, or (2) so he will mercifully have what to do Teshuvah for (because, sad poor thing, he never seems to collect any Aveiros in life, so how will he gain the special merit of doing Teshuvah?)…

There are some pale hints of this atrocious Sabbateanism in early Chassidic writings, but no more. Now, this is being resurrected by the accursed Berland and half his worshipers.

Let’s Have Streimel Wearing Firefighters In Israel, Too!

Charedim Demand Autonomy!

א.פלדינגר

 כ”ו תשרי ה’תשע”ח 16/10/17

From an economic standpoint, there is, perhaps, no other place on the planet observant Jews – both Avreichim and working men with set study times – suffer as much. We would be just fine with a Lichtenstein of sorts with low taxation.

בס”ד

I unhappily read about the Supreme Court kicking back the accountability for removing the Tznius signs to the Beit Shemesh municipality.

I recently wrote a letter to the editor wherein I explained how laughable it was to pin the responsibility to the municipality. Everyone praised my letter and agreed. The only ones who refuse to acknowledge the point are the Supreme Court justices themselves.

Apparently, their common sense has been “reformed”, and the rest of us still lag behind their exalted intellect. How sad the country’s judges don’t match the nation.

Anyhow…

I have long wondered what things would be like if they put us behind a fence and gave us autonomy, as they did to the Arabs in Gaza. Would this be good news or bad?

As far as being a Ghetto, it’s the same difference. We already are a Ghetto. You only have to observe what is presently going on with Arad and old Beit Shemesh.

As for Transportation, we, too, know how to organize bus routes. Some aspects to note: Getting a license for a private car is a painful bureaucratic process, car and gas prices are sky-high, car owners lose various benefits and discounts, the thorough investigation whether the car seats an extra passenger. When activists manage to obtain us a new bus route, it skips and misses stops and schedules, the rabbis have zero control over separate seating and the radio… All this on a bus covered with a warning sticker threatening us with criminal persecution, as we rejoice over the poor man’s repast, considering the savings on VAT; which they also wished to take from us.

As for Electricity, we, too, know how to build generators, cheaper and more kosher.

Agriculture. We need only wheat for matzos, fruits for Tu Beshvat, and the Arba Minim. All other food products we would happily import from abroad for a quarter of the price.

As far as Medical care, a few people come to mind: Litzman, Firer, Fisher, Lupolianski, Shaarei Tzedek, Ichud Hatzalah, Bikur Cholim, Laniado, Maayanei Hayeshuah, Hatzalah Israel, Zaka. Nope. Not worried about medical care. In Monroe, they have Streimel-wearing firefighters.

Police. Shomrim, and citizen-arrests have been more effective than the police. As for youth-at-risk, the law is often the greatest barrier to effective treatment.

Courts. We aren’t represented anyway, we are discriminated against, and neighborly disputes are anyway handled in Beis Din. By the way, the law prohibits them from mandating excommunication. What a pity to pay taxes for them.

As for Security. What does the intractable Arab-Israeli conflict have to do with us? We came here to perform the Mitzvah of settling the land, aware we are still in Galus. He who wishes to act with force, against Chazal’s recommendation, let him. What does that have to do with us?

Especially seeing as the law frequently protects the terrorists… “The Right pushes away, and the Left draws near”. What do we need this headache for? We won’t push away and we won’t draw near, but live Torah lives in the Holy Land.

(And in spite of our ideology, our gentle youths, pure as can be, receive forcible army conscription notices to a mixed-gender army, as though we owe anything to the seculars, are “Mechutanim” somehow. We are fortunate to have a refuge in the Beis Medrash, and that, too, is in danger.)

As for Government benefits, we anyway subsist about 90% off contributions from abroad. All the government benefits shrink facing a father of 15 buying them half an apartment.

What about Preschool and Daycare? Sure! The women are pressed into working themselves to the bone, upon which they are granted a significant discount for preschool and daycare…

Economically speaking, considering all the bureaucracy, the high taxes, and the raised price of living, I would only request: Don’t do us any favors. Maybe if you stopped helping us, our Avreichim and work-horses would merit the lifestyle of a regular Yeshiva student in Gateshead and Lakewood. Every community in Chutz La’aretz has a few millionaires, who learned solely in Yeshiva!

And by the way, what do think of a Diamond Exchange free of immorality, with no need of getting army exemptions, and so on? Sound good? Nu Nu. Just try to make separate hours strictly for men, and the state will immediately arise on its hindquarters!

Let’s not beat around the bush: From an economic standpoint, there is, perhaps, no other place on the planet observant Jews – both Avreichim and working men with set study times – suffer as much. We would be just fine with a Lichtenstein of sorts with low taxation.

Charedim from all over could invest their money and build us workplaces in factories and offices and Yeshivas, where each Yeshiva Bachur from America would bring in thousands of dollars a year. They claim we live at their expense? Nonsense!

Trying to responsibly maintain the Status Quo, for national cohesion? On the face of things, the Supreme Court will sooner or later destroy any religious influence, Heaven forfend.

The upshot: Autonomy would, in fact, benefit us.

Some people respond: Are you insane? The state grants us food, housing, playgrounds… Apparently, these souls are reincarnated parrots. My parrot, too, accepts free housing, education, food, and even playground equipment.

Alright. Matters should be clear by now (especially to Olim, who have what to compare to).

And the million-dollar question: If we demanded autonomy, would it be granted? The answer? Forget it!

So why even try? Because if we gave them the feeling we are not guests but hostages, the Supreme Court justices would have to surrender a little when it comes to our internal affairs. Examples: A municipality which is unsuccessful in removing Tznius signs from a clearly Charedi street, repeat elections, wild dogs in Ramah Gimmel, and so on.

This article first appeared in Hebrew.

By A. Feldinger, Lev Simchah St. 12. 052 763 1946

From Mehadrinews, here.

אשה תלך בצדי דרכים משום צניעות

ספר ים של שלמה יבמות פרק ח’ אות י”ט:

מתני’ (ע”ו ע”ב) עמוני ומואבי אסורים איסור עולם, אבל נקבות מותרות מיד, מצרי ואדומי, אינם אסורים, אלא עד ג’ דורות, ואחד זכרים ואחד נקיבות, ר”ש מתיר הנקבות מיד, ואמרו, ומה במקום שאסר את הזכרים איסור עולם, התיר הנקבות מיד, מקום שלא אסר את הזכרים, אלא ג’ דורות, אינו דין שנתיר את הנקבות מיד, אמרו, אם הלכה נקבל, ואם לדין, יש להשיב עליו, אמר להם, הלכה אני אומר, ומפרש בגמ’ בבריית’, דדרשינן (דברים כ”ג, ד’) עמוני, ולא עמונית, וכן מואבי, ולא מואבית, דברי ר’ יהודא, ואינו קשה, א”כ נמי נימא, מצרי, ולא מצרית, פירשו התו’ (ע”ז ע”א, ד”ה כתנאי) משום דהכי גבי עמוני, הי’ לו למכתב עמון, וכתב עמוני, ש”מ לדרשה, אבל מצרי א”א לו למכתב מצר, ומצרים מאריך יותר, ואדומי, אגב דכתב מצרי, כתב אדומי, דהא אית להו חד דינא, ר”ש אמר על דבר אשר לא קדמו אתכם בלחם ובמים, דרכו של איש לקדם ואין דרכה של אשה לקדם, ופריך, היה להם לקדם, אנשים לקראת אנשים, ונשים לקראת נשים, ומשני, (ע”ז ע”א) כל כבודה בת מלך פנימה א”ד ויאמרו אליו איה שרה אשתך, ויש טועין בפשט הלכה, ואומרים, מאחר שהאשה דרכה להיות צנוע בבית, משום הכי מואביות לא קדמו, וחלילה, שיאמר הפסוק כל כבודה בת מלך פנימה על האומה שדרכן בפריצות, ובנות מואב יוכיחו, שבאו לאהל ישראל לזנות, וכן הוא מן הנמנע ח”ו, שישוה בנות מואב לשרה אשת אברהם, וא”כ מאי מעליותא דשרה אמנו, אלא ה”ק, מה שלא היה להם לקדם לקראת נשי ישראל, לפי שבנות ישראל היו באוהלים, ולא היו יוצאות ממנו כל עיקר, אפי’ לקנות לחם ומים, ודרך הקידום הוא על המיצר של החיל, ומכאן משמע, שדרך אשה חשובה להיות צנוע, אף בדרך, תדחיק בכל מה שתוכל, להיות פנימה.