
The first was the speech before a Joint Session of Congress by Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu of Israel, a former military superstar in his own right and a first class statesman and courageous leader of the Jewish State. The second was the Republican "cave' to Executive Amnesty, thereby breaking their word and their honor. The contrast was amazing.
Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a rousing speech, walking his listeners down the road detailing the horrible treatment that the Jews have received over the years including both the World War II holocaust and the assaults on their land in recent years which might be the onset of a new Holocaust. He spoke of Iran's threats, of the terror generated by multiple radical Islamic groups in the current era, and he detailed what he expects the linkage of a nuclear bomb to the Iranian state will mean for both his state, the Middle East in general and the entire world. He maintained grace in speaking of the past support of America, even some recent support by Obama and thanked him for it. But, in the end, he made it clear that his job was to protect Israel and that she would never again stay passive under threat to her existence.
His speech was received to thunderous and lengthy applause, like nothing that Obama has never seen and I can imagine our petulant leader grinding his teeth and calculating how to get even. Nevertheless, Netanyahu projected a profound confidence, a message of strength and hope and he clearly had the audience in his hand. This was, indeed a most memorable speech, one which will be heard of for generations in the history books. It's impact on the events of the near future will be dramatic, be they good or bad, but as the leader of a tiny continually threatened state he did what he felt was necessary for her survival.
And what about the other event of the day? Well, it took place in the House of Representatives as John Boehner forced a vote on Obama's unconstitutional Amnesty in an effort to fund the Department of Homeland Security's line item for administering that program. Despite his promises to fight to the end, Speaker Boehner capitulated, giving the Democrats everything they wanted for nothing in return. In the floor vote, his own party led by Conservatives rejected his call, voting 167-75 against the Speaker, forcing Boehner to ask Nancy Pelosi for her caucus support, thereby winning. Once again, the old line tradition of the Speaker not putting to a vote legislation without a majority of his own caucus was violated, and with it he violated his honor and his trust. At the same time, he has put a large hole in the Constitution, once which is likely to be dramatically opened wider by a lawless President, who is now even threatening to impose new taxes by executive fiat.
So on this day we had a hero and a goat. A principled man of courage and resolve, and a weak and helpless man who sold himself out and with it his country. It's sad that such obviously opposing events would happen in the building that so represents freedom, for we Americans are rapidly approaching a tyranny that maybe is moving too fast to overcome. But let's hope and pray that someone steps up with a vision and a plan for America, a new leader who can bring together a dangerously divided populace and maintain the land of the free. Let's start with a new one in the House and then maybe we can survive until 2016. And let's also hope that Israel's Prime Minister successfully completes his mission to save his country as well.
These are trying times folks, be ready and get used to them, for the battle for freedom is underway full throttle both internally and externally. May God give us the resolve we need and may He always bless both America and Israel.