Passionate Response

Mel Gibson delivered an anti-Semitic tirade when he was arrested on drunken-driving charges last week, allegedly saying "the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."

Pigeonholy

The Kotel, or Western Wall in Jerusalem, is the last standing remnant of the Second Temple, dating back to the year 515 BCE.

When I was at the Kotel, I actually did witness a pigeon crapping on a Hasidic fellow davening up close to the wall, leaving a long white streak down his kippah and black coat. The man simply looked up and went back to his prayers.

Some people say you'll have good luck when a bird craps on you. Others believe this is just something one says to feel better about being defecated on by an animal.

Allahu Akbar is an Arabic term meaning "God is Great".

Taking Action

Israeli–Lebanese action continues with mounting military and civilian casualties on both sides. It also just happened to coincide with my first trip to Israel.

Stretch of Peace

July 2006 was my first trip to Israel. It just happened to coincide with the Hezbollah missile attacks from Lebanon. There hadn't been much action between Israel and Lebanon since 2000.