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 Commentary vs News                        #295

By Hank Silverberg 


Over the past few weeks I have noticed a drop off in the number of people reading this blog. I'm not sure why. Perhaps since I am now reporting again for a local newspaper (Fredericksburg Advance) and have put my "objective" hat back on in everything I write, this blog has lost some of its bite.

But in the three years I have been writing "Time to Think," anything I opined on was always based in fact, even if my often sarcastic opinion creeped in. The last few weeks I have correctly labeled my opening story "Commentary" to distinguish it from "News," and maybe that has softened the points I was trying to make. I would like to hear more from some of my loyal readers about what's on your minds and what you think. There is a place on the blog's main page to send me email or to comment. It doesn't have to be on politics. You comments and ideas  may liven up this blog a bit.  

News You May Have Missed

Widening War? 

Israel is bracing for an attack by Iran, which some media reports indicate could come this week. Those reports, in Axios and elsewhere, are backed up by an increase of U.S. military presence in the region.  U.S. General Michael Kurilla is visiting Israel, Jordan and several Gulf Countries.  

Iranian and Hezbollah leaders have vowed to retaliate for the assassination of Faud Shukr, Hezbollah's top military commander, and Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh.  

Jordan has already played a significant role by intercepting Iranian drones as they traveled through Jordanian air space on the way to Israel, and by allowing U.S. and Israeli jets to do the same.  

Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel ever since the war in Gaza began ten months ago, and last week one of those rockets landed in a soccer field in a Druze town on the Golan Heights, killing 12 people, mostly children. 


The Biden Administration is so concerned about a possible Iranian attack on Israel that U.S forces in the region have been boosted significantly. 

The Pentagon says the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group has been sent to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group, which has been in the region for months. But the Defense Secretary is also sending additional cruisers and destroyers, which have systems that can intercept ballistic missiles. An additional fighter jet squadron has been sent to the region as well. 

A widening war is good for no one. The war in Gaza was started last October when Hamas invaded Israel, killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking as many as 250 hostages. 





Cell Phone Bans

The iphone had its 17th birthday this past week, but any celebration may be muzzled a bit by a new wave of bans on their use. At least nine states have now established restrictions on cell phones or smartphone use by students while in school, or have recommended that local school districts either ban or restrict them. Education Week is reporting that Governors from both political parties have called for the cell phone restrictions. 

The country's two largest school districts, Los Angeles and New York City, now have restrictions and many local school districts aren't waiting for guidance from state legislators or governors. 

One school district is trying a unique approach. In 

Fairfax County, Virginia, there's a pilot program in some of the schools that will require students to secure their phones inside a magnetic pouch each morning as they enter the building. It can only be unlocked as they leave. 

Why all the concern? It's not just students texting or chatting or surfing the web, distracting them from class instruction. There have been incidents of students recording each other's conversations or actions on video resulting in fights in the hallways or other altercations.  

One concern, parents who want their children to be able to contact them if there's an emergency. But administrators say there's always access to the hard line phones in school offices. 





Dumbest Quote of The Week!

I hate to pick on a member of the media, but this one can't be helped. The dumbest quote of the week this week goes to Fox News Anchor Jesse Watters.  I can honestly tell you I rarely watch Fox News, so I have no idea what his role on TV is, but this week this nincompoop was talking about Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee for president:  

"I don't see why any man would vote Democrat. It's not the party of virtue, security. It's not the party of strength. It's definitely not the party of family. And to be a man, and then vote for a woman just because she's a woman, is either childish, that person has mommy issues or they're just trying to be accepted by other women, and I heard the scientists say the other day when a man votes for a woman he actually transitions into a woman."

There were three women on the panel with him. They at first looked incredulous and then made fun of him. And you can bet off camera they let him have it. That was too much, even for the women who work at Fox. 

How does this guy keep his job? I am sure his boss is not a woman. This kind of misogynistic nonsense just gives everyone, even macho men, another reason NOT to watch Fox News. 

(Your Suggestions and comments are welcome)

My recent book "The Campaign" can be purchased at the links below. Or you can buy a copy by emailing me at:

HankSilverberg@gmail.com  for instructions on how to get a copy at a reduced price and with my signature)                       

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084Q7K6M5/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-campaign-hank-silverberg/1126429796


My NEWEST book is now available. It is designed for use in Public Speaking and entry level communications classes. 


                                                 
You can purchase Communications and Public Speaking Trends in the 21st Century at these two links: 


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Comments

  1. DaveSAugust 5, 2024 at 11:39 AM

    Hank,
    There's a lot of varying opinion, especially among Jews about whether Israel should be showing restraint or going ahead and trying to demolish Hamas.

    I'm of the feeling that, while Hamas has killed so many Israelis during October 7 attack, has killed hostages (or let them die), has raped and tortured others....there are sooooo many Palestinians who hated Hamas, but now are siding with them because of all the innocent civilians who have died. I believe Israel is creating generations of future hatred of Jews and perpetuating this hate throughout the area and throughout the world.

    I also don't know how true our reporting is. We hear very different stories here from our media than what is being broadcast abroad....is ours propaganda, or is it *their* stories that is the propaganda on the amount of Palestinian deaths?

    I don't believe there can ever be a cease fire or peaceful end to this because Hamas' documented mission is to destroy Israel and the Jews...they do not believe in any kind of peaceful end to this. If Kamala wins, she'll have some tough decisions to make. Heaven help us if Trump is elected.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hank SilverbergAugust 25, 2024 at 6:58 PM

    Some good points here. It is not as simple as many people make it out to be. The real enemy though is Iran. They are propping up Hamas and supplying most of the weapons to Hamas

    ReplyDelete

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