"We are one!"

Washington sunrise - Photograph by David Taylor Jr.

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Time for a change up. I have added a new song to the Forum playlist, in honor of the presidential inauguration. It is a small world we live in, and our dreams are shared.

The song is by Johhny Clegg, originally with Sipho in the band "Juluka", but other versions followed. I hope you like it. It pulses with energy, optimism and hope:

Scatterlings of Africa
(An excerpt from the lyrics here)

Ancient bones from Olduvai
Echoes of the very first cry
"Who made me, here and why? --
Beneath this copper sun."
My very first beginnings
Beneath the copper sky
Lie deeply buried
In the dust of Olduvai

And we are scatterlings of Africa
Both you and I
We are on the road to Phelamanga*
Beneath a copper sky
And we are scatterlings of Africa
On a journey to the stars
Far below we leave forever
Dreams of what we were

and links to more will follow:

If you missed the special on HBO,

you can still watch it online:

We Are One!

* Phelamanga, where the world began

Cease-fires in Gaza

Cease-fire shaky. Rockets still being fired

Story Highlights
NEW: Cease-fire covers all armed Palestinian factions, CNN reports

Gaza militants launch rockets at Israel hours after Israel announces cease-fire

Israeli spokesman: No one injured in latest attack

For the latest from the Jerusalem Post

The Case For . . .

. . . Learning from Europe?

You can't be serious! Well, maybe McEnroe can't, but yes, we can!

Here is the key quote from Jeffrey Sach's article in Time -

The case for Bigger Government.

The European strategy, with levels of taxation and government spending roughly 8% to 10% of GDP higher than in the U.S., has many successes to show for it: less costly and more reliable health care, the elimination of hard-core poverty, solid educational achievements, and social services that ensure better care for children and more flexibility for mothers and the elderly.

As we sit in the hole dug with the tools of trickle-down economics, let's finally sober up. The true measure of our society's values is how well we care for those among us who are most vulnerable.

Vaccines and the Halachah

from the most recent "Jewish Action" from the OU

The Torah gives license to the physician to heal the sick, but does it give him license to bestow illness upon the healthy, albeit for an ultimate cure?

For the full article, use this link: Edward Reichman MD.

(This article is good for 1 hour CRE*)

Op - Ed from Leah in the Post and Courier

This past weekend's offensive was exactly what Hamas wanted. By deliberately refusing to honor and abide by the understanding negotiated by Egypt, they caused a conflict that Israel did not seek.

for the full article, click on this link: Leah Chase