Which is the best nation-state?

 The death of the nation-state has been announced innumerable times. Everything will be still functioning after its demise. Senates will legislate, the Treasuries will print money, etc. The State will die when cannot protect property, provide personal security, create a stable environment for breeding. According to those parameters, Israel is working better than most. It has shown that defends its sovereignty, protects its citizens and it is one of the best places for safe capital. Therefore we are getting more investments and more first-class people are trying to move here. 

China is another contemporary State that offers similarly stable conditions. Yet only 150 years ago it was thoroughly looted by foreigners (Pic. the ruins of the Summer Palace). Life is not guaranteed. 

For me, this is irrelevant. I am at the end of my long life and too old and weak to change anything. 

Sentiment Change in TASE

Oh what a beautiful morning,
Oh what a beautiful day,
I've got a wonderful feeling,
Everything's going my way.

TASE is getting used fast to the Bennet government. It is rising! The Haredim have been given the chance of joining the coalition. Every politician is seeking a niche in the coming coalition. 

 

The Weekly Horror Story

This week we learn that while the escaped Hebrew slaves were transiting in the wilderness, they caught a Hebrew man gathering firewood. It was Saturday. The mob brought him to their leaders, Moshe and Aharon. “The man must surely be put to death. The whole congregation is to stone him outside the camp.”

Other peoples punish illegal sex or stealing, blasphemy. Roman legions beat to death soldiers caught sleeping on guard because they endangered their comrades. Victorians were killed for stealing. But for collecting firewood in the wilderness? 

The Hebrews took themselves with dreadful seriousness. Not an easygoing, open-minded, happy folk. 

Wait! Netanyahu is not gone yet

On June 2nd Netanyahu's opponents, led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, agreed to form a coalition with the monomaniacal goal of getting rid of him.  The only move left is for the Knesset to hold a confidence vote. The ever sober British - The Economist - remind us that Bibi still rules and he is far from gone. He has developed Israel into a flourishing high-tech economy and the world’s best covid-19 vaccination campaign. He has made peace with several Arab states and kept Israel safe, his policies are now generally accepted, even by the politicians pushing him out.

Till the political situation stabilizes, the bourse will be unable to rise above the NASDAQ index. Porca miseria! I have no time, have to sell under duress! 

Translation: Holy Shit! What a shame it will be when the extra-terrestrials invade us and demand to meet our leaders!

Impressions from the New Government

 

Yesterday midnight it was signed the list of participants in the newly formed coalition. It has a strong rightwing (Bennet, Ayala Shaked, Saar) and a strong crazy leftwing (Labor, Meretz, the Islamic Movement - Southern Section). The radio played Palestinian music and interviewed Palestinian politicians. I hoped that the Bourse will respond with prices rising, but I am disappointed. This is not good, I'll be forced to sell at miserable prices. Expletive deleted.

Noia Mocheret Sfarim

 She is selling books. 

President Biden better stays away. The father is rather violent.  

A Chinese Mystery

 

The latest viral sensation in China is a video clip recorded by amazed citizens of Zhujiajiao, a city near Shanghai, of a cow falling from the sky in the middle of the day. To avoid panic (and leak probably secret information) the Security Apparat forbid all mention of the phenomenon. But already it was circulating on the web (pic). 

Then, a random comment in an Argentine TV show threw light on the flying cow of Zhujiajiao. Argentina procures its COVID vaccines from China, and the Aerolineas Argentinas return flight from Buenos Aires, is empty. Why not try to sell the Chinese some fresh meat and turn a fast peso? Once over Chinese territory, the pilot received a call that Argentina had passed a law forbidding meat exports; he understood that big trouble was waiting for him.  The pilot ordered the crew to immediately get rid of the cow. 

Another Chinese mystery solved. 

How is that Argentina, the land of infinite pampas, has no meat to sell? How is it that Cuba is importing sugar, Venezuela is buying oil from the Middle East, Nicaragua drinks African coffee, etc.? 

The answer in one word: Socialism.