Wednesday, April 13, 2022

New Style and Ceremony

 


Prior to the IDF's operation to repair damage to Joseph's Tomb Wednesday morning, Samaria Brigadier General Roi Zweig addressed his troops. "Today we are embarking on an operation to repair the destruction of Joseph's Tomb. This is where the Land of Israel was promised to our forefather Abraham and we will act with a heavy hand, not as thieves in the night, but as sons of kings."

The pic shows the ceremony of transference of the command of the military forces in Samaria to Brig. Gen. Roee Zweig. I have never seen that kind of standard, it must be an innovation. Roman legions had "Eagles", why not Zahal? 

Monday, April 11, 2022

Hungary's Population Policy has Failed

 

Hungary's right-wing government is following a strong pro-population growth policy, paying for marriages and births and offering long paid vacations to couples with babies. The country has been papered with patriotic pro-child propaganda. It is not working. Last January saw only 6600 births, which is the lowest ever, 10% lower than a year ago and 20% lower than two years ago. The nation is losing almost 1% of its population each year.

It could be that safety and comfort inhibit the animal instinct to reproduce, and that insecurity, misery, and famine stimulate reproduction. Humans can thrive only when challenged by existential dangers. Peace and prosperity mean extinction. 

Sinay

My daughter is touring the Sinay Peninsula. This is the Santa Katherina monastery, it has not changed a bit since I visited with an Egged Tour Bus in 1977 or so. 
 

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Fire in Emmanuel Industrial Zone


Emmanuel is one of the less developed settlements in Samaria. When I visited it (wanted to be its part-time City Engineer) they had a big problem with the industrial zone. The place was far from the city (which at that time was a dumping place for religious trash) and far from Arab villages that could supply manpower. Only problematic, dirty industries had moved into it. In the pic. I see that in the last ten years the zone has developed over my expectations. 

Friday, April 8, 2022

Good Thinking about Real Estate


 (NYSE: BRK-A) shares reached $500,000 last month, and have stayed above that level since. If there’s one thing that’s made Buffett one of the most successful investors in history, it’s his commitment to his strategy.

A countless number of new investment techniques and algorithms have come and gone over the years, but Buffett has maintained his fairly simple strategy of picking solid companies and focusing on long-term growth while somehow ignoring the noise that sends most investors into a panic.

It may seem odd that somebody with such a disciplined long-term approach to investing has no interest in purchasing real estate, especially since it's what vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Charles Munger used to build his fortune.

There’s a Difference Between Buying Real Estate and Investing in Real Estate

Buffett isn’t opposed to investing in real estate and has invested in several real estate investment trusts (REITs) over the years. However, he knows it makes little sense to get into the business of being a landlord.

Buying and managing real estate is more of a business than it is an investment, and Buffett knows that his time is better spent choosing companies to invest in than it is running a real estate business.

Real estate is a tough business and one that often needs to be scaled to comprise several properties in order to build significant wealth. Many individual investors get into real estate with the misconception that it’s a passive investment, and most eventually exit those properties once realizing what they’ve actually gotten into.

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Temper Tantrums in the Coalition


 The reason for the sudden departure of Silman from the Coalition was the issue of hametz. Pesach is coming, when religious Jews eat unleavened bread in remembrance of the Hebrew escaping from Egyptian servitude, some 4000 years ago. Traditionally, bringing bread and cakes to the hospitals is forbidden during this week, respecting the sentiments of the religious. Horowitz (she? he? they?) insisted on eliminating this tradition, which caused the explosion with religious Ms. Silman. 

I am for the continuation of the status quo, since at last, after years of paralysis, we have a functioning government, and the partnership with the Islamic Movement is working nicely. This proves that Arab parties can be bought, their ferocious declarations against the Jews are a bargaining strategy to increase their price. The government is falling apart because of infantile, imbecile temper tantrums of the ultra-liberal toddlers of the left. 

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

The Coalition is Unraveling

 

The President of the governing Coalition resigned and joined the opposition. She could not suffer the Minister of Health, Nitzan Horowitz (an open homosexual and a moiser of the international tribunal seated in The HagueNetherlands.). The Right is jubilant. Pic.: Ben Gvir, a Kahanist, is speaking at this moment.  This is a night of hope, he says, HaShem is with us.