As the waters recede (President gives speech at synogogue-MSM doesn't report)

Powerline ^

[hipaatwo]

Last year Jews in America celebrated their 350th year in America; the first Jews in America arrived in New Amsterdam (New York) in 1654. Earlier this week President Bush joined in the celebration with a visit to the restored Sixth and I Synagogue in Washington (above, I believe with a Torah scroll rescued from the Holocaust) followed by his attendance at a dinner organized to commemorate 350 years of Jewish life in America (below).

The president gave a memorable speech at the dinner. After the introductory remarks, President Bush noted the contribution of Jews to America through service in the armed forces, singling out Tibor Rubin:

[O]ne of the greatest Jewish soldiers America has ever known is Tibor Rubin. After surviving the Holocaust and the Nazi death camp, this young man came to America. He enlisted in the United States Army and fought in the Korean War. He was severely wounded and was later captured by the enemy. For two-and-a-half years, he survived in a POW camp. He risked his life for his fellow soldiers nearly every night by smuggling extra food for those who were ill -- it was a skill he had learned in the Nazi camps -- and because of his daring, as many as 40 American lives were saved.

This evening, I'm happy to announce that next week, I will bestow upon this great patriot our nation's highest award for bravery, the Medal of Honor. He also invoked the bonds between America and Israel:

Freedom to worship is why Jews came to America three-and-a-half centuries ago; it's why the Jews settled in Israel over five decades ago.

Our two nations have a lot in common, when you think about it. We were both founded by immigrants escaping religious persecution in other lands. We both have built vibrant democracies. Both our countries are founded on certain basic beliefs, that there is an Almighty God who watches over the affairs of men and values every life. These ties have made us natural allies, and these ties will never be broken. (Applause.)

Earlier today, I met in New York with Prime Minister Sharon and the Ambassador. I admire Prime Minister Sharon. He's a man of courage; he's a man of peace. (Applause.) Once again, I expressed this nation's commitment to defending the security and well-being of Israel. (Applause.) I also assured him that I will not waver when it comes to spreading freedom around the world. I understand -- (applause) -- I understand this, that freedom is not America's gift to the world; freedom is an Almighty God's gift to each man and woman and child in this world. (Applause.)

Religious freedom is a foundation of fundamental human and civil rights. And when the United States promotes religious freedom, it is promoting the spread of democracy. And when we promote the spread of democracy, we are promoting the cause of peace. (Applause.)

Religious freedom is more than the freedom to practice one's faith. It is also the obligation to respect the faith of others. (Applause.) So to stand for religious freedom, we must expose and confront the ancient hatred of anti-Semitism, wherever it is found. (Applause.) When we find anti-Semitism at home, we will confront it. When we find anti-Semitism abroad, we will condemn it. (Applause.) And we condemn the desecration of synagogues in Gaza that followed Israel's withdrawal. (Applause.) Smarter folks than I may be able to reconcile the president's remarks with Paul's post last night; I can't. The president then closed his speech on a note that tied his defense of the faithful to recovery from the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina:

Under America's system of religious freedom, church and state are separate. (Applause.) Still, we have learned that faith is not solely a private matter. Men and women throughout our history have acted on the words of Scripture and they have made America a better, more hopeful place. When Rabbi Abraham Heschel marched with Martin Luther King, we saw modern-day prophets calling on America to honor its promises. We must allow people of faith to act on their convictions without facing discrimination.

And that's why my administration has started a faith-based and community initiative, to call on the armies of compassion to help heal broken hearts. A few years ago in New York, the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty was discouraged from even applying for federal funds because it had the word "Jewish" in its name. We must end this kind of discrimination if we want America to be a hopeful place. (Applause.)

At this moment, volunteers from all walks of life, across our great land, are helping the good folks of Alabama and Mississippi and Louisiana recover from one of the worst natural disasters in our nation's history. The outpouring of compassion is phenomenal. American Jewish organizations have already raised over $10 million, plus the $50,000 tonight, for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. (Applause.)

About half of the 10,000 Jewish Americans who call New Orleans home found refuge in Houston. Rabbi Barry Gelman. of the United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston, immediately helped organize a task force to aid the evacuees. Five major Israeli universities with study abroad programs are opening their doors to college students whose schools have been shut down by the storm.

These are the good works of good people relying on the wisdom of the Good Book, a book that tells us how God rescued life from the flood waters. And like Noah and his family, we have faith that as the waters recede, we will see life begin again. Even though the president gave this speech last Wednesday, I'm pretty sure you haven't read about it elsewhere. As far as I can tell, the only coverage it received was a brief reference in an AP story by Barry Schweid: "Bush looks to Palestinians to make next move." (Thanks to Barry Kelner.)

[NativeNewYorker]

Dude. Search the relevant FR threads.

[OldFriend]

You have it exactly right. This also explains the 'racism' rant from the left. Have to keep the folks on the plantation.

[OldFriend]

A nation of faiths that the left has done everything in it's power to tear asunder.

[i_dont_chat]

Dude. I didn't post this.

How 'bout YOU reading the Post!

[MikeHu]

The reporters are over at the union hall --
gorging at the trough again.

Why should they be covering anything happening?

That's what polls are for (gorge, gorge, burp, gorge, snort, "Don't bother me, I'm eating").

[theymakemesick]

"So to stand for religious freedom, we must expose and confront the ancient hatred of anti-Semitism, wherever it is found"


Then why are fighting a war against "terrorism" and not Islam?

[2nd amendment mama]

But isn't it amazing that most Americans of Jewish faith vote for the scum sucking demonRATS. I'll never understand why. The RATS are solidly on the side of the muderous scum that's anti-Israel and anti-gun.

[hipaatwo]

But isn't it amazing that most Americans of Jewish faith vote for the scum sucking demonRATS


That's how I was raised. I was a RAT until Sept. 11th.

[hipaatwo]

Our country is a nation of faiths, bonded by the American culture.


The left makes sure to put a rift between the separate faiths.

[ClaireSolt]

It is just as well. Cindy S et al antisemites would just have called him a neocon.

[hipaatwo]

Bookmark..Thunderstorm!

[2nd amendment mama]

I'm glad your eyes were finally opened. How many of your friends and family think that there's something very wrong with you for being a conservative? It's unfortunate for the Jewish community that they side with the very same people that would sell them down the river - yet again!

I grew up in upstate New York and I remember the days that Jews weren't allowed in most of the country clubs in the area - most of the members were demonRats. It must be the Stockholm Syndrome or something - side with one's oppressors....sheesh!

[Niks]

Does anyone know if the Medal of Honor ceremony will be televised?

Is Tibor Rubin alive? What a great story. I would love to see the ceremony.

[StuLongIsland]

Same here, I grew up in Canarsie Section of Brooklyn. Schmucky Schumer was our Congressman. Grew up around a lot of Democrats, liberals and extreme left-wing Jews. There was even a Workman's Circle in the area (my parents told me what they were or are). These people always voted Democrat, belonged to the Democratic Party, etc, because as they told me Jews should be Democrats. Red Diaper babies were made in our public schools and camps. We would sing the songs of the left. If I had a hammer and this land is your land, etc.

I as a teenager (46 now) use to get upset over this. Yes I registered as Dem to vote in some primary, I will admit at 18. People use to make assertions about Republicans as they still do and I still hear, they are for the rich people and don't like Jews.

This was an area, where it was when I grew up, segregated. Even as a child seen realestate brokers redirect people (not exactly something I agree with, but heck, it was the situation then, had to be there.) The public schools were not integrated till later to most extent. When they tried to have busing at my Jr High in 1972 there was a school boycott. (not advocating any situation, just showing their hypocrisy). This made the national news. Maybe international news, Tass covered this too. We were out of school for almost a month, parents called a school boycott to take control of our neighborhood schools. This remember was Schmucky Shumerland.

Only shows when the sh*t hits the fan and affects themselves, the libs are a bunch of phonies, fakes and frauds. Left-wing or Dem Jews had no real basis for standing where they stand. Many of those I grew up with had conservative values, but unfortunately many are still left to the brain washing they grew up with mingling among the left-wingers.

[Mrs. Shawnlaw]

I think this is terribly funny! In a good way of course!! Bush pays no attention to the NAACP but he is quick to meet with the Jews, Jordanian Kings, Egyptians, etc. hehe!