In the Exodus account, Israel suffered without apparent sin. It prays (cries) for help, and God hears and sends a redeemer [Moses]. In prophetic accounts of the First Destruction, Israel suffers for its sins, but also suffers beyond measure. As very briefly sampled here, late rabbinic accounts of the Second Destruction both imitate features of the prophetic accounts of Israel's sins and also add a new voice: Israel seems fated to its suffering as if there were no apparent reason for it. The Second Destruction appears to challenge Israel's relation with God in unforeseen ways.

It is clear that neo-fascist capitalism does not like freedom... This could seem an idiotic statement, but it is true. When most neo-fascist capitalists talk about freedom, it is only on their own term, within the box that they create, including justifying the destruction or conquest of "others" for the box to exist.

Capitalism is only a tool of trade.

The boogeyman as promoted by the merdia press...

Have you ever been in a classroom where the same pupils seem to always get the blame for misdeeds?... Whether it's the class bully or the poor simpleton, it's rare the real culprit for a misdeed is punished. I've seen some angelic clever kids doing their worst to see how someone would react for being blamed for something they did not do...

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has apologised to the people of Queensland as he announced a reversal of several controversial policy positions.

From Chris Floyd

Nestlé’s chair has claimed that the issue of water scarcity is “much more urgent” than climate change.

It is likely that this summer (2014) is going to be a scorcher... And my advice to all the spruiking denialists who own a piece of land in the country  — like the Alan Jones — and the merchants of whatever  — like the Gerry Harveys — is to make sure you have plenty of water in reserve and an escape route... or a bunker.

Facing Senate resistance to the majority of his budget savings measures, the treasurer, Joe Hockey, said the government would have no choice but to find the savings from other programs if senators carried out threats to block large parts of the budget.

“It’s not retribution if the choices made by other political parties are so flawed,” he told the ABC. “We are not going to step away from the fact that the budget needs to be repaired.

“It is something a lot of the senators need to think carefully about … we have got to deal with reality, the budget must be repaired.”

The Palmer-Abbott double cross has shafted the Australian public. If you have one ounce of understanding how this system of deception works you would know how you've been conned..

the measure of success of a secret double-cross is not in how it's done but in the result...

The Aboriginal founder of the Deadly Awards, the annual celebration of indigenous achievement, was shattered last month when he learnt that he would lose federal funding worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Top of Mt Wellington — Hobart. Picture from Gus Leonisky Gallery