A Scary Trend
From The Guardian comes a story about what appears to be a scary trend in Europe- a rising anti-Semitism.
Sixty years after the Holocaust, European Jews and Israelis are increasingly wondering if Europe is being sucked into the worst wave of anti-semitism since the second world war.
In the past few weeks, a German MP was forced to resign after saying that Jews were responsible for Soviet atrocities, and the commander of the German army's special forces was sacked for agreeing with him.
Then came the observation by the Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis that Jews are at the root of all evil, and the firebombing of a Jewish school in Paris.
"Anti-semitism has become politically correct in Europe," said Natan Sharansky, the former Soviet dissident and minister in Ariel Sharon's government.
Link thanks to Jeff Jarvis.
And speaking of Jeff Jarvis... He was on the last PATH train to the Trade Center on 9/11 and has now been on a train back. Go here for his reflections.
Bald Eagles
Over the past few weeks I have been humbled to see a number of Bald Eagles. The most recent was this morning driving south through the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge. This one was flying, no doubt having recently taken off from a tree branch. Saw two in the trees a couple weeks ago. Never have my camera along when I see them, but will start carrying it when I know I am heading that direction.
They are a majestic bird. I know that Ben Franklin didn't want them to be the national symbol. They are carrion eaters- scavengers. He wanted the turkey. But when you think about, aren't most "wild" animals scavengers? Don't most of them have to go someplace other than the supermarket or local restaurant for their food? In any case, I have been a fan of birds of prey for over 30 years since I started going to a place called Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania. The effortless soaring of hawks and eagles, the incredible power in their flight. God made a gem in these birds.
They are also more than the symbol of the US. Isaiah lifted the hearts of his listeners with their image. Chapter 40 of Isaiah begins with the great words: Comfort, comfort my people. It ends with even more awesome words:
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
--NIV
