I try not to "interfere" too much in the "converstions" which go on in the comments.  They have a dynamic all their own. 
The only thing that Arutz 7 bloggers have in common is blogging on Arutz 7

There's a problem I sometimes sense, a negative one.  Frequently, I'm surprised and even offended by the use of the word "you," as if I'm the employee or slave of the readers or Arutz 7 management.  Typical is this statement/question by DACON9:

WHY ARE ARUTZ SHEVA BLOGGERS LATELY VERY CONTRADICTORY?

This is an angry question, and according to the norms of internet correspondence, the use of capital letters indicates "shouting."  There's also a very strong indication that the writer believes that Arutz 7 bloggers are some sort of group, that we coordinate and communicate.  I hate to rain on your parade, as the saying goes, but you are 100% wrong.

The only thing that Arutz 7 bloggers have in common is blogging on Arutz 7.  We have never had a meeting.  We don't correspond or plan, unless we knew each other before.  For intance, my husband and I both blog on Arutz 7, but we don't coordinate our posts, our opinions and nor policies.  It's the same with our other blogs.

When I got that call from Arutz 7 over a year and a half ago, asking me if I'd like to blog on the site, I was told that I'd be able to post whatever I wanted, and that was the last time we discussed content.

I don't get paid by Arutz 7, and I don't even get the "holiday gifts" given to those who do, even though I do believe that there are people who go to the site to read my posts.  Some A7 bloggers may possibly get some salary for work on other aspects/departments of Arutz 7.

Please relate to us, the A7 bloggers, as individuals.  I doubt if any of us even read all the other blogs posted.  That's how little we know of what else there is in the blogs.  I do read the comments to my posts, even when I don't reply.

Thanks for listening,

Batya

I'm already pooped out on the pope's visit here. Israel's Chanel One TV has been showing the Catholic pope and Eurovision ad nauseum. So this afternoon, I put my copy of The Sting in the DVD. After that I popped out to the local movie club* and watched Sunset Boulevard. Maybe tomorrow I should watch our Star Wars Trilogy.

I'm a Jew and I worship only One G-d, HaKodesh Baruch Hu. It's the first mitzvah of the Ten Commandments.

"I am the Lord your G-d, Who has taken you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery"

"You shall have no other gods but me"

"You shall not take the name of your Lord in vain"

No confusion. What amazes me is the excitement the visit this goyishe religious leader has caused. Davka Roman Catholics? Since when have they done anything for the Jews?

I think I'm going to take a sabbatical from the news for the week. All one hears about here is pope, pope, pope and more pope.

I found Rabbi Lau's complaint rather ironic:

"A few points were missing in the pope's address," said Lau. "There was no mention of the Germans, or Nazis, who carried out the massacre. There was not a word of sharing the grief or of compassion or pain for the six million victims."

"Instead of the word 'murdered,' as the previous pope John Paul II used," Lau continued, Benedict XVI used the word 'killed.' There is a very clear difference between the two verbs," the former chief rabbi stressed.

How can he complain about the pope's words and ignore the terminology used in Yad Veshem? "Perished" is even worse than "killed."

I'm going to have to work hard to keep myself entertained this week, since Jerusalem is all jammed up, so that the roads will be empty for the pope. Now, I'm curious. Does any other country do this to its innocent civilians?

*a small group of friends

Sorry that this isn't illustrated.  There have been problems with the a7 picture upload.
Over the years, various Israeli governments and foreign leaders have threatened our existence, but, Baruch Hashem, thank G-d, we've continued to thrive and grow.

Remember I post much more frequently on Shiloh Musings and me-ander, so you can visit there and read.  Thanks

Recently, my Shiloh community has hosted American Jews who are planning on making aliyah and moving here. Last week's couple have begun the process of purchasing one of the houses under construction. And another family is here this week, trying out the community and school.

Prior to this, my innate cynicism caused me to say that when things are good in America the Jews don't want to leave, and when it's bad, they can't afford to. I'm glad, actually overjoyed, to admit that I'm wrong.

There are American Jews who see Obama's election as a dangerous trend for the United States and bad for the Jews. For those who want a comfortable, socially, physically, spiritually, life, the yishuvim in Judea a Samaria are an excellent option. They don't take extreme Left wing pro-Arab Peace Now very seriously.

Our housing prices look like a steal to Americans, not only compared to the states, but also to Jerusalem, Gush Etzion, Beit Shemesh and other popular locations. Shiloh is just a half hour by car to both Jerusalem and Petach Tikvah. Our local school is to the 8th grade and has a good reputation. No air pollution, and the views are gorgeous. We have a supermarket, vegetable stores, a clothing/toy store, plumber, electrician, a variety of synagogues and two medical clinics. And there's bus service. And there's lots more.

My neighbors come from all over the world. There are a surprising number of English speakers for those who are afraid of a totally Hebrew environment. Actually, there's so much going on in English, that a oleh chadash, newcomer has to make an effort to learn Hebrew in some neighborhoods. But the kids all socialize in Hebrew.

When we came to Shiloh almost twenty-eight years ago, we were the only Jewish community in the area. Now, there are many, many more, such as Eli, Ma'ale Levona, Shvut Rachel and all the smaller ones, which are so numerous, I wouldn't attempt to list them.

Over the years, various Israeli governments and foreign leaders have threatened our existence, but, Baruch Hashem, thank G-d, we've continued to thrive and grow.

For many years, Israeli politicians have been trying verbal acrobatics and contortions, teasing the world with promises to work for a Pseudistinian State, claiming that:

"No problem. The Arabs will never agree to our conditions."

"Remember when Ehud Barak was Prime Minister, he offered the Arabs over 90%, and they said no."

"Don't worry."

"Trust us."

Sorry, but I disagree. I consider it playing with fire.

It reminds of me of the old joke, variously attributed to George Bernard Shaw or Winston Churchill and Lady Astor.

“My Dear,” said the gentleman to the lady, “would you go to bed with me for a million dollars?”

“Well, yes, I suppose I would,” she replied.

“Here’s $100. Let’s go then.”

“How dare you! What kind of person do you think I am?”

“My Dear, we have already established that. Now we are merely haggling over the price!”

And another dangerous game Israel is playing is having a Deputy Foreign Minister, Daniel "Danny" Ayalon, who is married to  an Evangelical Christian.  I wish I was kidding.  Read all about it!