"Has the World Gone Crazy?"

Remember that old song by The Who--"meet the new boss, same as the old boss"? Well, unfortunately for Israel the New Boss is the Old Boss--Barack Obama. And you'll never guess what he's up to now...

He's sending Egypt 20 F-16 warplanes! That's right, Egypt. 

• The country that voted into power a Muslim Brotherhood regime on an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel platform.
• The country who's new president, Mohammed Morsi, gave himself near-dictatorial powers (although, he has since been forced to walk that back).
• The country that's been rioting in the street in angry clashes between pro-democratic and Morsi-led pro-Islamist groups.

The jets were ordered 2 years ago by now-deposed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, a reliable ally of both Israel and the United States. But earlier this year a new Egyptian President, Mohammed Morsi, was swept into power. Egypt has now become a radicalized, unstable, and very questionable (ally?) government in the grip of upheaval. And yet, despite the instability and calls to suspend arms sales to Cairo, the United States is going ahead with delivery of the F-16s. Why now? Why not wait to see what kind of government will take shape? Or...

Is the delivery date of January 22 more than just an amazing coincidence? It is the exact same day that Israelis will vote for the next Knesset. And how 'bout that announcement date. Another coincidence? 

The announcement for the jets came on December 11, as Cairo and other Egyptian towns were set for massive rival demonstrations: Those for and against President Morsi's referendum on a pro-Islamist constitution that would grant Islamic Sharia law a more prominent place in Egypt. Obama's actions appear to throw support behind this plan and away from the pro-democracy opposition.

As outrageous as it seems, we must ask:

• Is Obama using those warplanes to signal his support for the region's Muslim Brotherhood?
• Is Obama, by sending the jets on January 22, trying to undermine Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in the eyes of the Israeli voter?

Frankly, we can think of no plausible explanation to supply arms to Egypt at this time given these facts:

• The Morsi-led Muslim Brotherhood government has not proven to be a partner for democracy.
• Given the recent attempted power grab, Morsi has shown himself to be capable of violence against his own people. Have we learned nothing from Syria?
• Should relations between Egypt and Israel deteriorate, the U.S. will be in the untenable position of having supplied massive amounts of military hardware to both sides.
• Egypt already has 200 F-16 warplanes.
• And finally, why should the American taxpayer, in light of our fiscal woes, continue to be a major arms supplier to yet another unstable Muslim regime?

Is it just us--or were the Kinks right--"it's a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world except for..." oh, never mind.

A wise man once said: "The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are."-C.S.Lewis

"A man of understanding will attain wise counsel" (Proverbs 1:5).

News:

• CNBC: Federal Reserve announces QE4 to start at $45 billion per month of Treasury Bond purchasing.
• Fox News Channel: EPA threatens Virginia homeowners with eviction, citing "rain as a pollutant". Homes would be raised and grass planted; Virginia Attorney General sues EPA over proposal.
• Reuters: NATO chief believes Syrian regime on verge of collapse.
• CNN: North Korea successfully launches long range missile capable of reaching U.S. West Coast; possible nuclear implications.
• CNBC: Congressman Paul Broun (R-GA) warns of "total economic collapse" due to runaway spending.