Thoughts and prayers are with our neighbor, Patricia Shanbom and her family on the passing of her husband of 54 years, Irving Herbert Shanbom z”l,  father to Jeffrey and Laura (Freedman) Shanbom, Steven and Sherry Shanbom, Andrea and David Siegel and Sam and Franci Shanbom.

This is the season for us to Turn, Turn, Turn.  Please enjoy this beautiful updated acoustic version (by Sara Niemietz and W.G. Snuffy Wolden) of this classic song (written by Pete Seeger) using biblical lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-jj4TkEIt4

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Syria and have therefore raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.”The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome”to “A Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots have raised their threat level from “Pissed Off” to “Let’s get the Bastards.” They don’t have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide.” The only two higher levels in France are“Collaborate” and “Surrender.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France ‘s white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country’s military capability.

Italy has increased the alert level from “Shout Loudly and Excitedly” to“Elaborate Military Posturing.” Two more levels remain: “Ineffective Combat Operations” and “Change Sides.”

The Germans have increased their alert state from “Disdainful Arrogance” to“Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs.” They also have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbour” and “Lose.”

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels .

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from “No worries” to “She’ll be alright, Mate.” Two more escalation levels remain: “Crikey! I think we’ll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!” and “The barbie is cancelled.”So far no situation has ever warranted use of the last final escalation level.

A final thought – ” Greece is collapsing, the Iranians are getting aggressive, and Rome is in disarray. Welcome back to 430 BC”. 

Yes, we see incredible effort by many in the Global community to help with this devastating crisis, though there is one glaring exception this compassion. Where is the assistance of the wealthy Gulf States which share a language and religion with many of the asylum seekers. Here is an interesting article that identifies how many people each country is helping including Zeros for all of these countries:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/09/world/welcome-syrian-refugees-countries/index.html

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