Then and Now, Part I

Turban Tip to A Deeper Look for this.

CNN backs down

Much joy and jubilation that CNN now recognizes Israel and Jerusalem as part of it. Little Green Footballs has a graphic.

There is an interesting twist to all of this. Israelly Cool point out that many of the cities listed under "Israel" are Arab villages that ceased to exist in 1948.

Abu Shusha, an Arab village that has not existed since 1948

Akbara, an Arab village near Safed that has not existed since 1948

Al Atrun, which is the Arab name for the area of Latrun

Dayr Ayyub, an Arab village that has not existed since 1948, and where the eastern segment of Canada Park is today

I have got to give up cigars for whatever Vanunu is smoking

Mordechai Vanunu (or as I like to call him: "Va-ninny") is now claiming that Israel was responsible for the killing of beloved American President John F Kennedy.

"Ich bin ein mental patient!"

From World Net Daily:

"Vanunu, a former nuclear technician who was recently released from Israeli prison after serving an 18-year sentence for exposing Israel's nuclear program at Dimona to Britain's Sunday Times, has been barred from leaving the country, talking to the media or meeting with foreigners.

But the London-based al-Hayat newspaper published an interview yesterday it claims is the first Vanunu has given, in which the spy said that according to "near-certain indications," Kennedy was assassinated due to "pressure he exerted on then head of government, David Ben-Gurion, to shed light on Dimona's nuclear reactor."

"We do not know which irresponsible Israeli prime minister will take office and decide to use nuclear weapons in the struggle against neighboring Arab countries," Vanunu was quoted as saying. "What has already been exposed about the weapons Israel is holding can destroy the region and kill millions."

Vanunu, who would not be in a position to know the current security apparatus of Israel's nuclear plant, also claims the Middle East is at risk of a "second Chernobyl" in the event of an accident at the Dimona plant. He said an earthquake could cause fissures to the core that would create a massive radiation leak "threatening millions."

Jordan should test residents in the border regions with Israel to be sure that they have not already been exposed to any radiation and administer the necessary medicine, Venunu said. He also criticized the visit to Israel early this month by the head of the Atomic Energy Agency, Mohammed el-Baradei.

"He (Baradei) should have refused to have visited Israel (because) he was not allowed to inspect the nuclear reactor," Vanunu said.

According to al-Hayat, Vanunu now lives "with his Palestinian friends" in east Jerusalem."