The day before yesterday news sources reported that three Americans overpowered a terrorist armed with a machine gun on a French train. Three American tourists, young of age and courageous of spirit, stood up to a man with a machine gun, a handgun, a box cutter and extra ammunition. Thankfully, they subdued him and no lives were lost. A fourth American and one Frenchman were injured but will recover.
Picture a railroad car with perhaps 20 to 40 passengers seated along the aisle, with some seats facing backward and three unarmed men tussling with one heavily armed man in the aisle.
What would be going through our minds? What would we bystanders be capable of doing?
It forces me to think about bystanders.
Now ask yourself how you would feel if you were a small nation such as Hungary, Montenegro or Belgium and you learned that Russia is making plans to sell missiles to Iran in seven years.
The day before yesterday, the same day that we learned of the three Americans overpowering a Moroccan terrorist on a train, members of Mobile’s Jewish community gathered in the social hall of the Springhill Avenue Temple and heard from Congressman Bradley Byrne who just returned from an eye-opening and very fulfilling trip to Israel. In his own words, Congressman Byrne said the high point of the trip was visiting the Kotel (the Western Wall). He went on to say that he and the other members of the freshman Republican class of Congress met with Prime Minister Netanyahu for 2 hours and the Prime Minister clearly and cogently explained the threat to America posed by a nuclear Iran chief. While Congressman Byrne greatly delighted in the many experiences during the trip the most pressing concern was a nuclear Iran.
Among these concerns are the inspection protocols of Iran’s equipment. Per the agreement there are a number of circumstances under which Iran would inspect itself!
I am not a diplomat, a nuclear scientist or a soldier. I do know that since 1979, Iran has viewed the United States and Israel as great enemies. I clearly remember the American embassy’s being captured and Americans being held as hostages for 444 days. Almost daily we see footage of Iranian protests and rallies against the US and Israel. We cannot trust Iran to respect our nation or our citizens.
In my mind’s eye I imagine three unarmed men standing up against a heavily armed terrorist and managing to knock him down because the machine gun jammed. I wonder if Cyprus (joint R& D with Israel on natural gas pipeline to Europe), Ukraine (American ally) and Azerbaijan (a good friend of Israel from which Israel buys 30% of her oil) would be able to stand up against a nuclear Iran with long-range missiles. Will we wait until one of those missiles misfires? The Middle East is a crowded neighborhood with very little leg room like a crowded train aisle. Will we do everything we can to prevent a rogue nation, so designated by the US State Department, from acquiring the world's most powerful and destructive equipment? If we care about our children, our friends and ourselves we must contact our congressmen and senators and implore them to vote against this deal, to stand fast in the face of a presidential veto and vote one more time against this deal.
Please contact your Representatives and Senators. Please forward this email to everyone you know.
The time to act is now! The deadline is approaching. Do this BEFORE Labor Day! Otherwise, it will be too late.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Steve Silberman
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