Gilad's home!

Gilad’s home!
But at what cost?

His freedom’s worth the cost – whatever the fullness of time shows that cost to be.

P.S. The graphic is from the Jerusalem Post website.

Call Yachol - a wonderful business

Today’s ‘Positive and Optimistic Sunday’. Indeed today’s the sixth consecutive ‘Positive and Optimistic Sunday’ post about Israel. No apology from me for that. All six topics are clearly positive and optimistic. None more so than today’s. Call Yachol is an Israeli call centre and outsourcing company [1]. Set up in 2008, Call Yachol’s the brainchild of psychologist Gil Winch. It’s unique in the world – because it employs disabled adults (aged 20-65 and with no cognitive impairment). Including more than a few Israeli Arabs. In Hebrew, Call Yachol means ‘able to call’, and also ‘able to do anything’. Which is precisely what the more than 100 disabled team members do. Conscientiously and effectively. Whilst having some fun along the way. And providing them with a sense of teamwork and accomplishment, and a boost to their confidence and self-esteem. This 4-minute YouTube video explains more about the aims, ethos and achievements of this inspirational enterprise [2]. Call Yachol competes for work on the open market – apparently very successfully. A society is measured by how it treats its weakest members [3]. Judging by Call Yachol and the international interest being shown in it, Israel measures up well. Exceptionally well. How positive and optimistic is that.
H/t Sweetheart Vivienne for alerting me to this wonderful business.

Let each and every bad guy know he’s never safe

Today I’ve been dry-eyed. No tears from me over the deaths of two men in Sudan last Tuesday. Their car was hit by a missile [1]. It’s unclear if the missile was an air-to-ground [2] or ground-to-ground one [3]. Arab news sources reported one of the men was a senior Hamas arms smuggler [4]. DEBKAfile said the smuggler was organizing a shipment of mustard gas and nerve gas bought by Hamas and Hizbollah, with Iran’s help, from Libyan rebels who’d looted Gaddafi’s stockpiles [5]. This account’s credible. Likely even. Whether the strike’s morally defensible, or even legal, bothers me not. Israel does what she has to do. Because for her it’s backs-to-the-wall stuff. But if it was an air-to-ground fired from an unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV], I marvel at the strike’s technology. While it describes slightly different hardware, this gizmodo article provides some insight [6] Likely the car was ‘painted’ by a laser beam – possibly from a satellite – and the UAV's missile homed in on that ‘paint’. Whether the strike was from the air or the ground, as I’ve written: He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword [7]. So let each and every bad guy know he’s never safe. Amen.

The Iranians told the Israelis: ‘You know we are cousins'

Today’s ‘Positive and Optimistic Sunday’. Indeed today’s the fifth consecutive ‘Positive and Optimistic Sunday’ post about Israel. Readers of Farmdoc’s Blog [1] and other citizens of the world, know of the deep-seated enmity between Iran and Israel. I blame it on the Iranian ruling regime’s anti-Zionism, anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial; and the incitement that results from . But whatever the enmity’s cause, no-one doubt it exists. Or does it? In the wake of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on 11 March, Israel and Iran both sent humanitarian delegations: Israel’s comprised volunteers from ZAKA [2], and Iran’s was an official government delegation. In the city of Kamaishi [3] both teams worked side-by-side [4, 5]. The ZAKA delegation’s head said: ‘We shook hands and became friends. At one point they set up a stand and wanted to hand out food and medicine to the locals. We joined in and there we stood, side by side, handing out food and medicine. They removed the Iranian flag and removed our Israeli flag and we just stood there together. It was very odd. We were suspicious of them. We hesitated a bit because they hugged us too much’. The Iranians told the ZAKA people: ‘You know we are cousins. The wars and conflicts are between the leaders, but between the people there should be peace. We can’t forget we were close once’. I can’t explain any of this. But it makes me feel positive and optimistic. A tad so, anyway.

No more lumpy jaw

Today’s ‘Positive and Optimistic Sunday’. On our Mole Creek property, at the highest point on our roadway, near our header tank, is a spot we call Hoppers Crossing. We named it after the Melbourne suburb [1]. It’s a frequent crossing point for hopping wildlife including wallaby, pademelon, bettong and potoroo (collectively called macropods [2]). The number of hopping marsupials varies with the environmental conditions. This year, with ample rain and thus plant growth, they’re abundant. Healthy, too. But under less favourable conditions macropods (and other animals too) are prone to diseases. Including lumpy jaw – which is an infection by the bacterium Fusobacterium necrophorum [3]. It affects the soft tissues and bones of the jaws, and abscesses can form. Because it restricts eating, weight loss and debility occur, and death can result. Lumpy jaw’s rare in free ranging animals. It’s more common in zoos – due to multiple factors including confinement, diet and stress. Until now it’s been hard to treat. But collaboration between dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary scientists in Israel, of all places, has resulted in a topical, slow-release, one-time treatment [4]. Apparently zoos world-wide, including in Australia (!), are keen to obtain the preparation for their own animals. I love seeing healthy macropods around our property. Conversely, no doubt zoo staff are distressed by macropods stricken with lumpy jaw. The Israeli varnish’s a major breakthrough. How positive and optimistic is that.

H/t Sweetheart Vivienne xx

Buy Israeli Goods day

Two years ago I wrote [1] of the difference between an acronym [2] and an initialism (or alphabetism) [3]. Essentially an acronym’s a pronounceable word (e.g. NATO) where an initialism’s pronounceable only by its letters (e.g. FBI). The initialism I most detest is BDS. Applying to Israel, it denotes boycott, divestment and sanctions [4]. In the 22,964 days since 14 May 1948 when Israel declared independence, she hasn’t known a single minute of peace. She’s a robust liberal democracy with strong legislative, executive and judicial arms. And she has a free media plus many other checks and balances that ensure a tolerant and fair society. But none of this matters to the lunatics who promote and support BDS. They label Israeli society as apartheid even though, should they open their closed minds to look, it’s self evidently not [5]. And once a year they hold Israel Apartheid Week [6]. From my vantage point here in rural Tasmania, I see that Israel needs to fight these scurrilous slurs. But she’s always done a poor job of it. And she still is. It’s clear who’s adopting an apartheid policy [7, 8]. Set against this background, today’s Buy Israeli Goods day [9, 10]. It’s been created to counter an annual BDS day of action – which is today too. So today, if possible, buy at least one item made in Israel. And tell the store owner what you’re doing. You don’t need me to tell you what you’ll achieve by doing this. Thank you.

Rami Levy commits to 16 years of kindness

Today’s ‘Positive and Optimistic Sunday’. On 11 March the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan. The same day Udi Fogel, 36, Ruth Fogel, 35, and their children Yoav, 11, Elad, 4, and Hadas, 3 months, were brutally stabbed to death [1] – in Itamar [2], an Israeli settlement in the Samarian Hills. Two other Fogel sons, aged 8 and 2, survived unharmed. As did the Fogels’ 12-year-old daughter. As I wrote last Friday [3], in Japan the official toll of dead and missing’s over 13,000 – and still climbing. Exemplifying the media adage: ‘If it bleeds, it leads’ [4], Japan’s catastrophe grabbed much more media attention than the Fogel murders. And some of it’s positive, e.g. the heroism of those risking their lives trying to avert a nuclear cataclysm [5]. It’s hard to imagine anything good coming from the Itamar carnage. But imaginations can deceive: In 1976 Rami Levy (pictured) opened his first food store. Today Rami Levy Chain Stores is the fourth-largest food retailer in Israel [6]. Every day, the same Rami Levy comes by the house where the Fogel family sit shiva [7], and fills the cupboards and refrigerator himself with food for the family and guests. When thanked for his kindness, he answered ‘You will get used to my face. I have committed myself that every week I will deliver food and stock your home until the youngest orphan turns 18 years old’ [8]. What Rami Levy has done is commit to 16 years of kindness. How positive and optimistic is that.

The UK and Israel: saline or not?

Today’s ‘Positive and Optimistic Sunday’. David Cameron (pictured) [1] has been the UK’s Prime Minister since last May. A few days ago the UK Jewish News published the first exclusive interview Cameron, as PM, has given to a Jewish media outlet. Here’s the full interview [2] and a précis [3].

Regarding Iran’s (delusional) protest that the 2012 Olympic Games emblem spells the word ‘Zion’) [4, 5], Cameron said: 'It's completely paranoid. If the Iranians don't want to come, don't come, we won't miss you.’ He added that athletes unwilling to compete against Israelis wouldn’t be welcome at the Games.

He said it was ‘absolutely appalling" that IDF soldier Gilad Shalit has been captive by Hamas for nearly five years…[and]…He should be released unconditionally’.

Asked whether Britain would recognize a unilaterally-proclaimed Palestinian state if there was no other solution by September, he replied with a resounding ‘No’.

And so on.

I’m old enough to know that politicians aren’t above the odd bit of lying. Or at least the odd bit of truth bending. Indeed as a breed they’re partial to it. When it suits them to do it. Which usually depends on whose company they’re in at the time. So perhaps Cameron’s Jewish News interview should be taken with a grain of salt [6]. But at this time in history when Israel’s increasingly isolated and beleaguered, she and her supporters must grasp at every straw, including this one, and declare: How positive and optimistic is that.

This week's compendium

Here’s this week’s compendium – belated and short, as being in Victoria’s thrown my schedule out of whack. This week…

1. actor Charlie Sheen (whether he’s Jewish or not) [1a] and Christian Dior head designer John Galliano [1b] added themselves to my list of anti-Semitic racist bigots. They joined notable luminaries Mikis Theodorakis [1c] and Mel Gibson [1d]. And also 23% of Australians [1e].

2. Alan Krinsky explained why ‘Much-maligned Israel still the pick of the Middle East [2]. I suppose it never hurts to state the bleeding obvious.

3. Bernie Ecclestone suggested artificial rain to liven up Formula 1 ‘races’ [3]. Hard to tell if the little man said it with his little tongue in his little cheek. Or not.

4. Greg Baum (who I’ve previously lauded [4a], brilliantly sent up Ron Walker and the Australia F1 Grand Prix [4b]. Of course all satire contains truth.

5. Pope Benedict XVI declared that Jews bear no collective responsibility for Jesus’s death [5]. Great news. Now I’ll be able to sleep better at night.

6. in the MJA, high profile nutritionist Rosemary Stanton wrote [6a] that doctors need to exercise caution when recommending products bearing the Heart Foundation’s tick [6b]. As do consumers browsing supermarket shelves. Is the Foundation sacrificing ethics for commercial gain?

Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.

The islamic culture of submission

The Gulf War was in 1989-90. My most enduring memory of it’s an interview with Yasser Arafat. Interviewer: ‘Who do you support in this War?’ Arafat: ‘Saddam’. Interviewer: ‘Why do you support Saddam?’ Arafat: ‘I don’t support Saddam’. I thought to myself ‘How can Israel negotiate anything with this man?’ The 1.2-1.6B Muslims in the world comprise 20% of the world’s population [1, 2]. Yet Islamic cultural and religious tenets are largely unknown beyond the Ummah. I’m unsure why. Probably to know and interpret Islam requires an insider’s experience and understanding. Ayaan Hirsi Ali (pictured) [3] is an amazing woman. Born in Somalia in 1969, she was a Muslim until 2002 (when at age 32 she became an atheist). A Dutch citizen and former Dutch parliamentarian, she’s written and spoken extensively about Islam – honestly, thus controversially, thus bravely. Last week the FT ran an important essay she’d written. (Here’s the full version [4] and a short one [5].) She explained the Islamic culture of submission: ‘In this culture submission is instilled early on. If you are not allowed to talk back to your father, or teacher, or clergyman, submission to state tyranny becomes almost second nature. In such a setting, the methods to empower oneself – indeed to survive – are conspiracy, manipulation, intrigue and bribery’. I accept this concept. Do the Western media? No – given their unbridled optimistic reporting of recent Egyptian developments. If the Islamic culture of submission’s real, this optimism’s unfounded. Who’s right and who’s wrong? Time will tell.

Israel IQ at UCLA: dumb, dumber, dumbest

Universities are big business. Because they have budgets, they need to maintain revenue. So they need to be attractive to prospective students. And to offer students prestige degrees. Thus if you google ‘university rankings 2010’ you’ll find many websites offering lists of universities worldwide, ranked by various individual and composite criteria [1]. Methodology’s important, of course, as is impartiality. But on most of the lists ranking hundreds of universities, UCLA (i.e. University of California Los Angeles) is between number 35 [2] and number 11 [3]. So it’s pretty well up there. Which makes this 4½-minute video [4] even the more remarkable. It’s produced by StandWithUs – a Los Angeles-based international education organisation aiming to ensure Israel’s side of the Middle East conflict’s heard [5, 6]. Even bearing this in mind, the responses of the UCLA students in the video are amazing. They beggar belief. Even if these students aren’t representative of UCLA students as a whole; even if the students filmed were the only ones who gave wrong answers; and even if they gave many correct answers as well as the wrong ones shown – the video’s still amazing. Keep an eye on the young woman student in the black V-neck top. And note her intended future career vis-à-vis her answers. Oh deary me. I despair. Ho hum.

This week's compendium

Here’s this week’s compendium. This week…

1. Google launched teachparentstech.org whose name says it all [1]. It’s informative. And fun too.

2. the Daily Mail published this article on Israeli airport security’s cutting edge [2a]. Tiny Israel leads the world. H/t The Rubin Report [2b].

3. Grammar Girl explained how to pluralise surnames [3a, 3b]. Important info at this greeting card writing time of the year.

4. Nutrition Diva expounded the benefits of nuts, and also peanuts (which, she said, are legumes and not nuts) [4]. I love peanuts even more now.

5. the Australian Government announced subsidisation of nicotine patches to help smokers kick the addiction [5a]. Good move. The recently released 30th US Surgeon General’s report on smoking documents smoking’s continuing scourge [5b],

6. a treehugger item explained that if 66% of the UK’s shops closed their doors, carbon emission savings would equate to 1.1M fewer cars [6]. I bet they don’t, but.

7. an MJA paper concluded sheepskins are an effective method of bedsore prevention [7]. I wonder if this is the reason the sheepskin price has risen lately.

8. on a sadder note, the floods in south eastern Australia have drowned many southern hairy-nosed wombats in their burrows [8a]. What a tragedy. Southern hairy nosed wombats are a listed endangered species [8b].

Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.

It's myopic Frits

Would you stop bank robberies by closing down banks? And would you stop public transport fare evasion by shutting down all public transport? Of course you wouldn’t. For doing so is punishing the victim. But punishing the victim doesn’t bother Frederick (‘Frits’) Bolkestein (pictured) [1]. Bolkestein, now 77 years old, is a retired Dutch politician. He was a member of the Dutch Parliament 1977-98, in 1990-8 he was the leader of the right-wing People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) [2], and in 1999-2004 he was a Member of the European Commission. He’s known for his outspoken, right-wing views. Last week, Bolkestein was quoted in a Dutch magazine saying Jews (i.e. Jews who look like Jews) have no future in the Netherlands, so they should emigrate to the US or Israel [3]. Why? For their own safety due to the anti-Semitism of Dutch Moroccans. He added that the many Arab television channels in the Netherlands contribute to the spread of anti-Semitism. And he has no confidence in proposed measures to combat anti-Semitism. A classic case of punishing the victim, Mr Bolkestein. Which is all too easy to do if the victim’s a Jew, eh Frits. Your stance’s short-sighted appeasement. And if Holland enforces it, she’ll regret it. Big time.

P.S. Current Dutch politician (and VVD defector [4]) Geert Wilders, visiting Israel last week, responded that ‘Jews shouldn’t emigrate, anti-Semitic Moroccans should’.

ReWalk™ - a product of Israeli genius

Today’s ‘Positive and Optimistic Sunday’. I’m acutely aware I have many reasons to count my blessings. One of them is that I’m not paraplegic – and neither is any of my family or friends. Being paraplegic’s distressing for several reasons – especially being physical dependent, being wheelchair bound (and thus at a lower level than everyone except small children), and (apart from the relatively few cases of temporary paraplegia) with zero likelihood of standing tall and walking again. Enter Argo Medical Technologies [1] – a small tech company in Haifa, Israel. Argo invented and refined ReWalk™ [2] – a wearable, motorized quasi-robotic suit. Partially concealable under clothing, ReWalk™ provides user-initiated mobility – leveraging advanced motion sensors, sophisticated robotic control algorithms, on-board computers, real-time software, actuation motors, tailored rechargeable batteries and composite materials. In summary ReWalk allows paraplegics to stand tall – physically and figuratively – and, as shown in this must-see video [3], to walk (albeit using forearm crutches) [4]. It’s a superb invention which will hugely improve the lives of many paraplegics world-wide. No doubt at all. How positive and optimistic is that. Good on you, Argo. You’re geniuses.

H/t Elder of Ziyon [5].

A woman of valour

Deputy Commander Ahuva Tomer (pictured), the 53-year-old Haifa police chief, was the highest-ranking woman in the Israel Police. Last Thursday she was travelling behind a busload of prison service officer cadets en route to help evacuate a prison threatened by the wildfires when, due to a sudden wind change, flames engulfed the bus and her car. That firestorm killed 42 people including 36 bus occupants. Deputy Commander Tomer sustained severe burns. During the four days she hovered between life and death, she was a national symbol in the fight against the ravaging fires. She succumbed on Monday – the day the fires were controlled [1]. ‘Even after she was injured, she proved how much of a leader she is in her soul,’ said Israel Police Commissioner David Cohen. ‘She didn't leave us until she knew the fire was put out.’ Tomer was fatality number 42. Tomer, who was born in the USSR and migrated to Israel as a toddler, was a 28-year police veteran. In 1997 she made history by becoming the first woman to command a police station in Israel. In 2006 she became the first female district-level operations commander in the Israel Police – in the Northern District. In 2009 she made history again when appointed to command the Haifa police station. Last Thursday as the fire engulfed the trapped bus, Tomer could have backed her car to safety. Instead, she rushed forward attempting to rescue the trapped from the bus whilst by radio she continued to issue commands and then increasingly urgent calls for assistance [2]. Later on Monday, many thousands of people attended her funeral. President Peres gave the eulogy. In Hebrew ahuva means ‘loved one’. Ahuva Tomer was clearly loved [3, 4]. She was promoted posthumously to the rank of brigadier-general.

P.S. Christine Nixon was the first female Chief Police Commissioner of the Victoria Police [5]. At the height of the Black Saturday bushfires in January 2009, where was she? At a morning hairdressing appointment, then a lunchtime meeting with her biographer, then an evening restaurant dinner with friends [6, 7].

Wildfire in Israel: compassion trumps politics

Today’s ‘Positive and Optimistic Sunday’. As if Israel hasn’t got enough problems to contend with. Now massive wildfire’s engulfing her north [1]. The death toll’s into the forties and rising. And many thousands of Israelis are being evacuated. It’s already a human and environmental disaster. And seemingly the worst’s yet to come. Israel well used to disaster; but reading between the lines her firefighting infrastructure and capability are stretched to the limit. Thus PM Netanyahu has appealed for international help. So far Britain, France, Romania, Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Croatia, Azerbaijan and Russia are sending more than 20 firefighting aircraft. Bulgaria’s willing to send firefighting teams. Italy’s offering help too. And, of course, so are the US and Australia. Also, I’m pleased to see, Muslim nations are pitching in: Egypt’s sending a firefighting plane, and Jordan’s sending firefighters. Maybe that’s expected – because Egypt and Jordan have peace treaties with Israel. However the big surprise, for me anyway, is Turkey who’s sending two planes [2] despite her increasing tensions with Israel and her strengthening ties with Iran and thus Hizbollah and Hamas. Israel is politically beleaguered internationally. But it’s heartening that the current natural disaster (though I doubt terrorist arson’s been excluded) has caused humanitarian concern and compassion to transcend politics. How positive and optimistic is that.

Bravo, Stevo

I have some Canadian friends: there’s Mark, Maya, Marina and Mateus (who’ve visited me in Mole Creek [1]), Dieter (Maya’s father, who’s currently here [2]) and my cyberfriends Chrows25 [3] and Wordsmith [4] (whom I’m yet to meet in person). I wonder if they know that last Monday and Tuesday in the Canadian Parliamentary Buildings in Ottawa, their country hosted the Inter-parliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism’s [5] second annual conference [6]. I don’t know what they think of their current prime minister Stephen Harper [7], but I reckon the speech he gave to the conference [8, 9] was honest and honourable. He said that ‘when Israel, the only country in the world whose very existence is under attack, is consistently and conspicuously singled out for condemnation, I believe we are morally obligated to take a stand’. He added that though Israel is not beyond fair criticism, Canada must oppose demonisation, double standards and de-legitimisation ‘Not just because it is the right thing to do, but because history shows us, and the ideology of the anti-Israel mob tell us all too well, that those who threaten the existence of the Jewish people are in the longer term a threat to all of us’. He added that Canada did not secure a UN Security Council seat [10] due to its failure to ‘go along with this anti-Israel rhetoric’. How brave of Canada to put principle above self-interest. Bravo, Mr Harper. And bravo Canada. I salute you.

Isaac trumps Pete

Isaac Newton (pictured) produced three Laws of Motion. The third one’s: ‘For every action there’s an equal and opposite reaction’ [1]. Or, loosely rephrased, actions have consequences. Farmdoc’s Blog readers know that Pete Seeger’s top of my heroes list – my hero-of-heroes [2]. Pete’s had a long association with Israel. In 1951, when Israel was three years old. with the Weavers he recorded ‘Tsena Tsena’ in Hebrew [3]. He first visited Israel in the 1960s. And so on. Now 91 years old, Pete’s been a lifelong traditional leftie. Good on him. ynetnews.com reports [4] that on 14 November he’ll participate in a virtual rally [5] to support the Arava Institute whose students include Israelis and Palestinians. Good on him again. But ynetnews also says Pete supports the boycott of Israeli products. How such a boycott can help bring Middle East peace when Israel’s enemies talk openly of destroying her and continue incitement to this end, escapes me. Peace will only come if Israel’s strong. A weakened Israel can’t, and won’t, contemplate peace. Pete, like everyone else, is entitled to his views. And to state them publicly. I’m leaving Pete on my heroes list – because I continue to admire his ‘old left’ naïve stance in the face of overwhelming evidence that it’s doomed to fail. But, invoking Newton’s third Law, I’m demoting him down the list. Pity.

The lottery of life. And death.

In law there are two burdens of proof [1]: The ‘balance of probabilities test applies in civil cases. The ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ test, which applies in criminal cases, is more stringent. As it should be. And it should ensure correct verdicts. But the recent advent of DNA testing’s shown that the 'beyond reasonable doubt' test is fallible [2]. Indeed I wonder if legal outcomes are much more predictable than a lottery. Israel’s state lottery, for example. Last 21 September the winning numbers were 36, 33, 32, 26, 14 and 13. Then 25 days later – on 16 October – the winning numbers were 13, 14, 26, 32, 33 and 36. Not only the same six numbers, but in precisely the reverse order [3, 4]. And in sequential order too. The equipment and balls checked out okay. An Israeli statistics professor put the chance of two identical sets at one in four trillion, i.e. 0.00000000000025. But this ignores that the two sets were in reverse order, and in sequential order. Whatever the true chance is, it’s only a tad above zero. Also remarkable, and astounding, is that on 16 October there were three winners – which is the highest number since 2006. I’d love to know if these three chose those numbers because they’re the winning set from 25 days earlier. Whether they did or not, the chance of the same set winning twice within a few weeks is tiny. Human nature’s a strange phenomenon. Which is cold comfort if you’re an innocent on death row.

List: 'Global Gender Gap 2010 Index rankings'

Today’s ‘List Friday’. The World Economic Forum [WEF] is a Geneva-based non-profit organisation founded in 1971 and best known for its Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Its website says it’s impartial, and committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas [1]. Believe that if you will. I’ve previously written that my four darling daughters have made me an honorary woman [2]. So I keep a keen eye on women’s rights. And women’s progress. Or lack of it. Today’s list – the WEF’s ‘Global Gender Gap 2010 Index rankings’ – was released last Tuesday. The Index assesses 134 countries on how well they divide resources and opportunities amongst their male and female populations regardless of the overall levels of these resources. It looks at four areas, i.e. economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, political empowerment, and health and survival. Here’s the media release [3] and the list [4]. The Nordic countries top the list. Apart from Lesotho, the top 15 are First-World and Second-World nations. Of the 134, Australia’s number 23 – below the UK (15), the USA (19) and Canada (20). Israel’s ranked 52. Of the Arab countries, the highest-ranked’s the United Arab Emirates at 103. That light unto the nations, the wondrous, non-racist country calling itself the Islamic Republic of Iran, is ranked 123, i.e. 12th last. Almost all the countries immediately ahead of it, and 10 of the 11 countries following it, are Muslim. Ho hum.