The reverberations of President Barack Obama's speech in Cairo continue in Congress. On Monday, June 16, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a "minority" American with a compelling personal biography, in a subtle criticism of the president, passionately defended Israel on the Senate floor. Born less than two years after his parents arrived in this country from Cuba, Menendez is well aware of the blessings of freedom and the horrors of tyranny. Weaving contemporary realities with ancient Biblical and archeological history up to modern times, he made a powerful case for Israel based on facts, not wishful thinking. Some highlights.Especially in light of the threat of Iran, and in light of the threats extremists pose to so many innocent civilians around the globe, the importance of Israel as a strategic ally and friend to the United States could not be clearer. It is hard to overstate the value of having such a stalwart democratic ally in such a critical part of the world, an...(Read Full Post)