ni- otreel
of C HOOMfidd

stars. And then we wonder why
American kids are so messed up.
To gauge the effect of entertainers
being at the epicenter of a national
consciousness, just imagine if it were
to happen in the life of a single indi-
vidual. What if entertainment, rather
than scholarship, were the foremost
preoccupation of a medical student?
Instead of working at a library and
attending lectures for eight hours
each day, what if our student watched
eight hours of TV and DVDs each
day? Would you trust him with your
kidney?
And now you begin to understand
why so many people around the
world think we Americans are so stu-
pid and shallow. It's not because of
Bush. It's because of Hollywood.
The very nature of entertainment is
that it is something you do in your
spare time. Entertainment is designed
to be on the periphery, never at the
center of national endeavor.
Performers dare not replace profes-
sors, cinematographers dare not

replace soldiers, and comedians dare
not supplant cardiologists as a coun-
try's most lionized citizens.
The future of the United States is
not threatened by any existing foreign
power. Less so is it threatened by any
terrorist. Terrorists can harm us, but
they can never defeat us. The only
thing that can threaten the continuity
of this great country is if it collapses
from the inside.
If its foundations become so erod-
ed, its pillars so brittle, its national
edifice falls victim to the forces of his-
torical inevitability. If our nation is
built of the marvelous marble of the
Greek Parthenon or the Roman
Pantheon, or the solid stone of
Jerusalem's Western Wall, it will last
for many centuries, and perhaps mil-
lennia, to come.
But if it is built of the flimflam
material of a mere Hollywood sound-
stage, a movie set facade that is all glitz
with no substance, it will, God forbid,
crumble before our very eyes. ❑

Assisted Living

(3(41J, a'INPiCe

Y dce

Orchard Lake Rd. South of Lone Pine Rd.

West Bloomfield, Michigan

248.683.1010

Israel Insight

military action against the Islamic
Republic.
While American and Israeli lead-
ers may hail the Syrian action, they
need to remember that Lebanon has
little history as an independent
nation. Foreign powers — Egypt,
Babylonia, the Greeks, Romans and
Ottomans, to name a few — have
occupied it almost continuously for
most of its history. The French con-
trol over it, granted after World War
I, continued until after World War
II; then a series of national govern-
ments tried without success to share
power among the competing reli-
gious groups. For all the culture and
urbanity that marked Beirut as the
Paris of the Middle East, it hasn't
had much luck at self-government.
Thus, what may emerge as Syrian
influence becomes less obvious is
just as likely to be a renewal of civil
war or a redirection of hostilities
toward Israel as it is to be a bold
step down the path of liberal
democracy. A celebration of a deci-
sion that was forced on Damascus
is, sadly, premature. ❑

H

appy, Ecstatic, Can't say enough good
stuff...that's Sandy Weiss, who LOVES
Gittleman Construction and the work they do. Her
enthusiasm began 12 years ago when she and
husband Norm embarked upon a major remodel of
their home.

The Issue

arc ' trigs` rPonly the joy of
Purim to Israel's more than 5 mil-
lion Jews, but a potential national
crisis as well.

"The minute we met Scott (Gittleman), I felt
comfortable," recalled Sandy.

So comfortable that the couple left everything—
new floors to new walls to new rooms—up to
Gittleman and his team who in 10 months of
renovations, never once failed to deliver.

Behind
The Issue

If Israeli Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon cannot muster a majority
in the Knesset (parliament) to
approve the state budget, his gov-
ernment will collapse, the com-
mitment and agreement with the
United States on a Gaza and
northern West Bank withdrawal
will not be implemented and there
may be civil strife and Palestinian
unrest that will flood America's
and the world's television screens.

"He promised I'd get my bedroom back in four
months, and in four months, I got my bedroom
back," Sandy said. "He kept every promise."

That's why when the Weiss's recently needed a speedy response for a flooded basement, they
immediately called Gittleman. "He tries to do everything he can to accommodate you."

Basement now redone, Sandy doesn't think she'll need Gittleman again, but the grandmother of two
can't help but shower motherly praise on the amiable contractor. "He's absolutely wonderful."

Next time you need care and consideration besides a job done on time and within budget, you can
get it all from Gittleman.

JUST ASK NORM AND SANDY WEISS.

GITTLEMAN

N•011 %.,;

CONSTRUCTION inc

28580 ORCHARD LAKE RD., SUITE 102
FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334

248.538.5400

— Allan Gale, Jewish Communi ty
Council ofMetropolitan Detroit

CUSTOM

www.gittleman.net
RENOVATIONS

JiN

3/10

2005

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