Walt Osterman

Former President Bill Clinton was in Israel last week to accept the Presidential Medal of Distinction, Israel’s highest honor, from Israeli President Shimon Peres, who also happened to be celebrating his 90th birthday (two months before the actual date).What did our former chief executive say to this man who escaped the Holocaust by immigrating to Israel in 1932? What would could one say to a man who heard that every member of his family who stayed in Poland was murdered by the Nazis? What would you say to a man who has served his country both in the military and government for decades? What would any decent human being say to a man who is the oldest living president of one of the world’s most productive democratic republics, one which happens to surrounded by hundreds of millions of people who wish her total destruction, and makes no bones about it?

Rubio has affirmed America’s resolve to keep Iran from attaining nuclear weapons, but the hour is late. Quite possibly, it’s too late.

Because there are 24 hours in each day, with hour and half-hour reports broadcast from radio stations from coast to coast, commentators are able to say the words “fiscal cliff” at least 48 times every day.

America’s politicians love the imponderable maze that is our tax system. It allows each man and woman in office to constantly berate those who don’t pay their fair share, whatever group that happens to be at the moment.

The summer is past and cooler temperatures prevail throughout the Middle East. What a season for a good fight.

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.”

Freedom is a very precious commodity that is only enjoyed by the folks who are wiling enough to recognize it, and tenacious enough to preserve it and pass it on to their children.

The first cardinal rule is, and always has been, the big boys will have their way.

Republicans are having difficulty understanding the basic pillar holding up the Obama administration.

For several months now, political pundits around the globe have been speculating on when Israel would take some kind of military action against the nuclear sites in Iran. Israel may indeed attack. But even if she does, Iran will not be significantly injured.

The very real, inherent problem with wealth distribution is the insatiable wants of the recipients versus the finite resources of the donors. Eventually everyone ends up broke; no one is too big to fail.

A couple of astonishing weapons ended the world?s most horrific conflict: atomic bombs. The significance of the resulting explosions cannot be overstated.

The Middle East situation is purely theoretical to the other nations on our planet, but not to Israeli Jews.

Each conflict that our leaders have seen fit to send the cream of American youth to fight has had unique challenges and obstacles to overcome.

The basic concept behind taxes, the real reason no one is ever told, is that governments can spend your money better than you can spend your money.

During my many years of following American political thought, one overwhelming truth has emerged: There is nothing as powerful as an idea (be it intelligent or stupid) whose time has come.

America is in the process of embracing certain failure. We have a president who appears enraptured by the European economic model as Europeans themselves are facing the reality of its ashes and despair.

Determining why the nations of the world are throwing Israeli Jews under the bus is an easy call. Most of the countries with abundant oil reserves are predominantly Muslim.

Ronald Reagan used to refer to America as a “city on a hill.” He was right; America (at her zenith) was a beacon to the world.

Mitt Romney will have a massive problem after he receives headship of the Republican Party: Defeating President Barack Obama.

Walt Osterman is the author of Not Home Yet: A Tale Concerning Israel's Rebirth. He served in Vietnam and is a Bronze Star recipient. He lives in Wyoming.

Do you enjoy horror movies? So do I.

To explain complicated situations, good teachers use simple illustrations to open the minds of students.

My dear Aunt Louise’s husband of 52 years was dying.

Rumors are flying, and I’m certain they’re based on fact, that Ron Paul supporters are going to sit out the general election.

When folks think about President Barack Obama, two specific adjectives flash across millions of American minds: foreign-born and duplicitous. He also reads teleprompters very well.

Democrats have made deceit and dishonesty in government a science. They are excellent practitioners of vile, wicked behavior. My biggest concern for America is that they very rarely pay any political prices for their misdeeds.

Weapons-grade uranium. There’s an ominous ring to those words.

There is an old adage: Even in the warmest of hearts, there’s a cold spot for the Jews.