On The Activities of these Three Days

June 13/14, 2025

“If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning

I'd hammer in the evening all over this land

I'd hammer out danger, I'd hammer out a warning

I'd hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters

All over this land, ooh”

Peter, Paul, and Mary, 1960

Yesterday, Thursday, June 12, 2025, Israeli fighter jets and long pre-positioned drones activated by Mossad agents struck Iran. Hard. In the process they took out Iran’s top three military commanders, at least six of their nuclear scientists, and did serious damage to their nuclear enrichment and ballistic missile programs.

Iran said that the strike was tantamount to a declaration of war and struck back. Iron Dome held. For the most part. No defense system is perfect and Israel and Iran are continuing to trade strikes on each other.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said that Iran was on the cusp of acquiring a nuclear weapon which represented an existential threat to Israel’s continued existence and they had no choice but to strike when they did. Marco Rubio, the American Secretary of State said the United States had nothing to do with it (Israel’s initial attack). Donald Trump (who tore up the agreement that was keeping from enriching uranium to weapons grade in his first term) said he warned Iran this would happen if they didn’t come to the table 60 days ago. Anonymous Israeli sources said that the United States had been read into their plans months ago and had given at least tacit approval. Oil prices spiked on the news resulting in a 1.1 to 1.8% drop in U.S. financial markets today. Truth? Truth is always elusive in the fog of war and we may never learn the actual truth.

I have Israeli cousins living in Tel Aviv whom I worry about. They are not fans of Mr. Netanyahu. Nonetheless they posted this on Facebook today.

I also have a former business colleague who has become a dear friend who is a native Israeli (Sabra) and who lives there. A wartime veteran of the IDF, he was a POW during the 1973 war.

Tonight I am concerned for their safety and for the safety of all of Israel.

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 14th, 2025 is several things as follows:

1. Flag Day.

2. The 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.

3. No Kings Protest Day.

4. A Certain Donald’s 79th Birthday.

5. What Would Have Been my Mother’s 108th Birthday.

Photo is my Mom and me in 1945 in a picture she had made to send to my Dad who was on post WWII occupation duty in Korea. I was 6.