Pinned Post: Updated – Rubashkin Trial Coverage

Your help is still needed.

UPDATE 11-30-09 – As you know, the Sholom M. Rubashkin was convicted early this month on 86 of 91 fraud related charges in his first federal trial and the second federal trial was cancelled as a result. Even convictions on all immigration charges would not have impacted his final sentence.

But there is still the State of Iowa's child labor trail against Rubashkin and his father. That should take place early next year.

What I wrote (posted immediately below) about the federal trials is still valid for the state trial and for sentencing on the federal convictions.

In other words, your help is still needed.

I can't do it without you.

Thank you for reading and for your kind support.

In order to optimally cover the Rubashkin trials, the first of which begins Tuesday October 13 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, I'll need to raise thousands dollars.

I'll need to rent a car and pay for a hotel room in Sioux Falls on the the days I'll be in the courtroom for the first trial. And then I'll need the same for the second federal trial that will follow almost immediately after the first is over.

And I'll need a laptop with wireless access.

I'll also need some help in daily blog maintenance and posting on the days I'm traveling, and some of this help will need to paid.

And then, on top of all of this and external to the above calculation, I need to raise enough money to keep the blog running.

To do this, I'll need your financial help.

Writing in the Columbia Journalism Review, Nathaniel Popper noted that  FailedMessiah.com provides "some of the best" coverage of the Agriprocessors raid and its aftermath.

To continue providing this level of coverage, I need your help.

I can't do it without you.

Thank you for reading and for your kind support.

Comments

[harold]

Are donations tax deductable?

[Norm]

No, but I know of a Rabbi in New Jersey who might give you a receipt for the deduction and then refund 80% of the money in cash!

Seriously, I'm making a contribution and hope all blogfollowers will do so.

This trial probably will take makny weeks and involve lots of st itting and doing nothing interrupted by burst of real news.

[BK]

Neither the Amazon or Paypal link seem to be working. Can't give much, but we'd very much like to contribute whatever we can. Your coverage thus far has been a tremendous influence in decisions about meat.

And of course, any other way I can help, just let me know.
-B

[sage]

Hi Folks,

IMHO, I feel that SMR trial(s) coverage by the FM Webmaster could be counterproductive.

Partly due to postings on this blog, Judge Reade moved the trial venue from Cedar Rapids to Sioux Falls.

Having our Webmaster there, will be noted by SMR and his Legal Staff, as well as the Judge.

This, most likely, will be used by SMR as a basis for appeal, if convicted.

I believe that FM should not comment or be involved in the SMR trials until the juries hand down their verdict(s).

I also believe that we should be concentrating our efforts in helping Postville rebuild.

The fate of SMR is, now, in the hands of the courts, and we should leave it at that.

I am posting this very respectfully, not to, in any way, make it an issue.

[Shmarya]

Having our Webmaster there, will be noted by SMR and his Legal Staff, as well as the Judge.

This, most likely, will be used by SMR as a basis for appeal, if convicted.

I see you know even less about the judicial process than even I thought.

Process: The over the top things Y-O-U and a few others wrote played a role having the trial moved.

Once a trial happens, the jury is blocked from reading the paper or blogs, etc., that cover the case.

Press coverage plays no role.

If a jury does read blogs or the paper, that can be cause for a mistrial.

But that means the jury has to ignore judge's instructions – and that has nothing to do with the Iowa Independent, AP, Des Moines Register or me.

Personally, I think you must have known this, and just posted what you did to discourage donations because you're mad at me for pointing out your flaws.

If so, that will be another in a very long line of stupid things done by JVNA members and supporters.

[sage]

Hey, Shmarya,

I posted this respectfully, not for any of the reasons you have innumerated.

Please, we are all in this for basically one reason, to expose corruption in Orthodox Judaism and insist that Justice prevails.

Very, very respectfully.

[Shmarya]

I posted this respectfully, not for any of the reasons you have innumerated.

Then you need to retract it, because what you wrote is factually incorrect.

[sage]

Hi Folks,

My post at 8:01 is retracted.

[harold]

Please, we are all in this for basically one reason, to expose corruption in Orthodox Judaism and insist that Justice prevails.

First of all who is we? Secondly just what in h-ll does this have to do with Orthodox Judaism.

Is this why we should be contributing money for? You have got to be kidding!

[groisa schmekel]

Please go! Your comments will procure the defenses arguement
For a mistrial and tainted jury

[Mr. Apikoros]

Why should any reporter's presence at a trial affect the outcome? Have there not been trials (most which make the news) in which there were reporters who have opinions on the case being decided?

Mr. Rosenberg isn't on the jury, which hasn't been selected, and certainly won't be. He'll just be another observer.I'm sure the NY Post will cover the trial, and I'm equally sure the reporter at the Post will pre-judge Rubashkin.

[groisa schmekel]

Just an excuse for SR to make a buck. Its tuff living
Like an unemployed haredi. At least the haredim
Get out once and a while for kapparot and hafganot.
Shmarya needs a court case to get fresh air - and he
Expects others to pay for it.

[money money money]

So after all this it comes down to money? Ha!

[groisa schmekel]

Shmarya rosenblum:
Once a haredi, always a haredi.
Boils down to the money grab.

Go out and support yourself stop being a shnorrer.

Whores provide more public service than you.

Self hating jews screw everyone inc themselves.....
And now this one wants to get paid!!!!!

[Sam]

++Shmarya rosenblum:
Once a haredi, always a haredi.
Boils down to the money grab.

Go out and support yourself stop being a shnorrer.

Whores provide more public service than you.

Self hating jews screw everyone inc themselves.....
And now this one wants to get paid!!!!!++

Saying it the way it is! Kudos!!

[Harry]

i'm not paying for your new laptop!!

[state of disgust]

Shmarya:
I will send what I can.
This is a good cause. It will be important to have someone familiar with the situation present if for no other reason then to id who from the community will be present in Sioux Falls. I can foresee a situation whereby a large number of Haredi show up at the trial which would raise the question how their trip was paid for when SMR has no money to pay his defense team. Wouldn't we all like to know that. I doubt the secular press will cover that angle or even know how to analyze what they see.
Lets make this coverage possible.

[reggie]

Groisa, he is providing people with hours of entertainment and information and food for thought. Sounds like a great service to me.

[groisa schmekel]

Mr. Jackson,
That's all the rioting Jerusalem hasidim wanted to
Give us...fodder for meaningful thought and discussion.
There was no bias or agenda...they wanted to entertain,
Just like shmarya.
Thanks for the eye opener.
Just as a side note, thousands of lubob and non lubob
Unrelated jews are rallying behind SMR financially and
In many other ways. Innocent or guilty, he is a jewish
Brother.
American justice takes more than the facts into account.
I have a sneaky feeling he has repented and G-d will
Be his judge, not any judge in south dakota. He is
A broken man, repentant with a hopeful future.
Let HF run the joint like a mentsch and repair the town.
SMR need not be hanged for the townsfolk to eat again.
Hi sagey baby!

[ShmaryaGrobberChazer]

You leech! Why are you money grubbing,begging for money. If it was that important to you you'd get a "real" job and pay your own way.

[Successful Messiah]

Lets see, you don't have a car, can't afford your own laptop, can't afford the $70 a night at the Super 8 in Sioux Falls and most importantly you have no job so you can afford to just move to Sious Falls for a couple of weeks. To top it all off, you created a blog with a title accusing someone else of being a failure. How ironic.

[Shmarya]

Lets see:

Me: I have a desktop computer. I work about 12 hours a day on the blog. I've broken more stories related to Agriprocessors than any other media. And I want to cover the trial in person and don't think I should pay out of pocket to do it.

You: Are an anonymous blog commenter who defames others but doesn't have the guts to use his own name. And you're a freeloader, to boot.

[Successful Messiah]

"I work about 12 hours a day on the blog."

I hate to be the one to break this to you, but it is time to wake up and smell the coffee. If you haven't broken even on your blog by know, you are unlikely to do so ever, let alone actually make a living off your blog. It is time to get off the welfare and the schnorring wagon and get yourself a real job. How about moving to Postville. I understand that Agri-Star or Primestar or whatever they call themselves might be hiring.

[Successful Messiah]

I believe you can make arrangements to purchase transcripts of the proceedings directly from the court reporter. It will cost you a couple of bucks, but probably cheaper then renting a car and a hotel room. Besides, if you do that you can continue to blog from your bedroom in your underwear. Going to court will require that you actually get dressed.

[Isa]

Go to Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative.
Somebody ought to have the same sort of feelings that you do.
You can go to Priceline.com and get even cheaper rooms than $70.00 a night
How about rent-a-wreck? for transportation?You need to be certified as a reporter as Chabad could pack the court room and then you would not get to attend the trial on a regular basis--then you can get in as 'reporter'

[joe]

hay life should be going good for u http://www.urlappraisal.net/search.php?textSearch=failedmessiah.typepad.com&searchSubmit=Appraise

[harold]

I work about 12 hours a day on the blog

12 hours a day to primarily cut & paste a few stories from other web sites.

Tough work, no wonder why you need a vacation in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

http://www.siouxfallscvb.com/travelPackages.cfm

[Office of the Chief Rabbi]

Gee whiz, guys, don't you believe in paying for entertainment? Sure, there's plenty of free stuff here on the Internet. But if there's a site you like and the proprietor(s) asks for a subscription, or a donation, either cough up or get what you can for free elsewhere. It's not like Shmarya's shnorring and doing nothing for it; he's giving us a product. You want to insult him or others here for your jollies by all means, but be rachmonesdik and give as, the Rambam says, at the highest level by keeping him employed.

Besides, who are you expecting will cover the Trial? JTA (you can get their daily headlines for free) VIN? Des Moines Register? Or are you expecting to read the dailies in the Wall St Journal or the NY Times? If you can wait, there always the Forward.

But to paraphrase the Dude, "Hey, there's a product here."

[tanya]

Go Shmarya. You deserve it. And we will benefit. Such ugly ones on this blog.
I will donate. Thanks for running this site.

[reggie]

Funny how most of the guys knocking him down spend hours on this sight, reading about the orthodox world and having a place to vent off and make their opinions heard. You do not always have to agree with his viewpoint ( I disagree many times ) but a little hakaras hatov would not hurt anyone.

[reggie]

"12 hours a day to primarily cut & paste a few stories from other web sites"

If you think running a site like this is easy you are very wrong. My college roomate ran a blog sight ( with my occasional help ) no where nearly as sophisticated as this one and I can tell you that it is extremly difficult and time consuming. There are lots of technical details involved. So, please, try not to knock other people's work

[harold]

no where nearly as sophisticated as this one

True I have never run a blog site, but outside of setting up the site, the day to day posting of a few stories which are primarily cut and pastes from other sites with a sprinkling of images (black hats, streimels etc.) does not look too taxing. Then again I could be wrong.

[libby in the hood]

I for one spent time in Sioux Falls, S.D. and believe me it is NO vacation. But I was on my way to Mitchell, S.D. to visit the hometown of one of the great Americans...Senator George McGovern. Good luck Mr. Rosenberg, you'll need it in S.D.

[nachos]

Sage:

Exposing corruption in Orthodox Judiasm doesn't come free.

Maybe its time to make a financial contribution rather than just an oral one.

[nachos]

groisa schmekel:

When you are at your frabrengen this week lauding about how good the Rubashkins are why don't you ask him about the woman that he deducted health insurance premiums for and never paid the claim. She was going through chemo at the time. ohh that' right she was a goy so her life doesn't matter.

I couldn't bring myself to go to Yom Kippur services in Postville this year, because I couldn't stomach being around Jews that pretend to follow G-d, but are nothing more than people that caused G-d to remove us from our land twice.

If you can't see how the whole community continues to be punished, then you are a fool.

[AG]

Shmarya, this really proves that you have no life. I dont care what Nathaniel Popper thinks of you. I think you're a first class loser. And you are now showing it once again - without any shame.

[groisa schmekel]

I don't fabreng
Supporting someone who diligently points out our peoples
Faults is no mitzvah. Its not entertainment.
if u read my rant it says "innocent or GUILTY" he is
Still our brother. I'm not defending him.
Most people here (nachos reggie sage) think the justice
System needs u as cheerleaders. Go back to ur job.
If you all really cared...and bothered to look...for
Every bad apple among us there are countless righteous
Jews, selfless masses, and infinite acts of genuine
Kindness.
Why do u wrongly judge and ass u me the worst re the
Majority because of the erring minority?
Racism? Stereotyping? You call urself supporters of
Heksher zedek? Let's be consistent and demand of ourselves
The same we demand for others.
True Torah Jews outnumber the few eft up ones.
Seek the good in us Jews and ye shall find. Anything
Else is dishonest biased reporting, narrowly based stories.

[groisa schmekel]

I don't fabreng
Supporting someone who diligently points out our peoples
Faults is no mitzvah. Its not entertainment.
if u read my rant it says "innocent or GUILTY" he is
Still our brother. I'm not defending him.
Most people here (nachos reggie sage) think the justice
System needs u as cheerleaders. Go back to ur job.
If you all really cared...and bothered to look...for
Every bad apple among us there are countless righteous
Jews, selfless masses, and infinite acts of genuine
Kindness.
Why do u wrongly judge and ass u me the worst re the
Majority because of the erring minority?
Racism? Stereotyping? You call urself supporters of
Heksher zedek? Let's be consistent and demand of ourselves
The same we demand for others.
True Torah Jews outnumber the few eft up ones.
Seek the good in us Jews and ye shall find. Anything
Else is dishonest biased reporting, narrowly based stories.

[groisa schmekel]

I don't fabreng
Supporting someone who diligently points out our peoples
Faults is no mitzvah. Its not entertainment.
if u read my rant it says "innocent or GUILTY" he is
Still our brother. I'm not defending him.
Most people here (nachos reggie sage) think the justice
System needs u as cheerleaders. Go back to ur job.
If you all really cared...and bothered to look...for
Every bad apple among us there are countless righteous
Jews, selfless masses, and infinite acts of genuine
Kindness.
Why do u wrongly judge and ass u me the worst re the
Majority because of the erring minority?
Racism? Stereotyping? You call urself supporters of
Heksher zedek? Let's be consistent and demand of ourselves
The same we demand for others.
True Torah Jews outnumber the few eft up ones.
Seek the good in us Jews and ye shall find. Anything
Else is dishonest biased reporting, narrowly based stories.

[groisa schmekel]

I don't fabreng
Supporting someone who diligently points out our peoples
Faults is no mitzvah. Its not entertainment.
if u read my rant it says "innocent or GUILTY" he is
Still our brother. I'm not defending him.
Most people here (nachos reggie sage) think the justice
System needs u as cheerleaders. Go back to ur job.
If you all really cared...and bothered to look...for
Every bad apple among us there are countless righteous
Jews, selfless masses, and infinite acts of genuine
Kindness.
Why do u wrongly judge and ass u me the worst re the
Majority because of the erring minority?
Racism? Stereotyping? You call urself supporters of
Heksher zedek? Let's be consistent and demand of ourselves
The same we demand for others.
True Torah Jews outnumber the few eft up ones.
Seek the good in us Jews and ye shall find. Anything
Else is dishonest biased reporting, narrowly based stories.

[nachos]

Groisa schmekel"

I am simply following the Torah command that states we are to rid ourselves of the evil amongst us.

When a Jew has the nerve to compare Postville with Nazi occupied Poland, then that Jew must be cut off, because they are evil.

Remember, many goyim in the Postville area gave their lives freeing Nazi occupied Poland and this is how they are repaid.

It is a disgrace. If you have relatives that died in Nazi occupied Poland and you don't condemn Shalom for that statement, then you have just spit on your relatives graves..I mean ashes because they were never given the dignity of a grave after being murdered.

This is not about finding a few minor faults. This is about removing the evil people from our midst. There has been no sign of repentance out of the Rubashkin camp.

[itchiemayer]

Groisa - We have an obligation to be an or l'goyim...we have to be the best. If we don't recognize what needs to be changed, we can't live up to our responsibilities.
If our Rabbinic leaders didn't sweep horrible stories of sexual abuse under the carpet, and if they didn't allow for all of the politics we see within the Koshrus industry, and if they were truly serious about our ethics and morals, then we would not need a blog like this. I disagree with many things said on this blog, but at the end of the day we need the FM's and UOJ's of the world. There are plenty of entities out there such as Hamodia which point out all the good, and ignore the bad.
This blog provides balance. You don't like it because Shmarya highlights facts which make you uncomfortable. Well, they make me uncomfortable as well, but given the state our people are in right now, we should be uncomfortable!

[sage]

Hi Nachos,

Great Post !!!!

-----------------------------------------

+++ Most people here (nachos reggie sage) think the justice System needs u as cheerleaders. +++

Not true.

The Justice System, IMHO, does not need any cheerleading, either from those who believe SMR is innocent, or guilty.

1. It would be a big mistake, for any Chabad contingent, to pack the courtroom, save for SMR's immediate family. The jurors are human beings, with normal emotions, and having such a large contingent may effect their deliberations in a direction not favorable to SMR.

2. Likewise, a large contingent present, believing SMR guilty, might lead to opposite results.

Coverage of the trial, by the FM Webmaster, would not have any effect on the trial, but could effect future trials. If this coverage is posted on FM, this would create a very large amount of additional negative publicity against SMR, which might spread it further geographically, making it more difficult to seat impartial juries in the upcoming trials.

Bottom line, for what it's worth: Let's let the Justice System give SMR completely fair trials in front of impartial juries, and respect whatever verdicts are handed down.

[Shmarya]

Coverage of the trial, by the FM Webmaster, would not have any effect on the trial, but could effect future trials. If this coverage is posted on FM, this would create a very large amount of additional negative publicity against SMR, which might spread it further geographically, making it more difficult to seat impartial juries in the upcoming trials.

Bottom line, for what it's worth: Let's let the Justice System give SMR completely fair trials in front of impartial juries, and respect whatever verdicts are handed down.

To say you have no grasp of the American legal system would be an understatement.

Trial reporting will not negatively impact this or any future trial. It is pre-trial coverage of crimes that can impact the trial for those crimes.

When that happens, the trial can be moved.

But the American system not only permits but encourages pretrial press coverage.

If you don't want to donate, don't donate.

But don't post this insane drivel to cover for your frugalness.

[groisa schmekel]

Nachos and I.M.
I can't agree more!
My issue is the cheering at downfall and the
Bloodthirsty attitude.
Yes! Evil must be uprooted! Except it must be done
Properly without personal agenda. It must be done
Without hatred. Most importantly it must be dealt with
From within the community and NOT in a worldwide forum.
Those dealing with it must be community members, not
Anyone who has shunned us or left us. They see the problem
But do not productively solve anything by blogging .
All they provide is entertainment and quench curiosities

[sage]

With all due respect, Shmarya, my statement stands.

And don't accuse me of frugalness.

I've donated large sums of money to St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Postville and at least $200 to this site.

[Shmarya]

Please.

Your statement "stands"?

It may "stand," but it is not factual.

And, yes, I do believe frugalness – along with your anger at being singled out due to your over the top comments about punishment for the Rubashkins – is what motivates you here.

So, BTW, do several FM regulars who have emailed or called me to ask why you are so incredibly foolish.

[sage]

Then why don't you take a vote by FM bloggers.

If a majority prefer that I quit posting here, I'll quit.

And how does my statement:

"Bottom line, for what it's worth: Let's let the Justice System give SMR completely fair trials in front of impartial juries, and respect whatever verdicts are handed down."

... prove to you or others that I hate SMR?

[Shmarya]

Please.

Your comments over the past years prove what you think about the Rubashkins.

Anyway, this isn't a question of whether you continue to leave comments or not.

The justice system that you want to step back from is built on the presumption of media coverage and citizen involvement.

So your "statement" may "stand," but it is incorrect.

[seymour]

what is every-bodies problem. If you are posting here you also read and come to this site. It does not make a difference if you come here for information,discussions, post your views, entertainment, or to read how the ultra Orthodox make fools of themselves. The bottom line you do get a service from this block.

Shmarya, does not litter his site with ads to make money, maybe he should. if I get some stats maybe i can help (hits demographics etc.)so he can make money or maybe lots of money. Some blogger do.

He is not giving some sob story, I need money to eat, or whatever. He is saying if people want to get a day to day report on the trail help him out. If not don't. He almost never asks for money, but you do benefit from his labor.

So if he asks do not complain. and if you do don't read his blog. He is fair enough to keep up the post that are negative to him.

PS He does post many times positive stories, it is that there are to many funny ridiculous negative stories out there.

For those who cannot donate from the link you might have a Jave protector running like no-scrip running that is blocking the information transfer

[seymour]

When a Jew has the nerve to compare Postville with Nazi occupied Poland, then that Jew must be cut off, because they are evil.

who said that and when

[seymour]

When a Jew has the nerve to compare Postville with Nazi occupied Poland, then that Jew must be cut off, because they are evil.

who said that and when

[seymour]

When a Jew has the nerve to compare Postville with Nazi occupied Poland, then that Jew must be cut off, because they are evil.

who said that and when

[groisa schmekel]

http://www.urlappraisal.net/appraisal/vosizneias.com.html VIN is worth $296,825.09http://www.urlappraisal.net/appraisal/theyeshivaworld.com.html YWN is worth $322,787.63http://www.urlappraisal.net/search.php?textSearch=failedmessiah.com&searchSubmit=Appraise FM is worth $17,872.89

[groisa schmekel]

http://www.urlappraisal.net/appraisal/vosizneias.com.html VIN is worth $296,825.09http://www.urlappraisal.net/appraisal/theyeshivaworld.com.html YWN is worth $322,787.63http://www.urlappraisal.net/search.php?textSearch=failedmessiah.com&searchSubmit=Appraise FM is worth $17,872.89

[Isa]

You got them running scared.
The only people that really are here at this blog are Jews and others that are affected by the Rubashkin clan.
Not farmer type goyem in South Dakota.

I remember reading an excert from the Postville book and Rubashkin takes the writer to a men's mikve and the writer didn't appreciate that. I wondered at the time 'Why would Rubashkin take such a person to a mikve that would not find any appreciation for that?

Now I figured that out... So the writer describes his experience and EVEN if described in negative terms- the real audience is Orthodoxy.

Now if you cover the trial, Rubashkin will be exposed for the 'slave plantation ' that was his plant and just maybe Orthodoxy 'eyes' will at last be open.

If you get a laptop I can supply 97 Microsoft Office that of course has Microsoft Word
I could probably come up with 2000 Microsoft Office if you need some small extra feature. But it would be extremely difficult to imagine why you need a feature in 2000 version rather than what the 97 version has.

When I stayed out in New Jersey for three weeks at a time, We could get rooms for 1/3 of the price. It really works for longer stays. One or two nights it really doesn't work.

Contact me via E mail if you need this Microsoft Office

[formally]

or he can get open office it is free from sun and its great

[nachos]

Seymour:

That was one of the reasons given to move the trial!!

http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2009/02/rubashkin-lawyer-compares-iowa-to-nazioccupied-poland.html

I said that about cutting the person off.

Shmekel:

So what has the community done to sanction the Rubashkins. They raised money for them.

You and sage are two sides of the same coin.

[nachos]

groisa schmekel:

Please don't get me wrong. I pray for the Rubashkins every day. Leah, Roza and Leah's other children are innocent victims in this. I am very concerned about Shalom's soul. All this crap is not going to stop until he understands that G-d is allowing this to happen and repents of it. I pray that Shalom repents before it is to late. Shalom is the victim of bad advice and it is destroying him.

One can trace exactly when everything starting going to crap. The plane wasa huge asset of the town up until Donald Hunt died. Donald Hunt was a real mentshe and ran a tight and honest ship.

On a lighter note, would you like to see Sage's head explode.

Ohhh Sage....word is the defunct and closed packing plant in Tama Iowa will be ropening for kosher slaughter!!! Did you see that explosion!!!

[sage]

Hi Nachos,

Why should my head explode?

Hopefully, this new Kosher Packing Plant you refer to, will be operated as an honest business entity.

Otherwise, it may end up like Agri did.

Anyway, if my wife and I are able to visit Postville, we will still take you up on a wholesome vegetable salad and a bowl of beans.

[nachos]

Sage:

That would be fun. My garden is open to you.

[sage]

Agreed !!!!!!!!!!

[Max]

Nachos:
I amm very interested in the possible reopening of the packing plant in Tama. Any idea who is behind it or what "label" is going to be used?

[neighbor girl]

Guess you'll have to leave your laptop back in the motel. Trish Mehaffey's article in the Cedar Rapids Gazette says Judge Reade has banned cell phones and laptops from the courtroom. http://gazetteonline.com/breaking-news/2009/10/01/friends-of-sholom-ad-aggravates-agriprocessors-trial-judge
The judge says blogging from the courtroom is "totally inappropriate".
She's also upset by a half-page ad in the Des Moines Register titled "Is it justice?", paid for by friends of Rubashkin.

[Shmarya]

That's standard for all federal trials.

I'll report from the press room.

[ah-pee-chorus]

since i understand how important this is to shmarya, i have donated what i can, and urge others who both enjoy the site and understand its importance to do the same.

[yidandahalf]

Everyone wants to jump on the Ko$her bandwagon, thinking they will soon begin slaughtering as many animals as they can find and pin down and get really, really rich. They will find out the truth is quite different. And whilst waiting for the elevator to reach the top floor, I am donating to Shmarya. I am not a looter, I pay for my bandwidth.

[nachos]

max:

Tama is a rumor and what I heard would not be the first rumor I heard about Tama. I am trying to track it down. If I hear anything else, I will post it.

[somebody]

To Groisa Shmekel,
Everything you write to Mr. Jackson about SMR is equally applicable to Roman Polanski.
"Just as a side note, thousands of Hollywood and non Hollywood
Unrelated jews are rallying behind RP. Innocent or guilty, he is a jewish
Brother.
American justice takes more than the facts into account.
I have a sneaky feeling he has repented and G-d will
Be his judge, not any judge in california. He is
A broken man, repentant with a hopeful future.
RP need not be hanged for the townsfolk to eat again."

I wonder whose is bigger, yours or RP's.

[fred]

Shmyaya you low-down money grubbing whack-off loser. Get a real job, earn a respectable living stocking shelves at WAL MART AND MAYBE YOU WILL DEVELOP SOME SELF RESPECT YOURSELF! Perhaps even enough to stop hounding other people the way you do.

[JewishCynic]

I come to the site, read, sometimes grouse out a comment.

I agree with Itchie that bloggers like UOJ and Shmarya are serving a purpose.

Sage, I'll take you at your word but I disagree. FM is basically known only in the ortho world and most folks in a midwestern jury pool will be unaware of FM's coverage.
Besides, far more notorious criminals are tried all the time (Gotti, Phil Spector etc etc). Never heard of someone winning an appeal because the case was covered in the press.

So I gave - a modest sum but enough to buy Shmarya some cheap pants and perhaps some floppy disks for his TRS-80!

[yidandahalf]

Folks who haven't given something yet, don't be ashamed if you can't afford much. Give what you can, every bit helps. No one of us can deny this blog is part of our lives in some way. We all have causes, help out now.

[harold]

There are plenty of entities out there such as Hamodia which point out all the good, and ignore the bad.
This blog provides balance.

I agree with Itchie that bloggers like UOJ and Shmarya are serving a purpose.

This blog provides balance
By only reporting the bad is not a balance, it simplty provides another dimension to the imbalance. Balance would be a site that reports the good AND the bad. VIN has a more professional feel as they appear to have a mix of stories, some good and some bad.

UOJ and Shmarya are serving a purpose
Which is?

[state of the Jews]

Neither JTA nor the Forward will be covering the trial. I've checked.
If there is going to be any coverage by someone who knows who the Jewish players are in the courtroom, it will be up to Shmarya ... and us.
We all have an obligation to help get him there. I respectfully suggest that everyone write a check if they are able.

[libby in the hood]

Nicely said "Yidandahalf"!

[JewishCynic]

Harold,

UOJ, Shmarya and others have shined a light on dark happenings in the ortho world.
This is especially evident with UOJ.
Rabbis and other community leaders were aware of sexual abuse but they hid it and allowed it to continue (for various reasons). UOJ (and others) revealing the truth has forced the rabbis and others to act and has saved the lives of future victims (not that all is good in this area, but it's improved).

The torah constantly points out the faults of it's greatest figures (Moshe, Dovid etc.). Unfortunately nowadays ortho have fallen into the very human trap of deifying their leaders. The bloggers have shaken the community and now there are signs that some are waking up and taking action.

This does not mean the bloggers are flawless or greater than those in the community they critisize.
In the Nixon era, Woodward and Bernstein served a good purpose. That doesn't mean Bernstein isn't a nutcase or Woodward isn't an insufferable egoist but we are better off that they were able to do their reporting at the time.

[fred]

Eat shit you f"n schnorrer!
You can't even pay your way!
What a loser!

[harold]

I am curious, if it turns out that you did not collect enough money to go, will you be returning monies donated?

[Shmarya]

No. Maybe I'll use the money to write profiles of some of the FM community. Seek them out, meet their families, take pictures, post.

You know, 'harold' – like you.

[Shmarya]

If nothing else, I'll go for the verdict or the sentencing.

[Great White Nordener in Edmonton]

After the trial, do I (we) get your new laptop back?

p.s. fix your Amex link. I tried, you failed.

[Shmarya]

I don't have an Amex link. It's PayPal. Enter an amount and on the next screen choose Amex.

[Yoni]

I read your appeal for the gelt, and gave serious thought to the matter, but finally decided in the negative. I think you've had enough time to get this venture off the ground and profitable. If it hasn't worked out for you, that's a sign to move on, get a real job. Sorry to sound paternalistic, but I do believe an honest job is the way to go. Obviously, not enough folks out there think it's pertinent to have you covering this trial. You bring no added value. So just stay in mommy's basement doing the important work of copy-pasting J-Post and Ynet articles till you get sued for copyright infringement.

[yidandahalf]

Very interesting the posts from people who choose not to kick up anything. They go on and on and on and on why they won't give. These are the same sorts of people who gorge themselves on every unnecessary titbit and gluttonous indulgence, spend money on wireless extravagances and pay per view fiestas, but pass a beggar or other unfortunate on the street with a contemptuous glance. That they can spare. The fact is, they find this blog endlessly compelling, can't stay away in fact.

[Reb itzman]

Have to jump in here. This is not about whether you like Shmarya, or if Shmarya likes you (or even lets you post) - this is about 2 things:

1. Do we WANT details about the trial that go beyond that which the media provides, and

2. Are we willing to financially support someone who is willing to do the legwork for us.

Yes - no, does not matter (for me, it was "yes", and I have contributed).

I would add - it is even possible to SUPPORT Shalom Rubashkin and contribute.........if the information abou the trial is important to you.

[disenchanted]

i used to resoect the syrians but recent events have made me realize what a rotten bunch they are. dwek is an ugly pudgy lowlife, even the rabbis who should know better have no morals. i guess, it's true, the syrian god is money. kinda serves them right. the syrians pride themselves in being the most beautiful perfect people, superior to everyone else. even some ashkenazim fell for that crap. recently this very naive ashkenazi lady bemoaned the fact that "if such a scandal can happen to the syrians, who are such a holy community, then no is safe". i don't see anything holy about the syrians. there is rampant spousal abuse there that is being swept under the rug. there is also sexual abuse which they hide well. plenty of gambling addictions and severe depression, especailly among the aimless spoiled rich rotten teenagers who blow hundreds of thousands in vegas and atlantic city. all the displays of "frumkeit" put on by these syrians are just that: displays. they are incapable of doing anything that doesn't benefit them directly. a truly self obsessed vapid empty hypocritical bunch of losers.

[frumish]

ברוך אתה יהוה אלוהינו מלך העולם שלא עשני ליובאוויטשער

[mazel]

found on web:
As a Jew I would carefully avoid giving unnecessary offense but I am inclined to believe that all those who support accepting chabad as Jewish can be included within the following descriptions:
Financially interested men, who are not to be trusted; Weak men, who CANNOT
see; Prejudiced men, who WILL NOT see; and a certain set of Moderate men, who think better of the Hasidic world than it deserves. This last class, by an ill informed decision process, will be the cause of more problems for actual Judaism than all the other three.(its just ahem Common Sense.)

[juegos de estrategia]

Maybe its time to make a financial contribution rather than just an oral one.

[Nathan]

I'm actually living in Sioux Falls here and got a chance to see the trial for about an hour or so. I might go there on Thursday too. But I can't go everyday because I go to school full time. I've heard the Chabad guys are staying at the Country Inn and Suites downtown. A couple people from my Synagogue had a Shabbat dinner with them last Friday night too. Even though it's a Reform Synagogue. I think they just use the banguet hall at the hotel and they bring in Kosher food from another city. I might try to go this Friday since I've never been to a Chabad event.

[Yosemite Yarmulke]

Process: life goes on within you and without you. Ditto for the trial.

[Moshe Aron Kestenbaum]

I AM SENDING IN MY DONATION THIS IS A GREAT SERVICE TO EXPOSE ALL THE CRIMINALS AND MISFIT RABBIS AMONG US

[Schneerson BarKelev]

Its not good when the "goyim" confuse Judaism with Chabadism. Too many media types call chabad now for "the jewish perspective".

[mayer]

shmarya,
yesh din vyesh dayan

[david]

To the one who runs this site: It is never too late to do Teshuva. Return to the ways of Truth. Hashem accepts all who rpent with open arms!!

-A Lubavitcher

[wheezylou]

WOW-you guys put stuff on here that doesn't even need to be on here. What SMR did was against the law-he knew exactly what he was doing as most of the people that worked there. It was a triving business and turned it into GREED-plain and simple. Now everyone else is suffering.

[pity your soul]

why don't you ask the rubashkins for money, you bloodsucking user, after all you lived in their home FOR A YEAR and then turned on them like this, there is a special place in hell for people like you

[Shmarya]

I never lived in their home or took loans or charity from the Rubashkins.

[guest]

Hello Shmarya,
I tried emailing you but
it got sent back.
Need to talk to you, please reply.
A friend.

[justice]

PAY FOR YOUR LAPTOP -- And WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE YOU DIDNT HAVE ONE WITH WIRELESS CAPABILITIES? You live by your blog, you have become your blog, it is your identity, who are you kidding? Now you want an upgrad and want the public to pay for it? I am sure you have a wireless card to ensure 24 hr access wherever you are at!

Just say-- my time is worth money if you want the in depth coverage I have been providing... i got to pay my rent and put kosher meat on the table (and well, you all know how much prices have gone up) and I am not willing to work for 11 dollars an hour, thank you very much AgriStar.