THAT WHICH I WISH I HAD NOT!

  Did you ever feel that you had an overabundance of certain things in your life which you would much prefer not to have? That is the position in which I find myself today. I had several choices for titles of this posting, but I decided to go with the one which expressed my frustration at the overabundance of things needful of addressing. Well aware that I cannot address all, certainly not to be able to do justice to the concerns, I can hope that others will pick up the slack and by the way, now that we're talking about slack, I am not sure that there will be a posting on Friday. I will do my best, but the situation might be out of my control. But I will return, certainly, on Sunday, if I do not have one on Friday.

So, what to use as a title? Should I use my initial feeling of "we're late"? We're late for very important dates, redline dates we have crossed multiple times, each time the consequences becoming more dire and at faster pace. Or should I use my favorite political cartoon Pepper... and Salt with the most apt caption and I quote, "a turbulent hodgepodge of ill formed ideas. Let's do it”. 

We are so late for so many things in our time span. We have allowed overtime play when it certainly was not called for and should actually have been cut short. We have taken ideas and churned and churned them all around until we do get a hodgepodge of bits and pieces of ideas, but nothing making sense. Nothing pointing a way, nothing giving direction, just nothing but garbage or, as we used to write, GIGO - garbage in, garbage out.

Honesty actually is a very short commodity these days in the world of politics and/or when commentators are generally taking sides, not hearing anything of the opposite side. I presume I am somewhat guilty of that. No, I must say that though I am not always right, unfortunately I have been too right too many of the times. It makes me quite uncomfortable. I am most definitely not the sharpest pencil in the lot amongst all the talking heads of this world, so why is it that so many cannot see the forest for the trees, nor the trees for the forest. So bewildered are they by the shadows that the leaves cast upon the forest floor and the whooshing of the sound, which evidently confuses them and causes select deafness to occur.

Indeed, how are we to move forward when not only are we missing WAZE and GPS but our ancient paper maps are outdated, so faded in the folds that we cannot extract any relevant or for sure information. Thus, we seem to revolve around winding roads never finding a way out and when we do try, we just gin up more trouble, more antagonism and instead of going forward, we engage in retrograde propulsion, an aspect of Parkinson's where one cannot help at times taking a step backwards and hopefully maintaining balance. Unfortunately, I don't think the balance on this world is the way it should be. It is on a scale which wobbles from side to side, affected by nasty politics, by corruption, by filth such as we thought we had long ago outlawed from our government.

Humanity has seemed to develop an antipathy to all other human beings. We somehow cannot see past the caul within which we are wrapped. We cannot discern their humanity, nor can they see through to our humanity. We are like punch drunk boxers in the ring, swinging out, hoping we hit something of any value, but knowing that the chance of that happening is quite rare and so we continue to stumble and tumble and trip over each other, and nothing gets done. 

Nothing is accomplished other than ramping up the terrible vibrations shaking this planet on its axis. A letter to the New York Times editor reminds us that, though it is correct that equality is America's defining principle, he says, or suggests, that our equality runs even deeper. We are not equal in many ways. We do not possess the same talent, the same gifts, the same education. However, every human being bears the same inherent worth. 

What is that worth? I quote again, "the spark of our Creator... Rights flow from that truth, not the other way around". Even if one does not believe in the Supreme Being, it must be acknowledged that there is enough writing out there to convince one that there is an overall guiding principle that all men are created equal, that we are governed by the consent of the population and there should be no turning back, no filthy, broken shortcuts, no pitfalls waiting to snare us, no punji sticks to wreak havoc in our minds and body.

Where and why have we gone off track? Where and when and why have we lost our sense of propriety? When and why have we so immersed ourselves in a race to nowhere that we cannot find anything which allows for connection, to find the path through the thicket of thorns that we have allowed to grow up around us. When have we gotten so stuck on hooks where we hang out our beliefs, our thoughts and depending on what those thoughts are, even in one area which displeases us, we then totally write off the entire person with no room for relevant talk. 

In fact, all we do is shout at each other so loud that we cannot hear each other over our own voices We shout threats and re-threats. We take back the threat and then replace it with another threat before we return to the first threat. There is no surety here, no confidence that we can believe for a reasonable time, at least, what one has said, how one leader has spoken. In fact, even as Abraham searched for one good person, for 10 good people in the wayward cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, so do we to the people of the world, having to search, seeking low, seeking high, seeking all around, trying our best to find that one good leader, that one leader we can trust. That one leader with whom we can talk and make our point as well as trying to see his point. And when I say his, it's just too tiring to constantly write his/her, but it is to both genders that we talk.

We are all guilty of refusing to see through the fog that we have allowed to build up around us, so thick it cannot be penetrated. We have conflated fiction with fact and argue when we are shown to be wrong. We shout accusations at the other and the important responsibility of true historians, to be impartial and truthful in the reporting of history, goes down the toilet. Each faction in history wishes to prove its point and its point only, to shred completely the other point of view, to not allow for anything of positive virtue or use to come through. 

No, we condemn it all. In so doing we have lost control of all the bodies politic that are around. We have lost the battles and are very close to losing the war in its entirety as we return to days which should not have a presence anymore in our lifetime. Yellow journalism, corruption in government, nepotism, bribery, who you know, not what you know. What you promise and what you want. Never mind the   talent, the knowledge that is necessary to build better, to build beyond the point where we have fallen. We have so lost ourselves, that from day to day we contradict our own selves. Worse, we discard, throw with great force in any direction away from us all that which we firmly believed, all that we were taught as kids. Not perfect but certainly more believing of the goodness of people contained within humanity.

How ashamed are we to be? When we absolutely pay no attention to lack of moral fiber candidates, when we make a big deal of investigations that go nowhere, and when they do go somewhere, we discard the information if it displeases us and our plans. Rapists allowed to run for Senate. Why not, we have one in the Oval Office. Cheaters and liars, financial criminals, all just keep on going. Keep on trucking. And again, why not? We have, allegedly, one in the White House. In fact, we have many in the White House via that family of the one sitting in the Oval Office and all those who buy into corruption. Who forget that when they make these items for which they bid, it is not a make-believe item, but one that will find its use among people. The faultier, the more likely the harm. But evidently that doesn't matter anymore. So why do I worry my head about it? I don't know.

We claim to care for others, many of us do, but too many of us don't quite know how to put that concern into action and so we let things slide and when we turn around once, twice, thrice, we find we are living in a different reality. One where the justice system, the very jurists and lawyers who are supposed to keep us on track, to make sure that the laws of the nation, the just and moral laws of the nation, are abided by, well they are entirely on the other side of the curtain on this one. When judges who by law are supposed to be nonpartisan, to decide on the rights and wrongs of the issue before them, now decide on what their political thoughts tell them to do, what their political cronies tell them to do, what their crooked boss wants them to do. Differences of opinion are fine but these are etched in stone before the case is actually judged.

These are the same type of errors which affect others, sometimes to the point of losing lives that we see in the new policies of the current administration which never should have been given the chance for a second term. Supposedly, we had once turned the corner and law enforcement agencies and agents were supposed to be very careful before they fired, and certainly not to fire to kill but to wound, to disable, to keep themselves safe, along with others. Now, the law enforcement agents shoot at will. You think the person inside a truck might be an illegal immigrant? Ah, no problem. Run them down and shoot them. Shoot through the window, claim that he weaponized his car. I'm tired of hearing that same line, the same lies, over and over and over again. Most of the people who are being stopped at these traffic stops don't want any trouble. Many of them have been working in this nation for 10, 20, 30 years, becoming part and parcel of our economy, reviving the economic life of cities which had gone down the drain.

But evidently Trump, the heads of ICE and the rather crude agents they have hired and put in place have no care for anyone other than themselves and hark back to the days of the frontier when one shoots first. Alibis prepared and of course no cameras. We indulge in the cruelty set up by awful regimes such as the Nazis, the Communists, and now the capitalists in the form of Trump et al. We separate families. We thrust children aside We hold people in inhumane conditions. We refuse them elementary basic rights of proper care, proper food, proper medical attention. The ability to contact lawyers and most important to see their families, not to disappear into the night. We cannot abide Nacht und Nebel here. Unfortunately, it is already well entrenched. And it behooves us that we behave, that we act quickly to set things straight.

Never did I believe that I would be living in a nation where people are afraid to speak up, to speak out, where people do not engage in honest, open conversation so as not to get into arguments with      family and friends and lose those members of their friends and families. I cannot begin to tell you how many people supposedly joking around admit that when they get off the phone the alphabets are called out: "just joking, guys, just joking". When has America become a police state? Why, in fact, why have we tolerated this?

 We invented a world where right is wrong and wrong is right and to distinguish between the two is nigh unto impossible. I don't even know if we care anymore. I think that most of us simply pull ourselves away, out of the world, thinking that if we see no evil, hear no evil, we will speak no evil, nor will any evil come our way. Grotesquely wrong. Grossly inadequate and majorly full of harm waiting to hit its targets.

And mind you, those out there who think they are free and clear, not you they are after, but your Jewish neighbor, think again. Think of Pastor Niemueller who warned that they will come after this one and that one and though he keeps silent in an attempt to be invisible, they will come for us too. And there will be no one left to speak for us. 

Not even us.

Serious dangers are ahead. It seems those dragons that lay beyond the point where land ends have crawled up onto the land and are making their way through all impediments, finding their way to us. Drooling at the mouth for they know we are ripe targets and will satiate their appetites, at least for a while.

Now, when you finish reading this don't wave your hand as if waving it off. Don't poo- poo it with no real thought. Go online to past headlines, recent past headlines. Go back more. Go back to when Trump first started to run and this Trumpian perverse moronic universe clawed its way to power. For their own selfish and ignorant reasons. See how even those who spouted at least somewhat moral sayings have now totally discarded them, trashed their souls, made deals with the devil, and mark my words. This will end in one of two ways One, either this nation and any other nation that loses its backbone, that loses its innate sense of right and wrong, that leaks its courage, will be devastated and will become the Democratic Nation of America or wherever they are located. And we all know what the word Democratic or Socialistic means in any name given to a political party. Or there will be enough people come to their senses who can gird their loins for the battles ahead. Stand up straight and erect and come out fighting. Determined to regain what was once theirs by right. What was right and should be right and is right, though it is denied.

Think not as I again warn you that you are not immune. Using that as the principal guide, what do you see ahead? Be creative. Don't be afraid of speaking, but the law says no, not so much anymore.  Because the Law is becoming weaker and less relevant by the day. Pronouncement by pronouncement of the judges. The ranting and raving statements of Trump. The dangers now converging on the population of the world, and even here in the United States. Why? Because there is no one home, no one to answer the door. The ring bell is broken, and we wish to hide, to remain in our homes, thinking that no one will break in. Nothing will seep under the doors nor leak through the roof. How foolish these beliefs are.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow. 

The foolishness, the evil denial, the cowardice and the brave few are always there. Is it not time that we stop rewording and rewriting yesterday so that it fits our designs of today so that it gives forth the tomorrow that is so harmful, existentially so. When will we come to our senses, to the realization of the reality and what awaits us. To know we must do what is right and do what must be done.

Finally, do not think that the GOP headed by Trump is the only monster in the nest. For sure, there are many others who can and indeed are included in that same pile of trash. Those who call themselves Democrats and Democratic Socialists who spout hate, who run all campaigns for office on a basis of Hate! Who call yet again for the extermination of the Jewish nation, their one tiny state to disappear into the 2 billion population of the Moslem states.

Does this ever get better?

Or are we on a never-ending loop of horror?

Thoughts, anyone?

WHERE IS TRUTH IN OUR LIVES?

 Today I have to fly far away. Back to my homeland. Back to the founding of my faith. My faith, my religion, my people and my G-d. I’m talking about the land of Israel. The land which seems to bother everyone. There can be countries which consider themselves to be Catholic. There are countries which consider themselves to be Protestant. There are many, many countries which consider themselves to be Muslim of whatever sect or group they are, Shiite or Shia or whatever one of the many. But apparently it is against everything in the world for there to be one tiny little Jewish state called Israel. 

Israel is the modern presentation of an ancient land. A land for the Jews, of the Jews, and of all other people who wish to live there in peace. That includes Arabs of the Christian and Muslim faith. Who partake in the government. Who serve in the army. Who form part of the police. Are the pharmacists and doctors and nurses. And bus drivers and cab drivers. And store owners. And whatever other profession one can think of. It is a country where Arab women are encouraged to go to college and advance themselves, widen and open their personal horizons. Not to remain behind. Where scholarships are given to all who qualify. 

This is not the land of apartheid, yet another disgusting lie bruited about by the Haters.

This, apparently, is the land which bothers everyone. This is a land which apparently is the cause of all that is wrong in this world and has never ever done anything right. Nor for that matter have its residents of the Jewish faith.  It seems that all contributions to this world over the millennia by the Jewish people have been negated, denied.

Things have been backwards in this area for far too long. The target of hate has been blamed for the hate, made responsible for flaws that are non-existent, and for positive attributes which seem to frustrate others who do not have and/or do not exercise the talents they too might have within. The Jewish people are blamed hypocritically to be on both sides of the hate coin, without anyone even standing up to confess that the whole thing is ridiculous. 

What is claimed cannot be. No logic behind it as people are charging and believing that we Jews have an enormous talent and enormous patience in reserve as we are accused of doing all that is wrong, nothing right, yet despite our "power" we allow all the hate and all the verbal and physical attacks, all the vicious words of social media - despite all that we supposedly control.

Let's take a look and see how dangerously and falsely these attacks are framed. So - "Jews control the banks". Really? Where is this coming from, especially, as we are claimed to be the leaders in the cause of socialism and communism, which is the complete opposite belief of life of capitalism, you know, the banks we control? Thus, somehow, in a warped thinking, we are both ends of society at one and the same time and wreak havoc on all. Seemingly hard hearted to all, even as the reality tells otherwise. Jewish donors are the majority of the gifts, small and large, to charities which service ALL people, with donations as well to institutions of culture and research, to hospitals for special attention to various causes.

Apparently, we are a gifted people, for we also control education within this nation and the world in general, especially the universities. Really? Why then would we allow those awful attacks staged at universities this past year, raging with antisemitism, with a vicious and vile JewHatred, well entrenched within these same institutions as investigations revealed. Not even calling for the death of Jews was enough to raise at least a modicum of worry and concern. Thus, the allowance of know nothings to chant hate and violence re what they know naught about. Just imagine the intense effort it took for Jews to engineer this whole fiasco - and for what, incidentally?

But then again, perhaps we Jews are not logical. We cannot see past our noses and are gifted with the ability to be of dual personalities, perhaps exhibiting one aspect and then the other depending perhaps on the day of the week!  There is no other explanation.  

 Jews own the media, print and online. Really? For a nation which has battled hatemongers from time immemorial, survived the worst efforts to exterminate us, who declare our customs anathema, why then, if we control it all, would we add to our woes and allow evil language to be promulgated along those paths? Think! It makes no sense at all - and yet, on and on it goes. 

Furthermore, if we control, as claimed, the governments of the world, why then would we allow those same governments and their spokespeople to spew forth the words of hate, the projections of ideas as to how to eliminate Jews, how to isolate them, no matter where they live, no matter the form of art or science or research they engender. In fact, if we are the money-grubbing nation others love to lie about, then why do we share all that we have discovered with the world, from science, philosophy, the arts and research, all that the people of the world make use of - and every damn time one goes on a computer or uses a mobile phone- hey! That was us so if you want to boycott, please, boycott all that eases your life!

The Jewish people, the People of the Bible, with all its strict commandments re cleanliness, re avoiding blood in our food, why the hell are we accused by rampantly shouting insane crazies that we eat children, that we drain their blood and use it. Exactly opposite of what we are enjoined - to keep clean in so many ways, including no blood!! 

There is no recognition of truths, only the internalization of filthy lies which cannot withstand the light of day. Hence the promulgators of this viciousness hide in the dark as well.  No truth to be seen nor heard, merely the ugliness of hate driven lies.

For that matter, if we indeed controlled all, why then, please tell me, would we allow such JewHaters as Mamdani, Omar, Bush and the sick in mind retrogressive 'progressives' to have any say in the governing of the nations of the world. No sense, no logic, and yet on go the spewers of crap, words of hate that give rise to violence. The people of the world have turned away from the Good Lord Above, are shamed in their doings, and thus look to blame others, the People of the Book. They have chosen the Devil and his minions over the One G-d, the true G-d and walk in ways of evil and hate.     

The State of Israel is not perfect and commits errors, at times chooses the wrong leaders. As do all nations of the world. Why is it that Israel must pay in spades even as other nations are excused, even praised.  All the good that Israel has done in coming to nations in dire need of aid of various forms are discounted. Its huge undertaking of the responsibility of being the haven and rescuers of ALL Jews in danger, no matter color, appearance and culture- for this is the State of Israel. Our home.  Forever and for always.      

So, no. We do not have to explain or find excuses or make promises to change. None at all.  WE do not have to defend verbiage directed against us. 

We do not have to change or bow down to the haters of the Jewish nation, the State of Israel which does as all nations do when necessary to defend life and limb and integrity of nationhood. We are not to accept these exclusions as part of our lives. NO, it is for you, the haters, to understand where you have gone wrong, where you have sucked hard at the bottle of poisoned drink, suffused with hate. It is you who encourage Hate and violence, who teach your children this rottenness. 

It is you who incite the inhumanity of Hate. To blossom into thorns of hate and harm, with callous disregard of the true beauty of this earth that G-d has gifted to us. We are obviously falling short. 

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Do you not think it is time to address the situation? We are, none of us, immune to the awful consequences, the inevitable outcomes of hate.      Hate never runs out of victims. Do you not think it is time for humanity to look into the mirror and see the egregious errors we have made, the ugliness we cling to. It is time enough already to get past this barbaric ethos which humans buy into time and time again?

Do you not?

and if not, WHY THE HELL NOT?

 

Look in the mirror again.

Be honest and seek thetruth.

The truth is that all hate is falsely inspired. It subverts humanity, turns it away from its primary injunction - to leave the world a better place simply for you having been there. 

 For all time, that has been our assignment, and we have carelessly and maliciously failed at it.

Forget Hate. Be the best one can be and see the better life we will all live.  

For all time.  

BRAINS AT WORK - OR NOT!

 LORD, WHAT FOOLS THESE MORTALS BE!  

Or at least there is the popular thinking that no, they are not the fools, for it is all the 'others', those gullible, those willfully blind, those with shut down, locked down tight processes of thinking.   It amazes me. How much foolishness? How much dangerous ignorance and willful avoidance of truth. We permit ourselves to swallow whole, unchallenged and right there in one's face.

 All the while thinking they have notched another. victory sign in their belt. Have fooled so many who took their lies as gospel truth. And who will resist to their dying breath the acknowledgment of that thick binding of wool over their eyes. The truth is rendered impotent, useless, no acknowledgement of existence, brushed aside as one cleans lint from one's suit. And we are all the worse off for it. 

The political atmosphere of the country is rife with big lies. They are so ingrained within the fabric of human beings that one cannot even dig them out, nor force them out, nor to be able to convince them of the malfeasance of their untruths. The need to believe these lies is so deep with individuals that one has to give up before one even tries, knowing the inevitable results. Even glaring examples of how wrong, how deeply erroneously false their beliefs are, discounted. Wished away, excused away with feeble excuses which disintegrate at the puff of a breath. 

I believe one of the most frightening aspects of the current atmosphere is the fact that it has indeed gone over into the copy paste mode of history. An historical presentation emphasized here is the   "story” of history and certainly the "his” part of that as well. Despite all the research, despite all the reflection, despite all the scholarship, despite all the advancements made, the most mutual recognition of equality of gender and humanity is now going down the drain. Faster and faster, with no valve to turn off the force of the torrent of lies quickly pushing the facts, the truths, down the pipes with nary any possible chance of at least recapturing some of these endangered truths. The goal, clearly, is to redraw and rewrite and reevaluate the history of mankind in general and that of the USA and other countries in particular.  

It is the past once again being written into the present and way into the tomorrow, the future awaiting this planet. We persist on repeating the errors of the past, enhancing their evil via misused advanced technologies and ever faster means and results of communication.  We have, Mankind in general, powered it, this nastiness, this emphasis on one's individual gains of bottom line enhancement, conspicuous consumption, large applications of fear implied and real against those who tarry and resist further advancement along this road to Hell.    

Renewed laws and mores of society based on authoritarianism and the clear and growing deliberate exclusion of all but a very sparsely populated realm of the upper crust, all serve to distance hopes and dreams, equality, true progress. As a result, life grows harder, the slog ever more a steeper climb, and the US of the world lessen in importance and value, lack possibility of a return to ours, and our children. 

That which was once the pride in the advancement of humanity, of democracy, of true empathy, and recognition that all must reach out and lend a helping hand, an encouraging hand, to those in need, allow them, enable them, to climb the same beneficial ladder, to use the strength they have, the inner courage to do the right thing for themselves and others. 

Only that way does all of mankind progress. Only with true, unembarrassed empathy, of a "there but for the grace of G-d" philosophy, in use, can we retain that which remains and regrasp that which is flying quickly off to unreachable space and time. All that indeed allows us to model ourselves along paths of truly emulating the traits and the truth of the image of G-d that we have within us, along with the temptation to follow the gods of metal, wood and stone, of incipient and unavoidable harm and hurt.

These are the false gods and false images to which we have chosen to return to, time and time again. We never seem to totally internalize Truth. That these images and the chasing of these images must be made gone, never to return, to be trashed for all of eternity. The possibilities are there. So why so often, too often, do we choose the wrong side.          ever returning to the worst of us. 

Under the leadership of those such as Trump and Trumpian characters, of false and cruel leaders round the world who base their powers, their ability to remain in office on the scepter of fear they hold over the heads of those they rule, well, the results are out there in 3D for all to see. to acknowledge. We can see the success of those who grasp all for themselves and stingily dole out miniscule amounts, if at all, to buy the people who have placed them in these powerful positions. Merely modern replays of the bread and circus of the failing Roman Empire.

I do not understand why at this time of my life I am forced to look backward to that which was. That which was once dreams and hopes. Once upon a time. To a young idealist who dreamt of All that could be. That should be. But is not. Where is it now? I must look back and wonder. Where the hell are we going? Any forward movement actually contains within strong retrograde power. We have chosen as role models those who should most definitely not be emulated. We fall into the same ever returning traps. Never seeming to learn from the lessons of history. Disregarding the pools of blood through which we splash. Even as the pools grow larger and larger, deeper and deeper. For the blood that is shed joins with other rivulets of blood. Forming creeks. And rivers. And torrents and oceans.  

No. Prayer alone is not necessarily the answer. It helps. It strengthens us. But we must do this ourselves. Knowing that there is the best fan in the world in the universe, rooting for us to do that which we are capable of. That which is possible to achieve. But that which we never do. Instead of sharing the room, widening the ladder, we make it even narrower, forcing too many to fall off. To be crushed beneath the feet of those above. And to be grabbed by desperate hands of those below.  By those who want More and by those who want to keep the More they already have. False values in life.  Fool's gold. And humanity has fallen for it time and time and time again.

I wonder why we have never been able to channel successfully the powers of the young. Their idealism. The wisdom of true Elders. To improve this world. To cast out from among us the ugly and no good. Why do we fail in this effort time and time again? Why do we allow the young to choose unwisely and fall under the evil influence of those of no good within. Whose hearts and souls are blackened, charred into uselessness.    

Why must all talk of change always result in bad moves, false leaders and misplaced trust, with detours placed there to misdirect. We speak of needed change and then take shortcuts which lead to violence and failure. We bypass the powers of legality, dream childish visions of blood and guts.  Indulge in fairy tale modes of "Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After". 

 And we fail, for force alone is not the answer.  We need legal powers and reinforced underpinnings.  We must be strong, determined, prompt and ever alert, but use what we legitimately have and not emulate the wrong ways of those who oppose us. That makes us no better than the worst of them.  Defense and offense, but always with legitimacy at hand lest we lose the battle and the war before it has even begun. We must turn to the resources which we have, the laws which we have, the legal powers enabling us to do the right thing. 

I don't know. I wish I did.

Evidently, there are many of you who feel the same way as I do. Over the past two days, literally, according to the statistics, over half million people have been reading my postings. I'm not even sure nor understand how they know to read me? But if I can move humanity forward one teeny tiny piece. of a step forward, well, that would be good.  

Yesterday. Today, Tomorrow. 

Will we choose the ugliness of the past that remains with us, that has sent out tendrils of lunacy into tomorrow? Or cross that out and instead take the goodness of the past, the sweetness possible in the present, and generate encouraging hopes of the future. To go forward. Together.

Your choice, folks.

I have long made my choice.

Once again, a reminder. It is on us.  

Resist the calls of the Sirens for they no longer are after Odysseus and his crew. No, instead they are after us. We, the people. We must reject the Sirens. Reject the universe of Trump. Oust those who do not belong in office and serve not the people, but themselves. All with the law on our side. 

We must defy the return of fascism. We must resist the rather liberating call to Hate. All that bode no good for us. And certainly not for the future of our children. If there is to be a future indeed.

Once again. All on us.   

        

  

DRAMAMINE, ANYONE?

  One does not have to be a professional traveler, a frequent flyer or an infrequent one to understand that today is a day we will all need extra supplies of Dramamine, extra tricks on our phones that keep us from being nauseous as we peruse the news of the day, if news there is in any case. Much of what passes for news today is mostly cut and paste of yesterday's, which was a cut and paste of last week's, which was a cut and paste of last month, which was a cut and paste of last year, which was a cut and paste of the previous decade. In other words, nothing new under the sun.

Actually, that last statement could be rightfully challenged. What we have today in the once blessed, once great United States of America, is a situation such as we have never faced before. Never anticipated it nor set up red lines of warning to alert us of its coming. Not here! Not in America? Oh, yes, in America. 

We can go crazy swinging our heads and minds, back and forth, not quite able to internalize the facts and the implied to be facts. We ponder, exactly how did we get from George Wasinton, our first President who turned down the offer of a crown and warned his fellow Americans to be alert, ever so, lest someone come along and reinstate a monarchy into the nascent democracy. 

How did we get to the situation we now have - a man who is our most recent president, perhaps to be the last one of the once proud United States of America, a leading democracy among the nations of the world? What we now have is a man who prefers the throne rather than the seat in the Oval Office. Who despises democracy and champions authoritarianism. Who dreams of being Donald I, a ruler of this nation. 

He dreams of stretching out his arms, grabbing that crown and thrusting it upon his head. To sit back on that throne and claim his dream as a reality = all for and of his making. With no one daring to challenge, for the Imperial Presidency would be the arbiter of all legality and criminality, the conveyor and creator of arbitrary new laws beneficial to himself and his greedy family members, even as his own bottom line swells obscenely. This inherently and convicted felon and sexual pervert ironically mirrors some of the state of George III at the time of the American Revoluton as he too battled mental (and physical?) deterioration at that time. 

So why the Dramamine? Surely, we're all used to feeling nauseous, sick at heart and sick at soul as we have watched this nation's fabric and underpinnings go awry. Blown away in the face of powerful, destructive winds. Shredded by insects who ate away at it. The Dramamine is recommended, advised as to keeping a steady stock handy as we are in for some very rough seas and major air turbulence. All deriving from the intensification of his bizarre and overweening ego. My airport, PBI, a sweet little airport has now turned into yet another figment of this man 's. twisted desires.

 Its name has now been changed to The Donald J Trump International Airport. The only president to have an airport named after himself, by himself, during his term in office. Even as he continues to scour Washington DC. for more infrastructure damage he can inflict upon the historical buildings. and history of DC and the entire nation as well. No thinking small here in the madcap attempt, (unfortunately somewhat too successful for my comfort), to satiate his unsatiable desire and appetite to turn the world upside down, is there? To recreate it in his own distorted image and vision. 

Nothing goes unnoticed, too big, too small for all touch upon his ambitions. Outright lies from size of crowds to spewings of his mouth, to obvious signs of deterioration, both mental and physical. Imagined voting irregularities ginned up from the air. Serious attempts to disenfranchise, to deport without differentiation. To deny humanity. To live by ancient maxims of hate and contempt for all one deems beneath oneself. 

The much-mourned destruction of the East Wing of the White House. To be replaced by a very strange ballroom - in 2026 - a ballroom! Gilded Age anyone? His tasteless and very weird colonnade of heroes along with the tasteless splashes of gold and gilt he has brought into the White House and all he touches. Fool's gold, all of it. A Rose Garden   destroyed, replaced - not - with a rather tawdry and misplaced patio of cement and yellow striped beach umbrellas. Mai Tai, anyone? Little umbrellas?    . 

To insert his name on the JFK Center. Forced to remove it, thank G-d. And now, a rather strong and uncomfortable sense of impending disaster as this twisted infantile man who has no attention span of any consequence, is practically illiterate, with his favorite and perhaps only reading being stories of himself and his "achievements". This man has turned attention to the measurement and examination and commiseration for the treatment of these columns of the North Portico. What now? The Big Tent center pole? The bizarre statements made at Mount Rushmore. That Arch, that abomination that hopefully will be denied existence.     

 All through the nation, infrastructure is being hijacked. And rechristened. With new names. All the same. Donald Trump. Simply Trump. Benefiting in gross manner from trades he is legally barred from doing, but that makes no never mind, does it? His greedy efforts as he trademarks three different referral names to the new PBI. 

Picture him sitting like a mad king of old. Surrounded by the gold and the paper bills of his wealth. Even as he finds himself alone at the end. There's no one there. No one to care. No matter how much wealth one has accrued here in this world, nothing can come across that barrier to the next. And there, ahead of him, awaits a much more powerful Being than he ever imagined himself to be. 

And he will reap the consequences of the harm and damage, the pain that he has caused.  All for temporary wealth and power and for what? A legacy? G-d help all those who support such a legacy, who enabled it, who crippled the world, America, for twisted motives - wealth and power. And for what?  Nothing of lasting value gained, all that was is no more, and history will be the judge of the legacy to be left behind.   

Do I sound angry? Yes, I am. Very much so. But my anger is not only directed at Trump. for without the acquiescence of so many who refused to think, to peer ahead, to follow threads, he would have gotten nowhere. I believe that much of the ugliness and the hate that fills this world today derives from so much of what he has done or not done. What he has said or left unsaid.  

 Oh, yes! Dramamine to weather the roaring high seas, the huge freak waves. The freakish weather patterns now becoming destructive norms. But then again, there is no environmental change is there?  Need a pill now? Understand the rough weather facing us, with no for sure certainty that we will be able to compensate, to repair, to progress, truly progress, not call retrograde as foreword movement.

This man is sick. He is sly. Nasty. Infantile. Not yet learned one of the first lessons of life. The world does not revolve around one person. No matter how important. No matter how well known. No matter how bad.  But the world has no time to waste and with full determination, with all legal tools and mannerism and pathways we must act. To change the current situation. Turn it aside from the awful detour it has taken, led back onto the straight road. 

Time's a wasting and growing short. The vagaries    of this man and his acolytes must no longer be allowed to wage war against the people of Earth.      He is a broken model of a man. Full speed ahead with determination to calm the seas and settle the air above us. If we do not act. If we do not take enough Dramamine to sustain ourselves, then we will find ourselves crushed beneath the keel of a wayward ship of state steered by a demented captain, carrying us all to perdition.           

Dramamine, anyone? 

Wrist bracelet, anyone? 

Portable basin, anyone? 

A change of clothing, anyone?

Yesterday.

Today.

Tomorrow. 

We never seem to learn, do we? Not only that, for even as we once surged forward, along with accompanying errors addressed to some extent at least, we are now barreling backwards. To old nasty memes and feelings of enmity. If we do not act together, those of us who remember we are Americans first, last and always. Not blue or red. Not pink or yellow. Americans. Red, white and blue. We must stand against all who would impede us in our path. With determination and right, and legality, we can better the approaching future. If not, the nation, all nations, will have to find their own way. As will the individuals within.

Check your medicine cabinets. Check your drawers and your carry-ons. Get that Dramamine ready and handy. 

I hope it is a Bon Voyage with a safe and sweet landing, a cruise we treasure. 

SHOT TO THE HEART ...

  ... And who's to blame? Well, look, there you are. The man in the mirror. All the men and women in the mirror. Who stood by and either implicitly or complicitly allowed for the likes of the present Barracudas to gain their place and edge and shove all else out of their paths in order to make way for their imperial selves. And for those who follow in their wayward footsteps, sell their souls to the Devil and then count themselves oh so clever in having gained the pathetic goals of their lives - wealth and power, or even just a bit of power enabling them to lord it over all else. Preferably for all else to witness the demeaning of another human being and shake in fear and admiration at 'he' who had done this.

Where and when did we go so wrong? Our grandparents and greats had struggled to get here, make a new life, raise families able to live the American Dream. Along with that was an insistent and careful inculcation of true patriotism into the hearts of their children, those who grew up to be the Greatest Generation. The "Greatest Generation" who then went out and fought the monsters who would have the Dream die. 

They began to fill the ranks of steersmen, government employees, the professions, the various trades necessary to build a strong land. Dedicated their lives not only to their own success, but also to fulfill the truth of the maxim: From those to whom much has been given, much is expected in turn. And then something happened. Why? For many reasons, known and unknown.

This generation of heroes began to suffer from small fractures within their foundations.       Elements of negativity wormed into the small, miniscule fissures in the framework. It is to be expected that all societies have growing pains, even retrograde pains, but not to the extent that this nation of ours has undergone this past decade. And most certainly not to the extent of the gross overblown lies tossed about as truth, where words lose their meaning and become that which they claim they oppose. 

 The Greatest Generation devolved into their entitled children. Who bought into the rat races. Who bought into the selfish. And who in turn raised a generation of entitled children such that we have not seen before. Retrogressive becomes progressive. Fascism in its many guises is labeled as democracy and socialism and communism raise their ugly heads once again, promising pie in the sky but delivering only the sour remains of what others have eaten. The members of society are confused and seek a leader, a strong one with strong convictions, only to find that the leader has no convictions other than those which serve his interest. 

 These days, more and more people are waking up to the fact that we have gotten ourselves into a fix such that there are no tools enough and knowledge enough and craftsman enough to fix it. We have ceded power to those segments of the government which then cede that power which we ceded to them and give it to the president. So that we now have an almost completely insured and protected imperial presidency. 

How we get out of this is beyond me. Trump and his party have managed to install one third of the seats of the Federal bench seats available with his own people. People who had served as his personal lawyers, people who were involved in his various machinations that stink of corruption. Anyone bold enough to defy him was not bold enough to remain in office and take the abuse. They  took the easy way out. Better for them, but not for their nation, and certainly not for the world at large.

Since we have become so embroiled in arguments about who is a citizen and who is not, who has the right to be a citizen and what does that entail, we should all get an assignment, including the native born and those not. Read the Declaration of Independence word by word by word. Understand what it is saying. Understand what it is not. And look around you once, twice, three times, and more. All the times you need to understand why and how those words are evaporating from the very page.   The Constitution and the Declaration are becoming irrelevant in the very country in which they were born. Is it because we have lost our way. Is it because we have told lies so huge that they forbid any denial and they become incorporated within the very atoms of these documents.  We actually grow to believe we are spouting the truth.

Lord knows I am not a fan of any recent President. Of any party. Because both parties have forgotten that they are Americans first and foremost. But I must give credit to where it is deserved. At times, as people will remind me, even the bad and the disappointing have something good within. As they try to convince me that there is something worthwhile inside our current president. So, I find that other presidents, other politicians, can become a bit more dignified the further they get from their office.

This is from Obama's speech at the opening of his presidential center. And I quote. 

   "... Feeding us a steady stream of distraction and outrage.... Appealing to our basest, most tribal instincts, it's tempting to give in to cynicism and even despair. To stop trying.... that the very idea of working on behalf of the common good is a sucker's bet.... I am not immune to anger or doubt.

(But I do know this:) When we lose faith in each other. When we stop believing that voting matters. That citizenship matters. That our collective voices matter. That how we treat each other no longer matters. And we give away our power to decide our own futures; we open the door to the most ruthless. or the most careless. Or the most fearful among us who see some groups and some people as more equal than others. And see government as nothing more than a way to divvy up the spoils. And punish enemies. And keep those who are different in their place."

Yesterday.

Today.

Tomorrow. 

Will we ever allow ourselves to see the truth? To see right through all of the confusing shadows?  

Only we can decide that.

AND THERE IT IS AGAIN!

  What is the "it" that has come around again? Is it this strange but understandable reluctance to actually put down, not on paper, but on screen my concerns, mostly my fears re the future of this nation. Busy celebrating its 250th, of what was. and how we came to be, frightening thoughts intrude. Many people have picked up on these frightening threads, many shaking through to their souls. and they've written their opinions of it.

We have the threat of the unknown. Yes, we know what we have done, good and bad and in between. And we know what has come out be from them as a result. But the question rearing its head above all else is what is going to happen now to this nation? It is facing critical questions of unity and disunity. So powerful are these critical questions that one can wonder whether there will there be a 300th birthday celebration? 

Or by that time will we have sunk down deep into the smothering fetid swamp ground, weighted down by the errors we have made over the years, the increasing horror of our behavior, how we have sunk, both knowingly and unknowingly, buoyed by our adherence to the rule that it is not 'my' problem. Others will do it. It is their job. Besides, isn't every single one corrupt? So why bother? Life will continue, just perhaps a tad changed."  

This disregard for the nation we have sunk makes it very clear that we, our way of life, led us down the road to failure. We did it all by ourselves - and aren't we proud! We ignored the cracks we spotted in the foundational pillars of this nation. We refused to pay attention and do serious repair, even any repair. It has all come tumbling down just as did the building at Surfside when it also lost its firm foundation, similarly due to the fault of those    responsible to preventing such a terrible thing from happening.  Everybody else stood around with their thumbs up their rear, not wanting to spend any money, let alone the huge amount of money to repair all that was wrong and prevent any repetition. It can continue on, they said. It has until now. Why would it be expected to be different?     

And so here we are. A once proud United States of America, once holding up the world, keeping it on track or getting it back to where it needed to go, where it must go - gone. No interest in that hard and selfless work. More immediate concerns, correct? Beef up one's bottom line. To obscene levels. Lay people off, for their puny salaries are taking away from the profit, not our huge inflated seven and eight figure salaries + bonus! And hey, let's raise prices again and get more squeals out of desperate people.

No, and as truth continued to be denied, the nation fell to its knees, tried to stand up, and did on occasion, but finally, the result was and remains a nation prostrate on the floors of civilization. Spurning all the advances of humanity and rebuying into all other sets of rules - or lack of such, disregarding all that they had learned as children, as their parents had tried to inculcate deep within their bones. But it all failed. We had all failed. 

The stench of disregard, of corruption suffused the air and the only ones escaping its putrid odor were those who had caused it in the first place. But they were safe in their numerous homes, their extravagant manners in plentiful supply to shield them from the consequences of their actions. Instead of growing a better world, as they should have.

 Instead of even perhaps preparing for a day when we might have to leave Earth as we had decimated it so, beyond the point of fixing, we turned into other paths. Those of strange and extreme science fiction - turning into facts via our lack of forethought and recognition of truths. Humanity has virtually decimated the benefits of the gift of this earth. It steadily fell into the poisoned well, of unplumbable depths of dishonesty and selfishness.  The wheels of the busses rolling over those thrown beneath them were constantly dragging bloody remains throughout the world. 

 We took of the best we had created what we had striven for, and allowed it to crumble right beneath our eyes. When we looked around finally to find a hero to point out to the children, as role models, there were none. 

We chose the worst among us to lead us. We chose to ignore the moral and physical perversions. The decaying of the souls of our so-called leaders who use religion cynically. As a political tool. We are getting what we deserve. No more a role model for nations looking to reform and reformat. We were a disgrace and a danger, and we reaped what we had sowed. 

No hand of aid was extended to us. They did not see past the shards of the shattered remains of dreams and hopes. Of humanity's advancement. All they saw were the people ripped from families, demeaned, chased, injured, and forcefully ousted from this nation once a proud haven for those of need, even as our ancestors were. Being shoved out through the borders. 

Even as our economy failed. Even as our circulation failed as well, for there were no more infusions of fresh thinking, of fresh blood a nation needs to do all it must. Only old stale remains of what once had been. We had created our own path to death. We abused others. As well as the land on which we were living. We abandoned our role, a hard one. But a good one. Serving mankind. And we trashed it. All that was good. All that has remained is quickly disappearing at ever faster pace. Soon we will be as those great empires who also fell into moral disrepair. Leading to physical decadence and their last dying gasps were wasteful, awful giant testimonials to the pathetic leaders who came in and out of office so quickly that one could not keep track. 

The obscuring fogs of the past covered it all. Deepening the coverings over all that was and will be no more unless we WAKE UP!! We must pay attention. We must take serious giant steps to reform ourselves. We must not take the easy way out, for there lay only more danger.  More disaster.         

To the demise of humanity, certainly as we know it.

So, what is the IT that has returned again and again? All the yesterdays, the todays, and may G-d help us, for if we don't stop it, into the tomorrows, as few as they might be. It is a sad fact. I had to turn away from writing of specifics, so despairing am I of what we have done to ourselves. Even as we continue to excuse the perversions of the leader. The twists of his family. The ugliness. All that we have engendered and allowed to run rampant upon this beautiful gift from the Lord.  

ABANDONED!!

  I can remember from decades ago, and I can remember from not so long ago, that always I trusted my nation to have my back. To have the back of all of its citizens. Always to seek out a better way to help and to rescue. To advise and guide. To stand beside. To stretch out a helping hand and pick its citizens up, those who find themselves in spots of bother, some of consequence and some not. 

Knowing that one was not alone, gave so many the strength and encouragement to forge forward, to invent, to move the nation along, as it grew in power, in international concern, in striving to better not only oneself, but the myriads of Earth's inhabitants who desperately needed their own quantity of encouragement and welcome. Certainly not so much anymore. In fact, if at all. 

Today I believe that in order to catch the eye and the hand of the government, to see through your eyes and lend that helping hand, well, very poor chance that you will get even at least one.  Our government today has very little to do with the government that the Founding Fathers foresaw. Or at least allowed to develop naturally. To always seek out the better. To allow for correction and moral growth. They knew they were not perfect, possessed flaws natural to mankind, and thus allowed for change, albeit positive change. 

When some of the people of the nation and some of their leaders sent our ship of state out onto rocky seas, we did not accept that as the end of it all. There were manifestly legal, constitutional methods by which to correct the steering errors and find smoother sailing, a more beneficial path for the ship of state. Redirection and correction did not necessarily come overnight, but it did eventually come and we the people were the beneficiaries.    Today, unfortunately, we have those who seek out the worst they can find. To be the worst they can be. Anxious to look in the mirror and pat themselves on the back at the same time and say "yes. I have achieved my goal. I have broken the bank of X, Y, or Z. I have amassed wealth beyond my wildest dreams as a child."

"And best of all? I've only stepped on a few 100 thousand people. As they clear the road ahead, making it all the easier to move forward, to step on their necks and backs, to narrow their choices and to look upon them and their problems as inconsequential, for what matters is the culmination of my ambitions."

 However. Truth to be said, most will go further in their warped ambitions, in their cold and calculating road of growth in the path they were on. Not quite sure if evil and selfish ambitions had reached their culmination or was there perhaps more to hug to oneself? Have ambitions indeed been met. Or perhaps there is more in it for me?  Wealth and power plus a high degree of influence and say-so, perhaps even, yes, a large heaping of fear amongst those who dare to challenge. Who stand in the way of my twisted thinking and resultant behavior. 

To gain entry past that impossible to open gate and achieve Nirvana. Even as I hear the smack of that gate closing immediately behind me. To be able to smirk. To despise those who do not get in, who stand in line, fruitlessly. Waiting for something that will never happen. And this is when egos of the crazed ambitious creatures swell, the knowing they have made it. Those who have not? No time to spare a moment of sympathy, a pang of guilt. Not at all.  

Such is the selfishness pervading and overwhelming the air above our land. We have allowed for, even encouraged, a reoccurrence of a group of crooked thinking elite who care naught for any but themselves, who treat with our enemies and abandon our allies, along with their co-citizens. Exactly as those against whom we fought and resisted at the time of our founding. 

That stink of active corruption reaches all the way up to the President who amasses wealth and instigates fear. Who has no loyalty to any other than himself and family and those he can bully, demean, and abandon at moments of need. There is no sympathy within this man and those who follow behind, tongues lapping his filth. 

Our once blessed and caring nation is no longer. Can we return it to whence it originated, with morals and goodwill, with truth and honor? Accept its errors and then repair? To stride forward, careful of where we step, avoiding damage to necks and backs of others. To use power within our capabilities in a more beneficial manner than not? 

Yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Does it ever change?

Yes, it does, and it can - if we wish it so and work to make it so.

WE must do it, for there are no others to step forward.  

More tomorrow.   

CAUGHT OFF GUARD - OR NOT?

Yesterday was the day for various emotions. First, as always, it was my mom's birthday. She always claimed that the fireworks were for her and of course, we agreed. Why not? Why should we burst that bubble? Truly, she was worth it all. I still miss her, and so do the generations she left behind, but as we knew our dad would be there for her, we knew she would be okay. So happy birthday, Ma. We all miss you. We all love you.  

Actually, above all else, it was a Saturday. Shabbat. A day given over by G-d to serve as a day of rest for the entire world. For all living sentient beings. A day meant for family and friends, for study, for prayer, for acknowledgment of who we are and where we are. And where we need to go.  For meditation. For sharing in the joy of religion. To remember He who created it all. A day that comes around every seven days, does it not? Yet each and every time, even as it is the same it remains different. It seems to expand, to pick us up where we need to be and set us down as needed.       

But as of a 1000 days ago modern Shabbat has taken on a shadow of ugliness and bloodshed. October 7. 2023. The day when Shabbat and its serenity and holiness, was invaded by the Devil Incarnate and soulless adherents who were fueled by Hate, JewHatred, antisemitism on crack. Loaded with venom, these creatures invaded and killed. And killed more. And took captives away for murder and torture at a time they chose.

 They came with murder and bloodshed in their hearts, on their souls. Somehow, their horrendous violation of all laws and mores of man and G-d   induced others not to condemn but to praise. The victims were condemned, accused of all sorts of outrageous acts against humanity. Truthfully, their 'crime' was to have survived, the continuation of a nation long violated, consigned to the slaughter.  yet surviving and thriving and reupping for more of the same as they stubbornly refused the evil desires and goals of their oppressors.

 Defiant and overcoming all that has been thrown     at them, this fact irritated the Haters. This Evil appeared to be innate in their very composition, and that emotion, that twisted desire to do away with them, unlocked a door behind which a wave of JewHatred, approved and supported by the Devil's acolytes, had remained, and now freed, approved and supported. 

Once again, an open target of poison, outrageous, so clearly false yet glommed onto by those needing to release their worst parts and sent their soulless desires and actions once again, into the world. Adherence and adherents grew in numbers and influence. Behind that symbolic door was the motivations of centuries, to kill that which eluded their comprehension, their refusals to look within themselves and understand where they went wrong and where they continue to remain, led by vicious ambitious false leaders. As has always been the case. 

A JewHatred which we have not seen for decades, certainly not so brazenly flaunted, and yet there it was. And there it remains. And there it grows. Aimed at any and all 'tainted' by connection, real and/or imagined, to the Jewish nation, individual and en-masse, to Judaism, to the State of Israel. The ugliness of the Shabbat of Oct7, then, before then, and now most probably for a chunk of time into the future. So, it has always been.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow, 

Just as it always has been true that we have survived it all, come out fighting way above our weight, and disappointing those have been and continue to be, wishful of our extermination, vanished from history. Shabbat of 1000 days ago. Shabbat through the ages. A favorite day to schedule violent actions against the Jewish people. And again, we are here. 

WE ARE HERE. Our Defender apparently has other plans for us.

They overrule all else.

We have tried over the millennia to find allies within the rest of the world and have been disappointed so many times. Surely among all the billions of people on this planet there are good people. Yet even when we find one it seems to be a fair-weather friend, in for the gain and certainly not to share the pain. The very pain that their friendship could ameliorate. 

I thought about the forecast of the world. Are these crazed weather phenomena signals from the Lord Above? Thundering so loud it frightens one.  Pouring too much rain. Withholding the rain. Are these warnings to us? Perhaps. I have thought so many times. But yesterday, picking up a print of one of the most seminal documents of the world, my heart began to bang against the rib cage. Surely not. Surely. W cannot be there. And yet, we are. 

Where is "there" which frightens me so??     Unfortunately, it's not too far away. In fact, it is here. Already. And those who know better, who should know better, should be brave enough and honest enough to shout out the truth. And yet. 

 Why? Why? Why?

More on this in the next posting.  

I THINK I GOT IT!!

  This year, especially in the most recent days just passed, and probably well into the next few months, we are talking about the spirit of this nation. Whether it is the spirit of liberty or the spirit of freedom, the freedom of sharing and understanding what a glorious gift we have. And yet. There's something empty there. There's something that is leaving behind, perhaps even causing, great gaps to open in our pathways. Even as those who cause these gaps try to convince us that they are not there. All the better for us to fall into. And for the climb out to grow ever more difficult.   

The danger they pose! The nation continues to split. Groups pulling away. Larger groups forming. The skill and the necessity and importance of discussion, of compromise, and accepting the crucial truth that such behavior must return. And we must find language in common. Words in common. These words will allow us to try to find a way back. To interact with each other. As Americans. Not as Democrats, not as Republicans. But as Americans.  We need to salute the facts of our national fabric. That we are a nation of many, but with a single heart.  

But that truth is no longer. It has become obsolete. Fading into the fog of the past at ever quicker rate. Why? Because we have chosen of own will, and yes, with the prodding of others, to separate ourselves. To talk nastily about other Americans. To claim that they are not Americans. To claim that they do not deserve to be Americans. Or perhaps we don't deserve to be Americans. 

If we cannot see past all the smoke and the fire, blinding our eyes and deafening us with the roar of the raging fires burning our heritage to the ground, then we have turned our backs, our souls and our hearts, our righteous pride in an America ever striving to be better, to do better, to acknowledge errors and rehab those errors. America the Beautiful? Going, going, go .... 

Worse, we have gone so far past the ideals, that the way back is nigh unto impossible - unless we find a way back to whom we are supposed to be. To repair the torn, challenged and shattering national ethos and prepare to be proud givers, as we transfer this nation, its historical uniqueness, its Glory, into the hands of those who follow. Hopefully those who do will have been exposed to the truth. Not the lies. Who know how to find the truth for themselves. and refuse to be gob-smacked by those who wish to deny America. 

We, the adults, are enjoined to teach our people the Beauty of America, its Promise, its Hopes. the Welcoming Hand reaching out to take in, to provide haven, even as those we do, then contribute the new blood, the energy of the appreciative and help send our nation surging into a positive future. But we have forgotten the truth of the matter. Instead of a welcome, too many get a boot in their rear with steel toed shoes, all the better to hurt more. We have tossed a critical foundational plank into the damp ditches alongside the road, rotting the very fabric of the planks discarded. Into obsolescence. 

And so then I ask. What will we leave behind for our children? What will we be able to send them with our shoulders back and our heads held high. Or will we leave behind only the filth of what we have made? Once high goals have gone missing in the interim. And they have taken something along with them. They have taken along our unity, our honor. So split are we that we cannot even agree on the proper manner in which to celebrate our 250th birthday. I cringe in shame at my nation and for my nation. In fact, I am deeply disappointed by the state of the world in its entirety.

As short as a decade ago I could never have imagined the current events of today. It never crossed my mind to think that one day the very same universities which had taken us in, much to their benefit as well, never did I think that these same universities would condone, even praise       violent demonstrations against Israel. And make no never mind about it, when one stands here and says I am not anti-Semitic; I am only anti-Israel  -

BULLSHIT!! 

Being anti-Israel in its existence as a Jewish independent nation is being anti-Semitic. Who the hell do you think would be killed? Who do you think would be the targets of yet another massacre? And in fact, how the hell do you excuse what happened on October 7th, 2023? How dare you condemn Israel for responding? Even as they had to fight for days in order to beat all the animals back into their cages. There to wait until Israel went in and did what any other nation state would have done in this same situation. To make sure that no more would they come over the border. No more would they slaughter and rape our people.

And if the world did not like that, as we stood forth against them in might, in strength and determination, well, there again. I refer you back to the highlighted word. That the United States would join in, would allow these bloody protesters calling for the death of all Jews all around the world to stand forth boldly, well, I would have said you must have the wrong pens, the wrong crayons to draw this picture.

Now that is a shame. We have so much to be proud of. So much of that pride we are now tarring over. Throwing feathers on it and placing it on the rail. To be carried out of town. We are, from the best of us, the best of our ideas, the best of our history. I'm not sure what happened, but for sure the level of sanity in this world has diminished. As have the mores and morals and fabrics underlying this nation, the United States of America. 

We sure as hell are not keeping them sturdy, undamaged, as healthy as they were at the start of the deal, of the birth of this proud nation of ours.  We have made fundamental changes in our country, in our nation. Once we relished the freedom to make choices of our own. To opt in. To opt out. To opt in as maybe. To change minds. We did not have to cringe before our decisions, fearing what others would think of it. We had good people leading us, and yes, they had flaws. So do we all. There was only one being in this universe that does not have flaws and that is not Donald Trump.    

 But over the past decade, we have begun to. circumscribe our choices, our ability to make choices, our freedom to make choices, and to stick with it or not, as we wish. We used to have people within both major parties who could talk with each other as Americans, working for the benefit of this nation. You could even find points in common   working together to keep this country moving in the proper direction. But now? 

Now you are daring stone throwing, curses and specific directed physical violence should one disagree. Even for simply daring to speak up and disagree, a right of all Americans, A critical one at that. When did we allow this to happen? When did we lose our inner core of justice and morality? Of acceptance, tolerance. inviting all to share this wonderful country with all, even as they contributed to it. The American Dream was for all honest, hardworking people.   

We have now a president who is an official sexual pervert. We have a fake marriage with his wife. We have a man clearly deteriorating in mind and body. We have a man who takes gifts from foreign nations, clearly still not on the best terms with us. But he is like as child wanting more and more at this forever Birthday Party, overriding the party of the nation. Shredded as we cannot even agree on how to celebrate it.

We have self-anointed royal families. Including that of the president. Who deems himself perfect to be the authoritarian dictator of this nation. To be followed by his crooked sons. Even as the man himself is crooked using the office of the president, demeaning that office. as he uses it to be a shill. To put pressure on people. To use influence and power. To grow his bottom line. This year in particular, $2 billion worth. And add that all to that which came before and all that will come after. 

I thought, we thought, most of us thought that this kind of duality and dishonesty had gone the way of all living things. That we had beaten back, permanently defeated all the ugliness of corrupt governments. I guess we were wrong. And I guess as well that we are not addressing this issue with full acceptance of what we must do. 

We must make things better. We must do better. And what is it that I have now got? Well, I watched the strangest video the other day. A man who comes to a neighborhood, finds a lawn, a horrible sight.   He then mows and chops and cuts and works very, very hard, for days to bring it into a better shape. 

That is what we need to have now. We need people of courage. People of nobility within the soul to come forth.  Help us beat that unruly lawn into order. Into beauty. To make the neighborhood better, not worse. We have all the legal means necessary to do so, and we had better use them before this Supreme Court totally and completely grants any and all and every power to this man. And to all that would follow in his footsteps. 

Why do we not use this legal power? Why do we not do what is right? It is now that I get it. That yesterday, today and tomorrow we have   taken huge giant steps backward. Ended up in the most manifestly evil place. A truly perverted, spoiled national lawn.

And once again, it is all on us, only us. There is no rescue other than us. There is no realization or excuse. 

We must do what we must do.  

Time grows short, as do life expectations of nations and the people within.

Happy birthday, America. May we all live to share in many more. In safety. In friendship. As Americans.  On a beautiful, pure and bright American national lawn.  

FIRE BURNING ON THE DANCE FLOOR

  I don't know how many of us remember that song and the instruction to call 911. Obviously, there was no fire. It was all a metaphor. However, this song brings back fond memories of a little granddaughter. But now I am looking at it in another way. It is now a metaphor, an allegory, a comparison and example of the fire burning on the many dance floors of the world. These fires are clearly not being addressed, certainly not in any positive manner. In fact, we are feeding into those fires. We are contributing to the conflagration these fires are bringing to the world itself. And to the people upon it. In fact, it is a fire so fierce that the anger it produces leaves me cold. Hard as steel. That is my reality these days. 

I am so tired of those around the world, every single damned country which has turned and rapaciously, violently, with malice aforethought, attempted to devour any and all Jews without or within their purview. Even as the State of Israel goes above and beyond, all is dismissed. Ignored. Is it any wonder that we froth at the mouth with frustration. Why my insides are iced by the anger that I feel against those in the world who know better, but who persist in the ugliness? Spewing lies out of the mouth without end. At supersonic speed.   For example, Israel is always one of the first, if not the first to attend any other country, even those who have declared enmity towards it, to help them in difficult situations, exactly as they are doing now in Venezuela. Using their personnel, their drones, their knowledge to rescue people, they have no idea who they are, but doing what is right.  

However, what we get in the picture of the Jews, that the world and its haters present as Gospel Truth, as Quranic truth is that, Israel, the people of the Jewish nation have no right to be alive at all. How have they survived millennia of persecution vicious, above and beyond that directed to any other nation. And yet we continue to survive. So, we are called names. We are cursed. We are whispered about as having done deals with the devil. 

But the fact is no, we have a deal with the Lord above. And it is He whom we trust. And it is to Him we return when we realize that those humans in whom we have placed our faith are negligent and uncaring. Useless. In the short and the long run.    Despite any and all attempts to totally exterminate the Jewish people, for once and for all, all such plans are useless, for our Promise, our oaths serve as reminders to us and to the One Above as to where true aid emanates. "I will lift up mine eyes to the mountains" for that is the source of our strength, our permanence, upon the surface of this planet.

But still. No matter how deeply we know this in every atom of our existence, it is still hurtful, harmful and frightening. Despite all our faith. The anger boils over. It mixes with fear. It mixes with confusion. And even as we burn inside, that fire turns to ice and steel. Strengthening us. Helping us to resist all the negativity. I know that no matter what is thrown at us, what is beaten into us, we have other sources of knowledge and strength. And we will use that burning ice and steel within us to defeat all those who come against us. Those who have decided to stand up against the Jewish people. 

Already they are finding that these are not the Jews of yesterday. These are the Jews who know how to fight, who will fight, who are fighting. Who will not stand by and await fate to come to them. Instead, they take faith in their own hands. Call up to the Lord Above. And do what they must. They can criticize what they wish. They can complain what they wish. But it makes no never mind.

The so called 'Progressives” who are among the most retrogressive people on this earth will soon find their place in hell. The Plateners. The David Dukes. Mamdani and his filthy wife, those who sought his sponsorship and bought into the lies - even from the mouths of Jews who sold their souls to the devil for advancement on this world. They too will have their day in court, only it will not be a day in court that they will treasure. 

Israel is fighting a humane war, as much as it can in the battlefields of urban location, especially when one considers the rightful anger and horror and desire, yes, desire for revenge.  Of the blood spilled of our men, women and children, our infants. And yet even as we lose our soldiers, civilians ripped from their lives to serve once again as the protectors of their nation, their people. above and beyond, Israeli still remains the target of filthy accusations. And the world - buys into it in a sellers' market.

It is most confusing when universities of higher education and other professions proudly spout their contributions, the results of their research and brains, how in the name of all that's holy do they deny the critical portion that Jews played in these advancements? How do they do this? Do they simply close their eyes and minds? And buy into the lies as if these were stocks going way, way up. How do the gays come out for Mamdani, a strict Moslem, supposedly, of the same ilk of those Muslims who string gay people up from the lamp post, from trees, who beat them to death even as they ignore the truth and the difference in attitude in Israel. Gays are welcomed, no difference. The Gay Paride marches are well known and attended by many of the straight, for we are all Jews together.   

The Jewish people have come to look upon America from decades back as a land of haven.  They had no other land, the State of Israel denied existence. So, we came to America. And we became part of the threads of its existence. Woven tightly into the fabric. Yes. there was anti-Semitism. There is antisemitism even at the time of the revolution. When people wished to deny the rights of the Jewish people within the newly formed states, it took the power, the charisma, the strong words of George Washington and those righteous who followed, to ensure that Jews could become and would become and are contributing members of this nation.

Over the years, over the decades, the centuries, we perhaps grew a bit complacent. Thinking that yes, here we had found a way, as well as within other supposedly Western nations of Europe. We had   found the place, a place of assured safety. Always. though, America would be the best.  Yet look at it now. Look at it now! We are beaten in the streets. Our buildings are blown up, set afire. Our children are being frightened. People are hiding their signs and symbols of Judaism and Israel. 

But that is only the few, not the many. Yes. We are amazed, enraged by the turn of events. We try to peer into the future. We call out above. Why? Why again? Why must we always face this concerted effort to displace us? None of us have the answer. But what most of us do have is a determination to stand up and walk proudly, erectly. Fearlessly. In the streets of our neighborhoods. In the provinces of our nations. But know that even as we do this. that fire of ice remains strong within us. And will never be doused. Nor melted. Nor put out of existence

Yesterday, today, tomorrow. 

No matter how same. No matter how different. We know what the eternal truth is. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. 

For that is the truth. 

Eternal and forever.

HAS IT GOTTEN ANY EASIER FOR YOU?

   It certainly hasn't for me. In fact, if anything, it's gotten even worse. Almost every day, if not more frequently, I find myself descending further into a. Dystopian world. Time and again, my eyes are crossed, bombarded with concerns of today, though these same concerns were written so many years ago. Is it that we have so lost our way? Going nowhere? Other than into deeper insanity and denial of truth. 

We are like the donkeys, the beasts of burden sentenced to a life of walking in circles, pushing and pulling a heavy burden, working and struggling to survive, though we are going nowhere. Nor do we even understand what has gone wrong and how, if at all possible, we can change our lot. Even as we decry the pain and the hopelessness of our plights, we continued on in the same old trodden paths, deep ruts allowing for no exit.

How have we reached this point? We, the creations of the world, the last of the creations made on Day Six. Meant to rule the world, the living and the insensate. To be aware and grateful for the life laid out before us. To know, hopefully speaking, on which side our bread was buttered. The responsibility was laid upon us to be the better people, the better person. Sadly, we went off track almost immediately and continued to do so over the oncoming millennia. 

 Our existence on this earth was given with the hope and prayer that we know, that we knew, always deep inside the parameters of the gift and its responsibilities placed upon our shoulders. To strive evermore to reach the next level and aspire to go ever higher, ever closer to He who had created us, the Creator of the world - no matter the name given to that Being. We severely disappointed ourselves, fallen short, not only in our own eyes, but also, more importantly, in the Eyes of the Lord. We are laid out in shame before the Creator.  

Our disappointment is multi-faceted.  We insisted on denying it, denying the benefits of a good life as lived with proper mores and morals. We thrust away unheard the voice of the Lord. We disappointed and defied, turned away the warnings and claimed only the promised gifts, the rewards for a righteously lived life. Via bitter and harsh ever recurring lessons, as soon as we had disappointed, offended the Lord Above, we knew better, learned better, desired better. But it almost was never acted upon by sufficient numbers of mankind. 

In so doing, we broke the deal between us. A bargain made is a bargain to be kept. Surely, we had the better part of this deal. so, what the hell happened/ Did our brains have multiple shocks and outages? Did we almost always allow the 'Eirav Ra", the evil sectors of society to run rampant over us? Why? And why did we almost always forget to whom, in whom, we must place all faith and trust, to know deep down that even in the worst of times, it could be worse, were it not for the inherent love of this Creator towards and of His people.  

Life is tough these days, but I am sure that it has been even worse for those who preceded us. Perhaps we are the last generation at least for a while, to have lived much of our lives comfortably, safely, even as we struggled to balance the various aspects of life, stumbling, picking ourselves up, and turning to the Lord at times of need. 

But we carelessly allowed for false prophets to take the bullhorn and deafen our ears to those speaking truth. We spoke evil of other Jews. Concentrated energies on that which was not important at all. Worse is the too many of us who joined with our enemies and stood among them, cursing their own people.  Our arrogance in taking all the credit for the miracles happening almost on a daily basis.  Faulty thinking ensued as we chose false leaders.  We gave them a faith and a trust which should have given to the Lord. We are now reaping the consequences of those errors. For those who look into the blurred future, surely, they no longer see the visions of the lions laying down with the lambs, nor the swords being beaten into plowshares. 

The world as usual waited with bated breath for this opportunity. They grabbed at it with greedy hands. and vicious mouths, with plans boding no good for this nation of ours. The evil wishes and desires. moved very quickly to physical violence and increasing political persecution and isolation. It became the cool thing to do to not only turn aside quietly, but to shout viciously into the air. Cry out the 'evil' they have brought to the world, ignoring truth for fantasy of great harm.  Calling for the death of all Jews, of the destruction of the one tiny Jewish state long a Promised Land for them.

There are several quotes that I came across, and it behooves us to read them and think about them. And act upon them, hopefully in a positive manner. To see if there was any way that we can turn the air of the world softer upon our faces, upon our children. For the Lord to once again find patience with us, His People, and for the rest of the world as well.  

"There was a listening fear in her regard. As if calamity had but begun." (John Keats. Hyperion.)

"Hell hath no limits, nor is  circumscrib'd in one self place, but where we are is hell. And where hell is, there must we ever be." (Christopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus) 

As for our leaders, here, in Israel, America or. round the world. It was a rather apt description and assessment of their quality, or lack thereof. 

A father speaking of his daughter: “She had brains to burn. If she ever decided to apply herself, he believed she could be president. And that wasn't the high bar it might once have been, given the quality of some recent incumbents”. (River Red With Blood, Joh Connolly)

Truthfully, does it ever get any easier? Are we so faulty that we can never actually strive for more perfection, attain it, and keep it whole within?

Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.

When, G-d, when?