IS THIS FOR REAL???

     Sometimes one reads the paper and asks, "Is this for real? Are they serious?" We appear to be living more and more in a world which exists on a different plane of reality, one which ignores common sense.
     Does our country have a history of racial discrimination? Yes, absolutely. Does it also have a record of trying, of people of various groups coming together to end this? Yes, absolutely. Is there still discrimination? Yes, to a much lower degree and it must be remembered that this discrimination is not directed only at one group but at many. It seems we are a many optioned society according to some haters! So what to do? Actually, watch, teach, live life and hope that hate and discrimination will lessen and abate over the years but, a very important but, we must understand that the human situation and reality is such that never will it all end. Humans are just not built that way, unfortunately. That does not mean I excuse it; it is just a fact and we must deal with that for the hard kernel of hate will always be around somewhere, just waiting to sprout its poison seeds.
    But, another but, we must not go overboard and silly. Yesterday I read in the paper of a young African American professor, female, who was arrested after having been stopped for doing 67 in a 45 mph zone. That is pretty fast and dangerous. Try that here in Florida and you too will get ticketed and hauled in IF you too had what the officers found on a routine computer check - and that is done at all stops.
     They found that her license had been suspended for driving privileges and she had unpaid tickets since 2013. There was a warrant issued in her name and so the officers did their job. They checked her outer clothing for weapons or other contraband, took her in, handcuffed her to a bench in the open, as is done for warranted arrests and then after paying the fines was allowed to go. No threats, no physical harm, perhaps some fright and nervousness at the situation but who would not be, so why then, why oh why, is she now crying prejudice and mistreatment? This whole business has gone too far, way too far. Could we all just get back to reality here?
     Cops do their jobs. At times they are overzealous and I have seen that with my own eyes. Sometimes they are not. Many times their job means to be helpful and many times they are the first responders, running to while all else run from. Are they perfect? NO, but then again, neither are we. When I once got pulled over on a highway I, too, was scared, nervous, heart going faster than Superman. Normal reaction. Was his tone quite fierce? Yes, and so what? Served me right and that was that - of course with a ticket issued. He did his job. I was not too happy, but such is life. I always tell my kids and grandchildren who drive - NEVER argue with the officer. Shut up, listen and take the ticket and say thank you and go when dismissed. It is just being sensible.
     Now we have a crazy campaign for President of the USA. Again, we ask is this for real. The heads of both major parties are asking themselves if a likely winner is who they want, can they support and are pretty negative about the whole thing. There are plots and plans galore as to how to fix this mess, but will any of them work? Who knows. But they are right to be scared. While we laugh, think about it. This is the caliber of person we want for President? This is the person who represents us internationally? Can you see this one or that talking with Putin or the Ayatollah or making policy re Israel or about ISIS or our water safety or the economy or anything else? Several have no clue about foreign policy and admit it saying they will put together a team. Really? If you have no clue then how do you know what will work good with you and for the nation? Have you not thought this through when you decided to run?
     Then we have people stuck on this email business. Get a life, truly. Go back through the ranks and see how often this rule was violated, accidentally or just happened. Classifying things after the fact is also pretty silly and  by the way what with the NSA, the Department of Justice, the Homeland Security and the IRS hacked - and this is this week only - do you think these emails made a difference on which server they were sent. It seems our government's sites are free to all who know how to hack. Oohhh, I got an idea. Let's send David Israel there to unhack the joint. He seems to feel he knows everything! Nah, gotta' get real here! Oh well, it was a thought.
     So what do we need for president? We need a thinker attached to reality. We need, not a pie eyed optimist, shouting about redistributing the money. Whose money? Who decides where and when to stop? Makes me very nervous. You do know there never really was the Robin Hood of lore, only a twisted version of reality and if interested, read up on English history - fascinating, actually. We need a person who cares, who knows there are outrageous behaviors among the 1% but there are also good people amongst them who are great philanthropists, but who does not wear a heart on a sleeve and one who can inspire some fear in the minds and hearts of the bad guys because there is a toughness about that person. One must be able to stand up to a bully or even bully a recalcitrant Congress into acting sensibly.
     Nor do I care about race or color or gender or religion. All these issues really are extraneous. There is no place for them in the Oval Office. What I want, what we all need, is an American, one who loves this country and does not think that loving it means to run it down, to demean it, to bow before others or to take the blame of the world on its shoulders even as the rest of the world demands that we "do something". And then we get our rear ends kicked when we do!
     We need a strong and knowledgeable person, an experienced person, one with feet that touch the ground even as there are some dreams that reach for the sky. We need one capable of reality checks. And no, there is no perfect person out there but there are ones better than others and we had better realize that - and quickly too. Even Bloomberg is frustrated what with the clowns, the dangerous clowns and the incompetents and unqualified people running who could possibly set up a race for the office that would be a nightmare for there would be no good end possible.
     Is this possible? G-d, I hope so and quickly too. Something needs to happen to fix this mess. We are coming off a very weak president, one who did not use his optimistic start and push forward. His emotions were weak in most cases and lent themselves to satire. Personalities got into the mix and whatnot happened all around. Were we at war? Were we trying to get out? We took our forces out and then put them back under other names but you know, a rose by any other name....
     We all need to pray for guidance here and for a lot of help. There is one I believe is more suited for this job than the others and this person is by far not perfect, not by a longshot! But, but, this is what we have unless someone else comes in and if not - we must choose based on all issues, not one or two. The President is the President of all in all matters and we must remember that and deal with it. Lordy, what a mess!
      And do not forget our own little mess here except that we do have a good option. Get rid of the incumbent who has done harm, so much harm, who is unstable and unfit for any more office and elect Phyllis Richland and other faces to replace the tattered and torn. No more Joy Vestal ruining our paper and TV. No more Ed Black in front of or behind the scenes. Go for positive experience and people who care, like Marilyn Pomerantz for Corresponding Secretary, experienced and caring, organized and knowledgeable, or Eileen Pearlman for Recording Secretary who is a straight arrow and who takes notes like a court reporter - all is noted, seen and heard. Make your choice for Treasurer. We have one who knows how to make noise when things are off, forcing David Israel et al to concede that they made a mistake with the road and its financing, gotten them to back off the Wi Fi and its expense. Is he a smooth and suave guy? No. But that is not what we need. We need a Treasurer who will answer questions and do the right thing, not what the president wants or does not want. That man is Ed Grossman. Choose from four excellent names for VP. Delegates, do your job right here in the Village, with honesty and courage, with thought and even as we right ourselves, let us hope that the country at large can also right itself. This is a scary time as far as I am concerned. In here and out there.