Once upon a time, not so long ago, there was a sureness re certain topics. There were lines of civility to be observed. There was a demand that reporting should be concerned with the conveyance of truth, should be based on fact, that one would not be subjected to a constant barrage of harmful dis and mis information. Yellow journalism was on its way out, and about time. Once, upon a time.
Once we did not insult, blatantly, grossly, other people though certainly relationships needed improvement. But once we had a hope that 'things' could and would improve - but the path was certainly difficult and not necessarily always in one direction. Once, we were Americans, united, a Three Musketeers philosophy of one for all and all for one. As Americans, especially in times of jeopardy.
Today, we, Americans, are placing our own counterparts in jeopardy and worse, are rejoicing at the thought of their bloody demise. Once upon a time that was not mainframe policy. Today, people proudly shout about their support of an indicted criminal who crossed a multitude of security and moral and legal lines. Many times over. Today these deluded people shout, "I want blood", call truth a "conspiracy', and never mind the frantic third time down of the country under a vicious rogue wave of our own creation.
Today there is a confused language war. There is confrontation re the language used, with much incorrect interpretation, so confused and confusing that no truth can be determined nor supported with any certainty based on fact and truth, not conjecture and mis speculation and hatred. A workshop used the word "Karen", apparently yet another shorthand term of derogatory implication for a white woman who feels or acts in an entitled manner. The definition and application are apparently quite fluid. Women with 'white' skin tone are being called a cult! Interestingly, Jewish women are included within this categorization, at the same time that these same Jewish women are excluded from the category of 'white', deemed part of the "mud people", with both sides in the fray trying to disown Jewish women and place them in the 'other' category. Lordy, but I guess there is always lots of room for antisemitism, no matter the form nor disguise nor spokespeople.
USA Today, a rather simplistic but common daily newspaper, or purporting to be one, included a crossword puzzle on June 7 with this clue for 35 down: "A neighbor of Jordan" with nine letters for the answer - Palestine!! A country which does not exist, whose supporters are bloodily, openly, blatantly, antisemitic, wishing only for the disappearance of Jews from the entire region, preferably by drowning in the sea, though interim methods of murder and terror and shelling will do in the meanwhile. Yet another open refutation and denial of the reality of the State of Israel, yet another public delegitimization of Isrrael, gross antisemitism. Where is the callout, the protests, the anger? Nowhere, apparently except for those seeking the truth, defending it. A small minority, shrinking daily, embattled and besieged.
Moreover, even as Biden announced a national campaign to fight antisemitism, at one and the same time, he invited CAIR to contribute to this campaign with their oh so words of wisdom. Yes, the Council of Islamic-American Relations, a blatantly antisemitic anti-Israel organization campaigning with lies and distortions against the State of Israel and all Jews within. Oh yes. For sure. How else can one combat this growing vile and violent wave of antisemitism other than inviting the murderous rabid foxes into the henhouse? Then condemn the hens for fighting back. The Jewish members of Congress remain silent, Deborah Lipstadt, Biden's appointed Ambassador Against Antisemitism, is ignored and so all is right with the world according to some, too many, actually.
The other day Steven Spielberg, in an interview, expressed his growing fear of living in America as a Jew at the same time as there exists a rising tide of violent open antisemitism. For the first times since the 30's the fear is egregious, patently visible and threatening. And legitimate to too many influential characters on the stage of America, the America that is swiftly turning, morphing, being pushed into existence by the likes of Trump, DeSantis, who wishes to turn "America into Florida", G-d forbid, along with the chanters of hate - Jim Jordan, Ilhan Omar, Rashid Tlaib, etal, trying their best to turn America into AmeriKa.
This is a violent, outdated, yet always returning, actually never ever disappearing, stream of invective conducive to bloodshed, welcomed by too many, fought by too few. Only by a united, strong, firm, decided act of togetherness can this disturbing development be confronted and defeated. Only when there is a strong, united fist against the horrors of hatred can there be a victory against it.
Together is the only way.
The only path to the baring of its hiding place within a fog of falsehoods, erroneous conclusions, and its dispersion.
Forever. For once and for all time.
Together - Together we can achieve it all.
Together we can
HEAL THE WORLD.
HEAL YITZY!
Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah
May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu.
May he be granted a timely and complete healing.
May he always remain on the road of faith, healing and strength.
May we all walk on that same road.
May Hashem hear all our voices raised in prayer.
Amen. Amen.
Wish we would accept that and act on it.
Together.
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