"IS A PUZZLEMENT!!"

  When Yul Brynner as the King in The King and I, spoke with a somewhat fractured English, it was perfect. Part of the personality of a King trying to do the right thing and figuring out exactly what the "right" thing was. Certainly, a puzzling matter to those brought up in a supposedly modern advanced society. For one brought up in a hugely differing culture, it was nigh unto impossible with many roadblocks of sensibilities and confusing contradictions. Quite difficult to maneuver safely in a sea of rogue waves and inborn prejudices and misconceptions on both sides of the issue. 

However, of one supposedly of such a culture, who has been an entitled person since birth, who has received, supposedly, the best education that money could buy, infused, one presumes with principles and ideals of a modern society, of such a one much is expected. There are expectations of internalized principles of equality, of justice, of acceptance and tolerance, of actualization of dreams, of seeking, constantly, paths leading to improvement of society, of raising it to a higher level. For all.  

Additionally, thoughts and principles were to be presented, orally and written, in proper language usage, with grammatical acuity and sensible presentation. Defiance of these expectations, deliberate or otherwise, indicated a lesser intelligence and/or a form of dementia, a lessening of intelligence and capability and treated accordingly, with expectations tailored to exposed capabilities, positive and negative. Always, though, rights of all were equal, not to be removed or used in threats against them.

Such used to be America, a greatly flawed nation, a society not always living up to its professed principles. A culture with contradictions and confusion, yet always a nation with strong moral spine, with individuals willing to serve the nation, to move it along on those proper roads, to leave the world a better place for having been in it. 

Today, not so much the case. 

It used to be politicians, even if straying off the proper path, remembered often enough that the nation, their constituents were to be served. That was their role. Legislators were to be an independent one third of American governmental structure, voting aye or nay with independent thinking, uncoerced or threatened, to stand before the nation with honesty and pride of doing the job

The Supreme Court, as the second third of our structure, was expected to be above the fray. To use the legal system and the powers   imparted to them   to keep the President, the Congress, and the nation on the straight and narrow, and to do so without improper interference or threats. 

Finally, the man or woman in the seat of power. was to be, absolutely, fit for and capable of meeting the demands and dignity of said office. A high level of intelligence was expected and necessary in order to fulfill responsibilities of the job properly. Harm to the nation was to be avoided. Its economy was to be held steady, progressing properly. The world was not to be thrown into chaos and war.  The President was to be the leader of western nations, an epitome of a servant of the nation. Never, was the office to be used for self-advancement nor self-enrichment.  There are rules in place outlining those rules and the consequences ensuing violations.

America, as a nation, was fumbling and bumbling, erring often, but always striving to perfect itself, to reach higher standards, to be a fair and just society. For the most, we tried to adhere to the standards and principles set forth by our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

 Until something happened. 

 America lost her way. 

She compromised her heart and soul, lost the impetus to strive, to raise itself up and away from areas of suspicious and murky miasmas. America forgot that intelligence, acuity, innate knowledge of propriety and responsibility, a sizeable sense of altruism were necessary traits for a leader of this nation.

At present we have somehow found ourselves a sail on a strange sea. One of confusion. One of burgeoning hate, fractious and whiny. Demanding as a spoiled child. We have steered our ship of state in the wrong direction. We must correct our path. Change the degrees of our turns if we are to find our way back. To build for a better future rather than the ugly one now appearing on our horizon.  

Most important, we must come to our senses. We must choose a proper leader and reject the one we now have in place. The man in office at present time is either uneducated or too thick to have absorbed the education presented to him. He can neither write nor read properly. He stumbles verbally as often as he now stumbles physically. He's actually an embarrassment in this nation as he uses threats of tariffs and more to herd nations of the world onto pathways not good for this nation, but good for his bottom lines. He uses his office to shill, to sell his wares to people, crypto coins, hats, golden figures and more. He treats his office as a platform for traveling on our dime and as he strives for the prize as Huckster #1.  Shameful indeed.

He is so clearly the wrong man for the job. Yet there he is. The man who fomented violent rebellion against his nation's government. The man who is now doing the same thing, only in different manner. This time he is ignoring and/or perverting the laws of our nation. He has manifestly and many times overstepped the limitations of President. Disobeyed and ignored the Supreme Court, an organ of the government which he has almost completely taken over. He has grown oh, such a wonderful crop of sniveling little toadies in the Houses of Congress.   

There are legal ways in which to effect his ouster.  At the very minimum it is incumbent upon the electorate of this nation to understand where they went wrong and in 2026 vote in independent minds, people of courage, honesty, who know what to do and will do it. Take the gavels away from those toads. Hand them to intelligent people of character and understanding.   

We are already far down the road towards authoritarian government. We must not walk farther down that road lest we lose sight of the way to return to a strong democracy. To a government of sane and intelligent people. To a nation which knows that no one is above the law. 

No one. Period.

Our President, our elected and chosen and appointed officials must be the best. They must not be ignorant nor cater to outmoded themes dangerous to us and our children. Our President must not embarrass us before nations of the world. The President must not write nor speak as such, nor be spoken of as such. Though it is indeed a rightly so statement at this time. 

"We invite you to participate in the extraordinary Economy of the United States, the Number One Market in the World, by far," Trump wrote in his letters ...   to all (nations) "If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 40% that we charge."

The letters were met with widespread mockery and ridicule on social media. ...  "This guy is a senile, geriatric, a------. A complete and utter buffoon as President of the United States."

This man has done one positive deed. He aided Israel in its war for survival. But the question remains for how long? This is a man who cannot be trusted. This is a man who does what is good for him. This is a man who turns on a dime. This is a man who wreaks revenge on people who defy his commands. So, for how long will this "good deed" remain in place? Then what?  

At present time, we have alienated our traditional allies. Been harsh to all else. We have forgotten what it is to be an American, to be America. We have abandoned the humane principle necessary in humanity.  

We need to be Americans again.

Leaders of yesterday. 

Leaders of today gone amiss.

Necessary leaders for tomorrow. 

MY SISTER

 

I have been sitting here. Staring at the screen. Wondering. How am I to say goodbye to my sister? My sister is always there. For 15 years we shared a room. Fo all my 77 years   I had a live in adviser. I could always trust you. We were – no, still are- sisters. Always. Your 4 ½ years you had on me allowed for your experiences to benefit me as well. Please note, Tzip, I said 4 ½, not 5, lest you reach down from the heavens and smack me, as you reminded me about that    I learned quickly.   Able to advise me. To allow me to watch and wonder. To admire. And hope to emulate one day. To have the ease she had with meeting new people, winning them over. A smile and a laugh which would make the biggest grump smile back.

When Tzipi moved to Israel a big hole opened in my life. Telephone calls, zooms and now  WhatsApp, which by the way, I can't stand. So much more complicated but for two weeks every year you would come visit and off we went - to concerts of oldies   any form of Mamma Mia. How Tzipi loved to dance and sing  with the music.

 So what is a sister? A sister is someone with whom you share private jokes which no one else gets. On a rainy, gloomy day, I could pick up the phone, call, and say without introduction - another   Dellwood morning. And she would understand, and we would laugh because along with that statement came shared memories and only the two of us remain to understand and share those memories, those jokes, the smiles and even the tears. Who do I tell our private jokes to now? With whom do I share the story of her one. day of misconduct. When she opened the valve on a radiator, those big clumsy things -In Mr. Hoffman's class. And my parents when called in to discuss this terrible, devilish act of their daughter, they could barely contain their laughter. That too became a joke. A joke in the family. And A private joke among sisters.

         A sister. A sister is special. No matter how many times you can argue, no matter how many times you do not think alike, a sister is   a gift from God. All you who are blessed with a sister – treasure her. Always.  My sister and I never argued, never had a fight.  For all the years of our lives, we never argued. We simply couldn't see any benefit in arguing a point. What for?

 She was my sister. She is my big sister. And so she will remain. Here in my heart. I won't have a sister to turn to other than in my heart and head.  And I know she is sitting up there now. In the best seats in the stadium with our parents. With her beloved grandparents, especially Zaidy smiling down and laughing. And sending me a message. “Not to worry. I'm always here with you. Do you always feel me? Deep within your soul. And naturally. I'll send you messages on how to correct yourself when you go wrong. For Sure For always   I am your big sister and for always, you are my little sister.”

   Rest in peace. Tzipi. You fought hard for so long. Take a break. Relax.  We got you. For always.

FUNERAL

  to my readers,

Please note there will be no posting today due to the heartbreaking death of my beloved sister and her funeral. I hope to return tomorrow.

Thank you for your patience and loyalty.

Esther

MY HEART IS BREAKING

 Basically, I am sitting here in the middle of the night awaiting news I don't want to hear. In a last ditch effort, with a high degree of possibility of failure, my brave sister took a chance. To kick start a remission of her multiple myeloma. She has been fighting it for quite a long time, but she is tired, so very tired. All went well until it didn't anymore.  

While I sit here in a dark room lit only by the screen, I find myself wandering through years of memories, warm, funny, sad, loving. Memories of a sister. My big sister, my idol growing up. I watched her laugh and dance to Hebrew music from the rather new state of Israel, where she now resides, a quiet but strong Zionist. And here she is happy.

My sister. Who introduced me to the early years of rock and roll. Songs whose words I know. We sang them quietly in our room, all the while chatting quietly and I think I knew her friends better than they knew themselves!  Tzipi schlepped me to the movies when going there with her friends, never making me feel like a fifth wheel. 

As I watched Tzipi work hard at homework assignments I learned the importance of schoolwork and responsibility. I knew the names of her teachers, sang the songs of the yearly competition, and I believe I vicariously knew her teachers in more detail than I did my own! For how many hours Friday night did we sit on the floor of the dinette on Lefferts Ave and play jacks. All the levels and techniques. Bu she never taught me how to jump rope and still cannot to this day.  

But most of all, Tzipi taught me how to be a good person. How to care for others, to be kind and considerate and yes, OK to get into a bit of mischief but never to cross the line.    

In other words, no matter how far, how much the distance between us, we were always next to each other, right beside each other. Through thick and thin. Always. An ear open to listen. Always arms open and a shoulder prepped to be leaned upon. A heart big enough to embrace both of us. 

I marveled at her professionalism. The years we worked together in the same school were some of my best years. The notes we sent to each other. My raiding her drawer for a piece of chocolate. Always there will be the memories of how we convinced her students she was turning108, even bringing in a cake to that effect. How we laughed when a sweet little boy reassured Tzipi that she looked younger, like maybe only in her 90's. And we laughed more. 

My Tzipi. My big sister. My friend.

I so hope a miracle comes our way and you heal and return to us in the best state of health, to remain with us for many more years. 

But if you cannot, then with love and a broken heart I give you my permission to go, to be at peace, with no more pain. To watch over us from above as you bask in the warmth of Hashem and are welcomed into the arms of all who have gone before you and who love you still.

But I do not want only the memories of our yesterdays. Or our recent todays. Especially the last weekend we spent at the Inbal.  I want our tomorrows. I want them so bad. I need them. I need you. Lord G-d, do You not see my tears splash on the keyboard?  Do You not hear my cries of impending loss?

Please.

 

DO YOU WONDER WHY?

   Have you ever paged through a newspaper or magazine, read an investigatory type of book and when finished, find yourself left in a worse fog than had been there prior to the reading?  Do you find yourself wondering how the hell the situation involved ever grew into such proportions? Or, conversely, why had no one ever paid attention to this prior to it becoming such a monster of alarming proportions and of fewer answers as to solutions?  

I find this especially so when one can trace back the initial kernels of the matter, as it was reported and raised to public scrutiny and/or as it was mainly ignored. Has it ever hit you as to the unfairness and the inequality, the lack of proportional response, the utter disregard of the matter and all relating to the nations involved. Size. Power and importance. Economic standing. History and location. 

Have you then never questioned the possibility or the lack of possibility that one day humanity will ever get it straight?   Understand that fairness, equality, and attention must not be a matter of uniqueness, but rather of commonality. Of the necessity of using equal elbow grease in solving the matter before the tiny grows to massive, and the consequences grow unmanageable, to truly unfortunate proportions for too long a time. Sometimes, never to be fully resolved, always remaining a burr under the saddle of mankind. Unfortunately, I am not too optimistic of this turnaround ever happening, certainly not in my lifetime. And that is just about one of the saddest things that I can think, for it bodes no good for civilization. Not at all. 

This morning, waiting in yet another doctor's office, I read an entire page article re the slaughter of civilians in Ukraine via drones of Russia, working ever so hard to reanimate the Russian Empire and sanctioning the slaughter of civilians - and the world - sshhsshhsshh. See, hear and speak no evil for Russia is powerful, and never mind its gross invasion into an integral nation and its definitely waged war upon civilians, along with its war crimes in dealing with its soldier captives. But ssssshhhh. Russia.

On the other hand. We have Israel, the nation, which "knocks” on the roof to warn inhabitants to leave. Or which risks the lives of Israeli soldiers in order to enable the delivery of food program into Gaza. Even as they deal with the ambushing by Hamas individuals who need those foodstuffs greatly to sell on the black market, or to stock their own wares in their hideaways remaining.  Shall we mention the hostages? Kidnapped. Taken away, dead. Nearly dead. Killed in captivity, tortured. Threatened. Used as pieces on the chess board. As compared to the prisoners held in Israel. Who actually have the right to attend school, to get college degrees, master's degrees. 

And the "innocent" civilians who cheered the "victories" of Hamas, the torture and demeaning, dehumanization of hostages, the abuse of children -even unto brutal murder. Where are the acclaims for Israelis who fight for peace even as their loved ones are on the battlefields, keeping them safe. Or are held captive, who will never return other than to be buried and even that is uncertain.  

Where are the declaimers of errors in history? Who refused to refute the ignorant cries of claims against a genocide conducted by Israel. No one in Israel calls for the demise of each and every single Arab. Of every member of Hamas. Every citizen of Gaza. The only ones whose voices are calling for the complete slaughter from end to end, to the last one, are those of Hamas, those who support Hamas on the corners and streets and avenues of nations of the world. Why? Because it is obviously of no big matter. Kill Jews, you hear. Kill one there. Kill 1000 there, kill a million over there. It's all the same. At the very least, Israel generally agrees to have an investigation into whatever claim is presented and change procedures if necessary.  

No, the situations are clearly treated in unequal manner. In Israel and in Ukraine. And in all the nations of the world where one segment is waging war upon another. Where lives are of no value. And standard pictures of starvation of collateral damage, of hollow-eyed women and children are paraded through all media facets with no resultant outcry. Mind you - those clear indicators of starvation are nowhere in sight in Gaza, despite all the claims otherwise. 

I leave it to you to figure out. I leave it to you the younger, those already in seats of power and the young beginning their careers. Remember your humanity. Remember your joint responsibility to   the peoples of this world. Remember we share this planet, and all have the same fate upon it.  To work on this problem and be better at it than the elders were. 

We, the elderly of the world, those who are in seats of power have betrayed the trust that was entrusted to us. The leaders of the world are mostly unworthy of their positions, using them only to enhance their own power and wealth. That includes the leaders of most, if not all, of the current leaders of the nations of the world. Including, especially including those of the United States of America. They are either incompetent and/or afraid of even the shadow of the Orange Man, the crypto peddler who stumbles and falls but never is called to task.   

Selfishness rules the day, and we and the planet suffer for it.  Would that we could change it.      Would we even if we could?

Doubtful. At least at this point.

The ugliness of yesterday rather than its gifts.

The threats of today rather than action upon avenues of progress.    

 The worst visions for tomorrows directly ahead driven by our deeds and misdeeds. 

Where does it end? Does it end?

Beats me.

YES, YES - NO, NO - THE TIME HAS COME

  Death by a thousand cuts. Itty bitty little snips, here and there, just little sharp tings, so easy to overlook - and then, wakey, wakey, for we are here. Where is here, you ask? Anywhere we should not be, anywhere on the road in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, by the time most of us do indeed wakey, it is too late or demands a greater concerted effort that many are not capable of reaching and/or achieving. What then? Well, just take a look around and honestly, open eyes and ears. See the truth, for we have made it so. WE - and nobody else. Either by cooperation or looking aside, making excuses until the excuses bite us back - and it hurts! And what then? Hmmm.

Simple enough to figure out and we should have done so long ago. From the very first moment we allowed a seemingly ridiculous clown to enter the race we had enrolled our country in the worst race of all. And we have lost. Is there any chance of returning to sanity or at least a modicum of it? Well, at this point I believe the Cassandra part of me has smothered much of the Pollyanna trait within. Sadly, but truly so.   

We should have declared this man ineligible for entry into a contest for the most powerful seat in the world. He clearly demonstrated bizarre and seemingly far off never happen ideas for this nation and we all laughed. And then some of us stopped laughing, stopped discounting his chances. So spoiled were we, the people of this nation, that we allowed a nasty human being to appeal to the worst of us and then elected him to office as a protest.  We thought, voiced or not, that he could do no major harm for that term and then he would be gone and perhaps we could get down to business. 

Realign this nation. Return it to its initial founding beliefs. Reinstall pride within their hearts that we are Americans, with all that entails. Live up to those standards. Remain as the leaders of the free world. How wrong and foolish we were. We refused to learn from history. Successful attempts of "fools” who pulled the wool over everyone's eyes. Who became the "leaders” of their nations. Much to the regret and sorrow of the world. Evil and violence within and without the borders of that nation. The violence went viral with the inevitable results of war, horror, death, poverty, destruction and schisms so deep that most nations never fully recovered - even as they tragically repeated the same errors, again and again. Il Duce, Hitler - Trump. 

Those who did indeed learn from history had their voices drowned out by those who did not. Or who actually wished to repeat it. They sidelined his stupidities. But what seemed to be stupidities were actually foretastes of what he actually had in mind. That was clearly seen in his failed violent and bloody attempt to overthrow this nation's government. A la the failed Putsch of Hitler and then - we know what then, do we not?

Even then he and his followers refused to give up. They bided their time and came back strong in 2024. Much to the dismay of those who saw through his obfuscations. Too many ignored what was clearly his end goal. That was to become the "Leader" of this nation. To cancel the Constitution. To trash the three-branch government. To crush all his opponents. To do all that he must in order to keep Power in his hands and tainted filthy lucre to build in his pockets. No shame. No end to his ambitions. Engages in blackmail and threats. Within and without this nation, of individuals and groups. Shreds families. Destroys economies.     

He caters to the uber, uber wealthy. Yeah, there are those who continue to believe in the false words and promises, swallow whole the lies he spews forth without end. Even as at the same time his most insane statements are encased in laws enacted by his puppet legislature and legally sanctioned by a judiciary afraid of him.  Even as his dementia grows more and more evident, but hey, so were many other leaders throughout history, even as their nations bought into it for so long and the nations and their populations paid the price, the wounds never fully healing nor scarring over completely.     

 He has deeply embedded his roots into the heart of this nation. As he does so he is crushing the heart, destroying the essence of the idea, of the concept of America. Those who continue to follow him trust him despite all that he has done to break that trust. His awful beyond words new "ugly inhumane bill" will break just those same people who voted for him: the western states, the flyover states, The farming states which depend on immigrant labor to work the fields - who have been thrown away, like used tissues; those who rely on Medicaid, food programs, business loans, health care, educational access, job training for new occupations and possibilities. I wonder how violent the quashing of the protests of those will be, those whose kids are hungry, whose spouse is ill, whose college plans are obviated, whose homes have been foreclosed.

There are those who point to good. And he has done. Yes. I appreciate his support for Israel, but always there's the fear and mistrust. This man shifts positions and statements as quickly as he can as     measured against his one permanent value. That is what is good for Trump. That and only that. Disobey his orders, capitalized especially, and you are doomed. 

Trust in this man is a waste of time, a loss of breath. His policies are growing more and more inimical to the masses of Americans, other than the uber-uber wealthy. Even as he more openly exposes his ambitions as he employs the military at will, to a B-52 flyover when he signs the fascistic inhumane bill, to his birthday parade, to the states of his opponents. A bully, as all such as he, and a human chameleon as far as policy, hewing only to what is good for him and his. Period.      

 Voltaire, a disgusting Jew Hater, nevertheless knew men such as he and their plans and consequences. The warnings within are valid till today and well into the future. They are the lessons of history. The history we continue to ignore at our peril.   

  "The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor." This is very quickly going to prove its validity once the awful policies of his new bill are in place and activated. We can then understand another well-known statement of Voltaire and one we must answer. And quickly.

"If this is the best of all possible worlds then what must the others be like?"  

We must differentiate between the good and bad of yesterdays and apply the good and valid to our todays and build a positive foundation for the tomorrows to come.    

If we ignore our responsibilities to our kids, to the future, well, follow the thread.

ICH BIN EIN NEW YORKER

  And so are we all. How is it that the most Jewish city outside of Israel is now on an alarming arc which ends in the installation of a chief icon of JewHatred  into Gracie Mansion, the Mayor of New York City. My city. My birthplace. That of my parents. The city which gave shelter and future to my grandparents. My places of work and play, of workplace and worship. The city where my children were raised. 

The city which has now decided that I and my people are no longer wanted here. Not a new thought or movement but enabled now to be of great consequence. Urged from the mouth of this hatemonger, this moral coward who speaks of hate, who roots for hate, yet who refuses to admit it. Who relies on vocal obfuscation and games of ring around the truth dances. Who in fact sees it as a   wave sweeping the nation and the world in general.

Thus, the inevitable thought: Why not continue in that same path? Build upon its apparent strengths and welcomed into so many homes and organizations. Ignore the vile odors and sights permeating its existence wherever it lands and takes root. In fact, its roots are widespread and deep, able to build upon and move forward in the growth industry of the century. 

And Mamdani is in it up to his neck even as he spouts worthless pie in the sky promises never to come to fruition - other, than the growth industry of JewHatred and the accommodation for all those who espouse it, stand up for it, and trample over those they hated. The very same people who had aided them via organizations they had founded and funded.  How bitter is the ingratitude of the hateful and prideful. How negative the consequences. 

The man does not even have the courage of his misguided ugly principles. He skirts and skates around the truth. "I do not use that language," he states. But he endorses it, justifies it with falsehoods, and refuses categorically to condemn it. He ignores the fact that complicit and implicit are the same coin, not even the other side, so closely are they related and supportive of each other. 

With his own words and actions, or lack of action, he condemns himself. He has openly set up his own tent in their home where he becomes not merely tainted of their ugliness but is stained indelibly with and by their negativity and false debilitating hopes engendered by pie in the sky impossible promises     guaranteed to fail with their empty promises and inevitable meltdowns leading to further unrest and blame games aplenty. 

Frankly, I believe that he and Trump, supposedly from diametrically opposed places on the political spectrum, are equally dangerous. Equally inimical to the concept, the dream and the idea of America. Both, if they remain in power, or worse, gain more, will lead to a nation split or cut with the knives of a thousand cuts, resulting in a degeneration of future hopes. A nation once a strong democracy will, of necessity, as a direct result of policies inimical to the welfare of the population of this nation, will inevitably deteriorate into a hardscrabble life for most, a deep gray future and an elite class, uber-uber wealthy, only distantly aware of the woes besetting the plain folks, and that includes the majority of us, even up to and including the lower wealthy economic classes.

 No one will be immune to the bizarre inhumane policies and their inevitable unavoidable results. All brought to you via the 'courtesy' of those robotic GOP members who sold their souls for a bit more of the Leader and their party in power. As they waited like servants of the King, to bask perhaps in a second of a smile, as he clumsily walks by, even as their constituents suffer greatly from hunger, lack of medical care, denied access to a full and proper education - as the dream of America goes flat and disappears. All enabled, predicted and made into ultimate truth by bills such as the one passed yesterday, so predictive of disaster of so many, many facets, so complex in its ultimately unfortunate results, that no one can yet plumb the depths of its horrors to come.  

Ameria, the once proud United States of America, a leader of nations, will crumble into a deeply unhappy and poor nation, one of struggling lives, hopeless dreams, and a discarded democracy and deep disrespect for individuals and inherent rights. Poof! All gone. The only unknown is the length of time till utter disaster and its boundaries, if indeed there are any. A nation of food shortages. Hunger and helplessness growing exponentially. No safety net, nowhere to turn.  The only path to success will be the already growing clearer slimy bloodstained tear-soaked rungs of ladders one never should have existed in this once proud and decent nation. 

Despite all my gratitude for his Israel policy - at least so far - the concern over our deteriorating national character, the ugliness of our present path through history, rises higher and higher. There is no way to predict this man's modus operandi other than to know that it is based upon one guiding point. That which is good for him generates all laws and policies, rubber stamped by a captive legislature and judiciary. That which has lost its benefits for him goes away. Period. Not resulting in a stable nation, a stable economy, nor a stable prediction of foreign policy, or even if America will be able to play any significant role in the governing and survival of the world for so greatly will it have deteriorated, all is strengths diminished, becoming of lesser and lesser importance.

 As for Israel then   ....   Only the Lord knows, and we can wonder whether He will pay attention or simply blink once again, tired of the misdeeds, squabbles and ingratitude of His creations.   

One spews forth hate with every breathe taken. The other is drenched in selfishness and mistrust. Even his rare, good deeds are tainted by that selfishness. Are bathed in deep mistrust. Both men and their adherents certainly are not predictive of a positive future. Despite their seeming political differences, the end results will be the same. Unless somehow, some way some time soon, we can halt this ugly deterioration into a frightening unknown. The critical level of uncertainty and fear, giving way to Hatred and the dog-eat-dog world of harsh hopeless lives they will create, will, as history has taught us this oh so well, give way to a dictatorship severe and unforgiving. Ultimately not good for the Jews, not good for a once upon a time America, and not good for any soul of the world.  

It is incumbent upon the people of this nation and actually the people of the world, to recognize truth, the reality presented before us. To stand up. Pick up their puddled pants. And do something. For their own sakes and for their children. We must dig deep down and find our courage to do what is right and necessary. To use the remaining power of our votes, our voices and our courts to stand with us and effect the changes we so desperately need. To find some relatively honest legislators, if there remain any, and put all into place before it is too late.

Where and why have we gone so wrong? Wish I could lay out a list and check off the boxes as we repair it. As we rectify the errors we had made.               We need to reach back deep into our yesterdays and find the redeemable, the positive, and bring it back into our todays. Improve and fortify their endurance and then move them into place into our tomorrows now so greatly threatened. 

Either we do so, and soon, for the future to bloom and blossom once again, so we can qvell (take righteous pride) in our success. Or we fail to do so, and the sounds of the wails and moans of humanity will be of powerful decibel never before heard, as we weep deep and too late.   

Again, the choice is ours. The time short. And where the hell are we other than genuflecting to those who espouse the worst of mankind. Who champion violent bloody Hate and greedy selfishness beyond the pale.         

Where are we?  

Who are we?    

Can we turn it around, halt the hands of the Doomsday Clock?

If only.... 

Maybe then we could say with rightful pride -

 Ich bin ein Amerikaner. 

Ich bin ein New Yorker.

Ich bin ein human. 

And qvell.      

IFS AND ANDS AND SINGING - OR NOT - CANARIES

  Miss Indonesia candidate dropped because she was   dancing with an Israeli flag. Horrors!

"The death toll among Israeli troops since the start of the Gaza ground incursion on Oct. 27, 2023, stands at 437, and at 881 on all fronts since the Hamas-led massacre on Oct. 7, 2023, per official military figures."

 Tens of thousands wounded, many critical and of lifetime duration.

 50 hostages remaining, perhaps 18-20 alive.   Perhaps.

6 hostages told to choose - 3 to be shot in the head, three to be shot in the knee.

Medical care of wounded kidnapped, say what?!

And of course, the massacre and abomination of Oct 7 and 

NOT TO FORGET: THE 'BRAVE' WARRIOR WHO MANUALLY STRANGLED AND BEAT TWO ITTLE BOYS TO DEATH - HEROES AT 9 MONTHS AND 4 YEARS. 

The wounded on the ground, due to missiles and rockets and drones from Iran, Yemen, and terrorists of Gaza, all aimed to kill civilians.

Shall we talk of reciprocity and proportionality? Percentage of population wounded or killed, and whose numbers are validated rather than fabricated with no actual proof of numbers - and in most cases rife with purposeful exaggeration. 

Oh, the canaries?

"Jews have long been known as “the canary in the coal mine,” society’s heads-up for danger. If the canary is in trouble, it’s a sure sign there’s danger ahead for the coal mine. What starts with the Jews, in other words, never ends with the Jews."

How many, many times have I written about that last sentence. So many that I have lost count. Nor do you have to trust me in said declaration. Simply look to the history books of the world and count the number of times that hatred and victimization and dehumanization of one group inevitably expands to other vulnerable groups, to the point that nobody in society can assume safety, for all are fodder for the voracious maw of hate.

Today, we Jews are the canaries ending years of song within the coal mine of America. Both of the parties in this case have forgotten the importance and relevance of our shared relationship. We have forgotten that what was good for America, was   good for the Jews. And the reverse the same. 

When the atmosphere of the nation was one of acceptance, of growth and optimism, of mutual concern and a strong safety net, that was an America which allowed its Jewish population to contribute and prosper, to educate their children, in safety and acceptance. Today - not so much. Almost to the point of never.  

Every day we read of increasing antisemitism. From vocal attacks to physical. Even death. By fire, by bullets, by vehicle, by fists. It matters not the how, only the fact that it is. And increasing in numbers. And in direct proportion so grows the fear. The raising of the shoulders to the ears. And the swiveling of the head to check. To be safe. 

But how can we feel safe? Not only are adults targets, for so are our children. It is even more frightening when our children become the targets. When in public schools, teachers openly teach hate. When in private schools, the same goes. It's in some of the most elite schools. From preschool to postgrad. Engagement in ambitious acts of Jew/Hatred. Advocate for their death. Their total demise. 

 Where and when and how and why are we, can we, feel safe.

In fact, how is anyone to feel safe? Bigotry is a virus. It spreads. Apparently, there is no medication to treat this. It is a massive sickness of society.   A sickness which never dies. Only goes into hibernation until the conditions are right for it to reemerge and do its worst. It is a virus which drains society of hope, of all that is good. It is a virus. which affects the brain and the heart and the soul and the mind. It is a pandemic of the soul, here forever and a day.

Inevitably, if we do not actively, with great determination work to erase this flaw within humanity, then the individuals of that humankind will turn upon each other, consume each other. It will become individual versus individual. And we will retreat back into history. It will not be a Jurassic World of the regeneration of dinosaurs, but rather a Jurassic World of the regeneration of Cavemen. Weapon of persuasion not discussion but the club and the stone. 

We must ask ourselves. Is this what we actually wish and want for our children? Is this what we wish to have in our quiver of persuasive arguments to persuade the gatekeepers of heaven to allow us entry rather than being consigned to the lowest, darkest circles of hell? To boast of being the best at hating and slaughter is not the argument to present.   

Somewhere along the line we have become confused. Lost our way. Taken from the worst of yesterdays, brewed it with the lowest actions and beliefs of our todays, and in a caldron larger than that of the witches of Macbeth, cursed our tomorrows.   

WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT NOTHING

  But I guess it was not meant to be. Might be a tad shorter, maybe two tads shorter as I have urgent morning appointments, but this must be addressed, yet again, and again, and the weariness is telling, it drains the soul, but there is no other way. Thus, the   nothing of which I was to write has morphed into something, a something constantly being addressed. Constantly on the rise at this point in time. And frankly, I am in despair as to what to do. As is everybody else. However, there is a point of light within this issue. Though we see a bunch of loudmouths out there, chanting for killing, chanting for destruction, chanting as they are wrapped in their precious capes of hate and bigotry, it must be realized that these are the squeaky wheels. They get the attention because they make the noise; however. in conversations with people within private lives, there is another side to this ugliness.  One finds something quite interesting. There is sympathy. There is disgust. There is confusion.  There is sympathy with Jewish rains.

There is sympathy with Jewish friends. They don't understand this. In fact, what they say is that most of these people who are chanting and screaming and protesting and hurting and killing have actually not met a Jew in their life. All they do is parrot the axioms of hate that they are given. They are taught to chant like nursery children only these are chants of destruction. Even if they know a person of Jewish descent they rely on their skewed education. The constant rhythm of  JewHatred. With pronouncements of hate. From their imams. With the bigotry they ingest in their homes. As presented to them by their teachers.     

Disgust rises at the behavior. Are these squeaky wheels who have nothing to say of any value at all? Every word of their narration stinks of corruption and antisemitism raised to the highest/lowest levels, even unto advocating for death. Whether they know no better or in fact do indeed know better, their glee at wallowing in their mud of filth and ugliness is clear. They espouse hate. They disgust others with their primitiveness.  Disgust that this inanity continues to exist, its pus breaking out almost in timed segments. Never dying out, perhaps tamped down at a time or two but never dying, always there to serve the purpose of politicians and hate mongers.

Additionally, there is confusion. How could such a primitive barbaric emotion and intention exist in the world of today. It is a world of AI. A world where truth is available. However, it is also a world where the lies are there for the taking. And indeed, are at times forcibly forced down the throat. Or drilled into the minds. Truth appears to be a slow second place runner, much to our dismay and bad news for our futures. Truth was discarded time and again, never to be retrieved. Never to be revived.

Thankfully, I have lived most of my life free of blatant antisemitism until recent times. In fact, before these modern-day outbursts of ugliness I believe I can count on the fingers of both hands my personal experiences with this filth. Some of which I did not recognize at the time as I was young. At other times it was as clear as day. As sharp as a smack on the face. But today, these times, I see, and I must respond. I have taken the pathway not of sticks and stones, but with words. For every lie you spew forth I will counter with a truth statement. For every instigation of hate. I will hit you back with my own instigation. To accept truth. To see evil where evil is. The criminal violence enabling and encouraging words and events. Your outrageous behavior must be countered with determined counterpoints and a growing awareness by haters of the lies which they have been fed and their abandonment of said disinformation.   Acknowledgement of truths.

For every mask you cowards put on, for every kaffiyah you wear as a fashion note, I too will wear what says something you must hear.  I am in the open. I do not wear a mask. I do not hide who I am. It is clearly there on many of my T shirts. It is there in the necklaces that I wear. I do not shout nor riot. Nor do I whisper. And I certainly do not keep quiet.

Thankfully, there are those in this world who see and understand and heed the truth. From individuals to nations who refuse to buy into the lies and the hatred. Refuse to buy into the filth purveyed by the nations who give in to the anti - semites. Who allow hate to grow. And who in fact at times instigate it, who whisper not so quietly behind their hands. 

 But one day, standing before the court, the highest judge, that Judge will take accounts payable, receivable and decide upon consequences. The vitriol spat at His Children, the hate and violence that grew beyond any and all boundaries, all will be taken into account. Israel's blood will be avenged, as the Lord G-d has promised.  

We will have some patience, for we are strengthened by our faith and trust in the Lord Above, and in the knowledge, as our history tells us. We have outlived all our foes. We will continue to do so as needed. Nothing new for us.  

These are the words of Abba Eben in 1970, when he was heckled at an important speech. Charles Schumer repeated them in 1979. I repeat them now. And may I gently remind Charles Schumer that nothing has changed other than his apparent denial of his own Jewish descent. He continues to share in their peoplehood and fate. 

“I am talking to you up there in the gallery. Every time a people gets their statehood, you applaud it. The Nigerians, the Pakistanis, the Zambians, you applaud their getting statehood. There’s only one people, when they gain statehood, who you don’t applaud, you condemn it—­ and that is the Jewish people. We Jews are used to that. We have lived with a double standard through the centuries. There were always things the Jews couldn’t do. . . . Everyone could be a farmer, but not the Jew. Everyone could be a carpenter, but not the Jew. Everyone could move to Moscow, but not the Jew. And everyone can have their own state, but not the Jew. There is a word for that: antisemitism, and I accuse you in the gallery of it.”

Read  and understand.

 Our yesterdays and todays and tomorrows are of one piece, nothing new under the sun and nothing that we have not beaten down. 

MAYBE THIS IS THE CORRECT RESPONSE

  I believe I can speak with great assuredness that everyone on the face of this earth, of whatever religion, whatever ethnicity. whatever stated belief, has wrestled with the question of Belief. Not knowing, not being sure of the actual real Presence, a Power, a Being who created the whole shebang. Every culture has a founding story. In that story there is always a Creator, that Supreme Being who had the knowledge and the ability, and most important, the desire to create a new world.

 The details may vary but the essence is the same. Creator plus interest and desire, plus rules and laws of worship equals. Religion. Belief and trust in and fear of that Supreme Creator. This is why I often wonder why it is that we humanity cannot understand that the Lord God which we worship is actually the same Being though of varying assigned names of our designation.  Any differences, any perversions which arise are those arising out of our own fault and inadequacies. These perversions arise when we mistakenly take some of the aspects, hidden and in plain sight, of God, i.e. mercy, anger, of indifference. and caring and then relegate those different facets and. and traits of the Lord God to several gods rather than to the One.  

That error in thought is due to our inadequacy, to the fallacious reasoning of humans. Too often we use those subdivisions as stairways upon which we descend into an ugliness of our own creation. Even as we claim a godly presence and allowance to claim that we are indeed worshiping a true god as we take on the lowest elements of mankind. One which demands much on the evil side.   It allows, enables, us to subsume ourselves and our culture, our religion and our statements into an ugliness which has no part, no role to play in a true Belief. There are no separate gods, only the One God of many facets and traits.  

It is a God full of mercy. It is a God who holds the sins of one generation accountable on future generations. It is a God who forgives. It is a God who cries for His children. He is also a God who has a cold anger. It is a God who will allow tears to fall from His eyes, but also a God who can blink and will blink, seemingly remain indifferent to the fate befalling His children. It is a God who demands righteousness and rejects evil. A God of jealousy who demands proper relationship between not only Man and his God, but also between Man and Man. It is only when we separate all these facets that we begin to doubt.       

How do we accommodate all so that it meshes together. Or must we actually do that? Perhaps it is better that we do have some doubt, that we hedge our bets. Perhaps that hedging, that inkling of doubt, that niggling uncertainty is what keeps us on the straight and narrow and if veering off that proper road, helps to bring us back to it. Perhaps is what gives us the chances we all so desperately need. Not only the second chance, but the 3rd and the 4th and on and on until we do get it straight, get it right.

However, every time I have been asked a question, or been in conversation on this topic re belief in God, in a Supreme Being, a Power greater than all else, the second part often follows: Why? What makes you believe that there is such a Being? How do you know for sure? Is there any physical fact without any layers of interpretation that will prove one correct in one's belief.

Personally, I do not think that there is one physical occurrence or event to which one can point and say here is the physical proof you need. Every such happening, every such miracle is deemed the Hand of the Lord. But I have been taught that the miracles of G-d often are enabled via other forces   that of Nature, of Mankind. The miracles are explainable.  I find this actually more reassuring, more strengthening to the soul, to know that there is a guiding hand to mesh it all, to make sense in a world gone mad, one such as we live in today.

 It helps me if not to understand, then to accept, even if reluctantly, contradictory facets of life. Future generations bearing consequence of prior generations misdeeds, while at other times great mercy is dispensed even if we are not worthy.  I believe it keeps us on our toes, a G-d of mercy who is also a strict accountant, with bills owed and bills paid, with bills excused.  I think that some of the. most frightening aspects that we have assigned to God have been because we ourselves in our weakness and failings need to know there is somebody watching. Somebody taking account. Somebody who can be angry yet merciful and forgiving. Somebody who knows our frailties. Our thoughts. Our cracks and our foundations. One also willing to help us repair them and welcome us back, honor our efforts. 

 In a recent novel, one of a series I have been reading, The Burning Soul, by John Connolly, it contains within life beyond this world, of crime and punishment, of repentance and salvation, of mystery and Divinity, of crime and punishment. Rather unexpectedly. on page 167, I came across. the best answer as to why believe? Particularly when one has met face to face with particularly dark scenarios.   I quote, mostly intact, the answer for me to those questions. that has spoken to me. Yes, I have heard similar thoughts, but phraseology and context, of presentation just seemed to hit me in the heart. I found the response in my soul. Perhaps it will address your feelings as it did - does -mine.         

“... Had once asked me if I believed in God after all that I had seen and all I had gone through. Particularly the loss of Susan and Jennifer. (Wife and daughter.) I gave him three answers. I told him that I found it easier to believe in God than not to believe, for if I believed in nothing their deaths were pointless and without reason. And I prefer to hope that their loss was part of a pattern I did not yet understand. I told him that the God in whom I believed sometimes looked away. He was a distractible God, a God overwhelmed by our demands. And we were so very, very small and there were so very, very many of us. I told him I understood how that could be the case. My God was like a parent, always trying to watch out for His children. But you couldn't always be there for your children, no matter how hard you try. I had not been there when most needed. And I refuse to blame my God for that.

And I told him that I believe in God because I had seen His opposite. I had seen all that He was not and been touched by it. And so, I could no more deny the possibility of an ultimate goodness to set against such depravity that I could deny that daylight follow darkness, and night the day." Here. All this I told him... He was silent afterward.”

These few paragraphs, their wisdom I have borrowed from the author, fits comfortably within me. 

It explains much of our yesterdays, as well as that of our todays. It also leaves open possibilities of goodness and grace for the tomorrows awaiting us.  

TO WRITE OR NOT TO WRITE

  And if so, exactly what to write? This is a question that comes up every day. Further, can one split the writing almost in half, praising one. condemning one - and the one is the same person? This is a problem confronting every blog writer, every person who makes his/her point out there in public.  In today's world, it is often an all or nothing situation. But that is not the true name of the game when doing public writing.   

The name of the game is discernment and discrimination. Discern where one's opinion is and how it differs from others, or equally possible, how it meshes with the other opinion. That is the discrimination that is not hate, but a recognition of a split of opinion. It is neither bad nor good. It is what it is, and it is for a person to say or not. It is for another person to accept or not, to approve or not. That is the name of the game. 

However, this 'game' veers off the playing board when differences of opinion melt down to opinions and words of hate and violence. Into incitement to violence even unto death. In this situation or such an incident it must be made clear that this is not acceptable speech. This is not a freedom of speech. issue. This is a matter of right or wrong. The discernment and the discrimination are clear as glass and opposing speech and writing, is clearly called for. 

If one heeds not that call, that charge of responsibility, that is a blow to civility, to truth, to a better world. In varying words, though of same intent, we have been warned. that one need not actively promote violence for it to succeed.  Remaining quiet, passive, in the face of injustice, is equally, perhaps even more so, promotive and enabling of the worst of humankind. Bottom line, at the end of it all, whether one is complicitly or implicitly involved in the promotion of negativity, an equal equation is in place. Then you must wear those shoes, put on that hat, for so you have chosen and so you must accept the consequences arising from those choices, and accept responsibility for them.  

Here is a blatant situation, which practically rises up out of the pages of print or jumps off the screens of social media.  Can one praise Trump for finally stepping in, adding to the bombing power of Israel in their combat against an existential threat and then condemn him for manner in which he did so and for his timing? Can we praise and then condemn him vociferously for his faults? For his attempts to rule the nation and then the world? For his grandiose schemes to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize? Can we question his timing and motivation. for the bombers? Was it a careful strategic decision or did it arise out of a deteriorating mind with less control over impulsivity? Are his openly deteriorating physical aspects a reflection, a partner to the same deterioration? It would not be an unexpected event as the man certainly is of age. 

 Is all this flurry of threats and promises an attempt to disguise his true ambitions, to rule the United States, with ambition knowing no boundaries?  I don't know for sure. I can't speak for sure. All I can do is put forth my opinion. Bottom line - I do not trust that man. I do not think he does anything out of altruistic motivation.  All is weighed and measured on a Trumpian scale. What is good for Trump? What is not?  If in the furtherance of his   ambition he happens to do something that is good, I will acknowledge and accept but that does not mean that I must change my overall evaluation of this man and the danger he presents to continuation of democracy within the borders of this land.

Trump has become a mentor for others of his ilk. They would noisily, indignantly, deny this statement, but truth is truth no matter how much one tries to cover it over. There was no difference in words of hate coming from right or left or middle. There's no difference in the ugly results and consequences. There is no shade between them. Their shared words of antagonism and ridiculous denial are partners in a tight relationship of ugliness and hatred. Deny it as they might, those who espouse vociferous words of hate, of encouragement to create false lines of separation, along with words of denial when something goes wrong, or when a policy is visibly opposed, no matter from where they shout their ugliness, they are the same. 

When Trump raises the temperatures surrounding immigration and citizenship, when he openly opposes the constitution, tramples on true law and order, he is no different than Mamdani. the current. candidate for Mayor of New York City. A city known as a Jewish city, now with a candidate running on hatred of those who built the city which enabled him and his family to find a place within.    He uses words to hide truths evident to all.  Refuses to accept responsibility for his violence and hatred encouraging words. 

 “The language that I use and the language that I will continue to use to lead the city is that which speaks clearly to my intent, which is an intent grounded in a belief in universal human rights,”

 When pressed about the Jewish community’s concern about the slogan calling for violence against Jews, Mamdani responded, “I’ve heard those fears, and I’ve had those conversations, and I don’t believe that the role of the mayor is to police speech,” he added.

The mayoral candidate added that, if elected, his task would not include “making clear what language I believe is permissible or impermissible.” 

Truly bosom buddies in the realm of hate and denial of truth. No air between the results of their words and policies. Of their shirking of responsibility for the bloodshed they enable and encourage, for their role modeling of avoidance and denial of truth. Though the words might differ the ugliness is the same.  

It is upon the rest of the electorate to stand up and speak out against this ugliness, be it from the right, the left, the middle, from wherever. If we do not, an ugliness of yesterday will impact greatly upon today, and will doom tomorrow. 

Our choice. Our responsibility.  

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

 NO BLOG TODAY SEE YOU ON MONDAY

TIME AND TROUBLES AND THOUGHTS

  Of time I certainly had plenty, unfortunately of time at the wrong time which allowed for no time to actually have any kind of consistent sane thought process. Caught up in the process of trying to exit Israel in order to be sure that I would be back in the United States in time for the weddings of two granddaughters, we invested much time and energy and sanity in trying to find a way out.

Using the pathways via Jordan and Egypt were not our cups of tea for obvious reasons. Additionally, we were warned that religious items were confiscated upon entry into said countries. No go. So, what next?

We thought that perhaps the American government would actually send in some kind of organized operation via which they would extradite their citizens caught up in the confusion inside Israel. However, despite filling out numerous online applications, the closest we came was instructions telling us to fill out more reams of forms. Finally, one more form and then, perhaps, maybe, some time, no date or time available, we would receive notice to be in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv promptly upon notification, about 70 people at a time (with literally tens of thousands of citizens there). Well, considering the state of war, with Iran sending over barrages of drones and rockets, transportation from other areas of Israel was not easy to come by. Humph! Well, that made planning just a tad, shall we say, difficult, and hence, onto Plan Z+. 

Mano Cruise line out of Ashdod Port, to Cyprus overnight, and then a flight to anywhere planes were flying. Docking time was to be between 8 and 9 AM and plane reservations were made as per that time and planned or possible destinations. Needless to say, the possibilities were not great, highly limited due to time factor of meshing time of docking and time of flights. Not exactly as simple as ABC. Still, doable, even if not exactly convenient. BUT, a great big overwhelming but, was the lack of certainty of getting to that ship and therein lies another chapter of time and troubles and thoughts. 

So. For hour after hour after hour we sought a way in which to make a reservation on that ship so as to get to Cyprus. Would there even be a ship going there? Would the rocket barrages, generally in the morning, stop such sailings? Would there be planes flying from there? Nobody knew anything for sure, other than we could not be sure of anything. All remaining sane brain cells were engaged in endless talk re suggestions and possibilities. Would we be going, or would we be staying? How do we plan when no firm areas of planning exist?? What do we do with the myriad governmental offices which needed to be informed of our plans? How could we inform them of our plans if we actually had no firm plans to inform them of? Simply no room for sanity.

Finally, an opening and success in purchasing a cabin for that overnight "cruise”, and not knowing re kosher food availability, or palatability, on ship or plane or Cyprus, we stocked up on snack foods and water and decided that a little dieting would not hurt any of us. We packed and repacked and unpacked and re- re packed because the guidelines were never clear. In fact, they were constantly changing. One suitcase or two? Or none? Only carryon and was that one carryon or two. Weight regulations? No firm decision so we did the best we could but even then, with all the uncertainty of Tuesday and fear that we would never actually get to the boat and board, it seemed we took too much and yet too little. At the end of it all, we had not enough and too much.  

Communication from the organizers was almost nonexistent and caused a great deal of aggravation. Times of meeting and places of meeting were changed without informing us, we who had to meet. We ourselves went wandering through much of the morning from initial meeting place to another meeting place to yet another place of waiting to come across other people waiting with their luggage, not knowing where to go or what to do. Nobody answered the phones when we called. No messages got through in either direction and only thanks to a restaurant which opened up early for us, after a few urgent words with the owner, were we able to get out of the hot beach sun and rest our weary feet. Inside we ordered drinks and traded information, misinformation, disinformation and no information at all.

At last, one of the lookouts spotted a bus, which offloaded people with suitcases. Some of us waiting there ran over to the people and were informed that they had come from the ship, which had finally docked two hours late. Assuming, logically, that we who were waiting would board the bus and be brought to the ship, all left the restaurant, happy that it was finally! Then the bus shut its doors in our faces and went back empty. What the hell!   

This happened time and time again. The crowd grew. It became more restless. Voices were raised. Confusion reigned. Angert grew. Soon we gathered a convocation of cab drivers who offered to take us to the boat. However, we had all been mourned that no cabs would be allowed into the dock. Only the shuttle busses. However, the shuttle busses kept leaving without us. Problem. Finally, we were all the end of our rope, and we 'busjacked' the bus and the next one, and the next one. As we turned into the dock area, lo and behold, we saw cab after cab after cab with other confused, hot, weary, upset passengers. However, once on the boat, brought to our cabins, our luggage brought to us, all was forgiven. Until ...

Our tickets said we would be docking between 8 and 9:00 AM. We had all made reservations based upon that information and we saw light at the end of the tunnel. Then the lights turned off. We were now told that we would be docking at 4:00 PM. Our reservations useless. We would not be there on time. Confusion reigned. Voices were raised. Kids traveling back from seminary and other schools were confused. Travel agents were called Parents were called. Relatives who had made reservations were called. Once again, a no sleep night for many.

Most of us on the ship spent much of the time making new cancelations, new reservations. Confirming the reservations. Canceling the reservations. Reaffirming the same reservations.   The information we were getting was not exactly timely nor consistent and flight availability was not plentiful. For too many a four-to-six-day journey seemed in the offing. Happy campers, we definitely were not.

 As time to disembark grew closer we were told basically to halt in place. Wait, for maybe they might be able to change the time of docking back to what it was supposed to be. More frantic redialing and frustration growing. We called our poor put upon grandson to try to get us back on the flight we had just canceled. Luckily, most of us were able to fix flight times. Our presence at the weddings of our granddaughters was assured.

 However, the aggravation is still playing havoc within my body and my head and my heart as well as my ears, still crackling with fluid. But finally, after sleeping for 12 hours straight, brain function is returning as is the process of thought. 

Time to think, basically in bits and pieces, here and there. What did these times of troubles mean to me as we were living in Israel? Could we have done anything different? What did this whole experience impart to us and what will be its effect upon us? Will it change who we are, how we think, how we feel, and will those changes be welcome?

One thing is for sure. We owe so many people, friends, family and strangers alike, on both sides of the ocean, a great deal of thanks. Without them, we never would have made it through and back - and we hope back again. 

 Our yesterday was tough. Our today better. Our tomorrow - well, we shall see.

More of the journey and time and thoughts in another posting.

'night all. Stay safe.

PEACE IN OUR TIME? (lol)

  I can hear the echo of the title as a declarative statement made by Neville Chamberlain immediately after he gave away the store to Hitler. A piece-by-piece giveaway agreement that would lead to a peace never ever meant to retain a solid and forever peace. Not when there were more pieces where they had come from. Those "pieces for peace" were not simply harmless rearrangements of lines and colors on a map. These pieces were parts of growing attacks against the national integrity of r other nations, in the name of peace in our time, a fallacy held up to the world as one of the greatest political achievements of all time.

 Territories upon which people lived transferred, ceded to those with nefarious plans for those living within the new boundaries, a peace they never saw. Nor did the world either, for peace based on blackmail is no peace at all. It is merely the grown up version of the schoolyard bully who first takes what he wants and then threatens his victim with more of the same and worse unless he pays up.  Payment demands are increased in amount and frequency until there is nothing left to give other than oneself. That too is taken, and the bully moves on to another victim. The process repeats itself again and again for why quit when you've got a good hustle.  

Bullies are all the same. The only difference is the age of those involved and the payment demanded. Unfortunately, leaders of the world never seem to understand that. From time immemorial, leaders of one nation or another, from ancient times till today and almost most definitely well into the future, grows hungry and demands to be fed. And demands to be fed. The appetite is never fully sated and each morsel simply serves to whet the appetite for more. And more. And more.

Countries disappear The chefs in the kitchens of those countries have no more food to give. The inevitable arrives and difficult decisions must be made, decisions postponed, decisions made more difficult in their untimeliness. It generally comes down to either self-sacrifice and abnegation or an   attempt to retake all the food. The nation(s) already weakened, now has an uphill climb in a war which could have been avoided. 

There might have been some physical resistance to the first refusal and counter demand, but bullies will often back away when bluffs are called. Bloodshed is to be avoided, but at times a hit on the head to gain attention is the only method assured of victory. It is a live game of chess and awful sacrifices and new realities, with pawn sacrifice necessary, a nasty real game of dirty math.  

Most often nations find themselves in this situation when leaders are faulty and when the electorate resists the true ones. Leaders must be very careful, very wise, very bold, very assured and very clever.  I, for one, thank my stars every day that such a level of responsibility never comes my way, but someone has to catch that buck bouncing around on the desk.  It ain't pretty but it's the truth.

Today, there might be a ceasefire with Iran, Will it take place? Will it hold? I have great doubts. This bully has been hit hard with a smack it should have received long ago. However, I believe this bully might need a couple of more pats with a steel pole before he understands the situation. The necessity of what he must do. Will that happen? He has been indulged way too long and this indulgence has carried over into the thinking and the planning of other entities. Rocky weather ahead. 

I know for sure that we must pray and we must make our voices heard. The Bible speaks of two wars, one of necessity, with noble and lifesaving reason. If left undone, worse is to follow. The other war. Less noble, of tainted ambition and deadly.    Denial of reality often leads to an ugliness which affects all sides and possibly could have, should have, would have been avoided if only we would pay attention to the lessons in history. right there for the taking. If only, if only, we can learn, if only we will understand. 

But we never do, do we or we allow for the corruption of leaders and ourselves. Is it hopeless? I hope not. 

We must look at the history of yesterday. Must apply hard learned wisdom to today. It is the only way for us to save tomorrow. 

We need a true peace. No more a peace of pieces.

  It does not work.  

Please note that there will be no posting tomorrow or Thursday due to complicated travel plans. I will return on Friday. Please be safe.     

WHAT?

 What? What does one write about in the middle of the night? What does one write about in the middle of a war which does not feel like any other war that I have read about and thankfully kept in the "read about" condition? The two countries I hold dearest and closest are at war, fighting a shared enemy, one that poses danger in fact, to the world at large. Actually, the shared enemy of all that is right in this world. An enemy that would as soon rather than lend you a helping hand. Think that I am exaggerating, think that I have gone a tilt? No. Think again and tell me of the complete unvarnished undisguised trust now being disclosed to you within the borders of your ossifying brain? What exactly is your reaction to the clear, unvarnished truth? What exactly Are you trying to shake out of your mind, trying so hard to erect walls and stockades and fortifications against the influx of uncensored truth?  What are you thinking? What in fact do you remember of a straightforward. thinking and appraisal format?

 What exactly is the matter with this world? What is the matter with the people living on it? When and how do you use the skill right and wrong What made us decide that it was not worth anything to be able to separate and discern and rescue nuggets of truth and clearly distinguish right from wrong?    what can you tell me? 

Please explain to me how and why we so twisted education to the point where it is far more supportive of teachers engaged in the proliferation of lies and hatred than one who champions opposition to such anathema?  

What has induced such change within us, within our mental and emotional and moral makeup, that we deny the presence of Evil upon this earth. It's active presence unfortunately is well woven into the fabric of the world at large, too often finding a welcoming warm home in the minds of those who buy into ev The mind and those who prefer to lay down before they lose and the onslaught and go with the flow So much easier for all concerned other, of course, than the victims of said Evil. At times it is so thick upon us that it is palpable, and one can feel its oppressive weight upon one's shoulders. Can feel its destructive tendrils reaching out, attempting to find access to your soul and welcome within.      

What makes one dance into an oblivion which induces one to stand there and protest for their own very determined enemies. If given the opportunity they would their ostensible supporter down and out of this world? 

  What makes a woman stand in rather vociferous voice of support of those who would gladly "gift" them with physical death or the death of a mind, of an individual. Who would certainly crush their attempt to take back their place in the world, deny their uniqueness and stifle any demand of their rights and their rightful place within society.          Even as the deluded stand in support of their predators what makes them oblivious to the truth of the matter? That their predators' victory would deny her humanity, negate her achievements, who suppress her individuality and deny her the opportunity to exercise a fully functioning mind.

What, you tell me, for I can find no excuse whatsoever for a person to stand holding a sign promoting support for the same person, who, if they had their druthers, would as soon as possible hang the sign holder from the nearest lamppost or crane.  Or put the holder to death, to prison, to torture and all of the above. What makes people so willfully blind to their own danger, of the actions they take contraindicated with their own safety and well-being.    

   I simply don't understand the makeup of such people. Or those of you. Who sit there with a smug look on your face sit there with a smug look on your face as you plead ignorance to all of the above, as you deny complicity in the long-range planning, which has led to current day America and the world as well. 

 In brief.

 Why, why, what would induce a person with honorable membership in the LGBTQ+ community to support an administration which deems them subhuman? 

 What would make a woman stand in support of those who continue to view them as chattel, to be restricted, uneducated, even literally silenced. No voice, no face, no life.   

What, what possesses a person to vote to support that which is extremely detrimental to one's life and limbs? What - WHAT?!?

 What exactly is the driving force within a person, So powerful so as to negate all of one's current precepts of a moral and just society, all that they have learned and practiced all their lives. Until now. What can turn a person so drastically from one life to its polar opposite? 

What will it take to convince the members of the human race to trash without any possibility of rebirth, of reinvigoration all the negativity and animosity of the Millennia of the past, of yesterday.   

 What can we expect of our lives of today, so confused, so adulterated that one is hard driven indeed, to separate the wheat from the chaff and thoroughly and totally commit the chaff to eternal oblivion. Despite the best efforts of some excellent people we have not yet succeeded in taking the next step. In fact, I am not even sure that we are in sight of that next step as we stubbornly, ever and always, reignite and revive reformatted versions of the same old, same old. Prejudice and hate. Fear and war. Blood-soaked lands overflowing with the blood already spilt there.

What will be with tomorrow and the tomorrow after that and the tomorrows following in line? Will we never learn to put forward our best and brightest and rather than waste them on the battlefield, task them instead with finding the way out of humanity's ever recurring nightmare. One we both dream and live. No end in sight. 

The only way to change this status quo is an extreme revamping of humanity, turning it inside out, shaking it and putting it back minus the flaws. According to Jewish folklore, there have been approximately seventy universes created before ours. Surely, we have learned enough, know enough, as to how and what needs changing and do so before the creator loses patience with us and on comes universe #72.  

 Until then however, we must move forward with deep and abiding faith that perhaps we can appeal to the endless mercy of the Creator and be provided with enough leeway and time to improve ourselves and be worthy of his compassion, attention, and eternal guardianship.  

What is the answer, the directions as to how to fix the world, change people so, gain the mercy of G-d? I don't know Not even sure if there is any more possibility left. Apparently, all I am good for right now is asking questions.

Would that I knew the what of the missing answers. 

What have you to say?

   

 

I DO NOT GET IT

 Maybe I am slow. Maybe I think about this at the wrong times of day or night. Maybe I am too close to it all actually being one of the targeted. Whatever the cause, I just don't get it. Many, many books, treatises, essays, op-eds, editorials, letters to editors, pamphlets and leaflets have been written on this topic and all achieving the grand sum of   zero. Actually, that round number should come as no surprise. The topic is illogical, deeply, very deeply rooted in stupidity and nastiness, and in fact, is allergic to any sort of logic applied to it for there is no making sense out of nonsense. 

Yet try and try again is the name of the game. Character assassination. Trait specificity real or not. Misinterpreted or not. Accidentally or not. Out of the air. Religious accusation. An innate flaw within humans to seek the least common denominator.   Humans and "others" of self-creation. Hyper xenophobia. Deflection for unease and unrest in a population. A safety valve. Perfect scapegoats. An absolute certainty that one knows it all, all the 'truths' and all the secrets. A good moneymaker.

So, what the hell am I talking about here? I am talking about the ever-present noxious reek never dying ugliness of Anti Semitism and its inevitable consequences. It seems it follows a similar, almost set pattern, able to uncover, yet impervious to numerous attempts to replace that cover or even somehow create a mechanism through which that cover would no longer be necessary. 

It begins with talk. It begins with secretive winks, as if one knows something that nobody else knows. It begins at either end of society with the poor and downtrodden who need to vent against those they deem even lower than they are. It drips down from the top levels of society, from the Uber wealthy who fear someone is out to rob them of all and from the snobs who think their blood cannot be tainted by the blood of those they consider to be their inferiors. The toxicity and the hate flow evenly and smoothly top to bottom and bottom to top and then manage to pool in the middle where there are plenty who seek to find something other than themselves to blame for whatever situation they are in their lives and for the condition of the world in general. Why the hell not!           

Why do people want to kill me? Why has this desire been able to survive since time immemorial? Why has this insane hatred so consumed its believers that they willingly forswear all beliefs and values, secular and religious, that once were sacrosanct and jump with great enthusiasm into the pool of blood their hate creates and replenishes, sometimes on a daily basis. 

Attacks, physical, emotional, religious forced conversion under penalty of death, or even 'voluntarily' in order to be able to live freely, for sociological reasons. What the hell is the point? Why is it that even supposed intelligent, cultured, individuals cannot see past their blood-stained vision and understand both the harm and the futility of their actions? 2500 plus years of hate but despite it all, the repression, the oppression, the murderous schemes, oh, those plans, so ambitious. And yet We. Are. Here. Repression and oppression on crack. Still, we are here. Not only existing, but generally thriving, and sharing with the world our inventions, our thoughts, our research, our arts and sciences, our all, including philanthropy of open scope. We are generally well enmeshed within society. 

Once again, I ask why, from whence and why? Where has it gone wrong? And why am I not finding answers worthy of their verbiage, containing logic and thorough explanation, even justification. Truth, not memes and tropes already proven false. Not the same old junk which carries no weight. No reliance and appeal only to emotion - only to facts. Why does it continue? 

The sad truth of this all is that there are no facts. There is no logic. It is based on nothing yet that nothing has the consistency of impermeable concrete. The people who engage in this, no matter how bright they appear to be, are actually dumb as the day is long. If their hatred were right, if their hatred were blessed, by the god they worship, as they claim, we would not be here. Not after 2500 plus years of hate aimed directly at our hearts. Not after the most nefarious plans put into place with the said goal our elimination, even stronger now than ever. Even as Western supposedly advanced nations buy into it all and willingly engage in it, their words might be polished but they are just as ugly as the crude words and chants of lower-class haters. Equally as ugly are the results.

And again, why? Why do these mentally, emotionally flawed people not understand a very basic fact. We are here despite all, everything thrown at us, we are here. And here we remain. Our weapon, first, last and always is our faith in the promise of the One Above, our eternal guardian, our father. As His children, at times delay in rescue is inexplicable to us, but our faith is always validated. Proof: we are here and with His aid, realized via our actions and those of Nature, we remain.

For those who need a more up close and personal experience I urge you to leave your home. Leave social media behind and get out there and meet a Jewish neighbor or two, stand by a synagogue or local store. What will you find? You. Me. Your friends and family. For we are all alike, bottom line. We are all people together and it is no more right for me to hate you than it is for you to hate me. Hate is illogical Hate is an emotion which befogs judgment. It is one of the worst traits of humanity. Why not see if you and I can toss that trait of ours in the trash.

 For the errors of yesterday;

 For the efforts of today;   

For the dreams of tomorrow. 

We must all try to do better. 

And in view of this morning's breaking news, bombs hopefully putting an end to the nuclear criminal ambitions of Iran to annihilate Israel and all that do not abide by their rules, may we all join hearts and hands, and pray for peace which permeates the entire world. 

Amen. Selah.