Values? Morals? Integrity?

Here in the United States, we operate on a number of truisms.  For example, we believe one is innocent until proven guilty.  This assertion is not in the Declaration of Independence, nor in the Constitution, nor in the Bill of Rights, nor in the remainder of the Amendments to the Constitution.  It can be inferred … Continue reading Values? Morals? Integrity?

What My Father Said and Other Musings

I woke up this morning to a severe weather warning (wind gusts up to 35 mph) and a sub-40-degree temperature headed to the low 30’s. I started to write this post in the middle of April and the weather hasn’t improved much since then. I am really tired of this crap. Needless to say, I … Continue reading What My Father Said and Other Musings

What Planet Are You From?

Walking around yesterday I came across an elderly woman (older than me, white hair, walking cane with tripod tip) wearing a “Trump Is God” T-Shirt and I thought, ”what the fuck planet is she from?” Then I stopped dead in my tracks and thought, “what if the right question is ‘what the fuck planet am … Continue reading What Planet Are You From?

Dante…a bit updated

Individuals who prostitute their principles for power, fame and lucre are whores.  I am not talking about sex workers who choose the profession - they provide a service clearly in demand in exchange for money much like every other service provider.  The sex workers’ means of production are their bodies, with which they can do … Continue reading Dante…a bit updated

Justice, Justice Thou Shalt Pursue

In modern lingo, “justice, Justice you shall pursue.”  This is from Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9 and it has become a rallying point for many Reform Jews.  The concept of Tikkun Olam or repairing the world includes social justice and is the objective of many Jewish outreach programs and philanthropic support. Today, Judaism has evolved away from a … Continue reading Justice, Justice Thou Shalt Pursue

Ridiculosity*

Let’s start with the reality that George Santos may actually be sworn in as a member of the US House of Representatives.  Elected as a Republican, Santos built a campaign by inventing himself as a character.  He did not graduate from Baruch College nor NYU, nor did he work at Goldman Sachs or Citigroup.  The … Continue reading Ridiculosity*

Ode to John Irving

I recently finished John Irving’s latest novel, The Last Chairlift, and was viscerally reminded how much I appreciate and revel in his writing. I first read (and have subsequently re-read a few times) “The World According to Garp” while still in college and I loved it.  I liked it so much that I bought his … Continue reading Ode to John Irving

Where Have You Been?

First, the context. Last month, former President Trump had dinner at Mar-a-Logo with Ye West and Nick Fuentes.  Ye has had his own spate of recent, public antisemitic speech and Fuentes is a known antisemite.  According to NBC, Ye and Trump “had arranged to break bread Tuesday night at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida after … Continue reading Where Have You Been?