As with the State of the Union, not well. At least Representative Ilhan Omar apologized, and the consensus is that she did so appropriately and effectively as follows: “Antisemitism is real, and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of antisemitic tropes,” Ms. Omar said in … Continue reading So, how’s it going?

Good news:  Scott Walker lost.  Dana Rohrabacher lost. Darrell Issa retired and a Republican his district. Dean Heller lost. Kris Kobach lost. Sherrod Brown won. Michigan elected Democrat for Governor after the Republicans successfully poisoned Flint.  The Democrats have control of the House, so the Trumpian control of law and policy will be somewhat blunted. … Continue reading Reflections on the 2018 Mid-Term Election

I'm sad, angry and confused. What is it that you believe justifies what we are encouraging in this country?

The first couple of drafts of this were angry, rough, and bordering on malevolent.  With superior advice from my spouse, I refrained from publishing those early drafts and waited so I could gain some perspective from time.  I have done that.  The reflective time and thoughts did result in some serious editing, believe it or … Continue reading At The Least, Let’s Be Real

Nathan Hale said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Thurgood Marshall said, “History teaches that grave threats to liberty often come in times of urgency, when constitutional rights seem too extravagant to endure.” John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can … Continue reading We are Diminished and in Danger

Imagine, if you will, a crowd of tens of thousands of Mexican and Central-Americans, many belonging to known criminal and terrorist organizations, at our southern border north of Tijuana.  Imagine also that they were launching stones, throwing Molotov cocktails, and launching kites across the border filled with explosives. Moreover, imagine that the group’s founding charter … Continue reading Those Pesky and Irritating Jews

I am reminded today of all the trite aphorisms that my father provided me during my life, for example: If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen               People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones               If you are going to dish it out, you had better be able to take it … Continue reading Where You Stand…depends on Where You Sit

It took hours of patient, but quite vocal and sometimes heated discussion with my adored daughters to get the point of privilege across to me.  On the topic of “white privilege”, I misinterpreted the words to mean I needed to be apologetic for what white people had done to people of color in the past.  … Continue reading Privilege, Intersectionality, and Anti-Semitism

I am not sorry to see the end of 2017. To be honest, it was a lot more than that. I am pleased to see the back of 2017. It was a truly shitty year. Abominable. Wretched. Putrid. Feculent. Let me count eight ways: 1. Donald Trump became President and has encouraged the worst elements … Continue reading Goodbye 2017.