Blog
I’ve written about America’s regional differences and similarities—physical and cultural. A difficult question nags. Short of a defensive war, what defining aspect of America can put the United back into the United States? I’ve exchanged thoughts with an American friend in Poland, who teaches university classes on American life. We agree that “freedom” is too…
Perhaps quantum physics aside, two identical objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Witness Gaza. Hamas wants a Palestinian state from the river (Jordan) to the sea (Mediterranean). The Israeli far-right wants a Greater Israel in that same space. Both engage in magical thinking guaranteed to continue violence. College campuses also produce…
Two weeks ago, I wrote in “Do I Live in America?” that California was a legitimate part of the United States. Last weekend, Carolyn and I saw that Texas and Florida are just as real—if uniquely so. Thursday, we flew to Houston to see Carolyn’s distant cousin, Dr. Robert Power. Bush Intercontinental Airport is as…
Israel’s attack on an Iranian military base outside Shiraz necessitated a new approach to today’s post I completed yesterday. Then again, it didn’t. Regarding Israel’s response to Iran’s missile attack, I cited the 19th-century French novelist Eugène Sue writing in Memoirs of Matilda: “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” I also referred to New York Times columnist Tom…
A recent Los Angeles Times survey reported that many people outside California believe the Golden State “is not really America.” My experience tells me the opposite. I can’t echo Johnny Cash’s song title, “I’ve Been Everywhere.” But despite a cloistered upbringing in “not-America” New York City, I’ve seen a good deal of our geographic and cultural diversity.…
Once, presidents of the United States wrote books after they left the White House. Donald Trump hustles a book he didn’t write. Trump is flogging his “God Bless the USA Bible” for $60 a pop. It comes complete with the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Pledge of Allegiance and lyrics to Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless…
A comic strip and a New York Times article recently defined my key personality trait. Zits, by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman, good-naturedly skewers teenagers and their parents. Their 15-year-old Jeremy was incredulous that his father once had a waterbed. “A lot of people did,” Dad explained. “Well . . . A few. Okay, nobody.” Jeremy’s zinger:…
I’ve written that the only logical conclusion to the Israel-Hamas war is moving towards a two-state solution. Now, let me clarify that. “Moving towards” does not mean Israel acknowledging Palestinian statehood now. Canada considered recognizing a Palestinian state but decided against. Reality intruded. The subject also has been broached by several European leaders. But Gaza is run…
The American far right fondly acclaims the sanctity of the nation’s Judeo-Christian heritage. That’s true in part. It’s also a blatant fallacy. For many Christians, “Judeo-Christian” comes down to incorporating the “Old Testament”—close to but not exactly the same as the Hebrew Bible—into their canon. This fails to acknowledge reality. While America has given Jews…
Baseball spring training is underway, which has always raised my spirits as a hallmark of spring. But my wintry mood won’t lift until Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred stops calling the game “The Industry.” Growing up in Queens in the 1950s, baseball meant a lot to me. I was a big Yankees fan. Years…