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Trigger warning: This post contains ethnic slurs. Recommendation: Think as you read. President Trump recently called on baseball’s Cleveland Guardians and football’s Washington Commanders to revert to their former names—Indians and Redskins. Why? Native Americans can’t be all that thin-skinned and woke name changes are unpatriotic. Let’s acknowledge, rather than ignore, our nation’s ethnicities. I’m Jewish, so…
Wednesday, thanks to genetic good fortune, I turned 81 and became, as I am wont, reflective about life and death. I’ve outlived my father, Morris, who died at 80. I’m grateful to be of sound body and mind, although part of my personality remains 15. Carolyn will tell you, it takes a sense of humor…
Who cried three times during a Broadway touring musical about the pop songwriter-singer Neil Diamond? Recently, Carolyn and I saw “A Beautiful Noise” about Diamond’s career and emotional challenges. And yes, the one who cried was me. Let me explain, particularly since today is the Fourth of July. One of the show’s first songs was…
Right after Air Force B-2s dropped “bunker busters” on Fordo and Natanz last Saturday, President Trump announced that those facilities had been “obliterated.” Did he jump the gun? A preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency report—I emphasize “preliminary”— stated that Iran’s nuclear program had been set back by only two to three months. In a few days, more optimistic…
When making decisions, government leaders must evaluate their nation’s pain threshold and their own political risks. Cue Donald Trump and Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump gave Khamenei 60 days to agree to processing uranium only for civilian use—and outside Iran. Khamenei refused. The deadline passed. Given the stalemate and American inaction, Israeli prime minister Benjamin…
A military parade in Washington will mark Flag Day tomorrow when Donald Trump again dishonors the Stars and Stripes. I love our flag. At its best, it stands for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness—and equal treatment before the law—for everyone. The parade supposedly will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. I have…
The Trump administration boasts about protecting American Jews from antisemitism and anti-Israel attacks. The truth is just the opposite. Jews have been called “the canary in the coal mine.” Attacks on Jews warn that a society is giving way to ethnic autocracy. Other minorities soon will be assaulted. This canary smells the scent emanating from…