POLITICS & THE ECONOMY
FINGERS CROSSED
Joe Biden ascended to the Oval Office after a tumultuous post-election period. His inaugural address replaced American carnage with American hope, and Washington’s spectacular fireworks celebrated not the individual but our continuing democracy. What lies ahead? President Biden’s call to “come together to carry all of us forward” was heard across the nation. Not all…
Read MoreMOSES AND THE OVAL OFFICE
The terrorist insurrection at the Capitol shocked the nation. Donald Trump’s second impeachment not so much. The American Pharaoh was headed for disaster. His leadership stood in contrast to that of Moses. Rabbi Shai Held spotlights Moses’ leadership strengths in The Heart of Torah: Essays on the Weekly Torah Portion: Genesis and Exodus, Volume 1 (2017). In…
Read MoreINSURRECTION AND COMPLICITY
Wednesday’s assault on the Capitol unfolded like a TV mini-series. I binge-watched and rejoiced in the failure of an insurrection by American terrorists incited by Donald Trump. Now, we’re being inundated with pangs of conscience. The attempt to overthrow our democratic process prompted much “soul searching.” I’m skeptical. To engage in that activity, you need…
Read MoreTHE REALITY CONUNDRUM
Last Monday, two events began shaping the future of the United States. Both offer reason to hope—and agonize. In New York, a critical care nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center received the first Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination against COVID-19. Across the nation, the Electoral College met to officially determine our next president. The first of the…
Read MoreTHIS CHANUKAH IS SPECIAL
The Jewish Festival of Lights began last night. It brightens winter’s gloom, offers hope we can overcome all the reasons we’ve had to despair. This year, Chanukah is more special than ever. 2020 brought us the COVID-19 pandemic, which shrouded America in darkness—especially since many tens of thousands of deaths probably could have been avoided…
Read MoreWHAT HISTORY TELLS US
Carolyn and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving—just the two of us. Carolyn prepared a terrific turkey—meals for a week. We were thankful. We’ll remain so. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 horror, history gives us good reason. In 1918, the Spanish flu broke out. San Francisco required facemasks and imposed a $5 fine on violators. The Anti-Mask…
Read MoreTHE OATH
Donald Trump’s refusal to concede to, or cooperate with, President-elect Joe Biden continues to keep the nation on edge. No one can be quite sure what Trump may next attempt to hold power. Some Americans express fear of military interference. Won’t happen. Granted, the president serves as commander-in-chief. Presidential authority includes appointing and removing military…
Read MoreTHE RECOVERY WARD
Carolyn had mixed thoughts about all the Americans celebrating Joe Biden’s presidential win. I didn’t. It’s a matter of walking and chewing gum at the same time. After the media called the election for Biden, crowds filled the streets of many of our cities. They were ecstatic. If you’ve read my posts, you know we…
Read MoreELECTION WEEK DIARY
Monday: Trying to ignore hoopla. Glad federal court rejected Republican claims to disqualify 127,000 drop-off votes in Texas’ Harris County (Houston). Not first decision to go against Trump. Maybe nation’s courts as well as state, county and municipal governments will uphold right to vote in peace . . . Bedtime: Trump commented that the Supreme…
Read MoreNO REFLECTION IN THE MIRROR
Recently, I completed a short story, “Mirror, Mirror,” a fable about a middle-manager for a political polling firm. Griffin (ask me about his name), is objective and detached not just professionally but personally. He struggles to make a decision about even the smallest things. With the presidential election at hand, some Americans can’t make a…
Read MoreCANCELING THE HEBREW BIBLE
I suspect that if Joe Biden wins the presidential election, a hue and cry will arise from the far left that will impact everything from the monuments in Washington D.C. to the Hebrew Bible. The seeds have been planted here in San Francisco. The school board proposes to rename 44 schools, including Washington High and…
Read MoreIT IS WHAT IT IS
Last Saturday, I walked through Mountain Lake Park. Several large groups of people gathered close together—without masks. In San Francisco! What message were they sending? Donald Trump sent a clear message about covid-19 before returning to the White House from Walter Reed Medical Center. Consistent with his support for bleach injections and hydroxychloroquine, he tweeted:…
Read MoreOUR 51ST ANNIVERSARY
Following Tuesday’s presidential debate, CNN’s Dana Bash delivered a priceless assessment: “A shit show.” The culprit’s name ironically rhymes with rump. Now, covid-positive. So how about something more uplifting? Four weeks ago, Carolyn and I marked our 51st anniversary. Our celebration was a bit curtailed by the pandemic and covid tests. Not our happiness. Last…
Read MoreCHOSHEK
This past Wednesday, Northern California experienced something resembling the ninth plague with which God struck the Egyptians when Pharaoh refused to free the Israelites. Choshek—darkness—enveloped us. It also issued major warnings. Exodus 10:22-23 relates, “Moses held out his arm toward the sky and thick darkness descended upon all the land of Egypt for three days.…
Read More“THE BIG BLUE BOX HEIST”
I was in the office playing solitaire—real cards—and checking email when the beautiful babe showed up. Big eyes. Long dark hair. Legs up to there. I glanced at the lucky guy with her. “What kind of dog is Gorgeous?” “Mixed,” he said. “Great genes.” I nodded at the lucky bastard. “And you are—?” I asked.…
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