Leave Joe Alone plus....

Okay, people, I am sick of it.  Leave Joe Biden alone.  What did he do to you?  Do you have nothing better to do with your time with the press than to call for Joe Biden to be replaced on the ticket with Hilary Clinton? It's so absurd and not going to happen, so Senator McCain and daughter and everyone else, let it go.  Concentrate on your own ultra extreme pick for Romney's running mate, Paul Ryan.  Paul Ryan is a much greater threat to the world as we know it.  He is a true ultra right wing conservative.  More important than his economic stance is his stance on social issues.  Biden is the antithesis to Paul Ryan that the VP debate will draw such a stark contrast. 

VP Biden helped push many social issues to the forefront during his time in public service.  I admit it, I have always been a fan of Joe Biden since he ran for President in 1988 and then he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  He is the first public figure that had hair plugs that worked for me.  I believe that he is absolutely on the side of the working people ( as much as any politician can be ).  He has a tragic and compelling story with a full and happy ending.  So, Republicans stop your whining and advising, Joe Biden is staying on the ticket!

On a semi personal note, when I went to California recently, I stayed in a hotel called the Shangri-La in Santa Monica.  I had stayed there multiple times prior to their 30 million dollar renovation.  This time, we hated it and fled to another hotel.  Since then, the woman and corporation were charged with discrimination and anti-semitism.  There was a jury trial. Do you get that really? A jury trial.  The plaintiffs definitely had a case or it would have been tossed out by the judge.  After 5 days of deliberation, FIVE DAYS, the jury found Tahmina Adaya guilty. I never was going to stay there again, but now I really would never stay there again.  As a matter of fact, I wrote a review for Trip Advisor, clearly not a good review.  I received emails that 5 people found my review helpful and now it's gone.  Trip Advisor took it down.  I wrote them and asked without using one expletive why it was removed.  I will let you know when I hear back from them.  

Sidebars:  Irritated that a woman speaking about Vanessa and Kobe Bryant on the Today Show mentioned when he was caught being unfaithful.  Unfaithful? Is that what euphemism we are using?  As many may know, I will always believe that Kobe raped that girl in Denver, so putting it in the same category as Kristin Stewart's infidelity seems nauseating. It is Friday.  It is beautiful in NYC for the moment, but the rain is coming.  Too bad the rain isn't hitting the middle of the country that is desperate for rain.  Enjoy your weekends wherever you are and wherever you are going. 

Feel free to re-post or forward to a friend.

Ben, Yet Again

I have a deep passion and love for Ben Franklin.  What an incredible innovator and visionary! Ben Franklin founded the United States Postal Service in 1775 during the Second Continental Congress. What an achievement that has lasted 237 years.  

I love mail. I love the post office. I love stamps. It is a dying art form.  It makes me terribly sad.  I just went through a box of mementos from my childhood and found every letter that anyone ever sent me.  There were tons from my sister, my dear friends,  a couple of celebrities. All beautifully written. Some on binder paper, some on stationary, some on anything that could be written upon.  I was shocked how many letters I kept.  I haven't re-read them all yet, but the form of communication is far more satisfying and indelible than email, tweets, FB, etc. 

The USPS has gotten smart, finally.  Creating "forever" stamps was genius, though it may just be survival.  Every time there was a rise in stamp prices, people groused.  Not just because it went up but because you had to purchase 1 cent or 2 cent stamps to comply with the new postage rate.  

I am very nervous about the Postal Service.  I don't know how they will survive in the long run.  There's been talk for a long time about the USPS going bankrupt.  How to help?  Well, first of all the Post Office was never open on Saturdays when I was a kid, so close the post office on Saturdays now.  Maybe just keep the main offices open in cities around the country. Our post office is open until 7pm M-F.  Cut back the hours.  I want the USPS to survive.  I would like more people to write personal letters again.  I know that most of the mail we all receive are ads, promotions, come-ons, solicitations, catalogs.  

The Genie is out of the bottle, but for the younger generations to come, you are missing out on a wonderful way to communicate.  It's far more forever than an email.  You can hold a letter in your hands.  You can smell the paper.  It's tangible. It's enduring.  I love personal mail.  I don't want it to go away.  I fear we are on the precipice. Write a letter, buy a stamp, make someone's day.  Many of you have never had that experience.  Even thank you notes and invitations are emailed now.  I've done it.  Hate that!  Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know saving trees and all that, but a letter. It's positively romantic.  Again, take a chance, write a letter to someone, put a stamp on it, go to your post office, make someone's day.

Sidebars:  Rizzoli and Isles ended its summer season last night. America's Got Talent returned last night after being off during the Olympics.  It wasn't very good, talent wise, but as harsh as Howard Stern sounded, I hope that every aspiring young musician, singer, magician, wanna-be, listened to Howard's criticisms.  I thought he was spot on!   Still not over Marvin Hamlisch's drawn out viewing and funeral.  No mention of it by news people, a rabbi, nothing.  Sad to have lost another Sweathog, Ron Palillo.  There have been so many sudden and not so sudden deaths recently of people far too young. Cherish each and everyday. 

Feel free to re-post or forward to a friend.

One of Many

Listen, there are so many thins to talk about.  I wanted to ignore the obvious, but figure if I don't weigh in today, it will be far too old tomorrow.  So here it goes, Ken doll Mitt Romney picked Ken doll Paul Ryan to be his VP candidate on the most ultra-conservative ticket in my lifetime.  It is, on the face of it, an attractive duo of two white men.  If only their personal beliefs didn't cross into their legislative beliefs....I don't want two white men ruling on my womb or the womb of any other woman.  I don't want two men ruling on my right to contraception.  I don't want to hear about the rich pay their fair share already.  They don't.  I get the spin, but they don't.  How can middle class Americans support this ticket that believe in tearing down the social programs that have been so successful in helping people for over 60 years?  Why would anyone vote against their own interests?  Americans have been doing that forever.  I still don't understand.  Okay, actually, I do, but in reverse.  I understand why voters who have a lot, might want to protect those that don't.  I do not understand people who struggle and have little, protecting the rich.  

Just when I think that things can't get worse, they do.  This duo will spread so much BS, that it will be difficult to wade through.  When they start speaking about the unemployment rate, it makes me crazy already.  Congress blocked any and every jobs bill.  The bill that would have helped put people back to work and rebuild this country's infrastructure, was shot down.  Every bill that might have helped create jobs and bring down the unemployment rate was blocked.  As I said the other day, they must really have been afraid that Obama's bills would have helped the country. It's the only thing that makes sense.  I can't figure that the members of Congress wouldn't want to help the American people, but their terror of Obama getting re-elected has driven every move they've made.

Sidebars:  Okay, first of all, does anyone know Jewish law/ritual about death?  A person dies and is supposed to be buried within 24 hours.  (True for Muslims too) If it happens over a holiday or Sabbath, 48 hours.  Marvin Hamlisch died last Monday, August 6.  They are having two days of viewings, which is so not Jewish, and a funeral tomorrow at Temple Emmanuel in NYC.  They keep announcing it here in the papers and on the news, but nowhere does anyone comment on how odd it is that 8 days later he will be laid to rest. The closing ceremonies of the Olympics was incredibly fun and moving, until they started passing the Olympic flag from London to Rio.  Ground the party to a halt. Buzzkill.  Where was Adele?  Why wasn't Elton John featured?  If anyone knows, please tell me. Hope Springs is worth seeing for all the adults out there.  Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones are flawless.  Steve Carrell great.  

Feel free to re-post or forward to a friend.

The More the Merrier?

That used to be true, but not in this election cycle.  The Republicans are doing everything they can to take away the rights of citizens.  All across this nation, State after State, they are making laws that marginalize minority, older, and poor voters. Why would they do that?  There is only one reason and that is to try to shave votes from Democratic candidates.  It is stunningly shocking and blatant.  Where is the outrage from the moderate minded politicians?  Why would anyone want to win an election that's rigged?  Would the victory be hollow?  Weren't we always taught to fight against the best?  Never shy away from a strong competitor?  Who wants to win if the opponent has been cut off at the knees?  

There are many lawsuits against these voter ID laws that keep cropping up.  If you are white and well off, it may not seem like a big deal at all to you, but if you don't have a driver's license or a State ID, there are reasons.  Either there is no need, no money to pay, or other hardships.  It looks so bad.  It looks bad that the only party backing these new voter ID laws are Republicans.  As if they are trying to save us from ourselves.  Bulls**t!  They want to win anyway they can.  There excuse is voter fraud, which is, thankfully, not a problem in this country.  I think there were under 100 cases of voter fraud in the last election.  It's unfortunate but with over 300 million people in this country, not a bad percentage.  So the Republicans are taking this minor number and turning it into voter suppression   laws.  Again, disgusting; a disgrace.  

Where is the outrage from the people?  The politicians?  How did our incredible country get hijacked in the name of the Constitution?  What can we do?  If you are living in a State like Florida, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas, and more, write your Congressman, Senator, Governor, Mayor, television reporter.  Make some noise.  

I always thought winning fair and square made for a sweet victory.... 

Sidebars:  Awkward moment of the morning: Ann Curry chatting with Matt Lauer on The Today Show introducing the piece she did on the official Olympic photographer.  Must be so difficult with all the press and dissolution of job.  Interesting that they premiered the new Matthew Perry series last night.  Jury is out for me.  I love him, but not sure.  Loving Episodes on Showtime.  I love Aaron Sorkin, don't agree with everything he says through his characters, but makes me think just a little bit harder. If I can find the Women's soccer final on TV, I will be thrilled to watch USA vs. Japan.  It's a hot and humid Thursday in NYC.  Enjoy the rest of your day.

Feel free to re-post or forward to a friend.

Swirling

Don't know what to write about because there is so much going on in the world.  Between the Olympics, politics, and guns, my head has just been swirling inside with thoughts, feelings, and coming up more confused.  So let's get one thing out of the way for today.  Republicans in Congress.  Let's start there.  I find the methodology so twisted to take down the first black President of the United States.  From day one when Mitch McConnell stated their raison d'etre was to make President Obama a one term President, their choice was to do nothing, pass nothing.  Fight him every step. 

Honestly, I don't think that strategy makes any sense. If elections were based on facts and not emotions, it makes this strategy devoid of facts. If I wanted to take someone down, I would pass every bill the President wanted.  According to their rhetoric, Obama wants to destroy the country and "they" are the keepers of the Constitution.  Wouldn't it be better to pass spending and bills that they are so certain would destroy the country so they could go around the country saying, "I told you so."  Not so fast.  They didn't pass legislation/bills because if Obama's policies worked, they'd be screwed in 2012.  The only way to insure one term in their eyes.., do nothing, do nothing at all. It's outrageous. It's disgraceful. And it's un-American. There I said it. 

I have so little respect for the current Congress.  There's nothing that I can really do, personally, to change things.  If I lived in a district with a Tea Party candidate, I'd vote against him/her. I don't.  So I am at the mercy of all those Americans that do.  That's a terrible place to be.  

So, people, I hate always voting in an election where it's the lesser of two evils, but if you don't want the Tea Party and Republican crazies to keep highjacking our government, give money, give time, find out if people in your community need help getting to the polls to vote, do something.  I honestly don't know what I can do in NYC, but if you think of something or know of something, let me know.  Maybe in 2016, I can go work in a State that needs common sense.  

Sidebars:  The Olympic coverage sucks in my opinion.  I feel 100% manipulated. I love to see the competitions, but NBC continues to edit the events to death.  I am not even sure if I am seeing the events in the order that they actually happened.  It's been getting worse and worse since NBC got the Olympics.  Also, worse and worse since they can't be live. The first half of my life, the Olympics were live and we were all seeing them at the same time.  Now, with twitter, breaking news updates, 24/7 sports channels, the internet, it's difficult not to see the winners before seeing the events.  I am so proud and so very happy for Aly Raisman's success last night.  Kudos to her for wearing her Jewishness proudly. She understands the through line of history. The IOC should be ashamed of themselves. Enjoy Wednesday.  Hot and muggy in NYC!

Feel free to re-post or forward to a friend.

Crying Fowl

I never thought Chick-Fil-A would still be in the headlines after their owner/founder S. Truitt Cathy denounced homosexuals and same sex marriage. Boy, was I wrong.  Everyday between the Olympic spoilers, comes news of boycotts and boycotts of boycotts at Chick-Fil-A stores around the country.

First, the insane denouncement by a devout "Christian" founder/owner of Chick-Fil-A.  Then, mayors in Chicago, Boston, and other cities announced that they don't want Chick-Fil-A franchises in their neck of the woods.  New York City mayor disagree with his big city mayors.  I actually agreed with NYC Mayor Bloomberg.  Let the people determine if they want to support a corporation that is openly homophobic. I really thought that was the end of it, but no.  

This story has legs. Why, you may ask?  Well, because nothing gets people out and standing in line for a fast food chicken sandwich than supporting a devout "Christian" and his right to free speech. I am disgusted by the distortion   of the right to free speech.  This isn't about free speech. This is about people by the masses supporting a man who supports their ignorant point of view.  I believe that from the bottom of my soul.  If Truitt Cathy had said racist statements or anti-semitic statements, the lines would be very short at your nearest Chick-Fil-A, but nothing gets people out in force than the threat to their "family values."  If they would all be honest, I'd respect the people more standing in line.  Don't use the right to free speech to support your underlying fears and ignorance.  Don't do it.  

I am always shocked, even after all this time, that people still use Christ to defend hate.  It's so un-Christ like.  So for all you people standing in line, which in and of itself is hilarious for a chicken sandwich, be honest when the roving reporter asks you why you are there. Better yet, be honest with yourself. Yes, you are homophobic.

Sidebars:  The Olympic coverage is such a travesty. It's impossible not to hear who won before NBC manipulates the prime time viewing. That Aly Raissman didn't get to win a bronze in a tie is a disgrace.  The IOC has made some bizarre rule changes that have diminished the Olympic glow. One more week to go. Track and Field is supposed to start today and there are torrents of rain in London.  How will that work out for NBC?  Maybe they will go back and show us the Russian gymnast who had a catastrophic fall in her floor exercise which made way for Team USA to win gold....They have it. They didn't show it.  They wanted to create false suspense.  Grrrrr. A huge congratulations to Gabby Douglas!!!  Do you think there will be a new birther movement to take her gold medal? Hot and steamy in NYC this weekend.  What about where you are? Happy weekend!

Feel free to re-post or forward to a friend.

8/1/12

It's August 1st.  It always comes too fast.  As Kelly Ripa says if it is February it feels like six months, August flies by.  All around the country, children are doing sports, playing with their friends, travelling with family, still at summer camp, on teen tours, and doing what kids should be doing, having fun!  August 1st comes around and the panic starts to creep in. The dreaded summer homework starts to loom over every household.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't believe in homework.  I certainly and definitely don't believe in vacation homework.  

Times have changed.  When I was a child, we had a far more carefree summer.  We may not have been travelling anywhere other than down the street, but we were having a blast. Now, school administrations pile on summer homework. For us, it began as early as 4th grade. Summer has always been cut short by the stress of completing the work assigned.  It's unconscionable to me.  The level of competition is ridiculous and for what?  Does it make for better students?  Better grades?  Better adult professionals?  I think not.  I think it's busy work.  Not to say that there can't be enjoyment or interest in the assignments, but it takes a toll as soon as August arrives.  

Not only is there the summer homework, but for the sports/team minded students, pre-season is the last two weeks of August for high schoolers.  So now, you love sports. You look forward to your friends and teammates, but shrouded over the fun is all the reading and work due on the first day of school.  I find it a personal affront to families everywhere. Particularly, when we keep hearing that so many college graduates are having difficulty finding jobs and returning to their family homes. What is the push for now?  Why not let the kids enjoy their summer in its entirety? 

Parents of my generation didn't sweat under the pressure of August. We had fun, fun, fun until  "Daddy takes the T-bird away." We may have had to find summer jobs, but there was plenty of time for everything. There was no summer homework.  We read for enjoyment on vacation, not because we had to read. I know that I can't change anything, but if I keep ranting and ruminating, maybe someone will come up with better ideas for education.  Maybe I can be a minute seed for change. The more parents who feel this way and speak up, school administrations will have to listen.  Did you see the documentary Race To Nowhere?  If not, find it.  Try their website.  It's thought provoking and the filmmakers are doing anything and everything to help create changes.

So, it's August 1st. The summer homework consumes homes all over the country.  It shouldn't be that way. The teachers are enjoying their vacations. The kids should get to also.

Sidebars:  The Olympics are airing all the time. There are some great highlights, but don't turn on your computer, get tweets, watch the news. All results are in before we get to watch anything.  Nothing's live.  I stand somewhat corrected. There are more off-beat events airing, but they are airing on the NBC sister stations. Still not easy to find. I miss the Olympics of my youth. Didn't feel so manipulated. Don't like Ryan Seacrest at all. Don't think he fits in with the rest of the NBC crew.  Enjoy your Wednesday.


Feel free to re-post or forward to a friend.