(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal, except first incredible one Minna Blumenthal)
March 15, 2019
March 13, 2019
Not A Level Playing Field
To get their kids into choice colleges, prominent lawyers, business people, and Hollywood stars paid millions of dollars for bribes, bogus exam scores, and fake athletic achievements.
Uh, let's give Bobby just a little extra advantage and he'll do just fine...
But while some people pretend to be so shocked that this is going on, the truth is that we all know that it's definitely not a level playing field.
All I have to do is drive by the local Mansions in Potomac, Bethesda or Chevy Chase, Maryland or in Northern Virginia and see the extravagant homes, schools, shopping, and neighborhoods, and you know there are the forever haves and the have nots.
As the old adage goes, "Money makes money!"
If you are born with a silver spoon in your mouth in the U.S., the chances are you will stay that way.
Having the assets, information, connections, and opportunities seems to bode quite well for those who leverage it.
The worst part is that those who have these things often really believe that they are better or more deserving than others.
Can you see the nose elevated and those snooty eyes staring down on you?
Wealthy parents cheating the system and paying off others to get their kids into the best schools--a surprise?
Not a chance.
What the real surprise here is...that this time, they got caught. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 12, 2019
Daylight Saving Time S*cks
It does NOT save us a lot of energy as designed.
Call it the wrong assumptions or bad science.
The law requiring daylight saving--switching the clocks ("Fall Back" and "Spring Forward") is archaic and needs to be repealed.
We're messing with people's sleep cycles and their health.
People waking up groggy all over the country, feeling crappy during the day, and losing much needed productivity.
How about we repeal this stupid law NOW and not waste any more time on the squabbling politics of the day?
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 11, 2019
Icing That Migraine
I don't know the statistical incident rate here for migraines, but anecdotally it seems significantly higher.
Is it the weather patterns, pollution, toxic chemicals or something else in this geographic area?
While medicine seems to be critical in actually getting rid of the migraine, I do notice that sustained use of ice packs or freezing water on the head also seems to help.
Cold generally constricts the blood vessels, so I am not sure why this provides migraine relief.
Note: I am not giving medical advise or guidance to anyone, but just sharing my experiences.
I would be interested to see a medical study done on treating migraines with freezing cold--from my experience, I think it definitely helps. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 10, 2019
March 9, 2019
A Disgrace On The Democrats
They have become the new hate-mongering party!
Progressives no way.
Their bigotry, racism, and hatred are taking us backwards.
Their members' attack friends, allies, and patriots of this country.
And these bigots are worshipped and placed on the cover of Time Magazine.
To the 3,000 that were killed on 9/11, it is a disgrace.
To this great nation, it is bringing us down from being a light unto nations to ushering in darkness and prejudice.
Shame on Pelosi and Schumer and the other democrats who are allowing extremism and hate to dominate their agenda.
First they hated on Trump
(Ilahn Omar even hated on Obama!)
Then they hated on Israel and the Jews.
Who are they coming for next America?
(Source Graphic: Adapted from Time Magazine By Andy Blumenthal)
March 8, 2019
Democrats and Anti-Semitism
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel, called "From Belgium To The Democratic Party."
There are terrible anti-Semitic events happening in parallel in Europe and right here in America. This past week, Belgian hosted mocking and hateful caricatures of Orthodox Jews in their carnival procession. And right here in Washington, D.C., the Democratic Party made a complete farce of the handling of one of its own, anti-Semites, Rep. Ilhan Omar. Omar continues to vent her hared against Israel even going so far as to denounce its supporters as having "dual loyalty."
It is so disheartening to see the Democratic party reverting back to its ugly days and roots of hate just like during/after the Civil War when they were the party of "opposition to civil and political rights for African Americans."
The question is how far down this evil path will things go again? ;-)
March 7, 2019
Clip-Clip
Uh, yes!
Not sure what made me actually do this...
But it just seemed like I was wasting money at the Hair Cuttery on something that I could do myself.
Also, I remember fondly how my dad used to cut his own hair for decades.
So I gave it a try--that's not me in the picture!
I purchased a simple Wahl clipper and went at it.
First a little tentatively and then more boldly as I got the hang of it.
The best part of the clipper is the color-coded guide combs so I don't completely screw this up.
What I also like is that ability to give myself a little trim whenever I want.
Don't have to wait to get to the barber or to wait on line there.
So far so good, thank G-d--no big hair disasters.
And frankly, I look a lot happier than the guy in this photo. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 6, 2019
Trends In Homelessness
This photo is taken not far from the Capitol building in DC.
The homeless are not living in tents in the dead of Winter.
As the people pass by, under this particular overpass were no less than 4 tents.
While millionaires and billionaires splurge on themselves, so many people continue to go without adequate food, shelter, clothing, plumbing, healthcare, education, and jobs in America.
When G-d looks down and see the unsympathetic wealthy next to the downtrodden poor--and many of the wealthy act like insatiable pigs, while the poor go hungry and cold--shall the L-rd that judges all the earth not do justly?
Yes, there should be incentives for people to work hard and contribute, but when the wealth is skewed so that more than 50% of all the wealth is owned by just the top 1% of people and the top 1% own more than the bottom 90% of the population--we have a system that is not just broken, but grossly unjust and inhumane.
Corruption is alive and well, and who is there among our leaders to stand up and say and do what is right by G-d children?
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 5, 2019
Why We Chase Love
Chasing another heart, so that we can pair together makes two less lonely hearts.
Two hearts that beat as one making beautiful music together.
When the hearts are in harmony, we sway and are uplifted flying away into the heavens.
And when the music is discordant, we are forced to retune and to grow wings that we never even knew we had.
Hearts that complement each other, help us face the questions we often fear to ask ourselves.
When these hearts meet, they touch so gently, and like silk they dance a perfect dance.
What is meaningless alone is all of a sudden meaningful with another.
What is too painful to bear by oneself is manageable when shared between two.
And what is joyful is magnified in sweetness when there is someone else to enjoy it with.
One heart chases another until they embrace that long blissful embrace. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 4, 2019
What Makes Happy
Some like big jobs and lots of power.
Others are happier with more work-life balance.
Some like to pursue lots of degrees and certifications.
Others like to learn on their own and through life experience.
Some like to travel the world.
Others like a day in nature or at the museum.
Some like big families and lots of people around them.
Others like smaller families, close friends, intimacy, or even being more on their own.
Some like lots of money.
Other are happy with having what they need.
Some like to be tremendous athletes.
Other like to just stay fit or maybe are more comfy as "couch potatoes."
Some like to be very religious and follow all the laws.
Others prefer mindfulness, a sense of spirituality and being a "good person."
Some like lots of activities and to always do different things.
Others are more comfortable with routine and incremental change.
We all have basic needs, but we also have different values, priorities and comfort zones.
Happiness isn't a yes or no answer, but what makes us feel on track and doing good. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 3, 2019
Video Of Video
We went to the art galleries in Rockville Town Center today.
They had this video called "Neighbor" by Kanat Akar.
It's about the life of a 13-year old refugee boy from Alleppo, Syria who migrated to Anakara, Turkey.
The video is eerie and hypnotic as it walks you through the eyes of this little boy and the misery of his life.
While to me it represents the dark side of life, there is so much to be explored and felt from it.
You can't watch this without feeling like you are there on this dirty, squalor of a road to nowhere, but wanting desperately to know where it ends. ;-)
(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)
March 2, 2019
Jerusalem Center of The World
This beautiful artist and thoughtful map was published in 1581.
It shows the 3 continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa as 3 leaves of a clovers with Jerusalem at the center.
Jerusalem, Israel is the focus, nexus and crossroad between these 3 worlds of Western, Asian, and African civilizations.
Israel is so multi-cultural and holy to the 3 major monotheistic religions of the world (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism).
Light, healing, peace, and prosperity should emanate from Jerusalem to the whole world and G-d should bless us from his heavenly abode. ;-)
(Source Photo: Wikipedia)
March 1, 2019
North Korea - No Deal!
We went into this thinking that the enticement of moving from war to prosperity, like with Vietnam, would set the stage for North Korea to see that truly, peace is the answer!
But when there is no real trust between the people negotiating, then you get a lot of gesturing, but no real determination to make a commitment--like getting rid of those crazy nukes!
For now from North Korea's perspective, "one in the nukes is worth two in the prosperity"...and they aren't going to disarm so easily and give away what they consider their ace in the hole.
High hopes, lots of drama, confusion and blame, and ultimately a big let down.
If North Korea would give up their nukes, and Iran would give up their pursuit of nukes...WOW, WOW, WOW, oh what a world that would be. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
