April 30, 2021

Mount Meron and Hating The "Baseless"

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Mount Meron and Hating The 'Baseless.'"

We are all reeling from the devastating deaths of 45 Jews on Lag B'Omer at Mount Meron (and many others critically injured) from a stampede during the bonfire celebration near the grave of the holy Kabbalist, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Last night, we were glued to the new as the body count kept going up. I couldn't help thinking to myself that this is something that happens in the masses of people that gather in India or Saudi Arabia, not in the tiny State of Israel. But lo' and behold, tragedy can strike anywhere, anytime. Life is completely tenuous!
So can we draw conclusions that in those days there was baseless hate and so too in our times. I think, while we don't know G-d's ways, certainly from experience and observation, we do know that there is not only baseless hate, but also plenty of "hate the baseless".  And what I mean by that is that one type of Jew thinks they are better than another whose beliefs, faith, and observance we denigrate and deem baseless, without support and they without real merit...We are forever driven towards a "Better than thou" attitude and lifestyle. To the religious catcalls of "get out of our neighborhood slut" or the throwing of Shabbat rocks at passing cars. This all has got to stop!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

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April 29, 2021

Fight With Umbrella


Looks like a fight with the umbrella.

And the umbrella lost!  

It's down for the count.

But the opponent is waiting to see if the umbrella rises again to continue and fight. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 28, 2021

The Feeling of Shaming

What's it like to feel shame?

In this life, it's having your head ripped around your body.

Then in the next life, it's got to be a soul bared and stretched across the heavens and for all eternity.  

Punishment is revelation and the mark it undoubtedly leaves behind. 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 27, 2021

Motif For The U.S. Economy


This seems like it could be a major theme of the U.S. economy. 

"Buy Now, Pay Later!"

And then...

"Foreclosure"

You can't borrow infinitely.

It eventually has to be repaid. 

Where will the money come from?  

Print more.

Worth less!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 25, 2021

Justice for Sarah Halimi


Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Justice for Sarah Halimi."

The case of the Sarah Halimi is yet another example of the anti-Semitism taking deep root in France, where rather than ensuring Justice for her barbaric murder, a second French court has now absurdly affirmed a lower-court ruling that the alleged perpetrator Traore cannot be held criminally responsible simply because he was on marijuana! Incredibly, these French justices ruled in this completely nonsensical way even as cannabis is being ruled legal for medicinal and even recreational purposes in more and more countries around the world.
It is inconceivable that a modern, western nation as France (part of the EU, NATO, the UN, etc.) would allow violent, racist, hate-mongers, and murders completely off the hook simply because they were high on some cannabis or for any other lame excuse like that. This is not rational. It is not human or civilized. And it is certainly not justice. Jewish blood is not cheap and Kolibi Traore cannot be allowed to go free. France needs to make this right because Sarah Halimi, a citizen of France, was butchered there because she was a Jew, and letting radical Islamists commit violence and terror like this is a danger not just to the French, but to everybody.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

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Inside The Golden Egg

Inside the golden egg...

Is a carousel or merry-go-round. 

Horses going up and down as the happy music plays. 

Take a whirl of a ride and watch the world go by. 

Wave to the all people. 

There is mom and dad smiling and proud. 

Who knew that's what was in the egg?  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 24, 2021

Alcohol Coaster Set


Cool alcoholic coaster set. 

Different colors for different booze. 

Wine is fine, but liquor is quicker!  

What's your poison?  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 22, 2021

Here Fishy Fishy


Photo of fish in tank at restaurant. 

Almost looks like the fish is floating through the air. 

Is he next on someone's plate?

Don't worry Ms. Fish, all will be tasty and well!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 21, 2021

Flower In Context

Pretty awesome painting of a flower, grass, sky!

(Credit Photo of painting: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 20, 2021

Demeaning Candlestick Holders

It figures that an extremely rich person would have candlestick holders like this. 

They think it's ok to have your "personal servants" bring you and hold your lights. 

Even as they are in spiritual darkness enslaving their fellow human beings. 

No, their not helping people by giving them a (shitty) job even as they routinely mistreat them. 

Where are people's (screwed up) brains?

The wealthy often actually believe they are entitled to their grossly extravagant lifestyles. 

Wait they they come back in the next life and they'll see what they are entitled to! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 19, 2021

How Many Is Too Many?

Interesting sign:

Take Risks Make Mistakes.

And the "i" is missing in Mistakes!

I didn't even take the risks, but I still made the mistakes.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 18, 2021

Do Three Eyes Help Us See Better?


Eyes right, left, and straight ahead. 

What if we had eyes in the back of our heads?

Now, you don't have to look over your shoulder. 

360-degree vision is that better 20/20 hindsight!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 17, 2021

Israel Is Tops

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Israel Is Tops."

In just 73 years, with G-d’s miraculous help, we have a Jewish State that is top-ranked in the entire world: Israel is ranked overall #30 in Best Countries in the World.

In our 4,000 year history as a people, we suffered long and painful exile at the hands of the Babylonian and Roman Empire, but then in 1948, we were given another miraculous chance for the Jewish State of Israel. So far, we are doing great by all measures; now we have to make sure to keep it up for good.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 16, 2021

Life Is A Big Blue Circle

Life's a big beautiful blue circle.

Blue world.

Blue oceans.

Blue skies.

I'm feeling so blue! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 15, 2021

Wow Fast Cars


Nice red hot convertible Ferrari! 

Man is this slick or what?

I wouldn't leave a car like this parked on the street or with the top open. 

But boy would I enjoy driving this along the palm trees, white sand, and blue ocean beach. 

This is living in style!  :-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 14, 2021

Rubber Ducky You're The One


What a variety of Rubber Ducks. 

They were giving these away in the doctor's office. 

Not quick sure why???

The guy gave me a half a dozen, and each duck is different. 

Fun in the bath for the grandchild.  

They float and make quack-quack. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 13, 2021

Comfy Legs

Those legs look comfy in the chair. 

Cross, uncross, cross. 

Of course, the dress pants and shoes aren't so comfortable. 

Do clothes really make the wo/man?

Here, there's no real clothes or should I say person to speak of. 

Clothes is better than a fig leaf for Adam and Eve.

Much of clothing is just "look your best" and try to "feel good" vanity.

The soul is what really makes the person.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 11, 2021

Never A Doubt: Not An Inch


 Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Never A Doubt: Not An Inch."

In an effort to make peace with the Palestinians, some perhaps well-meaning politicians have attempted to negotiate to give away parts of the holy land of Israel, and this is a big mistake. In contrast to these politicians and some diehard “peaceniks” (i.e. who believe in peace at almost any cost), there are many people in Israel, from Zionists and nationalists to settlers, messianists, and the religious who maintain a deep underlying faith that the land of Israel, in its entirety, belongs to the Jewish people. Moreover, they trust that our current and miraculous possession of Israel, after 2,000 years of exile, is anchored in our transition from helpless, stateless, and victimized Jews to instead those of self-reliance, bold action, and faith in the Almighty that we are living in the times of redemption and Mashiach.

It’s not easy to stand firm in the face of delegitimization, boycotts, terrorism, and even war. For Jews, it’s a matter of faith over fear. If we have faith that G-d has brought us back to Israel and that he will not forsake us, then we will neither fear the absurdly biased resolutions of the crooked United Nations or the nations and their terror proxies roundabout that have sought our destruction. In the end, G-d decides, and not man, the fate of Israel and its people, and let it be for blessings only.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

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April 9, 2021

Shabbat Shalom From Dancer


 (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 8, 2021

Hollow Eyes

Wow, scary dude!

Hollow eyes and nose. 

No ears.

Mouth sewn (beaded) shut. 

Straight from the "other side" (and wrong side of things). 

Wouldn't want to run into this person anywhere, anytime. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

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April 7, 2021

Her Name Is Coco

Her name is Coco. 

And her standup hair says it (sideways).  

The blue stars over her eye lashes are pretty cool too. 

When she opens her eyes, she comes to life. 

Do you want to meet her?

A robot, mannequin, virtual reality or perhaps the future of humanity. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 6, 2021

Gorilla Glass For Smartphones

Loved this packaging with the gorilla!

Intuitively, it's for tempered Gorilla glass for protecting your smartphone screen.

If your smartphone can survive this gorilla (King Kong), then it will work just fine almost no matter what.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 5, 2021

The Bombs Will Fall On Iran’s Nukes

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, The Bombs Will Fall on Iran's Nukes

Since Iran has rejected any new negotiations or participants to the Iran nuclear deal, we must assume that the flaws of JCPOA will not be resolved and that Iran’s existential threats remains unabated. Further, Iranian elections this coming June 2021 are forecasted to bring more dangerous Iranian hardliners to power. Therefore, regardless of whether the US reenters the deal with Iran now, it will only mean a short term stopgap for restrictions placed on the Iran’s dangerous program for weapons of mass destruction. The end game for the Ayatollahs has not changed in gaining nuclear destructive capability and threatening Israel, the Sunni Muslim states, and the western world with this.
While reentering the Iran nuclear agreement buys the world some time, and not that much frankly, the US, Israel, and other key allies will need to continue planning in earnest for what comes after the failings of the JCPOA deal, and that will most assuredly bring us back to the massive and devastating bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities with the Mother of All Bombs (MOABS) and other highly advanced weapon systems fitted for this.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal of Jane's Combat Simulation for Israel Air Force Video Game)

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April 3, 2021

He Ain't Heavy

Reminds me of the song:

"He ain't heavy, he's my brother!"

For some reason, I remember the children back in the day (I grew up at the height of the feminist movement) saying instead: "She's my brother."

I used to think what the heck did that mean?

20/20 hindsight, but I guess a spoof on gender roles already many moons ago. 

Now I hear identity as he, she, ze/zir.

Either way, the person ain't heavy.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 2, 2021

Climbing Up, Falling Down

Thought this was insightful.
All paths up are different.

All paths down are the same. 

Climbing up is challenges and we all have to find our determination, strength, and skill to make it up rung after rung on the ladder of life.

Falling down is when the sh*t hits the fan and the walls come crumbling down and we freefall into the abyss.

The key as we usually learn early in life when we take our first falls is to quickly get back up (on the horse). 

Life is never just smooth sailing.

It's not meant to be. 

You wouldn't learn or grow if it was. 

Be prepared for the occasional fall from grace, and get your tushy back in the saddle and ride again.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

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April 1, 2021

Will It Drive Again

Saw this truck in the shop. 

Wondered if it will ever drive again.

Right now it looks like it's headed for mothballs and cobwebs. 

But who knows, cars in worse shape have been rehabilitated.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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