All Opinions my own.
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal adapted from here with attribution to International Campaign To Abolish Nuclear Weapons)
January 6, 2016
Tears & Fears
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal adapted from here with attribution to International Campaign To Abolish Nuclear Weapons)
Happy Hamsa
It is a Hamsa--a palm-shaped amulet symbolizing the hand of G-d--and it is supposed to bring good luck, blessing, and protection.
This particular hamsa was decorated in a more homey flower theme, which made it different and interesting from the others that I have seen which are traditionally either deep blue with a single watchful eye or others that are multi-colored and jeweled.
This hamsa should bring us all good fortune and much happiness. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 5, 2016
Warning 613
This morning, on the Washington, D.C. Metro, see the time showing (above upper right).
The whole family is seeing this, as I got a note from my daughter just a few minutes ago looking at online classes at Lynda.com and one of the classes had 613 views.
Even to me (normally a critical thinker and healthy skeptic), it seems beyond regular explanations for the frequency and locations that we are seeing these signs.
Also, last night I had a scary dream about what seemed like the end of times--it was almost like The Walking Dead, with people running to the countryside amidst chaos and destruction all around them.
As tensions heat up between major Sunni and Shiite rivals, Saudi Arabia and Iran, and "Axis of Evil" Iran unveils a 2nd underground depot with missiles capable of carrying nukes, and ISIS continues their jihadi rampage leaving 80% of Ramadi in Iraq destroyed at a cost of $10 billion, a new Jihadi John replacement is executing British hostages in Syria, and there are escalating superpower tussles with Russia and China--it is not hard to see just some of the potential dangers in our times in terms of escalating conflict, terrorism, and war.
What is the future for us all, I do not know for certain, but all I can tell you is there appears to be warnings all about, and the question is will we heed them or not and then what is the outcome--it should be with mercy and for blessings. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 4, 2016
A Person's Beauty
It's amazing what hair does for a person.
I remember learning in Yeshiva that hair is considered the crown on a person's head.
People go through all sorts of time and expense to keep their hair, grow it out, clean it, and style it.
Often not having hair means that person is sick and on heavy doses of medication or chemotherapy that makes their hair fall out.
People put on wigs or other heads coverings for religious piety, modesty, and to consecrate themselves to G-d and/or their beloved--so that only they should see it--as something special between them.
Sometimes, a person's hair is cut off to dehumanize them like the Nazi's did to the Jews and as happens to other prisoners.
Also, when people go to the military, they are given a crew cut to take away their hair and individuality while they learn to conform and be obedient to their chain of command.
Often in fights, people grab and pull a person by their hair to control and hurt them.
But mostly, hair is soft, sensual and looks good on a person (except when it doesn't)--generally it evokes youth, vibrance, freedom, and sexuality.
Of course beauty is only skin deep, but the hair is truly the majestic crown that G-d gave us. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 3, 2016
Forcing Kids Backfires Big Time
With testing of High school students showing incredibly alarming rates of mental illness:
- 54% with moderate to severe depression.
- 80%+ with moderate to severe anxiety.
And 94% of college counseling directors "seeing rising numbers of students with severe psychological problems."
Even pediatricians are reporting 5-, 6-, and 7-year olds coming in for migraines and ulcers!
Another teacher said with all this, "We're sitting on a ticking time bomb."
Under the pressure to get into great schools and get a foot in the door in excellent careers and attain high-paying jobs, we are making our kids work longer school days, do more homework, take more Advanced Placement (AP) exams, participate in numerous extracurricular activities, and achieve, achieve, achieve.
We've taken away normal play time--the fun out of life growing up--and the imagination, exploration, and discovery away from kids just being kids.
The paradox is that "the pressure cooker is hurting, not helping, our kid's prospect for success."
Especially for parents who themselves grew up poor or lacking, maybe they are trying to do the "right thing"and give their kids more than they had and a "better life."
But maybe even the best intentions to mold children to be what we want them to be, or think they should or could be, is misplaced.
If only we could all take a little (or BIG) chill pill...you can't force success--with forcing you get the opposite results.
Back off people--instead of pushing and endless disciplining--how about we listen to the children, guide them, show unconditional love, and be excellent examples--show them integrity, a strong work ethic, along with an appreciation for work-life balance, then perhaps we will get not only the success of the next generation that we all need, but also happier, better adjusted, and healthier children. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 2, 2016
Market Watch 2016
And Macy's was having a blowout sale with racks and racks of "80% Off Original Price[s]."
We were laughing saying what's next--99% Off and then even 100% off!
So you think the economy is healthy with fire sales like these on the very first day of the new calendar year--when we still have another 364 days to make our year end sales quotas...
With turbulence around the globe brewing from Iran, Syria, Russia, North Korea, Yemen, Sudan, Nigeria, ISIS, and more...anyone care to say (pending) crisis.
How about commodities--my bet--that are in the toilet (and have been for years now)--do you really think no one needs iron, aluminum, nickel, lead, cooper, potash, oil, gas, coal, diamonds, and gold anymore?
Then the Wall Street Journal warned again today about the overall investment marketplace, asking "How do you invest when everything is expensive? [at 25 times cyclically adjusted earnings--now that's a fancy term]?
We've been down this road before in the bubble bursts and recessions of 2001 and 2008.
Is now really the time for the Federal Reserve to be raising interest rates (and what a nifty ripple effect that will have in both slowing our economy down and raising our interest payments on our already ballooning $18 trillion national debt)?
Oh, technology to the rescue again and again...it's possible with everything from virtual reality to robotics and artificial intelligence on the cusp...or maybe not this time around. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Blessing Each Other
So Rabbi Haim Ovadia did something really creative and beautiful.
He had each of us turn to our neighbor and put our hands over each other's heads and recite the blessing from the Torah:
"May G-d bless and guide you.
May G-d shine his countenance on you and be gracious to you.
May G-d turn his countenance toward you and grant you peace."
The gesture of brotherhood and caring for each other was very, very nice, and I got to meet someone new in synagogue today.
People need people...and we need G-d.
Somehow it makes everything better. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 1, 2016
What Do Red Lines Mean Anyway?
These are weapons of mass destruction we are talking about!
What message do we send our dangerous adversaries, when we say we are going to do something and then we hesitate or don't follow through?
Respect is earned and without that we are as good as roadkill.
When we say something is crossing our red lines we ought to "say what we mean and mean what we say."
Our national security is important, and so are our red lines and follow through actions. ;-)
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal adapted from here with attribution to hobvias sudoneighm)
Homesick or Heresick
Recently, at work though, I have found there are many people that don't want to go home at the end of the day--and it's not because they always still have so much work to do (although sometimes certainly they do).
Yesterday, I asked someone at work--on New Years eve--what they were still doing there late in the day.
Someone with a fairly new baby at home, jokingly winced at me, and said something about it sometimes being better to stay a little later at work, because when he/she gets home, they start all over again with the spouse and kid(s)--like so many of us.
It's strange to me, because I love and value home.
And it's like the old rhetorical question about do you work to live or live to work.
Just yesterday, in the Wall Street Journal, there was a book review about someone who opined about how home is where the heart is--and in anthropological terms--it's always been that way!
Home is our sanctuary, for ourselves and our beloved family, it is where we are "king of the castle," and where we do everything from shelter, comfort, reproduce, share, and generally love and care for each other.
Yet, back to work, many people these days don't want to go home to crying babies and dirty diapers, nagging spouses and the evening fights, encroachment on private spaces, and errands galore (it's a 2nd job almost)--cooking, cleaning, shopping, laundry, and bills--or even just plain loneliness there.
So people hang out at work--they schmooze, they snack, they Internet, they may go to workout, or they dilly and dally--just so they don't have to go home.
As someone recently said to me, "It's quiet. I like it there. Nobody bothers me there."
They are homesick--not missing and yearning to be home, but some almost to the point of sick at the thought of going home.
Work or anywhere else then becomes a refuge from the home that home is supposed to be.
Sometimes it's just a temporary thing at home, sometimes it's more ongoing or permanent.
Everyone has a different home--for everyone it should be a true home. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 31, 2015
Heading Askew
There is this mannequin's head just laying on top of the washing machine.
Is that what happens to customers' heads who don't cooperate with their haircuts or perhaps if they don't tip enough?
More seriously though...
Maybe this is a good picture to summarize 2015--heads are down and the hair is all messed up, but it won't stop us from trying to wash the darn clothes going out there. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 30, 2015
Simplify Me
Can you see the number of electrical plugs, wires, connections, input/output ports, etc. on this device?
Obviously, it is comical and a farce as we near the end of 2015.
Think about the complexity in building this monitor...in connecting it...in keeping it operational.
Yes, we are moving more and more to cellular and wireless communications, to miniaturization, to simple and intuitive user interfaces, to paperless processing, to voice recognition, to natural language processing, and to artificial intelligence.
But we are not there yet.
And we need to continue to make major strides to simplify the complexity of today's technology.
- Every technology device should be fully useful and usable by every user on first contact.
- Every device should learn upon interacting with us and get better and better with time.
- Every device should have basic diagnostic and self-healing capability.
Any instructions that are necessary should be provided by the device itself--such as the device telling you step by step what to do to accomplish the task at hand--no manual, no Google instructions, no Siri questions...just you and the device interacting as one.
User friendly isn't enough anymore...it should be completely user-centric, period.
Someday...in 2016 or beyond, we will get there, please G-d. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 29, 2015
Why Yell And Intimidate The Child?
So at the table next to us this morning at breakfast was a mean looking lady and a fidgety young child.
The lady as we found out over the course of their dialogue was the child's grandmother.
And she wouldn't stop berating this kid, maybe 5-years old.
Grandmother: "Don't you dare get up from the table until I'm done with my coffee, [and then this weird chilling] thank you."
Child: Obviously looking to run around and have some fun, "But I just want to go."
Grandmother: Who has finished her breakfast and coffee and is just making a continuing point, "You'll wait until I'm done, and I say we're ready, [and again, the long controlling pause and then] thank you."
Child: "I'm tired."
Grandmother: "Then you'll go upstairs, get back into bed and go to sleep, and no tv, just sleep--you will not move!"
Child: Looks up helplessly sad.
Grandmother: Now the truth starts to come out, "You know I don't like the way you treat you mother. Your disrespectful! And that won't go with me."
Child: Appears to not really understand what she is saying and legs dangle anxiously off the chair, but clearly very afraid to get up.
Grandmother: "You'll learn to be respectful to your mother. You will learn!"
Child: Head leaning sideways on table, says nothing.
Grandmother: Makes child wait some more and more, and finally, "Now we can go."
Child: Child picks head up and runs to take her hand.
Grandmother: Sneers and smirks with her power over the child--she looks like a freakin' witch.
Whole scene was sort of heartbreaking.
My wife and I look at each other, and shake our heads.
This was not teaching or loving, but something else and it wasn't normal or nice.
I say, "Perhaps, when a child is abused this way--day after day, year after year--this is why they grow up and then do horrible and hateful things."
It's amazing how adults take out their issues on children--and they think it's legit--but deep down you can see it really isn't--and the children and society pays for the sins of the adults. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 28, 2015
Social Inequality To Make You Sick
Oh, it's just a 2016 Rolls Royce for a mere $362,225.00
The car was unbelievably gorgeous.
But the extravagance of it compared with the regular poor, hungry and homeless people on the streets as well as the vast majority of all the other everyday middle class people is enough to make you want to puke.
Immediately after this, when we got back to the hotel, the maid was still in the room cleaning up.
I had the opportunity to see--really see--this lady--this person.
She was overly respectful, calling me sir numerous times, unnecessarily.
She was kind in finishing the room quickly and asking if their was anything else we needed.
But I also noticed that despite her labor-intensive job cleaning up other people's shit in the hotel rooms, she had a bum leg and had trouble walking and just getting around.
I thought to myself why was it that this poor lady was destined to have to clean my and other people's hotel rooms for a grueling living.
The next day, I saw some mini shampoo and conditioner containers that had fallen to the side of the tiny garbage can in the bathroom (didn't make the shot).
I looked down--I thought for a split second, that's what the hotel get's paid for to clean up and service the guests--but only for a SPLIT second.
Then I bent my own stupid ass over, and picked up the bottles and put them in the garbage where they belong.
The lady coming to clean the room doesn't drive a Rolls Royce and definitely, neither do I.
We are one under G-d, and may he bless us all in prosperity, health, and peace. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 27, 2015
Next @7Eleven
December 26, 2015
Can't Live With 'Em & Without 'Em
The theme song is playing in my head, "Love and marriage, love and marriage, go together like a horse and carriage."
Love and marriage--it's something we all aspire to.
Like in Noah's ark, we all want to couple off and be with that special person that complements us, can finish our sentences, helps us grow and develop and reach our potential, and of course raise a family!
This last couple of days for me the overarching theme has been the importance of a good marriage.
First I saw this funny sign that said, "Get married once, and do it right."
Well, okay...
Then the wonderful Rabbi Kaplan of Chabad, here in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, spoke to us about the great joy and "naches" (pride and gratification) of marriage and family.
And once again, when my wife asked this classy lady she met in Florida, how she stayed so thin, the lady responded, "It's the divorce diet."
Ah, eat your heart out baby...that's not the best way to lose weight now, is it?
Anyway, it's a true blessing to find that great match, and when there is an overall healthy relationship built on respect, trust, good communication, and of course being best friends.
I wish I had that (just kidding...). :-))
Perhaps a nice New Years wish is for everyone to find their soulmate and live happily ever after. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 25, 2015
Technology Forecast 2016
December 24, 2015
Type A-nus
And as it goes, you transition from the busy everyday world of work and chores to a more relaxing vacation mode...Ahhhh!
As I'm still transitioning, my wife says to me, "Stop your type A-ness."
Then we look at each other and start cracking up, because it sounds like she says "Type A-nus."
Okay 7-year olds, stop the silliness.
But maybe she is right, we need to pull our heads out of our asses, and look up at the sky, savor the warm sunshine on our faces, take a breath of fresh beautiful air, and just chill!
A-ness, or A-nus--either way, stop it and live free. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 23, 2015
Popcorn Delight
So we made it to Florida, but the plane ride was horrible.
Spent an hour and a half on the tarmac waiting to take off because of "low clouds."
Is that for real?
It was raining outside and the damp air and smell on the plane was sickening.
But we made it, and in Florida, it's always happy and nice--air was warm, the sun was out, and the people were in holiday party spirits.
Headed straight to the pool and had a great swim--pushed myself even though still woosy from the turbulent flight.
We had a nice dinner and then stopped in this store with amazing popcorn--covered in caramel drizzle and milk chocolate.
Only in Florida (these were no Cracker Jacks)!
The lady gave me a sample and I passed it off to my daughter and wife--oops, the one with the big chocolate gob fell on the floor.
Then we passed this tattoo place and watched this guy in the widow getting a huge tattoo on his calf of this fantastical women's face. The lady proprietor tried to convince us to come in--ah, no thanks.
Next was a bottle of wine for the night and back to the hotel.
Looking forward to more adventures this week. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Wicked Good Waffles
Just wanted to share this yummy waffle from the Wicked Waffle in Bethesda, Maryland.
This waffle was steaming hot and had sugared flour and chocolate drizzle and had less than 200 calories!
The Wicked Waffle has all sorts of waffle sandwiches...made fresh right there in front of you.
Grilled cheese, egg and cheese, tuna melt, tomato with mozzarella and arugula, waffle french toast, also meat waffle sandwiches (but those not kosher).
The only food that can take on waffles is pancakes, but these wicked waffles will give any pancake a very big run for the money. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 22, 2015
Mortality Unlimited
While it is the holidays and we are celebrating and happy to be with our family and loved ones, it is also a time to miss those that are gone, care and pray for those that are not well, and give thanks for our own blessings.
5 examples in one week (and trust me, I am holding back):
1) Death of family member - One wonderful lady in the office who recently lost her mother (her mom was in her very early 60s and just didn't wake up one morning) came to the holiday party, but looked sad. I asked about her well-being, and she said she is doing well, but is still remembering and dealing with the recent loss of her mom who she was so close with. We talked briefly how it takes time to mourn and heal, and frankly, we never really get over it.
2) Death of friend - A women I know just lost a very good friend (early 40s) to Kidney failure. She is on vacation, but is sad mourning over the loss, and also recognizing her own mortality and that anything can happen at anytime.
3) Very ill teenager - A teenager was at a recent Shabbat event with her peers celebrating G-d and her Jewishness, and at the event revealed that she has a brain disease and the doctors told her she only has a few months to live. She said that unfortunately she will never get to see her wedding day. It was heartbreaking.
4) Sick children - A colleague at work took a few hours off to deliver holiday gifts to the local children's hospital. She helped start an organization to raise money and support children with cancer and other devastating illnesses. It was a very beautiful thing to give back to the innocent kids.
5) Aging gracefully - A friend who recently hit the big 6-0 was a little depressed. When I asked him how he's dealing with it, he acknowledged that it's hard, but that he had all year to prepare (smile). But at the same time, he said that he can't help looking back on his life as well as thinking forward to what comes next. He's had his share of illness, but medical science (with G-d's help) saved his life so far. We talked about not knowing what happens but that he could have another 30 "good years" or that sometimes having a quick, peaceful end can be okay too--since quality of life matters as much or more than quantity.
The point from all this is not to be sad, but to realize we are but "flesh and blood" and we are alive only because G-d sustains us.
What we can do is take care of ourselves and our loved ones and make the most of each and every day. We are not guaranteed any number of years or anything else, so each moment is as precious and needs to be lived as if it could be the last.
Savor your blessings, because that is what they are--as my mother-in-law says, you are entitled to and the world owes you nothing. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 21, 2015
Heads Down December
The guy in the center seems to be listening to some music, but everyone else is nodding off and has their heads down.
End of the year, right before the holidays maybe people are a little burnt out and need to refresh their motivational juices.
Anyway, this is not good for the "see something, say something" culture in the age of terrorism that we are living in--these folks are not seeing anything in this groggy state.
To a heads up and brighter new year. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 20, 2015
Can You Say Coalition?
Every last sentence to every question asked was like:
We need a coalition to defeat ISIS.
We need a coalition outside the U.S. to defeat terrorists grabbing land, and inside the U.S. to defeat the lone attackers.
We need a coalition for climate change.
We need a coalition to get our economy back on track.
We need a coalition to better regulate guns.
We need a coalition on immigration reform.
Of course, as the superpower, we can't seem to do anything for ourselves anymore.
We are disengaged, leading from behind, and have no real answers to any of the big problems we face.
No matter that we have been using a coalition to fight ISIS these last number of years, and success has been marginal at best as they keep recruiting on social media.
No matter that we can't get binding agreements with Iran as they shoot off new ballistic missiles capable of carrying nukes into the ether, or on global warming because each country in the end will do what they want in their own best interests.
No matter that ISIS, Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea does what they want and don't need permission, forgiveness, or anything from anybody--they pursue what is good for them and they are relentless in getting it.
No matter that we constantly show fear and weariness and helplessness in the face of our enemies that have the resolve, patience, and determination to fight as long as it takes and do whatever it takes to win.
One candidate spurted something about, "Do you know how many coalitions I've put together" or "I've been putting together coalitions for years" (like that has achieved what exactly)?"
Terrorism is on the rise from Paris to California, ISIS is on the move grabbing up territory from Iraq and Syria and now even in Libya, the world is an unstable powder keg from Taiwan to Sudan, and our problems at home are growing worse (national debt, racial discord, etc.)
Oh, we need to get Saudi Arabia and Qatar and Iraq to step up to the plate, so said another one of the candidates last night.
But we spend billions and billions training them, and they are happy to take the American dollars, but when the first shot is fired, the troops head for the hills...why should they get killed fighting a war that we care about and against their own brothers.
You can't relegate your problems to others or ask others to pick up your slack, while you sit back and drop some bombs from the air--la la la la.
Are we in a complete and utter leadership void and stupor?
Coalitions are only effective when there is leadership and resolve.
Coalitions are a cop-out when we are stymied to fight for ourselves, to stand up for our beliefs and values, to demonstrate we are committed, and to lead the charge.
Cowardice will lose the war and much else...if we don't get off the coalition's dime. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 19, 2015
Politics Has Us Lost
Shock and awe and "sound and fury, signifying nothing."
Think about it!
Where are we going?
- Are we growing, innovating, leading.
- Are we spreading our ideals of freedom, human rights, and democracy.
- Are we a nation the defends those in need and is a refuge for those under duress.
- Are we a country that is safe and secure from threats external and internal.
- Are we united and heading in a clear direction with a strategy and making incremental steps towards our goals.
- Where are we on critical programs for the future from genuinely protecting our environment with binding agreements to investments in our space program to discover, travel, and build our destiny beyond just here.
- Do we have the love and respect of our friends and the fear of those that are against our way of life.
- Are the decisions that are being made bringing together those from across the political aisle and are they particularly fruitful in terms of making a real difference in people's lives or in our future.
- Why is the system so broken and we don't even hear any real ideas anymore about how to fix it.
- Why do we hear about Obamacare, trade deals, deals with Iran, deals over global warming, deals over Syria, budget deals, yet don't see or feel any tangible differences in our lives--or feel any passion from those making the decisions.
- Where is the grand vision to really put a man on Mars, solve poverty, or cure cancer.
- Why is Russia grabbing what they want with Crimea, planning a permanent station on the moon, and creating air and naval bases in Syria and we can't even train some rebels to fight.
- Why are we afraid to call radical Islamic terrorism what it is and to fight them over there before they come over here.
- Why do we bounce back and forth unable to overcome basic problems like with our flailing education system first centralizing federally with "No Child Left Behind" and then decentralizing to the States with "Every Student Succeeds."
- Why do we reign in the budget one year with Sequestration only to expand the budget with unpaid tax cuts the next.
- Why do we call for a strong military and then cut their budget and undercut their mandate to get their job done.
- Why do we stress the importance of cybersecurity, but then lose the security clearances and personnel information of the entire federal, intelligence, and military workforce.
- Why do we let in terrorists and criminals to our country and are then surprised when they commit violent acts against our people.
- Why do we hurt allies and embrace enemies.
- Why do we stymie debate and opposition disrespecting others, calling them horrible names, threatening them, and working to destroy them instead of embracing healthy debate and compromise.
- Why do we claim transparency, but then hide behind obscurity.
This could be the list that never ends, which goes on and on my friends, some rationale people started asking common sense questions, not knowing how broken this system was, and they'll just keep questioning it forever just because...it makes no sense. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 18, 2015
You're Getting Milked
And this is amazing, because--
Major factors point to pricing that should be driven down:
- Commodities--which are the basic raw materials from agriculture to oil and gas and metals and mining--are at a more than 16-year low!
- Manufacturing has moved to low cost sourcing countries (China, India, Vietnam, Africa, etc.)
- Technology continues to benefit us in terms of cost-efficiencies from the transformation to robotics and automation.
Yet, we keep on seeing prices move ever higher:
Just a few examples...
- "Housing market is on fire" with existing home prices exceeding the pre-recession peak!
- "Car prices at records highs - and rising"
- "Food prices are sky high"--it's not your imagination.
- Fashion "prices rising so fast"
- Health care spending is "again accelerating"
- "College costs are so high and rising."
Forget the B.S. of the basket of inflation stats your being feed...you know that your bills are going up, while your income is stagnant.
The real question is why is the middle class always getting milked--whose interest does it serve? ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 17, 2015
Save Our Children
NCMEC is primarily funded by the Justice Department for preventing and assisting with solving child abductions, child sexual abuse, and child pornography.
It's horrible when something bad happens to to an adult, but when it happens to a child--that is catastrophic.
I remember my dad used to say when he went to the funeral for a child--"A child is supposed to bury his [/her] parents, and not the other way around!"
It is unthinkable the pain that a helpless child goes through when taken or abused.
And for the parents, who are responsible for and love that child, I don't think they can ever rest or be at peace for a single moment, until the child is, please G-d, safe again.
This reminds me of the tragedy this week, where a one-year old child was one of the victims in a terror car-ramming at a bus stop in Israel that wounded 11 people.
Unfortunately, the baby's leg that had been nearly severed by the terror attack, was unfortunately lost despite heroic attempts by the doctors to save his leg.
What did this kid do to deserve such a trauma and fate?
As the NCMEC motto states, "Every child deserves a safe childhood."
How can people be so cruel to others and especially to innocent children?
Despite G-d's love and caring in this world, evil still exists and every time a child goes missing, is exploited, or is hurt/killed is proof of this, and is a mandate of our need to fight for their good. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 16, 2015
DC Is Not NYC
It says, "This is not New York."
And it advertises a website called StuckInDC.com.
"Formed by a few friends who've probably lived in the capital long enough, but lack the wherewithal to move elsewhere."
Having come from NYC, I can empathize in many ways.
The DC metro area is great if you are interested in working in some very cool jobs for the Federal government, and it has a fairly nice lifestyle for families here (clean and green).
While not as exciting as NYC (it doesn't have the vibe), it's also not as dirty, congested, or generally dangerous (in DC, there are lots of gun-totting federal agents everywhere).
If you yearn for someplace nicer to live, maybe Florida for the Caribbean climate, beautiful nature, slower lifestyle, and fun atmosphere or then again, there is always the awesome Holy Land!
For now stuck in DC, after retirement who knows. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 15, 2015
Letting It Out
Guys and gals working out on the punching bags, mitts, and pads.
It was great to see the energy--push ups, sits ups, weaving and jabbing, kicks, and more.
They even had an Israeli self-defense class, taught by what I believe was a non-Israeli--that was a little strange.
I asked one guy who looked like he'd been around the block there, if he was one of the instructors, and he told me how he's been boxing for 30 years.
Curious, I said "What did you do before boxing?" He said, "Fighting! I've been fighting my entire life."
Anyway, whoever is laying around the house in front of the boob tube day and night--you need to get out and try some moving and shaking.
Great stuff, and right in the mold of my role model, Rocky! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 14, 2015
Looking For Astronauts - Apply Here
OPM Job announcement today for Astronauts.
Work for NASA at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Train for missions to the International Space Station, on two new commercial spacecraft, and for the Orion deep-space exploration vehicle.
To go where no man or woman has gone before...
Dreams do come true!;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Paul Hudson)
Taste The Snowman
December 13, 2015
Freedom Is Worth It
It says, "Respect for Self, Others, and the Environment."
That is a great principle, which I was reminded of today in sitting for an IT certification exam--how lucky we are to live in a country that affords us respect to be ourselves...to speak, write, and practice as we believe.
In this case, the certification exam was typically given on Saturday, but as a Sabbath observer, I was able to provide a request for an accommodation, and was able to take the exam this morning, Sunday.
What was absolutely amazing to me though going for the exam at this designated fancy facility, in Washington, D.C.--and with two proctors--was that I was the only one taking the exam today.
This was not just some lip-service tolerance for differences, but rather true respect for diversity, even when it's not convenient and it is costly.
I have got to say, how grateful I am to be part of a society where we are free to be who we are--what can be more amazing than that?
I feel this all the more when we are at a time in history when still so many in the world are battling dictatorships, demagogues, terrorist and corrupt regimes that impose harsh restrictions, censorship, monitoring, and severe punishments on those who don't follow the dictates of the authority holding power.
When we fight those restrictive regimes--from ISIS to Communism--that are looking not just to hold, but to spread their clutches on power and abuses of freedom--we are really fighting to be who we are and that is a serious fight worth having. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 12, 2015
Helping Kids To Stand On Their Own
Her perspective:
TEACH TO CARE - Get the kids to do them for themselves, learn to be independent, by doing they learn to stand on their own two feet, don't baby them, by teaching them to do for themselves you are caring for the kids, if you jump every time they ask then there is no reason for them to try themselves.
His perspective:
CARE TO TEACH - Do for the kids when they are young, by showing them how then they start to learn how to do it for themselves later in life, children need to be shown love and caring so they can learn to one day care for themselves as well as for others, by loving and giving selflessly to children they learn that they are valuable human beings and grow to a healthy maturity.
The reality:
CARE AND TEACH - We need to show care and love to children, but also need to teach them to do for themselves. We can't smother children nor can we send them out into the world unprepared. Care for them at an early age, show them how, and then give them opportunities to do it for themselves and become full adults.
Like with most things in marriage, and relationships in general, the bringing together of two heads and hearts is better than just one alone. We balance each other, complement each other, and synergize each other--one is alone and deficient, two is together and with G-d making three, it is a whole.
And always tell your wife she was right. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 11, 2015
Judeo-Christian - Friendship and Ties
It's full of crazy antics as they party on Christmas eve, and Rogen, the token Jew, gets himself in all sorts of trouble, including throwing up in the mass from too much partying.
But what I liked most about the movie was the friendship between people--in this case, between Christians and Jews.
Today, I read with great joy about the Vatican commemorating the 50th anniversary of the "Nostra Aetate" (which I must say I was completely ignorant about), but which very importantly does the following:
1) Repudiates the charge of "Jewish deicide," exonerating Jews of any collective guilt for the death of Jesus.
2) Affirms that G-d's covenant with Jews was never revoked.
3) Recognizes Christianity's Jewish roots.
Continuing these positive developments between us, yesterday the Vatican issued a new document clarifying that the church exempts Jews from conversion, and that Jews are not excluded from G-d's salvation because they don't believe in Jesus.
I think it is wonderful that in modern times, there has been an affirmation of the unity of mankind amidst a monotheist belief in G-d Almighty, our father, and the creator and sustainer of us all.
The closer relations between Jew and Christians, especially over the last half century is a wonderful milestone that should, please G-d, grow stronger over time.
Moreover, we should similarly see the people of all religions focus on our commonalties, rather than on our differences, and on doing good deeds one to the other, rather than fighting in the name of religion.
Religion is peace and love, serving G-d and doing good--the rest is B.S. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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