(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The law requiring daylight saving--switching the clocks ("Fall Back" and "Spring Forward") is archaic and needs to be repealed.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)
February 28, 2019
Fire As A Force Of Nature And Man
From tales and mythologies of old, dragons would spew fire from their mouths and destroy the enemy leaving only maybe their charred remains (likely, we will get to see more of that in Season 8 of Game of Thrones coming up soon).
In the 20th century, flamethrowers were widely used in World War I and II, and today thermonuclear weapons create great fireballs and mushroom clouds.
But already as far back as the Bible, Samson fought with fire against the Philistines.
He caught 300 foxes, tied them tail to tail in pairs and put a lite torch between them and they ran terror and havoc through his enemy's encampment.
By the time of the Greek and Roman Empires, they would use catapults to hurl pots or bundles of flaming materials at their enemies.
In the Movie, Gladiator, upon releasing these catapults, he orders: "Unleash Hell!"
During the Spanish Inquisition, the inquisitor and his henchman would force Jews and others to convert or face execution by fire in the auto-da-fe.
Again in the Salem Witch Hunts, they would burn suspected witches at the stake.
And in more recent times, in the War Against Terror, ISIS was shown in videos that went viral torching those they considered infidels.
Fire for good or for evil, those flaming pigs, I will never forget. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 27, 2019
Dog Eyes and Knows
Almost seems like there is a person inside there.
See the twinkle and knowing in his eye.
Makes me wonder whether dogs (and other animals) were once people who have been reincarnated.
Is a dog and a person soul both the same (or how are they different)?
I am sure that there is divine justice (or Comedy) in coming back and in so many different ways and forms.
This dog knows something for sure. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 26, 2019
From Chaos to Order
Yes, the world functions based on the "laws of nature," scientific facts, and mathematical formulas, and so you'd think everything in our lives would be orderly and work like clockwork.
But, as human beings, our lives are too a great extend a function of what gets thrown at us and how we react to them, and not the constancy of the world context that these things are happening in.
It's easy to be surprised, become overwhelmed, or even be stumped by the daily barrage of things that we are new to us or we simply don't know how to handle.
A world governed by Mother Nature thus, often seems more like a world ruled by Murphy's Law.
In a world that we can often experience as chaotic and disorderly, the answer is not to break down and cry or run and hide, but rather to create our own sense of order.
Thus, the antagonist of chaos and disorder is consequence and order.
The way to get to order in your life is through planning and preparation.
The more you plan and prepare, the better you are able to deal with the challenges you are dealt.
I believe this is the cornerstone of what a good education and training is--preparing you for real life!
Generally, if you plan and prepare for a broad spectrum of scenarios (especially the worst cast scenarios), you won't be left sitting out there scratching your head when the proverbial "sh*t hits the fan."
Thinking out of the box and ahead of the curve, and using scenario-based planning and preparation can give you the tools and confidence to leave the anxiety behind and move more swiftly to confront challenges head-on.
Of course, we'll never be able to imagine or be prepared for everything that can happen--but the more you can free your mind to think about the "what if's" and how to mitigate the risks, the better shape you are in to act with determination and decisively when you really need to. ;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Elisa Riva)
February 25, 2019
Sushi Night In
He took such painstaking care on the rice, the fillings, and rolling and serving them.
Even the multitude of dips to choose from.
It was an awesome treat.
Worth the wait after Shabbat and then some.
Thank you so much for inviting us. ;-)
(Source Photo: Rebecca Blumenthal)
February 24, 2019
Interfaith Movie Today
The movie is about a Palestinian woman who becomes “the first woman judge in a Shari’a ‘family law’ court.”
Let's just say it wasn't easy for her to break into this male-dominated profession within institutionalized religion in the Middle East.
Thinking in an interfaith way, I guess it's maybe not so dissimilar to women breaking into the profession of the Rabbinate.
Another similarity between the religions was that there were many Islamic religious leaders that were very conservative and dead set against women in the Shari'a courts, while others stood up against the tide and inspired change--I think we have similar disagreements in Judaism between the ultra-orthodox who want to stick with the "old" historical ways of doing things, and the more liberal Jews that seek the freedom to alter those ways.
During the movie, there were some interesting take-aways like under Shariah law, men are allowed up to 4 wives!
Another funny line in the movie was when one of the men said that the men never make trouble for the women (i.e. it's all the women's fault).
In the court cases filmed, there seemed to be a lot of cases of domestic violence and of divorce, and in one case in particular the wife was actually stabbed to death in the court house by her husband who she was trying to get a divorce from.
Overall, it felt good to attend the event and try to be a part of the healing process between people.
The event was sponsored by the Jewish-Islamic Dialogue Society (JIDS) of Washington, D.C.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 23, 2019
Fire Alarm, Now What?
Friday night–the start of the Shabbat–oh, thank G-d we made it (and TGIF). Usually such a wonderful time to catch up on some extra sleep from the whole week of work. But last night it’s different…the fire alarm suddenly comes alive and the voice over the loud speaker tells everyone to exit the building immediately. It is 1:00 AM in the morning.
Carrying a head cold, medicated, and sleepless, this is what happened to me. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 22, 2019
Rainbow Cake :)
Price is not bad for $3.99.
Calories are horrific at 750!
What happened to the broken blue part of the cake at the bottom--maybe that's where another 50 calories got lopped off.
Anyway, it's Friday and I want to wish everyone a happy Rainbow Cake weekend and a Shabbat Shalom!
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 21, 2019
-25,000 Jobs NYC
...Others like NY Representative, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, are busy destroying jobs from her city.
After a grueling competition for the Amazon HQ2 with 200 cities offering incentives to land one of two 2nd Headquarters for Amazon, the winners were Arlington, VA and Long Island City, NY.
These lucky cities were to divide 50,000 new jobs and $5 billion in investment by technology and e-Commerce behemoth, Amazon.
Instead of thanking G-d for their good fortune and celebrating their win under the political savvy of New York's Governor, Andrew Cuomo and NYC's Mayor, Bill de Blasio, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez railed against the "corporate welfare" and basically killed the deal.
What should be critically noted is that incentives for Amazon were based on meeting their performance benchmarks for NYC and Arlington and were not corporate charity or handouts.
What Socialist, Ocasio-Cortez failed to understand is that Capitalism is successful precisely because of competition and incentives for performance, and that capital is ideally allocated to where it can get its highest return.
In short, New York and Virginia weren't giving away the farm, they were competing for great jobs and investment in their cities--and that's what 200 cities recognized from Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.
Aside from AOC's blatant bigotry and Anti-Semitism so far, she has goofed with a Green Deal that promised income security (socialist handouts) to those "unwilling to work" and sought to get rid of everything from "farting cows" to Airplanes, and now she's lost 25,000 jobs in NY.
Voters in NY and Democrats in Congress should be paying attention to their new Socialist champion and one of its extremists in chief.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
