Santorum Fails Again!

Here's something to be thankful for!

You may remember that once Little Ricky Santorum ended his embarrassing presidential campaign he decided to take on Hollywood.  He became a movie studio head and promised his reactionary Christian movies would rival the great studios and companies like Pixar.

Welp, apparently Rick Santorum knows as much about movie making as he does about running the worlds greatest democracy.  Which is absolutely nothing.

His first movie landed in theaters with a thud , the critics hated it and no one has gone to see it.  I bet more people bought Paris Hilton's last CD than saw this movie.

Perhaps if the story was about hot man on dog action, something former Senator Pervert seems to know a great deal about it he could have released it as porn and all of his hate mongering friends would have watched it.


The man who thinks a President wanting children to get a good education and go to college is a snob was a failed Senator, a failed Presidential candidate and now he is a failed movie mogul.

Let's face it Richard John Santorum is a failure. Maybe Sarah Palin will hire him to be a dog groomer for Todd's sled dogs.

Oh wait, given his disturbing interests that might not be a good idea.

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I have a lot to be Thankful for!

Where To Dine In NYC!

Planning to visit New York City over the holidays?
 

 Looking for a place to grab a quick bite or full meal?

Here is the New York City Health Department Rating Map.

Here are The New York Times Restaurant Reviews.



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It Made Me Think About.....Me

Every month the Nazareth - Bath Chamber of Commerce hosts a networking lunch specifically designed to empower women but men are more than welcome.  I attend from time to time.  My company reserves two seats at the lunch each month and sometimes I am fortunate enough to attend.

Today's speaker was Michael Owen of the Heyman Talent Agency he discussed the importance of first impressions, self branding and how to present yourself.  It was pretty interesting and gave attendees something to think about the next time we have 30 seconds to sell ourselves and or our product / service.

He ended with this amazingly poignant ad from Dove.

The ad asks women to describe themselves to a sketch artist and then it asks other women to describe the women to the same sketch artist.  The differences are stunning.  The women's self image were often very negative and the when they saw the sketch of  the way others described them they were often surprised to see how beautiful others saw them.  The room got very quiet.

A poor self image is not limited to women.

When I worked for a different company we were given pretty extensive self evaluations to write at the same time our supervisors were writing their evaluations of us.  They were not allowed to read our self evaluations until we were officially given our evals, a follow up session was always scheduled to discuss the differences. For me these sessions always ended being a catharsis and encouraged me to believe in myself a little more.  I was grateful that my raises and promotions were based on my bosses evaluations and not my own.

When I could afford a shrink (a platinum HC plan helps) we discovered pretty quickly that a lot of my humor was directed at myself and we set about figuring out why but we didn't dwell on the negative we worked on fighting that impulse.  I have come a long way but I still have to fight to urge to make myself the punch line of all my stories or my Bitstrips. (I miss my shrink)

One of the things people notice once they get to know me is the ego and cockiness is pretty much a cover for a steaming cauldron of doubt and insecurities.  I never expected to still be a work in progress at this advanced age but here I am.


But, at least I am still working at it.

Not continuing the fight is not an option.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for those of you out there ready, willing and able to assist in that fight.

Shalom

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Come Visit Bethlehem; My Fair City

All things Winter/Christmas/Holidays are off and running here in The Christmas City.
 

No holiday visit to Bethlehem would be complete without visiting Christkindlmarkt .  Now in its 21st season this massive yet cozy craft, art, food and entertainment festival is a must do for any visitor to my fair city. There are over 125 vendors, an amazing Santa Claus and lots of tasty food and free music. The event runs Thursdays-Sundays now through the end of the year. If you have some young ones in your life treat them to breakfast with Santa.


When you've had your fill of Christkindlmarkt wander out to Third Street - hang a right and explore all the unique shops and restaurants in one of Bethlehem's two downtown's.

Then head north, cross the Lehigh River and explore Bethlehem's historic center city downtown where the shops, restaurants and museums on and around Main Street are waiting for you.  This year there will be 35 huts on Main Street and around the historic Sun Inn that will offer interesting crafts, food and art.  The Huts are open Friday-Sunday through the holidays but the shops are open everyday.  Don't forget to head up Broad Street you don't want to miss those places.

The historic residential area just East of of Main Street is an amazing neighborhood to walk around and after the sun goes down it is magical this time of year. If you're too tired to walk around, hitch a ride on of the horse and carriage rides around the hood.


The good folks at Artsquest and The Downtown Bethlehem Association are offering a free shuttle between Christkindlmarkt and Main Street


There is never a bad time to visit Bethlehem you will always find something going on but Winter and the Christmas holidays is a magical time to visit out town.

Let me know when you're coming - I'll let you buy me a drink or something.

http://www.christmascity.org/

http://www.downtownbethlehemassociation.com/

http://www.historicbethlehem.org/

http://www.artsquest.org/

http://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/

Share Your Story About President Kennedy's Death & Funeral

I was 4 years old so my memory of President Kennedy's assassination is not very extensive.

Apparently as a child I used play with my mother's pots and pans a lot and I guess I had them out and in front of the TV watching Julia Child.

I remember my mother rushing to the front of the TV and then she started to cry not weeping but really crying.  I knew that a tissue would not do the job so I remember grabbing a dish towel and handing it to her.

Other than that I just remember my parents being glued to the TV and black and white flickering images.

The New York Times assembles an interesting cross section of Americans to share what they remember of that fateful day.

Where were you that day/weekend?  What do you remember about it?


If you are too young to have a memory what did your older family members tell you about that time?

Share your stories in the comments.
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Katy Perry Sings for Autism

This should warm up even the coldest heart.  Pop Princess Katy Perry  takes the stage at an Autism fundraiser to sing with an 11 year old girl.


Katy Perry has her critics, who doesn't but she does seem like a nice person with a big heart.  Her songs are positive and hopeful and she is very gay friendly.

The fact that she campaigned across the country for President Obama will always keep her in my Hall of Fame.

Well done you!  Katy Perry

Kennedy (but not really one) Free on Bail

We all know the name Michael Skakel.

And, whenever we hear or read his name we hear or read that he is a Kennedy cousin.

He is not a Kennedy - he is the nephew of Ethel.

So, he is a cousin to her and Bobby's children?

But

He is not a cousin to John & Jackie's children.

He is not a cousin to Teddy & Joan's children.

He not a cousin to Eunice and Sarge's children.

He is not a cousin to Jean and Steve's children.

And, yet the media always describes him as a Kennedy... cousin 

Anyway the guy is out on bail while the DA decides to reissue charges.

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The Speaker Can't Get Coverage & Russert Shills For Him

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Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert37m

Boehner attempts to signup for Obamacare, it didn't go well: http://www.speaker.gov/general/my-attempt-sign-health-care …

•  Reply 
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NBC News ace super star reporter Luke Russert Tweeted a link to Speaker Boehner's web site  in which the man with tan recounts his attempt to sign up for coverage with the DC Health Care Exchange and according to the Speaker it did not go well.

The diligent Mr. Russert did not offer any independent verification that this actually happened.  It could have have been staged by the desperate Republican leader.


A number of things could have happened along the way that could have caused John Boehner some problems.

1. John Boehner is a resident of Ohio and does not qualify for Health Care with the DC Exchange.
2. Mr. Boehner's income is too high for coverage and he does not qualify.
3. Mr. Boehner gets his health care paid for by his employer and does not qualify.
4. Was Speaker Boehner sober?
5. Why was John Boehner doing private and personal business on his employers time and using his employers computer.  That is grounds for firing in the private sector.
6. The system was having one of its glitches.

Perhaps Luke Russert will offer a more full report tonight on the Evening News......or not.

Should We Drug Test Congress?

A rising star in the Tea Bagging movement US Congressman Trey Radel, GOP (of course) of Florida (of course) was busted and has now plead guilty for cocaine possession .


Mr Radel will be entering rehab in order to deal with his problem has of course apologized to his wife, his family and his country.  He will not be resigning and he will be donating his salary to charity while he is away from his official duties.  Of course he top of the line tax payer funded health care plan will be footing the bill for his stay.

Mr. Radel once voted to drug test all applicants for public assistance in order to protect the taxpayer.

Should we drug and alcohol test members of Congress to protect the taxpayer?  I suspect that it would never happen because Congressional Leaders don't really want to know how many of their members have a problem.

Celebrity Cafe Link Fail

This was the link I found on line 

Popular Threads

• Trayvon Martin arrested in central Florida after disturbance call, booked in county jail
  2 comments · 9 hours ago

This is the actual headline for the article 

George Zimmerman arrested in central Florida after disturbance call, booked in county jail

By Gina DiFalco, 11/18/2013

Was this really awful editing?

Was this intentional?

Even in death Trayvon Martin is being blamed.

150 Years Ago The President Said This

President Abraham Lincoln came to a little town in Pennsylvania to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  This speech and Lincoln's second inaugural remain the gold standard for Presidential addresses.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863

PA Marriage Equality Suit Proceeding

A federal district judge has issued a ruling that has cleared the way for a challenge to Pennsylvania's 17 year old law banning marriage equality.  The judge has set this Friday for a conference with all the interested parties to set the date and the ground rules for the actual case to be heard.

So, things are moving ahead - perhaps I won't be dead before I can get married in my home state.

And, next time you see Governor Tom Corbett thank him for spending hundreds of thousands of your tax dollars defending discrimination.  He's like a twenty first century George Wallace.

Afghanistan: Last Jew Standing

This story amazes me:

There is only one person left in Afghanistan who is Jewish.

Maybe I'm naive or maybe I live in this rarefied world where things like this are not feasible to me but how can a nation have only one Jewish person?

There have been Jews in that part of the world since there have been Jews.  There is documentation that goes back more than 2000 years.

Zabulon Simintov owns a once thriving cafe and catering service but the new Afghanistan that The United States has spent billions of dollars on and gave thousands of lives to "save" has turned its back on it's Jewish population and has made life unsafe for them.

Is this what we intended to happen?  Is this the Afghanistan of Dick Cheney's dreams? (maybe it is)

No More Passes For Alec Baldwin

I am a big fan of Alex Baldwin and I think his MSNBC show is at times compelling.

We all know he hates the celebrity part of being famous.

But,  if this is true  he may have lost his last chance with me.

Anderson Cooper has taken to Twitter to express that he has had enough.

He is reported to have called a photographer a "Cock sucking faggot".

According to Alec Baldwin being gay and doing what gay men do (sexually) is something to be derided and mocked and an insult.

How many times can we forgive Alec Baldwin?

Apparently Palin's Investors Made Her Apologize

Tea Bagger icon Sarah Palin has sort of apologized.


That alone is worthy of a moment of silence since the woman who does not know what she does know never ever admits to not knowing what she is talking about.

The deep thinking 1/2 term Governor of Alaska was recently asked about the Pope and she slammed him and called him a "Liberal" which in her world is the worst possible insult.

She was upset because His Holiness has expressed compassion, caring, tolerance, understanding and love.

Think about that for a moment!

A Cricket Superstar Retires

Yesterday was a good sports day on NPR's Morning Edition.

Sandip Roy offers up a glowing farewell  to the Cricket Super Star Sachin Tendulkar, who is retiring after a remarkable career in the sport.  In the world of Indian sports and culture Mr. Tendulkar is held in Gandhi level of esteem.


This radio essay reads well but it is best appreciated if it is heard.  Click on the "Listen to the story" link to truly enjoy the impact of Sachin Tendulkar's retirement on the Indian people.


When we were in London some time ago I tried to watch a Cricket match and every time I thought I understood what the hell was going on......I didn't.

Frank Deford on Football

Frank Deford is probably our greatest living sports writer and he may very well be one of the greatest of all times.


 His commentary on sports and the role sports plays in the greater society are always spot on, somewhat cranky but spot on none the less.

In his weekly commentary  on NPR's Morning Edition Mr. Deford takes on an increasingly favorite topic of his; football or more specifically does the ever growing brutish nature of professional football deserve it's lofty place as America's favorite sport.

Madame Ambassador Kennedy

Congratulations to America's newest ambassador.  Caroline Kennedy the daughter of two of the most iconic people of the 20th century was sworn into to day by family friend and Secretary of State John Kerry.


Japan is one of this nations most important allies and the appointment of not just a Kennedy but The Kennedy sends a message of respect and confers a high level of importance to the relationship between our two great democracies.

There is no doubt that this important alliance will be made stronger by Ambassador Caroline Kennedy.

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Marriage Equality Comes to Hawaii & Illinois - What's Up With Pennsylvania?

Hawaii becomes the 15th state to join the campaign for this country to become a more perfect union.  On Dec. 2nd of this year marriage equality will become the law of our fiftieth.  We've been to the Aloha State 3 times and quite frankly I'm surprised it has taken this long.  It was far and the away the most open, warm, inviting and affirming place I have ever been.

It is estimated that marriage equality will bring and estimated $217 million to the states economy over the next 3 years.

Did you read this legislators in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?

Think of the boost to the Commonwealth's economy.  If you don't care about love, humanity, justice or decency I know that you do care about jobs and taxes collected.  If you can't pass marriage equality because you respect people at least do it for job creation in the Pocono's and other hot tourist areas.

So now the birth place of this great republic is being shown up by New Jersey which alone is horrendous, but now the youngest state and Illinois, really Philadelphia and Pittsburgh you are going to let Chicago make you look Birmingham.
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Pumpkins Are Ruining Cuisine

Pumpkin here, pumpkin there, pumpkin pumpkin everywhere!  I am not a fan of pumpkin - I may have a piece of pumpkin pie or cheese cake over the holidays but that's about it.  It is the most over hyped and over rated flavor of all time.

Clearly I am in the minority (but then again I am used to that) Last year pumpkin flavored products were a $290 million business and by the looks of the things it is only going to be a bigger share of the food market place this year.

Michael Moss of The New York Times gets to the essence of this flavor explosion.

Meh!

A disgusting pumpkin recipe


The only good pumpkin





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The Fury Directed at Richard Cohen

The interwebs have been all aflame about this column by Washington Post opinion writer Richard Cohen. From the reactions I have been reading I expected a super racist rant by this sometimes controversial columnist.


What I read was a pretty common recap of why New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will struggle to get the 2016 GOP nomination for President.  Mr. Cohen recaps what we all know about how the voters who control the Iowa caucuses are from the more extreme wing of the party and right now their golden boy is the Canadian born Ted Cruz and his reactionary papa.

Mr. Cohen goes onto describe all the issues and reasons why the Tea Bagger types feel alienated from the changing face of this country. And, this is where he gets himself into trouble with his critics.

"Today’s GOP is not racist, as Harry Belafonte alleged about the tea party, but it is deeply troubled — about the expansion of government, about immigration, about secularism, about the mainstreaming of what used to be the avant-garde. People with conventional views must repress a gag reflex when considering the mayor-elect of New York — a white man married to a black woman and with two biracial children. (Should I mention that Bill de Blasio’s wife, Chirlane McCray, used to be a lesbian?) This family represents the cultural changes that have enveloped parts — but not all — of America. To cultural conservatives, this doesn’t look like their country at all."

I have to question Mr. Cohen's use of the word "conventional" when describing the views of the people he is writing about.  These views are far outside what is America in 2013 - The de Blasio-McCray family looks a lot more like America than the Tea Baggers who control the Republican Party right now.  The nation is changing and they can't handle it.

Perhaps I am missing something here but I don't really see the reasons for the fury being foisted on Mr. Cohen.  The column does not break new ground and fairly accurately describes the the angst of the people who hate change, foreigners, people of color and the gays.  Oh and they hate government unless it is benefiting them, then it's super fantastic.
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Palin Says She is Not a Racist and More

The half term former Governor of Alaska who somehow thinks she has all the answers to the nations problems even though she has not done anything other than get rich over the last five years has made another "I am not a racist" racially charged comment.

The insufferably dumb Sister Sarah has compared the national debt to slavery because it is all the Black President's fault. Even though study after study has shown that the debt is always larger under Republican Presidents than it is under Democratic Presidents.


In other news she is opening her let's make money off of nothing tour in our community on Tuesday.  I am going to welcome her by doing the thing she hates.

I am going to ignore her!

What would you do if Sarah Palin brings her lack of substance to your area?

Locals, what are you going to do to welcome this national embarrassment to our home turf?

Controversy & Gore Vidal - Perfect Together

As was often the case during his life Gore Vidal  stirred the pot and enjoyed the resulting controversy.  Now about a year after his death Mr. Vidal's decision to give his entire estate to Harvard.


The great American author and cultural critic original will left everything to his partner of over 50 years Howard Austen.  After Mr. Austen's death Gore Vidal changed the will.  Now some distant and not so distant family members are challenging the will in court.

I started to read the comments but they got to be too much. Even the great New York Times attracts trolls.

I have always found Gore Vidal fascinating and I have tried to read every word he has written (I'm sure I missed a few).  Some of his writings pulled me through the coming out process and other writings entertained me and yet others provoked emotions and often caused me to rethink they way I looked at an issue.

Because it is Gore Vidal it is a story the fascinates the writers and editors of The New York Times and me.

I'll provide updates as they occur.

Ted Cruz Lies or Thinks We are Stupid

I guess he thinks we are stupid!


Texas Senator and hate monger  Canadian born Tea Party Teddy Cruz said that he opposed the government shut down.  He blamed the President and the Democrats for not negotiating with the Republicans.  Of course to the Cuban/Canadian negotiations means the Democrats doing what the GOP wants.

I don't know who Cruz is fooling but a lot of us were watching very closely and we know who was responsible for the government shut down.

Perhaps he really is as delusional as he appears nightly on the news.

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de Blasio Overwhelms Lhota

It what was a stunning and far reaching victory for the left  and for the people of the City of New York; Democrat Bill de Blasio defeated Republican Joe Lhota by a 73.3% to 24.3%.  Mr. de Blasio largest margin came from the Bronx capturing 86.1% of the vote and he lost Staten Island by 53.2% - 44.2%.

The new Mayor's son Dante's afro is bigger than Staten Island so his loss there had not real impact.

The turnout in New York was a mere 24% which is pretty pathetic considering how important this election was.  Since there was never any doubt as to who the winner was going to be 76% of the over 4 million votes decided to find something else to do.

Mr. de Blasio is the first Democrat since David Dinkins, the first Brooklyn base Mayor in a very long time and in what was a significant break with tradition he held his election night party not in Manhattan but in Brooklyn.

Bill de Blasio is inheriting a mixed bag issues from Mayor Bloomberg.  Hopefully he will take advantage of all the good will and political capital generated by an election victory margin of such historic magnitude and get about the business of moving all of New York forward.

I look forward to watching the enormously likable family as they help their husband and father solve the many issues facing the world's greatest city.

It's all About Heart!

Welp!

While at the doctor today the nurse took a mighty long time checking my blood pressure and pulse – I did not think much of it because @ 8:30 on a Monday – perhaps she was just groggy

Because this is a teaching practice I always have to be checked out by a student.  He does all the usual things, ask the usual questions and then spend a great deal of time listening as  I breath heavy in and out much longer than the usual chest listening.

Then the Doctor comes in, the usual small talk and catching up and he does his listening thing and it takes much longer than usual.

He gets done - looks at the student and then back at me.

"Well Donald your heart sounds unusual - not that I am really concerned but I want to do an EKG on you before your flu shot."

"OK!  Dr. L what is going on?"

"Well your heartbeat is inconsistent - as one pulse leave the third valve another one should be entering like boom---boom---boom---boom---boom "  

"Uh huh"

"Well your heart is more like one of the every now and then one of the pulses is faster than the previous ones more like boom---boom---boom---boomboom---boom---boom---boom---boomboom---boom---boom" 

My mouth falls open

"So I'm going to send the nurse in with the coldest hands and get you set up  for the EKG and then we'll discuss from there"

A few minutes I am getting hooked up and tested and yes her hands were corpse cold.  It goes quickly she rips off the stickers and leaves the room.  

Dr. L. comes back in  "Yep it's what I thought your heart beat has gotten a little irregular not sure why but it does not seem serious but I want you to keep an eye on it.  Have you noticed any chest pains or tightness lately?"

"I have noticed but it just seemed like the same symptoms of my anxiety attacks"

"OK if it happens again and you use your calming techniques and exercises and you still have some discomfort it is your heart"  "If it happens a lot you call me right away and we will go to the next step but right now is is so moderate and mild I am not concerned - it could just be a change "  "Get your blood work done so we can check that angle"

I don't smoke and never have, I eat right, I walk more than I drive, I have maintained a consistent weight but I need to cut the Red Bulls and if I want a little pick me up have a cup of coffee it is less concentrated - I don't drink a lot of coffee and my Red Bull intake goes in spurts I can go days, weeks without one.

So there you have it in Dr. L. words - "It just looks like your heart loves you more than it used to"  "I am going to find a rusty needle and come back in with your flu shot"  "See you in 6 months"

ENDA - Will it Ever Become Law?

I appears the Senate is about to end debate and vote  on a bill that will prevent me from getting fired just because my guy is my guy.

In Pennsylvania not only can I not get married but if my employer did not like the fact that I was gay he/she could fire me.

Below is what some Senators have had to deal with in regards to this issue. Clearly the opponents of justice know they are on the wrong side of history so they have to make up unbelievable foolishness to try to sway people.

"One senator recalled having to explain to a colleague that the legislation would not require insurance companies to pay for sex-change operations. Another spoke of phone calls from constituents who were convinced that their children could be taught in school by men wearing dresses. And conservative groups like the Family Research Council are warning their supporters that the bill would force Christian bookstores to hire drag performers."

This is the extent that people who are afraid of love will go.   

What are they afraid of?

It appears that ENDA will pass the Senate it's fate is less than hopeful in the House.

Gay Rights Should be Important to the GOP

In today's New York Times Frank Bruni speaks with  two titans of Wall Street about why they are spending millions of dollars in support of gay rights not only in the United States but around the world.


Both are loyal Republicans, both are conservative and both realize that issue is one that the Republicans are missing the boat on.  The country has decided the issue and Republicans are on the wrong side of history.

It's an interesting read and Frank Bruni is a great writer with a storied history as one of the New York Times Lavender Mafia. (Google it)

Could de Blasio Really Win by 41 Points?

It looks like a rout for the Mayor of New York City.  In it's final pre-election poll NBC4 New York and The Wall Street Journal  show a 65% - 24% lead for Democrat Bill de Blasio over his GOP opponent Joe Lhota.  Which is an improvement for Lhota in a previous poll he was at 22%, de Blasio's numbers have not dropped.


After 20 years out of Gracie Mansion and the last 12 no one living there at all the Democrats are poised for a return with historic numbers.

Mr. de Blasio leads in all categories and with all segments of the voting public and in every borough; even Staten Island.

Bill de Blasio has run a nearly flawless campaign peaking at the right time before the primary and he has taken that momentum and built a 41 point lead that he has held since the day after the primary.

In January he will enter office with enormous good will which he will need to address the many problems Michael Bloomberg is leaving behind.

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American Opinions About Jews - I am a little shocked

It appears that old theories die hard , in a recent survey ordered by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) it appears that 26% of Americans believe that the Jewish people were responsible for the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Despite that fact religious scholars, historians, theologians and Popes have all said and proven the opposite.

Some other results of the survey may explain why more than a quarter of Americans believe this.

14% believe that Jews have to much power in the United States.  Maybe it's all those Jewish Presidents and Vice Presidents we've had.

19% believe Jews have too much power in the business world and 17% to much influence on Wall Street, 18% to much control over the media (except on Fox of course) and in a surprisingly small number only 24% believe that Jews run the movie and TV industry.  I am a little shocked by how small that number is.

But, this number does not surprise me at all; 30% of Americans believe that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to this country. Franklin Roosevelt in response to his Jewish advisers to react more swiftly to reports of the German concentration camps believed that the American people would not support using their boys to rescue the Jews.  When pressed further and harder the very patrician Roosevelt responded that this is a Protestant country and that Jews and in fact Catholics are more less just allowed to live here.  A pretty appalling sentiment. But, FDR was a man of his times and can't fairly be judged by our modern standards but that view is still very much held by many people. Keep in mind that we have had one Catholic President and we now have our first Catholic Vice President.

And, to build on that sentiment an appalling one-quarter of those polled believe that "Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust."  I have heard people say this and it never ceases to stop me in my tracks and at times has left me speechless, something that almost never happens.  I guess people would rather we forget about that icky business of 6,000,000 people slaughtered because of their faith.  Perhaps it is not so shocking after all there are Southern Republicans who are still fighting the Civil War and refer to it as the War of Northern Aggression & the wholesale massacre and dislocation of this continents native peoples is not even taught.

American Jews who support Israel are not anti-American or disloyal to their nation they, like me, believe that Israel is an ally that needs to be supported and supported in the strongest possible terms.  It is the only democracy in the region, they took a neglected region of rock & sand and transformed it into a nation with a thriving economy.  And, it is an historic homeland to people who have long lived in diaspora status.

Other interesting results of this poll 78% of think American Jews value their families but of course that means 22% of us think that they don't.

I just don't get it.

I have never understood the negative attitudes, the bigotry and the hatred that Jewish people have been forced to endure.  Of course when someone who does hold these feelings of hate tries to explain it to me I don't really give them much of chance to finish one of their idiotic utterances. I wave them off and walk away and shake my head in sadness and disgust.

Here is the full report / survey
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Honey Boo Boo Mocks the Kardashians

I have never watched either one of these shows.

Even though I am an elitist snob I am aware of the silly shows those who are beneath my level of sophistication are watching on TV.

For Halloween The family of Honey Boo Boo dressed like the Kardashian family.

The New York City Opera is out of business and these people are making money fist over ham hock.

We can do better!

I still have hope.
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More Assault Weapon Violence

New Jersey man uses an assault weapon at the L. A. Airport.

A government employee (TSA agent) killed, several people injured, many people were impacted and commerce was disrupted.

Not a big topic on social media, not a long piece about it on the evening news.

America acts like it is just another day.

It is.
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