How do you eat your latkes?
I took a vote today at the Hanukkah Shuk and here are the results.
Sour cream: 43
Applesauce: 87
We’ll see what the votes say next week at the official book launch.
Hope to see you there!
Tag: vote
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Independence Day 2024
Today marks birth of the United States of America. Citizens throughout the country are celebrating.
I love my country and have always considered myself patriotic, even when I don’t agree with everything that is happening or what our leaders are doing. I’ll make sure they know how I feel at the polls and by writing to my representatives.
Our country was founded on the principal that all people are created equal. (See the Declaration of Independence, 1776.) It is a land of opportunity where everyone has the freedom to practice the religion of their choice.
Constitution of the United States: Amendment I (1791)
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
At least that’s how it’s supposed to work. Our constitution clearly states a separation of church and state, but some religious zealots are trying to change that. It’s frightening to watch. Now, more than ever, it is vital that all eligible Americans vote in the coming presidential election. Our democracy is in danger of being destroyed.
Am I thrilled with choice of the candidates this year? No, but at least one of them has shown a clear disregard for our constitution, the rule of law, and has demonstrated an affection for dictators over our allies. This same individual has pandered to extremists, racists, and shown a lack of respect for women. He called the bigots who waved guns and drove into a crowd of peaceful counter protesters good people, and the radicals who participated in the violent assault on our capital four years ago patriots. He sees himself as above the law. When things don’t go his way, he complains that things were rigged, calls people disparaging names like a schoolyard bully, and makes up whatever pseudo-facts suit him without any evidence to back them up.
The other major candidate, has demonstrated integrity and support of our constitution. He has stood up to dictators, supported our allies, and allowed our judicial system to do its job without interference. When his son was convicted, he accepted the outcome with grace. He didn’t question the validity of the court’s decision or resort to tantrums and name calling. Has he made mistakes? Of course. No one is infallible. That’s why we have checks and balances built into our government. But at least he tries to do what is best for this country and all its people, not just a select few.
We are a country made up of many different people and cultures. This diversity is what has made us strong. When we work together, amazing things happen. When we don’t, well, bad things happen.
I am a third generation American with eastern European roots. There are some citizens here who consider themselves pure Americans, better than the people who travel miles, through many hardships to reach this country, but unless they are descended from one of the first nations, they are immigrants or descended from them.
Today I started my fourth of July celebration with huevos con chorizo. (eggs with chorizo sausage, a traditional Mexican breakfast) Tonight we will grill Mediterranean inspired seasoned lamb, roasted eggplant with garlic, and tabbouleh salad. (Tabbouleh is from the Middle East.) Later I’ll have some peach cobbler and watch fireworks.
Have a safe and happy Independence Day and embrace our wonderful diversity
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I CAN REMAIN SILENT NO LONGER
Discussing politics is not my style. In fact, I hate it. I can remain silent no longer.Just to be clear, I am not endorsing any of this year’s presidential candidates. Each of them has their pros and cons. For one in particular, I believe that the cons far out way the positives.
Inviting a foreign country to hack into American computers and commit espionage, and then backtracking a day later to say it was a joke, a sarcastic remark is not someone who is responsible enough to lead this country.
Someone who mocks people with disabilities, makes demeaning comments about women, obsesses over one of those comments and then tweets about it at three in the morning lacks the ability to assure the rights of all Americans. Even Gold Star parents have not been immune to these disparaging remarks.
A person who blurts comments without checking facts, who doesn’t think thorough the ramifications of what they say, like talking about their genitals on national television, cannot be trusted with the security of our nation. It demonstrates a serious lack of decorum and diplomacy that is needed for the oval office.
Inciting and encouraging supporters to be verbally and physically abusive to protesters shows poor lack of judgement and lack of respect for the opinions of others. This is not someone capable of calming unrest in this country or around the world.
Spending billions to build a wall between our country and Mexico with the intent to send them the bill is not an appropriate foreign policy. That will not ensure our safety, only feed hate and fear.
Someone who has filed for bankruptcy multiple times and has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of concern for working class individuals cannot be fiscally responsible with our country’s spending. A refusal to release tax returns is a major red flag that something important is being hidden from American voters.
A person who would turn away women and children that desperately seek a safe place to live just because they are Muslim is not upholding American values. It is the act of a prejudice individual. Are internment camps next? They were wrong in World War two and they are wrong now. So was Hitler.
Emma Lazarus wrote a poem that is posted on the base of the Statue of Liberty:
“…Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.…”
We are a country of immigrants, the land of opportunity. I am a third generation American. Unless you are descended from one of the Native American tribes, you too are descended from immigrants. Maybe even a first generation immigrant yourself.
This country has stumbled, picked itself up and stumbled again. But I am proud to be an American where I have the freedom to live as I’d like so long as it does not harm or impede the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness of others.
Donald Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his prejudice and lack of respect toward women, minorities, and non-Christians. He is not the face of America.
I love my country and it pains me to see the hate and violence that seems to plague us lately, but fanning those fires is not an answer. Donald Trump will destroy this country and everything it stands for. His policies will isolate America from the global community we live in. He says it’s all for our own good. And so it begins with any abuser: Isolation; Demeaning comments; Blame; Escalation.
We not only have the right, but the responsibility to keep our country whole.
On November 2, 2016, I urge all of you to vote.
