P.S.

Whoops, almost forgot--I also want to acnowledge all the Vets out there especialoy RD. Peace

BUT IT DOES NOT SEEM REALLY OVER--SOME QUICK THOUGHTS

Biden got more votes than POTUS--that's a fact,Jack. But even in defeat, POTUS has stolen the limelight. Headlines are all about him and how Biden is just the perfect gentleman in the face of people like Pompeo saying: "the transition to a ssecond Trump administration will be smooth". Lackey's all of them and I have not even gotten to Mitch. Meanwhile as POTUS bitches, the virus is runing rampant. --The Senate defeats were disappointing especially the win by Susan Collins. And I do not beieve both Democratic candidates in Georgia will win--maybe one but not two --Some mixed news for you pet lovers. The good news is that if Biden actuially gets into the White Hoiuse, he will bring two dogs one of whom is a rescue dog. The bad news is that Marty, the pet cat of the staff of the Mt. Washington Observatory, has died. Naturally the Globe reported this. I assume he never ventured out in the winter. --Most mportantly,there is a major happy event in the life of my family. OH is having a bar mitzvah--a virtual one but, nonetheless, something to enjoy and something for all of us in his family to feel good about. Positive/good news has been hard to come by. All of us are excited for this milestone. Shalom

LET IT BE OVER

I start with this heresy--even if HE wins, I want this over. I am tired of both Hannity and Maddow; tired of FOX and MSNBC; and tired of checking every god damn poll multiple times a day. I know it will be awful if HE wins--but it will be over. Over and done with--the yiddish word for that is (not sure about the spelling) "fachtich". Just in case HE wins, I decided to share a few thoughts in advance because, if the unthinkable happens, and HE wins, I will be speechless/wordless. --How can anyone be undecided? I might not agree with those supporting HIM but they have decided and so have Joe's supporters. You cannot be of sound mental health if you insist, 96 hours before this stupendously important election, that you cannot make up your mind. Seriously? Thats yet another reason that it shouild be over NOW. Forcing those undecided to actually decide. --Two anecdotes about children. First we have the parents of young hockey players in my fine state saying it is unfair that hockey rinks have been closed due to the virus. Unfair to whom? These games,rinks,and practices are incublators for the virus--closing those rinks protects me. All of us just have to put on our big boy/girl clothes and deal with it. Here is how it could be much worse for kids/parents. Your child might be one of the 545 still separated from you because of Stephen Miller and his wretched policies. I dont want to hear that it's the fault of "coyotes' or the couintries of Central America. It is the fault of this administration. Growingh up withiout your parent is more than unfair--it is criminal when it is perpetrated by your government. And it is a damn sight worse than missing hockey practice. --Rachel might have labelled Dr. Altlas the "rambo raqdiologist". Maybe not. But whoever said it was right on target. He has apparently taken over from Fauci and Birx and is HIS chief Covid influencer. Ask the people in the Midwest (the ones with Republican governors) if they should have worn masks. --Speaking of doctors. that bright light Jared is quoted in Woodward's book as bragging that the administration has "taken control back from doctors". And this week, HE blamed those doctors for juicing up the cost of Covid treatment in order to make more money. No science/no medicine/no brains. --Go watch "Bend the Arc" if you want to see what committed doctors actually do. It is a documentary about Partners in Health and the work they do. If Obama-care is overturned, they might need to start working in America as opposed to what we call "third world"countries. --On a more positive note, the Pope has recognized same sex civil marriages which promptly drew a blast of criticism from the Bishop of Proividence--a notorious man wishing us all back to the dark ages. --And the Hasids? Pissed off at the NYC Mayor for refusing to approve a license allowing the wedding of the son of the Grand Rebbe--proposed attendance was going to be 10,000. And their community was already in a high Covid status. --That's it. Good luck to us all. Here's hoping the Proud Boys stand down if HE loses. Shalom

I JUST HAD TO SHARE

Plus, more than a few of you complained when nothing went out on 10/15. On the other hand, I needed an outlet for all my anxiety and nervousness. Despite saying I did not trust any of the polls after 2016, I find myself looking at them more than a few times daily. In virtually every one, the results indicate a big Biden win plus the Dems taking over the senate. All of which makes me nervouser and more nervouser. Like I should check into the hospital for the very very nervous whose Superintendent is Mel Brooks. If only, Carl Reiner could be my psychiatrist. Moving on. --I did not wish good health or even a prayer to POTUS or Ms. POTUS when they had Covid. Let them suffer, I figured. But I did care a smidgen about Baron because he did not ask to move into the White House. But nada for the Prez and Melania. He does not care about the 200,000 plus Americans who have died from the virus and were impacted by his disregard for any preventative measures--you know,like masks. So I do not care about him and his health. He is still running around the country with no masks and infecting those MAGA attendees. So, screw him. --His return from the hospital was marked by his demand that his White House re-entry be reshot because he did not like how the original turned out. It is all a show, after all. --You can be doubly sure I do not care about my fellow tribe member Stephen Miller or his wife. No prayers here. Let them suffer just like those children separated from their parents and living in detention facilities. A double screw him. --In yesterday's NYT, the entire opinion section was devoted to an endorsement of Biden. In support of that worthy goal, they included quotes from a group of individuals who had worked for POTUS. Putting aside their words, I am sick and tired of these folks who said shit while working for him but have now seen the light. Where were they before? Fuck 'em. --And Kayleigh with her gold cross can also be kicked to the curb with that crew. She is a little weasel. --The SNL skit with Jim Carrey and the fly was hysterical. --Another member of my tribe (Sheldon Adelson) just gave POTUS' campaign $75 million dollars. They seem to be running out of money!! But who cares. Adelson is all about AIPAC and POTUS and his casinos which virtually print money. He is an embarassment. Like Bobby Kraft. --Over and beyond the election, it is a joy to see Kamala smile and laugh. She is enjoyable and makes the other 3 candidates (including Joe) seem very boring. --Erdogan has not done enough damage to his own country so he is using his influence and military in an effort to crush the Armenians. He is yet another dictator who is an ally of POTUS. --I have a sports comment or two but if you quit here, I'm fine with that and will be in touch on or about 11/4--hopefully with a celebratory hangover. SPORTS TALK Watching the Pats yesterday was painful. If they had scored at the end of the seattle game or scored at the end yesterday, they could have been 4-1. But winning at the end of games is something great teams do--the Pats are not that. Shalom

I DID NOT PRAY HARD ENOUGH

I prayed for her regularly. She faced her ongoing illnesses with more bravery and dignity than i could have mustered. But secretely, my prayers were as much for me as for her. I knew that with her passing, POTUS would get a shot at filling her seat. And he has. I know nothing about RBG's replacement--she might end up being terrific tho I doubt it. I do know this: Being noiminated by this President is a very bad sign. Moving on: --I had promised myself not to follow all the polls since I felt burned 4 years ago by Nate and the 538 crowd. But every day, and sometimes more than once a day, I am looking at them. I fear if I share the latest ones, I will hex the whole process so I will only say as of right now, they look fine. My focus and my little donations, remain on the senate and that is looking extra fine. --This is being written about 36 hours after the first debate. None of us should be surprised by the behavior of POTUS. In the absnce of any major accomlishments, he is running on white anger and white racism. He has nothing else. His toadies (especialy, that prunish McConnell) continue to do all sorts of damage in the absence of anyone putting the brakes on. He is a bully and the danger is that he has a very important bully pulpit to spew from. --You do know that a signifcant number of ICE detained women had forced hysterectomies--and most of us (includingl moi) are not surprised. We have simply become inured to the indignities and the dangers of this man and his crew. --Let me remind you that CVS is NOT offering anything for free. So when you see those big signs offereing free flu shots, they are not free. CVS just bills some insurance company. --Those Sturgis party goers out there in South Dakota rode their choppers in with no masks of course and now a bunch of them have the virus. In a state with a Governor who is a female version of POTUS. The virus is just the flu kind of state. Good luck. --I really do not want to read something Michael Cohen's daughter wrote. And who set her up to go public? --A skunk got his head caught in some srt of container. And, of course, the Globe scooped that story and blared the headline of a policeman freeing that poor animal. --Sometime in the last month, Christopher Muther had a terrific travel column in the Globe. In it he focussed on how he and his parents out foxed the state of Maine by travelling there for a few days. At that time, Maine pretty much had banned the fine citizens of Mass. from coming up. He was all masked up and his column reads like some sort of mystery novel. SPORTS TALK --The Bruins were eliminated kind of pathetically. The Celtics got closer than I expected but then just choked up. I remain a fan of Jaylen. --Watching the Pats is kind of fun. I especially enjoy not watching Tommy sulk on the sidelines. Shalom

YEAH YEAH--I'M BACK

Had a major technological snafu--those bright minds at google decided this website needed a new format. That took me a few days and a lot of four letter words to figure out. I kind of believe that they are not being malicious but just that they have nothing else to do to justify their work. It has been awhile so I will get right to it via a bunch of bullets. Here goes. --The John Lewis eulogies showed that the Democrats have a whole group of better speakers than the Republicans. Unfortunately it does not necessarily mean that therefore they will win the presidency. Potus had nary a word to say except that Lewis did not attend his inaugeration--a tit for a tat. But if you have heard Potus try to read from a script, then you did not miss a thing except has flat monotone. On the other hand, (tho I disagree with anything that comes out of his mouth),I have to admit his off the cuff words are way more effective. --Did you see his remarks from the clubhouse at Bedminster? A rousing red meat speech delivered to club members most of whom had no masks and no distance. Run of the mill Americans who paid 350K for membership. Quite a white group. He is verging into George Wallace territory--the land of racism demagoguery. --I tell myself not to check the polls after what Nate Silver and crew did 4 years ago. But by the end of every day, I am looking and getting scared shitless. Keep seeing every headline beginning with "Potus" this or that. I wish Joe and Kamala were out, about, and more visible. --An aside: read a Globe breaking news story which basically said a great white shark was off Block Island heading to the Cape. It is the ocean, right? --The Bucks refusal to play their game lit up the NBA and the Afican American community. The shut up and dribble folks need to shut up themselves. In the aftermath of the temporary cancellation of the NBA playoffs, I heard Charles Barkely tell Wolf Blitzer two cogent things: he said that it was exhausting to be an African American man in America and wondered why every time there is a death involving use of police force, someone asks him what it all means. Charles might at times act like a fool, but he walks the walk. --The Conways must be in family therapy. Both have left their jobs to concentrate on raising their children. DUH. --The anti-vaxxers should have a field day with the Covid vaccine in the future. They already hate vaccines which have gone through stringent clinical trials . And now we have the possibility of a vaccine rushed out in order to help Potus. Oh,and they have hooked up with the groups of militia who are wandering around with god awful weaponry. Vaccine nationalism is rearing its head. --Hats off (or I should say masks off) to the Florida sheriff who banned the wearing of masks in the County sheriffs office. --In my fine state, 51A's (child abuse reports) have been filed against some parents whose children are not complying with on line learning. Mostly poor people who may not even have access to computers. Really? --The gun toting couple from St. Louis spoke at the Republican convention. If they had hurt someone they might have gotten even more time. --Got a covid test (negative) but noticed that the 3 people woking at the site were: all women of color. An Asian woman, a Hispanic woman, and a woman who was black and probably from the Caribbean. When Stephen Miller needs hospice or a nursing home, he better fucking hope the immigration laws are more flexible because there are very few white folks lining up for these jobs. Shalom. Hope to return on or about 10/1.

NOTHING SHOULD BE A SURPRISE

We are living in a very dark time.  If we observed another country, especially in the so called "third world", which had a leader who assaults truth on a daily basis--we would condemn that country, condemn that leader, and boastfully point to ourselves as an exemplar of a better place.  Instead, we have come to expect the worst from POTUS and his cronies.  During the same week that John Lewis was buried, POTUS (presumably with the support of Ben Carson) eliminated an Obama era mandate that outlawed discrimination in public housing.  Reaching out to the suburbs, he told us that this change will keep suburban people safer. Such blatant racism should not surprise us anymore.  I want the election to occur next week--but, as if it were a joke, this guy raises the possibility of not even having an election.  Have you ever? I must move on.

--A grocery clerk whose last name is Durso had an incredible op-ed piece in the Globe of 7/18.  Among other things, she talked about being "essential" while putting up with customers verbally abusing her and wages that are inadequate.
--The no mask wearing National Security Advisor is now quarantined because he tested positive.  Along with Louie Gohmert, he did not believe in the science.  I only wish old Louie had spread the virus to all the occupants on that plane one of whom was you know who.
--I cried when I walked across the Pettus bridge.  Never did go there for any of those marches.  But it is such a powerful symbol--I almost (underline almost) wish that the name does not change. It should be a reminder of those men and women who led that struggle. And too many of us will applaud a name change and believe we are in a better place.  But beneath the surface, I sometimes think nothing has changed.
--I cannot stand Mayors/Governors and other politicians trying to tell us that this or that ugly behavior does not reflect our town or our state.  It does exactly reflect on us and the communities we live in.
--I do not care one iota about Miuchael Cohen.  But how infantile if not downright dictatorial that he got thrown back into prison.  Barr is a smarmy fat guy approving such shit.  He needs to go and buy a suit that fits.
--Jared has not been seen in a while.  Must be because he is tired after resolving the conflict in the Middle East, managing the drug epidemic, and then helping the economy to rock and roll in June.  And his ties are too thin.
--Two VERY important local items.  First, the Mayflower has returned to its berth.  I am sure that will relieve many of you who have been waiting.  Second, and an even bigger return, the great whites are back and we are wringing our hands over that.  Though I do not want anyone to perish that way, sharks do live in the ocean and we kind of should know that.
--I am proud to say that I live in one of those cities led by a liberal Democrat.  I also happen to live in a state which has a Republican Governor who lo and behold believes in both science and medicine.
--RBG was hospitalized again--I pray for her regularly and hope she can continue to fight off her many illnesses.
--AW tipped me off to the novels of James McBride. His most recent book is Deacon King Kong.  Just wonderful.
--This is not nice but I do hope one of these professional sports leagues collapses from the weight of the virus.  And I am totally pissed at Michigan and the rest of those big schools which are allowing college football to proceed.

See you in September.  Stay safe.  Shalom