Saturday, October 11, 2025
Displaying his own modesty, President Trump said Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado accepted the award for him. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/white-house-says-nobel-committee-places-politics-over-peace-2025-10-10/
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I went to services at Temple Israel Natick this morning and you might recall that I went to JCC Harlem for the High Holy Days. I’ve stopped going to my old shul after 20 years, but I found that there is one thing that I miss especially. After establishing myself as a regular, I became the Undesignated Old Man, you know, the guy who wanders around the rear of the shul. He might answer a question, “What page are we on?” or “Where’s the bathroom?”; he grunts at strangers and familiar faces; he carries a prayer book, which he occasionally slaps to curb enthusiasm. Undesignated Old Man was almost a perfect fit.
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Going out for a quart of milk in Florida just became more exciting. Publix Super Markets, Florida's largest grocery chain, announced that customers will be allowed to openly carry firearms in its stores.
https://www.aol.com/news/publix-allow-open-carry-firearms-182733387.html
Sunday, October 12, 2025
At midday, we went to the playing fields at Natick High School to see the battle between the Natick 7th and 8th graders and their rivals from Arlington, Massachusetts, incidentally the home of Andrea and Margo, Charlotte and John’s daughters, but that’s another story. The weather and the result were both gloomy, although we accumulated substantial grandparents’ points by attending.
I chose to offset the agony of defeat by having lunch at Legal Sea Foods, 50 Worcester Road, Framingham, a joint I seek out whenever in the vicinity. I started with a bowl of New England clam chowder, probably the only instance when Manhattan is second ($11). Then, I had an oyster bánh mi ($21), the Vietnamese national sandwich, excellent if it only were Grandpa Alan-sized instead of the petite version. Of course, that left plenty of room for dinner.
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Speaking of sports, forget doctors, lawyers. Mama, let your babies grow up to be college football coaches.
Only one of the top 10 highest paid college football coaches is paid under $10 million a year. Note, note, note that only one of the top 10 most profligate educational institutions is private, University of Southern California, the rest are public, you know taxpayers and all that.
Monday, October 13, 2025
In the excitement surrounding the release of 20 live Israeli hostages today, I want to remember the forgotten man, Joe Biden. During his presidency, 153 live Israeli hostages were returned, 135 by negotiations with Hamas, 5 by Hamas voluntarily and 13 rescued by the IDF.
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The Orthodox Union is one of the largest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. It supports synagogues, educational centers, and a variety of community organizations here and abroad, as well as being the leading certifier of Kosher food. A recent issue of Jewish Action, its quarterly magazine, featured cantorial music, illustrated by a page of untitled sheet music on the cover. Someone who could at least read music whether or not they could read Hebrew spotted the song as “We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Two out of three ain’t bad. 1) I had the pleasure of the company of former Navy officer Sam Fuchs at Madison Square Garden tonight. 2) We had free food and beverages at the Chase Lounge; mozzarella sticks, coconut shrimp, “Original & Chicken Pigs in a Blanket”, “Jarcuterie” (cheese, salami and grapes), washed down with Diet Pepsi. 3) The Rangers lost.
Thursday, October 16, 2025
We limousine liberals rarely went to NASCAR races or South Eastern Conference football games, so we probably didn’t hear chants often of “Let’s go, Brandon.” I heard it once from the guy sitting next to me at Madison Square Garden and understood it was a substitute for “F*** Joe Biden.” I was reminded of that listening to Rabbi Amie Hirsch, typically sober and reasonable, discussing Zohran Mamdani.
Mamdani, the leading candidate for New York Mayor, refuses to acknowledge the underlying meaning of two slogans popular with his supporters, “From the River to the Sea” and “Globalize the Intifada.” Just as Joe Biden understood the meaning of chants, we Jews understand these. They are not simple calls for justice. Jews, get out, get lost, get gone. While they will prove ultimately futile, they are insulting and are obstacles to meaningful discussions.
I must be the healthiest kid on the block. I’ve seen four doctors this
week, two today. This morning, Dr. Brucker put Botox where you would not
normally expect to put it. Then, this afternoon, I saw Dr. Yoo, a
neurologist, who aimed much higher. She specializes in motion disorders
and my motions have been ruled out of order under Robert’s Rules of
Order. She set me straight.
I can't wait to hear your take on the "No Kings" activities.
ReplyDeleteUnlike parliamentary systems, we have no official vote of no confidence that can produce a change of regime. The midterm elections may shift legislative control, but Supreme Court seems comfortable with the dissolution of checks and balances and the growth of presidential power without even recourse to the courts. Marching is OK, but maybe we need a “2035” — a plan to restore civil rights, civil liberties, honesty, educational independence, public health protections, respect for allies et alia.
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