www.protectmarriage.com
www.noonprop8.com
While reviewing the websites of both positions, with their video ads, arguments, and clothing for sale, I thought, “Here is democracy at work.” The “No” website complains, “Out of state special interests are pouring money into the ‘Yes’ effort.” Well, DUH. There are no gates at the California border—physical or financial—and Americans have a vested interest in whether gay marriage remains legal in the nation’s most populous state. Like it or not, California sets trends for the rest of the country, and that’s true in politics as well.
Prop. 8 states, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California.” The text of Prop 8 doesn’t appear on the “No” website.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Prop. 2 in California
www.yesonprop2.com
www.safecaliforniafood.org
I can’t see how giving farm animals more room in confinement would lead to avian flu or a host of other problems. And I can't imagine that eggs will need to be trucked into California from other states. That just sounds like an empty threat.
www.safecaliforniafood.org
I can’t see how giving farm animals more room in confinement would lead to avian flu or a host of other problems. And I can't imagine that eggs will need to be trucked into California from other states. That just sounds like an empty threat.
Bullying
My friend Mark Zemelman was in town last week, and we met for coffee in Evanston. I have known Mark since first grade, and the topic turned to people we once knew or have known for a long time. I mentioned my struggles with bullies at Boy Scout camp one summer and then at Camp Echo, a YMCA camp, the following year. One of the top bullies from each camp turned up a few years later in my high school drivers ed class. Either they didn’t remember who I was, or they didn’t let on. “They didn’t remember,” Mark said. “It wasn’t personal.” Mark is probably right, and a more recent exchange reminded me of his wisdom once again.
When I tell people, “I went to Evanston,” I think there’s an assumption that a problem with bullies would come from students from low-income backgrounds. That wasn’t the case with me. For three consecutive years, plus summer school, I had one class with a kid at least one-and-a-half times my size from a wealthy family. He would tease me, make antisemitic comments, and physically threaten me in class. I should have told someone but did not. This harassment mercifully ended senior year, when we did not share classes. The memories of this continuous nastiness remain vivid in my mind. I’m over it, but bullying doesn’t go away easily.
Last week, I posted a comment to my high school class Yahoo! Group and invited comments and queries by email. The bully, who once before had attempted to add me as a Facebook Friend, emailed me, saying, “I’m curious as to why you’re in favor of Prop 8.” I couldn’t believe he was sending me what appeared to be a friendly, innocuous message. I replied, “I’M curious as to why you bullied me for three years at Evanston.”
He replied and suggested I had the wrong guy. He insisted, and I believe him, that he doesn’t remember any of it. I was stunned. But then I remembered what Mark said. It wasn’t personal. I was there, and I was convenient. So he picked on me.
My new bully policy:
1. It is not fair to spread gossip about bullies for transgressions committed decades ago. You will not find this person’s name here, and I won’t repeat it when I see my classmates. I now regret mentioning other bullies’ names, as it’s quite possible they have improved themselves. I certainly hope people don’t judge me by my high school persona, and former bullies deserve the same clean slate.
2. It is fair to demand an explanation, as I did. An apology is warranted, in my opinion, regardless of whether the bully remembers the incident(s).
Should I “Add him as a Friend”? I haven’t decided yet. I guess I could if he makes another request. Since I responded via FB to his message, he has two weeks to view my FB profile--the main advantage of being added. If he lived nearby, I suppose we could be on good terms. But he took delight in making my life difficult for three years. I can’t pretend that didn’t happen.
When I tell people, “I went to Evanston,” I think there’s an assumption that a problem with bullies would come from students from low-income backgrounds. That wasn’t the case with me. For three consecutive years, plus summer school, I had one class with a kid at least one-and-a-half times my size from a wealthy family. He would tease me, make antisemitic comments, and physically threaten me in class. I should have told someone but did not. This harassment mercifully ended senior year, when we did not share classes. The memories of this continuous nastiness remain vivid in my mind. I’m over it, but bullying doesn’t go away easily.
Last week, I posted a comment to my high school class Yahoo! Group and invited comments and queries by email. The bully, who once before had attempted to add me as a Facebook Friend, emailed me, saying, “I’m curious as to why you’re in favor of Prop 8.” I couldn’t believe he was sending me what appeared to be a friendly, innocuous message. I replied, “I’M curious as to why you bullied me for three years at Evanston.”
He replied and suggested I had the wrong guy. He insisted, and I believe him, that he doesn’t remember any of it. I was stunned. But then I remembered what Mark said. It wasn’t personal. I was there, and I was convenient. So he picked on me.
My new bully policy:
1. It is not fair to spread gossip about bullies for transgressions committed decades ago. You will not find this person’s name here, and I won’t repeat it when I see my classmates. I now regret mentioning other bullies’ names, as it’s quite possible they have improved themselves. I certainly hope people don’t judge me by my high school persona, and former bullies deserve the same clean slate.
2. It is fair to demand an explanation, as I did. An apology is warranted, in my opinion, regardless of whether the bully remembers the incident(s).
Should I “Add him as a Friend”? I haven’t decided yet. I guess I could if he makes another request. Since I responded via FB to his message, he has two weeks to view my FB profile--the main advantage of being added. If he lived nearby, I suppose we could be on good terms. But he took delight in making my life difficult for three years. I can’t pretend that didn’t happen.
Should the GOP lose the White House?
Visiting with the Ryners about 11 weeks ago, I asked them about their top three issues facing America in this election. Besides mulling over the economy and Iraq, they listed "Getting the Republicans out of the White House" as one of their priorities. I must admit they have a great point.
In 2004, I felt the president deserved to lose his job for how badly he bungled the Iraq war effort. Now, I'm afraid the U.S. will suffer for years the aftereffects of this failed Administration. The Republican Party, I think, should be punished for foisting George W. Bush on us at a time when we deserved a candidate of far higher caliber. I'm not saying Vice President Gore should have been anointed in 2000. That's not how democracy works. But I felt like GOP insiders had a bet going (for a dollar, like in "Trading Places") to see if they could nominate the most unqualified candidate for president and win, based on his presidential name and good looks.
I was afraid that losing the White House in 2000 would set the Democratic Party adrift, with no direction and no leadership. I think I was right. Now, the Democrats face the unlikely prospect of losing the White House in three straight elections. Such a rejection by the electorate--12 years out of power--forces a party to rethink strategy and start in a new direction. After the last time this happened (1980-1992), the result was a centrist philosophy and the election of Bill Clinton to president. Another loss this year will weaken a party set to take over but devoid of ideas, in my opinion. I'm still voting for Sen. McCain (doesn't mean much in Illinois), but I suspect a McCain upset victory would shock the Democrats into a deep sense of loss, malaise, and soul-searching. Where would the Democrats go from there? Unfortunately, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) and Sen. Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) are the party leaders if Sen. Obama is not elected president. That's a bad sign.
In 2004, I felt the president deserved to lose his job for how badly he bungled the Iraq war effort. Now, I'm afraid the U.S. will suffer for years the aftereffects of this failed Administration. The Republican Party, I think, should be punished for foisting George W. Bush on us at a time when we deserved a candidate of far higher caliber. I'm not saying Vice President Gore should have been anointed in 2000. That's not how democracy works. But I felt like GOP insiders had a bet going (for a dollar, like in "Trading Places") to see if they could nominate the most unqualified candidate for president and win, based on his presidential name and good looks.
I was afraid that losing the White House in 2000 would set the Democratic Party adrift, with no direction and no leadership. I think I was right. Now, the Democrats face the unlikely prospect of losing the White House in three straight elections. Such a rejection by the electorate--12 years out of power--forces a party to rethink strategy and start in a new direction. After the last time this happened (1980-1992), the result was a centrist philosophy and the election of Bill Clinton to president. Another loss this year will weaken a party set to take over but devoid of ideas, in my opinion. I'm still voting for Sen. McCain (doesn't mean much in Illinois), but I suspect a McCain upset victory would shock the Democrats into a deep sense of loss, malaise, and soul-searching. Where would the Democrats go from there? Unfortunately, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) and Sen. Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) are the party leaders if Sen. Obama is not elected president. That's a bad sign.
The polling place: not a movie theatre
On a particular night, a person may decide to go to a movie. He or she peruses the listings in the newspaper, or goes online, or calls Moviephone. If he or she doesn't come across a movie to his or her liking, he or she decides to do something else.
Every four years, a great number of voters look solely at the presidential candidates. If they don't see a candidate to their liking, they stay home on Election Day.
It's not a movie theatre!
This isn't Europe or Israel. We don't have a dozen parties that form voting blocs in Parliament or the Knesset. We have primaries with their slew of candidates instead. Voters have the opportunity in the primaries to make their voices heard regarding nominating candidates. Once the two major parties nominate candidates, the voters' choices are down to two. Yes, staying home is an option. But it's also a copout.
I don't remember his exact words, but R' Moshe Feinstein z"l, one of the greatest Torah sages of the 20th Century, said, "It is incumbent upon every Jew to exercise his right to vote." Damn straight, Rabbi. That's also true of everyone else smart enough to make an intelligent decision. (If a voter is voting based on which candidate he would rather have a beer with or play basketball with or go out to dinner with: please stay home.) Democracy is not a spectator sport! An active electorate makes our representative government more responsive to us and more responsible in action. High turnouts make incumbents nervous; they count on a sleepy, compliant electorate to help them stay in office. If you haven't already voted, please show up tomorrow, despite the long wait, and show them who decides.
Every four years, a great number of voters look solely at the presidential candidates. If they don't see a candidate to their liking, they stay home on Election Day.
It's not a movie theatre!
This isn't Europe or Israel. We don't have a dozen parties that form voting blocs in Parliament or the Knesset. We have primaries with their slew of candidates instead. Voters have the opportunity in the primaries to make their voices heard regarding nominating candidates. Once the two major parties nominate candidates, the voters' choices are down to two. Yes, staying home is an option. But it's also a copout.
I don't remember his exact words, but R' Moshe Feinstein z"l, one of the greatest Torah sages of the 20th Century, said, "It is incumbent upon every Jew to exercise his right to vote." Damn straight, Rabbi. That's also true of everyone else smart enough to make an intelligent decision. (If a voter is voting based on which candidate he would rather have a beer with or play basketball with or go out to dinner with: please stay home.) Democracy is not a spectator sport! An active electorate makes our representative government more responsive to us and more responsible in action. High turnouts make incumbents nervous; they count on a sleepy, compliant electorate to help them stay in office. If you haven't already voted, please show up tomorrow, despite the long wait, and show them who decides.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
G-d vs. the Scientists - A contest
From Chicago Torah Network's "Shabbat Fax" of Oct. 31.
THERE WAS A CONTEST BETWEEN A GROUP OF SCIENTISTS AND G-D.
>
> They said that they could do whatever He could.
>
> So He does a miracle. Splits the sea.
>
> ... And through the wonder of modern science they do it as well.
>
> He brings the ten plagues.
>
> And amazingly, so do they!
>
> It goes on and on.
>
> Until finally G-d takes a handful of earth, breathes into it a breath of
> life ... and creates a man.
>
> ‘Okay’ G-d says. ‘Can you do that?'
>
> ‘Sure’, one of them says. And he picks up a handful of earth ...
>
> ... And suddenly a voice comes down from heaven:
>
> “Excuse me.
>
> ... Use your own earth.”
>
http://torahnetwork.org/PDF/16noach.pdf
THERE WAS A CONTEST BETWEEN A GROUP OF SCIENTISTS AND G-D.
>
> They said that they could do whatever He could.
>
> So He does a miracle. Splits the sea.
>
> ... And through the wonder of modern science they do it as well.
>
> He brings the ten plagues.
>
> And amazingly, so do they!
>
> It goes on and on.
>
> Until finally G-d takes a handful of earth, breathes into it a breath of
> life ... and creates a man.
>
> ‘Okay’ G-d says. ‘Can you do that?'
>
> ‘Sure’, one of them says. And he picks up a handful of earth ...
>
> ... And suddenly a voice comes down from heaven:
>
> “Excuse me.
>
> ... Use your own earth.”
>
http://torahnetwork.org/PDF/16noach.pdf
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