So the "secret" is officially out.  Part of the reason my blogs have been shorter than usual is because I was very busy writing a new book with my son Nathan.  I am pleased to say that it is now complete and is expected to be published Mid-October.  Early reviews have been very positive which is always encouraging.  The book tackles a lot of issues and we hope it is considered very timely considering the political times we are now living in.  One of my favorite quotes cited in our book says a lot about it - "Every generation inherits a world it never made; and, as it does so, it automatically becomes the trustee of that world for those who come after. In due course, each generation makes its own accounting to its children." Robert F. Kennedy.   Have a great week!

        Another interesting week was experienced living under the Trump Administration.  Gee, it seems we have been experiencing an alternate universe since the 2017 inauguration and things continue to just get more "interesting!"  Trump's tweets blaming Democrats for the high death toll in Puerto Rico was one thing, having his nominee Brett Kavanaugh being accused of sexual abuse as a high schooler has made his confirmation to SCOTUS somewhat shakier than it was the week before.  Just proves that under this Administration, anything is possible, but the uncertainty is not something we expect from a sitting president.  And the plea deal by Paul Manafort may certainly lead to even more interesting days ahead.
          Perhaps this is why the MidTerm elections can't come soon enough.  Either the American people will decide they want to re-affirm their support for Trump and the complicit GOP, or they will be voting for putting a stop to all of this nonsense by voting to put an effective check on him and the GOP's rubber stamping of everything - including his immorality and lying.  Too bad we have to wait so much longer, but November is around the corner and hopefully a resounding message is heard that America demands better from our president and Congress.  We The People have the power to make change!  I guess we shall see.  
     For my Jewish family and friends - May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for another happy, healthy, prosperous and safe New Year.  To my non-Jewish friends, I wish you blessings as well.  For those wondering why my blogs have gotten shorter and shorter, I have a secret that will explain it all.   Too bad it's not time to let you in on the secret, but when it is, I hope you will agree the wait has been worth it!  In the interim, be well and have a great week!

       Another week in the books as the GOP has gone full hypocrisy by jamming the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court - despite the lengthy paper trail of questionable behavior and beliefs the nominee has possessed in his professional career.  Some Democrats have gone so far as to allege the nominee has committed perjury by lying under oath at least three times.  Besides this action, we found former President Obama taking to the campaign stage asserting the Trump Era is dangerous to our democracy and the inaction to check his office by the GOP led Congress has also led us down a scary path.  Ironically, GOP pundits took to the airwaves to claim that Obama's "insertion" in the Midterm campaign does nothing but convince GOP voters that they must support Trump.  Except by doing so, aren't they admitting their party and its supporters hate Obama more than love their country and that Party power must be preserved, regardless how reckless their president's behavior may be?  
        Then just yesterday after praying, a Trump supporting member spoke out to proclaim that he had a debate with one of his sons and they determined that Judaism is really a "Conservative Religion" because the Torah emphasizes "personal responsibility" to the Man above who actually prefers Conservatives to Liberals.  Huh?  Not only is it absurd to assert G-d prefers one political party over another, it is more absurd that the man speaking has little real experience in Judaism, his wife is Catholic, one of his son's is a "Jew for Jesus" and his other son is married to a non-Jew as well.  It also seems odd considering the Torah not only promotes participation in communal affairs, but also the need to protect those that cannot protect themselves.  So how in the world can ANYONE say Judaism really reflects "Conservative values?"  I guess it must be easier to support one's own views with ridiculous statements than to actually study Torah and actively live all of its tenets.  I mean, "Heal the World" doesn't take a back seat to making as much money and power as one can get, THEN worry about others.
Oh well.
          And with that note, I would like to wish all of my Jewish friends a La'Shanna Tova for a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous and Spiritually satisfying New Year!  Have a great week!
     

       For al those celebrating Labor Day with their families and friends, take a step back and thank those that came before us to make this day special for all those that work hard at their jobs.  In fact, in this era of pooh-poohing the alleged rise of Socialism in our society, take a second to reflect on the fact that if it was not for the difficult efforts of those seeking to level the playing field between employers and employees, we would not be enjoying the benefits of this holiday (or for that matter, many others).  Some aspects of "collective benefits" are something Americans find difficult to tolerate to an extent, yet enjoy its benefits daily.  So let's all appreciate the efforts of those that came before us and recognize the value of hard work by working Americans and embrace the positives of sharing benefits we as  Americans take for granted.  May we also point out that some aspects of sharing collective benefits have been a part of America's fabric and not all of it is so bad or dangerous to our culture as many are led to believe.
       Let's take a step back and think real hard about all of the things we collectively enjoy as a society.  United we stand, divided we fall. Too bad so many on the Far Right and the current GOP, in an effort to preserve their power, prefer to divide us into tribal camps seeking to have all Americans distrust each other in an effort to preserve their current reins of control.  America must wake up soon (by November) and reaffirm its faith in the institutions currently being attacked by our president and his political supporters (before it is too late).  Hate has no place in our society.  Real patriotism demands we unite and pursue all of the benefits of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness only when we appreciate that "All Men Are Created Equal" regardless of socioeconomic backgrounds, wealth, education or political beliefs.  
       As President Theodore Roosevelt once wrote; "It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things."  Happy Labor Day America!  Have a great week!