Have You Heard This Song

Have You Heard This Song (Randyjw; September 19, 2023)

 

Have you heard Eric Clapton and Bradley Walker’s rendition of “Always On My Mind” sung as a birthday tribute to Willie Nelson:

 

(https://youtu.be/Fo_YtYw_YKI?feature=shared)

 

Grills Of Summer

Grills Of Summer (Randyjw; August 9, 2023)

 

My fire burns like smoke:

low, slow,

and totally in control

 

 

Don On The Corner

Don On The Corner (Randyjw; June 13, 2023)

 

(https://youtu.be/vrMvblpZFq0)

 

 

GufLevNefesh

GufLevNefesh (Randyjw; June 13, 2023)

 

 

 

 

 

General Notice

General Notice (Randyjw; May 16, 2023)

 

I’ve done some not-too-bright things in my life: some can’t be undone, some can.

 

Of two which can (maybe) of recent times include pressing buttons on computers, without much reason to do so, but just generally thinking that was a good idea – – NOT.

 

So, I don’t know how to undo them, if I did do that, other than to declare that they should probably be undone.

 

Buttons pressed: for library computer policy: sorry, I misunderstood; no intent.

 

Button somewhere about Keith Richards or Rolling Stones intellectual property: no, of course it’s theirs, as it should be. So, undo, please.

 

(love the stones… always will — )

 

(https://youtu.be/0R8VYM837FY)

 

 

Humble, Bumble, And Rumble

Humble, Bumble, And Rumble (Randyjw; May 4, 2023)

My life as a long-played out set-up

Odd-man out, since the others all have connections

the food stamp people know the market people know the housing people know the library people know the Occupy people know the woke people know the court people know the  christian people know the levant people know the fertile crescent people know the criminal people know the good people but only from one perspective know the security people know the IT people maybe the cartel

So they shut the food pantry, leave me no address so I lose my medical, lose my bus pass, lose bathroom access, lose my food

They weaponize their bodily fluids against me crumble their feces to throw in my hair liquified and pumped out their pants, shirt sleeves, sneakers, and other devices like key fobs and sprays they continue to aerosol

They want to give me HIV or cancer, and I believe they did throwing their head, body, and down-there lice bedbugs mites at me and brag that they do so

Want to drop me in the water to the crocodiles

Abduct me and make it international, as if it’s me trying to flee the law

They seek human justice, and revenge, and maybe that’s rightly so

Believing the ends always justify the means

I think that it’s just one running scheme a real-life reality show paradox hunger games

How all attack the one, based on power

Assigning fake motivations to me that just aren’t there

Thinking it’s the same, but I disagree

Coming behind me to mess me up

thinking their e. coli and drippy stuff is okay; but what’s in their bags? Body parts? Why is their prejudice okay?

And how many false starts; hacked discovery process; removed hard drives, just when it was time to contest things

shortening reply times; shredding process of chronology

Exile me

a homeless person, a stateless person

They rejoice to Allah and hallelujah as the sirens and people cry

but they’ve shown tolerance, and not

they come in by the planeloads and get free bus rides and go off again to other places for more of the same

all against one and one against all

They wear me down and will continue til I’m dead

But in it all there’s always the spin

how one can smoke crack collect houses and cars and boyfriends and children and talk about a Kike and Jew you down on mother’s day in front of me and my mom

I’m sorry I’m not elevating your soul

It’s the things I never said

Couldn’t bring another child into the world with our low salaries and living at our mom’s and didn’t think that would be fair to the ones you already had

One other chance, but again, too long deliberating the pros and cons gave me the answer  I didn’t want

and, unfortunately, agreeing with the family over their lambasting another for the ticking of their biological clock

Living selflessly for these people, only just to be shot

but that’s the way it is

Even G-d doesn’t like a wishy-washy person

the real signs (not these human-contrived)

being that I was vomited from the land and broke my tooth in the air on an olive pit

and now this removal of my soul

they model, but don’t tell – cuz who like to be told?

but, no-one ever told me: it was encouraged and prsented as something else, so I never knew at all

and that was my normal but I still can’t really change

I’ll talk to people, wear my pants and clothes down til they rot hate stuff on my head and elbows can’t stand barred windows and patrols

I don’t know how to go about life

I’ve had my plenty of share of sacrifice and thought I was way grown before my time

but, yeah

life caught up, or at least you guys did

to show me I ain’t so grand and to be humble

but I always thought I was, and still I’m sorry

Present

Present (Randyjw; April 8, 2023)

 

My life story unfolds before me

Somehow, I never had a handle on it

tipping the apple cart

and the world going awry

Knowing I should be brave enough

to stand up and do the right thing

But fearfulness and cowardice

my call signs

and not feeling good about it

but letting the disgust and cosmos flow

My presence just kinking up the natural order of things

I want them to go back to the way they were,

The best way, I guess, is without me

Still trying to send my love, in thought, to all

Hoping they feel it, but as the operator, and acting like I’m on the receiving end, I envision them all saying… yeah, right —

it’s not the words, it’s the deeds

I miss everybody in my life

Those relationships need to stay just as they are

regardless of the way things have changed

seasons come and go

marching forward and back again

There’s a photo of me

among the milkweed blooms

I was anxious, you can see

Black sweater, white piping, grey pants

When I’d swing on the swings,

I was really free

At the back wall, by the door

Trying for an aerial,

but hurting my finger

in the parking lot

oh, dear; why didn’t I look?

How did I wind up in her car?

(and, no; that wasn’t me, but just the same…)

And why did this all come to be?

And how ’bout that big, beautiful tree?

I do wish my birth

had never been like this wretched curse

I should come with a big warning sign

Hazardous to your health

I wish we could turn back the clock

and you all could just pick up where I dropped off

a big skull and crossbones

a Wrong Way sign

and “X” me right out

So much in a name, you know

Why that one?

What’s going on?

Yes, I was the mistake

and you all were right, after all

We’re all so intertwined

some, in particular

Everyone, combined

But, for some,

and for some reason, now

there are things that seem to be clear

I’m seeing you (all), now, in the parts of my life

and I know you were always there

 

Happy Passover 5783

Happy Passover 5783 (Randyjw; April 5, 2023)

Some new, good, and totally happy Passover music (thanks so much for this!)

Love it!

Yoni Genut, and friends

Betzeit Yisrael MiMitzrayim:

(https://youtu.be/9VcEOb8zH3A)

(https://youtu.be/LbHrLh3CggI)

HOD #3

HOD #3 (Randyjw; April 4, 2023)

Being sprayed three times today (orange, Lysol, and unknown)

maybe they got the “okay” once again

A person with stuff in a napkin, and the eau d’parfum of No. 2 (continuously happening)

On the phone in the stall hearing You should go to jail

and rolling devices with flipping switches, turning handles, and are they gassing me this way (well, that one’s a bit outré…)

Usually it’s the swampgas stuff, but this isn’t the same

key fobs and shoes…, and the guy across the way (is that my “fist of God” guy, or just someone seeming the same – now saying something about Easter)

and previously,

please don’t tell me that that was the imam in the photo with you-know-who’s brother that I saw the other day (I hope not, cuz Hama’s is not my friend)

and scary-sounding things which happen at “doce” (my theme, yes)

and phones to ears, so I can see, about someone ranting about, oh, crocodiles, and things

and the market comment about putting half-a-croc somewhere near

And how tranquilo I’m really not, due to these fears

This “behavioral therapy” has gotten me hurt (broken toes, I believe… a lump on my forehead trying to run for the bus; my foot wrenched backward; stepping into a foot of water; the back flow of the septic system by the market employee, which backed into my stall and on my shoes)

hearing someone say on the phone that someone else was supposed to get ten thousand for the EYEDROP thing, but they only got __________ !

veinte libre

hey, glad that reform is paying you well and that, for you guys, at least, there’s jobs to be had, and money to be made

Oh, La Mala, La Mala, La Mala

Some Days In April

Some Days In April (Randyjw; March 23, 2023)

 

Always especially hard on us during that particular holiday

the scent of my blood drawing hell hounds to bay

a circle of afflictions they want to throw my way

“That’s the way them people are,” she says, as she films me moving away

 

“Their children are all smiling,” he says,

as seen from the bus on a synagogue Saturday;

They want to throw me in the water as una cuerpa, to decay

I’m not blameless, or perfect, so, of course, my protestations have no say

Maybe I’ll have to go soon to my grave

ceding the fight to my friends and my enemies made

Maybe music and love will win the day if all can see through the deep rosy shades

I hope you’re right, but the social divides are what started this whole charade

Should I stop? I think not… I’ll just fight for my people, anyway,

Cuz even if you were as sinless as the perfect man, they would demand the Jew’s life, anyway

 

A Really Beautiful Story

A Really Beautiful Story (Randyjw; March 15, 2023)

(https://theisraelbible.com/holy-thieves/)

Harassments Of The Day #2

Harassments Of The Day #2

 

Some addenda, and a few additional notes:

 

When I went to the workforce office regarding a status-check and/or registration process (work-related in order to receive food stamps), the front desk man did my log-in for me (not that I wanted him to do so; however, he let other people sign-in on their own). He, along with the food stamp man in the back office may have been familiar with me as they had been there during my long-ago unemployment claim, and were there at this new juncture. He entered me as a first-time visitor into the system, although I am not, and I have been in the system since a fairly long-ago unemployment claim, which I wrote about previously. He said my info was not in the (front-desk) system, but he said the sign-in computer was basically separate from the other workforce related system. Therefore, I had to do a new user name and passcode, since only back two years.

 

The food stamp man said I could leave my bags right where they were in the waiting area, and that I didn’t even need to come into his office. He was giving me the cyclical argument, as I wrote about previously, regarding the letter I had received which stated that food stamps needed to make sure I was registered for work. Since he is in the food stamp assistance, as well as in the workforce office, I don’t understand why he was giving me the argument of saying, Well, what is it that they say you need? And me replying, well what is needed to confirm my registration – basically that he should know being in the food stamp office as well as the workforce office. This went around and around for several cycles of questioning, without resolution. He said, also, that they weren’t enforcing the work requirements, but I had replied that I wished to comply with what was required, anyways. And while he had given me the cyclical argument, he was more than happy to assist a spanish-speaking woman with benefits who said, when asked by him, that she was not authorized to work, and she went directly into his office.

 

Well, I guess he did not tell me the truth, because I had received a letter (dated a few weeks ago, but only recently picked up at the food pantry) which states that my food stamp application dated five-six months ago was being withdrawn for failure to follow through with the application. What is the failure? If there was a failure to follow through, then why did I receive food stamps during this last cycle (cycles are of six month durations)? What additional information are you pertaining to? What was needed? Why no specifics? I did print out and fax a sort-of print screen page of my name in the system, which would indicate that I am indeed in the system and am registered… I do receive virtual job search information via my email (whether I utilize their own entryway service or otherwise… same thing, to me…), etc. This would probably mean that I would have to pay back the previous months of food stamp receipt.

 

I have been under immense pressure and surveillance, as well as threat. I have a squad of people (weirdly divided in racial categories — not by me, but by themselves) who film me at all times (both a black group and a hispanic group) with their phones; drive around and follow me (black group, hispanic group, middle eastern-ish group); accompany me on bus journeys at all times (mostly hispanic group, but also black group, and white group) and who constantly berate me while talking to each other or on the phone, saying that I’m a puta (look it up) and a cow and a pig – they share this talk aloud with library staff, which I find inappropriate); these groups let me know they are pressuring me and ratcheting things up, which is totally stressing me out. One person I had talked to quite a bit is now siding with a black group of people against me, as if provoking and instigating – I saw him and waved hello, but he then looked down at a baggy he was holding – when I got up to go in the library, he cat-called whistled at me, to which I did not look or reply, and then he told the woman I was mad because they were ratcheting things up — which is the first I’ve heard him say anything at all about this type of thing.

 

So… last night, Hispanics called me a piece of crap. Also, a black woman was on the phone at a bus stop, acting very racially negative toward me and my work search efforts… to the person on the phone: calling me a blood clot; mentioning the whaa-whaa about having to pay back food stamps — How did she know that I had said this to someone? (They know that I would not have the money to pay that back; but I think that they want to do this to me…); She said that she’d get a .25 slug and go pop-pop-pop-pop (that’s four times — so, one slug fired, or four shots?). She yakked on about (me?) not knowing what it was like to be poor and having to work (does she think I’ve never worked? I’m on-record/on-file beginning at age 15…) – Also, I’ve never been independently wealthy, sad to say– but I have worked and have paid rent with my money and also for expenses, etc., like “everyone else.” She said “Uncle” and “Kingman”, whatever these mean… She said she was going to bring it up at her seminar: (the topic) about the rich… Um – I’m a poor, Jewish, homeless woman. Do I look rich to you? Is she being racially stereotyping woke about Jewish people – she definitely is being so about “rich” people? Do I really appreciate the threat of being killed? She didn’t, of course, talk to me, or mention me by name, but I’m positive it is… I have so many people on my “case”; it’s been going on for a long time, it stresses me out so that I can’t focus on doing what I want/need to (is that their modus operandi — to wear me out?).

 

Then, she gets on the bus with her baby stroller and young child, and is so gleeful about blocking my pathway into the bus.

 

I hope this is not our government at work. I hope she’s not affiliated with food stamps, government, or anything else… I hope she is not receiving grant money, wages/salary, or anything else for promoting this vile filth. And I do believe she is a threat; whether this is veiled, otherwise, or just a mannerism of speech, which did not seem that way to me.

 

And just FYI: I’m not interested in a free house or apartment (complete with a “puta llave”) – if I want to apply for some type of assistance housing I can do so myself, at my own time of choosing – If I did receive it now, that would negate a first-time homebuyer’s tax exemption I could otherwise receive – Not only that, but government housing comes with government oversight: onto, into your property – not that I’d be hiding anything, etc.). No, I’m not interested in money or a package you want me to sign; No, I’m not interested in being exiled out of my country to Europe or some other place; etc., etc. No, I’m not crazy, as you say, but you are making me so by your harassing interventions, etc.  What I want is for you to leave me alone.

 

 

Harassments Of The Day #1

Harassments Of The Day #1 (Randyjw; February 17, 2023)

 

I’ve titled this post with a beginning number, as the harassment doesn’t quit. So, today:

 

Someone blasted aerosol spray in the bathroom, yet again. I complained, because it tears my innards up.

 

Someone known to me has been throwing stuff at me, in the library, and outside, as well as previously having done so on the bus (and this is just one of many people that have done this). I haven’t said anything to this individual or to anyone else about it. However, they speak of others acting erratically, and this is not good. I also haven’t ratted out someone else who has said to someone a while back that they could stalk and harass “them” (lack of context for this meaning, but that doesn’t sound good), and they are still around acting friendly (and vice-versa).

 

A woman came up to the counter with her phone out and flash/light on while I was making a purchase to ask the associate Did anyone turn in a car key remote? Can you say set-up? This has happened to me a lot.

 

 

Share this:

Infernal Thermal (Randyjw; February 16, 2023)

 

old and beautiful

like this well-worn, warm thermal

dark and navy blue

 

Other Recent Harassment

Other Recent Harassment (Randyjw; February 16, 2023)

 

Other harassment I haven’t mentioned, and other things:

 

A guy that bothered me on the bus (black), with an older black woman who seemed to happen to be “there” was bothering me about the bags I carry on the bus (because I’m homeless, I have bags: it means I have nobody to leave them with, do not have a set monthly income from which I could deduct storage costs – so no storage space – I need the things I have, like clothing in my size, since many stores no longer carry my size in-store; since I’m discriminated against at a soup kitchen, where they take others behind me in the line I’m in and pass me over, and there is nothing for me, or being given just a stained pair of underwear at one shelter when I was in a program, and nothing else – although I had stuff at the time; or where they ocasionally throw a big garbage bag down on the floor for overnighters, and everybody fights and you can’t get in to see the clothes and you wind up with nothing). Then he started peppering me with ridiculous questions about whether I use drugs (saying no) or have had – at which point I felt he was harassing me, and he started lying and saying “That’s drugs (talking)”. Not until after the incident was over did I realize that this man (AND this woman who also happened to be “there”, who had said, both times, I believe, that she had a beautiful home; and the guy had said he was homeless, but that he didn’t have to carry around bags. Well, good for him. He still seemed like he was a homeless person anyways. I find that alot of the homeless men out here are really hard. They pick on women out here. I think the men have it easier in many matters of being homeless: people are less likely to steal from them if they think you can give them a good fight; the number one bathroom situation – so much easier for them; only the bigger men have similar problems with carrying bags – also, probably because of the difficulty in finding clothing to fit, etc. So the men harangue me to get rid of the bags — yet, eventually you find out that they have so much more stuff (like ridiculous amounts) stored in bushes or whatever, elsewhere. Those who tend not to have more stuff seem to concurrently appear to have substance abuse issues (at least to my visual experiences).

 

Then: I had two bus “mishaps” — One, where a bus driver picks up a particular person at the bus stop I wait at. She was singing out loud; seems okay; then starts singing “I won’t miss f-ing with your b*tch-*ss no more”. She gets on the bus and stands in the aisle where I need to pass through — I can’t put my bags in the wheel well storage area with her in the way, so

i have to go around her and put them on the seat (for those with advanced age or incapacities, or wheelchair seating, when needed). I squish by her and go towards the seating area, but bang my toes really hard against the wheelchair securement device or whatever is there, and it really hurt. I believe I broke a toe or two and yelled a profanity. I still cannot bend my toes like on the other foot, and it has now been a couple/few weeks. The bus driver played a pre-programmed, but selectable, message regarding using that kind of language, which I can understand. However, when the Hispanic community keeps speaking in Spanish about the “puta” who sleeps on the street and should get a job (see previous post), and I finally have had enough of this and ask the bus driver to play that message in Spanish, it doesn’t happen.

 

Then, recently, the bus let me off in between the intersection and a bus stop further down the street. I head for the intersection, but it is difficult for me to walk the extra amount, and so I generally tend to just go across the street where stopped. Okay, maybe I shouldn’t be doing that, but there is only so much a person can do given their physicality and situation. So, what happens? I try to go one step and decide it would be too much to get to the intersection. I decide to go across the street, where I am. Because it is dark and I am not used to this street difference, it is not noted as any different than the other portion of the street, and because I usually just cross the street okay at the bus stop, nothing seems out of the ordinary. However, it is. There is a drainage gutter, which is very steep and slanted at that point. I step off the curb (kindof hard because I have all my bags with me, and I need to get a good kind of push-off to use that energy and chug across the street) and my foot goes down hard with the heel end continuing on with the slant, but my foot now bending back too far off the hard concrete at the top. This then causes much pain and also for me to fall forward with my backpack propelling me onto the street). Oh, no. I’m stunned for a moment, but I have to get up so that cars won’t run me over. My foot is messed up. It’s swollen beneath my ankle bone but a bit towards the instep; the side of my foot hurt; the bottom middle, but a bit left beneath my foot hurt; my toes hurt, too — all eventually as I have continued to try to walk and just arrange my foot in the best possible manner as I do so to where it doesn’t hurt as badly. Argh! Not the buses fault, but I wish they would have just let me off at the bus stop. They usually stop nose-up to the bus sign, but sometimes zoom past or do other things.

 

So many times, the buses, or some particular drivers or in that time period, don’t want to continue driving or want to get a meal or go to the bathroom or whatever. There have been several that I believe are not kind to me/my people type of thing. One tried to get me banned from off the bus, and I don’t even know why. They make up different rules. They treat some people okay and give them free rides, and those tend to be a pain in the neck. There are a bunch of people trying to set me up to be looking bad, to go against me. Even if they seem to be doing so as if they’re the nice ones. But, they prevent me from using the place to store my bags, getting behind me so I can’t do so (even waiting for me to go first, so that they can do so by getting behind me, or coming back to ask lots of questions they already know — I’ve seen them many times and they do this alot). Whatever. The buses don’t want to take me, and try their best to not have to do so, like last night. One bus driver leaves, gets into a car vehicle used by the bus service to transport its drivers; meanwhile, the replacement driver gets out of the vehicle and into the bus waiting at the terminal. The bus says Not in Service. I ask whether it’s the route number I need, but he says he doesn’t know if he’s scheduled. (Um… but he just got out of the vehicle to replace the other driver, got into the bus with his things and arranged some things inside the bus, I asked him and got his reply, he went over to the bathroom area. He left in the bus, still Not in Service. So, meanwhile I have to run bag and forth with my bags because another bus with that route number had let off all its passengers and then stayed dark. I had already asked that driver if he would be the route number I needed, TWICE, but he pretended not to hear me. He went over to the back side of the terminal for a bit. He came back and got into the bus. So, I have to run back and forth between these attempted bus areas trying to find out if any of these are the buses I need (this is generally where they stop). He gets into the bus; starts it with its lights out and is driving in the sort-of pass-through lane mode – stops briefly – changes his bus sign (to a wrong sign; he changes its destination to the stop where he is leaving from, instead of any destination stop — probably the one I need). They’ve done this maneuver alot lately; being the bus I need, but waiting until they’re in the pass-through(like) “lane” to the left, and not changing their destination sign (from either Not in Service, totally dark, or something messed up) until they briefly stop in the passing area (if they even stop, at all — which, often they don’t, unless they’ve gotten who they want on-board, except me) and changing the sign behind an already stopped bus beside it, so that one cannot see them doing so, etc.

 

What else? I’ll let you know. These are just some things I didn’t write about when they occurred, because it just gets to be too much and too aggravating. But, I though I’d let you know. If I’ve forgotten many things, which I’m sure I have, when or if or possibly, I may let you know.

 

Thanks for listening/reading.

 

 

Heard On The Bus

Heard On The Bus (Randyjw; February 15, 2023)

 

Travelling on the bus this evening, not particularly listening to anyone, I happened to overhear snippets of a conversation a black man was addressing to his fellow compatriots.

 

The first thing was “The Bible says….”, and then I tuned out the conversation – which is what I’ve been trying to do, lately, as I have a bunch of people of Hispanic/Latino ancestry always talking about a ” puta” who sleeps on the streets and should be working, instead – which makes me feel they’re referencing me (although I’m not a “puta”), and stresses me out (because I am homeless, and I do feel it’s an attack against me; maybe because I’m Jewish. This has been going on continuously for maybe two years or so, with the Spanish assault; so, that is stressful, which prevents me doing other things with s better mindset… like, getting a job!!!)

 

So, anyways, I’ve also been harassed by other groups, as well – which I occasionally mention in other postings — but, it has, by no means, been inclusive of all the harassment I’ve received… Such as people on the bus picking their skin, or head, or hand-washed dirty drippy clothing which they pick from and throw at me while on the bus, or in the library. I’ve recently gotten a problem from this, and worse other.

 

Anyways, back to the conversation going on within the bus…

 

My ears pricked up when the man then said that they need to get the “old family” out and replace it with the “new”, and don’t you think the NSA isn’t listening?

 

I took it to mean a BHI type of thing on the context of the constant type of antisemitic rants I’m constantly hearing from the same groups of people on the street that constantly follow me around, harass me via numerous means and methods, and other.

 

I’ve had continual problems with some of the bus drivers, the bus mechanics, etc., as well. In the past two weeks or so, one of the bus drivers went into the bathroom (no security there to hear the harassment) and played her phone out loud of a man’s manic laughter over and over about four or five times, which then segued into a song which went something like, “Oh, no… with some music and then “You f*cking Jew…”.

 

Prior to that, I’ve had a black woman bang on the bathroom door I was in and harass me, and another time in the bathroom called me a white cracker who enslaved black people. Sorry, I’m neither.

 

But I am a Jewish woman, homeless, and extremely, seriously harassed by antisemitic people of all woke stripes. Please wake up, Jewish community. Please wake up, world.

 

 

Homeless Update #?

Homeless Update #? (Randyjw; February 5, 2023)

 

Good News/Bad News:

 

Bad: Well, it’s really both good and bad. Bad – because the city brought in a bunch of sanitation trucks to remove all the trash (which is also good — but also individual homeless people’s personal property, like clothing, etc. — one woman was upset at the police and was telling them that all her clothing was gone — I think it seemed like she maybe had said that she was telling the city workers not to throw out her stuff, but, apparently, they weren’t under her direction), a ton of police going down all the side streets to make sure the homeless weren’t just relocating their items nearby, maybe). I don’t know what happened in this instance, as I knew someone who had been fighting in another city for several homeless people and “homeless rights” (we really don’t have any) in a lawsuit and had supposedly won; but, now it seems that is not the case — probably public nuisance and health reasons overriding, which can’t be blamed, but, still… what about the Constitutional right to our property — regardless whether it is housed or isn’t?

 

Good: A bright update on two particular homeless people I’ve met is that one of them kicked a drug habit – going on two months now — Yay!!! Hooray!!!! Way to go!!! The second is that another homeless person was waving wildly at me — from his car! Moving on up!!!

 

 

Immigration Idea

Immigration Idea (Randyjw; January 18, 2023)

 

Now, with my last, previous post out of the way, let’s take some time to examine some issues which remain continually unsolved, and see if we can propose some different solutions (which, as usual, will bring me castigation, ostracization, and other lovely things from those who oppose my views).

 

Immigration – we have a continuing issue with this – I think most of us can agree that this is an issue, whether your views derive from an “all-in,” “all-out” or any combination in-between approach. I’m still a hard-liner on this sticking point. And while I don’t believe in collective punishment, as a whole, I don’t know why we are taking in so many people, which overload our already over-utilized resources for those of us already here and struggling. It’s like importing the problems already prevalent in a failing country and whose people try to implement the same failed policies of their failed countries here. Who is to say that supposed “wars” and skirmishes and all that are not just started so that countries can export those people here? Why reward that bad behavior? I know it’s supposed to be “humanitarian” to allow asylum-seekers and refugees in, so that they can escape those tyrannous governments — but how is it “humanitarian” to reward those countries that perpetrate their awful policies on their people, thereby getting rid of the good people who want no part of it, but still that bad government remains intact and gets their wish of ruling over only like-minded people? Whole countries are being cleared of minorities and others, whether they are being murdered, exiled, forced to conform ideologically, etc. How about a tit-for tat: if we settle one person here in America, then one Palestinian must be resettled somewhere in “Arab” lands. (And why are they only “Arab” lands, anyways?) So-called “Palestinian” “refugee” problem solved. By the way, a so-called “Palestinian refugee” really only became known as that when Jordan declared itself independent from British Mandatory rule – and “Jordan/trans-jordan”, by the way, had been declared for the Jewish people, anyway. To be declared a “Palestinian Refugee,” that person had to only have been in Israel since 1946 – two years before Israel’s independence from British Mandatory rule, and not anytime before. It also includes descendants of those people. Many people of Middle Eastern origin had immigrated to Israel in order to work there, anyways. Why does this not apply to Jewish refugees? There were more of those from Arab lands and elsewhere than there were so-called “Palestinian” people, who had left Israel because of the upcoming Arab war declared against Israel.

 

I forgot what my other solution for another problem was… this is a bad part about being stressed out through homelessness, etc., but when I think of it again (hopefully), I’ll post it.

 

Humble Pie

Humble Pie (randyjw; January 18, 2023)

 

Being homeless has had its advantages, for me. It has given me a lot of time to think…

Sometimes, that’s a good thing; sometimes, not so much.

What it has done, is allowed me to see where some of my actions, which I would hope not to repeat today, have been based solely on having too little time to reflect on consequences, if at all, and to also realize that not having a game plan/end goal, and just being reactionary (as opposed to proactive) can have disastrous consequences — as one bounces around from situation to situation, or crisis to crisis, etc.

 

This has been good for me, as I can see my progress has been a positive trait for me. Truly, I can look back at some previous “homeless behavior” things that I can’t believe I “did,” – but I would not do today. While I might not have everything “together” (and who really does?), I am thankful that I am having this experience (as much as I hate it and do not recommend it to anybody); it gives me a better perspective of the realities of this circumstance, which those who try “lecture” homeless people and who have never been in that position, just can’t get a true grasp of the realities “on the ground,” so to speak.

 

So, you never know when a trial or tribulation can actually be a blessing in disguise. Sometimes it takes hitting that very rock bottom to be able to begin a more humble climb back.

 

 

 

One Dove

One Dove (randyjw; January 16, 2023)

 

One Dove!!!

One Love!!!

Happy MLK Day!

 

Christmas Card

Christmas Card (Randyjw; December 24, 2022)

 

 

(https://youtube.com/shorts/NBoEFQUV5lA)

 

Comfort Food

Comfort Food (Randyjw; December 23, 2022)

 

Just the thought it’s near;

and in having it be there –

a comfort so dear

 

 

Happy Chanukah

Happy Chanukah (Randyjw; December 18. 2022)

 

 

 

Share

Share (randyjw; December 15, 2022)

 

My dad was the perfect gentleman;

Unfortunately for my mom,

this left her having to be the disciplinarian.

No fun.

Please share responsibly;

and then this would not have to be.

 

 

Read Before New Year

Read Before New Year (Randyjw; December 15, 2022)

 

I just read this very conscientious article by Daniel Greenfield; Whether Left, Right, or other, I think his thoughts give us all something to think about, especially going into the “new year.” There are many other articles this year on the subject, but Daniel Greenfield has a way of getting across the crucial, important aspects of a dilemma we often might never even have perceived we had – also, he tends to usually be among the first to identify that problem, as all those other most recent articles expounding on his idea suggests:

 

Greenfield, Daniel. “The Credibility Crisis of America’s Institutions”; frontpagemag.org; February 10, 2020:

(https://www.frontpagemag.com/credibility-crisis-americas-institutions-daniel-greenfield/)

 

It Continues

It Continues (Randyjw; December 15, 2022)

 

On the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest Jewish holiday, the convenience store where I purchase “food,” sometimes just to be able to use a restroom, closed the restrooms to the public, and kept them closed for roughly a month or so. Big problem for a homeless person.

 

The city recently did some holiday decorating with some bright lights wrapped around the streetlamps. They were mostly white lights, with the top portion being blue. I presume the connotation alluded to the upcoming Jewish holiday of Chanukah, celebrated this year, 2022, on December 18th. They remained only for a day or so. Then, most of the streetlamps in a long section (where I tend to sit and rest on my bags for a bit, before moving on) went totally dark, and stayed that way for a few days. When the lights were restored, they had all suddenly become white with green at the top (instead of blue), except for one lonely streetlamp.

 

Two years ago at the same store noted above, Hallmark suddenly began to “disappear” the Jewish holiday cards, with the exception of the Tree of Life bar/bat mitzvah cards. Jewish people have had to fight in the United States (and everywhere) for equal rights (including having fought for the rights of other minorities). Hallmark had eventually begun to include the Jewish people and their holidays (via cards), and it was this way for a long time, now. Thank you, Hallmark. However, recently, this has not been the case. With the “woke” movement, we are now again being relegated to persona non grata status in all things. This has become almost an official policy, as it affects us in public institutions and policies, as well. So Hallmark had not placed cards in that store for Chanukah 2020. A couple of Jewish people waiting in line before me were wondering, as was I, what the date of Chanukah was that year, and had also noticed the aforementioned non-placement of cards and banners, etc. Nor had Hallmark placed cards and banners at this store during Passover 2021. I e-mailed Hallmark regarding these two “oversights?”, but would only receive pat response-form letters in reply. When Hallmark finally did pay personal attention to this issue (maybe by what I had written), by Rosh HaShanah of 2021, card sets had been placed within the store – athough there were no top of section banners any longer, with the date of the celebration given. But, there were banners/dates for St Patrick’s Day, Easter, etc.

 

Waiting to enter the library one day just last week, I was sitting on my bags and smoking outside. A lady I had recently seen on the bus, and who had given me grief about not working, passed on the pathway toward the library, and recalled that she had previously met me on the bus. Again, she said I could work at CVS, and I had replied that she really didn’t know anything about me. She said, in a very nasty tone, “What are you mental? Sick? (with the twiddly fingers by the ear). I’m sorry, but for roughly two years or so, I seem to have been under constant surveillance by cars that stop and take note of me; by people speaking in Spanish about a woman “puta”; etc. I am harassed often by various racial groups: White, Hispanic, Black, Arab.

 

Having a sense of precognition that this would occur, I was questioned by a law enforcement officer (who looks Arab) about two hours prior to my birthday. There are a lot of people of Arab(ic) origin now in the neighborhood. They have become managers at many of the grocery stores, the convenience store where I go, and in the city law enforcement sectors. While they seem to be very nice and I do not seem to have any personal particular problems with them, I do feel that sense of intimidation-show-of-power thing when these coincidental matters, such as the closing of the restroom on Yom Kippur, the disappearance of the Jewish holiday cards, and the questioning before my birthday, etc. have occured.

A Visit From Saint Mick

A Visit From Saint Mick (Randyjw; December 13, 2022)

 

‘Twas the night before Keithmas, when all through the land

All the peeps had been stirring, including the band

The speakers were hung by the road crew with care,

In hopes that Saint Mick soon would be there;

Enjoying the time, we sang Christmas carols,

And all wished we could play bass, just like Darryl!

With Ron in his kerchief, and a horn on Matt’s lap,

We settled our minds to a mid-day’s small nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I rose from the sofa to see what was the matter.

 

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash

The sun on the crest of a Silver Cloud

A rainbow’s reflection was cast all around

And what to my wondering ears should I hear?

But Mick T, Steve, and Bill, and so much good cheer

And a spry little driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in this moment it must be Saint Mick.

More rapid than paparazzo the Stones they all came

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

“Now, Sasha! now, Mike! now, Bernard and Tim!

On, Chuck! on, Lisa! on, Blondie and Karl Denson!

It sounded like angels had arrived in the hall;

And Sarah Dash’s voice soaring soulfully amongst them all;

Nicky, Stu, Ian, and Billy tickling ivory

And a sweet shuffle sliding from dear, ‘ole Charlie;

And the sweet, plucked strings made by Brian as harpist;

At the lighted console, a plethora of puppies and Saint Mick

And then, in a twinkling, I heard and then saw,

the prancing and dancing of each little paw;

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the skylight Saint Mick had come in with a bound.

He was dressed in faux fur, from his head to his feet;

And his clothes were all finished with sparkling beads.

A trundle of puppies he had snugged on his back

And he looked like a peddler just opening his sack

His eyes — how they twinkled! His lips red like cherries;

On the front step to greet him were Leah and Merry!

A bunch of poinsettia he held in his teeth

And the mistletoe and holly to hang up beneath

The puppies were cute with their little round bellies,

Making the children laugh, they all shimmered like jelly.

He was happy and lovely, a right fun-loving self,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And made merry with laughter; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his chin,

And giving a nod, he left with a grin;

He sprang to his vehicle, giving the harp a wail,

And away they all went on some more happy trails.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

“Happy Keithmas to all, and to all a good night.”

 

(Based on the poem published anonymously on December 23, 1823 and attributed to Clement Clark Moore: “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” (a.k.a “Twas the Night Before Christmas”).

 

 

Ms Texas Sunshine

Ms Texas Sunshine (Randyjw; December 10, 2022)

 

Ms Texas Sunshine:

I really have no poem for you…

But, I just wanted to let you know

that you, somehow,

got under my skin…

I think about you,

now and then…

I wished I’d’a known

I would’ve missed you like that –

I didn’t (now I do)…

anyhoo…

things ain’t the same ’round here

without’cha

(and your little dog, too)

Hope you’re doing okay

with the job, the hub, and new babe

Say hi to your mom for me

I’m still sniffing incense

hanging on corners, without sense,

and hope you don’t miss being here

But find a great life for you there

 

Bye, but not forgotten

Love, Ran

 

 

Arrogant B

Arrogant B

 

the calf is fatted –

yet the people living in cars or streets

stay tatted and ratted

Like locusts descending

trying to eke out their meager rations

devouring all in their path

muttering and screaming

yelling and swearing

in sympathy I sigh

and roll my eyes:

too many homeless, like me…

and for that,

I hear that I’m an “arrogant b”

 

 

 

Brainwash. Rinse. Repeat.

 

Brainwash. Rinse. Repeat. (Randyjw; November 18, 2022)

 

 

 

A Little Love In The Day

A Little Love In The Day (Randyjw; November 7, 2022)

 

Before proceeding to the library, as would be my usual “routine,” I decided to hang out for awhile with someone at the bus stop. She said she was waiting for her “runner” – someone who acted as her feet (she’s in a wheelchair) to collect and bring her money that she receives on a regular basis. He does this out of the goodness of his heart, asking and receiving no payments from her, in return. I decided I could wait around with her until that time, we each keeping the other company, chatting and smoking cigarettes until he showed up.

 

A few other people had come and gone from the bus stop — one being a woman who had barely registered in my peripheral vision, and then who had left.

 

Her runner was, unfortunately, running late… but, no matter. We continued to chat, when along had come a man who had sat down on the bench near us, just hanging out. As he sat there, he noticed a telephone sitting on the bench beside him. Both myself, and the woman I was speaking with, thought it had probably been left behind by a family of four, who had already departed the bus terminal.

 

So, we three spoke about the situation, and what to do about it. He was a computer programmer, but the phone had a security pin and could not be gotten into due to such, and so no contacts on it could be called to alert the phone’s owner that it had been left behind at the terminal.

 

Eventually, the phone rang via one of its apps, and the man was finally able to answer it. He assured the frantic phone owner that he would be waiting for her return at the bus terminal, where she had left it.

 

In the interim, the runner showed up with the money for the wheelchair-bound woman, and then left the scene. It is an incredible thing he is doing for her, myself meanwhile having learned (confidentially) about his own particular situation – I really must say.

 

My friend was grateful and offered to take me to lunch, but I really hadn’t the energy for it, didn’t really want to use her money, and am recuperating from a cold. But it was really sweet of her to offer. Meanwhile, earlier this morning, she had told me that she had found a misplaced thermos bottle of someone she believed she knew it had belonged to and was holding it for her. After quite a long while had passed, someone emerged from a bus, which she identified as the lady who had misplaced her thermos bottle. As it turns out, the individual was not the person to whom the thermos belonged, but she did know who its owner was, and let my friend know – who would hold onto it until such time that she could return it to her.

 

My friend had a locket, which was all tangled up; a very pretty blue-and-purple crystal heart, which she wanted to wear with a better-quality chain than that with which it had come. I was able to untangle it for her; and she was really happy about that and about retrieving the single hair-tie that it had been wrapped around, as that was the only hair-tie that she had.

 

As it turned out later on, the woman who gratefully retrieved her telephone had been the single, individual woman I had hardly noticed earlier (although I realized, after a time, that I have seen this woman before). The computer programmer had looked almost homeless, himself (as both myself, and the woman in the wheelchair are), although he stated that this type of thing (sitting around the bus stop) was not actually his “life.” He had some better things he could be doing presently with his time, other than this…  and he could have used a second phone, he said, as a computer screen, which would have made his transactions faster. Both these things he had mentioned prior to the woman having called. In the event that an owner had been unable to be located, and despite the tempting possibilities dangling before him, he continued to wait for her. All of our reward was the joy in seeing the owner show up and be reunited with her phone.

 

The phone’s owner gave him some money, and gave some additional money to him to give to my friend, who was now rolling toward her bus to take her to a mall, where she wanted to purchase some food and some things. My friend got to get her “heart” back, have her reliable runner show up with her money, so that she could do so, and receive some additional money for her lunch (a lunch she had wanted to share with me from her own money, before anything had been said and done); the runner received his joy from doing so; the computer programmer received his joy, and a small reward, from the phone owner; the phone owner got to see our happy faces and know that homeless people are not always so bad, after all (plus, she said “her life” was on that phone); I received much joy from the comfort of a little friendship and good deeds being done — and it’s been a great day!

 

 

Voting Anomalies

Voting Anomalies (Randyjw; October 29, 2022)

 

Here are my most recent voting anomalies in this mid-term early-voting election cycle which I recently experienced:

 

One) I was not given the receipt which comes out of the machine where you present your ID. The lady who placed my driver license on the scanner then manually entered some information on the system and asked my name. Normally, you receive the ID printout and you confirm your name, address, date of birth, and how your name is registered. The last time I had voted, I was told to review (quite carefully) the information on the printout and to electronically affix my signature exactly as it is listed on this receipt, which I had previously held in hand. This election, I had signed before seeing the receipt, and the woman who did the printout was also holding on to it, and so I had signed as I usually do (like on my driver license); however, in comparison between the driver license and the voter registration, I use my full middle name with one, and only use a middle initial with the other. So now my confirmation signature is not exactly as it came out printed on the receipt. I wonder if they will discount it because of this? However, the fact is, I was not given the opportunity to see the receipt beforehand, and never even held the printout receipt in  my hand. The woman then handed it behind her to another woman waiting to print my ballot.

 

Two) The woman who printed my ballot tore off the bottom part of the ballot, which is scored in order to be done – that part is correct – and the purpose of this process is to confirm that one is receiving the correct ballot printed out in accordance to match your receipt. Previously, the ballot stub was also given to the voter in order to compare with their ID printout receipt. However, the woman held this entirely in her hand. No touching. I could not see what it said, because she had her hand over the numbers. I made her move her and around, so I could see it. I then asked her why there was a “-1” (“dash/One”) printed after one of the numbers; she could not tell me and said she didn’t know! This did not match my ballot (Letter and a few digist, which I think might represent the voting precinct, perhaps? I’m not sure, offhand, without investigating it further). So, again; there was a difference between the ID printout and my ballot.

 

Three) The ballot includes a two-sided page, and another one-sided page. Again, as before, the voting machine scans the ballots; and, again, as in previous elections, for some reason the machine tells you that your ballot was scanned successfully, after only the first ballot sheet has been scanned, without waiting for the second sheet. I was number 43 on the third machine counting leftwards.

 

Four) The same thing is happening again with the voting shepherds not using all the machines – essentially blocking the last furthest machine from counting leftwards from fully being utilized, and directing people only to use whichever machine the shepherds pick for them. Why can’t a person decide which machine they want to use, themselves?

 

That’s about it; Let’s see how the voters roll, this cycle.

 

LSD For You And Me

 

LSD For You And Me (Randyjw; October 29, 2022)

 

Did a recent job search. What did I find? Something kindof newsworthy (open-sources can lead to a lot of “real news,” by the way…):

 

A medical research company (they perform trials on people; give out money for people’s plasma, etc.; the poor homeless people that need a bit of pocket money often submit themselves as guinea pigs toward this end) is looking for personnel to help in  administering the drug, acid, to people suffering from anxiety or other such health issues. They say that the experiences, which could last 12 hours or so, would be “guided.” Can you imagine a person with anxiety or other types of such issues having to go on an acid trip, good or bad, and be stuck in a room for 12 hours as their brain just goes off somewhere psychedelic? Some people might just get more crazy, or paranoid, or whatever, after that.

 

Who is to consider whether someone should have to undergo such “treatment?” The current administration? What happens if they think you’re just crazy for disagreeing with their viewpoints? Are people being “cancelled” now because others don’t like their viewpoints? Are the conservative viewpoints constantly under attack by the liberal/progressive ideology presently? Hasn’t the IRS (yes, indeed, it has) already targeted, and admitted to targeting, conservative organizations applying for non-profit status?

 

The research company is doing these “preliminary studies” in order to mainstream this method of “treatment” (What… with the FDA?) in order to make it a commonplace treatment.

 

First of all, they have done many studies using acid, especially as a popular drug during the 60’s, and since (although it kindof went “out of style”). Ken Kesey and his band of Merry Pranksters were all about acid; it inspired the book, “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test” by Tom Wolfe. (Ken Kesey is the author of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, an important film about incarcerated individuals in a mental asylum.) But, can you imagine the acid ramped up to medical grade potency (or tweaked, just to see the results), on people’s brains? Especially those with some issues, anyways? Some people don’t ever “return” after such episodes. People used to cook up acid in their bathtubs/personal labs (or whatever) – think of t.v. shows like “Breaking Bad,” or other like… But now, for instance with marijuana, etc., the potency and grades have gone way up – gotten much stronger, etc.

 

I think this is an absolute disaster in progress; but, that’s what they want to do to you and me… You could be next…

 

This post was edited/(corrected) and updated with additional information on November 13, 2022.

 

On the use of psychoactive and other drug usage, purportedly for U.S. government research, and for additional information regarding such activities of “mind control, and interrogative technique, etc.”, see also (as per Wikipedia; MKUltra – en.wikipedia.org; accessed November 13, 2022):

Project Bluebird; Project Artichoke; Project MKUltra; MKNaomi; MKDelta; Perfect Concussion; MKSearch; MKOften; MKChickwit; others.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MKUltra)

 

Also on state hospitals for the insane, the movie: Titicut Follies – see wikipedia – Titcut Follies; accessed November 13, 2022):

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titicut_Follies)

 

Oh, gee; I just found this article online, regarding euthanasia in Canada, including on the mentally ill (WHAT!?):

 

Berkowitz, Adam Eliyahu. “As Canada expands its euthanasia program, what does biblical tradition say about it?”; November 13, 2022; israel365.com (Opinion):

(https://israel365news.com/359098/as-canada-expands-its-euthanasia-program-what-does-biblical-tradition-say-about-it/)

 

See More:

Greenfield, Daniel. “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on Drugs”; danielgreenfield.org; February 14, 2023:

(http://www.danielgreenfield.org/2023/02/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-on-drugs.html)

 

Share this:

 

What I’ve been up to lately, besides keeping you guessing, and “no good,” (pompously saying), is:

 

1) Found my birth mother’s name (Hi, Mom!!!) Yay! 🙂 Unfortunately, Dad’s unlisted (sorry to my adoptive parents for doing this; you know I love you both; but this helps start to fill a hole in my heart that’s been missing all my life – not due in any circumstances because of you, but just because of the situation). I’m lucky to be able to do this, as I know that others might not even have this much. Thank you to a couple of my neighbors and other kind people for having helped me; this is some of what it’s going towards, besides food, and whatnot. My birth dad (almost like “birthday”) had also helped my mom with food and cigs. I almost thought I found her, for a moment: similar appearance and interests (uncanny!), but it can’t be, because of her age. So… ?  Also, my first name wasn’t given, and my last was given as my mother’s family name. Contradictory info was given regarding my dad, but I think I know which way it goes, based on the interests of poetry and music and other stuff. Hope I get to her before that’s no longer possible, and I hope she’s okay (and not like me, but I think I can see that she just might be). I’ll just have to take it as it goes.

 

2) Had to divert from the search, due to trying to renew food stamps, with all sorts of new and never-ending documentation and requirements; that took almost a business-week to do, and I can’t get through, and yada yada yada. So many refugees and Hurricane victims also, now, are putting a great strain on social services. Lots of small businesses are going under. Still encountering lots of antisemitism and bias, and I’m still trying to fight it (I guess I’m a fighter, and not a lover, then… Like it or lump it, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do). I’ll try to read you;  I’m reading five Stones books, also, right now (yeah, that was important, and also what some help also went towards) … and listening to music (still a stress-reliever and sanity-saver (? um, well…)

and that’s about it.

 

Luv ya, be well…

 

 

Joy

Joy (Randyjw; October 15, 2022)

 

You bring me more joy than you could ever imagine;

 

I only just wish that you could say the same.

 

 

For Sake

For Sake (Randyjw; August 30, 2022)

 

The crazy rush of love

with it’s surreal feelings of dopamine highs

you can’t think straight or breathe right

being distracted all the time

 

and the same effect

when you fall off the clouds

hurting with the pain of a heart attack

so real, but no x-rays found

 

Seating plans changed

and I couldn’t keep up,

that’s something which you already know

and what shouldn’t have been,

conspired to bring you down

and took on another life of it’s own

 

I’m glad you found

what you sought, after all

it’s my penance, my doing, my fall

You might think I’ve lost it;

I haven’t; it hurts…

but, would you really believe me, though?

 

Love being blind

is a future excuse

for that sight which is seen in hind

The character faults

which just couldn’t be seen

Wasn’t warned to let sleeping dogs lie

 

Those things I’d hoped you’d never find

Those things that I now realize

Will always be stuck in my heart and my mind

when my honey just closed his eyes

 

 

 

 

Chismosas

Chismosas (Randyjw; July 20, 2022)

 

Si Uds. están hablando de mí

En que Uds. me ven de la manera,

las cuales misma,

en que Uds. se ven a “la otra”:

 

Con todos sus prejuicios…

 

Si hay alguien

que existe: sin casa –

que no puede ir a la playa

adonde demasiado sol

se agrava el cancer de piél;

 

también se agrava la talle y las rodillas

con el movimiento, flujo y reflujo,

de las ondas del oceano

 

Conocen Uds. a muchas putas?

porque yo no soy como una de “ellas”

Pero, todo de todo los que Uds. hablan:

Los chismes por teléfono, todo el tiempo

 

 

By The Way, Bam

By The Way, Bam (Randyjw; July 20, 2022)

 

I don’t see how you can blame him

for being the way he is

the foundations shook from the beginning

being poured on concrete too thin

 

The bad luck problems were at least attended

through extended family and friends

and the good sense to knit all the chaos together

through the core of one family domain

 

But so much criticism heaped upon him

and all this venom upon your tongue

Osmosis didn’t work past hedonism

and you gave up before you’d begun

 

It’s no wonder that you wind up

with another victim

the guilt-ridden survivor,

salvation’s sister

 

The fair-haired striver

the over-achieving girl wonder

who will try, and fail, often

to protect her brother

 

Disadvantaged at birth

through your choices and hers

far worse than one dog’s life

unlearned and untaught

 

Written off as unworthy

a hopeless, lost cause

just an aberrant freak-show

with no stands of applause

 

There’s still some time left

You can teach him how to begin

So, why are you so against it

When, after all, he is your son

 

 

Randy’s Reviews: Confessions of a Philosopher by Bryan Magee

Confessions of a Philosopher by Bryan Magee (Randyjw; July 19, 2022)

 

This book is

 

(recommended)

 

Confessions of a Philosopher – copyright 1977, Bryan Magee. Published in the United States by Random House, Inc., New York. 1999 Modern Library Paperback Edition. Modern Library and colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc. First published in Great Britain by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, a division of the Orion Publishing Group Ltd., London, in 1977. Published in hardcover by Random House in 1998.

 

 

Ongoing Thoughts

Ongoing Thoughts (Randyjw; July 19, 2022)

 

One: You

 

Two: The need to continue to espouse that from about 1920 and onward, Transjordan-cum-Jordan was wrested from the whole of the land of Israel (which the Romans during their empirical colonial conquest renamed the capital of Jerusalem “Aelia Capitolina” and the whole area of Judah/Israel, which contained land beyond the Jordan River (on the eastern side of it, in what is now called Jordan) they renamed “Syria Palestina”) already means that the Arab people, despite having lost most of many wars by siding with the losing side, already live alongside the Jews in so-called “Palestine,” in a separate governing country. The only thing a so-called two-state solution should really be entailing is that ISRAEL would recognize JORDAN – not the other way around. Maybe we don’t in the hopes of our balance being restored. But, we do have a peace treaty with them, which they always ignore, anyways. No peace treaty with the Arab nations ever stops their attacks and killing of Jews – so this invalidates ANY previous agreements, including Oslo, etc. that have ever been imposed upon the Jews. There should be no ongoing acting upon the Olso Accords with regards to the land being designated with areas A, B, and C (even in Wye Agreements, etc.), because the Arabs have violated each and every agreement ever made. Let’s remember that, and let’s stress this to others, and let’s keep our Jewish unity, above all, over these things, and not whether we’re all ever in agreement on other stuff; okay?

 

Three: I’m not so sure that the Abraham Accords are such a great thing, after all. The Jewish people have always conducted trade with other nations. We brought in workers to complete the Temple; we hire workers even now. We let Arabs work at will. People from other countries. Volunteers. Why we need to tie up our intellectual properties and knowledge, especially militarily, with people who are always calling for, and comitting to, and implementing our demise, is beyond all comprehension. The same goes for consulates and embassies upon our soil; why give them legitimacy, at least in an “international sphere” over territorial rights to our sovereign land, when there’s something like 193 countries – we hardly have enough land to go around, anyways.

 

Four: We need an official Jewish designation as our status, so we can even claim our minority rights! Not under MENA. And then we should abolish all the conferred minority status rights as they are being used right now, because they are discriminating against Jews. With the exception of added designations under the Constitution, because the black people were unfairly discriminated against and had to be added in, which should stay, the Constitution applies and says that all “men” (which includes women) are created equal, and that should be the basis of our laws, and we should not be perpetrating the unfair preference of promoting some minorities over others (see my last article about North American Bus Industries / New Flyer Industries / New Flyer Group).

 

I’m probably missing something I’ve been thinking about, which is on my nerves, but this’ll have to do, for now.

 

 

 

 

 

I May Wind Up Off-ed Like Jimmy Hoffa

“I may wind up off-ed –

Like Jimmy Hoffa”

– Randyjw  (July 7, 2022)

 

Well, here we go, now – where Classical Race Theory (CRT) goes overboard, having implications for the sanctioned discrimination against the Jews on the same systemic basis that everyone has always discriminated against the Jews, anyways — only, this time, it is official U.S. policy.

 

U.S. President Joseph Biden’s first act as president was to sign an Equity Act, allowing for preferential treatment favoring those people considered minorities within the U.S. While I do agree that there are many people of certain groups and ethnicities who have been discriminated against within the U.S., and while I do feel that those groups should be justly compensated via direct reparation for these egregious errors, considering that all are considered equal under the Constitution (with an amendment to rectify the horrible assignation of not considering black people worthy of full peopleship, as already having gone through the forced removal of numbers of their people from their land to be transplanted as forced workers, slaves, in foreign lands), it still leaves out the Jews as a recognized people/minority, who have, throughout history, and who, unfairly, to this day, are still not recognized as a minority class, given that the Jews are a people, a nation, have a shared language, culture, genetic characteristics, ethnicity, etc.

 

Ironically, it has only been in current times that the “nations” have tried to eliminate this assignation to the Jews, when, as always previously, the Jews were always considered a separate group — actually, often, even, a subgroup, or not even human (i.e., alien, reptilian, etc.).

 

This has, and continues to have, real-life world consequences. In the United States, Jews were unfairly discriminated against as a group — but you would be hard-pressed to find acknowledgement of that from anyone today. We could not attend many universities, were barred from clubs, recreational sports competitions (Wimbledon tennis, gold clubs/competitions), work opportunities, housing, etc. My mother still remembers signs on the beach in Miami saying No Jews, No Blacks, No Dogs.

 

Because of this, Jewish people, as they have been accustomed to doing, anyways, due to many millenia of experience in such ways as people chose to treat us, have had to create our own opportunities for ourselves, since we wouldn’t be hired by other peoples’ businesses – and, in fact, were specifically barred from doing so via laws of Arab, European, and other countries/nations (with the exceptions of being recognized as being helpful to other nations, and then being exploited in work for these purposes, etc.). In general, we became quite successful, and were then resented for this fact, when even the whole purpose for barring us from these opportunities was to keep us downtrodden.

 

This doesn’t mean that we have lost our peoplehood and minority status, however. Just because some of us have done well does not mean that all of us have done well, or that we have not had to fight extremely hard battles toward equal rights that others now experience as a given (except for us). We, along with the rest of this nation, have laid a lot of groundwork so that all can experience being able to live without a tyrannous government ruling over subject people according to the whims of the moment.  It’s true that we have had to progress and continue to fight these battles. In my father’s business, he hired black workers, at a time when Jews were not really hired much outside of their own people, nor were black people. They were not slaves. They were workers who came to their jobs and went home to their families. Jews have had to fight for the recognition of Jewish holidays. We’ve lost our jobs because of not wanting to work on our Holy holidays. We’ve fought in the Civil Rights movement.

 

But, even now … Jews are still not accorded minority status. It has been a systemic, worldwide discriminatory action against us since time immemorial. The New Testament doesn’t call us Jews, unless it refers to something bad, and not even factually correct, at that — and, instead labels us “Hebrews,” the same term that the U.S. applied to the Jews who were trying to escape Nazi actions against us as we fled from Europe and other places, who wished to eliminate the Jews in the Holocaust (and did).

 

What does this matter now? Well, Jews will soon have no recourse to even let people know what is happening to them, because any wording in our defense will be construed as racially insensitive, or just plain racist, toward others — even though those others are officially discriminating against us, and, worse, stalking us, harassing us, and just plain killing us. The United Nations, Big Tech platforms, government, educational institutes and their faculty and student departments, individual countries (but who now also comprise the European Union and others), have all been maniacally vicious against the Jews, and continue to be.

 

Regardless that the U.S. Congress has recently paid lip service in acknowledging recent attacks against the Jewish State of Israel and against Jewish people on the whole, it really does nothing for us except to give lip service where it should be due. It seems that no legislation is borne of these statements, and they are but hollow words needed, while behind the scenes the reality moves forward to advance our many enemies’ cause against the Jewish people (mainly our existence and our homeland). Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib has recently put in for minority protection status for the collective “Arab” peoples’ designation under MENA (Middle East-North Africa), which as of my last checking several days ago, the summary was still in progress and not completed (see my article here: https://newsnotes1.wordpress.com/2018/07/18/mena-is-mean-and-other-matters/).  Jewish people should not be under this classification with our enemies. we should put in for, and receive, our own Jewish designation, if we are to be afforded the same Civil Rights extended to others. And here is where none of this should be applicable. The Constitution gives equal protection to all its natural citizens. To spell it all out into certain races and groups is totally antithetical to what the Constitution guarantees. Because Jewish people will now still not be on a list of protected minorities, we will still be discriminated against. It will even be likely against the law for me to even be writing about this, as happens in Europe to antiSemitic ravers. the problem with that is that it does go too far against free speech, but, on the other hand, it usually does have deathly implications for Jews,, while often not reaching the same aforementioned consequences for others, due to racism. I have pointed out how the IHRA definition of antiSemitism is not so beneficial to the Jewish people, as it only applies to those countries who are democratic and of an ideologically Western bent. It does not apply to entire countries who include antiSemitism as their official doctrines, inscribed in law, or embraced as a nationwide philosophy. So, what good is that? Democratic countries should not be antiSemitic anyways… but they are.

 

Okay. so here is where some of this stuff really comes into focus. Nobody is going to like what I have to say. Not America; not Israel; not unions; not business and Republicans. Everybody is going to be after me. I’ve had a heavy heart about this for probably over a week now. But, I feel it is something I must relate. I may wind up off-ed, like Jimmy Hoffa (that’s my poem for this little piece). I may have people coming to visit me for my supposedly subversive mouthings. Some of the people in this particular area of what my my mouthings are about can be somewhat intimidating, etc. You can follow this up, if you like. It’s just a little general thing which shows how it can lead to bigger things. Don’t care if you call me lazy for not doing all the work.

 

I had an incident (actually, the exact same incident with the exact same guy has previously occured, so it is kindof strange) where I was traveling on a bus and had stored my bags (I’m homeless, so my belongings accompany be) on a wheel well hump which is encased around by metal tubing, the same which supports the hangstraps for people to hold onto if standing in transit. It has been annoying to me that alot of people put their hands all over my bags and stuff, so I tried to again get near my bags where this particular guy was standing, and he threatened to hit me, and said that I heard the bus driver say that that area is not for bags (no, I did not hear her say anything and know nothing of the sort). Anyways, I decided to try to follow up on that usage of that wheel well hump as a luggage storer (newer version have a compartment underneath for a fire extinguisher, and other considerations which would make those particular models unfeasible for use as such, but I could see no reason why this particular model could not be used as such, and would be a good idea). That particular bus didn’t have the NABI (North American Bus Industries) logo, but many of the buses in our transit system do utilize those buses. So, I learned that NABI goes under New Flyer Industries or New Flyer Group. There is a bit of history with all that — some being that it was headquartered in Canada; had been a part of the Canadian governments thing; had gone bankrupt; was bailed out, to major loss, by a businessman; and eventually was acquired by some New York Equity firms. NABI has several plants of assembly, etc. in the U.S., and so employs quite a number of individuals. With Canada having rulings on which certain people comprise the identity of a racial (or other recognized) minority, I’m pretty sure these do not include Jews among them – though Arab and other may be. These buses are also supposedly used in nine other countries, etc. You can check Wikipedia under New Flyer Industries, New Flyer Group, and also see a good article I found at referenceforbusiness (or businesses?) . com.

 

NABI was one of many companies which had signed on to a voluntary 50-30 Canadian challenge of advancing opportunities of minority employment. However, here’s the rub. If many U.S. states, as well as many other countries, procure these buses through government contracts, which is how it’s done, than they’re signing on, by extension, to treating Jews as non-minorities, and possible discrimination, since the Jews can’t seem to get a listing as a minority. Yet, a U.S. judge did rule that Jews have been discriminated against. Continuing to do so is such a travesty.

 

I say we should get rid of all these designations. I am not trying to be a racist, nor do I begrudge the advancement of historically marginalized peoples — but, this does include my own. I do not feel that all recent actions in these racial areas have done everything possible to systemically discriminate against the Jews: in universities; via their faculty departments; student government areas, etc. We have faced continued stalking, harassment, vicious attacks, and systemic killing against Jews. It’s time I raise my big, fat mouth and say something. We should just live under what the Constitution says it should be – as a protection for all of its (natural) citizens. Because these present racially-dividing designations are just giving continued justification to perpetuated antiSemitism – and that, by definition, and through the U.S. Government, no less, is the true definition of systemic discrimination.

 

So, sorry that this has become an us versus them type of thing. It didn’t have to be so, but you can see that the so-called “others” are making it so and discriminating against the Jews. So, no; I don’t think this will ever end. It will go on for millenia more. Just had to state my free views, before I’m hauled off to Criminal Court, The Hague, or somebody just puts one through my head.

 

By the way, I am writing this article on July 7, 2022. I was in a plane on this date, waiting on a tarmac, a number of years ago, not knowing that a terrorist attack was being perpetrated. I might have freaked out, having known that. As it was, I was freaked out anyways having witnessing some strange actions from a number of scary-kindof individuals within the plane I was on.

 

 

Fire Water From Fiji

Fire Water From Fiji (Randyjw; June 20, 2022)

 

Whoops; there I go…

Oh, no!!!

 

Need a poem, here, but don’t have one.

Maybe…

 

Back to signs and photos, AGAIN…

 

No endorsement, officially, and sorry to product picture, but I do like the stuff:

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Your Health

 

For Your Health (Randyjw; June 20, 2022)

 

 

 

Hmm

Hmm (Randyjw; June 2, 2022)

 

 

 

Stripes

Stripes (Randyjw; May 18, 2022)

 

So, When will this flag,

kept flying at half-, ever

be returned, full-staff?

 

 

 

The Need For Ink

The Need For Ink (Randyjw; May 18, 2022)

 

I sent love and gratitude off to my exes

the other night

An air-kiss, from an airhead,

without regret

Too long in paying the price

and thankful for the experience,

nevertheless

Still really hope that they have a nice life

and would be ecstatic if that be so

And thank those

who have come into my life

Just for being there

and helping me to heal

I can unbottle my tears;

they flow freely, now

Sometimes, coming unbidden

even when I feel like they shouldn’t

I realized, today, that tears may be only a judgement

When I cry them,

it’s for others

and it makes me sad to see them

acting with such disregard

But, then I realize, too,

that theirs may have been caused

by something I’ve done, too

In some respects, I’m way too emotional;

and, in others, it seems (to others)

that I’m not that way, at all

[(even though I am);

Yeah – what a mess!

Added afterwards]

I write to tell you this

and to re-read it to myself

‘cuz I’ve led a hectic type of life

burning a bunch of candles at all their ends

Sometimes we never get to say our “sorries”

and we wind up paying our penance

through “cosmic happenstance”

or self-inflicted manners of making amends

But, maybe we should just accept whatever,

and whomever,

that has crossed our paths

for, in so many ways,

we have wished this upon ourselves

whether consciously, or not

And so, perhaps,

we should see all that:

What we might reflect on

as lost opportunities

as love most found and profound

And, now, yes,

I have to write for several reasons

The need for ink,

now my executioner’s sword

Not quite right, enough,

to exactly help others – – –

But, maybe so,

even so, I can hope that so

Physical, emotional,

a rehab overall

a long, slow overhaul

to, in the end, say,

I’m okay; after all

And you can be glad

not to do anything at all

And be happy not to be caught

where you chart your path on your own

There’s no guilt tripping here

you, or I, could ever impose

and it’s not wrong

to just bumble

or be,

all about life

and what one decides,

or what one wants

They might mesh,

or collide,

or, go off on tangents,

or continue in wavy or straight lines

So, here’s where I stand,

and also, it’s how I fall:

Had another dream-state –

don’t know if I was half-awake,

almost asleep,

on the border of exhaustion,

a wishful visualization, or what

Well, there we were

like an umbilical tether,

but, really a physical heart-to-heart

Your pouring your whole being into this

so that you could help me get better

You know, I might still wish how

things could’ve been;

But, I know they can’t

as much as my obsessive longings

find voice – so, I’ll channel them by these means

Regardless; I hope there’s no ball and chain

If so, just break it and let go

And, this other non-sequitur,

where-else it would have

no other place to go in a poem…

The amazing night sky

where some nights ago,

I saw how G-d could teach us

to draw:

actually, man has done better than that:

these were 2-D, and somewhat kind of flat –

but, for my purposes,

and because I’m no real artist,

but, just a dabbler, at that

several images, floating on by:

Faces, on about a 10° incline,

shadings, totally incredible,

in black-and-white; No, grey

Then, another one:

scary-ish, ’til I gave it time

understood, I think,

for all the emotions it implies

Yeah, I got it; I get you, too

I’m happy in you being you

Maybe, one day,

I’ll recount those other sleep dreams

Where now, my shuffling uncertainties

are just left, behind me

But, I’ll still “seek” my star-man

and perhaps find karmic messages

in these now exasperated sighs

Like when I shopped again at my local convenience store

hearing “Grease” on Muzak

and laughing out loud, like a loon

Hey, cosmos, thanks for that!

And, as for the physical, the Eros, the id and ego (all you, take that!)…

As it isn’t, and is:

Re-establishing literal connections now

in my head, my heart, and mind

Not even concerned in the slightest

to even try to make this rhyme

I power through this

and then I’m felled with poetry and song

I’ll just pick myself up again

and, once again, just soldier on

 

 

 

Joven Y Viejo

Jóven Y Viejo (Randyjw; May 15, 2022)

 

Siéntanse alrededor de la mesa para cenar

entre toda la familia

y con tus abuelos

y, Por eso,

y porqúe,

Este es la verdad,

y ésta es

una de muchísimas razónes

para la salvaguardia del todo

La razón entera, y la única, sobre todo

No dijes a los niños,

Salgan afuera, y Juegan,

dismissivamente

Escúchense a las historias de las anciénes

y haga un espacio para ellos –

sobre todo lo que ellos quieren hablar

Pero, además,

pregúntales al lo que exíste en el silencio

Gane el tiempo, Viene el tiempo

y no pueden ganar el tiempo

de la futura

 

 

Each One

Each One (Randyjw; May 8; May 15, 2022)

 

He plucked a pink carnation

from the bouquet he was bringing his mom

as he travelled the short-distance bus line

which, yet again, was to bring him home

He kept on finding that someone

whom it appeared that he could uplift

by presenting the stem of one flower

to each person with whom he shared each gift

He shared some of his family stories

though it seemed he may have been outcast

and he saved one morning glory

for when he reached his mom, at last

Surprising his mom with his presence

a family gathering of utmost joy

Mu son, she said, you’re my greatest present –

for these flowers are each of my boys

Blue

Blue (Randyjw; May 14, 2022)

 

Is it “overkill”

when eight patrol cars respond

to one shoplifter?

 

 

Lufthansa Bans All Jews From Flight

Lufthansa Bans All Jews From Flight (Randyjw; May 10, 2022)

 

Cohen, Ben / The Algemeiner; via israel365.com, May 9, 2022 – see video on Youtube:

 

(https://youtu.be/QtiWafk6dpI)

 

 

Share this:

(Randyjw; May 6, 2022)

 

I know, now,

you’ll be okay.

Flash-forward

twenty years

as if only

several days.

The woman

gets on the bus

I’m seeing her

with the same face

A content, lovely spirit

grown into her natural grace

We gaze and smile at each other

brief connections

in only minutes

the moments that tend to stay

I rambled on

in pretentious polyglot

with too much information

as I do, right now

and, in your love,

you allowed me to

let me “help” you;

When you left,

I know you did this before –

and that it wasn’t déjà vu.

(I liked your bag, by the way)

and, Happy Mother’s Day!

 

 

For Miriam

For Miriam (Randyjw; May 5, 2022)

 

(https://youtu.be/cRfIPbsMcdE)

 

– For Miriam

 

… __ __ __ …

… __ __ __ … (Randyjw; April 29, 2022)

Please catch my drift;

Not for the words I write,

or for how they seem

But, as the reality,

for what they really mean

 

 

A Little Dit And Dat

A Little Dit And Dat (Randyjw; April 29, 2022)

 

The last one.

Could have been you at an earlier age,

when you were young.

I don’t know what has compelled me

to even see that this trio

of windowed opportunity

had a brief beginning

a middle,

and an ending,

that’s the one.

But it does.

Confirmed in symbolism,

in non-sequiturs,

in sentences

strung together

with no apparent reason

other than

a soliloquy

of a random and ordered

linear progression;

of timing,

of sequence

All sorts of emotions

playing out

of me.

There he sat –

behind the glass..

the wisest and

kindest of looks;

sensing his presence

after so apparently

a long time;

so lost in thought,

was I…

He placed his hand on the glass;

he knows….

what?

I don’t know;

just a sense that he knows my whole soul.

Yep,

this kid could’a been you;

maybe it was – – –

Some time-travel

reincarnation

of star-smashed

destined souls.

The letter

the roar of a pair

of fighter jets

racing ahead

Such a grand thing

that we can fly

anywhere

and anytime

within our minds

and solely with man-made

human wings

Reminds me

of the time I visited my Dad

ah; at his so-called

final “resting” spot;

such a strange day for me;

like trickery;

the sprinkler seas

parted to let me through –

when I wanted –

my feet lead me

around the cemetery.

The plane passing overhead;

a symbolic departure

of Dad passing;

Yeah – I have a hard time

of letting go;

I said, “No!!!!”

And in an impossible

reversal,

the plane shot out

of the clouds

on the same trajectory

but now in the other direction.

He came back.

Maybe he stuck around,

but he was always free

to come and go.

— … —

(added May 8, 2022:)

Aaah, G-d,

how I love him so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passover 5782 (2022)

Passover 5782 (Randyjw; April 15, 2022)

 

Passover – 5782…

Something I hope not to do

and wishing the same for you.

 

Happy Happy,

(and many more)

 

 

Boy On A Bike

Boy On A Bike (Randyjw; April 14, 2022)

 

Another one.

I can’t tell what is, what’s to be, or what has been done.

All I can see is what should supposedly seem

as a stroll in the sun

instilling “unreasonable” fear in the boy

he might never remember,

and which might never come undone.

 

The calm, encouraging attitude

at loggerheads to the task:

the boy won’t pedal,

as you ask,

 

the rickety training wheels

over the cobble,

hobbles momentum

he instinctually feels,

unnoticed

 

And, instead of pushing,

he keeps his legs straight

The graded descent going down to the lake

in the heat of a hot, hard noon

 

And, he’s not at the point where he could actually tell you that – – –

 

Instead, he compromises

to save face; to not anger

and to stay in good grace

He loudly diverts your attention;

He points in another direction

 

Me, I cry later…

and he,

he saves himself – –

at least, for the present moment

 

---

This drawing is from another time, and I didn’t have time to finish it. They’re separate incidents.

The boy I write about, above, is something more recent.

 

More AntiSemitism

More AnitSemitism (Randyjw; April 11, 2022)

(https://youtu.be/AiWZkFcoMYA)

 

 

Girl In The Park

Girl In The Park (Randyjw; March 28, 2022)

 

You walked over the hill

a moth drawn to the flame

again and again

in nature, each nature

following its will

 

A realization, still

that same meets same

Your friends trying to draw you away

(Oh, girl – would you just go?)

yet you still remained

Your parents and guardians

issuing dire warnings

(Ah, please, little one – this is getting out of hand)

There was nothing I could do, kid

except to tell you, thanks

 

What advice could I give you?

all they mean is to keep you safe

I could see jail time looming

for this seeming inappropriateness

but doing nothing

(things getting out of control)

and a side of my own medicine staring me smack-dab in the face?

Maybe you thought that party was boring

the formulaic gatherings

(Oh, G0d, girl – no…. not the homeless girl in the park)

Maybe your parents are too self-absorbed

to just chat with you and listen to

what you have to say

with their undivided attention

 

Maybe your sense of truth and justice

won’t win out, when trying to hear

another perspective

‘cuz it’ll be turned against you

due to your sweet and trusting nature –

I wonder,

were you born in December?

 

And maybe you’ll just never get it into your head

to realize that in the dark

there sometimes really are boogiemen

 

And despite what happens to you

you’ll still never learn

and you’ll have to get a bit scrappy

and wonder why this ever occurred

 

Look, kid,

I couldn’t tell you or intervene

This is a letter just to yourself

as well as it is to me

 

Nope, I wouldn’t kidnap or kill you

that’s just your parents’ overconcern

because to love and protect you

they’re overgeneralizing to help you learn

They do need to tell you specific scenarios

‘cuz you might not dream them yourself

It’s too bad that you’re not like your little friend

the sweet, but firm, diplomat

You were just being nice when you

came wandering over

to speak with me and voice your mind

In my dottering old age, anxiety and instinct kick in –

Hurry up and break out before they’ve gotten your soul

by breaking in

 

I can see you’ll need to break the grip

being good, pleasing others,

societal expectations, the inner conflict

Though I’m not a parent,

you know, I also, too, was a kid

you kindof haunt me

like my mirrored projections

and roads to hell being paved with good intentions

You’ll be hurting, and they’ll be hurting

(just remembering the sweet, kind smile

from the woman sitting in the corner)

 

Who needs a wonderwoman costume

It’s somebody else with its whistles and bells

Live life as you – express your truth

and trust what your heart has to tell

 

 

 

Hearts In Nature

Hearts In Nature (Randyjw; March 13, 2022)

 

 

 

Homeless Update

Homeless Update (Randyjw; March 10, 2022)

 

The government program that was rolled out to assist people in the U.S. with further grants to extend telephone capacity is, for the most part, not applicable to the homeless who, due to not living in a small, established household, and who, therefore, have no permanent address, might only be able to receive mail at a facility such as a soup kitchen, which will receive mail for numerous such individuals. However, since there are multiple registrants at such an address, these individuals cannot receive the ACP phone benefits, as it is limited to solely one offer per household.

 

I do receive a free phone, which is nice, and I’m thankful for that, but it must be used somewhat sparingly and judiciously. I receive food stamps, and a bus pass. You must register for all of these benefits and provide the proofs of eligibility they request, and the process can be somewhat arduous.

 

For instance, during recent months, there began to be problems with the mail service, again. I again had problems of my mail, containing my bus pass, going missing, and no satisfactory explanations (nor even attempts to provide any) as to the reasons why this was occurring. I was kind of stuck in place, and it is difficult to find electricity “in the wild” (I.e., outside). My food stamps were coming up for renewal, and I knew I would need another phone interview to complete the process. I had to guesstimate the approximate mailing date that would tell me of this requirement, so I phoned in to ask whether an interview was required, at that point. I was told, no. Having no bus pass and no charge to my phone quite often, and somebody having stolen a wagon I’d been given for my bags, I couldn’t now really walk the distance with about 60 pounds of stuff, in order to keep checking back with the soup kitchen. And, what about a phone charge? Can’t walk to the library like that, either, so I could get my phone charged.

 

In any case, I had several months of stress and anxiety trying to get this taken care of. My food stamps got denied, because of not doing the phone interview (because, it turns out, I really did need an interview — maybe it was bad timing on my part and slightly off/misjudged). I would be put on hold trying to get through to the food stamp people for three hours, but my phone battery would then die, and I’d have to go through this all over again: find an outlet, wait for my phone to charge up enough, call the next day, because, by then, doing all the former would waste a whole day, and by that time, their offices would be closed.

 

I find that most benefits given by our government always seem to tend to favor families in homes (even if those families don’t have to pay for those homes), sloughing off the more desperate of us down here at street level. Even newcomers or others, who’ve not paid one dime into our collective tax funds, such as money removed from our paychecks to supposedly fund our social security and unemployment kitties, seem to be better off than those who’ve worked and now find they’ve been worked out of their jobs, or who have fallen on hard times (work injuries, death of the family, etc….).

 

Thank you to good people who do help.

 

There’s a benefit in New York, tonight; I’ve mentioned it in my last post: Love Rocks NYC. Check it out. And… Thank you guys.

 

 

Love Rocks NYC 2022

Love Rocks NYC 2022 (Randyjw; March 4, 2022)

 

Rock show – March 10, 2022 at The Beacon Theatre, New York City – to benefit God’s Love We Deliver / (creating and delivering meals to those who have difficulties doing so for themselves). Keith Richards & The X-Pensive Winos; Ivan Neville; many more.

 

web-sourced, via: (https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/keith-richards-x-pensive-winos-love-rocks-2022-lineup-1300224/)

 

Free live stream of the event – just sign up to get a link emailed to you:

(https://www.glwd.org/events/love-rocks-nyc-with-executive-producers-john-varvatos-greg-williamson-and-nicole-rechter/)

 

web-sourced, via:

(https://www.jambase.com/article/love-rocks-nyc-livestream-lineup-2022)

 

Thank you, so much, for this.

 

 

Happy Happy Always & Today

(https://youtu.be/8Dbg84JoHo0)

Happy Happy Always & Today (Randyjw; March 3, 2022)

 

 

 

Paul McCartney On Tour

Sir Paul McCartney now on tour!

 

Thanks to DJ Gerry from Starlight Music for posting this. (web source: https://youtu.be/dWpJX0TCHFY)

 

Thanks to Paul McCartney, to all the musicians, the love, and raising our spirits!

 

 

Lessons Of Cinderella

Lessons of Cinderella (Randyjw; January 19, 2022)

With apologies to Disney

(or not,

considering the so-considered antisemitism we seem to always recall;

but, then again,

the given inspiration,

for the incredible fantasy-land,

fairy tales, Fantasia,

an “American” institution,

the art….

Not even sure

whether to blame you,

or thank you…)

Another facet,

or lesson learned…

(Hating that,

but only accepting it,

because it comes from

You!

It’s okay;

you may hate this,

but, I am laughing,

too…)

So,

As is said,

“If the shoe fits…”

And it did!

Rrrrrrr – 🙂

 

 

 

Rod Stewart Concert

Rod Stewart Concert (Randyjw; January 18, 2022)

 

Rod Stewart is on a multi-location concert tour, with upcoming dates around the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand (check listings). Valentine’s Day in Florida!

 

 

Share this:

(Randyjw; January 18, 2022)

Ah, you always beat me to my own mind:

I gotta be first off the starting line,

but, there you go,

with a nod and a wave,

zooming on by

Oh, Tag! I got it.

We’re both good sports

Glad I’m not too competetive

It’s still fun, though, to rev up the engine

 

Stones T-Shirt (gif)

 

 

Stones T-Shirt (gif) (Randyjw; January 15, 2022)

 

 

Outtakes: The Adopted Dejected (Son And) Daughter

Outtakes: The Adopted Dejected (Son And) Daughter (Randyjw/Rachelgv; January 11, 2022)

 

He explores me to the core of my soul

allowing the veins of rock iron ore

to tumble and gleam like polished stone

 

 

 

Stones Fans Rejoice

Stones Fans Rejoice (Randyjw; January 11, 2022)

 

Royal Mail is honoring The Rolling Stones with a 39-item postage and collectibles selection for sixty years of treasurable music from the world’s greatest band. You can pre-order by January 20th, and do visit royalmail (.com).*

*Page has since moved from this first web post.

 

 

On Being The Butt Of A Joke

On Being The Butt Of A Joke (Randyjw; January 8, 2022)

 

At one end,

they might say that

flattery will get you everywhere

 

and, as for the other,

you might say that

flatulence will get you nowhere

 

 

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(Randyjw; January 8, 2022)

Am I really mixed up, or were you here?

the cut, style, and color of your hair

Oh, I had another dream

this one, at least, better than the first

Full of symbolism, but not the worst

Oh, G-d! I’m still running around this world

as the same jerk I never realized I was

though I really was once a good kid

Now, I’m just some kind of

confused old lady

my fickle heart torn

reflecting on old loves and new

Starting way back, from the time I was young

Embarrassed as hell, having had more than one

and that I can’t even fully remember

everything that always transpired

between the two

And how I ran roughshod around

people growing up

just trying to be popular and cool

and, you know, I kind of really don’t get the movie

Goodwill Hunting

I only saw it recently

and, like Ben, I went around thinking

I was supposed to try to move on

and up and forward and out

but, like Matt, kind of felt like the

whole point was the small-town way of a “townie”

community, friends and family

and I didn’t do it and it’s wrecked my life

That movie sneaks up on you

like years, and life

I wasn’t thinking it was all it was cracked up to be

until the end; when it hit me

(like years, and life)

and then I sat in the library

my body wracked with sobbing tears

I had to silently (as best I could) cry

(like I used to do so often as a kid)

I don’t know; maybe it’s strange,

but that’s why I get the whole “martyrdom” thing

I’m sorry to you

and to several of my friends

who’ve gone along by the wayside

To my family — heartache, love, and sorrow

all around

Maybe sometimes we should just let

communities grow organically

and not impose ways they don’t know

upon them

Maybe just let them be

On the other hand, it’s so confusing…

if knowledge is supposed to mean

freedom or power

blissful ignorance or craziness

can sometimes be a relief

So, I’m kind of stuck in a hellish limbo

Wanting to break out, but not knowing how

because I have no end goal in sight

and I seem to be so way behind my time.

Temporary amnesia is frightening enough

but half a life stuck on auto

is frankly a life wasted away, too much

Can you ever have compassion on me

I think you do, but myself, not so

Wishing I’d learned this from the very beginning

instead of quite late at the other end

(aw, figures… in writing the

last line, the ink ran out from my favorite pen)

 

 

Share this:

(Randyjw; October 2021)

Requited love that just isn’t the same

when we were young

and never learned there was a game

 

 

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(Randyjw; October 2021)

So long I’ve waited to hear those words from you

while you grew to love me, but never knew

That all the time I’ve loved you

seemed for naught

as we grew old

our minds and bodies wasted

the togetherness — set apart

 

 

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie

 

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie (Randyjw; January 8, 2022)

 

Then, again,

the flip side to being Cinderella

is feeling like a princess in your eyes

A rose, from off the cake,

which I had, and ate that, too

And under the pine I sat

after walking a way

in my dilapidated shoes

and a ring to remind me

like a coach to whisk me home

Yes, my heart and the moon twice full

 

 

Another Fantastic Article

Another Fantastic Article (Randyjw; January 7 2022)

 

Shaker, Romany. “As Islamic State Strikes In Uganda, Christians Remain Key Target In Group’s Expansionist African Campaign.” http://www.memri.org; December 31, 2021:

 

(https://www.memri.org/jttm/islamic-state-strikes-uganda-christians-remain-key-target-groups-expansionist-african-campaign)

 

 

Fantastic Article

Fantastic Article (Randyjw; January 7, 2022)

 

Kemp, Richard. “Exposing the Lie of Israel Apartheid.” http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org; January 7, 2022:

(https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/18094/israel-apartheid)

 

 

Twelve

Twelve (Randyjw; January 1, 2022)

 

Twelve years, is what it takes*

(*I didn’t tell you)

Multiply by number of traumas**

(**That’s just me;

but, for others, it’s different)

And from some…

you never recover***

(***losing battles, but secretly smiling)

 

 

 

December 21, 2021

Instrumental (Randyjw; December , 2021)

(https://youtu.be/oq4Dp8iQYFk)

December 21, 2021 (Randyjw; December 21, 2021)

Don’t know whether tonight

might be the last: note, night, or whatever

Got a crazy guy, may be a stalker

Second time, now, crashing my spot

Walks around with a red shopping cart

Last time, we had it out;

walked off saying he was gonna get his gun

Didn’t come back; it’s been a little while

Now, he’s shown up;

snoring loud as *+#& (a truck)

Making himself in clear sight

Setting it up for trouble right

So, in the event of my demise

(or perhaps with further ado)

I’m sorry for any wrongs I did you,

I do love you,

and, I hope not, but it could be

adieu

Also, for the holidays, which doesn’t fit in here; it’s a total non-sequitur; this little educational instrumental:

 

Update: He popped awake. Started talking his crazy talk. He walks around talking to himself. He falsely claimed I try to kill him, poured liquid on him, and follow him. Actually, he may be following me. I don’t know how he knows I’m Jewish, but he’s, again, issuing calls of my death, saying I’ll be dead in 24 hours (twice; then he qualified that saying that I will be dead in 24 hours by the fist of G-d). He said because I killed Christ. Said something about swine. I started to record him (it’s on my phone, but no good sharing apps to post here, and I missed the death threat stuff, anyways). I don’t think I have enough battery power for a call to police; I don’t want to rat out my spot; and this is how I’m harassed. Oh, yeah; he was topless and wearing shorts, was on cardboard. Then, I think he was completely naked. Is he going to kill me, thinking he’s G-d? Now, he’s lying down. Piece of work. Okay, I’m not now going to get in ANY Christmas spirit, and I am not going to now wish you a very merry. I’m tired of this antisemitic bull. However, I will say that many nice Christians have been coming to me; won’t leave me alone; and, because of that, it’s rather brought me kind of back to my faith, since they won’t leave me alone. Anyways, so thanks.

 

Update: December 24, 2021

Thank G-d he lied;

I’m still alive.

 

 

My New Fave Drummer, Nandi Bushell

 

My New Fave Drummer, Nandi Bushell (Randyjw; December 18, 2021)

 

A long, long time ago, I had a school assignment to write a paper about my “role model.” Well, what to do, when you don’t have one. I wrote a paper on Keith Richards. The Pope has said that Keith Richards is God. Unless we douse it out, we all have that spark of G-d inside ourselves. Reading the Stones lyrics, and listening to their music, to me they’ve been the prescient prophets of the last half-century of our days.

 

I don’t know where I’ve been these past several decades, but mired in some mucky-muck. The Stones help bring me back to reality, though I often tend to dwell in the myriad realms of my escapist mind – ‘cuz love, and emotions, and the horrible stuff in the world just shuts me down when my mind, body, heart and soul turn to pulp; good, or bad, I can’t deal; it’s not my norm… and that’s so pathetic and sad.

 

Neither is shutting down someone’s dreams, just because…

because: you’re a girl

“Please, let me take drums.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s not feminine.”

Shut down and shot.

Didn’t even consider flying a plane.

Why not?

Two out of three check boxes on the Selective Service postcard;

Both strikes ruled me out.

Flat feet, all woman… grrrrr!!!

I just made a “new” hero ( ‘cuz, no; I never really had one) —

But, girl … you break it out!

You rock my flat-footed socks right off!

Here’s Nandi Bushell:

(https://youtu.be/jsDgrKdczAE)

 

Holy, cow! There’s so much more!

(https://youtu.be/bOhxf6mBp7A)

 

Aw, holy moly – – – you gotta be kidding me:

(https://youtu.be/gdu1jVbgRrY)

 

 

 

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Poor Man’s Walker

Poor Man’s Walker (Randyjw; November 20, 2021)

 

 

Being Cancelled

Being Cancelled (Randyjw; November 20, 2021)

 

Remember when I wrote some time ago about being cancelled at a library after having issues with the IT people there in that the computers were tied too closely, and I needed to bring the monitor closer in order to be able to see it? Well, back then, I didn’t know that I had an eye problem… then it was eventually discovered when a nice optometrist gave me a free pair of glasses. The library in that city then tried to, and did, oust me by saying that it was the quantity of my bags that I carried. Meanwhile, the bags were in nobody’s way; there was plenty of room to place them right beside me along the rail of the zig-zag=shaped desk structures they had. But, ban me from there they did, despite another individual with his bags spread out all over the adjoining desk (not even his own) who was blatantly sitting right before us as the “director” or whoever was giving me my marching orders.

 

Then, when I was discriminated against by Walmart, and could no longer buy food there and had to purchase it from a pharmacy-type store (um… that is really not “real” food), I had bought ice cream at the pharmacy/convenience store and then went to eat it on the outer perimeter of that Walmart plaza. Was told I couldn’t even do that by law enforcement.  Since I used to catch the community bus at Walmart, I could no longer do so, and had to wait for the bus to come out around the back of Walmart in order for the little bus to collect me. One of the bus drivers, in explaining something to someone one day, had said that they could stop for and pick-up passengers at any place along their route, as long as it wasn’t on a main street (which it mostly is not; it mostly runs through the residential neighborhoods). However, I was twice asked to move from a legitimate little-bus location by law enforcement who don’t know the bus routes or the laws, and told to wait at a county bus stop. Because of this, I cannot use the little bus, as it makes it very far and quite difficult for me to otherwise get there, so I could not go to another library location that I used to use alot. Now, I was just told that they might be talking to me now about my bags at this library location I’ve been using for maybe a couple of years already (?). They still have segregated computers (due to COVID) , meaning that you can only use every other computer. My bags fit just fine under the desk beside me; I can even fit them under the one I sit at, if necessary… I just haven’t been, as it makes things alot easier to use the vacant desk beside me. Lately, I’ve been having problems with the USB ports on these computers; they are not charging my phone now, and, yesterday, the system was converting my phone device name to something else I didn’t recognize — nor did Windows, so it essentially locked me out. Today, I can also not charge it via the USB computer port.

 

I told the librarian that I do not have a storage unit to place my items. Again, I just need the stuff that’s with me — a few pants, shirts, socks, blankets, some junky food that I cry about that I can’t even run around like I used to and go to church dinners and soup kitchens, because I’m awfully harassed by others in the community. I mostly think it’s due to my faith, my political views, etc.

 

I’m even kindof dropping the religion-ish type of stuff (but not the fighting of  antisemitism and terrorism, etc.) for now in a terrible experiement that’s going way worse for my life than even what I’ve been experiencing so far. Nevertheless, I felt it was important to try it, so that I can try  to better connect with humanity, as opposed to just G-d, G-d, G-d all my life. Nothing’s really changed on the outside, or whatever, in my being/presentation/presence, etc. I’ve even read parshot that confirm this move (although I’m probably going about it all wrong). Ah, well. Whatever. I think that there are many people, including library patrons, etc., trying to go against me, and doing so more openly and brazenly, although covertly. So…how much more miserable and discriminatory against me can people be? And how much more so the consequences of their supposed self-righteousness (or whatever). And right before the holidays — just like law enforcement did to me two Decembers ago.

 

Get out of my way, now… You’re making me mad.

 

Sign Language

Sign Language (Randyjw; November 16, 2021)

 

 

Non-Filtered and Unofficial / Rough Draft

Non-Filtered and Unofficial / Rough Draft

(Randyjw; November 7, 2021)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making a T-shirt – Rolling Stones

xo

hi

Okay — Well, this is pretty much it. Trying to fix the dye kind of made some of it disappear. Bummer. I didn’t have the means/methods to properly follow the directions. Ah, well. Final has the lips with color.

 

 

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This Leading Line

This Leading Line (Randyjw; September 16, 2021)

I live with

a zillion consequences

of poor choices

and former past actions

Letting you in

where you’ve already been

Is where I can’t help myself

I’ve already been consigned

I do, so, know this well

and it’s verboten to

accompany beside me

On this personal journey

to Hell

No Soul

No Soul (Randyjw; September 16, 2021)

I felt like a hypocrisy

to rail at G-d

to draw, closer

and higher

but not looking

where I was going

with blinders on

To be the light

while losing a heart

closing out humanity

and living in the dark

I rebelled

shook my fist and yelled

Truly discovered love

live in a self-made Hell

wrote it and posted it

Thirteen minutes later

I felt a horizontal roll

taken from my heart

At first,

I felt lighthearted

Because, that’s what I was;

what I am,

and what I’ve become

Soulless –

Undeserving for the things I’ve done

Torn out by the One who

put it there

into the

one who

made it whole

Share this:

I do, now,

understand that solitude

and that very feeling,

of feeling alone

Aayan Hirsi Ali

Aayan Hirsi Ali (Randyjw; September 15, 2021)

(https://youtu.be/-tkGEFhHM5I)

Your Mom

Your Mom (Randyjw; September 8, 2021)

 

 

 

Charlie Watts

Charlie Watts (Randyjw; August 25, 2021)

 

(https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/aug/24/charlie-watts-obituary)

 

 

 

Same Shirt, Different Day

Same Shirt, Different Day (Randyjw; August 21, 2021)

 

I tremor with the autumn leaves

accosted at turns

by cold hearts and minds

molested, then restrained,

during the light of day

I pray that it’s all just a passing phase

 

 

Senderas

Senderas (Randyjw; August 13, 2021)

 

Camina con las ancianas

cuyas escobas

barrieron las senderas

en que pisaron tus pies

 

Al lado de las antiguas

en que se fallen

las cuerpas

 

Ni enfrente,

Ni detras

 

 

 

 

Thank You, Tokyo

Thank You, Tokyo (Randyjw; July 24, 2021)

(https://youtu.be/tHJWhwfVd7Q)

Thank You, England

Thank You, England (Randyjw; July 14, 2021)

 

Just a note to the Church of England to thank you for your apologies regarding previous antisemitism within your country. It is nice of you to do this (it’s the right thing), and I thank you, as one Jewish person (and as we all must think), for putting this forward as the representative stance of your people (across the sea). Thank you. Shalom.

 

Update: Official apologies from the Church of England have now been made:

 

Berkowitz, Adam Eliyahu. “Anglican Church apologizes for long-standing antisemitic edict”; israel365.com; May 10, 2022:

(https://www.israel365news.com/269243/anglican-church-apologizes-for-long-standing-antisemitic-edict/)

 

 

Law

Law (Randyjw; July 14, 2021)

How can police enforce the laws,

if they’re not lawyers?

They don’t seem to listen

to reasoned argument…

Just come and take you, if they want,

despite logical excuse…

And how can lawyers make sure

the laws are being upheld,

or, more specifically, enforced,

when they see only courtrooms,

And not streets…

if they’re not even police?

Top Terrorists Being Released

Top Terrorists Being Released (Randyjw; July 3, 2021)

I’m a bit late in finding this information on the internet, but, then again… perhaps the timing of Independence Day should enhance its prescience:

(https://www.judicialwatch.org/corruption-chronicles/gitmo-to-free-three-al-qaeda-operatives-forever-prisoners-with-9-11-bin-laden-ties/)

Open Letter to Ilhan Omar

Congressperson Omar:

You may not appreciate the questions I’d like to ask of you, and you’d probably accuse me of being racist, but, nevertheless, we do live in a free society, and ask them of you is what I wish to do. They are basically rhetorical questions: no need to answer them, really. Questions I pose to myself, really and posit for the purpose of others to consider the answers, as they consider the same questions.

Why did you leave Somalia?

What was the reason for coming to the USA?

What was the reasoning for choosing the USA as a final destination?

Is Somalia an open society?

Is Somalia a democratic society?

Is there much violence in Somalia?

What are the racial distribution percentages of the population of the people in Somalia?

What was the racial distribution at the time of your having fled Somalia?

What are the percentages amongst the religious populations of the inhabitants of Somalia?

Specifically, what is the percentage of Jewish people in Somalia?

Is piracy on the high seas still a common means to “earn a living” in Somalia?

Or, has kidnapping and terrorism surpassed the boat piracy business?

Were you persecuted by Jews in Somalia?

Did Israeli people persecute you in Somalia?

Just thought I’d ask……

Came up with a few more since posting…

What is the population percentage of Latinx people of Somalia?

What is the population percentage of Asian people of Somalia?

Arabians have succeeded in conquering Africa for Islam. But, you’re not upset about that?

And, still; it was to America that you came, rather than to any other Muslim-majority African nation to which you emigrated. Many miles overseas… Why?

Yachad, b’Yad

 

Yachad, b’Yad (Randyjw; June 6, 2021)

 

 

Enough of my “own-ness,” for right now, on this paper

I speak out for others in “righteous” anger

You say you care for others, but only your self-same “color”

the ventriloquist’s strings being pulled by the Arab nations

 

Our cherished notions grant freedom of speech

Like children, we’ve grown-up from babbling, to real

We celebrate each soul for their unique formations

and daily greet passersby, of all combinations

 

Allied in pain with the African people

who’ve known the yokes of the mosques

and the foreign church steeples

fight against brothers divided by tribes

the lands from the sun turn to sand, or go dry

 

Oh, where is the outrage over Mauritania?

who trade slaves, to this day, but world silence remains…

 

Joining with your oppressors

will not bring you strength;

they’ve been leading you

unwittingly to the lion’s den

 

They’re killing the Christians,

they’re misogynistic,

and really against “others” —

Please, don’t you believe them

 

Who was beside you in the Civil Rights?

We’ve joined you and fought, so that all have “real” rights

And where were the others, during all this time?

They weren’t there; they’re just giving you more of their lies

 

In “private” conversations amongst themselves

Like the Ku Klux Klan, they repeat the same filth

I’m alarmed by this supposed “democracy”

now exhibiting this raging hypocrisy

 

Are your eyes closed or open —

Or, haven’t you really noticed?

that the “woke” hate the Jews;

it’s their only main focus

 

Wake up! Are you sleeping?

Or just going through the motions?

Under the Democrat’s administrations

we’ve had the worst race relations

 

Their bigotry sees you through the lens

of low expectations

But the reality I see

doesn’t meet their exhortations

 

And, back at my end,

the thieves steal my own story

They claim my heritage as theirs

as they’ve stalked us throughout history

 

 

They’ve stolen religion from books

which precedes their own time

claiming ours is now theirs,

with the facts turned around

 

They project their hideous methods and means

onto us; What is said is, instead

their own actions and deeds

 

They’ve expanded from Arabia

to slay Africa by the sword

they’ve attacked Europe, joined Hitler,

and lost so many wars

 

Expropriated works by others

never developing their resources

like oil, and books that were

written by others

 

We’ve helped them and tried to show them

better ways

than by murder or trying to

gain world domination

 

They call it “taqqiya;” a form of double-speak

Such lies as advance their cause

by Holy enshrinement

and Hudabiyya

 

By their very own language and

by their holy book

the truth of Israel “being for the Jews”

is quite freely admitted

 

Even today, when they rage,

to “Kill the Jews”

the phrase “Khayber all YAHUD”

in Arabic points to Our Truth

 

Tribes Benjamin and Yehuda

of all of Israel

point to our heritage, religion,

our culture and land

 

for that area which they want and rename

the West Bank

We have lived here, in Israel,

despite claims of our total exile

 

By being quiet and not refuting

wholesale lies of our dispersions

and our land being granted

to terminal losers

 

I know we’re supposed to “play nice”

with our murderous neighbors

but G-d warned us of Amalek

and disobedience shows we haven’t learned

 

Which is the worse transgression?

Let’s try and do our best

And know when our enemies are our enemies

and our alleged friends are really true friends

 

Don’t come after me, execute, or excommunicate me

I’m speaking my mind, standing my ground,

and you can check:

I’m doing so Biblically

 

For some of us, in Exile, have never forgotten,

and have always wanted

to be back in Israel

and have done so, throughout the ages

 

Possibly by adapting to new countries

via customs or “assimilation”

For without much historical education,

or through insidious modes of revision,

 

The wording of being in so-called exile for “two-thousand years”

can’t account for Bar Kochba, Yavne, Rehovot,

two versions of Talmud:

Bavli and Yerushalmi

 

The external sources all point to

our being there

How else could they all have attacked us,

if we weren’t really there?

 

Religious, Zionist,

Who cares how we’re called!?

We are one, under G-d,

Yachad, b’Yad.

 

Update (June 30, 2021); see also:

 

(https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/2021/06/why-dont-christian-black-lives-matter-raymond-ibrahim/)

 

Update (August 23, 2021); see also:

 

(https://www.israelhayom.com/opinions/why-rename-judea-and-samaria/)

 

 

Memorial Day

Memorial Day (Randyjw; May 31, 2021)

No Poetry And Few Words

No Poetry And Few Words (Randyjw; May 18, 2021)

You’d think with all my general rantings and ravings that I’d have plenty to write about in these times; but, no… too much bullying in personal space and cyberspace has really hurt me emotionally. My poor living situation leaves me physically struggling, which heightens the effects of stress, poor nutrition, rest, etc., plus grief in the loss of death, connections to others, personal and general war against my people on a continual and escalated basis. I’m still fighting racism and antisemitism, though… That’s what I do.

Anyways, I’m listening, now… reading… your words, still… And, yes; they have an impact. Music, and uplifting videos (at least for my purpose) are my present coping and enjoyment mechanism. Especially humorous ones.

I discovered this cool music/animation video recently (check out the themes!) – it’s my way, right now, and at least that I can handle, of reaching out to you.

Habibti Ensemble / Edom:

(https://youtu.be/TLi-_EXDTQ0)

Just Music

Just Music (Randyjw; May 8, 2021)

A really pretty song; Maybe I should take it to heart. Perhaps I will, when my heart and soul begin to fly, again.

No words just yet; only music.

(https://youtu.be/xYYYctLmnt4)

English translation available in the last song just saved to my YouTube channel.

Words Elude Me

Words Elude Me (Randyjw; April 20, 2021)

Passover 5781 (2021)

Passover 2021 (Diaspora Dates U.S.: March 27 – April 4, 2021) (Randyjw; March 26, 2021)

 

From the Haggadah, the Four Questions…

Music by Cecilia Margules

Gad Elbaz / Mah Nishtanah:

(https://youtu.be/A1rH7rYuZQE)

 

A tough-talking, jaw-dropping video:

(https://youtu.be/S-VzAWJ1yK4)

 

For those of us still dragging their feet, or unable to get away…

 

Bashanah Habaah Birushalayim:

(https://youtu.be/Zii_aIudSqk)

 

Meal ideas for last-minute procrastinators:

 

30 Passover recipes curated and taste-tested by Taste of Home’s staff:

(https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/classic-passover-recipes/

And, from The Nosher:

(https://www.myjewishlearning.com/the-nosher/passover-marshmallow-brownie-recipe/) of course it’s chocolate!

 

(https://www.myjewishlearning.com/the-nosher/braised-lamb-shanks-with-rosemary-red-wine-and-dates-recipe/)

 

Happy Passover!

 

 

Unleashed

Unleashed (Randyjw; March 24)

 

I’m unleashing my shackled mind;

my shackled mindsets.

I’m about the experiential definition now.

The characteristics.

 

 

I Don’t Know

I Don’t Know (Randyjw; March 23, 2021)

How to read these signs and wonders;

with love, certainly,

despite the traumas and the dramas

of this worldly life surrounding me

These petty, persistent attacks

on my person, and my people, and my family

the crabbing of my being

engulfed in the utter maelstrom

of this humming, drumming malevolency

I cannot write anything well-pleasing

yet I appreciate your loyalty

through my rotten inability to sublimate

the greedy tendency I have

to consume so much nectar you’ve

poured out at my feet

I cannot seem to sip lightly;

I lap the spoils and spills

like my totem coyote

that literally appeared in these weeks

to protect me (???)

And in the night sky,

How odd!

Orion’s belt (the bowslinger)

seems to lead me to Canis Major

(but all I can see is the triangle,

with the bright star, Sirius,

at its head,

while these skies and my mind

remain hazy)

So, while the white and brown

coyote brushes past my right shoulder

at three feet and circles around —

I wonder,

have you shape-shifted in new guise

to give comfort to the overly needy?

We seem to reach

an implicit understanding

Even while I cannot properly

convey my meanings

Writing bad verse with nothing

even slightly to redeem me

and gaze knowingly

or longingly at one another

from my perch on my bags

toward the intersection down the street,

and the coyote trails the unwanted,

unasked for strange man in the night

who was needlessly interrupting

my dearest, private alone time

with which I can concentrate

upon you within my deepest reveries

The poor coyote!

I sense his or her need, also

to be fed,

but, yet the people harass

this hungry animal, too

Alone in this world,

upon this earth

Will such atrocity never end?

(No – just keep drinking the Kool Aid.)

---

And, always ill-timing,

I can never seem to capture

this magnificent creature

who roams the night

with my camera

Antisemitism At The Grammys

Antisemitism At The Grammy’s (Randyjw; March 20, 2021)

 

Here is an article, which I didn’t write, but for which I am glad that someone else did, about intersectional antisemitism, from Tamika Mallory at the Grammy Awards (which I didn’t watch) this year (I’m sorry if I need to rescind any previous “likes” or approvals on this issue, due to not having known this had occurred, etc.):

 

(https://worldisraelnews.com/analysis-anti-semitism-gets-endorsed-by-the-grammys/)

 

Israel vs. UN (from UN Watch)

Israel vs. UN (from UN Watch) (Randyjw; March 18, 2021)

Sorry; I messed up the original post in my panic to get this info out.

The UN Watch has created a database, for doing research and fact-checking information coming from the U.N. (with its anti-Israel U.N. biases apparent, throughout).

This was revealed LIVE at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (U.S.).

Here is the copied link from the unwatch.org website:

(https://unwatch.org/database/)

Those Little Things

Those Little Things (Randyjw; March 8, 2021)

 

Just the little things,

as I walk on my way…

“Echoes of my Mind”

heard as I shopped for the day

 

But who could have formed

that  “O”  “X”  from the clouds –

on this side, seen backwards,

I wonder aloud

 

G-d, with a message

that must be heaven sent

and I’m thankful I saw it

a vision well-spent

 

Van Gogh: Multidimensional

Van Gogh: Multidimensional (Randyjw; March 8, 2021)

Here’s some cool news on upcoming interactive van Gogh exhibits (for all you Miamians out there, and some other information on multidimensional van Gogh exhibits happening elsewhere):

(https://www.vangoghexpo.com)

(https://www.instagram.com/vangoghmiami/)

(https://vangoghmiami.com)

Dueling Van Gogh exhibits generate interest, confusion in DC, New York

Update (June 3, 2021):

Here’s a travel deal from Travelzoo (check for other locations):

(https://www.travelzoo.com/entertainment/florida-southeast/-39-Van-Gogh-Monet-More-3D-Reproductions-in-Miami-2921102/)

COVID-19

COVID-19 (Randyjw; March 6, 2021)

 

My Mom passed away from respiratory failure due to COVID-19 infection at an assisted living facility. I just thought I’d let you know.

 

I’m thinking of you all, and my prayers are with you.

 

Stay safe, and be well. I’ll write when I can.

 

Love (Eleven and Counting)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love (Eleven and Counting) (Rachelgv; March 4, 2021)

The day is fading,

but not my thoughts of you

or the love for you

I hold within my heart

 

Calm Water

Calm Water (Randyjw; February 26, 2020)

 

I don’t feel the miles

but just the sweet, undulating

waves of the balm

propelled by your smiles

enfolded in calm

 

 

Purim 5781

Purim 5781 (Randyjw; February 25, 2021)

Today and tomorrow mark the holiday of Purim in the Jewish calendar. So, happy Purim to all of you, and here is a nice article, which gives me continued hope for peace (true peace) in the middle East…

(Love you, too, children of Cyrus):

(https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/2021/02/iranian-crown-prince-reza-pahlavi-speaks-joseph-puder/)

And, of course, my annual favorites:

ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING (FULL LENGTH MOVIE):

(https://youtu.be/r4saPofrlbA)

(https://youtu.be/4RPoGjKC0Oc)

Dead Sea

Dead Sea:

Berkowitz, Adam Eliyahu. “Did Scientists Just Confirm Biblical Account of Sodom and Gomorrah?”;israel365news.com; November 23, 2018:

(https://www.israel365news.com/117449/scientists-confirm-sodom-gomorrah/)

Israel Quiz

Israel Quiz (Randyjw; November 21, 2020)

 

O, little town of:

a) Bethlehem

b) Ramallah

 

O, Come, all ye faithful

joyful and triumphant

O, Come ye, O, Come ye to:

a) Bethlehem

b) the West Bank

 

Noël, Noël

the angels did sing

born is the King of:

a) Israel

b) Palestine

 

The Torah relates when David approached the table of “showbread”.

An English language transliteration from the Hebrew for “house of bread” is:

a) Bethlehem (Beit Lechem)

b) The West Bank (???????)

 

 

Holidays Of Another Tune

Holidays Of Another Tune (Randyjw; October 24, 2020)

 

I’m dreaming of some hot, buffalo wings

Just like the kind I used to eat

With some bleu cheese and celery

it’d sure be merry

and would be something of a treat…

 

 

Scars and Always

Scars and Always (Randyjw; October 17, 2020)

 

Cry, Cry

Cry all you want…

as for me, it’s long-lasting;

too hard to move on

 

Dignity

Dignity (Randyjw; September 28, 2020)

 

I cried for that man

sitting so stoic in the chair

when the cops came and said

You can’t be seated there

 

He turned his head around

a four-inch ‘fro dark in the air

some curls lay on the ground

the other half completely bare

 

So proud of the barber woman

who defiantly took her stand

she said she’d continue to do the job

let them arrest her, she’d be damned

 

They’d come with a mobile shower

a volunteer restored their crowns

And for at least one blessed hour

Our heads held high — we stared him down

 

 

The Adopted, Dejected (Son and) Daughter

It started out as a love poem, and then grief, anger, (and love) took over.

Real? You want real? Back to writing on paper the way I feel.

 

The Adopted, Dejected (Son and) Daughter (Randyjw; April 14, 2020)

 

He explores me to the core of my soul

my first breath, a cry, because I did not know his name

a desire to be held and to be loved for all time

and thousands of singular steps I chose to take*

 

To be held onto, so much, that I was formless, spineless

The peacemaker, a Cinderella

a pleasant woman of sorts

 

My mind, not mine, but mindless

to be good, to cause you to never let me go

 

A displeasing result, to follow orders not of my making

to be chastised and berated

as the consequence for these actions

 

To be belittled, when little, to assert my independence

withheld from affections

and confidence slow-whittled

 

My heart was broken many times,

at the thousands of disappointments seen in your eyes

at the casting aside of other peoples’ lives

and the callow reflection deemed grand of the statusized

 

I chiseled away and acted out

became a wild child

and, as a feral adult,

 

maintain the thin skin

of my childhood sensitivities

and cry like the unloved, unwanted thing

that never seemed how to learn

to reconcile all these things

 

It wasn’t to some other

as if it happened on-screen

my judgment was stunted

and became a bad dream

 

I was good, I was bad,

and my fairness was had

’til it left not much more

than a shell in its wake

 

What once calciferous deposits

took years to build upon

now come shear to clear translucence,

no less fragile, still more strong

 

For I treasure the love you intended

and realize your anxieties at being a parent

Never understanding when to let go, and

Being fiercely overprotective

 

For I know, now, how much you molded me

Being denied the history of my family

Cutting me off and denying me to the end

Did you cut off your emotions when I was ten?

 

I think it was before

at the elementary school doors

Wanting not to be thought uncool

being kissed by a parent

 

I’m sorry I hurt you

I’m sorry I repeated the scenario at college

I never learned

and how I have yearned

 

I have made a lifetime of making apologies to you…

but, when is it your turn?

 

How it has been, since that time

so way back when

that instead of your smothering,

wet, sloppy coffee kisses**

I’ve had to be always the one

to take the first initiative?

 

To be the one to offer a kiss

to your turned cheek, unreturned

To be the one to say I love you

with stone cold silence my reward

 

I’m sorry for wanting to be loved

I’m sorry for wanting to fit in

and never finding a place

It was presented as shielding me

but I was intelligent, so caught on

 

Maybe you should have allowed me into

the inner sanctum

Made me feel as if my thoughts

might matter

Instead of allowing me to be a

forever-child

Instead of a body that’s now grown?

 

Telling me hardly anything about

anything going on?

Hoping I’d forget things, until I

was reminded later on–

 

You chose me, remember?

Well, maybe you can’t quite recall…

The joy you must have felt

after all those years

waiting for oh so long

 

I’ve pieced together

the subtle clues you extended

one, maybe at seven

and another, through my social security number

 

The gifts you gave

lay in my jewelry box

admired in my own way

rifled through and taken

in front of me, while I watched

 

You re-gifted them to others

showing me that I must value them so little

heedless of sentimental attachment

or any comfort of nostalgia

 

And a choice of a better-days Bambi

or a bedraggled tiger

to give to the kid who fell down

off his bicycle

 

Nothing to hold onto,

nothing to hold on

and you sit and remain there

with your voicemail turned on

 

No, I didn’t cause your cancer

as you so like to claim

where both you and significant other

chose to pinpoint the blame

 

Of saying you’d disown me

when I was a teen

because I’d wanted to learn

who my birth parents had been?

 

Denying you’d said that

and so many other things

like saying a former boyfriends’ two children

weren’t like having the real thing (your own)?

 

You didn’t believe I could be hurt

by extrapolating in the frame of an adoptee?***

 

Denying me knowledge that my father

was dying

Then telling me to rush over

the miles

and watching his morphine-addled

last hours (okay, a bit more, but…)

 

Telling me no, I couldn’t get a cot

and stay by his bedside until he was not

Looking over my shoulder to see

the devilish grin****

of the nurse plumping his pillows–

and knowing that this was the end?

 

I said never, ever, do that to me

ever again

and break the news not alone to me

but with a posse of relative(s)/friend(s)

                                                       (the second because it rhymes)

 

And you promised, but repeated the same

scenario with my brother

I suspect you hid his cancer

over a year with your continued

trips back up to Boston

 

And hearing the news, of my brother again, with

a cousin present

and learning of your own battle with it

and more Aunts with you, yet

 

Asking if I could speak with you

alone

to receive a three-ply no

rather than a shared mother-daughter

moment?

 

Did you harbor a bunch of resentment

when you, one day, outed the fact

that my Aunt’s heirlooms from

the two of yours mother

my Uncle declared he won’t give back?

 

And I wanted to keep peace in the family

and said you shouldn’t act this way

because I still wanted a family to have

and thought it too high a price to pay

 

But, I guess you’ll teach your lesson

as you’ve done the same to me

Is it a cycle of abuse

or some form of reverse psychology?

 

You’ve always, but maybe twice, tended

to side with anyone but me

Encouraging me to lie, and listening to you,

saying it was me?

 

With your significant other

you made some kind of a devil’s pact

and when, at the beginning you

mentioned this “deal”

I was completely and utterly aghast

 

Everything you’d made with yours and dad’s

hard work

went completely to their family

leaving out my bro and me

 

In cryptic fashion, you mentioned

you tied up your money

I said, whatever it is, I don’t

care about me, just take care

of my sibling (brother)

 

Then the trips away started

with one reason or another

never knowing it might have anything

to do with my brother.

 

And I went to him, solo,

I couldn’t know why you’d delay by weeks

I used half of my savings,

the rest with you, upon my return

 

and my job you belittled, was apparently

good enough for my friend

who came to your workplace with her mother

discussing they wouldn’t hire me again

 

Yet they had, in the past, and had

given me a raise

and had fired many others

and where I had still remained

 

You said I was homeless just to spite you

but I think three years’ way too long

and know the mother I thought G-d

a human with problems all along

 

And so this Chillul Hashem

goes back to the secular

self-loathing Jew I tried hard to be

When I wanted so much to fit in

that I assimilated and then lost me

 

I still have that feminist streak

and that veneer of American society

and I apologize for denying your heritage

and trying to mold you in some ways

more modern

 

When you weren’t with me when I

went to my brother

over your dead body you

said you wouldn’t put me as proxy

He passed away and then I came

to help you, too

And you chose then to show me a

paper

that showed us both as proxies to him?

 

And if that wasn’t enough

throughout the years with your significant

other and kin

You’d promised everything that was yours

would be left to me?

 

And slowly, continually, and surely

you kept giving away

everything little by little

to always everyone else?*****

 

And then they’d flaunt it before me

and wave it before my face

Saying Look what your mother gave me

All a pathetic and hurtful disgrace

 

So, your significant other renéged

on his deal

I’ve been through that before

and can sympathize with how that feels

But do you think I should trust

his daughter’s call to confirm with her my

personal information to get “back”

into your will?

 

… she statedly said three years or so ago,

before my life and apartment fell

When I told her I wanted to speak with you

she said, “She’s not speaking to you! Get it?”

 

and now, with my phone and email hacked,

my phone uncharged and likely deactivated

it took months to get a replacement

and I still can’t even use it

 

And you, also, now in your fourth living

place in the in the past year or so since

he passed away

the last time I visited you, you

seemed quite happy that I came

But since I call from the soup kitchen phone

and service is banned now due to the virus

I still keep getting your voicemail

and my own phone number might’ve expired

 

On a cool and early morn when I had

a bit more to my energy

and free buses to assist me

on my seven-hour journey (2-1/2 hours walking)

 

I learned his daughter now you’d given

over power of attorney

regardless of the fact of COVID (19)

that I wouldn’t get to see you

 

I don’t know whether she’s provoking me

or whether it’s to you of credit deserving

whose oversight of the daughter

to visit

was left off the list by design

 

I found out when I visited last

and they told me who it was

and I’d need to go to Court

whose time might come

after you’re gone

 

I asked them to call that daughter so she can put

me on the list

Her reply, to them, was I

should call her

meaning no, or some blackmail,

or something

 

That daughter married three times

my cousin was also once homeless

and somehow they’re better than me

the adopted, dejected (son and) daughter

 

 

* (post script: everything became all mingled and intertwined)

** (sorry; I can’t change this; it’s central to my memories)

*** That it would leave scars upon me for all of eternity? (Added: April 17, 2020)

**** (of “Joanne, or Johanna”) (Added: September 30, 2020)

***** Their family (Added: September 27, 2020), my cousins (Added: October 17, 2020), and your friends (Added: September 27, 2020)?

 

How Coronavirus Is Affecting The Homeless

 

How Coronavirus Is Affecting The Homeless (Randyjw; March 18 and March 19 [updated], 2020)

 

We hear of instances during this coVid-19 coronavirus epidemic in which those who have been in possible contamination with an infected/infectious individual are requested to self-quarantine at home for 14 days. The cases of infection have increased substantially, and many countries have placed stay-at-home measures on their populations, closed their borders, and other arising instances. Public locations are being closed, such as schools, religious institutions, and others.

 

But, what if you have no home to shelter in? Here, where I live (undisclosed, for privacy), and across the nation, shelters are only temporary reprieves for the homeless; they are not a permanent solution. Stays are limited in duration, and the demand for shelter is always insufficient to meet the actual needs. During the daytime, on a regular basis, the homeless can only go to public locations, such as parks and libraries, or face the likely consequences of encountering a law-enforcement officer who will then ticket or jail the individual for loitering, lodging, trespass, or other such law designed to make it practically “illegal” to be a poor homeless person. The shelters, I heard from someone who has been lately trying to get into them, have stopped their “overnights,” which is a few-day stay which requires a pre-referral (running around after a van which goes to numerous cities and standing in long lines to see if there’s a bed available, and often, there is not… You can’t just “walk-in” to a shelter whenever you please…); they are also stopping their daytime harbor (if they ever had one, in the first place). The volunteers which help out at the shelters are no longer being taken, and staff is very short-handed. Today, I went to the other city I briefly stayed at; they handed out meals (no dining in) in styrofoam containers. They did a great job, even though some people complained.

 

In fact, it is getting downright scary during these times. I’m actually surprised that rioting hasn’t yet broken out. The tension is becoming almost unbearable, as homeless people are now congregating closer to resources, having a semi-martial law imposed (truly) with the closure of locations where the homeless did (but officially shouldn’t) sleep, and “homeless real estate” (i.e., a “spot” to sleep in, outdoors) becoming very scarce. Often, homeless individuals will watch other homeless people — their movements, locations, etc. — so that they can come and impose themselves on another’s “turf.” I’ve already had this happen; I was once severely beaten up due to this, with my head being bashed against a brick wall four times. The martial closure also takes away a few more options for the homeless: bathrooms and like facilities, etc. They are now closing down the libraries, so you will not be hearing from me until further notice from the library [except for today, March 19]. This is another location for a bathroom for me, as well as a place to stay indoors, out of the elements, and away from the cops and sheriffs, and keep me out of trouble. No longer. Where are we to go?

 

Also, the extraneous people, who help to provide food for the homeless, such as religious institutions, individuals who operate non-profits, etc., have stopped their feedings. I had tried another city out and had found the resources for food better there, but I was banned from their library for my excess bags (although, not until I started bothering them to loosen their computer cords, so that I could bring the monitor close to me, in order to compensate for my degenerative myopia…) and they tore down my sleeping spot, so I moved back to where I originally was. The food resources are not very good here; but, even those extraneous ones, they have stopped. There is still one soup kitchen, but I have not normally been going there as it is an arduous effort for me to get there. The place is very small and is always closely packed, with people lining out the entryway.

 

Last night, I was very frightened, and felt that two men, perhaps in tandem, but not near each other, were “casing me out.” This is a very dangerous situation for a female, and one that prefers to be alone, for many reasons (not all listed). For one, I prefer it that way. Socializing is okay, to a certain extent, but at nighttime, I want to be with my thoughts and silence and recoup. Many homeless women out here prefer to have a male around for the feeling of so-called “protection” that they might “infer” upon them; but, all I hear are horrible stories and drama which ensues in these circumstances, and this is just not my cup of tea. I feel that if anyone is creeping up on me at nighttime, I want to be prepared, if at all possible, and not have to determine: is this “friend” or “foe” when I only have a few reactionary seconds, if that, if awake, to make some kind of reaction. I have been around other people, and it’s just not a good fit for me. Many other problems occured because of that, so I try to prevent it as best as possible. Last night, one guy came exceedingly close to me in a wide parking lot, which was totally unnecessary. He then moved to a median within the parking lot toward another building, but then stayed in this small median and loitered there, not heading anywhere. I thought he was going to try to steal my stuff. As I walked toward the other end of the parking lot, another guy was walking nearby. He pretended like he was going to continue on the path out of the parking lot, and I waited and watched to see if he was, but he then did not and stopped. When he noticed I was watching him, he then moved to the path, but didn’t proceed on it and out of sight. I was waiting at a bus stop near the path, but then moved forward to where I knew there would be a place which had video cameras. He then moved a few feet back towards the parking lot and the line of sight of where the other man in the median was loitering, and he made gestures which seemed to me like they were intended for that other man. I was very nervous. Then, I noticed, which I hadn’t before, and don’t know whether this person had been there or had come along in the interim, another man across the street, who did not get on the bus which eventually pulled up for him at that bus stop. I was so nervous, I told the bus driver my misgivings and what had happened and described the individuals. When I got to my spot, and I hope no-one was noticing me, I laid down, and was anxious and cried awhile, then read some of my book I’m presently reading (The Monuments Men; I’ve read it before, but prior to learning about stuff I’m kindof looking into now), and eventually was tired and shut my eyes — I really don’t sleep too much or too well out there; I never feel like I’ve actually gotten any sleep, and stay awake most of the night.

 

The tensions are really bad out here at ground level. Perhaps you are somewhat insulated from what’s happening “out on the street;” and I hope that you are. But, it gives me, I think, a sometimes truer indicator of how people are feeling, reacting, etc. — at least at this level. I hope the calm holds.

 

[Update – March 19, 2020]:

 

The libraries will be closing. I heard that the parks, also, will soon be closing. These are the only locations where a homeless person can be. So, what — We are now “illegal citizens” within our own country? Worse off than even “illegal immigrants?”

 

Also, the other day, because they had stopped extraneous feedings, I had not had dinner, nor anything to eat in the morning of the following day. I had gone to the park to try to meet up with the individual who helps distribute food to homeless people, but was told that she would not be coming until further notice. Si, I had to go elsewhere; I went to a supermarket, and there was hardly anything a homeless person could purchase left on the shelves, because everybody is panicking and stocking up on food items and leaving nothing for us to be able to purchase with food stamps. I was hoping to have some bologna; there were only a few Hebrew National salamis available (and those are usually much higher-priced than cheaper bologna — and, yes, I believe it is a Heavenly reminder sent to me, but the problem is that I am just having too much difficulty in trying to survive and am not really keeping Kosher at this time (probably reaping the consequences for this decision, as well…). In any case, I bought the salami, some Martin’s potato bread, free mustard packets, and a pack of cheese (yes, I know… the meat-dairy admix is a big non-no)… It wound up costing me almost $21.00 USD, which is about three-1/2 times my daily allotted expenses on EBT… I’ll probably be suffering further… So, now… I guess all of us homeless people will soon be accruing multiple tickets (courts are closed now, but…) or stays in overcrowded jails (never been to one; don’t really want to go), but they are making being a poor, homeless person a crime by leaving us no alternative arrangements, with shelters maxed-out, no day options, no “overnights” and basically nothing else. No-one cares. There are not even portable toilets being set up, and if you want to consider the potential fallout from that situation, I would say that the cities are not being considerate…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purim 5780

Purim 5780 (Randyjw; February 27, 2020)

Purim: March 9-10, 2020

 

Purim (Randyjw):

(https://youtu.be/4RPoGjKC0Oc)

 

Some Purim fun:

 

Comedian Bob DiBuono as President Donald J. Trump, with a message for Purim:

(https://youtu.be/lQaIsfJpXDY)

 

“”Shushan Funk” – Rosenblum Shaloch-E-Manos – Purim 2015 ~ פורים תשע’ה”. Published: February 17, 2015:

(https://youtu.be/batkXb4-wVg)

 

“”What does Purim Say?” – (Parody: What does the fox say) Rosenblum Shaloch-E-Manos”. Published: March 4, 2014:

(https://youtu.be/UnJ6BLyPpjs)

 

“”Purim Town Road” – Rosenblum Shaloch-E-Manos – Purim 2020 ~ פורים תש’פ”. Published March 2, 2020:

(https://youtu.be/kYLx29ViCAA)

 

“Kippalive – Purim Up – כיפה לייב”. Published: March 6, 2014:

(https://youtu.be/J9CJjNtEieA)

 

 

These recipes for Purim, or anytime, look delicious!!! Although, sad to say, I haven’t actually tried them out (but, just wish, only slightly, that I could)….

 

Dulce de Leche Hamantaschen:

(https://www.myjewishlearning.com/the-nosher/dulce-de-leche-hamantaschen/)

 

Poppyseed-filled Challah:

(https://www.myjewishlearning.com/the-nosher/bake-a-poppy-seed-filled-challah-this-purim/)

 

 

Birthday Joy

Birthday Joy (Randyjw; February 27, 2020)

 

 

(https://youtu.be/PLAc9rTfDCM)

 

 

 

Jewish Land

Jewish Land (Randyjw; February 24, 2020)

 

 

Read this important history regarding the Jewish Land and presence in Israel:

 

 

 

Shabiy, Dr. Yechiel. “The History of the Land Is Jewish, Not Palestinian”. besacenter.org; February 23, 2020:

(https://besacenter.org/perspectives-papers/israel-jewish-palestinian/)

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Halo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Halo (Randyjw; February 23, 2020)

 

 

I’ve lost my poetry, for awhile

I don’t know when it will return;

I guess when true smiles

return to my face

In signs and thoughts

imagined of the nearness

of your soul to mine

 

And,

 

In the meantime,

without this heaven on earth…

Yet, with nothing lost,

I have this beautiful halo you misplaced

and unerringly dropped into my heart.

 

 

(https://youtu.be/BeMJoRppPDw)

 

 

Europe Recognizes Legal vs Illegal Border Entry

 

Europe Recognizes Legal vs Illegal Border Entry (Randyjw; February 18, 2020)

 

Kern, Soren. “Spain: European Court Approves Summary Deportations of Illegal Migrants”. gatestoneinstitute.org; February 17, 2020:

(https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/15615/spain-migrants-deportations)

 

 

2020 Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy

 

2020 Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy (Randyjw; February 18, 2020)

 

(https://youtu.be/m5zq4ZuZ1HQ)

 

 

My Honey Valentine

My Honey Valentine (Randyjw; February 12, 2020)

 

 

(https://youtu.be/eMROpDMepWY)

 

 

 

 

Official Anti-Semitism

 

Official Anti-Semitism (Randyjw; February 12, 2020)

 

It’s official: The United Nations has officially and flagrantly boycotted Jews. That means anti-Semitism is now officially sanctioned, according to the U.N., in this “Advance Unedited Version Of A/HRC/43/71. It seems we are in possibly worse times than 1930’s Nazi Germany.

 

Read the press release and the “Blacklist/Boycott” of companies sponsored/condoned by the U.N.:

 

 

 

UN Watch Press Release; February 12, 2020:

(https://unwatch.org/press-release-un-releases-anti-israel-blacklist-fueling-global-boycott-divestment-sanctions-campaign/)

 

 

Update (Added January 18, 2020):

 

Here’s the Jewish response, listing allegedly known companies doing business with the U.N., and an article describing it:

 

(https://mk0breakingisralps2c.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/UN-vendors.pdf)

 

(https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/145220/firing-back-settlers-release-their-own-blacklist-of-companies-doing-business-with-un/)

 

 

 

Tu Bshvat

 

Tu Bshvat (Randyjw; February 7, 2020)

 

 

Happy

Tu Bshvat!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Hamstrung By Left

 

Hamstrung By Left (Randyjw; February 2, 2020)

 

I can’t believe what I’m seeing, here.

 

So much Spin… both by the leftists in Congress, and the Iranians, at their centrifuges (thanks to those U.S. Leftists).

 

Congress, dominated by Democrats, has just voted to hamstring the United States against a war involving Iran, called the No War Against Iran Act, which passed with a vote in favor: 228-175.

 

And, so, could you please tell me what would happen if Iran sent over their newest missiles, soon to be “tipped and equipped” [my coin — ed.] with radioactive material, to the U.S.?

 

What? We couldn’t make a war with them? Defend ourselves?

 

Do these political representatives of ours have any brains, whatsoever? Or, are they really that idiotic?

 

 

Read about this ridiculousness, here, and you’ll learn of even more further hamstringing:

 

(https://www.jewishpress.com/news/us-news/us-house-passes-multiple-measures-to-curb-military-action-by-trump-on-iran/2020/02/02/)

 

 

 

 

Oslo Redux

 

Oslo Redux (Randyjw; January 31, 2020)

 

I haven’t even read the Trump Administration’s Peace To Prosperity plan, yet – – and, I might, eventually. But, there are already intrinsic problems I see at a glance which tell me this will never work.

 

For one, the Arabs have never, and will never, rescind their war to eliminate the Jews – – especially those Jews living in Israel. The conflict is about genocide of the Jewish people (again), and nothing is going to change the Arab mind about that. That concept is as intrinsic to the Koran, as is that of taqqiya, the same Arab concept which allows for deception to the enemy as a means of strategic warfare to attain the goal. In it, all need to be of one mind, and, therefore, religion; therefore: join, or be gone (eliminated).

 

Seeing, briefly, the outline of a map which contains Judea and Samaria (or, as those siding with the Arabs will call it: The “West Bank”) and which connects via an underground tunnel to make an accessible roadway between the areas of the so-called “West Bank” on the east side of Israel near the Jordan River, and connecting it to Gaza, located on the western border at the Mediterranean Sea, would cut Israel in half, even if the tunnel is situated below ground. All the Arabs would need to do is amass in the tunnel, blow it up, and come pouring out of it — effectively eviscerating Israel into two.

 

Meanwhile, the Arabs would also be given east Jerusalem for their capital, and have another means of attack against the Jews spread very thin around the outer perimeters of land that had been left for us.

 

This is the same basic plan as the 1947 partition plan, to which the Arabs already said no. The Arabs continually void any treaties they have signed, as mostly seen even in the supposed Jordanian and Egyptian peace treaties. Put your right hand to your heart in a solemnly sworn oath, yet steal with the left hand, and what is left but a thief. We have already seen, since all these previous supposed peace treaties with the Arabs have gone, that they continually attack us and violate their treaties. The Arabs themselves have made each proposal, such as this “newest”-old one, completely irrelevant: null and void.

 

A plan that doesn’t send all of the Arabs to Jordan, since Jordan was already wrested twice from the land of Israel, is not a plan that any Jew should consider. To make pretend that this newest plan, reiterating old ideas that the Arabs have rejected, time and time again, is a gift to the Jews is just ridiculous. We need to be proud of our heritage. We need to stand up for our land. All of it. We should not pretend that we were totally ENTIRELY exiled from it for two-thousand years: because the fact is that it is not entirely true. We have always been there. We need to stop pretending that an acceptance of less and less of our own land is a gift that others need to give us. The good people who know this, and then go take jobs with governments that don’t have these interests in mind, corrupt the good people to their way of thinking. This is not a favor, but a disservice. Let’s not pretend that it is. We already know that this is a non-ending war of attrition against us. We need to fight it to win it, or just forget it. That’s it.

 

Peace To Prosperity Full Plan Download – 181 pages: (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Peace-to-Prosperity-0120.pdf)

 

 

Additional Opinion (Added: February 1, 2020):

 

 

Sidman, David. “Israel has Officially Ended its Love Affair with Trump”. breakingisraelnews.com; January 28, 2020:

(https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/144172/israel-has-officially-ended-its-love-affair-with-trump/)

 

 

A Prayer For The Holy Temple

A Prayer For The Holy Temple (Randyjw; January 30, 2020)

 

 

This is beautiful … listen.

 

 

Yehuda Katz, Raphael Barkats, Chanan Elias, Shlomo Katz, Aron Razel, Yankele Shemesh, Chizki Soifer (recorded by Chanan Elias) – Yibaneh HaMikdash:

(https://youtu.be/M9mCDqCKbkA)

 

 

Dr. Jack Van Impe

 

Dr. Jack Van Impe (Randyjw; January 21, 2020)

 

I just learned of the passing, Saturday, January 18, 2020 of Dr. Jack Van Impe. I’m saddened to learn of the news. He, and his wife, Rexella, had a television show called Jack Van Impe Presents. Where I could receive it, and when, I used to watch, and enjoy his presentations. The pair were well aware of the dangers of terrorism and I felt that they were good friends of the Jewish people, despite our differences. I will miss you, Dr. Van Impe, and send my condolences to Mrs. Van Impe.

 

 

 

I Have A Wish (and A Dream…)

I Have A Wish (and A Dream…) (Randyjw; November 4, 2019)

 

 

 

Randy’s Reviews: The Long Road Home: A Story of War and Family – by Martha Raddatz

 

Randy’s Reviews: The Long Road Home: A Story of War and Family – by Martha Raddatz (Randyjw; January 18, 2020)

 

Raddatz, Martha. The Long Road Home: A Story of War and Family. Copyright © 2007, 2008 by Martha Raddatz. Published by BERKLEY an imprint of  Penguin Random House LLC; 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. G.P. Putnam’s Sons hardcover edition / March 2007; Berkley trade paperback edition / January 2008; Berkley trade paperback edition (TV Tie-in edition) / October 2017. 338 pages, plus photos. ISBN 9780451490797.

 

Isaiah 2:4

And He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Translation: https://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1002.htm).

 

I wish we were at the aforementioned point in time, as noted in the prophecies of Isaiah, as seen above.

 

Instead, we are far from it – – spiraling even quicker towards its counterpart of constant battles, skirmishes and full-out war between regions, countries and partnered nations vying for ultimate world power and dominion.

 

Though only a relatively minor percentage of a people’s nation actually participate in the fighting of a nation’s army, the entire population bears the consequences of the outcome of war, whether favorably or to their collective detriment. It matters not whether the war is enjoined on the offensive or defensive side, but to which side the favor falls. It is not an easy matter to enter the fray, especially when having war thrust upon one’s country, or in marrying powers to aid one’s friendly allies, betrothed to what each feels are the just cause, besides political, economic, religious, and other interests beholden to one’s beliefs.

 

Nevertheless, it comes as a surprise to learn that the honor of a “gentleman’s war” is a silly notion; when fighting for one’s life, some do so with dignity, and some scrap ’til the final breath, using any mean or method deemed necessary to survival – – the ends justifying the means.

 

This is what a war in the Middle East looks like. Though I’ve never seen one, up close and personal, I’ve been in the vicinity to support the noncombat efforts of one: the ongoing war of attrition faced by the Jewish people and citizens of Israel, who are surrounded by hostile forces intent on their destruction throughout the entire region of the mid-East. It’s not that the wishes of the populous twenty-two Arab nations couldn’t make the reality of Israel’s existence disappear, nor that an additional thirty Muslim states have lacked in trying to make that so… it’s just that the wars come in dribs and drabs, with great public perception in trying to stage it to appear otherwise.

 

Therefore, we see war by attrition: a constant picking off of the enemy through all means possible, including car-ramming attacks, stabbings, improvised explosive devices (i.e., creatively camouflaged these days in balloons. kites, books, printer ink cartridges, etc.) and other means.

 

It is essential that a book such as the New York Times Bestseller, The Long Road Home: A Story of War and Family, by Martha Raddatz has been written to bring the realities of war to consciousness, rather than as an abstract concept fought by far-off people in distant lands. This story, a reconstruction of the true events facing U.S. soldiers on Iraqi soil during the Iraq War (which, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Iraq_War) truly portrays in the U.S. perspective what it is like to be facing war in this region. Here, the boys are surprised that the enemy uses women and children as human shields; that regular neighbors are all armed and turn on you in a dime. Here, the war dead mount quickly and suddenly.

 

This is a must-read book.

 

 

 

 

 

Religious Freedom Day

 

Religious Freedom Day (Randyjw; January 16, 2020)

 

Today is Religious Freedom Day in the USA. Go, USA!!!

 

Read President Trump’s Proclamation, here:

 

(https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-religious-freedom-day-2020/)

 

 

‘Women of Color” A Biased Term In Itself

 

‘Women of Color” A Biased Term In Itself (Randyjw; December 26, 2019)

 

If Arab women fulfill the requirement of being “women of color,” such that the “woke” Left wish to declare, and if the Jews are of Middle Eastern origin — with Arabs even claiming that the Jews are stealing Israel (or their own wishful derivative term for it,”Palestine”, which includes half of Jordan and all of present-day Israel) — then, how is it possible that this fight over the same land of Israel, and for which the Jews have a several-thousand year old recounting in the Bible of our history there (accorded to by the New Testament, and the Koran, to boot), with literally tons of archaeological and material culture to back our Jewish claim) strips us of our own “color”? The term is an Anti-Semitic attempt to accuse us of being white Europeans who came to colonize a foreign land: an inherently false lie, and an anti-Semitic trope, at best.

 

Just wondering…

 

Recommended (Added: January 23, 2020):

 

Neuer, Batsheva. “Why intersectionality fails the Jews”. jta.org/opinion; January 16, 2020:

(https://www.jta.org/2020/01/16/opinion/why-intersectionality-fails-the-jews)

 

 

A Menorah And A Message

A Menorah And A Message (Randyjw; November 21-22 2019)

HAPPY  CHANUKAH !!!

 

CHAG CHANUKAH SAMEACH !!!

 

 

A few new doughnut  (sufganiyot) recipes for your gustatory pleasure:

 

New Sufganiyot:

(https://mayihavethatrecipe.com/the-8-donuts-of-chanukah/)

 

 

A few videos for your viewing pleasure:

 

The Perfect Chanukah Greeting SONG – CHANUKAH MEANS DEDICATION!; Published – November 29, 2012:

(https://youtu.be/ze1udTZ6mxM)

 

 

Alex Frankel – ‘Hanukkah in ’96’ (Official Audio); Published – November 22, 2019:

(https://youtu.be/YzJr6yP84vE)

 

 

Six13 – Bohemian Chanukah (a Queen adaptation); Published – November 27, 2018:

(https://youtu.be/9P30ckBf1wk)

 

 

Chanuka Medley with Micha Gamerman (Official Animation Video); Published – December 12, 2017:

(https://youtu.be/S0gbvH_LqP4)

 

 

Chanukah Day #8: Chanukah in Auschwitz: The Ninth Flame; Published – December 18, 2017:

(https://youtu.be/4ywifg9DJY8)

 

 

Amazing Chanukah Video Maoz Tzur Hanukkah Song; Published – November 20, 2013:

(https://youtu.be/9GDhRAolw1k)

 

 

For Hanukkah Light that Menorah Technion Rube Goldberg Machine Chanukah; Published – November 25, 2012:

(https://youtu.be/We-KRSy64r4)

 

 

THE GREAT BOWLING GREEN MENORAH 1997-2019; Published – November 21, 2019:

(https://youtu.be/Le36FlXG3Ro)

 

 

Chanukah candle lighting at the Western Wall; Published – February 24, 2011:

(https://youtu.be/J33TEtHlXbA)

 

 

No Good Definitions

 

No Good Definitions (Randyjw; December 21, 2019)

 

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is an intergovernmental organization comprised of member states who have been approved and accepted to the organization based on several criteria: paid membership; adherence to the principles of the Stockholm Declaration (January 28, 2000); the establishment of a Holocaust Memorial Day (January 27th, or other); Holocaust archives open to research; approval and other considering factors.

 

Each member state may nominate its countries’ delegational body from those it designates experts, including individuals, non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) and others, with one Head of Delegation representing it in Plenary, the decision-making body, within the IHRA. New members first become an Observer Country, who participates in Working Groups in providing recommendations to the IHRA Plenary and Committees. The next step is as a Liaison Country, who works with an IHRA member state or states in establishing a liaison program with that state; final status is as a full member. The Chairmanship of the Plenary body is decided on a yearly volunteer basis from amongst its member states, and whose actual physical location rotates according to the Chairmanship’s member state.

 

Eight Permanent International Partners of the IHRA , each of which have Observer status only, are: the United Nations (UN); the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s ‘Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights’ (OSCE/ODIHR); Arolsen Archives [International Tracing Service (ITS) — (Allied Expeditionary Forces 1948); International Commission for the ITS; ICRC (1955-2012); United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Organisation; the International Refugees Organisation; and the Allied High Commission for Germany; German Federal Archives (Bundesarchiv 2013); now, they belong to UNESCO’s ‘Memory of the World’ program)]; European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA); the European Union (EU); Council of Europe; and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

 

IHRA’s ‘Working Definition of anti-Semitism’ (Plenary Session – Bucharest: May 26, 2016):

(https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/working-definition-antisemitism)

(https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/Fact%20Sheet%20Working%20Definition%20of%20Antisemitism_16.pdf)

 

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

 

There were also anti-Semitic scenarios listed to provide working guidelines for the IHRA. Included among these were these two:

 

Applying double standards by requiring of it (Israel) a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.

 

Antisemitic acts are criminal when they are so defined by law (for example, denial of the Holocaust or distribution of antisemitic materials in some countries).

 

The problem with these definitions is that it gives a pass to non-Democratic nations (such as those of the Arab League, or other) to not even have to be bothered about anti-Semitism, as they are exempted from behaving civilly, as the rest of the member states must do. This contravenes the first IHRA guideline I noted, above.

 

The second problem is that the second guideline of calling anti-Semitism criminal only applies when the country has a law saying that it is a crime. If the country is already ‘anti-Semitic’, then they won’t have such laws, will they? It circles around back to number one, above.

 

 

Read Also (Added: February 22, 2020):

 

Shindman, Paul. “Israel and the Innate Bias of the UN Security Council”. honestreporting.com; February 6,2020:

(https://honestreporting.com/israel-innate-bias-un-security-council/)

 

 

 

 

American Intifada

 

American Intifada (Randyjw; December 10, 2019)

 

There was a mini Ft Hood jihadist murder spree at Pensacola Air base; now there is an anti-Semitic murder spree in a shootout, with dead an injured, at a kosher supermarket in New Jersey today. These are the types of incidents which Israel faces daily, in addition to rocket attacks from Arabs. The first act is what is termed as a war of attrition — getting rid of the enemy slowly, but surely, as opposed to eradicating many in one fell swoop. This is anti-Semitism in action. This is Jihad in action. Getting used to it yet?

 

 

TODAY ONLY – Up to 80% Off Koren Books

 

TODAY ONLY – Up to 80% Off Koren Books (Randyjw; December 10, 2019)

 

People sometimes ask for guidance in selecting help to choose Hebrew works of interest. While each person has their own needs, style of learning, and other factors which make them unique, I have often cheered this particular Tanach (Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim) by Koren Publishers in Jerusalem. This Tanach was the same set I used to have. And, today only, Koren Publishers is offering up to 80% off many products.

 

Here’s the page linking to the Tanach:

(https://korenpub.com/products/the-koren-jerusalem-bible-sethardcovercompact)

 

Here’s their website:

(https://korenpub.com)

 

 

‘The Truth About Palestine’ – Review

 

‘The Truth About Palestine’ – Review (Randyjw; December 5, 2019)

 

Here’s one of the best holiday gift-giving ideas I can think of:

 

(https://cms.frontpagemag.com/fpm/2019/12/truth-about-palestine-bruce-bawer)

 

 

Economy Report

 

Economy Report (Randyjw; December 7, 2019):

 

(https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/november-job-gains-smash-expectations/)

 

 

A Kettle Of Truth

A Kettle Of Truth (Randyjw; December 2, 2019)

 

A weird title for a post, but the kettle is steaming and needs to call out the pot(s)…

 

 

(https://unwatch.org/algeria-jews-hillel-neuer-u-n-human-rights-council/)

 

Thankful

Thankful (Randyjw; November 27, 2019)

 

G-d

family

friends

caring people

and U-Deer

 

 

Untitled

 

Untitled (Randyjw; November 14, 2019)

 

I recently remembered this long-forgotten poem I’d written at a young-adult period during my lifetime. I guess that deep, and recent, grief in my life has somehow jogged this from the recesses of memory. I thought I’d include it here, now. I believe this completes my entire work-to-date now, except for individual poetry written to individuals, which may have never made it to these pages.

 

 

When I am torn with grief

and aching for a love I cannot yet understand

You smile, knowingly,

and say you understand.

 

Accepting this statement at face value,

I go on.

 

Once again, the hurt swells up inside me;

tugging. tearing.

 

I dare not return while the crowned king

reigns his one-man kingdom.

 

 

The Arrowhead And The Gate

 

The Arrowhead And The Gate (Randyjw; November 14, 2019)

 

There are no longer any words I hold

that are my own

I shape yours in hidden poetry

taking flint to flint

etching sentiments into

sedimentary stone

 

 

 

The Many French Connections

 

The Many French Connections (Randyjw; November 1, 2019)

 

There is something really strange about current, ongoing derangement syndromes whereby ineffectual people, who might normally never acquire the prestige or standing within their communities they might wish to have, suddenly latch onto and support causes and ideologies which directly contravene even their own potential survivals. It’s not even a Darwinian type of “survival of the fittest,” but the transverse: the “survival of non-thrivers.”

 

We are so insistent on the triumphalism of individualism, that we have long forsworn the collective community, and the supposed “good” for the whole we are to inherently strive toward achieving. How can we, when personal goals of achievement involve tooth-and-nail competitiveness; the directive to celebrate our individuality by being “special” requiring ever-increasing acts of outrageousness in order to stand apart from the crowd; the obsessive social media need to prove popularity online shaping our behaviors (if we’re prone to feeling shamed by public ostracism)?

 

Those who just want to fit in will do so, whatever the trending fads, thoughts, or fashions are currently prevalent. Support in numbers, even involving ideas antithetical to their survival are embraced, being perceived as the strong, authoritative voices they represent. In all actuality, most of these voices are just loud and continual, often like the school or cyberspace bullies turn out to be. They may represent a non-normative state of mentality which no-one has the strength to counter. The bullies engrain their methods and ideas into the less strong-willed, begin to form committees and memberships and “social” activism to enjoin others to cause – – often succeeding…. as so many people just want to fit in.

 

Why would there be any reason to open a floodgate, just to see your own downfall, were this not the case? Popularity, and the need to be seen standing with the reigning mode/modality of the day, seems to be the answer. Therefore, the reason for the constant flip-flop in opinions, and the need for the constant cover-ups of having to lie that one held those beliefs, in the first place. Identifying with an ideology that would see you as a non-compatible force would eject and annihilate the foreign body from within its midst, just as an army of white blood cells would attempt to attack a particle in the body which didn’t belong.

 

This is what is happening now with the many individuals attempting to identify with those people or alliances of individuals who commit terrorist attacks against others they see as just subjects: people as objects, not human. Inhuman. Sub-human. But because there are some very loud voices, marginal to the mainstream, but amplified to the masses, so many others contend that this must be the popular way to be – think – act, and so they join their voices and pocketbooks to this cause du jour they know nothing about and will likely forget about in the next five years. This can cause a lot of harm and damage. We just need to recall the master propagandist Joesef Goebbels to mind. No, let’s not, and say we did.

 

See what I mean?

 

And so, this is the popular bandwagon that is the terrorist-support system, emanating from the halls of Europe, the socialist-communist mouthpieces posing for education that the U.S. university campuses today represent, and the halls of Montezuma (and it’s revenge). Call it appeasement. Call it France and Algeria. Call it Seventh Century. Call it French Class. Just don’t call it the “T” word.

 

 

Recommended:

 

 

Yedid, Baruch. “Disguised as Agricultural Work, French Org that Supports BDS also Supports Terrorism”. tazpit.org.il; October 28, 2019:

(https://tazpit.org.il/disguised-as-agricultural-work-french-org-that-supports-bds-also-supports-terrorism/)

 

 

Black, Edwin. “Funding illegal Palestinian settlements: Links to terrorists”. israelhayom.com (Opinions); August 22, 2019:

(https://www.israelhayom.com/opinions/whos-funding-illegal-palestinian-settlements/)

 

Free Online Class: The Bible in Light of the Ancient Near East

 

Free Online Class: The Bible in Light of the Ancient Near East (Randyjw; October 28, 2019)

 

 

Sign up, quickly!

 

Tomorrow begins the start of a free, nine-week online course from Bar-Ilan University called The Bible in Light of the Ancient Near East.

 

For more information, see the course sign-up:

 

 

https://www.edx.org/course/the-bible-in-light-of-the-ancient-near-east-2

 

 

Hope you get an “A” in class!

 

 

 

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays (Randyjw; October 26, 2019)

 

 

 

(https://youtu.be/hYRox80wkQ0)

 

 

Shemini Atzeret And Simchat Torah

Shemini Atzeret And Simchat Torah (Randyjw; October 18, 2019)

 

 

HAPPY SHEMINI ATZERET !!!

HAPPY SIMCHAT TORAH !!!

 

 

 

 

(https://youtu.be/tefRfH73TBc)

 

 

 

More Problems in Belgium

More Problems in Belgium (Randyjw; October 17, 2019)

 

 

Gee, I hope they get to the bottom of this…

 

Lipshitz, Cnaan. “Knife-wielding Muslim man in Brussels asks passersby if they are Jewish”. jta.org; October 16, 2019:

(https://www.jta.org/quick-reads/knife-wielding-muslim-man-in-brussels-asks-passersby-if-they-are-jewish)

 

Definitions of the word, “terrorism,” vary considerably, depending upon whom you consult. Here are some:

 

 

dictionary.com:

noun

1. the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes.

2. the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.

3. a terroristic method of governing or of resisting a government

 

(https://www.dictionary.com/browse/terrorism) ; accessed October 17, 2019.

 

 

 

Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse:

 

Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, Syracuse University. tracreports: terrorism/215/include/definitions.html (…) “Alternative Federal Definitions of Terrorism Criminal Cases”. (…). trac.syr.edu; 2009:

 

(https://trac.syr.edu/tracreports/terrorism/215/include/definitions.html) ; accessed October 17, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sukkot 2019

 

Sukkot 2019 (Randyjw; October 14, 2019)

 

 

 

 

(https://youtu.be/vjTcKXWidQY)

 

 

 

H A P P Y   S U K K O T  ! ! !

 

 

 

Yitzhar

 

Yitzhar (Randyjw; October 5, 2019):

 

See this video from Boomerang about Yitzhar:

 

(https://youtu.be/XlNXtzYr8iA)

 

 

 

 

Ilhan Omar… Al-Shabaab… Jew-Hatred…

 

Ilhan Omar… Al-Shabaab… Jew-Hatred… (Randyjw; September 30, 2019)

 

I don’t think we can sweep this explicit support for terrorism by Ilhan Omar under the rug, any longer.

 

Please read this report by Clarion Project, showing a Twitter screenshot of Ilhan Omar’s tweet openly addressing Somali government and peacekeeping forces to protect a telecommunications company, named Hormuud, associated with multiple affiliations to terrorists, terrorist attacks, the financing of such, and more.

 

 

Clarion Project. “Ilhan Omar Asks for Protection of Somali Company Linked to Terror”. clarionproject.org; September 3, 2019:

(https://clarionproject.org/ilhan-omar-hormuud-jimale-al-shabaab/)

 

New Year 5780

New Year 5780 (Randyjw; September 24, 2019)

 

 

Rosh HaShanah is celebrated Sunday evening, September 29, 2019, in the Diaspora.

 

 

Never-ending joy and happiness, this sweet New Year…

 

(((xo)))

Love you

The New, Old Fiddler

The New, Old Fiddler (Randyjw; September 14, 2019)

 

 

Fiddler On The Roof / National Tour:*

 

(https://youtu.be/VHVSljY00Jw)

 

 

 

Inside The Studio Recording The Broadway Cast Album:

 

(https://youtu.be/kgt0tl3oExM)

 

 

 

Ticket Information:

 

*National Tour:

(http://fiddlermusical.com/ticket-info/)

 

 

On-Broadway / Off-Broadway

 

In Yiddish; Directed by Joel Grey:

(https://www.broadway.com/shows/fiddler-roof-yiddish/)

 

 

 

Randy’s Reviews: The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach

Randy’s Reviews: The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach (Randyjw; September 14, 2019)

 

Bach, Richard. The Bridge Across Forever. Published by: Dell Publishing Co., Inc.; 1 Dag Hammerskjold Plaza; New York, New York 10017. Copyright 1984 by Alternate Futures Incorporated. Reprinted by arrangement with William Morrow and Company, Inc. – February 1986.

 

Also available in 4-cassette audiotape edition.

 

 

Interesting, intriguing, and involving, a reticent heart learns to glide and soar in this autobiographical account from author-pilot, Richard Bach.

 

 

New Revelations Reveal Same Old Problem

 

New Revelations Reveal Same Old Problem (Randyjw; September 9, 2019)

 

Terrorism reveals its continued perpetration, from the same old perpetrators, with its same old mindset, against the same old (ancient) community:

 

Cohen, Ben. “Former French Intelligence Chief Alleged to Have Made Secret Pact With Palestinian Terrorists Behind 1982 Kosher Restaurant Massacre”. algemeiner.com; August 9, 2019:

(https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/08/09/former-french-intelligence-chief-alleged-to-have-made-secret-pact-with-palestinian-terrorists-behind-1982-kosher-restaurant-massacre/)

 

 

Satyrous Satire

Satyrous Satire (Randyjw; September 6, 2019)

 

Greenfield, Daniel. “Banana Republic Can’t Cover Up Women Fast Enough to Sell Them Hijabs”. frontpagemag.com; August 8, 2019:

https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/274509/banana-republic-cant-cover-women-fast-enough-sell-daniel-greenfield)

 

 

Bait And Switch

 

Bait And Switch (Randyjw; August 29, 2019)

 

What happens when you’re a Walmart customer, and two of the items you were planning to purchase ring up at the wrong price advertised? If you notice it, and you’d prefer to receive the cheaper prices that the proposed items should be, then you notify the cashier, who’s supposed to check the prices and adjust as needed. But, if you’re a homeless person, and, in my case, Jewish, as well, you get banned permanently from the store, law enforcement called (five!), handcuffed, and humiliated.

 

I hate to be writing about this, at such a time as when Walmart, and it’s customers, have also been innocently targeted, as in the recent incidents that have lately been in the news. I commiserate with the victims and the victims’ families, as well as the corporation, for these recent (and, also, not so recent, come to think of it) tragedies. But, I am upset about the treatment I have received in their store – – not only today, but in the last few months during which time I have been a regular customer.

 

I selected my purchases and proceeded to the self-checkout lane. Upon finishing my scans, I noticed that two items did not ring up correctly, and notified a cashier. One item was a French Bread, which normally is $1.00 USD. I wrote about the bread in a previous post. And, yes; I have been discriminated against before making that post, and hence to this day. The French Bread, however, was ticketed with a French Bread Twin price tag (both front and back), which makes it $1.98. However, the product was obviously mislabeled, as I know the difference between the two: the French Bread has only one loaf in the bag, and seems to be wider than the French Bread Twin, which, as its name indicates, contains two loaves in the bag, but they are seemingly thinner. I’d rather have more middle than crust, anyways, and being that the other one is cheaper, it works all around for me. But, no. The cashier was insistent that it was French Bread Twin, although she was wrong. The second item was a small Snickers bar (I would have preferred a larger one, but they didn’t seem to have them in the next couple of aisles, so I just left it, as is). The orange and yellow shelf tag indicated that the Snickers bar was .78 cents – – but, it rang up at .88 cents.

 

Then, a man came over (not the usual manager), a Walmart employee, and told me to never set foot inside the store again. He was going to also take my entire purchase. They hadn’t even gone to check any prices or anything (in fact, a female employee said I should go get another one; all the way at the back corner of the store…). I had picked out the particular loaf I wanted because it was lighter than the others, and would therefore be softer. The man said he was calling the police (law enforcement). He did, and they arrived quickly. First, there were two officers, than three, inside the store. They took the story of the Walmart man first. I had wanted to hear what my accuser was saying, but they would not let me.  The employees then fixed their errors of the pricing, and then the officers left the store with me. They wanted my ID, but I didn’t see any reason to provide it, considering that I didn’t feel I had done anything wrong, other than exert my protection under Federal law to receive the pricing advertised on the shelf and items. Then they started giving me a hard time. They said to me that I couldn’t take the cart beyond the area (these things are limited with electronic stopping devices, anyways…), and so I went to get my stuff out of the cart. One officer grabbed and pushed down my backpack, so that I could not remove it from the cart. Then they started trumping up charges, saying I was yelling and disorderly conduct, and trespassing, saying I could be a serial killer, (no, I really wasn’t; I was just being targeted and discriminated against by Walmart (there have been many, many other incidents by them to me, some of which I’ve made reference to and have responded to them in their surveys). They said that they took the ID of the Walmart guy. They asked for my hand (no; not in marriage, but behind my back), and handcuffed me. The officer got my ID from my pocketbook; he said they needed it so that they could put it in the computer. He went into Walmart with it. When he came out, one of the officers asked, Anything? The other indicated no. The free bus picks up at Walmart, and I told them I was going to wait for the bus. Now, I don’t really know what is going on; if it’s just the store, or if I can ever wait for the free bus at the location, or not.

 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) protects consumers from such practices, known as bait and switch, since it had been a problem in the past, when sellers would advertise items at a certain price and then say they were, or actually be, out of stock on that item, or sell higher-priced items in their place. It’s some of the driving factor between stock numbers on cars being listed in ads, or rain checks for sold out items, etc. Mislabeling, with higher prices charged for the item in the package, or a shelf price which rings up higher at the register, would likely fall under the same parameters.

 

As they say, Caveat Emptor.

 

 

Update (September 23, 2019):

 

Today, within the past two hours, prior to 3:00 p.m., I waited in the plaza parking lot, the one in which Walmart is located, for the free public bus which picks up and disgorges passengers at this particular location. It is the only location, within quite a distance, to the next stop either before or after it, in this particular city bus route, and I saw no problem with waiting there to catch the bus. During the original incident, the manager who banned me from the Walmart store had only said to never set foot in the store again. He repeated, a second time, the same thing again, when the law enforcement officers showed up. Walmart had, to cover their steps, allowed me to purchase, through EBT, the items I requested, and had changed the prices to the correct ones, while the officers were present (but didn’t want to do so and really didn’t even want me to buy anything before their arrival — he’d snatched the bag away from me…). However, that manager had said, “After this (and with the officer present) … never set foot in this store again,” and I agreed not to, although I think it is severely discriminating against me for no reason. When I had gone outside, escorted by the officers, with my backpacks still in the cart, and my Walmart purchases, one of the officers had said, as I’d previously mentioned, that “this” (the cart), was their (Walmart’s) property. I said I know, and that was why, I said, I was going to remove my things from it. One of the officers pushed down on my backpack, with a few fingers, but he was strong, and I could not get my backpack out of the cart. After trying a bit more, and still being unable to, I just sat there. I now had an audience of five officers. They requested my ID, which I didn’t feel any reason was necessary to supply them with, since I’m sure both Walmart and the officers would recognize me, if I ever was in the store again. I felt that the officers were just there to make sure I exited the store, as requested, and to which I complied, and they escorted me out the door. Incident over. Compliance on my part. But, no… as I said, I felt that they were jacking up charges on me when I didn’t want to procure my ID. They said they had gotten one from the other guy (meaning the manager). I still said that I was complying and didn’t think I was doing anything wrong, and had even mentioned that it had been Walmart who was in the wrong, with their product (being in the wrong bag or mislabeled) pricing (and the Snickers bar), both of which Walmart corrected. They placed me in cuffs and said Yelling, Disorderly Conduct, Trespass… They talked about doing a fingerprint scan. I finally said okay, (being under these trumped-up charges), and the officer went in my purse (since my hands were cuffed) and got out my ID. He then went into Walmart with it. I never received anything in writing, either from Walmart, or from the law enforcement. Law enforcement said they would enter the information in their computer in case Walmart called again. I never received an incident report or a ticket or anything.

 

Today, while waiting for the free city bus, the same manager who had banned me very quickly from the store and had started this whole thing, came out and saw me. He then reappeared with a female Walmart employee who talked to me and said that they thought they had told me I couldn’t be on the property, and that this was their property (I was outside by the parking lot waiting for the bus). I have walked through the parking lot, since the initial incident, but I have not gone on the walkways (sidewalks) surrounding the Walmart, nor through the next little area where the soda machines outside are located. It is a commercial plaza with other businesses in it, which I do utilize. In fact, once, when I had gone to another store at this location, not too many days since the Walmart incident had happened, a sheriff, who had apparently been parked in the parking lot spot near the establishment, then came in after me, and had asked the manager if they were having any problems with the homeless (people). The manager said no, and then something else, which I didn’t hear.

 

Anyways, back to the story. Maybe all not quite verbatim, but in the spirit of everything said, just to disclaim myself if I mention something not quite right. Anyways… So, I said to the women that he (the manager standing there) had only said to me not to ever set foot in the store again. And I told her that I had not and was in compliance. She proceeded to tell me that the parking lot was Walmart property and she could “trespass” anybody she wanted, for any reason. She said Remember when you got that information? (I had never received anything…). I said I never was given anything. She said, when they got your information and entered it in the computer? I said that I had never been given anything, and that the manager had never said anything about Walmart property; just only never to set foot in the store again. She continued to insist that the parking lot is Walmart property, saying, as she walked down the ramp and touched her toes onto the parking lot, This is my property. I said, Walmart owns this? I thought it was owned by the plaza owner, and she agreed that was the case. Oh, I said, so Walmart doesn’t own it, but leases it? And she basically agreed. So, I said, well, than it’s not Walmart property. She said she’ll call the law enforcement if they see me there again and they’ll take me to jail. Now, I had been confused, since the law enforcement had trumped up to Yelling, disorderly conduct, and trespass, and there were contradictory “charges” going on, so I didn’t know if I could or couldn’t be on their entire property. I still felt I was in the right, since, at no time, did they warn me not to be on their property. But, now, this time, she is now saying that. I don’t think that is fair to tack onto the original charge, when there was no charge to begin with. I had told her that I wasn’t trespassing when I went into the store, so how was it possible for me to be trespassing, when I left the store, and have not been back into their store since? And she said she didn’t really know what the reason had been. And I told her, briefly, that it was Walmart who had incorrect prices, and that was all they banned me for (which is ALL Walmart’s fault), and they’re discriminating against me. Oh, and here comes the bus….

 

This ban affects me in many ways. While I do have a free bus pass for the regular county transit busses, the free city buses provide a needed and helpful service to someone like myself, since I commute door-to-door from that location, directly to a library. As stated, there are no other designated bus stops along the city route for quite a distance, either prior to or after the Walmart stop. I feel that I’m entitled to wait for the free bus and take it, just like anybody else. It is not their parking lot, unless the plaza owner also is affiliated in some way to Walmart, which I don’t know about, but doubt. She cannot ban me from a place which is not hers (or Walmart’s), and try to intimidate me or try to prevent me from using a free city bus to get around. I do have bags to carry, and must get around either by foot or by public transportation. By extending this initial charge to now encompass further charges, such a ban from the entire Walmart property, even the public lot, which may not even be theirs, and trying to limiting my access to these publicly-provided facilities goes way beyond the scope of this Walmart fiasco, which they started. I believe they are discriminating against me for being a homeless person with bags, or perhaps, unconsciously biased against my ethnicity as a Jewish person, or possibly even a combination of the two, a discriminated-against minority in society, as a whole, for just being Jewish, but without any minority rights. I have IBS, and taking away the Walmart bathroom, which I could previously use as the short-term regular customer I have been, prior to this incident, deprives me now, even more so, because I am homeless and do not have the same access to a bathroom, as compared to most regular people who have a place to live in do, and I have to hold off using a bathroom for much longer than I would have, given the Walmart option, previously. I try to buy a small thing from the other stores which will let me use their bathroom, just in order to use the bathroom, and not have them hating the homeless for using up their resources with no gain. These other locations are more than nice to my face and always say “Yes,” but still, I don’t want to be a bad stain on “homeless people’s” “name”… There is a county bus I could utilize, but that would involve more walking, a transfer, and is all-around more inconvenient. Still, I don’t think I should be harassed by these employees like this, for absolutely no reason at all. Also, banning me from Walmart takes away my food availability and convenience factors to get other food, even though there is another market not far from there, but I am often too tied to go even that short distance. So, they’ve limited my food choices. EBT allows only cold food to be purchased, unless the loophole places, such like convenience stores offer, such as heated frozen foods, using their microwave, etc., and as such, it limits my food choices, as is, with EBT. Add in the lack of stores from where I can purchase, such as Walmart is doing by banning me from their store, and this is really curtailing my food choices, leading me into a sort of cycle of being too tired to hunt down nourishment, but needing better nutrients to keep going. Yes, there is a soup kitchen; and, it’s the same thing. It’s even further, and I get tired and find it difficult to schlepp with all my bags in weather. Being homeless, the only places you can go are to a park or a library, or you’re otherwise considered loitering and tend to get harassed by the law enforcement. Many get ticketed for this. Even though I coincidentally recently read that Walmart often wins its discrimination cases, I’m thinking perhaps I might sue them. Then, I feel, that the law enforcement will ratchet up anything against me in the interim until the case gets heard and make me look bad. This is the perception of intimidation I feel – – as if we are living in a police state. But, the Walmart employees have been very hostile to me all throughout my shopping experiences there, with the exception of the very first few beginning days, when I told you before, that the nice, Hispanic customer service lady had been an exceptional employee – – but she seems to no longer be there.

 

 

 

Indulgent Deluge

Indulgent Deluge (Randyjw; May 17, 2019)

 

Oh, brother…

Look what you’ve done

Opened the faucets

and let the water run

 

Now all the tributaries

merge into one

When the cascades fall

it’s the time to run

 

 

Collab

Collab (Earlier; Rachelgv and Yassy)

 

I wonder why we love but it happens
Always when you least expect it
We will face it
and surmount all the odds

– a collaboration by Yas and Rach
called …. ____________ ?????

 

 

Google ‘Insider’ Reveals…

 

Google ‘Insider’ Reveals… (Randyjw; August 14, 2019)

 

Watch this former Google employee speak about internal Company policies:

 

(https://youtu.be/g1VeElBAeas)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tisha B’Av 2019

Tisha B’Av (Randyjw; August 10, 2019)

 

 

(https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/135039/rabbi-viral-video-of-foxes-on-temple-mount-a-timely-sign-more-prophecies-about-to-be-revealed/)

 

 

(https://youtu.be/wxWdUc98Zdc)

 

 

 

Shomeret

Shomeret (Randyjw; August 8, 2019)

 

The afternoon’s reflection:

a grown-up girl

Both woman, and warrior

with a sidelock curl

 

 

Shomeret (Hebrew):

 

The afternoon's reflection:
A grown-up girl
Both woman, and warrior
with a sidelock curl

Shomeret (Hebrew):

השתקפות אחר הצהריים:
ילדה בוגרת
גם אישה וגם לוחמת
עם תלתל בצד

 

 

Shomeret (Spanish):

 

El reflejo de la tarde:
una niña adulta
Tanto mujer, tanto guerrera
con rizo lateral

 

 

Shomeret (Hindi):

 

दोपहर का प्रतिबिंब:
एक बड़ी हो चुकी लड़की
स्त्री, और योद्धा दोनों
एक साइडलॉक कर्ल के साथ

दोपहर का प्रतिबिंब:
एक बड़ी हो चुकी लड़की
स्त्री, और योद्धा दोनों
एक साइडलॉक कर्ल के साथ

dopahar ka pratibimb:
ek badee ho chukee ladakee
stree, aur yoddha donon
ek saidalok karl ke saath

Stretching Minds And Light

Stretching Minds And Light (Randyjw; August 7, 2019)

 

Thank goodness our space exploration program has been revived. Combined with other observatories located throughout the world, new planets and galaxies are being discovered, challenging our theoretical scientific conceptions to-date. For a fascinating look, see this article, here:

 

(https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/universe-galaxies-milky-way-hubble-nasa-discovery-breakthrough-latest-a9045951.html?amp)

 

 

 

 

FB Incitement To Violence

 

FB Incitement To Violence (Randyjw; August 3, 2019)

 

You would not believe Facebook’s policy on incitement to violence. According to Paul Joseph Watson, he reports that Facebook will allow people to incite violence against those people Facebook deems to be ‘Dangerous Individuals,’ such that they are claiming Paul Joseph Watson is. Watson says, on the video below, that the UK has laws against that. Watch:

 

 

Watson, Paul Joseph. “Watson Video: Facebook Put a Fatwa on Me”. frontpagemag; July 24, 2019:

(https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/274400/watson-video-facebook-put-fatwa-me-paul-joseph-watson)

 

 

Will Look

Will Look (Randyjw; July 31, 2019)

 

and beneath the

lash-fringed eyes,

the shyest broad smile

brings peace and

contentment to mine

 

 

Too Little, Too Late

Too Little, Too Late (Randyjw; July 31, 2019)

 

Too little

too late

from the more that was in my heart

But found no privacy

to say

 

 

Anti-Zionism vs. Anti-Semitism

 

Anti-Zionism vs. Anti-Semitism (Randyjw; July 30, 2019)

 

 

Statements delivered at the U.S. Department of Justice Summit on Combating Anti-Semitism in Washington, D.C., July 15, 2019 by Jonathan S. Tobin, editor in chief of JNS, in edited written form, below:

 

 

Tobin, Jonathan S. “How anti-Zionists legitimize anti-Semitism”. jns.org; July 15, 2019:

(https://www.jns.org/opinion/how-anti-zionists-legitimize-anti-semitism/)

 

 

 

Antennae

Antennae (Randyjw; July 21, 2019)

 

I feel the sadness,

and, seeming,

but probably unlikely,

futility.

 

Like a broadcast transmission,

pushing through space,

forward with expansion,

for which no higher being ever captured.

 

Israel Screen Time

 

Israel Screen Time (Randyjw; July 20, 2019)

 

Netflix and HBO will be featuring films on Israeli special operations.

 

Premiering July 31, 2019 on Netflix, The Red Sea Diving Resort recreates the operation to extract and bring the Ethiopian people to Israel.

 

HBO brings to screen the true, harrowing events surrounding the kidnap and murder by Hamas of three Israeli teenage boys – Naftali Frenkel, 16, Gilad Shaer, 16, and Eyal Yifrah, 19.

This ten-episode series, called Our Boys, begins on August 12, 2019.

Ghermezian, Shiryn. “New Trailer Released for Netflix Film About Mossad Operation to Smuggle Ethiopian Jews to Israel”. algemeiner.com; July 17, 2019:

(https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/07/17/new-trailer-released-for-netflix-film-about-mossad-operation-to-smuggle-ethiopian-jews-to-israel/)

 

Ghermezian, Shiryn. “HBO Releases Trailer for Series Based on Kidnapping, Murder of 3 Israeli Teens Before 2014 Gaza War”. algemeiner.com; July 16, 2019:

(https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/07/16/hbo-releases-trailer-for-series-based-on-kidnapping-murder-of-3-israeli-teens-before-2014-gaza-war/)

 

---

 

Update (September 10, 2019):

A letter was sent to HBO from 120 bereaved Israeli families regarding this series.

 

See more:

 

Green, Aryeh. “Bereaved Families to HBO: ‘Our Boys’ Misleading Viewers About Israeli Societal Acceptance of Terrorism”. TPS via Jewishpress.com; August 14, 2019.

(https://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/bereaved-families-to-hbo-our-boys-misleading-viewers-about-israeli-societal-acceptance-of-terrorism/2019/08/14/)

 

And [added September 21, 2019]:

 

Berkowitz, Adam Eliyahu. “New HBO Series Depicts Jewish “Settlers” as Neo-Nazis”. breakingisraelnews.com; August 21, 2019:

(https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/135784/new-hbo-series-depicts-jewish-settlers-neo-nazis/)

 

 

Beit She’arim

 

Beit She’arim:

 

(https://youtu.be/N_eDWi46h7o)

 

 

Re-Made

Re-Made (Randyjw; July 13, 2019)

 

Why do we take this pain

and internalize it, until we have

nothing to say?

 

Maybe we’re just too hurt;

Maybe it’s the way we’re made.

 

xo

 

 

 

Heart

 

Heart (Randyjw; July 12, 2019)

 

I wish you could read with my heart

the unstoppable, beating thoughts

you, only, love

 

 

 

Just Five Jews Left In Egypt; Sorry: in Cairo

 

Just Five Jews Left In Egypt (Randyjw; July 10, 2019)

 

There are only five Jews left in Egypt:

 

World Israel News Staff. “5 Jews left in Egypt as pillar of Cairo’s Jewish community dies”. worldisraelnews.com; July 9, 2019:

 

(https://worldisraelnews.com/5-jews-left-in-egypt-as-pillar-of-cairos-jewish-community-dies/)

 

Update (July 17, 2019):

There are a few more, elsewhere in Egypt – – 12 in Alexandria:

(https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/133101/exodus-from-egypt-nearly-complete-just-five-jews-remain-in-cairo-following-death-of-matriarch)

 

 

Sarah Idan: Beautiful Inside

Sarah Idan: Beautiful Inside (Randyjw; July 7, 2019)

Miss Iraq: Peace, Love, and Oh, So Beautiful

(https://unwatch.org/boom-brave-miss-iraq-drops-the-mic-at-unhrc-owns-the-dictators/)

Update (June 3, 2021) / See also:

(https://youtu.be/_qHWXBmm80Q)

Update (March 25, 2022) / See also:

(https://www.algemeiner.com/2022/03/24/diversity-is-definitely-there-former-miss-iraq-sarah-idan-defends-israel-against-apartheid-charge/)

Still the same message – unchanged; still so beautiful!

 

Fourth of July

Fourth of July (Randyjw; July 2, 2019)

 

 

Happy Independence Day, America!

 

 

Johnny Cash: Ragged Old Flag; posted by Good Stuff on February 6, 2017:

 

(https://youtu.be/o0Jl2qOFOJk)

 

 

American Patriotic Song: America the Beautiful; posted by Ian Berwick on May 21, 2016:

 

(https://youtu.be/Tcg11sx1vYM)

 

 

Anthem Lights / Patriotic Medley:

 

(https://youtu.be/NuqUSJIFreI)

 

– – – – – – – – – – – –

 

Artists and aficionados from around the world converge in Jerusalem at this time each year to experience the unique, spectacular light show known as the Festival of Light. This annually-changing exhibit of illumination features dozens of artistic displays located throughout various areas of the Old City. A different way to take in Israel at night, and combine it with a July Fourth celebration, as the event continues through that date, this year.

 

See Fernalyn Payal’s Youtube video from 2014 from one of the festival’s features:

 

(https://youtu.be/rRQmQXPh4HQ)

 

 

This video, by Jacob Richman, is from the 2017 festival:

 

(https://youtu.be/9QcUk2Y9Ti8)

 

 

This post, from alex goot77, is from 2018:

 

(https://youtu.be/NrwPNngQSJg)

 

 

 

One Breath

One Breath (Randyjw; June 24, 2019)

 

You leave me breathless;

Wanting, Lacking, and restless…

(peacefully rested).

 

 

The “Numbers” Map

 

The Numbers Map (Randyjw; June 22, 2019)

 

See the locations of the places mentioned in the “Numbers” portion of the Torah, as presented by Rabbi Tuly Weisz, of the infamous Israel 365 and Breaking Israel News websites, which I love, and link to so very often… (Rabbi Weisz has also recently completed The Israel Bible™):

 

(https://theisraelbible.com/numbers-map/)

 

 

Save Face

Save Face (Randyjw; June 21, 2019):

 

Before valuing another,

Don’t be hasty to rely on the opinions of others

Though they speak loudly

and with seeming authority

Someone that cares will be their own heart- and fact-checker

 

 

 

 

 

A Dream Uncovered

A Dream Uncovered (Randyjw; June 19, 2019)

 

Unveiling the moon

of her shrouded mysteries

illuminating

 

 

Randy’s Reviews: Tears of the Moon – by Nora Roberts

Beauty and melancholy intertwine in the Irish folklore, music, and deep ties to its land. Among its people, a haunting longing within the heart and soul can only be quenched by returning to the roots of all connections: G-d, Love, and Country. For Brenna O’Toole and Shawn Gallagher, each learn to find the fulfillment of their deepest dreams and desires through a gradual understanding of the meaning inherent in all three.

 

 

(https://youtu.be/2IFBtpfY5kM)

 

Avraham’s Journey

 

Avraham’s Journey (Randyjw; June 18, 2019)

 

I was slowly setting out to do, in a way, what Rabbi Tuly Weisz, in his The Israel Bible, has already done. Within this digitally-modern, Google map, you’ll be able to visually review, en masse, location markers for Biblical sites attenuated to the travels of Avraham:

 

(https://theisraelbible.com/genesis-map/)

 

Randy’s Reviews: The Day You Were Born: A Journey to Wholeness through Astrology and Numerology – by Linda Joyce

Randy’s Reviews: The Day You Were Born: A Journey to Wholeness through Astrology and Numerology – by Linda Joyce (Randyjw; June 16, 2019)

 

The Day You Were Born: A Journey to Wholeness through Astrology and Numerology; Copyright © 1998 by Linda Joyce. Kensington Books. Kensington Publishing Corp., 850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022. http://www.kensingtonbooks.com

 

This book applies the sun signs of the zodiac, in a formula beginning in Aries and ending in Pisces, with a numerological factoring for the variance, and combines it with some metaphysically-specific best-practice recommendations to supposedly inform a person on the manners whereupon this application might be achieved.

 

Is it proper for me to side with or promote an astrological/numerological work? Not quite. Evidence for this, in Judaism, would point to the disaster of King Saul and his consultations with Hulda, who may or may not have been the same (I just don’t know) as the externally written-about Greek Oracle of Delphi. King Saul eventually fell prey to a never-ending wrestle between inner peace and an aroused spirit of paranoia and jealousy toward his eventual successor, David, the only one, paradoxically, who could calm Saul’s troubled spirit with the notes he played on his kinnor.

 

Yet, there exists further depth in the Judaic expression and realms of revelations intrinsic in the holiness of the Hebrew script (it is G-d’s word, after all); the corresponding numerical equivalency of the tandem Gematria; Kabbalah; and, really, actually, all things.

 

I can argue under Judaism, or Jewish perspective, for a combination of the essentiality of man’s existence on the earthly plane, combined with the striving toward the spiritual plane. G-d’s Laws (the Torah) are set before us with the imperative to choose life; that ye may live. We are told that doing so is not too difficult for us. We see that the 613 commandments include both the positive and the negative. We see that they include both the earthly (between man and man), and the heavenly (between man and G-d) — the stronger emphasis, surprisingly, being expounded as those between men. Disaster befalls us each and every time we go astray the Laws, which is a deviation from the spiritual. And Hillel sums up the whole of Torah as the essence that one should not do what is hateful unto another, stressing the earthly, inter-relationary aspects of man.

 

According to Linda Joyce, the author of the titled book in review, life should be balanced between the worldly aspects of the physical, such as the body and things of the earth, which is known as Ego, and the world of Spirit – – the heavenly realm — in order for the soul to receive its lessons as it proceeds through life and corresponding zodiac sun signs to grow in a balanced manner.

 

Linda Joyce has formed a merger of the practices of numerology and astrology to reveal an appreciable insight into human nature, combined with a gift for anecdotal and biographical supporting stories. What I can say is that, for everything that she presents, she does so to full confirmation of a certain perspective.

 

In a way, I always thought it was most imperative to nurture the qualities which would be so-considered the characteristics of a “higher calling,” tending to feel that one should aspire to lift one’s self above a baser nature. There’s nothing wrong with self-improvement, so I don’t find that, as an expression, to do so is as hypocritical an endeavor as the transverse, where the thought might be that, perhaps, one can only express their authentic selves via the masks of solely their present, fixed immutability. I think both give themselves a viewpoint weighted to the specifics of each varied individual: an optimistic outlook or a realistic outlook; but valid on either hand, regardless. It just matters which works better for each person.

 

Much like magic did this book appear on a shelf, at a time of deep, personal loss and internal struggle; although, unlike magic, I believe in G-d, and I believe in the basic goodness of man. The Biblical Jacob and his personal struggle teaches us about life, love, hardship and pain. But the message imparted is that we can prevail.

 

This excerpt, delineating Ego and Spirit in its last perfected self through Pisces, is seen, then, thus:

 

The search for your true origin, the haunting memory of happier days, innocence and youth — this is your memory of Eden and paradise. Darwin shocked and divided the world when he declared that men and apes had a common ancestor. His findings challenged the biblical origin story. The truth is that both origin stories are correct. We come from both heaven and earth. Heaven provides our mythical and symbolic origin. Evolution is what happens to us on earth — we evolve and grow and transform. The two are not in conflict (pg. 343).

 

Feelings of separation and loss, either because your path leads you elsewhere or someone else’s path has come to an end, is symbolic of the relationship between Ego and Spirit. Pisces is the end of the journey, and these two antagonists have traveled together through sunny days and terrible storms. They know each other in any disguise. They can recognize each other in a crowd, in the role of pauper or king, thief or saint. Together they have played all the parts, challenged each other’s goals and ideals, fought for and against each other’s dreams, shared each other’s joys and sorrows, triumphs and failures. Their commitment to the journey has bonded them through shared experiences, and now their differences seem unimportant and small. Theirs is a true relationship, one tested and sure, one based on earned respect. Now, when they have put aside their differences and learned how to play, it’s time to part. Love has awakened through the impending separation. Ego is old and must face death. Spirit is young. Having been reborn to a new strength, she can now defend herself and move forward, taking Ego’s memory into her heart and soul. Along the path he has protected her, allowing her to do her work. His devious ways and masterful disguises have honed her ability to see and discriminate. He has been her warrior, fighting her dragons; her enemy vying for position and power; her lover, embracing her with desire and will, trying to control her every breath. He has put her on a pedestal and he has abandoned her for fruitless dreams. But through it all they have remained together. Forgiveness came in Aquarius and the true meaning of love will come with separation. For without loss one does not know what one once had. They are soul mates and the song they sing has finally become one. Ego will surrender into the soul of the Spirit, ending their separation forever. Their love defies death because they are children of heaven and earth, who through their magical relationship have been able to bring one person closer to his or her true nature, to enlightenment, and to God.

 

… what they are learning is to love and go on, embodying that love within their soul, knowing that their physical presence is not needed for it to be real (pp. 373-374).

 

---

 

 

Read also:

 

(https://www.jewishpress.com/judaism/parsha/torah-shorts-lech-lecha-horoscope-proof/2019/11/08/)

 

 

Happy Father’s Day

Father’s Day (Randyjw; June 16, 2019)

 

 

 

 

 

Music (Added September 5, 2019):

 

(https://youtu.be/ZBysir_2vtk)

 

 

Shavuot 2019

Shavuot 2019 (Randyjw; June 7, 2019)

 

 

Happy Shavuot!!!

 

 

Twenty Years at Hull-House; with Autobiographical Notes

 

Twenty Years at Hull-House; with Autobiographical Notes – by Jane Addams (Randyjw; June 1, 2019)

 

Twenty Years at Hull-House; with Autobiographical Notes – by Jane Addams; original publication date 1910. Paperback reissue by University of Illinois Press Urbana and Chicago in conjunction with the Illinois Center for the Book. Introduction and Notes ©1990 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, written by James Hurt, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

 

This is a review of paradoxical contradictions. Written by: a self-termed Conservative with a bent toward issues-oriented policy, regarding the premise of socialized, communal living, termed a ‘Settler Movement,’ within a democratic republic. A Movement meant to examine the processes and application of social theory towards the results of its experiments; yet still finding an unsolved relevancy in the persistence of those self-same subsets one hundred-years forward. The subject of ‘Humans’, as human subjects.

 

The time was ripening for the arousal to consciousness of how man must learn to structure their societal proponents to live amongst a continually burgeoning and industrializing U.S. population. With the influx of immigrants from abroad, there needed to homogenize the old traditions and cultures to create a workable new, and this was the tenet of a number of ambitious people and projects attempting to do so, circa late-Nineteenth/early-Twentieth centuries.

 

Jane Addams was one of them. In her 1910 published book, she describes her project, conducted with a friend, to live amongst the poor, and to become good neighbors with them. Along the way, she is caught up in the issues of the day, such as the women’s suffrage movement, the assimilation of immigrants from old worlds into a new country, and the effects of egregious working conditions amongst the poor. Whether by choice or chance, she winds up taking a more proactive role to see their challenges as they would experience them, up close, and finding means and both temporary and permanent solutions to help rectify their situation.

 

It’s often hard to tell whether this was an intended undertaking, or whether she was just along on a developing ride. But, in any case, it seems that the attentions given to youth development and education enhanced their opportunities for growth through learning, and lent great assistance to achieving these marks.

 

The book offers an interesting perspective of the literal language of life one hundred-years ago. Sometimes dull, sometimes pedantic in thought – – but still a particular slant from another era lending insight into the influencers of the way in which societies might develop.

 

Jerusalem Day

 

Jerusalem Day (Randyjw; May 31, 2019)

 

 

Happy Jerusalem Day!!!

June 2, 2019

 

Gennady Tkachenko-Papizh

 

Gennady Tkachenko-Papizh

 

If you haven’t seen Gennady Tkachenko-Papizh sing, please watch:

 

(https://youtu.be/g9VjiTDbVDk)

 

 

Rampant Antisemitism

 

Rampant Antisemitism (Randyjw; May 29, 2019)

 

Anti-semitic sentiment bears its fruit in influence and actions. Much as we would like to think that the degree and tone of an individual’s public expression to their commitment of non-prejudice toward all people might be true, it’s rather difficult to accept the excuses given, the non-apologetic justifications and back-pedalling, and all else that passes for non-pc-speak, by our elected representatives, officials, the spinners of propaganda passing for news, and those entrusted to uphold our constitutional values.

 

This should especially be true in our education system today, given how hard our nation has fought each other on the issues of equality, the right to vote, etc.

 

I must say that I cannot accept that most universities today continue to allow blatant hostility to its Jewish students to continue. If student clubs receive budgets for their activities through the school, and if that agenda includes sponsoring convicted terrorists as speakers on-campus; If the selfsame speaker has ties to, sympathizes with, or has even committed terrorist acts; if the US Department of State has listed such an affiliated group as a terrorist organization; is the material support and comfort given to this person or endeavor a treasonous act to our country?

 

If a faculty department of a university, which is comprised of teachers employed by such school, engages in such behavior; discriminates against students, particularly Jews wishing to study abroad at an Israeli campus by rescinding a previously agreed commitment to write a letter of recommendation for such study, upon learning that it would take place in (Jewish) Israel; if antisemitic violence against Jewish students, harassment of Jewish students by other students; if a collective body of students under their club, or student government promote such discrimination against pro-Israel Jews:

 

Besides lip service paid by the administration of such universities in simply stating that their administration does not share such values…

 

Isn’t it obvious that they do, if they will allow such actions to keep on? Isn’t silent agreement an act of complicity, in itself?

 

That is why, despite a Universities’ stated position, I still leave them on my listings, for having allowed the Jews to have to go through such things, here in America, as well as around the world.

 

See:

“What You Do To Jews”:

What You Do To Jews…

 

See (Updated June 5, 2019):

Stellar, Richard. “UCLA: No place for Jews?”. jewishjournal.com (Opinion); September 1, 2016:

(https://jewishjournal.com/opinion/189501/)

 

 

Book Review Corrects Revisionist History

 

Book Review Corrects Revisionist History (Randyjw; May 27, 2019)

 

This book review by Raymond Ibrahim corrects the historical account, to a great extent, between competing versions of the past, which vie for our attention, today:

 

(https://www.raymondibrahim.com/2019/05/24/reversing-the-roles-of-crusade-and-jihad/)

 

 

US Vets

 

US Vets (Randyjw; May 11, 2019)

 

FREEDOM. LIBERTY.

What would you give for these? Ask

any vet you see…

 

 

MEMORIAL DAY – – May 27, 2019 (Randyjw; May 5, 2019)

 

 

Star Spangled Banner As You’ve Never Heard It:

mona rose

Published on Jul 6, 2013

(https://youtu.be/YaxGNQE5ZLA)

 

 

 

Freedom Is Not Free – A poem by Kelly Strong:

CoquiDave

Published on Oct 12, 2006

(https://youtu.be/jHl5Pf6mc60)

 

 

 

Memorial Day Tribute:

Dennis Henry

Published on May 23, 2013

(https://youtu.be/NOcl17HIa7c)

 

 

 

TAPS:

Norick Hapa_On_A_Moto

Published on Dec 9, 2015

(https://youtu.be/nb2EDrrqgOk)

 

 

Calm

Calm (Randyjw; May 26, 2019)

 

Like Saul to David,

calmed with tender, soothing tones

played on the kinnor.

 

 

These songs by Yehuda Katz have a rather collective, soothing effect:

 

Yehuda Katz – Bachatzi Halayla (Midnight Escape):

(https://youtu.be/u0UN_06tess?list=PLMsoBWRyDM56WNWnS31I7XJ5VIQbRoAXZ)

 

This next one is by Shlomo Katz:

Shlomo Katz- Od Yishama (There Will Be Heard) (composed by Reb Shlomo Carlebach):

(https://youtu.be/_DbMc-xbYOQ?list=PLMsoBWRyDM56WNWnS31I7XJ5VIQbRoAXZ)

 

Yehuda Katz – Woman of Wisdom and Valor (Eshet Chayil) (composed by Reb Shlomo Carlebach):

(https://youtu.be/nb73TalRKYw?list=PLMsoBWRyDM56WNWnS31I7XJ5VIQbRoAXZ)

 

Yehuda Katz – B’Simchah Rabah (We’re So Happy) (composed by Reb Shlomo Carlebach):

(https://youtu.be/d30TDPPxs3A?list=PLMsoBWRyDM56WNWnS31I7XJ5VIQbRoAXZ)

 

Yehuda Katz – Calling Out to You (Elecha) (composed by Reb Shlomo Carlebach):

(https://youtu.be/cH_Vv9Sr9qc?list=PLMsoBWRyDM56WNWnS31I7XJ5VIQbRoAXZ)

 

Yehuda Katz V’hamagal –  Libi U’b’sari:

(https://youtu.be/wEQYpCcnmnE?list=PLMsoBWRyDM56WNWnS31I7XJ5VIQbRoAXZ)

 

Yehuda Katz – Loving Life (Mi Ha’Ish):

(https://youtu.be/geMyb2pImuM?list=PLMsoBWRyDM56WNWnS31I7XJ5VIQbRoAXZ)

 

Yehuda Katz – Reflecting Light (K’Gavnah):

(https://youtu.be/UWOz_gWJXP4?list=PLMsoBWRyDM56WNWnS31I7XJ5VIQbRoAXZ)

 

Yehuda Katz – All Together (composed by Meir Banai, Yair Nitzani):

(https://youtu.be/b7X_ENnjvNw?list=PLMsoBWRyDM56WNWnS31I7XJ5VIQbRoAXZ)

 

Yehuda Katz – Purple Royalty (Shoshanah Ya’Akov):

(https://youtu.be/ygEvI8SrXgo?list=PLMsoBWRyDM56WNWnS31I7XJ5VIQbRoAXZ)

 

Yehuda Katz – Dancing in Mezeritch:

(https://youtu.be/qhooIOY71RY)

 

Yehuda Katz – Hand in Hand (Yamin V’Smol) (composed by Reb Shlomo Carlebach):

(https://youtu.be/5so_kNsFDlE)

 

Yehuda Katz – Nigun Lewis (composed by Reb Shlomo Carlebach):

(https://youtu.be/7Yvh0Pgsgk4)

 

Yehuda Katz – You Are the Kind (composed by Reb Shlomo Carlebach):

(https://youtu.be/YHAezU-oMhE)

 

Or:

https://newsnotes1.wordpress.com/2016/03/05/shema-yisrael/

 

 

The Who: Moving On Tour (US) – Travelzoo Special Members Only Offer

The Who: Moving On Tour (US) – Travelzoo Special Members Only Offer (Randyjw; May 26, 2019)

(Reposted from Travelzoo; May 26, 2019)

 

This is an exclusive special-pricing offer brought to you by Travelzoo and special deal expert, Erin Mara. This goes through memberdeals.com/experience club.

 

So, join Travelzoo, become a member (it’s free), and see, do, experience, travel, and enjoy — so much more, for less ($)!

 

With this Who concert, you get:

Great Rates, help a great cause, and with two tickets purchased, receive a music download or cd of new music by The Who.

 

Here’s their special offer, taken from their deal offer. Please make sure to reclick their links or recheck their website for updates and complete information.

 

————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

 

The Who presents its Moving On tour in cities nationwide, and Travelzoo members save up to 50% on tickets with this exclusive offer.

The Who’s hits include “Baba O’Riley,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “I Can See for Miles” and “My Generation.”

For every two tickets purchased, your order will include one CD or music download of new music by The Who. After you attend the show, you will receive an email with instructions on how to redeem your CD or music download. Also, $1 from every ticket will benefit Teen Cancer America (teencanceramerica.org).

Starting prices are listed below; click your city to see all ticket options:

Northeast and Southeast:

• Atlanta … $75 (reg. $114) at State Farm Arena, Sept. 18
• Boston … $55 (reg. $95) at Fenway Park, Sept. 13
• Pittsburgh … $30 (reg. $61) at PPG Paints Arena, May 30

Florida:

• Sunrise … $50 (reg. $65) at BB&T Center, Sept. 20
• Tampa … $157 (reg. $185) at Amalie Arena, Sept. 22

Midwest & Texas:

• Cuyahoga Falls (Cleveland) … $35 (reg. $70) at Blossom Music Center, Sept. 10
• Dallas … $65 (reg. $113) at American Airlines Center, Sept. 27
• Detroit … $118 (reg. $146) at Little Caesars Arena, May 28
• Elkhorn … $35 (reg. $70) at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, Sept. 8
• Houston … $69 (reg. $119) at Toyota Center, Sept. 25
• St. Paul … $35 (reg. $70) at Xcel Energy Center, Sept. 6

West:

• Denver … $60 (reg. $81) at Pepsi Center, Sept. 29
• Hollywood … $49 (reg. $67) at Hollywood Bowl, Oct. 11

Note: There are extra fees of up to $13.38 per ticket (varying by city), but the fees are actually less than what you’d pay for full-price tickets.

* Discount based on full-priced tickets and associated fees. Restrictions may apply. Subject to availability. CD or music download must redeemed by Sept. 25, 2019.

Im Eshkachech

Im Eshkachech (If I Forget Thee) (Rachelgv; Hebrew Translation / May 26, 2019)

 

T’filah L’Hashem:

Shalom Birushalayim,

yonim al hashurim

 

---

 

English:

 

If I Forget Thee (Rachelgv; May 25, 2019)

 

A prayer to G-d:

Peace upon Jerusalem,

doves upon the walls

 

 

If I Forget Thee

If I Forget Thee (Rachelgv; May 25, 2019)

 

A prayer to G-d:

Peace upon Jerusalem,

doves upon its walls

 

——————————–

 

Im Eshkachech (If I Forget Thee) (Rachelgv; Hebrew Translation / May 26, 2019)

 

T’filah L’Hashem:

Shalom Birushalayim,

yonim al hashurim

 

 

Yeshiva Study Petition

 

 

 

A petition on Change.org regarding yeshiva study:

 

(http://chng.it/7chpRk6R86)

 

 

Love (Ten)

Love (Ten) (Randyjw; May 22, 2019)

 

The unseen art, of dabblers, and love,

in the negative space on the wall

was filled to existence by tenderly painters

trading places when the other stalled

 

 

Some New TV Clips From MEMRI (Content Advisory Warning)

 

Some New TV Clips From MEMRI (Content Advisory Warning) (Randyjw; May 16, 2019)

 

 

Here are the latest TV clips from Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) (Content Advisory Warning):

 

 

(https://www.memri.org/tv/hamas-bureau-member-fathi-hammad-liberation-palestine-soon-zionists-place-europe-hell-bermuda-triangle)

 

(https://www.memri.org/tv/palestinian-cleric-nidhal-siam-aqsa-ramadhan-devils-america-russia-britain-islamic-state-muslims-time-bomb-explode-jihad)

 

 

 

Psstttt…… Are you awake?

 

Illegal Peace Prayers

 

Illegal Peace Prayers (Randyjw; May 16, 2019)

 

 

I’m admitting to post-facto supposed “war crimes” of having placed a note in the Western Wall/Wailing Wall/Kotel and joining Alan Dershowitz’s satirical call of rebellion in doing so, to protest the designation of parts of Israeli land as being called “occupied.”

 

Does this designation apply retroactively to 587 BCE, 70CE, the actual placing of my note circa 2003/4/5 or so, the UN Security Council Resolution (fake news) of 2016, or what? Am I a satirical 2,600-year criminal, a 2,050-year criminal, a 16-year criminal, or just a mere 3-year criminal? Better round those criminal Jews up, again.

 

Dershowitz, Alan. “War Crime!: Placing a Note in the Western Wall”. gatestoneinstitute.org; May 14, 2019:

(https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/14223/western-wall-note)

 

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day (Randyjw; May 11, 2019)

 

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY !!!

Fuschia Blooms

 

Fuschia Blooms (Randyjw; May 10, 2019)

 

Fuschia brush my ears:

caresses near the soapdish

blushes cheeks and hair

 

 

Turquoise

Turquoise (Randyjw; May 10, 2019)

 

Sunlight pierces the branches of mangroves

the blue heron sailing a vast expanse for the other side

At the bank gleam shining pairs of faceted rainbows

partially submerging preying alligator eyes

 

Junebugs arrive early

and mayday beacons, like fireflies, bioluminesce in neon green

A striped mullet arcs and twists his agile body,

silvered underbody draped in pearlescent sheen

 

Sugar kisses coat the cypress swamp,

of which the water was filled and drained

And now sits the still glorious eagle

in its place where the plantation stands

 

The cypress canoes lay now silent

on the trails, filled with tears, which man tamed

A seminal tale for the Seminole,

at the time when the full moon waned.

 

 

(https://youtu.be/6cR-h8FU7rI)

 

 

 

 

Chamesh

 

Chamesh (Randyjw; May 9, 2019)

 

Chamesh is a five-fingered luck sign

of both Jewish and Arab design

To which I added further images

of symbolic peace doves of Israel, in mine

 

 

Two birds in the hand

and the world, as a pomegranate

solely… to wish each soul

A good year!

That’s all…

dadnabbit!

 

 

Love / Amor (Nine)

 

Love / Amor (Nine) (Randyjw; May 9, 2019)

 

Verses in reply

from seemingly simple lines

Layered depths to mine

 

 

No Contest

 

No Contest (Randyjw; May 9, 2019)

 

Of the bad I’ve done

No excused crimes of passion

emits from forked tongues

 

The judges human

don’t look at goodness in sums

but each act, as one

 

Opening statements,

intent, and motivation

Leave the jury hung

 

The courtroom drama

supporting evidence flung

considerations begun

 

Intimidation

the cross-examination

A gavel bangs down

 

So, put to the gun,

Not for, but because… of love,

I admit to none

 

 

Wingwoman

 

Wingwoman (Randyjw; May 9, 2019)

 

Birds on a wire

at times don’t face each other

but love, together

 

 

Can’t Chew Gum

 

Can’t Chew Gum (Randyjw; May 9, 2019)

 

My heart skips its beats

Even while managing to

trip over my feet

 

Why America Is Great

 

Why America Is Great (Randyjw; May 8, 2019)

 

Ducking beneath an overhang to avoid rain, I found myself sitting next to two people engaged in a conversation in which one of them stated that he saves only a little money, and the rest of it he sends back to his country. I was a little concerned about this guy, as he seemed to have taken two “location shots” of a not-so-special place, and then seemed to proceed to aim his phone, somewhat surreptitiously, toward me. I told him, twice, “Don’t take my picture,” but I think he did. I did not get a good feeling from it – – and it seemed more like a bad reconaissance mission, as opposed to a friendly gesture. Without saying what I’m saying, I’m saying it, anyways… Hopefully, it’s just hyper-awareness in this situation and doesn’t portend ill-purpose on his part.

Anyways, it set me thinking about immigration, other countries, and the U.S.

 

I have nothing against immigrants. I understand that people want to share in our “dream” of freedom, democracy, and prosperity. If only some family members from foreign countries settle here, it tears their family apart, and that can be difficult. When an immigrant finds work, and sends most of their wage earnings home, these remittances help raise the living standards for their family, since the dollar tends to be the strongest currency against which other countries peg their own currency. The value is so much higher, that the dollar has so much more purchasing power.

 

But, there are other factors to consider, as well. What if there are so many emigrants doing this, that half the country are receiving this income, but the other half are not? Maybe it will lead to the artificial inflation of the cost of goods, based on what the given market will bear: such items such as housing, cars, and the like, eventually, and effectively, pricing the poor half of the population right out of the market and even deeper into dire poverty.

 

Maybe there’s a point of too-quick growth, where booms in various industries lead to a top-heavy shift of workers toward these growth areas, while leading to the paucity of other industries and the workers required to learn and perform still needed functions and vocations. The lure of foreign countries whose workers will earn less, due to the stronger dollar at home, helps to also cause the business-investor’s exodus.

 

I think that’s why President Trump is bringing back manufacturing to our shores, and really understands the full benefits of doing so. While we, here, in the U.S., still stand to retain our competitive technological, military, and business edge, it also helps to raise the standards of living for so many in the rest of the world.

 

How? It might help to galvanize the populations of other countries to confront the reasons why their present system isn’t working and to find the means to make it work. Perchance a popular movement will gain traction, using the ideals of the U.S. success as a role model. It’s already beginning to happen in Saudi Arabia, with nepotism and cronyism in the awarding of cushy jobs to the royal sons now losing favor and industry opening up to the general population. Other mid-East countries, not in the midst of long-term internal or external war, are also feverishly developing their infrastructure and, hence, furthering their economies. That’s better diversification for them, as oil, gas, and alternate energy resources are now also found in better concentration beyond just the middle East. Word being bandied about by the Palestinians is heading in this area, also.

 

 

When the U.S. was great, the world’s countries rose, as well. At least, those which were based on a democratic-capitalist system. Where the U.S. started to fail is in the brawn-drain exodus of our manufacturing jobs and the brain-drain exodus in the tech sector. Accelerated immigration growth led to a demand to accommodate a bilingual work-force, to tap, not only foreign markets, but now the internal language shift of the U.S. This has forced a change in the population of both the workforce and those forced out of once plentiful jobs formerly requiring only a monolingual language. The country from the exodus continues its decline as workers leave for greener pastures, and this causes more instability around the world.

 

I think that the world can rise with America’s rise, rather than by bringing it down. It’s just something to seriously think about.

 

See Also (Updated June 20, 2019):

 

Stossel, John. “Moral Capitalism”. linbertynewsnow.com; June 20, 2019:

(https://libertynewsnow.com/moralcapitalism/article16884)

 

 

How Beautiful

 

How Beautiful (Randyjw; May 5, 2019)

 

How beautiful is this song, “La Vie en Rose.”

 

Some would call me a hopeless romantic. I’d disagree. I’d call it something more, like… a “hopeful romantic.” Isn’t that better? I think so.

 

The perfect embodiment of this is found in the song, “La Vie en Rose.”

 

I just found this beautiful version of it, last night. It features Nieka Moss, with Jason Lux accompanying on piano. Listen to these love-ly words, especially the English wording at the end.

 

Have a beautiful day and evening. Good night.

 

 

(https://youtu.be/eu1auaUHy0c)

 

 

 

Love cont

 

Love cont (Rachelgv; May 3, 2019)

 

Pick for me

another song

and let me grasp

at shadows

that have already gone

While nights grow shorter

and the days grow long

I’ll be seeking your starlight

in the rise of each dawn

 

 

Yom HaShoah (This Evening)

 

Yom HaShoah (This Evening)

 

In remembrance of the six million who perished in the Holocaust.

 

Hannah Szenes wrote this poem. She escaped from Hungary in the second World War, and went back over enemy lines to help her fellow Jews in trouble. She gave her life, in doing so.

 

(https://youtu.be/R1hH5c4k51Q)

 

 

Yom Hazikaron / Yom Ha’Atzma’ut (Repost)

 

Yom HaZikaron / Yom Ha’Atzma’ut (Randyjw; April 17, 2018)

(Reposted May 1, 2019)

Yom HaZikaron May 7-8, 2019

Yom Ha’Atzma’ut May 8-9, 2019

Soldiers, warriors, heroes, victims

mothers, fathers, siblings, children

departed, terrorism, so many gone, in memoriam

never forget, ever learned?

millions strong, remembering

Israel Stands Still

Israel Stands Still (Randyjw; Originally Posted: April 22, 2017)

Israel stands still

when the siren sounds across the land

recalling the fallen

the never again

You are not forgotten

but remembered again

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Siren of Rehovot, Israel (2012):

 

(https://youtu.be/M_Dc2D2va_A)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I Am poem – Anne Frank

by Natasha Hashemi and Claire Hawer

 

(https://youtu.be/2p-a_mCO_JA)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eli Atah – Shlomo Gronich and the Sheba Choir

 

(https://youtu.be/CidvVpPMQQ8)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

In Happier Days (Randyjw; Originally Posted: April 23, 2017)

 

Through the slavery of Egypt;

through the auto-da-fe’s; the pogroms;

through the Inquisition; the Crusades;

and the exile of Babylon.

 

The destruction of our Temple

was more than the razing of a building;

it was the attempt to destroy through deicide

what they couldn’t destroy within.

 

The burning of our skin

in the synagogues

as they torched us alive in flames

worshipping false G-ds with idols

and blaspheming the Good L-rd’s name.

 

They eradicated us en masse in genocide

and overtook the Holy Land,

What they didn’t take, through Holocaust,

was that G-d would foil their plans.

 

G-d knows how to make it rain,

blessing, in its proper times.

As much as is done for the earth,

He has done, as well, for our minds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Rebirthday: Eternal, Israel

 

Happy Rebirthday: Eternal, Israel

(Randyjw; Originally Posted: 05/11/2016)

 

Eternal:

Yom HaZikaron

Remembrance Day (Memorial Day)

 

 

Israel:

Yom HaAtzma’ut

Independence Day

 

 

Yom Holedet!

Happy Rebirthday, Israel.

Always Eternal.

Eternally Yours,

 

HaTikvah (The Hope; a poem by Naftali Herz Imber; also it is the Israel National Anthem)

 

Kol od balayvav pnima nefesh Yehudi homiyah

Ul fatey Mizrach kadima

Ayin L’Tsion tsofiyah

Od lo avdah tikvatenu

HaTikvah shnot al payim

Liyot Am chofshi be’artzenu

B’Eretz Tzion V’rushalyim.

 

(HaTikvah “The Hope” translation from “My Jewish Learning”:)

As long as within our hearts

The Jewish soul sings,

As long as forward to the East

To Zion, looks the eye —

Our hope is not yet lost,

It is two thousand years old,

To be a free people in our land

The land of Zion and Jerusalem.

 

Hear The Israel National Anthem, HaTikvah, on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6Q4XL4oRIRE

 

See excerpts of Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, proclaim the State of Israel, with HaTikvah in the background: https://youtu.be/XTSpfNoHpzU

 

 

Shomron

 

Shomron (King Omri bought hill for two talents of silver from Shemer; hence, the name) / Christian: The City of Sebastia (Randyjw; April 24, 2019)

 

Jewishpress.com/author/photo of the day; “The City of Sebastia”; April 24, 2019:

(https://www.jewishpress.com/multimedia/photos/the-city-of-sebastia/2019/04/24/)

 

 

Land Theft In Judea/Samaria

 

Land Theft In Judea/Samaria (Randyjw; April 24, 2019)

 

This is another really important and informative article toward understanding what is occurring now in Judea/Samaria (the so-called “West Bank”):

 

 

Linder Kahn, Naomi. “The European Union: Nurturing Instability and Terrorism in the Middle East”. gatestoneinstitute.org; April 24, 2019:

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/14011/european-union-palestinians-instability

 

 

Best Yet Article

 

Best Yet Article (Randyjw; April 22, 2019)

 

This is the best article I’ve yet read on the Jewish people vis-à-vis Israel (and mostly what I’ve been saying, all along):

 

Sylvetsky, Rochel. “The legal status of Jerusalem: Examination of Israel’s lawful rights”. israelnationalnews.com Op-Ed; April 18, 2019:

(http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/23749)

 

 

Passover Songs And More 5779

 

Passover Songs And More 5779 (Randyjw; April 18, 2019)

 

 

Bachatzi Halayla (Midnight Escape) – Yehudah Katz

Published on Apr 2, 2012

(https://youtu.be/u0UN_06tess?list=PL5SpPWIeTwWNr_4EOsuabEG3-7YdmU4_S)

 

 

Od Yishama (There Will Be Heard) – Shlomo Katz

Published on Apr 23, 2012

(https://youtu.be/_DbMc-xbYOQ)

 

 

(Added April 24, 2019):

Mordechai Ben David – Kumzits 1 / Shiru LaMelech

Published on Oct 27, 2015

(https://youtu.be/nCbTQZNWpns)

 

 

All About Those Plagues – Chuck Green

Published on Mar 23, 2015

(https://youtu.be/biBGKDoolCk?list=PLKfigRKHaOCiC8FTF2ZQ16TrNohxpZg5o)

 

Passover Rhapsody – A Jewish Rock Opera – aish.com

Published on Mar 27, 2012

(https://youtu.be/BRWNrk7FxG4)

 

 

Avadim Hayinu (We Were Slaves) – Yuval Grumer

Published on Apr 16, 2019

(https://youtu.be/qg21q0koFJY)

 

 

Pessach Medley with Micha Gamerman (Official Animation Video) –

Published on Apr 5, 2017

(https://youtu.be/0VeH2DARmFE)

 

 

The Passover Seder Symbols Song – runsing

Published on Apr 7, 2008

(https://youtu.be/awl1KCo_oZ0?list=PLEF01FC549202E9E1)

 

 

JEWSIC PASSOVER MUSIC VIDEO – The Jewsicgroup

Published on Apr 12, 2011

(https://youtu.be/EWG4GGmw06E)

 

DK Eyewitness Books: Judaism – Discover the History, Faith, and Culture That Have Shaped the Modern Jewish World

 

DK Eyewitness Books: Judaism – Discover the History, Faith, and Culture That Have Shaped the Modern Jewish World (Randyjw; April 19, 2019)

 

CHARING, D. DK Eyewitness Books: Judaism – Discover the History, Faith, and Culture That Have Shaped the Modern Jewish World. First American Edition 2003. DK Publishing, Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. Copyright 2003 Dorling Kindersley Limited, London.

 

This great book is one of a series, called DK Eyewitness Books, on multiple educational subjects aimed at children and young adults. This older, 2003 library version, is a slim, hardcover coffee table-style book, compiled with factual short paragraphs of information and glossy, full-color photos. The photos are especially interesting for their archaeological- and museum-quality details, showing both verbally, and visually, some highlights from the periods of Jewish history, both modern, and ancient.

 

DK Publishing is now under the banner of Penguin Random House. For more information on the parent company, see the Wikipedia reference, below. The newest revised edition of this book was published June 14, 2016, with sixty-four pages geared toward Middle Grades (8-12), and is available in hardcover and paperback. I highly recommend this book, for all ages.

 

DK (publisher):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DK_(publisher)

 

 

Let Us Be

 

Let Us Be (Randyjw; April 15, 2019)

(to the tune of The Beatles’ “Let It Be”)

 

When we found ourselves upon the Nile

bondsmen to our slavery

Built up Egypt’s cities

men unfree

 

And while the whips rained down upon us

beating us relentlessly

chained into our bondage

misery

 

Chorus:

Let us be (x4)

G-d proclaims His answer:

Let us be!

 

But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened

and he had no eyes with which to see

He who rules above us

Elokim

 

So G-d sent down ten plagues amongst us

sparing us eternally

G-d would let us worship

finally

 

(Chorus)

 

Then Egypt wound up devastated

livestock, land, and progeny

but now set forth to our freedom

Liberty

 

Still Pharaoh’s woes had deepened

and he suffered economically

the wage paid for those slaves

had come free

 

(Chorus)

 

The chariot army trotted

G-d endowed the rod and let us flee

by dry ground we departed

through the sea

 

And Moshe let the rod down

and two walls were one in unity

Pharaoh’s army drowned,

all but he

 

(Chorus)

 

In wilderness we wandered

seeking solace and a destiny

and false gods we created

Idolatry

 

And G-d called Moses to the Mount

and gave Laws for eternity

And Torah’s words of wisdom

set us free

 

(Chorus) (x2)

 

 

Doubtless

 

Doubtless (Randyjw’ April 15, 2019)

 

It would be close to impossible

to believe

that the silent conversations

I hold with you – –

without you

Aren’t expelled through

the ether

where they eventually

reach you;

it’s doubtless

Want them, or not,

there they are

before your heart

 

Communion

 

Communion (Randyjw; April 14, 2019)

 

Aching beauty

often finds expression

only in communion

when our souls become one

 

 

Old And Homeless

 

Old And Homeless (Randyjw; April 12, 2019)

 

You came out from the library,

looking forlorn

Garbed in like clothing

my father had worn

Then stopped on the walkway

and set your bags down

And you stared, and you stared

at that man, like your son

The man walked away

without once looking round

But you watched over him

as he gained further ground

Then you turned and went over

to sit on the bench

Your glasses were perched

and your shoulders were hunched

And looked around, aimless

Not knowing what to do

While here you sit, blameless,

Bereft of him, too

 

 

WATCH Live: Beresheet Moon Landing

 

WATCH Live: Beresheet Moon Landing (Randyjw; April 11, 2019)

 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7GUHd554NY)

 

 

Randy’s Recipes: Olive, Fig, Ricotta, Orange Sandwich

Randy’s Recipes: Olive, Fig, Ricotta, Orange Sandwich (Randyjw; April 10, 2019)

 

It’s been a long time since I’ve stepped inside a Walmart; I usually found them inconveniently located, and didn’t find much enticing selection to warrant the trip.

 

But, this time was different. As I browsed the aisles, I found the shelves stocked with the best brands of commercially-available offerings I would have chosen, should my local market chains have kept purchasing them. But, as usual, the buyers always seem to discontinue my favorites in any categories, from food to cleansers.

 

I put together this “Walmart special,” and it wasn’t bad.

 

Randy’s Recipes: Olive, Fig, Ricotta, Orange Sandwich (Randyjw; April 10, 2019)

 

French Bread ($1.00 USD), or other of your choice

Ricotta Cheese, or other of your choice*

Orange ($0.68 USD), segmented

Olive and Fig Tapenade (small jar; a bit costly – – probably better to make yourself. Includes sea salt, cardamom, assorted vinegars, more.)

 

Try other options:

Honey

Spearmint leaves

Sunflower kernels

Lemon

* Walmart has a nice selection of sliced cheese in a platter, although not best quality, such as this one, which was $7.00 USD, featuring: Irish cheddar, Havarti, Gouda, Imported Swiss (it didn’t taste like it, and had no holes):

Layer olive/fig spread onto open face of French bread loaf. Top with ricotta, or other cheese of your choice. Top with orange segments. Enjoy.

 

5 Yums Up

 

Passover 5779

 

Passover 5779 (Randyjw; April 10, 2019)

 

I wish I still had the index cards of all my Mother’s recipes (hers, friends, or curated) I’d laboriously copied over the years. I think they were lost with some of my previous items at a time when I was told I should store them at someone’s business location, but then was not allowed to retrieve any of my things back. My Mother, as well, has lost pages from her personal collection, as people just pulled them out, rather than copying them from her. But, here are some Passover ideas and inspiration from elsewhere. And, if sometime, I can try to recreate those missing recipes, I will.

 

Inspire your own ideas, and read Doreen Wachmann’s article on Charoset recipes through the ages:

 

Charoset:

https://www.jewishpress.com/sections/food/our-kosher-world-the-pesach-palate/2019/04/10/ (flip pages to 12-13)

 

 

Here’s a recipe for Passover Apricot Squares that, if I’m remembering correctly, seems to be like the ones my Mother used to make:

 

Passover Apricot Squares:

https://www.koshereye.com/passover/270-passover-apricot-bars.html

 

The Quarry by Pope John Paul II

 

The Quarry by Pope John Paul II (Randyjw; April 8, 2019)

 

New link / Hope this one works:

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/blog/the-poetry-of-saint-john-paul-ii/amp (scroll down)

 

Interesting information about Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla):

 

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/01/11/Records-show-papal-appointee-helped-run-Nazi-camp-where-pope-worked/8335411109200/

 

 

Worthwhile

Worthwhile (Randyjw; April 8, 2019)

 

Before entering the library today, I weebled over to the garbage can to throw out some trash. I rolled my eyes and said “eh” to the guy standing nearby, indicating my exhaustion lugging around my three bags, and other matters. The guy said, “I understand. You gotta make it worthwhile.” I said, “It is worthwhile; we’re here.” He nodded, and I went back to gather my backpacks. Sitting on top of one, I thanked the guy for his motivation. Combined, perhaps the two serve as the purpose and goals for our lives: To make it worthwhile, while we’re here.

 

 

Chick-Fil-A Controversy

Chick-Fil-A Controversy (Randyjw; April 5, 2019)

 

 

McGuinness, Dylan. “Brockhouse apologizes to Chick-fil-A for San Antonio’s decision to remove restaurant from airport plan”. expressnews.com; March 26, 2019:

https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Brockhouse-apologizes-to-Chick-fil-A-for-San-13719006.php

 

 

Update / Additional (November 22, 2019):

Greenfield, Daniel. “Chick-fil-A Put an Obama and Hillary Supporter in Charge, but Dumped Christians”. frontpagemag.com; November 22, 2019:

(https://cms.frontpagemag.com/fpm/2019/11/chick-fil-put-obama-and-hillary-supporter-charge-daniel-greenfield)

 

 

 

Be’er Sheva

 

Brummer, David. “Evidence of Second Temple Era Settlement Found Near Abraham’s Biblical Home”. breakingisraelnews.com; April 4, 2019:

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/125971/second-temple-era-settlement-abrahams/

 

 

 

TLC

TLC (Randyjw; April 3, 2019)

 

Teaching

Leading

Giving

Receiving

 

 

Sydney Debate-to-Be

 

Sydney Debate-to-Be (Randyjw; April 3, 2019)

 

 

Rabbi Tovia Singer debates Reverend Samuel Green:

Is Jesus the Promised Jewish Messiah?

 

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

6:30 – 8:30 PM

 

University of Technology Sydney

1 Quay Street, Haymarket

Building 5C, Room 02.010

 

 

Free Audio Posts:

 

Let’s Get Biblical Audio Series

 

 

Update (April 13, 2019):

 

Rabbi Singer has posted the video of this debate on YouTube:

 

(https://youtu.be/OY5_DNL6X1Y)

 

 

Kicked Out of Library

I was just kicked out of the library because my three backpacks cannot fit under one small chair, although they would fit under the large tables. Therefore, I cannot charge my phone, and I need it in case of emergency, like being attacked, etc. Phone batt is about to die. I contacted nat’l center on homelessness and poverty to see what they’ll say.

 

 

Update (April 13, 2019):

 

I have still not had a response from the National Center on Homelessness and Poverty.

 

 

Homeless Update 2

 

Homeless Update 2 (Randyjw; March 26, 2019)

 

I came back from church dinner tonight to find that my sleeping site has been padlocked.

 

The skies are black, it’s starting to rain, and I have nowhere to go.

 

There are some other homeless people sitting across the street to where the building is. From there, where I also was sitting, I just saw a huge, fiery explosion leap into the sky from what appeared to be the rear side of the building. All the lights have gone out in the surrounding vicinity. They briefly came on again, but have since gone out. I heard a loud bang in the interim.

 

Now, it’s absolutely pouring, and the tree I had moved to wasn’t providing enough cover. I crossed the street to take cover beneath the overhang of a commercial building. Oh, wow. I just heard another big bang. There had been a large, nearby lightning strike, but I don’t know if a transformer has been struck. Maybe G-d is providing the cloak of darkness to us to help protect us, tonight. Maybe he sees our plight and is chastising the city for shutting us out and leaving vulnerable people with very limited options.

 

As an aside, there has been alot of construction starting up. However, I couldn’t believe the sign I read at one of them. It said: No Soliciting Not Hiring! If I chance to pass by there again, and have enough battery power on my phone and am not too tired to take a photo of it (like I was at the time I saw it), then I’ll try to remember to snap a pic of it to update this post with it. Over and out, for now.

 

Update: There was a huge fire raging a few blocks away, which now appears to be out. Here are a few pix snapped from where I’m sitting:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update 2:

I was up all night running around, trying to get away from very scary people who were coming at me all night. They’d stare and stare from 150-200 feet away (?), then start walking toward me and following. I had to go to a motel entrance for safety, and a guy followed me there. Another guy came out of a parking garage, looked for awhile, then weaved toward me. It looked like he had a knife in his right hand. He passed near, then sat with some of the other homeless people I’d been sitting near. I walked around the city for a long time. Another guy doubled back, as did a car: it went straight, instead of making the lefthand turn its car signal indicated, then made a u-turn in the middle of the street, then kept reappearing, going around and around the block.

Oy, vey. I’m so tired.

 

 

Update (May 11, 2019):

I recently went back to the location of the No Soliciting Not Hiring sign, and they had removed it. I guess they could always refer them to the hiring manager, go through the motions of pretending to give the applicant a fair review, and just not hire them, anyways. At least it wouldn’t be an in-your-face bad public relations move, as the sign had been…

 

 

Yet Again

 

Yet Again (Randyjw; March 24, 2019)

 

You don’t even want to read this. I’ve got really bad vibes going on, right now.

 

A couple of nights ago, at the location next to mine, where I had been beaten up, some people were sitting and talking, some portions of the conversation being overheard by me. They were horrible, and went like this: “I’m gonna f… her! That b…. is mine!” One person piped up, “Don’t f… with her.” A new person in the past two weeks, if that, had shown up at that spot, effectively ousting my friend from it (really, there are no “friends” on the street, as I’ve been told by someone I was nice to, who then went on to start malicious rumors against me), and with whom I had a few mind-bending discussions with regarding religion. There had previously been an older-seeming couple who had occupied that spot, and were, despite their personal lifestyle, essentially “good neighbors.” But, they had left, and when the spot had been vacant for quite some time, I mentioned it to my friend, who started staying there for some time. It is why, in my previous story, I knew that the guy who showed up and beat me up was not, to my knowledge, being truthful in stating that he had been there for a long time, and that I had not been at my own spot for a long time. I actually eventually occupied the former spot of the girl who had started some bad rumors; she permanently left the area, and I waited some time to make sure it was really “clear.” When I had told the guy that there was someone in my spot, and I just let them be without waking them, for a minute he took my side and said, I’m gonna help a sister” and started heading for the sleeping woman. But, I called him back and said no, no, no, and he turned around.

 

Well, I was fearful that the people having this conversation about a woman was me; but, then I just told myself I was being paranoid. I had seen the tallish, heavyset woman walk by the previous evening, followed by a tallish, heavyset man (both in this group having the conversation), past my spot and around the corner, where nobody really stayed, except for my friend, who had had to take a worse spot out back, and another guy who hides behind one of the building’s external fixtures. The woman also seemed to have asked someone whether they had been talking to the girl in question, to which another guy said, “Just to say ‘hi’ and ‘bye’. I was wondering if the person sitting there had been the one who’d started staying at the spot, with whom I’d conversed with for quite awhile, on separate days.

 

Anyways, one of the guys from the group got up, and was kindof making as if walking by, but dawdling. Oh, no.. the dawdlers. He turned around and smiled at me, acting friendly, and walked over to where I was. Alarm bells ringing now. He said something, which I didn’t hear, but I told him I don’t like to talk with people at night (it was late afternoon and still light out). My instincts were right. He told me that it had been his brother who had hit me, and that now he was in jail because the cops found him with an ounce of weed on him, and it was my fault because I’d given a description. In all reality, I don’t think I ever described the man, or was asked to by the dispatcher, but only mentioned his sneakers, a blue hoodie (maybe it was a hat…?), and gold in his mouth. Meanwhile, as he kept approaching me, I kept pushing him away. He said all those nasty things to me I’d overheard (I’m gonna f… you. You’re my b….. now. I’m gonna kill you!). We had a struggle, which kindof messed up my back, my hip, and my general body for several days afterward. He wanted me to tell the story, though, so I did, but wound up leaving parts out, in my panic, and as I have in my postings (like it might’ve been the guy who came back, who had said he would – – and while I had met with the police – – and had brought a girl with him and they were smoking that “stuff.” Maybe she alerted them? Who knows! I just tried to warn the girl to get away from that dangerous, violent man. She was trying to mediate between us, ‘cuz I wanted to take the guy’s picture, and he was denying it was him, but when I saw the sneakers, and his blue hat… well…)

 

The brother mentioned there were no bruises (did he read the report?), and I said, well, there weren’t, but how can you see inside my head? And the guy said his brother said he’d hit me with a pillow. And I was like, I didn’t see any pillow. I basically told him the general story, and then mentioned that his brother just went off on me. He then said, “He lied! That sounds like my brother!”, and was getting upset! Then, I was like no, no, no… I didn’t press charges. Don’t be mad. I really don’t want to be the continued scapegoat in this saga, or drive brothers apart, however thuggish they’ve been. Had I been able to describe him better, or known who he was, and if I hadn’t been lied to (or, euphemistically, been misinformed) regarding the filing fee, then I might’ve. But, there’s this so-called street justice I’ve, unfortunately, got to consider. Here, things really aren’t “just”. And good guys just don’t win.

 

Update (March 25, 2019):

The “conversationalists” HAD come back. The bad vibes I’d had for a good portion of the evening were leading up to that. I’d felt that people had been watching me as I walked to the spot. I saw a guy talking with a girl, then he went on the outside of the fence (it’s fenced in, now; it’s better “privacy,” but then again, it’d be awhile ’til they found my decomposing body, in the event…

 

The brother of the guy came over, actually introduced himself (I think I heard his name, but I won’t mention it, here), and stuck out his hand for a handshake. Yeah, right. I wasn’t feeling the love, and I was like, That’s okay; thanks. The heavyset woman was doing her scouting thing, again, walking past me and back, several times. I was like, oh, no… here we go, again… Fortunately, nothing happened, but I did lose hours of sleep worrying, waiting, and watching…

 

I really need to utilize my time better to try to get myself out of homelessness. WordPress, and the community here, have been my saving grace, my sanity-saver, if you will, from all this madness. However, I may be taking a break, if I can, to focus more on looking for employment, etc. I’ve been writing here for about seven years, or so, and that should be enough of a body of work for anybody to determine if they ever want to hire me for a writing job, or not. I know… don’t give up the day job! So, considering that I don’t have one, I need to find one. I’m not sure that I can really take a break… I need to read you, to feel you, and to express myself, as well. But, if I’m not as active, if at all, you’ll understand the reason why. And, please know that I’m OKAY! Love you all! xoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxo and 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 !!! Haha!

Purim 5779

Purim 5779 (Randyjw; March 19, 2019)

 

 

 

HAPPY PURIM ! ! ! ! !

 

 

Purim falls on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 (Diaspora) at Sundown.

 

 

 

ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING (Full Length Movie):

 

 

(https://youtu.be/r4saPofrlbA)

 

 

Love (Eight, I Think; But, Who’s Counting?)

Love (Eight, I Think; But, Who’s Counting?)

 

Feelings lead me

to paralyzation;

to the realization:

that I’m in love.

 

Scribed

Scribed (Randyjw; March 17, 2019)

 

Tell me

of this art

Is it the nib-side

dipped in the inkwell

or the feather end

stroked across the heart?

 

Amusings

Amusings (Randyjw; March 12, 2019)

 

Issues

I have so many issues – –

They’re called:

other people!!!

 

Laugh-in-the-box

I’ve been receiving food stamps, fortunately, and unfortunately, for some time now – – both when I was “working poor,” with a roof over my head, and now, when I’m homeless. The allotment works out to approximately six US dollars (USD), per day. It’s difficult, but do-able, to manage the budget for the longer-term, if one has the means to store, via cabinets and a refrigerator, and prepare, via oven/stovetop/fire, the items purchased. Perishability, portability, distance to food sources/resources, mobility, seasonal availability, and dietary considerations involving lifestyle or medical concerns also play huge roles in determining which selections a homeless person might choose.

 

Food which is sold hot, such as in a restaurant or a fast-food outlet, is not allowed to be purchased via food stamps. Due to this, and reasons stated above, options become somewhat restrictive and limiting. Frozen food is permitted. Hot, prepared food items which have been cooled to sell as refrigerated are also permitted, though usually quite cost-prohibitive. In some instances whereby the means to heat frozen items at its selling location permits, then such items are also allowed. In this way, I’m able to invariably treat myself to the occasional pizza, etc. I’ve done so, it’s good, and the leftovers, because you have to buy it whole, and  aren’t allowed to purchase by the slice, seemingly are able to keep for the next day or so without too much spoilage (but, don’t do as I say, because there is a chance of the development of toxin formation).

 

So, recently I didn’t make it to a charitable gathering (whether faith-group or individually-aided, as many people and families seek to provide food and other comforts to the homeless [thank you!], also), so I decided to get frozen pizza; dinner al fresco a la curbside, and not proud to be, but, be, I am.

 

So forgive my laughter, although I’m glad to still find humor in such situations, and for such a time as this, but, when I opened the box, and I had seen that it had been cut into exceedingly numerous, thin, triangular slices (too thin to remove without breaking in half), it sent me into peals of laughter. This way, there was plenty “more” to spare. Each time I opened the box, and started to try to count exactly how many actual slices had been cut, I’d start laughing again, and would lose track of the total. It made my day. It kept me going for about one-half hour (and the grand total was sixteen).

 

Now, some people might be mad at me for laughing – – call me “cruel;” “heartless.” I don’t see it as thus, though. Whatever creature comforts I may have lived with were obtained through the continual hard work of devoted parents. Independently, although I’ve also worked long and hard in various capacities, whether with world renown companies or in relative obscurity, the wages were simply on the low end and it was always a struggle. I’ve personally been pretty poor, have gotten by with no vehicle for many, many years, now, and have been homeless in what will, not long from now, amount to two consecutive years.

 

I have often, lately, been too tired as I move about from location to location and toting my fifty-plus pounds of belongings with me, such that by the time I should be once more heading out to attend any scheduled church dinners, I’ve been depleted of energy and don’t attend. It’s a vicious cycle, for you need the nutritional value of the food provided, in order to be able to call on the energy in reserve, it provides. It is for these moments, or when there are few or no church dinners (like on weekends, etc.), when food stamps are a practical necessity. And, most people who receive a disability check or have other non-wage incomes receive only a token amount; some people do not even receive food stamps. Others, still, “game” the system for all they can get, I hate to say. There will probably be many mad to read what I’ve written – – whether be it for the pizza, the excess, the US largesse, the lack of food in other countries, and other reasons.

 

I don’t knock the fact that I’m blessed to live in a free, prosperous and relatively considerate society which takes these factors into concern and provides such means for our population’s needy to possibly secure such assistance, ehen they’ve fallen by the wayside. The costs of doing so is distributed amongst the people, as a whole, each state determining its own specific rules regarding the same, with the overall federal government budget assisting states in helping to fund many of its societal programs, as well.

 

I’m also glad that the United States, through its individual people, are helping to supply a great deal of humanitarian assistance to the rest of the world, via food, medicine, medical equipment and supplies, development of agrarian, industrial, business and economic opportunities, and the sharing of professional expertise through many avenues. I don’t take any of these things for granted. I don’t think others should do so, either. It’s up to you to be the judge – – but, I hope you’d at least do so after trying on homelessness for two years; I’d be happy for you that you could still find it within to laugh.

 

 

Geek Speak

Geek Speak (Randyjw; March 12, 2019)

 

As much as you might cause it to break

is at least as much as the cause of it’s ache

 

---

 

 

 

Beit Shemesh

 

Brummer, David. “Tel Beit Shemesh Excavation Reveals Pivotal First Temple Remains”. breakingisraelnews.com; March 7, 2019:

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/123918/pivotal-first-temple-period-remains/

 

 

Bananas Emoji

Bananas Emoji (Randyjw; March 5, 2019)

 

Enough is Enough: Sign the Petition Against Anti-Israel Bias at the UN

 

Enough is Enough: Sign the Petition Against Anti-Israel Bias at the UN

 

https://civicrm.unwatch.org/civicrm/petition/sign?sid=3

 

 

 

From The Depths

From The Depths (Randyjw; March 4, 2019)

 

Silencing a voice.

Why would you wish to, when by

love it sounds by choice?

Biblical Film

 

 

Biblical Film (Randyjw; March 2, 2019)

 

This is a post about Biblical Film – – or, rather, the exhibition of films about Biblical subjects, given that film did not exist in Biblical times. These types of productions, be they in film, on television, in video, or inscribed via printed form, really float my boat (yes; pun on Noah’s Ark totally intended). The archaeology, the conjecture, the discoveries, the piecing of chronology together with external or material sources, all serves to provide modern-day adventure, reminiscent of another such character played in the movies by Harrison Ford. But, these guys and gals are true Biblical explorers, and I eat this stuff up with relish (no; maybe a little stoneground mustard, though…).

 

Coming to U.S. theaters for three days of a special event film showing is Patterns of Evidence: the Moses Controversy, distributed by Fathom Events. I haven’t seen it, but it looks like something I would enjoy. A disclosure I should probably admit is that I once worked along the venerated “food chain” amidst the media panoply

 

Here’s a peak at the trailer:

 

 

 

 

 

(https://youtu.be/DTyd1QU5Cbk)

 

Sky Writers

Sky Writers (Randyjw; February 25, 2019)

 

A connection, electric within velvet sky,
the rumble of thunder
shared teardrops and smiles

 

Mid-Air

Mid-Air (Randyjw; February 22, 2019)

 

 

Somewhere,

beneath the clouds

and ground,

 

the vastness of silence,

Like Love,

 

 

holds

without uttered sound

 

 

 

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Syllove

 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/life-refracted/201708/52-ways-show-i-love-you-identify-the-meanings-silence

 

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_of_silence

 

 

 

Night Light

Night Light (Randyjw; February 17, 2019)

 

When the moment is right…

It’s always right.

Night after night.

 

 

 

In One

In One (Randyjw; February 10, 2019)

 

(https://youtu.be/dOHeNb5raLo)

 

Liquid Amber

Liquid Amber (Randyjw; February 10, 2019)

 

In a zephyr state,

there would no space remain

between us

 

Pressed,

as the wax seal to paper,

or your fragrance

in amber

 

Fused,

as our blend

became one

 

Hebrew (Reverso translate):

 

במצב של צפריר,

לא יישאר עוד מקום

בינינו

לחוץ,

כמו חותם שעווה על נייר

או ניחוחך

בענבר

התמזגו,

כמו תערובת שלנו

הפך לאחד

 

Hindi (Reverso translate):

 

ek zephiyar raajy mein,

adhik jagah nahin rahegee

hamaare beech

dab gaya,

mom ke roop mein kaagaj ke lie seel

ya aapakee khushaboo

embar mein

inakaar,

hamaare mishran ke roop mein

ek ho gaya

एक ज़ेफियर राज्य में,

अधिक जगह नहीं रहेगी

हमारे बीच

दब गया,

मोम के रूप में कागज के लिए सील

या आपकी खुशबू

एम्बर में

इनकार,

हमारे मिश्रण के रूप में

एक हो गया

Spanish (Reverso translate):

En un estado de céfiro,

no quedaría espacio

entre nosotros

Presionado,

Como el sello de cera al papel

o tu fragancia en ambar

Fusionado,

como nuestra mezcla

se convirtió en uno

A Discussion Heard

 

A Discussion Heard (Randyjw; February 3, 2019)

 

Two sisters were engaged today in a thoughtful, considerate discussion around the reasons why some people might become homeless. They spoke about how the loss of a job might lead one to no longer be able to afford their bills, leading to the loss of their home, and other such matters.

 

Their ages? Ten-years- old, and seven-years-old.

 

It was the most intelligent conversation I’ve heard on this issue, and I hope these two, young sisters go far in life, and maybe become our next leaders.

 

Homeless Update

 

 

Homeless Update (Randyjw; February 1, 2019)

 

There is some good news, and there is some bad news. Don’t read this if you only want the good news. This article will describe my latest experiences as a homeless person, and they are not P.C.-/P.R.-positive, at all.

 

The good news is that a project I’ve been working on for months, which kept seeing continued miracles and continued setbacks, worked out for me. Yay! What that was is that I was trying to get my driver’s license renewed. It would normally be not such a big deal, provided one has the money to pay for the renewal. Being homeless, I had to apply through a soup kitchen/social services center to receive a check, which they say is funded by a kind benefactor. That’s wonderful, because I really was trying to prevent myself from having yet another disadvantage in a job search by not having a driver license, in case I needed to run errands at work, or something. Without a license, they tend to assume you had a drunk-driving charge and that your license became suspended, or something (which, of course, is not the case). My license just happened to be up for expiry.

 

First, the soup kitchen said there was plenty of time, and delayed me applying to get a check. Then I applied for and received the check. The good news is that it covers a regular motor vehicle license; the bad news is that they did not provide funds for any extra endorsements you might have, such as my motorcycle license – – so I lost the motorcycle license I’d been working so hard on to complete. I had completed a basic rider motorcycle course prior to moving to Israel, since I could not afford to ship a vehicle, and I just felt that a motorcycle would be an easier and cheaper alternative for me in that country. Little did I know that, when I got there, the license is not transferable, and you still need to go through rounds of classes to obtain an Israeli license. America and Israel do not have the same teaching methodology. So, when I learned in America, I had learned to start off in Neutral and cycle upward through the gears. However, in Israel, they start off in first gear, with brakes applied. I was unaware of this, and was startled that the motorcycle was already in gear, and so the instructor, upon seeing that, made me get off the motorcycle and only ride on a scooter. A scooter seems to me to have a lower center of gravity, with the smaller tires, and heavy-bodied set-up – – not to mention being perched with your knees forward, as if seated in a chair, rather than legs astride a seat, with knees more downward-facing. To me, this made it harder to control, and once I even bumped into the curb, after doing a number of tight figure-eights, and got my foot caught in-between and wound up limping home with a bit of a sprain in my foot/ankle. I eventually would have liked to get a small motorcycle, maybe 150cc or so, with a long, straight seat. After three rounds of classes, and using up quite a large portion of my living stipend in so doing, I passed through and received an Israeli license (although, to this day, I’m not sure if it’s only for a scooter or includes motorcycle up to 500cc – – I think; if I’m recalling correctly). Our class test was on-the road; I kept bringing up the rear… trying to be safety-minded. I think the instructor might have thought I had fears of going faster, perhaps; he eventually told me to go and pass the soldiers who had been leading the front, so I did. In Israel, also, vehicles stop to let pedestrians pass from the sidewalk. They should be doing this, also, in America (especially at a crosswalk – – it’s the law); but, that seems to be only a theoretical consideration in the drivers’ minds, as they blare through the crosswalks, and the crosswalk timer ticks down, and you haven’t even gotten to cross. Even worse, they somehow have badly engineered the timing lights, so that vehicles crossing through an intersection on a left-hand turn, would necessarily run over the pedestrian crossers at the crosswalk, who have gotten the signal to proceed. Crazy.

 

Well, back to the story. So, I took the check to the drivers’ license office, and wound up unable to pass the basic visual exam of looking into the machine and reading the eye chart. I had thought I might be able to pass the exam with three pairs of second-hand glasses I had already perused to receive – – but, these were not strong enough. When the licensing lady asked me to read line 5, I asked her which one that was; she said it was the green one: I couldn’t even read it. I had already had a prescription for glasses previously; but, when I was staying in the shelters, and leaving my large suitcase of belongings in a low-traffic area outside, it eventually was discovered by somebody, who stole some precious things from me: like my brother’s old t-shirts, which I was wearing to destruction. They also wound up breaking my glasses in two — and since they were fairly scratched up by now, anyways, they had become useless. So, I needed to find a way to get an eye exam and eyeglasses made, since now the licensing division was making it mandatory for me to return an eye doctor exam form that had to be completed by an appropriate eyecare provider to examine my eyes, correct any vision difficulties with glasses or lenses, if possible, and make me able to see, so I could pass my exam and drive again. Oy, yoy, yoy. I went to an agency that helps people with low vision, and they only help place adaptive assistive devices into peoples’ homes. Being that I have no home, they could not help me. They referred me to a place that supposedly, everybody says, offers free exams – – but, they don’t. It’s still $55.00, which I don’t have. I researched my options for free eye exams and glasses online, and discovered a program called OneSight, which partners with companies like LensCrafters and a few others to provide exams and glasses to millions of people worldwide. It seems like a really fantastic program. They build eye laboratory facilities in many countries around the world which might not otherwise have access to such vision care. It helps to provide jobs for the local people, and helps so many people live a greatly enhanced life. I’m so happy for this program. You can read more about OneSight, below. Well, they have these Event Days when they offer the free services to the communities. I had been about three days out from the next one, so I was desperately trying to find a participating LensCrafters location which would do this. I called around and found out that some only provided the glasses, but did not offer the exams, and you would need to bring in a prescription. Well, that counted me out. I had learned that one of the LensCrafters did, it seem, offer both the exam and the glasses. First, though, I had to receive a referral written by a charity group with their tax identification number on organization letterhead, stating that I did not have the financial means to afford an eye exam and eyeglasses. The OneSight website had mentioned that places like Lions Clubs were acceptable. Now, meanwhile, I had let somebody use my cellphone, and they wound up cracking the screen. From there, it splintered into many shards. It then fell about one foot from off my backpack (my fault), and it broke the phone. I needed to get a replacement phone, but they wanted some money to send out a replacement. This was an issue, and I had no way to call anybody, except via a free five-minute limit phone that soup kitchen patrons could use (which was never really enough time to wait on hold for various customer service reps whom you need to speak with). Then, the bus company decided to mess around with me some more and not send out my bus pass. This was very restrictive to my travels via limited-route community service buses, including being able to get to places to eat. It has really been rather difficult, to say the least. The Lions Club said he’d have his secretary send out the letter and to just email him. So, I did. Then, time went by, and when I had to travel to check my mail, this letter would never be there. I followed up with another email. Eventually, the man I had spoken with on the phone (one of those five-minute limit calls), admitted that he had no experience with such a letter, and broadcast emailed to the other Lions Club I had contacted in another city. The other Lions location told the man just to write the letter, but I never have received one. So, the Lions Club really dropped the ball on me, and let something slide for a long time, which greatly detracted from my efforts. Eventually, I just went to the LensCrafters location which had originally said, I believe, that they would perform both the exam and the glasses (as a dry run, to see where it was located).  By this time the One Sight Event Day had passed, and it was only offered to the community on the one-day Event Day; and no mention of any further Event Days were even given on the OneSight website; it completely disappeared from off the site. And, it turns out, that particular location had decided that they were no longer going to be offering the free eye exam, but did offer to make my glasses if I could manage to get my own exam and bring them a prescription. So far, no good. Well, the driver license bureau had told me to come in upon the day my license expired (I came in a day or two earlier, just to be sure), and that I could apply for a two month temporary driver permit extension. I was still going through all these problems, miracles/setbacks, yet again and again. One day, due to the constantly inclement weather of late, I decided I would check out a day center where I might be able to warm up for a bit, rather than the usual types of public places available to the homeless, such as a library, where they keep it freezing cold and it’s kindof miserable, or outdoors in a park, where it also can be fairly miserable (and you can’t even lie on your back; you get in trouble for that – – I know; I did, and the police officer ordered me to go back to the soup kitchen, which was quite a distance away. Suddenly, we live in a police state and have no freedom of movement and are ordered about as to where we should be). In the area was located another driver license location and an eyecare place. The bus had overshot my location, and so I had to walk quite a distance to get to the location. I was resting with my bags (three bags, plus a pocketbook, weighing over fifty pounds!) and when I saw the driver license place, it was as if there were bright lights around it and angel voices going, “Ta-Da”. I had a feeling that this was where I needed to be. The only problem was, it was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and none of the businesses were open. I waited around to see if someone would eventually open up the Center, but they never did. I did leave them a voicemail, but they never wound up returning my call. It seemed I was beginning to bat out, but I somehow just kept plugging on. Something impressed upon me to return to the Center again, which I did. The people who run the Center came in briefly, and said they would return later, so I waited there, and they never did. I had a feeling that the eyecare place would be my saving grace. And, guess what? It was. They were open the second time I went back, and the very nice optometrist listened to a bit of the efforts I had relayed to him in trying to get an exam, and he agreed to do it for me, so that I could give the prescription and get them made through LensCrafters. Then, better, yet, he went the distance and wanted to do the glasses for me, as well. He was just starting out in this new location for him and told me that had I tried to talk to him even a month ago, he would not even have been there. He’s a small, nicely appointed office, working hard to make it become profitable. He asked me if I believed in G-d; and I said, Yes. Did he? Yes, he did, too. He said he felt like he was being the vessel through which G-d was operating. Now, the countdown was on, and my temporary driver permit was going to momentarily expire in less than a week, and I was waiting for a call from the Doctor to let me know when the glasses came in. It was cutting it soooooo close. I decided to take a trip by bus up there on the last day of expiry and just be nearby, feeling like the glasses would arrive, and that I was doing the right thing. It was, and they did. I was just resting on my bags before walking over to the eyecare place, when they started calling on my phone. For some reason, I haven’t figured out how to answer the phone when I have been doing something else, like texting or whatever, and it doesn’t seem to answer. I missed the call from the Doctor, but called them right back. The glasses were there. I went in, picked up the glasses, and walked over to the driver license place. While in line there, I noticed that the permit was not expiring that day, but had already passed expiration two days ago. It didn’t matter, however; they took the check (to a different license location), the eye exam form, I aced Line 5, and I took a terrible picture, but got my driver license.

 

Another thing which cut the story down to the wire was that I had recently received a first-time citation for a trespass charge (sleeping on the property of a no-longer-open public facility), and I was being given the option to do a program consisting of community service, and who knows what else, rather than have to go to criminal court. Well, that’s nice; except that the Public Defendant was telling me to place my initials wherever he decided to choose, rather than explain hardly anything to me (I can read; and the legalities seem to entail a possibly quite extended time of compliance, which can allow a lot to go wrong in that time). I didn’t like it; but I decided to go ahead and do this, and one of those days was now occupied with going through these problems. I understand that perhaps seeing the homeless on the streets might detract from tourism and perhaps be not so great for business, but on the other hand, I already told you that when you become homeless, and you can’t always get into a shelter (there are lotteries; additional, if you don’t make the lottery, you then have to chase down the referral-people at their various forays into different cities!) – – it’s a real time-consuming endeavor, never mind exhausting, and you don’t get to eat while you’re running around trying to do this, so it really saps your energy. Yeah, there are supposed shelter “programs,” but I’ve already been through that previously (they wouldn’t let me out, and I wound up losing the job that I had; between that situation and the issue with my former friend, which I wrote about, I believe, in another post, elsewhere, I think). So, I already spend a good portion of my time doing community service things, already; I stay after the church dinners and straighten out the chairs and help clean up; I also try to pick up the trash that the really rude homeless people who have no respect leave about the property – – at least so that we might not be targeted and profiled as badly. In any case, I’ll be starting additional hours doing other things to complete these community service obligations to eventually get this charge dropped from my record. I think it’s pretty sorrowful that I’m turned into an instant criminal just solely due to my poverty and really having no place to stay. I both overnighted and went through the shelter programs, and left the program after myself and another individual received mystery rashes on our arms after taking tuberculosis tests, although we were both diagnosed as T.B-free. The fine print, though I didn’t have time to read the rest of it, and saw pretty much only that portion of it, allows them to experiment on you, in essence….

 

Well, after I stayed behind to straighten up the chairs after a church dinner last night, it turned out I was later in getting to a “spot,” and someone was already there. So, I went over to the next available one, and set down my bags and sat on top of my larger backpack. There was already a blanket off to one side of this small platform and some sneakers there. I just figured that it was some rude homeless person leaving their belongings around; or, perhaps, it might’ve been abandoned stuff that would sit there for time on end, and never get cleaned up. I gave it about fifteen minutes, in case someone was away and using the “restroom facilities;” but, really, since the shoes were there, I didn’t think they would have gone off without their sneakers, and so I got the distinct impression that they were just leaving their stuff about and no-one would show up. Now, meanwhile, somebody I know had needed another spot, and so I alerted him to that location, and he often utilized it, so that when some other guy suddenly showed up and claimed that this was his spot where he had been for a really long time, I knew he was lying, because I even am aware of a couple that used the spot, even prior to the guy I know. So, I told him my suppositions; that I know he hasn’t actually been there; that the sneakers gave me the impression that this was just abandoned stuff, and that I planned to be there. At first, the guy that showed up (the new one; not the one I know) said okay; but when I saw that he wasn’t removing his apparent stuff but just neatening and placing it in the area where I was going to place my own things, and I said that he hadn’t been there, and that I had, and so he just had to go find a new spot that time, he went ballistic on me. I was sitting on my larger backpack in a small alcove toward the corner of a brick wall, and he bashed my head backwards into the back wall. As I got over the shock of what had just happened, he came at me with a right, and knocked my head into the brick part of the wall. As I was righting myself, sortof like either a jack-in-the-box or a punching bag, he again hit another shot. And, then, once again. Four times, he bashed my head into the wall. I said I was going to call the cops, and he grabbed my phone out of my hand, and said he IS the cops (or “a cop!”), and then said, “Well, my Uncle…” Okay; so is the guy a brutal police officer attacking me? Is he only just impersonating a police officer (which, in itself, is a major offense)? I grabbed my phone back and called 911. The operator asked me whether I was White, Black or Hispanic. Hmmm…. that doesn’t leave much choice if you’re an “Other.” I told her I was Jewish. She said, “That’s a Religion.” I said that’s also my nationality. And then she asked what color my skin was? White, (Black…)… Hmmm…. she’s trying to peg me into a race that I don’t fit into, but they don’t even allow for anyone who might be a different background…. What about Asian? Indian? Hello? And what’s with the three choices, and the skin color thing…. Is “Hispanic” really actually a skin color? I’ve actually had this conversation with 911 once before, and it doesn’t seem that they’ve learned anything by it… To make matters worse, despite being brutally victimized by a misogynistic black male who has no respect for women, (he could have just moved to another “spot,” like I had done, without beating anybody up or making any issue out of it…), the response of the police was even worse. A police car in the area drove by too fast for me to even notice and flag down. Afterwards, another one came by and was directly at the far side of the corner sitting at a red light in the intersection. The driver of the car actually took off and hung a left-hand turn on a red light after I had passed in front of the car and had just put down my bags at the curbside to speak with the officer. I think they had cancelled the call after that. So, I called back, and they sent another officer (maybe this was the guy’s Uncle? Who knows!!!). I was not bleeding, but my neck hurt as if I might have some whiplash, due to the angle at which he punched me and my neck flopped over, and my head was ringing, and my jaw hurt from the force of the back of my head and other parts of it hitting the brick, and possibly jarring my jaw. Needless to say, I am quite sore (I could use a long soak in a hot tub, and several days of pampering and bed rest inside, to be quite truthful). Now the officer says he’s going to write “No injuries”. Well; it’s nice to know that the police department has been able to get Superman on-staff; probably at a relatively cheap rate, considering his abilities, and that this super-policeman is able to see through my body and determine that I have “No Injuries”. Really? Are injuries only external? Hmmm…. the logic escapes me…. So, then the officer asks me What Is Your Agenda? What!!!???? He’s finding it difficult to believe that this just happened, considering that I am not bleeding, and thinks perhaps maybe that I might be making this up and have some type of agenda? What!!!??? Are you nuts? I’ve been homeless for one year, eight months, plus… and took a bit of pride in the fact that I’d never been assaulted, raped, killed or anything else. I know…. right? Like, who should even have to think of these things? Women? Children? For real? And now this cop with his supercilious attitude tells me that I get no paperwork (of this incident) and that I have to first go to the Police station to file a report (So… why did he need to report to the scene, in the first place?) He’s not going to document it? and that there is a filing fee. A filing fee! I tell him I’m homeless and (probably can’t) afford a filing fee. So, what’s with this? Usually, Leftists during those Obama years were constantly bleating about “Access” (or the “Lack” of “Access”), such as to healthcare, etc., which is a false claim, since insurance companies can’t discriminate against anyone based on protected statuses, such as race, etc… but, here we are, the victimized poor even being able to receive further justice because we might not be able to afford the filing fee. Get Real! Someone needs to start a petition to abolish crime report filing fees and the like, to enable all people to have equal access to the protections that such units, such as the courthouse and/or police reports, etc., are supposed to afford to all its counties’ citizens… not just the more well-off, who are able to afford filing fees. So, now, this is why one of the reasons that violent, dangerous people continue to roam the street and wreak havoc with impunity, and the community enables this to happen by curtailing the ability of marginalized people to apply for the same rights of equal protection under the law. Makes you think; doesn’t it?

 

About OneSight:

https://onesight.org/about-us

 

I found out I have this condition:

http://lowvision.preventblindness.org/2007/11/23/degenerative-myopia/

 

 

Update (February 22, 2019):  I went to the police station, and found out that there is really no filing fee. Good news: I don’t have to make a petition to get rid of any “filing fees.” Bad News: The poor treatment that I had already received at the hands of the policeman, after the incident (which was bad enough, in itself), means that the policeman actually must have lied to me. I don’t imagine it could have been because he might have been ignorant of very simple procedures at his station. Do you? Bad News: I had developed sortof PTSD-like symptoms after the incident. For three days thereafter, I would find myself crying out of the blue. The Good News: The symptoms disappeared. Not only that, but I find myself feeling extremely empowered. Not just as a survivor, because, while I was a victim, I do not really want to immerse myself in that. It is more like a behavioral therapy thing, almost. Facing a fear, and powering your way through it. Fear disappears. I use the mental mindset for many things, that I am a soldier. It helps me through a lot of things.

 

Update (February 26, 2019): Two days ago, on Sunday, February 24th, I was walking “home” and was crossing a bridge, when I got bad vibes about a man on the bridge, who was acting with unusual behavior. He crossed back and forth on the path; he looked over one side, appearing to me as if contemplating the height drop; and dawdling as if waiting for me to catch up. I feared I was in trouble. I considered turning back, but that would have placed me at a greater height, and I honestly felt like he wanted to push me over the bridge. I needed to get past him and move toward lower ground and off the bridge, but he had slowed to a stop, right about at the passing point. My apprehension had been justified. Saying, “Excuse me,” he tried to wrench my pocketbook off me, and also groped me. I realize, retrospectively, that the groping was probably to see whether I might have hidden money there, since his efforts at my purse went unrewarded. In a firm, loud voice, I told him to “Let go!” of my bag. He did, and then proceeded at a faster pace down the bridge. I could tell he planned another assault, and he lurked near the bridge, off to the right, a short distance. Cars were trying to vie into the street, and others were approaching shortly, but I just had to cut the first off, and use the second to my advantage in placing a shield between me and my attacker. I got over to where some people were standing: an elderly couple. The lady was dressed well, and she had a pocketbook hanging, so I pointed out my pursuer and told them what happened, to warn them, then walked back quickly to my rest spot and contacted the police. So, I’m a little back to temporary PTSD moments, but I’m sure they’ll subside in a few days.

 

 

Update (December 6, 2019):

 

In my optic diagnosis, I learned that I have tilted optical discs, as well.

 

 

Liberation

Liberation (Randyjw; January 27, 2019)

 

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Working Definition of AntiSemitism by International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance:

 

https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/working-definition-antisemitism?usergroup=7

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I Am poem – Anne Frank

by Natasha Hashemi and Claire Hawer

 

(https://youtu.be/2p-a_mCO_JA)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

From Where I Come (Rachelgv/Randyjw; February 22, 2017)

 

From where I come

is by my ancestry.

By Adam and Eve

through Terach and Abraham

 

And, yet, again, in

further meanderings

 

Ur-Kasdim, and into Haran

in captivity in exile

by the rivers of Babylon

Asarah B’Tevet

 

By the well of Dotan

to the right of Pharoah’s rod

at Rameses and Pitom

in fields of Padan-Aram

 

and maybe by Paran

the cities of Shushan

released with help from King Ahashveros (of Iran)

who would assist us in rebuilding the Temple

 

We commemorate in memory

that the woman he wed to wife

Hadassah, known as Esther,

the Jewish Queen that saved our lives

 

And this is known as Purim

it’s also part of the Jewish story

and Chanukah you’ll know

by our defiance of Roman glory

 

From Egypt, in Goshen

having first lived in Knaan

through Avram’s sons and Yosef the one

and led out again by Moshe

 

And that’s the story of Passover

when we were freed from our bonds

When G-d redeemed us and saved us

with ten plagues to our oppressors rained down

 

When he brought us to the mount

and to the wilderness of Zin

and gave the commandments of Torah

the Sukkot and the Mishkan

 

And that’s the backgrounds of the holidays

of Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot,

of simple days under desert stars

happy in Simchat Torah

 

And back again

to the Holy Land

promised to us

and delivered by hand

 

Through Inquest, Expulsion,

and auto-da-fe,

through Kristallnacht, Holocaust,

forests and Babi Yar

 

In Zion, and Jaffa, Carmel and Ashdod,

Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem

In Ashkelon, Aza, and Yericho

in Hevron, and Shiloh, in the fields of Machpelah

 

By Isaac, by Jacob,

and all of his breed

and Rachel and Leah

and Ruth and David

 

Because where I come from

is where I have been

and by all of  G-d’s miracles,

Here I Am

 

Cold Smoke

Cold Smoke (Randyjw; January 22, 2019)

 

Warm breath escapes me

Entwined with the frosted air

A slow dance of trails

 

 

 

(https://youtu.be/0AcqBQOzJAc)

 

 

Tu B’Shvat 2019

 

Tu B’Shvat 2019 (Randyjw; January 22, 2019)

 

 

 

(https://youtu.be/HBkIQDUqf0c)

 

Happy Tu B’Shvat!

 

 

 

 

 

Fixer-Upper, Practically Free

Fixer-Upper, Practically Free (Randyjw; January 18, 2019)

 

Nope; this isn’t a blatant single’s ad – – it’s a real-estate deal! And, it’s for real!

 

Ever dream of having a home on an island? (For a long time, that was all I had wished for… a Deserted island! Just me and the mangoes, coconuts and fish!) Would you like wild horses (okay; maybe they’re mules, but they’re still almost a cousin, if you squint from a distance…) nibbling the scenery? Mediterranean clime? Fertile soil to plant fruit trees or grapevines? Old homes that they don’t even build anymore?

 

How about in Sicily?

 

Okay; it’s the town of Sambuca (the drink my parents used to like). They are offering homes for only ONE EURO! Can you believe it? One catch is that many of them are in need of major repair work, which must be completed within a three-year timespan at personal expense. Also, I have not looked into further details, such as issues of back-taxes, liens, property tax, etc.

 

But, I think it’s worth looking into.

 

See this video I found on MSN about this:

 

(http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/italian-town-of-sambuca-in-sicily-sells-homes-for-a-dollar/ar-BBSjCM1?ocid=se)

 

More locations abound (Cantiano looks nice!), for which you can see some, here:

 

(https://casea1euro.it/)

 

 

Abstract By Design

Abstract By Design (Randyjw; January 16, 2019)

 

Sitting in this chair

Invisible to the air

Open to your ears

 

(https://youtu.be/H22E86nIc2s)

 

(https://youtu.be/U-UwNhvqg2Y)

 

 

(Above photo uploaded April 24, 2017; YouTube choices made April 25-26, 2017 and Draft post saved)

 

HyperCacher 2015: In Memoriam

HyperCacher 2015: In Memoriam (Randyjw; January 10, 2019)

 

 

Figure Eight

Figure Eight (Randyjw; December 7, 2019)

 

Graceful figure-eights:

The signs of infinity

etched upon the lake

 

 

 

(https://youtu.be/mYodsmj02Y0)

 

Ofir Ben Shitrit

 

Ofir Ben Shitrit (Randyjw; December 28, 2018)

 

Introducing Ofir Ben Shitrit to you (music performed and sung by female Jewish Orthodox person):

 

(https://youtu.be/EPQrWRrk26s)

 

 

Eli, Eli:

(https://youtu.be/QgEHWyQsi_k)

 

(https://youtu.be/1IR3CIhrkw0?list=PLC2Ejqlmbo1_KHSbkw5iN5LEL9pnZa2Kg)

 

Ofir Ben Shitrit – Im Ninalu:

(https://youtu.be/eY0wvCztlLA?list=PLC2Ejqlmbo1_KHSbkw5iN5LEL9pnZa2Kg)

 

 

(https://youtu.be/hSWqvnDSM7E?list=PLIEZHK9LRlqOKONrK37waNjOvOFCCOMc4)

 

(https://youtu.be/VXLpF9tLpVA?list=PLIEZHK9LRlqOKONrK37waNjOvOFCCOMc4)

 

(https://youtu.be/ZUmw–oRDig?list=PLIEZHK9LRlqOKONrK37waNjOvOFCCOMc4)

 

 

What Is “Intersectionality” And What Are Its Effects?

 

What Is “Intersectionality” And What Are Its Effects? (Randyjw; December 28, 2018)

 

It’s not all that you think it is…

 

Read this excellent article here, from a differing perspective than you might hear on-campus, or in mainstream media:

 

 

Levin, Kenneth. “The Other Intersectionality: Victims of Islamism”; gatestoneinstitute.org; December 28, 2018:

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/13456/intersectionality-islamism

 

 

DOJ Funds Anti-Semite?

 

DOJ Funds Anti-Semite? (Randyjw; December 28, 2018):

 

Drain this swamp…

 

Rosenberg, David. “Why is the US government paying Louis Farrakhan to spread hate?”. israelnationalnews.com; December 28, 2018:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/256837

 

 

Nirvana

Nirvana (Randyjw; December 27, 2018)

 

 

Nirvana attained

at the heights of ecstasy;

Yet, more still remains

 

 

Moments

Moments (Randyjw; December 21, 2018)

 

Moments are all they are;

and moments all they might be…

But, the nicest moment’s I’ve spent so far

have been moments I’ve spent with thee!

 

 

Some Background On The “Russian” Thing

 

Some Background On The “Russian” Thing (Randyjw; December 20, 2018):

 

Here’s a link to Daniel Greenfield’s article with some background information on the “Russian” thing:

 

Greenfield, Daniel. “What Russian Trolls Were Really Doing”. sultanknish.blogspot.com; December 20, 2018:

http://sultanknish.blogspot.com/2018/12/what-russian-trolls-were-really-doing.html

 

 

Additional Reading (December 28, 2018):

 

 

Greenfield, Daniel. “Hillary’s Russia Doomsday Scenario”. sultanknish.blogspot.com; December 27, 2018:

http://sultanknish.blogspot.com/2018/12/hillarys-russia-doomsday-scenario.html

 

 

Randyjw. “My Three Cents’ Worth”; newsnotes1.wordpresss,com; February 22, 2018:

https://newsnotes1.wordpress.com/2018/02/22/my-three-cents-worth/

 

 

On: Palestinianism

 

On: Palestinianism (Randyjw; December 19, 2018):

 

Today’s interesting article by Judith Bergman in the Jewish Press showcases Arab historians and others on the true development of the “Palestinians”:

 

Bergman, Judith. “Arab Historian Admits there is No Palestinian People”. jewishpress.com; December 19, 2018:

http://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/opinions/arab-historian-admits-there-is-no-palestinian-people/2018/12/19/

 

Response On Gaza

 

Response On Gaza (Randyjw; December 18, 2018)

 

Here’s an article in HonestReporting which reprints a letter from Rabbi Schwartzman with questions one should ask about the situation going on in Gaza:

 

Plosker, Simon. “Watchdog of the Week: Questions for the Reporter on a Gazan Father”. honestreporting.com; December 17, 2018:

https://honestreporting.com/watchdog-of-the-week-questions-for-the-reporter-on-a-gazan-father/

 

 

Rona Ramon z”l

 

Rona Ramon z”l, aged 54, wife of Israeli astronaut, Ilan Ramon, passed away Monday from cancer. For further background, please see the story, here:

 

United With Israel Staff. “Israel Mourns Death of Roma Ramon, Widow of Late Israeli Astronaut for NASA”. unitedwithisrael.org; December 18, 2018:

https://unitedwithisrael.org/israel-mourns-death-of-roma-ramon-wife-of-first-israel-astronaut/

 

 

In recent news, an Israeli NGO, SPACEIL, will shortly launch, via Elon Musk’s SPACEX company, a spacecraft destined for the moon. Read more, here:

 

 

United With Israel Staff. “Israel to Launch its First Mission to the Moon”. unitedwithisrael.org; July 10, 2018:

https://unitedwithisrael.org/israel-to-launch-its-first-mission-to-the-moon/

 

 

See video, here:

(https://youtu.be/rD11s3RcadQ)

 

 

Here is a biography on Ilan Ramon from Wikipedia, accessed December 18, 2018:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilan_Ramon

 

 

Twin Gems

 

Twin Gems (Randyjw; December 13, 2018)

 

By the eye tonight

dust trails streak across the sky

night showers of light

 

A Clarion Film

• Contains graphic and violent scenes. 18+.

A Clarion Film (Randyjw; December 13, 2018)

 

One of Clarion Project’s important films, Save Our Children From Extremism, features children participating in weaponry and army-style tactics to engage in future Jihad.

 

Watch here:

(https://youtu.be/AcwyXCoAM74)

 

Sunny Songs To Remove The Chill

Sunny Songs To Remove The Chill (Randyjw; December 12, 2018):

 

59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) – Simon and Garfunkel:

(https://youtu.be/bSzZXrf4AkY)

 

Black & White – Three Dog Night:

(https://youtu.be/nKQGV6v_JG0)

 

Here Comes The Sun – George Harrison (The Beatles):

(https://youtu.be/JNS_SUmCJm4)

 

Aquarius / Let The Sun Shine – The Fifth Dimension:

(https://youtu.be/kjxSCAalsBE)

 

Joy To The World – Three Dog Night:

(https://youtu.be/-2wutEzjy_E)

 

Seasons In The Sun – Terry Jacks:

(https://youtu.be/-tPcc1ftj8E)

 

Sunshine On My Shoulders – John Denver:

(https://youtu.be/6WYJcqi_n2o)

 

 

MEMRI Translation Censored; But Not Anti-Semitic Sources Where It Originated

MEMRI Translation Censored; But Not Anti-Semitic Sources Where It Originated (Randyjw; December 12, 2018):

 

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) provides a valuable service in translating media sources from original languages, such as Urdu, Farsi, Arabic, Turkish and others, as well as occasionally adding commentary based on historical perspective.

 

MEMRI maintains a YouTube video channel with its efforts, in addition to having been the recipient of the late Senator Tom Lantos’ archival materials on anti-Semitism and Holocaust Denial.

 

Recently, YouTube censored MEMRI’s posted video of a Jordanian columnist claiming that the Holocaust was the greatest lie in modern history perpetrated by “Jewish-Zionist myths”, and that “the Zionists have managed to gain media hegemony in Europe”, etc. The broadcast originally appeared on Lebanese television. However, it wasn’t the Holocaust denier spreading falsities about the Jewish people which irked YouTube to flag a video under its Community Guidelines for Hate Speech; it was the translation by MEMRI of the source broadcast which then caused YouTube to limit the distribution of its knowledge , flagging the video and disabling most of its features, so that the world would not know about the disgusting things said on Arabic television about the Jewish people.

 

Okay, social justice criers. Where are you now?

 

See MEMRI’s visual documentation, here:

https://www.memri.org/reports/youtube-censors-memri-tv-clip-hate-speech-%E2%80%93-clip-exposes-commentator-lebanon-tv-calling

 

 

THE HOMELESS: WE’RE STILL HERE FOR CHRISTMAS

THE HOMELESS: WE’RE STILL HERE FOR CHRISTMAS (Randyjw; December 8, 2018)

 

Irish Senate BDS’s Israel

 

Irish Senate BDS’s Israel (Randyjw; December 6, 2018)

 

According to World Israel News, the Irish Senate passed the Control of Economic Activities (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018, which discriminates against Israel by making it a crime in Ireland to import or sell any items made in Judea, Samaria, the Golan, and East Jerusalem. A lower parliament vote will expectedly follow before the President can sign it into law.

 

I’ve added the country of Ireland to my own list of Israel Boycotters. Whether or not this bill actually passes now is irrelevant. For a country which has experienced so much of its own religious wars and was practically the teaching role-model to Palestinians for their bombing terror tactics, they have a heck of a lot of gall to single out Jews in Israel to boycott their economy. And as it goes, what goes around, comes around.

 

Never mind that I’ve never found a four-leaf clover, nor seen a leprechaun, for that matter…

 

 

Wolkin, Joseph. “Irish Senate passes bill banning Israeli products”. worldisraelnews.com; December 6, 2018:

https://worldisraelnews.com/irish-senate-passes-bill-banning-israeli-products/

 

Chanukah 2018

Chanukah 2018 (Randyjw; December 2, 2018)

 

Happy Chanukah!!!

President GHWB

 

President GHWB (Randyjw; December 1, 2018)

 

I loved you like my father

I was proud of your backbone:

a work ethic, a strength of character

the chutzpah standing upright to terrorists

Special dates always congealing

a birthday, a death

a circle of life

never repeating

but oftentimes,

unravelling, revealing

 

 

Koshnb

 

Koshnb (Randyjw; December 1, 2018)

 

Why the Jews have been so successful in business, as a whole, has often been due to discrimination. We make our own business, for those who would exclude us from theirs.

 

The newest to debut is a Kosher guest-stay rental listing, in response to the Airbnb discrimination against Jews listing in the areas of Judea and Samaria in Israel.

 

 

via Zev Stub, Janglo.net; as posted to United with Israel.org; “Jewish Hosts and Travellers Worldwide Now Have an ‘Airbnb’ of Their Own!’. November 30, 2018:

https://unitedwithisrael.org/jewish-hosts-and-travellers-worldwide-now-have-an-airbnb-of-their-own/

 

 

Update (April 10, 2019):

 

Sued by Shurat HaDin on behalf of twelve Jewish families with Airbnb listings, Airbnb will not delist the properties and will plough any proceeds from Judea/Samaria into the support of humanitarian organizations.

 

Sales, Ben. “Airbnb will cancel its ban on West Bank settlement listings”. jta.org; April 8, 2019:

https://www.jta.org/quick-reads/embargoed-airbnb-will-cancel-its-ban-on-west-bank-settlement-listings

 

 

Itzhak Perlman Concert For Pittsburgh 11 To Air December 11, 2018 On PBS

A concert featuring Itzhak Perlman and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra played in commemoration to the victims of the Pittsburgh Synagogue massacre, which took place one month ago, will be aired nationally on PBS on December 11, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.

 

For a preview excerpt of the video, see algemeiner.com:

 

Ghermezian, Shiryn. “Violinist Itzhak Perlman Performs at Pittsburgh Concert Marking One-Month Anniversary of Synagogue Shooting”. Algemeiner.com; November 29, 2018:

https://www.algemeiner.com/2018/11/29/violinist-itzhak-perlman-performs-at-pittsburgh-concert-marking-one-month-anniversary-of-synagogue-shooting/

 

 

Re-Posted and Outdated Article

This is an outdated post. All information is from 2016 and is not valid at present. I am re-posting this to try to stop Russian-writing spammers from attacking this post.

 

Originally Published August 5, 2016

 

I recall when I first saw a performance of Cirque du Soleil. It was on television, and it was the show named Dralion, which featured Chinese acrobats in amazing pyramids, and performers costumed as dancing, serpentine dragons. It was the most exotic engagement of the visual and auditory senses I’d ever encountered, leaving an impression that, to this day, loses none of its wonder and fascination at its sheer artistry and ability to compel a sense of awe.

 

The first live “Cirque” show I saw was ‘O’, an onstage aquatic show at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. It was an incredible performance of diving, dance and danger, as the performers sailed through the air from nosebleed heights to plop into the giant tank constructed as part of the stage. It was unfortunate that I only got to see a small portion of the show, as I’d become sick during its beginning opener and didn’t return until it was practically ended.

 

I have the Michael Jackson shirt from the ONE show. It’s black and purple, for purple is the color of royalty, and Michael was certainly the King of Pop. This shirt never ceases to earn at least several compliments when I wear it.

 

I’ve also been fortunate to see ‘The Beatles LOVE’ show. It was a pyschedelic trip back in time with multiple image projections, which were really a treat, groovy music, and a good vibe, all-around.

 

Cirque du Soleil has had a long-engaging place in performing arts history, beginning in Quebec as a regional street troupe in 1984, known as Le Grande Tour du Cirque du Soleil. Expanding through Canada, and then to the United States, by 1987 its ‘We Reinvent the Circus’ show had become very popularly well-received.

 

It has since grown to substantial proportions, requiring its own practice facilities, set design, textile, shoe-making, costume design and production, housing, and food preparation (they grow herbs and vegetables and their building collects rainwater) at their Canadian headquarters. (1)

*********************************************

I found this great deal for Cirque du Soleil tickets. Travelzoo.com (Still not a paid spokesperson — though I should be!) is offering presale tickets to Cirque du Soleil shows ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE before sales open to the general public (Miami location; other locations vary). Shows or pricing may vary for different locations and special rules may apply. Pricing is for adult admission; pricing is different for children ages 2-12. Pricing will vary between the range as more tickets are sold. Taxes and Fees may apply. Based on availability (some shows are selling out really fast). Check originating sites for updated information and offer availability. Restrictions may apply.

 

To sign up, create a free account at the Travelzoo.com website (must be of appropriate age to purchase online or to create some accounts). Some venues require calling the Box Office to book, with a required promo code. Choose the appropriate category (“Entertainment”, in this sample). Choose which city where you will be purchasing tickets and for show/venue offerings. Click the blue link where the booking section is located to see the show dates, location, and times. Choose your date/time. Choose your quantity and price range; then select your seats. Fill out the form. The steps are guided; follow the prompts. And enjoy a really great Cirque show.

 

Samplings:

2016 – 2017

Show:       City:         Dates:       Book By:    $$$:

Kurios    Miami    12/10-01/08   08/11   $39 – $245

Tickets at this location go on sale to the public on August 12, 2016.

Toruk  Chicago Thru 08/07 pre-Expiry $42-$140

I would LOVE to see this show; the photos look superb!

(Update: Aug 1, 12:00 pm ET) $42 tickets only available for 08/05/16 show at 3:30. Premium pricing $97.50-$140 only other available pricing for all other dates and times.

OVO St. Louis Thru 08/07 pre-Expiry $31.50-$95

Toruk Indianapolis 08/10-08/14  ASAP  $47-$109

Toruk Evansville 09/01-09/04 pre-Exp. $49-$105

Italia  Salisbury  08/25-08/28  pre-Exp.   $20, $31

Italia Delaware City 08/18-08/22 ASAP   $20, $31

Italia    Dover   08/12-08/14  pre-Expiry  $20, $31

Toruk  Birmingham 08/19-08/21 ASAP $53-$105

Extreme Myrtle Beach thru 10/01 asap $Varied

Orchestra Rows J-V: $22: W-10:30am, Th-2pm; $35: Tue-Sat, 7:30pm. $10: Children 12 and under. Two free children’s tickets (restrictions may apply) with each paid adult admission; must call Box Office and use Travelzoo promo code.

*********************************************

Some Historical Perspective: (1)

1992 – 2012: Saltimbanco – circus acts and acrobats.

1994 – 2013: Allegría – Baroque ode, for young (and old).

1998: “O” – From dizzying heights, to down below; Swimmers delight in the aquatic show.

2003: Zumanity – adult-themed display of our crazy humanity; All set the scene in this show called ‘Zumanity’.

2011: Iris – Specifically set to the celluloid film; Drama and dance take their place at its helm.

 

More: (2)

Amaluna – Peacock blues and teal greens with gold; a story of love, dramatic and bold.

CRISS ANGEL Believe – Magic and mystery, illusion or reality?

Corteo – Fuschias and tans, angels and clowns; Silk-brushed spans, and flight upside-down.

KÀ – Spearmen and archers — It looks like the Nile; sea creatures, forests, will sure make you smile!

KOOZA – Jesters and colors, we see the Big Top; Gestures and jugglers of gymnasts non-stop!

JOYÀ – Of Mayan meals with three-courses to eat, this dinner and show make the jungle complete!

KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities – Trinkets and tchatchkes, and gears and gadgets; What can be found in the curio cabinets?

La Nouba – Daydreams and circus and colorful cheer; Nightmares and cities? Away goes that fear!

Luzia – Mexico’s animals south of the border, Combine with the artistry made to order!

Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour – A tribute to honor the late King of Pop, this show will sure ‘Thriller’, ‘cuz it’s at the top!

Mystère – This classic cirque with Taiko and drums; the balancing brothers sure make it all fun!

OVO – The life of bugs is one to show; beneath the plants all in a row!

PARAMOUR – Set in the place of the very locale; the story of Broadway is acted so well!

Quidam – The focus of this one is muted by choice; Encouraging people to bring out their voice!

TORUK – The First Flight – The tale of the creature that rules in the sky; the Na’vi must tame him and then they will fly!

TOTEM – The story of man and its various kind; Evolve from amoebas, then leave them behind!

Varekai – A journey begins… Is he lost? Is he found? The creatures without… Are they creatures within?

Viva Elvis – Rocking the house to the music of the King; Elvis Presley makes everyone sing!

Zarkana – Hail, everybody! The circus is in town! See high-wire trapeze artists, jugglers, and clowns!

* Some shows not listed

 

*********************************************

 

(1) Staff: The Canadian Press. ” Timeline: The History of the Cirque du Soleil”; Global News; April 20, 2015: (http://globalnews.ca/news/1948935/timeline-the-history-of-the-cirque-du-soleil/); accessed August 5, 2016.

(2) Cirque du Soleil © 2016. Website (assorted pages): (https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/); accessed August 5, 2016.

In The Woods

In The Woods (Randyjw; November 29, 2018)

 

I finally got it!

And I’m out of the woods now,

warmed by your jacket

 

Air Bye-Bye

Air Bye-Bye (Randyjw; November 27, 2018)

 

AIRBNB has removed Jewish rental listings that had been posted listing areas of Judea and Samaria, discriminating against Jewish people in Israel.

 

In response, some men posted a song video about the discrimination, which was also discriminated against on Facebook by the Company’s actions in removing it. So, they wrote another version of it, and posted again.

 

Here it is:

 

(https://youtu.be/MaBiW75Tz-g)

 

Update (April 10, 2019):

 

Sued by Shurat HaDin on behalf of twelve Jewish families with Airbnb listings, Airbnb will not delist the properties and will plough any proceeds from Judea/Samaria into the support of humanitarian organizations.

 

Sales, Ben. “Airbnb will cancel its ban on West Bank settlement listings”. jta.org; April 8, 2019:

https://www.jta.org/quick-reads/embargoed-airbnb-will-cancel-its-ban-on-west-bank-settlement-listings

 

 

Life Soul

Life Soul (Randyjw; November 24, 2018)

 

My life soul,

I feel your pain

and my heart beats out

rhythms synced to your name

In grief gone silent

like the whisper of breath

an unending torment

alive yet in death

 

 

 

Winter Blanket

Winter Blanket (Randyjw; November 19, 2018)

 

A frosting begins

The doe, beneath mistletoe

Winter settles in

The Rock And The Dock / Et Ha’Selah V’Et Ha’Mezach

The Rock And The Dock / Et Ha’Selah V’Et Ha’Mezach (Randyjw; November 12, 2018)

 

Tihiyeh

mi she’atah rotzeh

lihiyot

Al kol mah

she’at

huh ha’kol bishvili

 

---

(Todah L’Google-translate assist)

 

English:

Be

who you want

to be

For everything

you are

is everything to me

 

 

Eleven

Eleven (Randyjw; November 2, 2018)

 

 

Munich Massacre –                                                    Pittsburgh Massacre –

1972 Summer Olympics                                            2018 Shabbat / Bris Ceremony

11 Jews Murdered:                                                      11 Jews Murdered:

 

David Berger                                                                Joyce Fienberg

Ze’ev Friedman                                                            Richard Gottfried

Yossef Gutfreund                                                         Rose Mallinger

Eliezer Halfin                                                               Jerry Rabinowitz

Yossef Romano                                                             Cecil Rosenthal

Amitzur Shapira                                                            David Rosenthal

Kehat Shorr                                                                    Bernice Simon

Mark Slavin                                                                    Sylvan Simon

Andre Spitzer                                                                  Daniel Stein

Yacov Springer                                                               Melvin Wax

Moshe Weinberg                                                             Irving Younger

 

 

Brought To You By: Florida Imams

Brought To You By: Florida Imams (Randyjw; November 2, 2018)

 

In the wake of the Pittsburgh Synagogue massacre of 11 elderly Jews engaged in worship, we have further pause to consider the vile intent of others in our neighorhoods, with these words by the religious leaders of another faith:

 

MEMRI.org. Special Dispatch Number 7744. “Pompano Beach, Florida Friday Sermon By Imam Hasan Sabri: Palestine Must Be Liberated ‘Even If This Leads To The Martyrdom Of Tens Of Millions Of Muslims'”; memri.org; November 2, 2018:

https://www.memri.org/reports/pompano-beach-florida-friday-sermon-imam-hasan-sabri-palestine-must-be-liberated-even-if

 

On: Illegal Votes In The U.S.

On: Illegal Votes In The U.S. (Randyjw; November 2, 2018):

 

Something of interest to read, prior to the November 6th election:

 

Billingsley, Lloyd. “San Francisco Treats Illegals, Tricks Citizens: California’s “motor voter” scheme may be sending one million illegals to the polls”. frontpagemag.com; November 2, 2018:

 

https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/271825/san-francisco-treats-illegals-tricks-citizens-lloyd-billingsley

 

 

Ruth Matar z”l

 

Ruth Matar z”l (Randyjw; November 1, 2018)

 

Ruth Matar z”l

Women In Green

 

Update: I should delete this post. I’m sorry, and made a mistake. It is Nadia’s mother, Ruth, one of the founders of Women in Green, who passed away.

 

A Dream Encounter

A Dream Encounter (Randyjw; October 30, 2018)

 

I’m taking us back into retreat

to the hideout, where I found you

in my dreams

Where you slipped beneath the

coils of the bedsprings

And the sleep-sofa cushions

were your impregnable fortresses’ walls

and its ceilings, with seams

Needing a refuge in defense of

the patronage of adults

their silly questioning and our

requisite performing,

like monkeys in a ring,

well-meant intent

yet keeping on to prolong our intrinsic suffering

Awake, these many days onward

and jumping in to join you

to wave a gauzy white banner

of surrender

with which to wrap us, immobile

and dampen our senses

Pretend to numbness

while reveling in a cocoon

of pure whiteness and stillness

The onslaught is tough, my friend

It attacks us on both ends,

from without and within

You grab my hand and have brought a friend

hurtling along before I can quite react or think things through to the end

It hadn’t gone as I had thought and it had not been as it seems

but I don’t know if it’s just the devil in my thoughts

or an actual one that turned up in my dreams

My life on the outside has suddenly plummeted rather steeply

At the moment, I’m muffling us in muted suspension

til we can unravel our protective coverings and take to discovering things more deeply

 

Spicy Nights And Morning Fragrance

Spicy Nights And Morning Fragrance (Randyjw; October 27, 2018)

 

Like Icarus,

the angel wings were melted

upon nearing the sun

Caustic, and intemperate,

searing, scalding one

No love potion

or witches’ brew

no incantations sung

Just a plain girl’s heart in love

by this spell of magic that was wrung

 

 

Stop Of The Clock

Stop Of The Clock (Randyjw; October 18, 2018)

 

Time pulls me down

like quicksand in its grasp

seeking stronger purchase

more days that scurry past

 

And G-d , who, in his pleasure,

creates both night and day

For man, who, in his measure,

turns such things to disarray

 

Both good times and regret,

the betrayal of a friend

Can this clock we aughtst forget

with each tock ticking ’til the end?

 

 

The World Is Doomed Now

 

The World Is Doomed Now (Randyjw; October 18, 2018)

 

 

AP/World Israel News Staff. “UN shifts power to ‘State of Palestine,’ enabling it to head biggest bloc”. worldisraelnews.com; October 17, 2018:

https://worldisraelnews.com/un-shifts-power-to-palestine-to-head-biggest-bloc/

 

 

 

US Universal Medicare?

 

US Universal Medicare? (Randyjw; October 18, 2018)

 

From 1600daily, comes something interesting to read about the Democratic proposal to socialize medicine within the U.S.

 

And we thought the Democrats were truly outraged when they accused Russia of colluding in U.S. elections? Really?

 

1600daily. “FACT SHEET: Congressional Democrats Want to Take Away Your Doctor, Outlaw Your Private Insurance, and Put Bureaucrats In Charge of Your Healthcare”; whitehouse.gov; October 16, 2018:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/congressional-democrats-want-take-away-doctor-outlaw-private-insurance-put-bureaucrats-charge-healthcare/

 

 

Updated (October 24, 2018):

 

Read more, here:

Investor’s Business Daily/Editorial. “Dems Won’t Tell Voters How Radical ‘Medicare For All’ Is”. investors.com; October 22, 2018:

https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/medicare-for-all-midterm-elections/

 

Auction of Monroe’s Siddur/Jewish Prayerbook

Auction of Monroe’s Siddur/Jewish Prayerbook (Randyjw; October 18, 2018)

 

Marilyn Monroe’s Jewish prayer book will be auctioned on November 12, 2018.

 

Monroe converted to Judaism in 1956.

 

Gold, Jack. “Marilyn Monroe’s Jewish prayer book up for auction”; worldisraelnews.com; October 16, 2018:

https://worldisraelnews.com/marilyn-monroes-jewish-prayer-book-up-for-auction/

 

 

Night Blooms

Night Blooms (Randyjw; October 17, 2018)

 

Hanging in white space

amidst this gaping absense

Life without fragrance

 

 

Untendered Words

Untendered Words (Randyjw; October 6, 2018)

 

Words, themselves, can’t be returned;

but solely exchanged in dialogue.

 

And coined words cast

from minted minds:

Uncommon cents – –

So hard to find.

 

---

 

(but you, reader, deserve the most tender of words)

 

Ode To Hillel

Ode To Hillel (Randyjw; October 6, 2018)

 

Dream large, and hold lofty goals

embrace the day, and all it holds

remember to do so, manifold

Save the world, by saving one soul

 

 

A beautiful article inspired around Hillel:

 

Astor, Yaakov. “Me, Myself and I: Ethics of the Fathers 1:14”; aish.com; June 5, 2004:

(http://www.aish.com/sp/pg/48893292.html)

 

 

Glide-By Viewing

Glide-By Viewing (Randyjw; October 5, 2018)

 

Dreamily floating by

on top of apricot clouds,

watching the world glide by

Bolton: “Palestine is a ‘So-Called’ State”

Source: Bolton: “Palestine is a ‘So-Called’ State”

Disguise

Disguise (Randyjw; October 5, 2018)

 

Blessing in disguise – –

Seen just with the days’ eyes;

With time, realized

 

 

Dance Of The Cranes

Dance Of The Cranes (Randyjw; October 2, 2018)

 

Dancing of the cranes

introductory ballet

both plea and plié

 

 

Simchat Torah

Simchat Torah (Randyjw; September 29, 2018)

 

Happy Simchat Torah!

Sun Spot

Sun Spot (Rachelgv; September 28, 2018)

 

The day is so bright – –

fallen leaves reveal the light;

Thank you for this sight!

 

In Our Dreams

In Our Dreams (Randyjw; September 24, 2018)

 

In dreams, words run free.

In dreams, they can say what you want them to mean.

In dreams, words can be want you want them to be.

The dreams I’ve dreamt, is the me which is meant.

 

(for Asha)

 

Mystery Click 1

 

Mystery Click 1 (Randyjw; September 23, 2018)

 

 

( https://youtu.be/upD6cB9Rzvk )

 

 

 

Old Soul

Old Soul (Randyjw; September 23, 2018)

 

Is my old soul yet learning

to embrace the pain

When it still keeps returning

to face it again?

 

 

A song my father sang, and played on the piano (three versions, below):

 

Autumn Leaves / Nat King Cole (English):

 

( https://youtu.be/zNBbDJdstZQ )

 

Les Feuilles Mortes / Yves Montand (French):

 

( https://youtu.be/Mvi7mFpSO1M )

 

( https://youtu.be/Ur9XthDjkq0 )

 

 

 

Happy Sukkot

Happy Sukkot (Randyjw; September 10, 2018)

 

H A P P Y

S U K K O T !!!

 

 

Atonement

Yom Kippur (Randyjw; September 10, 2018)

 

 

 

On

Yom Kippur

 

 

Kol Nidre:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k34gVoR3LYg)

 

Seashell Trail

Seashell Trail (Randyjw; September 17, 2018)

 

Seashells strewn

across the sand

Like breadcrumb trails

we drop by hand

 

A Service To Speak Thus

A Service To Speak Thus (Randyjw; September 13, 2018)

 

Whatever painful truths

lie within,

an honest expression – –

there it is.

 

After Dawn

 

After Dawn (Randyjw; September 13, 2018)

 

Leaves holding on.

Each gust of wind

an arduous effort

in the gales of the storm.

 

Leaves coalesce,

becoming one;

brown underfoot

and as dry as the dust.

 

All seasons do come.

Even the green will turn

when trees fluoresce

into gold and orange.

 

After moonfall,

on bared branches

nests the solemn owl.

So the sun does set

as it will, after dawn.

 

 

USA Strong

USA Strong (Randyjw; September 9, 2018)

 

 

HONORING OUR FALLEN /

NEVER FORGOTTEN /

USA  STRONG

 

 

May The Source Be With You

May The Source Be With You (Randyjw; September 7, 2018)

(https://youtu.be/jbjcSGxK6l0)

Anti-Semitic Posters Placed At London Bus Stops

 

Anti-Semitic Posters Placed At London Bus Stops (Randyjw; September 6, 2018)

 

World Israel News reports today that four posters with the anti-Semitic slur, “Israel is a racist endeavour,” written upon them were placed in at least four locations at bus stop terminals around London, with one even being posted across from Parliament. Transport for London (TfL) has responded that these were not authorized by the transit authority and they have instructed their contractors to remove them.

 

This is not the first of these incidents: I believe, some time ago, I saw the same poster, with the black and the red, on the side of a bus in one of the cities, which I frequent. I don’t recall whether the wording was spelled for an American audience, however, in the matter of “endeavor,” versus “endeavor”.

 

The United Kingdom has been having a particularly difficult time distancing itself from anti-Semitic expressions, as of late. Jeremy Corbyn, the head of the Labour Party, has been extremely active in his support for Palestinian aspirations, whether they seem to involve laying a wreath in honor of the terrorists who died after committing the Munich Massacre of the 11 Israeli members of the Olympic team, or other such sympathetic gestures and vocalizations.

 

The refractive glare of the surface next to the text in the poster seems to reflect the buildings in the near vicinity of the environment. This glare seems to come from what appears to be a transparent surface covering over the poster, such as glass, or, perhaps, something similar. The visual seems to me to represent glass.

 

I wondered how these posters, then, could get beneath this covering, if they were “not authorized” by the transit authority.

 

The structural frame for the “advertisement” indicates the company name of the outdoor advertising agency, JCDecaux. I did an internet search on Google, and found their websites and other outside information. Their website indicates that 55% of their staff is involved in the upkeep of the ad sites, including the repair and maintenance of such, and showcases a photograph of a person drawing a small squeegee across an apparently empty advertisement frame, to give an indication of the type of service one could expect as an advertiser with the Company. The Company website also indicates that they maintain subsidiaries in many of the markets.

 

What I wonder is, How easily accessible are these advertisement frames to vandalism? The vandal, if there was one, did such a neat job of cleaning the “glass”. It’s centered, and just the right size to fit within the parameters of the framing structure. Were they possibly placed there by a contractor? Are there no security features to prevent such vandalism? Are they so easily attacked?

 

I just wrote an email to JCDecaux (United Kingdom) to inquire as to how this could have occurred, but the matter is apparently under investigation by the police, and so I will probably receive either a form letter indicating that they cannot comment on an ongoing investigation, or I may receive no response at all. Here is what I wrote to them, although I corrected myself in this post in identifying the Company versus the transit authority. See the photograph at World Israel News:

 

World Israel News Staff. “London bus stops defaced with ‘Israel is a racist endeavour’ posters”; September 6, 2018):

https://worldisraelnews.com/london-bus-stops-defaced-with-israel-is-a-racist-endeavour-posters/

 

 

Read the email to JCDecaux:

 

I read an article today on World Israel News which reported that several incidents of posters with the words, ‘Israel is a racist endeavor (‘endeavour’ -ed.)’, appeared in your bus stop advertising holders. While the article reported that the reply was that these were not authorized  by the Company (fixed in post to read: Transport for London (TfL) – ed.), it appears from the glare in the photograph that the poster(s) were placed beneath the glass. While I understand that there are multiple subsidiary entities beneath the main Company, I still have several questions: Your website states that 55% of your staff are dedicated to repairing, maintenance, and upkeep of the sites. How did the posters get beneath the glass? Didn’t any employees notice this? I also believe I have seen the same poster on buses in the city where I’ve resided, some time ago (undisclosed, as I do not wish to reveal, as is my prerogative). Are your structures so easily attacked? Are there no security features to prevent “unauthorized” access?

 

https://www.jcdecaux.co.uk/contact-us

 

Update (September 18, 2018):

 

I apologize for the delay in not earlier updating this post. On September 7, 2018, I received two email replies with regard to the Company, sent within less than thirty minutes apart, referencing the above-listed. Both responses were essentially the same, with some basic, inconsequential differences in word choice. Both emails indicated that these acts were (regarded as) vandalism, and were not (considered) advertising. One thanked me for getting in touch. Neither offered apology, nor explanation as to how this “vandalism” could have occurred. Will the investigation locate a perpetrator? This remains to be seen/reported.

 

Update (February 19, 2021):

 

A new billboard attack against Jews in France has again occurred through the JCDecaux company, claiming that thier billboards were “hijacked.” Didn’t they learn their lesson three years ago, in 2018?

 

See here:

https://www.wiesenthal.com/about/news/wiesenthal-centre-demands-3.html

 

I think I will write them another letter.

 

I just emailed JCDecaux (February 19, 2021 – approximately 11:42 a.m.); this is what I sent:

 

I have read, yet again, about another incident of billboards in support of BDS against Jewish “anything” (BDS). I was never informed of the results of your “investigations” into the “attacks” of 2018; and here we are again, three years later (2021) with yet another occurrence of the same type of thing. Have you not learned?

 

The Recaptcha says the validation failed pertaining to the email; there should be no reason why this occurred. I then resent the email. However, there was no indication as to whether it was successful, or not. Perhaps because I linked to the company via the link I used with my post, or perhaps because I had to accept their computer cookies, which I did, but I am at a public computer — although this should not really be a reason… I should be able to use Captcha/Recaptcha (but there was no images given to check image boxes with, for the Captcha/Recaptcha verification, anyways… I’m using a valid search engine, etc. So, what’s going on?

 

 

 

L’Shanah Tovah

 

L’Shanah Tovah (Randyjw; September 5, 2018)

(https://youtu.be/ixYx0Wc7mc0)

 

Fitting

Fitting (Randyjw; September 2, 2018)

 

Ten of mine

could fit in yours

with ample space

for thousands more

 

 

(https://youtu.be/rKuy9L-aAPU)

 

 

Peace Be Upon You

Peace Be Upon You (Rachelgv; August 31, 2018)

 

Go, and sit there where you need

Bring your poetry and read it her

by the still water in the light of day

Open your heart and your eyes

to let fall all the water that may

Kiss the book, and turn home

in gentle sleep and dreams

Let peace come, and wash it away

 

Angel Visit

 

Angel Visit (Randyjw; August 31, 2018)

 

It’s been awhile since I’ve seen my human angel, who’s been taking it upon herself to help try to feed me. I was kindof glad not to see her, ‘cuz I don’t want her spending her savings trying to save me, when she could be saving more for herself and her boyfriend, whom I learned of this evening. I hope she doesn’t continue, because I’m going to feel like I’m going to have to move, so she can’t find me, but I really don’t have any more spots I know of to move to. I’m in my thirteenth spot, if I’m counting correctly, and I can’t really go back to any of them. Other people tell me I should not be like that, and let people help if they want, as I’m otherwise taking away their blessing (their “mitzvah,” we’d say in Hebrew, about this concept).

 

Well, somehow I think the universe is mocking me, as of late. At times, and even, sometimes, often — or, perhaps, mostly — I’m a jerk. Hahaha. No, but really. Like, lately, I’m just tired of giving away resources I need to other people who want them, too. I had actually made a concerted effort to try to be more selfish after my first marriage had ended, and I was still “giving” for years and years, after-the-fact.

 

So, I jettisoned the normally generous person I had been for most of my nice life, and became, sortof, Mrs. Scrooge. Not really, but I tried to stick to the plan. I never quite made it away from the generic “save the world” facets towards my efforts, but, on an individual level, I somewhat succeeded.

 

Or, failed. I mean, really. Who needs to become self-centered!? Well, there’s got to be balance. If you’re agreeable to everybody and generous to a fault, then there will be people who will take advantage of that, in the worst way. I know, as I’ve experienced it many times. Your energy and resources will be drained, and you will find nobody by your side when you have nothing left to give.

 

But, don’t be discouraged, and don’t be disheartened. Just try to pick yourself up, and realize that human nature contains the good, along with the bad. We’re not all good, and we’re not all bad. It’s alright to learn to say “no” and to not be a people-pleaser, as well as a doormat. It’s okay to expend energy on yourself to attain the goals you’d like to reach. Most people do, anyways; they just make it look like they’re not.

 

If you prefer alot of solitude — enjoy it. Life isn’t a popularity contest. Set your boundaries and let people know what they are. My problem in socializing is that I tend to overdo it by taking on too much, or too many people, at once. I’d be really gregarious and end up overextended, so that I’d wind up unable to sustain any of it, in the long-run.

 

If I look at it frankly, I don’t find much time in the day which would even allow for trying to get together with anyone. Between a work schedule, and the time you need to maintain your life, such as cooking, shopping, cleaning, maintenance of self and abode, and everything else, there really isn’t time left in the day to do so. I’d even turned down occasional offers of new friendship, for this very reason, so as not to hurt the feelings of people when they’d find themselves later disappointed at my pulling back from engagement, because it’s just too much for me, and I’d get tuckered out, and wind up irritable and sometimes snappy, when I got like this.

 

Well, there it is, in a nutshell. One of the reasons I am like I am. There are others, but those are for another time. Or, not at all. Not everything’s meant to be said.

 

But, to those of you, and maybe that’s most, to whom I’ve offended, I am sorry and I apologize. I’m not good with this, and I do have my issues. I think it’s part of who I am. I’m not sure I can change that, but at least I can explain it. I try to limit it by limiting my friendships, and acting in a more generic fashion. I think I’m not alone in this, especially in the social atmosphere. I hope by explaining it, you can understand. And by understanding, maybe you can forgive.

 

So, I’ve been especially crabby lately. My lack of sleep, because of my situation and the lack of courtesy to someone in my shoes, tends to bring out my irritability. So, I don’t feel like I deserve to be rewarded for this bad behavior.

 

But, I find myself suddenly receiving silly wishes granted. This is where I feel like I’m totally being mocked. It’s ridiculous! Like, suddenly, scrambled eggs showed up one day at the soup kitchen, just after I’d mentioned at the table that scrambled eggs with cheese was something I hadn’t had in a long time and missed. Then, like a jerk, I had the audacity not to even eat them when they showed up, because I was nauseated by the odor they were giving off, en masse.

 

I also wished for a bagel from one of those yummy bakeries; I missed those, too. Well, guess what? My visiting angel came by tonight and brought me three (!), along with a small orange, and some sweet and delicious blueberries! Yum! The bagel was delicious, and I’m thinking about eating another one, shortly.

 

But, what’s with this? I’m being guilted with the universe’s kindness. Ugh! I can’t take it! Now I see what they mean when they say “No good deed goes unpunished,” “The evil prosper,” and other kind of like sayings. I’m in a dilemma.

 

Sharing The Fruit by Rabbi Simcha L. Weinberg

 

Sharing The Fruit, by Rabbi Simcha L. Weinberg (Randyjw; August 31, 2018):

 

As we lead up to Rosh HaShanah, a message previously written by Rabbi Weinberg shares an essential re-airing:

 

Weinberg, Rabbi Simcha L. “Sharing The Fruit”; thefoundationstone.org; September 6, 2012:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs076/1102365104598/archive/1110925214345.html

 

 

A Sense of History by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

 

A Sense of History, by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (Randyjw; August 31, 2018):

 

As we look forward to the Jewish New Year, we reflect on the past as it relates to the future:

 

Sacks, Rabbi Lord Jonathan. “A Sense of History”; JewishPress.com; August 30, 2018:

http://www.jewishpress.com/judaism/jewish-columns/rabbi-lord-jonathan-sacks/a-sense-of-history-2/2018/08/30/

 

Astral Rejection

Astral Rejection (Randyjw; August 29, 2018)

 

I decide to visit you this evening

Embarking on the astral plane

which will fling me into space

on this hologrammatically incorrect journey

where, in seconds, I arrive at my destination

Now a glitch in the reservation system

perhaps due to some human kind of communication error

changed the arrival gate,

along with the weather

And now my soul clinks back

against unanticipated glass

these veins top cool, white marble slab

a rather unexpected reception

---

(Just writing the way I feel,

of fictional fantasy fancied unreal)

 

Ecstatically, Esoterically One

Ecstatically, Esoterically One (Randyjw; August 29, 2018)

 

I’ve never been so happy

than deepest in my thoughts with you

where, here, you’re with me, too

 

Shell On My Shirt

Shell On My Shirt (Rachelgv; August 29, 2018)

 

Of the oceans we’re apart,

this shell on my shirt

a home within my heart

 

The Pictures And The Story

 

The Pictures And The Story (Randyjw. August 29, 2018)

 

View pictures of the reality of most of Arab life in the Judea/Samaria, a.k.a. “The West Bank”:

 

Luxury Alongside Poverty in the Palestinian Authority

 

 

Go, Joe!!!

 

Go, Joe!!! (Randyjw; August 29, 2018):

 

Check out my 2012 Presidential Dream Cabinet, and see if I’m a pretty good political-winner-picker! The final election for Florida will come on November 6, 2018. Good luck in the state of Florida, Joe! See you in Congress!

 

https://newsnotes1.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/2012-presidential-cabinet-picks/

 

 

Susim

Susim (Rachelgv; August 29, 2018)

 

B’susim, anashim,

u’zeekeinav, achareihem,

ba’rechev rochvim

 

 

Translation, English:

 

Horses (Rachelgv; August 29, 2018)

 

On horseback, men,

And their elders, after them,

in carriages riding

 

 

A Seminal Piece on Jewish Sovereignty In Israel

 

A Seminal Piece on Jewish Sovereignty In Israel (Randyjw; August 28, 2018)

 

Please read this important piece on Jewish sovereignty in Israel for the full, incontestable facts over Israel:

 

Mehlman, William. “A Landmark Work”; Reprinted at think-Israel.org; September-October 2009 Featured Stories. Review of Howard Grief’s book, The Legal Foundation and Borders of Israel under International Law; Mazo Publishers, October 2008. mazopublishers@gmail.com. Review appeared in the October 2009 issue of Mideast Outpost (http://mideastoutpost.com/archives/000590.html).

http://www.think-israel.org/mehlman.griefbook.html

 

 

Randy’s Reviews: The Founding Conservatives: How a Group of Unsung Heroes Saved the American Revolution

Randy’s Reviews: The Founding Conservatives: How a Group of Unsung Heroes Saved the American Revolution (Randyjw; August 26, 2018)

 

The Founding Conservatives: How a Group of Unsung Heroes Saved the American Revolution

David Lefer. Penguin/Sentinel, $29.95 (416p) ISBN 978-1-59523-069-0

In the course of learning about my people’s, the Jewish people’s, history, I have often heard countless retellings of the stories of famous Jewish people who have contributed throughout the course of history toward the financial gains of their host countries’ continuance. This has often come in the form of providing their own families’ personal wealth in the form of currency toward the war chests of the countries in which they lived. I have heard that the Columbus voyage in discovery of the New World had been financially helped with Jewish funding; and another is the financing of the American Revolution by Haim Solomon, who helped U.S. Treasurer, Robert Morris, refill the American coffers to continue their defense against the British Redcoats, and to win the war for the American side. This salient fact is missing from the above book, which is one reason to question the revisionist manner in which the American story is retold.

Read about Haim Solomon, here, on Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haym_Salomon

I was going to give this book an excellent rating for its in-depth research into the machinations behind the men who cobbled together the form of democracy our United States would follow in the years just preceding the colonial uprising against the Stamp Act, resulting in the Boston Tea Party, where cases of imported tea from Great Britain were charged by King George III to be assessed against the thirteen American colonies, eventually resulting in the American Revolution against the British. I detract some of its points for the author having excluded the important, and well-known, contribution made by Haim Solomon to the American cause, overall, and for his blind-eyed focus solely on the known signers (for the most part) of the Declaration of Independence, with their internal debates of the issue of whether to remain a subject colony under British rule of the Monarchy, or whether to break off and become an independent nation.

Read about The Stamp Act, here, on Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamp_Act_1765

It never seems that independence was exactly a foremost thought in the minds of our Founding Fathers – – at least, according to what author David Lefer writes, through his unearthing of the signatories’ diaries, and other records, such as letters found in archival libraries and collections he uses to piece together this interesting and fascinating account of the steps and, almost, missteps, the colonial Congressional Representatives and influence holders take in the construction of our seemingly much-different nation during its formative infancy.

The matter of taxation being imposed on the colonies from afar without the feeling of consideration that they were being properly represented, was probably the main impetus for the cause of the American Revolution against the British. Yet, there were those on the other side of the aisle who felt that America should continue to be ruled by the aristocratic and landed gentry, as they were the ruling classes in a still-feudal and Monarchical society in Britain, holding the land titles and much of the commercial plantations of serfs, which represented the bulk of the capital, at that time.

This book reads like a present-day thriller, of sorts, as equal pressure and equal measures are brought to bear by both sides of the American controversy, to the status, hanging in the balance, of the American future. Already secure in our knowledge of the outcome, we still read how very different the nation proceeded from the start, as compared to its final outcome which we experience now today. It is interesting to learn how this occurred, and what thoughts may have transpired in the minds of the framers of the Constitution by which our nation has successfully managed its founding and consolidation, amongst the diversity of thought, these many centuries later.

For this reason, I recommend the book as a learning opportunity and to enrich our minds in the process of how America was formed and the issues which informed that decision.

Again

Again (Randyjw; August 25, 2018)

 

How do you know

when love is true?

Again and again,

it comes up “you”

 

Sequel

Sequel (Randyjw; August 25, 2018)

 

At the risk of repetition

and the sense of deja vu

I’d love the following edition

provided it was you

 

Counterterrorism Expert Removed Under Statedly False Pretenses From GoFundMe Site

 

Counterterrorism Expert Removed Under Statedly False Pretenses From GoFundMe Site (Randyjw; August 23, 2018)

 

Counterterrorism expert and author, Robert Spencer, reports yesterday that his GoFundMe account has been cancelled, in essence, due to reasons for which the GoFundMe site has stated: that (WePay) is “unable to process payments related to Hate, violence, racial intolerance, terrorism, the financial exploitation of a crime, or items or activities that encourage, promote, facilitate, or instruct others regarding the same.”

 

There is certainly a difference between those who advocate hate and commit terrorism, versus those who seek to explain it. His scholarly pursuit into Islamic theology, law, and history since 1980 and his Masters degree in Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, support his serious endeavor to teach about these subjects with more than a modicum of knowledge surrounding the issues. He is the author of eighteen books, among them New York Times bestsellers, and has presented informational lectures to multiple branches of the United States government, including to the FBI and to the intelligence community, to the Justice and State Departments, to various army commands, and to the German Foreign Ministry. His expertise has been sought on countless media programs, including through cable, radio, television and internet venues. He provides consultation to the Center for Security Policy.

 

I’m noticing that perhaps a problem exists in the reading comprehension levels of those customer support-type of people who are tasked with the “censoring” of the internet: perhaps they are confusing the legal terms of their companies’ policies. They see the terms “related to Hate,” as in the above, and believe that it means to encompass any speech referring to hateful acts, of which Jihadist beheadings referenced, perhaps, by Spencer, might be considered one of the criteria. Yes, Jihadist beheadings are certainly hateful. They also see the phrase, “terrorism… or instruct others regarding the same,” and believe that the act of teaching about Jihadist beheadings, and other principles, conflates equally to the act of the actual commitment of Jihadist beheadings (for example).

 

Here is a news bulletin for you: There is no equivalency! Teaching about the hateful acts of another is not necessarily equivalent to actually committing those same acts. I know that some people like to make a comparison of this free expression type of argument by comparing a Nazi reenactment scene, replete with swastikas and armbands, as being akin to free speech about Islam. It is, and it isn’t. I mean, they do still allow neo-Nazis to parade in Skokie, Illinois as their constitutional right to self-expression. Clearly, those who take part in such a demonstration are showing their feelings about Jews – – they hate them. Frankly, I’d be embarrassed if I were them, but they’re not exactly the brightest lights in the universe, now… are they?

 

But, we’ve already found that where logic and the Left goes, well… whoops – – there it goes.

 

 

See the bio of Robert Spencer offered through his website, here:

https://www.jihadwatch.org/about-robert

 

 

Read the article he writes, here:

 

Spencer, Robert. “GoFundMe falsely accuses Robert Spencer of violating Terms of Service, allows no appeal”; Jihadwatch.org; August 22, 2018:

https://www.jihadwatch.org/2018/08/gofundme-falsely-accuses-robert-spencer-of-violating-terms-of-service-allows-no-appeal

 

 

Update (September 12, 2018):

Robert Spencer contributes scholarly articles to the FrontPage Mag website, as does Jamie Glazov. Jamie Glazov was just placed on a 30-day ban for his posting of an article on September 10th, one day prior to the anniversary of 9-11, on counter-Jihad. Facebook banned him, on SEPTEMBER 11th, of all days, for the reason given that it didn’t meet their Community Standards. As is pointed out in the updating link, below, what is it Facebook can possibly object to about trying to counter Jihad? Glazov was also banned in May from Twitter for referencing quotes from the Sahih Bukhari texts and to Qur’anic Suras. Additionally, Facebook banned him in April for making a screenshot of a threat he had received on his Facebook page from a man that said he would “break his mouth” and then posting that, along with a post posing a question to Mark Zuckerberg asking if the posted threat was safe for the FB community? He received a seven-day ban and ban notice. In writing to Facebook to learn why he was banned for posting/reporting his receipt of a threat, he received a Facebook Blocks content message, without any further response.

 

frontpagemag.com. “Facebook Bans Frontpage Editor Jamie Glazov on 9/11 – For Posting on How to Prevent Another 9/11

It’s against Facebook’s “community standards” to try to stop Jihadist attacks on Americans.”; frontpagemag.com* (editor of frontpagemag.com is Jamie Glazov); September 12, 2018:

https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/271299/facebook-bans-frontpage-editor-jamie-glazov-911-frontpagemagcom

 

 

Update (September 20, 2018):

Still conflating the ideology of Jihad and the following-out of its tenets by the mujahedeen, versus others not engaged in Jihad and who speak out against the ideology as the same thing, Theresa May seems to have still lumped-in Robert Spencer with the former:

 

Spencer, Robert. “UK’s PM May Again Equates Robert Spencer with Jihad Terrorists: Opposing jihad terror and plotting jihad terror are the same thing, right?”; frontpagemag.com; September 20, 2018:

https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/271373/uks-pm-may-again-equates-robert-spencer-jihad-robert-spencer

 

 

Update (October 1, 2018):

 

Certain types of speech are protected by our Constitution, and have received requisite backing in judicial rulings. While it would be discriminatory against classes of people we have considered protected, such as those of racial groups, ethnic heritage, religion and other sets, to use prejudicial speech and/or to have it result in unfair treatment to an individual(s), some other forms of speech are considered passable (maybe), if they are in parody/satire form. Have you ever noticed how certain exceptions to copyright notices state that small excerpts of copyrighted material may be used, for instance, if for critique, such as in a review, or if, perhaps, used in instructional study. This allows the instructor to showcase bodies of work which point out the particular examples they are purporting to teach. Teaching about serial killers does not make one a serial killer. Therfore, the same principles should apply to teaching about terrorism – – it just should depend upon the intended audience. If one were to teach about terrorism to responsible individuals, there would be no probable cause for concern about untoward influencing to ill effect. If, on the other hand, one is training future terrorists by teaching about terrorist methods, then that has quite different intent. The two, as noted above, are not at all the same. And now, Europe is levying potentially catastrophic fines (4%!) to compel internet companies to remove any potential “hate speech” and “fake news” content from their platforms. However, if they use illogical rationale by conflating the instruction of a reprehensible behavior with the committing of a reprehensible behavior, then they have no business ruling an entire continent, given that they cannot distinguish the clear demarcation between each.

 

Bergman, Judith. “EU: Politicizing the Internet”; gatestoneinstitute.org; September 30, 2018:

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/13042/eu-internet-censorship

 

 

Millière, Guy. “Is Criticizing Terrorism ‘Mental Illness?'”;gatestoneinstitute.org; October 4, 2018:

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/13072/le-pen-dissent-mental-illness

 

British Airways, Air France Cancelling Flights to Iran

 

British Airways, Air France Cancelling Flights to Iran (Randyjw; August 23, 2018)

 

Beginning in September, British Airways will be cancelling all air flights bound for Iran.

 

Following suit, Air France plans to cancel Iranian-bound flights on September 18th.

 

 

Lev, Tzvi. “British Airways, Air France scrap all Iran-bound flights: Airlines say direct flights to Iran ‘not commercially viable.'” Arutz Sheva / israelnationalnews.com; August 23, 2018:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/250974

New Article By Denis MacEoin

 

New Article By Denis MacEoin (Randyjw; August 23, 2018)

 

On Israel’s Nation-State Law

by Denis MacEoin
August 22, 2018 at 5:00 am

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/12880/israel-nation-state-law

 

• Israel is being wrongly condemned for something that not one Muslim state has ever been condemned for: identifying its nationality with its religion — and in the case of those Muslim states, this is done frequently in a manner that excludes or restricts the rights, or even the very existence, of minorities.

Read the rest of the article by author Denis MacEoin at the Gatestone Institute International Policy Council website, here:

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/12880/israel-nation-state-law

Freedom Center Under Attack

 

Freedom Center Under Attack (Randyjw; August 22, 2018)

 

David Horowitz, a formerly indoctrinated individual to the Socialist/Communist-leaning ideology, eventually made a complete “recovery” and turnaround, and has been busy since that time helping to expose others of the same left-leaning ilk and dangerous mentality in this country and around the world. The ideology, antithetical to the United States Constitution, calls for the top-down power of the political elite to rule over the governed people by fiat, envisioning a similar outcome for all. Autocratic tyranny has never seemed to work in other countries; it can hardly be expected to work in the United States. Yet, many people do not understand that equal outcomes for all might include consequences they never dreamed.

 

Cognizant of this fact, David Horowitz’s team has been busy trying to alert people to all that he’s discovered while being indoctrinated to viewpoints and becoming someone he had never really expected to be. Luckily, he caught himself and woke up to the reality of the insidiousness of his beliefs. He then decided to turn it around. Starting off with FrontPage Mag, a talented team of crack writers and investigators look into and expose the scandals that have had so much impact in American society. Because of the powerful truths that are revealed, their writers and agencies have been under attack continually from left-wing groups, such as the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), who has placed them on a basic boycott/blackmail list, so that companies will try to prevent their business from operating.

 

Recently, as “reported” by David Horowitz in an email sent to subscribers, of which I am one, he has stated that the SPLC has been able to convince the companies of MasterCard and Visa to stop processing the donations that are made to the David Horowitz Freedom Center, an already operating and IRS-approved 501 (c) (3) charitable non-profit agency. This has taken away a significant means of the Center to receive contributions, as only paper-based fiduciary exchanges, such as a check, for example, can be received by the group. This seems like an awfully unfair restriction of commerce, considering that there is no evidence to indicate that their charitable status is in any way under jeopardy. This is also reminiscent, in my personal opinion, of the IRS scandal which was revealed in FrontPage Mag, in fact, when the agency was discovered to have been targeting Conservative and/or pro-Israel applicants for charitable status by letting their applications languish unprocessed, and which was later admitted had been an operating tactic to exert special scrutiny toward such applicants.

 

Is this prolonging this practice and scandal, yet again?

 

Here is the home page of the group, with their various subprojects (which can be clicked upon visiting the site):

https://www.davidhorowitzfreedomcenter.org/#main

 

 

Update (August 28, 2018):

 

David Horowitz reports that his services and donations will be restored:

 

Frontpagemag.com. “David Horowitz Freedom Center Declares Victory Over Censorship Attempt:…And calls for a coalition across party and ideological lines to defend free speech.”; August 27, 2018:

https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/271154/david-horowitz-freedom-center-declares-victory-frontpagemagcom

 

 

Update (September 12, 2018):

 

David Horowitz, in an email report received from him dated September 11th, 2018, which I read today, reports now that their subgroup, Jihad Watch, written by Robert Spencer, is now under attack from Discover Card, stopping all donations from being processed to the site.

 

 

Update (September 14, 2018):

 

Frontpagemag.com. “Facebook Lifts Frontpage Editor Jamie Glazov’s 9/11 Ban: Social media network apologizes, says it was a “mistake” — but the battle against leftist fascism ensues””; September 14, 2018:

 

Frontpagemag.com reports Facebook was going to lift its block due to the mistake it had made against Jamie Glazov.

 

 

Update (October 5, 2018):

 

Project Veritas has posted this video on YouTube:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbNLt8UKWQA)

 

 

Update (October 18, 2018):

 

Feoktistov, Ilya. “Visa, MasterCard and the War on The Freedom Center: Financial giants terrorize conservatives while laundering money for terrorists”. frontpagemag.com; October 16, 2018:

https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/271648/visa-mastercard-and-war-freedom-center-ilya-feoktistov

 

 

Update (December 1, 2018):

 

Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch, an oft-contributing writer to Frontpage Mag, was also placed under the MasterCard and Discover Card account freeze. While donations to the David Horowitz Freedom Center have now been able to be processed, meaning that the “ban” had been lifted, Robert Spencer’s account still remains under a freeze, as per his December 1, 2018 email blast, which I received.

 

 

Platinum

 

Platinum (Randyjw; August 21, 2018)

 

I emit peace and contentment

that’s taken my lifetime to embed

The frenetic pace of youth

that’s solely appropriate to age

like a noted piece of poetry

from a younger day’s continuum

The dispenser of advice and wisdom

of greater depth through experience

And here I am right now

Wholly radiant in platinum

 

Nazi SS Guard Deported From U.S. Soil Today

 

Nazi SS Guard Deported From U.S. Soil Today (Randyjw; August 21, 2018)

 

A long overdue goodbye and good riddance goes out to Jakiw Palij, whose 2004 deportation order was carried out today, August 21, 2018.

 

According to today’s White House Press Release, carried on the 1600 Daily, Palij immigrated from Trawniki, Poland (now in Ukraine) in 1949 to the U.S., and became a naturalized citizen in 1957, residing in Queens, New York. It was later discovered that Palij had been an armed guard of the Nazi SS serving at the Trawniki Labor Camp, where about 6,000 Jewish women, men, and children were shot to death as part of “Operation Reinhard,” one of many similar actions to exterminate the Jews from Poland under the main aegis of Adolf Hitler’s all-encompassing “Final Solution.”

 

Palij is being deported to the Federal Republic of Germany.

 

Thank you to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Administration of Donald J. Trump, President of the United States.

 

Read the press release, here:

 

whitehouse.gov / Statements & Releases / Statement from the Press Secretary / Immigration / Aug 21, 2018:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-30/

 

Paying Respect

Paying Respect (Randyjw; August 18, 2018)

Partake

Partake (Randyjw; August 16, 2018)

 

Indulge me

in an utmost joy

of temporary pleasure

Elevate me

with eloquent artistry

to escape the banality

Experience heights

of enlightened sensories

apart from the everyday

Live a lot

equally well with humility

and not solely fraught

with an overwrought decadence

___________________________________________

 

Drowning myself in gluttony with this chocolate cake and ice cream. Someone violated my sleeping space yesterday morning and stole my large sports-team duffel bag with many of my belongings. This self-treat was just what I needed to make myself feel a whole lot better!

 

The Dance

The Dance (Randyjw; August 15, 2018)

 

Leaves curl in piles swept on the ground

The rain drops in misty shrouds all around

Ambling down the windswept avenue

I smile and walk, awaiting that dance with you

 

Beautiful Bridges Slides

 

Beautiful Bridges Slides (Randyjw; August 14, 2018)

 

Have you seen these beautiful bridges yet?

 

http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/10-amazing-pedestrian-bridges-you-need-to-see/ss-BBLMdPu

 

 

The Chicken Came First

The Chicken Came First (Randyjw; August 12, 2018)

 

The Bible tells us that G-d made the fowl of the air. The Creation account of Genesis relates in the First Chapter, verse 20 that G-d spoke of the creation of the moving creatures of the water and the fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of Heaven. Genesis is an account which is particularly detailed and never mentions that the fowl had to first be hatched from eggs. Therefore, perhaps the ancient conundrum of wondering whether the chicken or the egg came first can now be answered with certitude that it was the chicken that, indeed, came first.

 

Genesis 1:20  – –

And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

(King James Version)

 

https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/genesis01-03.html

Kin—-

 

 

Life On The Outside

 

Life On The Outside (Randyjw; August 11, 2018)

 

Birds of prey cry out,

born just the other day

Already circling the skies

they fly from tree to tree

Like the hawks, are men

casting a leering eye

through the walls

of my bedroom,

which should have been

I didn’t ask to be here

I didn’t expect that a lifetime

of working

Would land me curbside

on a stoop of brick pavers

A graffitied backdrop

replacing sheer curtains, instead

If you want, you can check

you can see my verifiable record

from when I started my labor, underage,

and how it continued mostly nonstop

And you can screen my drug-free blood

and wonder why these pincushion-like arms

all red and bumpy, and gnawed on by ants and mosquitoes

Have never experienced the wrong shot

Berate me all you want

through your zip-coded status

or your caste-creating lot

I’ve shunned that kind since childhood

having grown up in that spot

But, I will not forgive you your disrespect

your lack of manners, uncircumspect

inviting yourself bedside, beyond my front door

to wake me and grope me through invisible walls

My body isn’t yours for the taking

My head and heart already found a home within

Stop accosting me and assaulting me

And get your dog’s poop cleaned up from out of my yard

I might sleep near the sidewalk, in dark, outside

So I will pray to G-d I might live through this night

---

The stark realities of being a homeless woman, tired of shelters which warehouse people for the money, and instead now living on the street in order to have more freedom to look for work and attend to daily needs, means the presumptions of most people, whether homeless or otherwise, that:

 

1) You choose to be living “the homeless lifestyle”;

2) You don’t want to work;

3) That you’re a drug or alcohol abuser;

4) That homelessness automatically makes you a “lady of the night,” willing to do anything for a couple of dollars, if you’re a woman.

 

I can assure you that none of the above are true. I have been accosted by men more times than I can even begin to recall. There is a chauvinist power trip aspect by the homeless men over the homeless women, using a pretense of protecting the woman, when, instead, they try to take everything they can get from the women. The men will invade the privacy of a woman and baldly interrupt their private attendings. The men will also wake or keep a woman up, so as to deprive them of sleep. While I have worked for years to, while not negative, to at least keep my credit neutral, I now have several unexpected emergency room visits to out-of-network hospitals resulting in major unpaid medical bills to mar my credit, and which I cannot now pay due to homelessness and lack of employment. One such major bill is due to the lack of food and sleep deprivation I was experiencing, caused considerably by these circumstances. Yesterday morning, I woke up to two different men, both of whom had snuck up while I was sleeping and did G-d knows what – – some of which I became aware as I awoke and they were lying next to me. I was being groped. This happened TWICE, yesterday; and it’s not the first time this has happened. I’ve had it up to where three different men have come, basically in succession, to harass me by various means and methods. I am feeling very disgusted, ashamed, harassed, angry, sad, violated. Even surrounded by other people, they didn’t wake up when it was happening one time, and I was loud. Other people will not “get involved” because of the “snitch factor.” Too many people are being stabbed, shot, and killed. Believe me; I am not here by choice, but, unfortunately, through consequence.

 

I pour out my feelings online – – to people, about people, about who I love, or who or what types of behavior (terrorism, chauvinism, anti-Semitism, etc.) I don’t. If someone can love someone, without happening to have a consummation of a physical nature, but love them in heart and spirit, isn’t that enough? Who can decide that answer other than the parties involved? Certainly not by bullying from any outside peanut galleries, wouldn’t you agree?

 

Thank you, angel girl, for coming to my rescue in the midst of this difficult-to-say writing, just as I was beginning to cry. I appreciate the food and cold drinks you brought. It gives me a moment of sustenance and caring, away from danger. Thank you for sustaining me.

 

I thank those, as well, who are working to help stop just such abuses towards women: you know who you are. xoxo.

 

 

Rainy Day

Rainy Day (Randyjw; August 11, 2018)

 

To You, L-rd, I pray

Provide a dry place to stay

Have it rain at day

 

Soul Song

 

Soul Song (Rachelgv: August 11, 2018)

 

Matzati Et

She’Ahavah

Nafshi

a verse,

3:4 – –

from Song of Solomon

on a ring:

I Have Found

That/Him/Her

(in)Which/(in)Who(m)

My Soul Loves

 

Art/Ant Colony

Art/Ant Colony (Randyjw; August 7, 2018)

 

Art appreciation

tends to be a never-ending hedonistic endeavor,

needing deeper and deeper fulfillment and realization,

to the point, sometimes, of desensitizing.

You know…

There’s some poetry in that last bit;

perhaps I’ll beg off now

and get that written.

 

On: 76 And 86

 

On: 76 And 86 (Randyjw; August 6, 2018)

 

Honored,

and by your behest

Wishes…

granted,

at your request

Seek,

What you sought to find

Found,

At the place

where your thoughts have led

Surety,

for this closing line

Granted,

that those aren’t mine

 

Fly Free, Little Birdie

Fly Free, Little Birdie (Randyjw; August 5, 2018)

 

It was a video, but I lost it…