Did you know Donald John Trump is an impressionist? Here he is, captured by a courtroom artist, doing his impression of Sleepy Joe.
Category Archives: History
Hardly Frightening!
This photo is often shared and referred to as a “frightening picture”. From the first time I saw this (which happened 40 years ago this Feb. 7) I found it both thrilling and a testament to what human ingenuity can accomplish. To me it also represents how, despite his apparent loneliness in the vastness of space, it took his crew, the NASA team below, and thousands upon thousands of people to make that one act happen.
It should be noted that another astronaut, Bob Stewart, completed a similar mission while both of them were aboard Challenger, flying mission STS-41B. There does not seem to be a photo of Stewart’s space walk.
He may look lonely out there, but the reality is he’s a member of a huge team of fellow humans who make such a feat possible. I suspect that’s true for just about all of us if we’re to be successful.
A Memory Of The Takeis
Five years ago many of the women on my wife Linda’s side (they’re a large majority) gathered at the studio of famous photographer Toyo Miyatake, now run by his grandson, for some group photos. While wandering around playing the role of 8th wheel as her immediate family posed for pics, I came across a photo montage Mr. Miyatake had taken at George Takei’s wedding to Brad Altman. I took a photo of it as its rarity was obvious and I had my Apple tricorder, er, iPhone with me.
A year and a half later we went to the Ricardo Montalbán theater* in Hollywood to see (and hear) “Uncle George” discuss his new book “They Called Us Enemy” about life in the Japanese internment camps during WWII. Linda’s parents and older sister were imprisoned for two years in Colorado (Amache).
As we were in line, slowly climbing the stairs to purchase the book and have it autographed, Brad came up behind us and introduced himself. He graciously – nay, enthusiastically – agreed to pose for us. I didn’t get to meet Brad’s husband, but Linda did … and I got this photo of them.
*I didn’t get the Khanection with the theater at the time. I was focused on the connection between his experience and that of Linda’s family.
Fani Flames Gym
Just finished reading Fani Willis’s response to Jim Jordan’s ill-conceived attempt to bully her into backing off of her RICO J6 investigation/prosecution. She flames him at least a half dozen times while refuting every position he asserted in his previous demand letter sent to her on August 24.
While it was an eminently enjoyable read given the disgust I feel, and the disdain I have, for the congressman, Fani’s (or her staff’s) approach is readable and succinct. If you ignore the numerous citations—which I would only research if I was intent on answering her letter, which I’m not—the points made are clear, concise, and to-the-point. That she occasionally takes him to the woodshed is a lagniappe.
Don’t take my word for it, read it yourself. Feel free to download it. I’m also including the original letter sent by Jordan to DA Willis for your reading pleasure (see below).
Dare We Say “Murderer”?
I have long contended that, taking into consideration his knowledge of the pandemic, along with his reckless disregard for the consequences of his inaction, Donald John Trump is guilty of second degree murder. It’s clear he was more interested in his re-election and “legacy” than the safety or security of the American people.
One of the primary duties of the President is to protect the national security of the United States. In addition to serving as the commander-in-chief of the U.S. armed forces, the President has a responsibility to protect the health and safety of the American people. This includes responding to public health crises, such as pandemics or natural disasters, and taking proactive measures to prevent the spread of disease or other health risks. The President may work with federal agencies and state and local governments to coordinate responses to these types of emergencies, and may also provide guidance and support to individuals and communities affected by such events.
These tapes, shared and discussed on “The Beat With Ari Melber” with Bob Woodward and Dr. Kavita Patel, make it clear (if you weren’t already convinced years ago) that Trump cared little for the American people’s health and safety during the worst years of the Covid-19 pandemic. He consistently downplayed the severity of the problem, instead lamenting about how it was affecting his re-election. Had he not been so callous and dismissive of the disease and its impact on the nation, he likely would have been re-elected. Instead, his single-minded, narcissistic focus on himself made it clear to a majority of the people he was singularly unfit for the job.
Anyone who votes for this clown is an imminent threat to the health and security of the United States of America and the world. Please be sure you’re registered to vote and that you get out there November 5, 2024 and ensure he is never allowed near the seat of power again.
Juneteenth and Passover
NB – Before reading the following post, please be advised it was written with the assistance of Chat-GPT, after a couple of iterations of my asking for a blog post on the subject, and clarifying what it was I looked for. It’s not quite my style, but it gets across the subject I was having a bit of difficulty honing in on. I would likely have been more wordy, so I’m content to leave this up in order to get the gist of my thinking out in the world.
As a former Jew who is now an atheist, I have always been interested in social justice issues and have been an advocate for antiracism for many years. However, it was only in the last few years that I learned about Juneteenth, an American holiday that celebrates the emancipation of African American slaves. As I learned more about Juneteenth, I couldn’t help but compare it to Passover, a Jewish holiday that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.
At first glance, it may seem like Passover and Juneteenth have little in common. Passover is a religious holiday that is celebrated by Jews all over the world, while Juneteenth is a secular holiday that is primarily celebrated in the United States. Passover has a long history that dates back thousands of years, while Juneteenth is a relatively new holiday that has only been officially recognized by the federal government since 2021. However, as I delved deeper into the meanings behind these holidays, I found that they share a common theme of liberation and freedom.
For Jews, the story of the Exodus is a powerful reminder of the importance of freedom and the need to fight against oppression. The story tells of how Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and into freedom, and it is a story that has been retold for thousands of years. During the holiday of Passover, Jews gather with family and friends to retell the story of the Exodus, eat traditional foods such as matzah and bitter herbs, and participate in symbolic rituals such as the Seder. The holiday is a time to reflect on the past and to look towards a brighter future.
Juneteenth, on the other hand, celebrates the emancipation of African American slaves. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, which is the day that Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all slaves in Texas were free. This announcement came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, and it marked the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is a time to celebrate the end of slavery and the beginning of a new era of freedom and equality.
Despite the differences between Passover and Juneteenth, they share a common theme of liberation and freedom. Both holidays celebrate the idea of breaking free from oppression and moving towards a brighter future. They also emphasize the importance of family and community. For Jews, the Seder is a time to retell the story of the Exodus and to pass down traditions and values to the next generation. For African Americans, Juneteenth is a time to celebrate their heritage and to remember the struggles and sacrifices of their ancestors.
As an antiracist, I find it important to acknowledge the intersectionality of these two holidays. While Passover and Juneteenth have different histories and meanings, they both symbolize the fight for freedom and justice. As a former Jew, I feel that it is important to recognize the role that the Jewish community played in the civil rights movement. Many Jews were active participants in the struggle for civil rights and worked alongside African Americans to fight against racism and discrimination. As an atheist, I believe that it is important to recognize and celebrate the diversity of cultures and traditions in our society.
In conclusion, Passover and Juneteenth are two holidays that may appear to be very different on the surface, but they share a common theme of liberation and freedom. As someone who is no longer practicing Judaism but is committed to antiracism, I find it important to acknowledge the intersectionality of these two holidays and to celebrate the diversity of cultures and traditions in our society. Passover and Juneteenth are reminders that the struggle for justice and equality is ongoing and that we must continue to fight against oppression in all its forms.
Systems Savvy 