"Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth" -
Pharrell
As our holiday of Sukkot comes to an end, the cycle of our Torah reading is coming full circle.
Simchat Torah (translates to Happy Torah) is celebrated this Tuesday as we joyfully honor our Biblical Stories. After reading a new Torah "Parsha" passage each week, we have come to the end of the readings and continue with a return to Beresheet (the beginning) of Genesis. Celebrations include public singing and dancing with the Torah to honor our sacred and meaningful writings. Hag Simchat Torah to all.
Dancing with the Stars - Jewish Style
"This land was made for you and me" - Woody Guthrie
It's a real thing and 52 percent of us are feeling it. Yes, I'm talking about
Election Stress Disorder
. Not to minimize the seriousness of our Military's PTSD but this year's election coupled with social media and 24/7 newscasts has caused ailments to our mind, body and soul. The detrimental effects cross all boundaries of age, race, gender and partisanship. But relief is around the corner. This election will be over in only 17 days. In the meantime, here are some tools to help combat ESD. First and foremost, STOP watching TV, unless your eyes are on quality shows like NBC's
This Is Us
(poignant, funny...a must watch) or of course ABC's
Dancing with the Stars
(I love racecar driver, James Hinchcliffe). Second, volunteer your time pursuing your passion or meaningful cause. And Third, Vote and get everyone around you to do the same.
"My country, ' tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty"
Samuel Francis Smith
Democracy and Progress are on the Ballot. We must protect our country from dangerous conspiracy theorists, like Donald Trump who feed the flames of gullible population which cause misguided mistrust and divisiveness. Voting is our only tool that will keep our sacred American values strong and safe. Our POTUS couldn't have said it better to remind us of our Forefather's vision that
"all men are created equal". We've made great strides in the last 8 years and we need to continue the momentum.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0KNku34G2Y But for many,
their voting choice is, who is the least objectionable of the four worsts. If you are thinking of casting a protest vote for either Gary Johnson or Jill Stein, please check out this informative (and humorous) diatribe by John Oliver:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYXSnR_-sNU And f
or those who Read and Write, the choice is clear. To be fair, Trump did get the endorsement of the "reputable" National Enquirer but USA Today endorses "anyone But Trump".
"You'd be surprised there's so much to be done, count all the bee in the hive" - Kenny Loggins
Progress is slow but fruitful in Mosul as the Iraqi army, the Kurds and a US coalition attempt to extinguish ISIS from their last stomping ground in Iraq. It may take time but rest assured, ISIS will be eliminated from this country. Once the battle is over, the difficult journey to resurrect the city might be more challenging than destroying ISIS. 100s of 1,000s of evacuated citizens will return but the government must first clear away the planted bombs from schools and hospitals. It must rebuild homes and business. The job is daunting and will take many years and much money to put back the pieces of this broken city and country.
For Wayne, Macomb, Oakland and Washtenaw County Voters...Please take note.
"You must take the 'A' train" - Duke Ellington
Why is it that Detroit's children are 3 times more likely to die from Asthma than their suburban counterparts? Sadly, its simply, Transportation. Their families don't have cars or access to adequate public transportation or the excess money for a cab or uber. Their meds lay waiting at the Pharmacy and their doctor's appointment are often missed. It is a disgrace our beloved Motor City is one of the worst offenders in the lack of public transportation. We have no source for car-less citizen to efficiently and affordably get to work, the grocery store, their kids schools, appointments or anywhere most of us take for granted. 70 years ago we led the country with our most extensive streetcar system. Since then, we can only boast of our minimal People Mover loop and a sporadic
DDOT
(Detroit Department of Transportation) and
SMART
(
Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation)
bus system. If we strengthen our connections, we strengthen our State. Efficient modes of transportation benefit all of us. Improving our public transit system with ease of mobility helps cohesion for our region including Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor.
Please vote yes on our ballot proposal for the Regional Transit Authority of SE Michigan.
Here are a few
benefits
:
- It will connect 1.9 million employees to their jobs.
- It will give access to Seniors and people with disabilities with rapid reliable transportation.
- Millage funds will be used to leverage federal money.
- It will provide "Greener" alternatives to excessive cars on our road.
- We can travel downtown to dinner, sporting events, shows and not worry about driving or parking.
- It will add to our regional economic growth.
- Lastly, remember the story of
James Roberson who walked 21 miles (Detroit to Rochester Hills) to work everyday. How many other James are out there struggling to get by without transportation. For more info on this issue, please check out this site:
http://www.rtamichigan.org/masterplan/faqs/
Streets of Detroit early 20th Century
"They took all the trees and put 'em in a tree museum" -
Joni Mitchell
Bravo to the 200 nations who committed to the ban on
Hydrofluorocarbons; the chemical used to cool down our homes, cars and refrigerators but has an opposite warming effect on our globe. Eliminating these hydrofluorocarbons will reduce greenhouse gases that are heating the Earth. We in the US and other more developed countries will lead the way by starting the process in 2019 while other developing countries were given more time before they need to commence their ban.
This quote seems more relevant this week as many
septuagenarian (70 year olds),
like Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Neil Young and Bob Dylan took to the desert stage last week at
Oldchella as Mick referred to it as
"Palm Springs retirement home". I hope those who attended also boycotted Roger Waters just as he leads the way in the BDS movement to boycott Israel. Bravo to Mick, Paul, Neil and Bob who have all played the stages of Tel Aviv. But age is the issue of this paragraph so it makes sense to spotlight this week's announcement that
nonagenarian, Chuck Berry(who turned 90 on Tuesday), will release a new album next year (after a 40 year hiatus) which will be dedicated to his wife (of 68 years),
Themetta "Toddy" Suggs.
Long live Rock and Roll
Johnny B. Goode (1958)
