We'd better watch who we become. If as in the Bush administration we act like our enemy and condone torture - then we become who we are fighting.
I see the Republican far right wing leaders starting to act like fascists. Their way or else. That will mean many really good Conservatives will be in danger of re-election. I saw this happen in the Democratic party.
You get what you ask for - Tea Party people, if you mean well, fact check, note that this President is fighting in your interest, if anything he is too Conservative. Maybe our banks should have been nationalized, then money might be flowing to small business owners who need so much help, not into the bonus accounts of the people who have abused the public trust.
Do some people in congress need to be voted out, of course, in both parties. The sanctimonious bull has got to stop.
Think carefully when you speak. Be for who you want - any party - say what you believe - any view, but always try and think of the public good as a whole. President Obama is so eloquent, and he really cares about the public good - that's why he's pushing health care so very hard. Does the system have flaws, yes, does the bill have flaws, yes - but Harry Truman, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Bill Clinton all thought it was something we needed.
The Olympics in Canada showed me one thing very clearly....Canada has got it right, they argue amongst themselves, and debate like crazy, but when it comes down to it - they are UNITED for the common good. Why can't we be just a little more like our neighbors to our north. Our foremost ally in war and peace!
Many Canadian soldiers are fighting and giving up their lives alongside our troops every day. I know the right wingers will say if Canada is so great why don't you go there - well, I was born there, I have a wonderful extended family there, but I got to the US when I was one. I am a decorated Veteran, and I love this country more than most of the very right wing. I put my life on the line and lost several friends. I support our troops without question, but I will note when boundaries have been crossed.
I just got through with an argument with someone in the Social Security Administration about my citizenship.
I told her that one piece of paper, my naturalization certificate, might keep me from going onto Medicare, and getting SSI. I finally went to the court where I was Naturalized and got a certified document proving I was a citizen. In the Army I had security clearances on several jobs,...the Army knows I'm a citizen. I work for the Census, they know I'm a citizen. Social Security could not get the information from them. National Security...we're so secure that we can't communicate from one agency to another. I was told by several people it could take me up to one year to get a copy of my Naturalization Certificate, at a cost of $380, because I was a Veteran it could be speeded by up to six months. Social security lady says, oh well you'll get your benefits retroactively. After several weeks of digging through records, and dealing with four government agencies - the courts system was great, I got a wonderful Hispanic lady in Newark, NJ, who really went out of her way to help me (I love you).
What is my point here - simple. I could have gone to Canada where I was born, and had less of a fight retiring in Canada than here in the US. In 1956 I stood on a street corner handing out brochures for Adlai Stevenson for President, A great Democrat, at that age I knew I loved politics and wanted to be President.
When I was fourteen I was told that I was not an American Citizen, (I was adopted by a great family), but I wasn't told I was Canadian, I was very angry----I was an AMERICAN! I am still very much that angry kid inside. I care about this country more than most of the right wing does, or the greedy bankers, or the Democrats that might have taken just a bit too much pac money. I made a choice in 1968 - when I was drafted, I made the decision, a complicated one, to enlist for Officer's Candidate School. I was against the war and could have gone to Canada, but I love the United Sates. I also love Canada.
Maybe if we start to do things the way Canadians do - a bit of decency and civility goes a long way.
Fix the bureaucracy first...this is a government for the PEOPLE, not some idiot who couldn't try to help me, but got upset because she had to follow her rules. (Her boss was very helpful once I said that I would send a letter to the President, I worked on his campaign, and still get e-mails every few days from the White House, DNC etc.)
I am going to put together a well thought out proposal to the White House, about security and efficiency that would make him the most popular President in generations - fix the bureaucracy. I am going to get input from many friends from within the system. This is the one thing that gets people very angry. The government isn't listening carefully enough, and now the Tea Party thinks they can just fix everything with mean rhetoric. Not the answer. This isn't taxation without representation, this is angry frustrated workers not doing their jobs right, this is bankers who don't understand that that a $10millin bonus could have started several viable small businesses. (They can't loan money, but they can reward themselves for almost bankrupting the country, When I was a kid this type of banking was called theft.
Jimmy Stewart was a great American in so many ways - if you don't know, go check. Barry Goldwater was another great American - both senior military staff officers, both Conservative. I think they both be sick to see where the right wing is headed.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
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Lillian Part 2 - 1953 Life gets Scarier for Lil
1953- October (day to be added)
2:30 AM
I awaken to Harry calling for Lil in the bathroom next to my bedroom, across the hall from their bedroom -
"Lil, Lil help... he sounds ill and I go to the bathoom door and look into the small room to see Lil trying to help Harry as he's coughing up blood. That was the last night I saw my father alive, or at all. I have forgotten almost everything about Harry prior to that night. Lil made me go to my room, and she just did what she always did, she took control of the situation. These lessons in handling what life smacks in your face helped me, especially in the Army. Most of the time Lil was in control, but...I was sent to stay with my Uncle Jack and Aunt Sylvia Gordon, and cousin Robert Gordon and Sanrda Gordon, for about two weeks while Harry was in the hospital. Harry had a bleeding Ulcer and the operation wasn't handled well. Harry passed away at the age of 44, I was 8, and Lil was 42. Today this condition is almost simple to take care of without problems. I've been told by Harry's close friends that he was a gentle, soft spoken, intelligent and creative person. He made a crystal radio in half a walnut shell. He remodelled our house and did beautiful wood work on the porch, turned a walk in pantry into a comfortable breakfast nook area with custom made benches and furniture, the linoleum floor was hand cut and designed by him. I remember the green shamrock cut and fitted into the floor ceter. He worked for Bendix during WW II. The other memory I have of him is at Chrismas 1952(?), Harry put up a Christmas tree because I wanted one, and there was a train set under the tree, and I had a stocking with my name on it. Later in her life Lillian denied that that ever happened, after all we were Jewish, and I went to Hebrew School. Well, I still have the stocking that hung on our fireplace mantle. (Sorry mom).
In the Jewish religion when a person dies, you cover the mirrors in the house, have the family over to your house, and for a week, you sit "Shivah" (that's how it would sound in Hebrew). It's a sort of extended wake, but in this case the wife sits there and the family and friends come with food, the Rabbi comes over and spends time with the family. That was the weakest I ever saw my mother (other than her unhealthy periods). My first cousins spent time with me, my cousin Lee Walsky stands out in my memory because he brought me books to read and tried to cheer me up. I love books because Lee did this for me. He was an athelete and a great teacher, his sister Martha was another great influence on me. She was about 12 or so years older than me, and she always loved me so much (and I her - my big sister in a way)- very kind and thoughtful, she helped Lil, as did my godmother Aunt Katy's daughter Lil Kurshner Rosenberg. At this point all these people knew I was adopted, I did not know. They just loved me. My mothers sorority sisters were there and hovered over me to make sure I was OK. They all knew I was adopted. My "Aunt" Sonya Litwak, loved me so much, it is hard to express how much love these women showed me at this tough time. Both Cousin Martha Walsky, and "Aunt" Sonya said they wanted to marry me when I grew up. How do you thank people for that kind of love - you pay it forward in your life! Do unto others...show the love. My mothers family was also very influential at that point, my mother helped start a cousins club with her relatives; and she helped run The Shack Family Circle with Harry's sisters and kept the family close until the mid 1960's.
Mom got a job and started work at the Jewish Community Center, six days a week many times. She was back at work after a long gap. I often went to work with her on weekends, or when I was out of school. I helped her at the office, learned to use the office equiptment. Lil also taught me to cook, clean, sew, and other skills, so I would be as self sufficient as possible. If anything happened I could face it like she did. She was not only a leader, manager, organizer, and teacher for me on so many things - she was the glue that kept the family together. She took control of Harry extended family for many years and kept us close for many years. She also kept the family in line politically, at family meetings while playng poker, she was a great card player, she would discuss politics and her ideas. She encouraged my interest in politics at a young age. She was also very tough, read Part 3 - please watch the times begin to change. You'll also meet Sally and Fluffy and 60 feet of Roses -"Mama Liked the Roses".
2:30 AM
I awaken to Harry calling for Lil in the bathroom next to my bedroom, across the hall from their bedroom -
"Lil, Lil help... he sounds ill and I go to the bathoom door and look into the small room to see Lil trying to help Harry as he's coughing up blood. That was the last night I saw my father alive, or at all. I have forgotten almost everything about Harry prior to that night. Lil made me go to my room, and she just did what she always did, she took control of the situation. These lessons in handling what life smacks in your face helped me, especially in the Army. Most of the time Lil was in control, but...I was sent to stay with my Uncle Jack and Aunt Sylvia Gordon, and cousin Robert Gordon and Sanrda Gordon, for about two weeks while Harry was in the hospital. Harry had a bleeding Ulcer and the operation wasn't handled well. Harry passed away at the age of 44, I was 8, and Lil was 42. Today this condition is almost simple to take care of without problems. I've been told by Harry's close friends that he was a gentle, soft spoken, intelligent and creative person. He made a crystal radio in half a walnut shell. He remodelled our house and did beautiful wood work on the porch, turned a walk in pantry into a comfortable breakfast nook area with custom made benches and furniture, the linoleum floor was hand cut and designed by him. I remember the green shamrock cut and fitted into the floor ceter. He worked for Bendix during WW II. The other memory I have of him is at Chrismas 1952(?), Harry put up a Christmas tree because I wanted one, and there was a train set under the tree, and I had a stocking with my name on it. Later in her life Lillian denied that that ever happened, after all we were Jewish, and I went to Hebrew School. Well, I still have the stocking that hung on our fireplace mantle. (Sorry mom).
In the Jewish religion when a person dies, you cover the mirrors in the house, have the family over to your house, and for a week, you sit "Shivah" (that's how it would sound in Hebrew). It's a sort of extended wake, but in this case the wife sits there and the family and friends come with food, the Rabbi comes over and spends time with the family. That was the weakest I ever saw my mother (other than her unhealthy periods). My first cousins spent time with me, my cousin Lee Walsky stands out in my memory because he brought me books to read and tried to cheer me up. I love books because Lee did this for me. He was an athelete and a great teacher, his sister Martha was another great influence on me. She was about 12 or so years older than me, and she always loved me so much (and I her - my big sister in a way)- very kind and thoughtful, she helped Lil, as did my godmother Aunt Katy's daughter Lil Kurshner Rosenberg. At this point all these people knew I was adopted, I did not know. They just loved me. My mothers sorority sisters were there and hovered over me to make sure I was OK. They all knew I was adopted. My "Aunt" Sonya Litwak, loved me so much, it is hard to express how much love these women showed me at this tough time. Both Cousin Martha Walsky, and "Aunt" Sonya said they wanted to marry me when I grew up. How do you thank people for that kind of love - you pay it forward in your life! Do unto others...show the love. My mothers family was also very influential at that point, my mother helped start a cousins club with her relatives; and she helped run The Shack Family Circle with Harry's sisters and kept the family close until the mid 1960's.
Mom got a job and started work at the Jewish Community Center, six days a week many times. She was back at work after a long gap. I often went to work with her on weekends, or when I was out of school. I helped her at the office, learned to use the office equiptment. Lil also taught me to cook, clean, sew, and other skills, so I would be as self sufficient as possible. If anything happened I could face it like she did. She was not only a leader, manager, organizer, and teacher for me on so many things - she was the glue that kept the family together. She took control of Harry extended family for many years and kept us close for many years. She also kept the family in line politically, at family meetings while playng poker, she was a great card player, she would discuss politics and her ideas. She encouraged my interest in politics at a young age. She was also very tough, read Part 3 - please watch the times begin to change. You'll also meet Sally and Fluffy and 60 feet of Roses -"Mama Liked the Roses".
Lillian Part 3 -Roses, Puppy Dogs, and Fights.
1954-1959 Growing up fast.
Lillian adjusted to our new life and as always managed. At first if mom had to work long hours, I'd be shuffled out to a neighbors house for dinner, or at one of my friends houses to wait for her.
Hair salon
Silver's Bakery
The Smoke House
Bus to Newark
Kreske's
Woolworths
Sears records department i if you want records earn them
First records - Elvis, Old Shep, Rip it Up
Elvis - Jewish Bar Mitzvah and gospel music. Sing Boy Sing
Ed lHaupt loans me his guitar
Serious thought about being a Rabbi
Religion goes, Lil's reaction
Lillian adjusted to our new life and as always managed. At first if mom had to work long hours, I'd be shuffled out to a neighbors house for dinner, or at one of my friends houses to wait for her.
Hair salon
Silver's Bakery
The Smoke House
Bus to Newark
Kreske's
Woolworths
Sears records department i if you want records earn them
First records - Elvis, Old Shep, Rip it Up
Elvis - Jewish Bar Mitzvah and gospel music. Sing Boy Sing
Ed lHaupt loans me his guitar
Serious thought about being a Rabbi
Religion goes, Lil's reaction
Asbury Park, NJ - Part Time and Politics
A city to save. One of the places I lived from 1971-77. At the Empress Motel we had a state NJ Young Democrats Convention. The McGovern wing of the party fought the regular conservative Democrats. Great debates, great fun, great friends. I met my future wife Joan Gamberg, David Don (like a brother to Joan and I) ,and several close friends during this pivotal time. Taught part time as a substitute teacher in 1972 at Asbury Park High School. Too close to my return from Viet Nam to be patient enough to teach. Turned down offer at CBS TV with Walter Cronkite, low pay, 3 year Internship (should I have - Don't Look Back). We lived near the Inkwell, listen to "Subterranean Homesick Blues", Bob Dylan. Thanks Mr.Z. Oh and a hi to Madame marie, the psychic near my apartment, down the block on the boardwalk, (look into Bruce S.) Robert Gordon, Dave Edmunds, (Gary thanks for getting us on the bus to meet Dave).
Lived on First avenue 1 1/2 blocks from the beach. 10th Ave (Bruce) was not very far. Bruce put the band together, and played around the corner from my apartment. Lots of clubs, lots of bands, loved the music and the circle. Argued with the mayor about demolishing an Art deco theatre, The Mayfair, we lost that fight. Music, music, music was created.
Lived on First avenue 1 1/2 blocks from the beach. 10th Ave (Bruce) was not very far. Bruce put the band together, and played around the corner from my apartment. Lots of clubs, lots of bands, loved the music and the circle. Argued with the mayor about demolishing an Art deco theatre, The Mayfair, we lost that fight. Music, music, music was created.
Maukie - the virtual cat
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