Ooops, I...What???

 Pet Peeve number 389:

If a person makes a mistake when speaking, and then says "Oh, wait, I lied," they are making light of lying.

A mistake is not a lie, a lie is a willful, purposeful changing of the facts for one's own gain.  A mistake, is just that.  A mistake. A misinterpretation of events, or a mix up. Not a willful and purposeful changing of the facts for one's own benefit, and it further pains me that a TEACHER does not know the difference between these two.

So I guess it's pet peeve  numbers 389 and 390!

A Tippler!

I am not sure who this reflects on, but if you look in the back seat of my car, you would see the remnants of what looks like a raucous party....for toddlers.

After returning from Michigan last week, we cleaned out the car right away. A few days later the young man had a dentist appointment, smack in the middle of the morning. It didn't pay to  bring him to school, then pick him up and go to the dentists, so we went to Target instead.  While at Target we picked up a few boxes of GoGo Squeeze, which is applesauce in an easy drink container.

I must have left one box in the car, and not noticed that he was indulging everytime we got into the vehicle, because this morning I cleaned up a back seat that was LITTERED with empty Go Go Squeeze packets! The pretzel crumbs, and candy wrappers (from the older kids)just added to the scene.

I had to smile as I cleaned it up!

Just Stop

After years of having the media and retail giants tie Chanukah to Christmas because it  falls out around the same time of year, a calendar anomaly has put Thanksgiving and Chanukah on the same day.

Unfortunately, it seems that now it's not just the media and retailers who are tying these two holidays together. It's the Jews themselves. From secular to religious, Thanksgivukkah is sweeping the nation.

Those who would never think of combining Christmas symbols with Chanukah seem to have no problem taking a holiday that celebrates the rejection of Greek culture, and God's salvation of  his people, and combining it with a holiday that at best is definitive of American culture, and at worst religious in nature.

Secular Jews who stayed mum because Christmas was just not acceptable, even to them, finally have a holiday they can merge into one. I am not sure  how it is that religious Jews feel comfortable doing this, but it's happening.  It seems the epitome of an oxymoron to me.

It's been said in a joking manner many times, I have to wonder, seriously, if in our own modern times:

"The Yavanim have won."

Now What?

The dangers of getting involved in politics is that you never really know how it shakes out.

The danger in getting too involved in your very local politics, is that you are left with a sense that you are more powerful than you really are.

So here we are.

Community leaders and Rabbis backed the wrong horse in a County wide elections, assuming their fear tactics and vote pushing would send a bloc vote to the polls, to put the guy they wanted in. The problem is, there are more people in the County who are tired of the shenanigans in this particular Town, then there are people in that Town who can override a vote.

So yes, within the enclave of multiple family housing, illegal single family home conversion, and underhanded "don't worry, no one is looking," there is a powerful bloc, and politically strong group. It apparently does not extend beyond the borders of the Town, but the rhetoric against the eventual winner makes me feel the efforts were a bit Icarusian.

This is an example of what was sent from the school. Innocuous enough not to lose tax-exempt status, but the tip of the iceberg in terms of what it said:

Securing political support with regard to the issues that affect us deeply depends on each and every registered voter taking the time to go to the polls on Election Day. The government officials look at which groups vote, and take their positions on the major issues of the day accordingly.
Specifically at this election, there are many areas at hand that can dramatically affect the quality of life and yiddishkeit in our community. The County and Town Officials voted in by us in this election will directly impact us. It is very important that we all go out to the polls and vote. Our voices must be heard. (emphasis mine)


The sentiment s certainly true, but certain entities and people should stay out of publicly speaking about politics, because you never know how it will shake out. So  if they heard our voices, loud and clear, in letters and phone calls and cars blaring election advice what are we left with?

In many instances it is fine for communities to rally to a candidate, for leaders to support one politician over the next. In an atmosphere of mistrust,  and out right hatred it may be more important, but also more dangerous. The simmering tensions that threaten to explode in this particular community have not, in my opinion, been made better by the campaign.

We've shown that we are defeat-able, we've shown what we think and what our tactics are, and now, how do we get a seat at the table?

I Really Did Not Know He was That Smart

A few months ago someone asked me who I was voting for for Town Supervisor. I said no one, because I had not seen any signs popping up ALL OVER TOWN touting the incumbent, so in my mind,  I figured it must be an off year for that position.

Apparently, I was wrong.

The incumbent, however, is so savvy. Aside from a few campaign signs, I don't think he has spent one single penny, and I wouldn't be surprised if the signs were from his last campaign!  They first started popping up only two weeks ago.

So how is he campaigning? He has community leaders doing his campaigning for him.

Through phone calls and letters and scare tactics from these leaders, he has a bloc of voters who believe that if he doesn't get into office we will be faced with something akin to Nuremberg 1933.

Not much more than a penny, and pretty much a lock for landslide.