Dear Friends and Family,

Population Equality
50 years ago this week, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. marched down Woodward Ave. in Detroit seeking justice and equality for all people. He previewed his “I have a Dream” speech to the crowd YET 50 years later we are still fighting this equality battle for many in our diverse US population.  This weekend a reunion March will take place on the streets of Detroit with the same high hopes as those so long ago.

Military Equality
This week’s discussion at the Pentagon may equalize Women’s military opportunities in the near future.  Navy Seals and Front-line Combat warriors will (within two years) include physically qualified female soldiers. This important decision could help combat sexual assault that some say is a result of the current disparty between male and female military hierarchy. To give you perspective, 26,000 military sexual assault cases occurred just last year. Bravo to (our Michigan) Senator Carl Levin for holding “feet to the flame” of those responsible for Military Sexual Assault.  Punishing and halting this repulsive activity is his steadfast mission.

Prayer Equality
Bravo to Ms. Barbra Streisand for 1. visiting Israel this week  2. receiving an honorary degree from Hebrew University 3. for singing to your 90 year old good friend, Shimon Peres and 4. speaking out against the ultra-orthodox abhorrent and disrespectful behavior toward the Women of the Wall who only ask to be treated equally as their male praying counterparts.

Garbage Inequity
Soon New Yorkers will need to separate their egg shells from their cotton balls as Mayor Bloomberg plans to institute his most ambitious initiative to require the 8 million residents of the Big Apple to compost their apples cores, orange peels, brussel sprouts and every-other edible waste.  As predicted, there’s been major push back with this plan, so we’ll see if Mayor B can add this effort to his legacy.

Cost Inequity
“Spring” protests have arrived to it’s newest country with 200,000 Brazilians swarming the streets of its biggest cities demanding a reduction in the recently increased transportation fees.  Their protests were successful as both cities of San Palo and Rio returned the fees back to the lower rates. Will these governmental actions satisfy to public?

Life’s Inequity
Farewell to actor, James Gandolfini, on his early (age 51) demise from a fatal heart attack while visiting Italy this week.  His talent and Soprano image will live on in perpetuity.

Musical Equals
I heard this wonderful story on NPR about (Father and Son) Swing Jazz Guitarists Bucky and John Pizzarelli (who I had never heard of) so I googled them and found this little ditty by John.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVNVJGLVFCk

Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,

Lisa