Dear Friends and Family,
Week’s Review
Between Mudslides, Missing Mysteries and Michigan Marriages this week has been a roller-coaster of emotions. As we in Michigan are dodging the mundane but damaging potholes, many others are dealing with more serious life obstacles.
Mountain Mudslide
55 miles Northeast of Seattle, a (50 home) community was destroyed when the side of a mountain collapsed after heavy rain and mudslides. Nearly 100 people are still missing with a death toll of 25 that bound to increase. This natural disaster had no forewarning and rescue in the muck is painstakingly slow.
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| Oso, Washington |
Frustrated Families
The worst emotional roller-coaster is being experienced by the devastated family members of the lost plane as they were told this week that the plane crashed into the Indian Ocean. With no tangible evidence, the families, understandably, are angry and distrustful of the Malaysian authorities, though it seems only a matter of time before debris will be recovered.
Michigan Marriages
Nearly 300 legal Michigan (same-sex) marriages squeezed into a brief window of opportunity Saturday morning after Judge Friedman wisely overturned our Michigan’s unconstitutional ban on same-sex marriages. But, expectedly, our conservative Attorney General Bill Schuette (up for re-election) requested a Stay which was granted so these marriage will remain in limbo until the case works it way through the appellate courts most likely reaching it’s final destination with our highest court sometime in mid 2015.
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| Bravo, Lisa Brown and other County Clerks for opening their offices on Saturday |
Six Hour Rant
A parade of alternating messages between admiration and disgust was witnessed Tuesday evening at the University of Michigan Student Union. Last week the request to the Student Government to approve a Boycott of Israel was tabled indefinitely to the anger of protesters who started a Sit-in which brought back Tuesday evening’s 6 hour display and a final vote AGAINST (25-9) the boycott. This double standard of Israel is SO frustrating and is often based on lies and Anti-Semitism, which sadly will endure but hopefully will continue to keep us strong, reflective and righteous. Yes, there are many problems in Israel and Palestinians deserve a homeland but one that peacefully neighbors our homeland and maintains OUR rights and security. It should be a Two-Way Street for both Peoples… not a Dead-end.
Satisfaction
The U of M student government should take their cues from the Rolling Stones as they have just announce to perform in Israel on June 4th in Tel Aviv’s Park Hayarkon.
http://www.jpost.com/Arts-and-Culture/Music/Israelis-finally-get-some-satisfaction-as-Rolling-Stones-confirm-concert-date-346404
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| Mick and buddies Israel bound |
POTUS Picks Sparty
No one will win the Billion Dollar basketball bracket this year but our wise President Obama did pick my alma-mater, the MSU Spartans to win it all. As Sweet 16 moves to the Elite 8, we’ll see if the POTUS was on the right track.
Ethical Treatment
Hypocrisy should be Denmark’s county motto as last month they publicly killed a healthy giraffe, sliced it into pieces and fed it to their lions in front of nonchalant zoo visitors including many children. Then this week they killed two adult lions (to make room for a new lion) and 2 young cubs because they said the cubs wouldn’t be able to survive on their own. But of course, they justify this week’s ban on Kosher and Halal slaughter because Animal Rights must come before Religion. Where is the protest against Denmark?
Zoo Story:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/26/world/europe/copenhagen-zoo-lions/
Kosher Slaughter Ban:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/denmark-bans-halal-and-kosher-slaughter-as-minister-says-animal-rights-come-before-religion-9135580.html
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| Denmark Zoo (animals beware) |
Quarter Century Later
The Herring population as never returned YET there are still pockets of oil found in crevices all over the shores. 22 Orca Whales, 250 Bald Eagles, 300 harbor Seals and close to 1/4 million seabirds all perished that dreadful day March 24, 1989 when the Exxon Valdez hit a reef, ripped open its tank and spilled the equivalent of 17 olympic size pools of oil into Prince Edward Sound in Alaska. These stats are just a fraction of the devastation that occurred 2 and half decades ago. Today, oil ships must be double-hulled, plus tugs boats and radar are required to assist the maneuvers of the giant tankers while near shore. What’s truly needed (for lots of reasons) is a decrease and eventual elimination of our Oil Dependence.
Best of the Week
The two highlights of this week was: 1. the discovery of our granddaughter, Hadassa‘s first tooth and 2. the amazing satellite music channel of ALL Billy Joel tunes and tales. It is on XM Channel 4 though June 25th: http://www.siriusxm.com/billyjoel and for true BJ and Jimmy Fallon fans, check out their Doo Wop Duet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU-eAzNp5Hw#t=246
and the rock song, “You May Be Right”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jGD5mYO3ZA#t=10
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| My favorite album |
Wishing you and your family a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,
Shabbat Shalom - שבת שלום 