Record Heat
While Michigan was under a Polar Vortex last year, most of the world was experiencing the hottest temps since 1880 (when they first started keeping track).  Plus the top 10 hottest years have all occurred within the last 2 decades. Yes, there are cycles in Mother Natures weather patterns but nature cannot explain this current global warming. Skeptic politicians who are more concerned about industrial profits are gambling with the only home we have.  Now, if these skeptics don’t want to listen to trained scientists, than maybe a higher source is due: “I don’t know if (human activity) is the only cause, but mostly, in great part, it is man who has slapped nature in the face” These are the pious words of Pope Francis who hopes to influence world leaders to take action. For more evidence, take a peek at this (NASA produce) video that simulates the temps from 1880 to Today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtPkFBbJLMg

State of Affairs
5 years of bleak, yet improving stats, have brought us to this place where “The shadow of crisis has passed, and the state of the union is strong,” Now that we are gaining our economic strength, how many in the Republican led Congress will help Pres. Obama shrink the inequality gap.  Closing a loophole to garner $100,000 from a billion who’s life won’t change one iota while giving a $100 tax break to a working class family could be monumental.  And locally, Michigan led the way into the 2008 recession but we, too, have improved our fiscal strength.  Our unemployment rate has dropped to 6.3 (from a high of 14.2 in 2009). Gov. Snyder shared his vision for a “River of Opportunity” which would revolutionize current government programs and enlist the assistance of Philanthropy to help aid Michiganders in need. Good luck to both leaders!

Mysterious Death
Intrigue, mystery, terrorism, secret plots, Interpol…all this sounds like a blockbuster movie but Fact Is Stranger Than Fiction when it comes to the “apparent” suicide this week of Argentine prosecutor Alberto Nisman who was following the roadmap which led to the 1994 Jewish Center terrorist attack (killing 85 people).  Seems the Argentine Government made a secret deal with Iran, in exchange for coveted oil, to keep quiet about Iran’s orchestration of the JCC attack which was perpetrated by their partner, Lebanon’s Hezbollah. This 20 year investigation was coming to a head when Mr. Nisman “decided” to abruptly kill himself.  In a perfect world the evidence brought forward would shed light on the truth and punishment would be sentenced, but in reality, this case will probably continue to be stifled.

Israel 
12 people were wounded, 3 of them seriously, when a terrorist from the West Bank stabbed bus passengers in Tel Aviv this week. One of his motives was the promise of a direct ticket to Heaven but what he got was a gunshot wound to his leg plus the bonus of a democratic prosecution. Sadly, attacks like this are commonplace in Israel rather than rarities. Israelis are resilient and stoic, but we all wish for the day when those attributes won’t be on constant call.  On another offensive front, Israel is being threatened by Iran for this week’s killing of several Hezbollah (and Iranian) operatives in Syria.  But of course the most concerning incident for that region is the alleged photo bomb of Miss Israel in a picture with Miss Lebanon.  It is truly sad that Miss Lebanon had to rationalize away the fact that she was in a photo with her neighbor.
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.638095  On a sidenote, isn’t Miss Israel exquisite?

42nd Anniversary
Jan. 22, 1973 was the famous date of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. For 42 years, we have been battling to protect the rights upheld by the Supreme Court that slowly and methodically are being chipped away. Thankfully our Congress decided not to vote this week on the proposed 20-week abortion ban as it was getting excess negative feedback, but, the House did pass a Bill to ban the use of Federal dollars for abortions. The State of Alabama (though strapped for cash) has a new (absurd) law that allows the State to appoint a lawyer to protect a fetus. Of course, Jon Stewart sent a crew to investigate this absurdity.

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/16/7556839/daily-show-alabama-abortion  Decreasing unwanted pregancies and abortions is a nobel cause…so how do we do that.  Well, education would be a great start and providing birth control could also help immensely.  But wait, now we’ve got the anti-abortion group calling for the elimination of Birth Control as apparently, Birth Control = Abortion. Yes, decreased access to Birth Control will surely decrease our rate of unwanted pregnancies.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/01/march-life-organizers-think-birth-control-same-abortion

70 Year History/Mystery
Jan. 27th marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Russian Troops and is also the day the United Nations recognizes as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In addition, this month is the 70th anniversary of the disappearance of hero and savior, Raoul Wallenberg. To date, he is credited in saving 100,000 souls who’ve descended from his survivors.  Sadly his whereabouts were never discovered so tributes to his life will always be postumus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQdzApvE0e4

Bravo

– Bravo to Gov. Snyder for his veto of the Gun Bill that would have allowed people with Restraining Orders (often domestic abuser) to obtain (or maintain) Concealed Carry Licenses.

– Bravo to Senators Dean Heller (R-NV) and Ted Cruz (R-TX)(rare for me to salute Ted Cruz) on the long shot attempt to move the US embassy to Jerusalem.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/senate-bill-seeks-to-force-embassy-move-to-jerusalem/

addressing the Marriage Equality issue, Once and for All. A decision is due in April.

– “Bravo” to Justice Scalia for winning the award of writing the most sarcastic opinions. What does this say about his character? http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/scalia-most-sarcastic-justice

– Bravo to HBO and CNN on their broadcasts (next week) of two films documenting the Holocaust.  HBO’s “Night Will Fall” (Jan. 26th) was originally contracted by Alfred Hitchcock and has hundreds of hours of film taken by troops of Allied Forces:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbB9NCYzQVU

And CNN’s show “Voices of Auschwitz”, hosted by Wolf Blitzer will air Jan. 27th.
– Bravo to the White House for bringing back Cheese Day.  You’ll enjoy this video if you are a West Wing fan.  http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/01/16/big-block-cheese-day-back-and-its-feta-ever

This week’s Music Selection

Bob Marley would have been 70-years-old on Feb. 6th.  In tribute to his talent, world contributions and wisdom, here is an Israeli A Capella group’s birthday gift to him and the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JXp7sanE3M

More or Less
As 2015 arrived on our doorsteps, how will we make it a better year than last.  We can increase and decrease those attributes which need adjusting.  I intend to be more patient and grateful (like thanking all our friends and family who helped us ring in the New Year and celebrate Hannan’s birthday) and less critical and sensitive (to what people say). Now that I’ve shared these adjustments with my nearest and dearest, this public proclamation will (hopefully) help me keep my promise.  What are your “more or lesses”?

Family Time
Our Sedona vacation was wonderful… beautiful scenery, delicious food, friendly people and this family hike was unforgettable.

Malaysia
2014 was a tragic year for the Malaysian people with 3 plane crashes tied to their nation. Condolences to the family and friends of the 162 passengers on the AirAsia flight that crashed or they suspect may have tried to land on the Java Sea on Sunday. Most likely heavy storms caused the tragedy as the pilots tried to avoid the deadly weather. Rain and wind continue to hamper the recovery as slow progress brings closure to the survivors.

The Vote
The 15 member UN Security Council (thankfully) failed to garner the 9 needed “yes” votes to pass the Palestinian Statehood Resolution which would have required Israel to withdraw completely (without security assurances) from the West Bank within 3 years.  The United States and (thank you) Australia both voted “no”.  8 States voted “yes” and 5 abstained.  The US had veto power and would have used it if needed but thankfully Nigeria (directed by President Goodluck Jonathan) changed their vote, at the last minute, from “yes” to abstention.

Criminal Court
Upon his failure to gain UN acceptance, the PA’s, Mahmoud Abbas, is desperately grasping at straws as his newest attempt to gain credibility with his people is to implicate Israel on war crimes in theInternational Criminal Court, while opening up pandora’s box for the tables to be turn against him. The PA and especially his internationally labeled terrorist partner, Hamas, have stacked the decks with too many criminal acts to even count. We’ll see how this “chess” move pans out.

Israeli Pandas
In other Israel/International news, Chinese Pandas will be immigrating to the Haifa Zoo, once Chinese official deem conditions at the zoo acceptable, like weather and access to bambo.  If all goes well, the Pandas will be on loan for 10 years and I’m sure will bring much attention to Hannan’s hometown of Haifa.
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-30309033

Wolverines
The big Michigan news of the week is the return of Jim Harbaugh to Ann Arbaugh from former U of M quarterback to NFL coach to the 2nd highest paid College Coach in history.  He will make $7 million his first year (which includes a 1st year bonus) while signing a 7 year contract.  College football is a high stakes passion for many alum who financially support the school as they now rely on Coach Arbaugh to bring the Wolverines back to their glory days.

The List
My final video for this week relates to the “More or Less” suggestions from the first paragraph.  Here are 20 things you should say more often to friends, family, neighbors or even strangers on the street.  And what’s great about this humorous yet profound list is the messenger.  He is the kid president of SoulPancake (a cool website I stumbled upon).

I hope you find meaning in these suggestions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5yCOSHeYn4#t=141