Martin Luther King jr.

What do you get when you start with a James Taylor tune and mix a Jewish (The Maccabeats) a cappella group with an African American (Naturally 7) a cappella group on the DC grounds where MLK preached? The answer… this beautiful rendition of “Shed a Little Light” on MLK’s inspiration. I love this video and hope you will too:

Our world history is filled with unjust occurrences. As the above MLK quotes reference… If only more people had done the Right Thing and/or Spoken Out, maybe our civilized society could have progressed even quicker. But not only did (and do) too many sit on the sidelines but far too many participate in deviant, selfish activities. Though, I truly believe that a high percentage (above 90%) of our world’s population is “good” and if those (in the majority) would join a positive movement to combat evil and greed (rather than sitting idle), imagine how our peoplehood could soar. We need more leaders like MLK, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Malala Yousafzai, Nelson Mandela, Pope Francis, Warren Buffett, David Ben Gurion, Abraham Lincoln…* to help guide us and we all need to step up to the plate!

El Chapo is one of those leaders we can do without! His despicable greedy actions have caused the death of thousands through his drug dealings.  He boasts about his extensive (planes, trains and submarine) distribution system of every highly addictive and destructive contraband.  This Escape-Artist / Druglord might be heading to his final “destination” in the United States, since his home country of Mexico might not fight extradition knowing they have a hard time keeping him under lock and key.  Most likely his starstruck ego was be his demise since his interview with Sean Penn (for Rolling Stone Magazine) and his obsession with a “sexy” Mexican actress caused his capture. But was Sean complicit or compliant with his involvement? Did he aid in his capture or was he loyal to the secret location of his meeting. The legal question of Sean’s potential guilt (from my layperson’s understanding) is whether he will gain financially from the interview since just meeting a fugitive is OK, but profiting from the meeting with El Chapo could be illegal. A continuing saga…

David Bowie

The multi talented, David Robert Jones, best known as David Bowie (also known as Ziggy Stardust), passed away this week from (an 18 year fight with Liver) Cancer, just two days after his 69th birthday. Bowie was a part of our pop culture for five decades and his contributions to Music, Art, Fashion and Cinema (he appeared in more than 25 films) were immense and significant. He just completed his last album,Blackstar, and though it was released on the day of his birth, it reflects more about his imminent death.  Here is the video to one of his final songs: Lazarus 

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award in 2006. Did you know his right eye was permanently dilated due to a childhood injury with a friend.  You can see it prominently in this video of (my favorite DB tune), “Life on Mars” (which also honors Matt Damon‘s Golden Globe win in the great film, The Martian)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v–IqqusnNQ  Condolences to his family and his immense fan club who are mourning his death. And bravo to Michael Dorf for producing a March tribute to the music master at Carnegie Hall:

Iran – How two small US Navy boats veered in Iranian territory is unknown (though engine trouble was suspected), but the end game was the return of all 10 (captured) sailors (9 men, 1 woman) and their vessels, which thankfully diverted a potentially volatile international crisis.

Turkey – Condolences to the 10 victims of a terrorist suicide bomb at a tourist attraction in Istanbul.  Most of the victims were German nationalist vacationing in this popular part of the city and it was determined that the terrorist entered Turkey as a registered refugee from Syria.

Indonesia – With the combination of the world’s largest Muslim population and a government that is Secular (non-religious), this makes Indonesia a thorn in the side of religious extremist who want religious rule. 7 people (2 civilian and 5 terrorist) will killed in Jakarta after this week’s terrorist attack which was most likely conducted by IS/Deash and boldly aimed near the Western Coffeeshop, Starbucks.

Israel – Nearly everyday there are attacks on innocent Israeli citizens throughout the country (stabbing, shooting, car ramming, bombs…). Last Friday (after a week on the lamb), the Arab gunman who killed 2 people, was apprehended and shot as he came out of hiding while firing his gun. As Israel tries to protect her civilians with a moral compass, much of the outside world continues their double standard against her. This week’s example is Sweden, as the foreign minister calls for an investigation of Israel’s method for fighting terrorism and keeping citizens safe from stabbings. Here is her statement:  “It is vital that there is a thorough, credible investigation into these deaths in order to clarify and bring about possible accountability”.  Just my opinion, but, if your home is surrounded by friendly neighbors and your whole existence hasn’t been threatened by hatred and extermination, than maybe you should attempt to walk the the shoes of those you criticize before suggesting how to behave. Final note on Israel, Refua Shelma (prayer for healing) to Shimon Peres as he recovers from a mild heart attack.

Pakistan –  The highly paranoid and suspicious Talibanterrorist decided to bomb a polio clinic in Southwestern Pakistan which killed 15 people since they feel polio vaccines are really a Western-led guise to sterilize Pakistani children. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two regions where Polio is still an epidemic.  On a side note, bravo to Mark Zuckerberg in publicizing his daughters vaccination visit to the doctor.

China – After a heated back and forth between Chinese artist/activist Ai Weiwei and Danish company Lego, a new policy was established that they will no longer deny large quantity shipments based on political usage of their product. http://tinyurl.com/AiWeiweiLego

Germany – 5 Million copies were sold in 1939 and now the “bestseller” Mein Kampf is available again in Germany as the 70 year copyright has expired.  It was written when Hitler was in a Bavarian prison and the title translates to “My Struggle”. At the cost of $64, advanced orders of 15,000 copies have been requested, 3 times more than expected.  Let’s hope readers are learning the evil lesson of this literary “masterpiece” to prevent a repeat of History.

England – After a four-month courtship, Rupert and Jerryhave decided to get hitched.  Yes, that’s newspaper mogul, Rupert Murdoch (age 84) and Mick’s ex, supermodel, Jerry Hall (age 59).  This will create step-siblings for 10 offsprings between the two of them. Do you think a pre-nup will be signed?

NYC –  After nearly 2 years of attempting US journalism, plus the purchase of Al Gore’s Current TV for $1/2 Billion, adding to their distress of low viewership and a dip in Oil Revenues, Al Jazeera America will be closing up shop and moving out of its Manhattan Center headquarters. Though jobs will be lost, not too many tears will be shed. And in another part of NYC, bravo to Mayor Cuomo on starting the discussion to renovate Penn Station. And this last NYC tidbit involves the former popular Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his secret poll to determine his chances as an Independent candidate for our upcoming presidential election, though this might just be “pie in the sky”.

CA, TN, FL – Congrats on drawing the winning Powerball numbers from your states.

Michigan – As we continue to make headlines for our Detroit revitalization, we sadly are in the national news for our disastrous (lead poisoning) water crisis in Flint as the National Guard and Fema were called upon to help. It will take time to determine who’s to blame and how the victims will be compensated but in the meantime, Flint residents must suffer through sickness, grief and concern for the future health of their children and the newest development is that the water could also be the cause of an outbreak of Legionnaires disease. http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/13/health/flint-michigan-water-crisis/  Also, Detroit Public Schools is under fire as many of our school buildings are in complete disaray.  This week teachers staged a “sickout” to force the Mayor to take action.  After Mayor Duggan visited several dilapidated building, he promised a full inspection of all 97 building to determined needed rehabilitation.

CA, TN, FL – Congrats on drawing the winning Powerball numbers from your States.

Wishing you and your family a

Sweet Shabbat Shalom!