Words of Disagreement, a Storm of Hate and "Library."

Let's get it straight!  I do not believe that all readers of this blog agree with me.  I do not want to be in the position of "preaching to the choir."  Hence, we start off with a response to my recent postings from a friend whose position is almost diametrically opposed to mine on many issues.  We often go out for sushi together.  He took up my invitation to include his thoughts on the blog.  I wish more of you would.  Just Email them to me at riart1@aol.com.  (Incidentally, today's posting consists entirely of contributions from others, which is very encouraging.)  During the prior seven days, 68 people took a look at this blog.  Of them, 62 were from the United States, two were from Israel, and one each from China, Germany, India and Singapore.  Wow!
Jack Lippman

A Response from the Right

I just read your "jackspotpourri" and I really think you should write for the Huffington Post. It's all the Republican's fault..right? Obama's spending for 'entitlements' and all of his favorite programs Acorn, etc. etc. were all good for the economy. Isn't that what you insinuated? As far as social security you know that there are monies set aside in a separate fund for social security and monies coming in weekly by what is left of our working forces thru FICA. In addition there are monies coming in monthly to pay for, medicare, armed forces salaries, interest on our debt, etc.etc.with about 3 Billion left over. So why do you use the same scare tactics as our president?

I am really surprised at you. You are so far to the left it is disgusting. You and the ultra left wing (name deleted) should socialize and maybe take (name deleted) with you.

Mike Cohen

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LIBRARY        

Sid Bolotin           

As a preadolescent I hiked a mile

Or rode the street car

To the building filled with magic

The model of an Egyptian temple in the lobby

Mesmerized, I would roam the stacks

Filled with books of every stripe

The Bobbsey Twins, Peter Rabbit, the Prince and the Pauper

Saki and O’Henry

Science Fiction, Natural History, and the like

Astonished by the wealth of knowledge

Bubbling on the shelves

Hugged by the attention of caring librarians

Eager to fan the flames of my interest

Nowadays there are kindles and shmindels

And smart phones and apps galore

But I still favor the library

Imprinted by my memory with sights, sounds and smells

Wrapped once more in the energy of like-minded people

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A STORM OF HATE

Harvey Sage

We are suffering from a huge and powerful tsunami, more destructive even than the high wall of driven water that ripped into Japan last year. It started three years ago and is building up to a massive size that will strike us suddenly and forcefully. A huge storm of hate, it threatens to rip our country asunder.

The vehement diatribes blasted at our president started before the election in 2008. There is irrational hatred for this man which runs deep. Whatever he does or says is attacked by pundits, talk show hosts, politicians and opinion formers. The battle rages as media personalities on the other side join the fray, assaulting and hurling insults from frothing mouths. All spurred on by the earthquake of hate.

Don’t we remember what happened in Germany in the 1920’s? The left and right squabbled bitterly with each other, causing the leaderless country to be snagged in a vacuum. This allowed Hitler and his Nazis to fill the gap with their unified political blitzkrieg of destruction. Can’t it happen here?

Obviously our president is not perfect. He has made mistakes. But there are civil and effective ways to address them as we try to make our country better. As for hating him? It is an evil from hell which will surely smash us! 

e has made moistakes

ABATE THE TSUNAMI OF HATE:  The ability to love or hate is indigenous to our souls. History reveals that the fruits of hate are killings, destruction of property, break down of the government, economic collapse, spread of disease and misery. Witness Rwanda.

When people choose love there is joy, prosperity, a controlled political system, a calm social ambiance, and planned interactions. Why choose anger, hate, and war when the infilling of love reaps so many desirable benefits. Don’t many religions teach us to love one another? Why does the Creator of life give us that command?

If you want to spread the gift of love here’s some suggestions. Avoid listening to rancorous media diatribes. When pundits start screaming at each other, change the channel or radio station. 

Try to be nice to others, whether they are family, friends or just the general public. Count yourself as a beacon of love, a lighthouse to guide others through the tsunami of hate. Think locally. Shine your light right were you’re at. And watch your world grow and glow. Love nurtures a powerful abundance, right where it’s planted. Love never fails.  Keep smiling.


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