I Don't Understand

Maybe I should have a t-shirt made with that slogan.  I'm sure some people would concur. 

Why has antisemitism reared its ugly head once again?  Does Auschwitz, Sobibor, Treblinka, and mass slaughter mean nothing anymore?

One can hardly go a day without hearing airheads bleating "from the river to the sea." What's more appalling than that slogan is that when questioned, a lot of people, particularly those of the young variety, don't even know what it means.  They're just chanting it because they have been taught to do so, or their friends are doing it.

Israel is a tiny country, with 8,470 square miles of territory and accounts for about 0.5% of the entire Middle East. It is this tiny sliver that has to be surrendered to the so-called "Palestinians" for there to be everlasting peace in the region.  Of course that means that the Jewish occupants will be swamped, and probably eliminated which is the goal of the Arab majority in the region.

Useful idiots on the left in Canada, the United States, Europe, and elsewhere contend that the "Palestinians" need a homeland, and it's smack dab in the same spot as the current Jewish state.

This, in spite of the fact, that Gaza was offered top the Arabs as a Palestinians homeland.  In 2005, Israel forcibly removed its 21 settlements even in the face of some fierce political opposition to the idea. Infrastructure, including extensive greenhouse installations, was left behind, mostly intact, to help area residents and provide a foundation for at least some viable economic activity.

In come the new occupants; the greenhouses were mostly destroyed.

As Christians, I believe it is incumbent that we support the Jews as God's original Chosen People.  We need to stand against the tide of antisemitism that is sweeping the globe and stand firm with our Jewish brothers and sisters.  Anything less would be tantamount to supporting those who wish to see Israel gone.  And how would that happen?  Do we really want another Shoah (holocaust)?

So...what is it in this situation that I don't understand?  I don't understand why anyone would advocate the elimination of an entire culture.  If Israel were to go, there's no doubt they would be "ethnically cleansed" elsewhere.

But there is one thing I do understand though.  I understand that I will always stand with Israel and the Jewish people.

Are We Just Stupid, or What?

Time and time again, history has shown what far-left political policies do to people.

It seems incredible to me, although really I shouldn't be surprised, that left-wing policies are still rearing their ugly heads in our everyday life.

And what is the cause?  It's ignorance, plain and simple.

It is not difficult to find journalists and/or bloggers out on the street interviewing protesters to get their take on things.  Their responses, overwhelmingly, are based on lack of knowledge perpetuated not only by influential left-wingers, but also by a general misinformation that circulates among this crowd.

An example is a journalist/blogger who approached a sign-carrying lefty.  The protester's sign was something to the effect of "down with fascism."  Now, there's nothing wrong with that.  But when asked by the journalist to define "fascism" they couldn't do it.  When asked further then why they were here, they said that their friends were protesting so they thought they would join them.  They were a drone just following the crowd.

What even more surprising is that a lot of the far-left protesters are older white women.  And they are not shy.  I would expect that someone with life experience on their side would be a bit more informed about what they are against.

But it's all selective outrage, isn't it?

Many people are protesting ICE (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to the point of getting themselves arrested.  They oppose the removal of illegal and therefore law-breaking individuals who have bypassed the legal line.  Trump is a tyrant, they say.  Trump should have more compassion.  Trump shouldn't be breaking up families.  Yet, somehow, when Obama did it, it was fine.

Even more shocking is the reason some people say that illegals should be allowed to stay.  Afterall, if they are gone who is going to cut our grass, dig our ditches, or do our gardening for us?  Who's going to babysit and clean our toilets?

The End

P.S. I don't have an NDP Equity Card but I hope it's still okay to state my opinion.

There's Whole Lot of Hatred Going On

I looked on the Merriam-Webster dictionary to see if there was a stronger word than "hate."   The results suggested that "detest"," loathe," and especially "abhor" were even more intense, where "abhor" is defined as "to regard with extreme repugnance: hatred, loathing..." (Merriam-Webster)

I have found the "h-word" permeating through many of the news sights as of late.  In my observations, it seems that the political left is keen on using this word to describe their feelings towards people such as Donald Trump, the late Charlie Kirk, and Ben Shapiro.  The left doesn't just disapprove of what they say, they hate these people for saying what they do. 

I have experienced this expression of extreme distain first-hand from folks within my own social community.  One liberal musician stated flat out that he "hates Donald Trump" in the same tone as if he was ordering a cup of coffee.  Another suggested we are on the track to becoming the next Nazi Germany.  When I inquired from the latter if this wasn't a bit too strong, he lashed out, saying that I am blind to what is going on.

Political passion being what it is, I am nevertheless disappointed by this extremism in terminology.  I especially find the comparisons to the Nazi state abhorrent (there's my use of the word) because comparing Trump or any one on the moderate political right to the evil that once was, diminishes the legacy of true suffering that was perpetuated on the population, especially those of Jewish origin.

If you disagree with Trump, Kirk, or Shapiro, fine.  But keep the discourse civil.  Decide if they are really worthy of your hate.

If you have to loathe someone, save it for Hitler, Stalin, or any of the other actual murderers in the world.  Trump et al may not be worthy of your respect, but they certainly don't deserve your hatred either.

The Culture of Mediocrity

Is quality even a thing anymore?

It seems that in this day and age, we as consumers are paying way more for way less.  That is not just in terms of quantity, but of quality as well.

A number of years ago, my wife and I had our main bathroom completely overhauled: new shower, vanity, the works.  I had just retired from my full-time job and this upgrade was a gift to ourselves.  We went through the usual process of auditioning contractors and we finally made our choice  Long story short, the finished product was only adequate; this, in spite of their promises and the tens of thousands of dollars we paid.  And...their "lifetime" warranty became moot when they suddenly went bankrupt.

Another point: As a musician, I have to watch my hands so when it comes to car repairs I have it done by professionals.  I went to my automotive specialist and had my summer tires installed.  At home, I discovered they made a mistake that forced me back to their garage on my own time and dime a few days later.  I did get an apology from one of the attendants, but when I was requested to send feedback to the manager, I heard nothing.  I know that no one (understandably) wants to be told that their job is less-than-stellar.  I just wish contractor and service industry folk would realize it for themself.  Is craftsmanship of product or service a thing of the past?

Right now there are renos we could do around the old homestead, but I'm apprehensive.  It seems if you want quality you have to either: find a way to teleport back to the 1950's when contractors actually cared; or, pay huge bucks for high-quality work that should by rights be standard for anyone who sells their expertise.

No wonder so many people are opting for the do-it-yourself approach.  

After all, what choices do we have?

Twenty-Fifth Year Anniversary

Coming into the New Year of 2025, I am reminded that we are celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of Y2k.

Remember that year?  2000 was the start of a new millennium (which actually began in 2001 to be precise) and one of the big concerns was that our new found friend (or enemy), the computer, was going to crash and wreak world-wide havoc.  Oh the concern!  Oh the horror!

But through foresight, or sheer luck, the year 2000 rolled in rather uneventfully for most of us and we carried on, marveling at the first year ever that didn't start with a "1" but instead a "2."

So now that we're about a quarter way through the first century of the next millennium, we can look back and say, boy did this world ever get screwed up.  So much for ending wars, poverty, and decaf coffee.  Instead, all are still with us in full force.

Will we do better in the next 25 years?  I'm guessing there will be advances in technology that will astound us.  Maybe we'll end up on Mars, who knows?  But I'll bet you we'll still have the same problems, same worries, and same type of troublemakers that we have now.

And I'll bet decaf coffee will still be around.  

Happy New Year!

Now You See It, Now You Don't

Recently, I made one of my regular trips to my local music store.  It was a typical occurrence and while I was selecting some material for the upcoming fall semester, the owner casually mentioned that he may close the print-music part of his business. The reason?  Online competition.

Online business is big business.  Who can argue of having the convenience of having items sent right to your home, often with little or no delivery charge is a great thing?  Wait by the mailbox, and presto!

But that encounter with my local merchant realigned my thinking.  This store has been around since 1989 and now they are thinking of closing a substantial portion of their business.  For me, this would not be good.

Why?  Because sometimes I've needed an item or two for my studio right away; not tomorrow and sometimes not even in a few hours from now.  Right away.  And who is there for me?  My retailer who is often quietly working behind-the-scenes, a smile on their face, ready to bail me out of my predicament in moment's notice.  And all it took was a 10 minute trip from my home to their business.

There are somethings that stores just don't seem to carry anymore.  As a movie buff, I still buy re-mastered versions of old movies and that's something my local retailer doesn't carry anymore.  In this case, it's online to the rescue!

But for regular business items, it's back to the brick-and-mortar establishment!  The last thing I want to see is a “for lease” sign in the vacant location where a music store used to be.

The Joy of Music, (I)

Music is an interesting phenomenon.

It's easy enough that many individuals have found that after learning a few chords, they can make their own music.  And truthfully, some of it isn't half bad.

But then...there's the serious stuff.  

As any highly-trained classical musician will tell you, there are compositions that will keep you up at night due to their complexity.  One practise session won't do it, so the musician gathers their instrument - piano, violin, voice, or other - and gets to work trying to get a handle on the piece.  Repetition, deep thought, repetition, frustration, repetition, pursuit of perfection, repetition; the hall marks of the professional musician.  Being able to go over the same sections of a work, over and over, without the requisite bouts of fear and yes, even anger at times, is the hallmark of what greatness will finally occur.

And here's a thought...

Think of a symphony orchestra.  Each member is a highly-trained musician who has spent countless hours perfecting what they do, almost always in solitude and the expense of giving up some perhaps more instantly-gratifying activity.  (Which professional musician hasn't yearned to go outside on a beautiful summer day, instead remaining indoors just to perfect that pesky trill passage?)

Now imagine 40, 50, 60 or more of these musicians gathered in one place to play a single work.  The symphony concert has begun.

Think of the number of accumulated, behind-the-scenes hours of work that are present.  If each person carries a minimum of 10,000 hours to achieve their professional status, well then, you do the math.

Of course it is true that very many other activities require the same amount of work.  But hopefully there aren't too many amateur doctors out there like there are amateur musicians, "performing" on their own."

Next time you hear any type of music, think of the total number of hours that are hidden from view.