One of the driving forces in my life was the lack of direct praise I received from my father. Yes, his friends told me how proud he was of me, but it was a hollow substitute. As a result I was determined to share my ample pride with my sons and I think I did a far better job than my dad. I am so proud of them! That gets me to Chris Wallace …
At first, I thought that the photograph on the front page of yesterday's Wall Street Journal was historical. As a child of Holocaust survivors, I have seen many pictures of gravestones toppled at Jewish cemeteries in Europe during the 1930's. I then realized that the photograph is not historical. It is current. It is today's news. A cemetery near …
"Our situation is not comparable to anything in the past. It is impossible, therefore, to apply methods and measures which at an earlier age might have been sufficient. We must revolutionize our thinking, revolutionize our actions, and must have the courage to revolutionize relations among nations of the world. Cliches of yesterday will no longer d …
My son turned 17 last week. Yes, that was momentous on its own -- but what was really game changing was Eric's first unaccompanied drive. Having passed his road test a little while back, turning 17 meant taking the car to school for the first time. Since then, he has very happily run errands, filled the car with gas, and this morning made a trip …
In the spirit of the open discussion that Mitch began last week, I share the following thoughts. Most people who know me know that I enjoy pop culture as a diversion from the day to day. I read People magazine weekly, I watch the Real Housewives while on the treadmill, and thanks to a certain Gothamite who shall remain nameless I read a certain …
Recent blogs on this website – not mine – focused on political discourse and the need to embrace civility. I concur with the concept of heroism to face your friends (and others) who hold different positions and share with each other what brings you to your point of view. I want to stress the difference between discourse and partisanship. M …
My blog last week mentioned heroic conversations. Did you know that there is actually an heroic converstaions model? Adam Vane apparently created it or at least said he did. He describes it as "... a technique designed to reduce friction and increase productivity within an organization." I think all of us can benefit from less friction and confli …
One of the best books I read when I was young was Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land (Biblical phrase) which has been referenced frequently in popular music. Well I am no longer young and I feel as if I am a stranger in a strange land when, for example, I get on the subway in Long Island City along with the throng transferring from the Brooklyn …
Pitchers and catchers reporting early. Spring training. My nephew, Jared - who covers baseball for the Wall Street Journal - on his way to warmer climates. This is a good time of year for optimists. How are the teams shaping up? Who is healthy? Who's reporting in good shape? Can we finish better than last season? We need an outlet. We need hope. …
From Mitch's blog of Saturday: "I remembered something my daughter said to me several weeks ago. We need to listen to each other and seek to understand. She's right. We need to be heroic. Listen and talk about what matters...in person...without malice." Be Heroic. Seems like such a simple thing. One unedited hour on Facebook and you will see th …
Perhaps it’s somewhat of a theme in our blogs this week. I am inspired by Mitch and Rona. Honestly, I am conflicted. I really feel strongly about matters evolving in the political arena. I also feel strongly that we need to be able to talk to each other respectfully in order to be able to get through the next few years. Like Rona’s, …
I want to thank Mitch for his blog this past Saturday. His words helped me to decide to publish the foregoing. Since the presidential election, there has been a political détente going on in my home. Half of the members of my household are fiscal conservatives, although socially liberal and the other half of my household are both fiscally and so …
Back in the days of cassette tapes I created a special tape of love songs. I played it on my first date with Shelly. With Valentines Day approaching and many groups holding “Sweethearts Dances” this weekend or next, why not share some (most) of my fave “Songs of Love” and invite your suggestions. Inspired by Friday blogger Fred Klein I previous …
It was an 8AM breakfast last Thursday that lead me to this. Maybe it was the effort it took to make the meeting or maybe it was the snowstorm that raged outside or maybe it was merely the fact we had nothing else to do...no pressure to leave. My friend, whom I love and respect, voted for Trump. I voted for Clinton and we started to talk politics. …
As I approach the 3/4 pole I must admit that I am now a/the Patriarch. A fancy word for "Old Fart". It snuck up on me as I kept on keeping on and my hair silvered. "Mr. Klein" was my dad and then, suddenly, it was me. All of a sudden, seats are offered to me on the subway. Don't get me wrong, I welcome Senior Citizen discounts and I do enjoy b …
