Don't Cry for me Argentina (Just win)

.....Well, now the quarter finals begin, and the USA is not playing any longer having lost to Ghana, a team they should have beaten. But sad to say, we do not by any means have the level of skill needed to get far into that tournament, and I doubt that we ever will. Soccer as a professional game is in fourth place in this country; baseball, basketball, and football are ahead. Our team did not have the necessary scoring power of the European and South American teams.

.....Ultimately, scoring a goal in the World Cup is one of the rarest feats in all of sports. Amazing skill, tremendous team play, the perfect pass, the glorious shot, everything must coalesce at an instant of full speed fury to manage a goal. That's why the joy that heralds the scoring of a goal is a moment like no other, you've just managed the most difficult feat in all of team sports.

.....Enough about the World Cup. You're all probably bored by now and wondering what has happened to my Poor Richard Benjamin Franklin style. Or do I have another different style? At any rate, I have so far kept the promise that I made in a previous blog posting not to read or see anything about the news that's happening in the world. There never seems to be any good news any more; it's all bad and depressing. And all the columnists never appear to write anything good about what is going on in our country. So, I'll just read the comics and the sports page and do the crossword puzzle. Then I'll read about what is happening locally in Palm Beach County. The local news is never too cheerful either. But today, the cleaning crew came and Rhoda and I left to watch "The Karate Kid."

That was a "feel good" movie and we felt it was better than the first one. Will Smith's son has a lead role in that film and besides looking like his father, he's a fine actor for an 11 year old. If you do not care for the plot, the pictures of China are magnificent and worth the price of a ticket.

A Potpourri of Nothing Deja Vu

.....I was stunned today when I received an e-mail from the first kid I ever coached in soccer--Richard "Midge" Roe! That was at Sea Cliff H.S. in 1954. He was able to get my email address from another former student, and I was wonderfully surprised to hear from him. And speaking of hearing--I somehow lost one of my hearing aids which unfortunately fell out of my ear somewhere, and I don't know where. I got these from the VA, and I was told there that they cost about $6000. Oh, well, I still have the one for my left ear, and I believe that will suffice--for now. And speaking of losing, I was really saddened when the USA soccer team lost yesterday to Ghana in the World Cup. Those guys worked very hard for the past four years, and they really deserved to go to the next level--but life sometimes is cruel. And speaking of cruelty, my son, Bobby, bought a ticket to come here from Virginia for a day or two, but a reason came up to cancel, and the airline was cruel enough not to refund all the money he paid.

.....And speaking of money, I bought five $2 scratch-off tickets and lo and behold I won back $16. More money is accrued when I drive to the VA--28 miles to W.Palm Beach and after a doctor's appointment I go to the travel pay office and they give me $18. Since I use up about three gallons of gas and $3.20 for tolls on the Turnpike, my profit is about $11. I figure if I make 10 more doctor's appointments, I could therefore profit by $110. And after 100 appointments I could come away with $1100! And so on. And speaking of doctors, Rh+ has gone to a few specialists and none seem to be able to come up with a cure for her coughing spasms. We'll keep on testing, I suppose.

.....And speaking of testing, I am going to test my resolve not to read the news any more, or watch the news on TV or read the news on the internet. I am tired of reading all about the oil spill. It's very depressing; so why depress myself--I get depressed easily. I also get depressed when I read the Obama bashing. There seem to be too many columns on the op-ed pages by conservative writers in my newspaper, and I get depressed when I read their opinions about how the President is not doing this or that and the this or that that he is doing is not good enough for Republicans. They think a white Republican president would be so much better. So why depress myself by perusing the news? I will unburden myself of any and all sources of the daily news. Hoping to pass this test, I will enjoy the little time that I have left, and I will spend all the extra time I will save enjoying my wife and my life.

LIVIN' ALONE...WAITIN' on the TELEPHONE...

.....I've been "living" alone now for a week" since RH+ went to New York for four different events; her daughter, Renèe, getting Bat Mitzvahed (she's 40+); then taking Ilana to a camp in Pennsylvania where she's to be a counselor (she's 17); watching the other granddaughter, Allison, graduate from 6th grade (she's 12); and attending her brother's new grandson's "bris" (8 days; the brisee, not the brother. Please don't make a painful mistake about that). I miss the little woman, and find it hard to sleep at night--perhaps I should say--difficult to sleep at night. But, after my divorce in '76, I lived alone for seven years, so I've had plenty of practice. Of course, I was 27+ years younger then; and I was able to walk caneless. But I survived the week, difficult as it may have been, and I am picking up Rho at the airport this evening and taking her direct to the lobster dinner I owe her because we were separated when our anniversary occurred on the 19th of June.

.....One very important thing that got me easily through the week was the televised World Cup games. I happily watched four of them each day; two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Of course, I have an abiding interest in the USA national team who played England (a heavy favorite) to a draw; Slovenia (wherever that is) to a draw; and a thrilling, bone-chilling, heart stopping defeat of Algeria in an overtime minute which allowed them to move on to the next round of 16 teams. There were 32 teams in the World Cup, representing 32 different countries, if you can visualize that--and the effect it has on the people of those countries, virtually all of them, soccer being their national sport, which they call "Futbol." It's the only real world game, and most everyone who follows soccer calls it "The Beautiful Game", and that it is. Oh, I know that here in America, a majority of our millions most likely find it boring to watch, probably because there are so few goals--but that is because they don't understand the game or how to follow it or don't know the rules, or dislike the referees or the constant racket of the vevezuela horns. So sad.

.....Well, I'm an avid soccer fan. I played in high school and in college and I coached the freshman team in high school, then the junior varsity, and then the varsity for 30 years. Soccer is beautiful to watch if you concentrate first on the amazing skill of the players; then on how the attack builds up from the back to the front; then on the skill of the defenders and especially the goalkeeper. The expectation of a goal being scored by the team you are rooting for builds tension as the 90 minutes roll on. Imagine the fitness level of the players as they run full tilt up and down the 120 yd. length and the 75 yd. wide "pitch" as the field is called. When the American team defeated Algeria on Wednesday, in the last minute, imagine the joy of the thousands of fans in the stands who journeyed to So. Africa. And imagine the explosion of cheers of joy in the sports bars across our land, and especially in Duffy's! OK, now that I've got all this off my chest, you can go back to what you were doing as you shake your head. Just cheer for the US as they play Ghana at 2pm tomorrow.

ENNUI (Could also mean "On we" which means nothing.)

.....To say the truth, and I hate to have to say it, I'm getting bored. Even though today is our 27th Anniversary, I have nothing to say today. The Baroness is in New York because her daughter, Renee, is getting her Bat Mitzvah in temple tonite and then there will be a reception in the house afterward where thirty friends and relations have been invited. I asked Rho what Renee is serving, but she said she didn't know. I didn't go because I would have absolutely nothing to do there for a week. I'd be totally bored. No sense in renting a car because I would have absolutely no place to go nor anyone to see; except perhaps Rho's parents at the cemetery. Ordinarily I would play golf and spend some time with Bernie, Ye Olde Counselor, but I haven't heard from him and don't know if he is still alive; and I can't play golf anymore. But, ironically, I'm also bored here with virtually nothing to do. So this blog will virtually be about nothing.

.....I will type stuff as it virtually arrives in my head, and the first thing about nothing is that Renee's name should have an accent above the second "e" but I forget what you call it. There is no way that I can think of to get that accent here. But, it's not that important; just thinking about it contributes to my boredom. The next nothing is that I couldn't sleep last night and got up at 5:30a.m. and wound up in the kitchen; and since I had nothing to do in the kitchen I went back to bed and read my book about Ben Franklin. He was quite a man with incredible energy and "joie de vivre." He and the guy whose picture is on the nickel (not the buffalo) got together to write the preamble to our Constitution. John Adams was also around at that time and was jealous of Franklin's fame around the world for having captured electricity from the sky. And then there was Hamilton, who counted our money, and the immortal John Hancock who invented the saying, "Put your John Hancock here." It amazes me that we had so many outstanding politicians back then--all at the same time. We should be so lucky. But that time is past and I don't want to bore you, too. It' bad enough that I am.

.....When 7:30a.m. rolled around, I was fortunate enough to relieve my boredom somewhat by watching the Netherlands and Japan duke it out in the World Cup, followed at 10:30 by Ghana and Australia. When the TV cameras pan around the stadium, all of them seem to be filled to the rafters by game time, and what I cannot understand is how many supporters of each country's team could afford the expense of attending the few weeks of World Cup play. They had to fly to South Africa or take a Cruise ship; then the ticket prices are off the wall; and they had to travel to the several different cities where their team played and pay for a hotel. I could go on, but at each game--there they were with their horns that assault the ear. Yesterday, I was furious when the referee did not allow the American team a goal that would have won the game. It gnawed at my innards the rest of the day and night; my gorge rose at it. I know that many of my readers could care less about this news about soccer; to them it's nothing, but I warned everyone that this blog would be about nothing and I have been sticking to my word. After all, why should anyone care about a 40 year old's Bat Mitzvah or whether or not she has an accent on top of an "e"? Or care about my getting up at 5:30am when I usually sleep until 11am? Or care about a game the whole world cares about? So, you see I love talking about nothing, it's the only thing I know anything about.

MARRIAGE IS LIFE'S CHALLENGE

.....Two days from now, on June 19, Rhoda and I will celebrate our 27th Anniversary. I've been twice married; the first lasted 30 years, and the second 27. If my math is correct, I've been involved in married life for 57 years. I enjoyed every minute of them. Of those who are uninformed, my second wife is Rhoda, and my first wife's name is Thelma, and we were "childhood sweethearts". That relationship is no longer active. If memory doesn't fail me, and it does at times at my age, I met her when I was 14 and she was 12. At that time we really weren't sweethearts--just friends. Thelma lived in Brighton Beach, in Brooklyn, about an hour's subway ride from my apartment in the Bronx, and one block from the boardwalk and the Atlantic Ocean. Her Aunt and her cousins, Annette, Clara, and Ben lived in the building next to mine and she would visit them quite often; and I flatter myself in thinking that it was because she would get to see me; the Baron was quite dashing back then. Following WWII we consummated that friendship on June 15, 1947. I was 23 and she was 21 Many thousands of veterans married quickly after their service ended; time to start a family as we did. Our family grew as the years wore on. Robin was born in 1950, Joel in 1952, and our twins Bonny and Bobby came along in 1955. Thelma and I celebrated our 25th in 1972 but our co-habitation ended three years later when she left for California never to return. We were divorced in 1977. Our marriage just sort of petered out, but she and I will always be friends as once we were.

.....Ah, but I married once again to Rhoda in 1983. I met her at a B'nai Brith New Year's Eve party in January 1978. The minute I saw this ravishing maiden in her tight fitting brown corduroy suit and her golden Blonde hair and a smile that lit up the room, I knew that I wanted her in more ways than one; and, fortunately for me, my dreams came true. We were definitely made for each other, even though she was fourteen years younger than I, and about 150 pounds lighter, and a foot or so smaller. Rhoda graduated from American University and I reveled in her sharp intellect and feisty demeanor. We complement each other in many ways. A year before we were married I had retired from my teaching career and bought a condo in Florida so as to be near my mother and sister. And following our marriage, Rhoda and I moved to Florida--and we've been here ever since, weathering hurricanes. Rhoda is an amazing woman in so many ways that I can never begin to describe them. Marriage is life's challenge, and to have it succeed takes common sense, patience, understanding and love. I've grown old here, and she cares for me diligently; this marriage will never peter out. Happy Anniversary to us!

...and The Beat Goes On Vol.III

.....I read an article in the news today by Anvar Ilyasov and Sasha Merkushev from the Associated Press. I don't know those two very well; in fact, I don't know them at all, and I would not pal around with people whose names I cannot pronounce. The article appeared in the main section, but in the back pages. Primarily, it noted that the Uzbeks from Kyrgyzstan were fleeing their homes there because of ethnic riots that sought to "cleanse" the Uzbeks from that country; kill them or chase them back to Uzbekistan. Their manner of cleansing was to kill men, women, and children, and to rape the women before killing them. Tens of thousands left their burned out homes, and one woman lamented that her husband lay unburied in the burning ruins of her house.

.....Now, I looked--in vain--for news of the world's outrage at this genocide, which far exceeds the nine "activists" killed by Israeli soldiers who feared for their own lives while being beaten with iron pipes and clubs. Nary a word. The world and the U.N. have not reacted against the riots in Kyrgyztan with the same outrage and viciousness that met the Israelis action against a flotilla attempting to break a blockade. Perhaps the reason is because of the difficulty of pronouncing "kurg-uz-stan" or of wasting time trying to spell it. Or perhaps there was no flap reported in the media because the Uzbeks who practiced Islam were causing religious intolerance in a country whose constitution calls for freedom of religion.

.....The Wikopedia Dictionary provides the following information about that part of the world: Kyrgyzstan (English pronunciation: /ˈkɜrɡɪstɑːn/; KUR-gi-stahn;), officially the Kyrgyz Republic, is a country in Central Asia. Landlocked and mountainous, it is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest and People's Republic of China to the east. Its capital and largest city is Bishkek. I wouldn't want to live there. Sounds pretty cold, and I don't think the roads are paved. If you want Chinese food, China is a short 250 mile walk, and you would not by happy schlepping the leftovers in a box on the way back. Once the Kyrgystanis have finished raping the Uzbek women and chasing the Muslims back to Uzbekistan, they'll just have to clean up the mess they made. The U.N. will most likely send "humanitarian aid" to the Uzbeks, but no point making a big fuss over what happened; it's just a "family" feud and after all, it's not Israel.

Deep, wise, and profound thoughts.

.....Just a few idle thoughts that just pop into my head now and then, triggered perhaps by something I've read or heard. As an example, I wonder if the world would have been outraged had the Turkish activists in the flotilla had killed nine Israeli commandos. I don't doubt that they would have been excused for having defended themselves against barbaric Israeli soldiers. Another thought; why is it that the EU who have asked Israel to lift its blockade for "humanitarian" reasons do not also ask that in return Hamas should release Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier that they have holding captive for several years, and that Hamas should recognize Israel's right to exist for Humanitarian reasons? Nah. That won't happen. It's too logical. It's not fair to a terrorist organization that would re-arm in a minutial (just a neo-logism) minute, if they could.

.....Another thought involves the "Tea Party". (Not fair to Starbucks). Their rallying cry appears to be, "We want our country back!" Who took it, and where is it now? Why didn't they call the police? They also whine "We want our freedom back!" Who took it away? Where did it go? What freedom is missing? Except perhaps, their freedom to vote for a white president. Cal thomas. my least favorite columnist, writes today and quotes advice made by Obama at a high school graduation, "...Take responsibility, not just for your successes, but for your failures as well." Thomas goes on to say "Too bad he doesn't practice what he preaches to the students." Later in the article Thomas conradicts himself by saying, "Even the BP oil spill which he says is his responsibility, isn't really, you see." It seems to me that Obama does, indeed, practice what he preaches. Too bad too many people don't appreciate the fact that we have an intelligent President in the White House unlike the Cowboy from Toy Story or the Barbie Doll from Alaska. The politically unsophisticated are not bad people. They may be very good at Canasta or Shuffleboard, but I simply can't stop myself from rubbing them the wrong way. It's an illness for which no rational cure exists. I'm so sorry.

It's the same old, same old.

.....I've been reading a biography of Benjamin Franklin who was born on January 17, 1706 and by my calculation that was 300 years ago. If I were to live the life he led, I'd be worn out by the time I was 30, and I don't think I'd make it to 40. The man was tireless; especially in bed. What amazes me is, that with the exception of the Puritans, morality and sexual promiscuity seemed to be the order of the day. Ben's mother, Mary, bore ten children by a previous "relationship." When she was 21 and still unmarried, she moved to Boston. Less than five months later, she met and married Ben's father, Josiah Franklin. What happened to her ten children in Philadelphia is left to the imagination, as is any knowledge about whether or not Josiah was, himself, previously married. Over the next twelve years she had six more, and along with the five children Josiah contributed that made eleven living in a tiny house. They did have another son who died as a child. Their next was Benjamin, who luckily for us, survived. So, by my calculation, Mary Franklin had eighteen children, a veritable baby machine that cranked out babies. I would call that sexual harassment. I'm assuming that back then, the pill and the condom had not yet been invented.

.....Franklin was not happy with the situation in Boston, so at the age of 17 he ran away to Philadelphia, a huge and thriving city of 35,000 residents who could now fit into any of the baseball stadiums in the United States. After getting into the printing business and getting engaged to Deborah, his landlady's daughter, at the age of 18 he had to go to London to buy printing equipment for his boss. At the time, London was enjoying a golden age of peace and prosperity and prostitutes. Franklin with a lusty sexual appetite enjoyed the acquaintances he had with prostitutes and other women of low repute. I suppose you could call this a kind of adultery since he had a girlfriend back in Philly. Also, Franklin was asked by a good friend of his, James Ralph, to watch over Ralph's girlfriend while he had to go to another city on business. Ben watched over her all right; however, as part of the watching, he attempted to seduce her, and when Ralph returned, he was furious and broke off the friendship. After two years in London, Franklin returned to Philadelphia, and while searching for a wife, preferably with a large dowry, he fathered an illegitimate son, whom he named William. The name of William's mother is shrouded in mystery.

.....Since there was no way he would find a woman with a large dowry who would consent to marry a lowly printer, Franklin finally began a common-law marriage to Deborah when he was 24. Years later, Ben's son, William, also fathered an illegitimate child. Ho Hum. Like father, like son. Adulterous behavior in the 18th Century seemed to be the order (or custom) of the day. So, in 300 years nothing has changed; so why blame Tiger and Edwards, and the biblical Abraham, and et cetera? I recently read an article where the author claimed that there is no man who has not committed adultery. I wonder if that can be true??? Well, since the 18th Century, I believe America has Puritanicalized.

"...and The Beat Goes On Vol.II"

.....I've never had so many comments to a post on my blog as I have on the one titled, "The Ripeness is All". The topic appears to have aroused some passionate responses to it--which I suppose is not such a bad idea. Then there is one on yesterday's posting and one which I just received from a former dear colleague which is rather too long to be published as a mere comment. Consequently, I will publish it here on the blog as an alternative. Now, Barry Davis was a Social Studies teacher, so we have to pay careful attention to what he has to say. I may even leave a comment in response.

Barry has left a new comment on your post ""The ripeness is all..." (King Lear)":

We are really talking about two different Israels you know. The first is the Israel of our hearts: Eretz Yisroel, home, the land we have tried to return to for several thousand years. This is a rightous place where God and justice are served.

There's another Israel, though, right beside the first one. This is a geo-political nightmare located in a sea of enemies and governed by fanatics who are as unable to compromise or negotiate as Hamas or Hes b'Allah. We tell ourselves that, "Massada will not fall again." Unless someone comes up with a solution, it will.

Right now Israel has no other ally than the United States. The latent and sometimes overt anti-Semitism of the European world is not going to go away. Sehal Africa is partly Muslim and partly Christian and partly animist. There is no help for the Jews there. South America was and is a haven for Nazis and their children. The more to the left South American leaders lean, the more anti-Semetic they become.

So we come to the United States; Israel's only friend and supporter in the world. The geopolitical questions one must ask about American support is: How much will America pay for Israel's survival and how deep does that support go in the American population? Change the questions slightly: how many American men and women will America be prepared to lose in defense of an intransigent and arrogant Israel? We currently have our armies scattered all over the place and are fighting active hot wars in two places. Israel's military superiority is lessening year by year. At the moment when Israel's very existance is at stake, will Congress or the President commit thousands of American lives to defending a bunch of Jews? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm! Hard to tell! I can hear my neighbors, though, and our media too, asking in many different ways, "Why are American boys and girls dying for them?"

We don't need to postulate a war, though. The U.S. remains totally dependant on Arab and South American and African oil. Can you imagine an oil boycott of the United States, supported by
BP and American oil companies as happened in '73, driving the price of oil to $150 to $200 a barrel? The price of bringing the oil back down under $100 would be the abandonment of Israel and support for the "just and legitimate claims of the poor Palastians." How many Americans would be willing to see their standard of living threatened to support Israel?

I could go on for many more paragraphs. I won't! I love the Israel of my heart. I still have Israeli bonds from the '73 war in my safety deposit box. I can't love Netanyahu's Israel. I don't think it can survive the military, economic and demographic forces against it. I will weep.

Red Baron said...

Barry's comments are very serious, thoughtful, and passionate. If Israel is "arrogant", perhaps it is a position born out of Jewish history. After all, if all the world supports their enemies, Israel's supposed "arrogance" is a classical form of defense by individuals as well as by countries. Is not Iran arrogant? Is not N.Korea arrogant? Is not Turkey and France arrogant? Is not Bin Ladin arrogant? If we are calling for Obama to take a more "kick ass" stance against BP, how can one blame Netanyahu's Israel's stance against its detractors and fanatic terrorist enemies who are much more threatening than an oil slick. What Jew would want a "pussy cat" leader in that country. I'm not one of them. Remember the patriot who said, "My country, right or wrong." May God bless and protect the two greatest democracies in the world--right or wrong--the United States and Israel.

"The Beat Goes On."

.....My neighbor, Lou, who lives on the "Penthouse" floor just as we do (although we consider the PH on the elevator to mean "Poorhouse), was kind enough to send me the context of an article written by Pilar Rahola a "leftist" Spanish journalist, activist and politician who has had her articles published in Spain and throughout some of the most important newspapers in Latin America. What she has to say in this article really needs to be read by as many people as possible. So, that is why I am publishing some of the many points she makes relative to the current Israel "issue" in the media. I realize that thousands of my followers are waiting breathlessly for this posting on my blog.

.....Ms. Rahola writes "Why has there been no leadership in support of the right of Israel to exist? Why is there never any outrage against the acts of terrorism committed against Israel? Why is there never any outcry by the European left against Islamic fanaticism?

She continues: "I am not Jewish. Ideologically I am left and by profession a journalist. Why am I not anti-Israel like my colleagues? Because as a non-Jew I have the historic responsibility to fight against Jewish hatred and currently against the hatred for their historic homeland, Israel. To fight against anti-Semitism is not the duty of the Jews, it is the duty of non-Jews. Principles that Islamic fundamentalism systematically destroys. That is to say, that as a non-Jew, journalist and lefty, I have a triple moral duty with Israel, because if Israel is destroyed, liberty, modernity and culture will be destroyed too.

The struggle of Israel, even if the world doesn't want to accept it, is the struggle of the world.

.....Sure Israel makes mistakes, just as we do. Sure she is stubborn and often frustrating to our administration; but that's the nature of the native Israeli. And who says that's not how Israel should be? After all, what other country is completely surrounded by enemies? What other country has had 10,000 rockets launched against it? And where was the world, the U.N. and the media at that time? The Gazans are not starving; Israel sends hundreds of truckloads of humanitarian aid to Gaza every week. They don't need a boatload of provocateurs to aid them.

I would like to point out to readers that there are some interesting comments following my blog titled "Ripeness is all." They are in some sense relative to the discussion in this post.

"The ripeness is all..." (King Lear)

.....It seems to me that life used to be less complicated than I find it now. I thought when I retired in 1982--has it been that long?--that everything would become leisurely and simple. Play golf; tennis; swim in the pool; work out in the gym; travel; go often to movies, and whatever else I would care to do that I could not do while I was raising a family and going to work every day. That is basically what I used to do--before 1982. Now it seems that everything then was simple enough, but now? Golf? Tennis? Swimming? Traveling? While I was engaged with those activities, and after awhile, it got to be, well-- too complicated. When to do it? How often? With whom? And deciding with whom and when and where we would dine with newly made friends? Complicated? Yes, of course. But then it got worse; I learned how to use a computer, and the learning process was infuriating! It took a while to get the hang of it, and when I finally did, I decided that it was time to write a book. So, I wrote my memoirs on the computer and published it/them. It took 13 months to accomplish that complicated self-satisfying, self-serving, endeavor. Of course, it's safe to say that I'm not getting rich on book sales.

....Complications in the "golden years" seemed never to end. I began to audition and perform in musicals held in our theatre. Having leading roles made it worse--having to memorize hundreds of lines and songs. So for about 25 years those are the things that complicated my life. I'm over it now. At this point, the complications involve doctors' appointments; at least one a week. Even so, life is calming down because I cannot do anything that I used to do anymore. Consequently, I spend hours at the computer each day, and if I'm not checking my e-mail, or writing this blog, I'm playing scrabble and Aloha! I'm reminded, now, of Robert Browning's invitation, "....Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be." Well, I can't wait for that to happen.

.....In 1990, John R. Silber, president of Boston University, in a campaign speech for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, startled voters with the statement, "Shakespeare was right when he said, 'Ripeness is all.' When you've had a long life and you're ripe, then it's time to go." Well, I don't think Silber or Shakespeare was referring to me, for I have not as yet 'ripened.' I'm still rather green, and thus I have a long way to go, and I have much yet to learn. And I can't wait for that to happen.

What is PTSD?

…..Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety condition that can develop after exposure to one or more traumatic events that threaten or cause great physical harm. The Red Baron has been a victim of this disorder ever since his naval discharge in 1945. I write about it here because not many people are aware of the meaning of PTSD, and even some medical personnel do not know anything about it, I have found.

…..As it relates to combat trauma, there are records dating back to 490 BC by Greek historians of soldiers experiencing long-term emotional effects from the experiences of war. PTSD, as we know it today, began to be recognized in soldiers of the Vietnam War, and it was then that treatment methods began to be developed. PTSD involves a severe and ongoing emotional reaction to extreme psychological trauma. This trauma may involve someone's actual death, a threat to the person’s or someone else's life, serious physical injury, or an unwanted sexual act. After WWII this disorder was known as “battle fatigue”; and after WWI it was called “shell shock”.

…..Symptoms of PTSD can include anxiety, depression, flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, anger, and hyper vigilance. One out of five Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars suffers from PTSD and/or depression, and only half of them seek out some sort of treatment. Many men and women in the military avoid asking for help with PTSD for fear of negative consequences from their superiors. This distrust often carries over to men and women who are separated from the military and it prevents them from accessing VA programs for Veterans suffering from PTSD.

…..Many Veterans afflicted with PTSD end up self-medicating with alcohol and/or drugs. Incidence of violent crimes, suicide and domestic violence are much higher in PTSD sufferers, and most report not having these types of problems before going to war. Some of the symptoms of PTSD can result in feelings of anger, hopelessness, constant anxiety, paranoia, and an inability to focus. It can severely affect work performance and relationships, especially if not treated—especially by psychiatry and anti-depressive medication ongoing for many years.

My Contribution; spreading the truth

State of Israel

Ministry of Public Diplomacy & Diaspora

____________________________________________________________________

3 Kaplan St. Jerusalem, Israel

Tel: 972-2-6587120 Fax: 972-2-6587125

Jerusalem, 1 June 2010

Dear friends around the world,

In the wake of yesterday’s interception of a flotilla of ships and activists bent on lifting Israel’s blockade of the Hamas regime, a regime whose charter, rhetoric and behavior are all aimed at Israel’s destruction, we find ourselves yet again in the center of a perfect media storm.

We are sure that you, like us, are frustrated with the situation. The simplistic images and narratives that appear in the media do not reflect the complex facts on the ground in Israel or in Gaza. Few media outlets discuss Israel’s position that the blockade is based on the Hamas regime’s refusal to end its state of war against our country, and fewer still have shown the chilling footage available on the Internet of the Gaza-bound activists on one of the flotilla’s ships beating, stabbing, lobbing firebombs toward and even throwing overboard IDF troops sent to enforce the blockade on Hamas. Nor do these outlets note the fact that Israel sends 15,000 tons of goods and supplies into Gaza each week, a figure that makes the flotilla’s cargo a mere drop in the ocean. For all the discussion of a terrible “humanitarian crisis,” there is no hunger in Gaza, no starved children and no famine deaths. There is only tyranny, extremism and endless war sustained by the brutal rule of Hamas.

We know that you, in the Diaspora Jewish communities, often feel that Israel fails to present these facts adequately, and that Israel’s bad image is projected onto you. We also know that Diaspora Jews are passionate defenders of Israel in its darkest hours.

Therefore we say that this is not the time to talk about what should have been done. This is the time to act!

You too can take part in Israel’s public diplomacy, in showing clearly that while Israel may make mistakes, it is Hamas, Iran and other enemies who are perpetuating the war and thriving from the bloodshed they instigate.

In response to the calls to isolate Israel and the efforts to place all responsibility for the violence on our soldiers, we must offer substantive and clear answers, including the reason that the flotilla was intercepted and the need to continue to prevent open shipping lines to the vicious tyrants of Hamas.

Some important talking points:

1. The Palestinian people are not under blockade. In the West Bank, Israel has worked hard in the past year to bring prosperity and lay the foundations for peace. Most of the roadblocks are down and the West Bank’s economy is now one of the fastest-growing in the world. There is only one reason that the blockade was instituted: to prevent the rearming of the brutal tyrants of Hamas, who would use those arms against Israeli civilians and their own people.

State of Israel

Ministry of Public Diplomacy & Diaspora

____________________________________________________________________

3 Kaplan St. Jerusalem, Israel

Tel: 972-2-6587120 Fax: 972-2-6587125

2. Civilians on the flotilla were cynically exploited by extremist organizations. Five ships did not act with violence toward the soldiers, and were peacefully brought to port. Only the ship that had planned in advance to brutally attack the soldiers and endanger their lives were, in turn met with deadly force.

3. There are ways to help the residents of Gaza that do not also help the Iran-backed Hamas regime and terror organizations in the Gaza Strip. Supplies can be donated to UN agencies, for example. But Israel cannot allow open supply routes for war materials into Gaza.

We urge you to share videos, photographs and articles about Israel’s complex situation with your friends and family around the world. Write letters to your local newspapers, comment on blogs and news websites, call in to radio programs and post links to social networking sites, to help spread the real version of events. The more knowledge people acquire, the more accurately Israel’s position is represented.

Let us be clear. We are not asking for blind support for the government’s position. Even within Israel there is criticism over the handling of the flotilla operation and the policy that led to it. We are a country that cherishes as our highest ideal the freedom to speak one’s mind and criticize. We are however, asking for help against the effort to delegitimize and dehumanize our country, an effort led by those who would deny us our very right to exist. The flotilla was a political act, not a humanitarian one and the ultimate goal of those who choose violence is not peace, but our destruction.

Thank you for your help,

Sincerely,

Ronen Plot

Director Genera

The Blockade--Justified Self Preservation

.....The outrage expressed by several countries of the world including the sworn enemies of Israel about the attempt of a flotilla to break Israel's blockade is something to be fully expected, as usual, so as to make Israel the culprit in this affair. The responsibility for the consequences of this politically motivated publicity stunt and provocation rests on the Islamic organizers of the flotilla, not on Israel. The ships included elements with links to Hamas and Hezbollah--murderous terrorist organizations which smuggles arms aimed at killing Israeli citizens. Of the six ships five proceeded as requested to Ashdod where the "humanitarian" aid could be moved to Gaza on land.

.....International maritime law clearly states that when a maritime blockade is in effect no boats--including both civilian and military--can enter the blockaded area. Any vessel that violates or attempts to violate a maritime blockade may be captured or even attacked under international law; and a blockade during war is legally permitted under such law. And if Hamas in the Gaza strip is not at war, then why since 2005 have they fired 10,000 rockets into Israel? Where was the UN condemnation of that during that time? And if they are not at war why the attempt to break the blockade so that eventually they would be able to ship weapons to Gaza by sea?

.....Why don't countries of the world and the UN scream about some of the other problems as they cry against Israel who has a right to defend itself, just as John Kennedy, in defense of America, set up a blockade to prevent Russia from shipping missiles to Cuba? Where is the world's condemnation against N. Korea for sinking a S. Korean ship and killing hundreds of sailors? Has the UN security counsel met about that? Let us see the day when the world would react against Hamas and Iran for threatening to destroy Israel. Let us see the day when the UN security counsel will create severe sanctions against Iran for their obvious attempt to create nuclear weapons and for their leader and Hamas stating that Israel has no right to exist.

....Yes, it's unfortunate that there was loss of ten lives on one of the ships which resisted with violence against Israeli soldiers. The flood of outrage expressed against Israel is laughable considering the fact that there is no such outrage when Hamas sends women and children to Israel as suicide bombers; and when the same tactic occurs so often in Iraq. Among the loudest countries who wring their hands at this affair is France who has millions of Muslim citizens, and Turkey who is an Islamic country and whose President accused the killing of ten "peace activists" as an Israeli massacre. Try to convince me that it is not anti-Semitism, as usual, behind all the screaming.

.....And for the "coupe de gras" I include a paragraph from an article by Anchorman of "The Daily Caller" (About which I know little or nothing).

" The time has come for Israel to swallow a bitter pill, namely that the world at large hates Jews. And the sooner Israel accepts this bitter truth, the sooner it can get on with its top priority--survival in an overwhelmingly antagonistic world, which does not give a shit about justice, logic, or fair play. The Europeans, the Muslims, the Asians, the South Americans, the Africans...do not care how far Israel bends-over backwards to be Mr. Nice Guy. Even some...in North America prefer bending-over forwards to the scumbags of the world. Stop trying to win their friendship. It's not going to happen. Not even if you commit national suicide. It will only be their cause for celebration."