I’m in the mall, taking a bagel break with my friend Jack.

You see, for years, Jack’s been a Republican, a vocal Trump supporter, a viewer of Fox Propaganda and a listener to right-wing AM radio.

Jack also, happens to be a non-practicing Jew.

Jack sips his coffee and proudly announces, “Ya know Mort, I’m now a registered independent.”

I scratch my scalp wondering, “Does that mean he’s not voting for Trump in 2024?” But he’s not saying and I’m not asking.

And then I say, with all the emotion that I could muster, “You know Jack, Trump has surrounded himself with a bunch of fascists and when they come to round us up, you and your family are going to the camps. You’re a Jew in their eyes.”

Jack listens, feels my pain and keeps his mouth shut.

I want to tell him about Trump’s Proud Boys.

I want to tell him stuff  he’s not going to hear on Fox or on right-wing radio.

Like that the insurrectionists tried to destroy America.

Like that Trump is going to release the convicted Proud Boys from prison if he’s reelectedOne of those Proud Boys, who stormed the Capitol and who sits in prison, told an undercover FBI agent about his admiration for Adolf Hitler and discussed a plan to “wipe out” the nation’s Jewish population.

And I bet Trump—G-d forbid— will give them government jobs in law enforcement.

Jack doesn’t know that the 33-year-old right-wing Dallas, Texas mall murderer, Mauricio Garcia, wore a patch that read “RWDS.” as he killed eight innocent victims in the mall, including a three-year old. Mauricio also wore Nazi tattoos, one of a swastika and one of SS lightning bolts.

“Right-Wing Death Squad” doesn’t sound familiar to Jack.

But it should, for in the 30’s and the 40’s fascist, Iron Guard Romanians created “death squads” in order to kill Jews.

And they did.

But Fox won’t teach Jack or any of its viewers about what these “death squads” did.

But, “An American minister to Romania, Franklin Mott Gunther did. He toured a meat-packing plant where the Jews were slaughtered with the placards reading “Kosher meat” on them and reported back to Washington: “Sixty Jewish corpses were discovered on the hooks used for carcasses. They were all skinned….and the quantity of blood about was evidence that they had been skinned alive”. Gunther wrote he was especially shocked that one of the Jewish victims hanging on the meat hooks was a 5-year-old girl, writing that the cruelty displayed was unbelievable.” (Wikipedia)

And I think, “If Jack stood in front of the Kosher meat placards, and saw those 60 Jewish corpses hanging on those meat hooks, and stepped into that blood on that slaughter-house floor, and cried at the sight of the body of that five-year-old girl would he have registered as a Democrat.”

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Author Reading Recommendation—–“Peekskill: USA” by Howard Fast.

A beautifully written story about a race riot in 1949 in the small town of Peekskill, New York. This story is as important today as it was in 1949. The faces may have changed but the issues continue to haunt us.

The Donald Asks Chatty for Advice

Chatty, I’m thinking about running for the presidency of the United States. But I recently lost a civil case in New York in which the jury found that I committed sexual abuse and  battery on a woman. Should I run?

Do you think women voters will hold this against me?

ChatGPT
As an AI language model, it is not within my capability to offer political or personal advice, and I cannot make a judgment on your specific case. However, I can provide you with some general information that might be helpful.

Running for presidency is a big decision that requires careful consideration of your personal and professional background, as well as your public image. It is also important to be aware that running for public office, particularly for a high-profile position like the presidency of the United States, comes with a high level of scrutiny, and your past behavior and actions will likely be thoroughly examined and scrutinized by the public and media.

Given the recent allegations against you, it is important that you consider how this might affect your campaign and your ability to gain the trust and support of voters. It is also important to be aware of the potential legal and ethical implications of running for public office while facing accusations of sexual abuse.

Ultimately, the decision to run for presidency is yours to make, and it is important to weigh the potential risks and benefits carefully. It might also be helpful to seek advice from trusted friends, family, or legal advisors.

So I asked ChatGPT to write a poem about The Times of Israel. Here’s what I got in just two seconds. (I clocked it.)

Amidst the desert sands and ancient stones, A nation was born, with a history all its own, Through trials and triumphs, the Jewish people have stood, And the Times of Israel has chronicled it all, with words so good.

From the shores of the Mediterranean, to the hills of Judea, The Times has captured the essence, of this land so proud and free, With stories of courage and resilience, in the face of adversity, And the unwavering spirit, that has defined this country’s identity.

Through the darkness of war, and the brightness of peace, The Times has been a beacon, for those seeking truth and release, From the politics of power, to the voices of the unheard, The Times has given voice, to all those who have stirred.

In this land of contrasts, where the ancient meets the new, The Times has been a bridge, for all to pass through, With its insights and analysis, it has shed light on the complex, And brought us closer to understanding, the beating heart of this vexed.

So let us cherish the Times, and all that it has to give, For in its pages, we find the story of a nation, that will forever live, Through the trials and triumphs, the joy and the pain, The Times of Israel will forever remain, a testament to this land’s eternal flame.

Wow, I am blown away.

This computer-driven program made words into poetic images. It’s as if King David, sitting on his throne, wrote this poem about The Times of Israel as he played the harp.

And as I listened to this poem, it became music to my ears.