The movie, The Post: The Truth Matters!

My daughter saw this movie last week and had no idea about the history of the Pentagon Papers and how instrumental The Washington Post was in exposing the LIES of our government. She was wildly enthused about this movie, which I saw yesterday with Ira and friends. And knowing the history did not diminish the experience of reliving a time where the government still lied, but a few brave people dared to stand up and tell the truth. This was the beginning of newspapers speaking the truth and daring to expose what politicians dared not utter.

The film was remarkable. The thing is, no matter what lies are thrown out in the arena today, at the end of the day, TRUTH matters and while senators and members of the house cower because they have an agenda, there are still news agencies that will speak the truth, uncover the lies, impeach a president. This film made me believe in the power of the press, and also the power of women. When Katherine Graham took over the Washington Post, she was not prepared; she had been a wife and mother her whole life, and did not even know the full power of the press. She transformed into an amazingly powerful woman ,and one who dared to be THE FIRST ONE to be brave and expose the treachery of a government. She made the Washington Post into the brave paper they are today, and both The Post and The New York Times continue to be our only avenues to speak out, not cower, be brave and hopefully-at the end of the day, bring down a government-if it is meant to be. Bravo to the film, Steven Spielberg and the wonderful actors who gifted the film with their voice. The audience cheered and I continue to applaud the efforts of these two great newspapers who continue to count the lies daily, not ever afraid to say the Emperor is Naked.

Happy new year!

2018 must be better. The world must be better. We can not have the threat of war because of people in office who have poor impulse control. We have to make the world better for our children and grandchildren. I personally think about Ella Madelyn and Jacob Michael, not even two weeks old, who I insist on growing up in a world where equality reigns supreme; decency is the operative word; kindness to those we love and to strangers is significant; truth can not be debated; the environment is protected; women can not be touched by unwelcome hands; racism is obsolte; we care about our immigrant brothers and sisters.

In other words, I demand a future for my family and yours. Is that too much to ask for in 2018? Happy new year and amen!

Happy holiday one and all!

May next year be a good year. May values of decency, integrity, humanity reign supreme. May the world regain its moral compass, and that means calling out evil, lies, put-downs, indecency. May you and your families have health, happiness, personal fulfillment-whatever that may be. May you understand that if you have a lot, you should feel it incumbent upon yourself to give to others who do not. Take care of yourself and your health; smile at a stranger. Remember, you were once an immigrant, too, and whatever you have you can lose in a heart-beat.

Feel the wind, the sun, the rain, the pain of others. And feel your own pain, too, and share it so you can get the hug you deserve. Always be hopeful and optimistic, since if today is not a good day, remember. it can only get better.

Love your neighbor as yourself. And love your family every minute of every day, and be sure to tell them because you can lose them so easily, and that is something you can never get back.

Happy new year. Blessings from my heart to yours!

Amanda

I have a very special daughter-in-law, and her name is Amanda. She is one of those small time local heroes. First of all, she just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. She is a remarkable mother; she has been to Ella, and my guess is she will be to Jacob as well. She is patient in a way I have never seen, ever, but when she has to discipline, she does it and with extraordinary warmth and compassion. She never toots her own horn and cares so little for what is really insignificant-wealth, power, ambition. She lives the way I did when my children were young,with too few indulgences, little baby-sitting, taking care of things on her own. It is very old-fashioned and very lovely, so different from what I see with so many young Moms today.

But Amanda is unlike any young Mom; she is unique and different. When things were tough for her these months-with work, with the pregnancy, with family, she did not complain; she handles her personal plight with dignity and grace, something  I am not certain I could have done. She worked until the last minute of her pregnancy and will return to a work of giving and generosity in the fall.

I love the edge in her humor; the funny glint in her eyes. She is thoroughly beautiful, inside and out.

I wish the world were filled with more like Amanda, but then-perhaps-she would not be so outstanding. But one thing I can tell you, for sure: the world would be a better place. Our family is blessed to have her.

Jacob Michael: New baby boy!

Today a new grandson was born, Jacob Michael Reiser, Ella's baby brother. This is a beacon of hope in an otherwise challenged time, and I have lots of prayers for him, too. I hope the world is not destroyed by our current president-the environment, the education, the moral compass that integrity demands. I hope his parents fill his needs, that Craig can be the kind of father that his father, Ira, was to him. I hope that he can be happy and healthy, and when he is not, that he can communicate those feelings to those he loves. May goodness and possibility always be there for him as guiding posts. And when he dreams, may he always dream big, and live the world as an idealist, never as a cynic, since idealism is always a catalyst for changes that make the world a better place!

Still Fighting for Justice

Everyone has said, "You will get over Trump. You have no choice. "   

Guess what? I have not. In fact, I feel worse, not better. Why? I see the level of moral indecency he has reaped on this world. If I were to get over him, it would mean I believe it is okay to lie; to demean; to change stories; to change personas; to fire people; to put people down. Over thirty people have left their positions since he has taken office. He has implemented a tax bill that will seriously hurt the poor and middle class. He is indecent toward the DACA children-the most decent, hard-working young immigrant children who are here because their parents were forced to leave their countries of origin. He wants these children ousted from this country; though sometimes he does not. He is not trustworthy; he is an unreliable narrator. And he distorts the truth in such transparent ways.

So, I will continue to fight the good fight because I am a fair, decent, smart and open-minded person. And I hope that others will join me!