It’s been about 80 years since Anne Frank died, yet her brief life remains an inspiration to people around the globe. While her assertion that “In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart,” at times rings as nothing but naively innocent, her ability to hold onto to this optimistic … Continue reading Another peek into the annex – Ruth Franklin’s The Many Lives of Anne Frank
Category: Observations
Seeking: Instructions for how to live under a totalitarian regime
Is there a book or something? Maybe a website or Facebook group that I can consult? Actually, both of those platforms are problematic with the government having removing literally thousands of webpages and Zuckerberg taking his turn to lick Trump’s boots… Yeah, maybe a book is the best choice - as long as it isn’t … Continue reading Seeking: Instructions for how to live under a totalitarian regime
When did America become “the country where I was born?”
The most simplistic answer would be that momentous event occurred on September 21st, 1966 in early morning when I made my debut at the (now defunct) Manhattan Infirmary.* Because, although neither of my parents were American citizens, and only one of them is even listed on my birth certificate, by birthright I was declared American, … Continue reading When did America become “the country where I was born?”
The Last Showgirl
There’s been a lot of press about the new Pamela Anderson film, one in which she displays a genuine talent for performance rather than just her physical attributes. Thanks to yesterday’s Lunar New Year holiday from school, I finally had an opportunity to catch the movie at its sole late afternoon showing at my neighborhood … Continue reading The Last Showgirl
Read ‘em and weep
I was mostly successful in my endeavor to ignore the ceremonial changing of the guard, from well intentioned feeble to malovent tyranny, this past Monday. Rather than subject myself to the crowning of the naked emperor, I opted to nest at home with warm soup and baskets of clean laundry to fold. It was a … Continue reading Read ‘em and weep
O, Albany, y?
After being a resident of Albany for more than 35 years, and a homeowner for almost 30, I feel entitled to sharing my opinion about some of the policies and practices of our fair city on the Hudson. It seems that many people on social media thrive on trashing this city. That is not my … Continue reading O, Albany, y?
We never deserved Jimmy Carter
In 1976, the year Jimmy Carter was elected President, I was in fifth grade. I recall my elementary school holding a mock election, something I don’t believe schools do anymore due to the extreme political divide which has been stoked since then. Particularly in the past decade. As you might imagine, I enthusiastically voted for … Continue reading We never deserved Jimmy Carter






