Another peek into the annex – Ruth Franklin’s The Many Lives of Anne Frank

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

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

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