"Unquiet meals make ill digestions"
Shakespeare
Out with the Chametz (matzah and all unleavened food), in with the breads and cakes, is the theme of Mimouna. This relatively new celebration started only 200 years ago and is brought to us by the North African Jews as a passage to the end of Passover. Moroccans open their homes and fill their tables with a feast of traditional treats and often Muslim neighbors join in the celebration as they provide (sell back) the flour which was sold to them for Passover. As the holiday represent good fortune, fertility, wealth and prosperity, may these blessings be bestowed upon all of you.
Mimouna celebration (I found on the web) with a friend in the middle.
"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none"
also Shakespeare
Shakespeare died 400 years ago this week. He was born to John and Mary Shakespeare in 1564. He had 3 children with Anne Hathaway (pretty sure, not the actress we know and love) and most likely his parents and children were all illiterate. He was one of mankind's most prolific writers and his work continues to inspire almost all aspects of our society. Check out this interesting NYTimes video which shows his presence almost everywhere:
http://www.nytimes.com/video
"To be, or not to be"
of course, Shakespeare
Hamlet Act III, Scene 1: This most famous quote is about the question of life. It contemplates suicide. Sadly, recent studies by the CDC revealed that our suicide rate is rising. The largest increases are among girls aged 10-14 but as adults, men are 3 times more likely than women to commit suicide. This serious issue needs much more attention and funding to help Shatter the Stigma and the Shame. Suicide among veterans should also be an unacceptable phenomenon with an estimate of 22 per day. Some think this might not be accurate, but a group of supportive Vets have decided to use the number 22 as their motto to help military brothers in need, which they named "Buddy Check on 22". Every month on the 22nd, Vet buddies call each other to check in. They've created 22 Buddy Facebook pages and social media is also helping to reach as many as possible. Let's use whatever means available to prevent all forms of suicide:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/22/us/veterans-suicide-22-social.html
"Hell is empty, all the devils are here"
again with the
Shakespeare
50% of all suicides are committed with a gun so less gun availability could help cut that rate drastically. But, now we have a new problem to deal with... guns that can be concealed to look like a cell phones. The company, Ideal Conceal, markets this $400 gun and as the website states, plans to sell in Mid-2016. Unless Senator Bob Casey and others can stop them:
"Have more than you show,
speak less than you know"
you guessed it, Shakespeare
In addition to sensible gun control, Senator Casey has joined 82 of his fellow companions to pen a letter to POTUS to assist Israel in her continued defense of her citizens. This 10 year military aid packet is essential as the aggression against Israelis continues to rise. Not to mention, Israeli military inventions also benefit the US. The one high profile absent signature was Bernie Sanders'.
"Give every man your ear, but few thy voice.
Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment"
never ending quotes from William S.
After convicts do their time, they should return to society with voting rights as Virginia Governor McAuliffe has instituted for over 200,000 ex-cons. His executive actions (despised by his republican led congress) overturns a law dating back to the Civil War era. There have been many past and current attempts to prevent (primarily) disenfranchised groups from voting, like Poll Tax, Literacy Test and currently ID requirements (which are often hard to obtain for low income people). So this action by Gov. McAuliffe is applauded (by many) though some, like Ted Cruz think is it appalling.
"Though this be madness,
yet there is method in it"
the man, Shakespeare
As Spring Cleaning comes to mind and "cleanliness is next to godliness". G
ermaphobes will love this paragraph. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) battled over the best way to wash your hands. Spoiler alert, WHO won.
And for your house, here is a good guide for cleaning items that might slip our minds.
"When I saw you I fell in love,
and you smiled because you knew"
yep, Shakespeare again
"All the world's a stage,
and all the men and women merely players"
more Shakespeare
Drama playing out on the world stages of Bangladesh, Chernobyl and Puerto Rico have hit the headlines this week.
Promoting Human (LGBT) Rights in Bangladesh will get you hacked to death as 2 more victims fell to extreme Islamist this week. Chernobyl is solemnly commemorating the 30th anniversary of their nuclear reactor disaster. 200 elderly people refuse to leave their homes as they will be the last inhabitants of the area for hundreds (if not, thousands) of years. Puerto Rico is in a serious financial crisis with $70 billion in debt and thanks to our congress, no option of Chapter 9. The brilliant Puerto Rican son, Lin-Manuel Miranda pleas for his home country on John Oliver's show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqdhVahd7tE
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called Life."
Prince
The media coverage of Prince's death was non-stop and tributes have been spontaneously inspired on stage all week from James Taylor to Coachella to New Orleans Jazz Fest to Hamilton to The Color Purple (appropriately). My favorite tribute (which took place two years ago) is this cover by Adam Levine:
Also, Tipper Gore (remember her Prince album censorship in the 80s) may not approve but Minnesota Senators Franken and
Klobuchar penned a resolution which past in the Senate to honor the accomplishments of Prince.
