THE JEW QUESTION

Racism: (1) a belief that race is the primary determinant  of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. (2) racial prejudice or discrimination.

Irony: a pretense of ignorance and of willingness to learn from another assumed in order to make the other's false conceptions conspicous by adroit questioning - called also "Socratic irony.'

I started this blog about an hour after the conclusion of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's "sterling" (I apologize) news conference in which Silver displayed a strength much needed in professional sports leadership.

I "bagged" the original blog in recognition of a need to cool off. I also wondered if I was overreacting to a solitary question which I perceived to be yet one more example of racism in our society.

Here's the media question asked of Silver during the Q&A session ( as annotated by one media source):

 "You spoke about your personal response to (Sterlings racist remarks and his subsequent punishment) in terms of Donald Sterling self-identifying as Jewish, and you doing the same as well. I'm wondering if there is a specific kind of pain associated with that for you, and if you felt a certain responsibility within the Jewish community to be responding to this in this way."

Silver's excellent reply was short and to the point": I think my response was as a human being."

My question - why the question? By the very definition of racism doesn't it beg an interpretation of more racism - the very heart of the whole matter under discussion and the subject of the news conference?

Innocent? Racist? Ironic? You decide.

It's doubtful you'll read much about the question in the mainstream media. However, I did some research online and was pleased that the question posed by Howard Megdal - who is with "Sports on Earth - and is also Jewish - did receive some comment.

One unknown writer from "Heeb Media"  (which by itself could be seen as offensive by some . Perhaps in the media it's like being OK if one Afro-American addresses another Afro - American by using the "N-word"), described his reaction to the question:

"Ah Ha! A Scoop. Jews feel Jewishly about other Jews! Or Something."

Another by respondent Abby Sherman Rosthenthiler: " So, it would seem only certain groups can be offended by racist comments? Hmmm."

My question, "What did this question have to do with anything that was decided, and did it make any difference if Sterling, the reporter, and/or the commissioner are Jewish? You see, to me that's racist.

Is it OK to put one entire race of people (The Jews) in the same basket but wrong if you do it to Afro-Americans? Why are we relying on inclusiveness to determine the traits of one race simply by the actions or words of one or more individuals?

Does this not fit the definition of racism in "Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary?"

My immediate reaction to the question was "What the Hell is wrong with people in the media?"

But, that would be an inclusive question, as well. Right?

MAIL TIME

I love mail time. Not regular mail . That's just bills and circulars.

No, I'm talking about the really good mail - spam mail. 

The most recent spam I received today was entitled "View pics of 50+ singles in your city".

Apprently wrinkles are making a comeback.

But in my neighborhood - living in a senior community - everybody's got wrinkles. You see them everywhere - including in my mirror..

My spam folder suggests I'm still a popular guy. My B.F.F spam pal is apparently PCH as they send me two or three e-mails every day practically guaranteeing me financial success.

There are also other people who think of me often, as well, and are quite eager to help me out in my senior days.

First, they tell me I can earn money by taking any one of several surveys offered daily. Sounds too easy.

I can also view a video of a weight loss spray as seen on ABC's "shark tank". I have a feeling Pittsburghs' Mark Cuban passed on that one.

Some spam mails are puzzling for the less discerning - like me - apparently.

For example, I'm still agonizing over my decision not to open the one entitled "Amish wood milk - 100 year old formula."

Naturally, fearing I'd receive an unwanted virus, I also passed on the spam mail  that was sent to me by someone who was apparently ambivalent that day:

" Naughty Nurses & 50% off for Cinco de Mayo".

I married one of the former - and love the one I got.

But, I always have PCH and their eternal promise: "The Prize Patrol may be coming your way."

That's much more exciting than "naughty nurses" anyday.

UNSOLICITED ADVICE"

Like most of you, I receive a lot of unsolicited "lifestyle advice" in my junk e-mails. Most I glance at and then pitch.

But, one I received recently was not only interesting, but timely.

It reminded me, from time to time we need to review the life lessons we learned,  from a parent, teacher, or mentor and/or possibly just our life experience. I hope you'll agree.

Here are a few of my favorites.

1. "Stop spending time with the wrong people." ( I  agree
 and decided  to practice that one again, not that long ago.)

 "Life is too short to spend time with people who suck
 the happiness out of you. If someone wants you in their
 life, they'll make room for you.

 You  shouldn't have to fight for a spot."

 (To that one I add, "too many people misinterpret our
 kindness for weakness.")

 2. "Stop trying to hold on to the past".You can't start
 the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your
 last one." ( I plead guilty).

 3. "Stop berating yourself for old mistakes." (a possible corollary to "2".)

(Why should we  waste so much time committing this
mistake, simply because there are way too many unhappy
people out there who are so willing to do it for us.

Why not use the time constructively and start a positive
list? What are the things you do right? What do you do
when someone pays you a compliment ?  Save them.

The author clarified this last "tip" which I've paraphrased slightly.

(a) "There is merit in making mistakes, as it happens to all
of us, and by making them, it helps us to find the person
and things that are right for us." (Been there - Done that!)

(b)   "We need to realize that we are NOT our mistakes, we
 are NOT our struggles, and we are here NOW with
 the power to shape our day and our future.

(c)   "Mistakes in our life are preparing us. Everything that
ever happened to us is preparing us for a moment that is
yet to come."

This one caused me to pause and smile as I  recalled a
100 year old female friend who I was visiting in a
nursing home years ago. Despite her advanced age she
was still sharp and had retained a delightful sense of humor.

During that visit she confided she had no clue why
she was "still around."

I did what I assume most of us would have done and tried
to ease her discomfort by offering, "Perhaps God still has
something for you to do".

She quickly responded: "Tell God, I've done enough.
Get somebody else!"

I'll keep one of my favorites (4) "Stop holding grudges"
for a later blog.

Enough unsolicited advice. Now it's time for me to
practice it.

IT'S ALL ABOUT TIMING!

I'll admit that I'm not always the sharpest knife in the drawer. In fact, if truth be known, sometimes I miss the drawer altogether

Perhaps that's why the most recent constantly changing Supreme Court ruling on campaign finance limits has me puzzled.

I mean, I wasn't done struggling with the "United" decision when along came "McCutcheon" - which I think said, by loosening up how much you and I kick in to politicans we have increased our "free speech"  as guaranteed by the First Amendment."

You see, dumb me, I thought I already had enough free speech. I sure didn't know there was a "food pyramid" like measurement out there somewhere.

 So, please help me here, is expanding free speech now like pouring STP into your gas tank to extend your engine life?

Maybe, free speech is like purchasing a P.L.U.P where you meet with your insurance guy or gal to determine just how much coverage you need in order to be completely protected from lawsuits.

Then I started thinking, "What is the difference between "free speech" and "bought and paid for speech" - has that changed too?"

I openly confess I value my current level of "free speech". It's why I can write some of the outrageous things I do, and still have them published.

What if that changes too? Right now it's free, but do I have to get on-board in order to retain - or even possibly increase - my amount of free speech in the blog world?

Is there someone out there in the blog publishing business who might guarantee my right to even more free speech if I would just be willing to kick in a few shekels?

Then, the insecure kid in me came back and I foolishly wondered: "If I do that, couldn't it be interpreted as some subtle form of bribery?"

You see, I don't want to go to jail if  I do this wrong.

Besides, I'm not all that sure increasing the size of my P.L.U.P  coverage is any guarantee I'll be adequately protected from bribery charges.

So, I thought maybe I should look up the definition of  bribery, since honestly, (no pun intended) in my confused world, I'm a little shaky on this whole idea about giving folks money in order to protect my rights.

I asked myself, "Self, where is it going to stop?"

Will I now start seeing TV ads from Supreme Court members soliciting contributions similar to the current political ads we're constantly bombarded with?

If so, will the format be similar to the deliterious attorney advertisements we're buried with seeking our money under the guise of protecting us from the evil insurance companies?

Perhaps I should immediately contact Amazon.com and go online to order up the latest musical CD, "The Best of Justice Roberts and The Supremes"?

Now, there's a "cookie" that just might protect me.

More determined than ever to do "the right thing", and desperately seeking answers, I finally did look up the definition of what I used to think was called "bribery."

I found two of them: "An act of giving money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient."

I thought, "Isn't that what most individual campaign donors and PAC's want?"

But, that wasn't enough for me. I wanted the true "legal" definition. So, I sought out the one in Black's Law Dictionary.

I wanted to be sure I was getting "the real scoop!"

"Black" defines bribery as: "The offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or other person in charge of public or legal duty."

Now, surely you can understand - sharp knife or not - I'm more puzzled than ever.

And, poor "Boss Tweed". He has to be spinning in his grave.

Sorry, "Tweedy Bird" - it's all about timing!