I was happy to see a new op-ed from Oliver Sacks recently. I was sure we’d not hear from him again after his op-ed in February, announcing he has terminal cancer. Continue reading Dr. Oliver Sacks on his hearing loss | Auditory processing on Blog#42
Jeb! differentiated: not kinder or gentler, but just as unlettered | American Dynasty on Blog#42
Jeb Bush has spent the last few months fundraising like mad and saying things, all kinds of things, that will draw a clear differentiation between him and his brother. Continue reading Jeb! differentiated: not kinder or gentler, but just as unlettered | American Dynasty on Blog#42
Next in the #EzellFord case? Charlie Beck decides | #BlackLivesMatter on Blog#42
Today’s LA Police Commission decision was a long time coming for the Ford family and, unfortunately, it is of little comfort not only because it was a split-decision, but because, ultimately, it may well be for naught. Continue reading Next in the #EzellFord case? Charlie Beck decides | #BlackLivesMatter on Blog#42
No good Blacks for Chief Bratton (Updated) | #NYPD and #BlackLivesMatter on Blog#42
In an interview, Chief William Bratton implied there just aren’t enough respectable Blacks who would pass muster under the NYPD’s pre-employment background check requirements, and he credits his broken windows policing success. Isn’t that convenient? Continue reading No good Blacks for Chief Bratton (Updated) | #NYPD and #BlackLivesMatter on Blog#42
Close Angola and Rikers prisons: End long-term solitary confinement | Justice on Blog#42
In Hellhole, Dr. Atul Gawande writes:
“Human beings are social creatures. We are social not just in the trivial sense that we like company, and not just in the obvious sense that we each depend on others. We are social in a more elemental way: simply to exist as a normal human being requires interaction with other people.”
Transcript: James Baldwin debates William F. Buckley (1965) | Blog#42
Following the video is my own transcript of James Baldwin’s famed 1965 debate speech at Cambridge University’s Union Hall. I have done my utmost to transcribe his words faithfully, adding only the emphasis of stars around words he uttered forcefully during his presentation. Continue reading Transcript: James Baldwin debates William F. Buckley (1965) | Blog#42
The best of the press (so far) on Bernie Sanders | Blog#42
Most of us are very familiar with the achievements and views of Bernie Sanders, the Senator, but not with the story and remarkable achievements of Bernie Sanders as a young man and, later, a mayor.
Here are two excerpts of articles about Sanders’ early years.
Continue reading The best of the press (so far) on Bernie Sanders | Blog#42
Dr. Ruth is wrong about #rape, #maritalrape and biopsychology | The Talmud on Blog#42
My interest was piqued as I read the following passage in a piece on Dr. Ruth Wertheimer in The Jewish Forward: Continue reading Dr. Ruth is wrong about #rape, #maritalrape and biopsychology | The Talmud on Blog#42
What we are missing: Rachamim – ر ح م – רַחֲמִים | Compassion on Blog#42
The word compassion in Hebrew is actually said in the plural form. Compassions is the actual usage of the word. Why? Continue reading What we are missing: Rachamim – ر ح م – רַחֲמִים | Compassion on Blog#42
The week in #BlackLivesMatter: 5/22 – 5/31 | #Racism #Brutality on Blog#42
This past week hasn’t been a very good week in a bit of a different way than we’ve seen lately. Some loose ends were tied, badly. Some positions were recanted, and hope for good change, well… It just isn’t there yet. Here are some of the most important readings of the past week. Continue reading The week in #BlackLivesMatter: 5/22 – 5/31 | #Racism #Brutality on Blog#42