Morning Vent

The other day I saw a car with two bumper stickers. One said "United We Stand". I'm sure you've seen them - with the Patriotric American Flag waving in the backround. On the same car (I live in Florida) is a sticker that says "Why do they call it tourist season if we can't shoot them?"

So I'm wondering, who exactly is it we stand united with? Certainly not the tourists who come here every winter. (The very same tourists who bring much needed business into the region)

Last week a woman in her 80s was parking her car in a supermarket that I often use. I have three young children and I always worry about the way people drive through parking lots, looking for a spot, not looking for children. This woman pulled into what she thought was a spot, completely wedging herself between two cars. In the process she pinned a four year old under her car, hit a woman, and knocked the woman's 10 month old out of her arms. Bystanders had to lift the woman's car to get the four year old.

The local paper has a website with stories on it so I checked the site frequently for upsdates. I didn't know the family but I was worried about her and her children. On this site you can write comments on the news stories. I wish I had copied the comments because they've long since been removed. Quite a few people thought the woman's license should be revoked because she was elderly. Then people started in about how "those New Yorkers" and "those Northerners" that come down here and terrorize us on the roads.

It wasn't long before someone said how "in her New York Jewish accent" she "showed no remorse" when interviewed on the news. Someone else posted that this was racist and then someone else posted "oh please, don't be so PC, just because she hates Northerners she's racist?" Many people jumped to the defense of the woman who hates "New Yorkers"

I've lived here almost 15 years and I've long since learned "New Yorker" means "Jew" to most people down here.

So because she's Jewish she what? Hit the family? Pulled into a spot that wasn't a spot? Showed no remorse? I'm so confused on that aspect.

United we stand, indeed.

Sad.

Shofar Making Workshop

We made a shofar today at Chabad - it was a blast (hahahaha).

No seriously, it was awesome! I can't believe how nice it came out! I also can't believe it really works.

Pictures are at the bottom of the post.

I wish I had better pictures of the actual work that went into this but the camera was around my wrist and I did most of the work. Next year I'll try to get the boys to do more of the work.

First we picked out one of the goat's horns that was in the box (the shofar can be made from the horn of a ram, a goat, a gemsbok, a kudu, or an ibex), then we determined where to saw off the end by sticking a straightened out hanger through. After that I had to drill and this is where the boys pretty much gave up. Next we sanded and finally shellacked. In the last photo Ben is holding up the shofar you can see the shellac but it dried clear.

Ben and Max really can blow the shofar! They just picked it right up. Jake, not so much. Maybe next year.

I'm really looking forward to the high holidays this year, especially Sukkot. Last year we spent Sukkot at my parents because of Hurricane Jeanne and couldn't put up our sukkah.

The panels have been leaning against my shed for two years, I hope they are still alive! Fortunately, we live across the street from Home Depot if we need new panels...



Ben listening to the Rabbi



Ben and Max listening attentively



Max sanding the shofar



Ben holding up the finished product

One more post tonight

Go vote for "The Sperm Donor" on Bravo's Situation: Comedy - the reality show devoted to finding the next great American sitcom!

First watch the pilot (about 15 minutes), and then vote for my old friend, Mark. If he wins, he and his writing partner get $50,000 and a Hollywood agent, which could really help him achieve his sitcom-writing dreams...
Voting closes tonight, so hurry!

Mark's blog .

Breastfeeding during a natural disaster

When an Emergency Strikes Breastfeeding Can Save Lives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2005 ( Schaumburg , IL ) When an emergency occurs, such as the recent Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast, breastfeeding saves lives.
Breastfeeding protects babies from the risks of a contaminated water supply. It provides protection against respiratory illnesses and diarrhea--diseases that can be fatal in populations displaced by disaster.
The basics of breastfeeding during an emergency are much the same as they are in normal times. Continuing to breastfeed whenever the baby seems hungry maintains a mother's milk supply and provides familiar comfort. The release of hormones while a mother is breastfeeding relieves stress and anxiety and is calming to both mother and baby.
IF A MOTHER HAS JUST GIVEN BIRTH
If it is within even five days of the birth a mother can have a full milk supply quickly by putting the baby to the breast immediately and breastfeeding the baby, every two to three hours or more frequently. Breast milk is 87% water, so the mother should drink to thirst plus a little bit more. Drinking too much water is not recommended as the mother will be uncomfortable and no additional milk will be produced.
RELACTATION INFORMATION
If a mother has not just recently given birth, but it is up to six months after birth she can relactate by putting baby to the breast, or express the breast, every two hours. Initially she may be producing only drops per day. Her milk will increase by about one ounce every 24 hours. Mother then decreases the amount of formula, or donated human milk from another mother, by about one ounce a day. The younger the baby the sooner it will be to establish a full milk supply.
For more information on breastfeeding during an emergency, check out the La Leche League Web site.
La Leche League Leaders are trained community volunteers who answer questions about breastfeeding. To contact a LLL Leader in the US go to: http://www.lalecheleague.org/WebUS.html or call 800 LA LECHE, Option 4.
Since 1956 La Leche League International, a nonprofit organization now in over 60 countries, has helped mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, and education. (www.lalecheleague.org or 800 LA LECHE).

Nero fiddled while Rome burned

President Bush, left, plays a guitar presented to him by Country singer Mark Wills, backstage following his visit to Naval Base Coronado, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005. Bush visited the base to deliver remarks on V-J Commemoration Day. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Hmmm, August 30th? Wasn't there a devestating hurricane that just hit the gulf coast the day before?

And at least Condi has new shoes.

So you may have been wondering, "where's our national guard?" I know I have. Michael Moore has been wondering too. I love this letter.