Thank you, Kareem, for reminding me of when I first arrived in the States from England in February of 1958. I was put into 7th grade based on my age and had to adapt quickly. But I never said the pledge throughout high school. I think I stood (so that I wouldn’t be conspicuous) but no one ever questioned that I was silent. I was naturalized years later with the belief in freedom of speech and the separation of Church and State in this country.
As a child growing up in the 1930's and 40's, I recited the pledge - regarding it as just one of those things that was required in school. When the "under God" was added, I went silent at the "under God" portion. As a military member and then, after retirement, member of military focused organizations I have either stood mutely or went mute at that added phrase. At this moment in time, our Constitution, and thereby our nation, is under siege by the Trump regime. In my opinion it is the darkest time in our history since the Civil War, the subsequent descent into insitutiional racism and WWII. There still exists, like the submerged hulk of an iceberg, a substantial racist ideology that pervades our culture. The MAGA movement thrives on it!
Wow. Thank you, Fred, for validating my feelings. The Constitution is definitely being warped and its meaning distorted by these know-nothings. The military has no business policing: and law enforcement should not be militarized. These are very troubling times.
Thank you for the Leon Russell. What a song! Coupled with the dancing and the Westbrook travel lightens up the day. Not to mention the insight into the Pledge.
First of all, I learned something about the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. Thank you! “Leveled the playing field.” The problem is, there are those proverbial signs “Keep Off,” “No Access.” Except to repair or prepare, you’re not even welcomed onto the field. As a child who endured “Little Black Sambo,” in a “Weekly Reader,” for which my parents paid, opt-out would have been welcomed. Opting-out for one, shouldn’t impact another’s “inclusion.” I believe the use of religion, clouds the issue. The Iranian bombing fiasco, highlights “Kareem’s Daily Quote: How should we measure intelligence?” With a thimble, for some of the operatives associated with this event.
Good morning Kareem. Always excited to read your many inspirational comments. Love the basketball clips. Especially Westbrook carrying the ball and then acting like what? No I didn't. Love the bit with Ice Trae and Luka. I watched a game where LeBron carried the ball from under the basket to mid stripe and then started dribbling. He got away with it too. Of course they were playing in LA.
I appreciate what Gavin Newsom is doing and of course it's quite a puzzlement. I wonder if he's just playing the magas. Or tired of it all. Happy to see he's suing FAUX. They are liars. They actually deserve more than lawsuits. They should have their license revoked and be removed from the airwaves, print, digital etc. Of course that won't happen, but what a better world it would be if all of the Murdoch empire disappeared immediately and forever.
The dancer has rubber and elastic in all his joints. Just amazing to watch him get all the way down to the ground. And Leon Russell. Always loved listening to him.
As to the bombs dropped in Iran. Probably the damage is exaggerated because his SOD is a drunk who can't plan things well and both H&T have no real clue about what to do with the two countries. Perhaps they should leave them to their own devices. Israel is not impenetrable as they claimed. I don't give a damn about Israel. I just want them to stop killing the Palestinians and let them live in peace.
One last comment about being myopic. In dt's rush to rid the country of HIS perceived hatred of immigrants, he is ruining the economy by leaving unharvested food and unpicked fruit to rot. Is this his intent or does he even realize, in his diminished state, that more people will be starving and stores will not have food to sell? Does he know and understand how many billions of dollars are fed into our economy because of immigrants? There is absolutely NO excuse for his ignorance and selfishness and narcissistic behavior. He is the president not some spoiled child. He also will be without food unless of course he starts eating lab grown beef in his daily feast of cheeseburgers.
Happiness is a byproduct of living well. If we seek it out, we probably won't find it. For our country to persevere, we must all come together and stand up to repression and injustice and face the enemies, because they are. Never give in.
Peace, Love and Good health to you always, Kareem. ♥️
“Under god” wasn’t put into the Pledge until 1954 according to Wikipedia.
I have to question parents who want to opt out of their children learning about the world. Is their religion so weak? Do they not have faith in their children?
Then they are afraid of their children learning about sex in a safe environment.
How many kids learn about sex from relatives, babysitters, pastors and priests?
Leon Russell awesome! One of my favorites is “Back to the Island”.
I was in junior high school when "under God' was added to the pledge. IIRC , our student body president introduced the change at our graduation ceremony.
Talk about coincidence: I was literally just listening to "Masquerade" a few hours earlier. I also had a version of "Jumpin' Jack Flash/Youngblood" medley playing prior to that (excellent "Youngblood"). Leon was a soulful singer, no doubt. A worthy mention goes out to George Benson for his version of "Masquerade" (stellar performance!)
I do not understand the argument that the First Amendment protects religious people against HEARING anything that violates their religious beliefs. If this was true we would be one of the most theocratic nations in the world. Freedom of religion doesn’t mean that one person’s religious beliefs gives them the right to ban books that are not aligned with their religious beliefs.
Having witnessed the impact of State-sanctioned wars against those with the “wrong” religion during the wars in the Balkans, I am more concerned than ever about the Roberts Court and the GOP’s increasingly successful efforts to tear down our Constitutional separation between Church and State.
Hi Marge. It is unfortunate that many couch their biases and wars inside religion —a wall that’s hard to penetrate. For years, I’ve thought Roberts, himself, is the worst of the justices, not just his court. Alito and Thomas’ boldness distract from him, but I often wonder about his probable, quiet gifts. What is behind THAT smiling door?
The SC and the Republican Party and whatever that is in the White House do not believe in the Constitution or democracy. They have all shown this many times.
Re the case of the Palestinian student refusing to stand for the pledge of allegiance: I thought the issue was resolved when the Court decided West Virginia v. Barnette, which held that Jehovah's Witnesses students could not be compelled to recite it. Obviously neither the teacher nor the school knows about that decision.
Like John G. stated, the Leon Russell song is a classic. I so enjoy your newsletters and the sprinkling of clips lightens the heaviness of topics that you so aptly cover. Yes, “we’re lost in this masquerade “😞
Dear Kareem, first I need to say thank you for being such an American treasure. Your work is so consequential and I am truly grateful for the education and the comfort you provide. But I confess I have been moved to comment for a much more prosaic, but still personally meaningful: to thank you for your television and movie recommendations. The most recent being Department Q. What a wonderful series— pure and intelligent entertainment. Thank you for everything you are doing.
Gavin Newsom's lawsuit against Fox TV(It's not news) will go nowhere, and Fox won't have to apologize or pay up. Six Trump supporters on the Supreme Court will be waiting to dismiss once the lower courts play with the lawsuit for a while, for show, and finally be told to let go. All matters concerning Trump or his support system will be adjudicated by those six. It is the result of the birthright and lower court castration decision handed down last week. But it will be an example of how authoritarianism works and a reason to resist. A teaching tool to educate the many sitting on the sidelines, afraid to commit to save our democracy. Later this month, they should join THE JOHN LEWIS DEMONSTRATION FOR VOTING RIGHTS near them and be counted.
Re Newsom, this, posted by anna !!! :) a few weeks ago still makes me chuckle:
"having newsom as your governor is hard bc one week you're like i will destroy that sadistic devil may be be tortured for ten thousand years and then the next week you're like yes go my sadistic devil torture them for ten thousand years and i will win you the throne of hell."
The thing about banning a book is that it creates more interest in the book by those of curious minds. When I in teens through my 20s I regularly made a quest of finding some of these books. Even the TV show Soap that was banned in Savannah, GA I had a desire to move away from the town so I cold sample Soap. In the end I believed that most bans are futile but yes, they can be a barrier to learning for those who truly want to learn, but not a barrier that cannot be overcome. We are about the same age and it is likely you had the same urges.
The incomparable Leon Russell, piano man and poet, elevated the honky tonk, the symphony hall, the jazz club, and the bucket-of-blood midnight dive bar with his music. A minstrel for the Everyman, Leon was a respected featured studio musician as well as a wild cat performer. Without the deep love and appreciation of Elton John, Leon Russell might have been a footnote or completely forgotten by the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Take a listen to Elton's impressive induction speech which listed many of Leon's contributions to the iconic recordings of other artists, including Sinatra.
I loved your video of basketball. esp. Trae Young and Luka Doncic watching a shot go in ( they smile and were traded for each other!) Will you have any commentary on the NBA? Should they lengthen the season to reduce injuries? What's your opinion of the way the game has changed etc. Do you care anymore or are you done with it? inquiring minds want to know!!!!
Thank you, Kareem, for reminding me of when I first arrived in the States from England in February of 1958. I was put into 7th grade based on my age and had to adapt quickly. But I never said the pledge throughout high school. I think I stood (so that I wouldn’t be conspicuous) but no one ever questioned that I was silent. I was naturalized years later with the belief in freedom of speech and the separation of Church and State in this country.
As a child growing up in the 1930's and 40's, I recited the pledge - regarding it as just one of those things that was required in school. When the "under God" was added, I went silent at the "under God" portion. As a military member and then, after retirement, member of military focused organizations I have either stood mutely or went mute at that added phrase. At this moment in time, our Constitution, and thereby our nation, is under siege by the Trump regime. In my opinion it is the darkest time in our history since the Civil War, the subsequent descent into insitutiional racism and WWII. There still exists, like the submerged hulk of an iceberg, a substantial racist ideology that pervades our culture. The MAGA movement thrives on it!
Wow. Thank you, Fred, for validating my feelings. The Constitution is definitely being warped and its meaning distorted by these know-nothings. The military has no business policing: and law enforcement should not be militarized. These are very troubling times.
Agree with you about this dark period in our history and the racism in our culture. 😔
Thank you for the Leon Russell. What a song! Coupled with the dancing and the Westbrook travel lightens up the day. Not to mention the insight into the Pledge.
he had an amazing career and life-talented is an understatement-check out his Wikipedia entry
First of all, I learned something about the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. Thank you! “Leveled the playing field.” The problem is, there are those proverbial signs “Keep Off,” “No Access.” Except to repair or prepare, you’re not even welcomed onto the field. As a child who endured “Little Black Sambo,” in a “Weekly Reader,” for which my parents paid, opt-out would have been welcomed. Opting-out for one, shouldn’t impact another’s “inclusion.” I believe the use of religion, clouds the issue. The Iranian bombing fiasco, highlights “Kareem’s Daily Quote: How should we measure intelligence?” With a thimble, for some of the operatives associated with this event.
Good morning Kareem. Always excited to read your many inspirational comments. Love the basketball clips. Especially Westbrook carrying the ball and then acting like what? No I didn't. Love the bit with Ice Trae and Luka. I watched a game where LeBron carried the ball from under the basket to mid stripe and then started dribbling. He got away with it too. Of course they were playing in LA.
I appreciate what Gavin Newsom is doing and of course it's quite a puzzlement. I wonder if he's just playing the magas. Or tired of it all. Happy to see he's suing FAUX. They are liars. They actually deserve more than lawsuits. They should have their license revoked and be removed from the airwaves, print, digital etc. Of course that won't happen, but what a better world it would be if all of the Murdoch empire disappeared immediately and forever.
The dancer has rubber and elastic in all his joints. Just amazing to watch him get all the way down to the ground. And Leon Russell. Always loved listening to him.
As to the bombs dropped in Iran. Probably the damage is exaggerated because his SOD is a drunk who can't plan things well and both H&T have no real clue about what to do with the two countries. Perhaps they should leave them to their own devices. Israel is not impenetrable as they claimed. I don't give a damn about Israel. I just want them to stop killing the Palestinians and let them live in peace.
One last comment about being myopic. In dt's rush to rid the country of HIS perceived hatred of immigrants, he is ruining the economy by leaving unharvested food and unpicked fruit to rot. Is this his intent or does he even realize, in his diminished state, that more people will be starving and stores will not have food to sell? Does he know and understand how many billions of dollars are fed into our economy because of immigrants? There is absolutely NO excuse for his ignorance and selfishness and narcissistic behavior. He is the president not some spoiled child. He also will be without food unless of course he starts eating lab grown beef in his daily feast of cheeseburgers.
Happiness is a byproduct of living well. If we seek it out, we probably won't find it. For our country to persevere, we must all come together and stand up to repression and injustice and face the enemies, because they are. Never give in.
Peace, Love and Good health to you always, Kareem. ♥️
“Under god” wasn’t put into the Pledge until 1954 according to Wikipedia.
I have to question parents who want to opt out of their children learning about the world. Is their religion so weak? Do they not have faith in their children?
Then they are afraid of their children learning about sex in a safe environment.
How many kids learn about sex from relatives, babysitters, pastors and priests?
Leon Russell awesome! One of my favorites is “Back to the Island”.
Love trumps hate.
I was in junior high school when "under God' was added to the pledge. IIRC , our student body president introduced the change at our graduation ceremony.
as I understand it,it was added in response to the 'red scare' of the cold war
Talk about coincidence: I was literally just listening to "Masquerade" a few hours earlier. I also had a version of "Jumpin' Jack Flash/Youngblood" medley playing prior to that (excellent "Youngblood"). Leon was a soulful singer, no doubt. A worthy mention goes out to George Benson for his version of "Masquerade" (stellar performance!)
I do not understand the argument that the First Amendment protects religious people against HEARING anything that violates their religious beliefs. If this was true we would be one of the most theocratic nations in the world. Freedom of religion doesn’t mean that one person’s religious beliefs gives them the right to ban books that are not aligned with their religious beliefs.
Having witnessed the impact of State-sanctioned wars against those with the “wrong” religion during the wars in the Balkans, I am more concerned than ever about the Roberts Court and the GOP’s increasingly successful efforts to tear down our Constitutional separation between Church and State.
Hi Marge. It is unfortunate that many couch their biases and wars inside religion —a wall that’s hard to penetrate. For years, I’ve thought Roberts, himself, is the worst of the justices, not just his court. Alito and Thomas’ boldness distract from him, but I often wonder about his probable, quiet gifts. What is behind THAT smiling door?
The SC and the Republican Party and whatever that is in the White House do not believe in the Constitution or democracy. They have all shown this many times.
Re the case of the Palestinian student refusing to stand for the pledge of allegiance: I thought the issue was resolved when the Court decided West Virginia v. Barnette, which held that Jehovah's Witnesses students could not be compelled to recite it. Obviously neither the teacher nor the school knows about that decision.
Like John G. stated, the Leon Russell song is a classic. I so enjoy your newsletters and the sprinkling of clips lightens the heaviness of topics that you so aptly cover. Yes, “we’re lost in this masquerade “😞
Dear Kareem, first I need to say thank you for being such an American treasure. Your work is so consequential and I am truly grateful for the education and the comfort you provide. But I confess I have been moved to comment for a much more prosaic, but still personally meaningful: to thank you for your television and movie recommendations. The most recent being Department Q. What a wonderful series— pure and intelligent entertainment. Thank you for everything you are doing.
Gavin Newsom's lawsuit against Fox TV(It's not news) will go nowhere, and Fox won't have to apologize or pay up. Six Trump supporters on the Supreme Court will be waiting to dismiss once the lower courts play with the lawsuit for a while, for show, and finally be told to let go. All matters concerning Trump or his support system will be adjudicated by those six. It is the result of the birthright and lower court castration decision handed down last week. But it will be an example of how authoritarianism works and a reason to resist. A teaching tool to educate the many sitting on the sidelines, afraid to commit to save our democracy. Later this month, they should join THE JOHN LEWIS DEMONSTRATION FOR VOTING RIGHTS near them and be counted.
intelligence of all kinds is common-wisdom is rare
Re Newsom, this, posted by anna !!! :) a few weeks ago still makes me chuckle:
"having newsom as your governor is hard bc one week you're like i will destroy that sadistic devil may be be tortured for ten thousand years and then the next week you're like yes go my sadistic devil torture them for ten thousand years and i will win you the throne of hell."
The thing about banning a book is that it creates more interest in the book by those of curious minds. When I in teens through my 20s I regularly made a quest of finding some of these books. Even the TV show Soap that was banned in Savannah, GA I had a desire to move away from the town so I cold sample Soap. In the end I believed that most bans are futile but yes, they can be a barrier to learning for those who truly want to learn, but not a barrier that cannot be overcome. We are about the same age and it is likely you had the same urges.
The incomparable Leon Russell, piano man and poet, elevated the honky tonk, the symphony hall, the jazz club, and the bucket-of-blood midnight dive bar with his music. A minstrel for the Everyman, Leon was a respected featured studio musician as well as a wild cat performer. Without the deep love and appreciation of Elton John, Leon Russell might have been a footnote or completely forgotten by the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Take a listen to Elton's impressive induction speech which listed many of Leon's contributions to the iconic recordings of other artists, including Sinatra.
I loved your video of basketball. esp. Trae Young and Luka Doncic watching a shot go in ( they smile and were traded for each other!) Will you have any commentary on the NBA? Should they lengthen the season to reduce injuries? What's your opinion of the way the game has changed etc. Do you care anymore or are you done with it? inquiring minds want to know!!!!