It’s the first day of the strike and I wish I could feel more sympathy for people who were offered the same raise everybody in New York has been getting. Thought people didn’t want to retire at 55 anymore. And baby it’s cold outside. Not like 1980
Two hours until strike deadline; and I spent all day online instead of doing all the things I should have been doing. I support the strike, but not the timing. Actually it might be very interesting. Kind of forced to stay in Manhattan over the holidays–and as the first night of Channakuah falls on December 25th it truly is. I could live with hanging out with my friends and their kids in a kind of relaxed atomsphere. They’re saying it could be a week. Then again, it might not happen, or just be for a day.
But damn this Christmas thing. Wrote a follow-up; “This is where my gratitude ends.” Read the comments if you have a chance. Especially H’s. I spent all morning looking up groups that were trying to debase The Talmud.
The Talmud. He brought in quotes from White Supremacy groups and such who claimed that they were Talmud experts. I left links to the real source, explanatory sites, interactive sites, but who cares about the truth when they can be prejudiced as hell.
I’m a cultural Jew. I know that there’s no such thing; I read Stephanie Rosenblum’s article in The Timeson
hipster Jews.
Anybody born to a Jewish mother is a Jew, no if’s ands or buts. I’m proud to be one. I’m proud to be part of a people who has lived through so many horrible things.
We’re not the people who H thinks we are, and damn I resent that. As I resent the commenters on Pandagon who fixated on the word “grateful,” and couldn’t understand why I’m grateful.
I’m grateful for the foresight that the founding fathers had. I’m grateful that they wrote that magnificent document The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights, and all the Amendments that have served so well to help us move forward.
I’m grateful for all of you and this amazing year. You did what therapy, my family and friends could never do; help me get past the worst time in my life.
I have a lot to feel grateful for, and people who persist on thinking that I have a slave mentality are sadly mistaken. They can’t understand why I’m grateful to “Deists and Unitarians” who made the Constitution. Funny but the Unitarian Society wasn’t formed until 1830.
It’s a known fact that every Diest and Unitarian was originally a Jew. There’s some truth to that, but…
I hope that you all realize that I don’t hate people for being part of any group. Except classless, as in rude. And yes I was in that thread but I was sick of trying to explain myself. I know that my post was clear as were my original comments.
There reached a point where I just wanted to be beyond snarky and in sick taste so I was.
I’m sick of this, and really really just want us all to get along and start fighting about Bush again, full time, if we’re going to be fighting. I don’t get accused of wanting to kill Christians. Belinda, if you’re reading this, I’m using the term Christian because that’s how it’s used on the Internet.
Do any of you, who have been reading Courting, think that I want to take away rights from Christians? Because I really don’t have the desire to. Almost all my best friends are.
They just announced that the strike is a definate possibility. Going to get into bed with my new patchwork comforter, and crisp pink blue and green striped sheets that look like a more starched Courting, and be transfixed by strike news.
I hope a transient strike doesn’t spoil any of your plans for this week–as for the comments, I wouldn’t waste any time with them.
All you can do is be human Pia. Those who appreciate you know who you are and what you stand for, and are behind you, holding you up.
Everyone else is pushing.
It’s just like early Christmas sales. I can prove I’m good and jolly by pushing down someone else.
When I see news about the strike, I’ll be thinking of you!
All you can do is be human Pia. Those who appreciate you know who you are and what you stand for, and are behind you, holding you up.
Everyone else is pushing.
It’s just like early Christmas sales. I can prove I’m good and jolly by pushing down someone else.
When I see news about the strike, I’ll be thinking of you!
Don’t worry what anyone thinks…write what you want..say waht you want to say. That is what makes this blog great..no posing…no trying to impess….accomadate…whatever.
I find the blogging world so amazing that we’re able to meet so many people, who otherwise we’d never know.
Surround yourself with those whose interests are like yours…upbeat, encouraging, open-minded.
I’m not trying to lecture, but there’s no sense in trying to change someone’s mind who is set on hating. Know what I mean?
Stay warm
Yeah, don’t worry about H. I read a couple of his tracts. (You didn’t expect me to read all of that did you?) Guys like him read the Talmud and think about the Sanhedrin because they’re scared to be alone with Jesus.
I cannot believe that at the end Hans said we insulted him. Fine time to turn sensitive, after spewing all that venom.
Pia – you really seem to blog in a somewhat rarefied atmosphere – and that means more than your share of what I would categorize as single opinionators – people who must try and wrap their one issue around anything it is you have to say. You’re a great writer, and great writing is going to attract those moths desperate to bask in the glow of your talent; unfortunately, that can be good and bad. I read the comment thread, and personally do not understand how some of the commentary could have flown so far off base; but there you have it. Don’t waste a thought over it, my dear. Your piece was personal, wonderfully written, and interesting to read, as all of your opinions are. As for those moths – eventually they fly away.
The strike seems to be a double-edged sword. There’s nothing wrong with staying around the home front for the holidays – I hate to travel; though I love people coming over here. Wherever it is you end up, I hope you have a marvelous time, and are surrounded by people who love you.
as a christian myself, i never got that hateful vibe from you. if anything, i know you would fight for my rights, right along with your own.
happy tuesday to you, m’dear!
This strike is just another liberal plot to ruin Christmas! 😉
Ha! Did you hear the one about O’Reilly making up that story about a school district banning wearing red and green because they are Christmas colors? It was in WaPo today.
I just don’t get it, this hole Christian(TM) persecution crap going on right now. Maybe Christians are just jealous- the Jews have a far longer record of persecution. It’s mere envy, I say! 😉
Cheers.
that’s “whole”
Dear Pia,
I am here on my own and not on BE(since last Saturday). I want to know how you are faring regardless of the NY Transit Strike. I trust you to be able to see through it positively.
On being a Jew.
I am an American at heart and a Jew in my soul. And a Christian in my spirit. I am only a Nigerian by nationality.
I love Jews and I am very proud of the heritage of Our Father Abraham.
I love to know a real Jew heart and soul, without apologies or regrets.
I have declared my love for Jews on the Internet with my photograph and declared that the enemies of the Jews are equally my enemies. And the friends of the Jews are equally my friends.
Be proud of your Jewish heritage.
Because, it is an awesome heritage.
Our server is down. But I was able to find my way to your blog.
Have a great Christmas week.
God bless.
Dear Pia,
I am here on my own and not on BE(since last Saturday). I want to know how you are faring regardless of the NY Transit Strike. I trust you to be able to see through it positively.
On being a Jew.
I am an American at heart and a Jew in my soul. And a Christian in my spirit. I am only a Nigerian by nationality.
I love Jews and I am very proud of the heritage of Our Father Abraham.
I love to know a real Jew heart and soul, without apologies or regrets.
I have declared my love for Jews on the Internet with my photograph and declared that the enemies of the Jews are equally my enemies. And the friends of the Jews are equally my friends.
Be proud of your Jewish heritage.
Because, it is an awesome heritage.
Our server is down. So, I only managed to crawl to your blog with the wisdom of the African tortoise.
Have a great Christmas week.
God bless.
You know, people don’t actually “retire” at 55. What they do is, they retire from the MTA, and commence collecting pension. Then they go and get another job, and take home two paychecks for a while. A lot of teachers do this; retire in their early 50s, take home say 60% to 100% of salary in pension and other benefits, and then get a job that paid even more than the teaching gig. I would grant that the TWU members are probably less employable outside their field than a teacher, but “retirement” really just means, you can quit and collect a pension. Not that they leave the workforce.