My first rule in any situation . . . remain calm, don't panic . . .
I'm trying to remember that as I count the things I have to do this week and measure them against the hours available to do them . . . The time I spent with the boys last week rather than study was well worth it!!!!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Digesting the News . . . there's nothing else to do . . .
So with 24 hours in Philadelphia thanks to US Airways and the weather I have a little time on my hands to do more than just read the news. I had a few minutes to think about it . . .
Here were the headlines I read today in the Wall Street Journal . . .
Struggling French Banks Fought to Avoid Oversight . . .
Germany, France Delay Euro Rescue Plan . . .
Greece Approves Cuts Amid Violent Protests . . .
For Bank in Spain, Links Aren't Plain . . .
Retailers Brace for 'Flash Robs' This Shoplifting Season . . .
and from the New York Times on-line . . .
Volcker Rule Grows From Simple to Complex . . .
In a nutshell . . . you can't trust the banks because they're in it to make money and they're BIG. So big that when they do something, it means BIG money and BIG bonuses and payoff for the bank executives. They'll do anything to avoid regulation and oversight. They have a nasty habit of lying to their own investors and regulators.
The media reports the disagreement between France and Germany like they are bickering kids. I think there should be arguments. There are fundamental differences of opinion in how the world financial crisis should be handled. This isn't the time to rush into a bad solution just for the sake of doing something. The something, if the wrong thing, could cause the economies of the world irreparable damage. I say, keep arguing and come to a well thought out solution. Don't rush . . . get it right.
While the French and Germans are arguing, the US Congress continues to allow itself to be wagged by just about anyone. The banking/investment lobbies had bargained for looser regulations and look where that got us. Now it's time to reign them back in and Congress doesn't have the guts to do it, allowing it's own legislation to be corrupted by lobbyists once again, swelling a four page ideal to swell to a 300 page regulation so complicated that no one likes it and it is unlikely to go anywhere. Listening to the radio last week, various interviews with Ohio politicians revealed that their biggest disappointment with public service is the fact that every day they have to spend appreciable time raising money from the minute they get into office, not necessarily for themselves, but for the RNC or DNC.
Meanwhile, prosecution of bank and financial institution executives seems like it will never happen. They manage to skirt responsibility for the actions of their organizations. The only people going to jail are the obvious ponzie schemers like Madoff and people who defraud the banks like Kweku Adoboli . . . he was the guy who got arrested in London for blowing $2 Billion of UBS's money in bad unauthorized trades.
Meanwhile, as the Greek debt crisis continues, the Greek Government is taking a lot of heat and their is violence in the streets because they are doing what has to be done. At a time when the economy has failed, the Greek Government can't possibly support the social welfare state it created and austerity measures are critical to contain the crisis. How can the rest of Europe be expected to bail them out if they don't tighten their belts? Yet the youth in Greece don't quite see it that way. They are throwing rocks and rioting in the streets protesting the measures. Why is it so difficult to realize that when there is no money, you actually have to consume less and work more? By the way, who is behind the youth? Oh surprise, surprise . . . the communist political organizations.
The same attitude displayed in the US where the phenomena of 'Flash Robs' is on the increase. In case you missed it, this is where youth communicate via twitter or facebook or some other medium and organize a mass shoplifting. The shear volume of the people involved at one store just taking what they want with no warning makes in almost impossible to stop or catch them. They happen lightning fast and very few of the perpetrators are prosecuted.
And while Ben Bernanke searches for a solution to our financial crisis, he notes what is missing from our economic picture in this recovery struggle . . . a healthy housing market. So what is the Fed poised to possibly do . . . pump more money into mortgage backed securities. So let me get this straight . . . propping up an industry to unsustainable levels and encouraging unsustainable borrowing helped cause, if not fully cause, our financial crisis . . . so let's go down that path again. By the way, I've read some of Bernanke's academic work on the causes of the Great Depression. It's very intelligent and well reasoned. I have a lot of trouble believing he doesn't have some good ideas how to get us out of this mess. Who is chirping in his ear and influencing him?
I can't wait to get back to Ulpan . . . I'd rather be obliviously focusing on verb tenses, vocabulary, and idioms I don't know when I read the news in Hebrew than loose total confidence in where this world is headed reading it in English.
Here were the headlines I read today in the Wall Street Journal . . .
Struggling French Banks Fought to Avoid Oversight . . .
Germany, France Delay Euro Rescue Plan . . .
Greece Approves Cuts Amid Violent Protests . . .
For Bank in Spain, Links Aren't Plain . . .
Retailers Brace for 'Flash Robs' This Shoplifting Season . . .
and from the New York Times on-line . . .
Volcker Rule Grows From Simple to Complex . . .
In a nutshell . . . you can't trust the banks because they're in it to make money and they're BIG. So big that when they do something, it means BIG money and BIG bonuses and payoff for the bank executives. They'll do anything to avoid regulation and oversight. They have a nasty habit of lying to their own investors and regulators.
The media reports the disagreement between France and Germany like they are bickering kids. I think there should be arguments. There are fundamental differences of opinion in how the world financial crisis should be handled. This isn't the time to rush into a bad solution just for the sake of doing something. The something, if the wrong thing, could cause the economies of the world irreparable damage. I say, keep arguing and come to a well thought out solution. Don't rush . . . get it right.
While the French and Germans are arguing, the US Congress continues to allow itself to be wagged by just about anyone. The banking/investment lobbies had bargained for looser regulations and look where that got us. Now it's time to reign them back in and Congress doesn't have the guts to do it, allowing it's own legislation to be corrupted by lobbyists once again, swelling a four page ideal to swell to a 300 page regulation so complicated that no one likes it and it is unlikely to go anywhere. Listening to the radio last week, various interviews with Ohio politicians revealed that their biggest disappointment with public service is the fact that every day they have to spend appreciable time raising money from the minute they get into office, not necessarily for themselves, but for the RNC or DNC.
Meanwhile, prosecution of bank and financial institution executives seems like it will never happen. They manage to skirt responsibility for the actions of their organizations. The only people going to jail are the obvious ponzie schemers like Madoff and people who defraud the banks like Kweku Adoboli . . . he was the guy who got arrested in London for blowing $2 Billion of UBS's money in bad unauthorized trades.
Meanwhile, as the Greek debt crisis continues, the Greek Government is taking a lot of heat and their is violence in the streets because they are doing what has to be done. At a time when the economy has failed, the Greek Government can't possibly support the social welfare state it created and austerity measures are critical to contain the crisis. How can the rest of Europe be expected to bail them out if they don't tighten their belts? Yet the youth in Greece don't quite see it that way. They are throwing rocks and rioting in the streets protesting the measures. Why is it so difficult to realize that when there is no money, you actually have to consume less and work more? By the way, who is behind the youth? Oh surprise, surprise . . . the communist political organizations.
The same attitude displayed in the US where the phenomena of 'Flash Robs' is on the increase. In case you missed it, this is where youth communicate via twitter or facebook or some other medium and organize a mass shoplifting. The shear volume of the people involved at one store just taking what they want with no warning makes in almost impossible to stop or catch them. They happen lightning fast and very few of the perpetrators are prosecuted.
And while Ben Bernanke searches for a solution to our financial crisis, he notes what is missing from our economic picture in this recovery struggle . . . a healthy housing market. So what is the Fed poised to possibly do . . . pump more money into mortgage backed securities. So let me get this straight . . . propping up an industry to unsustainable levels and encouraging unsustainable borrowing helped cause, if not fully cause, our financial crisis . . . so let's go down that path again. By the way, I've read some of Bernanke's academic work on the causes of the Great Depression. It's very intelligent and well reasoned. I have a lot of trouble believing he doesn't have some good ideas how to get us out of this mess. Who is chirping in his ear and influencing him?
I can't wait to get back to Ulpan . . . I'd rather be obliviously focusing on verb tenses, vocabulary, and idioms I don't know when I read the news in Hebrew than loose total confidence in where this world is headed reading it in English.
Holy Days in Eretz Yisrael
The High Holy days in Israel were fascinating and meaningful but perhaps not for the reasons one might think. I have to say that the month of Elul was not what it could have been from a reflection standpoint. It's a little hard to reflect when you are trying to keep up with readings, learn binyanim, stand in line to pay utility bills at the post office, and generally keep up with the disorganization called rabbinical school. I wish I could say that my prayer and reflection was intense . . . but not so much . . .
What was fascinating was the scenery of Jerusalem:
Around Rosh Hashanah it was incredible to be walking home after shul and hearing shofars blowing in the distance, most people you pass wishing you well. Unexpected to get a pleasant Shana Tova from the fish monger and David Dagim in the shuk (the best place to get fish by the way . . . great recommendation by Hanna). Usually I just get my wet fishy smelling change. A rabbi who shall remain nameless telling me an absolutely hilarious dirty joke that makes no sense outside of Israel (I shall only repeat in person so I can reserve the right to deny having any knowledge of it . . . ).
Best of all was Yom Kippur. Prior to this experience, I had always looked on Yom Kippur as a solemn occasion with overwhelming weight. In Jerusalem it was different. Certainly there was prayer, reflection, repentance, and all of that but there was also a lightness to it. Throughout the world Yom Kippur is referred to as the Shabbat of Shabbats (Shabbatot doesn't sound quite right) but in Israel it is really true. The world did stop. There was no traffic . . . none. Even the traffic lights were turned off, all flashing yellow. People walking down the middle otherwise busy streets. And the kids riding their bikes in the streets. I will remember for quite some time on Erev Yom Kippur walking home from the Old City, turning up David HaMelech from Mamilla and seeing a young man peddling up the hill, turning his bike around and beginning his coasting descent. Then, displaying for all a feat normally only expected at the circus, he put his feet underneath him on the seat of the bike and slowly stood straight up, hands and arms out parallel to the ground, and rode his bike this way the hundred or so yards down to the bottom of the hill. No doubt he had praticed for months and tuned his bike diligently for this once a year Yom Kippur feat. He got an applause, whop and holler from me, well deserved.
Usually by late in the afternoon on Yom Kippur day, I am beyond consumed by a headache and nausea. Two years ago, it was so bad that I thought my fasting days were over. I just wasn't physically made for maintaining the fast. But, after morning services, a friend and I went on a leisurely walk and talk over to the Wall. We stopped at a roof top overlook he knew, took in the sights, and listened to a pathetic and comical Jerusalem commentary by a tour guide to a group of American Christian tourists. The conversation and the walk made all the difference in giving me that strength to make it through the fast.
I must also say that one of the best decisions that I made at the beginning of the summer was to join the High Holy Day Choir. We started out as 6 Cantorial students and 4 Rabbinical students. But by the time the High Holy Days rolled around the only rabbis left were Polly and I. I had this great vision of learning a lot about High Holy Day music. I can't say I did that. But, I can say I learned a lot about people and how important for me music is in relating to God. My thanks to all of the Cantors for allowing us to join the Choir, especially Vlad, my baritone counterpart who consistently helped me find the right notes and was consistently encouraging despite the many frustrations. And also to Cantor Michal Schiff-Mater whose kindness, gentleness, and love for the music of prayer comes through in almost everything she does.
What was fascinating was the scenery of Jerusalem:
Around Rosh Hashanah it was incredible to be walking home after shul and hearing shofars blowing in the distance, most people you pass wishing you well. Unexpected to get a pleasant Shana Tova from the fish monger and David Dagim in the shuk (the best place to get fish by the way . . . great recommendation by Hanna). Usually I just get my wet fishy smelling change. A rabbi who shall remain nameless telling me an absolutely hilarious dirty joke that makes no sense outside of Israel (I shall only repeat in person so I can reserve the right to deny having any knowledge of it . . . ).
Best of all was Yom Kippur. Prior to this experience, I had always looked on Yom Kippur as a solemn occasion with overwhelming weight. In Jerusalem it was different. Certainly there was prayer, reflection, repentance, and all of that but there was also a lightness to it. Throughout the world Yom Kippur is referred to as the Shabbat of Shabbats (Shabbatot doesn't sound quite right) but in Israel it is really true. The world did stop. There was no traffic . . . none. Even the traffic lights were turned off, all flashing yellow. People walking down the middle otherwise busy streets. And the kids riding their bikes in the streets. I will remember for quite some time on Erev Yom Kippur walking home from the Old City, turning up David HaMelech from Mamilla and seeing a young man peddling up the hill, turning his bike around and beginning his coasting descent. Then, displaying for all a feat normally only expected at the circus, he put his feet underneath him on the seat of the bike and slowly stood straight up, hands and arms out parallel to the ground, and rode his bike this way the hundred or so yards down to the bottom of the hill. No doubt he had praticed for months and tuned his bike diligently for this once a year Yom Kippur feat. He got an applause, whop and holler from me, well deserved.
Usually by late in the afternoon on Yom Kippur day, I am beyond consumed by a headache and nausea. Two years ago, it was so bad that I thought my fasting days were over. I just wasn't physically made for maintaining the fast. But, after morning services, a friend and I went on a leisurely walk and talk over to the Wall. We stopped at a roof top overlook he knew, took in the sights, and listened to a pathetic and comical Jerusalem commentary by a tour guide to a group of American Christian tourists. The conversation and the walk made all the difference in giving me that strength to make it through the fast.
I must also say that one of the best decisions that I made at the beginning of the summer was to join the High Holy Day Choir. We started out as 6 Cantorial students and 4 Rabbinical students. But by the time the High Holy Days rolled around the only rabbis left were Polly and I. I had this great vision of learning a lot about High Holy Day music. I can't say I did that. But, I can say I learned a lot about people and how important for me music is in relating to God. My thanks to all of the Cantors for allowing us to join the Choir, especially Vlad, my baritone counterpart who consistently helped me find the right notes and was consistently encouraging despite the many frustrations. And also to Cantor Michal Schiff-Mater whose kindness, gentleness, and love for the music of prayer comes through in almost everything she does.
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