The Best Non-Choice You Can Make

Ladies. Please remember that Hillary allowed Bill to treat women like toys and then blamed the women. She is an abuser of women, not a defender. She is a political opportunist just like Bill. She is using you. She cares not a wit for your concerns, no matter what you think.

I know that is a harsh indictment against the alleged Democrat frontrunner. But let me ask you this - what ACCOMPLISHMENT has Hillary Clinton contributed, ever, to America?

First Lady of Arkansas? Not an accomplishment. First Lady of the United States? Again, not an accomplishment. Senator from New York? No legislation authored by her, so no accomplishment. Secretary of State? A politically appointed position, where she lost SIX BILLION DOLLARS under her watch and then, tried to cover up the ASSASSINATION of an American Ambassador and his team by following her boss and blamed a video. So, unless you consider these to be accomplishments, which I hope you don't, she failed here, too. And if you tell me she was a staff attorney on the Watergate Committee, let me remind you, she was FIRED for unethical behavior by her boss, another Democrat. So, I don't think being fired is an accomplishment. Do you?

I realize that gender should not be THE reason for ANYONE to be elected to ANY position in this country, and most men and women agree with me on this. I have had this conversation for many years, and I will tell you that when I was in the Bank, I promoted more women because they were more QUALIFIED than the men who were up for the same promotion.

I vote the same way. I look at the people in leadership positions throughout this country, and I can name three Democrat women who are more QUALIFIED, who have more ACCOMPLISHMENTS than Hillary Clinton. And I don't agree with most of their positions on the issues: Senators Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein and Claire McCaskill. I dare anyone to disagree.

Why IS Hillary Clinton considered the only woman who can be the Democrat nominee? Because her HUSBAND, another abuser of women for whom she tried to cover up, was President? That is a really bad reason, and anyone who can think for herself knows that.

So, before you tell me it is time for a woman to be President, I will tell you, I agree. But, this is NOT the woman you should hang your hats on. I gave you three who are eminently more qualified, with many more accomplishments, than Hillary. There are others.

Actually, I am going to tell you something that I have posted to Facebook and Twitter many times. The only thing Hillary should be running for is Trustee of Cell Block Six in Leavenworth, not for President of the United States.

I trust that honest and reasonable people, in the privacy of a voting booth, can make reasonable choices. If you are honest with yourself, you will admit, like me, she is the most unreasonable choice ANYONE can ever make.

Think about this as the 2016 Primary and Caucus Cycle kicks into high gear this winter.

A Year-end Commentary - 2015

I know that this year, the number of commentaries I wrote declined over prior years. There were many factors which entered into this lack of production, some of which were personal in nature, and others which, had I written what I felt at the time, would have come across as shrill and unreasonable, without giving benefit to explanation.

So, in both cases, it was better to say nothing.

Today, the main reason for this commentary is to thank my readership for your continued support, encouragement, feedback, friendship and loyalty. I can assure you, all of these concepts are treasured by me and will be all good reasons to continue to write and share my views with you.

This year, I lost several friends and a cousin to cancer, as I know many of you had, as well. As one who is in remission, and not yet been declared cancer-free, this is hard news indeed to digest, knowing that you can be one PT Scan away from a new strain. In addition, two of my cousins are dealing with living with this scourge. My much younger second cousin has lived with it for many years on and off, and is stage 3/stage 4, and her mother was recently diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. It truly sucks.

I pray for both of them, and all people who have been afflicted with cancer and other potentially terminal illnesses every day.

Today, I will not be discussing politics, current events, or other potentially controversial topics, nor will I revisit any subjects which I have shared my views about with you this year. Well, maybe one. My Jets are presently 9 and 5, and need to win both remaining games to have a chance at a playoff opportunity. The chances that Kansas City and/or Pittsburgh losing both of theirs is not a reality. But, just the fact that they have a winning record for the first time in five seasons, when they were 11 and 5, is comfort knowing that at least for this year, they are not a perennial loser.

Add this to the fact that the Mets won the National League Pennant, makes this die-hard Mets and Jets fan a very happy fan indeed.

Finally, I want to wish you all a joyous holiday season, whether you celebrate Solstice, Chanukah, Kwanzaa or Christmas. Or if you are a Seinfeld fan, Festivus for the rest of us! I wish you a better 2016 than any year you ever had before. And I wish you Peace, Joy and Good Health, and a Safe and Happy New Year!

I hope you look forward to my commentaries next year as much as I do. For all of us, I know they will not be boring.

See you next year!

Give Our Vets a Helping Hand

As you know, I am presently in rehab for my recent surgery on my lumbar region. But that is not the basis of this commentary.

My roommate is a veteran of the United States Navy, having served from 1974 to 1978. He is here because he had several toes amputated due to his diabetes and his need for a bypass related to both his diabetes and other health issues. He had his surgery completed at the VA Hospital in Northport, New York.

Apparently, when he is done here in a couple of weeks, he will go home to his park bench because, yes, he is homeless. He is on a waiting list for a group home for veterans, but of course, there is no guarantee for admittance. He has family, but they are unable to take him in since he is estranged from his sister and his brother is going through a divorce.

In addition, his food stamp allotment was cut because, get this, he doesn't pay rent. Is that a joke? This man is unable to pay rent, fought for our liberties and freedoms we enjoy, and his government says he cannot have the assistance to eat properly. So, instead, he has poor eating habits, which gave him his need for surgery by the same government which won't feed him.

What stupidity! What neglect!

But, the current regime has billions for people from other countries who want to come here. What is wrong with this picture?

At least the government has all the information it needs to say this man is properly vetted. Can the idiots who run this country say the same for the millions who wish to come here? Based on recent events, the answer is a resounding NO!

It is time for the people running the United States Government to re-read our Constitution, the words to the oaths they took and finally care for AMERICANS, especially the veterans who have, since 1788, fought to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution they have sworn to uphold.

There is no reason that anyone can give which justifies a veteran to be homeless. None whatsoever. It is the responsibility of this government to properly care for those who signed that blank check when they are unable to care for themselves BEFORE it thinks it should care for any other national from any other country. Let the Saudis and Kuwaitis care for the Syrian refugees, especially after all we have done for them.

Since these men and women gave of themselves so selflessly when their country called, it is time for our country to find its priorities again. That is the least it can do for those who gave devotedly.

I am a Christian and I believe we need to be charitable. But I am an American, first and foremost. Let charity begin at home. 

Surgeries and Recoveries

I haven't been able to write lately because I have had some medical/surgical issues which needed to be addressed. Last Thursday, I had a Disctectomy and Laminectomy on my lumbar area to resolve disc degeneration and severe spinal stenosis (yes, the same which, this year, impacted the playing time of Met third baseman, David Wright).

While David makes his livelihood diving for baseballs and hitting doubles for a living, when I was diagnosed in 2012, mine was a very mild form and nothing needed to be done. But this spring, it become substantially worse and finally this summer, it exploded on me and crippled me beyond anything I ever experienced before. And I lost a kidney and had cancer four years ago.

I have not remained inactive; I have continued to comment and post opinions on Facebook and Twitter, and to a lesser extent, to my groups on LinkedIn. Trust me, I am a man of many opinions and have a propensity to share them.

Nevertheless, when I finally faced the fact that surgery was needed, I ended up having it at the Hospital for Special Surgery. After all, these professionals are the experts if you have a need for any surgery on your back or spine. In fact, these are the orthopedists of choice. They have seen and done it all.

I am not knocking orthopedists who practice elsewhere. They are all good for repairing the broken arm or leg. And I am sure they are competent surgeons for a knee or hip replacement. I was just fortunate to have HSS as an option.

My purpose to tell you this is to remind you that as you get older, you should insist on an MRI for your spine to make certain you do not become suddenly disabled as I did. It is very painful, both physically and emotionally when it just shows up unannounced. At the first sign of that backache, go to your doctor and request an MRI; it is the prudent thing to do.

I am in rehab now and I anticipate leaving in about a week. I will keep you posted.