One of the pleasures and perils of reality television is that it plays on our greatest weaknesses. Whether it is a need for money, drama, love, attention, or approval, the producers behind these shows have a knack for understanding human nature.
In the 2004 reality show, The Swan, each episode follows two women as they go through a complete physical and emotional makeover over three months. Whichever of the contestants is deemed to be “more attractive” moves to the final beauty contest at the end of the season. The winner is crowned as “The Swan”.
This program was the lowest of the low. It preyed upon both the audience’s and participant’s insecurities. Not only that, it used the idea that a woman’s physical appearance is everything and determines the course of her life.
Love is a leap. So is marriage. The only thing we can do is take the chance and hope that we will land on our feet.
Love Marriage, by Monica Ali, was published in 2022. Yasmin Ghorami and Joe Sangster are engaged. Living in London, they come from two different worlds. Yasmin is a junior doctor and the daughter of Indian immigrants. Joe is also a junior doctor and has a mother who is a famous feminist. Though it appears that it is smooth sailing ahead, there are storms on the horizon that could put a stop to the nuptials.
I wanted to like this book. Ali sets up the story with plenty of conflict and interesting characters. But underneath all of that was nothingness. I was bored quickly and had to put it down.
Do I recommend it? No.
Love Marriage is available wherever books are sold.
For nearly more than 200 years, the political and legislative safeguards that our Founding Fathers put into place have kept our democracy on course. Do I trust that these barriers will continue to hold for the next 200 years? No.
Last week, the question of whether or not POTUS has complete immunity was put before SCOTUS. The former guy thinks that the President should be above the law. The questions that I think hit home (asked by the three liberal female justices, FYI) are the following:
“If the president decides that his rival is a corrupt person and he orders the military to assassinate him, is that within his official acts to which he has immunity?”
“How about if the president orders the military to stage a coup?”
“I’m trying to understand what the disincentive is from turning the Oval Office into the seat of criminal activity in this country,” Jackson said. “If the potential for criminal liability is taken off the table, wouldn’t there be a significant risk future presidents would be emboldened to commit crimes in office?”
Obviously, whoever is in this position has certain advantages while in office due to their responsibilities. But at the end of the day, they are still an ordinary citizen and subject to the same laws as the average person on the street.
On a similar note, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem stated in a forthcoming book that she killed her dog and a goat while on family property. She claims that the dog was misbehaving and a danger to be around.
There are so many organizations that could have taken both animals until they could have been rehomed. There was no reason to kill them. But then again, why should I expect anything less from these people?
At this point, I firmly believe that if we are to survive as a nation, we must put country over party.
P.S. Did you see Biden’s speech at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner over the weekend? A political leader who can laugh at themselves while presenting policy to improve the nation is one that I can get behind.
A college degree is both a necessity and a privilege. Without that diploma, the doors to certain careers will likely never open. However, not everyone has the income to send themselves or their child to a university.
Eli Tsives is a young man attending UCLA. Instead of attending class as he would on any normal day, he was prevented from walking across from campus. Why? Because of the star of David hanging from his neck. This is, unfortunately, nothing new.
This is more than protest and disagreement with the choices of a particular government. This is antisemitism.
Seen at the student protests. “khaibar Kaibar ya yahood.” Meaning “slaughter the Jews.” Please tell me again how these students are not antisemitic. pic.twitter.com/BQVoQyVV9K
— Chamoodi Baran 🍌 🎗️🇮🇱 (@Baran_Chamooodi) May 1, 2024
I shared this video from Oli London’s account. Apparently, not a popular guy. So, here it is from someone else. If you don’t like Aviva Klompas, I’ll find a third person.
My point was to share what appears to be a Jewish student being prevented from traveling freely on campus. https://t.co/XRI4lu6DyD
I’m not suggesting that all of these protesters are antisemitic, but a serious enough portion of them, including their leaders, are.
This video is meant to educate those who don’t understand why Jewish people are so terrified when we’re seeing this protest. It’s because of the… pic.twitter.com/10cLuB7jDr
As I get older (and my parents age before my eyes), I have more than ever begun to appreciate the value of family. Any holiday that I can spend with the people I love and who love me is, therefore, my favorite holiday.
For decades, the college environment has been used by ideologically motivated young people to fight for what they believe in. As individuals, we have the right to speak our minds and freely assemble. But there is a stark difference between protest and agitating for the persecution/destruction of a particular people.
Over the past week or so, students and some Professors at Columbia University in New York City have been camped out in favor of the Palestinian side of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. The school’s President, Minouche Shafik, requested that the NYPD remove the protestors and destroy the encampment. It was temporarily removed before returning. There have been calls on both sides of the issue for her to resign.
The problem is that antisemitism unfortunately still rules the day. At Yale University, a student was stabbed in the eye merely for being Jewish.
It could all end tomorrow. Hamas only needs to release all of the hostages and stop firing rockets into Israel. But I am not holding my breath.
The person mentioned in the tweets above has since apologized for calling for the murder of Jews. But it still does not make up for his comments. And yes, I said Jews, because Zionism=Judaism (regardless of one’s beliefs or religious practices) to those who would happily see us dead. I would also point out that he should try being openly gay in Gaza.
I have stood against Zionism since I was a teenager. As a Jew I think it’s my duty to oppose it. But if you say vile shit like “Zionists don’t deserve to live,” no one should fashion you a movement leader. You’re just an asshole who likes tweaking people for fun. Piss off.
Part of being a politician is making hard decisions. Many will disagree with the choice that has been made. But at the end of the day, it has to be done.
The fact that Johnson recognized that supporting Ukraine and the importance of supporting democracy shows that he has a backbone. I can’t say the same for his predecessor.
The question is, how long will he last as Speaker? If there is a vote to push him out, will the Democrats stand by him?
Obviously, these questions don’t have an answer at this moment. But seeing that Johnson actually put country before party gives me some hope. Perhaps our nation will survive after all.
Writergurlny 
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