I have two catch-phrases these days. They are not interchangeable, yet they are somewhat related. In no particular order, they are:
- If someone tells you who they are repeatedly, you should probably believe them.
- Follow the money
Can't say it took too long for Mayor-elect Mamdani to show us who he still is: an antisemite. He may be an anti-Zionist, but underneath all that glitzy nepo-baby charm beats the heart of a true Jew-hater. His statements after the protests at Park East Synagogue should a) come as no surprise to anyone, and b) clue us all in on what to expect in the future.
Nefesh B'Nefesh is an organization that helps people who are either deciding to make aliyah...the act of "going up" to live in Israel or are in the process of immigrating. They do not sell land, provide housing, or promote neighborhoods. What they do is provide assistance in applying for alyiah, provide information about actually living there, working there, and having a life there. Last time I looked immigration to Israel was not an illegal act in international law.
But Mamdani seems to think it is. Thursday afternoon, he issued a statement through his press secretary, Dora Pekec:
The Mayor-elect has discouraged the language used at last night’s protest and will continue to do so. He believes every New Yorker should be free to enter a house of worship without intimidation, and that these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law.
So, it's now illegal to immigrate to Israel from the United States? Or is all immigration to Israel illegal? And if the mayor-elect believes he can declare this to be illegal, what's next? Morning minyan where we say a prayer for Israel is in violation of international law? He may have condemned the use of violent language, but he did NOT condemn those who stood screaming in front of a shul.
Yeah, he's only gonna be mayor and he has no say in these sorts of policies...but he can impact trade with Israel in New York City. He can openly support BDS without fully understanding the impact on Palestinian workers who rely on Israeli jobs for a living wage. He is so uneducated and ignorant of the reality of Israel that it's pathetic. He is so busy supporting his Globalize Intifada friends that he neglects to mention that this is the same movement that supports death penalties for gay and transgender people who happen to wander into Gaza. He talks about safety for all, yet he promotes executions for those same people. Thank G-d he won't have any real power!
And if that's not bizarre enough, he pays homage to President Felon at the Gold-Plated house. Talk about a weird meeting. They looked like they were best buddies, and Feckless Felon even told his new BFF it was okay if he called him a fascist. No, I'm not kidding.
Apparently, and it's on tape, Feckless Felon said, "That’s OK, you can just say it. It’s easier, it’s easier than explaining it.”
“After President Trump said that, I said, ‘Yes,’” Mamdani said.
He added, “That’s something I’ve said in the past and I say today. And I think what I appreciated about the conversation that I had with the president was that we were not shy about the places of disagreement, about the politics that has brought us to this moment, and we also wanted to focus on what it could look like to deliver on a shared analysis of an affordability crisis for New Yorkers."
Mamdani referred to other past negative comments about Trump, telling Welker, “Everything that I’ve said in the past, I continue to believe.”
So the takeaway here is that Mamdani still thinks President Felon is a fascist despot. Well, that's something but.....
Look at the pictures of that meeting. Notice anything weird? I did. The great and powerful Tangerine is sitting.
Why isn't he standing? Why does he look like an orange version of FDR? Is he incapacitated in some way? The power dynamic is off in every one of these pictures. One can argue that the only time he gets belligerent is when he has the upper hand and can intimidate his victim. Mamdani is totally not giving him any real reaction. But we'll get to that in a minute.
Google the meeting and watch any of the zillion video clips. President Felon rambles and tells his usual assortment of lies about the economy, but watch Mamdani's face. He gives away nothing, not even when he occasionally produces some weird-ass smile thing. If I saw this in a film, I'd tell them to get a better actor. Neither one of them is telling the truth and it's amazing to watch which is the better liar. Feckless believes what he says....which is his own tinfoil cap. Mamdani, on the other hand, is measured, taking it all in, filing it in his mental roll-a-dex for use at a future date. This guy is crazy like a fox eying a henhouse. He definitely has aspirations. Thankfully, he cannot be president....he was born in Uganda to non-American parents.
But be that as it may, there's money involved in that meeting. Whether it's Feckless Felon dangling a carrot, or Mayor Nepobaby holding more pedo-files, it remains to be seen who is gonna pay off whom.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
We lost Cantor Mitch yesterday. I can't say I knew him well, but for a time, he was one of the minyan regulars. You couldn't help but like Mitch; he was affable and funny and had an amazing voice...even when he insisted on grandstanding during
shacharit. He was a long time
hazzan in St. Paul, had a legion of adoring fans, and was a great cook. Go figure. And in the world of small worldisms, his son, following his incredible vocal footsteps. is the hazzan at the
other shul in my hometown on Long Island. Mitch will be missed by many, and with all my heart, I hope he finds peace in the
olam ha'ba. May his memory forever be for a blessing for everyone who knew him.
The Wifely Person's Tip o'the Week
Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving.
Wherever you take the pipsqueaks to get them outta the kitchen,
may it be a fabulous adventure!
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