In the days before computers became household fixtures, I used to turn to radio. Art Bell was a favourite, especially on an overnight shift. His choice of ghosts, extraterrestrials and other topics at the edge of science made for fascinating listening. I didn't believe everything he broadcast but was left with the conviction that science attempts to describe truth rather than defining it. He took the algebraic x out of algebra and inserted it into life in general. Then there was the al... Read Full Story

During the leadup to the last presidential election, Mike Bloomberg's name came up as a possible presidential candidate. In the aftermath of his recent City hall meeting with Muslim leaders, Imam Siraj Wahaj came up and shook hands with the mayor as an invited guest. Who is Siraj Wahaj? CBS TV reports as follows."Wahhaj was a character witness for the blind sheik convicted of trying to blow up city landmarks. He was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 WTC bombing, and has called th... Read Full Story

I have had first hand experience with illegal immigration. The New York landscape reflects an official policy of non cooperation with federal laws. It is impossible to overlook the vast numbers of illegal immigrants in New York City. There is no question that it has a depressing effect on wages. A man who travels alone to the US and sends money back home is able to accept far lower wages, especially if he is single and living with wage earning room mates, as is often the case.Those who emplo... Read Full Story

According to the New York Times, Muslims in the US military are increasingly ambivalent about serving in the US military at a time when the Arab world is home to so many of America's enemies. The New York Times reports as follows. "But two years later, when Mr. Akgun was deployed to Iraq with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the thought of confronting Muslims in battle gave him pause. He was haunted by the possibility that he might end up killing innocent civilians. “It’s kind of like the ... Read Full Story

A friend told me the latest joke about Obama. it reminded me of an old joke about Henry Kissinger. The jokes could be interchangeable.Barack Obama is waiting before the heavenly throne to be judged. In front of him are standing Al Gore and Bill Clinton. Al Gore is ushered before the heavenly throne. G-d motions for him to speak. Al Gore stands and says as follows."L-rd of the Universe, I knew that global warming was total nonsense, but I was making money from it hand over fist. I even poll... Read Full Story

In general, I dislike dealing in gossip not only about my neighbours, but even about strangers, such as film stars. to this rule, there are exceptions. sometimes, it is interesting to travel to the point where personal psychology intersects with politics. The US government has done psychological studies of foreign adversaries such as Hitler, on whom the OSS did a secret study.I have always been fascinated by converts, be they religious or political. I try to find the psychological common den... Read Full Story

As the death toll in Fort Hood climbs, we are faced with uncomfortable questions about what drives such behavior and what can be done to prevent it. Major Nidal Malik Hasan had reportedly made no secret of his opposition to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He had spoken openly of an interpretation of Islam that precluded him as a Muslim taking up arms against fellow Muslims. Despite having enlisted in the US military and having had his education at their expense, Hasan hired a military lawye... Read Full Story

I remember back in the seventies watching a film called "looking for" Mr. Goodbar", which was about a woman who went through a series of one night stands. After a while, the movie got so boring that I fell asleep. The young woman was a special ed teacher. Her job was far more interesting than her sex life, which was like watching a 90 second loop of a film repeating itself over and over again. A developing relationship is far more interesting than the industrial revolution applied to sex, co... Read Full Story

A seventh suspect has been arrested in the infamous Richmond, California gang rape. It this horrible incident, a fifteen year old girl attending a homecoming dance was gang raped by up to ten individuals over a 2 1/2 hour time period in a dimly lit and notorious hangout on school grounds. Up to twenty people looked on, cheered, taunted and took cell phone videos and pictures of the October 24 attack. It was only when a girlfriend of one of the onlookers heard about the attack from her boyfrie... Read Full Story

A friend of mine, an observant Jew who worked for the Bloomberg campaign last time around told me how hard it was to get paid. After the election, he chased the Bloomberg people for about two months trying to get paid. Finally, around early January, when Shabbos was coming in about 4:30, they told him to come to Manhattan to pick up his check at 4:00. There was no way he could pick up the check without violating Shabbos coming home. So finally, he came in the following Monday about 11:00 AM. ... Read Full Story