I'm a Kid! How can I be a Grand-parent?

I haven't been blogging in this space for quite awhile, but with the "extra" hours of this coronavirus flat circle of time, I returned.

Since last posting, I have published another book, continued with my biblical studies, and kept in pretty good physical shape. Despite these consistencies, and feeling internally just as I always have, something happened to me that re-defines my position in life.

It started when my kids were teenagers. My son, the third of my children, for instance, at age 17 started dating a very beautiful redhead. Post high-school, he spent a year abroad, dreaming of her and trying to find internet connections so they could communicate.

Five years after he met her, my son married this lovely, smart, loyal woman, who continued in her own education to become an oncology nurse. They had a breathtakingly lovely wedding and, despite my son's youth, soon found themselves expecting a baby.

But wait! I'm supposed to be the Mommy! You're supposed to be the baby!

Nevertheless, they produced the most physically perfect little red-headed daughter, who burst from the womb with n unstoppable personality and before a blink, an amazing vocabulary (albeit with the most charming pronunciations).

But...me a grandma? Impossible. Everyone inquired, "What's your 'grandma name' going to be?" I didn't want one. I finally said, okay, little Julia can call me what my own firstborn was able to say earliest: "Meh-Meh."

But Julia couldn't say the shvah "eh" sound, so I became "Mimi." I didn't choose Mimi. I chose Mommy, Mama and Mom. Denial isn't just a river in Egypt.

Julia started toddling and became increasingly irresistible. Then she got a job: flower girl at her aunt's wedding. She was to wear a fern wreath on her hair and walk down the aisle dropping rose petals. The wedding, on Memorial Day in a forest,  was exquisite. Julia refused the wreath, eschewed the petals, and paused along the walkway. And stole the show, at least for a few minutes.

Several months later, Julia got a baby sister, Emily. A dark-haired beauty whose language is smiles. But it was too late to start over: I am Mimi, like it or not.

Several months more, and now, in June, 2020, in the midst of coronavirus craziness, the bride Julia momentarily upstaged gave birth. A boy! Definitely the cutest little boy to ever fill a mama's forearm. And I'm no longer to deny my status. Yes, I'm a...Mimi.

So, Mazel tov to my daughter and son-in-law on the arrival of little Micah, and continued pride to my son and daughter-in-law on the ongoing accomplishments of Julia and Emily as they wend through toddler-hood into childhood, and remind me that time does not freeze. In fact, they say it's like a roll of toilet paper: It goes faster the closer you get to the end. (Back to that river in Egypt!)

The Right Theme Song for a New Era

Throughout his history-making campaign, the president-elect concluded each tumultuous rally on the same puzzling note: playing the Rolling Stones song "You Can't Always Get What You Want', with a slow, angelic chorus pronouncing the words as if they represented holy writ.

Looking back after Mr. Trump's astonishing triumph, this may have been a prescient choice.

 People I know who supported Trump did so with reservations, admitting the lewd, crude excess of his Access Hollywood tape, aggressive and litigious business dealings, 20-year lapse paying taxes, and propensity to insult opponents and critics detracted from his qualifications for the nation's highest office.

But they thought Hillary was worse.

Similarly, those who supported Hillary acknowledged that her Benghazi attack bungle, smirched early legal career, Clinton Foundation questions, potentially dangerous handling of emails, plus Bill's proclivities that brought him impeachment, made her a less-than-ideal candidate.

But they thought Trump was worse.

Both sides liked many of their candidates' positions. Trump fans liked his uncensored directness, his protection of our trade interests and stand against terrorists. Hillary supporters admired her concern for struggling groups, commitment to affordable education, and diplomatic expertise. And that she'd break the glass ceiling.

You can't always get what you want. Even those who went wild for Trump, while ecstatic Hillary won't be our leader, are a little nervous about whether or not their man will--or should--go ahead with all the proposals he made on the campaign trail.

Pres.-elect Trump's promises: An 80-foot wall paid for by Mexico? Since 2006, we've had the "Secure Fence Act" that requires a barrier along our southern border to curtail illegal immigration. It's been stymied by landowners' resistance and environmental concerns.

Stand back from NATO? Trump won't save allies unless they kick in toward our costs to defend them, but Article 5 of the NATO treaty requires us to protect them.

Remake or revoke trade deals? Mr. Trump says China's killing us, but the American companies that rely on Chinese materials, and consumers who love cheap products, don't want the huge tariffs Trump proposes that would foment a trade war.

How about the Iran deal Trump says he'll tear up on his first day? He could (and should) do more to stop Iran's nuclear weapons-building, but Iran says the deal is with the UN Security Council and no single country can invalidate it.

Repealing and replacing Obamacare? Trump could de-fund the ACA, eviscerating it, and allow plan purchases across state lines, to increase competition. But insurance companies will fold unless they charge enough to cover services, so negotiating particulars of that word "replace" could end up with little advantage.

You can't always get what you want.

A Good Deal requires Concessions. Pres. Trump's operating style might keep him from delivering on his promises. He says everything's a "deal" and if the US has a bad one, we dump it and demand better. But negotiation requires giving as well as taking, and the parties we're approaching won't just cave to Trump's terms without concessions or benefits. If Mr. Trump has his way, we'll prevail and others will cower. Unfortunately, on the world stage, if others displease, you can't sue.

Trump at victory speech. (Imitating Alec Baldwin?)

A major factor that retarded support for Mr. Trump was his verbal attacks on others (GOP primary opponents, Indiana-born Hispanic judge, fallen American Muslim soldier, Chancellor of Germany, beauty queen who gained weight, Senator tortured as a prisoner-of-war, etc.)

Every American hopes that Pres. Trump will succeed in increasing jobs and prosperity, fortifying us against terrorism, and strengthening our national unity. His conciliatory election victory speech gives hope that he might eschew his scurrilous verbiage for more positive pronouncements. And I wish he'd occasionally smile. A nice, toothy grin.

So far, except when addressing clergy, Mr. Trump has yet to express gratitude to God, reference scripture, or even close a stump-speech with "God bless America." And yet, he has everything to be grateful for, including the most support from Evangelicals of any candidate, ever. It is my hope that as he takes on this most consequential of responsibilities, he is conscious of an obligation not only to the American people, but to the One who oversees us all.

It could be a message from on High: You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometimes...you get what you need.

Hillary Hatred, Genital-Grabbing, Friendship-Foundering, and Why Donald Sniffles

Hillary Hatred: In the face of Donald Trump assault reports so close to the election, an alarming number of boosters continue to support him, clinging to the rationalization that Hillary is worse.

Hillary hatred is rampant among conservatives, and I've spoken out against her over Benghazi and her email fiasco. I eschew nearly all of her policies, especially raising income tax and the inheritance tax, which I find especially odious, and the federal giveaways she wants to bureaucratize and fund with them.

But--while she's certainly made big mistakes in her many years as first lady, New York Senator and Secretary of State, one must note her consistent though often errant desire to help downtrodden and struggling Americans. Unlike her opponent, she clearly has a moral compass.

Genital-Grabbing: All Hillary's mistakes are Trumped by the mounting and undeniable evidence that Trump is a disgusting lecher, willing to objectify and overpower women for his own conquest and pleasure. For at least 30 years, he's forced himself on any attractive woman in his vicinity, increasing numbers of victims say.

His retort is that Bill Clinton hit on women. Last I looked, Bill Clinton is not running for office; candidate Hillary withstood humiliation and heartache 18 years ago because of her husband's misdeeds with Monica Lewinsky and chose to preserve her marriage. (Doesn't that make her a more family-committed candidate than her twice-divorced rival?)

Her opponent, who is the actual GOP candidate, meanwhile attempts to dismiss a mountain of evidence about his misogynistic aggression. He boasts in the now infamous Access Hollywood tape of his habit of assault. A lawsuit with witnesses,claiming he raped a 13-year-old girl, proceeds to a status conference this December 16.

Trump, Arianne Zucker, & Billy Bush taped Access Hollywood

The New York Times released a video in which Jessica Leeds recounts Trump's "octopus"-like groping of her breasts and "under her skirt" while seated next to her on a plane 30 years ago; in the same article Rachel Crooks describes her first meeting Trump, in an elevator in 2005, when he immediately "kissed her on the mouth," a "violation" that shocked her. The Washington Post details the "flood" of women's charges surfacing against the nominee. Trump denies the mounting allegations, attacking the accusers in a flurry that at this point resembles the carnival game, Whack-a-Mole.

Friendship-Foundering: Now that the election is imminent, Trump's sordid actions dominate the news, polarizing the electorate. As his defenses crumble, his loyalists grasp for excuses to remain behind the egregiously boorish nominee, Hillary hatred foremost.

We're no longer fascinated by Trump's repugnant demonizing of immigrants, including undocumented Mexicans he wishes to repel with a "huge" wall paid by Mexico, and the millions more without current paperwork he wishes to ferret out and deport. Concern for his admiration of Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, and his desire to blast trade agreements and undermine, if not dismantle, NATO have faded to the background.

If this were a normal election where policy differences were forefront, we could assess which candidate's policies most closely match our own, and choose one, with confidence that both desire our nation's welfare.

Unfortunately, when he announced in Ocala, Florida (10-12-16) that losing the election would be "the biggest waste of time and money in my life," Trump revealed he's in this not to serve citizens and champion causes, but to claim the biggest prize, the closest we have to becoming King. He will undercut valuable relationships to snag the crown.

He belittles his fellow Republican, the Speaker of the House, who has not withdrawn his endorsement but will focus on supporting down-ticket GOP candidates. He tweets after Sen. John McCain pulls his endorsement, "The very foul mouthed Sen. John McCain begged for my support during his primary (I gave, he won), then dropped me over locker room remarks!"

Speaker Ryan, the nominee, Sen. McCain. Unfriendly alliances.

Trump forces Hillary-haters to close their eyes to his flagrantly abhorrent behavior and occasionally, like their candidate, lash out personally at former friends. At the same time, Trump's pronouncements and tweets ignite the same vitriol from anti-Trumpsters, even if they're merely lukewarm (or less) about Hillary.

I am appalled at Trump's "locker room banter" on a live mike in the workplace of a TV lot. I don't care which political party he was in; I would not vote for someone who brags in a locker room or anywhere that he grabs women's genitals and forcefully kisses them. I'm not alone in my revulsion.

Beyond that, I cannot support one who responds to attacks not with rebuttals but with more cutting attacks of the accuser. This has been Trump's style throughout the campaign, and should such conflict occur on the world stage, it could bring our nation to war.

Why Donald Sniffles: I noticed something about Trump's sniffling in both the presidential debate and town hall with Hillary. He only does it when he is uncomfortable with a topic or offering an easily discredited attack. This is like his private lie-detector test. You don't see sniffling when he's confidently stumping in front of adoring crowds; only when he's feeling insecure or knows he might be caught in hyperbole or outright falsehood. 

Soon this divisive campaign will be over, and we can move to restoring torn friendships. While I'll relate pleasantly to the Trump defenders I know, I do worry that their fealty has permanently lowered the esteem in which I held them. Even worse, our nation may be facing major damage from the policies and judicial selections either new president implements. Perhaps it's time to pray.

Trump vs. Hillary Debate: You shoulda Watched til the End

Like ten million others, you tuned in to the Donald Trump-Hillary Clinton presidential debate. Maybe you got a couple beers beforehand; maybe you went to a party where everybody got a few beers before, during and after.

Gathered around the 60-inch TV, you watched in expectation as the candidates went at it, Trump unloading his characteristic smirks, head-cocks, grimaces and generalizations about the way he's gonna fix taxes and bring business back to the US, believe me, with a tax on goods coming in. Hillary struck you as smart, with her early comment that put "abyss" in the same sentence as "precipice."

But pretty soon Hillary was back to yada-yada-yada, and Trump just kept on with his negative platitudes about how we're in such debt, and jobs are going away, and, well, you asked your friend how her weekend in Cabo went.

Chatting or snacking or looking at the mail became interesting. Hillary smiled at Donald's insults, and spoke in complete sentences. And if you kept watching, you might have noticed Donald slowly melting down. He repeated himself. He started babbling. He got defensive, insisting for far too long that he never supported the war in Iraq, and you can ask this one and then the next one...same with his waffling on the Birther issue--when he claimed his accomplishment was to get Obama to release his birth certificate, and then got tangled in whether or not he really cared about the subject all the years he's been blathering about it.

He crashed on his twice-corrected insistence that he couldn't reveal his tax returns, and fell splat on questions of his inheritance and stiffing workers of their pay. His answers on racism weren't much different from Hillary's except his repetition of "law and order."

If your friend's trip to Cabo hadn't been so interesting, you might have kept watching to see these Trump pratfalls, but after the first half hour, the exercise got so yawn-worthy, well, you felt you'd been there, done that.

That's the thing: anyone for Hillary came away from the TV feeling smug. Anyone for Donald was unmoved, because it's not really what he says that earns support, it's the way he says it. And he stayed the course with his "it's a disaster" message about everything in the US, and even insisting that paying no taxes was 'good business' earned the cheers of those eager to snub the sensible yada-yada-yada of politics as usual--which Hillary so capably represents.

I Was There: The Cleveland Republican National Convention

My photos of the Republican National Convention 7-21-16

Just got off the plane from Cleveland, where I spent five days interacting--and not--at the Republican National Convention.

What was it like? Chaos, conflict, whispers to us from people saying they're not for Trump. The fact they'd look over their shoulders while whispering says something.

The people who paid their own money to attend, and that's all the delegates and most in the audience (including me) came to the convention a mixed bag. Most were already on board for Trump; some delegates were committed to others. The vote Monday night to release delegates to vote according to personal choice failed narrowly. That sewed up the Trump coronation.

The rest of the convention, from my vantage, seemed like what you'd expect--an effort to build momentum for Trump. And in Cleveland, it was effective.

Trump's greatest assets are his children, and they'd practiced their well-crafted speeches and delivered them well. Melania's, embroiled in a plagiarism dispute, then concession afterward, was endearing, because it was clear that she was uncomfortable and that English is her second language.

I was disappointed in Marco Rubio's one-minute, twenty second videotaped endorsement. He looked like a wimp.

Ted Cruz started out in person at the Convention podium congratulating Donald Trump for winning the primary race and the nomination. He went on to urge conservative principles by voting for Republicans down-ticket. The boos for suggesting they vote their consciences reflected the type of crowd who chose to attend this particular topsy-turvy event.

The climax on Thursday night featured one heavy-handed piece of Trump praise after the next. However, I must say I was reminded of my last convention experience in Tampa, where the same laudatory style of lineup effectively introduced Mitt Romney. The glorification squad was conspicuously heavy on women and people of color, especially in videos featuring employees of the Trump organization.

Ivanka's introduction was a litany of women's issues--day care, maternity leave, women's

Ivanka Trump praising her dad

wages, set in a well-written series of personal testimonials about her father's competence--"I’ve learned a lot about the world from walking construction jobs by his side." She has the advantages of being a female millennial.

Trump has an arrogant air and a ceaseless smirk. He read his speech from a teleprompter and it touched upon everything on a conservative's wish list except where the money will come from to pay for new big-ticket items he proposes--tax reductions, bolstering the military, "taking care of our veterans," making college affordable. He repeated his (to my mind, offensive) determination to build a big wall to keep out Hispanics crossing the southern border, as well as his pledge to spurn any immigrants from countries with terrorist issues.

By the time the balloons and confetti fell, the hall had reverberated to chants of "lock her up!" and several rounds of "U-S-A!" All the America-First-ism and "I am your law and order candidate!" talk was a bit scary to me. The hordes were fired up and ready to go; a moment's distraction by a woman hoping to hoist some kind of protest sign (she was white; I couldn't read the sign) was quickly squelched. By the way, Trump did thank the evangelical Christian community, but he never used the word "God" in his speech other than the perfunctory "God bless you" at the very end.

When the balloons and confetti fell, everyone cheered

The upshot: The mood in Cleveland concluded as exuberantly as any other convention, mainly because everyone left participating was already aboard the Trump Train.

The news coverage, however, was a lot less celebratory, and with the Democratic Convention upcoming, I think any uptick the Republicans gain this week will be cancelled out next week.

But this year, with two disliked candidates, it's anybody's call. My takeaway is that the campaign still has a long way to go.

Trump turns American Values Upside Down

In the past, the American electorate expected certain qualifications and behaviors of its President.The office carried a certain gravitas, a certain level of respect and decorum required in recognition of the responsibility carried by that august post. Now, to our nation's detriment, the GOP candidate, Donald Trump, is turning those values upside down.

Morality: Ronald Reagan, considered a Republican icon, had a serious smirch on his record when he ran for president in 1980: he was divorced from Jane Wyman and a few years later married Nancy, in one of the most touching relationships of our time. Yet divorce suggested that one couldn't breach differences--which was a qualification especially important during the Cold War.

Divorce also suggested a disrespect for the family, a lack of concern for children, and a failure in one's past. How can we escape the comparison with Donald Trump's braggadocio, demurring in The Art of the Comeback to detail his experiences with "often seemingly very happily married and important women"? Two of his three marriages ended distastefully in divorce, one after philandering with Marla Maples, whose rapturous headline about it blared across the New York Post: "Best Sex I've Ever Had," with a smirking Donald-head as the full-page graphic.

At their 1993 wedding, Marla and Donald's daughter Tiffany was already two months old. Trump exited that marriage after six years upon catching Marla and her bodyguard in a roadside compromising position. 

Ronald Reagan looked at the many immigrants who'd come to our country without paperwork--often because their own country's system was corrupt--and who worked dedicatedly in an array of jobs upwardly mobile Americans increasingly eschewed. What did he grant them? Amnesty, a word now reviled by the right, and derided by Trump.

Compassion for those fleeing untenable conditions in their countries seems missing with Trump. He'd apply (an unconstitutional) religious test for entry, barring all Muslims, and spend $200,000 in taxpayer funds to deport each of 11.3 million undocumented residents, ripping them from their jobs, their homes (a third of the undocumented own homes, up to 46% in several states) and their families. Clever businessman Trump seems to think the huge taxpayer cost to rid our nation of entrants with immigration infractions is a better course than receiving billions of dollars for our flagging Social Security and Medicare coffers. Between 1996-2003, the undocumented gave $90 billion to those two programs, an amount that's only escalated since then.

The Statue of Liberty must be cringing.

Incivility: Parents used to inspire their children with the phrase "You could grow up to be President!" but what parent wants his child to emulate the coarse speech of the GOP candidate? His language is childish--in South Carolina he boasted, "I know words. I have the best words."

But far worse is that the words he seems to know are rude, vapid and bullying. We teach our children not to insult others, particularly on their physical characteristics, and then laugh and even support one who spouts the most crass denouncements, particularly about women. This is no help to teen girls struggling to value themselves for their potentials rather than their physicalities. And it abets boys' worst inclinations.

A Google search for "most offensive Trump quotes" brings 1.1 million results.

International Relations: In the past, the crucial criterion for US President was foreign affairs knowledge and experience. After all, the primary function of the federal government is to protect the safety of our United States.

 Take a look at some of Trump's foreign policies and see how well-considered they are. For example, on Syria: "I do not like the people coming. What they should do is, the countries should all get together, including the Gulf states, who have nothing but money, they should all get together and they should take a big swath of land in Syria and they do a safe zone for people, where they could go to live, and then ultimately go back to their country, go back to where they came from." Easy-peasy.

Domestic Issues:  Since Trump decided to purge the US of undocumented immigrants, Mexicans in particular, (ignoring the facts that 40% of the undocumented arrived legally, and that half of illegals came from countries other than Mexico), he's made several questionable proposals. First is his insistence that Mexico pay for an 80-foot wall along the border. His means toward that is to forbid the transfer of funds into Mexico by anyone without proof of legal residency, depriving poor families of sustenance.

On the economy, he advocates continuing the soon-to-be bankrupt Social Security and Medicare systems (and also replacing Obamacare) though he mentions neither of these among the six topics he covers in the "positions" section of his website. His trade proposals, according to many including a New York Times analysis, would not create more American jobs and could result in Chinese retaliation, though many of his plans appear to violate international trade law.

On Race Relations--well I dare you to read the entire transcript of a March 21 interview with the Washington Post. In it Trump is repeatedly asked how he would heal racial divides, and he gives redundant, evasive responses that with great tenacity can be reduced to increasing "spirit" in cities like Baltimore and Detroit, and providing jobs for unemployed Black males by bringing work from China "back" to the US.

A New (scary) Priority: I've tried to open-mindedly understand the basis of Trump-supporters' zeal, reading many articles in which they attempt to explain. The take-away is that Trump is a tough-guy deal-maker who gives vent to their frustration with the political establishment and will push through his policies, as off-the-cuff (and therefore appealing) as they may be. This is a value I fear--response to feelings rather than logic; to emotion rather than consideration, and especially-- to immediate gratification rather than a broader view. Trumpsters reject the characteristics once sought in a president.

"The Establishment" was always the enemy to rebellious youth, I'm sure since before beatniks in the 50s, or hippies in the 60s, and it's sure the villain on the Trump train. But if you think about it--rising to become "The Establishment" requires the skills we need in a leader. Someone who can understand the system, start at the bottom, work his or her way up, along the way gaining experience, expertise and wisdom. The fact that Trumpsters think seasoned lawmakers--all chosen by their constituents--who've survived this process and worked with their colleagues for years should be "trumped" by a renegade, lawsuit-mired political neophyte shows the dizzy effect of so many values turned upside down.

Why People Don't Talk About Religion

I'm listening to the Michael Medved radio show, and he's talking about why few people are willing to discuss religion in social situations. Let me offer my response.

Remember when there were two topics not to be discussed in polite company lest someone become upset? Those two used to be politics and religion. No longer. Now, politics may be like a religion to many people, but talking politics reigns, as radio and Saturday Night Live, and outlets for our feelings--like this blog--let us spew our passions about current events to anyone with a smartphone or computer.

But the taboo against discussing religion is stronger than ever, as one's faith is considered extremely personal. Unless you believe that it's your duty and job to lead others to it.

For most people, uncertainty about God and what God wants is a bit disturbing, and sometimes brings guilt, confusion, doubt or discomfort. It involves many emotions, and rests in the intangible and un-provable. That's why it's called "faith."

Making people uncomfortable isn't a nice thing to do. Much better to avoid the topic and keep the relationship on an intellectual, real-life basis.

I confess that at our Shabbat table I made a mistake and asked two guests to explain, in one case what brought her into her religion, and in another case, what led him to leave it.
The one who came to her church said "it just felt right." The one who left it said his research regarding the physical world caused him to disbelieve tenets of the faith.

As a psychologist, I love learning how people think. And I care about the people I invite for Shabbat, and want to know more about them. As a hostess, though, I'm a flop--I made two guests uncomfortable. I hereby apologize for putting them on the spot.

If you believe that scriptures are from God, and that they're the truth, you're going to be passionate about them. Other than from its own material, can any religion prove it's correct, or that other people should believe it? Can anyone be objective about the religion he accepts as God's word?

In a nation becoming increasingly diverse as immigrants from more varied homelands contribute their cultures and beliefs, it's ever-more-difficult to insist any single faith is "the one." The only thing adherents can assert is that it's "the one for me."

That's why the Shabbat guest who answered "it just felt right" is as worthy of respect as the one who said, in effect, "it no longer felt right." And unless you want to get into doctrines--and who does?--what kind of conversation is that?

Much better to just let it go. It's part of our tolerance trend, or the "whatever gender you say you are" shrug, or our "as long as nobody's hurt" acceptance. Sure, you can do your religion, and I'll either do mine, or, as increasingly politically correct, I'll do none, thank you. Not talking about religion now falls under the banner of respect. You can't knock respect.

Except when you're talking about politics...