The Bitch, the Witch and the imminent Switch.....pre-election ruminations

Here’s my take on the United States’ presidential election campaign, that will come to its cataclysmic, life-changing culmination in the coming days.

I don’t want to talk about Trump. He has already wasted too much of the world’s time, and I will not grant him any more attention than he has already, grotesquely and gluttonously, sought out and achieved. I can summarize Trump in one word: Disgusting. Through and through, simply disgusting. If he gets elected, I will be calling Elon Musk and reserving my ticket to the moon. It has also become clear in recent days that if he does not get elected, the damage he will do is so great that the moon might look like a pretty good option anyway. Therefor I will deny him even the pleasure of basking in my disdain.

I do want to talk about Hillary.

I do not know her personally (though I did perform in White House when she was first lady), and I have not done my Columbia University PhD thesis on her life and career. My sources of information about her are identical to those about her opponent (trying to avoid the “T” word ..).

I did recently run across a list of her achievements though. They are printed out at the bottom of this Blog.

Reading this list, you cannot but say to yourself: Woah. Woah. This is one serious woman. She has excelled everywhere, dedicated her life to civil and public service, collected a ton of ribbons and accolades and has climbed, step by grueling step, up the male-dominated political ladder to finally stand one step before the most coveted job in the universe: President of the United States of America. And as if that were not enough, FIRST WOMAN to do it.

WOW.

Now, I have been following the counter-Hillary campaign, the bashing, the insults, the threats, the belittling, the disregard. She has been held responsible for all her husband’s wrongs (never, of course credited with any of his many achievements), she has been  called a criminal, virtually tried and sentenced,  she has been called too strong, too weak, too ill, too hard, too brittle, too ANYTHING but what she actually is: A determined human being, a strong woman who has done her very best and succeeded in every position she has held, who is talented, brilliant and committed, and , with all her imperfections, has the potential of being an excellent, ground breaking  President.

 I have read the “accusations” against Mrs. Clinton. About her “lack of warmth” (no, she is definitely not Little Miss Muppet), her stubbornness, her control-freak nature, her political savvy, her manipulative tendencies, her string-pulling and her affinity to big money.

In the eyes of her critics, Clinton is what you would call, a Bitch. A Bitch out of Hell.

Has anyone reading this Blog ever thought what the MALE counterpart to BITCH is? Let me tell you: It’s POWERFUL LEADER. It’s STRONG MAN. Or GREAT POLITICIAN. It’s A GUY WHOSE GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO BE PRESIDENT, ‘CAUSE HE KNOWS HOW TO PLAY THE GAME RIGHT.

Needless to say, if Clinton were none of the above, meaning NOT a Bitch, she would be called too weak, inexperienced, out of her league, too sweet, too nice, too this or too that. So, as Paul Simon wrote “..when you’ve got to choose, any way you look at it you lose..”

I have also read about the infamous e-mail saga, “mail-gate” (this always seems to come up when politically correct media, after publishing a list of Trump’s horrific incitements, lies and scandals, feels compelled to “balance” the situation…so, for the millionth time, they bring out the e-mail issue. Does anyone buy that??)

 I have read the e-mails, those that were published. I could not find ONE that said anything at all. I could not find ANYTHING wrong with her correspondences except the actual use, in the past, of a private server for classified mail…yes, that WAS a problem, but today with WIKILEAKS?? The most top secret stuff in the WORLD is exposed day in day out, from years past and from yesterday, and aside from a bit of tongue clicking, I do not see any MALE heads rolling, do you???

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, all of the above has lead me to believe that the attempts to destroy Hillary are nothing less than a modern-day version of the Salem Witch Hunt and/or the Spanish Inquisition (they were hunting witches too). Here we see all of humanity’s ugliest, most despicable demons bursting forth from their deepest, most odious hiding places and baring their fangs before us all. Here we see ALL the most abusive, destructive, chauvinistic, patriarchal, misogynist sides of the human species, those invented by power-hungry men, solidified by the cruelest dictators and tyrants and, unfortunately, embraced and exacerbated by most of the world’s religions.

Here we see a threat, a REAL and TERRIBLE threat to male domination, to “proper world order”! Here we see woman-kind,  that for years was forced into submission, sold and raped and abused and looked down upon, denied basic rights,  freedom, education and opportunities, all for the comfort and pleasure of the male species, completing the long, long journey taken by brave females for many centuries, from Noa, whose name I bear, the first feminist in the Bible, through Miriam, and Dvora, through women warriors, prophets,  leaders, artists and innovators throughout history, to the Suffragettes  and feminist activists in every corner of the globe, and up to this moment, the last nail in the coffin: A female an inch away from running the world’s greatest super power.

There is too much to lose, red alert is on, nothing will stop the ugly demons from grinding Hillary Clinton’s bones. They would even go so far as entrusting the world’s greatest super-power to the hands of the grossest, most vulgar pussy-grabber on the planet. Anything, but a woman.

So, I say, to all of you out there, children of the future: President Obama has said, we live in a world of imperfect choices. Hillary is far from perfect, and in that sense, she is every bit human. But I believe, and I am not alone, that she has all the qualifications, experience and talent to lead the US, and with it the world, to a place of hope and change.

As a citizen of the United States residing outside her borders, I have already cast my ballot in Clinton’s favor.

I wish her, and all of us, the best of luck. 

30 facts about Hillary Clinton:
1. First ever student commencement speaker at Wellesley College.
2. Distinguished graduate of Yale Law School.
3. Editorial board of the Yale Review of Law and Social Action.
4. Co-founded Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.
5. Former civil litigation attorney.
6. Staff attorney for Children’s Defense Fund.
7. Faculty member in the School of Law at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
8. Former Director of the Arkansas Legal Aid Clinic.
9. First female chair of the Legal Services Corporation.
10. First female partner at Rose Law Firm, the oldest and one of the largest law firms in Arkansas.
11. Twice named by The National Law Journal as one of the 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America.
12. Former First Lady of Arkansas.
13. Arkansas Woman of the Year in 1983.
14. Chair of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession.
15. Created Arkansas’s Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youth.
16. Instrumental in passage of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
17. First Lady of the United States.
18. Promoted nationwide immunization against childhood illnesses.
19. Successfully sought to increase research funding for prostate cancer and childhood asthma at the National Institutes of Health.
20. Worked to investigate reports of an illness that affected veterans of the Gulf War (now recognized as Gulf War Syndrome).
21. Helped create the Office on Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice.
22. Initiated and shepherded the Adoption and Safe Families Act.
23. First FLOTUS ( First Lady of the United States ) in US History to hold a postgraduate degree.
24. Helped create Vital Voices, an international initiative to promote the participation of women in the political processes of their countries.
25. Two-term New York Senator and the first ex-FLOTUS in US History to be elected to the United States Senate.
26. Served on five Senate committees: Budget (2001–2002), Armed Services (2003–2009), Environment and Public Works (2001–2009), Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (2001–2009) and the Special Committee on Aging.
27. Member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
28. Leading role in investigating the health issues faced by 9/11 first responders.
29. Worked with Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York on securing $21.4 billion in funding for the World Trade Center redevelopment.
30. Former United States Secretary of State.
Brokered a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in 2012.

Shalom Shimon ...Parting from Shimon Peres

It took me a few days to digest the passing of Shimon Peres and what it means, to me personally and to Israel. Much has been written on subject, about his enormous contribution to Israel’s security, future, stability and sustainability, as well his determination and devotion to  peace with our neighbors, the Palestinians and the entire middle east.  He truly was a visionary and a prophet, a man of enormous ambition, charisma and passion, an intellectual, a lover of life and the living and a believer in the power of the human spirit to heal and build, an indefatigable optimist, and the epitome of a “wise man”. Of course as all humans are, he too was not without fault. Much too has been written about his moments of weakness, conflict and crisis, but all said and done, here was a man who dedicated his life to progress and peace…. A public servant for more than four decades  in every influential position in Israeli leadership, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, unique in every way. Peres was not Israel as it is, but Israel as it wishes to be… as it can be, if only….

I had the honor of spending many hours with Shimon Peres on various occasions. Personal and public meetings, conferences, performances, private lunches, football-for-peace games, meetings in Israel and abroad, Peres gave me endless opportunities to lend my voice to the greater cause of Peace and co-existence. He invited me to participate in momentous events the world over where I could meet incredible people and create larger and larger circles of influence. I think maybe he heard and saw in my voice and actions, an artistic reflection of his own.  He would call me, sometimes, if he had seen me on television, just to say how wonderful he thought the performance was. He would attend my gala concerts and come on stage before the show to say flattering words of introduction. He invited me to the Presidential residence once for a private lunch, and encouraged me to consider a political career. And on my 25^th career anniversary, he sent a beautiful video message where he said amazing words of praise, poetic and deep, about Gil Dor and myself and our musical journey:  an enormous compliment coming from so great a man. He would often say: Achinoam, you do not sing the song, you are the song.

Just one month before he passed away, we had our last meeting.  I presented a project to him for which I was hoping to gain his support. He was attentive, encouraging and curious, asked questions, suggested ideas, and  finally said : i'll think about it. Then he passed away, and left me ..and every one of us…with all the thinking to do on our own.

I attended his funeral. Rising at 5 in the morning to make it in time for the arranged transportation to Jerusalem, I thought to myself: I owe him this, and so much more, for the endless gifts and inspiration he gave me in the 20 years since I met him for the first time.

The funeral was attended by world leaders, dignitaries, representatives of 60 countries , colleagues, friends and family. It was impressive, one could even say, unprecedented.  President Obama, Prince Charles, the King of Spain, presidents of France past and present, and the list goes on and on. Mahmud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, was also there. He proved once again what a brave and open-minded leader he is, and despite all attempts to discredit him, a worthy partner for peace. 

I listened to the speeches. Rubi Rivlin, Amos Oz and Barak Obama where the ones I appreciated most…Obama most of all, beginning with his presence in the first place, and on to his beautiful and powerful message. Beyond all his words of wisdom, he was the only one to mention the presence of Mahmoud Abbas…as always, we need someone from the outside to point out what is so clearly and significantly before our eyes.  I shall miss that man…what a “mensch” he is.

And I shall miss Shimon Peres. I loved him, loved the idea of him, loved his dreams and aspirations, as they were, and remain, my own. I loved knowing he was there…and it seemed as if he always would be. Even in recent year, when i was often disappointed by what I perceived as his lack of involvement in stopping the deterioration of the moral fiber of Israeli Society, his lack of willingness to criticize what so clearly needed to be, and reluctance to be more assertive in declarations and actions regarding peace with the Palestinians, I always believed his intentions were good, looked upon him with very little judgement and much warmth and respect. In his later years he was showered with much affection , within Israel and beyond it's borders..the kind of unconditional love he had sought his entire life. I guess you can't blame a man for basking in acceptance and admiration, after a life time of struggles, opponents and harsh critics. Love is addictive. 

What  huge void he created in his passing. And who is to fill that void? looking at current Israeli leadership, can we locate anyone with even a fraction of his stature? 

I am sad that he is gone, but beyond the personal sense of loss, and maybe because of the national sense of loss, I feel empowered. I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders, more clearly than ever, for there is so much work to be done and we cannot afford to be disheartened or sluggish. Peres was never. His legacy is that of dreaming, believing and doing, undeterred. He left us with much unfinished business to attend to, and I for one, plan to attend to it. When we lost Rabin, I felt a sense of urgency, a burning desire to bear the torch that had fallen from his hands. I have borne it, and was borne, and born, by it.  Now, it feels more like moving from the galley to the wheel: steady as she goes, with the good winds of hope in her sails. 

Thank you Shimon.

May you rest in peace.

Noa, Oct 3, 2016

https://youtu.be/aNG8VESUEVUhttps://youtu.be/aNG8VESUEVU

Shalom Shimon ...Parting from Shimon Peres

It took me a few days to digest the passing of Shimon Peres and what it means, to me personally and to Israel. Much has been written about this subject, about his enormous contribution to Israel’s security, future, stability and sustainability, as well his determination and devotion to the peace process with our neighbors, the Palestinians and the entire middle east.  He truly was a visionary, a man of enormous ambition, charisma and passion, an intellectual, a lover of life and the living and a believer in the power of the human spirit, an indefatigable optimist, and the epitome of a “wise man”. Of course as all humans are, he too was not without fault. Much too has been written about his moments of weakness, conflict and crisis, but all said and done, here was a man who dedicated his life to progress and peace…. A public servant for more than four decades in every influential position in Israeli leadership, a Nobel peace prize laureate. Peres was not Israel as it is, but Israel as it wished to be… as it could, and maybe, can be, if only….

I had the honor of spending many hours with Shimon Peres on various occasions. Personal and Public meetings, Conferences, Performances, private lunches, meetings in Israel and abroad, Peres gave me endless opportunities to lend my voice to the greater cause of Peace and co-existence. He invited me to participate in momentous events the world over where I could meet incredible people and create larger and larger circles of influence. I think maybe he heard and saw in my voice and actions, an artistic reflection of his own.  He would call me, sometimes, if he had seen me on television, just to say how wonderful he thought the performance was. He would attend my gala concerts and come on stage before the show to say flattering words of introduction. He invited me to the Presidential residence once for a private lunch, and encouraged me to consider a political career. And on my 25^th career anniversary, he sent a beautiful video message where he said amazing words of praise, poetic and deep, about Gil Dor and myself and our musical journey:  an enormous compliment coming from so great a man. He would often say: Achinoam, you do not sing the song, you are the song.

Just one month before he passed away, we had our last meeting.  I presented a project to him for which I was hoping to gain his support. He was attentive, encouraging  and curious, asked questions, and  finally said : he’d think about it. Then he passed away, and left me ..and every one of us…with all the thinking to do on our own.

I attended his funeral. I was sorry not to have been invited to sing, but quickly overcame my hurt feelings and surrendered myself to the moment of parting. Rising at 5 in the morning to make it in time for the arranged transportation to Jerusalem, I thought to myself: I owe him this, and so much more, for the endless gifts and inspiration he gave me in the 20 years since I met him for the first time.

The funeral was attended by world leaders, dignitaries, representatives of 60 countries , colleagues, friends and family. It was impressive, one could even say, unprecedented.  President Obama, Prince Charles, the King of Spain, and the list goes on and on. Mahmud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, was also there. He proved once again what a brave and open-minded leader he is, and despite all attempts to discredit him, a worthy partner for peace. 

I listened to the speeches. Some were annoying, others moving, few inspiring. Rivlin, Oz and Obama where the ones I appreciated most…Obama most of all, beginning with his presence in the first place, and on to his beautiful and powerful message. Beyond all his words of wisdom, he was the only one to mention the presence of Mahmoud Abbas…as always, we need someone from the outside to point out what is so clearly and significantly before our eyes.  I shall miss that man…what a “mench” he is.

And I shall miss Shimon Peres. I loved him, loved the idea of him, loved his dreams and aspirations, as they were, and remain, my own. I loved knowing he was there…and it seemed as if he always would be. Even in recent year, when i was often disappointed by what I perceived as his lack of involvement in stopping the deterioration of the moral fiber of Israeli Society, his lack of willingness to criticize what so clearly needed to be, and reluctance to be more assertive in declarations and actions regarding peace with the Palestinians, I always believed his intentions were good, looked upon him with very little judgement and much warmth and respect.

What  huge void he created in his passing. And who is to fill that void? looking at current Israeli leadership, can we locate anyone with even a fraction of his stature? 

I am sad that he is gone, but beyond the personal sense of loss, and because of the national sense of loss, I feel empowered. I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders, more clearly than ever, for there is so much work to be done and we cannot afford to be disheartened or sluggish. Peres was never. His legacy is that of dreaming, believing and doing, undeterred. He left us with much unfinished business to attend to, and I for one, plan to attend to it. When we lost Rabin, I felt a sense of urgency, a burning desire to bear the torch that had fallen from his hands. I have borne it, and was borne, and born, by it.  Now, it feels more like moving from the galley to the wheel: steady as she goes, with the good winds of hope in her sails. 

Thank you Shimon.

May you rest in peace.

Noa, Oct 3, 2016

https://www.facebook.com/AchinoamNini/videos/1296549617022093/