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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
Feb. 17, 2011
/ 13 Adar I, 5771
Winter brings out the worst in us
By
Betsy Hart
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
So much for adversity pulling folks together.
Maybe I'm just a cynic, but why am I not surprised to see the recent Wall Street Journal headline, "As Weather Worsens, So Do Manners"?
In my city of Chicago after our recent blizzard, the case of a woman taking a shovel from a fellow's front porch, clearing her car, but then not returning the item became well known thanks to his revenge: Having caught the "perpetrator" on a surveillance camera, he actually spent time snow-blowing her car right back under. That took her another three hours to dig out. All proudly displayed on YouTube video by him.
His actions were largely cheered in the blogosphere. Really? I'm not defending the woman, but I had to believe if she was digging a car out in the dark of night after a blizzard, she must have been pretty desperate. Maybe she was just a jerk. Or who knows? Maybe she was a single mom working two jobs, meant to return the shovel, but was just too exhausted to do so.
He's the guy with the snow blower, and he's cheered for giving that kind of a hard time to a gal with only a shovel? Nice. Or rather, so very not nice. Apparently the shovel was eventually returned.
Anyway, as snowfall records were set around the country, so apparently were new accounts of rudeness. According to the Journal piece, call-in talk shows, blogs and city halls have been "inundated with gripes about amateur winter drivers, people who see snow on the ground as a license not to pick up after their dogs, and cars flying down the road looking like igloos."
In Washington, D.C., the City Council is weighing the "Winter Sidewalk Safety Amendment Act of 2011." Shovel the sidewalks in front of your home or get fined. There has to be a law for that? I guess so.
Now, for the most part I just think folks need to lighten up and cut each other some slack. Of course, that's generally my advice to my children when it comes to their siblings, and that's never seemed to avert World War III around here.
But on the other hand, all this winter action, reaction and overreaction at least has the valuable effect of proving a theological point: Original sin is real.
OK, maybe this winter's extra rudeness doesn't "prove" it in the strict sense of the word -- at least not in the same way that observing a clique of seventh-grade girls does. But, wow, it lends credence to the idea. Here's the point: It's relatively easy to be nice when we're rested and happy and not stressed out. But the minute we become less than content and our protective barriers get dropped, the more "real us" comes out. And it's often not pretty.
Or, put another way, I've never heard anyone say, "That little 3-year-old over there must be exhausted -- he's being so delightful and sweet!" Uh, no. Generally speaking and from the earliest ages, the more "real us" gets exposed, the uglier it gets.
I'm not sure that brings anyone a great deal of solace in these cold dark days of winter.
But maybe it shows that we're up against a lot more than several feet of snow. In any event, given that we've got weeks of winter left -- and who knows but that more deluges might be part of it all -- how about we resolve to give each other a bit of a break?
If you are a guy, and during the next blizzard a woman takes your shovel to clear her car out in the middle of the night, how about giving her a hand instead of giving her a hard time? It won't change my view of human nature. But it will make one guy at least seem a little kinder.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Betsy Hart, a frequent commentator on CNN and the Fox News Channel, can be reached by clicking here.
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