It is Quite Sad That Anti-Semitism is on the Rise

It is very sad when anti-Semitism strikes close to home.  I grew up in Rego Park and until 1961 I was a student at P.S. 139 on 63rd Drive.  Earlier this week there was anti-Semitic graffiti found in the playground behind the school.  Thankfully, the vandal was found as reported in this Tweet by Chief Dermot O'Shea of the NYPD.

On Fri, 2-22-19, anti-Semitic graffiti was found throughout a Queens playground. The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force now have the suspect—a 12-year-old male—in custody. Great job @NYPDHateCrimes No matter the face of hate, the NYPD, partnered with the community, has ZERO tolerance.

What can be done to stop this?  Where does a 12-year-old kid learn to hate Jews?

The New York Giants Preservation Society Salutes Monte Irvin on His 100th Birthday

The New York Giants Preservation Society headed by Gary Mintz met last night at Finnerty's to celebrate the 100th birthday of Monte Irvin who played for the New York Giants from 1949-1955 and who was one of the first Black baseball players in Major League Baseball.  You can see from Baseball-Reference that he did not come to the Giants until he was 30 years old, but played in the Negro Leagues before that.

Gary Brown and John Barr who actually met Monte Irvin spoke to the audience and said only glowing things about him.  Audience members were invited to contribute to the discussion as well.

Gary Brown spoke last night

John Barr

Why I am Not Voting in the NYC Election for Public Advocate

First of all, let me give the job description as described in https://ny.curbed.com/2019/1/8/18174001/nyc-public-advocate-special-election 

The public advocate is responsible for receiving and investigating citywide and individual complaints “concerning city services and other administrative actions of city agencies.” The public advocate presides over City Council meetings, can conduct investigations into agencies where complaints have been made against them and have the power to introduce legislation, though they can not have a vote. Additionally, the public advocate is next in line of succession if something were to happen to the mayor.

First of all, complaints can be made to the respective council member, thus the position is redundant.  There already is a Speaker of the City Council, so why is a Public Advocate needed to preside over meetings?  The past public advocates have just used this office as a stepping stone.

For these reasons, I feel that the office of public advocate be abolished.  There would have to be a change in the City Charter and some other person must be placed in the line of succession if the mayor leaves office.

I must respectfully disapprove of the election process for this office.  There are now 17 candidates running in a non-partisan election on Tuesday.  The winner will likely have no more than 15% of the vote.  The cost of running this election is likely more than the annual budget of the office of Public Advocate.  The winner of Tuesday' election will only hold the office for several months as another election will be held in November.  Likely there will be a primary in September for the Democratic and Republican nominations for this office incurring more costs for the tax payers.

MOMA's PS 1 Revisited

A sample of Bruce Nauman's Art

Everybody is familiar with the Museum of Modern Art on 53rd Street in Manhattan, but there is a companion facility called PS 1 in Long Island City.  If you buy a ticket for the museum you can get free admission to PS 1 within two weeks.  I was there about one year ago when I ran into fellow NJIT retiree Bill Reynolds.

Bruce Nauman's Disappearing Act was featured at both facilities, but PS 1 was almost completely devoted to his works.  I am not a connoisseur of art, but I felt that Nauman's works were very weird.  All of his films just did not make sense.

Libraries I Have Visited in Retirement

Over the past 14 months I have visited the following libraries:

• Queens Library - Mitchell-Linden Branch - This is the one closest to home.  During the winter months, I have used it as a reading room as it is too cold to sit outside with my magazines and books.  It has a very small collection, but I have often searched the system's catalog and ordered books from other branches to be delivered there.
• Queens Library - Flushing Branch - I have attended several concerts there and a meeting of the Riders Alliance
• Queens Library - Glen Oaks Branch -  I attended a talk there about Louis Armstrong.
• New York Public Library - Schwartzman Building at 5th Avenue and 42nd Street.  I have read several baseball books that are only available there.
• New York Public Library - Performing Arts Library at Lincoln Center.  I have read several books about oldies, Dylan and the Beatles there.

I have not visited any academic libraries since I retired.  Years ago I would visit the Queens College library that just asked for a photo ID from non-affiliates.  I supposed in this post 9/11 era the security there is stricter and a referral is required for admission.  I know the other CUNY libraries will not just let anyone in.  The libraries in New Jersey allow anyone in.

I have not visited the library where I worked for 25 years, though I have had dreams about coming back.  I must move on and let go and not dwell on the past.  The people over there just won't answer my friendly e-mail, so their message is quite clear.

Do You Need Directions on the NYC Subway?

Just carry this Teddy Bear with you.  This was advertised by the New York Transit Museum on Facebook.  Lee has a new best friend.  It cannot prevent delays on the trains.

13 Years on Facebook

I received a notification today that it is my 13th anniversary of being on Facebook.  I look back at my activity with mixed feelings.  It can be a very big time suck and a waste of time.  I admit that much of what I have posted is nonsense.  Does the world have to know that I went to a movie today?  On the other hand, I have connected with many people who share professional and leisure interests.  I have likely discovered information on Facebook that I would not have found elsewhere.

There is the issue of my 543 Facebook Friends.  When I first signed up I was very eager to friend people, but as the years passed I lost that desire.  Most of them I have met either just once or not at all.  Sometimes an online relationship develops but fades over time.  I don't like it when people post about illnesses and other problems.  Why do I have to read about a stranger's problems?  I try to avoid not getting too personal on Facebook and in this journal.

The most difficult posts I wrote in Facebook were when my mother was ill and eventually passed away.  It was my sad duty to report the untimely passing of my friend Alan Berman.

I guess the beat will go on and I will post on Facebook as I've done for 13 years and read other people's posts.