CohenConnect.com, Honest, accurate & outspoken: Lenny's thoughts on this world of ours
"These are the times to remember" (Billy Joel lyrics pluralized)
Lots of people interested in politics and next year’s Democratic presidential nomination will have their eyes focused on the Pennsylvania Convention Center through Saturday. Netroots Nation is holding its annual convention there. The group’s website says, “For more than a decade, Netroots Nation has hosted the largest annual conference for progressives, drawing thousands of attendees … Continue reading Netroots Nation’s national conference in town, and how I heard of it
HATE-MONGER ARSONIST: Tristan Morgan. A man the BBC calls a “far-right extremist … who set fire to a synagogue,” a year ago, first went down in flames and now the justice system. Tristan Morgan — of Exeter, England — was caught on surveillance video using a small axe to break a window and pour gasoline into the … Continue reading Video: First fiery justice, then the law
Vacation time is up. We’re into May and I haven’t written a “real blog post” for you in a month and a half, since mid-March. I plan to explain “real blog post” tomorrow but if you can’t wait, see the new material to read. It’s in the menu on the right side of this page … Continue reading Thinking about religion, belief and recent violence
THANK YOU to the two new followers from over the past week, bringing the total up to 116. I hope you like what you read, or at least feel strongly enough to comment. I don’t think people realize there’s something in it for them! Go back over previous posts and you’ll see the subjects I’ve … Continue reading Control of the media after the mosque attacks in New Zealand
First off, yes, I may be a day late, but this is definitely not a dollar short! I wanted to make sure this post was as perfect as I could make it, like I do with all others. Of course, it’s just a coincidence that Martin Luther King Day, which commemorates the birthday of the … Continue reading Martin Luther King Day, a victim of the (official) Women’s March
It’s always good to be remembered, and hopefully being your last new year’s message of the year will keep some of my thoughts on your minds. (I’d be embarrassed to post something like this more than a week late, even by a few minutes!) Let me start with the most important: that I became an … Continue reading Odds, ends and new beginnings
Sometimes, interesting things happen when you read friends’ Facebook pages. I’m not talking about going to look on purpose, which I’ve done before. I’m just referring to seeing something on your news feed and clicking on it. That got me, as the title clearly says, banned from Facebook pages twice in 2 days! The one … Continue reading Banned from Facebook pages twice in 2 days!
My interest started when I was looking at my Facebook feed over the weekend and saw this post from a former coworker. Obviously, we’re Facebook friends. Otherwise, his post wouldn't have come up. He’s a former Marine. We’d always worked well together and even though he is the most right-wing person I know, he’d never … Continue reading Exposing hate, close to home (as if acceptable anywhere)
I don’t remember a seven-day period like the time since last Saturday. That’s when I woke up, turned on the TV, and saw what was happening in Pittsburgh. I got very angry and couldn’t stand to hear anything about it after two hours. It took until Wednesday for the anger to turn to sadness. I … Continue reading Difficult week, from anger to sadness, as election approaches
I’ve known I had another blog post “due” before the election, if you know how I think, but too much on my mind and so much going on – personally and in the news – to actually do it. After this morning’s attack in a Pittsburgh neighborhood where I have family and have been to … Continue reading Not a good day for political thoughts, the USA as a whole
The “game” of politics is no fun anymore. Discussing anything having to do with it used to be educating and entertaining, and sometimes enlightening, among friends and on social media. Not anymore. These days, it’s all for the kill. Saturday, NBC Nightly News showed skirmishes in New York and Portland, Oregon. As correspondent Matt Bradley … Continue reading Political pondering, 3 weeks before Election Day
Several times a year, before elections, a man in Florida emails me about who to support in elections down there. The goal is to receive money (Isn’t that everyone’s?) for private schools. In this case, it’s Jewish religious schools. And that’s despite public schools being free for everyone – Jews too – and paid for … Continue reading The case against us all paying for private schools
It’s a happy moment at CohenConnect.com. (Online definition of moment: “a very brief period of time.” The italics are mine.) September’s blog numbers were high with more than a thousand views, despite the fact I only published four posts. (I know. I have to do better on that. And I can’t complain about the time, but … Continue reading News starting out good but going downhill fast
President Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh will be giving the Senate Judiciary Committee calendars from 1982 to back up his continued denial of sexually assaulting Christine Blasey Ford. That’s according to The New York Times, late Sunday afternoon. The year 1982 was 36 years ago. Do you have your calendar from back then? Heck, … Continue reading Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh, justice and becoming a Justice
I try not to go more than a week without posting something. Unfortunately, it has been 11 days dues to holidays that won’t be letting up anytime soon, and also my IT support specialist classes. (Last night, I finished Course 2, Week 1, out of 5 courses.) I just don’t like blogs that give a … Continue reading Eric Trump and his shekels
I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure you’ve had a busy week, between getting used to having your kids in school or planning what to do on this long holiday weekend. Sorry for the folks in “sunny Florida” with plans ruined while dealing with Tropical Storm Gordon. (But you're welcome for this souvenir to help … Continue reading Labor Day weekend leftovers
It’s either coincidence, karma or a higher power when things come together in ways previously thought impossible. This weekend, Jewish people around the world read the Torah portion Shofetim (שֹׁפְטִים, or “Judges,” comprising Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9). The best-known line in it is the third, “Justice, justice shall you pursue” (צֶ֥דֶק צֶ֖דֶק תִּרְדֹּ֑ף, Deut. 16:20). Shofetim also … Continue reading Sanctions against Sinclair? Sounds justified
It’s a great day in broadcasting, or as great as things can get in this day and age. There will be no merger between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Media. Today, according to Axios, Tribune announced it “terminated its $3.9 billion merger agreement with Sinclair Broadcasting and that it has filed a lawsuit for breach … Continue reading Tribune to Sinclair: Judge’s gavel instead of merger’s handshake
There’s something to be said for waiting before starting to write. That’s not my nature. I want to get things out first. I type very well but nobody can do it as quickly as my brain, so I often dictate into a phone and email myself. Then, I make any corrections and additions, and create … Continue reading Sinclair sinks, Trump’s temper, Cox’s cash value
I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. There’s too much going on, between job stuff, the news and that last blog post I wrote. It was about being attacked on Facebook by someone who was angry I don't think Barack Obama is my favorite president and made nasty knee-jerk comments when I simply asked … Continue reading More moderation in politics, not so in casting calls
The first thing I have to say is this blog was planned for today. It doesn't have anything to do with Wednesday's Supreme Court decision on public unions. Instead, it has to do with the calendar. The reason, as you see in the picture, is that my Florida teaching certificate expires tomorrow and since tomorrow will … Continue reading Certification expiring, definitely done teaching
Aug. 26, 2018 UPDATE: Grave marker raised and leveled, in early August. I may be back in a few weeks. I don't go on many vacations and didn't plan to write a blog on this one, but the most unusual thing happened while trying to visit my grandfather's grave at the cemetery in Royal Oak, Michigan. … Continue reading Grave situation for hours outside Detroit
Who would’ve thought of me as some type of music expert? Definitely not anybody who knows me! I’ve been planning this blog for a little while and the lyrics immediately came to my mind as the headline. (Of course, I’ve never heard of Five Man Electrical Band. They sang Signs in 1971.) It’s actually pretty … Continue reading Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Most of us strive for perfection. Some of us do it too hard, and it can affect our well-being. On the other hand, there are people who just don’t know any better, or worse, don’t care. I don’t watch TV nearly as much as I used to, especially newer shows, shows not on network TV, … Continue reading The Big Bang Theory’s wedding episode succeeded where Publix failed
First, happy Mother's Day to everyone to whom that applies. I hope you're having a great day! Second, today is also the celebration of Yom Yerushalayim, or Jerusalem Day. It's the Hebrew anniversary of when the Israelis recaptured the eastern/holy part of the city in the Six-Day War of 1967. It's where no Arab country's leader … Continue reading In defense: The good Facebook can do when used by the right people
This is my 90th blog post and like most journalists, I identify mistakes all over and somehow -- often through publicity -- try to get them fixed. But not on this milestone. There's too much good to write about. I also want to point out the page CohenConnect Headlines Sitemap has a list of all the blog … Continue reading Who says everything I write is negative (but correct)?
It's not easy being a moderate. That's definitely what I consider myself and it seems to make people on both sides angry. Either that, or because I tell it like it is. Today, the issues that got to me started with this post from Miami journalist Eliott Rodriguez. Fine points, and you can click here … Continue reading Distorting history, stirring up stereotypes
It's nice when Americans exercise their First Amendment rights (freedom of religion, speech, the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances) with good intentions, and that should be encouraged. Last Saturday, many in the country were shocked after March for Our Lives rallies were … Continue reading Tiffany Trump’s trouble, what unions could do to Amazon and the media
People who know me can never, ever say I’m not loyal to people I like and respect. You’ll see that in a moment, along with an example of the opposite. (Is your mouth watering yet?) Yesterday, one of Philadelphia’s daily newspapers published an article called “Is the morning news format that fuels Mike Jerrick's 'weird … Continue reading Be nicer to Mike Jerrick, and other thoughts on what’s making news
Did I just write that headline? There's lots on my mind (too often, and that's between me and my medical professional, and I'll get to the rest another time), but I'm going to limit myself to what just happened in southern and northern Florida over the past few days, since last week's massacre at Marjory Stoneman … Continue reading Parkland now, but North Miami Beach proud!
I didn’t plan on writing two blogs in two days completely from scratch, but the news calls for it. Yesterday, around this time, I was cramming on another blog and then dragged out even though I couldn’t care less about St. Valentine’s Day. Despite personal protests as long as I can remember, it’s not my … Continue reading Killing kids and desecrating the name of Marjory Stoneman Douglas
I really didn’t know what to make of school districts cancelling classes for a parade and celebration for Super Bowl LII champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. That’s probably because I’ve never been in this situation before. And it’s certainly historic, not just for me but for everyone around here. The Birds have won championships before, but … Continue reading School out, Eagles’ championship parade on!
Last night, I did something I rarely do: open a Facebook post to the public, rather than just friends. Today, I'm blogging about the online battle that followed, something I hadn't planned to do. The story was about one of the hosts of a show on the DIY Network -- part of Scripps Networks Interactive … Continue reading Sad stereotypes too strong to silence (for now)
I got up extremely early this morning to take Pedro to work, since he didn’t get the holiday off. Soon after getting home, I noticed my Facebook friend Mark Segal -- founder, owner and publisher of the renowned Philadelphia Gay News -- had posted his column from last week. I'm two weeks behind in reading. … Continue reading More details on Israel after the gay paper
On Facebook? You're probably signed up for a lesson on mailing a letter, paid for by the U.S. government, like the one above. I was a little out of it, last Thursday, told I was sounding stuffy, so I didn't do much other than read. Part of that time was on Facebook rather than anything … Continue reading Lessons on addressing, our government’s gift to you!
I don't get shocked too much anymore. Maybe that's from age, or having done a lot of things in a lot of places. Maybe it’s from having been in the news and teaching fields, where you see and experience a lot. But going through the weekly ads this week got me. I've never seen “non-Kosher” … Continue reading Beating Welch’s un-kosher coupon policy
This is my first blog in several months, and only my second since arriving back in Philadelphia. The first was shortly after my return, so it has been way too long. That’s why I'm happy the article Let Me Tell You How ‘The Media’ Really Works... really got me thinking and helped me gather my thoughts, some … Continue reading The media: Certainly imperfect, definitely necessary and trying
I have to start off by saying this blog post is late. I warned you when I was finishing the last one. It wasn't entirely my fault. We got the bed for my brother and sister-in-law's visit, and that took a while. We got it upstairs, but that took a while. And then we were too tired … Continue reading A better bedroom (and bigger blog)
It took way too long for Mother Nature, the holiday season and me, but it finally started feeling like winter. Monday, Jan. 4, was the first snowfall of the season. It wasn’t much, at least in Bristol. There was one burst for a few minutes. (You see the view from the newsroom. That's the Bristol train … Continue reading Getting into the season
It's now a week since the bathroom construction started. It would've been done by now if BathFitter had ordered the right bath tub, or realized they made the mistake because they had weeks to do so. The contractor seems to be making good progress. Unfortunately for him, he can't finish up until the bath tub … Continue reading The one week mark
It's not the most appetizing title, but I realized you were craving pictures of the house before the first major renovation. I should also point out it's before the first major cleaning of the house. That can't come soon enough. Neither can the rest of the unpacking. Tomorrow morning, workers are going to … Continue reading Big bathroom news!
I love being back in news. Sure, the hours are long, especially when you don’t have a boss. (My new one starts November 30th). But obviously it’s true when news breaks. Friday, I was coming off a tough week. Again, no boss. Demands from the sales and weather departments. Plus, lots of plans, work, and … Continue reading Past time to stop terror once and for all, not necessarily for the French
It's me again. I have to write more often. It doesn't have to be a book. Saving stuff up is too time-consuming, anyway. I’d be thrilled with something simple, once or twice a week. I'm just back from New York. Was there for my cousin Danika’s bat mitzvah. Had a great time. Was nice seeing … Continue reading From the Tri-Cities to the Tri-States
I haven't posted anything in about 3 weeks. (I also haven’t heard from you asking for a post. Unbelievable! What’s up with that?) I haven’t been relaxing at the beach. Been doing plenty of writing. Just very busy at work and home. My parents’ visit has come and gone. Went very well. Wasn't sure for … Continue reading Odds & ends from 3 weeks
It’s April and there’s a lot of spring cleaning going on in the Tri-Cities and other places. Garry and I really aren’t doing any of it because we’ve only been here for a month and are still putting stuff I paid to move away. (Or trying to find space for it all!) But I digress. … Continue reading Spring cleaning and Passover food
Spring is often thought of as a time of renewal, the first season. I’ve had some firsts over the past week or so. Starting at home for a change, I can walk to back of the den without having to step over a box, for the first time. It’s a major accomplishment and I’m very … Continue reading A week of firsts
I've been in Bristol for about ten days and work for a week, so it's time for an update. This blog wasn't intended to be an update on my life. It was supposed to be my thoughts on the world, but the change is okay considering the circumstances. Yesterday, you read about work, and before … Continue reading Getting settled in Bristol
I rarely get involved in discussions I see on Facebook, other than liking a post or signing a petition. Unfortunately, what I saw today had me acting differently. A friend up in Philadelphia saw an article that was more than two years old and she wasn’t happy. In fact, she linked to it and simply wrote she was … Continue reading Using African migrants as an excuse to bash Israel
Here it goes, my 1st blog post. Seems the shoe is on the other foot after this week's terror attacks in France. The world ignores terrorism against Israelis. Now, they feel a lot more sympathy because it happened in France. Probably won’t be the last attack against a Western democracy. The world has to act & … Continue reading Putting demands on Israel on France