Peter. Wonderful essay. Thank you. America still exists. We’re in Granby, Colorado today. Thousands lining the streets and the town is closed down for the parade. Patriotism exists everywhere here. As an American participant of the ‘73 Yom Kippur War, you will find no greater supporter of Israel.
Love this! I'm not a Jew but I'm a strong supporter of Israel and the Jewish people, and I am proud to be an American. While I have profound doubts about much of Trump's domestic agenda, I am afraid that the Democrats would have been terrible for Israel and continued to look away from or even encourage antisemitic violence here. Nothing is perfect but we need to work to make this country better. Thank you for this fabulous essay.
I fully connect to this. Despite living more than 4 decades in Israel, I have never gone to the US without getting teary-eyed in the wide airport halls leading to passport control. I love seeing the flag, even interacting with the usually gruff NYer manning the booth.
And in all that time, this is how I also feel: America is as much a part of me as my skin. It formed me, the land my Holocaust-surviving accented parents were grateful to for taking them in. The land of my birth and formal education. So much to appreciate, especially now. Is it perfect? Is anywhere? If we are human, we have flaws, but I have perspective as an oldster and embrace my first home as is.
Like very many others making statements of opposition to today's Jew and America hating forces, those Jews who can never quite lose the grip of their Leftist ideological traditions in America, like the author of this piece and the author of this post, feel they must always temper their opposition with veiled or outright vilification ("our bafflingly elected leader's punitive rage," etc.) of Trump - the one politician in generations most willing to defend Jews and Israel. This weakness in continuously tearing down the one imperfect figure whose real actions do most to lift up a stronger America capable of defending its constitutional ideals, its real allies, its Jewish citizens and treating all of its people equally, in order to seemingly reassure readers that the writer is never going to go off the Leftist reservation, is disheartening at best. And, Jews continuing on this path are unhelpful, to say the least. As a Jew, not in unthinking allegiance, but in a measured understanding in the path to a better future for all, I say, try to lose old prejudices, focus clearly on who your real friends and enemies are, and cease your counter productive behavior. Your Trump hatred is irrational; if you can't see beyond the fog of Democrat memes or his sometimes thoughtless rhetoric to the great positive changes that he is advocating and has so far accomplished, your ability to carry out any positive changes for Jews or any other American citizen is in severe doubt.
Thank you Patsy. Indeed, there are those who are committed to focusing on our country’s flaws. However, were they to make accurate comparisons to almost any other place on earth, they might come to other, more positive conclusions. (That’s putting it mildly) 🇺🇸
My Jewish grandparents came here with nothing. My grandmother had to repeatedly pawn her wedding ring so there was enough money to pay the rent. My father and his brother slept in the same bed until his brother got married. And yet my uncle became an associate professor of medicine and my father, having worked his way through law school, was on the staff of the Ways and Means Committee during the Eisenhower administration. I’m supposed to hate this country? In the words of John McEnroe, you cannot be serious.
Peter, my response to your comment, "Aside from Israel, this country has been the most supportive and welcoming place for Jews in all of history":
True, and, in my opinion, when the totality of circumstances is considered, USA has been and is the best in providing a nourishing and supportive home for Jews. Of course, that it true for all ethnic groups (e.g., Italians never had it better, even in Italy, Irish never had it better, even in Ireland, Chinese never had it better, even in China).
Yes, we are not perfect, but we are free to think & live as our individual customs fly under the protection of the American banner.
I remember feeling joy to travel through NYC with my Dad -- passing through the Lincoln Tunnel, a side tour uptown past the St. Regis Hotel, Rockefeller Center, then down Broadway as we approached our final destination at the beloved Garment District...all flowed together without regard for our differences, but our shared love of living in this American experience !!!
Peter. Wonderful essay. Thank you. America still exists. We’re in Granby, Colorado today. Thousands lining the streets and the town is closed down for the parade. Patriotism exists everywhere here. As an American participant of the ‘73 Yom Kippur War, you will find no greater supporter of Israel.
Ted, I can’t tell you how good it feels to hear from you today. Blessings to you, Jean, and the kids. 🇺🇸
And to you and yours Peter. A Joyous Fourth!
Love this! I'm not a Jew but I'm a strong supporter of Israel and the Jewish people, and I am proud to be an American. While I have profound doubts about much of Trump's domestic agenda, I am afraid that the Democrats would have been terrible for Israel and continued to look away from or even encourage antisemitic violence here. Nothing is perfect but we need to work to make this country better. Thank you for this fabulous essay.
I fully connect to this. Despite living more than 4 decades in Israel, I have never gone to the US without getting teary-eyed in the wide airport halls leading to passport control. I love seeing the flag, even interacting with the usually gruff NYer manning the booth.
And in all that time, this is how I also feel: America is as much a part of me as my skin. It formed me, the land my Holocaust-surviving accented parents were grateful to for taking them in. The land of my birth and formal education. So much to appreciate, especially now. Is it perfect? Is anywhere? If we are human, we have flaws, but I have perspective as an oldster and embrace my first home as is.
Doctor!
Thank you for this fantastic essay!
You help keep things in perspective and you have every reason not to!
Your wisdom is exactly what we need right now!
Beautiful commentary, Peter. Happy Independence Day and Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem.
Amen!
The words of Amos are the hope I have for America, "To let justice roll down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream."
Like very many others making statements of opposition to today's Jew and America hating forces, those Jews who can never quite lose the grip of their Leftist ideological traditions in America, like the author of this piece and the author of this post, feel they must always temper their opposition with veiled or outright vilification ("our bafflingly elected leader's punitive rage," etc.) of Trump - the one politician in generations most willing to defend Jews and Israel. This weakness in continuously tearing down the one imperfect figure whose real actions do most to lift up a stronger America capable of defending its constitutional ideals, its real allies, its Jewish citizens and treating all of its people equally, in order to seemingly reassure readers that the writer is never going to go off the Leftist reservation, is disheartening at best. And, Jews continuing on this path are unhelpful, to say the least. As a Jew, not in unthinking allegiance, but in a measured understanding in the path to a better future for all, I say, try to lose old prejudices, focus clearly on who your real friends and enemies are, and cease your counter productive behavior. Your Trump hatred is irrational; if you can't see beyond the fog of Democrat memes or his sometimes thoughtless rhetoric to the great positive changes that he is advocating and has so far accomplished, your ability to carry out any positive changes for Jews or any other American citizen is in severe doubt.
Loved this Peter.
Thank you Patsy. Indeed, there are those who are committed to focusing on our country’s flaws. However, were they to make accurate comparisons to almost any other place on earth, they might come to other, more positive conclusions. (That’s putting it mildly) 🇺🇸
My Jewish grandparents came here with nothing. My grandmother had to repeatedly pawn her wedding ring so there was enough money to pay the rent. My father and his brother slept in the same bed until his brother got married. And yet my uncle became an associate professor of medicine and my father, having worked his way through law school, was on the staff of the Ways and Means Committee during the Eisenhower administration. I’m supposed to hate this country? In the words of John McEnroe, you cannot be serious.
So true. Jewish life, spiritual life, has flourished here like almost no where else. People can be very blind.
A perfect July 4th essay! Thank you Peter!
Absolutely beautiful!
I'm also the son of a Marine.
Peter, my response to your comment, "Aside from Israel, this country has been the most supportive and welcoming place for Jews in all of history":
True, and, in my opinion, when the totality of circumstances is considered, USA has been and is the best in providing a nourishing and supportive home for Jews. Of course, that it true for all ethnic groups (e.g., Italians never had it better, even in Italy, Irish never had it better, even in Ireland, Chinese never had it better, even in China).
See, alexander.helphand's comment.
Yeshar Koach Peter!
Yes, we are not perfect, but we are free to think & live as our individual customs fly under the protection of the American banner.
I remember feeling joy to travel through NYC with my Dad -- passing through the Lincoln Tunnel, a side tour uptown past the St. Regis Hotel, Rockefeller Center, then down Broadway as we approached our final destination at the beloved Garment District...all flowed together without regard for our differences, but our shared love of living in this American experience !!!