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YOUR LYING EARS
A few years back, there was a popular television program called “You Bet Your Life.” Groucho Marx, the wise-cracking brother from the Marx brothers, was the master of ceremonies for this program. There came an occasion when Groucho Marx, in response to a question from one of his participants, asked, “Are you going to believe…
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REVIVAL DAYS
This morning’s New York Times had a long story coming from Kansas City having to do with the ultimate in revivals. It described a “perpetual religious revival” which seems to be attracting a large number of followers. Unfortunately the sponsors of the perpetual revival entitled their efforts as the International House of Prayer. For this…
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TERROR, COMPASSION AND HOPE
Those of you who parse these pages of Ezra’s Essays will recall the name of Sven Lernevall. Mr. Lernevall is an accomplished fellow who speaks his native tongue of Swedish. Also he and his wife Ella speak flawless English. Interestingly, the accent that he brings to the English language is of the American variety. I…
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APHASIA AND ARTHRITIS
In the last few months here in the great luscious garden state of New Jersey, we find that teachers are retiring in droves or perhaps flocks. They are retiring at this time because they sense that shortly their benefits may be curtailed or removed through the generosity of the new governor, Chris Christie. This is…
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A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT RICHNESS AND POORNESS
Jacob Cohen was a well-known personality who once offered the thought that “I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor; and believe me, rich is better.” I hope that there is no disagreement from my readers as to the wisdom of Mr. Cohen’s remarks. The fact is that the honorable Mr. Cohen was known as a…
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AUNT MARY CHICKA, REST IN PEACE
Two deaths took place yesterday, December 18. Because the Earth turns from east to west, the first death took place in North Korea. The dictator there, Kim Jong-il, aged 69, died. The civilized world was not impressed by the passing of the North Korean dictator. As might be expected, the North Koreans have required public…
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ABJECT HATRED AND/OR THE GASEOUS ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
My parents had eight children, five of whom grew to maturity. Only one of them was troubled by vindictiveness to a degree of unpleasant hatred. If a major league hitter knocked out four balls out of five, it would be considered a phenomenon. Now consider this: I was in the American Army for a few…
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THE WEINER AFFAIR AND AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM
This essay is being written after Anthony Weiner resigned from Congress. In his disgrace, former Congressman Weiner has earned a bit of admiration on my part. For the past day or two, it has been obvious that former Congressman Weiner had no choice but to resign from Congress. Resigning from his Congressional seat is one…
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PETERING OUT WITH HURRICANE IRENE
I am dictating these lines in the early afternoon of September 4. Today is Sunday and so far it seems to be a peaceful day. I cite the peace and quiet of this Sunday as contrasted with the multitude of problems that existed just one week ago when Hurricane Irene was upon us. It would…
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THE PHILANDERER’S CUP RACE
A few weeks back when Herman Cain was still in the race for the Presidential nomination, Newt Gingrich and Herman Cain sat down for what was laughingly called a debate among themselves. Actually it was not a debate at all but a mutual admiration society. Given the facts of the matter about their past philandering,…