I spoke to actual supporters of terrorism today.

 I've been going back and forth with people on Youtube comments.  I've posted along the lines of, "I've never really expected in my life to really be able to tell my friends and family that I am communicating with people who support mass murder of my people," But here I am.

Then there's those who are just confused, like those who support Palestine because they like "supporting underdogs," yet they have no idea who these people are.

I've thought about things, like if  I would ever shake hands with a Palestinian.  I'd say yes, but only if they condemned Hamas and what they did on October 7th first.  

Perfect song title for when I meet a member of Hamas.  Notice I didn't say for when I meet a Palestinian.  

Worst year ever

This year has just been really bad, between health issues with family members, loss of my grandma, and October 7th.  This, for me, is worse than having Trump as president, worse than dealing with Covid protocols, etc.  I sometimes feel like I don't want to talk to anyone unless I hear them publicly condemn Hamas.  

Sadly enough, I have been fighting with people through YouTube comments over the last few days who believe that the October 7th attacks were justified.  According to a survey done by Birzeit University, it was found that 98% of Palestinians felt more proud to be Palestinian after the October 7th attacks.    

 Another day of mourning my grandma.  I could not be at the Israel rally in D.C., but my aunt said it best at my grandma's funeral when speaking about the horrors my grandma experienced in Auschwitz.  "Never again" is now.  We all must play a part in fighting anti-semitism.  

We said goodbye to my grandma yesterday.  It was really hard.  Visiting her was a really big part of my life.  I would always start by saying "Grandma, I am so happy to see you today," and she would reply with "I am happy to see you too."

 

If it was obscure and on at random times, long before Youtube and Pitchfork and Apple Music, when you had to watch MTV-2 for the buzz bin videos or hear it on Y100 alternative rock radio, I probably heard it at my grandma's house in Vineland, way back when.  I am grateful I was given that kind of freedom to explore the exhilarating and joyous highs of teenage-hood when I went there.  

Not only that, but where else would I be allowed to watch the entire NFL draft? All seven rounds.

One last squeeze

11/09/2023.  My grandma passed away today.  On Sunday, she wasn't able to communicate with us because she was in so much pain.  The people who take care of her at the nursing home helped put her into her bed.  I reached out and held her hand.  She squeezed my hand one last time.  I like to believe she knew it was me.  

A soon to be published obituary:

Regina Pretter, 98, of Voorhees, New Jersey, formerly of Vineland, passed away on November 9, 2023 after a very short illness.

Regina “Ruza” , (Rifka) was born in Michalovce, Czechoslovakia and was a Holocaust Survivor having been on the first transport of Jewish women sent to Auschwitz . She was married to Elias Pretter, and they co owned the Happy Hen Farm until his death in 2003. 

She is survived by three daughters, Esther Pretter Kober, (Peter), sons Michael and Daniel; Belle Petter Liss, (Jonathan), sons Joshua and Benjamin; and Celia Petter Ginsburg, (Dr. Kenneth) and daughters, Talia and Ilana. She is also survived by three great grandchildren, Charlotte, Jakey, and Elliot.

Services will be held at graveside at Alliance Cemetery, 970 Gershal Ave., Pittsgrove Township, NJ on November 12, 2023 at 3:30 PM. The family requests any donations be made to the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., the Jewish National Fund, or Magen David Adom.

 Rashida Tlaib got censured by the House of Representatives.  Finally, something being done.  She showed no empathy and would not acknowledge the hostage situation after the October 7th attacks.  She claims that what she says is not supporting the destruction of Israel, but it is.  "From the river to the sea"  is a screed calling for the destruction of Israel and Jews.  

 I don't understand when the woke agenda became hatred of Jews.  I've been voting democrat for a while, but not sure why my political party has  now seemingly excused the Jew-hatred in its own ranks.  I'm not about to vote for Trump or DeSantis (look which Jew-haters they've sat down with and things they've said and done), but I'm really questioning who I can trust these days.