HarperCollins Dissolves Israel on its Map of the Middle East

It was mind-bending!  This morning, while listening to public radio station WHYY of Philadelphia, I heard a news announcement which was completely outrageous:

HarperCollins map omits  Israel (Photo courtesy of The Tablet)

The publishing house of HarperCollins designed and printed a map of the Middle East intended to be sold for classroom use in certain unnamed Gulf countries.

The map shows all the nations of that region with the exception of Israel which appears nowhere, despite the fact that Israel is an acknowledged geographic, economic, and social entity. It is a nation-state recognized by the United Nations and civilized countries throughout the globe.

In one sense, right-thinking people should not be so surprised by this action, because it is characteristic of a deep human failing:    Willfully ignore a person long enough, and that individual ceases to exist in your mind.

A Raritan Icon Passes Away

This week, one of the best and most varied of legal minds, and a person of great personal integrity left his family and friends behind.

Although I knew Dan Soriano only professionally while I served on the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education, it was there that I became acquainted not merely with his all-encompassing skills as one of the most expert of legal minds in the field of education law, but also the integrity with which he exhibited and practiced those skills.

May the Spirit of the Christmas Season be Always With You

'Twas the night before Christmas . . . (Credit/Bergeron Image.)

The celebration of Christmas which began as a practice by early Christians in memory of the birth of Jesus has become a tradition observed throughout most of the world, even in those nations where Christians are but a minority and still persecuted.

Yet nothing will dampen the magnificent spirit of this time, regardless of whether people stress its religious or secular aspects – or both.

It is an occasion where families and friends gather to demonstrate their love and concern for one another with the exchange of gifts and the breaking of bread.

Despite the endemic conflicts of this world, the American spirit remains steadfastly indomitable in its refusal to give in to nihilism, a way of thinking that can only contribute to a downward slope of despair. That concept has never taken firm root in the American Republic.

The religious festivals of Chanukah and Christmas observed this time of the year contain messages based upon spreading light throughout the world, not with dwelling upon the darkness of hopelessness.

 

If, over the millennia, the Judeo-Christian message of hope has spilled over and infused itself into the secular world to be enjoyed by all in the form of gift-giving, lights, joy, optimism, and hope, that’s just fine.

 

It’s a great result, isn’t it?

(Note:  The photograph above is from a Williams Sonoma window display at the Bridgewater Commons Mall.)

The many who never came home for Christmas.

A Cub Scout kneels reverently and in deep respect. 

A week ago today, early on a sunny, crisp Saturday morning, Pris and I found ourselves on the Washington D.C. metro with our hosts from Potomac, Maryland.  We were bound for the nation’s capital to participate in Wreaths Across America, a ceremony that has become an annual event to honor America’s fallen stalwarts at Arlington National Cemetery.

Under seemingly endless acres of cemetery plots, men and women from past and current wartime conflicts and from all branches of the United States Armed Forces quietly lie, buried below endless rows of ivory-white tombstones – boots once standing on the ground but now resting beneath the earth after perishing in the service of their country.

A Precious Holiday Tradition Returns to the Bridgewater Commons Mall

Santa greets all of his kids this season!  (Photo/Bergeron Image.)

It’s back!  Once more this year, the management of the Bridgewater Commons Mall is hosting the presence of two Salvation Army Angel Trees.  On each of these modestly decorated trees are removable tags bearing the wishes of area children, ages about 3 to 12.

I especially like what appears to be a policy change this time around:  No toys!  No electronic stuff!  That may sound like Bah, Humbug, but consider this:  The emphasis is on what these under-privileged kids really need – the basics:  articles of clothing.

Reading the tags, I came across names such as Marc, Shaniya, Meyah, Maria, Carter, Angelina, Jeramyah and dozens of other kids – all of them in need.  Those are just a few of the name tags that I spotted on November 20^th.