ABSILVER's World

What is the value of a human life? I sit here in fear this morning.  At moments such as the killings in Paris, I feel like I have something to say and yet I sit in fear this morning of sharing my feelings and opinions.  Why?  Because there is so much being said about this tragedy and the death of the terrorists that carried this out by people close to me, by others on the Internet, and across the news channels that I wonder what can I add to the discussion. But, there was a post on Facebook from a Rabbi who said the world would have been better off if this man who carried out this evil attack had never been born.  Then I decided I couldn’t stay silent any more. It racked my brain to think what if these men had never been born?  What is the value of a human life and who makes that decision as to how we as humans evaluate the value of each other.  Make no mistake if this man had not been born, we would not be sitting here today discussing his death and the heinous crime he hel

Brian Silverman's Top Ten List 1) Ohio not passing monopolized Marijuana is interesting in that people seemed more concerned about the business aspects than the actual legalization of marijuana. 2) Kentucky elects a more conservative governor after putting democrats in office for a long time.  With the issue of Kim Davis, gay marriage challenges and more this would have seemed to me a bigger deal than the legalization of marijuana in Ohio. 3) Houston can elect and reelect an out lesbian mayor but can't agree to protect her rights against discrimination.  Not sure I am surprised but certainly disappointed but more so because the rhetoric that caused defeat was about men freely being able to go into women's bathrooms.  4) I want to see the Peanuts Movie. (Yes this can't all be too serious for a Wednesday).  Not sure why it appeals to me so much as an adult but they have done a great job promoting it to adults as well as children. 5) Orphan B

How do you write about your Muse? I believe, except for Rhonda Perling, and outside of family I have known Glen longer than anyone.  Not just an acquaintance but we were friends since I was in second grade.  He came to Savannah from Cleveland, and I always felt like an outsider at Savannah Hebrew Day School and having a new friendly face in the class room helped.  Glen and I became friends and spent many a day or evening at his house with him his family and their dog Lassie I believe. One memory from those years, was his fmaily had gotten a swimming pool and I think Glen had Bennie Elkins, and myself over to go swimming.  We enjoyed the pool, but he also had gotten a box set of Carpenter Music (wonder if it was a first "box sext").   He and I in particular enjoyed splitting the music and the pool time and was quite fun. After Day School, we would run into each other at the JEA and always had friendly times together but we didn't hang out as much till he went off to

First and foremost, I hope Glen Dynin feels better soon!  He inspires me to write many times even when I would choose not to and want to hear all of his comments and jokes on my writing! OK.. Here are some random thoughts.. some that may get me in trouble...:) 1) The clerk in Kentucky has every right not to issue marriage licenses.  Because, she can resign her job and someone else can be put in the position that will obey the law.  The issue here is simple, does a government official have the right to disobey the highest court in the land and not follow agreed to law of the country? The answer must be no or there would be anarchy everywhere.  Courage would be to resign and campaign against or do whatever her heart believes is right, but to continue to take a paycheck for a job one is refusing to lawfully complete is to be a coward not a hero. 2) I am sorry, to fly over to Israel as a senator and negotiate on how to undermine the president of the United States sounds closer t

Two turtles humping... Yes, you read it right.  Yesterday, Daisybelle and I go walking in the park.  An unusual time of day as was around 5:30pm and honest was quite hot.  She walked and huffed and puffed.  Pretty smart, she knows where the water fountains are and if she is thirsty she will pull me in that direction.  We have one of these portable bowls and they are the perfect answer.  So, she was hydrated and off we walk around. Birch Park even in the heat is amazing, and we walked some more.. and she even walked up to the intra-coastal like she wanted a dip.  We are walking back to the car, and there are a few things I dislike.  They say confession is good for the soul, and walking in the park the Segways are annoying.  So, Daisybelle and I are at the crosswalk when two people on Segways are on there way by and as they reach us I notice two turtles in the sand playing so it appeared. But, no, not playing because one was sort of nipping at the other.  The two tourists on Segway

What have I learned from Daisybelle? We are one week from an auspicious anniversary.  On July 13th, a hapless Sunday last year, Sebrina dropped off a rescue at Frank's door.  She was the second rescue actually in about a month.  I didn't want to meet her if she was not going to be here long as I fall in love with dogs easily and didn't want my heart broken.  But, as life has it her rescue started a whole new life chapter for me and Frank. Daisybelle came here at about 43lbs.  She was at the pound, and apparently was not able to eat and was on her last days as because of her weight she was not adoptable.  But, Sebrina saw something in her and then Frank, and now she is 53 lbs. of healthiness.  She has changed our lives for the better, and that would only begin to describe what she has brought to us.  She helped us understand that by watching each other interact and love her who we are and would be with each other.   So.. I thought I would take a moment i

Is it important that South Carolina take down the Confederate Flag from their capital?  Yes, of course it is! Even more so in the aftermath of such a hateful and disastrous killing at the Church of Emanuel this symbol of the past, of slavery, of segregation and hate must come down. At the same time, we should not let this be how we manifest a healing from this incident I am sorry to say.  We first must recognize that this was a crime of hate, of bias, of racism, from a young man that was taught or learned to believe on his own that he was superior to others.  Not because of the deeds he did to help others.  Not because he was bright and graduated to become a researcher.  Not because he went to that church to learn from others and experience a worshiping congregation that is warm and loving.  No, it is because the color of his skin is white.  On top of that, he was taught to believe other colors of skin, most notably black, are inferior to his own. If we walk away pulling