Keeping Kids on a Short Leash

Better safe than sorry.  😉

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

From Outrage to Action on Anti-Semitism

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “From Outrage to Action on Anti-Semitism.”

What is striking to me is that when it comes to hate against the Jews as opposed to hate against other groups, we continually see that “their” rights are immediately supported, while we have to prove that it’s really hate.

Hopefully, our community leaders, police, FBI, and Homeland Security are paying close attention and will take appropriate preventive action so that we can avoid another incident like the shooting just four years ago at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. We need more intelligence, surveillance, officers, patrols, data-driven policing, self-defense and emergency medical training, synagogue protection, community outreach, beefed-up reporting systems, and tougher penalties to start with. We can’t expect the people who hate to stop, but we do need to keep raising the bar on how to keep our communities safe and stop hate crimes.

(Credit Photo: Laura Rosenberg Hosid)

Tires Overload

Do you think there is room for maybe one or two more? 😉

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

@Maryland Iron Festival (Catoctin Furnace)

Fascinating to listen to stories from this former miner at the Maryland Iron Festival, near Cunningham Falls State Park. 

Learned about the incredibly tough and dangerous working conditions in the mines. 

He said everyone he knew who worked in the mines is already dead. 

Working hundreds of feet underground, in the pitch black and dust, in cramped spaces of only 30″ high, and with dangerous mining tools and explosives all for $75 per day. 

This song is about the miners protesting for better wages and safer working conditions. 

And if not, no more “fire in the hole!”  😉

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Fun Cars To Pretend

These are great cars for the kids.

Sporty and colorful.

Fun to pretend to drive. 

Just like a big person.  

Watch the speeding please!  😉

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

How Many Is Too Many?

Interesting sign:

Take Risks Make Mistakes.

And the “i” is missing in Mistakes!

I didn’t even take the risks, but I still made the mistakes.  😉

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Someone’s Always Watching

These days someone is always watching.

Whether someone is peering at you from upstairs or around the corner.

Or there is a surveillance camera.

Or someone is recording you on their smartphone. 

You are never really alone. 

And even IF, and that’s a big if, that no one person is watching.

Remember that G-d above still sees everything!  😉

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal) 

Artsy Bike

This is an artistic bike in Washington, D.C. 

Like a newspaper, it’s black and white and “read” or actually rode all over. 

How much time do you give a bike like this before it gets stolen on the streets downtown?

D.C. seems to be getting even worse than before, now with Coronavirus and the riots.  

Doesn’t feel safe, and it’s in definite need of an urban makeover from all the horrible poverty and homelessness.  😉

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Rescue Yourself

This is an awesome potential lifesaving solution for getting out of a burning multi-story building. 

In an emergency…

Put on and fasten the SkySaver Rescue Device..

Attach it securely to a pre-installed anchor.

Now for this next part, you need some guts…exit and lower safely via an automatic mechanical breaking system for a controlled descent (hope this works). 

Carries up to 300 lbs from as high as 260 feet (and apparently a story is approx. 10 feet although this varies). 

I am not endorsing any vendor or product or giving advice on how to survive in an emergency like this, but I really like the thinking behind this product:

Self-Help

Portable 

Compact

Life-saving

Great idea! 😉