The Netherlands has become the first country in the world without stray dogs, thanks to decades of animal welfare policies. The government banned abandonment, imposed fines of up to 16,000 euros and prison sentences for abuse, and promoted spay/neuter campaigns and mandatory pet registration. In addition, collection and adoption programs reduced the ownerless population to practically zero.
Earlier this evening, an individual disrupted Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Manhattan. As synagogue security was escorting him out, he struck a member of the congregation, damaged synagogue property, and then spit at and headbutted a member of the security team. An NYPD sergeant working a paid detail at the synagogue immediately stepped in and took the individual into custody.
I have spoken with the rabbi of the synagogue, and I’m relieved that no one was seriously injured. Those who were hurt were evaluated at the scene and are doing well. There are no known additional threats at this time, and additional NYPD resources have been deployed to the synagogue. The investigation is ongoing.
I understand the sanctity of this space and its meaning for congregants. Central Synagogue is where I grew up. In joy and in sorrow, it has always been a place of comfort and peace. What happened there tonight is deeply painful. A place of worship should never be a crime scene.
The measure of a society is how it invests in its children.
For decades, I have advocated for Head Start because every child deserves a strong start in life. Today, I stand with the more than 100 civil rights and child advocacy organizations opposing efforts to dismantle the program from within.
Head Start is more than preschool. It supports healthy babies, working parents, and stronger families.
You don't build a stronger nation by starving its children of opportunity.
I have no doubt there will be many well-written social media posts condemning the antisemitic stabbings on the Upper West Side today, and I’m sure many people’s thoughts and prayers will be with the victims and their families.
But these statements ring hollow when so many in the city normalize antisemitism, including simply by associating American Jews with the actions of the Israeli government.
Enough is enough.
I remember when getting a consensual blowjob was enough to warrant an impeachment. Now Presidents can pay out $5M+ to the victims they raped and no one fucking bats an eye
Fun Fact: The President of the goddam United States paid nearly $6 million in damages today to a woman he raped. Once upon a time, this would have been the only news you heard.
They told me I’m no longer Palestinian because I support peace.
Let’s talk about purity tests. Imagine at school you had exams. If you get anything below 100, you get kicked out of school entirely. Even if you get 99.
At some point you wake up and want to destroy the entire school and build a new one.
This is how me and millions feel today. We don’t care about your purity tests anymore.
But I still feel pity for everyone else taking these tests. Remember, you don’t have to fall in line. You can always quit this miserable school of thought.
If you’re not disturbed by this, I encourage you to log off and spend some time remembering why it’s worth being human in the world. If you find yourself doing this to another human being and posting it for clout, I would strongly encourage you to log off and figure out some way to reconnect with your better impulses. This is ugly. This way lies ugliness.
If you're Jewish, know that it doesn't matter how much you try and appease the anti-Israel mob. Give in to them and call Gaza a genocide. Become a staunch critic of the Jewish State.
It will never, ever be enough.
No matter how much a Jew panders, it will never be enough for the antisemites.
Find your pride and stand up for yourself and your people, you’re going to be hated regardless.
@HenMazzig Two men walk into a bar, one a Zionist and the other anti Zionist. They both order a drink. The bartender tells them, “We don’t serve Jews.”
Hope he learned from this.