For 2018: Be More Like Nat

#3 Bows Out

A few years back, I created (with lots of help) a documentary on the legendary Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist, Nat Fein. In 1949, Nat won the Pulitzer for Best Spot News Photography for his iconic photo of Babe Ruth made during the retirement of  Ruth's number at Yankee Stadium. #3 Bows Out (which is its true title) has become part of American mythology. TIME magazine named it one of the 100 most influential photographs of ALL TIME.

But, if you knew Nat the way that I was fortunate enough to, you would understand why I called the documentary: Nat Fein: A Talent for Living. I lifted the title from a portion of an interview within the documentary from an expert describing how multi-talented Nat was. In addition to his obvious skills as a photographer, he could also sketch as good as a commercial cartoonist and sing like a professional musician.  And, perhaps most importantly, he was also simply a joy to be around. Making people smile was Nat's mission, his mitzvah.

Nat Fein courtesy of the Fein Estate

During another interview, professional musician, Loren Korevec, who became a dear friend of Nat's too when Nat asked if he could sit-in and sing on one of Loren's sets, described his nature this way:
Nat was like this fountain of creativity and joy and he simply couldn't turn off the spicket. When I think of Nat, I need to remember to be like that.

And, that, friends, is my New Year's Resolution - to be more like Nat - more engaged, more creative, more tolerant, more accessible, more loving.



HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

*SPECIAL THANKS TO DAVID NIEVES AND THE FEIN ESTATE.

Today's MOSTLY TRUE SHORT STORY: A Small Christmas Miracle

F LoBuono

Christmas, 2017, dawned to reveal a pristine coat of freshly fallen snow. There wasn't a lot of it - just a dusting - but, enough to lend some magic to the day. It would be a White Christmas after all - at least for awhile - until the City's detritus turned it a fine shade of gray.

It was going to be a long day. For virtually all of the last 15 years I have worked at CBS News on Christmas Day. It's just the way it is. News never stops and someone has to do it. But, since my schedule was 4pm-12am, I would have time to stop by my sister's place to wish her, my mother, and brother a Merry Christmas before I had to head into work. So, I left my apartment around 1:30 to get my sisters by 2 which would allow me to spend on hour with them before the final leg of my journey.

After a pleasant interlude, I was on my way hoping that I wouldn't be crushed in the Holiday traffic at the George Washington Bridge - the busiest bridge in the world - which is a regular occurrence during the season. Much to my delight, it wasn't bad - heavy, but moving. And, furthering my euphoria, the West Side Highway, often the world's longest parking lot, was virtually empty. I made it in record time.

Work is work but no one should pity me for working on Christmas. CBS takes good care of me with a healthy paycheck and a hardy meal. Besides, the people I work with are my family, too. So, in a sense, I get the best of both worlds; time with my immediate family as well as my work ones. And, as fate would have it, it was a relatively slow news night - nothing blowing up, nothing burning down. Even the President had nothing inane to tweet about. It was just the usual Holiday stories that we run every year: bad weather and crowded airports.

Then, things started to get interesting.

First, my midnight relief was going to be a half-hour late. OK. It happens. At least, it would be after mom, pop, and the kids were long in bed after Christmas dinner at grandma's. And, so, the drive home would be smooth. Or, so I thought. I was flying as I made my turn off of 57th and onto the north bound West Side Highway. Clear sailing all the way - until it wasn't. Once I reached the 96th St. exit, all cars came to a screeching halt. Up ahead, near 135th St., I noticed the flashing red lights of at least 2 police cars. I quickly turned on the radio to get a traffic report. Less then a minute later I heard this: Avoid the northbound West Side Highway. The police are on the scene of a multi-vehicle accident. Great - just past the last exit until the Bridge. I was stuck. After 10 or 15 minutes or so, the clog of vehicles began to break up and we inched forward. After clearing the wreckage, it was an easy go up to and over the GWB.

After about 15 minutes of smooth sailing up the Palisades Interstate Parkway, I made my turn onto the last leg of my journey - and, my favorite part. Route 9W is an old, two-lane road that cuts into the mighty Palisades high above the Hudson River. The maximum speed is about 45 mph which is fine - better for enjoying the spectacular scenery. Because the road cuts through wooded areas, it is often crawling with deer - especially in the wee hours of the morning - like it was this Christmas night. In fact, it had become early on the day AFTER Christmas.

COCO

About 2 miles or so from my apartment, sailing along at the speed limit (45 MPH), I noticed something small walking in the road ahead. I naturally assumed that it was a small deer. After all, I've seen hundreds of them in my years of driving this road. But, as I got closer I noticed that it wasn't a deer at all. It was a small dog - and, it was right in the middle of the highway! This just wouldn't do. I put my flashers on and pulled over near the dog. Now, I was close enough to see that it was a small, female boxer. She was a bit skittish but let me approach her. I called out to her saying, "hi there, little girl. What are you doing out by yourself on this bitter cold night?" Her little stubby tail was wagging away. She let me get close enough to see that she was not wearing a collar. I thought to myself that I couldn't just leave her there. That might be a death sentence. So, without too much effort I coaxed her into my truck. She was just the sweetest little thing. She made herself right at home, even nudging my arm with her nose from the back seat.

When we got to my apartment she ran in without much hesitation. Obviously, this little gal was well cared for and loved. She was just too sweet to be a stray. I set her up with a bowl of water and some dog food that I use when I have my own guy, Rexie, stay with me. After chowing down with great enthusiasm, she settled down on my living room rug. I then preceded to call the 3 police precincts that may have had jurisdiction where I found her. They were all very helpful but also said that they had no reports of a missing dog fitting that description. Of course, they took my information saying that if anyone should call looking for her, they would give it to them.

My new friend and I settled in for the night - me on my living room couch and she on the rug. I was fully prepared to board her for the night and deal with finding her owner further in the morning when my cell phone rang. It was not a number I was familiar with. It just HAD to be the owner. And, sure enough, it was! He explained to me that she and her companion had "escaped" from his yard and he managed to capture just one. The other, who I now had in my possession, had eluded apprehension and her name was Coco. I told him that she was doing just fine and gave him my address. He responded that he was just in the next town and could be there in 5-10 minutes.

When he pulled into the parking lot of my apartment, I placed Coco on the leash that I use for Rexie and walked her to his truck. Sean, as I found was his name, was with the other dog who had engineered the escape. You should have seen the reaction of all 3! It was obvious that there was much love there. Sean thanked me profusely, placed Coco in his truck and they drove away - one, big, happy, reunited family. And, I might add, it might me feel pretty damned good, too.

It wasn't a big thing to do. In fact, it was easy and I'm sure that most of you would have done the same thing. But, as I keep writing, it's not the BIG things that make the world a better place. It's the LITTLE things that we do on a daily basis that keep the world heading in the right direction. For me, it was a mitzvah - the Yiddish term for doing good deeds. The fact that it all went down on Christmas struck me as pleasantly ironic. But, then again, Christ was a Jew and, after all, he IS the reason for the season.

Today's MOZEN: Remembering the Sacrifice

Sgt. Joseph LoBuono, circa 1943

My father rarely spoke of his combat experiences in WWII. He always remembered his service fondly, but rarely of the action he saw. And, being with the combat engineers in Patton's 3rd Army, I'm pretty sure that he saw plenty of it. Perhaps, it was PTSD. But, he passed long before that was a common term. I'll never know why for sure.

One of the things he did share with me was brief, but poignant. Around this time every year, Christmas, he would speak of the cold - how cold it was sleeping in the foxholes during the 3rd Army's glorious march to relieve the Battling Bastards of Bastogne, the 101st Airborne, during the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944. The 101st was fighting hard at that key rail head and hanging on by their finger nails. Patton knew that if Bastogne was lost perhaps, the battle would be, too. So, he drove his men mercilessly the 100 miles they needed to cover from their current position to reach the village.

And, against horrendous weather and fierce enemy resistance, they made it! My father always remembered the joy of marching into Bastogne on the day of Christmas, 1944. They had saved the 101st, the battle, and, just maybe, the war.

Oddly, one of the things I remember most about my old man was how much he loved the hot weather and HATED the cold. Perhaps, these things are connected.

So, on this Christmas, 2017, warm and well fed, I think of my father and the countless others who spent it near freezing and hungry in the effort to keep us free. And, I pray (in my own way) that no one should ever have to go through that again.

PEACE ON EARTH. GOOD WILL TO ALL PEOPLE.

Today's MOSTLY TRUE SHORT STORY: A Sicilian-American Christmas

F LoBuono

When I was a kid, my very Sicilian family celebrated a very Sicilian-American Christmas. And, that of course, meant family and EATING. My immediate family would spend the Eve alone feasting on the legendary gastronomic phenomenon commonly known as The Feast of the Seven Fishes. A more descriptive label has rarely been found. My father would brave the maddening crowds to do most of the shopping while my mother did all of the cooking - spending hours preparing all of that fresh fish made in the Sicilian tradition. And, all of that effort seemed to disappear in mere minutes. Still, by the time we devoured all of that delicious food and drank all of that hardy red whine, it was the rare Christmas Eve that we had enough energy left to attend midnight mass!

And, then, of course, there was Christmas Day. That meant another culinary adventure at my grandmother's house in Brooklyn. After enduring the massive traffic jams down the West Side Highway and through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, we would arrive at my grandmother's place where my aunts, uncles, and cousins, who lived near by, would already be in full voice. That meant LOUD. Sicilian families are not known for their timidity. My parents, sister Joanne, brother Joseph, and I would greet them with equal fervor.

After reconnecting with family, catching up with the latest births, deaths, and affairs of various relatives, we got down to the serious business of eating - again. After all, it was the very reason we were there. Italians in general, and Sicilians in particular, have built their culture around the family unit - and, food. So it was with us. We grew up on what now has been popularized (and, recognized for its healthiness) as The Mediterranean Diet. Simplifying, it means eating a healthy balance of freshly prepared food from ALL food groups. We ate freshly prepared soups, salads, pastas, meat, fish, nuts, fruit, etc.

With the adults at the BIG table in the dinning room and kids at their own version - in the basement, we would spend hours eating, talking, and bonding.

As if a feast of that magnitude wasn't enough, there had to be dessert. Yes, there just had to be. In addition to a number of fresh pies, there were traditional Sicilian favorites like pignoli cookies and cannolis. And, the greatest of them all - struffoli. For the uninformed, they are small balls of fried dough covered in fresh honey and candy sprinkles. My grandmother hand-made them and, to me, they always looked like little barrels. Now, in Sicilian-American households, every woman was an incredible cook but each woman has her own food specialty. For example, NO ONE made eggplant parmigiana like my Aunt Palma. And, NO ONE made struffoli like my grandmother. In the Sicilian dialect, we called them pignolata. Funny, but I've never had a sweet-tooth, so I never liked them. But, my brother who did, LOVED them - so much so that my grandmother had to make 2 batches: one for Joseph and one for the rest of us! It became part of our family mythology.

But, with changing fortune, my immediate family has become smaller and smaller. And, with it's reduction in size has come a loss of much of that tradition. . .

I'm generally not a very nostalgic person. I like to be forward in my thinking. But, I'm not made of stone, either. Besides, our past is, of course, the foundation of what we are today. It cannot, and should not, be denied. With that in mind, I look back with great fondness for the love we had for one another. A love that can never be erased. I suppose that's REALLY what this season is all about - reinforcing the power of love. It is the Reason for the Season.

May you spend your Holidays in the arms of the ones you love most.

PEACE ON EARTH!

When You Think About It: ALL Living Things Deserve Respect.

Words and photo by F LoBuono

In order to spruce up the look of our floor here at CBS, the brass decided to purchase a number of beautiful, mature, potted fig trees. Yes, fig trees. Perhaps, they felt that, in time, we would all enjoy the bounty of their fruits. Be that as it may, they were placed strategically around the work area. We have a number of large windows so light would not be an issue. Once in place, they all started thriving. That is until I noticed no one was watering them. One by one, I saw them show the strain of dying of thirst - their large, beautiful leaves were full of brown spots - a sure sign of lack of water. Forget about bearing fruit. These guys wouldn't make it through the winter.

So, I decided to do something about it. I found a small, empty trash can and filled it with water and then preceded to give each plant a thorough watering. I swear that you could hear them drink!

A few fellow employees actually thanked me for taking the time to address this issue. I am grateful for their compliments. But, that's not why I did it. It was easy to look away. After all, they are not my property - shouldn't someone else be doing it? But, When You Think About IT, it was just as easy to take 10 minutes and give them the water they needed to stay alive. ALL life is worthy of respect - even a simple fig tree! That message seems particular important at this time of year.

I suppose that this can serve as my Christmas message. We don't have to do great things to make the world a better place - all of us doing the little ones, together, will work just as well.

MERRY CHRISTMAS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS - PEACE ON EARTH - GOOD WILL TO ALL.

Today's MOZEN: Flipping the Bird.

F LoBuono

This is the 'official' definition of giving someone the finger:

"The middle finger is the penis and the curled fingers on either side are the testicles. ... The gesture is widely known to Americans as flipping the bird, or just giving someone the finger. The Romans had their own name for it: digitus impudicus - the shameless, indecent or offensive finger".

This is how it is how the US did it in the face of the rest of the civilized world -

"America will put our embassy in Jerusalem. That is what the American people want us to do, and it is the right thing to do. No vote in the United Nations will make any difference on that.

But this vote will make a difference on how Americans look at the UN and on how we look at countries who disrespect us in the UN. And this vote will be remembered".

Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the UN.

Here is the full transcript - https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/1.830485

America First - INDEED!!!!!!!!

Today's MOZEN: Sticking Needles in my Eyes.

F LoBuono

It's no secret. I am not an economist. I have even gone so far as to putting that in writing on this very blog. In fact, I suck with numbers! That's why I employ experts in the field to help me with any economic issues that effect me. I have an excellent accountant and financial planner - thank god!

So it is with the current tax reform legislation before both houses of Congress and promoted by the President. I cannot answer with personal, firsthand knowledge as to exactly how these changes may effect me and others like me. Therefore, I will do my research to try to learn more. This once again requires me to rely on others whom I trust and are well more versed on the subject than me.

With this in mind, I can honestly say that I would rather stick needles in my eyes before I trusted that a Republican had my best interests at heart!

First, why should I believe in ANYONE who blindly follows a man who has a strained relationship with the truth at best and is an unapologetic liar at worst?  Furthermore, their hypocrisy knows no bounds. After negotiating behind closed doors and virtually without Democratic or public input, they even had the temerity to slip in a last minute provision in the bill that would greatly favor lining their own pockets (see Senator Bob Corker and President Donald J. Trump just to name two who will stand to benefit the most).

Next, a leopard cannot change its spots. The GOP's very foundation is built to aid the wealthy. And, this is not just some liberal bull shit. They honestly believe that by rewarding the rich they are making the Country better. More money for business = more jobs = more money for the middle class. Despite numerous studies that definitively show that it doesn't work*, the GOP has managed to sell that shit to the working man for years! With the ultimate miser in power, why should they change now??

Lastly, experts that I trust, men like Robert Reich** and Larry Summers ***, scholars with a vast wealth of knowledge in the field, universally condemn the plan as misguided at best and incredibly harmful as worst. And, they are not alone. The number of economists who see this simply as rewarding the rich at the expense of the middle class is staggering.

Perhaps, your research leads you to a different conclusion. But, I know what my eyes see and what my gut tells me - this legislation will simply line the pockets of those who crafted it and everyone else be DAMNED. You may accept that. I never will.




*https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trickle-down-economics-is-a-nightmare-kansas-proved-it/2017/06/12/c2d7aae0-4fa6-11e7-91eb-9611861a988f_story.html?utm_term=.65cc0615df44

** https://www.alternet.org/election-2016/reich-every-aspect-trumps-trickle-down-economic-plan-benefits-him

***http://larrysummers.com/2017/01/17/economy-under-trump-plan-for-the-worst/

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

F LoBuono

How can I urge my students to be fearless in pursuit of the truth if I am not?

Today's MOZEN: Welcome Alabama!!

F LoBuono

First Virginia, now Alabama. Is this the beginning - the beginning of the end that so many of us have been waiting for?

Last night's victory by Democratic Doug Jones over Republican Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate race, considering the direct involvement of both President Trump and his political sycophant (or is it the other way around?), Steve Bannon, was a direct repudiation to both their policies and their personalities.

I have been pleading for months for people to make their choice and then take a stand. Well, last night, they did - and, in a BIG way. Alabama is about as red as raw meat. In other words, you just can't get more Republican. Well, despite this certitude, the people of Alabama said, NOT THIS TIME - enough is enough! And, even more impressive was the fact AFRICAN-AMERICANS, often the States most neglected populace, put Jones in the Senate. And, African-American WOMEN were, by far, the most supportive and effective force in the election.

THIS delivers a message in the STRONGEST language possible, and on many levels.

First, the obvious: the old ways, where misogyny and blatant bigotry were parts of everyday life, are dying - slowly, perhaps, but dying none the less. Moore's good ol' boy, gun slinging, horseback riding ways, despite some stubborn support, are fading into the sunset. A thoughtful, more progressive agenda, as promoted by Mr. Jones, is also slowly gaining traction. People of conscience are now making their voices heard.

Second, and, perhaps, most significantly, when we are ACTIVELY involved in the process, i.e. VOTE, we can, and do, make a difference! Remember, it was Alabama's most marginalized community that voted in record numbers that created the change necessary to see their best interests addressed. ALL of us can learn from this!

Third, this cannot be a one-shot deal. We can't rest on our laurels (god, that's a lot of hackneyed phrases LOL). People of conscience MUST maintain the momentum to continue to effect the change we want to see and put this Country back on the path of liberty and justice for ALL.

RESIST!

A MESSAGE TO MY STUDENTS

F LoBuono

12/13/2017

As the end of our semester approaches, I wanted to take a few moments to share some thoughts with you. First and foremost, let me express what an honor and pleasure it was to help guide all of you with your journey – in school, your profession, and, perhaps, even life. And, as I said on our very first day, you have certainly taught me as much as I have taught you.

Now, more than ever, it is important to discover your voice and use it to better not only yourselves, but those around you. My most sincere hope is that I did something, anything, to aid you in that discovery.

Always approach your work (and, your life) with passion. Anything worth doing is worth doing to the utmost of our abilities. Remember, the most important machine is not the one you hold in your hands but, rather, the one between your ears. Incorporate honesty and integrity into everything that you do. Without those two characteristics our stories are worthless. Have confidence in your abilities but be humble, as well. Don’t take NO for an answer, especially when you know you are right. Never let anyone intimidate from speaking your truth. Be brave in the face of your opposition. Understand the power that a truthful force conveys and acknowledge the responsibility that comes with it.

And, have fun – the world is your oyster! Be the person you dream to be.

Just because we will no longer see it other on a weekly basis, it doesn’t mean that I am abandoning you.  I am always available to my students – and, always will be. Because that’s the way it should be.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

                                                                                                              Winston Churchill

Today's MOZEN: A New York State of Mind.

Words and photo: F LoBuono

What is a New York State of Mind?

In 1976, Singer Billy Joel made that the unofficial anthem of the City, State, and County of New York - a city so nice, they named it twice - with his pop classic of the same name. In essence, it uses the iconic imagery of New York to conjure a feeling of what it's like to be a true New Yorker. But, he also suggests that it's more than just than just bright lights and big buildings - it's a state of being.

If I may, as someone who has lived in the shadow of its enormous footprint for more than 60 years, allow me to attempt to explain.

New York City can be maddening. To say that the pace here is frenetic is like saying Mt. Everest is a pretty big mountain. The competition is fierce. Another popular AND accurate slogan from a hugely successful song associated with our City, Frank Sinatra's most aptly named New York, New York, is: if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. And, you damned better believe that's true.

New Yorkers are ALWAYS in a terrible hurry to get somewhere - anywhere (see: I want to wake up in a City that never sleeps)! So, if you are not, please step aside or, be run over. This, of course, leaves people with the impression that we are rude at worst, impatient at best. Well, we are - and, we aren't. In studies conducted in most major American cities about how ready the population is to help wayward and confused travelers, New York almost always wins. We usually just do it while we are in motion! Again, if you are not used to it, it can be maddening. But, this intense sense of urgency and competition can also act as a bonding factor. If you pass muster here, no one gives a shit if you are white, black, yellow, red, or green! All we care about is if you can contribute to this City. If you do, then you are one of us. Period.

This combination of urgency, competition, and diversity creates that famous NEW YORK STATE OF MIND. It is a virtually unbeatable combination that makes us both loathed and loved - and, a target for every freedom-hating crackpot in the world! Let's put it this way (and nothing against the place) - when was the last time you saw a terrorist attack on Topeka, Kansas?

We are the jewel in the crown of the EMPIRE STATE. This gives us a sense of invincibility and a reputation for being able to handle anything thrown our way. Some may call it arrogance. Well, so be it. They simply do not understand what it takes to live here. If they did, they would admire us instead.

It's understandable, therefore, that many would look to do us harm. And, they have tried - mightily.

But, none have ultimately succeeded - and, they never will. Not only can they not stop us, they can't even slow us down. Take today's attack (12/11/2017) on the Port Authority Bus Terminal. At the height of rush hour, with hundreds of thousands of people doing what New Yorkers do everyday - take the bus and train to hustle to work - some Myrmidon with a homemade pipe bomb thought he could create havoc, death, and destruction in our midst. He failed - miserably. But, even if he had caused more damage than he did, it wouldn't have ultimately mattered. We cannot be intimidated. New Yorkers will NEVER stop being, well, New Yawkas. HATE will neva' win here. Neva'!

As New York Governor Andrew Cuomo so elegantly stated a mere hour or so after the attack (paraphrasing): the situation is under control. LET'S GET BACK TO WORK.

And, we did.

THIS is the New York State of Mind.

Today's MOZEN: Rage Against the Machine!

F LoBuono

Let me be as blunt as possible - not to be rude, but to use language that may startle some into action.

What part of this President and his Administration's actions did you not expect? What part of AMERICA FIRST don't you fucking understand??

This was THE PLAN from the very beginning. This is the NEW American paradigm - one that was promised from the beginning and supported by tens of millions of our fellow Americans who still do! It reeks of the influence of Steve Bannon, a pedantic blowhard who thinks that appearing as a disheveled, sodded, slob connects him to the common man. And, beyond the audacity of that message, again, there are millions who believe him - even worship him.

We (and, I do mean WE, whether you voted for him or not, he is the duly elected President of the United States) elected a completely unqualified, REALITY TV SHOW HOST, famous as a bully, to the highest office in the land.

And, you get what you pay for.

I cannot understand those who are still shocked by his actions. They are part of a greater plan to plunge America into an era of isolation, not only from the world's nations, but from ideas themselves. It will be THEIR way or the HIGHWAY. And, perhaps, the most frightening part of that equation is that this is NOT a new way of thinking - it's ALWAYS been there. Messrs. Trump and Bannon have simply given it expression on a national and international level.

Once again, I implore you - a choice must be made. If Mr. Trump and his ilk have shown you the light, then continue to support him. Should you have a different vision of what it is to be American, as I have, you will resist by every non-violent means possible.

When you have the chance, VOTE EVERYONE OF THOSE SONS OF BITCHES OUT!!

Don't quit. Be involved.

Today's MOZEN: No Discrimination. Period!

F LoBuono

In the latest hot button case before the US Supreme Court, a baker from Colorado is being sued by a gay couple for the baker's refusal to make them a wedding cake. The baker is using a 1st Amendment defense in the case, citing his cakes as freedom of expression and, therefore, protected under the Amendment. The back story is that the baker is an Evangelical Christian and, because of his faith, does not support gay marriage. This may be just fine in your private life, but using it to discriminate against others in your business is another matter, especially since discrimination of ANY kind is against the law in both the State of Colorado and the Nation. This is the case being made by the gay couple.

I am not a lawyer, nor am I a Constitutional scholar. Therefore, I will not offer any detailed opinions on the legal issues involved with the case. Rather, I would like to discuss it from a moral standpoint.

The baker calls himself a devout Christian, i.e. a follower of the word of Jesus, the Christ (and, therefore the NEW Testament). Again, I am no biblical scholar, but I was raised as a Catholic and even went to Catholic grammar school. So, I have had plenty of religious indoctrination. And, as a journalist, I do my research. In my reference research for this post, I could not find a single time when Jesus even mentioned homosexuality directly, much less condemned it! In fact, in the entire New Testament there are only 3 references to it, all written by someone other than the Christ - and, they are open to interpretation!

However, what I did find was this:

For there are these three things that endure: Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love*. 

So, beyond the legaleze, can someone please tell me what part of the GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE that baker doesn't understand!!!

The idea that someone can be turned away simply for showing their love for another is the real ABOMINATION. And, Jesus himself said so. It never ceases to amaze me me how many so-called Christians don't really know the first thing about Christ! This guy is just another one.

There is no moral ambiguity here. After all, if we allow this type of discrimination, where do we draw the line - no Jews, no blacks, no beards, no one I simply don't like? What a slippery slope that presents. It makes one wonder why this baker decided to get into a service business in the first place. If he had issues with some people, ANY people, he should have chosen another line of work.

It's no secret that I am a huge defender of the 1st Amendment. And, I am willing to fight for that right - when it is applied in the true spirit of the law. This is simply not one of those cases. This is about equal treatment under the law - and, under god, if you will. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will see it in the same light.

*1 Corinthians 13:13

Today's LESSON IN SARCASM: The Attack of the Leaf Blowers!

F LoBuono

It happens at this time every year - when the moon is full in the late autumn sky. Hordes of mechanized brown men descend on our neighborhood. Belching smoke, bellowing like a horny moose, they are relentless in their attacks on the innocent and harmless leaves who are already dead anyway.

Hour after hour, their assault is nearly continuous. Not a leaf will survive. Nor, will my fragile psyche. In the ultimate act of white privilege I surrender to their relentless and brutal assault on peace, quiet, air quality - and, my ears. In fact, they call to me even as I write this. But, I have to admit, the lawns look great.

I suppose this must be the price that we pay for living in such bucolic splendor (not). City folk must endure the relentless hum of crowds, construction, and crime. That is their choice and cross to bear. We, up here in the gentle river villages must, likewise, endure  - the seemingly endless drone of small, but very loud, gas-powered engines. Looking like robots in their blower/backpacks, the army assaults not just one house, but house after house. After all, how would they make money doing just one? So, they do the BLOCK. Look at it this way: about an hour/house X 6 houses = 6 hours - of continuous, high pitched whining!! Well, let my wails join the cacophony.

For me, it really is more than just a quality of life issue (although that should be enough) - it's a health issue. Like a vampire, I usually work nights and sleep when I can during the day. Try THAT when the roar begins at 8 and ends around 4 or 5. No, my friends, the horde wins - every time.

Obviously, nothing can stop the horde. It's been going on for years on only gets worse. Legislation seems to fail to gain enough momentum to get an ordinance to at least limit it. Look, I understand that people make a living feeding this beast. And, that's fine. But, THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE to the noise and pollution caused by using machines in a natural environment.

It's called RAKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But, that's just me. And, everyone knows I'm crazy.

That is all.

Today's LESSON IN SARCASM

F LoBuono

Here's all you need to know about the foundation of the Republican Party to understand how black their souls are: Their leader, President Trump, just endorsed a suspected pedophile as the next Senator from the great State of Alabama, in essence saying he's still better than a Democrat. Think about that the next time you pray to your god for the likes of Mr. Trump and his GOP lackeys. So much for putting morals over politics. That is all.

Today's MOZEN: Don't Give in to Hate

F LoBuono

I was scrolling through my Facebook thread, looking for comments and articles of interest, when I came across one that startled me. I try to avoid sensational posts and that includes ones that feature horrific road crashes - just not my thing - when I stopped at one that, for some reason, I just couldn't avoid. It was a photo and accompanying story from the CBS News affiliate in San Francisco (KPIX) of a devastating accident on the approach to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. A truck plowed into the line of cars waiting to pay the toll, causing a massive pile-up that smashed the tool booth to pieces, killing the toll collector. The truck driver and a passenger were critically injured when they were ejected from the vehicle. The scene was just devastating.

Since my brother is a truck driver, I wanted to know more about how this could possibly happen. Because it occurred at approximately 5:30 a..m, I thought that, perhaps, the driver had fallen asleep. I remember from trucking with my brother how difficult the schedule can be and keeping from dozing off is often a challenge. As I delved further into the story, that did not seem to be the case . According to police on the scene, they believed alcohol may have been involved. They were continuing their investigation.

Wanting to see if I could find more information, I decided to check out some of the comments made about the incident.

OMG!

I  could not believe what I was reading!!!

OMG! (yes, I said again because I need to!)

The pure, misguided, vile, ugly, hateful rhetoric was simply astounding!

So many people actually used this horrible accident, where a completely innocent woman was killed, as a forum to air their despicable (and, yes, deplorable) attitudes towards immigration, Sanctuary Cities, and even the city of San Francisco herself. Now, mind you, just to make things even more clear how completely bigoted these people are, there was NO mention anywhere in the news piece that the driver was an immigrant or of ANY ethnic background.

Apparently, these people needed to focus their frustration over a recent court case in San Francisco where a many times deported immigrant was found not guilty of shooting and killing an innocent, young woman.  A jury of his peers, as is our SYSTEM of justice, found it all to be a tragic accident (or, that the State had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt - I don't know for sure, I was not there). The point is, ultimately, immigration played no part in that courtroom - and, rightly so. The people making these ugly comments thought otherwise.

It was so shocking to me how much pure, unadulterated hate I was reading that I was simply going to write, WE'RE FUCKED.

But, I pulled back and took a deep breath.

It was then that I realized ALL of it is simply us being who we are. We are good. And, we are evil. Once again, the ancient concept of Yin and Yang - a world in balance - must be acknowledged as the ultimate truth.

You may ask, how can you say that with all the deep hatred that seems to be permeating every aspect of our lives? How do we stop it?

And, those, of course, are fair questions that I often ask of myself.

This is my answer: in an effort to make the world a better place I will do everything in my power to reinforce the good that is equally within us over the evil.

For example, acknowledging that for every vicious comment on that thread there was one of either righteous indignation or a gesture of love directed at the family of the woman who was lost is reinforcing the good over the evil.

I also had to remind myself that, if I continued scrolling down the Facebook thread, I would also find other stories of incredible giving and compassion, filled with love and hope.

And, if I'm lucky, cool photos and memes of cats and dogs.

Yes, my friends, Yin and Yang - good and evil - exist together - and do so in equal measure.

This is why I believe that it is so important we do everything in our power to tip the scale in our direction - that of love and compassion - while at the same time acknowledging that evil will always exist along with good, pain with pleasure, cruelty with kindness. It is the way of the world. But, the choice is OURS in which we way we will choose to walk . . .

An Open Letter to Republicans

F LoBuono

Dear Republican friends (I do believe that I have a few left), especially those in New York, New Jersey, and California, I have a question SPECIFICALLY for you this morning:

You DO realize that early this morning's almost secret passage of a sweeping Tax Reform Bill by the Republican controlled Senate means that we (those of us in the above mentioned States) are going to lose money on this deal - plain and simple. A lot of it. Removing the deductions we receive for paying the HIGHEST STATE TAXES in the Nation will collectively cost us billions. So, in other words, the men and women you have elected and supported from the GOP have done their very best to SCREW us. And, this doesn't even include the debacle that will be created by increasing our dept by over $1 trillion (like cuts to social services such as Medicade to pay for it).

So, WHAT SAY YOU NOW???????????

And, I'm quite serious. Please help me to understand how you support people who, apparently, simply put, don't give a shit about you.

Thanks

FL

Today's MOZEN: Life in the Swamp

F LoBuono

Look, I've said it before - a whole lotta' times - and, I'm going to keep saying it until it sinks in. Those of you who are members of our choir can speed read through this and, perhaps, pass it on to those who continue to support this Abomination . . . I mean Administration.

EVERY single member, from the very bottom of the rung to the highest Cabinet member, has sold their souls to support an agenda devised and executed by an inveterate bully - a pussy grabbing, ignorant, bellicose, bilious megalomaniac.

Period.

Drain the Swamp - MY ASS!!! They ARE the swamp.

Even those who once served with honor, men like H.R. McMasters and John F. Kelly, have compromised their integrity to serve a man whose leadership can be summed up with 3, small words: ME, MYSELF, and I. The President constantly trips over his ego and no one seems to have the guts to stop him. Even the former generals seems to cower in his presence. What happened to these once bold men?

It appears to me that every decision the President makes is predicated on either what it can do to benefit him, his family, and his cronies, or are contrived to inflict the maximum damage on whomever he sees as an opponent - even those with legitimate issues and concerns.

His stumbles are not only frequent, they are downright embarrassing. Only within the last few days he committed two of his most egregious blunders: First, he insulted a group of Native Americans he was supposed to be honoring by using an ethnic slur, Pocahontas, when referring to an opposition Senator. Then he re-tweeted 3, ugly, unverified, inflammatory videos supposedly depicting Muslims committing egregious crimes against, presumably, Christians. To further complicate the matter, the group he usurped the videos from has been banned in Great Britain, damaging our relationship with our most trusted ally.

And, the hits keep coming. I fear that by the time I have finished this entry, he will have committed yet another crucial blunder. He just can't seem to help himself.

Well, we can help him to stop.

RESIST!!

Today's MOZEN: The UGLY Truth

F LoBuono

Perhaps, I am preaching to the choir and, therefore, wasting my time. Because ANYONE of conscious, ANYONE with a shred of decency, ANYONE with even a modicum of intelligence has to realize that our Country is the hands of a man who is so deficient in so many ways that it would be laughable if it wasn't so god damned serious!!

As if embarrassing faux pas after faux pas weren't reason enough to sound alarm bells then lie after lie should be!

Mr. Trump's bewilderingly inane statements are too frequent to mention - just the latest being his incredibly insensitive and grossly inappropriate comments made this afternoon while attempting to honor Native American "Code Breakers" for their service.

Then there is lie after lie (I was going to say fabrication, but that's too nice a word for it). They are, again, simply too many to delineate. Let's just deal with the latest: his claim that he was "kind of offered" the prestigious Person of the Year honor from Time Magazine which he declined via Tweet. The magazine vehemently denies Mr. Trump's claim.

And, of course, there are his frequent attacks on A FREE PRESS and ANYONE who has the audacity to challenge him on his, so far, woeful Presidency (see CNN)!

Simply put, he is an abysmal failure in every way - as a leader, a legislator, and, as a PERSON. At this point calling him an embarrassment would be an understatement!!

I have friends and family who have supported Mr. Trump from the very beginning. I believe that like most of his core, they still do. Well, I'm sorry to have to say this but, at this point, SHAME ON YOU. Shame on all of you for refusing to see the ugly truth that is right in front of you . . .

Today's MOZEN: To Take Arms

F LoBuono

In recent weeks, it seems that I have come under a lot of criticism. Of course, when you write a blog as provocative as I hope this one is, it comes with the territory. And, I own everything that I write and, so, accept that challenge.

However, one thing that I have found totally unacceptable is the amount of personal attacks that have assailed everything from my intelligence to my morality. A complete stranger actually sent me a private Facebook message to say that making street photos of children was "creepy". I've been making photos of strangers of all ages, documenting life on the streets of Nyack for 35 years. Now, it's "creepy"? I was also assailed for defending my First Amendment Right to make and post random photos made in public. Another stranger tried to Facebook shame me into relinquishing that right without fully understanding all the factors that led to my decision to post photos in the first place.

Now, I know that I can be a polarizing figure. Anyone who is as opinionated as I am is bound to be. Again, I accept that. In fact, I revel in it - mostly! I will also challenge YOU on your thoughts and opinions. I like to think that I bring my "A" game to a debate and I expect others who engage me to do the same. This, at times, can give me the appearance of being arrogant. I have also been called a bully because I argue my point of view with great passion. Again, that comes with the territory. And, I expect the same from those who present opposing view points. But, I have NEVER retaliated with ad homonym attacks. I never make it personal. As much as I would sometimes like to, I never call anyone an idiot or moron. There is no place for that in effective discourse.

Well, I do have something to say. And it's my blog, my voice, so I am going to say what I feel and hold nothing back! It's the only way I know how to be - straightforward and upfront. What you see is what you get, in every sense of the word. It's kind of the whole damned point!

But, to say the constant snipping has had no effect on me would be counter to everything I said about honesty. It does hurt - so much so that it had changed the way that I approached controversial topics with my writing and how I created my street photography. I have already passed by dozens of wonderful, candid photos from the streets of Nyack, partially because I don't want the hassles of explaining why I made them and partially because my feelings were hurt and I simply did not want to make the effort.

The same can be true of my writing.

When I attempted to create a dialogue concerning the recent spate of sexual assault allegations against numerous powerful men, I was vilified by many (although not all) simply for making an effort to try to understand WHY this might be happening. I made an honest effort to delve into the psyches of both men and women and present my findings backed by personal experience and scientific fact like evolution. Again, for this, I was castigated.

So, contrary to my nature, I pulled back. I mean, did I REALLY need the aggravation?

In a nutshell - Yes, I do.

I can't teach my students (I actually DO teach journalism at Fordham University) to be intrepid in finding their voices if I am not equally so. I can't tell them to be fearless with their street photography, exercising their 1st Amendment rights, if I do not practice it as well - especially now when our voices in opposition of so many things going wrong in our Country are absolutely essential.

No.

As I will not silence others, so I will not be silenced!

In Shakespeare's famous soliloquy, Hamlet says, to be or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them.

I have made my choice - I will continue to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them. If that's not good enough for others, that's their problem and not mine.

I'm moving on.

Today's MOZEN: Just like Tazz

There are number of popular Internet memes that range from what historic figure you are most like to what Hollywood icon do you closely resemble? But, perhaps, my favorite one is, what animated/cartoon character mimics your personality best?

Off the top of my head, I would like to say Bugs Bunny. I mean Bugs is always so cool. He just never gets rattled under pressure. And, he usually escapes the normal mayhem without so much of a finger lifted. Instead, he relies on his wits and charm to win the day. Who can forget the episode when Bugs is confronted by a muscle bound gorilla who is determined to wipe the floor with the intrepid rabbit. Is Bugs intimated by the gorilla's muscular physique? Absolutely not! In fact, by the end of the episode, Bugs' antics have reduced the monster to a quivering mass of jelly. THAT'S cool!

Now, I would like to say that I am just like him - but, it simply would not be true. In reality, I am nothing like Bugs.

My personality is much more akin to Tazz, the drooling, whirling dervish of a Tasmanian Devil than it is to Mr. Bunny's. He is the complete antithesis of Bugs. Where Bugs is rarely, if EVER, rattled, Tazz is the epitome of kinetic energy. In fact, he never simply walks - oh, no - his movements resemble a tornado in motion with accompanying buzz saw sound effect. He leaves a path of destruction in his wake and communicates through a series of slurps and grunts. And, he is generally ill-tempered.

Just like me.

Today's MOZEN: Thanksgiving 2017

F LoBuono

When I was a kid, Thanksgiving at my grandmother's house in Brooklyn were feasts of extraordinary quality. My family combined the best of Sicilian culinary arts with the new found American traditions. So, we had meals of seven courses or more. My grandmother, mother, and aunts would meet a few days in advance to visit the local markets to buy the freshest ingredients available.

Then, they went to work.

I remember sitting in the living room of the old townhouse, listening to the women solve all of the world's problems while they worked their savory magic. The result was nothing short of spectacular: fresh, crisp salad, soup with beans, meatballs and escarole, stuffed artichokes, more homemade meatballs, tomato sauce and pasta, various fresh vegetables, and, of course, the main course - roasted turkey. Wine, beer, water, and seltzer was readily available for everyone - yes, even the children, too. After dinner, fruits like grapes, bananas, oranges, apples, and, a Sicilian favorite, fresh fennel provided the next palate pleaser.  And, should that not be enough, there were a choice of traditional American sweets like apple or pumpkin pie and Sicilian ones like cannolis. Of course, you could wash it all down with coffee or espresso.

And, then there was the company.

My grandmother, mother, father, aunts, uncles, and cousins were all there - often upwards of 20 people. The adults sat at the "big table" in my grandmother's dinning room while the kids were relegated the one in the basement, their squeals of joy floating up the basement stairs. We were, indeed, one, big, happy family.

But, those days are long gone. At least for my immediate family. My grandfather passed my years ago as has my father. My cousins went on to create their own families and made new memories. So, my mother, brother, sister and I will dine together on food prepared by someone else and brought to my sister's house. None of us have spouses or children, so it's just us. We'll spend a few hours together and share our delicious prepared meal. Then, as I have done for the last 17 years, I'll head to work.

But, there is still much to be thankful for. There always is . . .

Today's MOZEN: Like Granite

F LoBuono

There are days when I envision myself as a solid block of polished granite - massive, gleaming, cold, dense, inert, impenetrable, immovable.

But, even granite is not eternal. Nor, it is indestructible. It can be chipped and nicked. And, it can be worn down. Even the mighty granite stairs leading to Europe's great cathedrals show the wear and tear of millions of feet stomping on them for hundreds of years.

It often leaves me wondering: is it better to be the feet than the stairs. . . 

An Open Letter to the People of Alabama

F LoBuono

SWEET HOME ALABAMA, WHERE THE SKIES ARE SO BLUE (and, the governor's true).

Indeed.

In fairness, I should begin by saying that I have never truly known anyone from Alabama. Ever. In fact, I don't even know anyone who knows anyone from Alabama. About all that I do know about the State is that the University has a great football team and it was one of the most segregated places I've ever been to.

In the Spring off 2010 I spent some time there covering the Gulf Oil Spill Disaster for CBS News. I remember being pleasantly surprised by the beauty and opulence of some of Alabama's Gulf Coast communities like Gulf Shores. I also recall how overwhelmingly white the area was. When the crew would go out for dinner, our African-American correspondent, Terrell Brown, was almost invariably the only person of color in the restaurant. And, when we were graciously invited to a 4th of July celebration in the town of Magnolia Springs, the organizers "alerted" me that Mr. Brown would be the only black to partake in the festivities. Now, it's important to add that they did not say that in malice - it was just stated as a matter of fact.

Unfortunately, this is the image that most people of Alabama - a bigoted, segregated, ignorant place. 

Of course, painting with such a broad brush is indeed a slippery slope. But, the claims are not totally without validity. Adding to the horrible images of the attack of marchers on the William Pettus Bridge and countless other Civil Right atrocities associated with the place, we now have an accused child molester, Judge Roy Moore, being touted as the next US Senator from the Great State of Alabama. The silver-haired, ultra-conservative, Republican Governor, Kay Ivey, has, despite her disgust at the alleged charges against Mr. Moore, decided to continue to support his election. And, she is not alone. Most experts feel that, despite the despicable allegations against Moore, the race will be decided by the thinnest of margins.

Really.

Of course, there MUST BE good people in Alabama. There just HAVE to be!

Well, it's time that they step up and do the right thing! This is a unique opportunity for them to prove that they can do more than just play really good football on Saturdays and pray really hard on Sundays!

PEOPLE OF ALABAMA - show me and the world how wrong we are to think of you as a bunch of ignorant, right-wing, ultra-religious, bigots who are happy to stick their collective middle fingers in our faces just to say you can. Tell me and the others to go fuck ourselves for THE RIGHT REASONS - because you DO believe in justice, freedom, and equality.

Today's MOZEN: Trickle 'On Down

F LoBuono

A leopard can't change its spots. A zebra can't change its stripes. And, the Republicans will never pass a tax reform bill that ultimately favors the middle class.

They are all hackneyed phrases.

They are all also true.

As is my K.I.S.S (keep it simple, stupid - referring to me, of course) philosophy, here is my brief version as to why:

It is not in the GOP's ethos or raison d'etre. Simple put, it's not what they are about - never have been and never will be. It's just not in their DNA (my god, I'm full of hackneyed phrases today!). They are the party of MONEY.

The Republican platform, when it comes to economics can be summed up (K.I.S.S) as Trickle Down Ecomics. That is; if you reward people of money, i.e. wealthy business owners, they will use their natural born drive to make more money by creating more jobs for the middle and lower classes, thereby driving a thriving economy.

So, there you have it in a nutshell - Trickle Down Economics.

What is so worrisome to me is that, despite the facts presented by the economists that I have read disputing the effectiveness of this platform, the GOP has been able to sell it to working people for years.

And, still do.

The current version of tax reform legislation that just passed the GOP controlled House and is currently in the Senate, is just another version. I readily admit that I am not an economist - haven't even really studied it all that much. But, despite those who may see it to the contrary, I'm not an idiot, either. This bill is another Republican attempt to say to the middle and lower classes; Trust us. Let us and our cronies make BIG money and we PROMISE that you'll get SOME of it.

What is so amazing to me is that the working and middle classes have bought it for years.

And, still do.

Of course, thank god, this is STILL a free Country and we have the ability to make our own choices. It's time to make yours.

Be heard.

Today's MOSTLY TRUE SHORT STORY: The Song Bird

F LoBuono

It was time for my monthly shearing so, as is my custom, I walked to my local barbershop for a trim. I arrived a bit early so I deposited myself on one of the cushy, pleather-lined couches and picked up a copy of the NY Post that was lying there (perfect reading to kill time - great sports and good gossip).

While perusing the newspaper, I heard a rustling coming from one of corners. I looked up to notice a white cage with a small, brightly colored bird fluttering around in it. I'm no ornithologist but it looked like some thing in the finch family. The tiny bird eventually lilted on its water dish and began to sing. I couldn't believe the joyous sound that was coming out of that little body! He (I assumed that it was a male because of the signing - males do it to attract mates) went up and down the musical scale, signing with a loud, clear voice. It was simply brilliant and made me smile.

Then, it made me very sad.

That song was SO beautiful but I couldn't help but feel that it was falling mostly on deaf ears. That bird was using that beautiful voice in the most natural of ways - to attract a female - in the most unnatural of settings - a small cage in the corner of a barbershop. It made me very sad - and, still does. That poor bird is destined to spend the rest of his life in a confined area, making music for ears not fully appreciative of the beauty it holds. But, then again, that in of itself, is kind of miraculous: despite its rather woeful situation, that bird sang as beautifully as if he were in a verdant mountain meadow. Marvelous.

That little guy kept signing until a got into the chair - a good 10 minutes with pause. Eventually, he stopped and the only sound I heard was that of the barber's scissors. . .