I vowed a few years ago that I would stop watching TV news and talk shows. Well, the last eight months I have fallen off the wagon and succumbed, once again, to the dark side.
Never a fan of reality TV, I always opted to view good TV. Instead of Survivor, I watched West Wing. Instead of Jersey Shore, I watched NCIS. Instead of MSNBC, CNN, and FOX, I read the sports page. However, when Reality TV invaded and took hold of the White House, well, I just had to watch.
Trump has become the President you love to hate. Even as you attack hate groups for the terrible things they have done and want to do, you find yourself hating Donald Trump. Oddly enough, it was the same for President Obama as so many people seemed to hate him. The thing I used to love hearing the haters say about Obama was that he was a socialist.
Yeah, he was such a socialist that he let all the Wall Street perpetrators of the greatest economic catastrophe since the Great Depression get off scott free. Martha Stewart can go to jail for insider trading but let’s leave Wall Street alone.
And please I don’t want to hear from the Wall Street Defense League.
But, aside from getting yourself worked up, whether you are Pro Trump or Anti Trump, Whadya Crabbin About?
Has your life been impacted by the election?
Do you still love your partner?
Do you still have your health? (OK so you may be losing your health insurance.)
Can you pay your bills?
Start to think of all the things you have and don’t let a politician take your joy away.
Fight hatred with love.
Fight hatred with forgiveness.
I don’t go on Facebook too often. I used to be logged in all day. Now, I check in to see what my family is up to. I find myself eliminating more posts than sharing them. I am sure many have deleted my posts and maybe deleted me. That’s ok with me as I have tried to stay out of the fray.
I am trying to focus on positive things and I admit that this is a challenge. Sometimes I find myself getting angry and I have to stop myself and re-focus my attention to my better angels.
I have no reason to be angry.
I have no reason to be sad.
I absolutely have no reason to hate.
The Newell Post 
Jimmy, I just read your book, A Bronx Boys Tale, and I could not put it down. I loved it. I’m guessing you write the same way you talk as I do. It was great. I was born in the Bronx in 1953, Castle Hill Ave then we moved to Pugsley ave then to Flushing. I’m trying to find someone from the Bronx that might have known my father, Sal. Pop owned a butcher shop on East 177th st Cross Bronx Expressway between the Circle and Castle ave called Jack’s Meat Market from 1946 to 1976. I worked there every summer into my college days at St John’s. A long shot I guess, but wanted to take a shot a reach out to you.
Warm regards – Sal
Sal, how great to hear from you and thank you so much for your kind words. I had to laugh when you asked if I write like I talk. The truth is that when I write I am always talking as I am typing. It was not so bad when I was writing at home but when I was riding the Long Island Rail Road, well, let’s just say I always had my own seat.
My brother used to live on Newbold Ave and I have a feeling that was near to your Pop’s store. I am sure I passed it over the years but I am afraid I do not recall ever being in it. I am guessing we were at St John’s at the same time. I graduated in 1972 and you are three years younger than I so I am guessing our paths crossed.
Thanks again and keep in touch.
Jimmy