Sal's Reflections

I really don’t like the labels conservative and liberal because they don’t really fit me. I do however like to be identified as a progressive because that word enables me to respect the past and try to make the present and future better. I don’t want to be boxed in by one political party and stop the dialogue with people whose world view differ from mine. I want my government to stop the endless wrangling and have our representatives’ roll up their sleeves, stifle their slogans and listen to the will of the people. The votes can be misleading if the choices are formed by attack ads and lobbyists strategies.

As a progressive I want every person in this country to have affordable excellent healthcare. I want the “the American dream” to become real by creating millions of well-paying jobs by addressing the grid and the crumbling infrastructure. I want an energy policy that will ensure less pollution so that my granddaughter’s generation will have a solid economy and fresh air to breathe. I desire real immigration policy that is comprehensive and fair. I hope for more opportunity for people to vote not just on certain days and the technology exists to widen the numbers that hopefully will come and vote. I want respect for all religious beliefs as well as those who do not believe and want the religions to really respect the separation of church and state. I long for the end of childhood hunger and the solutions to the homeless on our streets. I crave respect for all genders, sexual preference and equal pay and treatment for women in the workplace. I hope for the end of violence to women and a set of policies that do not do away with gun ownership but a dialogue on how we end the plague of senseless shootings in schools, theaters and shopping malls.

I long for real dialogue between the races and the end of labels on all sides that prevent the understanding that diversity is the backbone of this nation. This and much more is what the great American experiment can deliver if we jettison the labels, trust in the great American common sense and get the money the hell out of our politics. I am and will be until there is no breath left a committed progressive.

I will vote today because some kids on a beach fought and died to give me that right.It is less than heartening that elections have become more about parties than country. One side will gloat while the other side will whine but the major challenges will go untouched because there is no unified vision. In this country with the wealth of our expertise and resources there is no challenge that cannot be successfully met. We can truly ensure that all of our citizens have the tota…l and full rights that are guaranteed. There can be answers to expanding the middle class and making health care and quality education for all. The rebuilding of the grid and our infrastructure as well as tax reform and immigration reform are all doable. All of this requires real leadership and love of country above party. We are woefully in need of the spirit that occurred on December 8 1941 when it made no difference whether you were Republican,Democrat,Independent or other. The country was unified and selfish party gains seemed unpatriotic. We captured that for a brief period after 9/11 and we as citizens must force our elected officials to put country ahead of party.

Sad to hear that Brittany Maynard had died over the weekend. Incredibly painful when life ends at such a tender age. There are strong opinions on both sides of her decision and certainly they must be respected. Having personally seen many people suffer with terminal illnesses every individual and family handles the situation differently. There are some who embrace their suffering from deep religious convictions and others who feel that their suffering has no meaning. From where I stand I will make no judgment on her decision and understand that this was not an impulsive decision, nor do I believe as some that it was to gain her publicity. Agreement is not required to feel compassion and understanding that each patient confronts their choices from a complex network of beliefs and circumstances. She is finally at rest and may her family be sustained by the beauty and wonder of her lasting memory.

I loved watching the faces of children all over the city dressed in all sorts of costumes for Halloween. Many of them assume the personality of the characters they are portraying and the exuberance and joy on their faces is infectious. That wondrous part of our personality never really goes away even though we have the responsibilities of the adult world. There is great merit in at least occasionally tapping into the wonder of seeing your world through the imagination and innocence of a child.

Feeling like I am experiencing “Tuesdays with Maury” because I had a long chat with Perry at the Bakery yesterday. He in the middle of our going over who we were said “you are blessed if your friends are still here. Mine are all dead except in my heart and mind. “Great deal of truth in those words because I know both experiences. Some who were close have died but they remain as part of me and others still are the treasures that make my life so rewarding. I think I have stumbled into a new friend tat will add to the legions that have blessed me with their friendships

Wisdom is everywhere and everyday there are opportunities for learning. Yesterday at the Corner Bakery while waiting to pay I overheard the following conversation between Perry an elderly gentleman(even older than me) and Rita the cashier.”Perry you are always smiling and seem so happy.” Perry smiled and responded”Rita I don’t walk well without my cane. Can’t see too well and have two hearing aids .However, I still have my zest for life and realize each day is a gift and that is why I have this smile on my face.”Perry doesn’t know that he reinforced the wonderful idea that each day and life itself are precious.

Received a note from a friend who had recently suffered the loss of a loved one. Pouring over the pain in her words I realized that there was no simple answer to what she is experiencing. It is devastating to lose the presence of a loved one and the inability to hear their voice can be a constant reminder fifty two weeks of the year that the love is gone forever. This cannot be easily dismissed by platitudes but love in a sense never really dies. The memories and all that was shared do not evaporate and though there is silence in the heart and soul the love remains. I pray that in her pain she comes to know that what they shared was true and beautiful.

Was ant-Judaism a foothold for Nazi ant- Semitism?

Why the world silence when everyone knew?

Where were the Churches and what is the current view of Pius Xll?

What was the lost encyclical? Would it have made a difference?

Why was Demark different for the Jews?

What if Pope Francis had been Pope during the Holocaust?

Can we honor both the Jewish and Christian covenants today?

I had the good fortune to study with Dr.Viktor Frankl in Austria and the United States. In his honor and all of the survivors I met through Viktor I have written two novels to commemorate all who died. I have presented to many Jewish Organizations, Colleges and Universities as well as participating in the Jewish Book tour.

I would welcome the opportunity to speak to your community.

Best wishes,

Salvatore J.Tagliareni

sjtagliareni.com

http://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/_blog/The_ProsenPeople/post/how-a-former-catholic-priest-gained-a-new-understanding-of-the-holocaust/

p.s. Ran into my first denier at a presentation in DC. In the question and answer section a person asked if I was aware that many people even Jews belief the Holocaust was contrived by the Jews. He quoted from a 1991 film by a Jew that questioned the validity of the Shoah.Aware of Cole’s film I took him through the data and focused primarily on my experiences not only with survivors but documents and policies from the current German Government. He tried to argue and I asked the audience to be polite to him but in the end he looked foolish. At one point he said”you are not objective because you are A Jew.” I responded in my soul “I am devoted to both Judaism and Christianity but in fact I am a Baptized Christian.”

I was reminded. last night that sudden death leaves a scar tissue that actually never goes away. I was watching the world series when one of the announcers said that Oscar Taveras the brilliant twenty two year old outfielder for the St.Louis Cardinals was killed in an accident. I was stunned and almost immediately recalled that fateful morning years ago when I received a call in Rome that Jack Murphy had been killed in an accident. I feel for all who knew him and his friend and am saddened that at the beginning of what appeared to be a brilliant career his life was ended. I pray that the memories of him will sustain his family and friends in the future. My memories of Jack have brought warmth to my heart and smiles to my face to this day. May they both rest in peace.

I  have a wide berth for everyone’s personal beliefs and try to resist negative responses but some of the comments I have heard or read lately upset me. When you refer to persons who are gay as gremlins, or when you posit that Ebola is God’s revenge for gay marriage then silence is not an option. I doubt that anyone who has had personal knowledge or friendship with a person whose sexual orientation is different than theirs could utter these beliefs. However, there are still laws on the books and penalties for being different .Therefore I can respect others who differ on the issues of sexual preference but cannot be silent when it comes to depriving others of their constitutional rights. As a straight man with all the privileges I have the responsibility to openly support the rights of all.