u/JD-Cowboys-Bolts

It infuriates me how the left has treated the Hostages and their families. If they truly cared about peace, coexistence, fighting political extremism, and pushing back against war and fascism they would have embracedd the fight for the hostages. Instead they tore down posters, even while the children were still enslaved in Gaza. They mocked the family members. Ayelet Levy, the mother of Naama, came to NYC to plead for an end to the war so her teen daughter could go home and crowds had to be held back by the NYPD as they chanted "shame on you". They mocked Hersh and the rest of the Beautiful 6 when they were executed, dismissed sexual assault, with Joy Gray rolling her eyes at Yarden Gonen as she pleaded for her sister Romi, who was raped in captivity, or dismissing Dafna Elyakim who was kidnapped and sexually abused at 15. These people should never be able to live their actions down.

Rom Braslavski, an Israeli who was held hostage in Gaza for 738 days, lashed out on Monday at the government’s inability to prevent the Oct. 7 attack, demanding all Parliament members and government ministers across the political spectrum resign en masse.

“Take responsibility and get out of our lives,” said Mr. Braslavski, who was held by the militant group Islamic Jihad and said he had endured starvation, torture and physical and sexual abuse in captivity and was long held in isolation. “The blood of the murdered people of Oct. 7 is all on you.”

Mr. Braslavski’s demand came as he spoke along with other members of the October Council, a forum for former captives and their families, during a news briefing held at Parliament. He described some of the harrowing experiences he endured on the day he was seized at the Nova music festival, including burying the bullet-riddled body of a young woman, under fire, as her mother called her on her cellphone.

He asked, “Would you answer the mother?”

Describing his two-year captivity, he asked, “Has anyone here ever been clinically dead? Malnourished, weighing 47 kilograms, while a 50-year-old Islamic Jihad terrorist jumps on your neck and laughs?”

“Why the hell did I have to go through this?” Mr. Braslavski asked. “Why did I have to be kidnapped from my home, on your watch? I will never be able to fully heal my soul.”

Mr. Braslavski said no one in the government had apologized for what happened to him or for how long it had taken to secure his release, calling government members, “miserable cowards.”

He demanded that all members of Parliament and all government ministers resign, whatever their political affiliation, and that they appoint an independent state commission of inquiry to investigate the failures that led to the Oct. 7 attack as their final act before resigning.

The request echoes a demand made by other former hostages, their families and Israelis who have accused the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of shirking their responsibility, in part by thwarting an independent investigation.

The October Council briefing at the Parliament building comes as Israelis gear up for the first national elections since the 2023 attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 kidnapped. Accountability for the assault is a significant issue in the election, slated to take place in the fall.

The Israeli military response to the Oct. 7 assault, lasting over two years, displaced most of Gaza’s population of two million people, led to mass suffering and killed more than 70,000 Palestinians, including combatants, according to health officials in Gaza.

The Hamas-led assault took the Israeli government, military and security services by surprise, and Israel has not yet conducted an official, comprehensive inquiry into the event.

Mr. Netanyahu has proposed a special commission that would include people chosen by his governing coalition and the opposition. The proposal departs from Israeli law and tradition, in which an independent state commission of inquiry should be composed of members chosen by the president of the Supreme Court, not by lawmakers.

Earlier this year, Mr. Netanyahu released a docusment consisting largely of quotes taken from official meetings in the years preceding the 2023 attack that appeared to lay the blame on others. In the aftermath of Oct. 7, members of the opposition accused Mr. Netanyahu of allowing Hamas to entrench itself in Gaza, pillorying him for a policy of allowing hundreds of millions of dollars from Qatar to flow into the territory.

“This country will never recover as a society if this government is not held accountable for Oct. 7,” said Jonathan Dekel-Chen from Kibbutz Nir Oz, a southern border community near Gaza that was hit hard in the attack. Mr. Dekel-Chen, whose son was held hostage in Gaza, accused members of the government of deflecting blame to stay in power and mishandling the hostage crisis, including by vilifying the families who fought for the release of their loved ones.

Mr. Dekel-Chen was not part of the October Council gathering at the Parliament building, but he too has called for accountability and change. In a phone call, he said that for the families of the former captives and those killed, an independent process and accountability for what happened are essential. “Oct. 7 is the result of years of government neglect and misguided policy,” he said.

In April, the centrist leader of Israel’s opposition, Yair Lapid, and a right-wing former prime minister, Naftali Bennett, announced that they would combine forces in the coming election, in an apparent bid to reconstitute a partnership that temporarily unseated Netanyahu five years ago. Mr. Bennett said a government under his leadership would establish an independent commission of inquiry “on Day 1.”

Mr. Lapid, speaking at Parliament on Monday, called for the government to dissolve immediately, saying, “It’s time to start something new.”

#4 The Final of HW’s Cabinet Picks are Affirmed (CNN)

“Hello tonight, I’m Bernard Shaw; today is March 2nd 1993, and this is Prime News on CNN.” The paused to look at the camera. “Our main coverage tonight, President H.W. Bush now has his cabinet filled for his second term”

The screen changed to b-roll of the Senate, the usual bland combination of bored politicians in suits and clips of nominees speaking into microphones and answering questions.

“While the Senate is currently held by Democrats by a margin of 57 to 43, the President had little difficulty getting most of his nominees through the Senate. Brent Snowcroft, President Bush’s nominee for Secretary of State, passed through the Senate on a 96-2 margin. Former Admiral James D. Watkins was approved by the Senate as Energy Secretary 98-0. Meanwhile, President Bush’s nominee for Treasury Secretary John Snow was approved 94-5, even while one Senator was quoted as claiming the new Secretary apparently ‘knew nothing’ and was just more evidence of Republicans putting a murder of private interest crows into power in Washington.”

The b-roll now cut to a man, his face round, his hairline receded more and more, little black left in his hair, this b-roll showed clips of him speaking to the President in the Oval Office, as well as standing alongside General Powell at a press conference.

“Meanwhile Dick Cheney, who has agreed to stay on for the time being, was one of the least controversial nominees in recent history. Christine Todd Whitman, a rising star in the New Jersey GOP, found more pushback, as people questioned if the President of the State Board of Public Utilities for New Jersey could handle being the Secretary of Labor for the United States. Still, after four hours of questions Mrs. Whitman was approved by the Senate the following day by a margin of 84-12.”

The b-roll went to a woman, calm, though one clip seemed to show her visibly annoyed and Senator Mitchell from Maine asked her a long winded question.

“While Henry Cisneros, the Mayor Of San Antonio would be the last cabinet member approved, fulfilling a promise of bipartisanship by President Bush, the most interesting nominee was undoubtedly former Presidential candidate Ross Perot. Perot, once, and arguably still a harsh critic of the President, stunned many when he dropped out of the race for the 1992 election last summer. Whether it is efforts to avoid having the businessman and populist leader running against his successor in 1996, or out of genuine interest in ideas, the President nominated Mister Perot to the position of Secretary of Commerce.”

The b-roll cut to some interesting smiles and shaking of hands between Bush and Perot, as well as clips of Perot’s campaign stops from the previous year. A moment later it changed to the older gentleman exchanging barbs with Senators and waving politely at throbs of news cameras and journalists.

“Perot often sparred during his confirmation hearings. However the former businessman was approved 68-30.”

The camera now cut back to Shaw as he continued in his professional tone, not quite monotone, but delivered with a smooth baritone, without peaks and valleys.

“In other news concerning the White House, it appears that the Dallas Cowboys will be appearing at the White House early next month to celebrate their 59-13 thrashing of the Buffalo Bills in Superbowl 27. No word yet if the Cowboys’ lively and outspoken owner is disappointed or not that he will not have a fellow Arkansan in the White House to greet him.”

#5 HW Rolls out the carpet for America’s Team

FORT WORTH STAR TELEGRAM
White House Rolls out the Red Carpet for America’s Team
-Randy Galloway

The South Lawn of the White House was filled with silver and blue Tuesday morning as the Dallas Cowboys were honored by President George H. W. Bush for their commanding victory in Super Bowl XXVII.

It was a clear spring morning when the Cowboys, dressed in suits, ties, often times sunglasses, as well as hairspray that could be smelled from ten yards away, arrived to celebrate their 59-13 dismantling of the Buffalo Bills in Superbowl XXVII. A victory that set a record for the largest margin of victory in Superbowl history.

Standing shoulder to shoulder Jimmy Johnson pressed himself against his players as they posed for photos alongside owner Jerry Jones, as the President of the United States recognized them as one of the most dominant teams in the NFL’s history.

“This team didn’t just win,” President Bush said, smiling as he addressed the gathering. “They defined excellence, discipline, and what it means to perform at the highest level.” President Bush may claim Houston to be home, but he only had praise for the team clad in Blue and Silver from Dallas. “This team, well, they only lost twice all year. They shut out Philadelphia in the playoffs, they forced six turnovers in the Superbowl. America’s Team truly shown as bright as the star that adorns their helmets this year.”

At the center of the celebration were the Cowboys’ biggest stars; Troy Aikman, the Superbowl MVP was seen shaking the President’s hand and engaging in conversation while others shoozed and had booze.

First Lady Barbara Bush, was sure to take photographs with the league leader in rushing, Emmitt Smith, who anchored the offense with relentless ground production throughout the year and into the playoffs. All the while Michael Irvin, boisterous and braggadocious, proclaimed that the White House had never seen a team such as this Cowboys team.

Head coach Jimmy Johnson, widely credited with building the powerhouse roster would have his own time to chat with the President; green Heineken in hand, the two could be seen smiling while deep in conversation, even as Coach Johnson had to continuously stiffarm his old Arkansas teammate and now supposed boss Jerry Jones from interrupting the two men throughout the conversation.

Standing beside the president, Aikman reflected on the team’s journey. “It’s an honor to be here. What we accomplished this season was special, but to be recognized here, at the White House, that’s something we’ll never forget.” The Quarterback would take a moment to compose himself before continuing after a moment. “When a team draft’s you first overall you are given the expectation to lead that team to a Superbowl. And to stand here, with the knowledge that we achieved that, to go from winning one game my rookie year- a game I can’t even claim to have started, to this. Fourteen and Two, going to and winning the Superbowl, this is a special moment.

The ceremony included a lighthearted moment when the team presented President Bush with a custom Cowboys jersey bearing the number “41.” Bush, known for his lifelong love of sports, held it up to cheers from players, staff, and invited guests.

For Dallas, the visit marked more than just celebration, it signaled the arrival of a new NFL dynasty. With a young core and a decisive championship performance, the Cowboys appear poised to dominate the league for years to come. Linebacker Ken Norton Jr, a leader on the Cowboys defense spoke about his thoughts, and how he had gone from a young player on a bottom-dweller to the leader of the league’s number one defense and lifting up the Lombardi.

“You know, when Coach Johnson shouted What About These Cowboys it was him saying ‘what do you think about us now’?” You know, for veterans like me, we remember the 1-15, the eagles, the Giants, the 49ers, just crushing us. You know- treating us like it was nothing. So to hear coach saying that when we won in Candlestick, asking ‘What about these Cowboys’ thats what he was saying, how do you like us now?”

Michael Irvin, the self-proclaimed ‘Playmaker’ spoke briefly, reinforcing Ken Norton’s thoughts. “You know, this team, we did this, together. We started at the bottom, and now we’re at the top, we’re at the promised land. You know this is- this is America’s Team! And we showed, that while we might have been out for a time, you can’t keep us down forever, and now, we are at, the mountaintop!”

As the event concluded, Coach Johnson summed it up simply: “This is just the beginning. This is just the beginning.” And judging by the confidence on display in Washington, few were inclined to disagree.

#6 First 100 Days review

Day 94:
Cooper rubbed his eyes, his suit jacket was off and his tie was loose. “One-hundred days. One-hundred days and yet we’re about to have another speech.” He muttered, shaking his head as Monica stood across from him in a blazer and business skirt combo. “What?” He asked, sounding more distressed than he meant too.

Monica was bemused. “You’re stressed for no reason. You’ve hardly had a long day, or even a long week, and you’re here acting like this is the first debate against Slick Willy again.”

Cooper felt his hand come up, wiping both sides of his face to buy him time. “Its fine, just told the kids I would try to have less long nights.” He let out a breath as he looked out the window. “Would be nice if I had my own office.”

“I have my own cubicle in New York.”

“Yeah must be nice working for that democrat Albright.” Cooper crossed his arms and lightly shook his head as he walked over to the window. His elbows resting into the palms of his hands. “I know the President pledged bipartisanship but Jesus. She was supposed to be Assistant to European Affairs, who the hell convinced the President to make her UN Ambassador?”

Monica shrugged and swished around the coffee in her evening mug. “She’s better than some of the options, and Perkins didn’t want to stay. I mean she may be a Democrat but she more than most is happy to see the Soviet Union fall.” She smiled. “And it's a nice position to be in, for me at least.”

“Yeah.” Cooper muttered, sinking down into a chair. “Working for Wolfowitz is a bit more up-tempo. What with the President believing that our commitment to Somalia is essential to create a new world order of peace and cooperation. He wants options, nothing like Desert Storm, but its looking like more forces are going to be deployed there.”

Monica smirked as he spoke, giving him a knowing look. Cooper raised an eyebrow and a returned a look in favor that Monica knew meant ‘what’. “My boss and your boss has been speaking. Albright wants a focus on the humanitarian aspect.”

“Of course she does.”

Monica flashed him a grin and rolled her eyes. “There’s only so much a hammer can smash, you also have to use it to build. Besides, your wonderful boss agrees more efforts is needed by the Navy off the Somali coast if true stability is to be accomplished.”

Cooper was quiet for a moment, the hum of the White House workers and offices a more subdued home compared to how it usually was. “I guess I am just hoping this speech can be engaging but have enough successes and plans to go more than five minutes without boring the American public. Helping prevent famine and civil war in Africa is great, but its also something most Americans will forget as soon as the news moves onto something else.”

Monica pursed her lips, her skin was too dark to pale, but Cooper knew well enough to pick up in the change of body language. “Apparently something went down in a Bosnian village a couple of weeks ago. You know any more about that? Working under the National Security Advisor and all?”

Cooper felt himself grow even more tired. He had read one of the reports. “The usual shit taken too a new level. Over hundred Bosnian muslims, mostly men, but a dozen kids and thirty or so women as well, killed. An escalation of a similar pattern that we’ve seen in the Lašva Valley.”

“We just going to ignore that?”

Cooper closed his eyes and almost grimaced. “Somalia doesnt really have a functioning military, they can barely go after a helicopter, much less a jet. The Croats, Bosniaks, Serbs, the rest, they have a hatred going back to World War II. Who am I kidding it goes back much farther than that. But the War allowed the grandfathers of the soldiers massacring civilians now to massacre each other then. And with Tito gone all those grudges are coming to the surface.”

“So I repeat my question. Because Albright is talking more and more about it.” Monica said, now it was her turn to cross her arms.

Cooper felt the corner of his mouth turn up, though it was a pained expression as he felt a sense of dread in his gut. “As she should, and who knows, from what I hear the President isn’t happy about it either. But the Balkans are a big place, put a leash on the Croats, put a leash on the Bosniaks, and then you’re less than halfway done because the Serbs are a much bigger issue than those two combined.”

Monica lowered a toned arm, her fingernails polished pale as she placed a hand on her hip, her other hand still firmly gripping the cup of coffee that remained barely touched upon. “Well, does that make you tired? You’re the one that bought into a new world, a new history. American Hegemony, a thousand points of light not just for America but for the world. Yet you’re here talking about a long day? She tilted her body forward, her voice was soft and kind for her friend, but her tone was that of stone as she spoke. “You speak of all that, and a few feuds by a few small groups in the Balkans have you tired? And here you are speaking of your great-something grandfather charging with Chamberlain.”

Day 98

The man sat down, rubbing his temples. “Jim why did you accept staying on as Chief of Staff.” He muttered to himself as he waited in his office. Two meetings, three people, numerous topics. “NAFTA is the priority, then a crime bill, welfare reform, throw a bone about the environment.” He muttered as he heard a knock on his door. “Show them in.”

He smiled as two men walked in. “Jim.” The one on the right, with brown hair combed to the side said as he walked in, smiling as he shook Baker’s hand firmly. “How are you today?”

“Fine Dick.” Jim replied with a cool smile. “How’s the family.”

“Good, wife can get tired of my bull sometimes. But what can I say? That’s life.”

Jim smiled. “Happy wife happy life.” The three men let out courteous chuckles as Baker turned his attention to the other man. “George, thanks for coming in. Need to get up to Maine sometime, its beautiful this time of year.”

The man gave him a nod and a smile. “Acadia especially, you’d love it, Susan too.”

Baker smiled. “Good hunting there?”

“Well its a national park so no.” George replied dryly, the elder statesman letting a small smile climb his lips. “But Maine has some places you could go if you need yet more trophies. Didn’t you bring in three thousand pounds of animals back from Zimbabwe?”

Baker raised his hand, waving him away lightly as he gave a toothy smile. “Three thousand dollars worth, not pounds. But I do appreciate you massaging my ego George.”

“Hopefully it wont have to be massaged after this meeting.”

Baker kept his smile but placed his hands on the table. “I think we can have some faith here and find a way to move forward with the President’s agenda. “One I should emphasize speaking on National Parks, includes plans for a large expansion of conservation areas. An effort on the President’s part to ensure more of our nature is enshrined for the next generation as we head to the twenty-first century.”

Gephardt kept his smile but leaned back slightly in his seat. “This isn’t a stump speech Jim. The President likes National Parks, and its something that looks good on the evening news.”

“And non-controversial to both our parties.”

Gephardt smiled and gave a light shrug. “Make too many parks, natural monuments, etcetera and the common man will have no where to work and labor.” He paused. “But I doubt the President would go so far as to do that. This trade deal on the other hand-”

“Has the votes.” Jim interrupted softly.

“Not to get past the filibuster.” Gephardt rebutted, casting a glance at Mitchell.

Baker pursed his lips. “You’d have almost as many members voting aye as we would, and we’re close to sixty solid yes votes. But the President doesn’t want to drag this out. Now, we were able to come together on that bill that lets American earmark ten percent of their income taxes to paying down the deficit. I am sure we can find a compromise on this. Worker protections, retraining programs-”

“All catchphrases we have heard before Jim.” Gephardt replied, smiling but tilting his head. “I represent the worker’s of this country. What is a miner in east Oklahoma who’s forty, or a steel worker in St. Louis or Detroit supposed to do if their plant closes down, a place they’ve worked at for a decade, because Mexicans are willing to work for a dime for every dollar our American workers make? What is a man in his thirties supposed to do with job retraining? Especially when so many have little ones at home looking up to their father, wondering where the bacon went?”

Jim lightly patted the desk. “This trade deal will bring our nations closer. On the whole it will be a net benefit to all our nations, and yes that includes our fellow Americans.”

“Maybe the consumer’s pocket when you look across the nation. But in the communities that I walk through, where I shake hands and make my living. They have very different beliefs on this.”

Jim prevented himself from sighing but took a moment before speaking again. “The President is prepared to have additional environmental protections added to NAFTA, as well as wording and efforts that protect certain industries. But make no mistake Dick, we have the votes. We simply just don’t want to drag out a fight over this.”

The men looked at each other, there was a respect, even among the disagreement. Gephardt leaned forward, his voice softer than a moment prior. “We’re not saying we want a slugging match either Jim.” The man said. “But I will not abandon my constituents.”

“And its not just this that the President wants.” Mitchell said as his body almost sagged into the chair, relaxed in his power. “He keeps talking about some big new crime bill-”

“That the Black Caucus overwhelmingly wants and backs.” Baker said, not sternly, but in a way as though his voice was scissors cutting off Mitchell’s argument. “Its their neighborhoods getting hit the hardest by these hoodlums and deadbeats.”

Mitchel placed his hands together. “Perhaps, though maybe there is a more delicate way to phrase it.”

“Im not Atwater George. Im not going to drop a hard R. But no, these crack fiends. They’re a cancer. Just the other day you see on the news? Taxi driver, black man, was from the neighborhood, gets robbed by a dirtbag, shot and killed. You know how much money was stolen? Thirty-five dollars. We have to get these fiends and predators off the streets.”

“There is a lot to discuss. But none of this will be done in the next day.” Gephardt muttered.

Baker nodded his eyes glancing towards his desk, to family and memories made over the course of a career. “I understand gentlemen. I am just giving you a heads up of what the President will be discussing. Beyond a commitment to peace in Somalia, he will be announcing that expansion of the National Park system, to include desert locations, and areas important to the Civil Rights Movement. He will also be reaffirming his commitment to getting NAFTA signed and delivered.”

“Among other things?” Mitchell asked dryly.

Baker smiled at the man. “The President may not be one for grandiose speeches, but he will be making those announcements among other things. Furthermore, he will state that he seeks to expand nuclear power, push for an infrastructure package, -go tell your side to get their pork barrel requests ready Dick- as well as a goal to achieve Welform and Crime reform in this current congress.”

Mitchell and Gephardt tilted their heads and looked at each other for a moment. Giving each other a look Gephardt looked back over to Baker, pausing a moment before speaking again. I’ll speak with Bonior and Hoyer. An infrastructure agreement might be beneficial to both our parties. You’re going to have to have a lot more meetings with us if you want to discuss welfare reform.”

“Doubtlessly.”

Mitchell spoke up now, taking a moment to straighten himself up as he sat. “You should also understand that this isn’t a purely partisan issue. NAFTA? Nuclear Power? You’ll have defections of your own to deal with.”

Baker leaned back from the desk for a moment. “Oh I know gentlemen, oh how I know.”

Day 99

Baker sat in his office, he felt the sunlight on his arm, and he thought back to Susan, wondering once again if he should have retired at the end of the President’s first term. He knew he had accomplished so much, serving under multiple Presidents, getting claps on the back for his service in helping the administration navigate the fall of the Berlin wall, victory over Saddam. He could have gone home, a former Secretary of State, written a book, looked forward to a new millennium. And most importantly, annoyed Susan by maintaining an itinerary of the greatest hunts and outdoors man could ever hope to even see, much less go on.

Baker sighed, turning a report over that sat on his desk. That wasn’t him. Well; it was him. At the same time another identity was within him, one that didn’t just rival the Hunter but surpassed him. That of the Statesman, a man dedicated to public service. One that could not just walk away, not while there was a job to be done, not when the President was still asking for him.

And so he looked up as his secretary escorted a man inside. A man who even with graying hair, carried himself with confidence, with a stature of a man that felt like he never needed to back down if what he was doing was right. He came from the President’s generation, and like the President, had served, had fought, had suffered, and had been granted a backbone that did not break.

“Jim.” He said, a calm, simple word as he stuck out his hand.

“Robert. Please, sit down.” Baker replied, shaking the mans hand for a brief moment.

The man smiled, sitting down in his chair. “Come on Jim, you know you can call me Bob.”

Baker chuckled. “Just being formal, besides, we got to get down to brass tacks for this.”

The Senate Minority Leader made a face that while not quite a grimace, not quite a smile, conveyed that he knew that the conversation would indeed have to touch upon some tough areas. “You mean getting the President’s agenda moved through Congress smoothly.”

“And swiftly, if that’s even possible in this day and age.” Baker muttered.

Bod Dole nodded and looked out the window. “Well, we’re getting old, everything can seem faster or slower these days depending on who you’re speaking to.” He paused, a smile overcoming his face. “One day we’ll all be dead and gone, me, you, George.” He said referencing the President. “In the meantime, I’ll see what I can do to help. I am assuming you wanted to talk to me about the trade deal?”

Baker nodded. “That, and getting through some new National Parks. Among other things. The President wants to set a legacy for the nation, a way to end one century, and enter a new millennium on. Infrastructure, crime, welfare.”

The Senator smirked and shook his head, still looking out the window. “Is that all?” He muttered. Taking the breah he ran his hands across the top of his breast pocket, almost dismissively. “We’ll have some no votes when it comes to NAFTA, but we’ll manage if Mitchell can get enough of his people in line. It has both agreement and dissent from both parties. Hell that sleazebag from Hope Arkansas was in support of the bill himself. There are Democrats that will vote for us, and I’ll do my best to get everyone else is line.”

Baker nodded, smiling. “And the new Parks.”

Bob Dole half snorted and half laughed dismissively. “Only the hardest hard ass wants to be on the news voting against new parks. No, no the President will have his votes there.” He paused, his eyes looking up for a moment as he thought to himself. “Infrastructure will depend on what everyone gets. It might not look like what the President is envisioning right now.”

“Some leeway and a get it done attitude is enough for now.”

“If that’s what the President needs.” Dole muttered. There was a slow but peaceful beat. “Welfare. That’s going to be a helluva battle.”

Baker shrugged, lightly. His shoulders barely rising up and down. “We plan to tie it to the deficit and wasteful spending. We’re not looking for a war there, simply a win.”

Dole leaned into the chair almost snorting. “A win huh? With welfare? God bless you in that endeavor Jim.”

“I know Bob. I know.”

Day 100

A shout there, a horn there, a shoulder bump there. Monica had gotten used to it, living in a small apartment in Manhattan. The city that never sleeps, the land of skyscrapers and commerce. Truly, her mother as a child could have never dreamed of a place like this. Neither could her mother’s family, not that they dreamed of much anymore.

Making her way down the sidewalk she approached the subway station that would guide her towards the UN Building, the place that she worked. The stairs she needed to descend down was near a parking lot that she cut through.

It was bright and sunny, and she rarely felt the need to look over her shoulder. Even when passing windowless vans. Fortunately her encounter today would not be with kidnappers, though she was still taken by surprised as a van door opened, and a man hopped out, almost flattening her as she walked by.

Stumbling, the man caught her by her sleeve, seeming almost apologetic. “My mistake, my mistake.” The man said with an accent that Monica hated to admit sent a shiver up her spine.

“She quickly steadied herself as the man shut the van door behind him. “I’m fine, I’m fine.” She muttered, standing straight until the man let go of her arm. She looked at him, she wasn’t confident in her analysis, but she felt there was a good chance he was south asian. With a thin profile, and strangely smelled of almonds.

Composing herself, the man quickly smiled at her. “You okay?” he asked quickly as he took out his keys, starting to walk around to the driver’s side.

“I am quite alright thank you.” Monica muttered, not quite flustered, but ready to get moving.

The man nodded and smiled. “Good, good, sorry.” He said, holding up his hands. He looked at her for a moment. “You seem interesting. My family is from Pakistan, well, Kuwait, but they’re originally from Pakistan. Yours?”

Monica locked her jaw, New York City after all, was the most diverse city in the world. It would do her no good to direct any hatred out to an innocent man. Even if she wanted to make fun of his ears. “Well my father is African American, his family has been here for hundreds of years, I’m sure you can do the math.”

“Ah, I see.” The man replied.

Monica doubted he could.

“Yes.” She said dryly. “My mother was born abroad though. She was born in Bangladesh.” She hid any spite in her voice.

The man kept up his friendly personality. “Ah, Bangladesh, wonderful people. The man said before looking back at his van. Somehow this response built up a fury inside of Monica’s gut. His next response did not help much. “Well I hope you have a wonderful day Miss-”

“Monica.”

“Ramzi.” The man replied with a smile as he placed his hand to his chest. “Ma'a as-salama.”

Such a quaint response. She took a breath, and then, Monica nodded, understanding what the man said. “Yes, and you have a bless-ed day.” The man smiled and nodded, not that she expected him to know the difference between blessed and bless-ed when it came from a person with her skin tone, or just from a person from the South in general.

With that she gave him a courteous smile and turned away, her leather messenger bag on her hip. Making her way up towards the avenue and to the Subway. Smiling as the dimmed lights and sunny day of the big city reigned above her. Passing a New York Times stand that announced the President’s speech that would be happening today.

She hummed a tune she made in her head. The main lyrics the chorus of ‘New York’ as she walked along millions of people.

(Chapter 7 in Comments)

These leftists are never beating the allegations

The Jews who fled Nazi Germany were traitors who should have fought a "Class" War!!

Former Hostage Rom Braslavski calls for Netanyahu government to resign