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Last week I wrote about whether the Senate would have the courage to vote down Trump’s clearly unqualified picks who have baggage or views beyond the pale. It did not take too long to find out. Despite calls made by Trump, and VP-Elect Vance accompanying Matt Gaetz to meetings with key senators, it was clear that there was a group of senators who were not going to budge no matter what. So, the bully backed down and Gaetz withdrew his nomination.

As of the time I am writing my column it is unclear who will be our next president. Therefore, I will not address the candidates directly. Instead, I will comment on how the media has covered this election. The media had an excuse in 2020 because of the Covid pandemic; they have no excuse this time.

On November 13, Trump accepted the invitation of President Biden and met the president at the White House. Traditionally, that would not have been a big deal. However, it did not happen four years ago because Trump refused to meet with Biden. At that time, and to this day, Trump has refused to admit he lost the 2020 election.  In contrast, despite Trump not meeting with him in 2016, when Trump won, Biden met with him even though Biden’s vice president lost. There was little opposition to the meeting in Democrat Party circles. That is how adults act. Melania Trump did not accept First Lady Jill Biden’s invitation to meet at the White House at the same time. It just proves that Donald and Melania have one thing in common: They engage in boorish behavior.

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Yom Tov. This year was different for me due to the fact that I am still in availus and could not participate in the Hakafos during Sukkos and on Simchas Torah. It is no fun standing around while there is singing and dancing on Simchas Torah. I cannot imagine having to go through this every year. It was also a different year for the Jewish community due to what happened last Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah in Israel and what has transpired since then. There were various approaches. Some shuls seemed to act as business as usual, while others toned down the joy or had special programs, such as a siyum.

Kristallnacht occurred on November 9, 1938. Although the word Kristallnacht has been translated as the “Night of Broken Glass,” much more occurred. There were attacks on Jews in the streets along with arrests, arson, and looting. One would have thought that those days were gone. Sadly, they are not.  On November 7, Israeli soccer fans and other Jews were chased and attacked in the streets of Amsterdam by Palestinian supporters. History repeats itself.

I have decided not to write anything about the presidential election. It is hard to be silent when I read week after week the Trumpians’ distortions and/or omissions. However, the bottom line is that it is a waste of time. Harris is going to win New York. It appears that nothing that Trump or Harris says or does is going to change many minds. The election is tight and people who are interested and plan to vote have made up their mind.