On The West Bank

Israel's far right government has cooperated with settlers destroying thousands of olive trees on the West Bank. This is olive picking season, and the pickers have been under attack by the settlers. Olive trees take years to start producing their fruit.

Recognition of Palestine by many EU countries has only emboldened the settlers, who had become more aggressive since the Hamas attack in 2023. The settler block and their agenda hold important posts in Netanyahu's coalition government. To the fundamentalist settlers, the West Bank is biblical Judea and Samaria, and should belong to Israel.

While 3th country(s) mediators may be coming to Gaza, to be between the IDF and Hamas, the West Bank Palestinians, in both land and person, are on their own.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

Allentown And Palestine

There was always a large Jewish presence in Jerusalem and other towns in Palestine. Although the Jewish population jumped with survivors of the Holocaust, Jews were there since biblical times. After the UN Partition of 1947/1948, Jews also came from Arab lands. Some came under their own volition, many others were forced out of their Arab homelands, by hostility to the creation of Israel.

Shown above is a $5 donation in 1932 by Schaffer and Max, to a Jewish institution in Jerusalem. They were located on 3th Street, the current Liberty Recycling. During the Depression, $5 was a lot more than it is now. Many Jewish families in Allentown put their spare change in a charity box for Palestine, and then Israel.

October 7th 2023 was a horror for Israel. However, I'm likewise distressed by the Netanyahu government response. Indisputable domicide in Gaza. Many others, with no attachment to Israel, are referring to genocide.

I'm not here to be polite

Standing Up To Trump

Alvin Holsey, the Naval Admiral at the top of the command chain involved in attacking the supposed smuggler boats off Venezuela, has resigned his post. He supposedly said “I cannot, in good conscience, authorize or execute orders that risk innocent lives and compromise the principles I swore to uphold.”

Hegseth has responded by moving the assignment from the Navy to the Marines.

Meanwhile, back here in Allentown, hundreds of people lined Cedar Crest Blvd. for the No Kings Day protest. Ryan Mackenzie's office has become ground zero for locals expressing themselves against the Trump administration. I believe that others from different segments across the government will start coming forward in resignation and protest. Hegseth and the administration only has so many fingers to plug the leaks.

I'm not here to be polite

Trump In Israel

Trump's efforts were certainly appreciated by a large segment of Israel's population, I hope enough of a majority to put Netanyahu out to pasture, but that remains to be seen.

It is disappointing, but not surprising, to see Israel and Hamas at odds again right away. Israel is slowing aid, wanting more bodies back, and Hamas is executing their competition for power in the enclave.

Although Trump rightly gets credit for the return of the living hostages, the EU's recognition of Palestine will have a greater impact on the future. While a two-state solution isn't in the near future, the Palestinians may end up with more autonomy. Unfortunately, the domicide in Gaza will take decades to rebuild.

I'm not here to be polite

Park Barn Gets Groomed

Students of this blog know that I have been on the park department's case about the barn at the park department office. They allowed vines to cover three sides, up to the gutters and beyond. Recently, I reported that some shingles were starting to fall off.

Last Thursday and Friday, that structure got a new roof, and the vines were cut at the foundation. The roofers pulled the vines off the gutters and roof edges. While I'm relieved to see the new roof, it would have been better workmanship had the city removed the vines earlier in the summer.

Pulling the vines back revealed that the top of the barn brick is fluted, a nice architectural feature hidden by the previous neglect. I'm hoping that after the vines die back, they will be removed. I'm hoping that they won't be allowed to grow back.  

I'm not here to be polite

Culture And Establishment Ties That Bind

 In a recent Facebook post, The Allentown Parknership said....Allentown park fact: The Arts Park connects the Allentown Art Museum, Baum School of Art and Symphony Hall along the Arts Walk. The pocket park is an oasis of green space downtown for nearby residents, visitors and office workers alike. Well actually, not for much longer.

Allentown NIZ Czar J.B. Reilly is moving the art museum up to his own new arts district at 10th and Hamilton. This move will nullify the 5th Street area as the art district. The board of Baum School has said nothing. Our blue bloods go along to get along. The museum, the Baum School, and Trexler Trust are inter-related.

 I expect the current museum to become a charter school or home to a non-profit. If they really cared about art in the city they would stay there on 5th, and purchase and preserve the post office, an art deco masterpiece.

I'm not here to be polite