Brave New World

     The election of Donald Trump has been so surprising to so many that  a comedian  named Bert Kreischer whose podcast that I listen to sometimes ,  who voted for Hillary Clinton said that he felt like now that Donald Trump is president he has been in good mood and like anything is possible. That made me laugh so hard. If we can forget that all of this is reality we have to admit that there is going to be a bastion of comedy to be enjoyed for at least the next four years. If Hillary decides to run again in 4 years then we will find out that 74 really is the new 65. You never know. Bernie is 74 or something and he had a large following. If she really becomes the Democratic candidate in four years the presidential debates this year will seem tame.
       The best part is that SNL has been more fun to watch now than it has for about 20 years. I don't think that this was his intention but Donald Trump is definitely going to make people laugh again which really ain't too shabby.

Joan Rivers on Why She'll Never Retire

      Unfortunately comedienne Joan Rivers  passed away yesterday. What a sad day. I thought that she would be able to pull through, but alas that was not meant to be. I have been scouring you tube for a good clip of Joan and this is what I came up with. Its an interview featuring Joan and Melissa Rivers. Its priceless.
      I feel like Joan's life was cut short. I suppose I should believe that she passed because it was her time, but I also kind of believe that if that surgery had not been botched she would be alive today. Could have , would have should have, but I still wish things were different. Here we are again facing life, facing death.
      No matter what I think should have happened, I still am forever grateful she kept working for as long as she did. She managed to make me laugh so much  and brightened many days.
      Joan Rivers never retired because she enjoyed what she was doing and was blessed with the energy to be able do it until less than a week before she passed away. She worked hard to be who she was and earned the right to speak her mind. I respect her perseverance . I admire her staunch support of Israel. Not only did she defend Israel politically  but she also made appearances even  via satellite onto Israeli television shows. She was not just there to defend politics, she was with Israel to entertain and help people enjoy life. She had much tragedy in her life and had the strength to soldier through it and laugh and help others laugh. This is not something many have done. This is not something many have the opportunity to do.
        I realize that her humor is not for everyone, but she made me laugh a lot and I felt pride when she defended Israel to the press at a time when many others have not. She was brave enough to put herself out there and make a difference where many others have not and will not.
       Joan Rivers, rest in peace. Baruch Dayan Emet. You will be missed. 

the power of laughter

     I just read the most amazing article . There is a disabled  Israeli soldier, Nadav Shmueli ,who was in car accident in 2008 and has been in an unresponsive state until recently when his sister showed him a sketch from an Israeli comedy group Ma Kashur and he smiled and blinked. Since that day he has been responsive and now can communicate with the help of a letter board and is able to do math and crossword puzzles. Eventually the group Ma Kashur actually came to Nadav Shmueli's hospital room and performed for him.
     I had never heard of the group Ma Kashur until reading about this soldier's triumph. From what little I have seen of them on you tube , the appear to be the Israeli version of the three stooges. I have always heard that laughter is the best medicine. In this case it truly was.