I’m never thrilled to admit it, but there are wise men (and women) out there, serious types, persons of probity, even people I know and like, who do not concur with my assessments of life on this planet or my world view. There are those, for example, who believe that the IDF can and should press for a ‘total victory’ in its campaign against Hamas, even if that means going it alone against a cruel world that does not share its goals or its optimism. There is at least one Nobel Prize winner advocating a return to Israeli rule over Gaza when the fighting is over. There are some, made of the sternest stuff, who would accept a deal to return the hostages – those lucky ones who are still alive – only if the terms were to the liking of politicians of a certain stripe. Well, no, say others with equal conviction. A majority of Israelis, according to a recent poll, no longer believe #1 is possible and aren’t about to be convinced otherwise by anything Our Leader says; #2 only demonstrates, to these folks, that a person can be brilliant without having much sense; #3? Please indulge me while I share a few thoughts of my own, for reasons that will become clear as I ramble on. Oh, and I have good news about my new coffee grinder, the one I just ordered.

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I only wish it were true…

It’s just not true. I wish it were, but I know it’s not. There is this notion, spread by well-meaning but overly enthusiastic olim, that these days, whatever you want, whatever you need, you can find it here in The Land. Sure, you might be able to get it cheaper by having it sent on Amazon, and, OK, English language books you pretty much have to have shipped in, but everything else…There are many things I can’t get here, but I won’t bore you with a recitation of a host of esoteric items. However, number one on my wish list is a quality coffee grinder designed for home use. (There, I’ve said it.)

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