It wasn’t what I expected from a highly regarded international wine guy, now living with his American wife in New Jersey.  Out of the blue, there he was on Facebook, presenting his thoughts about the American elections – as opposed to his preferences in Pinot Noir or Malbec. He was not, he wrote, trying to influence anyone’s vote. He was just suggesting that those who do cast a ballot should ‘set aside your personal opinions about the candidates’ personalities and character, and consider their records.’ And, ‘Once you’ve done your homework, evaluate whose policies align better with your values and beliefs, and make an informed decision about who to vote for.’ Fair enough; not too much to quarrel with there. Then I noticed a comment below from his adoring, all-knowing other half, which for the moment put a stop to any further pontification. ‘Ok but u should become a citizen …’ (Bata-boom.)

At least he wasn’t offering advice about which candidates to vote for or against, as in ‘Friends don’t tell friends how to vote,’ unlike a blogger we know who tends to do just that. I’ve discussed this matter with Barbara, and we’ve been trying to figure out who we think is the target audience for his remarks? American ex-pats living in Israel or the ‘folks back home?’ Who does he think needs to be informed that if so-and-so is elected, Israel may slide into the sea? Is the basic information provided – perhaps a tad one-sided – unavailable to the readers wherever they are without any input from said writer? There’s this thing about whistlin’ Dixie.

I myself am not trying to convince my readers of anything specific in my articles, except the obvious, to encourage you to continue reading what I publish, because otherwise I’m dead in the water. But even so, I still get blowback. I did mention recently that voters in The States may have strong opinions about what is called in the trade, ‘women’s reproductive rights,’ and may act accordingly at election time. To which I was advised that I was concerned about murdering unborn children. Ouch! (I’m not going to go there!!!!!)

Which, in a roundabout way, is my way of confirming the validity of our wine guy’s point of view. It is true that in today’s polarizing times people may develop a visceral dislike for certain candidates. (Tina, our American daughter, once remarked about her urge to punch a certain politician in the face.) But that’s not typical. Even if a candidate on the ballot is not your idea of the bee’s knees or the cat’s pajamas, you probably don’t hate that hapless soul with an abiding and all-consuming passion. In fact, if that candidate were to come around to your way of thinking, all would be forgiven.

Every so often, Barbara and I get to trot down to the local school here in Ma’ale Adummim to vote in a local election, joining our neighbors of differing points of view on line. (OK, most people say, ‘in line,’ but I’m from New York City, where we know better.) We’re all there to exercise our right to vote for whomever we damn well please without anybody trying to tear up our voting card because we’re backing the wrong candidates. On the other hand, the one time there was a political protest here – with people for or against the proposed judicial ‘reforms’ lining up on opposite sides of the street near the city’s entrance – no such pleasantries were observed. Our side’s right to remain in The Land was questioned, and the local constabulary was thankfully out in force to keep the peace.

What it boils down to is this: the candidates may come and go, but the issues remain. Even when it seems to be about the politicians, if you think about it, there may be some fundamental issues involved that are non-negotiable – no way, no how. It might be a concern about the American body politic, or the future of the entire Israeli enterprise, but whatever it is causing you to draw a line in the sand, nothing anyone says will change your mind. So why bother?

And, if you present your talking points to me or send me your latest well-thought-out piece of propaganda, I will pretty much figure out fairly quickly from what media sources you are getting your information – or at least your opinions. I might chastise you for being down one of the ever-present rabbit holes that dot the landscape, but you might turn around and accuse me of the same fault. Then we might argue about which one of us is standing where the sun is shining brightly and which one is in need of a ladder. And we could argue this point until the cows come home. We could, but can you imagine a more pointless conversation – even on Facebook? So let’s not go there.

Epilogue

As many of you know, I do some of my best conversing at Power Coffeeworks. But what happens when I’m elsewhere and some witty remark needs to be made? The other day, I was picking up my four species at someone’s apartment, as I do every year. As I was about to leave, a few of the guys present were waxing rhapsodic about days gone by in the area of Pennsylvania near Hershey Park. There apparently are or were windmills in that neck of the woods, and there was a suggestion that a certain political figure might be inclined to restore said windmills to what they had been. Now if I had been standing at my favorite counter, clutching an iced latte with oat milk, I would have had no qualms about responding that it was more likely that said political figure would wind up tilting at the windmills rather than building them. But being elsewhere, I stifled the urge, wished everyone a hag samech, and departed as quietly as I had entered – species in hand.