Time Magazine
"We make a grave mistake if we believe that tonight these results are somehow an embrace of the Republican Party," said Florida's newly elected Senator, Marco Rubio, who set the tone for this election cycle by chasing the incumbent governor, Charlie Crist, out of the Republican primary earlier this year. "What they are is a second chance." It was smart politics from a smart young politician — a sharp contrast to the smug certainty of Newt Gingrich's Republican revolution of 1994 and also a welcome relief from the witless thuggery that marked this campaign season. Given the country's distress, Rubio's humility seemed the best possible response. As the evening progressed, though, and more Republicans stood at their victory podiums expressing the very same sentiment, it began to seem more of a talking point than a genuine belief. "This is not a time for celebration," concluded Ohio's John Boehner. "This is a time to roll up our sleeves."
And then Boehner did something entirely unexpected and palpably real: he cried. "I've spent my whole life chasing the American Dream," he began but could not continue. He tried several more times to tell his life story — from the impoverished son of a tavern owner, with 11 brothers and sisters, working dismal jobs to get through college — but broke down each time. It was a rare moment. It gave emotional heft and validity to the Republican victory. It suggested that Boehner might be different, wiser and more reasonable, this time.[...]
"We make a grave mistake if we believe that tonight these results are somehow an embrace of the Republican Party," said Florida's newly elected Senator, Marco Rubio, who set the tone for this election cycle by chasing the incumbent governor, Charlie Crist, out of the Republican primary earlier this year. "What they are is a second chance." It was smart politics from a smart young politician — a sharp contrast to the smug certainty of Newt Gingrich's Republican revolution of 1994 and also a welcome relief from the witless thuggery that marked this campaign season. Given the country's distress, Rubio's humility seemed the best possible response. As the evening progressed, though, and more Republicans stood at their victory podiums expressing the very same sentiment, it began to seem more of a talking point than a genuine belief. "This is not a time for celebration," concluded Ohio's John Boehner. "This is a time to roll up our sleeves."
And then Boehner did something entirely unexpected and palpably real: he cried. "I've spent my whole life chasing the American Dream," he began but could not continue. He tried several more times to tell his life story — from the impoverished son of a tavern owner, with 11 brothers and sisters, working dismal jobs to get through college — but broke down each time. It was a rare moment. It gave emotional heft and validity to the Republican victory. It suggested that Boehner might be different, wiser and more reasonable, this time.[...]
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/03/02/fashion/01nite_CA0/01nite_CA0-articleLarge.jpg
ReplyDeleteThe 3rd person from the left in this picture, the modern orthodox fellow with the kippa seruga, is Teaneck resident Ilan Tokayer who is a mashgiach for the OU.
The picture was taken at City Winery, a business on Varick St in downtown Manhattan that claims to produce kosher AND non-kosher wines under the supervision of a mashgiach, dehighnu Tokayer. When you ask the company whose hashgocho they are under, they beat around the bush about an OU mashgiach having permission from the OU. When you further press them if that means they are actually under the OU, they say yes.
Whatever the exact details, what business does an OU mashgiach have getting involved in this?:
http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_393/downtowndigest.html
Sacramental Winemaking in Hudson Square
On Thursday, November 4, Trinity Church Reverend Dr. James Cooper and other officials will gather at Hudson Square to blend “Vicar’s Vintage,” a new sacramental wine that Trinity Church will use to celebrate the Eucharist. City Winery vintner Michael Dorf will be hosting the event.
The ceremony will commence with the opening of a barrel of kosher wine by a mashgiach. Afterwards, Dr. Cooper will fortify the wine with pure grape spirits. The ceremony will end with a blessing of thanksgiving.
The “Vicar’s Vintage” will prepare for bottling and ceremonial use by Easter 2011. The wine will be distributed at Sunday services at Trinity Church and St. Paul’s Chapel.
Was this a case of an OU mashgiach being osek in avodah zara mamash?
ReplyDeleteThe Eucharist, also called Communion, Sacrament, and other names, is a re-enactment of the Last Supper, the final meal that Yoshkie shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, during which he gave them bread, saying, "This is my body", and wine, saying, "This is my blood".
Xtians hold there is a special presence of Yoshkie in this rite, that the wine actually transforms into zein blut.
The shtuss that they hold is that the crucifixion helped Yoshkie defeat the Sitra Achara and that anyone can do the same if they only believe in him. It's even more ridiculous how you can get an OU mashgiach to do anything for a por dollar.