“Yes, my son, God bless and keep the Czar…far away from us!”
From Fiddler on the Roof
Who amongst us theater geeks has not felt the tug at the emotions as Tevye, his family, and his neighbors pack what belongings they can carry to leave their home of Anatevka?
Nearly a hundred and twenty years later, the struggles still continue and people are fleeing an oppressive Russian tyrant.
The musical, based on “Tevye and his Daughters” by Solomon Naumovich Rabinovich — better known by his pen name, Sholom Aleichem — takes place in the fictional town of Anatevka, a more singable name for a town Aleichem modeled on the town of Boyarka near his birthplace in central Ukraine. And when the musical welcomes new arrivals, they tend to have traveled from the nearest big city, Kyiv.
Tevye has always been a dream role. Over forty years ago, I almost had the chance to play the part. But a misunderstanding of the text and the story prevented that. It’s a long story that might or might not one day
The Write Side Shop
be in the book.
If you’re casting, I could still play the part.
But, hurry.
I was reminded last week that, while we’re all putting Ukrainian flags in our profiles and a certain blue and yellow have become fashion statements, we should also remember to pray for the Russian people.
I suspect that most of them do not want this conflict any more than the Ukranians.
It didn’t have to happen this way.
But I am no foreign policy expert.
I had my first above $4.00 gas siting yesterday.
It was far from being as exciting as spring’s first robin or daffodil.
If our leaders really wanted to solve this issue, they’d stop purchasing oil from Russia, open up the Keystone Pipeline, and lift the restrictions on the production of domestic oil.
Instead we’re looking to Iran and Venezuela.
It’s insane.
But let’s be clear, gas prices were rising BEFORE Russia invaded Ukraine. Don’t forget that.
It didn’t have to happen this way.
But I’m no domestic policy expert.
Outside my window, daffodils are peaking through the leaves that I still need to get up from last season.
The official arrival of spring is just a couple of weeks away. Temperatures are warm as I write this, but they’ll be falling soon.
I chuckled as a saw on Facebook a writer ask the local meteorologist if we were safe from overnight freezes. Hardly.
Late April, maybe.
But I’m no weather expert.
Lynn Redgrave, English-American actress and singer, Lynn Redgrave, was born on this day in 1943. (d. 2010)
THINGS YOU SHOULD READ
Biden’s War on Affordable Energy | Opinion
Bobby Jindal in Newsweek
He is asking other nations to do what he is not willing to allow American energy companies and workers themselves to do. Biden needs to reverse course. American oil and gas producers should be the ones helping to lower prices by increasing production and exports to Europe. Read More.
DeSantis Expected to Sign 15-Week Abortion Ban Into Law Townhall
Last week, Florida lawmakers passed a bill banning abortions in the state after 15 weeks gestation. The bill was sent to the desk of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday. He told reporters on Friday that he will sign the bill into law. Read More.
Biden’s pro-police talk doesn’t change his anti-cop walk New York Post Editorial Board
Biden’s administration has repeatedly targeted police departments and promulgated the woke, anti-cop narrative. Read More.
ALSO BORN ON THIS DAY
1841 – Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., American lawyer and jurist (d. 1935)
1921 – Alan Hale Jr., American actor and restaurateur (d. 1990)
WHAT I’M READING
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
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