This too is Yonkers—By Eric Schoen
Where do we go from here?
This isn’t where we intended to be
We had it all, you believed in me, I believed in you
(“You Must Love Me” by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, performed by Madonna)
So, we have a new judge on the Supreme Court. Sears’ stock hit a record low of 59 cents this week as bankruptcy looms. Amtrak is ending its white glove hot food service. The Yankees will not be in the World Series, failing to advance to the American League Playoffs. And Hurricane Michael is poised to cause major destruction in the Florida panhandle.
All of this as we “celebrate,” if you could call it that, World Mental Health Day. There’s a lot going on as the leaves start to turn and fall is right on our doorstep! Let’s start with the top court in the nation…
Supreme Court
The most intelligent response to the elevation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court came from singer Taylor Swift. Breaking her political silence, she urged America to register to vote and use the power of the ballot box this November. Apparently, America listened.
There have been 65,000 new registrations since Swift came out Sunday night and encouraged people to vote, and endorsed candidates in her home state. Maybe what we need is all popular artists to come out and urge people to vote.
Remember, it costs nothing, it is your right, and by voting you can make change.
We will survive Kavanaugh on the bench, but our democracy will not survive if people don’t vote. Every year we are startled by low voter turnout, the lowest in modern Democracies. We bitch, moan, and sleep on Election Day and then complain. Your vote certainly does count.
And that doesn’t mean you should vote all Democratic or Republican or one party.
How can one vote for a sleaze ball like Bob Menendez in New Jersey? Vacations in the Dominican Republic paid for by one of his biggest contributors, and helping non-citizens with beauty queen looks obtain citizenship, while millions wait in line playing by the rules.
Or upstate where indicted Republican Chris Collins, a man who was thrown out of all his congressional committee assignments by his fellow Republicans, has the nerve to run for re-election, and running racist ads against his opponent, Nate McMurray. How can our political system allow a Collins to run for re-election when the government has video footage of him on the White House lawn using insider information to have his relative sell stocks before they tanked?
It’s time that we start to care, because if you don’t like Kavanaugh, just remember that there could be others like him appointed to the court over the next two or possibly six years!
Sears Bankruptcy?
How can a store that has catered to America building homes for families and providing appliances to keep our food cold and clothes clean be on the verge of bankruptcy – a store where checkout lines are long at Cross County and you can earn points on your purchase to make your next purchase practically free?
Sears tried to grow too fast and failed to keep up with the internet retail revolution. It bought the floundering K-Mart chain and ended up discounting Lands’ End and Structure merchandise. No pun intended, but it was not the proper fit for Sears.
Visit Sears, look for the clearance rack with the “take an extra 50 percent off” offer and stock up. You will probably see more and more of this at your local Sears if someone doesn’t take the reins and fix up the mess caused by years of mismanagement.
The Yankees Lose
Sometimes I think it is better for our mental health if the Yankees don’t make it to playoff competition. When we see a team like the Red Sox as our competitors, we know it’s going to be a tough ride.
I didn’t feel the excitement this year as the Yankees played in their post-season games. Maybe that was because we have been let down so many times in the past. Well, as the saying goes, there is always next year!
Amtrak Ending Hot Food Service
It’s been a while since I have taken an Amtrak train for long distance travel, but I have always enjoyed the dining car where fellow insomniacs who couldn’t fall asleep would gather for a hot meal or just a cup of fresh brewed coffee. And now it looks like Amtrak will be taking the white glove service away from us.
Some have thought Amtrak is in the business of running trains and should leave the food service to professionals, which makes sense. But let’s not forget those white gloved ladies and gentlemen that add a touch of class to an overcrowded train service!
Hurricane Michael
As this column goes to press, a major hurricane is poised to hit the Florida panhandle ferociously. Florida has always had a crazy Hurricane season, but as we saw last week, tornados have hit close to home.
What’s up with this nasty weather reaching our shores? Is it global warming or cooling, or are the weather gods not working in our favor anymore? Take an umbrella and always dress appropriately.
Sparklers are Illegal in Westchester
Kudos to the County Legislature and County Executive George Latimer for banning sparklers in Westchester. These devices can get very hot. Leave fireworks in the hands of professionals.
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com or follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen and Dan Murphy on the Westchester Rising Radio Show on Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. on WVOX 1460 AM or download the Simple Radio app for free from the App Store.
