N ot to crow about any accom- plishments, but I would like to point out that you readers are becoming more aware of the expressions you use. That awareness really feathers my nest. OK, have you now noticed this column’ s direction? Hopefully, my attempts to illus- trate the preponder- ance of “bird talk” will not ruffle any feathers and will not lay an egg. Most often, we will use aviary terms to describe our feelings. We enjoy being as free as birds, happy as larks, proud as peacocks. When challenged, we can become as mad as wet hens. If you are as wise as an owl, you will not settle for a job that pays chicken feed. Find an area of work that allows you to get your ducks in a row and provides tasks that, to you, are like water off a duck’ s back. To stay sharp on the job, you may have to go to bed with the chickens, which is hard to do if you are a night owl. If you are suspicious of someone’ s actions, you may want to watch him like a hawk or keep an eagle eye on him. It may not be necessary to clip his wings, but if his actions make him seem silly as a goose or crazy as a loon, you may realize he has become an albatross around your neck and you need to duck the responsibility of watching him. Be wary if you have invited some- one out to eat and you have been told she eats like a bird. A vulture is a bird! Though I am often reminded that I am no spring chicken, I am not dead as a dodo. No comment will make me believe that I am a bird brain, and I’ ll continue to wing it as I search for more word play; after all, it is not as scarce as hens’ teeth. ■ March 14 • 2019 5 jn Sy Manello Editorial Assistant views essay Our Fine-Feathered Friends JN editorial Henry Ford: Let The Discussion End? L et the discussion begin. ” With those words, Dearborn Historian Editor Bill McGraw hoped to start a conversation last month about Henry Ford and how, 100 years after he purchased the Dearborn Independent newspaper, its virulently anti-Semitic content is very much alive today and being used to fuel hate sites across the web. And via the Detroit Historical Commission’ s modestly distributed quarterly pub- lication (it has no digital platform), McGraw was advancing a funda- mental concept — “telling the whole truth about our past, no matter how unpleasant, and connecting local events to what’ s happening in the greater world. ” The discussion ended before it began. Dearborn Mayor John O’ Reilly impounded the approximately 250- copy press run with the explanation that “… we want Dearborn to be understood as it is today — a commu- nity that works hard at fostering pos- itive relationships within our city and beyond. We expect city-funded pub- lications like The Historian to support these efforts. It was thought that by pre- senting information from 100 years ago that included hateful messages — with- out a compelling reason directly linked to events in Dearborn today — this edition of The Historian could become a distraction from our continuing mes- sages of inclusion and respect. ” The Dearborn Historical Commission adopted a resolution objecting to Mayor O’ Reilly’ s actions and the respected McGraw’ s role as editor would be no more. For 24 hours, the story went viral, appearing in pub- lications and on media sites around the world. Was this a violation of the First Amendment and its free speech and press provisions? Or an attempt to sanitize history? Was it a politically calculated move to not offend the city’ s large Middle Eastern population? It was likely all of these. But at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise and when fingers are pointed largely at right-wing extremist groups, Mayor O’ Reilly’ s claims of just wanting to be inclusive and respectful while promot- ing unity and understanding ring hol- low. Heaven forbid exclusively calling out anti-Semitism for what it was and is! One need look no farther than the problem Congressional Democrats have had in addressing anti-Semitism in their own caucus, especially among their left-wing extremists. While the news cycles may be short, Mayor O’ Reilly’ s impoundment of the Dearborn Historian, his feeble efforts at justifying his actions and his “going radio silent” on the subject will endure at least as long as the content in the Dearborn Independent. ■ The Dearborn Historian Quarter Quarte ly of t y of t y he Dear he Dear e Dea born H born Hi rn Historica storica storical Commi Commission sion ss Autumn Autumn 2018 \ 018 \ 2018 Volume Volume 55, Num 5, Num 55, Number 3 er ber 3 “The Jew is a race that has no civilization to point to, no aspiring religion, no great achievement in any realm.” Henry Ford’s Dearborn Independent Dear Dearborn born I d Inde Inde d pend pend p t ent ent A Special Report: H He He H nry nry n For Ford Ford ord and nd nd d nd an an ‘Th ‘Th ‘Th ‘Th ‘The ‘Th The Int Int Int Interna erna ern r ti tional J l J Jew’ ew’ ew’ ’ w ew’ Henry Ford bought The Independ epend epend ependent 10 ent 10 ent 10 en 0 year 0 year 0 year 0 s s s ago s ago s ago s ago and us nd us and used it ed it ed it to att to att to att o attack Je k Je ack Jews. ws. Fo ws. Fo o w rd and rd a rd and rd a the paper are long gone, but but the hat hate he u e he u e u l nleash eash sh ashed flourishes in the Inter ern net age. ge. age. g For information, contact Tracey Proghovnick (248) 661-1836 jslmi.org “MANN TRACHT, UN GOTT LACHT” Living Your Best ... Jewish Senior Life Jewish Senior Life is far more than a place to live. It’s six beautiful residences where older adults can embrace life and community in a secure and supportive environment. JSL is proud to provide inclusive residential communities, programs and services. We welcome all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, familial status and marital status. “Man Plans, and God Laughs.” Adults assume the best-laid plans may be unhinged by unexpected changes, which can be either disappointing or exhilarating. Personal setbacks, losses of loved ones, illnesses, accidents or broken hearts are not uncommon. On the other hand, fate can bring unanticipated good fortune. We just the next corner. Despite possible adversity, we are urged to think positively. Experience advises us that setbacks and tragedies, like comfort and prosperity, are naturally occurring. When confronted by misfortune, clichés abound, and we’re advised to “roll with the punches,” and we know that “this too shall pass.” During a tough stint, we should remember that time heals. In periods of serenity, we should appreciate the good in our lives. Rejoicing in gratitude for the health and success of our loved ones or when achieving a milestone or good fortune, should be tempered by reality. Just as with sadness, pleasure and celebration are Rudyard Kipling put it beautifully in his poem “If”: “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two imposters just the same…You’ll be a man my son.” Downturns are not permanent defeats, and successes are not ultimate triumphs. How we face setbacks with resilience and accept our successes with grace are important measures of our worth as individuals. Let’s learn from our elders. JSL looks forward to celebrating them at our 26th Annual EIGHT OVER EIGHTY luncheon on May 19, 2019 at Adat Shalom Synagogue. To order tickets or for sponsorships and ad journal pages, contact Beth Tryon, btryon@jslmi.org 248-592-5026.