4 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 J
N
for openers
More Tasty Speech
essay
A Friend in Lansing
A
s evidenced in past
articles, I have a
penchant for dis-
cussing food, eating, etc. I
am not promoting diets; I am
not castigating
you for being
overweight (but
you know who
you are). I am
only interested
in calling your
attention to col-
orful expressions
involving food items.
I do not insult others
because I am brimming over
with the milk of human kind-
ness. (You will note that I can
artfully use honeyed words to
push my cause.)
Steinbeck liked the phrase
from an old anthem to call
one of his works The Grapes of
Wrath.
With fruit as a segue, let
me remind you that one bad
apple can spoil the barrel. A
person who does you many
kindnesses can be said to
be a peach of a guy. As a
smart cookie, you will not be
conned by flattery.
When looking for employ-
ment, many job seekers want
only the cream of the crop,
hoping to be on the fast
track to the gravy train of
success and not settling for
small potatoes. Realistically,
someone’s job is his bread
and butter; he is getting out
and working and not being a
couch potato.
If you note in arguing with
someone that he is a tough
nut to crack, you should
remain as cool as a cucum-
ber. Otherwise, you may find
yourself in a pickle. Leave
the arena, letting him know
that you have bigger fish to
fry. Getting someone riled up
may lead to your goose being
cooked.
If you enjoy spicing things
up, you may think of spilling
the beans about someone.
Be cautioned, however, that
this may result in him going
bananas and accusing you of
not knowing beans about the
situation. You may realize that
you have egg on your face
and that someone who spoils
the fun just doesn’t cut the
mustard.
As I have said many times
before, what you say is often
food for thought.
Sy Manello
Editorial
Assistant
WIKIPEDIA
PURELY COMMENTARY
continued on page 7
W
hen Israel is in
crisis, the Jewish
community often
questions whether we have
friends and allies. This is
especially true at this time.
Michigan State Sen. Lana
Theis is a true
friend and ally
of the Jewish
community here
in Michigan and
has emerged
as a prominent
advocate
for Israel in
Michigan’s legislature.
Her journey toward this
commitment is deeply rooted
in her Christian upbringing
and professional experiences
throughout her career. Raised
in a Christian household,
Theis always saw her faith as
an extension of the Jewish
faith, fostering an early
connection with the Jewish
people that would shape her
views later in life.
Her path to becoming a
staunch supporter of Israel
began during her tenure as a
property manager in Beverly
Hills, California. Immersed in
a community with a significant
Jewish population, Theis had
the opportunity to learn more
about Judaism, its traditions
and the importance of Israel
to the Jewish people. This
exposure not only broadened
her cultural understanding but
also laid the foundation for her
future advocacy.
The turning point in Sen.
Theis’ passion for Israel
deepened through reading
books like Noa Tishby’s
Israel and Alan Dershowitz’s
The Case for Israel. These
works not only expanded her
knowledge of the historical
and geopolitical context
surrounding Israel but also
fueled her commitment to
actively support the Jewish
Israeli flags on the floor of the
State Senate.
Daniel
Bucksbaum