4 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 J
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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

