Going to the dogs

What prompted that title was today's Maale Adumim "Dog Day" and although our Paddy really wanted to go, I had to drop him off at my mother-in-law's place where he will stay for the next week while we are off to Moshav Amirim. I did though. save some of Jacob Richman's photo's to show him.

I think he might get offended at the hot-dog stand though. I mean, what a terrible thought to put into a dog's head? What, are we in Thailand?

Paddy might want to quote from "A dog day afternoon" where Leon says " I couldn't explain why I did the things I did. So I went to this psychiatrist who explained to me I was a woman in a man's body. So Sonny right away wanted to get me money for a sex change operation: but where was he to get that? 2500 dollars! My God, he's in hock up to his ears already. " But poor old Paddy has already had the dastardly deed done and maybe going to this function might have caused him some aggravation.



Did they have doggy-loos? Was tznius observed, with separate ones for male and female dogs? Maybe the new lobbyists council would debate this. Also, unless Jacob didnt photograph the "arsim" there didnt seem to be any of the pit-bulls and rottweilers that certain elements of the Maale Adumimpopulation so love. Good thing too I guess





According to the Macmillan English Dictionary, if a place or an organization is going to the dogs, it is not as good as it was in the past. People often say things like “This country’s going to the dogs. Things aren’t like they were 30 years ago” or “This train service is going to the dogs. The trains are always late. The seats are uncomfortable and the fares are high”.
The origin of this expression is believed to be in ancient China where dogs, by tradition, were not permitted within the walls of cities. Consequently, stray dogs roamed the areas outside the city walls and lived off the rubbish thrown out of the city by its inhabitants. Criminals and social outcast were often expelled from cities and were sent to live among the rubbish – and the dogs. Such people were said to have “gone to the dogs”, both literally in that that was where they were now to be found, and metaphorically in the sense that their lives had taken a distinct turn for the worse.



Well I don't think that our town has got that far....not by a long shot but some of the headlines in our two local papers were a bit worrying



The first was an op-ed by the leader of the opposition, Raphy Ben-Hur, who very rightly voiced concern over the fact that the level of students passing their matriculation (Bagrut) has dropped to 60%.

Considering that Mayor Benny Cashriel's consistent mantra for Maale Adumim has been Education and Quality of Life, one might think that a statistic like this would have the corridors of power buzzing, and not a few people in danger of losing their jobs. BUT, nothing. No comments except for a few pithy excuses quoted in the pro-administration paper.



Coincidentally, there was an article this week in Yediot about a school in one of the Arab towns (Fur-e-Dis I think) which captured the interest of education ministry inspectors, because their Matriculation results were so high, that the Ministry thought the school was cheating.



Well surprise people! DUH! this is not rocket science. The educators in Fur-e-Dis have realised that smaller classes, selection of good teachers and not letting moronic "parents committees" run half the schools, is the pathway to good education.



Maybe some reallocation of budgets is called for here. And I definitely do not mean for Talmud Torah's, but for the hiring of teachers who have a good track record, firing teachers who dont, and cutting class sizes.

I would ask Raphy (and this is one reason that I didnt vote for him even though I do think that he's a terrific bloke) What exactly do you suggest doing about this?
All the times that you have stood for election, you have made relevant critiques on how the city is run, however (and maybe I am thick and just dont understand) what is it that you would do differently and why do you think things would work better? Specifics?



The second was an article about our finest "Boys in Blue" turning up en-masse, in court in order to support a mate who has been accused of sexually harassing a fellow police woman. SHAME



The third, was the closing of the Bnei-Akiva Maon by Mayor Benny Cashriel after touring the building with his lackey Mei Abudram) and seeing the extent of the vandalism carried out. Then putting the onus on the parents and Madrichim



From a first reading, one might think that in fact, all Bnei Akiva chanichim are little vandals and that their parents have no control.
Fortunately, even though Benny Cashriel might be influenced by some of the thugs he has as advisors (and Mr Abudram fits the bill nicely), most of us know better.

It is a fact that not a few people know who the vandals really are (and not just in Mitzpe Nevo but also next to Yitzchaki). The communarit has repeatedly called the Moked, Gabi Bar Zakai knows, but for reasons also known to them, no one has done anything about it.
By all means, use the police (when they are not busy defending accused rapists), get the local security to actually turn up, but dont blame the parents, and dont punish everyone by closing the Snif altogether.

In case you think that I might have been a bit harsh on Mr Abudram, well I have my own experience on how he handles issues. But all will be revealed when I tell you about the three plots of land on HaKatross.

Have a great week

Ches