Different Slants

So, let’s say it’s a perfect world and I’m President of The United States.

Which would mean a liberal, informed, and culturally aware Democrat with green sensibilities and no overwhelming desire to invade some other country and kill thousands of civilians, while at the same time being overwhelmingly concerned about this country, its people and the condition of America’s infrastructure.

I know, I know.  A total fantasy, as of this date.

But, who knows?  Something wonderful could happen.

Among the many, many changes and improvements I’d put into action, beside what I wrote in my earlier blog (6/12/08): Obama! A Blueprint for America (Written a few months ago. Check it out.), I’d change America’s relationship with Cuba.

Cuba, a country slightly larger than Ohio, about 11,800 sq. miles, with about the same population, 11,000,000 (though most likely a lot less Amish) is so rich in so many ways, so close to us, about 90 miles, and yet we hardly notice it. At least, because of the political influence of the Cubans already here, mostly in Florida, our cultural and economic ties with that island are few.   If the average American has any sense of the place, it is mostly likely through romantic movie images such as Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons in Guys and Dolls or the 2nd Godfather movie.  Or ancient political intrigue stories involving Fidel Castro, John F. Kennedy, the Bay of Pigs invasion disaster or the “Cuban Missile Crisis” dramatic standoff and Nikita Khrushchev.  All nearly 50 years ago, at this point.

And some old car enthusiasts find it romantic to think of Cuba as some Fifties car museum where all the cars driven after the revolution in 1959 are still there, undamaged by salt and parked everywhere like some permanent Hollywood movie set.

If ever there was a tropical paradise perfectly located for tourism, development and being regionally influential, it’s Cuba. Almost equally distant from the southeastern coast of the United States, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the northern coast of Venezuela, Central America and within kissing distance of popular and prosperous islands of the Caribbean and the Bahamas, Cuba is a real estate investor’s dream.

Location, location, location.

I would call the president of Cuba, Raul Castro, ask how Fidel is doing and then casually suggest that we meet for lunch someplace nearby, like say…Miami, or Jamaica or maybe even Costa Rica, and talk about some things. We should keep everything light and friendly.  Because Raul might be suspicious of a president of a big industrial country that once tried to invade his little island 46 years ago in 1962, or who also contemplated killing his brother. I’d tell him to pick a place he likes and I’d be there. No big delegation of politicians or businessmen. No huge bodyguard. Just two guys.  Representing about 320,000,000 people.

(Read on …)

The fountain at Schwarzenbergplatz, originally uploaded by richard_munden.

One of the delights of traveling without a set itinerary is the unplanned side trip.

During our 2004 tour of Eastern Europe Mary and I had scheduled our arrival, departure, and one day that I had to be in Belgrade to give a presentation at the university there.  Everything else was just making it up as we went along.

When we arrived by train in Bratislava, Slovakia, we immediately went to the information window at the train station.  This has usually proven to be a good source of information for local accommodations, points of interest, etc.  The lady running the office was very friendly and helpful.  She found a room for us and the owner would come and pick us up and take us there.  While we were waiting, she mentioned that Vienna was only one hour away by train. (Read on …)

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Note from the Author:

 

Robert M. Katzman, owner of Fighting Words Publishing Company, with four different titles currently in print and over 4,000 books sold to date, is seeking more retail outlets for his vivid and non-fiction inspirational books: 

 

Independent bookstores, Jewish and other religious organizations, Chicago historical societies or groups, English teachers who want a new voice in their class who was a witness to history, book clubs, high schools or museum gift shops.  I will support anyone who supports me by giving readings in the Chicago Metro area.  I have done this over 40 times, and I always sign my books, when asked.  Everyone, positively everyone, asks.  I was amazed, at first, by that.

 

Individuals who wish to order my books can view the four book covers and see reviews of them at www.FightingWordsPubco.com 

 

There are links to YouTube and podcasts, as well.  Or, anyone can call me directly at (847) 274-1474.  Googling my name will also produce all kinds of unusual results.  That other Robert M. Katzman, now deceased, whose name will also appear and who also published, was a doctor.  He actually bought one of my books!  Such a nice man.  Rest in peace, Dr. Katzman.

 

There will be short poems, stories and essays published in this space every two weeks by either myself or my co-blogist Richard G. Munden, or both.  If you find our postings thought provoking, moving or even amusing, please tell others to come view this site.  We will find our strength in your numbers.

 

 Next year, I will publish my fifth book, a collection of my best poetry and essays, called,

                                         

        I Seek the Praise of Ordinary Men

 

Individuals who know of independent bookstores that might be interested in a rough-hewn guy like me, who ran a chain of newsstands for 20 years in Chicago, please tell them about my books, will you?  I am partial to independent bookstores, having owned two, myself, until my last one was killed by the giant chains, in 1994. I still miss it. 

 

I’m also looking to find someone who would want to make a play out of some of my stories in the Chicago area, so I could go there and do some readings sometimes.  I think there’s enough honest sex, drugs and rock n’ roll to hold anyone’s interest, as well as a lot of authentic dialogue from ordinary people in extraordinary situations.  I think the plays would work anywhere, frankly, in some intimate theater with talented actors.

             

 

 

In July 1993, my youngest child and daughter, Rachel, then nearly thirteen, had her Bat Mitzvah.

At her party, her mother Joyce and I read this serious poem I’d written for the happy occasion. Her grandparents, Irv and Anne, my parents, were both there that day, as they were at my Bar Mitzvah thirty years earlier, in 1963.  Her older sister, Lisa (then eighteen) and her older brother David (then fifteen) were there as well.  I tried to read my words, and failed, as usual.  But Joyce finished all of it, as she always has:  

When We are Seventy and You are Forty

by Robert M. Katzman ©July 1993 

When we are seventy and you are forty: 

It won’t matter if you ever repaired that explosion you called your room.

It won’t matter that all of our bath towels were in your room, soaking wet, and on the floor in Hamsterland. 

It won’t matter that your determined gymnastics in the living room sounded like incoming rockets when we were in the basement.  

When we are seventy and you are forty:

It won’t matter that your high-spirited mob of friends kept us up until three in the morning, whenever they slept over. 

It won’t matter whether you were an honor student or a misfit.

It won’t matter that little bits of evidence of Rachel would be found in every single room you’d been in. 

When we are seventy and you are forty,

All that will count to us is:

When the good things happen in your life, you will want us to know. 

When you experience pain of any kind, you will always know our hearts and arms are open to you. 

When we call you to talk, you will always be willing to listen to us. 

When we have heartache, we can always find solace with you. 

When we are seventy and you are forty,

And your brother is forty-two and your sister is forty-five: 

May we all feel as much love for each other then, as we all feel for each other today.

(Read on …)