Privacy for sale
There was a time we spoke about our “right to privacy” or our “reasonable expectation of privacy” as though we understood what those phrases meant. It was a given of American values that every individual had a fundamental right to be left alone to pursue his or her own form of happiness as long as the rights of others were respected.There was a whole realm of private ... READ MORE
Once more, with feeling
Those of you who have been reading my monthly column for a few years know that I occasionally write about my parents’ experiences with healthcare, finances, moving and the like.You also know that my father, may he rest in peace, died a few weeks ago, just shy of his 94th birthday, and that my 84-year-old mother has moved to this area from Texas to be near my brother and me.The first... READ MORE
A man of valor
Editor’s note: Some readers may remember my columns about my parents’ transition to assisted living. I am sad to say that my father, Leonard Rosenthal, passed away in Austin, Texas, on March 5. This month, in lieu of my usual column, I would like to share the tribute I gave at his funeral.Our dad was a first-born son, and perhaps partly due to that fact, he was a leader —... READ MORE
Feeling vulnerable
Every day, more aspects of our lives become intertwined with the Internet, and things we take for granted grow more dependent on its ground and satellite infrastructure.Consider our telephone, email and text conversations, our air traffic control, our national defense (the military now guides many of our troops and even airplanes remotely), and our businesses. Many elements of... READ MORE
The power in numbers
Among the truest truisms are the statements: “there is power in numbers,” and “the pen is mightier than the sword.”History offers ample examples. The problem is that those examples may illustrate successes by what we (or others) might consider good or moral causes, as well as successes by what we (or others) might consider bad or immoral causes.Not so long ago in... READ MORE
Goodbye to a quiz whiz
Back in 2005, "It's Academic" host Mac McGarry ferried me around the NBC channel 4 studio, introducing me to news anchors and other luminaries before settling back to talk about his more than 40-year career as host of the high school quiz show for a Beacon cover story on him. In the weekly show, teams from three local schools compete with lightning-fast velocity to answer... READ MORE
At your fingertips
Most people I speak with — regardless of their age — tell me they prefer reading a real newspaper (on paper) rather than a virtual one on a computer screen.They like the “old-fashioned” tactile experience, where they can turn the pages, skim the headlines, choose which ads to read, clip articles of interest, and generally feel like they have accomplished something... READ MORE
Imperfect harmony
You know how it is that sometimes something very ordinary strikes you as meaningful in a new way?For example, I attend Sabbath services every week at a synagogue near my home. There are a number of places in the service where everyone is expected to sing along or sing in response.Normally, at these times, I hear mostly my own voice in my head. But if I stop singing and listen for a moment,... READ MORE
With appreciation
Each year, I look forward to fall, knowing that our annual 50+Expos can’t be far behind. I so relish the opportunity to see hundreds, even thousands, of our readers in person, and to speak with many of you, as I did last month at our Maryland and Virginia events.There is nothing so heartwarming to a journalist as to meet readers and hear accolades and appreciation for our work, as... READ MORE
Common (lack of) sense
An item from the “be careful what you wish for” department: I was having a problem coming up with a topic for this month’s column. I was praying for some inspiration.Then I glanced at the day’s news in the paper, and oh, was I sorry! While it provided a nearly instant topic, it also made my blood boil, not once, but three times.Here, in a nutshell, are the first... READ MORE
