Bruce Ticker

Bruce S. Ticker

Bruce Ticker is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Free Exercise of Religion vs. Promoting the General Welfare

It all comes down to “promote the general welfare” vs. “the free exercise…of religion.”

On Nov. 8,  Satmar Grand Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum more than freely exercised his religious traditions by hosting a family wedding in Brooklyn reportedly attended by 7,000 guests at a time when coronavirus cases persisted at high levels of infection. On Nov. 23. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio promoted the general welfare by socking the organizers with a laughable $15,000 fine. On Nov. 26,  our dysfunctional Supreme Court stamped a final judgment on a synagogue attendance case – rooted in Brooklyn – prioritizing “the free exercise…of religion” over “the general welfare.” [Bruce S. Ticcker]

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Bruce Ticker, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA

What’s better paying in P.A? Nursing or terrorism?

In case you ever doubted it, Palestinians have the same conflict over career paths as you and I. Young Americans must choose between accepting a steady and lucrative if humdrum job or chasing a stimulating if risky profession. Such as a businessperson or teacher as opposed to an actor. The Palestinians last week presented their own contrasting example – that of a nurse or of a … terrorist. It turns out that it is far more profitable to choose terrorism rather than a nursing position or any other employment offered by the Palestinian Authority. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Business & Finance, Lifestyles, Middle East

Hate crimes, growing in number, still are underreported

In recent years, my past paranoia moved closer to reality with searing memories of the massacre at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life temple, the killing spree at a Jersey City kosher grocery store and the murder of a congregant at Chabad of Poway near San Diego. These inflamed feelings intensified on Monday when the FBI reported that bias-motivated murders in 2019 increased as well as bias crimes in general, with a 14 percent surge in anti-Semitic incidents as part of it, according to media sources. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Jewish History, USA

Pennsylvanians glory in their election role

My head swelled for awhile as Joe Biden, Donald Trump and their surrogates traversed Pennsylvania’s 46,000 square miles imploring us to vote for them. With Election Day past, the nation’s eyes are cast upon a handful of states to add up the remaining mail-in ballots. To think that the fate of the nation – and the world, for that matter – depends on the few, the Pennsylvanians, especially in my corner of the state, Philadelphia. If the former vice president takes Pennsylvania by one vote, and with it the election, I’m taking full credit. Doubtful, of course. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, USA

Haters on the right and left this political season

I can’t blame either congresswoman for fearing for their lives. “Posting a photo with an assault rifle next to the faces of three women of color is…incitement,” tweets U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar. “There are already death threats in response to this post.” Adds her pal Rep. Rashida Tlaib: “It’s dangerous in a time of rising political violence openly encouraged by this fascist president that a soon to be member of Congress thinks a post threatening women’s lives is acceptable.” [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

Studies in Horrific Election Rhetoric

The disgusting advertisement jumps out at you from page 9 of The Jewish Journal covering south Florida: “If You’re Jewish WHY are you Still Voting Democrat?” The ad goes downhill from there. A Jewish Orlando, Fla., woman posts on Facebook: “If you’re JEWISH and Haven’t Voted Yet: PLEASE STOP and THINK! How Can A JEWISH Person Vote For Hitler!” [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

Trump and the Rise of U.S. Violence

By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — Right-wing thugs plotted to kidnap Michigan’s governor while New York authorities walked a tightrope to contain the Covid-19 virus amid Orthodox Jewish protests that escalated to violence. President Trump’s role: He encouraged the revolting antics (conveniently, two meanings in one) of militias and even suggested that New York

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Bruce Ticker, Jewish Religion, USA

Outrageous Jew vs. Jew attacks in Brooklyn

By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — “Jewish lives matter.” Except when they are reporters and photographers who “snitch” on their brethren. New Covid-19 limits in Orthodox Jewish communities has produced several serious concerns, but the most dreadful outcome was a series of mob attacks on journalists who covered protests in the sprawling Borough Park

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Bruce Ticker, USA

Minority rules in selection of President, composition of U.S. Senate

Under the constitution, a president can be elected by a minority of voters, and the majority of senators can be elected collectively by a minority of voters. Trump was elected by a minority as were the 53 Republicans who now control the Senate, and they are authorized to stack the Supreme Court with right-wing justices whose rulings often threaten the welfare and freedom of the people. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, USA