It looked gloomy for the first two hours. A few people stopped by the floating bookshop, but none bought. Then a gentleman took Elizabeth George's thriller, In the Presence of the Enemy. My feet were numb by then but, given the snow due tomorrow, I decided to extend the stay. Fortunately, the thin cloud cover let some sunshine filter through to provide some warmth. I could see my shadow. As I was starting to get a chill, a woman spotted a book on teaching children prayer, part of my friend Arlynn's donation. Then my buddy Bob Rubenstein, author of Ghost Runners, showed and took the rest of the bag of children's books to bring to his tutoring gig. He was a bit glum, as his book, which has received glowing reviews, has hit a sales wall. He is stunned that a page long article in a literary magazine with a circulation of 35,000 has not sent his novel through the roof. Hang in there, Bob, and thanks to you and the other two kind souls.
I heard on the radio the other day that 60% of the abortions in New York City involve black women. And, of course, we have not heard a peep from Sharpton or Jackson or the local creep Barron. The issue must create quite a paradox for them. Lamenting or condemning the statistic would violate their liberal orthodoxy; remaining silent makes it appear they approve. The radio host said that Klansmen and bigots must have been giving each other high fives upon hearing the news.
In a distantly-related issue, Jets' coach Rex Ryan has refrained from his usual trash talk this week, and the dark side of me wonders if it is because the Steelers head man is black and Ryan does not want to appear politically incorrect. There is a wonderful moment in Seinfeld when Jerry, Elaine and even George the cheapskate over-tip a waitress because she is black. Many bend over backwards not to offend or appear bigoted. This is manifested most in the under-reporting of the alarming rate at which black males kill each other.
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