New Oxymoron: “Japanese Reform” – Interpret With Care

The subject is child abduction. The discussion is about slothfully slow, eventual accession to the Hague Convention and civil code reform will take place: Japan will continue to protect kidnappers, practice abduction internally by denying parents access to their own children,  and hold out for reservations –  conditions and exceptions for refusal to return kidnapped … More New Oxymoron: “Japanese Reform” – Interpret With Care

International Child Abduction: Broken Laws and Bereaved Lives

In Washington on December 24th, 2011 a hearing entitled International Child Abduction: Broken Laws and Bereaved Lives took place at a subcommittee of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.  [See it here on CRN.]  Or, [see it here on CSPAN.] All of the speakers were superb, and Congressman  Chris Smith was extremely sharp, energetic, and well-informed … More International Child Abduction: Broken Laws and Bereaved Lives

When Lilacs Last in the Door-yard Bloom’d

For Rui- with Daddy’s  love. WHEN lilacs last in the door-yard bloom’d, And the great star early droop’d in the western sky in the night, I mourn’d—and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring. O ever-returning spring! trinity sure to me you bring; Lilac blooming perennial, and drooping star in the west, And thought of him … More When Lilacs Last in the Door-yard Bloom’d

Bread of Affliction

          “The matzah before us at our seder is like the poor bread that our fathers ate in Egypt. Matzah in the Haggadah is a remembrance of the affliction of enslavement. Let all who are hungry come and eat. Next year, may we all be free.” The bread of affliction is dry, sharp, and hard. … More Bread of Affliction