For over a century, the worst fires in New York City history have claimed the lives of immigrants.

Sunday’s fire was the city’s deadliest since 1990, when arson at an unlicensed Bronx nightclub killed 87 people, mostly Honduran and Central American immigrants.

The Happy Land Social Club inferno — about a mile from the Twin Parks North West building — was the deadliest in the city since the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire in Manhattan, where 146 young mostly Jewish and Italian seamstresses perished.

These historic fires parallel immigrant life in the city.

“Those who are most vulnerable, AND LEAST VALUED, live and work in precarious situations often under conditions where legal and regulatory enforcement is lax. The law, that is building and fire code, is insufficient as well as often poorly enforced, and this is the case today in the Bronx and it was as well in the Triangle Shirtwaist factory.” (CNN)

ARE THEIR LIVES LESS VALUABLE THAN OURS?

Do we have “Justice For All?”

Yesterday, it was announced that the President doesn’t have enough votes in the Senate to pass a voting rights law that would guarantee every American the right to vote.

Here are the strategies being employed to prevent poor people from their right to vote:

Dis-allowing early voting.

No mail-in voting.

Legislatures have created 250 bills to prevent people in poor areas from voting.

In some states, where the weather is warm in November, voters waiting in line are not allowed to distribute bottled water to keep people hydrated.

Because many poor people don’t own a car, they can’t get off work and get to polling places before they close.

Keep in mind that many of those same poor people fought in our wars and lost their lives and those of their loved ones defending America.

So, what happened to, “And Justice For All?”

Is this important to you?

If not today, when?

Definition: Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.

TRUST IN YOURSELF: Do you trust yourself to do the right thing?

TRUST IN YOUR SPOUSE: Can you trust in the words and actions of your spouse?

TRUST IN YOUR FRIENDS: Can you trust in the loyalty of your friends?

TRUST IN THE MEDIA: Can you trust that the media is truthful and unbiased?

TRUST IN YOUR LOCAL SCHOOLS: Can you trust that they support your values?

TRUST IN YOUR EMPLOYER: Can you expect fair treatment and fair wages?

TRUST IN YOUR GOVERNMENT: Does local government treat everyone equally?

TRUST IS THE FOUNDATION OF ALL RELATIONSHIPS!

Without TRUST, society cannot exist!

If not today, when?

His name is Walter.

He is always pleasant when he greets me.

He has a good marriage to his wife who drives a salt truck.

He refers to her as his partner.

The first day I met him, I told him how essential his work is..

Because we live in Michigan, he’s often out there at 7 a.m. loading the truck even on very cold days.

When I saw him yesterday morning, it was still dark outside and only 9 degrees.

He told me he has done his line of work for many years.

I always tell him I admire him because his hard work is so necessary.

Every time he leaves, he yells out to me, “God bless you!”

Do you even notice those around you, like Walter, who make our life so much better every day?

Take a minute to show your appreciation whenever the opportunity arises.

It means a lot.

This morning, while on a quick trip to the grocery store, I dropped a box of blueberries at the self-checkout.

Of course, the blueberries went in a million directions all over the floor.

Immediately. the store clerk rushed up to me and reassured me that the same thing happens all the time.

I don’t know how much she gets paid, but her quick reassurance was most appreciated because I was upset with myself that I could do such a thing.

Extra (unexpected) effort is a beautiful thing and should be recognized and rewarded by everyone in management.

Some people just try to get by while doing the minimum expected of them.

NOT HER!

Not today! Not Ever!

That’s what separates the WINNERS from the ALSO RANS!

The world’s events seem to be getting more and more serious.

Why not take a break and have whatever your kind of FUN is.

My FUN is driving a beautiful boat up the Detroit River to some distant destination.

The beauty and feeling of freedom all around me warms the soul!

I’m sure you would describe FUN in some other way that suits your tastes.

Whatever your brand of FUN may be, go out and do it!

You only live once and once is enough if you do it right.

So, throw off the worry and stress of modern day life and create your own Form of FUN!

If not today, when?

Heading into Tampa Bay’s game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon, Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski needed five catches, 58 receiving yards, or three touchdowns to get a handsome incentive heading into the postseason.

Gronkowski hauled in seven receptions with 137 yards and landed a $1 million bonus and quarterback Tom Brady completed 29 of 37 passes for 326 yards with three touchdowns in the Bucs’ 41-17 win over Carolina.

With under 7 minutes to go in the game, the Bucs held a two-touchdown lead over the Panthers, but Brady made sure to go back onto the field to help Gronkowski get one final reception to land the $500,000 bonus. (FOX)

The Buccaneers’ coaches told Brady to stay out of the remainder of the game to keep him safe for the playoffs beginning next week.

Brady, told the coaches he was going to continue playing until Gronk got his bonus.

Isn’t that what friends are for?

Yes, today’s blog is all about our Democracy.

A Democracy, simply stated, is the right to choose EVERYTHING in your life!!

Including the RIGHT TO VOTE for who you want to be your mayor, governor, senator, judge and president.

A Democracy is, however, much more than the right to vote.

It’s FREEDOM to live where you want, have as many children as you want.

Have the kind of job you want.

Join the church you want.

So, Democracy is freedom, freedom, freedom.

Our Democracy is not guaranteed to last forever.

Protect it. Get involved.

If not today, when?

“with the exception of wearing a mask, I lead a normal life.

I work while wearing a mask.

I go shopping while wearing a mask.

When I get together with fully vaccinated friends and family, I don’t wear a mask.

If we get sick, we all know we should stay home.

So, I’d rather enjoy my life than live in fear.

I have had my three vaccines and I need to have my life as normal as can be.

Life is too short and I want to enjoy it!” (New York Times)