The intersection of Richard Simmons and Dr. Ruth
A column before more talk on the pod
RIP shtick: Phoebe Maltz Bovy remembers Dr. Ruth and Richard Simmons—and the 1980s sensibilities that defined their identities
Had July 13, 2024, been the slow-news day it first seemed, it would have been the moment to remember two greats whose deaths were announced on that date: celebrity sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer (who passed away on Friday) and fitness impresario Richard Simmons (whose body was found by his housekeeper Saturday morning). Instead, someone had to go and attempt to assassinate Donald Trump…
No, life is not ‘over’ for Jews in France—and moving to Israel is not the answer
This month, two major elections have changed the European political landscape. In both France and the United Kingdom, progressive parties have overcome significant right-wing counterparts, overthrowing 14 years of British Conservative power and staving off Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party in a surprising result. Jews, as they often are, find themselves caught in the middle. Should they be celebrating the victory of left-wing parties more likely to harbour anti-Israel members, or would a more pro-Israel right-wing result have been better—despite, in France’s case, the National Rally having roots in Holocaust denial and hate speech?…
Richard Simmons responds to Dr. Ruth inquiring about his Jewish identity on her mid-’80s television show. We’ll talk more about the legacy of Dr. Ruth with Montreal-based Dr. Laurie Betito on our next episode—and we’ll pay homage to Richard too.
The criminals in Canada will be caught and jailed. We can not co-exist with them. The Sovereign's Petition
No whining, begging or bitching.
In a democracy such as Canada, the sovereign are the people. In this petition, we the people are giving consent for PM Trudeau and his M.P. to be arrested for treason.
Our Sovereign's Petition here:
https://chng.it/NjHfMY842R