Banter Bites

Does Nominated = Deserving?

Imagine if the Academy Award for Best Picture had over 300 different movies nominated …there were 318 nominees for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: Every year when nominees are announced for the Nobel Peace Prize there's inevitably uproar over some questionable nominations. And every year there are a host of articles that appear both in defense and opposition to the nominees. So why should this year be any different? Except that maybe the reaction to the nominees is as polarizing as everything else seems to be these days.

This week Red, for probably the first time, actually paid attention to the press surrounding the Nobel Peace Prize, mostly because it seemed like she couldn't avoid it. And when she asked Black what she thought about the nominations, Black basically referred Red to the Nobel Peace Prize website explaining how there's a fairly long list of people who submit nominations (deadline was February 1) and then commenting,

Being nominated may give you bragging rights … but prestige and honor come from winning.

Red thought that was it, until Black added that she found the 50-year secrecy rule very interesting.

What better way to celebrate May Day than bringing back one of Black’s favorite posts? A little history (for Red), mixed with fertility and workers’ rights (no, we’re not kidding), and a reminder that sometimes "pole dancing" doesn’t only happen in clubs …

If you’ve never thought about May Day, don’t worry, most of us haven’t.

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: Red appreciates that some holidays have historical significance, some have ancient traditions, and some are opportunities for one of Black’s unexpected, but often amusing and clever, comments, but May Day checks all those boxes.

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When the news is challenging or life’s stressful, there’s something comforting about Girl Scout cookies. Always has been, which is why we’re rerunning this post from several years ago.

Girl Scouts, though, are about so much more than cookies, as year-round girls learn important life skills, gain confidence, and discover leadership skills. But buying cookies is such a sweet way (sorry, we couldn’t resist) to support the organization. Red’s favorite is the classic shortbread (now known as Trefoils), and Black buys a large assortment and gives them all away.

But hurry! Cookie season ends on March 23.

P.S. - If S’mores and Toast-Yay! are your favorites … make sure you stock up as this is the last year they’ll be available.

Let's play word association. If we say, "Girl Scouts," what's the first word that comes to mind? Ok, what's the second word?

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: When Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout meeting – hoping to create an organization that redefined what was possible for girls everywhere – there was no way for her to know the difference it would make in the lives of millions of girls and their communities.

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Today’s turbulent times for Jews may overshadow the celebration of the Jewish New Year, one of the holiest of the Jewish holidays. Yet, ironically, we feel it should strengthen its significance, as the holiday is a time for reflection on the past and hope for the future.