Author Information
Better than American pie
Headline in today's N.Y. Times:
'Former State Dept. Official Arrested in Harassing of Food Vendor'
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/22/nyregion/stuart-seldowitz-harassment-charges.html
Stuart Seldowitz, 64, has been charged with harassment. Who did he harass? A street food vendor in Manhattan. What did he say? Among other things, he insulted his religion, called him 'ignorant' and a 'terrorist', and threatened him with deportation back to the Middle East where he would be tortured. And by the way, this was captured on video. Lovely guy, no? No. He was rightfully charged and should be prosecuted.
I tip my hat to the food vendor here. He was unfailingly polite in the face of this verbal abuse. I know if I was the street vendor, I wouldn't be able to restrain myself. Upon seeing him return to my cart for several days, which he did, I would say the following:
'Hello again sir. Nice to see you. What can I get you today? May I make a suggestion? I've prepared a special dish for you, one I'm sure you'll enjoy. First, let me ask. Have you seen that movie 'The Help'? No? That's fine sir. I would describe a scene where a woman employed as a domestic serves her employer a pie, a type she's never tasted before. You'll get the same feeling she did when trying this dish! Very good sir. Any soda with that?'
