I have for a long time wanted to contribute with some news from abroad. But every day there is a new political crazy happening in the USA that takes all the attention. I don't understand how you can digest more. Honour to Heather who is able to make sense out of the many outrageous statements, political moves and decisions.
Norway was last month voted in as a member of the UN Security Council. USA and four other important countries are permanent members. Norway hopes to be an uncompromising and persistent voice for peace, climate, democracy and human rights. Hopefully we can be a voice for all people who have suffered injustice too long, the uighurs, the rohingya, the curds, the palestinians to mention a few. For a small country it is a honour and an opportunity to be a member of the Security Council that far exceeds the international importance of the country. A small country are undoubtedly dependent on the regulations by international bodies and treaties. The consequences of an “America First” or “Russia First” doctrine may be devastating for our security, economy, and prospects.
BUT, there is a big BUT, how can a small country, totally dependent on international order and recognition, exercise an active role and maintain credibility in the Security Council? How can we speak up for justice with a thin-skin and revengeful Trump in the WH? How can Norway act not to make Putin angry or make Xi Jingpin retaliate? It will be a tip-toe dance among all the cynismen that characterize the Security Council.
Last time we were in the Security Council our assignment ended three months before the Iraq war. Thanks heaven that we were not in a position where President Bush could have demanded Norway to fall in line with this fatally bad decision. It would have been a dilemma too difficult for a small nation dependent on USA for their own security.
Norway are your best friend and closest allied nation. We are grateful for your friendship and all America means to us, but our political day is very far removed from the policies of Trump. That can be a problem in the Security Council.
We need USA to leave the isolationist track and regain the position as the world’s leading democracy and human rights advocate. You can help us, and the world, by voting blue this fall.
I saw it the night of Obama's final speech in office, in January 2017, and remember absolutely weeping while Washington sang "One Last Time" which I'm pretty sure was happening at the exact same moment as the speech, a little after 9:00. Cried again watching it on Disney+ this weekend for a variety of reasons, most surprisingly because I didn't realize how deeply I was missing the sound of people cheering together in a theatre. And I'm just so thrilled that this story can be seen by so many people right now at this transformative time in history. Rise up.
Indeed. It's an experience like no other. If you get the chance, look up the video of when Lin-Manuel Miranda first performed it at the Whitehouse in 2009. His earnest joy, and President Obama's appreciation, were heartwarming and refreshing. Take care of yourself. Your spirit, intelligence, and honesty keep me afloat many days. I hope your work brings you joy along with the exhaustion. 😊
I watched Hamilton with a zoom group of 400 people, all races. Afterwards 300 remained for the conversation. I listened and learned that some Blacks, despite the beauty of it, feel that the play whitewashes the history of slavery, and they were uncomfortable with Blacks playing the roles of slaveowners and sex traffickers. I didn’t know that.
What was also eye-opening was watching the defensive white-plaining in reaction to Blacks sharing their feelings. I ended up in a private chat with another white woman who got it too. I’m so thankful I’m learning to keep my mouth shut and listen.
This is all great for discussion. 1, White-plaining, White guilt, White fragility.
2, The White denigration and fear of Black emotions.
3, Is Hamilton whitewashed? Or is it based on the real attitude of the white men at the time, that enslaving Black people was not even debatable, in which case, the topic of slavery would not be pivotal to the play. How might either position (whitewashed versus real attitude) relate to current white attitudes of “all lives matter” and “racism is all in the past,” etc., and also to current black emotions around continued oppression by whites?
Please. Your post from yesterday was worthy of a week (or more). I worry that finally telling the truth about our history is being interpreted by the GOP and, more likely, Trump as teaching our children to “hate” our country. Looking forward to hearing more from you this week. Rest up.
The best money I spent this year was on the subscription to this fine community and Disney+ so that I could watch Hamilton. I loved it. Looking forward to watching it over and over again.
Feel the same way about Hamilton. Pure genius on so many levels. If you have not heard it, check out a song This American Life asked Anna Bareilles to write about what Barack Obama must have felt but did not say about the 2016 election. Leslie Odom, Jr. brings it to magnificent life. The song is called "Seriously." To me this song as performed by Odom, who won the Tony for playing Burr in Hamilton, brings what moves us in this play right up to the present day.
Watched it yesterday - seemed fitting to watch it on the 4th. And I’ll watch it again. Such an amazing production with the original cast, which I never got to see. I did get the chance to see the touring company performance last year - and I’ll see that again when I get the chance.
Among all the other issues to cover, we still have the Me Too movement.
You may have missed this piece from The Guardian in March on March 14, 2020 because of the growing need for Covid-19 coverage. It doesn't implicate Trump directly as an abuser, but it does reiterate that Trump "denies in the strongest possible terms” being friends with the likes of John Casablancas and all the other men who were caught up in the modelling business.
It's worth taking a look: It describes what I call a sleaze culture. And there is Trump, all around it:
IMHO, they're all of a piece: John Casablancas, Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump, Roger Ailes, Harvey Weinstein, Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, etc., opportunists wielding status, power and hidden agendas to indulge their hidden desires. Birds of a feather. Like energy attracts like energy.
So much depends on what happens next with the Ghislaine Maxwell indictments. And when Michael Cohen's book when it comes out. And Mary Trump's book. And Trump's tax returns (which may be indicators of other payoffs besides Stormy Daniels).
I'd like to think that "what is concealed shall be revealed," but is there enough space and time to get to it all -- for once and for all? It would be a tragedy for posterity, enlightenment and human advancement if it just goes away.
every morning I wake up have coffee and sit down to read your daily letter. Did you ever imagine you would be the guiding light we all need right now ? Your precise and concise letters are all I need to help navigate these uncharted waters. The rest of the day I have to give my heart a rest. Thank you Heather.
I am so glad that you watched it and took a night off from writing. I "ugly cried" at the end. Not just because of the emotional scene and message, but because these days my emotions are so near the surface that it doesn't take much to make me cry. Mentioned to my doctor that I was having trouble sleeping and he said to try and get rid of the stress. Yeah, right! Not sure what will help with that but I know that Buddy's photos that Heather occasionally posts certainly help bring some calm. Thank you...for everything.
I have for a long time wanted to contribute with some news from abroad. But every day there is a new political crazy happening in the USA that takes all the attention. I don't understand how you can digest more. Honour to Heather who is able to make sense out of the many outrageous statements, political moves and decisions.
Norway was last month voted in as a member of the UN Security Council. USA and four other important countries are permanent members. Norway hopes to be an uncompromising and persistent voice for peace, climate, democracy and human rights. Hopefully we can be a voice for all people who have suffered injustice too long, the uighurs, the rohingya, the curds, the palestinians to mention a few. For a small country it is a honour and an opportunity to be a member of the Security Council that far exceeds the international importance of the country. A small country are undoubtedly dependent on the regulations by international bodies and treaties. The consequences of an “America First” or “Russia First” doctrine may be devastating for our security, economy, and prospects.
BUT, there is a big BUT, how can a small country, totally dependent on international order and recognition, exercise an active role and maintain credibility in the Security Council? How can we speak up for justice with a thin-skin and revengeful Trump in the WH? How can Norway act not to make Putin angry or make Xi Jingpin retaliate? It will be a tip-toe dance among all the cynismen that characterize the Security Council.
Last time we were in the Security Council our assignment ended three months before the Iraq war. Thanks heaven that we were not in a position where President Bush could have demanded Norway to fall in line with this fatally bad decision. It would have been a dilemma too difficult for a small nation dependent on USA for their own security.
Norway are your best friend and closest allied nation. We are grateful for your friendship and all America means to us, but our political day is very far removed from the policies of Trump. That can be a problem in the Security Council.
We need USA to leave the isolationist track and regain the position as the world’s leading democracy and human rights advocate. You can help us, and the world, by voting blue this fall.
I saw it the night of Obama's final speech in office, in January 2017, and remember absolutely weeping while Washington sang "One Last Time" which I'm pretty sure was happening at the exact same moment as the speech, a little after 9:00. Cried again watching it on Disney+ this weekend for a variety of reasons, most surprisingly because I didn't realize how deeply I was missing the sound of people cheering together in a theatre. And I'm just so thrilled that this story can be seen by so many people right now at this transformative time in history. Rise up.
I now strongly believe that all presidential debates should be in the form of a rap battle.
Indeed. It's an experience like no other. If you get the chance, look up the video of when Lin-Manuel Miranda first performed it at the Whitehouse in 2009. His earnest joy, and President Obama's appreciation, were heartwarming and refreshing. Take care of yourself. Your spirit, intelligence, and honesty keep me afloat many days. I hope your work brings you joy along with the exhaustion. 😊
I watched Hamilton with a zoom group of 400 people, all races. Afterwards 300 remained for the conversation. I listened and learned that some Blacks, despite the beauty of it, feel that the play whitewashes the history of slavery, and they were uncomfortable with Blacks playing the roles of slaveowners and sex traffickers. I didn’t know that.
What was also eye-opening was watching the defensive white-plaining in reaction to Blacks sharing their feelings. I ended up in a private chat with another white woman who got it too. I’m so thankful I’m learning to keep my mouth shut and listen.
This is all great for discussion. 1, White-plaining, White guilt, White fragility.
2, The White denigration and fear of Black emotions.
3, Is Hamilton whitewashed? Or is it based on the real attitude of the white men at the time, that enslaving Black people was not even debatable, in which case, the topic of slavery would not be pivotal to the play. How might either position (whitewashed versus real attitude) relate to current white attitudes of “all lives matter” and “racism is all in the past,” etc., and also to current black emotions around continued oppression by whites?
Please. Your post from yesterday was worthy of a week (or more). I worry that finally telling the truth about our history is being interpreted by the GOP and, more likely, Trump as teaching our children to “hate” our country. Looking forward to hearing more from you this week. Rest up.
I will NOT geek out about Hamilton in truly embarrassing detail... I will NOT geek out about Hamilton in truly embarrassing detail....
The best money I spent this year was on the subscription to this fine community and Disney+ so that I could watch Hamilton. I loved it. Looking forward to watching it over and over again.
Would love to hear your commentary about it, historically.
Feel the same way about Hamilton. Pure genius on so many levels. If you have not heard it, check out a song This American Life asked Anna Bareilles to write about what Barack Obama must have felt but did not say about the 2016 election. Leslie Odom, Jr. brings it to magnificent life. The song is called "Seriously." To me this song as performed by Odom, who won the Tony for playing Burr in Hamilton, brings what moves us in this play right up to the present day.
Watched it yesterday - seemed fitting to watch it on the 4th. And I’ll watch it again. Such an amazing production with the original cast, which I never got to see. I did get the chance to see the touring company performance last year - and I’ll see that again when I get the chance.
Haven't seen Hamilton yet but intend to.
On to the weeks and months ahead to the election.
Among all the other issues to cover, we still have the Me Too movement.
You may have missed this piece from The Guardian in March on March 14, 2020 because of the growing need for Covid-19 coverage. It doesn't implicate Trump directly as an abuser, but it does reiterate that Trump "denies in the strongest possible terms” being friends with the likes of John Casablancas and all the other men who were caught up in the modelling business.
It's worth taking a look: It describes what I call a sleaze culture. And there is Trump, all around it:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/14/teen-models-powerful-men-when-donald-trump-hosted-look-of-the-year?fbclid=IwAR07xcXBHVfppVZy-Fz60Z14vdzLpmBtf-IPpk0ZmWkdF_hr07srdwQxYSI
IMHO, they're all of a piece: John Casablancas, Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump, Roger Ailes, Harvey Weinstein, Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, etc., opportunists wielding status, power and hidden agendas to indulge their hidden desires. Birds of a feather. Like energy attracts like energy.
So much depends on what happens next with the Ghislaine Maxwell indictments. And when Michael Cohen's book when it comes out. And Mary Trump's book. And Trump's tax returns (which may be indicators of other payoffs besides Stormy Daniels).
I'd like to think that "what is concealed shall be revealed," but is there enough space and time to get to it all -- for once and for all? It would be a tragedy for posterity, enlightenment and human advancement if it just goes away.
We will watch 10 times more and love it just as much. Brilliant, moving, damn near perfect.
Same. Agree.
Also, don’t forget this. Particularly the laughter at 2:20
https://youtu.be/WNFf7nMIGnE
every morning I wake up have coffee and sit down to read your daily letter. Did you ever imagine you would be the guiding light we all need right now ? Your precise and concise letters are all I need to help navigate these uncharted waters. The rest of the day I have to give my heart a rest. Thank you Heather.
I am so glad that you watched it and took a night off from writing. I "ugly cried" at the end. Not just because of the emotional scene and message, but because these days my emotions are so near the surface that it doesn't take much to make me cry. Mentioned to my doctor that I was having trouble sleeping and he said to try and get rid of the stress. Yeah, right! Not sure what will help with that but I know that Buddy's photos that Heather occasionally posts certainly help bring some calm. Thank you...for everything.