I had not intended to write tonight despite some huge news dumps this weekend, but there are two time-sensitive stories to note. First, today First Lady Jill Biden celebrated Mother’s Day with an unannounced visit to western Ukraine, where she visited Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska at a school currently being used to house internally displaced Ukrainians. Before going to Ukraine, Biden visited displaced Ukrainian mothers and children in Romania and Slovakia, telling them that she wanted to come to “say the hearts of the American people are with the mothers of Ukraine.” On her Facebook page, Biden posted: “On this Mother’s Day, my heart is with you, First Lady Olena Zelenska, and all of the brave and resilient mothers of Ukraine.”
Just received a note from a friend which said "Next time the National anthem is played every woman and girl should take a knee!" I LOVE IT! I'm going to do it. Let's all of us - all genders! -- do it. Spread the word! We, the People, all of us, women and all genders this time.
Thank you for making sure that we knew not only of Jill Biden’s courageous visit to Ukraine, but also of the strong statement by the G7 calling out Putin’s war against Ukraine.
Looking forward to see what historical context you can highlight in view of Justice Alito’s seeming admiration for Sir Matthew Hale and his extortions that abortion was unlawful and that there was no such thing as matrimonial rape because, by marrying, a woman gave her consent for all time.
Abigail Adams: letter to her husband John. March 31st 1776.
Remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.
Jill Biden, one terrific and admirable president’s wife. Tomorrow which is already today in Russia, the so-called Victory Day will be held. Lies will be told there. But we in America, in the EU, and the nations of NATO, know the truth. Perhaps Ukraine will claim victory instead. Good night and sweet dreams.
‘First lady Jill Biden crossed the border into Ukraine on Sunday, traveling to an active war zone in a rare move for the spouse of a sitting president.’
‘Biden entered the country from Slovakia on Mother’s Day and met Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, who had not appeared in public since the Russian invasion began Feb. 24.’
“I wanted to come on Mother’s Day,” Biden said before the start of a closed-door meeting between the two first ladies. “I thought it was important to show the Ukrainian people that this war has to stop, and this war has been brutal, and that the people of the United States stand with the people of Ukraine.”
'Zelenska praised Biden “for a very courageous act” in coming to Ukraine.’
“We understand what it takes for the U.S. first lady to come here during a war when the military actions are taking place every day, where the air sirens are happening every day, even today,” she said in Ukrainian through an interpreter.'
‘For Jill Biden, a trip into Ukraine — stopping in a country that neither President Biden nor Vice President Harris visited during their recent trips to the region — enhanced the role she has carved out on the issue that has dominated and reshaped American foreign policy over the past three months.’
‘And she did it while focusing on her priorities: education, military families and mental health. A longtime educator, she visited schools in each of the three countries she traveled to, met with troops at a military base and emphasized the need for mental health services for refugees during her humanitarian visits and briefings.’
‘Her visit to Ukraine came the day before Russia’s Victory Day, which some U.S. officials worry will bring a new, even more violent phase of the war. It also followed fresh attacks in eastern Ukraine, where an official said Russian forces bombed a school that was serving as a shelter, leaving as many as 60 people buried under the rubble and feared dead.’
“There is no one specific right role,” she said. “But there is one objective: And that is to make Americans feel proud of their first lady and to feel that in some way she is a reflection of their lives and their values.”
‘Each morning, she recounted during an earlier fundraiser, she turns on the television, praying that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is still alive. Each night, the sleeping is not always easy.’
'Her visit Sunday with Zelenska follows correspondence between the two first ladies over the last few weeks,…’
'Zelenska sent another letter to Biden in April expressing concern about the long-term effects that the war will have on Ukrainian children, soldiers, and families, …’
'Here in Uzhhorod at a school now being used as temporary housing for displaced
Ukrainians, the first ladies held a roughly 30-minute private meeting, during which Zelenska said the mental health of Ukrainians was her biggest worry, …’
'‘The two women then visited a classroom and sat down at a table with children working on art projects for their mothers. The children were crafting cardboard and tissue paper bears, representing the symbol of the Zakarpattia oblast (region), where the school is located.’ (WAPO) The link of this article at the end of this comment has been gifted.
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu
Jill Biden today earned my deep respect by expressing in person her support for mothers in Ukraine. And here we wait for big news about Putin’s next move to deliver more death and destruction upon those mothers and their families.
In so many ways, the conditions of the world appear uncertain, at least to people whose privilege provided some degree of certainty. To this, I mean my privilege as an American of some means and security.
I say this because I am reminded of so many overwhelming conditions that have persisted for generations on other continents, such as Africa and Asia. Despite the apparently distant nature of these troubling conditions in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia and many other places, the influence and involvement of America has always been troubling to me. Now, the troubles seem much more personal to me, though the bombs are from another caucasian society upon a related caucasian society. But the bombing is the bombing, only the names are different. And as we know, the war efforts can be equally atrocious disregarding race ...
Elsewhere in our lives, the triple digits of heat are soon upon Arizona, where my step-daughter and family have lived for years; only to leave for North Carolina where their at-home employment allows their move to a more "climate friendly" location. But my winter here has provided me with NO sense of optimism that this population of millions of people in Maricopa County have ANY clue as to the nature of the impending crisis, coming soon to the region. Despite reports of fires in Northern Arizona, the diminishing level of water in significant areas, the cost of petrol. I have seen months of COMPLETE unfamiliarity of responsible disposal of ... waste. Like, something a little more complex than appropriate toilet training; such as disposal of household waste. Which can be recycled VERY easily. "Put your damn waste in THIS bin, please?"
But I must share very positive news from a personal and collective experience which has lent a deeply healing balm to much of the world's confusion.
Fifty years ago today, in 1972, and after many years of due diligence, a magnificent property of 116 acres was announced to be sold to the San Francisco Zen Center two days hence, on May 10, 1972. For these past five decades, tens of thousands of people have taken a more serene approach to their personal response to causes and conditions, because of time spent on this farm at the ocean's edge in the shadows of the great, hundreds year old Redwood trees, which oversea the commotions of the two legged inhabitants. At the edge of Muir Beach, in Marin County, CA.
It is because of so many people's attention and dedication to this some 800 year old Japanese Zen tradition which has reached to my marrow, that I may sleep a bit more peacefully and hopefully awake a bit more compassionately.
Isn't it wonderful to have such a fabualous First Lady! President Biden might be like President Kennedy when he took a trip to France and introduced himself as guy who accompanied Jackie to Paris. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaNom2tLR8I
When I read of Jill Biden’s visit with Olena Zelenska in Ukraine I was struck by the absolute courage of both First Ladies. I cannot image the previous First Lady doing anything like Dr. Biden did. But then such a visit would not have been necessary because had he remained in office the previous President would have sold out Ukraine in exchange for the promise of a Trump Plaza Moscow by now.
In my ongoing efforts to purge myself of my toxic masculinity and narcissism, your letters, plus the writings of Isabelle Wilkerson (“Caste”) have helped me tremendously, to see, not only how we all got here, but also how this history affects us each. Happy Mothers’ Day, indeed.
A small, but dispiriting point: one of The New York Times’ online headlines about Dr. Jill Biden’s trip to Ukraine noted that she had visited “Zelensky’s Wife” - not bothering to accord Olena Zelenska a name or an independent identity. The Alito Award of the Day goes to that headline writer!
Thank you Heather and thank you First Lady Jill Biden for lovingly representing US 🇺🇸 to Ukraine. 🇺🇦
“May 9 is a national holiday in Russia, marked with parades and honoring of relatives who fought in the war. There have been hints that Putin intends to use that symbolic day to shift in some fashion his war in Ukraine.”
It unnerves me that many of US, including some family and friends, have been misled to believe that Putin’s aggression is righteous. If he succeeds, his appetite and ambitions won’t be satisfied. He must be hobbled and humbled.
Just received a note from a friend which said "Next time the National anthem is played every woman and girl should take a knee!" I LOVE IT! I'm going to do it. Let's all of us - all genders! -- do it. Spread the word! We, the People, all of us, women and all genders this time.
Thank you for making sure that we knew not only of Jill Biden’s courageous visit to Ukraine, but also of the strong statement by the G7 calling out Putin’s war against Ukraine.
Looking forward to see what historical context you can highlight in view of Justice Alito’s seeming admiration for Sir Matthew Hale and his extortions that abortion was unlawful and that there was no such thing as matrimonial rape because, by marrying, a woman gave her consent for all time.
Just a note on civil disobedience.
Abigail Adams: letter to her husband John. March 31st 1776.
Remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.
Jill Biden, one terrific and admirable president’s wife. Tomorrow which is already today in Russia, the so-called Victory Day will be held. Lies will be told there. But we in America, in the EU, and the nations of NATO, know the truth. Perhaps Ukraine will claim victory instead. Good night and sweet dreams.
Happy Mother’s Day to you, beloved Professor. You are an amazing Lady.
Thank you for a beautiful Letter.
🙏
Two First Ladies in wartime.
‘First lady Jill Biden crossed the border into Ukraine on Sunday, traveling to an active war zone in a rare move for the spouse of a sitting president.’
‘Biden entered the country from Slovakia on Mother’s Day and met Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, who had not appeared in public since the Russian invasion began Feb. 24.’
“I wanted to come on Mother’s Day,” Biden said before the start of a closed-door meeting between the two first ladies. “I thought it was important to show the Ukrainian people that this war has to stop, and this war has been brutal, and that the people of the United States stand with the people of Ukraine.”
'Zelenska praised Biden “for a very courageous act” in coming to Ukraine.’
“We understand what it takes for the U.S. first lady to come here during a war when the military actions are taking place every day, where the air sirens are happening every day, even today,” she said in Ukrainian through an interpreter.'
‘For Jill Biden, a trip into Ukraine — stopping in a country that neither President Biden nor Vice President Harris visited during their recent trips to the region — enhanced the role she has carved out on the issue that has dominated and reshaped American foreign policy over the past three months.’
‘And she did it while focusing on her priorities: education, military families and mental health. A longtime educator, she visited schools in each of the three countries she traveled to, met with troops at a military base and emphasized the need for mental health services for refugees during her humanitarian visits and briefings.’
‘Her visit to Ukraine came the day before Russia’s Victory Day, which some U.S. officials worry will bring a new, even more violent phase of the war. It also followed fresh attacks in eastern Ukraine, where an official said Russian forces bombed a school that was serving as a shelter, leaving as many as 60 people buried under the rubble and feared dead.’
“There is no one specific right role,” she said. “But there is one objective: And that is to make Americans feel proud of their first lady and to feel that in some way she is a reflection of their lives and their values.”
‘Each morning, she recounted during an earlier fundraiser, she turns on the television, praying that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is still alive. Each night, the sleeping is not always easy.’
'Her visit Sunday with Zelenska follows correspondence between the two first ladies over the last few weeks,…’
'Zelenska sent another letter to Biden in April expressing concern about the long-term effects that the war will have on Ukrainian children, soldiers, and families, …’
'Here in Uzhhorod at a school now being used as temporary housing for displaced
Ukrainians, the first ladies held a roughly 30-minute private meeting, during which Zelenska said the mental health of Ukrainians was her biggest worry, …’
'‘The two women then visited a classroom and sat down at a table with children working on art projects for their mothers. The children were crafting cardboard and tissue paper bears, representing the symbol of the Zakarpattia oblast (region), where the school is located.’ (WAPO) The link of this article at the end of this comment has been gifted.
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu
https://wapo.st/3vUx96k
To Ketanji Brown Jackson, our hope on a Court now disgraced.
Thank you Heather. Jill Biden is an inspiration to us all, just as you are. Rest well
Jill Biden today earned my deep respect by expressing in person her support for mothers in Ukraine. And here we wait for big news about Putin’s next move to deliver more death and destruction upon those mothers and their families.
In so many ways, the conditions of the world appear uncertain, at least to people whose privilege provided some degree of certainty. To this, I mean my privilege as an American of some means and security.
I say this because I am reminded of so many overwhelming conditions that have persisted for generations on other continents, such as Africa and Asia. Despite the apparently distant nature of these troubling conditions in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia and many other places, the influence and involvement of America has always been troubling to me. Now, the troubles seem much more personal to me, though the bombs are from another caucasian society upon a related caucasian society. But the bombing is the bombing, only the names are different. And as we know, the war efforts can be equally atrocious disregarding race ...
Elsewhere in our lives, the triple digits of heat are soon upon Arizona, where my step-daughter and family have lived for years; only to leave for North Carolina where their at-home employment allows their move to a more "climate friendly" location. But my winter here has provided me with NO sense of optimism that this population of millions of people in Maricopa County have ANY clue as to the nature of the impending crisis, coming soon to the region. Despite reports of fires in Northern Arizona, the diminishing level of water in significant areas, the cost of petrol. I have seen months of COMPLETE unfamiliarity of responsible disposal of ... waste. Like, something a little more complex than appropriate toilet training; such as disposal of household waste. Which can be recycled VERY easily. "Put your damn waste in THIS bin, please?"
But I must share very positive news from a personal and collective experience which has lent a deeply healing balm to much of the world's confusion.
Fifty years ago today, in 1972, and after many years of due diligence, a magnificent property of 116 acres was announced to be sold to the San Francisco Zen Center two days hence, on May 10, 1972. For these past five decades, tens of thousands of people have taken a more serene approach to their personal response to causes and conditions, because of time spent on this farm at the ocean's edge in the shadows of the great, hundreds year old Redwood trees, which oversea the commotions of the two legged inhabitants. At the edge of Muir Beach, in Marin County, CA.
It is because of so many people's attention and dedication to this some 800 year old Japanese Zen tradition which has reached to my marrow, that I may sleep a bit more peacefully and hopefully awake a bit more compassionately.
Isn't it wonderful to have such a fabualous First Lady! President Biden might be like President Kennedy when he took a trip to France and introduced himself as guy who accompanied Jackie to Paris. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaNom2tLR8I
When I read of Jill Biden’s visit with Olena Zelenska in Ukraine I was struck by the absolute courage of both First Ladies. I cannot image the previous First Lady doing anything like Dr. Biden did. But then such a visit would not have been necessary because had he remained in office the previous President would have sold out Ukraine in exchange for the promise of a Trump Plaza Moscow by now.
In my ongoing efforts to purge myself of my toxic masculinity and narcissism, your letters, plus the writings of Isabelle Wilkerson (“Caste”) have helped me tremendously, to see, not only how we all got here, but also how this history affects us each. Happy Mothers’ Day, indeed.
A small, but dispiriting point: one of The New York Times’ online headlines about Dr. Jill Biden’s trip to Ukraine noted that she had visited “Zelensky’s Wife” - not bothering to accord Olena Zelenska a name or an independent identity. The Alito Award of the Day goes to that headline writer!
Thank you Heather and thank you First Lady Jill Biden for lovingly representing US 🇺🇸 to Ukraine. 🇺🇦
“May 9 is a national holiday in Russia, marked with parades and honoring of relatives who fought in the war. There have been hints that Putin intends to use that symbolic day to shift in some fashion his war in Ukraine.”
It unnerves me that many of US, including some family and friends, have been misled to believe that Putin’s aggression is righteous. If he succeeds, his appetite and ambitions won’t be satisfied. He must be hobbled and humbled.
I think of Melania Trump in her ‘Who Cares” raincoat—what a contrast to Dr. Jill Biden in a war zone . . .