September 13, 2020
Lots of people are tired right now. Indeed, the whole point of the constant stream of chaos coming from the administration is to exhaust us to the point we will stop caring what Trump and his supporters do.
But have you noticed that reporters are increasingly calling out the administration's lies, and people are increasingly articulating what they want the world to look like, rather than what we are currently enduring? Famously, "in the midst of chaos there is also opportunity."
Here's a little inspiration for those of you for whom the chaos is obscuring the opportunity: Wilhelmina Smith of the highly-regarded Salt Bay Chamberfest, a small non-profit performing arts organization in Maine, playing her cello-- somewhat unexpectedly-- in the light of a late-summer afternoon.
[Photo by Buddy Poland]
I've posted a few times before. I am an American living in Cambodia. I am lucky to be here. (Never thought you'd hear anyone say That, I bet. ) We have had only 275 cases of Covid here. there is 1 active case and there have been no deaths. Everyone else has recovered. The government here stepped early and hard and we have been able to keep the pandemic out. The groups we support travel the across Cambodia and visit hospitals all over the country. Except for virulent form of dengue, there are no more people in hospital now than there were a year ago.
We run a food distribution program as well as support a number of schools we helped build and we fund a landmine clearance team and 3 mobile bomb squads. Most of our work right now is in supporting those who have been effected by the Covid Economy. We do 2 or 3 distributions a week giving out 50 to 350 bags of rice and food stuffs. Each bag of rice provides 100 servings. In 4.5 months we have distributed 70 metric tons of rice and about 50 metric tons of other food stuffs. We do it all from donations.
Whenever we do a distribution the police are there. Sometimes in fairly large numbers. They help us unload the rice and set it out in rows so that those in need can get to it. They help the elderly carry the rice home. No guns. No armor. No shields. No helmets. When we distribute the food there is no pushing and shoving. Everyone sits behind their bags. Monks bless the food. Local politicians speak (yep it's just like home) and I get to say a few words. People help each other.
This is not the Cambodia many in the West picture.
I read you daily Heather. But I have to tell you it is becoming more and more disheartening, difficult, to read it all at one sitting.
I also support some organizations that are working to get out the vote, and register new voters. All the memes in the world are not going to change the mind of those who have partaken of that orange kool aide. Il Duce's followers will not be dissuaded. We play into his hands every time we waste our time talking to one of his followers.
Do everything to get out the vote. Every election in my lifetime has been referred to as the 'most important in history'. This one is it.
This made me cry. I’m in the thick of the world’s worst air quality, just outside of Portland, OR. Feeling overwhelmed and in despair, and this lovely photo and all that I want it to represent - well, thank you so much, to you and Buddy both.