4/19/2020

My Friend DJT,

            Did you ever wonder why I capitalize the word “friend” in my salutation to you? Quakers do that to identify others who belong to the Religious Society of Friends. It is my way of being inclusive and showing that I consider you a member of my “tribe.”

I consider everyone a member of my “tribe,” and wish you would adopt the same perspective. We are ALL in this world together, and CV makes it very clear that the actions of one can affect us all. I’m not sure you realize that yet. When you tweet to your fans, “LIBERATE MI” & folks infect each other at their protest, it affects every person that they interact with when they get home. When 5% of them end up in the hospital, it affects all of the people who have to care for them. It also affects all of the people who can’t use the health system for less urgent needs because there isn’t any space for elective surgeries. When a few die, it affects not only their families, but the funeral director who has to handle their bodies. Isn’t it amazing that just being close to people can have such a profound effect?

            That’s the way of the world. Edward Lorenz codified this idea with some fancy math & called it chaos theory. He shows how the flap of butterfly wings in the Amazonian jungle can cause a storm that ravages half of Europe.

            So, when you think you’re being playful and funny, by tweeting about liberating MI, you might be igniting something big.  Please be mindful of the fact that 66% of Americans are worried about lifting restrictions too quickly. While you may be happy to see some folks waving their Trump flags and wearing their MAGA hats, their message does not promote the common good or the the general welfare. Please make your mantra, “Compassionate Retreat” & repeat it as often as you can.

            HYITL,

            RCA