10/19/2023

JRB,

            Each morning I seek a mystical moment, a time when I lose myself & become one with the universe. Most mornings I miss the mark. Some mornings I have doubts about the whole enterprise.

            Today I find myself embracing Octavia Butler’s, Earthseed, explained in this set of verses: THE ONLY LASTING TRUTH IS CHANGE. GOD IS CHANGE.

            The miraculous force that animates the world does not come from a single source. It’s everywhere, in every one of us & in every living cell. I don’t know where I am going with this, except perhaps to convey to you that in trying to make sense of the “inflection point” that you often mention, I find myself seeking unity with the world & I am finding it hard.

            I found some solace in several articles about peace. In the G, Ellen Brotsky & Ariel Koren wrote, “as Jews, we condemn what Israel is doing in Gaza.” Another was about “relatives of campaigners killed by Hamas… (who are) arguing against revenge.” In the NYT, Ayman Odeh opined that “All the World’s Babies Are Children of a Single Nation” & called for the “international community to step up in the face of unspeakable tragedy & choose life (rather than war.)”

Best of all was the news that Josh Paul at the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs resigned due to your “impulsive reaction built on confirmation bias, political convenience, intellectual bankruptcy, & bureaucratic inertia.” He spoke to my condition when he wrote, “there is beauty to be found everywhere in this world, & it deserves both protection, & the right to flourish, & that is what I most desire for Palestinians & for Israelis. The murder of civilians is an enemy to that desire.” I admire his courage.

Let’s hope that China is successful in their efforts to arrest the Wa criminals who are running the scam compounds in Burma.

WINTA! It would thrill me to hear you say that in your remarks to the nation tonight.

BYBS,