7/21/2023

JRB,

            Did you see the encouraging headline in the WP that “Bidenomics is already weakening Trump’s 2024 hopes.” The article explains that you have “presided over an explosion of manufacturing construction, including throughout red America.”  Congrats!

            Have you heard of “Barbenheimer”, also on the WP opinion page today? It’s the “campy, mindless confection of Mattel-meets-mushroom-cloud content that this nuclear meet-cute has produced.” In other words, “Barbenheimer” is a mashup to commemorate the weird coincidence of 2 seemingly different films being launched at the same time.  

            I’m conflicted about Barbie & whether we need a move about her. She’s a year older than me. We had several in our house. One lost its nose to a hamster. Several lost their heads to my brother. Most ended up naked because dressing them was tiresome. My favorite Barbie outfit was a suit with gold trim. When I learned math & feminism & found out that Barbie’s ratios were inhuman, I canceled her.

Since cancel culture is problematic, should I try to see that of God in Barbie? At least I can try to see that of God in her fans, including one who works in my department & has a collection of more than 400 dolls & a lady in KC who has more than 1000 Black Barbies. OMG!

            Back to Barbenhiemer – TA Harper (TAH) points out that they “tell the same terrifying story” about how humans have left their indelible mark on our fragile planet “in the form of plastic & plutonium’s lingering traces” through “accelerating militarism & unbounded consumption.”

            Isn’t it amazing that TAH can write such an awful message in such stunning prose?

            Speaking of awful messages, ReliefWeb just reported that access restrictions continue to impede the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance to populations affected by Tropical Cyclone Mocha in Rakhine State. Please keep calling attention to this situation so the people of Burma do not feel forgotten.

            BYBS,