2/19/2024

JRB,

            Did you see the article in the WP about your connection to POTUS 16 via your Robinette ancestor? TMI for me, but a fun tidbit for you.

            Have you read Allen C. Guelzo’s new book “Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, & the American Experiment?”  Isn’t it odd that such a funny looking man, prone to melancholy, could lead the nation through a time even more tumultuous than today? I appreciated ACG’s conclusion that it is “comforting that (our present) frustrations are not novelties… & that the American democracy has endured, risen, and surmounted them once & will do so again.” 

            Heather Cox Richardson says that it looked like Abe was not going to be reelected in 1864 & even so, he insisted that an election be held despite the “rebellion.” Just goes to show that you never know what the future will bring.

            Did you see Yulia Navalnaya(YBN)’s video inviting her fellow Russians to join her in opposing VVP? VVP must be regretting the death of her husband. She’s going to be even harder to deal with than he was. She may not have his wit, but she has his courage & now has the fury of a woman wronged by having the love of her life taken from her. I especially appreciated her plea to “use every opportunity. Fight against war, against corruption, against injustice…fight to take back our country.”

            YBN reminds me of Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK), a woman thrust into the spotlight, taking up the cause of democracy handed to her by circumstances beyond her control & becoming a beacon of hope, courage & strength for her followers. Willing to sacrifice personal safety & familial duties to fight for freedom. A woman to be feared by the cowardly leaders she opposes.

            Please do what you can to help both women.

            Make some noise about AAN’s remains. Where are they? Why are they being hidden?

            Make some noise about ASSK’s house in Yangon which might be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

            BYBS,