I was halfway through tonight’s post with today’s quite ugly stories in it, and I just stopped, saved the file, and closed it. Enough is enough. It can wait. The upcoming week is almost certainly going to be a rough one, and we’ve all earned a break.
Dr. Richardson, so happy you called it a day! I can only speak for myself, but based on the fondness your readers have for you I would guess many will agree with me when I encourage you to play the long game. It’s unsustainable to continue to work seven days a week. Would you please consider adding one or two days of self-care *and* Buddy time into your schedule? We care about you. ❤️
I sit here in Cambodia, an 'ex patriot' American watching what is happening in my country, and my jaw just drops lower every day. In this little country that the US has condemned for decades they have managed to get everyone pulling in the same direction. They are limiting entry, insuring everyone who comes in is tested, and then undergoes quarantine at home even if they test positive. They banned the export of the most commonly used rice, insuring there would be no hoarding and constantly remind everyone to beware of Covid, distance themselves, and wear a mask in crowds.
No one is complaining. There are no lines in the stores. There are no shortages.
There is fear. A good part of this economy, especially where I live, is centered on tourism. I was here through the GFC in 2008/9 and it took the better part of 2 years to restore some semblance of order. This will be much worse, and a lot longer I fear.
BUT, people are working together. Our US charity funds several programs here, but the most critical now is a food distribution program for people who have lost their jobs. We've raised money from around the world, galvanized dozens of volunteers, Khmers and foreigners, to help repackage food and get it out to those in need. We work in harmony with the government: national, provincial, district, communal and village. We call it the TOGETHER Program because it is a lot of people working together to help their brethren.
There is no screaming. No one is chastised for wearing a mask. And everyone is helping each other.
Sorta what I would have expected from Americans. Now I am just embarassed.
Perhaps the world should step away from the US and find another way to handle the problems we have created for ourselves; all to often at the behest of American interests, not humane interests.
Please take care of yourself. The flight attendants have good advice -- Put the oxygen mask on yourself so you'll be able to help others. This is a stressful time for all of us.
tears. I have lost my composure over the Russian bounties on American military personnel. Thank you for helping us discern lies from truth in a world gone mad.
I am thrilled beyond belief that you have done this. Enough is enough indeed! Hope you slept well and are refreshed today. I went off the news for three days last week.
Turkeys are walking down the middle of my street: I wish they would pick up their relatives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Thank Buddy for her beautiful photos, please and thank you.
Here's the full passage that some have noted here, mentioning HCR in the N.Y.Times Monday Briefing today (a daily email newsletter for online subscribers) - it's the second listed under Four More Big Stories - "2. Russian Bounties on US Troops --
Even after learning in March that the Russian military offered bounties to the Taliban to kill American soldiers, the Trump administration has continued to treat Russia favorably. Heather Cox Richardson, a historian at Boston College who writes an excellent newsletter, has cataloged that recent treatment, including:
A high-profile U.S. purchase of Russian medical supplies, which Vladimir Putin used to call for an end of sanctions on Russia.
A joint Putin-Trump statement in April about “trust” between the two countries.
A friendly phone call between the leaders.
Trump’s efforts to invite Russia to the next Group of 7 meeting.
Context: Michael Schwirtz, one of the Times reporters who broke the story about the bounties, tweeted: “Election meddling and the occasional poisoning are one thing. Paying the Taliban to kill American troops, that’s something entirely new.”
And the latest development: U.S. spies and commandos alerted their superiors about the bounties as early as January, after finding large amounts of cash at a Taliban outpost."
I opened your letter with some trepidation this evening, as the last few days' letters have been pretty intense. Thank you for the breather and the lovely photo. I will brace myself for this coming week!
Thank you So Much for your letters. You provide so much Critical Information in them, that I no longer need or want to read or watch news anymore. I consider You an Essential Human Being in this complicated and Messed Up World today. Thanks for giving me just enough information that I need, and it's not too overwhelming. PLEASE take time to take care of Yourself as well!
Ugly is the right word to use for what is happening. It makes one wonder what the attraction is to ugliness and suffering that motivate Trump and his enablers. Thank you for posting photo reminders that most of the world is beautiful.
Glad to hear you giving yourself a slight break from our nation’s growing concerns. What a pleasant surprise this morning to hear you quoted and your newsletter favorably mentioned in the New York Times!
You are a beacon of light for all of us. You should take time to rest and recharge. As we all know, this is a marathon not a sprint. Thank you for sharing your talents with us and bringing together this wonderful community.
Dr. Richardson, so happy you called it a day! I can only speak for myself, but based on the fondness your readers have for you I would guess many will agree with me when I encourage you to play the long game. It’s unsustainable to continue to work seven days a week. Would you please consider adding one or two days of self-care *and* Buddy time into your schedule? We care about you. ❤️
I sit here in Cambodia, an 'ex patriot' American watching what is happening in my country, and my jaw just drops lower every day. In this little country that the US has condemned for decades they have managed to get everyone pulling in the same direction. They are limiting entry, insuring everyone who comes in is tested, and then undergoes quarantine at home even if they test positive. They banned the export of the most commonly used rice, insuring there would be no hoarding and constantly remind everyone to beware of Covid, distance themselves, and wear a mask in crowds.
No one is complaining. There are no lines in the stores. There are no shortages.
There is fear. A good part of this economy, especially where I live, is centered on tourism. I was here through the GFC in 2008/9 and it took the better part of 2 years to restore some semblance of order. This will be much worse, and a lot longer I fear.
BUT, people are working together. Our US charity funds several programs here, but the most critical now is a food distribution program for people who have lost their jobs. We've raised money from around the world, galvanized dozens of volunteers, Khmers and foreigners, to help repackage food and get it out to those in need. We work in harmony with the government: national, provincial, district, communal and village. We call it the TOGETHER Program because it is a lot of people working together to help their brethren.
There is no screaming. No one is chastised for wearing a mask. And everyone is helping each other.
Sorta what I would have expected from Americans. Now I am just embarassed.
Perhaps the world should step away from the US and find another way to handle the problems we have created for ourselves; all to often at the behest of American interests, not humane interests.
And I was an officer in the US Army.
Please take care of yourself. The flight attendants have good advice -- Put the oxygen mask on yourself so you'll be able to help others. This is a stressful time for all of us.
Please consider regularly taking two days off every week...Everyone needs to rest...Thanks for your excellent information and summaries/video's...
tears. I have lost my composure over the Russian bounties on American military personnel. Thank you for helping us discern lies from truth in a world gone mad.
Thank you for being the place I go to when I need to hear the truth.
I am thrilled beyond belief that you have done this. Enough is enough indeed! Hope you slept well and are refreshed today. I went off the news for three days last week.
Turkeys are walking down the middle of my street: I wish they would pick up their relatives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Thank Buddy for her beautiful photos, please and thank you.
Here's the full passage that some have noted here, mentioning HCR in the N.Y.Times Monday Briefing today (a daily email newsletter for online subscribers) - it's the second listed under Four More Big Stories - "2. Russian Bounties on US Troops --
Even after learning in March that the Russian military offered bounties to the Taliban to kill American soldiers, the Trump administration has continued to treat Russia favorably. Heather Cox Richardson, a historian at Boston College who writes an excellent newsletter, has cataloged that recent treatment, including:
A high-profile U.S. purchase of Russian medical supplies, which Vladimir Putin used to call for an end of sanctions on Russia.
A joint Putin-Trump statement in April about “trust” between the two countries.
A friendly phone call between the leaders.
Trump’s efforts to invite Russia to the next Group of 7 meeting.
Context: Michael Schwirtz, one of the Times reporters who broke the story about the bounties, tweeted: “Election meddling and the occasional poisoning are one thing. Paying the Taliban to kill American troops, that’s something entirely new.”
And the latest development: U.S. spies and commandos alerted their superiors about the bounties as early as January, after finding large amounts of cash at a Taliban outpost."
Did you know you were cited in the daily NYTimes brief today?
wishing you some peace and healing. also wishing that for all of us.
Yes. Put your own oxygen on first.
I opened your letter with some trepidation this evening, as the last few days' letters have been pretty intense. Thank you for the breather and the lovely photo. I will brace myself for this coming week!
Thank you So Much for your letters. You provide so much Critical Information in them, that I no longer need or want to read or watch news anymore. I consider You an Essential Human Being in this complicated and Messed Up World today. Thanks for giving me just enough information that I need, and it's not too overwhelming. PLEASE take time to take care of Yourself as well!
Ugly is the right word to use for what is happening. It makes one wonder what the attraction is to ugliness and suffering that motivate Trump and his enablers. Thank you for posting photo reminders that most of the world is beautiful.
Glad to hear you giving yourself a slight break from our nation’s growing concerns. What a pleasant surprise this morning to hear you quoted and your newsletter favorably mentioned in the New York Times!
You are a beacon of light for all of us. You should take time to rest and recharge. As we all know, this is a marathon not a sprint. Thank you for sharing your talents with us and bringing together this wonderful community.