Dear President Trump, Are you and your posse really trying to bamboozle the American people with all your crap about how Donny-on-the-spot you were regarding covid-19? Is that your real goal? Somehow I don’t think it is, if for no other reason than you seem to be preternaturally good at meeting your goals and currently … Continue reading He’s running the clock and we’re letting him
Accountability
A heavy letter about sexual violence and lack of access to abortion
Dear President Trump, You probably know better than most that domestic violence often doesn’t stop with psychological and physical abuse; it frequently includes sexual violence. And we all know that when perpetrated in the context of heterosexual relationships, sexual violence can lead to unwanted pregnancies and such pregnancies serve to keep women and their children … Continue reading A heavy letter about sexual violence and lack of access to abortion
May we not capitulate to a stupid and dangerous patience
Dear President Trump, Kathleen Parker challenges her readers (WP editorial) to consider whether what one does in relation to the covid-19 crisis is helpful. I agree this is a worthy question, but she actually frames it through the lens of doing no harm, which is really a lower bar than whether something is helpful. And … Continue reading May we not capitulate to a stupid and dangerous patience
Letters and hot coals
Dear President Trump, The other day Laura read me a letter that was addressed to you that was credited to Tommy Lee of Motley Crue but that Sarah Silverman revealed was really written by Aldous J. Pennyfarthing (who seems to be a kindred spirit to Julius Goat in the adoption of pseudonyms and generation of … Continue reading Letters and hot coals
We can’t take to the streets
Dear President Trump, It might just be too early in the season, but I noticed this morning that although our rose bushes are leafing out mightily, they don’t have any aphids, which seems pretty weird. Don’t get me wrong, it’s super nice to see all those tender greenish yellowish leaves doing their thing without aphids … Continue reading We can’t take to the streets
POTUS and Putin share another playbook
Dear President Trump, This morning on my allowed walk for exercise, it occurred to me to wonder why we’ve not been hearing anything about covid-19 in Russia, as in zip, nada, radio silence. There are a lot of people in Russia, healthcare isn’t so hot in Russia, and, very importantly, Russia has the same winter … Continue reading POTUS and Putin share another playbook
Newsflashes and pipedreams
Dear President Trump, Are you tired? I’m tired. I’ve been sleeping moderately ok every other night and sort of so-so the other nights, but by the end of every day I’m just wiped out. I’m guessing you’re on fumes. At least I’d like to think you are since that would suggest you’re concerned. Oh, but … Continue reading Newsflashes and pipedreams
The common good needs us to step up and stay in
Dear President Trump, There are a lot of inspiring, supportive messengers out there cheering us on, encouraging us to listen to our better angels and look out for ourselves and each other. For example, there’s Fantasy A, who posted signs up and down a street on my walking path this morning that say: Remember to: … Continue reading The common good needs us to step up and stay in
Getting really real
Dear President Trump, Friday the 13th came a day early for Robert Redfield, didn’t it? Seriously, did you watch the tape of Katie Porter relentlessly aiming her logical questioning super powers at him yesterday, finally extracting a begrudging “yes” from him that all Americans, regardless of their ability to pay, can be tested and treated … Continue reading Getting really real
Women hold up more than half the sky
Dear President Trump, It’s entirely possible that I’m missing relevant counter examples due to my own biases, but it sure seems to me that most of the non-politician people speaking out about your administration’s bungling of the covid-19 situation are women. For example, the women who lead the national nurses and flight attendants’ unions have … Continue reading Women hold up more than half the sky