Dear President Trump, When I left for my run it was still very dark and there were dozens of stars (59?) visible in the sky. The world is so confusing like this pretty much all the time; peaceful and safe-seeming and lovely in one corner and just a little ways away someone is fighting for … Continue reading Who wrote your speech yesterday?
The High Road
Old, old wisdom we need to heed
Good Morning President Trump, If you were studying justice you likely would have already made the slight leap from JG's framing of it (all humans as unique and irreplaceable works of art) to Jesus's encouragement to love your neighbor as your self and to love your enemy. And maybe you'd even have made the connection … Continue reading Old, old wisdom we need to heed
“Irreplaceable works of art”
Dear President Trump, It doesn't happen all that often but over the last couple of years (yes, even before you were installed in office) I have periodically found myself pondering questions of my relative worth. Usually it is when I am doing some mundane task. I am not aware of feeling resentful of doing said … Continue reading “Irreplaceable works of art”
You went and did what was expected of you
Dear President Trump, I understand you were visiting people in Texas today, loading provisions into vans, handing out hotdogs, giving hugs. I'm glad. They probably really needed your presence, to have a sense you care about Texans beyond whether they voted for you. I am curious, though, how many Hispanic and African American people you … Continue reading You went and did what was expected of you
Starved for competent, caring leadership
Dear President Trump, On the way home this evening I heard an interview with the superintendent of Houston schools, Richard Carranza. He was discussing all the effort the school district is devoting to figuring out the extent of the damage to the schools and which contingency plan they will go with. He talked about the … Continue reading Starved for competent, caring leadership
Daryl Davis is a national hero
Dear President Trump, The poll numbers showing your overall approval rating to be at an historic low makes good sense to me but the stark party and gender divides are mind-boggling. Democrats are profoundly unhappy with your job performance while most Republicans are satisfied with how you are doing and the majority of Democratic women … Continue reading Daryl Davis is a national hero
“How dreary to be somebody!”
Dear President Trump, I got back yesterday from DC where I was helping review grants for NIAAA. One of the highlights of these trips is spending time with older scientists who are done trying to make a name for themselves and are doing this to give back and contribute their hard won wisdom to the … Continue reading “How dreary to be somebody!”
More people in harm’s way
Dear President Trump, I think Masha Gessen makes some very good points in her NYT's editorial this morning. As you may or may not know, her main premise is that we who oppose you need to be careful not to stoop to exaggerating or fabricating to make our points and that there is more than … Continue reading More people in harm’s way
Real problem solving
Good morning President Trump, Your priorities and methods continue to trouble me deeply. Every time I read the newspaper I find yet another set of decisions and attacks on democracy coming from you and your administration that leave me sad and scared. It certainly seems you all are betting on a cynical divide and conquer … Continue reading Real problem solving
Hate divides us from ourselves
Dear President Trump, It may seem as though the idea that love will prevail is naive and kind of silly. Violence and hate get so much attention that they seem to surround us and threaten to overwhelm us. It's as though we are being brainwashed to think that violence and hate are unstoppable, as though … Continue reading Hate divides us from ourselves
Daily Trump Letters 