❤️ Thank you for the thoughtfulness, kindness, and faithfulness that come through your writing. I want to wholeheartedly resist authoritarianism as much as I can in my own small sphere of influence. Although I am still trying to figure out what that looks like, your wisdom gives me encouragement and inspiration and I always feel grateful to be reminded there are many many others committed to true freedom and democracy.
I too went to Timothy Snyder's book. He makes clear in a few paragraphs what we need to know and do. I keep one copy in the car to review when I need to wait somewhere. Thank you for pulling together important thoughts.
Dr DuMez, I write to you today as an older man (07/05/1946) crushed by today's news of the dismissal of the documents case. I feel helpless after what I think has been a life lived as well as I have been able. I have been married for 55 years to a supportive and caring woman, partnered with her in raising five children to be decent adults, and have been rewarded with 11 grandchildren. I have been willing to die, USMC, 1968-1971. I had a productive career at the end of my working life as a biomedical research scientist looking for the etiology of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Yes, the documents case dismissal was another blow. No words of comfort there, except that it's all the more important to work in the areas we do have power, which is elections.
Today I finished narrating "The Extinction of Experience: Being Human in a Disembodied World" by Christine Rosen. It will be available Sept 10. I think you might like to read it. The whole book is pretty much about "Realize that some of what is on the internet is there to harm you". It isn't a "feel good" read.
I needed your letters today. Sometimes it's all so overwhelming. Your words are nurturing and encouraging. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
I look forward to reading your recommendations as well.
That book sounds excellent. Our politics is happening this way because of deeply toxic systems--online, economic systems, etc. But we're ignoring those and leaning into the vitriol and polarization. Which really doesn't match our day-to-day realities, which are filled with pleasant interactions with neighbor and random people.
My priest gave a good sermon today about how we must put love above all other things. We must love even those we think of as enemies. He also talked about the assassination attempt on former President Trump yesterday. After church, I said I liked the sermon. I said, "if we're going to put love first, we kind of have to put this country below it. It's possible that if the shooter's aim had been better, we'd have a better chance of saving this country." I honestly believe that's true. Trump is a deadly threat to this country, and his surviving may actually increase his chances of winning reelection. But that's not the most important thing. Praying for his soul and the soul of his followers is more important.
It's also very possible that an assassination would have unleashed violence and brought us into an even worse space. And yes, we need to not give into the hate and stay grounded in the values we're fighting for.
Well, one way to put what I'm saying there is that there's a distinction between moral values and the contingencies of history. Our responsibility is to follow our moral values. But occasionally, we benefit from the contingencies of history. In fact you could say that a lot of American history amounts to luck. We have mostly been very lucky as a country and people. But I think we've reached a place where our luck is kind of running out.
Thank you for sharing these lessons. I’m praying for wisdom and courage for myself and for our nation and world. Please keep writing and speaking and sharing your example of seeking wisdom and courage today and in the days to come.
I'm with Baldwin and with you Kristin. Keep writing. Change the world.
I am with you in blessing and not cursing (James 3:10) in building up not tearing down, in seeking peace rather than in fomenting violence. As I say in my post today,
"This election must be decided by ballots, not bullets."
Thank you. Your knowledge, wisdom, and grace again shine through the mire and chaos of these days. I will post some of my thoughts and, while seeing the call to use my own words, will likely quote some of this as I don't believe I can state as clearly and succinctly. I join those asking you to keep writing, speaking, sharing. I add a challenge to all of us who value what you do to hold you and others speaking truth to power up in prayer and to stand with you not behind you.
❤️ Thank you for the thoughtfulness, kindness, and faithfulness that come through your writing. I want to wholeheartedly resist authoritarianism as much as I can in my own small sphere of influence. Although I am still trying to figure out what that looks like, your wisdom gives me encouragement and inspiration and I always feel grateful to be reminded there are many many others committed to true freedom and democracy.
I too went to Timothy Snyder's book. He makes clear in a few paragraphs what we need to know and do. I keep one copy in the car to review when I need to wait somewhere. Thank you for pulling together important thoughts.
Dr DuMez, I write to you today as an older man (07/05/1946) crushed by today's news of the dismissal of the documents case. I feel helpless after what I think has been a life lived as well as I have been able. I have been married for 55 years to a supportive and caring woman, partnered with her in raising five children to be decent adults, and have been rewarded with 11 grandchildren. I have been willing to die, USMC, 1968-1971. I had a productive career at the end of my working life as a biomedical research scientist looking for the etiology of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
You can discover more about me at chrisguthriephd.substack.com
Thank you for listening. I couldn't think of anyone better to cry out to now.
Best, Chris
Yes, the documents case dismissal was another blow. No words of comfort there, except that it's all the more important to work in the areas we do have power, which is elections.
Thank you for caring enough to respond.!
Today I finished narrating "The Extinction of Experience: Being Human in a Disembodied World" by Christine Rosen. It will be available Sept 10. I think you might like to read it. The whole book is pretty much about "Realize that some of what is on the internet is there to harm you". It isn't a "feel good" read.
I needed your letters today. Sometimes it's all so overwhelming. Your words are nurturing and encouraging. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
I look forward to reading your recommendations as well.
Those letters are precious.
That book sounds excellent. Our politics is happening this way because of deeply toxic systems--online, economic systems, etc. But we're ignoring those and leaning into the vitriol and polarization. Which really doesn't match our day-to-day realities, which are filled with pleasant interactions with neighbor and random people.
My priest gave a good sermon today about how we must put love above all other things. We must love even those we think of as enemies. He also talked about the assassination attempt on former President Trump yesterday. After church, I said I liked the sermon. I said, "if we're going to put love first, we kind of have to put this country below it. It's possible that if the shooter's aim had been better, we'd have a better chance of saving this country." I honestly believe that's true. Trump is a deadly threat to this country, and his surviving may actually increase his chances of winning reelection. But that's not the most important thing. Praying for his soul and the soul of his followers is more important.
It's also very possible that an assassination would have unleashed violence and brought us into an even worse space. And yes, we need to not give into the hate and stay grounded in the values we're fighting for.
Well, one way to put what I'm saying there is that there's a distinction between moral values and the contingencies of history. Our responsibility is to follow our moral values. But occasionally, we benefit from the contingencies of history. In fact you could say that a lot of American history amounts to luck. We have mostly been very lucky as a country and people. But I think we've reached a place where our luck is kind of running out.
As always, I experience your thoughts and comments to be my lifeline to clarity. Thank you, Kristin.
Thank you for sharing these lessons. I’m praying for wisdom and courage for myself and for our nation and world. Please keep writing and speaking and sharing your example of seeking wisdom and courage today and in the days to come.
Thank you for your words of calm.
Yes. I gave all my Snyder books to my son when he moved to Knoxville. It might be a good time to buy new copies and reread them.
I'm with Baldwin and with you Kristin. Keep writing. Change the world.
I am with you in blessing and not cursing (James 3:10) in building up not tearing down, in seeking peace rather than in fomenting violence. As I say in my post today,
"This election must be decided by ballots, not bullets."
Thank you. Your knowledge, wisdom, and grace again shine through the mire and chaos of these days. I will post some of my thoughts and, while seeing the call to use my own words, will likely quote some of this as I don't believe I can state as clearly and succinctly. I join those asking you to keep writing, speaking, sharing. I add a challenge to all of us who value what you do to hold you and others speaking truth to power up in prayer and to stand with you not behind you.
Thank you.
Thank you for this important post!