With our eager return after respite, allow me first a keenly insightful multiple choice question. What should we entitle today\u2019s post:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alas, we\u2019ll go with 5.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So 42 days ago, we began our annual Guest Writer Series. Kudos, friends! Oh, what wisdom it is to hear from voices other than our own\u2026 and\u2026<\/em> from voices that are different and don\u2019t think like us. Thanks to all of our guest writers for your unique, insightful contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I must also add, that I am absolutely thrilled to be back with you today! Long ago I learned the deep value of rhythms of intentional rest, and while for too many years it was too imperfectly observed, I am grateful for a season of life in which rest\/leisure\/Shabbat (the Hebrew root meaning to \u201cstop for rest\u201d)<\/em> is more consistently applied. I am healthier because of it. I am more prone to recognize and embrace wisdom. Hence, our annual summer series is abundant in benefit for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suffice it to say, time doesn\u2019t stand still; lots happened while we were away. Here my family and I travel approximately 12,707 miles on a stupendous, awe-inspiring European vacation\u2026 what a joy to be immersed in cultures other than our own\u2026 what wonder!<\/p>\n\n\n\n And look what happened while away\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 Former Pres. Trump survives an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania\u2026 no one seems to see the gunman on a nearby roof\u2026 Trump then makes wearing an ear bandage some kind of not-so-chic fashion statement\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 Pres. Biden\u2019s mental decline is no longer camouflaged\u2026 with poll numbers also in decline, the President drops out of the 2024 election, unable to reverse swelling sentiment that he\u2019s too frail to serve\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 Granted, he\u2019s still President now\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 VP Harris becomes a new nominee without a primary or a press conference\u2026 still no press conferences nor unscripted moments\u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 VP wannabes Sen. Vance and Gov. Walz are selected, with the race immediately on for the parties to paint the choices as moderate and opponents characterizing as extreme\u2026 \u201cHillbilly Elegy\u201d and military records\/statements become immediate places of focus\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 the media\u2019s role comes increasingly under scrutiny in all of the above\u2026 \u201cwhat is journalism\u201d becomes far more than a question on Jeopardy\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 the XXXIII Olympiad takes place in Paris, beginning with 85 boats parading down the (still dirty) Seine\u2026 Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles shine\u2026 Stephen Nedoroscik makes us smile\u2026 breakdancers, hmmmm\u2026 Jordan Chiles, sigh\u2026 and two biologically male boxers won gold medals on the women\u2019s side of the sport\u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A few more happenings from the \u201chmmmm\u201d angle\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Vegas closes after 34 years\u2026 13 sharks test positive for cocaine off the coast of Rio de Janeiro\u2026 the Israeli\/Hamas conflict intensifies\u2026 Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Congress\u2026 more ships\/fighter jets move to the Middle East\u2026 Google autocomplete prompts \u201cTrump assassination attempt\u201d to reference Harry Truman\u2026 Billy Joel performs the final show of his 10-year once-a-month practice at Madison Square Garden\u2026\u2026 America\u2019s debt tops $35 trillion\u2026 Google is ruled to be a monopoly\u2026 Debby becomes a hurricane\u2026 and USPS issues a commemorative stamp for Alex Trebek\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Looks like we have lots to discuss, friends. Albeit always respectfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So where do we start? \u2026 What is true? What is not? What is good and right in addition to true? …<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here we go\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n May our discussion never pave the way for disrespect. May we never be blind to the truth. And may we absolutely always honor one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With our eager return after respite, allow me first a keenly insightful multiple choice question. What should we entitle today\u2019s post: Alas, we\u2019ll go with 5. So 42 days ago, we began our annual Guest Writer Series. Kudos, friends! Oh, what wisdom it is to hear from voices other than our own\u2026 and\u2026 from voices … <\/p>\n