Robert and Jill- Merry Christmas. I have the same request of you that I have of Heather Cox Richardson- after the crooks are indicted would you please put together a hardcover book of letters as an living history of what we've all gone through in the past 5 years. Actually, having both of your letters together under the same cover would be fantastic - beats the heck out of reading some whitewashed version in a history book. If there are any publishers among your readers wake up - great opportunity to do some good.
The feeling of gratitude is so mutual, Robert. Visiting with you and Jill each day has certainly changed the way I engage with the world of journalism and my own retired life. We are what we eat, I’ve been told, and I apply that maxim to what my mind as well as my body consumes. Thank you for the privilege of participating in this ongoing discussion about the meaning of democracy. the rule of law, the role of the media, and the purpose of government. You are so appreciated. Merry Christmas, too, to you and your family.
The perspective from the vast universe is useful to us little specks. My favorite line is about the need to use a telescope not a microscope.....a peaceful holiday to all....with gratitude.
What a wonderful newsletter! I’m so grateful to be on this pale, blue dot with you and Jill during these trying times. May you have a lovely and restful holiday with your family. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do.
Thank you a thousand times for your perspective every day. You are gift to us all. Have a very lovely holiday, get some rest, and gird yourself once more, but not before you and the Managing Editor enjoy a glass of fine grog.
Dear Robert and Jill, tonight was the night to share your newsletter by reading it aloud to my dear husband. And then we watched your merry Christmas video, including the outtakes! It brought such laughter on our side because of the laughter on your side! He sees why I’m so passionate about the practice of reading your Today’s Edition before I go to sleep, because it brings cohesion to what can feel like chaos, bringing peace as companion to hope. Your reference to Carl Sagan’s pale blue dot harks back to several Thanksgivings ago, your marvelous essay I saved to share any time I was inviting someone to join the team of your readership. And the James Webb telescope may be launched on Christmas Day! More spectacular adventures looking to the far reaches of the universe! Ah, yes, perspective. Such wisdom tonight, as always. You two and your family are an inspiration in greatly unique ways! I will exhort, as my dear older brother used to say in closing of any particularly thoughtful telephone conversation: “Just keep being you.” Merry Christmas!!!
As someone with a Masters degree in history (Columbia U.) I totally agree with you that perspectivism is one of our intellectual great powers. I think it is a great anxiety reducer to contemplate the 14 (approx.) billion years age of our universe, and it’s 10 billion years life expectancy (approx.). At the same time some people can be put off by these numbers. I am thinking of Blaise Pascal, « le silence des espaces infinis m’effraye. »
I tell my girlfriend in my unsuccessful attempts to reduce her anxiety about the state of our nation and the world, that we are specks of sand on those huge kilometers long beaches of the Costa Blanca in Spain where my brother and I rented horses from the local farmer in the 60s as teenagers. Another time which in some ways seems also billions of years in the past. Thank you for reminding me of the Carl Sagan essay.
However, we live in the very large (the age of the universe) and the very small, Covid 19. Perspectivism can be perceived as heartlessness when one is grieving the loss of a loved one. Our democratic tradition, however imperfect, is our mother and father and our child. We have to do all we can to save it, but a potential cliff is fast approaching. I don’t think being aware of these future dangers should not reduce our fighting spirit. Just a little reminder: Chile lost its democracy in 1970 and regained it in 1989. The fight for “the will of the people is an eternal one.
Sending heartfelt thoughts of health, contentment, peace of heart and mind to you and your family, Robert. Thank you for this. We simply move forward together doing all the good we can do.
Thank you for your daily newsletter. I wish you and your family a happy and restful holiday season. May we all hope for a better 2022 and keep fighting the good fight.
Thank you, Robert, for this particular message. I quite agree that we function best in all of our activities of daily living - and the necessary thinking that precedes all of these activities - when we look at our particular lives in the context of all creation through the lens of hope - and coherently act accordingly. A blessed Christmas to you and your family and to all of your other readers too! From this perspective, we can dare to wish each other a happy new year too - and that I do!
Robert, from your mouth to G_d’s, and your readers’ ears. Thank you for all of your time, and effort and dedication. May you and yours have the best Christmas ever, until next year.
Robert and Jill- Merry Christmas. I have the same request of you that I have of Heather Cox Richardson- after the crooks are indicted would you please put together a hardcover book of letters as an living history of what we've all gone through in the past 5 years. Actually, having both of your letters together under the same cover would be fantastic - beats the heck out of reading some whitewashed version in a history book. If there are any publishers among your readers wake up - great opportunity to do some good.
All the best
The feeling of gratitude is so mutual, Robert. Visiting with you and Jill each day has certainly changed the way I engage with the world of journalism and my own retired life. We are what we eat, I’ve been told, and I apply that maxim to what my mind as well as my body consumes. Thank you for the privilege of participating in this ongoing discussion about the meaning of democracy. the rule of law, the role of the media, and the purpose of government. You are so appreciated. Merry Christmas, too, to you and your family.
Thank You for your positive, glorious “Perspective” today. Have a woderful holiday with your loved ones.
The perspective from the vast universe is useful to us little specks. My favorite line is about the need to use a telescope not a microscope.....a peaceful holiday to all....with gratitude.
Thanks for this and all your well considered perspectives. Each edition helps me get through the day.
Happy Christmas to you and your entire family.
What a wonderful newsletter! I’m so grateful to be on this pale, blue dot with you and Jill during these trying times. May you have a lovely and restful holiday with your family. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do.
Thank you a thousand times for your perspective every day. You are gift to us all. Have a very lovely holiday, get some rest, and gird yourself once more, but not before you and the Managing Editor enjoy a glass of fine grog.
Merry Christmas to you. Deep gratitude for your newsletter which helps me maintain perspective.
Dear Robert and Jill, tonight was the night to share your newsletter by reading it aloud to my dear husband. And then we watched your merry Christmas video, including the outtakes! It brought such laughter on our side because of the laughter on your side! He sees why I’m so passionate about the practice of reading your Today’s Edition before I go to sleep, because it brings cohesion to what can feel like chaos, bringing peace as companion to hope. Your reference to Carl Sagan’s pale blue dot harks back to several Thanksgivings ago, your marvelous essay I saved to share any time I was inviting someone to join the team of your readership. And the James Webb telescope may be launched on Christmas Day! More spectacular adventures looking to the far reaches of the universe! Ah, yes, perspective. Such wisdom tonight, as always. You two and your family are an inspiration in greatly unique ways! I will exhort, as my dear older brother used to say in closing of any particularly thoughtful telephone conversation: “Just keep being you.” Merry Christmas!!!
As someone with a Masters degree in history (Columbia U.) I totally agree with you that perspectivism is one of our intellectual great powers. I think it is a great anxiety reducer to contemplate the 14 (approx.) billion years age of our universe, and it’s 10 billion years life expectancy (approx.). At the same time some people can be put off by these numbers. I am thinking of Blaise Pascal, « le silence des espaces infinis m’effraye. »
I tell my girlfriend in my unsuccessful attempts to reduce her anxiety about the state of our nation and the world, that we are specks of sand on those huge kilometers long beaches of the Costa Blanca in Spain where my brother and I rented horses from the local farmer in the 60s as teenagers. Another time which in some ways seems also billions of years in the past. Thank you for reminding me of the Carl Sagan essay.
However, we live in the very large (the age of the universe) and the very small, Covid 19. Perspectivism can be perceived as heartlessness when one is grieving the loss of a loved one. Our democratic tradition, however imperfect, is our mother and father and our child. We have to do all we can to save it, but a potential cliff is fast approaching. I don’t think being aware of these future dangers should not reduce our fighting spirit. Just a little reminder: Chile lost its democracy in 1970 and regained it in 1989. The fight for “the will of the people is an eternal one.
Happy holidays y próspero año nuevo.
Sending heartfelt thoughts of health, contentment, peace of heart and mind to you and your family, Robert. Thank you for this. We simply move forward together doing all the good we can do.
So beautiful, Robert.
Bless you and yours this holiday season and always.
Thank you for your daily newsletter. I wish you and your family a happy and restful holiday season. May we all hope for a better 2022 and keep fighting the good fight.
Thank you, Robert, for this particular message. I quite agree that we function best in all of our activities of daily living - and the necessary thinking that precedes all of these activities - when we look at our particular lives in the context of all creation through the lens of hope - and coherently act accordingly. A blessed Christmas to you and your family and to all of your other readers too! From this perspective, we can dare to wish each other a happy new year too - and that I do!
Robert, from your mouth to G_d’s, and your readers’ ears. Thank you for all of your time, and effort and dedication. May you and yours have the best Christmas ever, until next year.
Thank you!!