Can you and I influence or predict the future?
The answer to this question is a qualified “yes” on both
counts. Every one of us living on this big blue marble belongs to our own immediate
family and neighborhood, to society and our nation, and also to humankind. So,
yes, we are all, each and everyone, an essential, though perhaps not too
influential, part of the human aggregate living now on earth. Without us and everyone
else who has ever lived or will live, there would be no people, no history, no future.
We have a responsibility to be good citizens of our family, neighborhood,
nation, and the world, of which we all form an integral and essential part. You
and I need to value ourselves just for being alive and present in this historic
moment.
As for the
future, we act every day with anticipation, though some predictions and
expectations turn out otherwise. Without mostly knowing what to expect next, we’d have a very chaotic existence. So our personal actions and opinions—yours and
mine—are important, not just for ourselves, but in coordination
with others. We have all essential roles to play. That’s a pep talk for whenever we are feeling personally useless, especially as we enter our later years and are no longer
working, as paid work is now the main way most people value themselves and
their efforts. We need to recognize ourselves as still essential members of our
family, neighborhood, city, nation, and the world, especially when, as senior
citizens and out of the labor force, others may disregard us. You, the reader,
can perhaps understand why I am giving myself this pep talk now.
What is the current average lifespan
of an American Caucasian woman like me? Turns out to be 80.5 years. Life expectancy
gaps between males and females and between whites and blacks persist. Record-high
life expectancies have been found for white females (80.5 years) and black
females (76.1 years), as well as for white males (75.3 years) and black males
(69.0 years). So at age 86, I'm living on borrowed time.
And what is my actual life expectancy now as an 86-year-old American Caucasian woman?
I’ve already lived past the US
white female average age. According to recent Social Security Administration
data, my current life expectancy is an additional 5.99 years, for a total of
91.99 years. My dear mother, who died in 2006, lived exactly to age 92, dying with her
offspring all at her side. Our father had died suddenly a decade earlier
at 82 after a stroke. Men almost everywhere, on average, have shorter lives
than women due to both genetic and social factors. I wonder if I will reach my own
mother’s final age or even beyond? Maybe or maybe not. I could fall down the
stairs or get hit by a car today, tomorrow.
Apologies for a rather chaotic posting that somehow has greatly deviated from my original version, but this is the best I can do after hours of struggle. The more I ty to fix it, the worse it gets. At least look at the photos.
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Here is a tribute from Amnesty International-USA after
my recent retirement as volunteer Caribbean coordinator after 23 years. [Whoever
wrote this certainly did their homework!] More tributes have come in since.
Member Spotlight: Barbara Joe
AIUSA activist, Barbara E. Joe, in South Sudan
After four decades of unwavering dedication to human rights
advocacy, Barbara Joe, a longtime partner in AIUSA's human rights work in the
Caribbean, is bidding farewell to her role. Her legacy, however, remains an
enduring testament to the power of activism and the relentless pursuit of
justice.
Hailing from Boston, Barbara's journey traverses continents
and cultures, fueled by an unyielding commitment to bridge divides and champion
the oppressed. A proud alumna of the University of California, Berkeley,
Barbara's academic prowess is matched only by her boundless compassion and
determination.
Barbara's odyssey into the realm of human rights activism
began over 40 years ago when she first took up the mantle of an Amnesty
International volunteer. Since then, her path has been one of unwavering
service, marked by milestones of leadership and advocacy that have left an
indelible mark on AIUSA and beyond.
In her tenure spanning seven presidential administrations,
Barbara's role as the Cuba & Dominican Republic Coordinator evolved into a
cornerstone of AIUSA's Caribbean initiatives. Her tireless efforts, spanning
over 16 years, laid the groundwork for meaningful change and inspired countless
others to join the fight for human dignity.
But Barbara's impact extends far beyond her official
capacities. As a member leader, she played a pivotal role in establishing local
Group 211, a testament to her grassroots activism and unwavering commitment to
community empowerment.
Barbara E. Joe giving a donation to the Honduras Red Cross
Beyond her work with AIUSA, Barbara's humanitarian spirit
found expression in diverse arenas. From her service with the Peace Corps in
Honduras to her role as a senior staff editor at the American Occupational
Therapy Association, Barbara's career exemplifies a holistic approach to social
justice.
Yet, it is Barbara's unwavering dedication to fostering
cross-cultural understanding that truly sets her apart. As a Spanish
interpreter and translator, she served as a bridge between worlds, amplifying
voices often marginalized and overlooked.
In her own words, Barbara describes her life's mission as
"to walk the walk, not just talk the talk." Indeed, her actions speak
volumes, echoing far beyond the confines of any boardroom or conference hall.
As Barbara embarks on the next chapter of her journey, her
impact reverberates throughout the human rights community. Her memoirs,
including "Triumph & Hope: Golden Years with the Peace Corps in
Honduras" and "Confessions of a Secret Latina: How I Fell Out of Love
with Castro & In Love with the Cuban People," serve as both a
testament to her experiences and a call to arms for future generations of
activists.Barbara E. Joe banging a pot as she says, "Latin American style."
To all those who have had the privilege of crossing paths with Barbara Joe, her legacy serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. May her unwavering commitment to justice and compassion continue to guide us as we strive to build a more equitable and humane world for all.
To all those who have had the privilege of crossing paths with Barbara Joe, her legacy serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. May her unwavering commitment to justice and compassion continue to guide us as we strive to build a more equitable and humane world for all.
[Whew!]
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From here on out, as indicated, my best laid plans got completely scrambled, so just do your best to make sense of this posting. Dear Barbara,
Today is a somber day for Palestinians around the world:
it’s the commemoration of the Nakba ("the catastrophe" in
Arabic), which marks the mass displacement of 800,000+ Palestinians in 1948.
The impact of this historic injustice remains… and
it’s being compounded by the ongoing Israeli military offensive in the occupied
Gaza Strip, where since October 7th:
- 34,000+ Palestinian
civilians have been killed
- 1.7+
million have been forcibly displaced
- 2+
million remain at imminent risk of genocide and an engineered famine
Help us speak out for justice. On this somber day, urge your members of Congress and
President Biden to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
AP, Norway,
Ireland and Spain say they will recognize a Palestinian state, deepening
Israel's isolation
AP, ICC
prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including
Netanyahu
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said
Monday he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in
connection with their actions during the seven-month war between Israel and
Hamas. Karim Khan said that he believes Netanyahu, his defense minister Yoav Gallant and
three Hamas leaders — Yehia Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh — are
responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and
Israel.
The
Hill, Frustration
with Netanyahu boils over on plans for Gaza after Hamas Frustration is growing in Israel with
Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu’s
handling of the war against Hamas and his growing split with President Biden,
raising fears that the public tensions could invite increased attacks from Iran
and its proxies across the region. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav
Gallant is
the most senior official to call out his premier, demanding that Netanyahu
decide on a day-after plan for the Gaza Strip after defeating Hamas.
“I call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to make a decision
and declare that Israel will not establish civilian control over the Gaza
Strip, that Israel will not establish military governance in the Gaza strip,
and that a governing alternative to Hamas in the Gaza Strip will be raised
immediately,” Gallant said in rare, blunt remarks while commemorating Israel’s
Memorial Day on Wednesday. It was the second time Gallant had issued such a
direct challenge to Netanyahu, having warned in March 2023 that the prime
minister’s pursuit of widely controversial judicial reforms was threatening the
security of the country.
Register
for our in-person career fair at Peace Corps Headquarters in
Washington, D.C. on June 20th.Moving right along now: Here is my son Jon, living in West Va. with his
faithful canine companion, Willow.Once again, I’ve
read Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez in the original
Spanish. How many prophesies and predictions do actually come true? So many
events seem to happen by surprise, though may appear obvious in hindsight. What
are the odds of an upcoming Trump presidential victory? I’ve now promised my
family to reluctantly vote for Biden. We can actually affect the future to some
extent.
Recently, DC police converged just around the corner from my
home after finding victims of a nighttime shootout that had occurred several blocks
away. I would hardly have predicted such an event in our usually tranquil neighborhood.
None of the injuries was life-threatening, fortunately, but shooting victims almost
never appear around here.
https://www.hillrag.com/2024/05/19/police-find-three-shooting-victims-near-eastern-market/
Bloomberg, Red Lobster Chain Goes Bankrupt After Unlimited Shrimp Deal Sorry about this, as I’d always enjoyed eating there, but never tried the unlimited shrimp. AP, Man who attacked Pelosi's husband sentenced |
| | A judge handed down a 30-year sentence for David DePape, found guilty of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official. |
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AP, Ship that caused deadly Baltimore bridge collapse has been refloated and is moving back to port
In a recent speech
to the NRA, Donald Trump referred to FDR’s 4 presidential terms, hinting
that he might seek the same. Perish the thought! His one term was a rare fluke of
our electoral system by awarding the US presidency to the loser of the total popular
vote. Trump himself was surprised to be the victor. A second Trump presidential
term is not something that we Americans and the whole wide world can easily withstand.
At a female same-sex
wedding, one woman typically wears the usual white bridal gown while the other
wears male attire, including a suit with long trousers. But when 2 men marry,
both wear suits and ties, neither appearing in a bridal gown. This is just an
observation, though we might ponder its meaning.
People, Twin
Sisters Were Adopted by Different Families as Toddlers — Now They're Both
Graduating as Valedictorians! Both girls were born in China, then adopted and raised by different
families in different US states. They were reunited at age 11 after finding
each other again.New York City’s Chinatown has seen better day, same with DC’s
Chinatown, both seen below. Many descendants of the original inhabitants have
moved out of such ethnic enclaves.
Moving on to the UK now,
where the time has come to jettison the ridiculous white wigs worn in English courts ever since the 17th century, perhaps originally used to cover
up bald spots and identify wearers. The wigs look rather ridiculous today,
distracting from serious issues being considered by the court—just my
perspective from across the pond. In England, wigs may actually lend solemnity and
validity to court proceedings?
Morehouse students, like college students elsewhere, are not
usually Biden supporters.
A number of college commencement ceremonies around the
country have been cancelled to avoid scenarios like this.
On May 15 this came in from Amnesty International:
Dear Barbara,
Today is a somber day for Palestinians around the world:
it’s the commemoration of the Nakba ("the catastrophe" in
Arabic), which marks the mass displacement of 800,000+ Palestinians in 1948.
The impact of this historic injustice remains… and
it’s being compounded by the ongoing Israeli military offensive in the occupied
Gaza Strip, where since October 7th:
Help us speak out for justice. On this somber day, urge your members of Congress and
President Biden to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
I apologize for all the underling which is appearing spontaneously.
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said
Monday he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in
connection with their actions during the seven-month war between Israel and
Hamas. Karim Khan said that he believes Netanyahu, his defense minister Yoav Gallant and
three Hamas leaders — Yehia Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh — are
responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and
Israel.
“I call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to make a decision
and declare that Israel will not establish civilian control over the Gaza
Strip, that Israel will not establish military governance in the Gaza strip,
and that a governing alternative to Hamas in the Gaza Strip will be raised
immediately,” Gallant said in rare, blunt remarks while commemorating Israel’s
Memorial Day on Wednesday. It was the second time Gallant had issued such a
direct challenge to Netanyahu, having warned in March 2023 that the prime
minister’s pursuit of widely controversial judicial reforms was threatening the
security of the country.
if certain steps were not taken but now seems to have backtracked on his threat./////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// These days, as I prepare to return to Honduras in June, I’ve found a photo that I had been looking for, of Nerys with her kids, whom I hope to see again soon. |
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Neris,
now spelling her name as Nerys, is the girl appearing with me on the
bottom right front cover of my Honduras book.
Another diligent search yielded this photo of
one of the raucous raccoons that used to bang daily on my windows before the
mulberry tree came down.
This photo was stored somewhere on my computer system this entire time; the
problem was in guessing what I’d originally called it.
I’ve mentioned before that my sister Betty and her family, living in
Philadelphia, get along just fine without any computer access, relying only on
old-fashioned letters and phone calls. But their accountant uses a computer to
monitor and prepare tax returns on their rental properties. It’s hard today to
live completely “off the grid” in terms of computer access, especially living in
a city.
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