To keep my French up, I watch French news programs and recently, I saw an interview with Robert Badinter. Badinter is a serious person, a heavyweight. He is in his 90s and absolutely on the ball. He was France’s Minister of Justice in the ’80s and oversaw the end of death penalty there. His father was murdered in Sobibor. I could not find the whole interview but here is part of it – he is talking about Ukraine, about Europe, about war, about Putin and his war crimes. He also touches on the French protests about retirement age. There are no subtitles, so only for French speakers.
Eastery Things
Pope Francis was hospitalized a couple of weeks ago and while in the hospital, he baptized a baby in the neo-natal ward. What a story that baby and his mama will have to tell! I love that the child’s name is Michelangelo – so beautiful. This clip doesn’t put all of the subtitles in, but at the end he says to the mum that she should tell her local parish that her son has been baptized by the Pope. (In your face, local parish!)
If that weren’t enough, upon his release he signed a kid’s cast and then comforted a couple whose child had died. This must have been so meaningful for them.
Good Friday
First, may I wish to all who celebrate a joyous Easter and a Chag Sameach – so nice when Passover and Easter overlap. And, of course, this year Ramadan is also part of that overlap, that Venn diagram of faith and longing, so let me add a Ramadan Kareem. When I lived in Turkey, Ramadan took place in March and, in fact, my students threw me a rather sad birthday party as they would not eat! There was also this man who rolled through the streets at dawn, shouting through a bullhorn to get everyone up so that they would eat before the sun rose. After a few days, I was sleeping through it, but it was quite jarring at first. Somewhat related to all of the above, is this beautiful scene from a mosque in Algeria. (Sorry – can’t embed for some reason.) It was earlier this week, during Ramadan prayers. I love how the Imam does not miss a beat, and plus, he is gentle with the kitty. Continuing on our religious feline theme, Christopher Smart’s magnificent I Will Consider my Cat Jeoffry, from the Jubilate Agno. I won’t print the whole poem, but here is a snippet:
For he is of the tribe of Tiger.
For the Cherub Cat is a term of the Angel Tiger.
For he has the subtlety and hissing of a serpent, which in goodness he suppresses.
For he will not do destruction, if he is well-fed, neither will he spit without provocation.
For he purrs in thankfulness, when God tells him he’s a good Cat.
For he is an instrument for the children to learn benevolence upon.
For every house is incomplete without him and a blessing is lacking in the spirit.
So true. Please click on both links above.
Doris Day
Born on this day, 101 years ago. Something I wrote about her shortly after her death.
Bird Cams
Currently hooked on Hummingbird Nest live feed – that nest is a work of art. Also hooked on Big Bear Bald Eagle nest live feed, but given the cruelty of Mother Nature, it has been a bit depressing. Ravens scavenged the first clutch (undeveloped eggs) – which made me weep – but we are now on a watch for the second clutch. Magnificent birds, all. And so, so courageous. I wrote about our own bird experiences here and here.
Iraq: 20 Years
New Post…
Ukraine: A Year Later
What I wrote a year ago. I like BHL’s recent piece here and Andrew Sullivan’s here.
Uplift and its Opposite
Is the opposite of uplift “downlift”? Not sure, so I won’t use that word. Here is a touching story – a clip of a pup being rescued from the earthquake in Turkey. I love how gently and carefully they dig the little fella out, and his expression of trust. Utterly unfazed. (Could not embed, for some reason, so click on link above – it is really worth it.) And an extraordinary feature about migrant children in the United States and the work many of them are doing to survive. The reaction of the Biden administration is that they are going to “crack down” on this problem – good, because it is a situation created by said administration’s policies and all of the ginned up hysteria about immigration during Trump’s time in office. This is a fiendishly complicated, sad situation. I like what Abe Greenwald has written about it here. (Don’t let the headline put you off – that is not what Greenwald is saying.)
Raquel Welch’s Obituary
Like Philip Larkin’s poetry, there are Mary Tyler Moore Show references for nearly everything in this life, I swear. I post this with no disrespect to the glorious Raquel Welch – in fact, the contrary. She was an icon and I would bet she loved this reference. Check out the 2 minute mark, or, better yet, watch the whole episode.