Let me say that I am a big fan of yours, Courtney. Currently reading "Learning in Public." Louise's letter is compassionate and thought provoking. The President's debate performance has sure brought an avalanche of reaction. What concerns me more than anything is the total lack of focus on Donald Trump. He offered up a multiplicity of lies every time it was his turn to speak. We know he stands for rancor, divisiveness, vengeance, petulance, and deceit. He embodies the shadow side of American individualism. Is any of that addressed? focused on with laser-like precision? No, he's getting an Amen from his own supporters and a pass from the media and some Democrats, who are ready to jettison their own democratic process for electing their presidential nominee. Might a (Buddhist) response be to allow the time honored process to unfold and accept the consequences of that? There is much I dislike about our political system (money, two party system denying any avenue for independent voices, zero sum game, and an obsession with power ...) This time, the choice is Biden or Trump. There is really no question about whom I'm going to support.
Agree with everything in this comment. Our primary process unfolded exactly as it always does when we have an incumbent. The folks who feel absolutely compelled to have this conversation now seem unwilling to consider the potential for harm. A voter's choice isn't always Trump v. Biden. It might be Biden v. the couch. The constant undermining of enthusiasm for our own candidate--who has made historic gains on so many issues like climate, infrastructure, gun safety, the economy, and beating back the Fed Soc's remaking of the judiciary (!) --is potentially so destructive. We could be talking about all the wins of this administration, the refreshing return to competence. Or we could be talking about the potential danger of Project 2025 and a second Trump term, the fact that the institutions holding up democracy are cracking under pressure. But we are bogged down in 'but he's old'...
Yes, really hear you on this. I think it's hard to focus on Trump for progressives because there's so much alienation and helplessness. The reactive vs. the active. Really important point, though.
I think she means an open convention, I.e. revisiting the decision ‘the people’ made during the presidential preference primary.
The closest historical precedents for that, IMO, point to disaster. But the NYT’s crusade on this issue has certainly spooked a sector of Democrats. I can’t help but notice that Black Democrats, the base of our party, aren’t joining in this, ahem, debate. They are rolling up their sleeves and getting to work.
Am I missing something? What does she mean by turning the decision back to the people? And if you enclosed your letter, I cannot find it.
I believe alternatively that President Biden has a terrific effective team, of which he is the leader, with a long list of accomplishments. I do not want him to remove himself from this election for a variety of reasons. There is an hysteria in the press re Biden, shamefully led by the NYTimes (which we are considering canceling). It is a form of ageism to my way of thinking, along with a disturbing rush to blame and foment more upset than is appropriate. What a time we live in. My vote stays soundly with Biden/Harris.
I love Louise, though I have never met her. And we definitely think alike on this one. The decisions of two able leaders who stayed too long, Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Joe Biden, may result in disaster for our country. I do hope others will join us in sending letters.
At age 86 and an avid reader of ALL Courtney’s writings (plus Ted talks), I totally agree with her position. Whatever the details involved of how to choose Democratic candidates , I’m old enough to know that Biden should withdraw. We need younger leaders for the future.
I was especially gratified to have Louise raise the issue of war versus nonviolent action. I’ve admired Thich Nhat Hanh since the 60’s when his brilliant opposition to the Vietnam war led MLK to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize. All that TNH wrote since then remains wise and prophetic. I only wish that Biden might listen to his message of nonviolence. Is there any of our nation’s leaders who will do this? DD
Thanks @courtney this was just great. Having just lost an aging brilliant father who I was living with … I have reflected much on what our culture instilled in the men of Biden’s generation. The “patriarchy” wreaked havoc on them as well … Biden letting go of values no longer serving him is the challenge. I like this approach of presenting the ask with love and compassion …
It is a lovely letter. Still, I hope that those whose counsel he most values are expressing their points of view honestly to him. Somehow I believe in this that a couple of Obamas, say, are more likely to be persuasive than any number of people he doesn't know.
such a thought- and heart-provoking post and one that offers a new way of engaging in this moment that feels so fraught and so frightening. i'm inspired by the comments and the folks who are part of the examined family community. thank you courtney and louise for this offering.
It's beautiful to read your responses to my letter and to have this community space for sharing. The thing about the "love letter" is you need to keep working on it because each change you make leads you deeper. Responses take you even deeper and many of yours took me right back into the near-paralysis I'd been feeling about our ever-more complex and fearful election dilemma. Even at the time I wrote, it had seemed like there was no way out, but my letter came easily when I recalled DNC member James Zogby's inspiring proposal for choosing a candidate in what seemed to me a more genuinely democratic way. https://www.democracynow.org/2024/7/3/james_zogby_2024_biden_replacement_options
I loved what one of you said about how harmful patriarchy, white supremacy (and I would add "the colonizer mind") have been to men in our culture. Guys thinking that getting up and fighting on is better than taking care of their health.
But I acknowledge the overall mindset affects me too. I realized, even as I sent my letter off to Courtney, that it advocated a strong suggestion to "fix" things based on my own views of the moment--rather than staying truly open to other solutions with "both/and thinking." I'd ignored another one of Thich Nhat Hanh's primary teachings that he calls openness or "non-attachment to views." https://plumvillage.org/mindfulness/the-14-mindfulness-trainings
A more fully developed love letter would have left the doors open for other solutions rather than pushing my own as the one right way. It isn't easy to do this within a political system like ours, especially during an election year and especially during these times of heightened polarization world-wide. But yesterday's attack in Pennsylvania shows me yet again the importance of "non-attachment to views."
Let me say that I am a big fan of yours, Courtney. Currently reading "Learning in Public." Louise's letter is compassionate and thought provoking. The President's debate performance has sure brought an avalanche of reaction. What concerns me more than anything is the total lack of focus on Donald Trump. He offered up a multiplicity of lies every time it was his turn to speak. We know he stands for rancor, divisiveness, vengeance, petulance, and deceit. He embodies the shadow side of American individualism. Is any of that addressed? focused on with laser-like precision? No, he's getting an Amen from his own supporters and a pass from the media and some Democrats, who are ready to jettison their own democratic process for electing their presidential nominee. Might a (Buddhist) response be to allow the time honored process to unfold and accept the consequences of that? There is much I dislike about our political system (money, two party system denying any avenue for independent voices, zero sum game, and an obsession with power ...) This time, the choice is Biden or Trump. There is really no question about whom I'm going to support.
Agree with everything in this comment. Our primary process unfolded exactly as it always does when we have an incumbent. The folks who feel absolutely compelled to have this conversation now seem unwilling to consider the potential for harm. A voter's choice isn't always Trump v. Biden. It might be Biden v. the couch. The constant undermining of enthusiasm for our own candidate--who has made historic gains on so many issues like climate, infrastructure, gun safety, the economy, and beating back the Fed Soc's remaking of the judiciary (!) --is potentially so destructive. We could be talking about all the wins of this administration, the refreshing return to competence. Or we could be talking about the potential danger of Project 2025 and a second Trump term, the fact that the institutions holding up democracy are cracking under pressure. But we are bogged down in 'but he's old'...
Yes, really hear you on this. I think it's hard to focus on Trump for progressives because there's so much alienation and helplessness. The reactive vs. the active. Really important point, though.
I think she means an open convention, I.e. revisiting the decision ‘the people’ made during the presidential preference primary.
The closest historical precedents for that, IMO, point to disaster. But the NYT’s crusade on this issue has certainly spooked a sector of Democrats. I can’t help but notice that Black Democrats, the base of our party, aren’t joining in this, ahem, debate. They are rolling up their sleeves and getting to work.
Am I missing something? What does she mean by turning the decision back to the people? And if you enclosed your letter, I cannot find it.
I believe alternatively that President Biden has a terrific effective team, of which he is the leader, with a long list of accomplishments. I do not want him to remove himself from this election for a variety of reasons. There is an hysteria in the press re Biden, shamefully led by the NYTimes (which we are considering canceling). It is a form of ageism to my way of thinking, along with a disturbing rush to blame and foment more upset than is appropriate. What a time we live in. My vote stays soundly with Biden/Harris.
Thanks for your honesty, Karen. While we disagree, I really appreciate your perspective. I aspire not to blame, too.
I love Louise, though I have never met her. And we definitely think alike on this one. The decisions of two able leaders who stayed too long, Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Joe Biden, may result in disaster for our country. I do hope others will join us in sending letters.
Just what we need!
Please read and consider this on Substack:
The Loudest Pundits Don't Talk to Voters
I do...
JESS PIPER
JUL 06, 2024
This is a great recommendation. Everything Jess wrote aligns with what I’m seeing on the ground in my state.
And your response warms my heart and gives me hope!
At age 86 and an avid reader of ALL Courtney’s writings (plus Ted talks), I totally agree with her position. Whatever the details involved of how to choose Democratic candidates , I’m old enough to know that Biden should withdraw. We need younger leaders for the future.
I was especially gratified to have Louise raise the issue of war versus nonviolent action. I’ve admired Thich Nhat Hanh since the 60’s when his brilliant opposition to the Vietnam war led MLK to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize. All that TNH wrote since then remains wise and prophetic. I only wish that Biden might listen to his message of nonviolence. Is there any of our nation’s leaders who will do this? DD
Thanks @courtney this was just great. Having just lost an aging brilliant father who I was living with … I have reflected much on what our culture instilled in the men of Biden’s generation. The “patriarchy” wreaked havoc on them as well … Biden letting go of values no longer serving him is the challenge. I like this approach of presenting the ask with love and compassion …
Yes, great point.
It is a lovely letter. Still, I hope that those whose counsel he most values are expressing their points of view honestly to him. Somehow I believe in this that a couple of Obamas, say, are more likely to be persuasive than any number of people he doesn't know.
We are his people. I hope he hears our counsel one side or the other.
As an 84 year old, I appreciate this letter so much!
Thank you for this. This is beautiful.
It is very easy to write similar beautiful letters to the President on line. It arrives in a nano second. https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Louise, this is lovely and prophetic, thank you (and also I need to put a book in the mail to you)
such a thought- and heart-provoking post and one that offers a new way of engaging in this moment that feels so fraught and so frightening. i'm inspired by the comments and the folks who are part of the examined family community. thank you courtney and louise for this offering.
Dear Courtney and Examined Family Readers,
It's beautiful to read your responses to my letter and to have this community space for sharing. The thing about the "love letter" is you need to keep working on it because each change you make leads you deeper. Responses take you even deeper and many of yours took me right back into the near-paralysis I'd been feeling about our ever-more complex and fearful election dilemma. Even at the time I wrote, it had seemed like there was no way out, but my letter came easily when I recalled DNC member James Zogby's inspiring proposal for choosing a candidate in what seemed to me a more genuinely democratic way. https://www.democracynow.org/2024/7/3/james_zogby_2024_biden_replacement_options
I loved what one of you said about how harmful patriarchy, white supremacy (and I would add "the colonizer mind") have been to men in our culture. Guys thinking that getting up and fighting on is better than taking care of their health.
But I acknowledge the overall mindset affects me too. I realized, even as I sent my letter off to Courtney, that it advocated a strong suggestion to "fix" things based on my own views of the moment--rather than staying truly open to other solutions with "both/and thinking." I'd ignored another one of Thich Nhat Hanh's primary teachings that he calls openness or "non-attachment to views." https://plumvillage.org/mindfulness/the-14-mindfulness-trainings
A more fully developed love letter would have left the doors open for other solutions rather than pushing my own as the one right way. It isn't easy to do this within a political system like ours, especially during an election year and especially during these times of heightened polarization world-wide. But yesterday's attack in Pennsylvania shows me yet again the importance of "non-attachment to views."