Emily, I feel much of what you're going through with your loss. Writing/talking about it is one great step to start heading toward acceptance. You never forget, despite what others tell you. I lost my best friend/wife 11 years ago now and I still think about her every day, but life does go on, and her memory is a strength I build on. Yes, I miss being able to come home and tell her what went on today, use her to help me make decisions and of course her way of slowing me down at times when I needed it, but her memory pops up at those times now and helps. Just keep doing what you do best and know that you have a lot of us who are there for you.
Emily, it is very touching to read your words and hear your voice as you talk about your friendship with Gen. Powell. I served 23 years in the Army (I came in right after Powell retired) and he still looms large as a leader and public servant. I can't imagine a better mentor and it's wonderful to hear that you maintained a friendship long after your time at State (and despite some political differences). I hope in the future you'll share some stories about his sense of humor - I've seen the occasional instance on TV but that's a side we don't often get to see.
I didn’t know you were Army! I’m so glad you think what I wrote about him is okay because I’m trying to be as careful as he was about what I say in public and especially to protect his legacy but be truthful.
This is going to sound like he wasn’t nice but CP’s best humor was making fun of the people he liked. I do it too as a form of affection. He always makes fun of me for being so short and for getting myself in public scandals. I’m going through 18 years of emails and all the texts messages so I’ll come up with more specifics.
We need asylum because we are in danger here, we are threatened by the Taliban, we are facing a severe threat from the Taliban, we are your allies, the Taliban call me an infidel spy, a Jew and an American spy, I am a boy Who is Albino, the Taliban say where did you bring this foreign child, they say why this child has a face similar to foreigners, we are all families follow the religion of Jesus Christ, they also have a problem with our religion, and they ordered their men Shoot us and he is looking for us, so please save my life, we are in dire need of siv request
Let me start by saying, I have asked for the peace of the God be with Gen. Powell and the comfort of His Holy Embrace comfort and assuage his family’s suffering. This is my hope and my ask for all who have passed on and those left grieving.
Your posts usually fill me comments & questions, I’ll ask you about stuff later. For now this is all I’d like to express.
David, I’m so grateful for your response. I really believe there are a lot of us who want to do better in how we speak or write in public but there’s no encouragement. And we are challenged every minute with the opposite - social media and cable news that have business models based on us fighting. Thank you for reading and thinking. You’ve encouraged me so much to keep working on this.
It was great to hear your voice on this podcast and you were blessed to be with your mentor for all those years -and you are a Christian you will surely see him again if heaven is what they preach -remember the things he taught you -have a blessed day Emily-Jeff
Jeff, thank you so much for this encouragement. I keep forgetting he’s gone and have to keep remembering this isn’t the end. I’ll record this one too while I work on a real podcast. Bless you.
50 years ago, I was a passionate civil rights activist, devoted to politics and my equally politically active first love. After parting and reuniting 6 months ago, my love and I are gingerly navigating our current political differences—me a fierce conservative and he a devoted subscriber to the New York Times! Our first and hopefully last dust-up ended with 20 yellow roses. So far so good, with the help of humor and listening carefully. Your post hit home and has been forwarded. Thank you.
Bearing in mind the effect of social media...I remember that years ago, there was a TV Program known as the Doctors. One episode had the actor Ross Martin play a man who had a brain dysfunction in which for whatever reason, he would have severe rage with little provocation. First, the medical team planted a custom device in his brain to discover just what part of his brain was the problem. Upon discovery of the problem area in his brain, the team used a form of radio waves to completely destroy the problem area of the brain which healed the man. Facebook and Instagram have been like a severe addiction for me, like the rage in the dude's brain. If I could fry the parts of my cerebrum that would permanently kill the addiction, I might submit to that. If my brain were younger and I could tolerate the procedure I would submit to Deep Brain Stimulation with a device similar to a pacemaker. Frontal lobotomy is contraindicated. However, the social media craze is like methamphetamine, cocaine, THC, LSD, PCP, and ethanol alcohol at once. With this and the desire to connect and express, it's a whole world of King Cobra excrement mixed with frog urine.
I watched some documentary and I wish I could remember the title but it was about exactly what you’re saying - how the tech companies design the social media to work on our dopamine and cortisone to keep us coming back to them. I need to find it and report back. If we had more facts to explain why we are all fighting strangers online, we can figure out what are the tools to fight back against their games.
Dopamine and cortisone... Dopamine and Seratonin are the two main brain chemicals that I need to keep in check...one of my medicines is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. The other one is a neuroleptic antipsychotic. That one is supposed to control the dopamine. Now I have to think about Cortisone? Guess I have some research to do. In short, between the two of us, we're learned that dopamine, cortisone, and serotonin are the brain chemicals affected by the social media stimuli. Now I need to learn how to even more severely regulate those things.
We need asylum because we are in danger here, we are threatened by the Taliban, we are facing a severe threat from the Taliban, we are your allies, the Taliban call me an infidel spy, a Jew and an American spy, I am a boy Who is Albino, the Taliban say where did you bring this foreign child, they say why this child has a face similar to foreigners, we are all families follow the religion of Jesus Christ, they also have a problem with our religion, and they ordered their men Shoot us and he is looking for us, so please save my life, we are in dire need of siv request
Civil courtesy has evaporated in a number of ways. In the military it seems to have been questionable for some decades. As far as public discourse, an early memory I have is President Gerald R Ford publicly make disparaging remarks regarding James Earl Carter, who became POTUS after Mr Ford. Unfortunately, as I realize now, a number of Mr Ford's statements regarding Mr Carter came into fruition. The last civil thing I remember is Pres Bush 43 commit to remain quiet regarding Mr Obama, while Mr Obama and pretty much a number of people tore Mr Bush 43 a new exit to his alimentary canal. Unfortunately people seem to forget that in the olden days, courtesy was required almost everywhere because if one did not behave with courtesy, one could easily wind up in Saint Peter's Office in Heaven pretty quickly for their accounting in person long before natural causes took their course. In some cases this remains true, especially in racketeer environments.
Definitely his autobiography. Everyone enjoys different parts of his life but I like best the stories from growing up in the Bronc. My favorite is that CP had a job in a Jewish baby store and learned Hebrew to negotiate. He still knows it ! Also the chapter on his time in Korea is so inspiring and a fantastic insight into Army life while deployed. The chapters on Vietnam are upsetting.
Emily, I feel much of what you're going through with your loss. Writing/talking about it is one great step to start heading toward acceptance. You never forget, despite what others tell you. I lost my best friend/wife 11 years ago now and I still think about her every day, but life does go on, and her memory is a strength I build on. Yes, I miss being able to come home and tell her what went on today, use her to help me make decisions and of course her way of slowing me down at times when I needed it, but her memory pops up at those times now and helps. Just keep doing what you do best and know that you have a lot of us who are there for you.
Emily, it is very touching to read your words and hear your voice as you talk about your friendship with Gen. Powell. I served 23 years in the Army (I came in right after Powell retired) and he still looms large as a leader and public servant. I can't imagine a better mentor and it's wonderful to hear that you maintained a friendship long after your time at State (and despite some political differences). I hope in the future you'll share some stories about his sense of humor - I've seen the occasional instance on TV but that's a side we don't often get to see.
I didn’t know you were Army! I’m so glad you think what I wrote about him is okay because I’m trying to be as careful as he was about what I say in public and especially to protect his legacy but be truthful.
This is going to sound like he wasn’t nice but CP’s best humor was making fun of the people he liked. I do it too as a form of affection. He always makes fun of me for being so short and for getting myself in public scandals. I’m going through 18 years of emails and all the texts messages so I’ll come up with more specifics.
Please save us
We need asylum because we are in danger here, we are threatened by the Taliban, we are facing a severe threat from the Taliban, we are your allies, the Taliban call me an infidel spy, a Jew and an American spy, I am a boy Who is Albino, the Taliban say where did you bring this foreign child, they say why this child has a face similar to foreigners, we are all families follow the religion of Jesus Christ, they also have a problem with our religion, and they ordered their men Shoot us and he is looking for us, so please save my life, we are in dire need of siv request
General Powell was a hero, patriot, a gentleman, and a kind soul. Gone far too soon. Thank you posting both the text and the audio.
Let me start by saying, I have asked for the peace of the God be with Gen. Powell and the comfort of His Holy Embrace comfort and assuage his family’s suffering. This is my hope and my ask for all who have passed on and those left grieving.
Your posts usually fill me comments & questions, I’ll ask you about stuff later. For now this is all I’d like to express.
Questions any time ! I’ll always love talking about CP. Thank you for caring about him too.
Emily, thank you for the article. It really made me think about myself and the too often need to check my speech. I will listen when I have time.
David, I’m so grateful for your response. I really believe there are a lot of us who want to do better in how we speak or write in public but there’s no encouragement. And we are challenged every minute with the opposite - social media and cable news that have business models based on us fighting. Thank you for reading and thinking. You’ve encouraged me so much to keep working on this.
It was great to hear your voice on this podcast and you were blessed to be with your mentor for all those years -and you are a Christian you will surely see him again if heaven is what they preach -remember the things he taught you -have a blessed day Emily-Jeff
Jeff, thank you so much for this encouragement. I keep forgetting he’s gone and have to keep remembering this isn’t the end. I’ll record this one too while I work on a real podcast. Bless you.
Thanks for the audio version :)
I still can’t figure out the Substack way to get the audio on the app. Did you figure it out ? I am working on getting a real podcast in the apps
Nah I have no idea about podcast or uploading on substack 🤷♂️ Sorry
You are so welcome I have respected for long time and have always admired you
50 years ago, I was a passionate civil rights activist, devoted to politics and my equally politically active first love. After parting and reuniting 6 months ago, my love and I are gingerly navigating our current political differences—me a fierce conservative and he a devoted subscriber to the New York Times! Our first and hopefully last dust-up ended with 20 yellow roses. So far so good, with the help of humor and listening carefully. Your post hit home and has been forwarded. Thank you.
Bearing in mind the effect of social media...I remember that years ago, there was a TV Program known as the Doctors. One episode had the actor Ross Martin play a man who had a brain dysfunction in which for whatever reason, he would have severe rage with little provocation. First, the medical team planted a custom device in his brain to discover just what part of his brain was the problem. Upon discovery of the problem area in his brain, the team used a form of radio waves to completely destroy the problem area of the brain which healed the man. Facebook and Instagram have been like a severe addiction for me, like the rage in the dude's brain. If I could fry the parts of my cerebrum that would permanently kill the addiction, I might submit to that. If my brain were younger and I could tolerate the procedure I would submit to Deep Brain Stimulation with a device similar to a pacemaker. Frontal lobotomy is contraindicated. However, the social media craze is like methamphetamine, cocaine, THC, LSD, PCP, and ethanol alcohol at once. With this and the desire to connect and express, it's a whole world of King Cobra excrement mixed with frog urine.
I watched some documentary and I wish I could remember the title but it was about exactly what you’re saying - how the tech companies design the social media to work on our dopamine and cortisone to keep us coming back to them. I need to find it and report back. If we had more facts to explain why we are all fighting strangers online, we can figure out what are the tools to fight back against their games.
Dopamine and cortisone... Dopamine and Seratonin are the two main brain chemicals that I need to keep in check...one of my medicines is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. The other one is a neuroleptic antipsychotic. That one is supposed to control the dopamine. Now I have to think about Cortisone? Guess I have some research to do. In short, between the two of us, we're learned that dopamine, cortisone, and serotonin are the brain chemicals affected by the social media stimuli. Now I need to learn how to even more severely regulate those things.
We need asylum because we are in danger here, we are threatened by the Taliban, we are facing a severe threat from the Taliban, we are your allies, the Taliban call me an infidel spy, a Jew and an American spy, I am a boy Who is Albino, the Taliban say where did you bring this foreign child, they say why this child has a face similar to foreigners, we are all families follow the religion of Jesus Christ, they also have a problem with our religion, and they ordered their men Shoot us and he is looking for us, so please save my life, we are in dire need of siv request
Please help to us
Civil courtesy has evaporated in a number of ways. In the military it seems to have been questionable for some decades. As far as public discourse, an early memory I have is President Gerald R Ford publicly make disparaging remarks regarding James Earl Carter, who became POTUS after Mr Ford. Unfortunately, as I realize now, a number of Mr Ford's statements regarding Mr Carter came into fruition. The last civil thing I remember is Pres Bush 43 commit to remain quiet regarding Mr Obama, while Mr Obama and pretty much a number of people tore Mr Bush 43 a new exit to his alimentary canal. Unfortunately people seem to forget that in the olden days, courtesy was required almost everywhere because if one did not behave with courtesy, one could easily wind up in Saint Peter's Office in Heaven pretty quickly for their accounting in person long before natural causes took their course. In some cases this remains true, especially in racketeer environments.
Which of General Powell’s books has your highest recommendation, please
Definitely his autobiography. Everyone enjoys different parts of his life but I like best the stories from growing up in the Bronc. My favorite is that CP had a job in a Jewish baby store and learned Hebrew to negotiate. He still knows it ! Also the chapter on his time in Korea is so inspiring and a fantastic insight into Army life while deployed. The chapters on Vietnam are upsetting.
Thank you, Emily