Unforeseen circumstances recently compelled me into a situation where I had no Internet access for six days and seven nights. Just writing that sentence reminds me of one of my favorite romantic comedies, “Six Days, Seven Nights,” with Harrison Ford and the late Anne Heche.
In the film, in case you’ve not seen it, an unlikely romance develops between two people forced to spend time alone together on a remote island after their small plane crashes in a thunderstorm.
My youngest daughter and I used to watch it on our Friday night movie nights while her brothers watched their preferred violent action movies in the other room.
But back to the present tense. There was no romance during my recent ordeal, but there was a great deal of open, empty time — silence, if you will.
It gave me some thinking space.
For years, I’ve filled my waking hours with the task of gathering, sorting and interpreting the news. If my dreams are any indication, I’ve spent most of my sleeping hours doing that too.
And to what end?
I know that a few of those who subscribe to this newsletter, or follow me on Facebook and other social media platforms appreciate that work, but that others care about and respond more to personal stories and memories, whether based in the news or not.
The first thing that struck me when I returned to the connected world and turned on CNN, was how little had changed while I was away. Yes, the headlines were different, some new voices had emerged, some old voices had disappeared, but fundamentally, nothing had changed.
The world was still ablaze with meaningless conflicts, unthinkable risks and angry debates. It still seemed to be sliding toward destruction. But it also was still filled with unspeakable beauty, endless hope, great acts of kindness and the sweetest of loves.
It may take me a while to sort this all out but I trust you get my drift.
HEADLINES:
Baltimore Key Bridge collapses after ship collision (CNN)
Biden-Netanyahu rift grows, as Israel cancels delegation visit after U.N. vote (WP)
‘An extraordinary thing’: U.S. break with Israel on UN cease-fire vote triggers Netanyahu rage (CNBC)
Netanyahu aggravates rift with pro-Israel Democrats (Axios)
WikiLeaks' Julian Assange was given permission by the High Court in London to take his challenge against extradition to the United States to another hearing. (Reuters)
UK court says Assange can’t be extradited on espionage charges until US rules out death penalty (AP)
Why Treasury Yields Are Rising Despite Rate-Cut Expectations (WSJ)
Trump hit with gag order in New York hush money case after slamming judge (CNBC)
Trump Goes After Judge’s Daughter in Hush Money Trial Rant (Rolling Stone)
Supreme Court unlikely to limit access to abortion pill (WP)
Justice Samuel Alito Falsely Implies Mifepristone Could Cause “Very Serious Harm” (Mother Jones)
he Mayor of Los Angeles Wants to Prove Homelessness Can Be Solved (NYT)
Where did Homo sapiens go after leaving Africa? New study has an answer (Reuters)
Should Wildlife Advocates Help Set Hunting Rules in Vermont? (NYT)
How AI could explode the economy (Vox)
Andreessen backs startup to fix faxes in health care (Axios)
Man Exiting Store While Alarm Sounds Makes Big Show Of Looking Surprised To Appear Innocent (The Onion)
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