Pink Galan
Hello Friends,

One of the excursions at the 2025 International Stereo Union Congress was to the Dutch Open Air Museum, which covers an area of around 44 hectares (108 acres). In the museum park are around 100 historic buildings, farmhouses and mills, bringing us the ability to experience a bit of the past. In its many gardens I found a great number of photo opportunities, one of which was these flowers.

Per wikipedia: "Cestrum x cultum, or the "Pink Galan," is a tropical shrub known for its fragrant, tubular flowers in shades of pink to purple, blooming nearly year-round. It prefers full sun to partial shade, fertile, well-drained soil, and requires medium watering once established. The plant can be toxic if eaten, especially the berries, and should be kept away from children and pets."

For today's rant, I recall the dark night in 2016 when we discovered Trump was elected to his first term. I recall writing him a letter containing some dread and some optimism, that with the great opportunity before him perhaps he could become a leader we could be proud of. Unfortunately in that first term every day contained new horrors, as have his second term. What follows is entirely an exercise in futility, but here goes.

So Donald? You want a Nobel Peace Prize? Then go ahead and earn one. You can, but your window is closing tighter every day.

No one on earth is in a better position to do great things for the earth and its people. But unfortunately you are stuck being you.

You are two things.

One Trump is an intriguing, charasmatic, engaging man who despite all odds has twice been elected to be President of the United States. He has the power to force his will over the Republican party, the USA and the world. Those who opposed him in his party have been cast out. He are a historical figure like no other, a survivor. Books and movies will endlessly describe the "Trump Era".

The other Trump is a petty, selfish, thin skinned, mean, delusional, vindictive, arrogant SOB who'se enriching himself and his family while dragging the USA and the world down, down, down. He truly believes himself to be a great man, a great leader, a great president. But he's not. He is a monster that leaves a steady wave of distruction in his wake. He's a tyrant. He's a mad man. His decisions lead to misery and deaths. He's an embarrassment, a laughing stock.

Donald, it is within your power to do good and be loved on the caliber of Washington, Lincoln, Gandhi, MLK, JFK, Mandela.

But you can't and won't do it. You lack the essential skills. To do good requires empathy and humility. To do good you'd need to be willing to look at yourself and your actions honestly. Sadly I don't think you have it in you to see beyond your nose.

Another week gone by, wishing you well,

Barry Rothstein

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