A brisk walk around the lake as the sunrise catches the morning’s frost crystals and the skim of ice upon slack water, unawares. The sound of footfalls, a dawn chorus, the drafts of air over wings of Wood Duck and Merganser, as all the while I concentrate on the days wisdom emenating from an early rising eighth grader with a blister and a hunger for a poppy seed scone.That conversation, a jewel in its own setting, a precursor to my listening to another.
Ambassador Nicholas Burns. Under Secretary, Political Affairs is talking this morning on NPR. Of late it has been easy to give up listening for educated and erudite voices emenating from Washington DC. He is discussing the state of affairs in the Gulf region vis a vis Iran and the latter nation’s positioning for dominance. Portraying a lucid, concise picture of the situation, its participants and what may or may not be at stake it becomes readily apparent that here is an educated man with a broad frame of reference gained from a wealth of experience in working around the world with and for those most able to make positive change. He projects a calm and measured outlook, in association with the ability to place events within the historical and political context essential to understanding and further actions. His talking, his spoken hopes, his insight are as clear as this morning’s eastern horizon.
Where do these educated voices go when the Congress picks up steam and releases so much divisive hot air? I wonder If Congress even acknowledges such voices and the education and experience, so plain to hear that an eighth grader can understand the why and wherefore of US Battle Groups in the Gulf region…as they have been for so long and in their protecting the many interests of the many would be critics.
Two educated voices in one morning…now I really can get back to business while wondering if the poppy seed kid might some day pack a biography like Mr. Nicholas Burns. The educated voice.
Mark–very well said! I served Ambassador Burns from 1998-1999 in Athens, Greece as the Assistant Air Attache. He’s a great gentleman, and I spent many hours on the school board that his wife Libby chaired. I’m glad to hear he’s still progressing, career-wise. They’re VERY good people. Hope you & family are doing well! Very Best–Andy, Lori & gang