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DIVERGENCE | A SLIGHT DETOUR I’d promised not to make this newsletter political—because it’s a terrible, unforgiving spiral. But this morning (time of writing) I woke up to the news that the Trump administration, wielding the power of the US government, had halted funding to the World Health Organization. In the middle of a pandemic. I watched the video segment as he sputtered and spat his scripted words from the podium, barely able to read, accusing the organization of his own failures and ineptitudes. As if America depended on its guidelines to make decisions. As if US intelligence agencies didn’t exist. As if none of us could easily browse his own Twitter feed or replay interviews or scenes from his unhinged rallies. I’d promised not to make this political but we’re far from those petty infighting territories: this is about solidarity. It’s about choosing to be a force for good or an enemy, in opposition to humanity. Every country has a right to reassess its associations with world organizations and the W.H.O isn’t without its faults; but timing matters. And besides, we all know this is nothing but an act of cowardice and an attempt at diversion. These are the pantomimes of an idiot who is unable to cope with reality, unable to face his profound failures as an individual. It is so plain and clear and infantile, it’s almost sad. Unfortunately however, beyond the fool’s ego, there are enablers. There are men and women refusing to speak out or worse, endorsing the decisions outright. Men and women who swore an oath and are now perfectly content to dismiss it. As if values—of decency, honour and generosity—were mere smokescreens and theatre. But they’ll be sure to pray because…of course they will. On Tuesday, from the White House Rose Garden, the United States of America abdicated its role as a global citizen. The fault lies with the American government of course, not its people. But it is clear as day that there remains but one path to redemption. One path—that’s it. Explicitly: if Joe Biden isn’t elected next fall, the American experiment is over. This is not partisanship, it is clarity. The country’s transformation, from enlightenment to obscurantism, will finally be complete and nations will realign accordingly. I’d promised not to be political. I failed. And I’m so furious about it I can barely breathe. Divergence over: now turning to much, MUCH better topics.
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