From the pen of our President.....
Dear fellow Rotarians and friends,
We were all so shocked by Mark's passing this week - we will
all miss his enthusiasm and jokes. Please refer to the "Obituaries"
page on this blog where we will keep the wonderful memories of our departed
friends.
What an interesting meeting we had last Friday – to
understand the US electoral system and the mood in the US is a real bonus.
Please do fill in nominations for next year's officers -
this process needs to be completed before year end.
This week you will also receive a survey to fill out - how
healthy is our Club? It has been a tough year so far - hopefully, next year
will be better. Not sure it could be
worse!!
Join us for our Christmas drinks and let us see each other's
faces!!
Keep the faith...
Ann
Last Friday...
Brooks Spector making sense of the US Elections...
Spector settled in Johannesburg after a career as an American diplomat assigned in Africa and East Asia. Since then, he has taught international relations at the University of the Witwatersrand, been a consultant for an international NGO, run a famous Johannesburg theatre, and been a commentator for South African and international print/broadcast/online media, all in addition to writing for The Daily Maverick from day one.
Post-retirement, Spector has also been a Bradlow Fellow of the SA Institute of International Affairs and a Writing Fellow of the University of Johannesburg’s Institute for Advanced Studies.
Only half humourously, he says he learned everything he needs to know about politics from the film, "Casablanca." Maybe he's increasingly cynical about some things, but a late Beethoven string quartet, John Coltrane’s music, and a steaming bowl of so-to ayam (one of Indonesia's great culinary discoveries) will bring him close to tears.
Brooks unpacked the complex topic of the 2020 elections of the oldest democracy of the world, which has had us spellbound with its farcical twists and turns that has left most people shaking their heads in shear disbelief at what should have been a straightforward win for Joe Biden.
He won the popular vote as well as the electoral college by a huge margin, but President Trump insists that this was a fraudulent win, and is waging numerous lawsuits disputing the results in states of Pennsylvania an Arizona, and forcing a recount of all ballots in Georgia, where the margin was less than 0,5%. But despite all of Trump's postulations the general consensus is that this was the cleanest election in history.
A week after the election President Trump still will not issue a concession statement and people are beginning to question the man's emotional stability.
His staff is not allowed to look for another job, and if found to do so would get fired on the spot.
The funding for the transition process has not been made available and notes of congratulations have not been transmitted.
Brooks maintains that the outcome of who wins the majority of the Senate seats will be pivotal to whether Joe Biden will be able to push through his agenda.
First and foremost he will have to deal with the Pandemic and beat the virus.
He will want to maintain the Affordable Health Care Act, which has seen 20 million extra people now on Health Care.
He wants to invigorate the economy by improving infrastructure such as rebuilding airports and harbours and roads.
There will be a huge emphasis on the environment, and he will rejoin the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organization.
Why did Biden win the election? The virus was the key.
Spreading Festive Cheer....
Every year the Norwood SupaSpar has graciously allowed our Club to ask their patrons to support our annual food drive in support of various charities which are close to our heart.
Sadly this year with Covid restrictions still very much in place we have had to resort to placing a lone trolley at the entrance in the hope that shoppers seeing our poster would drop a non-perishable food item into said trolley. Unfortunately this was not hugely successful, and the Community Services committee has therefore decided that we shall give it one (in fact two) last concerted effort and send out the troops on the last weekend of November, the 28th and 29th as well as the first weekend in December, the 5th and 6th, to make sure that we can provide some festive cheer to those less fortunate than us.
We will be circulating a roster (Virtual) at this Friday's meeting and we urge our members to please put down their names for a shift or two.
In Support of the Environment....
Look at what was delivered to me on Friday..... My very own 'Rotary in the Environment' bracelet collection. Each unique bracelet represents a conservation.
Fellow Rotarian Shan Biesman-Simons from the Rotary Club of Newlands in the Cape posted this on her Face Book page.It is one of their projects which they are supporting with their partner, Relate Trust. Buy some for yourself...and perhaps as stocking fillers or other gifts??
Please help us raise funds for these causes by ordering a box of 10 bracelets at just R350 incl VAT and delivery (US$30 outside of South Africa). Go to:
Causes supported are:
Rotary Youth Camp, Glencairn (Rotary project)
I am a Water Warrior (Rotary project)
SANCCOB
Endangered Wildlife Trust
Endangered Wildlife Trust - Ocean Project
Endangered Wildlife Trust - Birds of Prey
Endangered Wildlife Trust - Wild Dog Project
Endangered Wildlife Trust - Guard Dogs for Conservation
Honorary Rangers of SA National Parks
Elephants Alive
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