No Kings Day

Hello from San Diego.

I was originally going to write a piece related to a scam, but changed my mind based on the events around the country this weekend. On Saturday I participated in the No Kings rally in San Diego. It was the first protest I’ve gone to in twenty years. I don’t usually get political in these newsletters, but what happened this week is too much—military in the LA streets, a US senator brought to the floor and handcuffed, two democratic lawmakers shot in Minnesota, and on and on. This has to stop.

Protests were held in two locations in San Diego and in other smaller cities close by. I went to the one that started at the Waterfront Park. There were thousands of people of all ages and races there—even small kids and older people with walkers.

Allison Gill, a Navy veteran and host of the “Mueller She Wrote” podcast, started with a short speech. Then we marched. Actually it was more a crawl. It took almost an hour to get out of the park and onto the street. Police were on hand but didn’t interfere in any way. There was no violence or property destruction. Mostly people shouted off slogans like: ”Tell me what democracy is. This is what democracy is.” Or: “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go.” A few drums and whistles. The best things were the creative signs.

Here are some pictures:

The major cities seem to be rising up in demonstration. I’m not sure about the center of the country or the less populist states out west. Tell me what happened where you are and what you think.

Here are some books you might enjoy:

The Last Dance of Mary Kelly

E. David Brown, a Canadian writer, has written a terrific book that his publishers have now made available in the U.S. It is an historical novel taking place in London during the time of Jack the Ripper in the late 1880s. It follows Mary Kelly from Ireland to her brutal employment in a textile factory in London. She gets caught up in the worker’s movement. An American journalist, Bryson Ward, investigates the movement and wonders if there is a connection to Jack the Ripper. Some of the female leaders in the protest movement are his victims. The book includes many famous figures of the time like Bret Harte and Oscar Wilde. The characters are well shaped and distinctive with voices that match the period. The violence and terrible city conditions are realistically drawn. It is a very fine piece of work. A compelling read for those who like historical fiction!

 

Agents of Innocence.

David Ignatius published this book in 1987 and it established him as a master of espionage writing. It is still a primer on the enormous complications of the Middle East. Which makes it very interesting reading now. Set primarily in Lebanon in 1969-84, it follows one CIA agent, Tom Rogers, as he negotiates the shifting alliances of Arab governments and the terrorists that they both fight and work with. Everyone is a friend and a foe. You get a real idea of the complexity of this morass of violence. It has some great characters who are torn between doing what is right for their friends, and what is best for their country. I got an education reading it. The book will help you understand the Palestinian and Israeli problem as well as the challenges the U.S. has in the region.

Do you have a book club?

If you would like me to talk at your club or some other event about Saving Myles or the writing life, please respond to this email or simply email me at carlvonderauauthor@gmail.com. If you are close by, I can come to your meeting. If not, we can talk virtually. I really love to do these, so don’t hesitate to ask.

Finally, if you know someone who would enjoy my book, please buy it. Here is a link.

Until next time,
Carl