The Trump who Stole Christmas

If we are honest, we will admit that we miss important local, national, and international news all the time. Truthfully, I had no idea what's been happening in South Sudan before being invited to a private dinner with some of the South Sudanese American parishioners of St Luke's Episcopal Church in San Diego. (Per usual, Laurel and Colin were actually invited and I just tagged along.)

But you know what I didn't miss? In this chaos of election, I did catch wind of the human rights atrocities of Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines. Duterte's drug policy is to literally hire hitmen to kill anyone - street kids included - involved with the drug trade. Not only is this wrong on so many levels, being a hitman is the new side hustle for some moms in the Philippines.

Today while jumping around at the gym, I caught glimpse of the CNN banner 'Philippines' Duterte gets Trump White House Invite'.

HOW CAN THIS BE HAPPENING? During his campaign, Trump totally pushed me over the edge when he mocked a disabled reporter. Let's be honest, there have been many, many more unacceptable things since but putting out the welcome mat to Duterte is something that is throwing me into a rage today.

I just want to shout my frustration at anyone who will listen. (Sorry 24 Hour Kids Klub employees.) I feel so powerless. And so, the paigedeut.blogspot.com takes a different thematic turn.

I want to enjoy this Advent Season as we wait expectedly for the celebration of Jesus' birth. But it's an ongoing struggle to stay heaven focused in these dark times. A special visit from our friends Agata and Maciej was also a learning moment. Their native country, Poland, has another Trump-like figure in charge. Also very sadly, the church there is turning its back on the teachings of the Pope and saddling up to anti-immigration rhetoric.

So as John Stewart used to do, to lighten the mood, your moment of Zen.

Cros and Lucjan get ready for the soaking pool at the Kennedy School.