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Author Archives: 34orion
Cherry Blossoms, The Garden State, and Presidential Role Models
People often get the wrong idea about New Jersey. The image they conjure when the state’s name is mentioned is that of the New Jersey Turnpike between the George Washington Bridge and the Outerbridge Crossing, which offers stunning views of … Continue reading
Posted in Trump Opposition
Tagged Donald Trump, Foxtrot Delta Tango, george-washington, history, New Jersey, politics, Presidents, Resistance, Role Models, trump, Trump Opposition
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Anniversaries, Going Brazilian, and Gratitude
Thirteen years ago today, I met Elaine. I was on an eighteen-day cruise up the coast of Brazil with a transatlantic passage that would make port in Morocco, Portugal, and Italy. It did not start well. My first dinner partner … Continue reading
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The Brazilian Constitution, Mar-A-Lago and the Democracy of the Beach
Brazil’s democracy is among the youngest in the world. After decades of a repressive dictatorship, supported in part by the U.S., Brazil adopted its current constitution in 1988. It did not hold its first presidential election until 1989. Despite its … Continue reading
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The Smoking Snake, My Dad, and The Forgotten Lessons of The Greatest Generation
My wife met my father for the first and only time in the last month of his life. Three months earlier, I had met this gorgeous, smart, funny woman on an eighteen-day cruise up the coast of Brazil, with a … Continue reading
Jardim Itanhangá, Carnival and Washington DC
We live in a quiet neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, nestled in the shadow of Pedra da Gávea—the world’s tallest coastal monolith (2,769 feet)—and a cone-shaped granite dome (whose name I don’t know and, apparently, neither does anyone around here. … Continue reading
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The Tijuca Forest, Climate Change and Pissing in A Stream
Baby, It’s Hot Outside How hot? The cisterns that hold our water are located in the eaves of our attic, providing additional water pressure for the home. In the three weeks we have been here, we have never had to … Continue reading
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Tagged biodiversity, climate-change, deforestation, environment, sustainability
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Salvador, A First Date, Michael Jackson and Brazil’s History of Slavery
Brazil’s history with slavery is shameful. Brazil imported more than 4.8 million Africans as slaves—almost eleven times more than the American colonies and the U.S. during its own shameful past. Even more shocking is that 50% of those who arrived … Continue reading
Blame it on Rio 