(photo via CNN)
Half of our team in overseas this week, so the first “Can’t Let It Go” will feature only my contributions.
I’m happily stealing this concept from the NPR Politics Podcast, which has long been one of my go-to podcasts each week. We read extensively to stay on top of the latest trends and news. Each week, we’ll give you a couple of headlines and stories that are sticking with us. And maybe it will give you something interesting to talk about at church coffee hour on Sunday.
No assassination news or convention news this week, since you’ve probably been inundated with those. So… what Can’t We Let Go this week:
New Photo of Dolley Madison
This is the thing that really blew my mind this week. The National Portrait Gallery acquired a daguerreotype of Dolley Madison. Like another recently discovered photo of John Quincy Adams, this is an amazing direct look at someone present at the founding of our nation. Dolly Madison! Who saved the painting of George Washington from the White House while fleeing British troops during the War of 1812. Who was famous for her parties that brought together the warring political factions and later was first called the “First Lady.” (Maybe Dr. Biden or Mrs. Trump could resurrect those parties today.)
As with the photo (ok, daguerreotype, but that’s difficult to type over and over) of Adams, you see someone who was pretty much in the “room where it happened” staring back at you. I’m someone who reads obsessively about both the founding generation and the second generation who shaped the country (Jackson, Adams, Clay, Calhoun, Webster). Seeing Mrs. Madison in a real image is striking and really amazing.
Soccer and Cocaine Trafficking
In addition to being obsessed with the founding generation, I’m also a rabid futbol fan (which anyone who follows me on social media knows… bye Berhalter). An article this week about Paraguayan cocaine kingpin Sebastian Marset and his intersection with soccer around the world was captivating. A mediocre soccer player, he laundered his money through professional soccer clubs, and used his money and murderous reputation to get playing time on the field.
The story winds between Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Greece, South Africa, and the top of the Burj Kalifa in Dubai. He’d disappear and suddenly pop up playing in a professional soccer game somewhere. Really amazing “Where in the World is…” story that’s worth your time. He remains at large.