Are We There Yet? vol. 186

While most of DC was focused on the craziness in the House of Representatives earlier this week, Geoff Bennett, host of the PBS NewsHour, interviewed Hilary Clinton. Former Secretary of State Clinton recently joined Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs as a professor of practice.

Mr. Bennett’s questions were mostly about her decision to become a professor at this stage in her life, as well as about some current affairs, including US support for Ukraine. At the end of the interview, he said, “In preparing to speak with you, I spoke to some of your supporters, even some people who worked in your campaign. And the question they asked me to ask you is, Is she OK?” Laughter from both of them followed, and she did acknowledge being somewhat traumatized by her losing effort in the 2016 election.

She recounted a story about what her friend and first woman secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, used to say when asked about the state of the world. As a child, Secretary Albright and her family fled the Nazis and then fled the communists. When someone would ask her if she was an optimist, she would answer, “Yes, I’m an optimist who worries a lot.” Secretary Clinton, like many of us, worries about big problems in the world, but she said she would answer the same way as Secretary Albright.

I, too, worry a lot, but I’m optimistic about the future for my family, my business, our country, and the world in general. I can see the dedicated people who are working diligently to solve big problems and the young people coming along who are smart and dedicated to making the world a better place for everyone. When expressing my worries, I’m sometimes asked if I’m a pessimist or possibly labeled as one. Now, I have my answer. I’m an optimist, but I worry a lot.

Take care and stay safe.

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