Stuck again. Gotta write this down before I can keep going. This is not going to be about search, and it’s going to be a little about politics. You want to skip it, go right ahead and I’ll see you tomorrow with regular programming.

Earlier today, the President of our country, according to sources, referred to other places in the world as ‘shit-hole countries’. From the Los Angeles Times article: “‘What do we want Haitians here for?,’ the president asked, according to the people briefed. ‘Why do we want all these people from Africa here? Why do we want all these people from shit-hole countries?'”

I have never had the pleasure of traveling outside the US.

However, thanks to ResearchBuzz I do a lot of reading of media from other countries, and I’ve grown to admire so many people and the work they’re doing. The archivists who are struggling to preserve the history of South Sudan. The people who are trying to bring closure and peace to the families who suffered in Guatemala’s civil war. The folks in Syria and the Czech Republic working together to save Syrian culture and monuments endangered by terrorists. I could go on for hours. (Just ask my husband.)

In addition to learning about these gallant efforts I have also gained new perspectives. Trycolyn Pikirayi’s look at millennial vs. government perspectives in Techzim was an excellent read, and Simbo Olorunfemi’s editorial Did We Lose Tomorrow Yesterday? had me thinking for days.

It was perhaps remembering these articles and efforts and projects that had me crying with utter horror and embarrassment as I read the article in the Los Angeles Times this afternoon about what our President said. The ignorant, casual, disgusting disparagement of human beings who do not deserve such cruelty.

Reading about the efforts and good works of people everywhere to preserve cultural heritage and history and artifacts has lead me to this firm belief: that in every country in the world, there are valiant people who are giving everything they’ve got to make things better for the people around them. And they’re not rare. They’re many. They have taught me so much and they have my respect and my gratitude.

And my apologies. That the man who represents my country on the world stage has chosen to do this brings me a lot of grief and guilt. I must tell you I’m sorry. I don’t know how much it means, but I have to say it, put it down and say it out loud: I am sorry. I am so sorry.

He is 100% wrong.