FYI
I’ve decided not to report much on #HunterBiden’s trial. It is evident that he, Beau’s widow, & the #Biden family were in deep #grief.
In that grief, Hunter & Hallie self-medicated w/a highly addictive drug. Hunter already had a predisposition to #addiction, & he did what people addicted to drugs & alcohol do — made terrible decisions.
He admitted it & admitted to committing crimes during his addiction.
Detailing that painful time for the purpose of humiliating his family is cruel.
On the 1st day of #testimony in #HunterBiden’s federal #gun trial, #jurors heard his audio of his memoir, where he recounted his #drug use in graphic detail. A federal prosecutor told jurors “no one is above the #law,” & defense said the he did not “knowingly” lie when filling out forms to purchase a weapon.
The #FBI agent said they were able to confirm that the laptop taken from the repair shop was #HunterBiden’s partly from his iCloud data, which contained an invoice from the shop [wait - an invoice for the repair was on the laptop before the work was done? Remember, he never picked it up]
11 years ago I lost my brother to opiates. He was the typical (American) teenage opiate addict starting with Dr. prescribed pharmaceuticals quickly becoming terribly addicted leading him into the needles of the streets. Loosing my brother that way rocked me, it still rocks me as this battle still continues horribly in the US. In his honor I brought him to the top of Mt Baker. I share to spread hope knowing there is healing in nature. Be kind to yourself. #natureheals#grief#mountains#healing
Because June is Alzheimer's and Brain Health Awareness, #JohnsHopkinsUniversityPress has made excerpts from the #memoir, which I wrote w/ #neurologist Dr. Bruce Miller, to honor my father, who died of #Early-Onset #Alzheimer's. I wrote it w/Bruce so he could explain to readers the clinical presentations I saw but didn't understand. Why my father was stricken, I still don't understand, but writing the book w/Bruce was our attempt to help others w/the science & the #grief.
Big show of family support on the 1st day of #HunterBiden’s trial.
In addition to #POTUS’ statement, Hunter’s wife, Melissa Cohen, his sister Ashley Biden, his friend Kevin Morris, Peter Neal, who is married to Hunter’s daughter Naomi, & #FLOTUS Dr. #JillBiden are in attendance.
President #Biden will be in Wilmington, DL, w/no appearances scheduled. But he has given no indication that he would be in the courthouse — a possibility that would require considerable security arrangements.
Many people, pundits & politicians are comparing & commenting on #HunterBiden’s trial in reference to the #TrumpTrial that concluded w/34 felony guilty convictions last week.
However, there are vast differences in the 2 cases — chief among them that Hunter Biden is NOT running for anything, NOR has he ever held or aspired to hold any ELECTED OFFICE.
Still, #Republicans are certain to seize on these difficult episodes in the Biden family’s past.
Prosecutors plan to use highly personal evidence in #HunterBiden trial
Special counsel #DavidWeiss filings provide a look into prosecutors’ plans & how they may reopen some of the most painful moments in the Biden family’s past.
Court papers detail the depth of family members’ turmoil as they struggled to grapple w/the death of President Biden’s oldest son, Beau, in 2015, and the drug & alcohol #addiction of his younger son, Hunter.
Judge Maryellen Noreika swore in 12 #jurors — + 4 alternates — to determine the #legal fate of #HunterBiden, who is on trial for 3 #felony#gun charges….
A substitute #teacher, a fmr #SecretService employee & multiple #GunOwners were among those chosen to report back to court Tues morning, when opening arguments are expected to begin.…Most were people of color, &…appeared to range from mid-20s to 70s.
…The responses of dozens of prospective jurors to questions in open court reflected some of the most pervasive & divisive issues in American society, w/jurors discussing their views on #gun ownership & #mistrust of the #judicial process.
And in a trial where the #criminal defendant has been public about his struggles w/ drug #addiction, the #jurors told the court about similar battles fought by their parents, children & friends.
#JoanDidion's #TheYearOfMagicalThinking is such a gift for those who mourn, who understand so deeply what she means when she writes, "I look for resolution and find none." If #grief is a frequent companion, read (or reread) her #memoir and know you are not alone.
#JohnsHopkins UP is offering a 30% discount w/the code HMOR24 on all its books, including mine, Finding the Right Words: A Story of #Literature, #Grief, and the #Brain, the #memoir I wrote w/#neurologist Dr. Bruce Miller. If you click on the book link & then click on the figures link, you'll see images of the brain that might be helpful. The glossary also includes terms that are good to know when going to the #doctor. Bruce & I hope you find it helpful.
In our latest @longreads feature, Emily Zebel goes on a weeklong solo motorcycle trip to find a way to cope after a breakup with the first man she loved following her divorce.
"I don’t tell him that I can’t go home until I learn something. What, I don’t know. Nevermind how."
I will be in #NYC at the #Alzheimer's Association to discuss "The Alzheimer's Journey: #Grief, #Guilt, #Memory, Love." It is a hybrid event (on line and in-person) that will take place on August 20th from 1 to 2 pm.
The last week I have been in Florida for work. Saturday I got one of the worst calls I have ever had, My Fiancée’s Mother passed away in her sleep suddenly and unexpected. I was able to change my flight to get home early and be with her and it has been a whirlwind.
We have set up a #gofundme to help with funeral and celebration of life arrangements. If you can donate responsibly we would be much appreciated. Thank you.
4 months today.
Nothing is the same.
We feel you around.
We still miss your presence, and everything still
reminds us of your physical absence.
We talk about you all day long.
The sadness is so deep.
We love you.
💔💔💔 #grief#absence
#TheMetalDogArticleList #BraveWords
TED NUGENT Struggles To Process The Grief Of Losing His Beloved Dog - "I Just Can't Get Away From The Heartbreak"; Video