Congratulations to Maria Corina Machado for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for standing up to a dictator. The Nobel Committee's remarks in describing why she was chosen explain eloquently why a certain American president wasn't considered worthy of this prize. He'll never understand why character matters--or even what it is.
I thought about the Nobel Peace prize too. Though we should all hope the Gaza war ends, Trump will never understand he can't win it because of all the cruel things he does. Millions of people may die because he cut off USAID. Many Americans may be cut off from healthcare security because of his legislation. Women across American face life changing restrictions in the loss of reproductive rights. His efforts to scare the life out of people with masked aggressive militarized ICE, just because of their status, language or color is not only illegal and authoritarian but extremely cruel. His assault on democracy demonizes anyone who doesn't agree with him - the antithesis of democracy. And he literally is a felon who daily breaks not only U.S. laws and the Constitution, but every social norm that has led other presidents to greatness. And our planet - the purposeful embrace of fossil fuel and the total breakdown of sustainable energy funding is not only dangerous for our planet but puts many people across the globe in harms way.
Negotiating the end of a war is commendable, but Jane Goodall is a beautiful example that it's the entirety of how a person lives that is the embodiment of peace.
Very well said. when Jørgen Watne Frydnes made his remarks announcing the winner, I had to think he was speaking as much to our president as to Maria Corina Camacho. I think he was signaling "No way, Jose."
According to The Guardian, daughter-in-law Lara said she thinks her father-in- law "...deserved this prize more than anyone alive on the planet right now." She cites Trump Derangement Syndrome for this oversight. Well she's living proof there is TDS in the air.
and let's not exaggerate the Gaza deal, while hoping it lasts and expands. It does not resolve all the issues - e.g. the increasing colonization of the West Bank. Netenyahu has continued the bombing of Gaza after the announcement of the deal, up to its first moment... and is it really different from what Biden's people had arranged in May 2024, that Israel and Hamas did not want?
After years of genocide, they're counting on the Palestinians to completely give up. The utter destruction of Gaza has left them homeless and without the billions of dollars it will take to clear the rubble and rebuild. Trump wants Gaza for himself - he has visions of building a resort city there, and if that happens, Israel will annex Gaza, the West Bank and will close the border crossings to Egypt and Jordan.
Opinions writers in The Guardian UK today say this deal is almost exactly the same peace deal agreed to in January 2025 and before that in (I think it was) June 2024. So delayed. Such destruction, starvation and loss of lives - including those of diligent Gaza journalists targeted by the IDF. The two writers in The Guardian also said: beware the continual manoeuvring of Netanyahu. He is not done yet.
Reuters reported that "Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for fighting dictatorship in the country and dedicated the award in part to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly insisted he deserved it."
Is that true??? I read that she has in the past been positive about our prize loser. Well I guess the enemy of my enemy is my friend, as they say, as they both oppose Maduro. (Has he called it a diversity prize yet?)
I obtained that news from Reuters. Also, here's something from NPR: "Following the announcement of her win Friday, she later praised President Trump, posting in English on social media: "I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!" I also read that Machado is supposedly right-wing in the style of Margaret Thatcher.
I think Machado has confused Trump with Biden. The whole world knows that Trump is hellbent on destroying our democracy. She should've kept her mouth shut. No wonder Trump publicly asked her to pass the prize to him.
Yes, that's bad enough. She does seem to have a more valid idea of democracy than our president does, but she seems to be one of those democrats who fears socialism.
Let us now praise women and men who earned their fame by devoting their lives to a higher purpose of some kind.
A perfect tribute both to Dr Goodall and a wonderful segue to this year’s Nobel Peace Laureate, Maria Corina Machado, who risks her life today by standing firm against authoritarianism and in support of free and fair elections in Venezuela.
Well, actually, it's important to verify the facts. The winner is, sadly, authoritarian herself but she is fighting Maduro's illegal occupation of the Presidency.
Excellent column today, Jennifer! I appreciate the way in which you extrapolate from Goodall’s life and final interview to the way we can all contribute to the larger good. Thank you.
I not as fond of videos as well. But usually the interviews are transcribed. The back and forth of these interviews can often be amazing and far beyond the information we usually get.
I watched the interview on Netflix and was so moved by her words. As Jane repeatedly states in her interview we all have a part to play, a purpose and I for one choose to be a patriot and support our Constitution during these troubling times.
I am so inspired by your choice to hold Jane Goodall up to the light of our awareness. Her face, in age, shines with a holy light. As a woman approaching my final decade(s) it gives me such hope. You, too, Jen. Muchas gracias.
Jennifer Rubin’s writing sets her apart from all others in public life because it is infused with a deep sense of morality, indeed, spirituality that is sorely lacking from our culture.
Beautifully said and inspiring. I will be going to my third NoKings event and thinking of Jane Goodall every minute. Thank you for giving us that boost that is needed..
This is one of your clearest calls to stand up with grace and understanding, with kindness and conviction. Goodall lives on in what you encourage. Thank you!
Now is not the time to perseverate over your purpose in life, if you feel you lack one.
Now is not the time to figure out which of the many dire issues we face speaks to you personally or feels within your comfort zone to work to improve.
Now is the time to jump in, feet or head first, to something--anything--that is at risk: housing insecurity, illegal detention and deportation, climate change, hunger, health care, free and fair elections, public education, financial fairness, preserving Social Security, personal data protections, anti-trust regulations, fair banking, consumer protection... just to list a handful.
What , citizens, ARE you doing?
What, people you and old, more COULD you do?
What am I doing? Volunteering to help immigrants with housing, transportation, applying to college, employment, and focusing my poems more on such issues. Here is one:
Thank you for highlighting Jane’s posthumous video without mentioning the part about Trump, Musk and the other billionaires. Even though that part was outstanding, and I was proud of her for sharing it, it was only a tiny piece of her message. Her last book about hope was another expression of the idea that we all matter, not just the powerful and not just the humans!❤️
Congratulations to Maria Corina Machado for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for standing up to a dictator. The Nobel Committee's remarks in describing why she was chosen explain eloquently why a certain American president wasn't considered worthy of this prize. He'll never understand why character matters--or even what it is.
I thought about the Nobel Peace prize too. Though we should all hope the Gaza war ends, Trump will never understand he can't win it because of all the cruel things he does. Millions of people may die because he cut off USAID. Many Americans may be cut off from healthcare security because of his legislation. Women across American face life changing restrictions in the loss of reproductive rights. His efforts to scare the life out of people with masked aggressive militarized ICE, just because of their status, language or color is not only illegal and authoritarian but extremely cruel. His assault on democracy demonizes anyone who doesn't agree with him - the antithesis of democracy. And he literally is a felon who daily breaks not only U.S. laws and the Constitution, but every social norm that has led other presidents to greatness. And our planet - the purposeful embrace of fossil fuel and the total breakdown of sustainable energy funding is not only dangerous for our planet but puts many people across the globe in harms way.
Negotiating the end of a war is commendable, but Jane Goodall is a beautiful example that it's the entirety of how a person lives that is the embodiment of peace.
I love your post listing some of Trump’s atrocities. More importantly, I really love your honoring comment of Jane Goodall’s life in contrast❣️
Very well said. when Jørgen Watne Frydnes made his remarks announcing the winner, I had to think he was speaking as much to our president as to Maria Corina Camacho. I think he was signaling "No way, Jose."
This press release says it all:
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2025/press-release/
According to The Guardian, daughter-in-law Lara said she thinks her father-in- law "...deserved this prize more than anyone alive on the planet right now." She cites Trump Derangement Syndrome for this oversight. Well she's living proof there is TDS in the air.
Her father in law, asshole that he is, publicly whined that he should've gotten the prize and then asked Machado to pass the prize to him.
Excellent!!
and let's not exaggerate the Gaza deal, while hoping it lasts and expands. It does not resolve all the issues - e.g. the increasing colonization of the West Bank. Netenyahu has continued the bombing of Gaza after the announcement of the deal, up to its first moment... and is it really different from what Biden's people had arranged in May 2024, that Israel and Hamas did not want?
Probably not, except that Trump and Kushner and Bibi probably will line their pockets in the deal.
After years of genocide, they're counting on the Palestinians to completely give up. The utter destruction of Gaza has left them homeless and without the billions of dollars it will take to clear the rubble and rebuild. Trump wants Gaza for himself - he has visions of building a resort city there, and if that happens, Israel will annex Gaza, the West Bank and will close the border crossings to Egypt and Jordan.
Opinions writers in The Guardian UK today say this deal is almost exactly the same peace deal agreed to in January 2025 and before that in (I think it was) June 2024. So delayed. Such destruction, starvation and loss of lives - including those of diligent Gaza journalists targeted by the IDF. The two writers in The Guardian also said: beware the continual manoeuvring of Netanyahu. He is not done yet.
Well said, Nadine.
Exactly!
Well said!
Reuters reported that "Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for fighting dictatorship in the country and dedicated the award in part to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly insisted he deserved it."
Is that true??? I read that she has in the past been positive about our prize loser. Well I guess the enemy of my enemy is my friend, as they say, as they both oppose Maduro. (Has he called it a diversity prize yet?)
I obtained that news from Reuters. Also, here's something from NPR: "Following the announcement of her win Friday, she later praised President Trump, posting in English on social media: "I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!" I also read that Machado is supposedly right-wing in the style of Margaret Thatcher.
I'd read that also. So maybe the best thing about her is that she kept our president from winning!
I acknowledge she won in her own right for being brave in dangerous circumstances. Whom she chooses to like or not is her private business.
Not exactly - when she aims to be Venezuela's President!
I think Machado has confused Trump with Biden. The whole world knows that Trump is hellbent on destroying our democracy. She should've kept her mouth shut. No wonder Trump publicly asked her to pass the prize to him.
Good luck to the people of Venezuela.
For with whom they have for “leaders,” it appears a choice between a rock or a hard place.
That she doesn’t see Trump as an authoritarian shows how she wears her political blinders.
Yes. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend," regardless of how corrupt that "friend" is.
She praises Trump.
Yes, that's bad enough. She does seem to have a more valid idea of democracy than our president does, but she seems to be one of those democrats who fears socialism.
Thank you! What a beautiful way to start the day!!
Watch the Netflix "last interview" with Jane Goodall. What a beautiful human. We need more like her.
Thank you. You are a pretty good influence yourself.🙏
Let us now praise women and men who earned their fame by devoting their lives to a higher purpose of some kind.
A perfect tribute both to Dr Goodall and a wonderful segue to this year’s Nobel Peace Laureate, Maria Corina Machado, who risks her life today by standing firm against authoritarianism and in support of free and fair elections in Venezuela.
Well, actually, it's important to verify the facts. The winner is, sadly, authoritarian herself but she is fighting Maduro's illegal occupation of the Presidency.
You don't have the faintest idea what you're talking about.
Do your due diligence. Start with this.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/world/americas/maria-corina-machado-trump-support-maduro.html
That does not make her an "authoritarian." That is your caricature of her, not her.
Excellent column today, Jennifer! I appreciate the way in which you extrapolate from Goodall’s life and final interview to the way we can all contribute to the larger good. Thank you.
RIP to a beautiful person.
More content like this, please, and fewer videos that busy people don't have time to watch!
I not as fond of videos as well. But usually the interviews are transcribed. The back and forth of these interviews can often be amazing and far beyond the information we usually get.
I watched the interview on Netflix and was so moved by her words. As Jane repeatedly states in her interview we all have a part to play, a purpose and I for one choose to be a patriot and support our Constitution during these troubling times.
Thank goodness for The Good Ones! The shining examples. Pity we have such a surfeit of bad ones right now.
I am so inspired by your choice to hold Jane Goodall up to the light of our awareness. Her face, in age, shines with a holy light. As a woman approaching my final decade(s) it gives me such hope. You, too, Jen. Muchas gracias.
So important to stop and take a deep breath and nurture hope … then do what we can to
Keep our fragile democracy.
Jennifer Rubin’s writing sets her apart from all others in public life because it is infused with a deep sense of morality, indeed, spirituality that is sorely lacking from our culture.
Beautifully said and inspiring. I will be going to my third NoKings event and thinking of Jane Goodall every minute. Thank you for giving us that boost that is needed..
This is one of your clearest calls to stand up with grace and understanding, with kindness and conviction. Goodall lives on in what you encourage. Thank you!
I can’t wait to watch the Goodall doc. Meantime:
Now is not the time to perseverate over your purpose in life, if you feel you lack one.
Now is not the time to figure out which of the many dire issues we face speaks to you personally or feels within your comfort zone to work to improve.
Now is the time to jump in, feet or head first, to something--anything--that is at risk: housing insecurity, illegal detention and deportation, climate change, hunger, health care, free and fair elections, public education, financial fairness, preserving Social Security, personal data protections, anti-trust regulations, fair banking, consumer protection... just to list a handful.
What , citizens, ARE you doing?
What, people you and old, more COULD you do?
What am I doing? Volunteering to help immigrants with housing, transportation, applying to college, employment, and focusing my poems more on such issues. Here is one:
The Ostrich
Don’t believe your own eyes
whenever fact-based truth dies.
Don’t complain when armed troops march
down Main Street’s unwelcome arch.
Stifle gripes when masked men appear
and make some other disappear.
Question authority never more
as bodies are strewn upon the floor.
You tend to flee instead of fight
though you could kick a foe with might.
You zip with speed but cannot soar
one wonders what your wings are for.
But as you watch the weakened waif
do not think you’ll long be safe.
Soon the troops in gray or blue
are bound to come right after you.
https://jpwriter.substack.com/p/the-ostrich
Thank you for highlighting Jane’s posthumous video without mentioning the part about Trump, Musk and the other billionaires. Even though that part was outstanding, and I was proud of her for sharing it, it was only a tiny piece of her message. Her last book about hope was another expression of the idea that we all matter, not just the powerful and not just the humans!❤️
And not just the human parts of nature!