…the inadequacy of the medical system in Burma has exacerbated the trauma of several heat waves this year. The most recent hit the Monywa township where 100 people died in 4 days….

…SPOW, what was up with the Congolese flag that a faculty member was holding up? He kept it up for so long, I’m sure his arms got tired. Was it about the frontline forest defenders who are trying to protect the area around Virunga National Park?…

…Did you notice any watermelon symbols in the crowd? Journalist David Love explains, “the symbolism lands quite differently for Black people in America & for Palestinians living under Israeli occupation…..

…  As you visit Atlanta, please send my condolences to Airman Roger Fortson's family, who laid their 23-year old son, to rest yesterday. His commander called him “a man of honor, a man of integrity, a man of courage.”…

…SPOW, thanks for hosting families of the plaintiffs of the integration court cases of the 1960’s. I look forward to hearing what you have to say at the National Museum of African American History & Culture today….

…When you meet with your Joint Chiefs & Combatant Commanders, please ask Admiral Samuel Paparo of the Indo-Pacific Command about the situation in Burma. I also encourage you to bring up my assertion that WINTA to the group. You might be surprised with their response….

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I made a new friend, yesterday. He’s 4. He was wary at first but warmed up when I pulled out the 60-year-old case of Matchbox cars I happened to have in my office….

Happy Mother’s Day! I appreciated your Proclamation this year, especially your comments about your mom, Catherine Eugenia Finnegan, & her lesson to you “that courage was the greatest virtue… (&) that everyone is equal & to lead lives defined by honor & integrity.”…

…Please be in communication with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. He reached out to the junta in the hopes of meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi. They won’t let him.

…Sorry to miss our letter yesterday. Our dear friends from our SF days were here. They energized us & absorbed every ounce of our attention. Their visit was one of those magical moments, making the presence of a higher power palpable….

… I do hope that our youth recognize that our military-industrial system needs major reform. I see a glimmer of that at Brown University where a proposal to drop Boeing, Airbus, Raytheon, & 8 other companies with ties to Israel’s defense establishment from the university portfolio….

… On this day in 1957, my sis was born at the US Naval Hospital in Quantico. She turned out great! She’s spreading love & faith throughout her neighborhood. Please join me in wishing her a happy birthday….

… I’m not sure how I missed the news that we had a new national holiday based on the expression, “May the 4th (force) be with you.” ….

…I hope the Presidential Medal of Freedom Awards ceremonies goes well today. I was thrilled to see Opal Lee among the 19 who will be honored. Did you send her a private jet so traveling from TX won’t be such an ordeal for her?…

…I understand that Sec Blinken is talking with Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani & Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi as he tries to arrange a deal with Hamas….