1/30/19

My dear Friend and President, DJT,

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/01/30/science/polar-vortex-extreme-cold.html

Please send thoughts of warmth to our Friends in the mid-west who are experiencing record cold temps today. Did you see the NYT animation showing how the polar vortex has split into three pieces, one of which is hovering over Chicago? It's fascinating!

I know what you're going to say, "see, there's no global warming." It's tempting to conclude that, but climatologists, who spend their lives studying these things, have models to show that this extreme weather is DUE to climate change. Today, it doesn't really matter WHY it is so cold in Madison, WI. It's important to make sure that everyone there stays safe. I hope that Homeland Security is doing all they can to insure that. 

I encourage you and your staff to be more careful about how you handle your notes when photographers are around. The WP published lots of photos today showing handwritten notes. I wasn't surprised to see Stephen Miller with "Radical Democrats" in his notes, but I was surprised to see John Bolton's yellow legal pad with "5000 troops to Columbia." I certainly hope you don't send our military forces to get involved in Venezuela. That could be another Vietnam and you don't want that on your record.

I wish I had more time to write about Thomas Edsall's NYT Opinion piece, "The Rotten Equilibrium." Suffice it to say I would be curious to know what you thought of it, especially his question, "If the Republican Party now depends on the votes of those who are falling behind, does the party have a vested interest in economic stagnation and decline?" If he's right, you have quite the paradox on your hands and only time will tell how you address it.

I continue to wonder why you haven't had any public events on your schedule this week. That's not like you. I hope you are ok.

Best,