4/18/2019
My dear Friend and president, DJT,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/armymedicine/26376875711/in/photostream/
Thanks for hosting the 29 Wounded Warriors at the WH today. Isn't it wonderful that they are healing on the saddles of their bicycles and creating a community? Please express my appreciation to Jeremiah Pauley and Jorge Avalos, and promise them you will do your best to prevent other young folk from having to suffer the long-term effects of war by keeping the US out of military entanglements. I am sure they agree with us that WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER.
I hope we are friends by now. If you have not yet noticed, I have written you 475 pages of suggestions and encouragement. I hope that counts for something. Since we are friends, I feel I should tell you the truth even if it's something you'd prefer not to hear. That's parrehsia - the kind of truth telling that Socrates was a fan of.
Actually, I have two truths today. The first is that "Opportunity Zones" really are Gentrification Zones. They are a way for rich folks to avoid taxes by buying real estate where poor folk live, fix it up, make a profit and displace the long-term residents. I don't think that's a good idea. I prefer that we invest directly in the poor folk, by improving their schools, providing seed money for local entrepreneurs, investing in the arts, etc. Real estate investment will just lead to an influx of new residents and businesses and that may not benefit the residents who are already there.
The other truth is that firing the USAID staff that work with Palestine is a bad idea. The folks in Palestine have nowhere else to go. Like the folks living in "Opportunity Zones," they deserve to stay together as a community in the place where they were born and grew up. They should be able to stay in their homes. We should help make that happen.
Speaking of homes, we have roofers here this week. I am hoping that they are doing a good job. My husband is not so sure.
Be well,
RCA
