3/4/2020

My dear Friend and POTUS, DJT,

            I was so disappointed to hear that the US military made an airstrike in the Helmand Province. I had hoped that your 35-minute phone call with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar (AGB) in which you “emphasized the need to continue the reduction in violence” was a sign that we were on our way to peace. It remains to be seen if the Taliban can ever lay down their arms. It’s too bad that Zalmay Khalilzad (ZMK) was not specific with Ashraf Ghani (AGA) about the number of prisoners that would be exchanged once this thing is all over. I will hold AGA, ZMK & AGB in the Light hoping that they can compromise about prisoners and many other things as they find a way to live in Afghanistan harmoniously.

            I hope that your annual visit with the Boy Scouts (BSA) today brings you some joy. As always, this year’s crew includes kids doing wonderful things. 8-year old cub scout, Maya, can tell you about her winning pinewood derby car that’s painted like an ice cream truck. I’m sure Melania would love to hear from little Bryan about how he organized his friends to combat bullies, and Zach can relay his heroic adventure about saving a boy from drowning in whitewater rapids. He pulled the kid out with his left-hand and felt that it was the “hand of God.”

            Don’t you think it’s wonderful that Jim Turley (JST) apologized to all the victims of sexual abuse at the hands of BSA leaders and has set up a fund to compensate them for their trauma? It took courage to put the organization into bankruptcy so that they could make amends. I know that my Eagle Scout dad is smiling up in heaven knowing that the BSA is doing the right thing. Please convey my appreciation to JST if he’s with the Scouts when they deliver their Congressionally mandated Annual Report to you today.

            BYBS,