10/27/2021

My dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            Thanks for participating in the ASEAN meeting yesterday & the East Asia Summit today. Ministerial dialogue is a good thing. I understand that the topic of Myanmar came up & you got on board with the rebuke of the junta, the demand that the ASEAN envoy have full access to all parties & that they release political detainees. Is there something about Danny Fenster in the statement? As you know, he’s been in prison since May & his family is desperate to get him out. Please advocate for him at today’s meeting.

            I was disappointed to see that you are allowing the Saudis to have some kind of helicopter contract with us under the guise that the Apaches are used for “defensive purposes.” I have a hard time thinking about weapons as either “defensive” or “offensive.” That distinction may work well for football, but in most other conflicts it’s pretty tough to draw a line. Clearly a wall, a moat or a fort are defensive, but a helicopter with guns on it???? You know we can’t trust the Saudis, so let’s not sell them any military services, defensive or otherwise.

            Taxing the 700 richest Americans on their “unrealized gains” sounds like a brilliant idea. The devil is in the details so I hope it’s legal to do that.

            Have you packed for your trip to Rome yet? The venue for the conference should be interesting. Apparently, it’s a fascist showplace that Mussolini built for the 1942 World’s Fair that never happened. It is known for having “menacing overtones.” I’ll be curious to see if that’s the vibe you get.

            I hope your meeting with JM3 & KLS today is constructive.

            BYBS,