5/20/2021

My dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            Did you enjoy your visit to New London? It seems like your commencement remarks were well received. Thanks for highlighting the role of women in the Coast Guard. I was excited to read about 4 Star Vice Admiral Linda Fagan who commands Defense Force West. I like the idea of unlocking everyone’s talents & protecting the Indigenous communities of the Artic.

            I am curious about the Iron Defense Dome System that shoots down the rockets that Hamas is firing. While it costs $40,000 for each of the interceptor missiles, it’s protecting 600 square miles of Israel. Thanks to Raytheon & the USA, most of the 3700 rockets that Hamas is launching are blowing up in mid-air. The engineers say it’s like a bullet hitting a bullet. With that kind of defense Bibi should be able to de-escalate. He just needs to make it seem like he is doing it because he wants to, rather than doing it because you told him to.

            Did you see the photos of the Miss Universe contestants & their political statements? According to NPR, Lola de los Santos from Uruguay had rainbow skirt which alluded to the violence and indignities that members of the LGBTQ community face and read: "No more hate, violence, rejection, discrimination." Bernadette Belle Ong from Singapore wore a dress that said, Stop Asian Hate.

I hope you will provide refugee status to Thuzar Wint Lwin. She held up a sign, saying “Pray for Myanmar” while showing off her Chin attire. The junta will arrest her if she returns to her homeland, so please let her stay in the US until democracy is restored in Burma.

I hope the Hate Crimes law you are signing today has the desired effect. My Asian neighbors are exhausted & could use some peace of mind.

BYBS,