5/25/2021

My dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

Today is a special day. The full moon of the second month marks four special moments in the Buddha’s life. Since I am just beginning to learn about Buddhism, I am unclear if the Buddha was in one body or if he keeps coming back in new bodies, so I am not sure if all four moments happened to the same body, but that doesn’t really matter. The holiday is associated with the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India where Buddha sat & became enlightened. Bits & pieces of this tree have been planted in sacred spaces all over Burma to help seekers feel connected to Buddha. Despite the turmoil in the country, the faithful are watering the Bodhi trees to get them through the end of the driest period of the year & to honor Buddha. Given our climate plight I think we could use more rituals to honor trees.

            Speaking of which, why are you going to Delaware for 1 hour today? Isn’t that a misuse of resources? Couldn’t you just use Zoom? Minimizing the POTUS carbon footprint would be a welcome example for the nation.

Will Sen Corey Booker & Sen Tim Scott & Rep Karen Bass (KRB) be attending your meeting with George Floyd’s family today to explain why the Justice in Policing Act hasn’t become law yet? Please listen to all of KRB’s ideas about qualified immunity as she’s become quite an expert on that topic.

            Perhaps you can help KC Mayor Quinton Lucas get local control for his police department. He’s talking about law suits under “equal protection” so that the citizens of his city have a say in the police budget. He’s frustrated that the board overseeing KCPD spends it time debating which car dealership to use to purchase their new vehicles rather than talking about the more pressing matters like how to reduce gun violence.

            My ask of the day is that you do work with Ambassador Thomas Vajda to obtain the release of the two American journalists who have been detained at Insein Prison.

            BYBS,