9/26/2021

My Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            Are you enjoying your visit to Camp David? Have you found a place to celebrate mass or do you Zoom in? If so, how do you get communion?

            I am surprised how well Zoom works for religious observance. Today we had 9 people from 5 countries on Zoom for 30 mins of silent contemplation after which we talked for 45 mins about spiritual matters. Our Yangon Friend wondered if we can ever have peace when we each struggle with our own internal conflicts.

            What internal conflicts do you struggle with? Do you ever doubt your mental capabilities? I know I do, from time to time. When I find a fork in the fridge, I wonder if dementia is setting in. When I struggle to find a word, I worry that my memory is failing. I am only 60 & I have all of these doubts. I can only imagine what you experience as a 76-year-old.

            Unfortunately, the news today included a couple of op-ed pieces about your age. Simon Tisdall wrote in the G that you are an old man in a hurry & Ross Douthat’s piece in the NYT included the question, “Can Joe Biden Recover?” He noted that you were suffering from bad luck (the Delta variant of CV), bad choices (your beleaguered border policy) & inherent weakness (your age). Both authors mentioned that KDH may have to step up & so far, hasn’t shown us much.

            On a brighter note, the WP had an article with an interview with ABdPJ who is thrilled that Americans will be able to buy British lamb soon. As you know, he’s enthusiastic about your efforts to address climate change. I was happy to read his thoughts about keeping the lines of communication open with everyone. He says he’s a “skeptic about pushing people into corners and demonizing them,” & even said he was willing to “engage” the Taliban. I’m glad to see his magnanimity & delighted to see he is your fan.

            Let’s hold the people of Myanmar in the Light,

BYBS,