1/24/2022

My dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            One of these mornings I will write to you about clowns. I have been stuck on them ever since reading about Philippe Gaulier, who the NYT crowned the “Dumbledore of Clowning” on 1/18. He helps comedians find their “inner idiot.” I am still pondering this & will keep you posted.

            In the meantime, I will remind you that WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER. According to the WP, the Ukranians are “calmly defiant” & while “in the eye of the storm, don’t appear all that worried.” Their mantra is not to trust VVP, nor to fear him. They know his popularity is declining & this is his “window of opportunity that won’t last.” I encourage you to use as much restraint as you can to avoid taking up arms. We know that VVP is a chess player so he’s thinking 3 moves ahead. Outsmarting him will be a challenge.

            We may be lucky that XJ’s Olympics are getting started at the end of next week. VVP will be a guest of honor at the opening ceremonies & the UN Olympic Truce Resolution is supposed to go from Jan 28 – March 20. XJ might be able to persuade VVP to hold off on his invasion & then things will be a muddy quagmire when the Baltic spring arrives.

            Speaking of XJ, I understand that he & his folk are not happy about the new sprawling US Diplomatic Complex being built on the confluence of the Ram Ruak and Mekong rivers with the Nam Ruak river in Thailand. Folks speculate its placement provides the ideal location for spying on Myanmar, especially keeping track of the relations between China & the Tatmadaw generals. I hope we do more diplomacy than spying. Please check into it. Spying leads to misunderstandings which can lead to conflict. Best to keep communication out in the open.

            HYITL,