10/20/2022

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            I’m afraid that Liz Truss’ resignation is dominating the news so your trip to PA is NOT on the front page. Nonetheless, I hope it goes well & that John Fetterman gets lots of campaign donations from the folks who join you at dinner tonight.

As you’ll see, the Fern Hollow Bridge might be open soon much to the delight of the folks in the neighborhood. You’ll have a nice chilly fall day for your speech. Fortunately, most folks don’t attend to details, so they won’t be bothered that the $$ to fix the bridge did not come from your infrastructure bill. You don’t have to go there – just stick to the message, “a fixed bridge is a good thing.”

            Here’s another message you can start spreading. WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER (WINTA). The CSM provides some support for that sentiment today by discussing Sudan & Venezuela pointing out, “an asset that can help Sudan build the more responsive governance it needs is the country’s remarkably vibrant, deeply rooted tradition of nonviolent civic action… (&) a concept of nonviolent resistance called silmiya, …described as ‘the atmosphere of love.’ That ethos is one reason why nonviolent campaigns are ‘10 times likelier to transition to democracies within a five-year period’ compared with countries that have violent anti-government campaigns.” That’s according to Harvard University professor Erica Chenoweth who I mentioned in April.

            I encourage you to invite her to the WH so you can strategize on how to support the non-violent students in Burma who want to restore democracy. Right now they are being overshadowed by misguided folks whose bombs killed civilians at the Insein prison this week. Please encourage the non-violent approach.

            BYBS,