11/13/2022

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            Has winning the Senate put a spring in your step? Do you have extra confidence for your meeting with Xi Jingpin tomorrow? According to the WP back when you both were VPs you hosted one another for several days. While you now deny that you are friends, I remind you that we are all Friends.

            The performance I attended last night invited the audience to embrace that sentiment by moving away from “protect” mode to “explore” mode. Rather than fear one another, we should look for what unites us. As Leon Panetta says, “there has to be a better way for both countries to deal with one another rather than constantly threatening to destroy one another.” Try to move in that direction, & return to your 2011 mindset when you said, “President Obama & I want to see a rising China. We don’t fear a rising China.”

            Can you believe that in one week you will be entering your 9th decade? The WP notes that you are a “super ager,” who has fewer medical issues & fewer prescriptions than the majority of your cohort & has parents who lived past 85. Since 80 is the new 70, you will be 1 year younger than Ronald Regan was when he took office.

            I read that you were filmed saying, “Let me start with two words: ‘Made in America.’” Don’t feel bad about that. My friends like to tease me about my only TV appearance which was on a “Fall in New England” story, when I said, “I can sum it up in one word, ‘pretty much majestic.’” I was 20 at the time so gaffes like that are not an age thing.

            Regarding Burma, I’m disappointed that your visit with the ASEAN crew just resulted in more handwringing. Perhaps that’s because so many of the member countries tend toward autocracy, they hesitate to point fingers. Please stop hoping that they will be able to do something & recognize the NUG.

            Enjoy Bali,