11/20/2022

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I know that you are trying to keep it on the down low. Is that why you had Naomi’s wedding yesterday, to distract everyone from the fact that you are turning 80?

            I like to think that we are all the same age – right now. If we were born yesterday or 29,220 days ago, we are all sharing the planet right this minute & that’s all that matters.

            I read that you cited Satchel Paige’s view on age, ‘Boys, that’s not how I look at age. I look at it this way: How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?’” I’m sure you also know that he said, “"Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter." I guess he had to talk about his age a lot since he kept pitching for the Kansas City Athletics until he was 57. I’m sure he’d tell you to run again.

The G gave you a nice present today by publishing an article which enumerates all of your presidential successes. They say you are basking in the afterglow of the midterms & note that your messaging about democracy & choice hit the spot.

In addition to being your birthday, today is also the start of the World Cup. My Friend likens soccer to our Quaker practices & is optimistic that as the world watches the games in Qatar, things might calm down. David Goldblatt agrees, writing “the game can allow hope, inspiration and magic to triumph momentarily over material realities.”

I hope the World Cup distracts the junta so that the next few weeks are calmer in Burma.

Please send my best wishes to Naomi & Peter.

RCA

PS – Please tell Naomi to keep her name. Peter might consider changing his.

PSS - Just noticed the turkey animation on the WH webpage - CUTE!