7/8/2022

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            Congratulations – NPR ran a nice 2 min. story about your Presidential Freedom Medal ceremony yesterday. Unfortunately, that story was eclipsed by the assassination of Shinzo Abe (SA) so none of my news sources had a story about the ceremony on their websites today.

I saw your tweet about SA’s passing & I, too, am stunned. He was a brilliant politician who was impressive by being friendly with DJT while maintaining his autonomy. Their mutual affection for golf probably helped.

How are you feeling about the CIA these days? I’m sure you will be gracious & complimentary in your remarks at their 75th birthday celebration today, but you have to admit it’s tricky to trust folk who are sneaky for a living. Word is that they are doing an excellent job of spying on Russia & passing on secrets to Ukraine, but they, & everyone else, underestimated Ukraine’s “will to fight.” Assessment is complicated business, as every teacher knows.

Speaking of spies, do we have any in Burma? Are there operatives in the junta? If so, I’d love to know what they are learning. Please check into that.

BYBS,