1/20/2023

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            How do you feel about your trip to CA? ABC-7 in SF had 5 different stories about it, so you got plenty of positive press. I was happy to hear you saying, “we’ve got to not just rebuild, but rebuild better.”

I suggest those little restaurants on the Capitola beach be built of bamboo & use portable cooking devices so when a storm is forecast, the equipment gets moved & the building is sacrificed. Bamboo is biodegradable so when the waves take it, the debris is environmentally friendly. Of course, I understand that I don’t know what I’m talking about, so I’d appreciate more info about what you mean by “build back better.”

            I see that you are entertaining mayors today. You might remember Martha Guerrero, who will be my mayor in 2024 when I move to West Sac. She rocks. She visited the WH last year for Hispanic Heritage month, so you might remember her. I look forward to getting to know her myself.

            Speaking of female leaders, it’s too bad that Jacinda Ardern is stepping down. I love her parting words, “I hope I leave New Zealanders with a belief that you can be kind but strong, empathetic but decisive, optimistic but focused, & that you can be your own kind of leader – one who knows when it’s time to go.” I hope you can be that kind of leader, too. Especially the last part.

            As you deal with this debt crisis, please don’t forget to consider the situation in Burma. According to the Irrawaddy, the junta is showing off its new tanks, while also bombing villages. This week 7 civilians were killed in Katha Township when 2 Myanmar military jets bombed a large village of 1,800 households. Please do what you can to help.

            BYBS,