10/10/2023

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            I know that you are mad at Hamas & you’d like to reassure the people of Israel that we have their backs. I worry that this anger will lead you to say some hostile, aggressive things in your speech today. We don’t need more macho bullshit. Dropping bombs, launching missiles, destroying buildings, streets & bridges is not going to solve anything. WINTA!

            According to the WP Editorial Board, your “challenge now is to support Israel, & help it vanquish Hamas, while somehow preserving talks on peace & normalization among Israel, the Arab states & — inescapably — those Palestinian parties that are willing to engage.” This is a tall order, but I think you are up to it.

            Another tall order is to do something about Burma. Yesterday the junta bombed a camp for displaced people, near the town of Laiza, killing 29 people & wounding 56 others. The dead included 11 children under the age of 16. Please say something about this in your remarks today.

            Please send condolences to the family of Hughes Van Ellis. You’ll remember that he was one of the remaining 3 survivors of the Tulsa Massacre who was hoping for some reparations. Just yesterday I read a story in KCS about his fellow survivor, Viola Fletcher. Please give her a call & let her know we appreciate her.

            I hope you can be a champion for peace & incentivize Israelis & Palestinians to look for justice & dignity for all.

            BYBS,