12/6/2023

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            How is your fund-raising blitz going? I found a You-tube video of the concert last night. It warmed by heart to hear JVT singing, “shower the people you love with love. Show them the way that you feel.” That’s a helpful sentiment for me today. Did you shower Jill with some love today?

            I look forward to hearing about the White House Tribal Nations Summit today. I hope that Anthony Roberts, Tribal Chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, is attending. His tribe seems to be thriving with some prudent investments from the proceeds of their casino in the olive oil business. I visited their facility recently, where thanks to some help from UCD, they are trying out new efficient & profitable ag practices. Yeah!

            I do not envy you in trying to work with Bibi to get out of the mess he’s in. My sources are split on what you should do. Simon Tisdall, of the G, says you need to rein him in by talking directly to Israelis & the anti-Netanyahu, anti-extremist majority. The editors at WSJ suggest the opposite suggesting you let Bibi do whatever he wants. I’d like to see us stop funding war efforts, but I know you won’t heed that advice, so I’m sorry I can’t help you with this.

            Instead, I can offer encouragement to think about what happens after the conflicts in various regions in the world end. Zachary Abuza advises in NikkeaAsia, that the Burmese security sector will need major reforms once the junta falls. Figuring out what to do with the decommissioned soldiers is among the many challenges of that endeavor. The same will be true if the leaders of Hamas are defeated. In both cases, some guidance & financial support from us would be helpful.

            Finally, what do you think of the new push for a bipartisan, bicameral commission to slash the country's debt? My BFF & I are in favor. Reining in SS outlays for the wealthiest seems like a good 1st step.

            BYBS,