3/1/2023

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            Please remember Ike’s farewell address, “In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists & will persist.”

            This caution is on my mind today as I read the G’s article, “They’re lobbying for Ukraine pro bono & making millions from arms firms.” I find it chilling that profits are made from bombs, tanks & missiles. According to the article, “Raytheon… paid BGR $240,000 to lobby on its behalf in 2022, &, according to OpenSecrets, has already been awarded more than $2bn in government contracts related to the Ukraine war.”  

            Speaking of profiting from war, please ask your people to take a look at the Amnesty International report on Burma’s aviation fuel supply chain that links national, regional & global companies to the Myanmar military. If this supply can be eliminated, many lives will be saved. It’s tricky, because the shipping industry involves countries from everywhere. It’s time to get creative & work harder.

WINTA!

            I hope that Julie Su’s nomination to become your Sec of Labor goes well. Her pro-union stance may be a bit radical but hopefully the GOP will be impressed with her 2001 MacArther genius grant & overlook her efforts in CA to draw attention to cases in which employers cheated workers on minimum-wage & overtime payments. According to the NYT, “folks appreciate her ability to manage the plumbing inside of D.O.L.” which I greatly respect given my efforts to do that kind of thing at my institution on a much smaller scale.

            Finally, please consider Ana Marie Cox’s suggestion that you ask Hunter to come clean & cooperate with the Justice Dept because, your “reputation as an essentially honest politician (and a kind, loving father) is the mortar that has glued (your) career together.”

            BYBS,