5/2/2023

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

We’ve had another stabbing in Davis & they have not caught the deranged culprit. No more bike riding for me after dark until they catch this guy.

This situation highlights my privilege. Most of the time I luxuriate in a sense of security, going about my life free from worry that I could be affected by violence. So many people on this planet do not experience this peace of mind. The Burmese, Ukrainians, Sudanese fear armies. People like Amaree’ya Henderson in KC fear the police. Now the people of Davis fear a crazy person with a knife.

            What do you fear? China?

I worry that your concerns about China are misguiding you. Adrian De Leon, a Filipino writer & historian at the University of Southern California believes that your overtures to Bongbong Marcos show that you have not just forgotten history but have “actively lobotomized” it. What makes you trust a guy whose family name “remains synonymous with dictatorship, martial law, & boundless corruption.” What makes you think he won’t take the modern military that you are helping him to build & turn it on his own people as the junta is doing in Burma? Have you heard that some Filipinos think our military presence is disruptive & could escalate conflict with China. They’d rather have tourists than soldiers in Cagayan.

            Let there be peace on Earth & let it begin with me.

That only happens when we let go of fear. Stop letting your imagination run away with you. Stop gearing up to kill people. Start thinking about investing our resources in saving the planet.

For me that means taking deep breaths & going about my life appreciating what I have. I encourage you to do the same.

            Do not let fear cloud your judgment.

            BYBS,