5/8/2023

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            I didn’t write to you yesterday because I got busy writing about “conflict management” in our cohousing group. I hesitate to call it that, because I think the best way to avoid conflict is to build relationships. One member proposed the term “Harmony Support Team.” I encourage you to develop that approach in your foreign affairs.

            Peter Beinart, writing in today’s NYT, shares my vision of supporting harmony. He says that rather than challenge “the hawkish conventional wisdom that permeates Washington,” you’ve embodied it. He suggests that another candidate in the primaries would force you to pay attention to the dominant views among Dem voters, like me, who oppose a cold war with China. We’d prefer you work with XJ to combat climate change & avoid another pandemic. We also don’t want you frittering away our hard-earned tax $$ on military spending. He claims you need a contender, like Eugene McCarthy in 1968 whose antiwar agenda became part of the party platform. Marianne Williamson is a bit too whacky & AOS is too young, maybe Bernie will step up again to fill this role.

            As long as we are talking elections, I am disappointed to read Matt Bai’s analysis of the unpopularity of KMH. He suggests you need to be loud & proud about your confidence that she stands ready to take over for you in the event that becomes necessary.

            If you haven’t noticed, I feel led to remind you in every letter about the plight of the people in Burma. Today’s reminder is about how dysfunctional their infrastructure has become, especially their electric grid. They are facing tropical temperatures over 100 with undependable air conditioning making it hard to function. Please continue to monitor the situation looking for avenues of assistance.

            BYBS,