7/31/2023

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            Have you read “Parable of the Sower,” published in 1993 forecasting widespread displacement in CA in 2024? Its message “God is Change” resonated with me, but several of my bookclub friends were not so moved. They couldn’t relate to a 15-year-old girl who broke free from her family to embrace the future. Like you, she was an inveterate optimist, whose idea of Earthseed attracted a following. I encourage you to have one of your interns read it & brief you on it.

            Speaking of interns, did you see that Sen. Lisa Murkowski (LAM)’s July interns succeeded in their efforts to get a selfie with every member of the Senate? They got their last photo with Amy Klobuchar on Thursday. The interns memorized the Senator’s faces so they could recognize them in the Capitol’s internal subway. LAM says the project helped the teens see that Senators are “just people” who joke, laugh & smile for the camera.

            Back to inveterate optimists, what do you know about Mary Baker Eddy, besides that she started the best media outlet around? I am so grateful that the CSM subscribes to the motto, “Beyond fear, beyond anger. Real news, real hope.” Last week I learned that the Christian Science church brought my grandparents together in Paris in 1928. I am eager to know more about how a Russian emigree encountered that religion.

            Please keep an eye on Burma. The junta will probably extend the state of emergency today. According to the Diplomat, the transfer of Aung San Suu Kyi out of solitary confinement & unveiling of a $7.6 million Maravijaya statue, tomorrow, is an attempt “to improve their image to win over public sentiment & ease mounting international pressure.” They opine that whether this gambit “works” remains to be seen.

            Please share your concern for the people of Burma & encourage the junta to allow humanitarian aid to those in need.

            BYBS,