1/5/2024

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            How often do you wish your dad were still alive? I frequently have those moments, especially when wondering about some political issue. My dad helped me understand the conservative view of things. He also loved history & would draw on his knowledge of events of the past to inform his interpretation of events of the day. I miss that.

            I’m thinking of history today as you head off to make your speech at Valley Forge. I know George Washington did something significant there, but I don’t know exactly what. Unfortunately, most Americans won’t either. Too bad!

            According to WP you are starting off your 2024 campaign by delving into some of the country's darkest moments. Did the academics that you lunched with yesterday endorse that idea?

            Greed, corruption, power –I’m sure those were topics of discussion. I’m especially curious about what my fellow Dartmouth alumna, Annette Gordon-Reed had to say. Did she talk about the complexity of evoking our founding fathers, especially TJ, whose transgressions continue to haunt us?  Elevating GW might not win you Black votes, either.

Did Beverly Gage talk about the FBI? I am just finishing Grann’s “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders & the Birth of the FBI.”  What a harrowing tale!

            Speaking of greed, power & corruption, do you think it’s a good idea for Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to be re-elected on Sunday after 5 terms & 15 years in office? According to AP, her critics say she is a threat to democracy. It’ll be interesting to see if her government’s “Digital Bangladesh” project, promising a “smart Bangladesh” by 2041 & 15 million new jobs for young people wins votes.

            Did you hear that Burmese artillery hit 5 folks in China? Please see what you can do to ensure this does not result in an escalation of violence in the Shan state.

BYBS,