10/07/2024

My dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

                  The 7th day of the 10th month is now like the 11th day of the 9th month. Hamas’ breach of the Iron Wall demonstrated the lethal brilliance of desperate leaders scheming to terrorize the world with one intricately orchestrated attack. All who could comprehend the news that day were rocked by it. The assumption of security ripped away, leaving incredulity in its wake.

                  I continue to be haunted by the discipline & training involved in these moments. So much intellectual energy devoted to such evil acts takes my breath away.

                  The world will never be the same. As Prof. Yara Asi says, “anyone who called Gaza home on Oct. 6 will never go back to what was there then. Even if the violence stopped today, people will still be living in camps, living with amputated limbs. We don’t have the language to describe this ongoing chronic trauma.” I’m afraid the true is of so many people in Burma, especially the Rohingya.

                  Moving forward, please encourage Bibi to listen to “Parents of Combat Soldiers Shouting Out, ‘Enough!” & “Mothers Cry.” Both groups are inspired by the “Four Mothers” who identified themselves the Biblical matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, & Rachel to make their case that the IDF should pull out of Lebanon, which they eventually did in 2000. Mothers for centuries have tired of living in fear that their sons will be killed in battle or live with PTSD caused by the atrocities they are witnessing. Please heed their call.

                  WINTA!

                  News from Burma indicates that Aung San Suu Kyi’s close associate, Zaw Myint Maung, died of leukemia shortly after being released by the junta. I don’t know what Min Aung Hlaing (MAH) thinks he accomplishes with this end-of-life compassion. MAH seems more & more mixed up by the day. Please continue to monitor the situation in Burma closely.

                  BYBS,