11/16/2024
My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,
God is change! Among the reminders of that principle are the election, the additional course that I am teaching & my daughter’s visits. In adjusting to new schedules & new distractions, I have not prioritized my communication to correspond with you, & I apologize.
In the midst of change, let’s stay in the Now, Now, Now & shut out all the speculation about who is being appointed by 45/47.
How is the APEC Summit going? It’s great to see a woman hosting! I read in the Nation today that she & Thailand’s PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra had fun talking to each other about Thai films, music, Muay Thai & superfoods. Did you know that Thailand advertises itself as having the healthiest food in the world which includes edible insects? They make such things as fitness bars & ready-made pasta sauces containing high protein cricket flour. How cool is that?
I look forward to reading about your stop in the Amazon rainforest. My brother is in Brazil right now, so keep an eye out for him.
Have you spoken to Gen. Laura J. Richardson (LJR) about her concerns regarding Peru’s relationship with XJ? LJR questions what the new $3.5 billion Chinese-funded deepwater port in Chancay will be used for. It’s great that California Caltrain donated 150 passenger cars & locomotives to the Lima metro rail, but that doesn’t measure up to the port! It’s too bad LJR just retired, but you can’t blame her for passing on the U.S. Southern Command at this moment in time.
Today’s South China Morning Post has a piece about whether the Arakan Army is capable of governing Rakhine state. The locals are excited about their current military success which “arguably represents the first significant achievement since 1785 when the Arakan kingdom fell vassal to the Burmese kingdom in Mandalay,” but the people have so many needs, it remains to be seen whether the AA can set up systems for their health & welfare. Please help them if you can.
Enjoy your travels,
BYBS,
