12/11/2024

Dec 11, 2024

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            Thanks for calling attention to Human Rights Day! Your list of accomplishments in this domain is notable!

            What’s your impression of the UN’s Human Rights guy, Volker Türk? I love what he says about our inalienable rights but find his German accent rather jarring. Having watched Hogan’s Heroes & other TV shows about WWII, I associate that accent with atrocities. When I hear him say that “there are those throwing glitter in our eyes as they redefine & undermine our fundamental freedoms,” I wonder if I can trust he's not one of those folks.

            I tried to watch the video of your remarks at last night’s Special Olympics event, but I stopped after a minute or two because I couldn’t understand what you were saying. I hope it was just a sound quality issue rather than that you were being incoherent. I fear it could be a combination of both.

            Did you see the news that the Arakan Army (AA) now controls the entirety of the border between Burma & Bangladesh? Are you familiar with AA Commander-in-Chief Twan Mrat Naing? I worry that he’s one of those guys throwing glitter in his people’s eyes.  He says stuff like, “In principle, we always favor repatriation (of the Rohingya refugees)... On the other hand, we have also experienced issues of transborder crimes, terrorism, & drug & human trafficking among some members of the refugee community across the border. Therefore, border security, stability, & the rule of law should be key priorities.” This double-speak makes me nervous, as does his statement, “Initially, a more centralized unitary government will be established, and later, based on capacity and performance, power may be delegated to different layers of government.” Please keep an eye on him.     

            I hope your conference for research on women’s health goes well today. Please keep your ears open for info about osteoporosis. It’s a big issue for women my age & doesn’t get enough attention.    

BYBS,