5/22/2024
My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,
Thanks for taking the time to visit VFW Post 8641 to meet with Lisa Clark & learn about her husband, Senior Master Sergeant Carl Clark, who was exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. I’m sure she appreciated your interest in her situation.
As my students focus on the role of schooling in a democracy, I frequently contemplate the question, “what is democracy?”. Here’s a ditty that captures my latest sentiments.
Freedom
Laughing easily
Crying intensely
Experiencing completely
Neurons firing
Synapses connecting
Love flowing
Peace growing
Uniting
For a moment
Did you read Robert Reich’s piece about you in the G today? He speaks my mind.
Here’s what I am excited about today.
Your hosting of President William Ruto (WR) of Kenya’s state visit to the WH. Was it Ambassador Meg Whitman’s idea? I love her campaign “Why Africa, Why Kenya.” I hope she & WR are successful attracting tech investments & that she is able to support WR in addressing corruption. Maybe she can help him continue to improve women’s rights & stop the persecution of LGBTQ folk. As usual, I ask that you don’t sell WR any weapons. WINTA!
2. Spain, Norway & Ireland have recognized Palestine. I know you are troubled by that but I agree with Spain’s PM Pedro Sanchez that it is the "only way" to achieve peace.
3. Quentin Sommerville of the BBC has been reporting about the conflict in Burma so the people there feel seen. He provided a video of the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force broadcasting to the junta telling them they were surrounded & should surrender. The appeal, delivered by a soldier who switched sides, includes, “I do not wish to fight against you. I think of you as my brothers. I’m fighting against the system.” The junta stopped firing while the message was delivered so maybe they heard it.
