8/1/2024

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            How was your meeting with Penny Pritzker yesterday? Did she have some good ideas on ways to spur investments in Ukraine? Please discourage the idea that the defense industrial sector be part of the “path to prosperity.”

You know A. Maslow’s famous saying, “To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail?” When leaders have problems, if they have missiles, drones, etc., they’ll pull them out, whether they’re helpful or not. Too often, they end up shooting themselves in the foot.

            Speaking of which, Bibi did that when he killed Ismail Haniyeh (IH), Hamas’ chief negotiator. Many considered IH to be pragmatic & relatively moderate. Murdering him on Iranian land just makes matters worse. CBS’, Debora Patta, reports that Palestinians believe this assassination kills all hope of a hostage deal & hopes of peace. If Bibi didn’t have so many missiles on hand, he wouldn’t feel so free to use them.

            Now that you aren’t running again, it’s the perfect time to tell the world that WINTA. Stop providing arms to other countries & certainly don’t be telling them to build their own.

            The 1st person to call is General Min Aung Hlaing. In addition to repeating WINTA at least three times, please tell him that cancelling elections makes him look bad. Please offer to send in some observers so the Burmese can freely vote for their leaders. Please also encourage him to release Aung San Suu Kyi so she can get her party organized.

            As we think about free & fair elections, the CSM editorial board provides hope that “around the world, citizens keep affirming that power resides in calming truths, such as accurate vote counts & peaceful displays of equality.” Let’s pray that the citizens of the USA understand this.

            Good to see that you have a blank schedule today. I hope you get some rest.

            BYBS,