8/19/2024

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

Are you in Santa Barbara or at Camp David? If you ARE in CA, that means you flew from DC to KIZA & then will be flying to ORD for a few hours this afternoon. That’s too much flying around! It wears your body out because the air in the cabin is less dense than the air on the ground, so your body isn’t getting as much oxygen as it’s used to (that may be why you got sick before your debate.)

In addition, the planet can’t afford to have people jumping on an airplane for a quick stop. Please fly less & publicize your reasons for doing so. Forgoing unnecessary trips on AF1 might inspire frequent flyers to cut back, too. Every little bit helps.

            Are you ready to give the keynote at the convention this evening? The CSM says you’ve been to all but one Democratic convention since 1972. “That’s 13 conventions spread over more than a half-century.” It’s too bad you’ll miss the roll call when each state gets to proclaim how great they are & who their votes are going to. That’s my favorite part.

            The CSM article referred to a conversation they had with delegate, Susana Mendoza, the IL state comptroller. “She’s expecting the mood at the convention around the president’s speech to feel ‘somewhat nostalgic, somewhat bittersweet.’ She says she still feels some sadness around how things played out. “He’s been through so much pain & heartache & loss in his life that having to walk away from this position had to just be another major blow.”

            I wish I could be there in person to give you a warm reception & feel the excitement in the room over KDH’s candidacy.

            In my dreams during your speech tonight, you recite our mantra, WINTA, which I hope you recall stands for WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER! You would also say something about the situation in Burma & talk about the plight of the Rohingya.

            I will continue to tickle your moral imagination in the hopes that you will continue to inspire us all to Be Our Best Selves.