9/9/2024

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

A Friend asked at Meeting, “are you settled, yet? I dodge the question.

Are you settled? Does any POTUS get settled in the WH? Should we ever get settled? What does being “settled,” even mean? That our boxes are unpacked?

My late brother-in-law taught me, “"omnia mea mecum porto" which translates to "all that I have, I carry with me" & is often interpreted as “one's most important possessions are their character & wisdom.”

I recite the phrase when I tempted to buy decorations.

Have you spoken to KDH about her upcoming debate? My media suggests she must push ahead without leaving you behind. The NYT says she “will try to promote herself as a change candidate without criticizing (you).” The WP wonders, “Why is it so hard for (her) to shake (your) shadow?” The G speculates whether KDH can “rebrand” herself. I hope they both bring their best selves to the stage tomorrow night.

Do you think 45 is fomenting a revolution when he says stuff like, "I better win or you're gonna have problems like we've never had. We may have no country left. This may be our last election?”

Revolution is top of mind today, because the “new mandala” has a piece, “Revolution & solidarity in Myanmar” where they distinguish between “transitions” & “revolutions” noting that before the coup many thought change in Burma was a “sequenced, elite-led gradual political process …(going in) a certain linear direction that would take the country from dictatorship to democracy via multiparty elections.” Now they acknowledge “the configuration of actors has changed, as have the statements of aspiration.”

In my mind the word, “revolution” triggers thoughts of my grandpa’s flight from Russia in 1917 when he had nothing but his character & wisdom. He was never “settled” again, nontehless led a rich & fascinating life.

The word also evokes Tracy Chapman’s lyrics, “Don't you know, they're talking about a revolution? Sounds like a whisper.”

BYBS,