1/13/2023

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            I just realized it’s Fri the 13th. Dang! That might explain all the bad news.

The WP website includes your name 11 times & 8 of which have to do with the “documents.”

I share your challenges with paperwork. Right now, sitting on my dining table are 4 piles of Christmas cards, some of which date back to 1995, & 5 piles of random stuff, including bills, notices & notes to self. I’m tempted to throw them all in a box & lock it in a closet, but now I know that could get me into trouble.

            Please give my regards to PM Fumio Kishida when you meet up with him today. I hope you don’t try to sell him any weapons. As the WP points out, “the Japanese public bristles at the cost of a more muscular military…with 61 percent of the public opposing tax increases for defense spending.” WINTA! You’d both be more popular with the young folks if you changed your priorities. We need to be fighting climate change, not each other.

            Did you notice that the WP keeps using the term “muscular” as a modifier for military? For me that’s trigger! “Muscular” is a gendered term, & as you know, I believe that associating the army with gender exacerbates inequalities.

Speaking of the military & gender inequalities, an interesting article in the New Humanitarian, provides the stories of 6 women in the Chin resistance movement who are defying stereotypes. A woman named, Mai Mai, explained, “I want people across Myanmar to leave ideas of male dominance behind. I want women to know that we can do it. We can stand up & speak out, & we can lead. & I want men to know that there are very smart & talented women, & to truly give us a chance.” She hasn’t killed anyone yet, & I hope it stays that way.

BYBS,