11/5/2023

JRB,

            FYI –You had 4 mentions in NYT, all about how you are behind in the polls. The media coverage of the 2016 election reminds me that polling is not very accurate. It has not improved much in the last 7 years, so we don’t need to panic, YET.

            Your mention in the WP was about Harry Coker. The fine print about your nominee for National Cyber Security was not compelling. Apparently, he weathered questioning from the likes of Josh Hawley so he must be moderate. Fine by me.

            Next time you talk to Bibi, please tell him to let go of his rhetoric that he is going to “eliminate Hamas.” History suggests that every attempt at that kind has failed! No army has been successful killing off all of their enemies. The Taliban is a haunting reminder of that.  We need to find a better way & it starts with the premise WINTA & is further supported by Matthew 5:43–44.

My visit to the new Gorman Museum of Native American (NA) Art on the UCD campus illustrated that vanquished people survive. The collection of contemporary works included many expressions of the idea that despite efforts to eradicate them, NAs have survived & adapted. For example, Cara Romero’s photo captured Arla Lucia, a “warrior woman in Indian Country on the frontlines & protector of life & home & culture… a collaboration to indigenize our shero.” You should go to the National Gallery now to see their exhibition of contemporary NA art.         

            Please tell General Min Aung Hlaing WINTA in response to his announcement of a counter offensive to Operation 1027. France 24 says, “the remoteness of the rugged, jungle-clad region & patchy communications make it difficult to verify casualty numbers,” so it’s hard to know how intense the fighting is, but a resident there says it’s awful. He notes heavy artillery shelling & air strikes every day & says, “thousands of people are stuck in town. We still have food to eat by sharing with each other.”

            That last sentence gives me hope.

            BYBS,