12/26/2023

Dec 26, 2023

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            How was your visit to Camp David? Isn’t it it odd that Fox is the only news outlet to cover your calls to folks in the military?  

            Did you know that Buddhists regard knowledge an obstacle to understanding? Bhikkhu Bodhi wrote about this when he compared Buddhism to science. He noted they both ”draw a sharp distinction between the way things appear, & the way they really are, & both offer to open our minds to insights into the real nature of things normally hidden from us by false ideas based on sense perception & "common sense."

            It was my perception of this gap between perception & reality that led me to closely examine DJT’s comings & goings back in 2017 & it is that perception which continues to fuel my close scrutiny of the news each day. It as an endless quest, & yet, I persist.

            Some of the questions that arose for me today included:

Why did WSJ publish Bibi’s text, “Our 3 Prerequisites for Peace?” Why not WP or NYT? Are they averse to his message, “We must destroy Hamas, demilitarize Gaza & deradicalize the whole of Palestinian society.” Do you think you can persuade him to consider the proposal that Egypt is floating right now?

What should we do about the border situation? I heard a pollster say on NPR this AM you might have to test your most loyal voters to win over swing voters with a compromise on this issue. It seems that closing the Lukeville port of entry in the Sonoran desert has created problems for Gov Hobbs & the mayors of NYC, Chicago, LA, Denver & Houston are begging for help with the influx of refugees. Thailand’s new PM, Srettha Thavisin, is trying to discern the best path for handling his border with Burma. Maybe the two of you should talk.

When will Comer & Jordan realize they are wasting their time with this impeachment thing & get busy with immigration?

I hope you have a calm day.

BYBS,