2/1/204

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            I watched the National Prayer Breakfast today & appreciated your remarks, especially when you quoted Abe’s admonition to “heed the better angels of our nature.” I was intrigued by your reference to Clio, muse of history, featured in National Statuary. Did you hope folks would catch your little jab at 45 when you said she is a silent witness to history & then you mentioned “insurrection” among other things?

My only critique is related to your evocation of Hades when you expressed your hope that God hold us all in his hand and said, “let’s remember who the HELL we are.” That was jarring!

            While I appreciated that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand asked God to bless you & “let love & faithfulness never leave (you),” I was troubled by her use of a military analogy when she suggested you “put on the full armor of God... with the breastplate of righteousness.” She also mentioned a helmet, shield & sword. Ugh!

            While I think all our elected officials benefit from collective introspection, next year I suggest they have a prayer/meditation session without Bible passages, with more silence than prayer. Then ALL people, no matter their religious convictions, can participate.

            As you visit Detroit & Philly today, please remind everyone about the 3rd anniversary of the coup in Burma. It was not mentioned in the NYT or WP. People there are fighting for democracy & they’d appreciate knowing that we are rooting for them.

            BYBS,