10/6/2025

My Dear Friend & POTUS, DJT, 

I have 15 minutes to generate this letter so it may not be my best. I figure a quick note to let you know I am thinking of you & sending love your way is better than nothing. 

As you recall I believe that love is about investing in the spiritual growth of my loved ones & I have adopted bell hooks’ principle that love includes action rather than being exclusively about feelings, so my way to show my love for you is to write this letter & imagine how you could grow.  

This reminds me of an approach to math instruction which I promoted among elementary school teachers which we encapsulated with the phrase, “what do they know? How can they grow?” This was aimed at refocusing teachers on each of their students’ mathematical strengths so that they could be used as the basis for future growth. 

I take the same approach to offering you suggestions.  

In that spirit, I noticed that yesterday you began your remarks to the sailors in Norfolk by complimenting them on their timing & their demonstration of military might. Pointing out positives indicates an optimistic viewpoint which uplifts everyone. It looked like the Navy representatives at the event were in a celebratory mood & excited to be part of the 250th anniversary of when the Second Continental Congress authorized the purchase and arming of two vessels to intercept British supply ships during the American Revolutionary War. 

You can build on your popularity with the troops by making sure that our armed forces continue to be a professional military remaining politically neutral.  Some might interpret your comment that yesterday’s event was “a rally” as a misguided desire to create a military that will do your bidding rather than defend the Constitution.  Our generals have risen in the ranks because they understand how to be part of a democracy, which includes protecting the rights of the minorities. My bet is that many are uncomfortable with how you are using our troops to punish places like Chicago. I suggest this an area where you could grow. 

I encourage you to take a look at today’s piece in the Small Wars Journal, “Authoritarian Legacy: Myanmar’s Military and the Failure of Professionalization.” It will help you better understand why separating the military from politics is essential to a democracy. It will also help you understand why the Tatmadaw needs to be dismantled. 

Got to go, 

BYBS,