2/25/2025

My Dear Friend & POTUS, DJT,

            Did you sleep well at the Huis ten Bosch Palace last night? Were the accoutrements fit for royalty? As you know, I am not a big fan of fancy places. I’d be happier if every human on the planet could feel safe enough to get a good night’s rest, rather than have a few people reside in lavish homes while some sleep on the street with one eye open. I had to do that once in 1980 outside the train station in Sevilla, Spain. Maybe someday I’ll tell you that story. For now, I will just put in a word for addressing the housing crisis. Is there something in your Big Beautiful Bill about that?

            Thanks for posting the video of the whole family photo event at NATO today. It gave me a chance to identify the four women in the group. I was familiar with Giorgia Meloni, but not with Pres Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova of North Macedonia or Pres Halla Tómasdóttir of Iceland. I had seen Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen before but had to look her up.

            As you will recall, I always check the family photos of the various International Summits to see if the # of women has increased. I like to imagine what the world would be like if we had more women leaders in those photos. According to the APA, “decades of studies show women leaders help increase productivity, enhance collaboration, inspire organizational dedication, & improve fairness,” so I believe the world will function better when we see gender parity at NATO, the G7 & ASEAN.

            Today I am also imagining what the world would be like if we had more small countries. Would we be better off if place like Burma split into several autonomous states? If the Arakans, the Kachin & Karenni had their own governments, would people be freer & happier? If the Greenlanders could do their own thing, would they be better off?

Finland which has the highest happiness score in the world, has a population of 5.5 million as does Costa Rica, the only country whose happiness score increased in 2024. So maybe that’s the perfect size. If so, CA should break up into 7 pieces. The Central Valley could be its own country. Intriguing!

Safe travels,

BYBS,