6/9/2025

My Dear Friend & POTUS, DJT,

            It’s Monday morning & I followed Frank Bruni suggestion to listen to Fleetwood Mac’s song of the same name. The lyric “I’ve got to get some peace in my mind” resonates with me today.

            I require some resonance right now to counteract the dissonance that I am experiencing as I see the headlines about the deployment of the National Guard in LA. I don’t know whose idea that was, but our Californian soldiers should not be put in a position to intimidate their neighbors.

I’m sure they didn’t know what to think when Rep. Maxine Waters asked them, “are you going to shoot me?” And then warned, “if you are going to shoot me, you better shoot straight.”

            Have you seen the footage of that? The soldiers are doing their best to stare straight ahead & pretend they’re not hearing her, but I suspect they were thinking, “what the hell AM I doing here?” The governor doesn’t want me here. The mayor doesn’t want me here. Why does the POTUS want me here?

            If the soldiers know their history, they will know that the situation is a walk in the park compared to the Rodney King riots of 1992 when 63 people died in the riots. That time Gov. Pete Wilson & Mayor Tom Bradley welcomed the Guard. Korea town was burning & citizens were in danger. That’s not the situation today!!!!

            I doubt their schooling has enabled them to discern whether “a rebellion against the federal government” is, indeed, ensuing.

            As you well know, WINTA, so please get those guys with their big guns off of the streets of Compton & Paramount.

            If you have been paying attention to the junta’s activities in Burma, you will see that intimidation does not change hearts & minds. I don’t think alienating the strongest state in your nation will turn out well for you. It’s not too late to call off the troops. I’m sure they would appreciate getting out of the awkward position you are placing them in of having to choose sides between two loved ones – their state & their country.

            In 1992 Rodney King asked, “can we get along?” & then suggested, “let’s work it out.” That still holds, don’t you think?

            BYBS,