5/15/2026

My Dear Friend & POTUS, DJT,

Congratulations! You made it through your journey without a nap or a mishap!! The only weirdness about your trip apparent in today’s news was a People story about your “bizarre statement” at last night’s dinner that there were more Chinese restaurants than fast food outlets in the USA. Were you trying to compliment Chinese cuisine?

SoW, which dish did you like best at the banquet, the lobster, the ribs or the duck?

How was the Temple of Heaven? Is it as impressive in person as it looks in the photos? Did you get the vibe that it was a sacred space? Do you think XJ took you to send the message that China has God on its side? Some of your followers point out the irony of a communist taking you to a place of spiritual significance when they do all they can to discourage religion.

SoW, it’s too bad you weren’t able to persuade XJ to release Pastor Jin Mingri. I assume you made that request although I can’t find any news about it. In fact, half of the papers in the frontpages.com site didn’t even feature a story about your trip. The 16 that did noted that XJ warned you about Tawain. Apparently he referred to  the “Thucydides Trap.” I hadn’t heard of that before. Had you?

I concluded from reading the coverage that you enjoyed your visit & got reacquainted with XJ but didn’t make any deals or develop any new agreements. It’s too bad you couldn’t stay longer so you could actually accomplish something.

OoM, are you aware that VVP could put ASEAN in an awkward position by inviting MAH to the summit he is hosting in June. I am reminded of weddings & reunions where someone invites the family member who has made a major transgression & no one wants to talk to. It’s a tough call on whether to be inclusive or not. Ruin the event for everyone or devastate one individual. It’s a lose-lose situation.

Quaker meetings are sometimes forced into this kind of lose-lose situation & discerning divine providence in such situations is always painful. 

BYBS,