CORRECTIONS FROM YESTERDAY

I made some mistakes about what I thought Mr Goldberg said was included ion the text exchange of the Houthis PC small group. Names of pilots and specific locations were not included as I had thought. In any event the actual texts do support the view that Ms Gabbard, as well  all of the rest, are telling lies. The information about the intended launch of F18 aircraft and 1st strike packages is perhaps not serious in her eyes. What could possibly be classified about that. One wonders is they actually hear themselves speak.

The people now in charge of National security and indeed the government of the United States are treating their jobs as if they were playing some vast reality video game. They are behaving like 50’s haughty teenagers from a high school rom com or karate kid movie. Everyone is against them and they have there elder ‘coach’ in the shape of an infantile egomaniac. Mr Hegseth, just showing off to his mates about how important he is with being able to launch first strike packages. All very macho. Great job Pete (with emojis). The sad part is that rather than tone it down, apologies and explain that there was a screw up on the group call, they hunker down, take umbrage, hurl insults, lie directly in the face of the facts, turn their backs and refuse to answer further questions.

This all stems from the top down. Mr Trumps psychosis is his siege mentality and massive ego. What he and his Maga fail to grasp is that no one wants to see the President of the United that soStates fail. In particular every American citizen separately wants their elected representatives to succeed. That is why they elect them. They also have suggestions to make, and though they make criticism and think meone else might be a better choice, that does not mean they wish the elected individual ill. They just want them to be better. Can you blame citizen’s for wanting the best out of their government. The electorate are not the enemy. Members of opposition parties are not the enemy within but what is justifiably called, the loyal opposition. A different view is not a desire to harm.

Mr Trump has repeatedly stated anyone with a different view to his own is an enemy within. He has whipped up a divisive agenda on a massive scale and has chosen individuals who emphatically buy into this view and so he has chosen impressionable children to flaunt his position. None of them truly grasp the significance of governance or the principles of the constitution.

The fact that some people support the idea of social security, medical care for the elderly and lower income workers, general educational support for schools and various other social programs, does not make them anti government or anti market economists. Being against bigotry and prejudice or anti-fascist is not anathema. The United States Declaration of Independence and the Constitution both decree equality for all, freedom of thought, religion and speech. So why so much hatred and antagonism towards others with different views.

Mr Trump and supporters go on about government waste and reducing government intervention in people’s lives. What they fail to grasp is that government is there to help people have better lives. It is there to assist the citizen in becoming an independent productive contributor towards maintaining the continued existence of the nation. If additional assistance is necessary why is it wrong for the state to help. It is only the citizen helping other citizens after all. People pay taxes to contribute to the welfare of the state, and taxpayers money is spent in the interests of all taxpayers and their dependents. A difference of opinion on how tax income should be spent is not a cause for division or hate speech. It is cause for discussion on what is necessary expenditure to benefit the entire nation.  A secure, healthy and educated population would seem to be paramount. What is there to be so entrenched about. Disagreement does not have to be fatal. We all want better lives. Listen go each other and stop telling lies. Why is that so hard?

INTO THE ETHER

Writing a blog is a bit like throwing ideas out into the ether, which is defined in the dictionary as that region of space beyond the earth’s atmosphere. One has no idea where or how they will be received, or indeed whether they will be received at all, let alone understood. In addition, certain ideas and observations are not at all unique and when repeated can become redundant, surplus to requirements, but the does not make them any the less valid. So my continuing comments on the fiasco of the ‘Houthi PC small group’ chat will not be any more insightful, but they help me putting them in perspective.

Two the group, the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Ratcliffe, appeared before the United States Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on global threats. Amongst other matters they were asked questions about the group chat which inadvertently came to light having included a journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg the editor in chief of The Atlantic magazine. Mr Goldberg published his story about how it all came to light, and included some of the text chat between the participants. What he very carefully did not do was publish the whole of the exchange, in particular information that revealed specific plans of the attack on the Houthi camps or headquarters in Yemen. This information, he stated, included names of specific aircraft to be used, the names of pilots, the types of weapon systems and the names of targets. Mr Goldberg was very clear that, as a responsible journalist, he did not want to divulge what might be considered national security matters and took himself out of the group as soon as he felt uncomfortable with the information he was getting.

After the release of the story, Mr Hegseth, the Secretary of Defence, was asked about the group chat and its implications. Mr Hegseth reacted angrily accusing the journalists of being discredited and a purveyor of many hoaxes. Indeed his boss, Mr Trump claimed The Atlantic wasn’t much of a journal and was going out of business anyway.

During the course of the Senate Hearing, Ms Gabbard refused to even acknowledge that she was a member of the group whilst adding that no classified material was discussed during the group discussion. She refused to acknowledge  anything that was written in the texts. When pressed “If nothing was classified, show us the text’s now”. Stony silence. Mr Ratcliff admitted he was in the group and kept going on about how it was perfectly legitimate to use the encrypted end to end App for such discussions. He said he did not know how Mr Goldberg came to be included in the group. When asked about certain portions of the texts read back to him, he claimed he did not remember those statements being made.

It was also put to them, that if, by some chance, the Houthi had got hold of the contents of the text could they not have been prepared to defend against the attack and shoot down American pilots and aircraft. Ms Gabbard insisted that no classified material was revealed.

What is so incredibly obvious, from the demeanour and evasions of these people in front of the committee, is that they were lying. Indeed, when Ms Gabbard was asked if there was no classified material discussed, then Mr Goldberg who be perfectly safe from prosecution if he now revealed the rest of the texts he held back. Stony evasion by Ms Gabbard. The same question was put to the new FBI Director Mr Patel, who was sitting next to Ms Gabbard, and he too evaded the answer.

The lies and obfuscations were so blatant, shameful and embarrassing. It was an insult to the intelligence of the public and the Senators on the committee, even those who actually supported Ms Gabbard and Mr Ratcliffe. That anyone can support them in lying to a congressional hearing is astounding in itself. In any decent government these people should be resigning their positions. Instead they will continue to vilify the journalist who caused them embarrassment, who has been put in the position of having to defend his own reputation by effectively accusing them of lying. Mr Goldberg should be lauded by the Senate Committee for having exposed this travesty of security and the incompetence of these people, who should all be asked to resign.

At some point the Senate Committee will actually have the full unedited text and will be able to measure just how much the statements made to them were accurate. Whether or not any of that actually happens and any further action is taken is, in my view, unlikely. It will be considered a blip as it has already been described. Nothing about this appalling administration will change. I know that I am not the only person to think that and that many more people have similar views. I am just putting it out there into the ether.

Note: Correction: Since writing this Mr Goldberg has publised the rest of the texts - I stand corrcted in that it did anot contain the names of pilots or the locations of the actual specific targets. The text did say everything else. If anyone had informed the Houthi group of this information, two hours before the strike, they would have had, I'm sure, plenty of time to respond and be prepared. But of course that was not classified information, so what difference did it make.

WHAT WAS I THINKING ?

The following was written on 23rd March in preparation for blog. In light of recent events following revelations about the “Houthi PC small group”, I have added comments below:

Listening to John Gray’s Point of View broadcast 23rd March 2025, he takes a very considered view of the present global situation.  Inter alia, he notes that the current Trump regime is something Trump has always been up-front about, even during his first term as President, and so should not come as a surprise. In my blog of the 10th March I referenced, in relation to the current situation, Bette Davis’s line in All About Eve, “Fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy night”. Mr Gray concludes his piece about the present political landscape with “It’s going to be a rough ride and we’d better buckle up”.

In brief, he speaks of history, not as a continuous trend towards a maturing liberal enlightened democracy, but as a simple sequence of events of ebb and flow. Democracies and republics come and go as do dictatorships, empires and kingdoms. The fact of events repeating themselves and of having to learn to deal with similar problems through the ages, is not new. Learning is a continuous process and inevitably repetitious. The concept of learning from one’s mistakes is perhaps unattainable. Indeed, given the number of enquires (on covid, Grenfell, phone hacking and other disasters) which always present as seeking solutions to learn from our mistakes so that whatever has happened never happens again, we do not seem to have found said solutions. Somewhere between ‘never again’ and ‘fasten your seat belts’ lies the  pleasant and tranquil prospect we seek.

In the meantime the rough ride is where we are at. Who would have thought that the United States Government’s so called universal appeal for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East, together with its withdrawal of NATO support and rapprochement with Russia and China, would spur a fresh arms race whereby even Poland and other middle European nations are seeking to obtain nuclear weapons, and those European Nations that already have them are intent on beefing up their arsenals. In short, Mr Trump, whilst professing peace, seems doubly intent on weaponising, not only his executive departments of Justice and Government Efficiency, but the rest of the world as well.

The ups and downs of the problem makes for a tricky state of affairs. It revolves around how to deal with Mr Trump’s colossal narcissism. Should European leaders stand up to the bully or placate him gently, steering him with flatteries towards reason? Should it not be his own citizen’s standing up to him collectively with strength, rather than catering to his ego? The mix between resistance and cajoling discourse will take some doing. The most successful diplomate so far, in dealing with and obtaining favour from Trump is, of course, Vladimir Putin.
 
My own view is that the European leadership, Prime Ministers, Presidents and Foreign Secretaries - not just its elected representatives in their various parliaments - who must take a much stronger and united stand against Trump and his acolytes. Stop attempting to flatter him into ‘concessions’ but demand the loyalty and assistance required of an ally who professes to adhere to similar  democratic constitutions and the rule of law. A country is not its leader. It has a history and an evolution that gives it a life of its own and its citizen’s reflect that life. They elect and choose representatives to secure the continued existence of that life. Sometimes they make very bad choice and need to be reminded of who they really are. European leaders need to remind the United States who they really are and show up this cult leader, this sham of a crass man, for what he truly is. In effect it is time for European and like minded world leaders to create an intervention to bring the United States back to its senses.  I am told that such interventions by family members can bring about such epiphanies from cult adherents. If Britain truly has a special relationship with the United States, then it is standing in loco parentis and should take the lead.

However, I do not seek to be depressing. I do believe there are possibilities. I see and hear a good number of Americans who would more than welcome the opportunity to participate in such and endeavour. Make no mistake, the cult is powerful and stubborn but not insurmountable, particularly given the hardships they continue to suffer rather than seeing them disappear ‘on day one’. Of the promises ‘on day one,’ not one has been fulfilled. A lot of film flam has gone on, but it has proved to be just that. The waving of pens and displaying of signatures on bits of paper is a joke, with unfortunate ramifications no doubt, but the falsity is beginning to filter through. Musk’s Tesla stock is going down,  Putin is largely vilified, the stock market is falling, and republicans at town halls are displaying dissatisfaction and unease.  There are demonstration across the nation. I think that is cause for optimism.

Again, I do not seek to be depressing. There is room for joy. There are still plenty of things to enjoy.

Tuesday 25th March 2025:

The above was as far as I got. Thinking about the many things to enjoy. In the light of the revelations made by The Atlantic’s editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg, I am in two minds as to whether to consider this as something to enjoy. On the one hand this colossal security blunder on the part of these ridiculous people in such powerful positions, exposing themselves for what they are, gives one a gleeful smile as to their incompetence. On the other hand it is truly shocking to see such narrow minded infantile prejudice and lack of real intellect by men of state. I heard Mr Goldberg’s view that he felt there was a level of sophistication in their communications as he felt they clearly had discussions amongst themselves about whether or not they should take certain actions and whether they agreed with the Presidents views.  Some aspects of repercussions were contemplated; however, once the president’s view was stated, discussion over.

In my view there was nothing sophisticated about the discussion. The arrogance about American might being used to protect European interests and that what was happening in the middle east was not really their concern and that the European governments should be made to pay and reimburse the United States for the cost of the military action being launched, was outrageous. This, followed by congratulatory virtual high fives and emojis, was an exhibition of their schoolyard mentality, fully in keeping with their bully boy leader. 

In short, their concerns were based on arrogance and expectations of gratitude and compensation. One could say the lack of any real intellectual discussion or serious forward thinking was PATHETIC. 

Whether any ingtervention would help wiht these people is questionable.

THE FIRST THREE MONTHS

It has been quite an opening three months for the year 2025. The world order is in complete disarray. As I listen to, and view, the variety of information coming over the airwaves on my multiple devices, I am obliged to filter and organise the various topics in the order in which they are presented by these outlets. There seems to be a general format adopted by most agencies. International, national and local is the usual sequence adopted, unless of course there is a particular national or local story that has attracted the immediate public interest. The matter of just what is in the public interest and what the public is interested in is of never ending interest.

One intriguing aspect of the news is the continuing existence of printed newspapers. Although printed editions are still produced, they are moving more and more towards online publication and are now, consequently, more reliant on subscriptions. I am guessing that whilst on line advertising does provide some income, the papers are offering subscription only access, with an increased fee to have ‘advertising free’ access. They also have a box to tick if you do not wish to receive promotional material from them over the internet. So, much of their income is far more reliant on attracting readers than attracting advertisers.  I do contribute to the Guardian, which, at the moment, asks its readers to make a contribution equivalent to a subscription, and still allows anyone to read its pages.

As to content and what the online papers choose to headline on their home sites, it is as you would expect from what one used to find - and may still- in their printed editions. The tabloids push out the same nonsense and are still committed to the same readership, perhaps with a bit more interaction as they may include some video element. They certainly maintain a degree of advertising.  Indeed, so far as all the online publications are concerned there is little difference between the printed edition and what one finds online. But that is to be expected when catering to the same readership. The style and layout, although expanded, is also in keeping with the readership’s expectations so as not to alienate but to comfort with the familiar. Of course, being a ‘newspaper’ the emphasis is on articles and texts to be read, with the odd accompanying photograph. Nevertheless the readership of printed additions has declined dramatically and the way people get their ‘news’ has expanded in numerous directions.  

That expansion and proliferation of devices through which information is transmitted has reached the point where just about every individual on the planet has become a network and studio on their own. It would seem we put out as much information as we receive, and in some cases, a whole lot more. The concept of ‘influencer’ has brought us to a stage where legislation is being contemplated to control how and what is being disseminated.  The entire concept of free speech is open to question. So much of what passes for information is in fact opinion, and belief based on opinion is extremely problematic.  This is how much of what is happening in the world is being organised and conducted.

The fact of Trump is that he does not see his pronouncements as lies. He is merely stating his opinion which he believes to be fact. Hence his deplorable views on immigrants have become fact for himself as well as his followers, without any evidence whatsoever. “They're eating the cats and dogs” was a classic example.  The ridiculous nonsense was swallowed whole by his Maga base and his acolytes. Marjorie Taylor Green, Kari Lake, JD Vance, Ted Cruz, Lindsay Graham etc. I could go on and on. They repeat ad nauseam Trumps opinions which they accept as fact.

His newest protege, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, is another classic example of opinion is fact. She claims, because Mr Trump has claimed, the Judiciary that dare to rule against him in a court of law are democratic activists, biased and wrong in law, as are their families. There is no evidence whatsoever that this is the case. That she cannot see that Mr Trump is the person who is biased and wrong in law does not even enter her head. That  Judges who have been adjudicating cases for years  might know something about the law is an alien concept because her only information comes from Trump’s opinion.

Indeed in Mr Trump’s opinion Mr Putin is a man to be trusted. In Mr Putin’s opinion the state of Ukraine is not a state and should not exist. Mr Putin also claims that the Ukrainian government is run by fascists and must be attacked and destroyed to save the nation.  This opinion has been actually promulgated as fact by Marjorie Taylor Greene before the House of Representatives.

So where does all that leave us on free speech, the ‘news’ and the world being in disarray? I know I always seem to come back to the horror show that is the United States at present, but it is, unfortunately, the most horrific show in town. Will that man ever learn that he is a sham and has no idea what he is doing. His ego is so large that he can’t see he is being played for a fool by most of those around him and in particular Putin. Everything was supposed to be sorted on day one, with a phone call. Well we’ve had the phone call and it wasn’t on day one. We are still no further along, despite the crap being said about it being a start. A start!! The only thing that has started is renewed bombing. If ever the phrase all mouth and no trousers described a situation….

At the end of the day one has to examine oneself and just where did one get one’s opinions or facts. How is it that my political views appear to be from the left of the political spectrum? Why do I not have a more conservative view? What was the affect of my formal education? Were my parents more influential than I realise? Was I or am I too easily influenced? These are some of the matters I must get to grips with. Why have I not done so before now? The difficulty with self examination so late in life is, does it really matter?

What really does mater is stopping the world violence, healing the wounds and rebuilding the homes. Everywhere getting people off the streets and a safe house to live in. Looking after the unable to do it for themselves.  Educating people to live up to the better nature of themselves. There is an appropriate poem by Eve Merriam (1916-1992)

The Coward

You, weeping wide at war, weep with me now.
Cheating a little at peace, come near
And let us cheat together here.

Look at my guilt, mirror of my shame.
Deserter, I will not turn you in;
I am your trembling twin!

Afraid, our double knees lock in knocking fear;
Running from the guns we stumble upon each other.
Hide in my lap of terror: I am your mother. 

Only we two, and yet our howling can
Encircle the world’s end.
Frightened,  you are my only friend.

And frightened, we are everyone.
Someone must make a stand.
Coward take my coward’s hand.

I do not know why this video was removed or by whom ???
 

CITIZENS - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

There is a disturbing report about personnel of the so called Department of Government Efficiency forcing their way into a small government agency, the US African Development Foundation, ejecting  the staff and changing the locks. The same people are doing the same thing at other agencies, including the US Institute for Peace. Although legal proceeding has been commenced, the real fear is that it may lead to nothing, as the Executive Branch of the United States Government pays no attention to court orders. The judiciary is seemingly powerless so long as the Federal Policing authorities (US Marshalls and FBI) are backing these executive orders.

Overall what is happening is an overt attack on democracy and DOGE is clearly nothing more or less than Trump’s Gestapo. It has become a full blown secret state police run by Elon Musk under the guise of economic efficiency. This is a deeply concerning development. The idea that a Trump created agency with no congressional or judicial authority is deploying agents, backed by armed US Marshalls and FBI agents, to forcibly take over legitimate government agencies is an outrage. Together with outright breaches  of Judicial Orders and the rule of law Trump is being allowed to do anything he likes. Having installed his stooges as heads of the Justice Department, the FBI and other agencies he can ignore the law at will. Whereas heads of these policing authorities should defy illegal edicts from Trump and push back, they are instead ‘following orders’.

If the United States is ever to become a federal democratic republic under the rule of law again, then it must act now. To allow a charlatan and dangerous psychotic narcissist, and dupe to Putin, to continue is his current vein will bring the whole edifice crashing down. It may no longer be good enough to have TV pundits advise a small viewership about possible consequences of failing to connect the dots of the developing tyranny in various agencies and institutions of government. Ignore them at your peril.. I see enough opposition on YouTube and on line from a variety of sources. Is it not time to increase the effort and really pull together? Don’t say you have not been warned.

Here is but one example:  (for some reason the previus video was changed - this is a replacemen(

 

 

WHEN WILL WE SEE THE END OF THE PROTEST SONG

It is clearly time to follow Bette’s advice (and appreciate a bit of early Marilyn). The international and domestic reaction to Trump’s second presidency is now very clear. Celia pointed out to me the Senator of the French Parliament, Claude Malhuret’s speech to the Parliament on Tuesday the 4th March 2025 as an instance in point. M. Malhuret is now leader of Les Indépendants – République et Territoires, LIRT, party in the Senate and appears to have a far greater knowledge of the Constitution of the United States and its implications than does Donald Trump. Herewith his opening salvo (Translation of transcript):

“President, Mr. Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen Ministers, My dear colleagues,
Europe is at a critical turning point in its history. The American shield is crumbling, Ukraine risks being abandoned, Russia strengthened.
Washington has become the court of Nero, a fiery emperor, submissive courtiers and a ketamine-fueled jester in charge of purging the civil service.
This is a tragedy for the free world, but it is first and foremost a tragedy for the United States. Trump’s message is that there is no point in being his ally since he will not defend you, he will impose more customs duties on you than on his enemies and will threaten to seize your territories while supporting the dictatorships that invade you.
The king of the deal is showing what the art of the deal is all about. He thinks he will intimidate China by lying down before Putin, but Xi Jinping, faced with such a shipwreck, is probably accelerating preparations for the invasion of Taiwan.
Never in history has a President of the United States capitulated to the enemy. Never has anyone supported an aggressor against an ally. Never has anyone trampled on the American Constitution, issued so many illegal decrees, dismissed judges who could have prevented him from doing so, dismissed the military general staff in one fell swoop, weakened all checks and balances, and taken control of social media.
This is not an illiberal drift, it is the beginning of the confiscation of democracy. Let us remember that it took only one month, three weeks and two days to bring down the Weimar Republic and its Constitution.
I have faith in the strength of American democracy, and the country is already protesting. But in one month, Trump has done more harm to America than in four years of his last presidency. We were at war with a dictator, now we are fighting a dictator backed by a traitor…”

And he goes on at some length.  Would that more European politicians made similar up front condemnation of what is happening in the United States. It is not just a mater of stepping up militarily but strenuously distancing oneself, politically and morally, from the Trump Administration's view of the world and what it purports to claim as the will of the American people.

Numerous views have been expressed in a number of Newspaper Editorials and by columnists' opinion pieces which describe and excoriate the gangsterism and rank stupidity of Mr Trump and his acolytes. As shocking as the now infamous display by Messrs Trump and Vance of their bullying of President Zelensky appeared to be, it was not at all surprising. It was however enraging and prompted a general worldwide revulsion of the United States’ heads of state. The so called free press in attendance did nothing to redeem itself either, with its ludicrous notions of sartorial respect. 

This is not normal. Far from it. The chaos being engendered throughout the world is significant. It is similar to the analogy of the butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon thereby creating a hurricane in the Atlantic, except Trump is a deadly moth fluttering in the glow of the Office of President of the United States which he should never have been allowed to enter.

But we have what we have, and so fasten your seat belts, That so many are having to suffer increased injury and death as result of these machinations is catastrophic. One has to accept the stoicism of the character of Clemenza in the Godfather movie, he of the “leave the gun - take the cannoli” line.

                                       

What is it about movies and screenplays that somehow, now and again, strikes a cord? Oddly, over the years the cinema has portrayed a variety of political stories with heroes and villains galore. Corruption has been at the heart of many salutary lessons of American political drama. All The King’s Men,  Mr Smith Goes To Washington, Advise and Consent, The Front Page, State of the Union, Manchurian Candidate and many others around the world. Indeed, stories of corruption and political chicanery, both real and fictional, have been portrayed in the cinema since its inception by  the Lumière brothers in 1895. Unfortunately, even before that event, history reveals that political corruption was rife in ancient Rome and Greece, so why has the lesson never been learnt? How long are we destined to exist in this ceaseless insanity? Will we ever hear the end of the protest song?

STOP PUSSYFOOTING AROUND

The following paragraphs were written on Thursday 6th March 2025, prior to the "pause' on tarriffs imposed on Canada and Mexico:

 

We have been here before; yet, nothing about the current global situation smacks of repetition.   Whereas we have seen countries descend into authoritarian states, e.g. Italy, Germany and the Soviet Union, particularly between 1920 and 1935, which culminated in the second world war, the resurgence of far right and nationalist movements in Western Europe and the Americas has never been so comprehensive. There are rather curious differences, and its effect on democracy is very worrying.

 

The two, allegedly, main powers on the globe, Russia and the United States, have leaders who seek to rule by decree and executive order. The Russia leader has effectively silenced opposition through chicanery, outright gangsterism and murder. The United States President has marshalled an obsequious political party through repeated lies and by gaslighting a sheepish, poorly educated and gullible electorate into accepting his proven mendacious and criminal character. He has surrounded himself with deliberately mediocre advisors and administrators to do his bidding. His executioner in chief is an unelected, unvetted and unapproved rich scoundrel from South Africa.

 

It would seem, on the face of it, although not yet fully in control, they are operating hand in hand to bully the rest of the free world into submission.

 

China, the world’s second largest economy sits, oddly, hovering between the two. On reasonably friendly terms with Russia and somewhat strained relations with the United States, it is sufficiently powerful to hold its own. It allows the other two, for the moment, to run their course. Just when it might step in more forcefully is open to conjecture.

 

As an aside, it should be noted that Russia is only the 11^th largest economy, so one wonders on what basis their power rests. As to military strength, Russia has had to call on assistance from North Korea to swell the numbers, and in addition it has had military hardware from China and Iran. It is strange that the whole of Russian military might can be held off as much as it has been by Ukrainian forces alone. Just how mighty are those Russian forces?

 

In any event, Russia now has some additional help from the United States which is looking to lift sanctions and is now depriving Ukraine of rather important military assistance in the shape of hardware and defensive security information. This is being done under the banner of achieving a peaceful settlement to the crisis. Not very believable given the despicable character of Donald Trump. His spoken desire to end the killing sounds good, but coming from such a psychotic narcissist it is hard to credit. Everything is about him. Do not make the mistake of thinking otherwise.

 

So, given the state of play, the European continent, Canada, and Mexico are now in the position or having to brace up on the economic front as well as militarily, not only to support Ukraine in arriving at a just peace, but arriving at their own complete independence from the United Sates. This wakeup call is not only evident to leftist and centralist political parties in European countries but to the right and right of centre as well. The European right is just as alarmed and worried about the autocracy of Trump has it is with Putin. It is only the far right that shows favour, but only in the hope of receiving substantial financial benefit.  Nigel Farage is an instance in point.  

 

Still there is hope and apparently substantial push back in the United States against Trumpism in the form of mass demonstrations by many citizens, amongst whom one finds a number of Republicans. His ‘day one’ promises are far from being fulfilled. Inflation and economics have taken a downward turn, and his support for Mr Putin has not helped his cause. A Quinnipiac University Poll released this Wednesday found 81 percent of respondents said Putin should not be trusted, including 73 percent of Republicans surveyed and 93 percent of Democrats.

 

In addition his executive orders have met with resistance in the courts which have blocked a number of them taking effect as being contrary to law and the constitution of the United States. His latest litigation before the Supreme Court has failed 5 to 4, including his own favourites who sided against him, Justices Roberts and Coney Barrett.

 

So in effect, although the Trump rhetoric has been very similar to the kind of crap one had from dictators of the 1930’s, the overall shift in today’s world toward the right is not as unifying as it might appear. Whether there is any comfort in this difference, I am not at all sure. Indeed my analysis is probably completely wrong. I am however, still allowed to be right or wrong and voice opinion, if only to a few. Contrary to the views of the Vice President of the United States, Great Britain really does have free speech.

 

Friday 7 March 2025

There is an example of free speech on the floor of the United States Senate which is well worth a view and listen. U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Thursday (6^th March 2025) spoke on the U.S. Senate floor to expose the unprecedented corruption of the Trump administration’s first six weeks in office. Murphy condemned Trump’s normalization of pay-to-play politics, where billionaire donors dictate policy and taxpayer money is funnelled into the pockets of the president, Elon Musk, and the corporate elite. I urge you to take it in.

 

Stop the insanity. The United States no longer has a government capable of participating in world affairs on a rational basis. It has gone the way of massive organised crime along with the so called Russian Federation. The violence being perpetrated in Ukraine by disembodied drones to target basic infrastructure (water, electricity, food supply, communications..) in order to starve, destroy and annihilate the Ukrainian people’s means of existence, shows just how vile and monstrous the Russian leadership has become. All this is approved and accepted by the Trump administration. It is time for Governments around the world to condemn this behaviour and cut off the United States from all diplomatic relations. Stop trying to placate Trump and Putin. Politicians in every democratic country should stop trying not to openly criticise Mr Trump in the hope of bringing him round to reason. He is not a reasonable man. He is a criminal and should be held to account. What he and his cronies are doing is completely unacceptable. Enforce the warrants issued by the International Criminal Court and extend it to Donald Trump as co-defendant.

 

Do not forget that nearly as many people in the United States loath Trump as voted for him. They will support a solid European movement to ostracise Trump and bring the United States back into a proper league of rational nations. For the United Nations to allow this charade to continue is beyond comprehension.  Get it together. Stop pussyfooting around. Stop this insanity.

 

THERE ARE OTHER AMERICAN VOICES

One can only hope that these other voices in the United States will hold sway across the country. Gangsterism of this kind on show in the Oval Office is a scene straight out of the Godfather.

 

 

And again  from poscast of Bryan Tyler Cohen