Understanding The Logic Of Trump

One day in his tweets he is all praise for China, as a good and sharp negotiator, and in another vein accuses it as dubious conspirator against US in collusion with Russia and No. Korea.  And this, he does with most anybody he deals with, all coming out from both sides of the mouth. Very friendly and congenial, yet at the same time quite stinging in his derogatory assessment of the same personality or country.

And the world is confused.  Not understanding why he does this, amid the plethora of statements he throws around each day whenever he can.

Trump understands the utter interdependency that countries in the world have with each other.  This time, no country is an island.  One may be a gigantic exporter of goods, but without the buyer of those goods, it cannot prosper or even survive. No country can survive with its own exports.  It has to convert them to liquid assets/funds so they can be converted either to imports or assets to be used for sustaining its own economy. 

True also between countries who are debtors and creditors. The US for example has floated billions of its treasury debt instruments and are accepted and preferred globally, and some countries hold considerable amounts in their portfolios.  And yes, some have threatened to destroy the US with them.  But do what?  It would be like cutting your nose to spite the face.

So no country is only either an ally, or simply an enemy.  Each one could be partner to the other.  That dreaded idea of co-existence during the Cold War should be relevant again. 

Donald J. Trump

DONALD J. TRUMP

It almost humors one to realize that the world of punditry still has not figured out this rather unconventional leader, who prides himself as loaded with common sense.

He is supposedly pushing his country toward a brutal dictatorship, but he talks and behaves like a common populist would, as far as we can discern.

He is supposedly an inveterate warmonger and self-aggrandizing but has negotiated instead peace treaties which before were supposedly hard to untangle.

They said he is clearly one simple-minded oaf and narcissist, but look at what he has done to his country, in terms of successes in  governance and economics.  Things only imagined by his predecessors.

Etc.  And more.

What is not arguable is that the results of his actions continue to stultify his earnest detractors though publicly dismissive of them. 

And for others willful and dead-gone dishonest, he has sent to silent uncontrollable rage and jealousy.  TDS, they say.

We his believers do sometimes flash our rare smiles of approbation when we think these things.

Amused by the befuddled  reactions of our supposedly self-anointed betters who remain confused and agog.

For things so simple yet so hard? So common sense?

Immigrants and Immigration in the US of A

The more one tries to learn about a situation, the less inclined one is to make public commentary on the situation.  Largely because then one realizes that many of those who do make commentary appear to inform themselves from very limited perspectives hatched either from misinformation or at best from scanty information about the topic.

Such lazy prognostications only serve to muddle and make more confusing situations that require earnest and studious attention.

One such topic is Immigrants and Immigration in the US of A.

All things considered it does appear proper for one to make known one's views if only to elevate the overall discussion to a more adult level.

On this issue many rely unfortunately on motherhood statements that do not anymore have bases in fact.  But they  still make for good theatre, and those sporting and advocating them are proud of themselves for their emotional show of compassion and generosity.  But overall it definitely does not move the needle nearer to understanding the situation and the inherent problems. And worse, of trying to mitigate the worsening situation.

How many take into account the number of legal immigrants the US takes in every year?  Do you know the number?  The US takes in about 1 million legal immigrants every year dating back many years.  Its population has burgeoned to 325 million, growing in leaps and bounds in the process. 

How many illegals are in the US? The estimate hasn't moved or been updated for a good number of years.  As if the number does not increase with daily illegal border crossings. Accelerated by de-facto open borders policy coupled with official invitations to come.  Anyway, as few as 12 million to as many as 20-30 million.  California the most populous state has close to 40 million residents.  The illegals are mostly low-skilled and least educated, which because of this there is no doubt the systems have been overwrought and corrupted in more ways than one can imagine.  Ergo, actual and real population should be more.

Social programs of the past designed to address this situation have only exacerbated monetary and fiscal problems of the country.  What is now the total debt of the US? What about deficits and shortfalls?  How many states are close to being insolvent?  Bailouts anyone?  Not to worry, humongous spending bills are just around the corner.  MMT to the rescue.

The richest and most powerful establishment elites in the US have aligned and conspired with government of all political flavors to continue the flood of cheap labor via illegal migration, to decimate the American middle-class which had been the stable and reliable anchor of the US economy and which assured it of high standards of living.  Now most data show that the middle class continues to shrink as early as the 80's, while the richest few accumulate more wealth.  Talk about lopsidedness. The last administration addressed this and was able to improve employment figures in areas not seen in ages. 

But the pandemic and all is accelerating this untenable situation.  Government's reckless moves in response add instead to the burdens.  Imagine right now it suffers from high unemployment, yet available labor is less than adequate to supply a heating economy.  Why? Because government makes unemployment benefits better than employment.

When is the tipping point? 

Crazy(?) Ruminations

 

Life plods along even as the axis-rotation of the earth appears to have been gravely skewed  based on what we continue to see in the grim parade of  marching events in our besieged world.  Events tumbling every which way, the up appearing down while the down seems up, the right being depicted as wrong, the truths inverted into falsities. Much like living in an alternate universe, with reality appearing like mirror images all in reverse.

As the earth appears to be spinning erratically we all are fearful of an eventual loss of our collective equilibrium, or really, our collective sanity.  So how does one maintain balance?  Maybe by simply getting these puzzling turns of events out into the open, into the glaring daylight and hopefully the disparate pieces will realign or are seen differently as getting back to their rightful places. Which I personally doubt.  Anyway here goes.

Much as one hopes things we see are simply mirages, but to one's chagrin, these eerie apparitions have been so for a while and remain unchanged continuing  their awkward usurpation of reality.  Start with the continuing scourge we call the pandemic. What about the naked war-like posturings of some powers. Then sidle along to the chaotic politics in the US, as preponderantly and incessantly dissected and discussed in all media, including the chattering classes in social media. One cannot help notice it because it  pops up very prominently like a sore thumb. Its  beleaguered president sitting alone dismally stripped of all options in his quest to be heard regarding his claims of massive electoral frauds.

One is hard pressed to fathom the merciless accusations and claims taken against the targeted prey coming from the mightiest temporal force yet assembled on the face of the earth. Sensing the buckling down of the harangued target, we find that the newly-minted potent political force in the American landscape reveals itself as merciless and brutal in dealing with those who defy it.  No stone is left unturned and unattended. Any opposition however token or weak will be crushed.  Thus in one feel swoop, the hapless but mightiest public official in the world is summarily shorn of his princely but petty privileges like the uses of his social media accounts which he uses to communicate with his unflinching loyalists which by conservative estimates account for half of the electorate.  The edicts originating and dictated by fledgling overlords not quite statesman-like enough but possessed of wealth and power beyond the dreams of ordinary mortals and who have arrogantly anointed themselves as  moral guardians and executioners for the citizens of this big country. 

Sensing further the vanquished being subdued by their pre-emptive strikes, the rest of the herd approaches and circles in, ready to pounce and devour.  With their rhetoric one senses the obvious relish and pleasure in their countenances. They seem not able to get enough satisfaction in their acts of  relieving themselves of their  hateful lexicon.  They cannot help repeat themselves in cadence and like drones buzzing above.  They are all expecting to hand-deliver their own merciless coup de grace.

Ironic that all this is aimed and being delivered to one now so utterly hamstrung in most things invading hordes are noted to possess and are feared.  He has no despotic powers.  He has no militia or military, since we are assured they all are poised simply to stand down and not follow his commands even as he continues to hold the official trappings of his office.  He essentially has no meaningful powers left, save for his continued resort to at times volleys of  admittedly of fast and loose rhetoric.  We have seen that he cannot even muster control of the several departments under him. Much less of the party that cradled him and which he had liberally partnered with in his many accomplishments.

But just the same  the angry advocates and believers of  the other side continue to be  flabbergasted, for they cannot understand why Trump still has massive popular support from the common people.  And this is where their inordinate hatred and morbid fear of him emanate, even when he appears to stand solitary and helpless before the world.  Their fear is more than palpable, making them concoct more  possible actions and  subterfuges  to muzzle and  silence him.  In a manner which is not only total but thorough. They aim to remove his person, his memory, and any traces of him from the face of the earth. Of his present, past, and future.  Already from the early get-go they had promised to exhume his past business dealings, and all the legal claims against his person and his business after he leaves.  And for the future, they heatedly declare to bring against him impeachment papers and claims premised on the 25th Amendment which they had both previously brought before to naught to guarantee he does not have a future.  Many may find the absolute zaniness of such moves, given the superficiality and the proximity of the end to his first term.  All because, they are so afraid this beast may still not be contained and constrained by the manifold measures they already initiated and cooked up.

The perfunctory calls for unity from the declared victors are not really heedless, rather they have of necessity come to fruition by the lines drawn.  Yes, there is unity as we speak, but it is not the unity into one that has ensued, rather it is the unity of two possibly seething factions with lines clearly drawn to separate and estrange them for battle engagement. It is now between  us and the enemy within.  The patriots versus the domestic terrorists. That is now the world the US of A  lives in, inherited from the past actions inflicted against the republic by those whose fevered quest for power and influence know no bounds and limits.  What an upside-down world it is.  Those incorrigibly invested in the supreme self-righteousness of their causes whether honestly or willfully sourced will not be appeased or satisfied with anything less than total annihilation, including for those who have the hapless misfortune of casting their lot on the target. Out with the enemy lists, they shout from their gilded ramparts. Time for cleansing and re-education.

By the way, from the viewpoint of Catholics never in the country's history have the stars been so aligned.  It has a Supreme Court headed by a Catholic jurist, with about 5 or 6  justices out of 9 also Catholics.  The more numerous and powerful Lower House of Congress has a female head who is also Catholic. And .. tada, a president-elect who is not only Catholic, but devoutly so as publicly pronounced.  And who is tacitly favored by the Papacy. But does the domain reflect the peace, inclusiveness and universality the Church is vaunted for? And beyond that what about the congruence of the moral policies of the upcoming administration with the enduring and unchanging doctrines of the Church?  Judge for yourself.

Finally,  disheartened to note that  a good number of media pundits and amateur acolytes on social media who use such stringent and merciless rhetoric against this "sinner" are also  Catholics.

Lord, in your strict justice, please allow your mercy to shower and reign supreme!  For us all!

Trump One: Epilogue?

  

In the end the solitary outlier stood lonely amidst a desolate landscape, abandoned by many of his supposed allies.  And more wantonly condemned not only by his political adversaries, but also mocked in the harshest terms possible even by those who were nestled comfortably in their well-appointed and heated abodes, people who would not be caught voicing out any mild expletive against their loved ones.  Or we doubt raised voices and action in support of the hapless plight of their neighbors.  Avowed Christians and other religionists who would be wont to kneel before their gods pleading in the humblest of terms and modes for forgiveness of their own shortcomings and misdeeds. How so ironic, indeed.

But I do believe that the outlier continues to inhabit the higher ground, promising to guarantee a peaceful transition after the last nail to his pleadings has been driven through.  This to the utter dismay and consternation of his many detractors, and they are countless, who had wanted to witness violent physical harm done on him.  They would have adored that.  But no such luck.  Because now like it or not, after all the possible legal remedies opened to Trump have been explored and exploited, he has expressed his desire to follow through with the peaceful process.  As he had previously intended and expressed.  He continues to be adamant and will not accept the verdict, but he will submit himself to the peaceful process.

But was it all for naught?  From this point of view, not in the least.  Because of his efforts the following unseemly topics of conversation have been brought to the forefront, ugly and damning.  Whether for good or naught, will depend largely on the coming months and years.  BTW, count on him to continue being in the public limelight.  So to those who continue to be bothered by his presence, he will continue to be a thorn on the side. Include here the millions who will continue to be on his side, no matter how hard the powers that be try to silence them.

Now we know and we doubt any right-thinking person denies it, that electoral fraud has been a long-time housemate in the complicated electoral system.  The question simply is how big?  Given the known widespread extent, the very intuitive advanced technologies and schemes used, the unlimited resources deployed to engage and harness such nefarious plans, the many ways used by big tech to sway and censor opinions, that may be one formidable task. 

But this we are sure. Now we know about Dominion and Smartmatic electronic systems that have been in used in other parts of the world for clandestine purposes.  Now we know about how extensive and influential dark money has been deployed to manipulate elections, appealing and catering to man's innate love of money and greed.  Now we have timelessly seen and heard the very dark underbellies of US media and the affluent elites, in their biased partisanship inside their one big collective bubble.  Now we know that the US as a country is heading toward a very powerful big-government status, lorded over with one voice coming from a coterie of the high and powerful - media, big tech, Wall Street, academia, and yes, the Democratic Party.

Watch it as it is unfolding right now in your closest neighborhoods. Start with the most recent Georgia run-off Senate elections where many were surprised that the state suddenly turned blue.  Not when the same machinery and resources deployed during the last elections were similarly applied.  Now that power has control of both houses and the executive department. And if the projected plan to "pack " the Supreme Court finds reality, the levers of the three (3) levels of government will clearly be in the hands of that juggernaut. 

As they are wont to say when they want to change long-held and enduring standards and practices, we need to bring these novel things into our conversation.  So now, let the conversations begin. 

Trump After Trump

 

Wouldn’t it be artful irony, or even karmic revenge, if in the next four years Trump with his ubiquitous presence, memory, or as they say, his “antics”, would continue to reside in the inert wakefulness of all those who deride and loathe him?  Enjoying free and permanent lease inside their heads?  Though he typically wastes no time in responding to any criticism leveled at him, we know Trump has been masterful taking such unkind offerings in good stride.

It seems only fair for this to ensue.  After all the four years of the Trump presidency have been characterized by the numerous and incessant gauntlets thrown at him by his rabid opposition from all directions.  And not a single one stuck to convict him.

And no doubt whoever sits in the throne, the next four years will be one big truckload of daunting challenges from the resistant pandemic to the manifold global economic challenges. And at this stage, there is no discernible daylight at the end of the tunnel. Never mind the growing threats of bellicose intervention coming from the great powers. Failure therefore will be one calculated reality having a rightful place in any negotiating table, for those seated around it and tasked with the tough decisions to be made.

As we speak, even as they incessantly declare that Trump is in the dismal clutches of ignominious rebuffs on many legal fronts, he still is their main focus of criticism and derision, sparing no ink and paper in critique of a supposed gnat.  They seem not able to get enough of him.  And we know too well, how it is when thinking ill of another is one’s main preoccupation.  He who promotes it will likely suffer more than the target.  Such indignation will gnaw and eat away at the very core of those who promote them for a living.

And Trump, now emboldened by the solid following of half of the electorate will no doubt take chockfull advantage of that privilege.  Remember when he started his political life, even his own declared party did not accept him.  Even those who were socially allied disowned him.  This and what he had collectively accomplished prior to this debilitating pandemic, will no doubt accrue in his favor, giving him a sterling legacy to leave behind.  And overall, we no doubt will see that history will be kinder to this man.  It cannot be any other, given the facts as historical bases. It will be a depiction more reasonable and fair than what his many detractors are attributing to him now.

And in passing, we know they are all against Trump and whatever he was done.  Yet this late, we are still not seeing or knowing what exactly do they stand for.  Other than the lifelong devotion to the many narrow vested interests the unholy alliances of the cadre of oligarchs, tech elites, media pundits, even socialist anarchists, etc. are committed to and for which the public undoubtedly do not really care for or about.  Or if they do, they do not redound to any desirable benefit for them. The reason then, nobody is articulating what they stand for in terms of actual beneficial programs for the collective? 

And they have piously limited themselves to making motherhood statements about the good and welfare of the country, people, and politics.  All, white-wash paint sprayed on sepulchers!  Pregnant with verbosity, but very lean on actionable programs that could work.

Anyhow, all this will also pass into history, stowed in the past which will be forgotten by present generations.  But there will always be that hardy band of serious historians in the future who will exhume all this, if only to highlight the recidivist nature of man.  This 2020 election for all the hoopla it has generated will be most remembered for the massive and pervasive voter/electoral frauds inflicted on an aging system ripe for scavenging and/or collapse.  Unfortunately, the search for truth was not that sharp and keen to a languid generation weaned on instant gratification and satisfaction.  So let the sunlight shine another day! 

 

 

Braver New World: From Henceforward

 

In a grander display for the entire world to observe, the last 2020 US Presidential elections ushered in a world in politics never witnessed before, and quite unlike one has ever seen.

A most unique brand of power politics so far-reaching and powerful, no known competition could stand in its wake.  Unique also in its composition of players allied and conscripted for the sole purpose of victory for its causes.  Though it thought it had a good handle of it, in the end the opposition not only stood helpless, but stunned and stupefied not really knowing what hit them.  A brand of power politics so determined nothing was left off the table, whether legal or not, or less than honorable.

A political field that went beyond just two major parties duking it out, but most everybody engaged to play partisan politics in a very skewed or lopsided manner.  The traditional parties themselves were considered second-stringers, second-rate, and almost as minor players.  This was especially true with the Democratic Party which was allied with and was the designated sponsor to carry the banner of this very dominant force.

Who were the players involved in this game of power politics? A coterie of all the important and noteworthy sectors of this very rich and developed country.

In the 2016 derby, the same forces had been initially deployed, the very first time such was deployed, again with the Democratic Party candidate anointed to carry its banners.  Though formidable not only in finance but in following, still the outlier candidate of the other party won.  More because of the complacency of the left engendered by the very favorable odds given its choice. Nobody expected the outlier to win, thus the loss was even more stunning.

But in 2020, it was promised that victory would be assured by all means possible, or as they say, by hook or by crook.  And by crook indeed, it tried pouring their staggering millions into areas where they thought themselves weak.  Initial findings would suggest money alone was not sufficient to affect the results.  So we surmise extra-legal means could have been resorted toward their avowed ends.  After all money politics can easily sway or warp the moral senses of many. The massive mail-in and early voting schemes designed for this particular election, and executed by a number of states ruled by the party went into play.  Same with   hurried changes made on  election protocols to service and effectuate the new schemes deployed.   All these financed by easy money that flowed like a river.

What about trying to wrap our heads on all possible mind-blowing problems associated with the use of voting machines and software originating from shadowy places which are now front and center in the legal challenges now pending and being adjudicated?

 

 

 

 

 

Distilled Thoughts Wafting Above the Fray

 

 

 1.      As clear as day one continues to notice that when you own and control media, you pretty much determine the narratives you create and propagate to your captive  viewers/readers for your own ends.    And this, not only in your home country but everywhere else where you have enviable presence and reach. Such stupendous powers!

2.      Except that at times your detestable opposition steers away from the reservation with its own unacceptable narratives.  Thus like it or not, you as potent media is forced to address and dismiss those wayward narratives, and this upends your well-planned and regular programming.

3.     Under the current US election, the media readily jumped the gun (as to whether they had good premonition or they already foreknew the results, who knows?) by proclaiming its choice and demanding everybody else accept and move on, this even before the end of counting was in sight.  BTW, one could refute that this is such unexplained or willful shortsightedness of what happened exactly 20 years ago.

4. Expectedly , the other side balked, and worse, challenged not just the premature coronation, but it also boldly declared massive voter fraud, not in one isolated area but in several states, mostly hotly-contested battleground states.  Thus, legal challenges were filed and the process is churning as we speak.

5.     The neatly-massaged scenario depicted by media had some easy ride not only locally but even globally (quite a heavy dose of early congratulatory messages from eclectic sources), and thus the celebratory and transition moves common in presidential elections continued on.  And we surmise comforted in the assured hope that pushing it deep into the process of installing a new president any  drastic change to the presumptive outcome later would be not only be one gargantuan task, but would be expected  to elicit great howls of protest from those who orchestrated the whole promotion.

6.     In a concerted scheme to demonize Trump and his side, media is in full blitz making sure that any move Trump and his allies make or even hint is condemned with haste and dispatch as the work of utter evil and subterfuge.  Thus, like the 4 years of the Trump administration, the report will be that the only thing consistent with Trump is that everything he does is bad and evil, not a shred of decency or goodness in them.  For all intents and purposes and more, he is the devil incarnate.

7.     It must appear to be so because it seems that everybody in media is on the same page and echoes the same dreary sentiments.

8.     The only obstructing monkey wrench to all this is this discernible observation.  How come many of the Christian religious groups, even lay Catholic organizations, are one in support of amoral Trump and not the other candidate who wastes no opportunity to declare himself as a devout Catholic?  And these groups truly and really are praying and pleading that a miracle be forthcoming from the Almighty so Trump can continue with his accustomed tasks?  And mind you, not loudly protesting, rioting, or worse, looting, or hurting law enforcement and those who represent law and order, just peaceably gathering and praying. First, why a miracle?  Because they proclaim Trump is facing formidable dark forces gathered with the sinister intent to end good moral virtues and liberties that the practice of religion has enjoyed in the country.

9.     Second, why a miracle?  That on his own Trump, the flawed and weak human being, cannot prevail against the formidable forces of the enemy.  A Jericho would have to be repeated.   Let the walls come crumbling down!

10.But silently waiting in the wings, my puny and inconsequential existence, like that of a lowly fly on the wall, waits with bated breath.

11.And as if these were not enough, the world is still reeling having to contend with the pandemic scourge that continues to wreak untold havoc.  Surely, the world must be paying for what it has done.  Scores of uncertainties for these indeterminate times!

12.Read about an avid conservative who declared that people want Trumpism but without Trump in it.  Therefore, a caricature of the flawed and unwanted hero.  The shadowy gunslinger of the movies, who is grudgingly engaged to clean a dirty town.  But once done, is summarily pushed out of the way to ride into the sunset.

13.Some call for Trump to indeed ride into the sunset, resting comfortably in the thought that he produced the best ever first administration of a US president, arguably better than any of recent memory.  A singular feat with no comparison!

14.However it ends, people have already written a virtual epitaph, or whatever, of Trump.  I penned a longish one a bit earlier.

 

In Memoriam:  Donald J. Trump

Written: October 2, 2020, Friday (The day Trump tested positive with Covid19)

 

Big print media outlets are noted for their unacknowledged practice of preparing before-hand for all possible results in important contests, elections, games, to assure speedy publication of their copies once results are in. Getting a leg up over the competition, in a manner of speaking.  Thus, for example, headline banners are printed before-hand to document all possible results. An illustration of very recent vintage was the one where certain news-magazines already had their intended covers for next issues timed right after election for the expected assured win of Hillary in 2016.  Another more classical instance was the Dewey Beats Truman headline, that was actually leaked and released to the public.  A victorious Truman had been shown in pictures holding up that false headline after his win, with a big grin on his face.

Anyway you get the point.  This is no prophesy by any stretch, just trying to cover all bases.

My purpose in a macabre sort of way is similar.  Because however things spin, one is confident that it could be either this, or Trump Wins Re-election For 2020.   Why this kind of weird dichotomy?  In a morose sort of way one could imagine that a good number on the other side are aching for the above headline to be the reality they wake up to one morning from a night of restless tossing and turning. (Not envisioning any more, since we have heard/read similar voices already.)

There was never been in memory, and maybe even in US history books, where a president has been so criticized, reviled, investigated, derided and ridiculed, and condemned for practically everything that he has ever done or imagined in his administration.  Forcing the labored conclusion that there is a creeping sense that he had not done a single good thing in his entire administration.  Thus, in that scorched-earth campaign of destruction nothing is off limits, including his hair and style, and the expenses associated with it. So overwhelmingly fettered with negative criticism that one also could sense that the entire country was going to the dogs.  Many measures however point to the contrary.

But people either consciously or unconsciously are missing or omitting the sterling peaks that he has allowed the country to reach in his short stint.  True, the many lows in his life, mostly prior to his presidency, could fill a small room.  The many elite institutions in the country have been making sure that those low points are always front and center in any media discussion. One cannot name any elite sector of society that is on his side, from academe, to media, to all the political classes, the big-tech companies, the bigwigs of Wall Street, not even the affluent society that he is considered belonging to.  That combined enmity could possibly be the reason for his mystique and power derived from popular support, and a rendering of his rise to political power could be the key to understanding him and his administration.

No question Trump comes from the very affluent, and in many circles, reviled, class in US society.  The One Percenters!  All his life he knew no other kind of life, so we can say, he was one born with a silver spoon.  A profligate and hedonistic kind of life came and mingled seamlessly with his lifestyle and business dealings.  Multiple marriages, many girlfriends, uncouth manners, bully-like in some respects, etc.  He continually spoke of things political  though such exposition came solicited  because of who he was and what he did as a public persona; but he never engaged in it, simply dropping hints about making a run.  All of his life he had straddled political lines showing moral and financial support on both sides, and more.  You get the picture.

All of a sudden and out of nowhere, he decides to enter politics under the Republican Party, known traditionally as the rich man’s party.  He could not have entered in an inopportune time as any God-fearing pollster would have advised, wading into a very crowded field of heavy-hitters and in the mire of very chaotic politics overall.  But he did.  Though no serious-thinking “pundit” or intellectual gave him a spitting chance of winning.  He won both the primaries and the actual election and handily, if we may add to it.  So, why?

Now in hindsight most everybody prognosticates that it was because of his populist stance and programs.  Make America Great Again!  So he was lifted up by the unlikely support of those who were not even of his own kind and class. It is bruited about that he was able to tap into their collective angst as the forgotten Americans, the middle class and those in the fly-over states.

For whatever currency one may assign to that, we have to confess and admit that he had in his winning accomplished a tremendous feat not realized in recent US history.  He made fools of all the experts and pundits who mocked, ridiculed, and laughed at him as one completely not having an iota of chance of winning.  That alone in the books of many would have made him short of being a cult hero, able to magnetize and energize great followings.  But the truth is that the ugly reverse of all of that would be all he ever got.

Unfazed, he started his work of governance, not minding the magpie-like noises from the chattering classes that were not only relentless, but incessant and unyielding.  More than making noises, the gathered opposition threw everything at him, including the kitchen sink and then some.  And a committed opposition one could not imagine could happen had galvanized – from the unappeased Democratic losers, to the unrequited media, to the suddenly out of the closet Deep State operatives that we now learn were given free rein to rain havoc on the incumbent administration.

First, let us count in summary some of the high peaks in his fledgling administration.

He was able to bring down unemployment in a very dramatic fashion, pushed by the quick actions on deregulating the economy from past restrictions that hobbled it all these years.  And the unemployment improvements crossed all boundaries, affecting all sectors of the labor force.  Nothing like it had been seen before in US economic history.

For the first time in decades he made the US energy independent, releasing it from its dependency on foreign oil.  The country’s economic engine was going full bore and markets were soaring.  MAGA was on its way to fulfillment.

In the world, Trump sought quickly to upset the status quo, which encrusted condition had put unfair and unnecessary burdens to the homeland.  The spoiler rose to action, with his detractors projecting a world of chaos and division because of such just demands.  But no such thing happened, at least nothing that could not be massaged and placated.  Thus, on many occasions he brought China to the table to level the playing field on trade.  Another historic first with China, in tandem with the North Korean side issue. And with regional trade agreements, he was able to negotiate better terms with other nations, like Canada, and Mexico.  And with regard to NATO member nations, he got them to pay their fair shares for the maintenance of the organization in which traditionally the bigger burden had been shouldered by the US.  Yes, he also got out of the Paris Climate Change accord for good reasons and in favor of US interests.  Iran learned that this was a no-nonsense president as walked out of the accord inked by the previous administration.  And more.

What about the stances and actions he had advocated and executed in other areas like sovereignty and the border, morality and health, law and order, the military, etc.?

Based on his stances, he is one who is Pro-Police, thus pro-law and order, and not for riots and anarchy.  Pro-Life, taking positions for limiting the runaway abortion rights legislated additionally after Roe Vs Wade. In short, pro-country, pro-America, as it has stood all these years from its founding.

All these he accomplished early in his first term.  But why so early? Did he use a magic wand (as the previous president joked about) to accomplish them?  I doubt that.  The simple answer is that he was the only president who had the political will to do all these unpalatable things that past Admins avoided.  He simply deregulated, so the means used were always there but none used them as he did.  Ergo, nothing extraordinary and out of thin air, just the will to do them.  And that he did, with ease and dispatch.

That is the secret of his successes, and probably the reason why he is so derided and loathed.  He showed current politicians and those in the past how easy it was to move the country forward.

No doubt, the MAGA juggernaut was underway.  But China had to get in the way to mess things up. For the pandemic like afternoon fog suddenly came and wiped out many of those hard-earned gains.  Imagine if those gains had not been garnered prior, where would the US be during this pandemic? No doubt worse.

But in spite of that and as the pandemic raged, his workload never slackened nor diminished.  And he fought hard and fierce like the way he had lived his life, with dogged determination and passion.  And to a certain extent, with abandon. And in the end it was the Chinese scourge that felled him.

And for that it was China who could possibly claim him for the kill, as well as for the almost a million people in the globe who perished because of China’s neglect.  And his enemies in the end who no doubt relished the thought of eradicating him from his position never got the chance and enjoyment for that.  And I use the word, enemies, with full intent and purpose for they were truly not just detractors but enemies in every sense of the word. In a real way then, they never got the chance or pleasure to “break any bone in him”.

Godspeed, for you fought the fight and at 74 years lived a life as full and fruitful as any man could wish, and more, attaining the highest public position in the land while also garnering temporal success in the business world.

We must all die so regrets have no place here, maybe just pining for reckoning of those who had willfully and unfairly maligned your person, name, and the things you did for your country.

Lastly, not to worry you left the country on the rightful path, for surely VP Mike Pence and the millions who followed you will honor your passing by continuing your work for you in your self-same manner and diligence.

Go and enjoy the fruits of the things you did for God and country!

DISCLAIMER:  Reality typically being unmindful of  people's wishes, this sick foretelling was not to be.  And it is a big relief.

 

From Possible Elegy to Resurgence

 

There is a way to effectively stem the ugly slide of the US into some kind of authoritarian state, away from the time-honored democratic processes envied by others.  And the time is opportune.  At this juncture, the country is in the midst of huge legal challenges filed against the presidential electoral results, serious claims of massive voter fraud perpetrated against the system.  Already we are reading of early changes in vote counts being made, due to “glitches”.

It is the right time to harness the colossal number of about 72 million freedom-loving people who earnestly voted for Trump.  And one can surmise that this number has to be right and truly represents legitimate voters and citizens.  Not manufactured ones alleged to have been brought in to stymie the freedoms of citizens to freely select their leaders.  This group is understandably angered and desires immediate redress.

This group may not have the tremendous financial clout and influence as the fearsome array of coastal elites who are alleged to have been party to this.  But it does have the number and muscle.  And the power of righteousness on its side. Thus, it is not just coincidental that most Christian religious groups are on the same side.  Even the Catholics, though visibly its highest hierarchy appears lost and confused, voted in great numbers for this side.   By some accounts, as much as 62%.

This alleged fraud is not the first, but only the latest among many inflicted on the democratic processes that the country had laboriously installed and revered all these years. Upon reflection, it may have seriously started or popped into the open with Obama harnessing and weaponizing IRS against conservative groups and nothing much was done by way of redress and responsibility.  Whatever happened to Lois Lerner?

Then they brought in groundless and unfair legal and political challenges, including the attempted coup with members of the Deep State in alliance to depose of candidate Trump and then president Trump.  Think Operation Crossfire Hurricane.  Steele dossier.  FISA warrants.  Mueller special counsel. Etc. The Democratic Party and its muscled allies in media had relentlessly but unsuccessfully made Trump go through those unsubstantiated hoops during his 4 years in office, and even prior to it, putting the serious business of running the country aside and in jeopardy.    

So it appears to be about time to let this come to a boil.  And confront the dark forces that have been wreaking havoc to the system with impunity.

Time to confront overwhelming force with formidable force. To defend and preserve a country born from blood and fire anyway.

“An army of youth flying the standards of Truth,

We're fighting for Christ the Lord.

Heads lifted high, …..”

An Elegy to the US of A?

 

Regardless how the US Presidential election will eventually be resolved, this much many will have to agree.

From henceforward, the country now knows and has to contend with an official and unofficial Democratic Party that has over the 4 years mushroomed beyond the political sphere and even extending past the country’s boundaries.  Its reach, financial power, and influence have now become so extensive and commanding that one could say that there is no force, for good or evil, on earth like it.  Practically all the consequential forces in the country are now aligned with it, from all sectors of media, academia, Wall Street, big tech, the oversized government bureaucracy and its administrative state, down to stealthy but destructive fringe groups with criminal intent on their agenda.   Now it is hinted that even the top brass in the military may also be aligned with them. The succeeding months may disclose more.

Overall, will this unholy coalition hold?  Or do we wait for the next earth-shaking fissure?

This has of course been exacerbated by a Republican party that is not only weak, but dis-united, and only tepidly committed to its supposedly noble purposes.

I see only certain Christian church groups who have shown cohesiveness amidst intense challenges and are ardently committed to supporting those that promote their pious altruistic purposes.  Exclude the Catholic Church since it appears in its hierarchy to be ambivalent in pursuing its unchanging teachings and doctrines, and would rather compromise and befriend anybody and everybody else all in the name of world peace. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!  – from very extreme late-term abortion rights regulations, to fetus parts harvesting and sale, to more curtailment of religious liberties (the Poor Sisters will definitely be made poorer, again), to continued persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in a country the Church cozies up to, while essentially pushing aside its own moral depravity issues.  

This group’s ardor and fervor notwithstanding, this support is still essentially devoid of ample temporal powers to throw around issues and causes.

Lest we forget, excepted from the initial listing above are the countless men and women who dared personal peril and ridicule to give support to Trump in his many enthused meetings and rallies.  The “forgotten” people in fly-over states and from quaint old places tucked in many underserved nooks and crannies of the huge country, who had earnestly thought that they had finally their own man in the WH.  Did they attain the critical mass to bring their man to the finish line?  We will soon have at least an inkling if indeed dark forces tried to thwart and stifle their voices collected in the drab ballot boxes of their places.

In a very real way, Trump was responsible for all this coming together because he threatened the status quo for all those dominant potentates.

There is no doubt also that whatever power and influence the Republican party has retained and/or acquired in this election, the credit goes to Trump.  So in a very real way his sojourn to the WH if it ends abruptly had been one big success.  But only to those who see the world, the same way he does.

All this will be added to a lot more “fundamental changes” as the new overlords reap more power and influence, and consolidate all gains for the ushering in of a new vision. Their calibrated version of a new America.

An America quite different and estranged from the old one envisioned and promulgated by its now- irrelevant founding fathers.  An America that many wide-eyed immigrants treasured in their minds when they started their longed-for sojourn in the New World.  Maybe in a superficial manner, they are reminded of hardy pioneer families toiling in the verdant forests and coddling fastnesses of a new world, of rowdy cowboys and loud Indians cavorting and playing with real lives and bullets in the almost limitless plains.  Or in a serious mien, they reflected on hopeful dreams of unfettered lives enjoying religious liberties and freedom, of freely exercising traits of exceptionalism, ingenuity, and inventiveness.  Of overall progress and development, as to become the pride and envy of the entire world.  In fine, of producing the noblest and greatest social experiment the world has known!

The new cabal will try with all its new-found might to bring in the new morning of a new dawning.  A country drifting toward a very secular and godless state, governed and controlled by more centralized entities with tremendous powers.  Paying homage to politics devoid of moral conscience and boundaries, made more easily possible by the slow obsolescence of dissent.  Big Media truly becoming the embodiment of Big Brother, slyly and relentlessly beating on people to toe the line, in both mind and action.

These likely to ensue changes limited only by the naked greed and avarice of the new ruling classes, fueled by new wealth concentrated on fewer and fewer individuals.

                                                     000000000000000

A funny last twist before ending, on the way to the forum.  In elections past, there was never any instance I can recall when the other political however fringe parties were not given some however condescending or inconsequential, attention by media.  What happened to the Libertarian Party, the Green Party, Socialist, Reform, etc.?  

This time around, complete radio silence from our quite occupied media.  What happened to woke inclusivity?

Still On A Crescendo: Anti-Trump Sentiments – October 26. 2020 - Monday

 

 

 

I always quiver in wonderment, though also saddened at times, when I open media in the Internet where almost daily I get all my information about the world.  There is still the increasing crescendo of anti-Trump criticism that has seen no abatement this late in the game, but has instead intensified and toughened each new day.  And this emanating from all sources, both from supposedly friendly and clearly hostile, from friends and even relatives to committed partisans, from most of the elite establishments in the US and in most of the globe to bored or maybe tepid-minded social media consumers who cannot help themselves trying to get some kind of mileage with a brusque kind of talk.

But the exception I believe has come from religious, particularly Christian, communities that have expressed kind words to him, not for his person or personality, but for what he has done for Christianity.  And they have responded not just with typical platitudes, but by collective prayers and contemplation.  Two of any faith’s greatest tools for support and strength.  Notably and sadly missing from this has been pronouncements from the Catholic hierarchy, save for a splintered few who have been unequivocal for their support.  Some Catholic quasi-religious groups have even articulated in labored rhetoric why it would be okay to not vote for Trump, and vote instead for one who is Catholic in name but clearly anti-Catholic in rhetoric and stance, and whose party would limit even further the already constricted religious liberties.

It was no surprise then that when I opened to read one of my sources for daily devotionals, these terse passages below jumped to my attention.

Excerpted from the book, Jesus Christ The Son of God, Rev. Alban Goodier, SJ, who served as Archbishop of Hierapolis (Turkey).  Written in the 1920’s.

By way of introduction, the author writes about all the people who participated in the conspiracy to finally put Jesus to his crucifixion.  From the crowd of ordinary and meek people, to the high priests who sat in judgment, to the temporal and secular rulers both domestic and foreign.  This as a matter of explanation for the alignment and coming together of very disparate groups, bent only on one thing.  Dispose of Jesus Christ!

“And it is easily understood.  For what is any crowd but a mass of ignorance, wandering in the dark and in confusion, made weaker by its very strength, since the greater its number the greater must be the babel of tongues to which it is compelled to listen?”

“What is it but a huge dependent force, unable to act for itself by the very independence of its units, dependent on any power that can master it, and by it led one way or another, little enough by any choice of its own entirely, or almost entirely, under the sway of him that dominates it?” 

The collective crowd made weaker by its very strength!

Which crowd has become a dependent force by the very independence of the various units.  The independence of supposedly enlightened groups made dependent on an outside force.

The final question to ask is who or what is the force that holds the sway and dominates this frenzied crowd?

The Binary Nature of things.

The yin and yang of things.  Good or Bad.  In or Out. This or That. Love or Hate.  Words or Action.  Hard to think of unitary things in this world.

Yet because of the binary nature of things, we are always making choices between at least two things.   If we are prudent and wise, good choices are those when we earnestly weigh all with the critical eye of picking those that benefit us or the commonweal, or are the least harmful to us.

That is our lot.  But do we always take the prudent and wise route in making our choices?

During election cycles we are again confronted with having to make choices.  How do we fare?

In my virtual travels, these are the relevant observations.

In US politics, countless times and words are devoted detailing all the shortcomings and deficiencies of the incumbent, as the primary reason for not voting for him.  Well and good, but we know that is only half of it.   The other half is the other choice.  How come not a single complementary word about that choice?  Not a single reason why he would be a good choice?  Always think binary, folks!   The only way to go to have informed choices.

Following in the same vein, the detractors of the incumbent are always exploring and parsing his supposed statements to uncover for gotcha moments.  And for a person who undoubtedly and unequivocally always “speaks his mind” there is a treasure trove to be mined.  But again that is only the half of it.  The other more significant aspect is his actions which are all out in the open and are provable.  So if one must criticize, pick on that and not what he is supposed to have uttered, especially in private and in confidence.

Imagine if there are many of us who incessantly “speak our mind” and we are always taken seriously every time, many of us would be jailed or killed, or at the very least condemned or ostracized.  We know our minds have minds of their own and will race whichever ways they are allowed.  But we do typically control our runaway minds and act only on things that typically are socially and morally acceptable in society.  And we are judged based on that.  Ever heard of somebody being sentenced for thinking lustful thoughts about another?  Or one who had thought of killing somebody because of what that person has done to him?

 

One Of A Kind: Presidency of Trump

Last night prior to sleep, something I had viewed earlier triggered my still-humming mind to revisit the US 2016 presidential election which highlighted to the world the almost-impossible win of Trump against the overwhelming forces of his competitor, the latter exhibiting overpowering favorable odds in the political and financial spheres.  So compelling nobody even thought Trump could win, but win he did.

Anyway, just realized that more than what we know was stacked against Trump, we need to add the entire machinery of the vaunted US intelligence community, plus the premier law enforcement agency (the FBI), which both we are slowly and grudgingly learning, were weaponized and unleashed against Trump, not only during the hotly-contested campaign, but even through the years of his administration.

Yet he still stands.  And if we are a people of faith, we have to believe that some unknown but unrelenting force must be behind Trump to enable him to surmount all the challenges he has been through and which he continues to face.  It has to come to this for us, how else to explain this phenomenon.

But looking at him, I do see unmistakable signs of the stresses that he must be going through.  He now looks hunched and looking physically older, which not even a heavily-padded suit could hide.

So I just hope that he is able to survive these next few months until the November reelection vote, against the monstrous array, which has displayed no limits and boundaries, lined up against him, with definitely redoubled efforts and resources to guarantee the last result is not repeated.

If he has survived because he has been singularly blest by the forces of righteousness, again people of faith have to hopefully entreat that Trump does not disappoint by not making it to the finish line.  Yes, and that would be after the election and his win.  I am confident the steady and hardy VP he has chosen is sufficiently equipped to carry on with his legacy if there needs be.

But he needs to win again.  So the virtuous things wrought will not all be for naught.

In this contest we know exactly what the other side is against.  They are collectively against Trump and what he represents, and the loathing is very palpable.  But what are they for?

Based on what Trump and his administration has done and continues to do, we know exactly what he stands for.  He is pro-Life.  Pro-God. Pro-Religion. Pro-Police.  Pro-Military.  For peace and order.  For economic progress for all.  For fair trade and commerce.   Etc.  What else?

Law Enforcement and the Military in the US

I have long known that many of our FilAm compatriots are quite active politically, with some quite vocal about their political leanings in their new homeland.

As further information to be sifted in arriving at more-rounded political decisions, I have also long harbored the idea of suggesting to them the unusual request as hypothesized below.

Two very dominant sectors in American society are the law enforcement community and the military hierarchy and their command.  Beyond anything else, entry in both sectors is voluntary since all the members signed up on their own volition.  And the typical and primary reason for joining these organizations with very hazardous tasks has been the ardent desire to serve the country and the people, by providing and maintaining peace and security.  Everything else appears secondary.  So we can surmise that we have there a good number of hardy and patriotic citizens, with the best interests of the country in their hearts and minds 

These are big sectors, the military comprising of about 1.5 million people from active and reserve categories, and law enforcement totaling about 700K members.  All in their productive years and prime voters, so forming quite a formidable constituency.  And it will be noted many from the military cross over to law enforcement

All of them under the strict control and command of the highest executive officer of the political unit they belong to, whether the mayor of the city, the governor of the state, or the president of the country.  They are all necessary tools of the executive department of the political unit in the discharge of its duties, and as such needless to say, they have to be above politics, especially partisan politics.  They cannot be otherwise given the very sensitive relationship they possess with the corresponding city executive.

Still we are sure deep down, they do have their political ideologies and their choices of candidates that best exemplify their noblest goals.  Choices we surmise informed by their intimate contacts or interaction with their executive leaders.

One wonders then how many of our compatriots have family members, or other relatives, or simply close acquaintances who are connected or may have previously served under any of the two groups?  It would be nice to suggest to them to find out from them what and how they feel about the current politics.  They could be reticent about it given its delicate nature, but one is confident that the conversation being premised in confidence, they would be coaxed into revealing their thoughts.

It would be quite revealing to find out what the results are, and maybe quite divergent from the pictures mainstream media has been painting.

No rush.  But do try to find out.   And ask clarifying questions about their choices. 

Oligarchy in the 21st Century

 Unable to present credentialed bona fides, I take a rather simplistic and layman approach to the issue of oligarchy which hot topic has been trending not only locally by even in places like the US.

First of all, I take oligarchy simply to mean rule and influence of a few over others.  For simplicity’s sake, currently I take it to encompass four major areas, political oligarchy, economic oligarchy, academic oligarchy and media oligarchy.  The four do not necessarily reside in the same group, though invariably these vested interests are in close cooperation and share common interests.  And are deeply bound by affinity and unanimity of anointed goals and ideologies.

With this kind of generalized premise, we find this unholy situation in most parts of the globe, however shallow or deep in their stages of development certain places are.

In their numbers, we can identify and sort the many-flavored elitist groups that hold collective power and sway in the realm of business and government, and the polity.  They define their respective turf, enhance and fortify them, and wage battles over each other when threatening moves are made over their defined spheres of rule.

When certain members of one particular group are eliminated or curtailed, others take their place.  The powerless, non-minded and disjointed majority are left as awed spectators to observe and take sides to get their yeoman share of the crumbs thrown around.  They curry favors from these masters, unable to marshal forces and resources to fend for or survive on their own.  Sometimes they follow or are led blindly, fed with convoluted narratives that when exposed are divorced from realities and deleterious to their own common interests.

And this is basically how we find the world today since as far as memory allows.  And the cycle goes on and on, and unbroken.