Strangers in the Night

[H2O Man]

“America cannot understand the Middle East, because America did not understand Malcolm X.”
Dick Gregory, 1980



Yesterday, CNN reported that tensions are growing between John Bolton and Mike Pompeo. The two are apparently competing to see who has more influence on foreign policy. The only thing they seem to agree upon is in regard to the aggressive stance towards Iran.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/22/politics/tensions-rise-between-pompeo-and-bolton/index.html

It's a strange and dangerous time in the United States, which translates into a tense situation within the global community. Bolton and Pompeo are taking advantage of Trump's being obsessed with the investigations by Democrats I the House, to try to insure another war in the Middle East. Attacking Iran has long been Bolton's wet dream, while Pompeo appears focused on the tendency of the American public to support a president in times of war.

It is fair to assume the majority of the world is not counting on Donald Trump to provide sanity to this insane situation. In the past 48 hours, we have witnessed the behaviors I described previously on this forum, regarding how a sociopath acts out when under extreme pressure. Although I find myself laughing out loud at some of the rant clips on the news, I know that it really isn't funny.

One good thing, however, is that the US population is being exposed to a variety of voices of truth and reason. It was unethical to place Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court. Yet the public was able to hear from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Now, it's true the republicans in the Senate refused to hear her, but the majority of Americans did. The 2018 elections are proof of that.

http://time.com/5415027/christine-blasey-ford-testimony/

Republicans in DC are pretending that they can't hear Nancy Pelosi's concerns about the Mueller Report. Some in the media say that the report didn't move public opinion. Odd, a Fox survey showed that over 50% of their viewing audience believe that Trump is lying about the report. I am confident that the “undecided” and “independent” voters are hearing Speaker Pelosi's voice.

Even within the Democratic Party, we are hearing new voices. Early in the 2018 primary season, I opted to support a little-known candidate who was challenging incumbent Rep. Joseph Crowley, the Democratic Caucus Chair. Her message made some in our party, though not in her district, uncomfortable. But she not only won the primary and general election, but she has inspired and provided a voice for many people who normally feel excluded from “politics.” She has quickly become a national voice of conscience, and is able to coordinate with Speaker Pelosi remarkably well.

Most Americans eventually came to recognize that our last official war in the Middle East – when Dick Cheney and George Bush ordered the military invasion of Iraq – was not a “cake-walk.” Fewer are aware of the current extent of US involvement in that region of the world. Our history in that area – including with Iran – isn't good. But we do have voices, old and new, discussing the need to adjust some of our policies that are not working. I do not see the leaders of Saudi Arabia as “better” than those of Iran. I'm horrified at what is happening in Yemen. Syria, too. So I'm glad that Ilhan Omar is serving in the House of Representatives.

There are a lot of good voices on CNN and MSNBC. That doesn't mean every host and guest, of course, but there is real value there. I'm mainly grateful for those at the grass roots level who are stepping up and saying, “This is not normal, nor will we allow it to become normalized.” This country needs to listen.

There are people that we need to have speaking on a larger platform..A great example is Angela Rye. She is the exact type of voice we need being heard on college campuses across the country. Her powerful voice can help us win not only the White House in 2020, but control of the Senate and numerous state and local offices.

There are other people that must talk. That includes Robert Mueller …..in a public hearing. The media is reporting that he prefers to meet behind closed doors with Congress, with a transcript to be released later. I easily understand why he believes the public hearings, with their five minute segments, often involve political theater. Then help us put that nonsense in check, Mr. Mueller. It's more important right now that you speak to the public, and this is the designated forum. Step up to the plate.

There are some voices that are toxic. Donald Trump is the most obvious example. I keep thinking of his former associates, Michael Cohen and Donny Deutsch, saying Trump will not go willingly. I don't trust either of them on much of anything, except for how unstable and dangerous Trump is. They know that Trump is capable of calling upon groups like the “union million man militia” for protection.

Finally, among the many voices we need to hear more from today are those who contributed to forensic psychiatrist Dr. Bandy Lee's 2017 book, “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump.” There are the works of 27 mental health professionals who warn of the “clear and present danger” that Trump poses to the nation. I'll speculate that none would venture that Trump transforms into a calm, extremely stable genius under great pressure. I know that some of the Democrats in DC have met with Dr. Lee and other experts about this. It shows in the way Speaker Pelosi has been kicking his ass since she again became Speaker of the House.

Have a good weekend!
H2O Man

[Dennis Donovan]

1. Pat, we live in times that I can't recall being so dangerous in my lifetime

...and I'm only 53.

[H2O Man]

2. Yeah, we do.

No question about it. I'm sure that Speaker Pelosi is sincere when she says that she is praying for our country. I don't think she is "just playing politics."

[Dennis Donovan]

4. That statement from her made me think...

...we're in deep.

[H2O Man]

10. Exactly.

She saw something in that three minutes that really disturbed her. I'll speculate that it was even worse than his picking people around the room to confirm how darned calm he has been. And that alone should be disturbing to everyone. It should motivate them, too.

[Dennis Donovan]

11. Schumer felt the same way

...so there's two humans who saw something so disturbing from our POTUS that they needed to warn us.

They're the adults in the room, and they're clamoring for exits. Just when I planned a quiet Memorial Day weekend.

[H2O Man]

15. I think that

Trump said something about getting revenge on his enemies.

[malaise]

3. Excellent post

Have a great weekend

[H2O Man]

7. Thank you!

If the weather holds, I'll be out working on my lawn and garden. And flower gardens. If it's raining, then I'll be reading and ranting here!

[malaise]

12. It's raining here

at last. We are delighted.

[H2O Man]

16. Rain is good.

I'm glad that it's raining there.

A large section of my lawn is still a swamp. It's mainly the part that lies between the usual swamp near my pond. I've gotten stuck a couple of times while mowing it. Thankfully, my younger son has stopped by and mowed most of it for me.

[Karadeniz]

5. Thank you for your clear thinking!

[H2O Man]

8. Thank you!

(It's not often clear inside my head!)

[smirkymonkey]

6. Thanks H2O Man.

Great post. I am glad we get the opportunity to hear from a variety of voices, but most of the people that need to hear them aren't tuning in or listening. However, we can only hope that those undecided will be listening and influenced.

Good to hear from you. I always love your thoughtful posts.

Have a great holiday weekend!
Best.

[H2O Man]

9. Valid point.

There are numerous issues at play involving communications. That's why, for example, Mr. Mueller needs to speak publicly. A lot of people don't read, especially long reports or transcripts. But they do listen to clips on the news. And there are still others who do ot see any connection between "politics" and their daily lives, and still others who feel helpless in terms of being part of much needed change. That's a problem the Democrats need to keep addressing.

I hope to be spending a lot of the weekend in my rose gardens. If I get good results this year, I'll get one of my children to help me post some pictures.

[coeur_de_lion]

13. A few weeks ago you said

"Be confident unless and until I say we shouldn't be."

Has that time come?

I don't like what I see from Malcolm Nance.

WARNING: We are in grave danger. Trumps says he declassified all allied intelligence fm FBI, GCHQ, MI6, AVID & ASIS for AG Barr to get revenge. This is the end of the 5-EYES relationship. No one will EVER share intelligence with us again. #Imoeach to Save our Nation’s Security.

Are we in grave danger? Why do you suppose Mueller is copping out?

You know I'm on a self imposed break from social media. I was so delighted with Pelosi's performance against trump that I took an interest again. Then I took it a bit far and freaked myself out again.

Do I need to go stick my head back in the sand?

I'm just beyond ready for some GOOD news. And I may escape the internet completely until it happens.

[H2O Man]

14. Good points and questions.

Oh, I'm still confident. I recognize that this is the most important issue of this era, and ranks about as high in the nation's history as the Civil War. No question in my mind.

Years ago, former heavyweight champion George Foreman talked about something he saw when he was a young contender. Smokin' Joe Frazier was in his first fight with top contender Jerry Quarry. Their first round ranks with the best ever, with both men landing heavy punches. At the end of the round, from hi ringside seat, George watched Joe walking back to his corner. George told of how Joe hit himself in the head couple of times, grinning.

Joe wasn't doing that for the audience. George knew that Joe thoroughly enjoyed a tough fight, and said that made him less eager to fight Joe right away. We need to bring forth our inner Smokin' Joe.

This is a tough, sometimes frustrating struggle. If we were to use the model of a mobile ober an infants crib, we'd conclude someone smacked the mobile, because several pieces are swinging in strange ways. But the federal courts are beginning to deliver. (This, of course, has upset the cringy, whining brat in the crib, and he has removed his diaper and is pissing and shitting on the mattress and floor.)