A new name for everything bad

"Putin is a world class war criminal, and he is still on the loose in Europe. Will he be the turd in the punchbowl going forward? Could be - and that would be bad for all of us."     

I guess the term "war" for only being three letters long, has turned into a four-letter word. How so? Even though we are at war, we will not call it a war. In our country, the Iranian War is called something else - like an operation or something. I guess that is a way to skirt around some of the legal nuances of the War Powers Act. But we are not the only country who is using synonyms for war - so is Russia.

The current war in Ukraine, which is the bloodiest Euro event since the end of WWII, is not called a war by Putin. It is called an SVO, or SMO - which stands for Special Military Operation. Now before anybody hits the "so what" button, let me explain why this is such a big "so what". The intelligence sources by our allies in NATO are blinking bright red warning lights right now. A well-founded rumor has Russia sending out a communication to its armed forces to prepare for another SMO in the near term. However, the rumor also has it that communication was pulled down as it might have gone to an audience which should not have received it.

Putting that aside, the Euro intelligence services are still certain that Russia's intent is to harass NATO countries using this new "hybrid" type of war. Cyber-attacks, drone incursions, violation of NATO air space by Russia military jets - everything which could lead up to a hot war (or SMO) but not cross that threshold. But some analysts believe that crossing that threshold could be coming sooner rather than later. Like, months instead of years. 

All this talk of war and rumors of war has led to a frenzy in weapons procurement within NATO. Especially now, when Trump has dropped an inkle that the US might not be as involved in Euro NATO as much as we have been in the past. Time for the kids to grow up and take care of the big, bad bear without us. Some in NATO are up for the fight - Poland being the bravest of them all. But others, like the Balkans, know they will be easy prey for a hungry bear.

What is going on inside the head of Putin? What is going inside of his heart? Has he telegraphed his punches enough so we can see the future? Is war, years of messy war, in our future? Or will cooler heads prevail?

Putin is a world class war criminal, and he is still on the loose in Europe. Will he be the turd in the punchbowl going forward? Could be - and that would be bad for all of us.     

Somewhere in another universe...

 

"In this universe, as we all know, Trump decided on the tough course. The course which would stunt the economy, taint his presidency, and surrender the midterms. Was he right to do so? Many Republicans are now saying no - he should have stayed out of Iran's business. But - if Trump's pressure can get Iran to surrender their nukes, history will look favorably on this path. Will it cost Trump and the down ticket this November? Odds are - it will."

Please don't hang up the phone yet. I know - the title of this blog piece sounds a bit bazaar. Many scientists worldwide however, without a shred of proof, believe we do NOT live in a universe - but rather a multiverse. That there are duplicates of us all over the place, and out of the uncounted versions of outcomes to any situation, we only see one of them. There - now that I have set the table, I will get on with what this article is really about.

In an alternate universe, Donald Trump is still president, and Neyanyahu is still in charge of Israel. And yes, Iran is still on the path to have at least one nuclear bomb and have it quickly. In this universe, the American people, as well as Donald Trump, have zero desire to upset the apple cart of our economy by getting into a war with Iran. Even though Netanyahu has been begging Trump to do so. Trump listened to his friend Bibi, and time after time, turned him down. "But Mr. President, we have to do something. If we need to, we will go it alone." Trump felt bad about his decision, but he was NOT going to fall into the same trap other presidents have fallen into - endless, expensive Middle Eastern wars. The economy was nothing less than historic - a Middle Eastern war would muck that all up. The answer was still no.

Finally, in total frustration, Bibi flew to Washington for a face to face with Trump. Netanyahu knew this was a "Hail Mary", but he needed to do it. The future of Israel might be at stake. In the White House meeting, Bibi said, "Mr. President - our intelligence sources, and probably yours also, show that Iran is three months top away from having a nuclear warhead to put on a ballistic missile. We will do what we can to slow this down, but we might not have the "horses" left to do much. We are still fighting Hezbollah and the Houthis. With the help of the United States, we would prevail, but without you, it will be a very tough slog for us to win."

President Trump listened politely to his friend from Israel. "Bibi, Iran has been a thorn in many nations' side for the past 50 years. We would like Iran just to go away - one way or the other. I know this will sound shallow, but I need to think about America first. Not Israel. Not Iran. Many other presidents have passed the buck on fixing Iran. As much as I hate to do it, I will do the same. Having an economy which will last for generations is way too important to squander it on some endless war. Sorry - the answer is still no. Let the next president worry about fixing it."

In that universe, the economy is still roaring. Gas is cheap, and the Biden inflation on food is starting to lose its grip. Trump's numbers are good, and the midterms look like the red team will buck the odds and keep the House and Senate. Life is good, and it is a great time to be an American. That is, until 2027, when five ICMB missiles were detected by radar to have been launched. Two were on a course to Israel - the other three were on a course for New York, Washington and Chicago. Right then, at that point in time, when millions of Americans had minutes left to live - the price of a gallon of gas meant very little. We had missed our chance to snub out Iran - now they are a North Korea type nuclear power. And unlike North Korea, Iran has decided to use its nukes.

In this universe, as we all know, Trump decided on the tough course. The course which would stunt the economy, taint his presidency, and surrender the midterms. Was he right to do so? Many Republicans are now saying no - he should have stayed out of Iran's business. But - if Trump's pressure can get Iran to surrender their nukes, history will look favorably on this path. Will it cost Trump and the down ticket this November? Odds are - it will.

 

Is the enemy inside the gate?

 

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. What does that really mean? Know thy enemies and know them well. Our security, our future, depends on young men and women who selflessly serve this country. Many do their craft in windowless SCIFs for years. But because of them, we know our enemies. We know how they feel, how they act, what they have for breakfast. Be careful of Chairman Xi President Trump - he might be no more than the snake in the garden."

Anybody else get the willies when we have the head of Red China in our beloved White House? I am not at all comfortable with it. Especially when we treat him like he is royalty. But what is Chairman Xi? A friend or a foe? He is a guy who steals our IP, helps our enemies, and (probably) is plotting to invade Taiwan. Trump does sing Xi's praises. Says he gets along with Xi just fine, thank you. And to what end? What does it do for us, letting the snake into our henhouse? 

Trump is also going be meeting with the new PM of the UK. Maybe he will get along with this new guy better than he did Starmer. Why does it matter? England is still a member of NATO (like we are), and England is one of our oldest allies. Rather than spat with England, I would much prefer having a cordial relationship with them (like Trump has with Xi). And Canada - Trump could wrap Carney around his little finger if he wanted to. As Xi heads back to China, I think it is high time we get the relationship(s) with the UK and Canada back in order. 

I am tired of Trump trying to get Putin back in the fold. Like wanting to invite him to the G20 meeting. I guess part of me is tainted by what I did in the Navy. I got to know our enemies very well. Most of the enemies I needed to be concerned about - are still around. Russia, China, North Korea, Iran - all still here. Do I trust any of them? Not an inch. Sorry - I guess I learned too much in my 21 years in the Navy. Remember - Russia, China, and North Korea all have nukes aimed at our country. And these are friends to be trusted? Not an inch.

This is a very different time than our history right before Pearl Harbor. Or even our history right before 9/11. Now, we know what and how our enemies think. Our intelligence services are extremely good and thorough. Trust me on that one. In some respects, 9/11 helped us grow up. We were fat, dumb and happy, thinking that nobody wanted to do our homeland harm. Now we know better. Except for Biden and Mayorkas, we know to keep our borders secure. Know who is in our country, and for what reasons. 

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. What does that really mean? Know thy enemies and know them well. Our security, our future, depends on young men and women who selflessly serve this country. Many do their craft in windowless SCIFs for years. But because of them, we know our enemies. We know how they feel, how they act, what they have for breakfast. Be careful of Chairman Xi President Trump - he might be no more than the snake in the garden.

   

The high cost of affordability

"I will say what many politicians are not saying. I feel your pain. Yes, the cost of goods caused by inflation, transitional or not, is a killer. I get it. I see it. But if we don't vote in November, and let these socialists have new power, things will get a whole lot worse. We need to have faith that even with this speed bump, we are on the right course. The last thing I want to do is say, 'I told you so' should we lose in November."      

Yesterday, my wife and I had haircut appointments. We took her car as my truck still had "stuff" in it from closing down the camper for the season. When I started the car to leave, the battery sounded a bit sick. I told my wife I would need to have that checked this weekend. After the haircut appointment when we went to leave, her car was deader than a doornail. We had to call AAA, and they came out with the bad news. We needed a new battery - now. I had no idea car batteries had become so expensive. Over $300 for a simple little battery for her four-banger car. Then it dawned on me - everything has gotten so expensive as of late.

The 20% inflation we got under Biden is still there. Now added to that, is the inflation due to the War with Iran. Yes, some due to tariffs. But that whole shipping snafu is a killer. Is there a high cost with affordability? Sure is. Is there a political cost? There just might be. The recent polling is looking grim for holding both the House and Senate. If Trump loses one or both of them - the party is over. The Dems, once in control of the House or Senate, will fight Trump tooth and nail on EVEYTHING he wants to do for the next two years. 

Here is the irony of what might lie ahead. If every Republican voted this off year, if most every Christian voted, Trump would keep the House and Senate. The red team would win big. But now everybody, even some Republicans, are blaming Donald Trump for the price of milk and butter (so to speak). We could have Scott Bessent talk until he was blue in the face on why prices are still high and what it would take to bring them down. But I am afraid the damage has already been done. Trump will be wearing a scarlet "A" (for affordability) on his chest, just like Hester Prynne had to wear a scarlet letter on her chest in that famous book.

One of the things that Republicans have been counseled on recently, is not to minimize the effect of inflation. Everybody is feeling these higher costs. Stop blaming Biden - what is past is past. It is okay to blame the war, as the war IS the chief cause of much of these higher prices. This is not the time for Trump and his party to be tone deaf on the "affordability issue". Maybe we need to resurrect the old Clinton saying of, "I feel your pain". Could that help? It sure would not hurt.

Meanwhile, back as the grocery store, weekly shopping has become about as much fun as having a root canal. It is painful to check out price of a nice T-Bone steak and almost need to take out a loan to buy it. The same goes for our best morning staple - coffee. $20 for smaller cannister of coffee? Yikes!

I will say what many politicians are not saying. I feel your pain. Yes, the cost of goods caused by inflation, transitional or not, is a killer. I get it. I see it. But if we don't vote in November, and let these socialists have new power, things will get a whole lot worse. We need to have faith that even with this speed bump, we are on the right course. The last thing I want to do is say, "I told you so" should we lose in November.      

Can we please make it to 2027 without a Russian/NATO war?

 

"Can we make it to 2027 before this NATO/Russian war becomes hotter? Or are we already there and just don't know it as yet. Some think that Putin is using the 'boiling frog' theory of warfare on NATO. That could be. But whatever it is, I have a feeling that peace in Europe might be coming to an end. Is Putin the modern-day God of War? Is he the Red Horseman? It sure seems like it. Stay tuned on this one."

I recently read an article penned in the Defense Opinion that the NATO/Russian war has already started. They referred to it as a "slow motion" war, which looked nothing like the Euro wars of yesteryear. As such, the great and mighty Russian Army is not capable of engendering fear any longer in the good people of Europe. If anything, the "bring it on" attitude is spreading over previously easy targets for the Russians to conquer. Perhaps it is brazened to have this type of bold attitude - or maybe it is just plain foolish.

Yesterday at the ceremony to start the new agreement with Greenland, the Danish Prime Minister was there also to sign the documents. She thanked Donald Trump for his work on this agreement. She also thanked him for his courage to take NATO to task (my words) to get more NATO countries to "pony up" and pay their fair dues. She added that Denmark has. Why is this important? NATO countries in Europe are no longer pushovers. No longer patsies. Poland is armed to the teeth, and Germany is right behind them.

Is Estonia, the eastern border with Russia is a growing concern. So much so, that just recently the border was partially closed. Why? As part of this "slow motion" or "hybrid" war with NATO, simple things like having Russian border guards change uniforms from border security to full out military garb. And then to have them loiter on the border, just to give the local Estonians the jitters. Estonia knows full well, that if this "slow motion" war gets revved up to normal speed, Estonia could be one of the first nations to feel the wrath of Russia. As such, their eastern border is partially closed and can be totally closed in a New York minute if need be.

The question begs to be asked - why now? What is going on in Putin's mind to think this is a good time to take on a much stronger NATO. For starters, Putin hates NATO. Always has. To get some good licks in on NATO would scratch that itch he has. But some experts think the main reason to shift focus is the upstarts in Ukraine, raining hell down upon inner Russia. All of a sudden, this war in Ukraine has gone from slightly unpopular to very unpopular with the Russian civilians.

Can we make it to 2027 before this NATO/Russian war becomes hotter? Or are we already there and just don't know it as yet. Some think that Putin is using the "boiling frog" theory of warfare on NATO. That could be. But whatever it is, I have a feeling that peace in Europe might be coming to an end. Is Putin the modern-day God of War? Is he the Red Horseman? It sure seems like it. Stay tuned on this one.

  

 

If, and only if...

"Democrats want to impeach Trump again for the 28th time (minor exaggeration) and then turn the country socialist. That is the plan man - no more, no less. MAGA will become MASN (Make America Socialist Now). All of a sudden, this plane of progress will do a crash landing. America the extraordinary, will once again become America the less than ordinary. But if that is what the "people" want, that is what they will get. Sucks being us should that all happen."   

Love him or not, Donald Trump is going to go down in the history books as one of the most (maybe THE most) consequential presidents in our nation's history. What he has accomplished thus far - has been epic. I know, I know - the nay-sayers will disagree. That is fine. But if history records his accomplishments accurately, his pluses will far outweigh his minuses. This recent thing with Greenland, even though it is not a legal state nor territory of ours, gives us everything we need from Greenland, without any of the headaches of statehood or territory.

Trump has reshaped our economy. He has reshaped the Middle East using the Abraham Agreement. He has reshaped NATO in Europe to make it more self-sufficient. He has brought Venezuela back from the brink and made it into a lifelong energy partner with us. Cuba is close to being brought back from the brink. And now this deal with Greenland, which only portends many good things to come. And to think, that Trump did all this with a bifurcated presidency. One term, then Biden and his wrecking ball, and then this term.

This all gave me pause to think. What if? What if our Constitution allowed for three terms? What if Donald Trump was 10 to 15 years younger? Trump for sure would be running for re-election in 2028. What would his chances be? If people voted with their brains instead of venom in their hearts, Trump would win a third term in a landslide. But enough dreaming - our system states the POTUS terms will be two and done. And truthfully - after a third term, Trump would be closer to 90 than to 80. Not good.

But first we need to past the 2026 midterms. Oh, the other side is on a hunt for Donald Trump's head. If they can only win the House and/or the Senate, they can put an end to all this bad stuff that Trump has visited upon this country. Bad stuff? You know - the price of gas, diesel and food. Most, if not all of it, is related to Iran and not to any of Trump's policies. But who cares? The Democrats in the Senate, some of which have increased their net worth by 4,000% since coming into the Senate decades ago - are going to hold Trump liable for "enriching" himself. This man who has not taken a penny from the taxpayers, has "enriched" himself? 

Democrats want to impeach Trump again for the 28th time (minor exaggeration) and then turn the country socialist. That is the plan man - no more, no less. MAGA will become MASN (Make America Socialist Now). All of a sudden, this plane of progress will do a crash landing. America the extraordinary, will once again become America the less than ordinary. But if that is what the "people" want, that is what they will get. Sucks being us should that all happen.   
 

Shades of gray from yesterday...

 

"Are our political 'shades of gray' gone forever? Probably. Are they the 'good old days'? For some - not for all. Meanwhile, the Democrats are devolving into socialists. Some on the left think our side are also devolving - into something like John Birch types. People on the MAGA side of the fence, however, think we are exactly where were are supposed to be. Meanwhile - it almost time for the next election."     

Some today (mostly on the left) are remembering with great fondness the "good old days". The days when Democrats and Republicans were so similar, only a faint shade of gray could tell them apart. Many of today's older Democrats (and to be fair, many RINOs), would think back on those golden days when everybody would get along. Vote, play, believe the same things together. It was a wonderful time to be a centrist. As long as Republicans voted with the Democrats and did not raise too much of a fuss, life was good. Or was it?

When did the train start to leave the tracks? Many on the right side of the street said it stated with Barrack Obama, when he decided to make everything about race - 100% of the time. That in my opinion (as well as others), became the start of the bigger schism. Many on the right side of the street did not like that when all they heard from the WH was blaming everyone white and everything bad on the "white supremist" (whatever they are or were). Then after eight long years of America growing weaker, and much more divided - Obama was gone. But the damage was done. 

Then as they say, for every action there is a positive and equal reaction. The next president was Donald J. Trump. Not Biden, not Hillary (who was the heir apparent), but Trump. Trump, who was the anti-Obama, was going to right many of the wrongs which Obama visited upon us. Things were so bad, Trump coined the phrase, "Make America Great Again". And just like that, the RINOs of old, who the traditional Democrats loved so much - vanished from the scene. Sure, there were some left, but they were nothing more than noise level. The "shades of gray" in our politics, had been replaced with bright red and bright blue.

Then came the long contested 2020 election. Many think the full story of that election has not yet been told, but in any event, Trump lost and Obama # 2 (Biden) was elected. As bad as Obama was, Biden was 10 times worse. Things went from "shades of gray", to red and blue, to absolute black and white. Under Biden, the country almost vanished. Open borders, men becoming women, hyperinflation, the "Green New Deal" - we were a mess. And that is when the old congeniality of fellow Congressmen, devolved into trench warfare. E pluribus unum became nothing more than some old Latin saying. 

Are our political "shades of gray" gone forever? Probably. Are they the "good old days"? For some - not for all. Meanwhile, the Democrats are devolving into socialists. Some on the left think our side are also devolving - into something like John Birch types. People on the MAGA side of the fence, however, think we are exactly where were are supposed to be. Meanwhile - it almost time for the next election.