We Have The Might, But Not The Leadership

Saudi Arabia is worried about Trump's blockade of the Straits of Hormuz. Their fear is that the Houthis in Yemen might constraint the Bab a-Mandeb Strait out of the Red Sea, where much of their oil is now shipping.

While we certainly have the most powerful military in the world, the leadership at the top is erratic at best. I couldn't imagine Trump and Hegseth navigating WW2 or any major conflict since. Neither one takes advice well, and neither one has the experience to lead.

In Trump 1, aka 45, the advisors had a short shelf life, but they were qualified. In current Trump-O-Mania, expertise was never sought, only blind ring kissing. The only constraints on the Trump show seems to be the stock market and the price of oil. Let us hope that we can muddle through until 2029.

The Gospel According To Saint Trump

I'm somewhat weak on my knowledge of the Bible, and refrain from evaluating Popes. President Trump on the other hand is apparently a biblical scholar, and wants Pope Leo fired. In Trump's post cage match sermon, he proclaimed that Leo isn't doing a very good job, and that Leo is a very liberal person.

Trump even released an illustration of himself laying his healing hands on a wounded man. As I've written before, I don't know what kind of psychiatric department Walter Reed has, but they might need to gear it up.

Susan Wiles, Trump's chief of staff, certainly is earning her pay, as is Karoline Leavitt. Explaining away Trump is no easy job. The apologists are sounding sillier every day. Imagine being a Catholic Republican incumbent running for re-election in November, and not speaking up?

ADDENDUM: By early Monday afternoon, Trump removed the image, explaining that it was meant to portray him as a doctor, and that he does make people "feel better". Unfortunately, I don't think that his explanation made anybody feel better about him.

Trump Tries To Buy Hungarian Election With Our Money

Either Donald Trump doesn't understand the concepts of democracy and diplomacy, or he thinks that as President he's above them. His wholesale attempt to influence the Hungarian election with his tweets should embarrass the Republicans, but they have become tone deaf to this administration.

A Trump tweet on his Truth Social, “My Administration stands ready to use the full Economic Might of the United States to strengthen Hungary’s Economy, as we have done for our Great Allies in the past, if Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Hungarian People ever need it,” Before Sunday's vote Trump tweeted, “We are excited to invest in the future Prosperity that will be generated by Orbán’s continued Leadership!” 

Orban lost the election bigly, even after Trump's tweets and Vance's visit. That of course is the good news for the Republicans, come November the bad news.

shown above Bela Lugosi, who migrated to America in 1920 from Hungary.

Trump's Quagmire, Netanyahu

Trump's ceasefire with Iran has multiple stumbling blocks, but none as unmanageable as Bibi. Netanyahu's negotiations with Lebanon about disarming Hezbollah, but continuing attacking them in the meantime, does the Lebanese civilians no good. If the Lebanese government had such capability, it would have done so already.

With both Iran and Trump wanting an exit ramp, the Lebanese may become the victim of the contrived truce. If Trump exerts himself enough, he has the cards to restrain Israel. 

Netanyahu had been waiting decades to see Iran's capacities degraded. Trump's compliance with Netanyahu's agenda will be costly for the Republicans, but it wasn't Trump's first or last compulsive decision.

2028 Presidential Election

I saw mention by non-MAGA Republicans that they hope their party can come up with a viable candidate for 2028, assuming that anyone currently associated with Trump wouldn't fit the viable definition. Likewise, I hear Democrats complain that their party never fails to sabotage itself.

I can believe that those associated with Trump, like Vance and Rubio, will be contaminated beyond electability. However, the lesson of MAGA for Democrats is going more to the center, away from the progressive agenda. 

As an independent, I hope such a choice presents itself in 2028, but I'm doubtful. The primary/convention system, although good on paper, often elevates those candidates with the least universal appeal. Furthermore, after 2.5 more years of 47, everyone may need a break from drama.

Mr. Vance Goes To Budapest

More and more, I refrain from commenting on my own posts. The Trumpers get more and more defensive, and accuse me of being a communist for opposing their leader. How would they explain both Trump and Putin supporting the same candidate in the Hungarian elections?

Vance traveled to Budapest to endorse Orban, who has ruled Hungary since 2016. While the European Union is hoping his opponent wins, the Trump administration supports Putin's man, Viktor Orban. 

It wasn't that long ago that American Presidents said, at least publicly, that outsiders should not interfere in  the democratic elections of other countries. We were concerned about Russian inference in our own  elections. We now have an authoritarian regime in our country, and support them elsewhere.  I remember when Hungarians revolted in 1956. I suspect that they too will remember when they vote on Sunday. Likewise, I think Americans had enough of Trump, and will vote accordingly against his sycophants come November.

Trump and Hegseth As War Criminals

Although too many Republicans, sycophants and cultists don't want to admit it, more and more of the world is viewing Trump and Hegseth as war criminals. Trump's statements have long been unpresidential, but now they are becoming downright uncivilized.

So the world knows that Trump is unqualified as a president, but when does our congress stand up? Yesterday he babbled to the world that if he destroys the power plants and bridges in Iran, the people are willing to suffer for a new government there. Of course he also called them animals, and encouraged them to protest last month, because he had their backs.

I notice on the blogs that he is defended by the anonymous. I can understand them not wanting to sign their name to such comments.