Monday, May 29, 2017

Memorial Day





12 comments:

  1. Oh, that we could keep from war.

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  2. Replies
    1. A more thoughtful and US-relevant view of the same speech. The concluding paragraph begins: "People have not yet seriously begun to think through the consequences of Trump's election for global politics."

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    2. No argument with the column, but I should have thought it could have gone without saying, being obvious. Still, it doesn't hurt to restate it. A precursor was Bush Junior's neglect of the US "near abroad" while pushing into the Russian "near abroad." Clearly the US was bound to lose relative power in the world, but the process is proceeding faster and toward a far rougher landing than was necessary. From the Battle of Lepanto to the exile of the Sultan, the Ottoman Empire, that "marvel of decay," endured for 351 years. From the fall of the Republic to the fall of Constantinople, the Roman Empire endured for 1,480 years. The evident inability of the United States to produce world-class foreign ministers argues for a far faster decline.

      Well, I am tired (and somewhat dehydrated) from gardening in direct sun next to the south side of our house. Consider the source.

      Alan

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  3. Auntie Beeb has also taken notice:

    Portland attack: Trump urged to speak up over killings [Click]

    The man is not right in the head. This makes the second US President in my lifetime demonstrating symptoms of senility.
    --Alan

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    1. Well, Trump finally (three days later) released a pathetic tweet[Click] disapproving the event. Wouldn't want the poor little fellow to exhaust himself....if indeed he actually wrote the tweet--it could well have been done by one of his aides, considering the account used.

      --Alan

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  4. European leaders confront Trump[Click]

    I highly recommend this column. I must admit that I seem to have underestimated M. Macron.

    —Alan

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    1. I loved the photo of that handshake. Macron is giving the camera a "I'm a sly dog" face, and Cheetolini actually looks like he's trying not to cry. The orange one was not clasping Macron's hand - his little orange fingers were straight. Macron would not let go and was OBVIOUSLY applying considerable pressure to the squeeze. He is my hero.

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    2. Think what Macron's stock must be with the French public! I would write thank-you letters to both Macron and Merkel if I knew how. Hmmm...I suppose to their respective US embassies. We are going to get past at least the worst of this Trump stuff, but in the meantime others will have to carry the torch, and it seems it is Germany and France who have stepped up.

      alan

      --Alan

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  5. GOP’s Biggest Ideas for Tax Reform Are Dead[Click] Awww… whoda thunk tax reform could be so complicated?

    Mueller Gets Off to Quick Start[Click] The use of a distinct uniform is good non-verbal communication.

    Putin and Macron in Paris[Click] Wow…

    Not today’s news, but notable:
    Graham: It’s ‘Stunning’ That Comey Acted On Fake Russian Intel In 2016[Click] For one thing, it seems to betray very poor judgement on Comey’s part, and for another, it puts Senator Graham (once again) into a good light. I must say that despite his Nude Hiking Day escapade, SC Representative Mark Sanford also makes a good impression on me. Not all GOP congresscritters are lacking in virtue and intelligence.

    —Alan

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