As you know, Brian Berletic and I seem to be swimming against mainstream opinion in the Alt Media river about Donald Trump, most of which appears to be more hopeful about his prospects than (we think) his actions warrant. In fact more than commonsense should allow. But I guess a lot of people are unwilling to accept the inevitable decline and possible devolution of the United States of America.
Some of these optimistic people are fairly major figures that I am sure you are familiar with and have deservedly high reputations. However, sometimes, despite their screed is cringeworthy.
There are a great many people in the United States, still more people in Europe, who do not appreciate Donald Trump’s ability to be tactful and to think strategically and to have very detailed and spontaneous approaches to resolving a complex issue like the Ukraine war….
What we have seen in the last seven days is a remarkable testament to the team that Donald Trump has put together, who are very intelligent, who are very experienced in human relations and dealing with people…
They displayed acumen, they displayed tact and diplomacy, and they made a very positive impression on their Russian counterparts…
Guess who this comes from?
Dr. Gilbert Doctorow.
Oh my. poor Gilbert….
Tis the times' plague, when madmen lead the blind. ― William Shakespeare, King Lear
At a certain age, we all get cataracts. Sorry to say but Gilbert has political cataracts.
Trump the stable genius? Please no. Say aint so Dr. Doctorow!
This is the guy who lost out in a debate to no less than air-head Kamala Harris -and claimed that immigrants were eating chihuahuas and later said Putin was desperate to end the war in Ukraine, because of Russia’s broken economy and its million KIA, and starvation due to a lack of McDonalds around the country.
Trump may indeed have an high IQ— but when will he learn to read?
Trump has his abilities but “tact” is not at the top of the list. Nor is he a “strategic thinker”. His team was chosen not for “intelligence” or their ability to manage “human relationships and deal with people” but for loyalty and obedience.
Doctorow voted for Trump by the way
I weep for poor ex-journalists. I, after all, am ex-everything.
John Helmer and Dr-Dr do not get along. I guess that’s a problem with ex-somethings.
I don’t always agree with Helmer. But this interview is astute.
Listen carefully to what Helmer says about “hyperbole” and Trump as the self-claimed
”World’s Greatest Negotiator”.
Helmer suggests that Trump has just one goal— to prove he is “the Greatest”. Trump’s plans and policies are not about the USA or the World— they are about Trump.
Helmer reiterates what is in effect my previously stated theory that the Russian strategy is that of Vietnam’s during the Vietnam War — to protract the process. The US ended up failing utterly in Vietnam. The Russians understand how negotiations work —or can be made to work. Delaying and doing rational, detailed, step by step negotiation could take years— and it will test Trump.
In fact, it would test any American politician for whom the future is the next news cycle.
Given Trump’s attention span of about 10 minutes, this is test that he will fail.
And with him.the US and its dreams of suzerainty.
In fact, with him the American Dream.
Special Article
At 7000 words, the article on Putin needs a LOT of trimming and checking, shortening and revision
As the recent discussion about the picture of 18 year old Putin and his “mother” revealed , it is hard to sort out and verify details. But the deeper I go, the more I understand - I think !— I hope! Putting all that in a form that will be useful to you is a challenge. But I will do my best.
Fortunately, Ichi and Chappy encourage me and keep me going. And your coffees and messages make a huge difference. Thank you all. I will spend some time tomorrow catching up on personal messages to everyone.
Remember, Substack does not allow me “Paid Subscribers” (their software problem) so www.buymeacoffee.com is the only way to support me.
It’s quick, easy, and buying a coffee gets you on the mailing list!
PS.
Thanks to Glasshopper for reminding me of John Helmer in his comment on my last article,
I'm not a trump worshiper (didn't vote), but I support cutting Ukraine--and Europe--loose regardless of the cost to American "prestige".
Sunk costs and all. No sense stretching Ukraine out waiting for Nixonian "peace with honor".
The blame doesn't belong with DJT, but on RAND and everyone that went along with their "Unbalancing Russia" strategy to begin with. I actually hope to see helicopters atop the embassy in Kiev just like we saw them after Vietnam and Afghanistan--maybe eventually we'll learn to stop starting wars in faraway lands.
All true but mostly irrelevant. Ukraine and its 38 allies were vanquished. Whatever happens in the Talks Russia can press ahead without inhibition as neither US nor Europe can intervene and defeat it. So neither Trump or the European dopes have any leverage.