I’m back after spending a week indulging in the escapism of local sports success, then taking another week away from writing for the blog just to savor the memories.
I’ve been jerked back to reality by many things, from Democrats attempting to gerrymander congressional districts in various blue states to make their representation edge even more overstated, to the blue-hair, nose-ring crowd continuing to support lawbreaking illegal immigrants, and, more recently, the give and take regarding President Trump’s attempts to end the fighting in Ukraine.
Radical leftists label it a waste of time. Far right types saw amazing success. Me? I saw a starting point, but it was history unfolding in real time and that captivated me.
I spent Friday watching coverage of the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska. Memorable moments include Putin’s reaction to the flyover of a stealth bomber and four support fighters. It came as Trump and Putin walked a red carpet, between parked fighter jets, a carefully staged scene. Watch replays and see Putin first notice the planes overhead and how he kept glancing at them, both as they were coming and going.
Critics say it was juvenile theater from Trump. I say it’s knowing your opponent. Again, watch the tape. Putin couldn’t look away. He understands displays of strength and power.
I’m just guessing here, but Putin very might have been thinking Trump has used these planes in anger vs. Iran and just might do it again, say, vs. Russia.
Also, the stealth bomber in motion is an impressive thing. This probably is as close as Putin has been to one. I recall a Super Bowl I covered in San Diego when a bomber did a pregame flyover. Impressive stuff, trust me.
There were other interesting theatrics to the welcoming. Trump tried to grab Putin and pull him in the for the handshake, but Putin was braced. My wife noted for a time Putin had his hand atop Trump’s, but I pointed out to her Trump quickly covered with his free hand.
After the talking was through for the day, Putin went first and rambled about history at a press conference, while Trump followed and was uncharacteristically brief. The Fox News reporterette covering the event saw unhappiness from Trump, but then had to retract that on-air when it was reported Trump had told Sean Hannity he gave the meeting a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10.
It was amusing to hear that Shrillary Clinton had said she would nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize . . . if he got a one-sided deal for Ukraine, then put on porkchop underwear and walked through a pack of German Shepherd guard dogs while also getting Putin to strip naked and walk back to Moscow with a Ukraine flag draped over his shoulders.
Perhaps if Trump could drum up a few billion of dollars in contributions to the sagging Clinton Foundation, too, that would motivate her further.
Spoiler alert: Clinton isn’t going to nominate Trump for a Nobel prize and it’s unlikely today’s meeting with enfant terrible Zelenskyy will produce any progress.
As stated here before, Zelenskyy reminds me of Smoky the feral cat who has taken up sometimes residence on my front porch. My wife feeds him and he has been known to turn up his nose if the fare is not to his liking
Along that line, my wife bought him an insulated house to help him make it through the winter, but when a neighbor put out an electric heating pad for him, Smoky moved right to her porch.
I understand Smoky, even scratch his ears at times. I do not, however, invite him into the house, much to the chagrin of the granddaughters.
Zelenskyy soiled the Oval Office carpet when last Trump let him inside the White House and I feel sure when his handlers remove him this time from the baby carseat he travels in, Zelenskyy will be similarly ill-mannered.
There are, however, rumors, he might actually dress for the occasion by wearing a business suit instead of his quasi-combat gear.
Zelsnskyy will show up with various European leaders to support him. They won’t give him actual arms and money – let the U.S. do that – but they love to give lip service anytime cameras are rolling.
These people, along with the Neo-con contingent from both U.S. political parties, want to keep the Ukraine carnage going. Zelenskyy seems to be similarly inclined, perhaps realizing if the war ends and elections resume, he’s headed back to his former role as B-list comedian.
If Zelenskyy forgets his manners again, I’m hoping JD Vance takes him out to the rose garden and goes all UFC on him.
Maybe Zelenskyy will act like an adult this time. But I’m still thinking the odds are about zero any progress toward peace is going to be made today.
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