Trump continues his now familiar tactics of baffling one and all—playing humanitarian in Ukraine, threatening “hell” against Palestinians and expressing zero sympathy for the genocide they’ve suffered.
is it just me, or does anyone else think Trump's love in with Netanyahoo was scripted, and the Don was not reading from the script with enthusiasm or his rambling bombastic style.
He seemed rather unwilling and doing his best to say as little as possible.
Reminded me of Colin Powell and his "Iraq has weapons of mass destruction" speech, which had the same non-verbals screaming "I read this script aloud and it is all BS".
It's all scripted, but there are opportunities for Trump to ad-lib. Just not this time and Trump showed restraint as called for? I would not read into it that he is unwilling. The US will now take the steps necessary to effect the Security Architecture in the Middle East so ardently desired by his closest advisors and biggest donors. And Javanka. And Melania.
Trump is very smart and skillful, and I credit him with being in complete command of his demeanor.
Trump admin just secured the release of American teacher, Marc Fogel, from Moscow prison. Fogel is landing in DC tonight. Good sign that at least some diplomacy is going on.
I continue to hope that the charade is intentional to a Trump-led negotiation to closure with the Russians. His bombast is familiar around the world, but for those who remember the loud raw-raw promises of his 2016 campaign + first term which he let slide to the degree of ignoring the promised changes, we are watching the moves he makes, with grave concern. Trump's possible focus distraction of killing all persons in Gaza just to build riviera beaches for uber rich people is almost beyond P.T. Barnum and the best magician's tricks. But if thin-skinned Donald needs to continually polish his ego, then, his statement may be a part of his planned forced resolution of the Israeli-Hamas conflict. Most concerning to me is Trump's seeming refusal to publicly place blame for this conflice as a permanent dead weight upon the State of Israel. The existence of the State of Israel is an ongoing crime of colonial rulers who put Zionism on the top of the world stage of the normal---not legitimate---but normal operations of affairs in the world. N.B. one of the official released photographs of Pres. Trump with guests at the SuperBowl shows, clear-as-day, Ivanka Kushner standing close to her father, costumed in all white, while beloved daughter-in-law Lara Trump appears spatially lessened (photo lens' effect) and sort of in the shadows on the left edge of the photograph. Intentional? But we do read by visual means. In the past couple of years, Ivanka and Jared have kept their family out of the Trump media-driven public life (not counting her wardrobe + socialite promotion selfies). Now, though, from Inauguration week onwards, the wife/husband pair are noticibly present, I believe, to remind the large money people and other power people with big influence in the sphere of political operations, that the U.S. cause is "one" with the "State of Israel"---as they judge it to be.
With regard to Trump's flailing around with nothing of a policy plan to resolve the Eastern European, nuclear-facing war games, I don't have any confidence in Trump's public "toying" with the mature and grounded judgment of NATO's opponent, President Putin. I pray that Putin holds firm, for he is the anchor to the woke whirlwind of the Western ideological politics that have wrought destruction, despair, damnation, and perfidy upon all of the people everywhere. With the Russian President standing firm and tall---serving the Good by being the beacon on the hill---I am hopeful that the wayward leaders of the un-truth filled ideological political states will turn away from the road of ruination, turn off the P.T. Barnum chaotic pretending, and get sober, to the point of looking at the meaning of "peaceful resolution" of each conflict, every conflict, and work to make it happen, for real.
Trump knows that Russia's primary goal is a NATO retreat from the Eastern European border nations (Baltic States, Poland, Romania) and removal of missile bases that threaten Moscow with 5 minute arrival time nukes. And Trump is saying that the price of that retreat is limited access to some of Ukraine's mineral wealth. And this deal can work because the retreat and mineral export can be staged incrementally so as to demonstrate compliance and rebuild trust. As a bonus, the EU energy market gets reopened to cheap Russian gas, so it's a win-win-win for everyone. And the EU then gets a share of the Ukrainian rebuild contracts, which are also funded by tapping Ukraine's mineral wealth. And all of this could have been done a decade ago if not for the corrupt neocons that spawned the Maidan coup in 2014. None of this is rocket science.
Trump/USA and European Commission/EU both want a minerals' reward for killing the majority of men, displacing large numbers of citizens within Ukraine, and forcing millions of Ukrainians out of their country to become international refugees---This Is Not OK
I couldn't agree more. The immorality of the war is staggering. Millions have died or been grievously wounded for the sake of oligarchs vying to exploit the natural wealth of Ukraine and they don't give a damn how much harm is done in the process. This needs to end as soon as possible.
As they say "follow the money". Blackrock, Citadel et al own most of Ukraine. It is inconceivable that they will gently move aside and abandon their investments to Russia. Similarly the military industrial complex is making very good money out of the Ukraine conflict. Again, they will not gently give up those profits. So amidst all the Trumpian sound and fury - like an actor on a stage - wait he is an actor on a stage - what should we expect?
First above all else the money interests will be protected - so there WILL be a demarcation line and Russia's new territories will NOT be recognised. There will be ongoing efforts to seize back those territories - economically, diplomatically and militarily. This is to protect the interests of Blackrock et al.
The only way this can happen is by introducing US and NATO troops into Ukraine. So whatever the Trump says about US troops, he will wind up being "forced" to deploy them into Ukraine. He will have to do this to stop all those fine young men dying you understand. Trump the peace maker.
Second. There will be a massive effort to rearm Ukraine and Europe. Did someone mention 5% of GDP going to the military. This will be to buy over priced US weapons. This is to protect the interests of the military industrial complex.
So the money interests will be protected. The sound and fury is a chaotic smokescreen to cover up "the plan". In our cynical world Trump might even get a Nobel peace prize for his efforts.
So when the Russians inevitably reject the Trumpian non plan, poor old Trump will be "forced" to use the US and NATO military to solve the Ukraine problem. How sad, but it will be done with the very best of intentions. In all the chaos, Trump is moving his voter base towards that end - so eventually they will see him as a hero - maybe.
"It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing"
LJ: "While Trump is smart in some of the domestic policies he is pursuing, he is exposing his ass with his obtuse grasp of the situation in Gaza and how US actions in that region shape Russia’s distrust of Trump and his policies."
That's Freeman's point. Putin looks at Trump in Gaza and understands this is a guy he can't trust, no matter that he says he wants to save "handsome soldiers."
"Mr Trump's having a problem internationally. The Iranians won't speak to him, the Russians won't admit they've spoken to him, he's not been able to make a call to Xi Jinping, and the reason is that he is demonstrating his word is valueless. He does not stand by the agreements he makes. He feels free to alter them at will and in this case it's very clear what he intends--which is to unleash the Israeli forces to continue their
genocide in Gaza."
I'll disagree to this extent. Trump's intentions are rarely clear, at least in terms of geopolitics. Nevertheless his dealmaking tactics are a turnoff for most of the parties that he'd really like to deal with.
110 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the ceasefire. This includes both new fatalities, killed directly by the Israeli army in Gaza, and individuals who succumbed to their prior injuries after Israel denied the right to travel abroad for treatment.
so does the US get to choose which rare earth minerals and the real estate of said rare earth minerals? What about international eminent domain? Option?
From where would the rare earths come ??? Ukraine possibly currently owns NOTHING
meaning Nothing Left to Give Or Very little ( the scraps )
US and EU Corporations have already heavily invested, will Trump knock them out of the script
eg: Kernel has been reported as the largest # 1 land holder in Ukraine Astarta # 6
NN Investment Partners Holdings N.V. is a Netherlands-based private investment firm, which owns shares in both Kernel and Astarta. In April 2022, it was acquired by investment banking firm Goldman Sachs Group and was combined with Goldman Sachs Asset Management
eg: The fifth largest landholder in the country is NCH Capital, a US-based private equity firm that invests on behalf of prominent US pension funds, university endowments, and foundations.
All of the EU have their fingers in the pie eg: France has already made ' published ' security agreements but ' secret ' language does anyone think they did this out of the goodness of their heart, or did they get something already
As long as he maintains the notion of this being an Ukraine, Russia war, hard to see how it gets resolved. Surely he knows this has been a neocon proxy operation from the start?
is it just me, or does anyone else think Trump's love in with Netanyahoo was scripted, and the Don was not reading from the script with enthusiasm or his rambling bombastic style.
He seemed rather unwilling and doing his best to say as little as possible.
Reminded me of Colin Powell and his "Iraq has weapons of mass destruction" speech, which had the same non-verbals screaming "I read this script aloud and it is all BS".
It's all scripted, but there are opportunities for Trump to ad-lib. Just not this time and Trump showed restraint as called for? I would not read into it that he is unwilling. The US will now take the steps necessary to effect the Security Architecture in the Middle East so ardently desired by his closest advisors and biggest donors. And Javanka. And Melania.
Trump is very smart and skillful, and I credit him with being in complete command of his demeanor.
Trump admin just secured the release of American teacher, Marc Fogel, from Moscow prison. Fogel is landing in DC tonight. Good sign that at least some diplomacy is going on.
I think Trump wants Russia to take over Ukraine.
Let them take responsibility for Bidens War.
I continue to hope that the charade is intentional to a Trump-led negotiation to closure with the Russians. His bombast is familiar around the world, but for those who remember the loud raw-raw promises of his 2016 campaign + first term which he let slide to the degree of ignoring the promised changes, we are watching the moves he makes, with grave concern. Trump's possible focus distraction of killing all persons in Gaza just to build riviera beaches for uber rich people is almost beyond P.T. Barnum and the best magician's tricks. But if thin-skinned Donald needs to continually polish his ego, then, his statement may be a part of his planned forced resolution of the Israeli-Hamas conflict. Most concerning to me is Trump's seeming refusal to publicly place blame for this conflice as a permanent dead weight upon the State of Israel. The existence of the State of Israel is an ongoing crime of colonial rulers who put Zionism on the top of the world stage of the normal---not legitimate---but normal operations of affairs in the world. N.B. one of the official released photographs of Pres. Trump with guests at the SuperBowl shows, clear-as-day, Ivanka Kushner standing close to her father, costumed in all white, while beloved daughter-in-law Lara Trump appears spatially lessened (photo lens' effect) and sort of in the shadows on the left edge of the photograph. Intentional? But we do read by visual means. In the past couple of years, Ivanka and Jared have kept their family out of the Trump media-driven public life (not counting her wardrobe + socialite promotion selfies). Now, though, from Inauguration week onwards, the wife/husband pair are noticibly present, I believe, to remind the large money people and other power people with big influence in the sphere of political operations, that the U.S. cause is "one" with the "State of Israel"---as they judge it to be.
With regard to Trump's flailing around with nothing of a policy plan to resolve the Eastern European, nuclear-facing war games, I don't have any confidence in Trump's public "toying" with the mature and grounded judgment of NATO's opponent, President Putin. I pray that Putin holds firm, for he is the anchor to the woke whirlwind of the Western ideological politics that have wrought destruction, despair, damnation, and perfidy upon all of the people everywhere. With the Russian President standing firm and tall---serving the Good by being the beacon on the hill---I am hopeful that the wayward leaders of the un-truth filled ideological political states will turn away from the road of ruination, turn off the P.T. Barnum chaotic pretending, and get sober, to the point of looking at the meaning of "peaceful resolution" of each conflict, every conflict, and work to make it happen, for real.
Trump knows that Russia's primary goal is a NATO retreat from the Eastern European border nations (Baltic States, Poland, Romania) and removal of missile bases that threaten Moscow with 5 minute arrival time nukes. And Trump is saying that the price of that retreat is limited access to some of Ukraine's mineral wealth. And this deal can work because the retreat and mineral export can be staged incrementally so as to demonstrate compliance and rebuild trust. As a bonus, the EU energy market gets reopened to cheap Russian gas, so it's a win-win-win for everyone. And the EU then gets a share of the Ukrainian rebuild contracts, which are also funded by tapping Ukraine's mineral wealth. And all of this could have been done a decade ago if not for the corrupt neocons that spawned the Maidan coup in 2014. None of this is rocket science.
Trump/USA and European Commission/EU both want a minerals' reward for killing the majority of men, displacing large numbers of citizens within Ukraine, and forcing millions of Ukrainians out of their country to become international refugees---This Is Not OK
I couldn't agree more. The immorality of the war is staggering. Millions have died or been grievously wounded for the sake of oligarchs vying to exploit the natural wealth of Ukraine and they don't give a damn how much harm is done in the process. This needs to end as soon as possible.
As they say "follow the money". Blackrock, Citadel et al own most of Ukraine. It is inconceivable that they will gently move aside and abandon their investments to Russia. Similarly the military industrial complex is making very good money out of the Ukraine conflict. Again, they will not gently give up those profits. So amidst all the Trumpian sound and fury - like an actor on a stage - wait he is an actor on a stage - what should we expect?
First above all else the money interests will be protected - so there WILL be a demarcation line and Russia's new territories will NOT be recognised. There will be ongoing efforts to seize back those territories - economically, diplomatically and militarily. This is to protect the interests of Blackrock et al.
The only way this can happen is by introducing US and NATO troops into Ukraine. So whatever the Trump says about US troops, he will wind up being "forced" to deploy them into Ukraine. He will have to do this to stop all those fine young men dying you understand. Trump the peace maker.
Second. There will be a massive effort to rearm Ukraine and Europe. Did someone mention 5% of GDP going to the military. This will be to buy over priced US weapons. This is to protect the interests of the military industrial complex.
So the money interests will be protected. The sound and fury is a chaotic smokescreen to cover up "the plan". In our cynical world Trump might even get a Nobel peace prize for his efforts.
So when the Russians inevitably reject the Trumpian non plan, poor old Trump will be "forced" to use the US and NATO military to solve the Ukraine problem. How sad, but it will be done with the very best of intentions. In all the chaos, Trump is moving his voter base towards that end - so eventually they will see him as a hero - maybe.
"It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing"
LJ: "While Trump is smart in some of the domestic policies he is pursuing, he is exposing his ass with his obtuse grasp of the situation in Gaza and how US actions in that region shape Russia’s distrust of Trump and his policies."
That's Freeman's point. Putin looks at Trump in Gaza and understands this is a guy he can't trust, no matter that he says he wants to save "handsome soldiers."
I had written this on another thread in June 2024 - Seems quite true now
==================================
Jun 1, 2024
We Need to Prepare for the Battle After the War
US and EU will be fighting Strenuously for whatever is left of Ukraine and undesired by Russia
there is no other means to recoup the debt
===================================
Chas Freeman re Gaza:
"Mr Trump's having a problem internationally. The Iranians won't speak to him, the Russians won't admit they've spoken to him, he's not been able to make a call to Xi Jinping, and the reason is that he is demonstrating his word is valueless. He does not stand by the agreements he makes. He feels free to alter them at will and in this case it's very clear what he intends--which is to unleash the Israeli forces to continue their
genocide in Gaza."
I'll disagree to this extent. Trump's intentions are rarely clear, at least in terms of geopolitics. Nevertheless his dealmaking tactics are a turnoff for most of the parties that he'd really like to deal with.
110 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the ceasefire. This includes both new fatalities, killed directly by the Israeli army in Gaza, and individuals who succumbed to their prior injuries after Israel denied the right to travel abroad for treatment.
Chas Freeman: Trump has given Israel 11 Moabs.
Israeli  Minister Smotrich outlines the future for the West Bank citing the support of Trump 
“[Tulkarm, Jenin, Nablus and Ramallah will look like Gaza ] Uninhabitable ruins, the residents forced to migrate”
BREAKING: The Senate just voted 52-46 to invoke cloture and activate Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation vote.
Based on this vote, she is 100% confirmed. Any moment now, we'll have our new Director of National Intelligence.
How does this work? Does Putin get a say? I'll bet he does: Nyet!
Megatron @Megatron_ron
NEW:
 Zelensky has agreed to provide the U.S. with $500B worth of rare earth minerals in exchange for military aid, Trump claims:
"They can make a deal or not, become Russian or not, but our money is there. And I said I want it back."
so does the US get to choose which rare earth minerals and the real estate of said rare earth minerals? What about international eminent domain? Option?
From where would the rare earths come ??? Ukraine possibly currently owns NOTHING
meaning Nothing Left to Give Or Very little ( the scraps )
US and EU Corporations have already heavily invested, will Trump knock them out of the script
eg: Kernel has been reported as the largest # 1 land holder in Ukraine Astarta # 6
NN Investment Partners Holdings N.V. is a Netherlands-based private investment firm, which owns shares in both Kernel and Astarta. In April 2022, it was acquired by investment banking firm Goldman Sachs Group and was combined with Goldman Sachs Asset Management
eg: The fifth largest landholder in the country is NCH Capital, a US-based private equity firm that invests on behalf of prominent US pension funds, university endowments, and foundations.
All of the EU have their fingers in the pie eg: France has already made ' published ' security agreements but ' secret ' language does anyone think they did this out of the goodness of their heart, or did they get something already
will Trump knock them out of the script
https://www.elysee.fr/en/emmanuel-macron/2024/02/16/agreement-on-security-cooperation-between-france-and-ukraine
Of course Russia is said to have already taken the best land, Donetsk, where reported the largest lithium deposits
As long as he maintains the notion of this being an Ukraine, Russia war, hard to see how it gets resolved. Surely he knows this has been a neocon proxy operation from the start?
What a gigantic mess.
When Trump threatens the Palestinians that "Hell will break out", I am reminded of my service in Vietnam.
When everything was SNAFU we would say, "What are you going to do? Send me to Vietnam."
How is unleashing more hell in Gaza going to improve anything?
Trump should remember the Pottery barn rule. You break it you own it.
He'll definitely own it--he keeps reminding us.