Trump, Pence and the Evangelicals

The "Jan. 6" hearings have shown the worst aspects of Pres. Donald Trump, especially his treatment of  VP Mike Pence.
Trump pressured Pence to betray his (Pence’s) values and his sworn oath to the Constitution in Trump’s attempt to subvert our electoral system.
Trump allowed, if not encouraged, the mob to threaten Pence’s life (“Hang Mike Pence”).
The question is, can Evangelical and other conservative Christians continue to support Trump knowing that Trump acted in such a harmful way to the living symbol of their faith in public service?

Turkiye Humanitarian Agricultural Shipping

Sent to Turkish Embassy, Washington DC                                                        July 1, 2022

Turkiye should consider 'flagging' a fleet of agricultural commodity ships. These ships could go to Odessa and other Ukrainian ports and load large amounts of wheat, sunflower, and rapeseed. Such ships would not be harmed because they would be flying the Turkish flag.

The ships would then sail to those countries most in need of those foodstuffs. Turkiye would earn great worldwide favor for its humanitarianism. It might even gain some profitable foreign currency along the way.

 

Ukraine/Russia Crisis

 
If Russia were to propose a UN Peacekeeping Force for select Ukraine border areas, the present situation would become less intense.
Pres. Putin could pull back a bit while maintaining a hardline status. At the same time, if there were a Peacekeeping Force on site, it would preclude Ukraine joining NATO. This would not preclude Ukraine from being considered for EU membership.
The PF would also decrease the number of real incidents that have been occurring in the Donbass area.
 

Critical Theory and Trumpism

CRT is a variant of Critical Theory, a deterministic social philosophy. CT advocates assessing and criticizing all social issues through a particular approach, disregarding normal, rational debates and fact-finding. CT predetermines the answer and fits the ‘facts’ to that answer.
This is the leftist approach to issues and is the counterpart of rightist disregard of reality. Whereas Trumpism is based on Alt-Facts, CT is based on Alt-Facts plus Alt-Logic.
We would all be better off if we followed David Brooks’ suggestion of “Whole Nation Progressivism” whereby the people and leaders of America all work together to find a rational commonality of issues and practical solutions while rejecting  “control of the marketplace of ideas.”

Taking Out The Trash

It is time to face the facts.
Feminists won’t like to hear this but we all must accept the reality: Men are better at taking out the trash than women are.
This is not an absolute. No scientific studies that I know of. But my keen observation(s), looking at not only my own life but so many others - the vast majority of human adult males are better at taking out the trash than their female counterparts. My shrewd estimation is that 80-85% of males are better at trash-out-of-housing than females.
This is not to say it is genetic. No arguments about Nature vs. Nurture. This is simply how things are in our present society.
I asked my wife about this. She sighed, rolled her eyes, and said:
“Dear, for once you are right.”
I consider this to be a major concession and admission on her part. It is also a major intellectual victory for me on this particular subject (Trash).
Who knows where this will go?

Trump Pardoning Self and Biden Pardoning Trump

It has been written that Pres. Trump should be allowed to pardon himself and thus avoid a long-protracted political battle while Pres. Biden tries to right the ship of state.
Perhaps it would be better to let Pres. Trump pardon himself, then have new Pres. Biden offer a conditional pardon, while noting that self-pardoning is a perversion of the pardoning process.
The condition would be that former Pres. Trump must name the crimes he has committed. (President Trump will have implicitly admitted to criminal activity by giving himself a pardon for crimes committed.) Then he would also agree “to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” in any and all investigations by the legislative and executive branches of the Federal government.

Former Pres. Trump would also have to pay back taxes, fees, and penalties due the government. Whatever he says would not be used against him in other jurisdictions (the states), but could be used against those he implicates in his confessions.

Stop World War III Before It Begins

A prime cause of WW I was mindless nationalism, which continued after the War. Populism grew in the 1920s and, with nationalism, led to World War II.

Now the world is reverting to nationalism and populism, making World War III

a likelihood.

Unlike the previous wars, WW III will be fought with weaponized Electronics, Economics, and Energy. Domination, not destruction, of opponents will be the goals, because this will allow the winner to exploit those subjugated. Consider it an updated form of colonialism.

The way to combat this trend is with education and by example. Teaching the lessons of history – how nationalism and populism will lead to strife, poverty, and loss of freedom.  Working together, helping each other, we will create an exemplary world.

We must offer the world a better future – one that leads to peace, prosperity and freedom for all mankind.