TRUMP'S POLARIZING INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY

 By Mildred Robertson

Since Donald Trump’s first term in office, he has undermined the alliances that have kept America safe since 911. He has belittled nations on both our northern and southern borders, threatening to make Canada our 51^st state, and vowing to reclaim the Panama Canal from the Panamanian government. He also has inquired whether he could make Greenland part of America in exchange for Puerto Rico.  And of course, there is the now infamous claim that the Gulf of Mexico is the Gulf of America.

These absurdities are nothing new on Trump’s part. He was a polarizing force in international diplomacy dating back to his first term starting in 2017.  According to the Pew Research Center, a sizable majority of respondents across 34 countries felt that Trump could not be trusted to do the right thing. A median of 69% of respondents found the then-president to be unreliable.

Not much has changed as he embarks upon his second term, wreaking havoc on the federal government, the military, domestic and international social programs, and international diplomacy. He has sidelined Congress, subverted government agencies, and intimidated Republicans into silence. The only remaining leg of the three-legged stool that represents our democracy also flounders in futility as Trump ignores Court rulings. This president has used his first 100 days in office to set the stage for a transactional America that only cares for its own bottom line. He shows disdain for the rule of law, and those meant to enforce it.

While American leadership appears to be cowering in Trump’s shadow some world leaders have had enough and are finally finding their voices. British Prime Minster Keir Starmer corrected the president during a joint press conference when he stated that America has “given” aid to Ukraine while European countries have only loaned to the embattled nation.  He further implied that America might not come to Britain’s aid if Russia were to attack and asked whether Britain could defend itself.

While taken aback by the question, during a Q&A with the media Starmer corrected Trump’s claim that European countries supporting Ukraine would “get their money back”. In a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron Trump falsified the dollar amounts contributed by European countries to the war effort, stating that the United States had spent $350 billion in aid to Ukraine while Europe had only spent $100 billion.

On February 28, in a face-to-face meeting in the Oval Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fell under attack when he balked at a bilateral mineral deal with America to maintain U.S. military support for his war effort. President Trump and his sidekick JD Vance tore into Zelensky, painting him as ungrateful for requesting security guarantees in return for the mineral rights the U.S. demanded in return for the possibility of continued support in the war effort. Trump suggested that he was capable of ending the war. 

Zelensky held his ground noting that Ukraine was at war with Russia and that it would be Russia and the Ukrainian people who would be at the negotiating table, with the U.S. and Europe as partners. Both Trump and Vance lectured the Ukrainian leader, calling him disrespectful for speaking up for himself and his country. During this exchange Trump bullied and mocked Zelensky, cursing and shouting at him. Ultimately, in a Truth Social post, it was noted that the deal was off. Zelensky left the White House and canceled a speech at the Hudson Institute. He appears to have had enough.

And he is not alone. All these leaders appear to have concluded that Trump is beyond reason and diplomacy is futile.  Therefore, they must prepare to face a world crisis without the United States, perhaps even AGAINST the United States. That is a scary proposition because that means that America will be left standing alone.

Serena Williams - Can't Dim Her Shine

Okay, total disclosure. I am not a football fan. I didn't watch the Super Bowl halftime in real-time, and I could not name one song by Kendrick Lamar or Drake. But I certainly know who Serena Williams is. 

This young woman has used her God-given talent to take her from the streets of Compton, CA to the heights of international dominance in her chosen field. Her task was not easy; complicated by the world-class athletes whom she handily defeated, to the systemic racism that placed obstacles in her path to domination of women's tennis worldwide.  

To belittle her Superbowl performance as a "get-back" at a former lover is an example of the lengths people will go through to besmirch this iconic athlete, entrepreneur, mother, wife, and yes, world-class champion. I saw her performance as a tribute to her roots. 

It amazes me that a woman who has conquered the tennis world, won 4 Olympic Gold Medals, launched the multimedia company "Nine Two Six Productions" and is entering a licensing deal with Wyn Beauty cosmetics still must fight the petty battles that society lays in her path. She has endorsement deals with over a dozen brands and is an active investor in a venture capital firm, Serena Venture. She is a co-founder of Will Perform, a startup that creates products for topical pain relief, and skin care. As though all of that were not enough, she released a children's book in 2022 and is part-owner of the Miami Dolphins. This young woman is prolific. 

I said that to say this. Serena Williams is likely not checking for a former lover. Her eyes are undoubtedly focused on a much higher target than a simple slap back at an ex who may be thinking right now that he probably should have kept her.  Her Superbowl performance was a get-back, but not at Drake. 

She let the world know that no matter how people try, they can't dim her shine. 

Shine on, queen!

So, Trump Renames The Gulf of Mexico

By Mildred Robertson

This is just stupid. And the fact that the media is following it like it is meaningful is also ignorant. 

You did not learn the first time. He is manipulating you. Stop reporting his every word. He cannot unilaterally change the name of the Gulf, and you know it. He plans to bully the world to his will, and the media helps him do it by making his idiotic statements headline news.

The Trump strategy is to break everything at once so that it is difficult to strategize and mobilize on any one issue. He vomits one insane objective after the other, without giving thought to the process, costs, or the resources necessary to implement them. It doesn't matter to him whether he can actually implement the policy as long as he can grab the headline. The media breathlessly reports his insane rantings as if they are rational policies and procedures capable of withstanding the rules and regulations associated with policymaking.  

Can Trump be king? He most certainly can, if we let him. 

The media's breathless pursuit of his next thing is not helpful. In one of my early journalism courses the instructor defined news like this:  "Dog bites man" is not news...'Man bites dog' - now that's news."  

For instance, I understand why the media reported Trump's statement that he wanted Greenland and Canada to be part of the United States. That was news. But the fact that they continue with the foolishness is absurd. Particularly since it would be necessary for those entities to agree with that move, or for America to decide to seize them. Now, if either of those two things were to occur, that would surely be news! The mere bluster of a megalomaniac, however, does not qualify. 

So, the media must learn a new way to report on Trump. They must see who is biting who before they splash the rantings of a seeming madman all over our newspapers, airwaves, social media, and television screens. Trump does and says things that seem to scream for a response. But the media must figure out whether his words warrant their attention. 

Can I give you a new definition of news in the Trump era? Sorry, I can't. But I know that current reporting practices are not it. 

And by the way, just like the much-reported wall that Mexico built is a non-story, so too is the imperialistic takeover of several sovereign nations; at least for now. 

Stop America's Freefall Toward Tyranny

 A Letter to Our Congress

By Mildred Robertson

I have been appalled at the blatant disregard the Trump Administration has shown for this country and its laws, rules, and regulations. It is bad enough that he is appointing totally unqualified individuals to lead the nation's most important agencies, but he also is acting illegally in purging government officials whose only fault is carrying out the duties to which they were assigned. 

It is unfortunate that 49% of America chose this man to lead the nation. It is unfortunate that many people stayed home and did not vote so that he could squeak into the Whitehouse. It is unfortunate that many people did not understand the depth of his depravity or the span of his ignorance. Nevertheless, it is left to the United States Congress to deal with this situation. While many Republicans likely do not see eye-to-eye with me on many social and political issues, I believe that some of you have the best interest of the United States at heart. The fact that an unelected individual such as Elon Musk has been given a free hand to destroy this nation's foundation must be as disturbing to some Republicans as it is to me. The threat of what he will do with information to which he is not entitled is unbelievable.

I know that this administration is formidable and that it is difficult for Republican legislators to buck the system. However, I beseech you, to gird yourself for this battle. Use your power to be a bulwark against the criminality of this administration. 

As your constituents, we ask you to speak truth to power. Trump has unleashed a water hose full of lies, deceit, and malfeasance that, if left unchallenged, will destroy America. I ask that our elected representatives stand up to him. Vote against those nominees to lead government agencies who are clearly unqualified. Stop Elon Musk from accessing sensitive government data.  Save our democracy.  Only Congress can. Be bigger than the office you hold. Be an AMERICAN.

Family Says Robert Kennedy, Jr. is Unfit to Lead USDHHS

Below is a copy of a letter from Robert Kennedy, Jr.'s cousin to congressional leaders. It requires no further comment. 

Continued-Page 2

Trump Rules by Chaos

 Mildred D. Robertson

Trump 2.0 has thrown the nation into a state of constant chaos. People cannot find solid footing as one preposterous, absurd, and sometimes illegal pronouncement after the other flows from the Trump Whitehouse. 

From the nomination of clearly unqualified individuals to head our nation's most important agencies to flinging open the doors of prisons to release convicted January 6th rioters who trashed the Capitol and brutalized police officers on January 6, 2020, Trump has lumbered into D.C. bringing with him utter chaos. 

His tendency to foster pandemonium creates a never-ending flow of "breaking news" that the media breathlessly expound upon. They relish the atmosphere created by Trump's penchant to fly in the face of the norm, fervently reporting every nuance of his untraditional leadership. While enamored with the constant flow of news, they are equally frustrated with their inability to adequately report the ever-changing political landscape as Trump crushes social and political norms. 

It is clear that Trump plans to decimate the foundation of American democracy dismissing any pretense that this will be a nation of laws, equality, or justice. True to his word, he has embarked upon a campaign of retribution against all who oppose him. He appears to care little for our history, or the lessons learned as America rose to become the most envied superpower in the world. 

In the words of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., "We are going to have some dark days ahead."  But just as Dr. King refused to give up; just as he refused to accept the lot assigned to him by prejudice and flawed leadership, we too must continue to seek high ground. 

The "Mountain Top" view will allow us to rise above the chaos to gain a clearer view. There we will see that all is not lost...at least not forever. We will be able to see that there is work to be done, and we must do it, even in the face of this chaotic administration. 

America must stand, even in the face of the trials and tribulations that lie ahead. While this administration may seek to destroy American democracy, the foundation is strong. Working together we can survive. 

Republicans Accuse Democrats of Hegseth Smear Campaign

 By Mildred Robertson

During the confirmation hearing on Pete Hegseth's nomination on Tuesday, January 14, Democrats raised serious questions about his fitness to serve as head of the U.S. Department of Defense. Not only did they address his lack of experience in managing an agency such as the DOD, but they also questioned his character based on numerous reports of drunkenness and sexual abuse.  Republicans responded by accusing the Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee of attempting to smear Trump's pick to lead the agency. In fact, the Democrats did not smear Hegseth but rather exposed the stains in his checkered past.  

Hegseth is accused of sexual assault, mismanaging funds excessive drinking, public drunkenness, and disorderly conduct. Among the allegations is that Hegseth paid a woman who accused him of physically blocking her when she attempted to leave a hotel room and then sexually assaulting her.  Although he paid her as part of a settlement agreement, he continues to assert his innocence. 

A report in the New Yorker magazine stated that a former associate at Vets for Freedom, where Hegseth served as executive director, accused him of charging inappropriate expenses such as parties and trysts. Former employees who worked for him at Concerned Veterans for America sent a letter to the nonprofit's senior management also citing excessive drinking and ill-treatment of female staff. He allegedly categorized female staff as either "party girls," or "not party girls." 

Similar allegations were raised by a Fox News producer, stating that Hegseth's drinking habit was an "open secret."  Hegseth himself previously acknowledged that when he transitioned from military to civilian life he drank heavily.  He pledges that if confirmed, he will quit drinking altogether. 

That would be laughable if it were not so scary. First of all, how many alcoholics have you heard make similar statements? Secondly, do we want to gamble with our national security on the promise of a man with a drinking problem?

Can you imagine the phone ringing at 2 o'clock in the morning regarding an urgent military matter? Would we want to entrust the control of our military to someone who might be passed out on the couch when an important call came in, or a pressing military issue needed clear-eyed attention? Do we want someone like Hegseth to be responsible for responding to a domestic or international emergency? Do we want an alleged drunken womanizer to represent us on the world stage? Well, I might not want the answer to that question, since a felony and a sexual assault conviction did not give the American public pause on Election Day November 5th. 

Those are some of the questions Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee asked during the confirmation hearing today. The questions appear fair to ask of someone seeking a position of such importance, and you cannot smear that which has already been stained.