Trump's Real Game With Iran

 

All apologies. I had decided to steer away from bigger issues and focus on my own, more personal stuff, like poetry and the upcoming graduation of my first grandchild from high school. I even submitted three poems to a local writer’s club and won a prize! Validation feels good.

And yet, America remains under siege, deeply divided, and over-extended, and no one with any real power seems able or willing to do anything about it. Congress is ineffectual, the Supreme Court is questionable, and POTUS is downright shameful.

Since February 28, We The People have watched virtually helplessly as the United States of Trump launched a “pre-emptive strike” against Iran, in cooperation with Israel. The one immediate and ongoing consequence was and is the crippling of one-fifth the world economy because Iran discovered it could close the Strait of Hormuz and hold all ships transiting through the Strait hostage. I labored under the false impression that Trump did not realize this would happen. I have changed my mind.

In considering military actions, we employ scenario builders. Their job is to consider outcome. They look for probable responses, including those off the battlefield. Every President who considered military action against Iran was warned that Iran could close the Strait. Trump was no different. The closure was not a surprise. I now believe it was exactly what Trump wanted.

Reverse engineering, or following the money, I think Trump fully understood that attacking Iran would close the Strait, and that closure would drive up the price of crude around the world, this means American crude would sell at the same inflated price as the rest of the world. Oil companies and investors would see massive profits, even on a short timeline. Coupled with Trump’s concerted efforts to control Venezuela oil, and his attempts to cripple green energy alternatives, it seems like the President is doubling down on a dwindling energy source for short-term gain. If so, did he collude to create this war and crisis? Is he guilty of insider trading? Has he put American soldiers in harm’s way for profit? Is he guilty of murder? Of treason?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Trump's Legacy

I am sad and oh so tired.  I am embarrassed by my government, and by the people who still blindly support Donald Trump, the budget balancing, peace loving, God fearing, family values Republicans.  I am outraged by the obvious and blunt attempt by Trump to co-opt the world oil industry.  Money is being made by a few, hand over fist.  They have the power and Trump served them, not We The People.  It all wears me out.  

Trump is holding the world hostage.  Meanwhile, U.S. oil companies get to charge the world price, inflated by the closure of Hormuz.  Follow the money.  The super rich are only getting richer, at our expense.  Worldwide, particularly among our strongest allies, Trump is seen as a greater threat to world stability than Vladimir Putin.  

Others on bigger stages say much the same thing to much larger audiences.  All of us have the general problem of speaking to the choir, though that choir does seem to be growing slowly.  It doesn't change the power structure in America, nor does it change the minds of those in power who might be able to do anything to check Donald J. Trump.  So, I have been pretty quiet of late.  In fact, my voice in my golden years might just take up a more joyous banner.  So let this be both a transition and a parting shot.

Trump’s Legacy 

Great man,

Great and terrible,

Dreaming and believing

All your dreams,

History will spit

On your grave

And your dreams

Of gold and glory

And admiration

Will rot beside you,

Bones to dust

To hated bones.

Trump Derangement Syndrome

Trump Derangement Syndrome is real.  Trump supporters would have us believe that his opponents suffer from it. But, as seems to be the case these days, Trump's side is accusing the rest of us of doing exactly what they have done themselves, or are doing, or plan to do. The Syndrome actually is the stubborn belief, despite all the evidence to the contrary,  that Donald Trump is a good man and a good leader who is not lining his own pockets at the expense of national security,  fiscal responsibility,  and human rights.

It would be deranged to suggest Trump is an agent of the Devil,  or of America's ruin, or Putin or Netanyahu or China. But if we follow the money, would it be deranged to wonder how the oil tycoons across the world think of him?

The war of choice against Iran is the latest on a long list of broken promises and assurances and outright lies. Meanwhile,  fuel prices soar, even for Americans who, according to the President, don't need anybody else's oil because we have plenty.

Using recent estimates, the US spends 40 times what Iran does on defense.  Yet we can't get the job done (whatever that is). We should have learned from Ukraine that relatively cheap armaments can take out very expensive ones. Having the most,  best weapons does not guarantee superiority. 

Trump wants to increase our defense budget by 50% to a level over 6 times larger than China and 60 times the level of our chosen enemy Iran,  at the expense of our elderly,  poor, and average tax payer. He claims it's for defense. But it's what kings do to finance their wars of choice. And if you can't see that, shame on you. 

Olympic Bold

    They are very careful and polite about it, but several USA Olympic athletes have expressed how difficult it feels right now to represent their country at the Games.  Skier Hunter Hess was the first, but others have joined him.  these fine young people are not shouting out against their country.  They are expressing concern that has become discomfort.  The most common comment has been, and I am paraphrasing. "Of course I don't like some of the things that are going on back home."

    They are getting criticized for not loving America.  I would point out that if they didn't love their country they would not bother to comment at all.  I feel it incumbent upon me to once again quote James Baldwin."I love America more than any other country in the world, and, for exactly that reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually."

    And this, from Albert Einstein: "If I were to remain silent, I'd be guilty of complicity."

    I know this blog is unlikely to reach the people who need to read it, who need reminding that true patriotism is speaking truth to power.  It doesn't have to be vicious or cruel.  The response from power almost always is both.

    After President Trump called him a loser, Hess himself posted, "I love my country.  There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better.  One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out.  The best part of the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided we need that more than ever.  I cannot wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete."

    Hunter, you're already a winner and I salute you.

You are not alone

     It's been a while.  What have I missed?

    I have been thinking about my first return blog for some time.  Each day it changes with the events of that day.  I have been feeling so much outrage that I find it hard to pick just one thing to write about, and then I start to think that there isn't much point anyway.  Others are far better versed in the subtlties of world politics than I.  I should let them speak.  And, besides, what can one person do?

    One person can feel the outrage and express it.  He or she can scream out, "ICE is a government sponsored terrorist organization!"  We can ask how a five year old, or a two year old, or an 18 month old child can be hardened criminals targeted by an armed, masked body of quasi-Gestapo goons who have no respect for either the spirit or the letter of the law and will kill fellow Americans who get in their way.  

     One person can cry out to our neighbors to the north and our allies in Europe that the bullying and posturing of our President does not reflect our true sentiments.  "He too shall pass," we can say, hoping that somehow the world after Trump will somehow right itself and broken trust can be repaired.

    One person can hope and pray that Trump does not actually find a way to halt the mid-term elections later this year in order to hold onto control of the government.  That Trump's mania about naming everything in sight after himself finds this answer: "Mr. Trump, we will gladly put your name anywhere you want it to commemorate your life after you die.  We have the plaques ready to go, Sir.  After you."

    I have spent the last few months disheartened, anxious, afraid.  I have seen the writing on the wall, not because I can see the future but because I know the past, a past Donald Trump is trying to white-wash.  Worse than anything, I have felt alone.  But I'm not.  We number in the millions, perhaps billions.  Lorna Lovegood told Harry Potter that He Who Must Not Be Named wanted Harry to feel alone because it would be easier to control him.  Right now, we are watching Trump spiral out of control.  It does not feel good, but it feels right.

    When I was 2 years old, my parents immigrated to the United States.  One of the main motivating factors was their fear that there would be another land war in Europe.  After all, The Great War devastated the continent when my parents were children.  World War Two did it again, louder and bigger, when they were trying to raise a family of their own.  When they arrived at Ellis Island in 1952, my mother took a deep breath and said, "Now we are safe."  We have lost that sense of security.  We need it back.

    

December 8, 2025: Still Here

 Hello, everyone!

It is a busy time of year, what with government shut downs and murder on the high seas, and preparing for Christmas.  I am bored with the relentless oppression of American politics, so I have enjoyed my break!  But it's been almost 2 months of silence on  my part.  I am learning a new computer (and writing this on the old one), dealing with many much more pleasant distractions than normal, working four days a week in the customarily slow season (I usually clock 2 this time of year), and watching the snow fall, melt, freeze, thaw, and turn to rain.  In other words, not much to report.  I love you all, and I hope to be more profound and punctilious in the New Year.

October 15, 2025: A Call to Concrete Action

 

Took a break, back and ready to conquer the world! Anything happen while I was gone?

It seems the Democratic Party decided it had to do something, and found a way to apply what little leverage they had. The Republicans have refused to talk, or even listen. The issue that the Dems finally decided was the right hill to die on is health care. All they are asking for is a push back on the various cuts to MediCare and Medicaid, and the threats to the Health Insurance exchange, brought on by the so-called Big Beautiful Bill. The Dems are fighting for us, trying to keep insurance premiums from skyrocketing and keep millions from losing coverage altogether.

Mike Johnson says that Republicans are the ones concerned with health care. Of course, he, as a member of Congress, has the best health care plan available. He doesn't have to worry. His fellow Republicans are poised to punish anyone and everyone who did not vote for Trump in 2024 by ensuring they struggle to meet the burdens of health care in the future. They also shout that what Dems want is to supply health care for illegals. That is simply, patently, a lie.

It gets me thinking. Always dangerous, I know. I support the Dems' attempt, painful as shutting down the government has been. I think that the petty and vindictive nature of the Trump administration will show more and more as the closure continues. But I think it is time for the Dems to stop reacting to Trump. It is time to present themselves as the Party with concrete ideas, and solutions, for the real problems facing average Americans today. While lofty ideals are grand, pragmatic solutions to nuts and bolts issues are where the Dems need to go. Reacting to Trump does nothing. Becoming a viable, in touch alternative to the chaos he presents may just win the House back in 2026 and the presidency in 2028. Don't just say, “I have a plan.” Tell us the plan. Tell us how you will get it done. And tell us, and tell us, and tell us.

Platform Idea Number One: make health care a real issue again. By this, I mean Medicare for All, or Universal Health Care. It is not a new idea, or really all that radical. Franklin Roosevelt called for it in 1945. Most modern countries have a form of it. You can call it socialist, but it is a social program paid for by capitalism. In fact, it would be paid for by taxes. I am not an expert, but I did some math to get started. I am on Medicare, which covers 80% of my medical. I also have a supplimental plan, which used to be my primary before I was forced into Medicare at age 65. It covers the other 20%, so I am out of pocket only for medications. Together, my wife and I pay about 15% of our monthly income to health insurance premiums. The federal Medicare tax rate is 1.45% on top of that. I would be willing, if it were properly explained to me, to pay 8 or 9% Medicare tax if it meant no more insurance premiums at all. I would save 6 or 7%, and have universal health care at any age.

Some Democratic Party member with a good head for figures ought to check it out, and tell Gavin to run with it.