Friends, I bring you greetings from the great city of Montreal, Quebec! I'll share more of my reflections on the wonders of Canada in the days ahead.
Before I do, consider this article by Senator Josh Hawley, who is daring to go against the conventional wisdom and oppose the addition of Sweden and Finland to NATO. He makes some excellent points: we may well be overextended in Europe, and, as I've said on many occasions, we prioritize Russia over China at our peril.
https://nationalinterest.org/feature/why-i-won%E2%80%99t-vote-add-sweden-and-finland-nato-203925
Trump is making some very interesting and critical comments about Ukraine's position vis-a-vis Russia. Basically, he's saying that Ukraine helped to bring its present plight on itself, and so did we. I agree wholeheartedly, and I also think Trump has a point that, if he'd been reelected, Russia might never have had the impetus, or the gumption, to attack Ukraine.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/donald-trump-ukraine-russia/2022/08/01/id/1081272/
Finally, I know many of you enjoy the programming offered by Fox News, but make no mistake: Fox is engaged in a conscious, concerted effort to prevent Donald Trump from becoming the Republican nominee in 2024. In that sense, Fox is now allied with the mainstream media, and it is hellbent on manipulating its own (credulous?) customers. Are you one of them? Well, then you should at least be aware of the agenda that is governing the "news" you're given.
Dr.Waddy from Jack: Montreal is a wondrous place; when I was in college in Plattsburgh NY, it was only a short busride away!
ReplyDeleteDr.Waddy from Jack: I view Fox almost daily and consider it a decisive influence on public opinion. I think its obvious bias against the "American" left to be positive, constructive and vital in combating the long since proven intent of that left to FORCE unneeded and un wanted "fundamental change" on America. I do not yet see in it a determination to thwart DJT but I do see a willingness to entertain both doubt and support of him.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: I think your endorsement of Senator Hawley's views on Ukraine is well taken. Perhaps we thought that possible Ukrainian membership in Nato was something Russia would reluctantly endure . Well, they won't and they have demonstrated it! Do we need more to convince us that to Russia, this issue is FUNDAMENAL! Perhaps we find their actions in Ukraine to be morally condemned. We can concentrate moral opprobrium against them but can we creditably gainsay their historical and geographic concerns? And why the hell should Russia lose any sleep about the opinions of our mostly detached intelligencia?
ReplyDeleteDr.Waddy from Jack: The almost catastrophic Cuban Missile Crisis would not, I think, have occured had Nixon been President. Khruschev wrongly dismissed Kennedy as a silly spineless voluptuary but Nixon may well have garnered his respect at the Kitchen Debate, in which Nixon resolutely defended our economic system face to face with the murderous Soviet leader. Apparently Khruschev, an earthy sort, had sized Kennedy up as a weakling at their summit in Vienna in 1961. It is plausible then, that his Kitchen Debate confrontation with Nixon convinced him that Nixon had sand in his craw!
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: I think that, similarly, had Putin had to face Trump's iconoclastic, fiesty mien, he might have refrained in Ukraine .But both Russian and Chinese leaders know Biden is a cream puff. Also, both Russia and China are led by patriots who harbor withering disdain for such as Biden, who demonstrate and declare doubt for their country's fundamentals and allow otherwise popularly despised radicals to exercise inordinate decision making power. Common sense says that one who would casually hand over power to those who mean national destruction and replacement by dreams, are fools!
ReplyDeleteJack, there's no doubt that Fox is powerful in helping to form U.S. public opinion. There's no doubt that it gives a sympathetic hearing to Republicans and conservatives in general either. I'm intrigued to hear you say that it tolerates Trump supporters and allows them to make their case for Trump. Can you provide any examples?
ReplyDeleteAs you say, Jack, great men can have an outsized influence on history, and so when small men lead great nations, other nations smell blood in the water and are inclined to try to take advantage. In many ways, I suspect Biden's response to Russia's aggression has been stronger and bolder than most people, including in the Kremlin, expected. But it was the justifiable EXPECTATION OF WEAKNESS that triggered the invasion, and that's rather important!!!
Dr.Waddy from Jack : Cannot think of any specific comments;I think I have heard Dan Bongino wax favorable about DJT. I will write down the next few comments I hear on Fox and get back to you.
ReplyDeleteDr.Waddy from Jack: I am certain I hear much disdain for Rinos on Fox and much else which is in line with DJT's convictions.
ReplyDeleteDr.Waddy from Jack: Lara Trump, his daughter in law, is now a regular on Fox. This would seem unlikely if Fox was determined to prevent his renomination. More of my insolent contradiction later. . .
ReplyDeleteFair enough, Jack. I only know what I read, since I never watch Fox myself. I would keep track of the degree to which Fox covers Trump's remarks and rallies. That's a key indicator. Allowing Trump to speak for himself means that you consider him news, and you consider his point of view vaguely legitimate.
ReplyDelete