Friends, you may have noticed that a bunch of European countries just sent paltry expeditionary forces -- mere handfuls of troops -- to Greenland, in a move that they say is a sign of how seriously they take Greenland's defense against Russia and China. Instead, President Trump seems to interpret this as an affront, i.e as a gambit aimed more at deterring U.S. aggression than anything from our non-NATO foes. And in all likelihood he's right. Trump therefore decided to threaten these European "friends" with tariffs, unless and until the U.S. demand to control Greenland is met. Wow! Trump says the Euro-weenies were "playing a dangerous game" when they decided to send troops to our doorstep, and I tend to agree. It was a dumb move. Having said that, provoking yet another trade war, or an actual war, with our erstwhile allies and partners could turn out to be "beyond stupid" as well, as (Republican) Senator Thom Tillis so memorably put it. I think Trump needs to confront a hard truth: Denmark and its European confederates aren't going to hand over Greenland politely. Trump will have to take it, if he's determined to have it, and that means he'd have to brave all the potential consequences. If he's not that brave, then opening this can of worms in the first place was, if not "beyond stupid", at the very least ill-advised.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4qjwk9n2no
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-greenland-military-tariffs/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
In other news, this poll reveals how the Venezuelans are feeling about the U.S. capture of "El Presidente" Nicolas Maduro: they love it! However, they also desperately want regime change and genuine democracy, which so far Delcy Rodriguez shows no inclination to grant.
NASA is getting tantalizingly close to a return to the Moon -- for the first time in 50 years! About time, I say. Might we have bases on the lunar surface by the time J.D. Vance takes office? I think we might! Next stop: Mars!!!
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly148lvyevo
Finally, I was back in action today on the Newsmakers show. Brian and I discussed the outrageous, lawless anti-ICE protests taking place around the country, the stakes in our battle to acquire Greenland, the seismic shifts taking place in British politics, and so much more!
Dr. Waddy from Jack: I have to think that the 1951 Greenland Defense agreement , which sanctions then future expansion of U.S. force in Greenland ,is still a vital factor in this situation . Perhaps it is the basis for negotiation which will bring this matter to a constructive conclusion. One faction which should be shunned in such consideration is the "American" far left/Dems. Their reflexive opposition to anything our President does discredits them thoroughly.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: Looks like the translunar flight is going to happen soon! Apollo 8,in Dec. '68 which was the first to reach the moon and orbited it without landing: I'll never forget the thrill of that . For young stargazers like me it was the beyond astonishing realization of our science fiction adventures in the 50s and earlier 60's . The memory of that Christmas Eve broadcast from lunar orbit is one I cherish most from the fascination of the Apollo voyages. Glad to see it happening again after what for us has been a very much unanticipated but still most productive hiatus.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of space, you mentioned Musk's Starlink in your Newsmaker broadcast. Several months ago I suddenly saw some of his satellites, perhaps ten all in a straight line. Before I found an explanation on line I was convinced for perhaps an hour that I had actually seen a UFO! I waited for its predicted return another night and it came over right on schedule.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: Re the Newsmaker broadcast:having lived through the time of the late '60s early'70s "disorders " I think comparisons of that time to our present bitter conflict may be plausibly made. But there are also significant and ominous differences:
ReplyDeleteFor one thing, I do not recall that multitude which gave aid and comfort to our country's very enemy , a typical murderous communist tyranny and doctrinally crazed aggressor, having been egged on by Governors, Mayors and an entire once vital party in Congress. I also do not recall such officials EVER ordering law enforcement agencies to refrain from confronting violent far left entranced mobs; perhaps, yes, incidentally for tactical reasons but never from doctrinal political conviction in favor of the tragically misled dissemblers. But we see all of that today in our country , terribly wronged for now 60 years by hate imbued radicals perversely inspired by the Marxist curse which so ravaged humanity in the 20th century
Also: I do not doubt that the majority of Americans support the rule of law, both in their personal conduct and in public policy. I think one of the main purposes of the Insurrection Act is to be TRUE TO THE LAWFUL! Their loyalty deserves nothing less.
You cited the infrastructure which coordinates the anarchic mob which violates our country now in the ostensible name of protecting law breakers they arrogate to be held "oppressed" . It is highly and effectively organized, it is motivated by hatred of our country and it foments violence which can only worsen if , as you caution against, our President displays apparent irresolution.
In many ways the analogy of an invading army can be plausibly directed to this yet domestic force. Accordingly, it must be firmly met by whatever degree of law enforcement , be it local or national, is necessary to protect the rights of the lawful to the enjoyment of domestic tranquility. (ask residents of Seattle or Portland in neighborhoods forcefully occupied by characteristically dictatorial far left fanatics).These rampant barbarians advance a cause inimical to America and our just civilization's guiding principles. Let them be decisively repulsed !
Dr. Waddy from Jack: Re the Newsmaker broadcast : Cubans ; Their self seeking regime has never hesitated to impose severe austerity, both economic and political, on them at its own self seeking will. It may be that that regime's reaction to the fall of the similarly inhuman regime in Venezuela and the material disadvantages that may well bring to Cuba will be to forcefully require simple and uncomplaining endurance, while the Marxist totalitarian elite retain all of their voluptuary privileges. Will this be countenanced by the long oppressed Cuban people? Soviet communism fell partly due to the examples of liberation in Eastern Europe. Could Venezuela's deliverance inspire Cubans to insist that they be freed from their fantastic Marxist thrall? A Cuban Gorbachev, possessed of grudging resignation to the reality that his country was living an insane lie, may not yet be apparent.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack:As far as I know I'm not acquainted with any of these reckless demonstrators and I think most Americans don't know any of them.
ReplyDeleteThat is because these terribly mistaken "revolutionaries" are a marginal faction consisting of grimly determined professional far left America haters and their credulously reflexive goons who they efficiently send to any place where they think anarchy can be fomented (including now a church).Violence is the key part of their "by any means necessary" resolve in unrelentingly pursuing the "fundamental transformation" of an unwilling American democracy to totalitarian "perfection". They spurn the fact that their interests are freely expressed in our Congress but have been very unpopular. Their unprincipled intent to bypass our rule of law must be met with power sufficient to completely defeat them, nothing less. Their purpose is the forceful establishment of the kind of Marxist tyranny of which the world is already sadly and convincingly experienced. These dissemblers would reprise this insane evil in our very country but only if our country allows it.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: These destructive overidealists are not the vanguard of a "grass roots popular mass uprising against an undoubtable wrong".
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: I guess Pres. Trump is going to Europe next week. This could get really interesting! I'm optimistic because he is a deal maker nonpareil.
ReplyDeleteJudging from the amazingly prescient canny judgement he has shown and the extraordinary successes he has brought about in this first year of his second term and in his monumentally important restoration of a lawful Scotus in his first term , I'm reasonably confident he will resolve this Greenland situation in compromise favorable for America. I wouldn't want anyone else negotiating for us. And yes , there is some pleasure to be had from him besting imperious European equivocators. They need to be reminded of the everlasting debt they owe us, bustling bumpkins as we are!
Dr. Waddy from Jack: Re the Newsmaker broadcast: perhaps the time has come for well crafted legislation, analogous to existing laws against slander and defamation of character, to address the inevitable purposeful misuse of AI to disingenuously harm the reputations of public figures and activists or potentially any of us. Of course it is completely predictable that the "any means necessary" democracy scorning far left would be eager to use such technology unhampered in its unrelenting quest to destroy America as we know it (imperfect yes, as the far left expects of all powers but itself but nonetheless on balance -the only true judgement of a great power - just, realistic and humane.)
ReplyDeleteAccordingly, such legislation should be the careful product of creditable and well informed attention to legal precedent and the evolution of laws protecting individuals from unjust and debilitating public attack. It follows that such cannot be expected to be advanced by obsequious far leftist apologists like NY's present Governor. It must be worked by a common sense Congress, with a temperate American President's approval, lest it be turned to bigoted left wing radical purpose.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: I understand that the present Chief Executive of Venezuela is a convinced Marxist. El Jefe Maduro was a simple minded goon using any means necessary to preserve his uninterrupted enjoyment of power and other voluptuary delights. Marxist or anythingist; it didn't otherwise matter to him. But apparently it does matter to the sitting La LIdera.
ReplyDeleteWe are more than justified in exercising any control over a person devoted to such a condemned doctrine. Given her unhampered rule Venezuelans could expect only unerringly predictable unrelenting Marxist oppression . As usual, the U.S. forcefully opposes this. That is as it should be. And that we should derive some material benefit from our deliverance of the Venezuelan people from murderous Marxism and gangsterish misrule, is , as is characteristic of our country, laudible. And squirm as you "American" far leftists do at that, you are thoroughly gainsaid by reality.