Friends, today Congress passed a (legally and constitutionally meaningless) resolution limiting President Trump's authority to resume hostilities with Iran. The only people impressed by such a resolution will be the mullahs, who will interpret it as a sure sign that their intransigence has worn down American resolve, and that the danger of future bombings and/or blockades is minimal. Alas, this conclusion might be reasonable, under the circumstances -- not because of Congress, but because Trump himself seems to have no appetite for further military action and, more importantly, for the attendant disruptions to the world oil supply. Long story short: Congress may get its way, and the war with Iran may indeed be definitively over. Partly as a consequence, our leverage over Iran in the all-important talks now taking place in Switzerland may be more modest than we would like. The wildcard here, as usual, is Israel, which can (and will) do as it pleases.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: I am no expert on judo or jiu-jitsu but I understand that part of one or both of these disciplines is to allow the opponent to advance and then take advantage of the opponent's forward momentum and presumptuousness to deal them an even more effective setback.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this is a useful tactic in diplomacy or war and an hombre like DJT knows it. I think it likely he will ring the Iranian bell when their certain overreach and disingenuousness gives him an opening. Israel of course has the highest stakes of all in this continuing fight for its life against murderous barbarians. I'm confident we'll work out any differences in views with them. Our support for Israel graces our foreign policy, I think.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: But the GOP majority in Congress is no doubt greatly concerned about losing its majority in Nov. Its a hard thing to call off a creditable strategist who has a long term plan which requires patience. It may be, though, that the GOP thinks it best in the long run to continue to favor diplomacy in order to advance developments like precipitate drops in the price of gas. Such relief in a factor glaringly visible to all may redound to the GOP's advantage in Nov." If that succeeds, then back to hardball with Iran " may be the GOP strategy for now.
ReplyDeleteToo, this apparent "national "surge in enthusiasm by and for the DSA in down home places like NY must still be closely considered. Looks right now like a decisive push by the DSA to confirm their capture of the once loyal Dem party and the novelty of that may be attractive to the credulous among the "independent" and undecided. But a midterm takeover of one or both of the Houses could make the DSA a viable national party. And '28 could consequently give the radicals inspiration to " way" overreach and get McGovernized . JD could put any of the emotionally dominated adolescent DSA/Dem possibilities to shame on a debate stage.
There is of course as always with the "American" far left the distinct possibility of them overreaching. Why to them it is unquestionably just that they ascend; after all, they know best what America needs even if America does not know. An early manifestation of this may be seen in the "oh so vindicated" festivities celebrated on the obsequious MSM over DSA victories in the primaries. "Today NYC, tomorrow the world. . . !"
Dr. Waddy from Jack: The DSA"s "monumental" affirmation in Tuesday's mostly primary elections brings to the fore the customary far left castigation of the successful in our economy. The radical tocsin is sounded yet again in all its time disproven resolve: "a handful of billionaire 'oligarchs' push us around in order to satisfy their venal voluptuary compulsions. They don't even pay their 'fair share' of taxes. That's why 'our' US must be 'fundamentally transformed ' and in the process cleansed of all its thereby imposed problems.
ReplyDeleteOne J. Peder Zane of RealClearPolitics commented on this recently in his article Talking Against the Divide in Our Nation : he said he didn't see the "problem " as a "handful of rich guys but the many millions who lack the skills, education and burning desire to better their own lives . . . it is not a porous safety net, but the unwillingness to work".
Further he says in describing his conversation with a rare "progressive" willing to discuss politics with courtesy to views opposite to his :" . . . the focus on the rich seeks to create a single bogeyman for all our problems." And of course it is one for which the streaking DSA has a singular solution: let them take over. "Remember" bellows Comrade Mamdani to a rather discriminating throng, " we are for WORKING PEOPLE"! Gee that's what marxists (nee "socialists") always say but in power they only demonstrate enslavement and destitution for everyone, including the sainted " working class" . . . everyone that is except themselves.
I can't here reprise all Zane wrote; it was full of the common sense which is anathema to such as the DSA neomarxist incipient totalitarians. He did offer his conversation with the "progressive" paragon as an example of the conciliation he believes might bring us back together. I disagree with that.
The "American" far left has not endured the onerous shame of having to work within the structure of a civilized , measured and truly progressive America since '72 to relent when victory is, by their frantic lights, in sight.
NO! America must resolve to unapologetically defend and preserve its painfully evolved, yes lacking in the perfection the radicals think attainable, nevertheless on balance just and blessedly properous country. We must politically defeat and marginalize the Marxist rump which grows ever more bold; let's send them back to sweltering dusty tents at county fairs and let them emote in lonely flatulent futility there. If they were to take over they would do infinitely worse to America itself.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: There has been much discussion after last Tuesday about ideological division among Dems as intense as to raise the possibility of formal secession of one or the other wing . Indeed , several groups of "moderate" Dems are in ostensible reaction to the DSA onslaught:"Promise to America" , a pact signed by approx. 15 Dem House members and candidates, promises to "counter far left and far right factions emphasizing capitalism , strong borders and patriotic unity." Other efforts include "Majority Democrat Pact", "Mod Squad Pact" and "New Democrat Coalition". Reminds me of a wolf pack pledging to eat less meat.
ReplyDeleteFirst, there is no credible far right threat to America. Our far right are the Nazis and their ilk and they are a pitiful and powerless coterie. The far left? Well, just look at the DSA and its burgeoning imposition on our polity. And three far leftists - the Obamas and Hillary - have already lived in the White House.
I remember the last Dem effort to disingenuously front "moderation". It brought us a rollicking baby boomer con man and his grimly vindictive "it takes a village" "spouse" as self described co Presidents and as generators of immeasurable disgrace to our White House and to our post war generation and terribly undeserved shame to the exemplary WWII and Depression survivors.
Why would anyone of moderation and center/right convictions want to be a Democrat in the first place? It is typical of Dems to campaign to the center and govern to the far left. One of the latest and most egregious example of this is Comrade Governor Spanberger in beleagured Virginia. How many of these "moderates" may simply be feigning common sense in order to prevent their party from being permanently marginalized?
Dr. Waddy from Jack I: A credible example of a"Dem" with some sincere moderate convictions is Pennsylvania's John Fetterman. I am going to guess he remains a Dem because he was elected as one. I think it a possibility that if a Dem takeover of the Senate is imminent he just might torpedo it by joining the GOP.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: NY state has enacted a law requiring that ICE agents not wear masks concealing their personal identity while doing their duty. ICE has announced it will not comply and has filed Federal suit arguing Federal Supremacy over state law. NY has sued claiming a "sovereign right to protect its citizens."
ReplyDeleteWe of common sense in this far left captured state regret before America that our state is so unapologetically seditious. Our officious Governor and Attorney General are up for reelection but the DSA amoeba on the Hudson may well continue to dictate to us at the polls unless we vote enmasse.
So NY wants to protect its citizens ehh? How about ICE agents who are NY citizens? I know one. This law blithely exposes them and their families to the physical threat already expressed toward them by vicious open border partisans. How about the limitless numbers of law abiding citizens made potential victims of murderous foreign invaders casually freed of Immigration Law fears by this execrable and criminal "law"? How about dutiful local law officials who know who so many of these criminals are and where to find them.? As anyone in law enforcement knows, such obviation of law enforcement's ability to well, PROTECT THE LAWFUL, breeds contemptuous flouting of all law by those once held responsible for specific violation. And it might expose law enforcement to yet more enervating and cynicism producing legal hazards . That would please a good many among NY's ruling junta and its cadre.
I think all of these faults are very obvious to NY's majority of law makers. They are far left "do gooders" for whom the victims of their virtue signaling by definition have rights roughly akin to those of insects.
Again, it is HIGH TIME for the Feds to take NY firmly in hand as they did to several southern states which in the 50's and 60's demonstrated that they would never compliantly afford equal protection of the law to some of their citizens. NY's government cannot be convinced; it must be forced, including criminal prosecution of its dictatorial policy makers. They are willfully violating Federal Law; ENFORCE IT NOW!
Oh, the Dems may well be overreaching, but McGovernization of the party looks to me to be pretty unlikely, based on the polls. Holding our narrow majorities in both houses would be a huge victory, under the circumstances. Shellacking the Dems just ain't gonna happen.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind that maintaining a delicate balance between the true believers and the squishy moderates is a permanent challenge for both parties in a two-party system. The DSA is just the latest iteration of the "far-left" and, if it fizzles, a new iteration will arise. It seems to me that it might be time for America to try something OTHER than a two-party system, which would give the radicals (on both sides) more scope for action at the local and state levels. Can you imagine a House and a Senate without a majority of either Democrats or Republicans? Now THAT could get interesting...
Dr. Waddy from Jack: The Dems recovered relatively well from their '72 shellacking; Dem Carter was elected in'76. He of course portrayed himself as a "moderate", which neither he nor his VP Mondale were. I don't blame the poor dear; I don't think he knew what he was. Eg " my former denunciation of 'inordinate fear of communism' ".
ReplyDeleteBut what '72 did was to show the far left that a coup was beyond its capabilities. So they hunkered down and feigned reform into loyal and busy little bees willing to play by the rules.They thought to break true in '88 with criminal loving Dukakis - "Blacks, women, prochoice : shut up for now (until after I win). You'll get everything you want then". They actually thought our country would elect a man as wrongheaded as to grant furloughs to lifer monsters justly separated from the law abiding for their hideous crimes. NOT!
So they wised up and nominated a master con man who kept his Marxist "spouse" in check at least until after he was elected. In good time they disgraced their party beyond measure. Rebuffed again they empowered an Obama who ostensibly purposed "fundamental transformation" of a US which did not and does not need such radical change. "Am I a Marxist? That's a good question." But he and his wife were quickly seduced by the perks of office into fluffling on their erstwhile revolutionary intent. The consequence for them and their pitiful standin Biden is the advent of President Trump and his unapologetic opposition to their Marxist views.
But the DSA surge is prompting the far left to once again recklessly go for it all, this time with unprecedented open overconfidence. A good
McGovernlike "hiding" in '26 and or '28 might well send them back to their noisome hidey holes to fester once again. If JD is elected they may as well pack it in for a generation. The general electorate will have to do it; the Dem "moderates" aren't up to it unless Fetterman gets a chance to swing the Senate. Part of the DSA strategy now may well be to isolate and neutralize that un"dem"ly principled man much as the oyster does to internal foreign objects. But they dare not loose their vaunted personal castigation machine on him unless they get desperate. They know he can do them another DJT.
Jack, my thinking on the future of the Dems and the Left is: follow the money! As long as huge quantities of it continue to prop up their party and their movement, both remain plenty viable. And, as far as I know, nothing Trump or the FCC or the DOJ have done has had the least impact on the financial prowess of our hated adversaries.
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