Mine is better than yours:
There is an election in Russia soon. President Vladimir Putin is let’s just say, very likely to win it. Putin recently gave a preelection speech and boasted of new Russian nuclear missiles, including a new cruise missile that is invincible. Perfect, we had mine is bigger than yours, now we have mine is better than yours. Feels to me like the 1930s with selfies.
Elections are, over rated really. In China, President Xi Ching has moved to abolish presidential term limits, nice. Two superpowers have plenty of time to do and plan pretty much what they want to do. I guess everyone in the administration is onside to avoid an unfortunate event. In our democracy, we, some of us that is, squabble, fight and backstab to get to the top only to topple via some scandal or other. Makes you wonder which way is more efficient doesn’t it? Maybe a western emperor?
Brexit talks and counter talks going on. The sticking point, not only now but since the get go and before, is the border with Northern Ireland. The Irish Republic is and will remain, a member of the European Union (EU). Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU. However, as the UK as a whole voted narrowly to leave, it must leave. I’m not even going to try to describe the political and religious issues and stances that make such a small island, such a huge melting pot of troubles for hundreds of years. Suffice to say that if the UK and the EU don’t get the Irish, Northern Irish border right, it is highly possible that troubled times will return to a people that in the main probably just don’t want it. I think the EU must think again on its proposal and compromise because I think this one is a red card issue for UK Prime Minister (PM) Theresa May and most likely any PMs that follow her. A hard border is not going to be acceptable.
Another Whitehouse communications chief, Hope Hicks, has resigned a day after a long session testifying in front of the House Intelligence Committee. U.S. media are claiming sources told them that Hicks admitted telling white lies for the President. What is a white lie? I’ve seen a definition that it’s “A harmless or trivial lie, especially told to avoid hurting someone’s feelings.” OK, but I haven’t seen much sign of empathy in this administration thus far. Maybe behind closed doors they’re all caring and kind. Perhaps they are and perhaps I’m slim and young again. Whitehouse communication careers don’t seem to last very long. Makes me wonder why anyone wants to take the job on. Get away from me foul cynicism. I’m sure we’ll hear more as the story unfolds.
Free, fair trade is good. It’s not about one nation winning. A fair deal for all, including the workers. I’ve just heard on the radio that President Trump announced trade import tariffs on steel and aluminum that’s on top of softwood lumber and no doubt others. Once again, we can hark back to the 1930s with the 1930 Tariff Act, which has been associated with starting a trade war, causing the great depression and we all know what happened next, WWII. Does no one read history any more? The Dow Jones index dropped like a brick today. I don’t see a certain someone owning that stock market performance.
Finally, the Middle East, Syria in particular. In addition to the superpowers, Iran and Israel could easily home to full blown war here.