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An Observer (Teresa L)'s avatar

Thank you for this calm and sober piece. So needed in the election aftermath! I think you're on-target in your description of Trump as "the Fool" - but not in the sophomoric way most think of this type.

All over social media, the handwringing by people across the political spectrum is all you see, hear, or read. And I'm getting weary of it all - when nothing is set in stone at this time, or any time. Not even the u for all these picks is an absolutely known quantity. Many still have to go thru confirmation hearings. Even the libs with common sense are crying about this! (Many of these moderates were so appalled with Harris that Trump looked reasonable in comparison. I bet many voted for him - if not Stein - who, outside her sole "anti-genocide" rhetoric - and that was all it was - wasn't good for me at all.)

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Roslyn Ross's avatar

I suspect in troubled times most humans will instinctively opt for the figure who appears strongest. And, after hundreds of thousands of years of humans identifying strength in males then a man is more likely to be the choice than a woman. The other thing is that while Trump can be all over the place, he tends to speak simply, directly and frankly while Harris is a word salad fluff-budget who often says a lot and makes no sense at all.

So, Trump was probably the lesser of two evils and the one who exuded a sense of certainty, which appears to many as strength. Most humans feel safer with a strong leader, or someone who sounds and looks like he might be a strong leader and we are hardwired for that. We also feel safer and our brain is calmer when we have the illusion of certainty. Trump is blatant and blunt with his statements and that creates the illusion of certainty.

And perhaps another factor is that many Americans identified with Trump because they struggle and feel persecuted and they saw him as persecuted and struggling. Such things roam around in the unconscious and lead us in directions unknowingly.

Whatever the reasons, explanations or causes, Trump is it for Americans for four years.

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Linda Hagge's avatar

This is good, Roslyn, but about those bribes Trump doesn't need: you do know he took 100 million from Miriam Adelson in exchange for supporting West Bank settlement, right?

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Roslyn Ross's avatar

I am well aware of Trump's corruption and failings. But he is hardly alone in any of that. Odd how American Presidents end up fabulously rich. They are all corrupted.

Trump is so mercurial he could demand the settlements in Occupied Palestine be emptied in a week. That was then, this is now. One thing is certain and that is, he may act foolishly but he is not stupid. The US simply cannot afford Israel financially let alone politically.

The point is that human nature plays a part and with one chance left, Trump might, just might act in the interests of Americans, not Israel, and in ways which ensure history is kind to him.

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gigibelser@www.gigibelser.com's avatar

Actually, how do you know what his motive was ? and is?

That is purely supposition on everybody’s part on Twitter and there’s another good analysis posted that he’s playing both sides of the game: which would be my take.

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Roslyn Ross's avatar

I do not know what his motives were or are. I simply apply a basic understanding of human nature. I might be totally wrong but at this early stage it makes sense to explore all potential outcomes, good, bad and mediocre.

I agree with you that he is most likely playing not just both, but all sides of the game. He is cunning and street smart. It may end in disaster but then anything can.

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Linda Hagge's avatar

LOL, yes--Trump is always supposed to be playing 5D chess. Except he was routinely ignored and out maneuvered by his staff during his first term, so we'll see, but I really doubt it. He just doesn't have the knowledge or connections.

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Gogs's avatar

Only now do "liberal" Trump-hating rags like the Guardian look at the risk of nuclear proliferation and war, when it's the "Biden administration" that has taken the clock closer to midnight than ever before with its stupid and blatantly corrupt sponsorship of its proxy war in Ukraine. These people have no shame. I doubt American foreign policy will get worse under Trump, though you never know, as Biden, Blinken, Nuland and the rest of those dangerous idiots really plumbed the depths over the last four years.

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F....'s avatar

When Trump was in debt, who bailed him out?

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Roslyn Ross's avatar

Compromised no doubt but how much does it matter? That will be the question.

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F....'s avatar

Looking like he's still majorly in debt.

I'd be worried when a head of state has as much debt as he has as it makes him vulnerable to his creditors.

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Roslyn Ross's avatar

The American Presidency has not been independent for a very long time. If there is a debt issue as you say then that can have an impact but I doubt anymore than what has been used to pressure Biden and Harris or those before them like Obama, Bush etc.

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F....'s avatar

Exactly, It's one muppet after another all serving the racket.

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Roslyn Ross's avatar

Yes, which is why a wild card who is unpredictable, and pigheaded, like Trump, might be the only one who might say fuck you all. Here's hoping.

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F....'s avatar

Suggest to look into Trump picks hawks & neocons to run US foreign policy: Meet his warmongering cabinet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwsrUUkDBWg

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F....'s avatar

The Huge Flaw in Trump’s Second Term - Whitney Webb & Mark Goodwin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2TdlwflF9E&t=18s

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Peter Webber's avatar

Wishful thinking? Wishful thinking...

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Roslyn Ross's avatar

Nothing wishful about it. Simply exploring other possibilities.

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Longtrail's avatar

Excellent. Larry Johnson is taking your approach and so am I. We wait and see.

Scott Ritter wrote with Trump there will be no war with Russia or China but Iran will be hit. It's a long way to inauguration day. Perhaps Iran will strike before then. Rumor has it that the Houthis hit an Aircraft Carrier in the Arabian Sea today.

Possibly Trump is facing a fait accompli regarding Ukro-Nazistan and Zio-Nazistan.

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Roslyn Ross's avatar

Yes, I just read Larry Johnson and thought, I am not alone. I have had this view for sometime and thought I should explore it in a piece for substack.

I am no expert and not sure about Iran. The Iranians are pragmatic and sensible and may choose to let the Izraelis sweat but not hit them. And no doubt the Americans are blathering behind the scenes to prevent it escalating. The US is simply not in a position to fight a real war with a real enemy like Iran., which potentially has Chinese and Russian allies. This would not be Iraq or Afghanistan and the US lost both of those. From what I have read the US simply does not have the military capability to take on Iran let alone with Russia and China in the game.

I agree, we wait and see and any reading of military history makes it clear wars often happen despite all efforts to prevent them happening.

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