I'm often fond of saying that nothing surprises me anymore. Although my capacity for disgust remains, wars, rumours of wars, state executions, invasions of sovereign territories, etc., none of those truly rattle me.
Given my world-weary cynicism, to say at my age the world still disappoints is a strange statement. Yet that's how I felt this morning when I read this:
President Trump indicated on Thursday evening that he will meet with María Corina Machado, Venezuela’s opposition leader, next week in Washington, after refusing to support her to lead the country following the U.S. seizure of Nicolás Maduro.
Ms. Machado has tried to ingratiate herself to Mr. Trump and earlier this week offered to give him the Nobel Peace Prize she was awarded last year. Mr. Trump has long coveted the award.
No matter how Machado tries to spin it, this craven, servile offering to the emperor can only be interpreted with extreme distaste, but spin it she has:
On Monday, Ms. Machado said on Fox News that presenting the prize to Mr. Trump would be a token of gratitude from the Venezuelan people for the removal of Mr. Maduro. She had previously dedicated the award to Mr. Trump.
Mr. Trump said in the Thursday interview that “it would be a great honor” to accept the award, adding that it was “a major embarrassment to Norway,” where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, that he had not been given the prize.
Such fluffing of the monstrously egotistical Trump can only lead to more horrors, but so far that is stopping no one from feting him thus. He has already said that he will be the final arbiter of what is right and wrong.
President Trump told The Times during a wide-ranging interview ...that he alone was the arbiter of his authority as commander in chief. He brushed aside international law and other checks on his power to order the U.S. military to strike or invade nations around the world.
When asked if there were any limits on his global powers, Trump said: “Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.”
It was the most blunt acknowledgment yet of Trump’s worldview: that national strength alone should be the deciding factor when nations’ interests collide. Past presidents, he suggested, have been too cautious with American power.
The world is now awash with toxic arrogance. To fan the flames of such is only to invite more death, more destruction, and more steps toward world domination.
UPDATE: It appears Ms. Machado's efforts to bribe thank the Emperor for his 'intervention' in Venezuela cannot come to fruition; perhaps her 'offer' should be filed under But it's the thought that counts, eh? category.
On Friday, the Norwegian Nobel Institute clarified the rules governing the award, writing that the facts were “clear and well established.”
“Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared or transferred to others,” the institute wrote. “The decision is final and stands for all time.”
No doubt Norway will face some form of reprisal from the Trump regime, but it is indeed refreshing to see someone exhibit a measure of integrity in these trying times.
L'état, c'est moi though I think Louis XIV was a bit more modest than Trump. Trump has gone full autocrat/dictator and there does not seem to be any brake on his behaviour. Certainly the crew around him are neither experienced enough nor brave enough too do anything.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I have read even Stalin was more modest and reasonable. Of course Stalin was trying to advance Communism/the welfare of the USSR. He was not out for personal aggrandizement and wealth.
Trump seems a bit more like Caligula. I wonder if he has a horse. I suppose RFK Jr. is a good substitute.
Hmm, a very interesting association with Caligula, Anon. Trump is certainly a debauched court, drunk on the power he has given them. Who knows what the final outcome of all this will be?
DeleteMy latest concern is that our Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition are okay with Trump sending the military into a foreign country and extracting two of its citizens. Where is that line that Trump must not cross?
DeleteIndeed, Toby. My sense is that neither Carney nor PP want to antagonize the tyrant. They've seen what happens to others when they do.
Delete@ Toby
DeleteI get the feeling that PP is a mad fan. Have you seen his tweet congratulating Trump on kidnapping a head of state? It may not have occurred to him if he ever becomes PM Delta Force might pay him a visit one night.
The PM is more walking a tightrope. We are awfully close to the mad dog. Some of his seemingly endless travels seem designed to find alternatives to US trade and finance. Te China trip is a good example. He may be able to slightly reduce some of the damage the Trudeau Gov't did.
I thought that Trudeau was doing a decent job within Canada but was a total idiot in international affairs
I keep telling myself that Carney is not a politician, he is an extremely senior financial manager, (Governor of the Bank of Canada & Governor of the Bank of England). He likely thinks very differently than a Justin Trudeau or Steven Harper and has different policy levers to pull and perhaps different allies to call on.
I hope I'm right.
Some interesting observations, Anon. I do wonder about Carney's foray into China, however. The tightrope you describe has to be especially taut there, as Trump doesn't like China (except when it suits his purposes), so any inroads on increased trade there will have to be very measured, lest the Mad King be provoked to yet again lash out.
DeleteWhat drives Trump and the USA?
ReplyDelete$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
TB
As they say, TB, just follow the money. In the corrupted currents of Trump's world, it is the only king.
Delete