Trump Assassination Attempt

Trump is Not the Real Victim

Yesterday the world witnessed an attempt on the life of former President Donald J. Trump. It could just as easily have been Joe Biden. Many are surprised it had not happened before now. I am one of those.

Literally the real victims here were firstly the poor, innocent attendee who lost his life and his family, and secondly those critically injured and their families. Figuratively the other victim is the tragic blow to the already horrible state of affairs in America.

Imagine this being YOU. You leave. You watch. You listen. You never come home to your family. 

The American experiment in democracy was already in need of repair - if not broken - for years. This incident is more proof. The test of America and of Donald will be how she and he react. Biden already stepped up in a manner befitting a President. Trump could rise to the occasion and do the same.

He loves to rant about the deep state and how he will tear apart many of its federal institutions. He DID have a moment of normalcy and showed gratitude that some of those institutions had saved his life. Good for that. Ironic don't you think?

Trump now has the opportunity to do something great. The incident will no doubt help to solidify his chances of a win. He could make an historic appeal for calm at the 2024 National Convention this week. His insistance on standing up after the shooting, shaking his symbolic fist salute, and yelling "FIGHT" makes you think that is highly unlikely. That would be typical and unfortunate.

I thought it was VERY telling that his first concern was for his shoes. With Donald it is all about image - HIS.

Will he and those around him blame this all on Biden and the Democrats? Probably. It will be total bull. Will someone else now take a shot at Biden? We hope not. I am listening to Sunday morning network TV and they are saying that no othe country in the world admires American democracy anymore. I believe it.

America has become a real version of the hit TV show SURVIVOR. That show is all about reading other people, screwing anybody you can, and trusting nobody. That is probably why it was and still is such a hit in America.

Soon there will be images of Lady Liberty hitchhiking on the side of a highway with a sign that reads "France - or anywhere else but HERE."

#thebrewsterblock

Just Watch Me: The Sequel

How will History record Biden?

Can we compare Biden to Reagan when he suffered from alzheimer's? Is it even fair? 

Aside from their party affiliations, many consider both to be good Presidents. Reagan ran 4 times and won twice. Biden ran once and won once - so far. Reagan could not have run again but Biden can. Reagan did have a serious illness about which his staff and Nancy had to know for a considerable time. Can the same be said about Biden's staff today and Jill Biden? Reagan spent most of his career as an actor (don't most policitians?) but Biden spent most of his in Washington politics.

The future of the country and its democracy was not at stake after Reagan but it certainly is if DJT returns to the White House. 

What about Nixon? One could also compare the current crisis with the Nixon situation. 

Nixon was advised to resign by those he trusted and thankfully he did. This is also happening to Biden as I write. All the signs that Nixon intended to run the country like his own personal realm were there but this has never been a threat with Biden, despite all the lies spewed by the other guy. There is no Watergate with Biden.

I was disappointed since my previous post to see Biden digging in. Without a prompter displaying a written script for him, he is just not the Biden on a white stallion we enjoyed watching. Life expectancy for males in America in 2024 is about 81. That is when they die! Before that, some physical and possibly mental decline can also be expected. Can he last for over four years in his present state? THAT is the real question - not his past accomplishments. Can he get back on that horse?

Every day now we hear a multitude of Democrats attempting to deflect persistent journalists away from these points. They try to focus on accompishments which are numerous. The problem is that these are in the past by definition. Too many people inside the country and abroad can't see them being repeated in the future. They are just being too kind to say it.

My father died of alzheimer's and when we finally had to take him to a facility for my mother's and his sake, and tell him that he was staying, it was devastating for my family and for him. But it had to be done. I have not heard any talk of alzheimer's with Joe but the point is the same.

Does Joe want his legacy to be the great one already on the records or is he willing to ruin all of that out of pride and misbelief in himself? The greatest musicians and athletes knew when it was time to leave. The few who insisted on trying to stay often became pathetic. 

Listen to all of the people Joe. That is a character trait you have always exuded. Step aside gracefully. It will be recorded as one of your bravest acts for the country. You slayed Goliath once and much of America is grateful. Are there enough stones left in your sling to do it again and will they connect? Many doubt it. 

Joe loves to tell us he was too young to sit in the Senate when he started in Washington and how the older folks around him didn't take him seriously. Some fifty years later does he really want to leave the stage as someone who is too old and now have those around him lose the respect he earned and deserves?

#thebrewsterblock

"Just Watch ME" Biden has said for months. Millions did.

Biden and White Christmas

Many things inspire me to write these posts although not so many anymore because blogging has basically died. Today most people won't or can't read more than a tweet. This also killed newspapers and magazines. They WILL watch a video - often childish or in poor taste - but such is today's reality. On this today however, I shall persevere once again.

Last night I watched history in the making - very sad history to be specific, and it compelled me to express how I felt after the event. I suspect I am not alone.

I refer to the long publicised debate on CNN June 27, 2024 between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Recall - this had been suggested by the Democrats themselves including President Biden. Now the entire party likely resents that suggestion. People around the globe must have felt a great sadness for The President right at the beginning in one of his first replies. He went blank and silent looking very much like Mitch McConnell when he had his "frozen" moments. Even upon his introduction he appeared to be in a state of confusion walking to the lectern.

The party wanted a strong night to build on his State of the Nation address when he appeared to be in total command. They did not get it. I would not want to be Jill Biden last night or today. She probably saw it coming. That relationship has had many crises and remained strong because she provided vital support to the man she loved. This will be another test for that love.

This morning I had somewhat of a revelation. The entire episode reminded me of the Movie White Christmas. In one scene Bing Crosby is making an appeal on his own TV show to all of the former soldiers he can reach who served under General Waverly (Dean Jagger.) He asks them to come and pay tribute to their retiring General. He sings the number "What do you do with a General when he stops being a General?" Just substitute "President" for "General". 

After the soldiers respond by arriving in large numbers, in a show at the hotel for the General, they line up in their old uniforms out of shape with potbellies and they sing "We'll follow the old man wherever he wants to go". In a classic shot the General tears up at the sight. This is exactly what many loyalists in the party are saying right now with Biden. It is a stunning parallel but should include its own final farewell. 

As a Canadian I don't vote in the election but there is no question that I much prefer Biden over the other guy. That other guy was being himself - telling tons of lies and deflecting away from answering tough questions. He did not win - Biden lost.

Having said all that this is a HUGE crisis for America - and the world at large. It really does not matter whether Joe had a cold; just a bad night; was exhausted from all the preparation at Camp David; or was on drugs as Trump suggested. Today especially, we know that world events happen in an instant and we all see them in an instant: invasions; wars; natural disasters; changes of leadership; cyber attacks. They do not wait for The President of America and questionably the leader of the free world to have a GOOD day if he is presently having a BAD one. The job is 24/7 - sharp as a tack at a moment's notice. This is mandatory not just for the next few months but for another four years thereafter!

Very sadly - what we saw of Joe last night did not hit the mark. Many males will decline - sometimes very rapidly - in their eighties if they make it that far.

People keep saying that there is still lots of time before the big election. Really? There is NOT! Where are the alternatives to either candidate? If they are going to come out of the shadows they had damned well better do it NOW! The majority of the so-called GOP who have been kissing Trump's ass for so long to protect their own are elated at the moment. They think it is now a slam dunk. Prove them wrong!

The effects upon America herself are two-fold:

1) If Biden actually does win, there will now be 4 more years of wondering when you wake up, whether Vice President Harris has become the new President. Will another country and its leader take advantage of the bad day? They probably will.

2) If Trump wins there will be 4 years of him spending HIS time and YOUR money trying to get even with people. He already stated this. Then HE will be kissing ass like all those obsequious wannabes in congress - Putin's; Kim Jong Un's or somebody else's. There will be another even more violent uprising in 2028 when Trump is supposed to leave.

Sadly at this point neither is a good candidate for the Presidency.

Can a third party - Liz Cheney and anyone willing to join her steal enough of Trump's votes to deny the horrific prospect of a Trump second term or will this hurt the Democratic vote instead? Will someone like Gavin Newsom take the reins from Biden with the party's blessing?

If not family, then the job of telling Joe that stepping down would be for the good of the nation and not doing so would ruin his legacy has to fall on a prominent person who would NOT be a new candidate. Such a candidate would be shooting themselves in the foot. It will take an Obama, Schumer, Pelosi or the like in the sidelines but they have to do it.

In my last post I wrote about fate and the difference between it and destiny. Biden's problems - whether perceived or real - are fate. America's future is her destiny. She can still change it but time is quickly running out.

#thebrewsterblock