Lesson 1 – Hard Lesson to Black Americans
I’m calling it. Trump tells America that Free Speech is for White Americans only. Black Americans, nope, you’re fired.
This lesson repeats the one from August 12th. President Trump supports free speech for the “Right” causes.
Stand up for free speech firmly, loudly, swinging flaming torches and firing weapons into crowds. Openly shout hatred against non-white Americans. Trump says there are some good folks in the Alt-Right.
Kneel in passive protest against crumbling relations between Black Americans and local Police Forces? Speak from stage, studio, and media on increasingly regressive government policies toward Blacks and non-Whites? Trump says you’re fired.
The NFL? You’re fired too. You’re finished. Because you “allow” Black player protests. And because you spoiled Trump’s takeover attempt with the World Football League (2) (3) (4) (5).
Lesson 2 – Hard Lesson to North Korea
Trump to the UN: We will totally destroy North Korea.
North Korea bases their aggressive missile program and national defense policy on the ludicrous but perceived threat of imminent attack from the United States. Their 70+ year propaganda campaign paints the USA as demonic, barbaric, evil empire hell-bent on North Korea’s destruction. How do we move them off this diplomatic cliff, or otherwise reduce the threat of ICBMs flying out of Pyongyang?
Trump’s diplomatic approach? Tweet messages the US will annihilate North Korea. Double and triple-down to drive the point home.
Trump’s lesson to the US, Congress, and the State Department? Get used to “Trump diplomacy”. It’s amazing, it’s crazy, unbelievable. And extremely painful to watch.
Pyongyang rubs their hands with glee. Trump gives leader Kim Yong Un and Korean leadership the opening they wanted to ramp up war rhetoric.
The outcome of North Korean “Trump diplomacy” depends on China. Their active trading relationship with North Korea, quietly supplying goods, commodities, oil, manufacturing, and likely powerful missile fuels, is the lynch-pin. Tightening UN sanctions have not stopped the Chinese-North Korean supply chain.
China’s position on North Korea won’t change easily. China’s desires a militarily strong North Korea, its border country on the peninsula and buffer to US military ally South Korea. Failure to insert more China-compliant leadership leaves China little choice but to accept the latest of 3 violent, insane North Korean supreme leaders.
Lesson 3 – Hard Lesson from Alabama
For the Alabama special election to fill Jeff Sessions’ vacant US Senate seat, Trump came out for the current (appointed) Senator from Alabama, Luther Strange.
Why would Trump oppose the religious firebrand and former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore? Moore’s extreme religious conservatism favors the far right and aligns with Trump conservatism. Moore would vote strongly with Trump in the Senate. Was it worth the gamble to support Strange instead?
Trump looked to fill the vacant Senate seat with his own man, in particular one beholden for Trump campaign support. However, on Tuesday Moore won the Republican candidate slot. Trump’s “gamble” was really a safe bet. Moore remains a Trump Troll like none other, and he will vote with the White House, every time. Trump was hedging his bet the week before the vote, announcing strong support for whoever wins the special election.
Lesson from Trump to the GOP? I will get my own men into Congress.
The move to campaign against Roy Moore sent a strong “no confidence” message to Mitch McConnell and GOP congressional leadership, who backed Moore. Increasingly strained relations with current GOP leadership come back to the same issue. Loyalty.
Side lesson to the GOP? Trump loyalty is your prime directive.
Lesson 4 – Hard Lesson to GOP
Trump end-runs Congressional Republicans on the debt ceiling, meeting with Democratic House leadership to hammer out a temporary stay. Trump blindsides House Majority Leader Paul Ryan and the GOP.
Trump handed over the biggest bargaining chip in the GOP Congressional hand. GOP planned to hold federal government operations hostage, shut it down if necessary. It’s been done before. A deal with Democrats and fringe Republicans, using the debt ceiling increase in return for support of tax reform, is stymied by the White House.
The end-run with Democratic leadership of the GOP bargaining position takes everyone by surprise. Trump’s lesson to the GOP? Get off your horses, soften your obstructionist morality, and make a deal.
OK, I confess. A strong desire to find traces of statesmanship in President Trump may have influenced that last conclusion.
More likely Trump looked to shore up his voting block by freeing up $9 billion in disaster aid to hurricane-ravaged East Texas. They love him there. National polls show high approval ratings for Trump’s backroom deal with Democrats.
Third possibility? Trump payback to Mitch McConnell for failure to repeal and replace ACA. Which finger is he using in the photo?
