One out of Four

Of the four countries, the politics of which I regularly follow, Israel, Great Britain, Germany and the USA, only Germany has a head of the executive branch, who is believable and trustworthy. Trump is not only a notorious liar, he is also incapable of handling difficult issues. So there is no hope there. Unlike Trump, party-boy Boris Johnson is intellectually capable of understanding complicated problems, but he lacks the stamina for anything beyond PR. Netanyahu has both intelligence and stamina, but his interests lie elsewhere: his only aim is to stay out of jail. 

I raise my glass to Angela Merkel!

The sad story of Israel

Netanyahu’s Israel is the first country to exploit COVID in order to dismantle democracy. A day before the first hearing of Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial, his appointee as minister of justice conveniently issued a decree closing the courts. 

Then, by stealth, behind the parliament’s back, the government instructed the internal security service to use its technological  surveillance appartus to follow anyone suspected of having been in touch with infected persons. 

And now, Netanyahu and the coterie of scoundrels, who he has painstakingly appointed over the last few years, are trying to close parliament.  

I can understand that Netanyahu wants to avoid going to jail. But why do all those Israeli politicians help him? This is after all the country, that likes to constantly tell the world that it is “the only democracy in the middle east”. What despicable imps they all are. Despicable collaborators.

Collaborators are not forgotten. We will not forget, just as we have not forgotten those who collaborated with other so well-known dictators.

Trump and the ‘civilised world”

Some time ago, President Trump said: "The civilised world must send a clear and unified message to the Iranian regime. Your campaign of terror, murder and mayhem will not be tolerated any more. It will not be allowed to go forward." Trump speaking for the ‘civilised world’, whatever that civilised world may be, is a somewhat curious notion. And if Trump is the speaker for the civilised world, do we want then want to belong to the uncivilised world?

The Assassination

The civilised world, that is Trump & Cie. just assassinated Qasem Suleimani, an Iranian general. Because of Suleimani’s track record and position in Iran, this killing enjoyed much more media attention than most targeted killings, which are, after all, all in the day’s work for us ‘civilised’.

There are various criteria by which one can assess this killing: moral, legal, strategic and the tactical. Can one build a moral case for killing? Some feel that they can, others not. Most will agree that Suleimani had it coming. The legality of the act may be intellectually interesting but of no practical significance. Iraq, since it was invaded by the USA, like Syria, Libya and several other countries, is a playground, where anyone seems to be able to do what they wish.

Whilst it is hard to believe that Trump even knows how to spell the word strategic, let alone act strategically, it may be that the killing of Suleimani, will trigger the opening of a new channel of negotiations between the US and Iran, which will lead to some or other agreement. Both sides are actually interested in one. The accidental shooting down of the Ukrainian plane, and the Iranian mea culpa, in a bizarre way, may serve the same purpose.

Israel is likely to be worried by any rapprochement between Iran and the USA. In a speech, which Israel’s chief-of-staff, General Kochavi, gave on Christmas day, (before the assassination) he complained about the fact that Israel had to do all the anti-Iran work on its own. He would prefer – he explained – a reality in which “we weren’t the only ones acting against them offensively.” Kochavi asked and Trump delivered.

Who are Friedman & Greenblatt Working for?

Last week, David Friedman, US ambassador to Israel and Jason Greenblatt, Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, attended a tunnel-opening ceremony in Arab Jerusalem. The tunnel has been dug over the last six years under Palestinian houses and against their wishes. The instigator of this atrocity is a right-wing Israeli group that is taking over Arab East Jerusalem, stone-by-stone, house-after-house. They are backed by the Israeli government and funded by rich American Jewish donors. US casino-mogul Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam were also among those present at the event. The mascot in the picture is Mrs. Netanyahu.

The US civil servants did more than just attend the ceremony, they actively participated by wielding sledgehammers to break through a wall and open up a tunnel.

Friedman, Greenblatt and Trump’s son-in-law, Kushner, head Trump’s team dealing with the Israel-Palestine issue. Greenblatt recently said in an interview "there is no such thing as an honest mediator." No more veneer of impartiality. The US Ambassador and the Special Envoy, long-time supporters of the settlers, are now evidently working for this most right-wing part of Israeli society, one which many Israelis disassociate from.

So, are Jews likely to be more loyal to Israel than to their countries? Do Jews have too much control over global affairs? Do they have too much control over the United States government?

CAREFUL!!!! Think before you answer these questions. These are three out of eleven statements, that pollsters regularly use as indicators of Antisemitism. Hence, if you answer these truthfully, these will be considered indications that you are an anti-Semite. Take your pick: lie, or be falsely labelled an Antisemite. What a choice.

Trump Makes Annexation Kosher

I still remember our feeling of relief in Israel after the Golan Heights were conquered in the 1967 Six-Day-War. With the Golan in Israeli hands, the Syrian army would no longer overlook Israel’s Upper Galilee from its military posts strategically situated high above. The Golan was green, dotted with apple and cherry orchards, it had water (which we were short of) and even a skiable mountain (which we did not have). The general view in Israel was that it was not to be returned to Syria. Moreover, unlike the West Bank and Gaza, the Golan was only sparsely populated, which meant that it could be controlled without difficulties.

Fourteen years later, in 1981, contrary to international law, Israel annexed the Golan. The annexation of the Golan – which the international community considers to be occupied Syrian territory ­ – was never recognised by other countries. Until last week: A few days ago, in an attempt to bolster Netanyahu’s chances in the coming elections in Israel, President Trump announced that the USA would recognise Israel’s act of territorial appropriation.  

The breakup and chaos in Syria make the return of the Golan Heights to Syria more unlikely than ever. And yet, its annexation remains illegal. That Trump’s America should endorse brute force and illegal acts by Israel is not surprising. Kindred spirits, Netanyahu and Trump, have developed a close relationship and the Jewish lobby in the US is alive and kicking. 

Is it a coup?

From the first day, ever since Trump was elected, people have been asking themselves how he will be gotten rid of. Impeachment? Declaration of unfitness for office and removal as stipulated by the 25^th Amendment or perhaps Trump getting tired of it all and resigning.

Collusion with Russia, serious mental instability, paying off women, he has had sex with, to buy their silence – there has been no lack of grounds. And nothing happened.

Special mention in the US hall of shame is due to the top echelon of senior Republican members of the US Senate: They should have acted and discreetly explained the situation to him and got him to resign. Instead, they acted – as Republicans always do – only for what they perceive to be the good of their party, forgetting that they are there to serve their country.

But, we may perhaps be seeing the beginning of the end. The evidence in Bob Woodward’s new book about the goings on in the White House, where civil servants seem to have taken over the Presidency, may be reassuring on one hand, but they are extremely worrying on the other. This is a coup by the administration. And the op-ed in Thursday’s NY Times, was described by former CIA Director, John Brennan as “active insubordination born out of loyalty to the country, not to Donald Trump.”  So perhaps?

John McCain

The world press is full of eulogies and tributes to the deceased Senator John McCain, who died a few days ago, referring to him, amongst others, as a “war hero”. The truth is that the man’s military track record is far from rosy. He was driven by unattractive macho behaviour, losing one aircraft after another, as he went on unauthorised missions or took unnecessary risks. His military and political connections and his money enabled him to leverage this military past and build a political career out of it. He then became one of the Senate’s central supporters of ever more spending on the military.

Moreover, this man gave the despicable right-wing populist Sarah Palin, a world-stage, as he made her his running-mate in 2008. With this choice – which fortunately did not get him into the White House – McCain unleashed the evil that has then won the 2016 Presidential election. Thus McCain – who opposed and sincerely despised Trump – has helped make him possible. We should not forget that.

Nor should we ever forget that beasts cannot be tamed. Attempts, to introduce or install nasty ideas or evil people, with the idea of making use of them, nearly always backfire.

McCain courageously, openly and vociferously criticised and admonished Trump – for which he deserves much credit. It is the shame of the Republican Party that none of McCain’s senior colleagues openly condemn Trump. For this cowardice, they deserve to roast in hell. We should, however, not let our anti-Trump sentiments colour the true picture of McCain.

You Talkin To Me?

Macho Contest between
Iranian President Rouhani: “DO NOT PLAY WITH THE LION'S TAIL OR ELSE YOU WILL REGRET IT… PEACE WITH IRAN WOULD BE THE MOTHER OF ALL PEACE AND WAR WITH IRAN WOULD BE THE MOTHER OF ALL WARS.“
and

US President Trump: “NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE AND DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!“

This somehow reminds me of Robert De Niro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QWL-FwX4t4

Jubilation in Jerusalem

Israel is jubilant because it has just won the Eurovision song contest.

Israel is also jubilant and Netanyahu is going up in the polls because Trump has torn up the nuclear agreement with Iran. Who cares that virtually the whole of Israel’s defence establishment considered the agreement to be good. Netanyahu wanted it done away with and Trump loves nothing better than reneging on a contract signed by Obama.   

And to seal it off, Israel is jubilant because the Trump regime is opening its embassy in Jerusalem this week.

So, who needs a peace agreement with Palestine, who needs to come to an understanding with Iran, we’ve got Trump and we have Ms. Eurovision 2018. The rest can go to hell.

US Ambassadors

In the past, it was only South American countries, where US ambassadors behaved as if they (or the CIA resident) owned the place.  

Under Trump the Chutzpeh of American ambassadors has spilled over to Europe and the new ambassador to Germany, a certain Richard Grenell, has two days ago, tweeted “German companies doing business in Iran should wind down operations immediately.” For this he will probably get recognition from his boss. Germany, however, should cold-shoulder him until he apologises for this outrageous communication. Who the hell does he think he is?

No such outrages from David Friedman, the US ambassador to Israel, who is an orthodox Jew espousing views that are more right-wing than those of most Israelis. Friedman’s connection to the Trump regime is having represented Trump in one of his bankruptcies. He also boasts having chaired a charity that gave money to a Jewish terrorist group. It all fits.

Cambridge Analytica

Were the directors, managers and staff of Cambridge Analytica – the company that turned out to be so instrumental in the election success of Trump – all Trump supporters? Or was their willingness to use their tradecraft pure greed? Do they not care who they serve, as they prostitute their brains, as long as they get richer?  How far are such people willing to go?

Professionals of all sorts who knowingly serve evil or dangerous ends, should be made to suffer social pariah status. Whether undermining democracy turns out to be legal is not the issue. The question is whether it is moral. We do not want such people in our midst. Kick them out. If you have friends working for such companies – unfriend them.

It is easy to concentrate one’s hate on figures such as Trump, Netanyahu or even Hitler. More must be done to disable the enablers. Those characterless enablers, who get richer and richer by serving evil.

McCarthy - No Dream

Nazi Germany introduced laws faster, but they had the advantage of full control. Trump still, occasionally, has problems with Congress. Where we would be without the hardly checking and definitely not balancing is demonstrated by the latest report on banned words, allegedly issued by the US Government’s Center for Disease Control.

Staff at this federal agency were given a list of words or phrases, which should not be used in any official documents prepared for next year’s budget. The list includes: fetus, transgender, vulnerable, diversity, entitlement, evidence-based and science-based.  The new speak, approved by the Trump  Politruks,** is  “CDC bases its recommendations on science in consideration with community standards and wishes.”

Next step will be the punishment of those still caught using decadent language.

WAKE UP AMERICA.

**  In the Soviet system, the Politruk, the political commissar, was the supervisory political officer responsible for the political education and organization, and committed to the civilian control of the military.

America - No Hope

Americans are not a race and forming an opinion about “the Americans” would therefore not count as racism. It would undeniably be a generalisation. Yet what is one to think, when one learns that a year into the election of this despicable man, his approval rating has hardly dipped amongst Republicans in the United States.

After a year of Trumpism, four out of five Republicans, still support this vile man. He represents their values, views and wishes. They trust him to navigate their country best and feel comfortable in being represented by him.

An approval rating that has not gone lower than 79% and according to the latest Gallop poll, a few days ago, stood at 81% is sick and is worrying. Not only is there no hope of impeachment (Republican politicians who criticise Trump, get punished by voters!), but with such ratings, there is no hope for America.

At a party in Los Angeles, last May, friends of friends said to me “do not think badly of us, here we did not vote for him.” This is difficult. It is difficult not to think badly of a society that allows such deterioration.

 “God Bless America”, like so many slogans, is also empty and meaningless.

Is Trump a Terrorist?

Yesterday, Theresa May criticised Trump for his recent incendiary tweets in which he repeated hate emanating from a far right and nationalist group in the UK. The subject of Trumps hate speech were his pet-enemies, the Muslims. In reaction to Theresa May’s condemnation, Trump came out with: “don’t focus on me, focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom. We are doing just fine!”

Trump is partially right, we should not focus on Trump as a person, his hair colour, his mannerisms, his primitiveness, his many bankruptcies, his sexual abuse, his pathological lies, but rather on Trump the terrorist. Trump who has been allowed by the voters of his country to terrorise the world.

Terrorism, according to one definition is “the use of intentionally indiscriminate violence as a means to create terror, or fear, to achieve a political, religious or ideological aim.” Violence can also be verbal and an important element ensuring the success of terrorists is the reporting of their deeds.  A bomb we do not know of, may kill the people directly hit, but does not terrorise the rest of us.

The Americans elected this despicable man as their president. It would help us all were the media to stop reporting every noxious smell he produces. Let the stench remain in the USA.

Russian Prostitutes

I made a note of this in January, but then forgot to publish…  

This is definitely a first: a prime minister bragging about the quality if his country’s prostitutes: “…ours are undoubtedly the best in the world”, Putin said, a-propos his statement in defence of Trump, who Putin does not believe had been serviced by any of the best of the world’s crop.

Between them, Trump and Putin are definitely raising the standards of public discourse.  

Oh, and one more thing: how does Putin know that his country’s “girls of loose morals” are the best in the world?

6th Letter to Jared (or: Run, Jared, run)

Dear Jared,

It has been almost two months, since I last wrote to you. You have evidently not be listening to me and daily, we get more information about your complicity in the allegedly illegal goings on of your crime family.  

You are probably too busy and will not have noticed a remark made by a fellow Jew, who like your own father was a Netanyahu backer, and like your own father has been found guilty of various tax offences and like your father has been sentenced to jail.

“All the other accused, who fled to Israel, are sitting on the beach”, Arnaud Mimran, recently complained to the French court that would not mitigate his 8-year jail sentence. See, Jared, this bit about fleeing to Israel to evade justice, gave me the following idea:

Why wait until a prisoner swap deal is worked out (much more complicated): Let Netanyahu who is being investigated in 12 separate corruption cases, seek and be granted asylum in the USA, and in return, you can take advantage of Israel’s Law of return that grants every willing Jew the right to settle in Israel.

As an added bonus, both you and Netanyahu can decide whether you wish to take your wives with you, or whether this would be a good opportunity to open a new page.

The problem with my swap idea is that whereas you (unless you are already in jail) can make use of the right to “return” to Israel whenever you like Netanyahu does not have such rights under US laws.

Run, Jared, run, before it is too late.  

Your well-meaning pen-pal David

The Commander in Chief vs. Germany

„The Germans are evil, very evil “, Trump is reported to have said a couple of days ago. For a moment I thought, that his visit to Israel’s Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem, two days before, was still haunting him. But Trump, explained, "Look at the millions of cars they sell in the U.S. We'll stop that."

Here is Trump’s note after his visit to Yad Vashem.    

The Only Shtetl in the Middle East

Israel likes to refer to itself as the “Only democracy in the Middle-East”, though calling Israel a democracy, somewhat stretches the term. During Trump’s recent visit to Israel, that country has demonstrated what it really is: the only shtetl in the Middle East.

The conduct of Israel’s political A List, was nothing less than parochial. Some ministers at the airport greeting line, offered advice, the Internal security minister reported a fake terrorist attack that was in fact an accident, and a member of Israel’s parliament, who was not even meant to be in the greeting line, forced a selfie on Trump.

Evidently, Bibi Netanyahu is not even able to control his blabbering wife who squeezed herself into a tight red outfit and greeted the Trumps with the message “the people of Israel, unlike the media, they love us, … we have very much in common, we’ll talk about it over dinner.” Infamous for her hysterical outbursts, Bibi’s wife, Sara, could not help herself and inserted a title which is not hers, “First Lady”, in the dinner menu. That title, were it in use in Israel, would have been due to the President’s wife and not the wife of the PM.

Later that evening, Netanyahu and wife apologised for the simplicity of the Prime Minister’s residence and explained to the Trumps, that only due to their visit, a budget to repaint the house was granted. Hoping for a tip perhaps? This should not be ruled out, as Bibi and Sara are well-known “schnorrers”.

Schnorrers, for those who do not know, is Yiddish for beggars or spongers.

Trump and his New Muslim Friends

Having crucified Muslims before and throughout his campaign – and even after taking office, (remember “Donald J trump calls for a complete and total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what the hell is going on”), Trump must have concluded that those Muslims who are willing to spend 110 billion dollars on US arms in one year, cannot be that bad. Forget Saudi Arabia’s being the country which gave us the 9-11 bombers, which produced Osama Bin Laden and which exports extremist Islam, wherever it can. As to the Saudi population, I suppose that human rights are not so much Trump’s thing anyway, so why bother about Saudi’s track record there.

So Sunni Muslims are apparently fine. But Trump needs to hate at least some Muslims and so he nominates Iran as the Muslims to hate. This – Trump expects – will pay dividends on the home front: and persuade the Republicans in Congress that he is an asset and that he should not be removed from office. After all, bringing in 350 billion dollars from arms sales to the Saudis, over the next ten years, will make many Republicans happy. Additionally, by going on the “Iran the Evil” trip, he not only buys support of all those Republicans who objected to Obama’s Iran deal, but he also gets the backing of the lobbies supporting the “settlement and continued occupation” government of Israel.

Smart move. Nonetheless, let’s hope he fails.