The (Daily) Vent 2

(Circus Rider For Now ?) German Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, the "Iron Chancellor," had been referred to as the "Circus Rider of Europe." His diplomacy shaped Europe in the last half of the 19th Century, Balancing Austria, France and Russia against each other in a shared power configuration, Bismarck was able to create the German Empire. However, when Bismarck was no longer on the scene, the careful diplomacy could not be maintained by his successors and the resulting tensions that were not managed led to the outbreak of the First World War. A worthy successor to the Iron Chancellor would be the now late Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who was perhaps Bismarck's equivalent for the last half of the 20th Century. Borm in Germany, the Kissinger's family emigrated to the United States when Hitler came to power and, as a Jewish family, came to this country. But it was as a member of the Nixon Administration, first as National Security Adviser and then as Se

(Conquering Hero ?) The ending scene in Patton , with George C. Scott walking "Willie" his dog with a windmill to his right began a soliloquy: "For over a thousand years, Roman conquerors returning from the Wars enjoyed the honor of a Triumph. . ." In the description, Scott talks about a "tumultuous parade." Finally Scott concludes that a "slave stood behind the conqueror, holding a golden crown and whispering into his ear, a warning. That all glory, is fleeting." When former President Trump made an appearance at the South Carolina/Clemson game the other day, it was all but the equivalent of a Triumph. The capacity crowd of some 60,000 were clearly fans of Trump who stood on the field and waved to his fans. It must also be noted that Trump was in Nikki Haley country, one who wants to be President herself. In the Palmetto State, the former President might be more popular than the former South Carolina Governor, at least as far as Presidential elec

(As If On Cue. . .) Since the first devastating attack on Israel by Hamas last October 7th, the behavior of President Biden has been wholly predictable. He has failed to give un-qualified support to Jerusalem, he has been timid in defending American assets in theater, he is apologizing to Muslim leaders, and most significant, Biden has expressed his desire that the cease fire, now in place, that it be extended. President Biden is being selfish. He is like one of those arm-chair generals that might look at a map and think of some movement or another and see potential. He has no idea of the context. however. He has no idea of logistics, of terrain, position, numbers and so on. In other words, he has no understanding of the situation faced by Israel. But of what Biden is definitely aware is his political position and that is invariably enhanced by encouraging a cease fire extension. By which Hamas can re-constitute. The terror group releases a hostage but Israel returns several Palestini

(Same Latitude) The Kuril Islands are a string of desolate pieces of rock that run in a chain northeast of Japan. On one of these islands is a very large natural harbor called Hitokappu Bay. On the 26th of November, 1941, Kido Butai , or "Mobile Force" consisting of twenty four ships with six Japanese fleet carriers, assembled in the Bay before setting off for Pearl Harbor. The Kuriles in November can be cold. Another place that gets cold in November is Canada. A line from Hitokappu Bay reaches Western Canada. The Capitol of Canada is Ottawa. The current Prime Minister is Justin Trudeau. The Prime Minister recently suffered a defeat when his Ukraine policy was rejected by "conservative" elements in the government. As Trudeau puts it, MAGA Extremists do not support the Ukraine endeavor, Canada is being polluted by right-wing politics from down south. Support for Ukraine has been conditional among conservative politicians but it was Trudeau's inclusion of a carbon

(Clear With The Hostages ?) The "agreement" between the Israel and Hamas over the release of captives taken October 7th. There has been an amnesty granted to about twenty-four Israelis in exchange for over forty Palestinians. Not quite a sense of balance but that was a condition of the terror group. Which has now delayed future cross-border actions because Israel has not been as forthcoming on relief aid. At least according to Hamas . That is missing the point, however. Either four day cease fire is in place, or it is not. If it is not, then Israel is clear to resume operations. Hamas has been under the impression that because of its global support, a gesture of a hostage release one on humanitarian grounds, women and children, the elderly. But that process is being paused. So, if the cease fire is no longer in effect, what would be next steps ? A cease fire as the one implemented was a problematic idea for reasons already discussed. Now that the pause itself is being pause

(Black Friday. . ._) Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving Thursday. It is the start of the Christmas shopping season. And in years past before the advent of everything on-line, wandering around malls and stores worked off some of the weight invariably gained on Turkey Day. But with programs like Amazon Prime, one can get a Christmas list and have things under the tree by the next day. That being said, President Biden is looking to make future "Black Friday's" really black. Using a seldom heard of Presidential authority that was passed during the Cold War where the Chief Executive could promote certain industries to ensure certain products get preference. In this case, the President wants to eliminate gas stoves for their electric counterparts. Now, as everybody knows, gas heats better than electric. But when has that ever mattered to Biden ? So, the trend continues. Biden's "agreement" with China last week on banning further appliances. How long might

(De-Compression Chambers ?) There is this time of year where everything seems compressed into four months of frenetic activity. Beginning with Halloween and not finishing till New Years' Day, these eight weeks or so, between candy for Halloween, egg-nogg at Christmas, and Champaigne for New Years, one can have a challenge. As today is Thanksgiving, that is about half-way through this interval. And, "Turkey Day," with a big bird and everything that goes with it, would not be complete without family. And, what might one talk about with family. Recommendations have been dispensed as to what conversations to avoid at the dinner table, lest one triggers a food fight and with traditional Thanksgiving fare, that could lead to a serious mess. So, no Biden, no Trump, no economy, no Israel, no Ukraine. November 23rd, this year, aside from also remembering the Kennedy Assassination, there is a lot of external material that is dominating the news. So, instead of having the dining roo

{(Mercy (at what cost ?)} As predicted, or indeed feared, a cease fire has been arranged between the Israeli Defense Force and the terror group, Hamas . The lull is to last four days and some fifty hostages are set to be released including women and children, the infirm and three Americans. Going forward, for every additional captive set free, the IDF would allow another respite of some duration. So, if this pattern holds, once all the hostages are released, why would Israel still need to engage Hamas ? These hostages provided  Hamas leverage. As long as the captives can be treated well and be released by Hamas , and once the terrorists display such "altruism," as signs of good faith, Israel will be subjected to such diplomatic pressure that its ability to return to the offensive against Hamas would be severely compromised. For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that the war will continue until Hamas is eliminated but will become increasingly conditional.

{(KOL'TSO (Ring)} By November 23rd, 1942, the two converging Soviet thrusts linked up in the town of Kalach on the Don, some miles behind the German Sixth Army, trapping that formation in what became known as the Stalingrad Pocket. As the Sixth Army was then isolated, without means of supply, what remained was the "reduction" of the Pocket. This would require the efforts of three whole fronts (army groups), a total of seven armies altogether. The final attempt to eliminate the Sixth Army began on January 10th, 1943 and endured until February 2nd when the final pocket of German resistance surrendered. As Sixth Army was facing its doom on the banks of the Volga, so President Biden could be facing his own "encirclement." Speaking on the status of the House Impeachment Inquiry, former House Speaker McCarthy has said that the investigation is coming closer to fruition as more evidence is being released that could finally trigger a  Proceeding. It has been the cumula

(Birthday Blues. . .) Melancholy is a common sensation when one marks a birthday. One is a year older, some lament that more would have been accomplished by that point in life. All the missed opportunities, the laments of what might have been. These questions can be answered by President Biden, who turns 81 today. Happy Birthday Mr. President. So, what is President Biden looking back on as far as missed opportunities and so forth ? Biden's age is the least of his problems. When it is all said and done, Biden has been a bad President and that is why he is now losing. Whenever someone asks for a Biden positive  accomplishment, he will point to the American Rescue Plan or the Inflation Reduction Act or even the Chips Bill. But Biden lost Afghanistan. He has allowed the border to descend into chaos. Major cities under Democrat administration are imploding. Biden is seriously compromised over the Biden "family business." He is not handling China, he is waging a war on fossil f

(The Way It Was. . .) The pen-ultimate phase to the Battle of Stalingrad began on November 19th, 1942. Since the end of the previous August, the German Sixth Army had been investing the industrial city on the Volga and by the end of November, had secured some 90% of Stalingrad. That is when things began to wrong for the Ostheer (Eastern Army). The German thrust at Stalingrad and another towards the Caucus Mountains and the critical oil fields therein. The fundamental problem the Germans had in November, 1942 was that the entire force was split and unable for mutual support. Flanks along the Don River were held by satellite armies from Hungary, Italy, and Romania and it were these formations that received the opening salvos from the Soviet offensive (Codenamed URANUS) which began November 19th, 1942. That the Soviets were able to attack with such ferocity with so many armies that within a few days, the Sixth Army and a good portion of the Fourth Panzer Army became trapped in what becam

(Running The Tables) One can start with a sad story. Any look at a Calander will show that Christmas is all but here but as that occasion nears, this year "there will be room in the Inn." Bethlehem, as a West Bank Palestinian town and in a display of solidarity with their compatriots in Gaza, is removing Christmas decorations and this year is ignoring the Holiday altogether so Christians need not travel to celebrate Jesus' Birth so no hotel was booked, hence room at the Inn. That is ironic as Jesus is known as the Prince of Peace in a region that could use some. There is a more practical consideration as Christian tourists contribute to Bethlehem's economy which will not happen this year. So, no t-shirts, icons, holy water shot glasses. In any event, in an attempt to keep Donald Trump from becoming President again, several states have made an effort to keep the former President off the ballot altogether. If Trump can be off the ballot in certain states, the logic goes

(The One With Pants In The Room) President Biden is like that uncle who got too old to be out on his own, much less in a Summit with the leader of the Peoples' Republic of China. That being said, however, it was Premier Xi Jinping that was the dominant player in the discussions. There are issues in the Anglo-Sino relations but none were resolved other than some vague assurance that China would attempt to curb fentanyl production, But there was no "progress" in assessing China's "guilt" over the covid pandemic and, more than that, the status on Taiwan was not advanced either. The truth is that China is able to bank-roll the Russo-Ukraine War and the Israel-Hamas War because it is buying oil from Iran that has had its oil sanctions lifted. An effect of Biden's war in fossil fuels all but predicted his subordinate position in San Francisco. The Chinese Premier had said that he, and, by extension, the Peoples' Republic, desires desired economic engagemen

(Palace Revolt ?) When one is as important as a Roman Emperor, one can imagine the security required to protect the most important man in the Empire. This group was referred to as the Pretorian Guard. However, the Guard was more than just the Emperor's protection, it was also an institution unto itself. Indeed, at times the Pretorian Guard and in some cases, were the arbiter of Imperial power, who would be allowed to wear the Purple. The Guard disposed of Emperors who were two extreme or did not respect their status. The Emperor Caligula was murdered by his Pretorian Guard, who then proclaimed his uncle Claudius, emperor. A current institution that has its own version of a Pretorian Guard is the U.S. State Department. Within the ranks at Foggy Bottom there has always been a consistent cadre of Foreign Service officers who have an agenda that could be different from that of the current Administration. These are the permanent bureaucrats, those who have been at the Department for yea

(Forgetting History ?) There is a saying that those that forget the past are condemned to re-live it. In an un-welcome case of DeJa'Vu , House Republicans are again at the precipice of another government shut-down because there is dis-cord within the House GOP. It took three weeks after the ouster of Kevin McCarthy and with newly minted Speaker Mike Johnson, it would seem that it was an easy exercise to pass the remaining spending bills and send the package off to the Senate and have them sort things out. But what is clear is that House Republicans learned nothing from the Speaker fight. With the four seat Majority, Republicans are acting like they can dictate terms that will allow significant spending cuts and border security. Republicans do not have the power, Collectively, the House Conference should have recognized that fact and acclimated themselves to that reality. It is good to pretend. President Biden has the same problem. However, what was in the news was that credit agenc

(Diminished Expectation ?) It has become a recurring theme to see President Biden out in public to give cringe worthy performance. When Biden was at Arlington giving a Wreath at the Unkown, the President looked confused and bewildered. Now, Biden is set to meet Chinese Premier Xi Jinping as a part of the Asia Pacific Summit, convening in San Francisco. For his part, the Chinese Leader cannot be oblivious to the fact that his American counterpart is being investigated for taking Chinese money. Ever since Biden came into Office. he had wanted a "special" relationship with Beijing. Biden had wanted the Peoples' Republic to be a partner, the Orient joining the Occident in a global rules based order. Instead, China has opted to act in its own interest and taking advantage of Biden's weak Biden policy. Chinese sanctions, emplaced by the Trump Administration have been relaxed. The so-called China initiative has been repealed. There is no real effort by the American governmen

( Of All Days. . .) What was it ? The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. On November 11th, 1918, the First World War was won. The consequences of that war because while the Central Powers of Imperial Germany, Austro-Hungary, and Ottoman Turkey. Russia in the wake of the Boldehevik Revolution and had been out of the War since 1917. That being said, while the Triple Powers lost the war, the Triple Entente of Britian, France and in 1917, the United States, lost the Peace. The terms dictated to the defeated enemy at Versailles were harsh and did nothing to alleviate what had caused the war in the first place. The conditions forced on Germany specifically, between forced dis-armament, reparations and war guilt, made a rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party all but inevitable. In 1933 Hitler was appointed Chancellor by then President, Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg. Hitler took the title F ürher (leader) on Hindenburg's death. What followed of course was German re-ar

(Man For No Season) There was once an English Lord Chancellor named Sir Thomas Moore. Moore was executed by King Henry VIII because he would not intercede with the Pope Clemet VII to grant Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon. Also, Moore refused to assent to Henry's Supremacy Clause that placed the Church of England as the supreme Faith in the land. Unlike Sir Thomas Moore, who was "Man For All Seasons," outgoing West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, (D), is a man for no season. Manchin is one of those rare creatures that tried to straddle the fence in both directions and, in both cases, generally falling short. Fundamentally, Manchin failed to take note of the changing political environment in the Mountain State as a state that would elect him Governor and then Senator then is voting for Donald Trump now, by a lot. The one who replaced him in Charlston's Executive Mansion, Jim Justice, who became a Republican and is Manchin's GOP challenger, is endorsed by

(Lesson Of History. . .) The rush of events can be overwhelming at times. Over the past week, Republicans lost those off year elections because they apparently have the wrong position on abortion. If people generally believe that a pregnancy can be terminated at then point of birth itself, which had  been Virginia's own stance previously. If moral equivalency means anything, this is exactly what Hamas did when it executed those infants, barely a month ago. The Republican Presidential contenders had their third debate where Ambassador Nikky Haley excelled. But, the White House seems to have convinced Israel to impose 4-hour "pauses" daily. That would not be consistent with sound tactical doctrine because, any cessation of action, however brief, would allow Hamas to reconstitute to an extent as well. This kind of thing has happened before. The Third Reich made many strategic and operational errors over the course of World War II. One of the most egregious mistakes occurred

( Something Off ?) It is said by the so-called "experts" that off year elections can be bellwethers can be predicative for a regular cycle the following year. Not to belabor the point, but Democrats had  a good night's off-year election,  defeating Republican initiatives and legislators. The Democrat governor in Kentucky was re-elected. In Virginia, Democrats now hold the entire State House. Commonwealth Governor Youngkin (R) who had campaigned for GOP gold of the House and flip the Senate, the actual reverse materialized. The issue that proved decisive was that of  abortion and the more restrictive Republicans try to make it, the worse they fare. Finally in Ohio, abortion access is now enshrined in the State Constitution. At this point, perhaps it would have been preferable had the Supreme Court not rendered the "Dobbs" decision that reversed Row vs Wade . Remember, however that the decision had been leaked and since then, Republicans efforts to capitalize off

(Siege Warfare. . .) As one is watching the news, after a month of hostilities, Israeli Defense Forces have managed to cut the Gaza Strip in half and are investing Gaza City. According to the IDF, some 10,000+ enemy combatants, that means Hamas fighters, have been killed. As the Israeli offensive grinds forward, another land battle comes to mind. Like Hamas surrounded in Gaza, so the German Sixth Arny was surrounded at Stalingrad, unable to be relieved or re-supplied, Sixth Army withered on the vine in November 1942. In November 2023, Hamas will be suffering the same fate. Hamas is not the only organization under pressure. New, and remarkable polling has the former President is beating the current President in more than a few polls. These Pages have spent the last year discounting Trump at every turn, adhering to the conventional wisdom that President Biden is un-assailable. But, as often happens, policy choices begin to have consequences. One such choice has been Biden's lack-

( At The Tone, The Time Will Be. . .(2) Whenever one finds his or herself involved in a great project but a project whose end result would be destructive, certain qualms could arise. That happened with the Manhattan Project, the American attempt to develop the world's atomic bomb. As one might recall, there were many German scientists involved with the endeavor. Their motivation had been to keep a bomb out of the hands of Nazi Germany. But, when the bomb began to be more real, that an actual design was proving feasible, and no real German effort was realized, their continued participation was proving problematic. Many of these wavering physicists were located in Chicago, where Enrico Fermi had first conducted a controlled chain reaction. These were scientists that were advocating for an alternative to using the bomb on the new enemy, Japan. Instead of bombing a Japanese city, causing un-told destruction and loss of life. That prospect can be troubling to anybody, but these scientis

(Context (and the lack thereof) There is a phrase used here quite often that is better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt. President Lincoln is one source, British Prime Minister Churchill is another, Now, in the wake of the Isarel- Hamas War, with thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrations being held all over the place, the Arab Street is getting inflamed itself, Secretary of State Blanken is in the West Bank speaking with the leader of what was once the Palestinian Liberation Organization. The common thread of all these actions is that they being taken out of context. One can be assured however that IDF operations will remain un-affected, ignoring calls for a pause or any interruption to its time-table. Are innocent Palestinians being killed  ? Yes. There are. But the difference is that Jews last October 7th were killed by acts of cowardness. Israel is waging war and, in that context, is no different than any other conventional campaign in the pa

(Credible Threats ?) The Peoples' Republican Army Navy today is a reminder of the rich Chinese Navy tradition. In past centuries, Chinese ships were huge ocean-going vessels that could have colonized the world at one point. It had been able to defeat even European naval powers like Portugal. Then, the Chinese emperor at the time, had a dream and ordered this vast fleet be destroyed. So, when England took over with the Royal Navy, the Chinese Navy was not in any position to challenge it. So began the long subjugation of China by the European powers. As mentioned the other day, President Biden issued an Executor Order governing artificial intelligence. The effect the action will tend to dampen the full potential of the technology. Perhaps more disturbing, however, is that Biden took the step because he had a screening of a Mission Impossible  movie. The villain had been an AI construct. So, like that Chinese Emperor who did away with his Blue Navy because of a dream, so Biden is cons

( Next Steps. . .) Everybody looks to a second chapter, a continuation of the story. Sometimes, however, the story writes itself. Outcomes become pre-determined, or there is a preference on how the story ends. What are the next steps of the Israel- Hamas War ? Between that and Ukraine, which war gets funded ?  Is President Biden closer to being impeached ? What is going to happen when that fresh caravan 5,000 strong reaches the open border ? One can only hope there are no terrorists in the group ! Israel has said that its current decimation of Hamas in Gaza will prove a marathon and not a sprint. At the end, whenever that might be, either Israel survives, or it doesn't. The Hamas representative, giving a comfortable interview in Doha, Qatar, stating that the goal is the complete destruction of the Jewish state. So, why would it halt operations now ? Maintaining a tempo against Hamas is essential. That being said, why would Jerusalem accept a pause now, much less a cease fire ? Th

( Wars Against Whom ?) One can remember the O.J. Trial. A courtroom drama that dragged on for weeks on whether the former Bills running back and Naked Gun actor, O.J. Simpson killed his ex wife and her friend in brutal fashion. The trial was no with the exception of inevitable exposure but those who followed the proceedings, who saw the testimony, those who saw evidence presented, came to the conclusion that the former pro had indeed killed his wife. So, when the not guilty verdict was returned. it surprised a lot of people and cleavings emerged. Like the O.J. verdict, the Israel- Hamas War has exposed certain rifts, especially in the Democrat Party, on collage campuses, and all the other places one sees either pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel protests. It would seem that every nation on earth would have the right to self- preservation but an international exception is being made for the Jewish state, which is vigorously waging a campaign in an attempt to assure its survival. As a par