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 return...

(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 p...

(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...