"The Greatest President" (a TV masterpiece)

(editorial comment)

My current analytic theory in  contemplation of Trumpland is that the man is engaged in producing his own TV "reality" show.

There are quite a few things that he has done or caused to occur that I like; the tax law, the veterans benefits law, Justice Goresuch, de-regulation of everything he can reach by EO, a long list of pending judicial appointments that will fundamentally alter the character of the federal judiciary for a generation,  his negotiating technique with China, and other Melian states over trade barriers (the tariffs are IMO just a ploy), his confrontation with NOKO (it is yielding changes in rocketman's positions).  From my POV these are positives.

In spite of all these good things, the man is bizarre in his approach to life.  He seems to be driven by demons from his childhood to act like a fool and boor.  Usually such behavior is derived from an unhappy relationship with a parent or both parents.  His serial philandering with women who happen to pass through his life and his grotesque description of his wooings leads me to believe that it is probably his mother whom he is trying to defeat.  Unkind?  Freudian? Yes.

In the development of his "team," a favorite business term, he really seems to me to be producing his own show with the intention of starring in it as well.  His ego is such that he is compelled to see himself as the center of every scene, a magnetic pole toward which all heads are bowed without serious discord or disagreement.  In his version of "The West Wing," there is no place for serious dissent by such as McMaster, Kelly, Tillerson, Mattis, etc.  To reach the right casting outcome, he is systematically replacing any characters who will disturb the coherence of the show.  At the same time he appears to be writing the scripts in order to produce successful endings and outcomes with regard to the foreign countries who, for him, are really just script devices and scenery.  I doubt that it really occurs to him that he may not be able to overcome the Spartans/Russians/Iranians and their trivial satellites like Melos/Syria.  After all, is it not HIS show?  pl

Comments

[Laura]

Intriguing analogy...reality TV as reality!

[FB Ali]

It is posts such as this that make SST such a remarkable and unmatched site. Long may it continue!

Our thanks are due to Col Lang!

[EEngineer]

He may indeed be a boor and a scoundrel, but I also think that he exaggerates it for effect. Once he's induced Trump Derangement Syndrome in his opponent, their IQ seems to get cut in half. Call it Sun Tzu's tactic of sowing of confusion in an enemy adapted to the mass media age.

[Amir]

Does his “Tabula rasa” approach and personality remind you of Jeltsin? Do you agree that the consequences of his “good intentions”, to push through necessary reforms and transform swords into plowshares, will be as (un)successful?
In my opinion his policies and appointments will affect the cohesion of the country and drive the polarization further. If/when “Costal Wimps” give him back some pastery from the same dough, the internal cohesion of the country will be at risk.
The pushback is already gaining momentum, under different disguises such as the children’s crusade against the 2d amendment.

[blue peacock]

Col. Lang,

Well done, Sir!

I believe you are spot on in your analysis. I have not had the ability to accurately judge the character of people. Although I am working hard at it in my day job.

Trump is an enigma to me. He has this boorish side which drives the PC crowd absolutely insane. In fact I believe it is this aspect of his personality that is the source of TDS. His philandering is what most powerful men do and it is only here in the US we take such offense on matters of sexuality. Hollywood have no qualms about depicting violence in gory detail but show a boob??

Trump in between all his self-promoting talk speaks essential truth. He is dead on correct that our elites have sold us down the river on trade and the dismantling of our industrial base. China, Canada, Mexico have taken advantage of our least protectionist market while protecting theirs. He is also spot on that the trillions we have spent on military adventures overseas have not benefited us an iota. Yet, he packs his national security team with known ziocons and signs a massive spending bill laden with pork. He is correct that chain immigration of people with limited skills does not benefit our society. Unfortunately many in our polity want to continue to believe in the fantasy of our strength and righteousness. Reality is something we have a hard time with.

Whatever it is about Trump, it has brought out of the woodwork, and stripped the mask of the status quo elites across the spectrum. The media is all in, so are the political and governmental establishment, doing everything they can to destroy the man, including destroying what little faith exists among many of our citizens in our major institutions.

[JW]

If you draw a continuum between Trump's supposed childhood demons to his early and successful life in real estate, you need to consider his five years at military school, NYMA, where he was an egotist but ultimately quite successful. He was not regarded there as dysfunctional but in many ways appeared to have been successfully molded and rewarded for being so, in a place not known for handing out free passes or staffed by the easily fooled.
He had a solid relationship with his father before and after, and developed solid relationships with various luminaries in New York as his career developed. At no point has it been suggested that he was in any way deluded. Women ? Owning your own money and your own time do that :)
People can dissociate under stress; Trump's style from early in his career has been to delegate to a succession of people. He appears now to have trouble finding the right ones and may not be in full control of his choices, but as in his past he has never seemed to have chosen the role of a 'man alone', I suggest he has not started doing so now, as the script writer in the context that you suggest.
I think he's in there fighting hard. His mistake was to declare war on various internal factions in his Inauguration speech, without having the overwhelming legal and resource capability to commence that war the same afternoon.

[John Minnerath]

President Trump can leave one wondering at times, but to me thus far the positives outnumber the negatives.

[JamesT]

FB Ali

Hear, hear.

[JW]

Blue, I agree. DT is only the first and the dam has broken. Michael Moore (regardless of what you may think of him) gave a very prescient interview before the election, predicting a Trump win on the basis that enough voters were sick of standard Mk1 issue politicians such as Hillary, and wanted a new breed.
After Donald, there will be another.

[Hood Canal Gardner]

Your call BP/Pat. If I read you correctly ie carte blanche "....de-regulation of everything he can reach by EO." That's pretty much/not quite like you. Some IMO conservation "untouchable EO reachables:" soil, unrenewable resources, ocean waters, air. On these think twice before handing him a pen.

[turcopolier]

HCG

You are entitled to your opinion but that opinion is that of a denizen of Ecotopia. pl

[steve]

I can broadly agree here, but just a couple points. Trump, not surprisingly, is taking credit for more deregulation than is actually happening. Not many old regulations have been removed. This would involve careful management and planning, not a strength in the Trump admin. This has been broadly documented. What has mostly been happening is that the rate of new regulations being imposed has slowed. To date, this has yet to result in increased investing by business. My sense is that the effects of deregulation will take a while to be seen as this is not being managed well.

The tax cuts also don't seem to be resulting in much business investment. We really need to see that soon because the effects of the increased debt that we will carry as a result will soon arrive.

Steve

[turcopolier]

John Minnerath

Yes. So far. pl

[turcopolier]

blue peacock

IMO you exaggerate the immorality of powerful men with women. It is one thing to accept a lack of monogamy in people, and not just men but it is another to see men whether powerful or not trolling for casual sex with their genitalia used as fishing lures. I have known a lot of powerful men who did not do that. Some do and some do not, both here and abroad. Interesting examples were John J Pershing who bedded any woman who would let him and George Marshall who did not behave that way. Marshall was Pershing's aide at one time and found the bosses behavior with women excruciatingly embarrassing. pl

[turcopolier]

steve

TDS. Having read your comments for a while I think yo are a Clintonista forever. pl

[Joe100]

HCG -

Environmental work has been my work area for about thirty years. My take (from the deep inside) is that much recent environmental regulation has been substantial overreach and in recent times in some cases counterproductive, with poor outcomes pushed by either big NGO egos ("we want the pen") or concern that if something simple could work really well, it might get in the way of another preferred (but less effective) agenda.

And look at something like the Hudson rail tunnel replacement project where recent inspections suggest these tunnels may need to be closed soon due to unanticipated seawater damage from Hurricane Sandy (with flooding that was quite predictably likely to happen). These tunnels were built over 100 years ago by the Pennsylvania RR in four years (1904-1908). The most recent numbers I have seen is that this will be a $30+ billion project and the environmental permits for this absolutely essential infrastructure replacement will probably take longer than it took to build then original tunnels.

In my view we are are long past time for revisiting balance in our environmental regulation. Not sure if the details under Trump's adminstration will be what I would consider optimal, but I think they will muddle towards a better balance in outcomes.

[David E. Solomon]

No offense Colonel, but I would rather not be subjected to his reality show.

[SAC Brat]

I think we are seeing more WWE type wrestling drama than staged reality tv. It all smells like kayfabe to me.

"In professional wrestling, kayfabe /ˈkeɪfeɪb/ is the portrayal of staged events within the industry as "real" or "true", specifically the portrayal of competition, rivalries, and relationships between participants as being genuine and not of a staged or predetermined nature of any kind."

The media eats this up as it provides them with click-bait headlines to fit between advertisements. There is too much money involved to risk accidentally committing journalism. Someone might lose their access.

President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho coming soon!

[Greco]

I think it may have been Roy Cohn who inspired some of Trump's juvenile and boorish demeanor.

NYT: What Donald Trump Learned From Joseph McCarthy’s Right-Hand Man

“I hear Roy in the things he says quite clearly,” said Peter Fraser, who as Mr. Cohn’s lover for the last two years of his life spent a great deal of time with Mr. Trump. “That bravado, and if you say it aggressively and loudly enough, it’s the truth — that’s the way Roy used to operate to a degree, and Donald was certainly his apprentice.”

[DianaLC]

Having decided early on that "reality" t.v. had nothing to do with the reality of my own life, I never watched any reality shows--including any of the episodes of the Apprentice.

My own real life was governed by trying to make it through the straight and narrow gate by following "the rules." Life was at times hard work, incredibly dull, or wonderfully comfortable in the sense of having friends and family and enough. I always knew I had a long list of friends and family to call on for help with minor things and God to call on for the major things.

The Bible stories were always interesting to me, so I bring up the story of the great and powerful Nazarite, Samson, brought down by a woman--for awhile anyway. God seems to use great flawed men sometimes. Does that apply to Trump? We can only wait to find out.

Many can attest that I absolutely was at first quite appalled at Trump's behavior. But I usually end up letting God, whom I do believe is in control, work things out. So I've tried to "let Trump be Trump," since he is the one who won the Presidency.

I, too, have learned to admire some of his accomplishments in the W.H. I sometimes wonder if this admiration is boosted by the fact that I absolutely felt repulsed to have Obama in the W.H. (It was not because of his Black father that I felt that way.)

The reason I disliked him the most is the ties he had to the people in my generation who had repulsed me-the war protestors, the Weathermen, the rioters at the Democratic convention, the spitters on the soldiers returning, the people stomping on the flag or burning it. I could go on. Obama just plain repulsed me, and he still does.

But to go from Obama to Trump has been an almost surreal journey in my constant following of politics.

I like what Trump sometimes and often accomplishes--then I wait for him to do or say something that causes me to sigh in despair.

I sometimes think that our society is breaking apart into fragments. But I know I personally fit in best with the people who originally supported him--the middle America Americans, the hard working middle and lower middle class people, the church attenders, the family reunion attendees, the small town business owners and smalltown politicians. The people who always attend high school games and then send their boys off to the service so they can come home to take their fathers' places or to then use the government to attend college and find a good position afterwards.

I have never prayed so hard in my life for our country. I hold my breath and pray that God is using Trump as he used other famous and flawed big shots in all those Bible stories.

[catherine]

Well my opinion for what its worth.

Trumps is clearly a narcissist.
Unlike some I do not think his moves are some kind of Machiavellian brilliance.
When it comes to issues like taxation and deregulation his ideas are his own due to his own past bizness forays and big and small business owners.
Illegal immigration was a campaign issue he adopted because it has been obvious most of the public is against it.
Trade issues he also adopted as part of the jobs issue.
On education he reflects the traditional conservative stance.
The same with the judiciary, traditional conservative stance.

Trump has not really done anything outside of the usual conservative plank except his blowout on tariffs ....and if you check the countries he 'exempted' from those tariffs, it doesn't amount to much.

Then there is the bringing in of his family, specifically Jared Kushner, son of jailbird and illegal settlements donor, Charles Kushner, and Netanyahu's bed mate, with no security clearance and full access to top secret intel.

Totally in keeping with the Col.'s 'reality show' Trump....23 contestants have so far gone into and out of the WH.

When it comes to foreign policy he appears to be listening to the neocons and his mega donor Adelson, from the Jerusalem embassy move to the appointment of Bolton.

Since I believe that if the US gets entangled in any more ME wars everyone's domestic issues will become moot, I am going to imagine the Machiavellian thinking behind the Bolton appointment. Bolton will be up to his old tricks of 'questionable' intel 'rearranging' and feed Trump lots of reasons why the US must shock and awe countries like Korea, Syria, Iran and Lebanon(Hezbollah).
If Trump falls for it he will be the perfect foil and patsy for the Neos and the I-Fifth Column. When a war goes bad (and ours have so far)it will be the crazy Trump's another trillion dollars war...the media will promote it as Trumps war and no mention will be made of those behind it.

[Richardstevenhack]

Re: "his confrontation with NOKO (it is yielding changes in rocketman's positions"

I think you are giving him and his blustering tweets against North Korea and Kim way too much credit for the emerging peace process.

What I see is Kim making inroads with South Korea in an attempt to drive a wedge between South Korea and the US. And being highly successful at it. Which is not surprising as neither North or South Korea want a war, especially South Korea which has far more to lose in that war than the US does.

As others have noted, the real test will come when Trump has a summit with Kim - if in fact that actually happens. Does Trump make a deal - or does he sabotage the meeting and come away blustering about war again? Or does he blow off the meeting altogether? Some people think Trump wants the meet solely for the purpose of forcing the US back into the negotiations and sabotaging the emerging peace between NK and SK.

If Trump is as smart as some people think he is, he will take whatever deal he can get from Kim - or at least further negotiations - so he can kick the can down the road and avoid war for as long as possible. Otherwise, if he blows this opportunity off and resumes his war rhetoric, at some point soon he's going to have to fish or cut bait and either back down and negotiate or start the war. I don't think he can keep putting off making the decision for the next three years. But maybe he can since Obama managed to put off war with Iran for years until he got out.

Off topic, but David Habakkuk might find this interesting:

French “supercop” Paul Barril interviewed about anti-Russian false flag operations
http://thesaker.is/french-supercop-paul-barril-interviewed-about-anti-russian-false-flag-operations/

Barril's Wikipedia entry is included under the article.

Barril lays out his opinion about who killed Litvinenko and believes it was part of a CIA/MI6 operation called "Beluga" which is aimed at slandering Putin and weakening Russian influence. He wants the appointment of a former Swiss prosecutor Carla Del Ponte to conduct an independent investigation.

Here is a 2016 article from Russia Insider which lays out the story about Barril and Litvinenko and Operation Beluga:

Operation Beluga: A US-UK Plot to Discredit Putin and Destabilize the Russian Federation
https://russia-insider.com/en/politics/operation-beluga-us-uk-plot-discredit-putin-and-destabilize-russian-federation/ri13653

[Walrus]

Yes Col. Lang - a producer, but what is the movie? "Trump saves the world" in three acts? "Wag the dog"? "Nightmare on Elm street"?

A memorable movie is "Nurse Betty" in which I TV fan of medical dramas accidentally ends up working in a hospital leading to complete and unhappy confusion between the TV show set and medical reality. That is what worries me about Trump, what happens when the script changes outside his control?

For example, his trade war actions, in his mind, lead to Norman Rockwell drawings of happy contented American working class families however "in real life" in my opinion, this is a highly unlikely outcome.

What happens if China, Russia and North and South Korea propose a peace settlement that, pointedly, does not include America?

[Eric Newhill]

Sir,
I don't think you're wrong at all. However, I do think there is a possibility that there is a method to the [alleged] madness that will result in continued success.

Success will depend on a number of factors, of course.

First, Trump's focus will have to be on making America great. That means ideas that actually improve the economy, security and adherence to the rule of law (as laid out in the Constitution) - and the will to implement them. So far so good (caveat being the Bolton appointment).

Second, Trump will need to maintain a team of advisors and cabinet appointees that are dedicated to his vision of America and his quirky management style. I can imagine this factor will be challenging to achieve. On the other hand, I also imagine that all other POTUS's have been frenetic about managing "the optics" and that, regardless of the psychological or practical drives behind that managing, the impact on those around POTUS is similar. So Trump really isn't different for all intents and purposes. On that I could be very wrong. I just have the knowledge to offer an informed opinion.

Third, the people have to want Trump's vision - and I think that most Americans, TDS, SJW activism aside, do want what his vision offers.

Two out of three key factors is not bad (and the one factor possibly there; just unknown to me).

Bottom line, I think that Trump's demons get him in trouble in ways that are inconsequential to us, the governed. However, the same demons cause him to need to be highly successful. Success beyond what others can achieve is his revenge. he seems to know that his success is integrally tied to our success. As I have said before, IMO his greatest trophy would be to go down in history as, objectively, a POTUS that made America great. As long as he keeps his eyes on that prize, we are in good shape - with the caveat being that he will need to maintain capable people to help implement the vision.

[catherine]

I agree in some areas. I am totally against Trumps idea of selling off US park and wildlife lands for private development.
Also totally for some regulations on waters and environment since I live 25 miles from the ocean and at the junction of three large rivers and have seen some man caused environmental disasters first hand.

I am also for strict regulation of banking and WS...especially WS.
I have no desire to pay for any more of these economic rapes by WS criminals:

https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-180

The 2008 financial crisis due to unregulated mortgage-focused hedge funds cost the U.S. economy more than $22 trillion.
“The 2007-2009 financial crisis, like past financial crises, was associated with not only a steep decline in output but also the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s,”
"Paper wealth lost by U.S. homeowners totaled $9.1 billion. Additionally, economic losses associated with increased mortgage foreclosures and higher unemployment since 2008 need to be considered as additional costs.''

That said, there are hundreds of ridiculous little regulations and mandatory reporting that result in nothing but costing business millions in reporting cost and the government hiring of more idiots to read them.