City-Rural Divide, One-Man Rule, The Color of Money, Agism

After my return from Christmas in Berkeley Springs, West Va., where we saw herds of wild deer running in winter’s bare woods and looked down on the headwaters of the Potomac snaking through the mountains, the busy, noisy streets of Washington, DC, now seem somewhat jarring—two worlds so close but so far apart. I can well understand why my son, now adapted to a more tranquil life, avoids the city. He has urged me to move to his town, but I prefer to travel back and forth to experience the change and appreciate what each locale has to offer.

Mr. Trump’s pals in Russia, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere must be pleased about his support for oil and other fossil fuels and his dismissiveness toward global warming. Meanwhile, China is leading the way in converting to renewables.

Without consulting with Iraq, one of whose officials was also killed in the drone strike that took out the Irani general and on whose soil the attack occurred, and without consulting with any allies or Congress, Donald Trump again has shown that he is a dictator exercising one-man rule on a personal whim, unleashing worldwide consequences, never mind any impact or follow up. He just does whatever he wants without considering the consequences or legality. Let others pick up the pieces. (”Grab ‘em by the pussy” and draft evasion for non-existent “bone spurs” expressed his personal philosophy and were precursors to these more global actions,)  At least Iraq and Iran have grown now closer and have tried to iron out their differences. And the killing of the military leader seems to have mobilized a fairly substantial segment of Iran’s population in support of their own government. Here in the US, the sentiments of my Irani friends, now US citizens and certainly not supporters of the Ayatollah, are decidedly negative regarding the assassination.

After talking with Erdogan briefly by phone, Trump pulls out US troops protecting the Kurds in Iraq for years, saying he wants to draw-down forces and stop endless wars. Then, after tearing up the highly effective nuclear agreement with Iran, he assassinates an Iranian general and sends American troops back to Iraq, which does not welcome them. Maybe he thought that showing military muscle would help his reelection campaign and distract from impeachment? Neither US citizens nor the rest of the world can expect or predict what he might say or do next. Can he just be allowed to run roughshod over the international order and act with no restraints? This guy, supported by our tax dollars and operating in our name, is truly dangerous, not only for Iran, but for us as well. Iran will find a way to retaliate somehow. Pompeo has said that if Iran attacks, the US will fight back. Trump has even threatened world heritage sites, among other targets. Isn’t that the definition of war, which Trump has vowed to avoid? His efforts to distract from his troubles with a war may simply backfire.

Now Iran has admitted to downing a passenger jet by mistake—perhaps forced into an admission due to the evidence—collateral damage from the US assassination which made the Iranian military trigger-happy. Fortunately, no Americans were killed, fortunately for them and for the world, as that would have driven Trump to dramatically react. Iran is not an easy nation to deal with but President Obama was able to make a deal with them on the continued development of nuclear weapons. So far, Trump has not brought them back to the negotiating table, if that is truly his intent. Pompeo says Iran needs to behave like “a normal nation,” which would be a good prescription for the United States as well.

This administration’s asylum policy, if it can be considered a policy at all, is topsy-turvy, requiring asylum seekers from other countries entering Honduras first to seek asylum there, then sending Hondurans, Salvadorans, and Mexicans to Guatemala, but where do Guatemalan asylum seekers go? Send all of them anywhere except to the US. And now the governor pf Texas, encouraged by Mr. Trump, has announced that his state will take no more asylees.   

Now Trump’s namesake son is rumored to be making plans to run for president in 2024 to create a hereditary dynasty, heaven forbid! Daughter Ivanka is also said to have presidential or other political aspirations, perhaps in a rivalry with her brother?

Let’s hope 2020 is the year we finally get rid of Trump and all the rest of his family and associates! The man seems incapable of learning from experience or from benefiting from more informed viewps. It may be partly a matter of serious cognitive or mental deficiencies. Because the guy lies so much, how can we ever believe or trust him? Occupying a position of supreme power and having the slavish devotion of his base, as well secret insecurity about his own abilities, just emboldens the guy and makes him more impervious to facts and to the opinions of others. I do wish him a prompt cushy Florida retirement where he can ride around all day on golf carts, eat McDonald’s burgers (beef, not veggie!), and hold occasional parties and rallies, raising money for himself and railing against the deep state and fake news, allowing his faithful supporters to boost his ego and his businesses while he collects presidential retirement and enjoys secret service protection. I wish him no ill will, just a speedy departure from office.

Donald Trump as well as many others worship on the altar of money, trying to accumulate more than they could ever hope to spend, boasting about how much they have. Of course, having an excessive amount of money does carry power and influence along with it.

Money has always been symbolic, a step after barter and a stand-in for other items of value. The first money may have been sticks and stones. Later, it became metals like gold and silver. Now, it is mainly electronic bank balances and exchanges. What might be considered purely abstract currencies like Bitcoin are the future, enabled by the internet. I don’t expect to live to see the day when they dominate and are manipulated in ways we can barely imagine now. What becomes acceptable as “money” depends on consensus, on what most people agree it is. Some, like Donald Trump, will always crave money and boast about having excessive amounts to make up for their personal deficits. A minimum is needed by each person for food, shelter, and health care, but if basic needs were provided nationally or universally, money would be become less important.

All my life, I have experienced marginalization for being female, more so as a young woman, when it simply seemed normal. As mentioned before, I believe that male dominance in most societies is both cultural and due to the effects of testosterone. Testosterone (and females transitioning to male can attest to this) not only increases muscle mass, deepens the voice, and creates facial hair, but also increases aggressivity and sexual appetite, so men do need to develop controls over these impulses.   

Now I am experiencing marginalization, especially in employment, for being older. Part-time employment that I am completely capable of doing becomes increasingly difficult to obtain as soon as my age is revealed. Yet around the world, there are a few practicing physicians in their 90’s and even one reportedly over 100. As long as patients continue to consult them, they will continue working. They are very fortunate.