I have sadly concluded that in today’s political environment, the cruelty, and intimidation is often the point.
The multi-disgraced, twice impeached Ex-President Trump is a good example. The biggest threat we have to violence is white supremacist. Not once has Ex-President Trump said anything to discourage such. On the local level the Franklin County Health Director of 14 years has recently resigned, citing death threats. Two ladies in Georgia were highlighted by Ex-President Trump doing their job properly during the election as NOT doing their jobs. They have since received death threats.
You cannot have a “law and order” society when the biggest lawbreaker is at the top. I regret to say this is shades of Ex-President Nixon.
Vladimir Putin is another example. Having been bogged down in Ukraine, he has turned to a policy of outright murder of innocent, to include expectant mothers and newborn infants. His words are as usual, just words. He is very frustrated in that his much-vaunted military as under performed, desperation and panic seem to have set in, to he is using murder and intimidation to further his goals.
Ex-President Trump, and Putin are both classical bullies. Adult age bullies are almost invariably two other things, liars and cowards.
Putin has managed to keep most of his country behind him, a benefit of having a state-controlled media that controls the information that his country gets. This country has now experienced this, yet, but I will note with frustration how often Trump defined “Fake news” turns out to be the truth. I want to focus on Tucker Carlson, and point out that he is highly approved as a source of news by Putin. I have to wonder who he really is working for. I must defend Carlson’s right to express himself, but I have to wonder what his motive is.
On gasoline prices, a strong majority, about 70 percent support the Russian oil embargo. Oil profits are up about 100 percent. I am reminded of the saying “Never let a crisis go unrewarded.” Reports are the Charles Koch is still doing business with the Russians. An Excess Profits Tax Bill has been introduced in the Senate, which 82 percent approving of such. I suggest that you contact your Congress-person to ask them their views on such. They are supposed to work for us, not the corporations that make campaign investments in them.
If you are concerned about meat-flation, please don’t blame the producer. Meat pacing profits are also way up, continuing a 10 year trend. Part of this could well be the result of having four packers control 80 percent of the market. This is an expected result of the free market system, which invariably leads to monopolistic behavior.
Frank J. Thomeczek
Columbia
