World War II

Trump An Appeaser Of Russia Openly, Willing To Sacrifice Ukraine, Sending Dangerous Message That Can Also Affect Taiwan’s Future!

Ronald 9 Comments

It is well known that Donald Trump has an affinity for dictators, particularly Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation.

A Senate committee headed by Marco Rubio stated in 2019 that Russia had intervened in the Presidential Election of 2016 to favor Trump over Hillary Clinton.

Trump has denied this, but now he is pressuring Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, which has been fighting a brutal war of survival against Russia for nearly four years now, to give up part of their territory and other concessions to Russia, giving a deadline of Thanksgiving.

In the middle of this mess, Rubio, now Secretary of State, is caught in turmoil, and seems confused as to what is going on, as he has a long history of being hardline toward Russia and other autocracies!

Donald Trump has no problem becoming the new Neville Chamberlain of Great Britain, who conceded Czechoslovakia to Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany in 1938, which did not prevent the coming of World War II.

What Trump is perpetrating is a threat to NATO and, specifically, to Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, all part of the old Soviet Union before 1989, and also to Poland.

Trump’s conceding to Putin is also a warning to Taiwan, with the growing threat that mainland China claims it will take over that island, as in their view, it is part of their nation, rather than an independent nation, as it has been since 1949.

THe lessons of history are being ignored, that giving in to authoritarians never works out well for democracies, particularly when there are unreliable allies.

52 Years: From Nixon And Agnew To Trump And Vance!

Ronald 122 Comments

Fifty two years ago, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned under scandal, and ten months later, President Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace, abandoned by his own Republican Party in Congress.

Who would think that a half century later, we would have an outspoken, obnoxious, obsequious sycophant, JD Vance, with few qualifications to be President, being a heartbeat away from the White House, which has in Donald Trump a President far worse and more corrupt than Richard Nixon ever was!

And to top it off, the Republican Party in Congress is a lapdog, unwilling to challenge the President and Vice President, unlike how many of their party did so in the 1970s.

American democracy and the rule of law was under threat back then, and was saved by Gerald Ford and by opposition Democrats who worked together to overcome the worst elements of the Watergate Scandal.

Can we expect a similar situation in the present tense? At this moment, it seems as if we are witnessing the most dire threat to American democracy, since World War II and the Civil War, and it is hard to imagine we will come out of it as a nation based on the US Constitution, and just as we are to “celebrate” the 250th Anniversary of the American Republic and the Declaration Of Independence!

Constitution Day: The Crisis America Faces Under Donald Trump!

Ronald 100 Comments

Today, September 17, is Constitution Day, celebrated every year in honor of the US Constitution, which was signed by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in PHiladelphia on this day in 1787.

The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and the National Archives in Washington, DC are commemorating the history of the Constitution as America is moving toward the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.

It is ironic and sad that as we celebrate these documents, including also the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence, that we are faced by the greatest threat in American history, due to a criminally convicted and twice impeached President, who with his Cabinet and other allies, is in process of destroying the American Republic and American Democracy.

But there is a major reaction by all freedom loving people to resist what is happening, as all of us owe our allegiance to freedom and tolerance of political differences.

We have survived polarized times before, including the combative Presidential Election of 1800, when we had the first transition of power from one group to another, and without bloodshed.

We have survived the tumultuous Civil War; the struggle for racial justice; the Great Depression; the threat of Fascism in World War II; the Cold War with the Soviet Union; and the hotly contested Presidential Election of 2000.

It is hard to see it now, but America will survive Donald Trump, as long as we continue to believe in the Founding Documents of our nation, and insure that we continue to promote resistance to any threat to our historical traditions!

80th Anniversary Of End Of World War II: Concerns About Future Of International Affairs Under Donald Trump!

Ronald 13 Comments

Eighty years ago, World War II finally came to an end, with the surrender of Japan, four months after the defeat of Nazi Germany.

The United States became the leading nation in the world, and was relied upon by democracies in Europe and Asia in the Cold War Years from 1945-1991, and the post Cold War Years since 1991.

But now, under Donald Trump, much of the world’s nations are not trusting the United States anymore, and Trump is alienating our allies in NATO as well as Asian nations.

At a summit in China, with Russia and India also present, those three nations made it clear that they were not going to let the United States under Donald Trump dictate to them, or control them through tariff wars and Trump rhetoric about American superiority.

Trump has alienated the largest populated nation in the world, India, over his 50 percent tariffs, and India is cozying up to its former rival, China, which is making clear its desire to control the world’s future as the dominant nation.

Meanwhile, Russia continues its war against Ukraine, and the summit of Trump and Vladimir Putin has led to no breakthrough on ending the war.

And Israel, determined to take over the Gaza Strip and allow the US to make it the Middle East “Riviera”, is committing genocide against the civilian population, and creating a long term continued nightmare for America in the Middle East.

So even though the 80th year anniversary of the end of the worst, most devastating war in human history, is being celebrated, the seeds of a truly horrifying World War III by an emboldented, authoritarian tyrant named Donald Trump, is provoking the majority of the world’s population against American dominance.

Trump also is now threatening Venezuela; and pursuing Greenland control being taken away from Denmark; and the issue of the Panama Canal is another worrisome matter.

The international situation at present is highly combustible, and America is clearly in rapid decline in prestige and influence at this anniversary.

A new close alliance of China, Russia, and India is a nightmare scenario, far more than even Nazi Germany and Japan during World War II.

Is Donald Trump The New Neville Chamberlain Of Appeasement?

Ronald 24 Comments

Eighty Seven years ago, in October 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain made a deal with Nazi Germany’s dictator Adolf Hitler, to hand over, peacefully, part of the nation of Czechoslovakia (the Sudetenland), to avoid possible war, without consulting that nation.

Less than a half year later, Germany seized the rest of Czechoslovakia, and then in September 1939, World War II began.

Chamberlain went down in history for the act of appeasement, making it clear for all time that one does not give in to a dictator, in the thought that doing so will prevent future conflict.

Rather, one must stand strong and be willing to defend freedom and democracy.

Generations of students have been taught this lesson, but now, Donald Trump seems ready to kowtow to Russian Federation dictator Vladimir Putin at the upcoming Alaska Summit this Friday, over the issue of the continuing assault on Ukraine since February 2022.

European nations in NATO and President Joe Biden have supported and supplied Ukraine with the ability to resist the Russian invasion, which has been brutal, but now Trump seems ready to hand over a portion of Ukraine to Putin, rewarding an aggressor, whose intention is to conquer all of that nation, in his bid to restore the former Russian Empire.

Trump, already perceived as overly willing to favor Russia, including the reality that Putin wanted Trump elected in 2016, and collaborated in bringing that result about, is ready to commit appeasement, undermining the international order, and with no concern for Ukranian democracy.

Already, the horrendous mistreatment of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Oval Office meeting in February was disgraceful beyond belief, and with Vice President JD Vance another disgraceful appeaser in his own right, joining in the assault on Zelenskyy before the entire world.

Vladimir Putin KNOWS he has the number of Donald Trump, and international stability is in danger, as all Trump wants is to win the Nobel Peace Prize, no matter what harm it does to democracy around the world.

If anything, Trump should win an award for the Appeasement Prize as the successor to Neville Chamberlain, whose reputation in history lies in tatters!

Rachel Maddow Makes Clear: Authoritarianism Has Arrived Under Donald Trump! :(

Ronald 40 Comments

On Monday evening, the great Rachel Maddow on MSNBC made the clear announcement that Authoritarianism has arrived! 🙁

It is no longer an issue of whether it is occurring, or is in process.

When one looks at the multitude of events and statements over the past six plus months, America is in dire straits in so many ways.

The Republican Party in Congress and the majority of the Supreme Court are in unison with most of what is being perpetrated by Donald Trump, his Cabinet, and others.

While there is opposition still existing, we have seen caving in by many law firms, corporations, and even more troubling, by several leading universities, and even concessions by ABC and CBS, and the end of the Corporation For Public Broadcasting, which helped support public televsion and radio since 1969.

This is the most depressing time in American history, and may be ranked historically as the most dangerous times since the threat of Fascism and Nazism in World War II.

It is hard not to be in despair, and a sense of fear has spread, as ICE agents arrest and detain people without just cause, and most having no criminal record of any kind.

Nativism, racism, misogyny, homophobia all are having their heyday! 🙁

American democracy is facing unprecedented challenges, and American national security is endangered, as America’s relationship with the world, including its long time allies, is endangered by the highest tariffs in a century, and a sense of lack of reliability of the nation to the world around it.

But, as Rachel Maddow makes clear, it is not a time for just despair, but rather for determination to resist in every way possible, including NOT allowing the naked attempt of Republicans to fix the 2026 Congressional elections and Congressional and Presidential Elections of 2028 and beyond.

There is widespread outrage being openly expressed all across the nation, and courage and principle must continue to be utilized in an active resistance!

US Army Military Parade For Trump’s Birthday Totally Uncalled For, While Veterans Benefits Are Being Cut!

Ronald 7 Comments

The US Army 250th Anniversary Grand Military Parade and Celebration on Armed Forces Day, June 14, which is also Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, will cost an estimated $45 million, and deploy thousands of troops and tanks, reminiscent of an authoritarian dictator’s parade, as for Adolf Hitler or Joseph Stalin. Normally, such a parade would not be so elaborate and costly.

It is an unnecessary expense, totally uncalled for, and yet another sign of the danger Donald Trump repesents, and it will do great harm to the streets of Washington DC, along with shutting down all air traffic into Reagan National Airport for the entire day.

It is ironic that Trump is supporting this, since he was a draft dodger and used false claims of “bone spurs” to avoid any military service, and his own sons have avoided such military commitment on their own.

And this is a President who ridiculed Senator John McCain for having been a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and called those who served and died for the nation as “suckers” and “losers” when in Normandy, France to commemorate D Day while he was in office for his first term.

No earlier President ever called for or advocated a military parade to salute a President, and Dwight D. Eisenhower specifically spoke out against such a concept, even though he had been a general during World War II.

THe waste of government resources, and glorification of Trump is a total outrage.

Meanwhile, Veterans Benefits are being cut in the “Big And Beautiful” legislation being promoted for passage in Congress.

The Accession Of Pope Leo XIV A Moment To Have Hope About The Future!

Ronald 2 Comments

The accession of Pope Leo XIV on the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, the end of World War II in Europe, and defeating the evil of Nazi Germany, is a moment to have hope for the future, at a time when there are so many gloomy realities that have occurred in 2025.

Not only the continuation of the Russia-Ukraine War and the Israel-Gaza War, and the possible war between India and Pakistan, but also the unrelenting gloom and negativism of the first nearly 16 weeks of the second Trump Presidency, has made for a very difficult few months for those people who have a sense of compassion, decency, empathy, morality and ethics!

This author and blogger is Jewish, but had tears of joy at the accession of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost to the Papacy, as he is truly a man of the people, of ordinary citizens of all nations, and stands out as a totally different mentality than Donald Trump, JD Vance, and the rest of the criminal crowd governing America in these times.

It is already clear that Pope Leo XIV will become “controversial” in his utterances and actions, and will cause the American government to lash out against him, but he will be a beacon against the evil of Trump and his minions.

The Pope is not just for Catholics, but for people of all religions, nationalities, races, and genders, and he will be an advocate for the poor, the disadvantaged, the marginalized, the needy, and promote dialogue and build bridges for all mankind!

The 80th Anniversary Of End Of World War II In Europe, And The Inspiration Presented By Pope Leo XIV To The Challenge Of Trump, Vance, And Authoritarian Fascism!

Ronald 6 Comments

Today marks the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, although the war against Japan lasted until the surrender ceremony on September 2, 1945.

The war against Fascism caused more death and destruction than any war in human history, and yet, today, in 2025, we face new threats from a domestic Fascism that allies itself with authoritarian dictators around the world.

And it is not just Donald Trump who is a threat, but his whole administration from JD Vance downward through the Cabinet and other advisers, all of whom are dedicated to the destruction of the Constitution, as we approach the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, based on rebellion against a King!

Harry Truman was the right person to be President 80 years ago, but the thought of JD Vance as a “backup” to Donald Trump, as Truman was to Franklin D. Roosevelt, is enough to undermine one’s mental and physical state.

Even in his so called conversion to Catholicism, Vance has demonstrated that he is a phony Catholic, and the new Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, has already, three months ago, called out Vance on his despicable view of Christianity!

Pope Leo XIV will, clearly, be a challenge to the Fascism of Trump and Vance, and an inspiration to those who despair over what is happening to the American Republic!

A Half Century Since End Of Vietnam War, A Continuing Tragedy!

Ronald 3 Comments

It is difficult to conceptualize that the most divisive moment in American history since the Civil War, the Vietnam War, ended fifty years ago tomorrow.

The tragic escape from the US Embassy in Saigon, South Vietnam, by the American military and diplomatic personnel, and many South Vietnamese trying to make it onto the helicopters, and many falling to their deaths, marked the end of an involvement by the US, lasting 20 years.

This caused the greatest loss of American lives, other than the Civil War and the two World Wars, a total of 58,000 American military personnel.

An involvement in the war begun by Harry Truman providing military and economic aid to France, beginning in 1950;

followed by about 2,000 “advisers”, under Dwight D. Eisenhower;

an escalation to 16,500 soldiers, including Green Beret combat forces, under John F. Kennedy;

a massive escalation to a final total of 549,500 soldiers in March 1968, under Lyndon B. Johnson;

and very slow withdrawal and dragged out combat until a peace agreement was finalized in March 1973, under Richard Nixon;

and then, the final collapse of South Vietnam by April 1975, under Gerald Ford.

The war divided the nation, as it was the greatest division since the Civil War, and so many survivors’ lives from the war effort suffered dearly, and many of them became victims for years after in so many ways, including those still alive fifty years later!

The nation owes a debt to these surviving veterans, which has never been fully repaid, and now, with cuts in the US Department of Veterans Affairs under Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, the failure to follow through on proper treatment and benefits will be a continuing tragedy!