Why I Am Optimistic: Trump is Losing His Pillars of Support

 

Why I Am Optimistic

When you’ve lost Laura Loomer, you’ve lost the conspiracy industrial complex.

Referencing “Why Civil Resistance Works,” Erica Chenoweth and Maria J. Stephan’s book of the same name,

Every autocrat has to depend on pillars of support: business community, security forces, civil servants and state media.

Trump is Losing His Pillars of Support

Business Community

Farming and construction industries are being hurt from a lack of workers to, well, do the work. Cue more expensive food. Small businesses that relied upon international trade are losing revenue because they lost their source of components and can’t replace them with something Made in the USA.

Wall Street

These idiotic tariffs have caused punishing losses on Wall Street - something which Trump is very sensitive to. More than that, Trump is always changing the tariffs and changing the deadlines for them to take place. Maybe no one in this administration has noticed, but the world economy is very inter-dependent and trade-reliant. Cut off the outside supply, and there will be panic in the boardrooms.

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Civil Servants

There are massive layoffs of civil servants that have simply been reversed. Many are still without jobs, but thousands have returned to work. More than that, recent events like the flooding deaths have demonstrated to everyone the important role of government. Whatever you might think about the people working for this Administration, they can’t fly bombers or collect taxes. That takes civil servants.

Military/National Guard

There is resistance within the military and security ranks. I know this because immigration activists in Los Angeles were tipped off before the National Guard and ICE arrived in that park, which was virtually empty by the time they got there. The ones who did that had to be part of the security forces that were ordered to storm the park.

The Tell with Christine Axsmith is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Epstein-Haters

The howls of betrayal by (what is now) former Trump supporters was most striking. Even wacky Laura Loomer is condemning Trump for not releasing Epstein’s client list. Oh, and Alex Jones cried about it. He couldn’t bring himself to blame Trump at this point, but he will get there. My right-wing nutjob social media feed was full of Trump denunciations. He simply won’t get away with this reversal. Many of his supporters invested their identities in wanting retribution against the pervert elites. He will pay a big price for that one.

Joe Rogan Bros

When Joe “I don’t like to think too much” Rogan is condemning your policies for being stupid, you’ve got a problem. Actually, you’ve got several of them: it looks bad on the surface (where Joe likes to live) so you are losing the narrative, people feel sorry for immigrants who are just living their lives like them, people don’t want their neighbor sent to war-torn Sudan never to see their families again, and your policy is messing with how people see themselves.

Actually, that last one is a big one, and will be the focus of a future article.

Handy-Dandy Tips For Defeating Tyranny

Join the protests, but take a bath first. And comb your hair and wear clean, nice clothes. No one cares about your self-expression. You need people to be open to listening to your message first.

Maybe taking to the streets isn’t your thing. OK. Then find some other form of resistance. I told my paid subscribers my little action already, but find something that works for you: put up stickers that say “Don’t obey in advance” and “Defeat fascism”, delete Amazon and Twitter off of your phone (throw in Facebook and Instagram for good measure) OR READ A BOOK!!!!

You heard it here first, folks.

Fight the AI Slop

 

Fight the Machine

When I was a girl, some grown-up asked me why I used big words. “Because they’re pretty,” I answered. He was shocked, but it made sense to him. Later, I was fired from a babysitting job for using “weird words” that her daughter had started to use, too. “You mean vocabulary?” I asked. That was the end of the conversation.

And so, as we descend into the age of AI slop, let’s revive those little words and expressions that were such attractive curlicues in our language. In the decades since that question, I’ve expanded my expressions to include the archaic, which my husband and I traded back and forth daily. G-d, I miss that man. The words in old books are beautiful things, like discovering treasures in an old box of jewelry at a yard sale that has been overlooked for too long.

Who knew it could lead to revolution?

Share

Now that we are inundated with AI slop, what better way to evoke actual feelings than to communicate with words never used by AI? People are dying for real, authentic communication and connection. It gives a lift to the soul to know a person thought about you and wrote something meant for you. It didn’t used to. But here we are.

So here is a handy-dandy list of expressions to weave into your email discourse:

• whither, thither

• yon

• lest

• “draw a bath” means to fill the tub with water

• nary

• anon

• betwixt

• buss on the cheek

• naught

• wherewith

• ribald

• n’er do well

• rapscallion

• rapier wit

• cut to the quick

• to wit

Add to the list in the comments!

The Tell with Christine Axsmith is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Rewriting an AI Email 

From ChatGPT:

Subject: Temporary Closure of 5th Floor Bathrooms Due to Construction

Dear [Team/All],

Please be advised that due to scheduled construction work, the bathrooms on the 5th floor will be temporarily closed starting [start date] through [anticipated end date].

During this time, we ask that you use the restrooms located on other floors. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve our facilities.

If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact [Facilities/Building Management] at [contact info].

The Alternative:

Subject: Construction Inconveniences Impede Our Bathroom Use on the Fifth Floor

Dearest Co-workers and Uneasy Allies,

Alas, the fifth floor bathrooms are not available for use by any of us, no matter the need, for the next two weeks. Ongoing building improvements prevent any such measure of relief.

Until such time as these improvements are complete, please use the restrooms elsewhere in the building. Your inconveniences related to this situation are a cause of woe to us, the building management; and we are indebted to you for your graciousness and good manners.

Any inquiries will be embraced and promptly responded to. Our Facilities Manager always answers phone calls to this number xxx-xxx-xxxx and awaits your thoughts.

You Were Right and Nobody Cares

 

“You Voted For It”

Oh, how we love to gloat! Feels good, huh? Na-Na Na Na-Na! Whippee! I am superior! But somehow, it changes nothing. Those fools can’t see how wrong they were! They can’t admit they are idiots! What’s wrong with them?

Continuing on the theme of taunting and insulting people doesn’t change their minds, let’s examine a new way to analyze belief systems.  Chris Shelton, a cult expert, just introduced a new model of understanding belief and persuasion: REM. 

“The REM model gives us a way to move beyond surface-level disagreement. We stop asking ‘why are they so irrational?’ and start asking ‘what emotional needs or moral beliefs are shaping this person’s logic?’” explained Shelton.

This new approach explains how people fall into cults and certain belief patterns like conspiracies or politics. Essentially, he “wanted to understand why people act the way they do.” That’s what the REM model explains. Further, it is a model to understand all human belief, not just extreme ones. Any quotes are attibutable to Chris Shelton.

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Reason - Emotion - Morality

Reason 

Reason or rationalization. It is the reasoning we use to justify our behaviours after the fact. Actually this type of thinking is usually just coming up with rationalizations. It is the logic people tell themselves about what they think or how they act. 

Emotion

Emotion layer includes “our immediate emotional reactions and our longer-term emotional needs,” according to Chris Shelton. “Needs like safety, connection, identity, control and meaning.” It could include acceptance, relief from grief or trauma, stability or “validation they never got elsewhere,” Shelton said. These powerful emotional needs are drivers for behaviour and then reason comes along to justify it.

Morality

Deepest part of who we think we are. Good/evil, right/wrong. Emotionally grounded and feels true. A shift in this layer will change an entire worldview. 

To get the emotional need met, morality can shift to “obedience is good, outsiders are evil, and questioning the leader is wrong.”

Reciting facts won’t work to change their mind because the underlying emotional needs are still being met by the belief system. “It also explains why a person leaves a cult, like when they see a leader contradict their teachings it hits the core. The emotional needs of belonging starts to conflict with emotional reactions anger or grief from what they’ve seen.” Then reasoning starts to change.

People don’t change because of logic alone. Safety and shifted values lead to change.

It is the moral break from the old belief system that leads to change, not reasoned arguments. When “a moral foundation shifted, the emotional bond cracked, and suddently all the rationalizations fell away,” explained Shelton. People don’t change because of logic alone. Safety and shifted values lead to change.

“The REM model gives us a way to move beyond surface-level disagreement. We stop asking ‘why are they so irrational?’ and start asking ‘what emotional needs or moral beliefs are shaping this person’s logic?’” explained Shelton.

Foundations for beliefs need to change first - then the beliefs will change. It explains why logic and facts don’t persuade people. Personally, I think this idea a ground-breaking. If a person feels safe, valued and heard, you could change their beliefs in time. “Connection, storytelling and shared values” change minds.

“If you want to help someone change, arguing with their reason rarely works. Instead, listen for the emotional needs they are protecting. Pay attention to the moral values they are trying to live up to. That’s where real transformation happens.”

The REM model is useful in everyday life, not just extreme examples like cults. When in disagreement with someone else, ask youself: What layer am I reacting from? Am I stuck in reason while the real reason is emotional or moral? Or when judging others, ask yourself what needs or values might be underneath their behaviour?

See Shelton’s better explanation:

https://youtu.be/DOPdEf1TGNM

 

A Touch of Rebellion

Fight the Machine

When I was a girl, some grown-up asked me why I used big words. “Because they’re pretty,” I answered. He was shocked, but it made sense to him. Later, I was fired from a babysitting job for using “weird words” that her daughter had started to use, too. “You mean vocabulary?” I asked. That was the end of the conversation.

And so, my little Tellions, as we descend into the age of AI slop, let’s revive those little words and expressions that were such attractive curlicues in our language. In the decades since that question, I’ve expanded my expressions to include the archaic, which my husband and I traded back and forth daily. G-d, I miss that man. The words in old books are beautiful things, like discovering treasures in an old box of jewelry at a yard sale that has been overlooked for too long.

Who knew it could lead to revolution?

Share

Now that we are inundated with AI slop, what better way to evoke actual feelings than to communicate with words never used by AI? People are dying for real, authentic communication and connection. It gives a lift to the soul to know a person thought about you and wrote something meant for you. It didn’t used to. But here we are.

So here is a handy-dandy list of expressions to weave into your email discourse:

• whither, thither

• yon

• lest

• “draw a bath” means to fill the tub with water

• nary

• anon

• betwixt

• buss on the cheek

• naught

• wherewith

• ribald

• n’er do well

• rapscallion

• rapier wit

• cut to the quick

• to wit

Add to the list in the comments!

The Tell with Christine Axsmith is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Rewriting an AI Email

From ChatGPT:

Subject: Temporary Closure of 5th Floor Bathrooms Due to Construction

Dear [Team/All],

Please be advised that due to scheduled construction work, the bathrooms on the 5th floor will be temporarily closed starting [start date] through [anticipated end date].

During this time, we ask that you use the restrooms located on other floors. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve our facilities.

If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact [Facilities/Building Management] at [contact info].

The Alternative:

Subject: Construction Inconveniences Impede Our Bathroom Use on the Fifth Floor

Dearest Co-workers and Uneasy Allies,

Alas, the fifth floor bathrooms are not available for use by any of us, no matter the need, for the next two weeks. Ongoing building improvements prevent any such measure of relief.

Until such time as these improvements are complete, please use the restrooms elsewhere in the building. Your inconveniences related to this situation are a cause of woe to us, the building management; and we are indebted to you for your graciousness and good manners.

Any inquiries will be embraced and promptly responded to. Our Facilities Manager always answers phone calls to this number xxx-xxx-xxxx and awaits your thoughts.

The Tell with Christine Axsmith is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

 

Note to AGNÈS CALLAMARD on article Gaza and the End of the Rules-Based Order

Note to AGNÈS CALLAMARD on article Gaza and the End of the Rules-Based Order

Appreciated your comments in Foreign Affairs about Gaza.  Excellent analysis, until the end of the article.  I am reading How Terrorism Ends by Audrey Kurth Cronin and it provides insight into, well, how terrorism ends.

A rules-based order is a valuable tool for creating a standard that is applicable evenly and to all.  But it is not going to stop a terror group, nor help in bringing them to the negotiating table.  It is also not going to stop Israeli overreaction.

You can't just insist on a ceasefire.  You must negotiate your way there. 

"For all parties, negotiations may be a type of interaction that is seamlessly connected to more violent forms.  To expect the opening of talks to mean the instant cessation of violence is naive and sets up expectations among the broader population that are counterproductive." (How Terrorism Ends, p.37)

and 

"Ceasefires are difficult to negotiate if one side has little else besides its ability to strike." (How Terrorism Ends, p.40) 

Israel and the Palestinians are not the only ones in this conflict.  Condemning either one without addressing the others in the room is essentially just talking to yourself. Yes, it would be great if both parties would agree to a ceasefire.  They aren't and they won't.  Pointing at the rules won't bring them there.

Saudi Arabia and Iran

Hamas' attack on October 7th was directly related to the Israel/Saudi Arabia agreement to open up ties.  Any proposed ceasefire that doesn't include Saudi Arabia and Iran will not happen.  

The United States made the same error in the 90s while attempting to negotiate a political solution during the breakup of Yugoslavia, where the Serbs were not integrated into the plan.  The result was extreme violence.

There are so many parties involved in the Gaza conflict, asking for symptoms of the problem to just stop isn't realistic.  It certainly isn't effective.

I have yet to see a chart of all the players related to the Gaza conflict and how they are connected.  Better minds than mine can do that.  But acknowledging them and their role in the conflict is essential to start to talk about a ceasefire.

Because we all know what happens when one of them doesn't feel heard.

Note to Cornel West - America is Already Great - we just need to be fed

Identity matters.   Economic blame, even deserved blame, just won't win on its own.

How are you giving people an identity that can unify us as Americans?

Make America Great Again?  America is already great - we just need to be fed.  

We've created this machine based on fear.  It is hungry, and never has enough.

It's time to feed ourselves - no more expensive toys of death until our bridges stop collapsing, until every child is well-fed and strong - in body and mind.  Until we own our own water and soil.  Until there are no more homeless veterans.  Until there is hope again.

Make America Great Again?  WE are the strength of this nation.  The real America that's been overlooked and taken for granted.  No more.  Let them hear you, brothers and sisters.  Register to vote.  That alone scares the thieves of your tax dollars - who will always find a new way to buy killing machines from their friends.  And feed your children into it.

Every Veteran should have a home, free college, and free healthcare.  At least let them buy into Social Security at cost.  Is that too much to ask?  What do you think?

Let childbirth be free.  And the feeding and health of that young American for five years.  You want more babies?  You'll get more babies.  Strong, healthy ones for a strong, healthy America.
Join me, brothers and sisters.  Let's show them how great we are.

Make America Great again?  We are already great.  We just need to listen to the people who made her that way.

America is great.  Again.

The "BRICS IS Cringe" Video by Laowhy86

BRICS is Cringe Video Recap

(forgive the formatting mess)

YouTube's laowhy86 lays out an interesting case for not worrying about BRICS overtaking the G7.  It has some flaws, but here's a recap:

• The BRICS countries all hate eat other.  
• China and India are practically at war.

His thoughts on China:

Regular power outages
High unemployment rates in China
You can't get your money out of China
Massive corporate moves out of China
Lots of government ownership of companies
Huge levels of debt
Trade war with the U.S.
Housing market has collapsed
Banks are not paying loans to people despite protests
The white paper protests 

His thoughts on Russia:

Russia's economy hurt by sanctions, they are not an economic powerhouse

Economy is smaller than either Texas or New York State

Military death tolls is higher than Afghanistan

His thoughts on Brazil:

laowhy86 doesn't like Brazil's current leader Lula

Talks about currency merge with Argentina

New unpredictable leadership counter to what made Brazil great 

His thoughts on India:

India doesn't need BRICS

Balancing traditional support for Russia with increasing capitalist and nationalist policies

His thoughts on South Africa:

Corruption

Power outages

• BRICS Currency Union would be based on gold - which is traded in dollars and most countries store their gold in NY Federal Reserve's vault
• Every one of the BRICS countries has different goals
• Common monetary policy means same interest rates
• Where will the central monetary bank be located?
• Which country will have the biggest vote on monetary matters?
• How much foreign currency trade could actually replace the dollar?

Why Are We Hearing So Much About BRICS?  He thinks it's because most of the BRICS countries are in bad shape.  

"BRICS is Cringe" Analysis

A lot of items on laowhy86's list could apply to the United States, although not in the same degree.  I get his point, though.  Beating the "American is horrible" drum is a popular pastime for Americans who have never seen what horrible actually looks like.  In themselves, high unemployment, high levels of debt, trade wars and military death tolls do not equal a soon-to-be-failing state. 

A few of his points are valid and deserve further discussion.

Liquidity

If you can't get to your money, or convert it into something spendable where you live, then it's like a gift to the people who have it.  If you make a fortune but can't spend it, you have earned nothing.  

Currency conversion is essential for wealth created in one place to be spent somewhere else. The harder it is to convert your BRICS-a-roni to Euro, the less value the currency will have.

Chinese limits on transferring wealth out directly impacts the liquidity of its currency, and by extension, the currency liquidity of BRICS. 

Corporations Moving Out of China

Brazil has lots of international corporations manufacturing products there.  That doesn't seem to be changing despite laowhy86's disapproval of Brazil's current leader, Lula.  I won't even start with that topic.  It is enough to say he isn't pointing to any concrete examples of businesses abandoning Brazil.

China is a different story.  Corporations are leaving China for other Asian countries, leading to unemployment and less need for China's currency.  That's a big deal in terms of providing the liquidity needed for a reserve currency that replaces the dollar.  So, no worries for America there.

The U.S. Navy

I never hear economic analyses that mention shipping trade routes.  See, all these products manufactured all over the world need to arrive safely on ships.  Those shipping lanes need to be safe.  They are kept safe by the U.S. Navy.

The Chinese navy, the Brazilian navy, the Russian navy, the South African navy and the Indian  navy cannot protect the international shipping lanes.  Only the U.S. can do that.  More than anything else, that is why the United States' dollar is the reserve currency.  Because global trade needs us.

Gold

The United States keeps gold reserves safe for many countries by guarding it in the United States.  If you want to get the gold in your hands, you will have to invade.  Enough said.

Final Thoughts on BRICS Ascendant Messaging

Every few years we hear the same fodder:  America is failing, other countries are taking over, America is in decline.  The message takes various forms:  civil liberties are under attack, our "way of life" is under attack, other countries don't respect us anymore, the United States has done terrible things, etc.  I think the American character has a strong self-flagellation streak inherited from the Puritans.  

When a wide variety of media outlets are trending the same message, you have to be suspicious.  When they are repeatedly recycling that message and are always wrong, you have to be dubious.  When they've got nothing good to say, turn it off.

See, flowers and manure go together.  If there's not one good thing in what you're saying, you are not credible.

Glenn Greenwald and the American Left

In the one corner, we have TYT and its satellites, and The Intercept and others.

In the other corner, we have Glenn Greenwald, Aaron Mate,Chris Hedges and Jimmy Dore.

There’s a war brewing folks, and it is a championship fight.

You see, some writers go on Fox News, some refuse, and still others are never asked.

Now Chelsea Manning is weighing in, the welterweight champion, to smack-talk Glenn Greenwald.  The crowd goes wild!  Fights break out in the stands.  The audience is attacking one another over this surprise development, sports fans.  And you are here to see it live!  What a show!

If the deep state could ever be given credit for such original thinking, this would be its dream.  The truth-telling critics of America at each other’s throats over stupid nonsense nobody really cares about.  Meanwhile, too late on that global warming thing.  Pandemic safety has to be weighed against rising suicides and homicides.  Not one, but two governors have killed hundreds of their own citizens. 

As long as everyone’s reliable rabble-rousers are pitted against each other in service to an algorithm, they neglect the America they claim to champion.

Glenn Greenwald is a powerhouse of a journalist who will command attention for a long time to come.  Yes, he is abrasive and obnoxious.  His former coworkers seem to hate him.  None of that matters.  His detractors would do well to realize that they should learn from him, because he isn’t going anywhere.  All the sniping is going to do is show everyone how little your opinion means in the marketplace.  He built his own base and doesn't need traditional media platforms.

Aaron Mate actually went to Syria to report on it.  How else are you supposed to report on something?  The TYT model relies on comments on the reporting of others, often by comedians.  There is no substitute for doing the footwork on the ground.  None.  That reality does not mean TYT and The Grey Zone need to be at odds.  They inhabit different places in the information ecosystem, that’s all.  Calm down, already.

TYT analyzes other people’s headlines.  They do it well, and Cenk offers excellent insights as someone who has actually run for Congress and has mainstream media experience.  TYT is a giant highlighter in an ocean of information.  TYT has also successfully organized massive numbers of people and given a platform to rising progressive voices.  That’s creating a powerful base, and much needed on the left. It is not enough to bitch and moan, you need to organize.  TYT has done an outstanding job of organizing, whatever you think of Cenk.  And they have a real nose for talent, even if there is a falling-out eventually.  In the end, it will be TYT that has a lasting political legacy.

The Intercept does great work post-Greenwald.  Now this is the group I can understand hating on Greenwald the most.  He got them all started on their current gig, and it seems there is a little resentment and jealousy there.  The Intercept, as a whole, made the decision to back away from harsh lighting on Democratic politicians.  “They are captives to fears about what people on twitter would say, what their friends and colleagues would say,” explained Glenn Greenwald on Rising with Krystal and Saagar.  So when their founder wouldn’t hold back his reporting, he was forced out of The Intercept.

Each group has a place and a role.  Each does its job well.  This hate-fest just hurts the left. 

Seriously, can’t you just focus on your own role?  All of you? 

A cognitive neuroscientist on The David Pakman Show framed current extreme politics as part of the  reaction to pandemic-related fear.  The right’s reaction is obvious: refusing to wear masks or get vaccines, attacking immigrants, telling old people just to die for the economy.  David Pakman was trying to understand why the right was behaving so badly as compared to the people on the left, in his eyes.  Several times, the neuroscientist had to direct Pakman’s attention to the Black Lives Matter protests as the left's reaction to the same fear.  Then the right reacted to Black Lives Matter with Blue Lives Matter, and the left started with Defund the Police as a reaction to that.  

No mention of our current leftist squabbling, but it could explain the deranged attacks on near-allies within the American left.  So far, the bickering has included blackmail threats, name-calling and criminal accusations.  

It is hard to get a clear idea of what is happening when in the middle of it, let alone why.  One thing is clear.  These childish attacks are very emotional and are gutting the effectiveness of the American left.  The energy spent on pettiness could be put to good use.  Right now, it isn't.

 

 

 

 

Career Advice for the Spurned Spy

When you send people a message on LinkedIn, do they delete their profile?

Are you getting spit at in Costco parking lots?

Got a long list of former friends?

You may not be an anti-torture whistleblower, but you are in the same boat as I am.  Welcome!  It can be fun being a pariah.

I rather impetuously (and obviously, I thought) declared: "Waterboarding is Torture, and Torture is Wrong" on an internal intelligence community forum in 2006.  So I can't quite say I know what you are going through, as you might not have the benefit of moral clarity. But the results are the same.  Relax. You have plenty of options!

Consider dog walking for a future career.  You will get in great shape, and dogs don't read the Washington Post.  Just don't mention splitting up families.  It's a bit of a sore subject.

You can use your sharp analytical and observational skills as an advocate for the homeless.  There's nothing like walking up and down H Street looking for an MIA client.  Or phoning all the emergency rooms asking about a John Doe.  Or having the police called on you because you asked a client to wear shoes outside.

There's also the option of becoming an intelligence expert on TV commentary shows - God knows there are no standards for that.  The trick is to give ready opinions on anything in fewer than 30 words.  Teen girls running away to ISIS?  Put them in cages, too!  Free babysitting for the other ones.  Talk about public/private partnership.  Another idea is expressing outrage that you were promised a taco truck on every corner, and yours still hasn't arrived.  Damn Democrats!  Or that Bolivia's 19-year-old vice minister of sports doesn't have a degree.  Let's invade!  You could feed on this for a long time.

Finally, there's always the handy changing-your-identity trick, and pretending you just woke from a four-year coma.  I'm sure you could sell it.  After all, who would want to remember?

Christine Axsmith, a middle-aged woman of no particular accomplishment, is a comic book series creator and co-creator for Superheroes.cool and failed standup comedian.  Oh, and she is happy and fulfilled.

On Leaving Afghanistan

The wailing and moaning about our retreat from Afghanistan shows the victory of images over thought.  After one trillion dollars and twenty years, our work there has come to nothing.  And that nothing describes the level of thought from most reporters, who can only compare pictures of the US withdrawal from Vietnam from their childhoods with what they see now, and declare our troop withdrawal a failure.

On Leaving Afghanistan

National Public Radio drips with stories about the plight of Afghan women and people who like to read who are now ruled by the Taliban.  It’s sympathetic, really.  But if they aren’t willing to fight for their freedom, why should we?  The Afghan military and political leaders raced out of their country within a day.  After twenty years of blood and gold, none of them had enough courage to fight for even themselves, let alone their country.

President Joe Biden deserves credit for making the bold and risky decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.  It was always going to be messy.  He knew that.  Even former President Trump thought the US should leave Afghanistan, and many Americans agreed with him, as did Obama before him.  Biden is successfully wrestling with our military leaders, who are very invested in the US remaining there.  

President Joe Biden successfully managed to do what two previous Presidents wanted to do, but couldn’t.  He is willing to take the criticism and stand by this decision despite the leaks and complaints aired against him.

The American taxpayer funded a corrupt military exercise in a corrupt country run by a Department of Defense that can’t even pass an audit.  No wait, they can’t even do an audit.  No one knows where all the money went.  Not just in Afghanistan, but anywhere in the entire Defense Department.  

Afghanistan is known as the graveyard of empires.  The United States lasted longer than most, achieved the objective of routing the group responsible for the 9-11 terror attack, and is leaving after another, very expensive, lesson.