Apocalypse eventually

 

When the prime minister tells his parliament that Poland is "the closest we have been to open conflict than at any time since World War II," you expect the response of the American president to be something other than "Here we go!"  

Seven drones and an unidentified object struck Poland during the nightly Russian blitz of Ukraine, causing the temporary closure of four airports.  "What's with Russia violating Poland's airspace with drones?" a confused Trump wrote.  This is not the way a leader behaves when he wants to talk peace, as Putin probably assured him in Anchorage.  How's a guy to nail down that Nobel when the war is escalating and expanding?  And Poland belongs to NATO, which means he might be expected to do something about it.  Where's that list of extra sanctions?

It's not the first incursion.  Ten days ago the plane carrying EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen had its navigation system disrupted by a cyberattack, probably from Russia, as she was landing in Bulgaria.  The United States had no comment that I could find.

In other peacemaking news, Trump rushed to distance himself from Israel's attack on alleged Hamas headquarters in Doha, Qatar:  "This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me.  Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation" -- and a very generous one -- "does not advance Israel or America's goals."  He then goes on to justify it uncritically.  "I immediately directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did, unfortunately, too late to stop the attack."  Maybe firing people who used to work in intelligence and might have seen these events coming was not such a good idea.  He "assured" the leaders of Qatar that this will not happen again, based on what it doesn't say.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is again headed for Gaza after being sidetracked by bad weather, and Israel will have an opportunity to prove it doesn't deserve to be a pariah nation.   It doesn't look promising.  They have hired the Islamophobic biker gang the Infidels to provide "security" at aid distribution centers because the Guardian Angels got out of that business after Altamont.  Anyway, having starving people brutalized by American thugs instead of the IDF looks better on the TV news.  Their leader is an ex-Army sergeant named Johnny "Taz" Mulford, who was disciplined for conspiracy to commit bribery, theft and making false statements to authorities.  His deputies have colorful handles like "J-Rod" and "A-Tracker."  Armed security apparently pays better than distributing meth.  Here's the gang, faces obscured and all set to move up to ICEstapo when Gaza has been pacified.  (At least one has Crusader tattoos -- remind you of anyone?)

Would it be too cynical to suggest that Trump is hoping the deteriorating international situation will knock Epstein off the front burner?  Too cynical -- sometimes I crack myself up.  Trump took some pals to a Washington seafood restaurant last night because no self-respecting steak house will serve him incinerated sirloin with ketchup.  He was met by people shouting "Free DC!  Free Palestine!" and "Trump is the Hitler of our time!" but nobody yelled "Pedophile pervert!" so maybe it's working.  Ann Telnaes, fired from the Washington Post for being unkind to its obsequious owner, has not forgotten.

Neither has Gavin Newsom.

Nor this anonymous hero.

Hey, you started it.  Now do Brando as Colonel Kurtz!

"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.  He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us."  Let's hope this is a turning point for the USA.  Thoughts and prayers.  Tots and pears.  Stoats and bears.  Whatever.