esrosedotblog

Donald Trump is about to meet the real government.

The Civil Service that actually runs things. They can kill the initiatives of any purely political leader. Or one who thinks government is just like a business and needs to operate on good business principles.

This pretty much reflects my views of the situation:

Donald Trump, Bureaucracy Apprentice

They will grind him down and spit him out again if he does not pay attention to the way things work in government.

When I trained managers, I often encountered the idea that government needed to operate more like a business. Nothing could be further from the truth. I never heard this from the civil servants I trained.

It reveals an astonishing ignorance on the part of business people of how things work in government and politics.

I had to run my programs differently for government workers because, to be frank, their cynicism would defeat me.

They do not like change. They feel as though they are under attack on all sides. They are particularly angered by people who think that they are lazy, resistant and not capable.

And they can smell that attitude a mile off.

Presidents come and Presidents go. The same for Congress. But the Civil Service, protected by law, is where governing gets done and they do not suffer fools gladly.

Herein lies the stability of our wonderful system. It will kill the guy who has been surrounded by business yes-men unless he wises up.

Want to bet on who will win?

Labels: government, President Trump

All politics are local.

So foreign policy is often about what is happening right here.

The Russian hacking is no exception.

And now, Obama gets some last minute opportunities to kick both Russian and Trumpian asses.

Obama Strikes Back at Russia for Election Hacking

Now everyone knew this was coming but Trump. Somehow he was too ill informed or timid or perhaps self interested to confront the issue let alone the Russians.

After all, he was/is Putin's buddy, huh?

While this is a straightforward escalation of the cold war it is also a bit of political fuckery thrown in for good measure.

Trump was not bothered that the Democrats got hacked. Well. See? He is now stuck with following Obama's pre-emptive move.

This also tells me that the transition is not going to be all nicey nice for Trump. Obama is not going to go quietly into the night. After all, the Democrats actually won the popular vote.

So much static in the air.

Yeh, Trump will be in the office but the hot breath of the loyal opposition is going to be on his fat ass.

Labels: Administration Obama, President Trump

Trump's call to Taiwan or Taiwan's call to Trump was all the news the other day.

I wrote about it because it is an interesting departure from long time US policy.

Now there is more about this.

It turns out that Bob Dole the former candidate and Senate bigwig was instrumental.

So all this was a setup to send a clear message to, who?

China? The Taiwanese? Us?

Hard to tell.

But like a lot of other things about the Trump-et it bears watching.

Actually, I do not much care about this. It is passing show. But a very interesting one. This is how the world goes around and around again. And here comes China.

Trump plays cards very close to his vest so he looks, at times, a bit like a dim bulb.

I do not take it that way. He is not mainstream. He runs his own show. He is, as they used to say, a "oner'.

Unique and not very predictable.

Labels: China, President Trump

When I was a kid, a Methodist kid (when they were middle of the road), we were bombarded with propaganda about the virtues of Chiang Kai-shek, the despot who ruled China at that time.

Actually, it turns out that the power behind the throne was the Madame Chaing who was a converted Methodist. Hence the glorification.

To others less gullible she was known as "the Dragon Lady", an ambivalently evil character from a comic of the time. Terry and the Pirates.

Yup. The church was up to its games then too.

Later, when Chiang was deposed we found that he had been a real son-of-a-bitch and she worse.

When China "went red" the Nationalists ran to Taiwan and over the years, while people have forgotten the origination story, Taiwan is a symbol of commie suppression and glorious resistance to the barbarian in the person of whoever runs Taiwan at that time.

A tired old set of tropes that suddenly are re-lit by the Trumps as, what? A distraction? A new bone to pick?

A reopening of the "cold war". Probably more a goof up by an uninformed Pres-elect.

China Warns Trump After His Controversial Call With Taiwan

What the fuck?

They are patching it up saying that they called him first. Yup.

In any event it is adventurism and just what he said he would not do. Meddling in foreign affairs. And sad old forgotten affairs at that.

Jesus. Is this what we are in for from here on in?

Given Trump's reputation as a ladies man, perhaps he remembers the Lady from his comic book days. Which would be when? Last week?

Labels: President Trump

It is worth saying that I am grateful for this blog and the people who read it.

It is a way for me to scratch my writing and performing itches at the same time.

I get some feedback. It is nice. Comments on the site are rare but that is OK. I am not really looking for that.

Of course the blog is a small part of my gratitude but it is important as it focuses some of the activities I am involved with so there is a halo effect.

I am grateful that I have all my marbles and that I can still touch type. I learned this at an advanced age. Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing.. Exhaustive and very good. No talking down.

That is an outcome of the blog. No hunt and peck.

I have a hard movie habit. Nothing in the top ten at the box office. More to the art house side. I like writing about the movies. It helps me appreciate what I saw and rekindles the feelings I had.

There is a lot more. I do not put all the news on the blog. Family, medical, private stuff. I do try to be a model gay man who came out late and still has a family along with a very long relationship with one man. Some of that spills over. A lot, of course, is private.

But the blog helps me sort it out.

Good things arise even when I think about "posts" that I eventually do not publish.

We are not planning much today in the way of celebration. Turkey breast. A new pack that has a baking bag. I thought that technology was dead. But it is the new tech choice of the big turkey brand we have here. It smells good and looks better. Stuffing of course. Out of a box. And sweet potato baked. I made a pumpkin pie yesterday. Overbaked it but you really cannot ruin pumpkin pie.

And that is it. A few calls from the kids. Nice to talk and trade T-day menus and such.

Tomorrow back to normal. Well, as normal as my life gets these days. Some food shopping, a movie, more reading from a series I am currently addicted to. Jay Bell. Dynamite. Gay relationships. Young, old, new, closeted, mostly glorious. Life and death too. In sickness and health. Very good. There are eight of them so far. I am number three. All on the Kindle. The only reading I do now. But they are also in hard.

I am going on and on.

I see that they are asking Hillary to reopen the vote count. Jesus. I have had enough. Even if it means the GOoPers full time.

Labels: gratitude, holidays, life, President Trump

I have read all of the Trump/NY Times interview.

No skimming.

Donald Trump’s New York Times Interview: Full Transcript

I urge you to do the same if you want to stay on track with the transition.

There are a lot of changes, mostly in how he veers and jibes with the issues.

I don't like it all. But I am on board with him a lot more than I thought I would be.

Time will tell.

Look. He is not an ideologue. He is a pragmatist.

And being a practical guy, he campaigned realistically considering the religious, the alt-right and the rest of them. I think that they are not going to be all that happy about this interview.

He does not throw them under the bus but he has what he calls an open mind on many issues that he previously seemed to be hard on.

I have been fooled before. Fool me once and so on. But I find myself responding to the talk that is represented here.

The staff of the NYTimes are not an easy sort. They play rough sometimes too.

So if you are game, read it over.

Labels: President Trump

When I was a kid, we used to gather around the radio to listen to the Fireside Chats.

You have to remember or know if you are not a geezer, that Roosevelt was hated by a significant number of people.

He had the War to unite the people but it was with his personality and spirit that he got people together.

Now I am not comparing FDR with our President elect but I am saying that Trump's direct communication with the people, all the people, is a good start toward healing.

Trump, on YouTube, Pledges to Create Jobs

He is using the media creatively and in doing so is going over the heads of the usual prognosticators and interpreters. With Trump, what you see, you get. I do believe that.

I may not agree or even like what I see sometimes but I do admire his ability to cut to the chase.

Of course, soon, he will run into the slow motion of actual governance but I do like his optimism. And some of the problems he is stating I agree with. It is the solutions that I worry about.

Labels: President Trump

See?

This is going to be full of surprises.

Reports: Melania Trump not moving into White House in January

Well, there wouldn't have been a First Lady anyway unless the Clintons had tapped Chelsea.

This is just the first of what I suspect will be a torrent of non-traditional actions by the Trumpers.

It is even said that he might not live there much.

I hope the patriots and the America firsters are happy with this. The knuckle draggers.

Of course that is not their point. They con't much care that it is Trump either. Or where he lives. Or what he does as long as he keeps beating his xenophobic drum.

Which he will not. Trust me.

I read again today that he did not expect to win the election. I believe this. He as as surprised as we are. And there is no fucking plan.

His appointments are all experienced establishment GOoPers. So much for draining the swamp. He is going to be surrounded with experience.

I also liked the Mitters being summoned for, what? Secretary of State? A stand in President? He is the closest to the real thing they have. I mean that.

I did not vote for Mitt but I know he has what it takes in the level head department. Not excitable.

Mormons do not do excitement.

When you put Malania Trump up against someone like Michelle Obama there is no comparison. No wonder that Melania had to plagiarize Michelle's speeches. Twice.

Oh dear. And we haven't even gotten started.

Labels: President Trump

I have high hopes for a positive relationship between Democrats and the new administration.

One of the reasons for this is the confidence I have in Chuck Schumer of New York. He is going to be our guy in the midst of a shitstorm.

Senate Democrats’ Surprising Strategy: Trying to Align With Trump

You know, as bitter as the divide between us seems at this time, there is a lot of common ground.

This article points out that a strong but friendly opposition can attain considerable results.

The chink in the GOP armor is that Trump, at least on paper, is open to many liberal initiatives. He is a closet Democrat who likes spending, big projects and pasting his name all over the grandiose schemes he promotes.

In many ways, just the thing the wing nuts accuse the Democrats of.

So, I am over being bitter, if I was. I am over disappointment, a useless emotion. I am pretty much through the stages of grief.

Let's get on with it.

Labels: Democrats, President Trump

I do not want to gloat..

After all, it is my country and if there is incompetence or just plain stupidity and laziness I worry.

Now, it seems that the Trump transition has turned into a goat fuck of gigantic proportions.

Firings and Discord Put Trump Transition Team in a State of Disarray

Of course, this comes from the "disreputable" NYTimes (wink nudge).

I know that the job is not easy and I also believe that Trump was not ready to win. He drank the Kool Aid along with the rest of us and figured that while the Trump brand had been served well he could sit back and bask in the myth of his own mind.

My guess.

Of course, the transition work is hard but he and the Clintons had a team in place for this for months before the election. Stopped dead by trouble at the top of the committee, the Trump wheels fell off.

At this point I usually say to pass the popcorn as we watch but I have already gone through one box watching this mess.

Labels: President Trump

This move looks good to me.

A man with many friends: Priebus tapped as chief of staff

On the other hand it does not look good to me for Bannon, the right wing fanatic of Breitbart to be on the inside.

But here is a thought.

What better way to co-opt the alt-right than to bring one of the big mouths in and put him in a sort of vague position as an advisor?

I know. I am incurable optimist but someone has to be.

If he let the execrable Bannon outside the tent he would not be able to control him. Inside, maybe.

And a soaped up Bannon could cool out the wing nuts.

I know. I an am optimist.

A silver lining guy.

So shoot me.

Priebus is also very very close to Paul Ryan who I think has a high investment in working to be the next President after Trump gets bored or decides it is too hard for him to do the job. That is possible. Remember he is the great resigner.

Labels: President Trump

Matt Bai sums up some crushed assumptions about the election.

The 13 most amazing findings in the 2016 exit poll

These mostly gibe with my experience as a political junky.

The big take-away for me is that there was no Latino surge, no surge for women and, as far as the black vote is concerned, they didn't seem to show up at all.

This knocks me out.

If the primary targets of Trump-hostility don't give a shit, well what is the deal here?

One sad conclusion is that the targets of his disdain are traditional victims. Used to it and willing to take some more.

Or, maybe I am just another bleeding heart liberal.

At least I am not a homo-commie-symp any more. We have come some distance from the old days.

I do expect a host of lame jokes like the one to the right. At least there will be fun.

Did you notice that Obama was joke-proof. Teflon like Reagan.

As I said, get out the popcorn and lean back to watch the show.

Labels: President Trump

One less alligator in the swamp.

Trump shakes up transition team, elevates Pence's role

The main casualty here is Chris Christie, the reprehensible and scandal ridden ex-Gov of New Jersey.

Fat boy.

Maybe this will get better as time goes on.

Get out your popcorn.

Labels: President Trump

So Trump is "reaching out" to the old guard.

They guys who have been running the government for Republicans for many years*.

Team Trump is already filled with Washington insiders

He said he would drain the DC swamp with his appointments but he hasn't pumped out much water.

I do not find this to be surprising.

The "government in waiting" has slimmed down quite a bit over the years. The Bushies have gone on to big corporate jobs and are somewhat reluctant to give up present status for a questionable ride on the Trump train.

I actually hope that he has successful recruiting. That the good experienced people show up to serve.

If not, we are in deep shit because we already know that Donald is a neophyte in both domestic and foreign affairs.

Most of his campaign promises are crumbling already. I am happy that is so. But it shows that his bark is/was not up to his bite.

I am not as alarmed as some of my friends about the oncoming administration. I saw a headline today that suggested Trump was the medicine we need.

I would not go that far.

But I have to admit that I would like to see the Democratic establishment (no caps, notice) taken apart and reassembled.

It is odd that while I do not feel like the Clintons et. al. let us down, I do think it is high time that they and the other leaders rotate out of the active management and let a lot of new blood in.

Like maybe a few of the people who actually won in this cycle.

*For a long list of possibilities see this.

Labels: President Trump

So the Obamas had the Trumps over for coffee and it went pretty well.

Trump and Obama Hold Cordial 90-Minute Meeting in Oval Office

The First Lady entertained Ms. Trump and showed her around the House.

I watched the video. The mood was restrained but cordial.

I admit that I look for these things but it seemed to be that Trump had that "deer in the headlights" look.

After all, how could he not.

Even at his heights of power there is nothing like what he is about to undertake.

Many better men have quaked as they stepped into the most famous office in the world.

But it went well.

I am getting used to it.

I actually do not worry as much about Trump as I do his cronies. You know, the Gingrich crowd and Rudy, the 911 guy. One note Rudy.

There was a post meeting presser.

Don't miss the quiet "very good man" from Trump at the very tag end.

Labels: President Trump

I am philosophical about the recent events.

See? I can't quite say it yet.

While I am not happy about how the election went, is going, I am not freaked out as some people are.

First, I have more to do than fuss about what has already happened or is happening.

That doesn't mean I will not keep a vigilant eye on the goings on.

So far, I have to admit, that my main objection seems to be that the transition involves all Republicans. Duh.

The usual suspects are lined up to help. Rudy is foaming at the mouth and the fat boy from New Jersey is bouncing around the room but both seem to be on the margins.

There is a meeting today between Obama and Trump at the White House. Serious business. And that is a good thing.

Despite the loss and all, I am still engaged and interested. I have not gone into pout mode or gone all quiet in a corner.

I like that too.

I got a call from an old friend who is my loyal opposition. He did not call to gloat as much as to see how I was doing. Knowing that I take it seriously as he does.

We talked for awhile and i realized that is the cure. Well, the package. Having friends who agree to disagree that I can talk to. Nicely.

Friendship endures. Politics comes and goes. A lifetime close up to it shows me the evanescence of the political game.

Mt friend was genuinely concerned that I was OK. That is very nice. He is, incidentally, an immigrant and has that experience. Where he comes from, people with vivid opinions like he and me are thrown into jails.

Of course we have to remember that the new Prez once said that Ms. Clinton should go to jail. Something to watch there. But his overblown oratory is one thing. His experience in the White House today another.

Every President in my time has said that this day, the one where he sees the real shit and how it is flowing, is sobered and involved immediately.

I like that the Obamas are going to any length to help the transition. iPads to all the Trump team with all the slots to be filled, where and how and what? Wow.

I am so proud to be an American.

Labels: President Trump