The mark of a good leader is the respect and consideration with which he or she treats other people and by extension other nations.
The Houthis is Yemen cannot be allowed to shoot up international shipping in the Red Sea, which connects to the Suez Canal. Their cause, humanitarian aid for Gaza is just, but they cannot be attacking ships in the Red Sea. Actually I don’t think Iran is so stupid as to tell them to do this but Iran may be supplying the weapons. Last Tuesday, the Houthis said they would resume attacks unless aid to Gaza was restored. I don’t know if they actually did that but the Trump administration launched and continues a major military attack on the Houthis. In effect we are at war with Yemen. Civilians are being killed in the targeting of Houthis leaders.
What would I have done as president? Certainly I would have sent an urgent diplomatic mission last Tuesday when the Houthis made their announcement. I would have explained to them and Iran, quietly but firmly, what would happen if they resumed these attacks. I would have tried to resume humanitarian aid to Gaza but which is complicated by a breakdown of the Israeli-Hamas cease fire. I would not have leaped to the meanest and cruelest response. And if I was forced to military action I would just do it, without mouthing off or political posturing.
And with regard the Venezuelan immigrants, alleged to be gang members, already in custody ….. I would follow the laws of our County and any court order ….. pending appeal if I disagree. In any case I would detain them within the United States rather than the cruel and unusual action of sending them to prison in a foreign country or Guantanamo or any other mean and cruel location.
I respect our Constitution and the laws of our Nation.
So Trump was completely outmaneuvered by Putin in the conversation about a cease-fire in Ukraine. Meanness and cruelty to nearly everyone except kissy-poo Putin. Maybe this Times Radio report (search MI6-Trump) explains some things about Trump and Putin. Now I would expect him to cease all assistance to Ukraine just as Putin wants.
Regarding the EPA and the recent barrage of executive orders, what is the point of reversing advances in clean air and clean water. We ignore Climate Change at our peril and that of the whole world.
And ICE came to our town yesterday, breaking up a family by grabbing a man off the street (just after he dropped his U.S citizen son off at school) a law abiding, hard working, contributing to our community, man who has been here at least 15 years. Meanness and cruelty.
I do watch what is going on in some social media. I don’t think Trump/Musk are going to give anyone time to respond with diplomacy or careful thinking. Many are so pissed off right now that they are ready to literally fight back. Check the email I sent for an example.
The article which Mary emailed to me was written by D. Earl Stephens, retired managing editor of the military daily “Stars & Stripes” and posted on Facebookby Peter Singer on March 11 this year.