By Rich Kozlovich
George Friedman is the owner of subscription political and economic news analysis site called Geopolitical Futures, a site to which I recommend subscribing. I don't always
agree with some of the writers observations, but I'm always impressed how much effort they put into researching each and every
issue. Depending on the topic, they lay out the history behind it all, the geography of the countries in question, their demographics and the economics driving these nations and their leaders.
First off, I find Mr. Friedman has amazing insights quite often, but I also find myself in disagreement occasionally. After the election he posted a not so flattering and partially inaccurate article claiming Trump caused the riot in the capitol. (Editor's Note: As more information has come out perhaps he's changed his view on this. RK) While he acknowledges Joe Biden is of little importance he says he "will do his job well". I really find that statement ....well.....strange...... since not one person can demonstrate to me, or anyone else for that matter, Biden ever did anything well.
At any rate, he posted this article, Understanding Trump Thoughts in and around geopolitics, on January 14, 2021
saying:
U.S. President Donald Trump’s supporters and detractors are both obsessed with him. They share the belief that everything that has happened is because of him. His supporters believe his staying in office is crucial to the survival of the country. His opponents believe his removal is. The certainty of these facts among each group is both astounding and misguided. Trump did not create this moment. He was created by the moment. Trump was neither the key to solving America’s problems nor the key to causing them.
He goes on to say:
As I have argued on numerous occasions, there are powerful social, economic and institutional forces drawing their power from the pyramiding divisions within our society. Trump is a byproduct of those forces.
While I agree with some of his observations, I think he misses an important point. History has shown there comes a period where the right times, the right circumstances and the right people come together create events that alter the direction the world is going. Even if they're unaware of it themselves.
After the American Revolution the Congress pretty much stiffed the soldiers and they were about to start a second revolution to overthrow the Congress. Washington walked into the room and took out a letter, but he stopped reading, clearly unable to see clearly, and reached into his pocket to pull out a set of spectacles, which was a shock to the men as few knew he needed them, saying:
"Gentlemen, "you will permit me to
put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in
the service of my country."
By the time he was done, there wasn't a dry eye among them and the revolt was over. At that point in time no other man on the planet could have accomplished what Washington did that day.
The time, the man, the circumstances!
This was the time, and Trump and his supporters are the people, and the circumstances haven't changed. The time and circumstances that gave us Trump, are still with us, and his base is not only intact, it's in charge, even if the Republican leadership won't accept it.
A base that sees him, with all his flaws, as clearly, and possibly more clearly, than do the pundits. The difference? They don't care about his flaws because just as Lincoln observed about Grant and his flaws: He fights!
That base will punish the Liz Chaney's, John Kasich's and a host of other "Republicans" politically! But not to worry about them. They've already sold their souls so the next step is to become well paid lobbyists and "good" Republicans for leftist media outlets. Of course no one who counts will care about their blather, their hysteria, or they're condemnation of Trump and his supporters, and their perfidy will haunt them for the rest of their lives. For all practical purposes, they're toast.
It seems to me Mr. Friedman clearly dislikes Trump, and for a lot of reasons, but it's my guess he's like many prominent analysts in his circle, which seems to be quite large and impressive. It also seems to me none of them dare step too far out of that circle or they become a heterodox to their group, and that's a common trend among leaders today. No one likes being the rock in the current.
Understand this beyond any shadow of a doubt - heterodoxy isn't for the faint of heart - nor is it acceptable to the group, whomever the group may be. If one chooses that path, ostracism soon follows, directly or indirectly, but at some point everyone must come to that all important fork in the road, and then decide to be, or to do!
However, some of his final comments are worth noting, although it seems clear, at least to me, he didn't mean this to be a positive expression, but in fact, these comments are factual statements that produce a positive reaction in me:
His voters were much more than they were given credit for. They hired a mercenary to fight for them, to lie when it was necessary, to slander those who slandered them, to write new rules for the political battlefield.................He will leave office with the Democratic Party still obsessed with him. It's a curious fixation, but the Democrats have the right target.
Tacit acknowledgement Trump is still a power to be reckoned with and is feared by the Democrat party.
The segment of society that mobilized itself and hired Trump is still out there, still enraged by the assault on them for decades, and still mourning their loss of Trump...........The more difficult job is to defeat Trumpism, to disabuse those who believe the Biden victory is a conspiracy against them. Trump, then, was happy to make certain he would leave office looking like a martyr for his supporters. It is his supporters who challenge what has become normal.
Again, Trump brings a dynamic to the table as no politician has since Reagan.
That class remains intact. Trump does not have to hold office to lead them, and indeed out of office he could be stronger. Trump draws his power from two sources: speaking to the disenchanted and inciting his opponents to attack him. His great skill is in making himself so hated that everything revolves around him. A second impeachment plays right into his hands. But the Democrats have never understood Trump's power. They think that beating him in an election and impeaching him defeats him.
If I didn't know better I'd swear Trump is Serbian!
Below are some posts I think are worth viewing in relation to what I've said. Please enjoy!
What's in the Heads of the Pro-Impeachment Republicans? - Mark Davis Jan 15, 2021 - So the gamble is this: in joining Democrats, the media, the Lincoln
Project and every other corridor of Trump derision, have these wayward
Republicans done themselves a favor or committed political suicide? Only
time will tell, and the answer will be a factor of two Republican
attributes: memory and forgiveness.
Franklin Graham: 10 Republicans who voted to impeach are Judas - Revenge of the Neocons - Julie Kelly - The conflict between neoconservatives and the Trump base sets up a major battle for which faction will control the Republican Party in the post-Trump era...................
Trump Adviser: Republicans Who Support Trump Impeachment Don’t Have Political Future - By - January 14, 2021 1 - Republicans who back the impeachment of President Donald Trump will likely be voted out of office, a Trump campaign adviser said Wednesday. “If you’re a Republican House member, or you’re a Republican senator, I don’t know how else to say this: you are probably self-selecting to end your political future if you vote for the impeachment of President Trump,” Jason Miller, chief strategist for the Trump campaign, said on “War Room.”.......
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