The Row Heard Around the World

There was a row in the Oval Office in late February between the President, Vice President and Ukraine’s leader Zelensky. Initially, a meeting was called between Zelensky and the Administration to finalize a deal for the US to acquire Ukrainian minerals. A deal which would be a catalyst to end the three-year war between Russia and the Ukraine. The thinking: Russia won’t bomb land owned by the U.S. 

Tempers erupted after Vice President Vance said to Zelensky that diplomacy will be needed for a cease fire. Zelensky asked what was meant by diplomacy; later claiming the U.S. will feel “the influence” of whatever happens in the War. Trump bit off on the word,’feel’; and the bell rang for round one to begin; a trip-gong heard around the world.  

Sentiments were breached. Zelensky left the meeting, hightailing out of the White House. The deal was called off. But within days, Zelensky sought amends with the Administration, asking to sign the initial deal. 

A high percentage of disturbances occur due to a tart tone. While the insolent tones on Feb. 28 can be debated, the episode sheds light on the fiber of President Trump. 

Despite his bellicose, braggadocious manner, which torques the spin of Rachel Maddow's head,Trump’s transparency shows a man with no fear.

In his campaign speeches this last go-around he said, a person has to speak up for himself or no one else will. And you can’t be afraid to tell people what you think. His creed, evident in his actions.

We as Americans have become conditioned for our leaders to hold up a finger to test the political wind. From the row in the Oval Office, to his tweets, to nearly daily press conferences signing executive orders, Trump’s actions speak to, what you see is what you get, a provocateur in action.

The New York Post, a conservative newspaper, reports as of Feb. 25th before the blowout, Trump took over 1000 press inquiries in his first month in office.That number dwarfs Biden’s 141 in his first month and Obama’s 161. 

Trump's answers are direct. He does so because he has a pureness in what he believes, sometimes circuitous in manner, but with little regard to appeasing the legacy media. 

Just as Clinton’s campaign manager James Carville harangued in the 90’s “it’s the economy stupid,” so goes Trump’s agenda. His order-of- business consistently speaks to economics. His mission, Make America Great Again.   

Regardless of how the Washingtonian spinning heads scream the 47th is dangerous, he is genuine and his forthrightness is evident. 

His most recent message to this country and the world is to quit the killing. Observers on both sides of the political fence do point out this country’s ongoing show of weaponry in Yemen, as well as its rigid belief that Israel can-do-no-wrong could be our undoing. 

But reading between the lines, Trump’s message is: bombs are bad for business. A country can’t make itself great if it persists in blowing up its neighbors. The message to Ukraine, shake yourself off, get with reality, cut your losses, regardless if you believe you were wronged.   

Europe shook its head in disgust at Trump’s bluntness.Then again, Europe has a long history of war between the states which are squeezed into some 4 million square miles, 10 million square kilometers. Of the 44 countries which make up Europe, 27 in the European Union, each has its own value system.

Slightly larger than the U.S.,Trump maintains Europe should pay its own way for protection. And he says parity in tariffs between the U.S. and Europe should exist, something called reciprocity, an unpopular view in that part of the world.

Europe is a great place to visit, and a haven for expats. Perhaps Europe’s autocratic history, which is all too quickly moving toward socialism, makes that continent’s stance toward Trump understandable.

While there are regional differences in the U.S. and Americans were split down the middle politically in the last several elections, there is a constructed system of economics and laws that are an-intended fit for all. If you say, be there at 10 o'clock. It means 10 o'clock. We are accountable to ourselves. We believe a person can rebound time and again from failure. We are individuals. Our cry is, Wagons ho! 

When Trump says one has to speak up for himself, that is consistent with what he is doing domestically and on the international scene.  

His agenda of streamlining the military arsenal and the whittling down of federal and state offices with their free handedness with requisitions are steps in the right direction.

The blow out in the Oval Office was hard for some to witness. Prior to that meeting, there were precipitating events which lead up to the spew. The guts, however, of what it was Trump was calling for that day speaks to the long-view of what is best for this country and for the world.

Speak up for yourself and don't be afraid to tell others what you think.