The domestic Punch and Judy show just on TV, sorely reminded me of that children’s puppet show where two small figures would argue and ultimately resort to whacking each other over the head to the delight of those watching. I’m referring to our recent presidential “debate,” where barely intelligible phrases and occasional full sentences were full of confusing and contradictory statements leaving very few people laughing. Especially as it represented the prospective top-level decision makers who hoped to lead a nation.
I believe the takeaway from it all was to impress upon the watcher that we do indeed a multinational approach to world governance. For to behold the top nation reduced to presenting this sorry spectacle should impress upon us all that we are in a very sorry state as to the viability of a planetary future for our species. Feel free to pray to your preferred deity.
Thanks for your LTE, Mr. Caggiano. I’m not familiar with Punch and Judy as I’ve never seen this puppet show so I’ll offer an alternative on the recent presidential “debate.” Wile E. Coyote Biden vs. Road Runner Trump. Every time Biden offered up one of his widely debunked lies and fake news, Trump deftly blew Biden’s traps in Biden’s face. To wit, Biden claiming Trump did nothing when Iran-backed militia attacked troops in Iraq. I guess Biden conveniently forgot about the drone strike on Soleimani. Biden claiming he is the only president this century with no troop deaths. I guess Biden conveniently forgot about the troops killed when Biden took two knees and gifted the Taliban with Afghanistan. Biden claiming Trump called military men and women “suckers” and “losers.” I guess Biden conveniently forgot about the Atlantic debunking those claims. Biden claiming Trump referred to neo-Nazis as very “fine people.” I guess Biden completely forgot that’s been debunked. And the list goes on. As I said, Road Runner Trump blowing up Wile E. Coyote Biden’s traps in Biden’s face.
As for a multi-national approach to world governance, methinks the USA might be on the losing end as the forces against the USA are amassing more against us now, thanks to bumbling Biden and his incompetence. The bigger question now is whether Hamas sympathizers in American government will cause Israel to ally with Russia and North Korea. If the rubber hits the road, I’m betting China may join that same alliance.
Hey, Mike... thanks for taking the time to write an LTE.
Looks like your letter captures how a lot of people reacted to last Thursday's debate. I saw a political cartoon that showed Joe and The Donald as two kids squaring off in a schoolyard ringed by other school kids. It was a classic Pee Wee vs. Frances... "I know you are but what am I?" standoff. Of course, because it's 2024, most of the kids were recording the back-and-forth taunting on their smartphones. We can do better as a people than settling for a Punch and Judy show.
Back to the schoolyard... there are too many schoolyard bullies out there to think about multi-national world governance. With Shemp, Moe and Larry... otherwise known as Vlad, Xi and Ali... in the schoolyard, it's not likely world governance would work well for us.
Punch and Judy skits feature one character, Punch, aggressively abusing the other character. Based on the 2020 debate, I'm sure many folks watching last Thursday thought Judy (aka Joe) would get "punched." It didn't happen. A lot of the post-debate conversation over the past four days or so... from both side of the aisle... has called into question the president's mental acuity. Is he still fit to serve? What do you think?
I sent a letter a few months back that was entitled "Step Aside Joe", Here 'tis.
*******************************
We appear to be faced with the choice of a fascist wanna be and a guy who does a good impression of FDR at home and Attila the Hun once across the border. For all the reasonable policies Biden has brought us, he has worked to enable some version of the Wolfowitz Doctrine when it comes to the rest of the planet. The continued baiting of China. The scuttling of the Minsk II agreement (which looks damned good in retrospect) ending with the invasion of Eastern Ukraine. Top it all off with the green light for the extreme right wing Netanyahu government to augment the 75 year ethnic cleansing of Palestinians after the idiotic incursion by the Hamas group into its border. All these ultimately self defeating efforts in the face of human induced climate danger where meaningful action was put on a back burner although being a flaming pot. None of this will be of any use if we don't show the way in nuclear arms talks leading to elimination world wide. Genuine and enlightened leadership is needed now not a continuation of Napoleonic delusions of past grandeur. I'm on board with the 'Step Aside Joe.org” campaign.
Mike... we are in agreement re: the need for quality leadership... across the board. Joe stepping aside would be a move in that direction... maybe. But with apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein... How do you solve a problem like Kamala?
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(5) comments
Thanks for your LTE, Mr. Caggiano. I’m not familiar with Punch and Judy as I’ve never seen this puppet show so I’ll offer an alternative on the recent presidential “debate.” Wile E. Coyote Biden vs. Road Runner Trump. Every time Biden offered up one of his widely debunked lies and fake news, Trump deftly blew Biden’s traps in Biden’s face. To wit, Biden claiming Trump did nothing when Iran-backed militia attacked troops in Iraq. I guess Biden conveniently forgot about the drone strike on Soleimani. Biden claiming he is the only president this century with no troop deaths. I guess Biden conveniently forgot about the troops killed when Biden took two knees and gifted the Taliban with Afghanistan. Biden claiming Trump called military men and women “suckers” and “losers.” I guess Biden conveniently forgot about the Atlantic debunking those claims. Biden claiming Trump referred to neo-Nazis as very “fine people.” I guess Biden completely forgot that’s been debunked. And the list goes on. As I said, Road Runner Trump blowing up Wile E. Coyote Biden’s traps in Biden’s face.
As for a multi-national approach to world governance, methinks the USA might be on the losing end as the forces against the USA are amassing more against us now, thanks to bumbling Biden and his incompetence. The bigger question now is whether Hamas sympathizers in American government will cause Israel to ally with Russia and North Korea. If the rubber hits the road, I’m betting China may join that same alliance.
Tuesday, 7/9, 2 or 3 pm. ¿Dónde?
Hey, Mike... thanks for taking the time to write an LTE.
Looks like your letter captures how a lot of people reacted to last Thursday's debate. I saw a political cartoon that showed Joe and The Donald as two kids squaring off in a schoolyard ringed by other school kids. It was a classic Pee Wee vs. Frances... "I know you are but what am I?" standoff. Of course, because it's 2024, most of the kids were recording the back-and-forth taunting on their smartphones. We can do better as a people than settling for a Punch and Judy show.
Back to the schoolyard... there are too many schoolyard bullies out there to think about multi-national world governance. With Shemp, Moe and Larry... otherwise known as Vlad, Xi and Ali... in the schoolyard, it's not likely world governance would work well for us.
Punch and Judy skits feature one character, Punch, aggressively abusing the other character. Based on the 2020 debate, I'm sure many folks watching last Thursday thought Judy (aka Joe) would get "punched." It didn't happen. A lot of the post-debate conversation over the past four days or so... from both side of the aisle... has called into question the president's mental acuity. Is he still fit to serve? What do you think?
I sent a letter a few months back that was entitled "Step Aside Joe", Here 'tis.
*******************************
We appear to be faced with the choice of a fascist wanna be and a guy who does a good impression of FDR at home and Attila the Hun once across the border. For all the reasonable policies Biden has brought us, he has worked to enable some version of the Wolfowitz Doctrine when it comes to the rest of the planet. The continued baiting of China. The scuttling of the Minsk II agreement (which looks damned good in retrospect) ending with the invasion of Eastern Ukraine. Top it all off with the green light for the extreme right wing Netanyahu government to augment the 75 year ethnic cleansing of Palestinians after the idiotic incursion by the Hamas group into its border. All these ultimately self defeating efforts in the face of human induced climate danger where meaningful action was put on a back burner although being a flaming pot. None of this will be of any use if we don't show the way in nuclear arms talks leading to elimination world wide. Genuine and enlightened leadership is needed now not a continuation of Napoleonic delusions of past grandeur. I'm on board with the 'Step Aside Joe.org” campaign.
Mike Caggiano
Mike... we are in agreement re: the need for quality leadership... across the board. Joe stepping aside would be a move in that direction... maybe. But with apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein... How do you solve a problem like Kamala?
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.