Trump's Oval Office outburst revealed his insecurity, desperation, and failure to command real power—weakness masked as strength in a moment that diminished U.S. global leadership.
Yes, I keep having flashbacks to Tony Blair in particular, publicly standing with us, the U.S. as 9/11 unfolded. It called out to something deep within me. And now I'm feeling the devastation of its absence.
Well said. As American diplomats (of which I was one), we used to say that very thing behind the scenes. We don't need to speak loud or talk tough or make a scene. We are the United States of America. As you say, that spoke for itself. Without striking a maudlin tone or pretending perfection, much of the leverage we had with others was rooted in trust. What I fear most of all in the despicable spectacle of Trump 2.0 are the untold consequences of the incineration of trust. Not even are so-called friends will love us now.
Yes, I keep having flashbacks to Tony Blair in particular, publicly standing with us, the U.S. as 9/11 unfolded. It called out to something deep within me. And now I'm feeling the devastation of its absence.
JD found out real quickly! Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Wonder what his kids thought of all the anger directed at their dad?
Sadly, I agree, Alexis. We have destroyed the trust we built over 70 years. It will be very hard to build it back.
Well said. As American diplomats (of which I was one), we used to say that very thing behind the scenes. We don't need to speak loud or talk tough or make a scene. We are the United States of America. As you say, that spoke for itself. Without striking a maudlin tone or pretending perfection, much of the leverage we had with others was rooted in trust. What I fear most of all in the despicable spectacle of Trump 2.0 are the untold consequences of the incineration of trust. Not even are so-called friends will love us now.