Old habits die hard

At age 70 Donald Trump became our oldest President.  Prior to his election he enjoyed a financially successful career in the rough-and-tumble, cutthroat world of high-stakes commercial development.  Deals are usually measured in the hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars.  It isn't a profession for the timid.  With that much money at stake, they'd throw their mama under the bus if that's what it took to close a deal.

There are no telling how many times in his career Mr. Trump has gone to a zoning official or building inspector, put his hand on his shoulder, and told him he'd "really appreciate it if you could make this little violation go away."  He might have even followed it up with "You're a smart guy.  If you ever get tired of workin' for city wages, come look me up.  We can always use someone with your talents."  And with that....problem gone.  And if not, a phone call later that zoning official or building inspector became the new South Side illegal dumping deputy assistant / third shift.  That's the way things often work in that world.

The problem for President Trump is that he brought that same method of problem solving with him into his White House.  

Early in President Trump's business career his attorney was Roy Cohen, the same Roy Cohen who made a name for himself representing Joseph McCarthy and later numerous organized crime bosses.  Mr. Cohen's modus operandi was simple:  Attack!  Bully!  Intimidate!  Bluff!  They hit you, you hit them back X 10.  They sue you, you counter-sue them for 10 times as much.  Wear 'em down.  Never admit anything.  Donald Trump was a good study.

Fast forward to January, 2017.  President Trump told Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to defend his travel ban and she refused, saying it was illegal (and courts later agreed).  "You're FIRED!"

February, 2017.  President Trump (supposedly) asked FBI Director Comey for a personal loyalty oath, something not uncommon to demand from his former business subordinates.  Comey refused.  Then Trump told Mr. Comey he would like to see the investigation of Michael Flynn go away.  It didn't, and in fact the investigation widened.  "You're FIRED!"

It was a sleazy way to do business, and it's a completely unacceptable way to run a country.  At age 70 I doubt he is willing to change his ways.  "It worked then, why not now?"  The White House isn't Trump Tower, and Congress and the Courts aren't going to jump to attention when he snaps his fingers.  If he keeps this up, and I think he will, a taxpayer funded moving van will probably sooner rather than later be pulling up in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  Stay tuned.

S

That's right you a-holes...DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION!

No, wait....that was the movie Animal House.  Yesterday's big news was from the WHITE House.

It seems that yesterday Prez Trump's National Security Adviser Michael Flynn got ahold of a microphone and said that Iran's recent ballistic missile test violated our nuclear agreement of last year, and that we were putting them ON NOTICE!

Fear and panic in Tehran!

Ummm....what exactly does "on notice" mean, anyway?  Is that like when the big kid on the playground backs a little kid into a corner demanding his lunch money, or more like when the Allied powers in WWII told Adolf Hitler they were going to kick his ass?  Big difference!

Kinda makes you wonder....well, me at least....if this was just another of President Donald Trump's knee jerk reactions to something he didn't like.  I would hope that if he approved of putting someone "on notice" he would have thought it through carefully, discussed it with the Defense Dept, State Dept, the CIA (if they'll take his call), our allies (if we have any left), etc, and put together a realistic, tiered plan of action.

Then he should have sent word via diplomatic channels to the Iranians, explaining that we expect them to abide by all the terms of our agreement, no exceptions, and lay out what will happen if they don't.  But that doesn't appear to be what happened.  The Iranians light off a missile one day, and Trump sent Flynn in front of a hot mic the next to threaten them.  

I'm no diplomat or military guy, but I have to wonder if either State or Defense can put together a detailed plan of action like that in just one day?  I agree that we need to call the Iranian's hand on this treaty violation, but there's a right way and a wrong way to do it.  He can still pursue his agenda without leaving a trail of wreckage behind.

America's new Fire Chief...er...Secretary of State (as of last night) Rex Tillerson, has his hands full delivering flowers to many of our decades-long allies who his Arsonist-In-Chief boss has already torched in just his first two weeks in office.  IMO the Republican Party needs to assign a minder to make sure President Trump takes his daily meds.
  

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And how about those buffoons in Congress?

2016....Senate Democrats are outraged....OUTRAGED!....when Republicans won't vote and confirm President Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court.  "Republicans are despicable scum!"

2017....Senate Republicans are outraged....OUTRAGED!....when Democrats threaten to sabotage President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court.  "Democrats are despicable scum!"

How can they, Democrats and Republicans alike, look us in the eye and lie like they do?  If we look up, that thing we're seeing is the underside of the bus both parties have thrown us under.

S

LATE EDIT:  Could "On Notice" be Prez Trump's green light code for the Israeli's to go get 'em?  Heehee....hold my beer!