36 Comments
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Rain Robinson's avatar

There is no question the felonpotus has accelerated the decline of US superpower status. We are not reliable, trustworthy, or have competent leadership. We will get those three back when the Republican stranglehold is broken, but our status will not be above everyone else; we must have parity partners in trade, security, and democratic norms. Economies will depend upon multilateral allies; the dollar may wind up being equal to the yuan, the euro, the rupee. It is probably best for the world to have no superpowers. Military might has changed. Lumbering sea and aircraft will cede to electronics, such as drones. Renewables, as your essay describes, will be paramount for energy needs. Perhaps a new model for more equitable incomes of people will erase the hoarding class, the billionaires who seek to control all the world's wealth and resources, leaving little to nothing for 95% of us non-millionaires. A billionaire run earth is no future for humanity.

Barry Gander's avatar

I love this gem of thought! Nice work!

Rain Robinson's avatar

Thank you so much!

Patricia F. Neyman's avatar

That last sentence deserves a bumper sticker!

Doug Hiller's avatar

Wake up call to Taiwan…, seeking sovereign independence and security life support from the trump administration is not time well spent.

Call. Send you best delegation. To Ukraine. A country with the technology, the intelligence, moral conviction and reliability to be a potential ally - something harder to find lately in these challenging, evolving times.

There’s probably a great deal that could be had in trading high value chips for superpower stopping drones.

Barry Gander's avatar

What a great idea!

Lynda Phoenix's avatar

Thank you, Barry. That was very enlightening. Maybe Trump's reason for not giving a thought to peoples problems over the high cost of gas (aside from the fact that he's an all-around grotesque excuse for a human being) is that if he looks too closely, he's liable to see windmills in his future. That would be such a delightful outcome.

Barry Gander's avatar

I like your phrase "Windmills in your future". It should be adopted as a tag line by their lobby group...

Ashley Creighton's avatar

If there is such a thing as reincarnation, may I hope that a 'big beautiful' pigeon eyes this monstrosity as a 'big beautiful' place of rest, contemplation and defacation.

Barry Gander's avatar

You had me until 'defacation'! LOL

Stephen McPherson's avatar

I'm sure somewhere in Washington DC that the fired senior officers who analysed the situation in Iraq, are sharing some wine, BBQ and cigars in a grand "FU: we told you so" moment. Trump's moment in Iraq will definitely completely alter the global economy, and not in a good way for America. America has become "Idiocracy" the movie.

Barry Gander's avatar

I bet they have some books they could write...after he's out.

Stephen McPherson's avatar

You know it!

lazybw's avatar

Thinking EV adoption will be slower in the U.S. trumps opposition to solar/wind - his cronyism with fossil fuel - essentially, his stupidity and greed will impede infrastructure development and keep the American auto industry at a significant disadvantage

Barry Gander's avatar

Sad but true!

Joseph Campo's avatar

very recently we had to replace my wife's hybrid car. while we considered EV, we opted for a corolla hybrid that gets excellent mpg for gas cars. The lack of EV infrastructure and driving mileage were main factors bcs prices have come down. I was exasperated when I read, I think a different article from Barry, that showed the EV stats for instructure in china vs usa. the admin clings to 1950s mentality almost 80 years later. Stupid us. We elected a dinosaur!

Barry Gander's avatar

Those hybrids look ideal for the Transformation time!

Sallyfemina's avatar

"a gas station with a few in-store trinkets"

That made me laugh. And shows how much the average Russian must be suffering, with no gas, no internet, and the massive output in material and manpower is going to their failed war.

Punkette's avatar

Thanks, Barry! But wait - I saw an image of Dumpty’s Golden Colossus giving the Black Power salute (raised arm with closed fist). Maybe that was AI too.

Barry Gander's avatar

Say it ain't so!

Punkette's avatar

It was scary!

Craig Ewing's avatar

"They can’t just be stupid?!" Perhaps and perhaps not. What they are is consistent with their past. We knew everything about Trump going into his second term - that he makes grand promises, draws people and their money to his schemes, pulls all their money out to him and lets the scheme crash. How many times has he done it while we all watched? And now we're supposed to be surprised that he is doing it to the US economy? The pattern was always there - long even before Project 2025. So, America does not get a pass for electing Donald Trump. Even more than that is the fact that America worships rich guys. We consider that they must be superior to the rest of us because they are 'successful' and have a lot of money. Getting rid of Trump or even the cadre of billionaires that support him won't be enough to save us. We need to confront our love of hyper-individualism that keeps us poor, divides us from each other, corrodes our souls.

Barry Gander's avatar

Very well said.

Deb CJ's avatar

I wish you a wonderful vacation, and I will miss your thoughts and writing while you are gone!! Be well!!

Barry Gander's avatar

Thank you very much! Very kind. I will try my best to keep posting...and you have wonderful summer too!

Andre Mesquita Costa's avatar

I know that's a necessary change, but I will miss the big gasoline engine blocks... Good times are over, but we had fun though...

Barry Gander's avatar

We did! It won't be the same...

Patricia F. Neyman's avatar

I should also say, this country has lost its way. I am a loyal American, my family fought in the different wars, our immigration happened many many generations ago. But I think we have lost our way. We do not deserve to be called “leaders“ in this world, even though in the past we have been able to be on the forefront of many scientific and technological developments, and actually on the forefront of healing the vast wounds resulting from what the world did to defeat Germany and Japan.. It is a relief to see the rest of the world re-organizing itself, and so quickly too, to fill the void that has been created by Trump‘s and MAGA’s self important behavior. Just as an individual should not be able or allowed to indulge in behavior that is damaging to others, the rest of the world ought to organize to call to justice countries whose behavior damages others. starting with bombing unarmed little boats in international Waters and. bombing girls schools. But this kind of lawlessness has been invited by the events in Gaza and what Russia is doing to Ukraine, among other things.

Barry Gander's avatar

Totally agree!

Patricia F. Neyman's avatar

My first reaction to what is happening to the oil prices made me say “Oh boy! This is going to be great for the green economy and the adoption of EVs!! It gave me a great thrill and reading this article gives me a great thrill also.

Barry Gander's avatar

Great minds... LOL

Jacqueline Powell's avatar

Finally, someone has seen the same outcome of the Trump regime. That is that Trump no longer the most powerful man in the world and no longer sits or has credibilty with the new alliances andcworld leaders AND the US is no longer the most powerful nation, is is now a amidclevel country and ifvTrump keep doingvwhatvhe is currently acting on it just might reach third world level due to enormous debt, a tanking economy, inflation, loss of trade partners due to tarrifs, the costs of the war with Iran and excessive spending. Trump has lost imports for manufacturing e.g cobalt and timber for housing, soybeans etc.

Why are Republicans not working to impeach Trump and his entire regime and take the necessary charges or sactions og Supreme court justices not acting to maintain citizens right to vote.

Barry Gander's avatar

Nice summary!

Ruth's avatar

Thank you I needed good new to help me get through this scary time.

I thought the closing of the Straight may have the effect of pushing renewable energy. Nice to know it's happening so quickly. 🙂

Barry Gander's avatar

And Trump did not intend Any of it to happen... LOL

Lindy's avatar

Thank you for another great post! I can't wait until the bully/statue falls on his repugnant face. 😉