Tag: Trump

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Art of the Squeal

PIgs dumped into hole
Photo credit AP and The Economist

First there was African Swine Fever (ASF). It reached China: Aporkalypse Now. Squealing pigs slaughtered and dumped into mass graves. Pork rolls become scarce on Chines tables. The Chinese government creates incentive programs to close the sudden protein gap. Businesses grow up around raising rats, lizards, snakes, etc., for food. Then, in a Wuhan market something goes wrong.

But wait. Let’s rewind to the point where there was another option rather than increased wild animal protein for China. It was American pork. Donald Trump could have cut a pork trade deal. The American pork industry could have exported literally tons of pork to China. The shortfall gets bridged. Pork rolls, etc., stay on the menu. No need to eat rats. The Wuhan market scenario never plays out. No COVID!

There’s only one thing wrong with that scenario. The win had to be for Donald Trump. So the artist of the deal played hard nose. He stiffed American agriculture, including the American pork industry, true, but he also got to stiff China. Big win for Donald Trump’s ego. COVID-19 for humanity.

“When the wrong man uses the right means, the right means work in the wrong way.” Chinese saying quoted by Alan Watts.

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Wisdom Day 11 November 2016: Blessed Blessings

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed;
    those who help others are helped. (The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 11, Verse 22, The Message, BibleGateway.com)

Veterans Day and Day 3 of the transition to a Trump presidency, a surprise to many and for some a source of anguish, anger, and rage. Among those who read this post will be some who are committed to the principles of Extreme Ownership. For them the challenge is to own even this period of roiling ire. How? To lead by example and to remember it is not what we preach, it is what we tolerate that counts. We start with ourselves. We must tolerate in ourselves and others only words and actions intended to mend rather than aggravate rifts. Were we on the losing side? Focus on constructive thought and action rather than the desire to break everything. Were we on the winning side? Avoid all gloating and arrogance, both in ourselves and in others. Of course, we can not control the words and actions of those around us, but we can be courageous enough to refuse to enter into conversations, actions, and reactions focused on fanning the flames. Rather, defuse the explosive devices by finding a way to bless others, through our words, our acts, the way we look at people. Curses generate curses, but blessings bring a harvest of blessings. Ourselves and our nation surely need to be abundantly blessed, especially now. It is time for a new Armistice Day.