April 9, 2018.05.09

Here at Mater Dolorosa, we old timers have the custom of watching the news in the evening after supper, from 6:30 to about 7:30. The first half hour is local news and the second half hour is Al Jazeera, world news.

We are all concerned about how the world is going down the tubes: violence, killing, raping, corruption, injustice by the ton, lack of even a modicum of morality, money money money, lack of respect for other human beings, especially the female kind, religious intolerance, etc. etc. etc.

     I have never supported America’s unconditional support for Israel, and the total ignoring of Palestinian rights, especially on the West Bank. Israel thumbs its nose at International Law and we support her. But we are doing much the same now. Continuing to build more houses in Palestinian territory with not even a whisper of “no” from the US makes us collaborators in breaking international law.

    But now, with Trump, I am ashamed to be an American, as I see things from the non-American side. America First, which is Trumps theme song, means in actual fact, America First and the hell with all the rest of you. He had no clue about diplomacy and he will find out that we are all on this planet together and there will always have to be give and take so that no one is totally left out of a better life and no one will be able to live a perfect life. I guess that marriage is a good example.

     Climate Change. Ha. What an idiot. How is it possible for any rational human being to deny climate change when the evidence (floods, droughts, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc. etc. etc. ) is right under his nose (and those of his stupid supporters). I doubt that there are any serious scientists who would deny that climate change is at least partly to do with human behaviour. Read “Laudato Si” of Pope Francis. It is a bit heavy going in parts because he quotes Scientific sources. We will be doomed, as Americans, to outdated technology if we don’t now begin investing in Alternative sources of energy instead of cow-towing to the oil and coal and gas magnates who want to make more money. The rest of the world is moving on and we will be left behind unless the American people wake up and stop this stupid movement backwards. Trump, a self-proclaimed Genius, is more knowledgeable than all the top scientist put together.

     When it comes to immigrants and immigration, he has a heart of stone, and a calcified brain. He forgets where both he and his wife come from. And to kick out people who have lived here for many years, and supported the country with their work and paying taxes, sending them back to a life of poverty and possibly death is something that he will have to answer for before our merciful God. He claims to be a Christian. As Pope Francis put it, a Christians builds bridges not walls.

     But the frosting on the cake is backing out of the nuclear agreement with Iran. It took more than two years of difficult negotiations with top notch diplomats and scientists, to come to an agreement that all could be satisfied with (UK, Russia, China, Germany, France and US) . Some of the most intelligent and dedicated people in all of those countries are thrown aside as stupid, making the most stupid deal the world has ever seen, but he, the all-knowing, wiser than all the rest of humanity put together, the most arrogant thing (I don’t even want to say person) that I have ever come across in my lifetime, decides that his wisdom (after all he is a genius) is greater than all of them put together. It is mind blowing and so so sad.

     As he threatened South Africa with his decision to not withdraw the tariffs of 25% for Aluminum and 15% for steel (like South Africa’s sale is a serious threat to the security of the US), as a punishment for not siding with the US in many of its decision in the UN, so now, he threatens his erstwhile allies with punishment by forbidding them to do business with Iran. Who the hell does he think he is.

    Here in Africa, many countries where America is acting like a bully, and either pulling out of agreements or cancelling others, China is happily moving in . China, I am sure, is rejoicing at the unravelling of the bond that had been built between the European nations and the US over many years of haggling and discussing. WE have turned on our best friends. And it will be noted in the upcoming meeting between North Korea and Trump, that America can’t be trusted because it backs out of its agreements when it suits it, not to mention the harm it does to the others who were a vital part of the discussions and negotiations.

     I am angry and ashamed at the same time. America, under Trump, has become the most selfish, most heartless, most cruel country in the world, taking over what we used to think was the preserve of the Communist countries like Russia, China, North Korea, and Cuba. We are now the champions of ugliness. I am so sad.   Cas.

PS.I expect blowback from some of the supporters of Trump, but they will soon see the harm that he has done to our relationship with just about everyone on the planet, and to ourselves as well.