After Opis


President Trump desperately seeks an Opis banquet of reconciliation. The Gulf States will be seated around him within the inner circle, as opposed to the Macedonians. They were brought to heel in his first term with the Abraham Accords. This normalization was absolutely necessary. 

But the Iranians will still congregate within the outer ring of the banquet hall this time.   And actually, that is where they will stay.  There will be no forward movement. And there is no damn way Tehran will offer up her treasures to America.

As to whether during the original banquet Alexander the Great lifted his voice to god and laid claim to being descended from Zeus is open for discussion.

https://www.pothos.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3214?t=3214

But having stylized the first half of his current term in office as Alexander the Great, President Trump now presents as a mediator in the world,  and both  a fatherly figure and Antipater.  

I do not consider our Pentagon the ruthless General Antipater, because while on the one hand they are available for the missions desired by our Commander in Chief, they remain under civilian control of "We the People".   They have a job to do.  But Congress holds them to patterns of accountability for their budget, manpower, and actions both lawful or unlawful. Having served in the Navy, I can attest to the excellent spirit within my fellow oath keepers.  I do not lose sleep regarding our Pentagon and vast array of military defenders.  These are the good guys.

In quick bursts of ultra-narrow reasoning on Truth Social, we are greeted each day with either scorched earth policies toward Iran, or the warmth of reconciliation - if only... if only... they will agree to outside stewardship of their bank of nuclear assets.  Today, Donald J Trump presents as the benign father.  Tomorrow - we might be greeted by the alternate voice.

But "After Opis", (if it really happens)  I  reflect on what America will resemble "After Alexander".  On the one hand, we have our own financial genius, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, who like Lycurgus, seems very capable managing the resources of the Republic. Personally,  I really like him.  And our senior statesman, Marco Rubio  has been surprisingly refreshing and quick on his feet regarding the verbal land mines laid for him by his boss.  The Secretary of Defense has managed fairly well, in spite of his detractors.

But "After Alexander" and during the term of our next American President, we might discover that within the Trump administration we had Demades and Demosthenes -  corrupt men who accepted bribes for policies favorable to various interests. Congress may be required to convene a select committee (similar to the Areopagus Council) to sort things out.  

There is the other "After Alexander" issue of a man who seeks to leave an excessive imprint and eternal reminder of his time on the world stage.  We have the re-branding of the John F Kennedy for the Performing Arts,  the U.S. Institute of Peace, Palm Beach International Airport, a boulevard in Florida, and now - battleships.  Just insert the noun "Trump".  And then, there is the issue of a new passport. With my usual humor I take note that we will have our POTUS signature on our new dollar bills which is appropriate.  MAGA was promised that we would make a lot of money.  There is a reason his signature will not be on a Ben Franklin, our largest denomination in circulation.  It is all a bit obscene.  Mount Rushmore for the four-and-no-more?  Yes.  The random statue of George Washington and the Lincoln Memorial? Yes.  But nothing as ubiquitous as Che Guevara posters, please.  My guess is that some of the institutions name for Trump will revert to their original names after he vacates the White House.

Do I still support our current POTUS?  Yep.  Some of his policies have brought greater health to our nation. But is it o.k. that I voice a few concerns?  smile

It is about to rain here.  And I need to head to the trail prior to the downpour. These are my afternoon thoughts.




 

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