Tuesday, February 14, 2017



FLYNN AND THE REPERCUSSIONS.

I sit here in amazement this morning. How is it  the US has become so polarized? How did the US  get to the point that some of the powerful in both politics and the media have decided to risk everything for the sake of political power? If I have confused you with this statement, let me play out one of my favorite games. Yep! The “What If” game! When I’m finished playing this scenario, let’s go back and see if one of my other favorite games comes into play; The Law of Unintended Consequences, followed by the Law of Second and Third Order Effects.

What if:

What if what Mr. Flynn was doing was sanctioned by his Boss?

What if what Mr. Flynn was doing was setting into motion a larger plan to bring options to the table for peace in the Middle East?

What if what Mr. Flynn was doing was setting into motion a larger plan to bring resolution to the issue of Eastern Europe and NATO.

What if what Mr. Flynn was doing was setting into motion a larger plan to address the issue of China and the South China Seas?

Is all of this impossible? Is it a stretch to think that someone who may have very good connections a key  component of all these issues, Russia, might be tasked to covertly, quietly, begin to talk to his contacts about these issues? Is it against the “law”? It appears so. Does the US government always follow the “law” ? Please! Does the art of State Craft and international Affairs only follow the “law”? Do not all US politicians not understand the long tradition of “behind the scene” communications? Is this the first time someone from an inbound Administration of a Super Power or any nation for that matter, made “outside the channels” contact? So what is really going on here? What really took place? Is it better to approach the Russians on the Intelligence side of issues rather than the DoS side? Who is the Russian leader and what is his background?
I told someone this morning the whole adventure with Donald Trump seems like a scene right out of the original Frankenstein movie. Trump is being chased through the streets not because he is evil, but because he scares the other side of the political scene in the US. The Progressives lost and an out of the box, Billionaire is now President!
Trump spent a great deal of his energy on the campaign trail convincing everyone  he talked to that he was not like the “rest” in DC. He was different and he was going to do things differently. So now what? If he campaigned on being different, does that mean he can’t take actions like the rest of the old club members did? What’s the message here? “You said you were different, so now we are not going to let you do what we have all done for decades”! Is this an “ We gotya moment”? if so, here is my next question. At what price?

Law of Unintended Consequences:

If the Russians thought they had someone who was channeling “options” to them. If they thought this was taking place prior to the new President taking power, did they believe there was a better chance to work on a few key issues, issues the Obama team refused to work with the Russians on?
The Russians are like any other nation in the world. They knew unofficial communications is a cornerstone of international diplomacy. Everyone has been doing it for centuries! But now, now when the new US President starts that same time tested process with the Russians, suddenly, alarm bells go off! A great injustice has been committed! From the Russian perspective, ask yourself this. Why now? Why with us? Is the answer, some of those in power in the US don’t want a better relationship between the US and Russia? Why does George Soros’ name come to mind? Who is the money behind those who think Trump is the Frankenstein Monster. George, the man who did more to destroy the Russian economy in the 90s than anyone else and by the way, he did not do it for God and County.
In Moscow this morning, it is very possible the Tsar and his team are sitting there contemplating why this event with Flynn took place? Even worse, they are convincing themselves it was all about stopping the Trump Team from mending the relationship with Russia. Remember this. Perceptions are everything in the 21st Century. If the Tsar thinks  this was an act to stop the repairing of relations, then what action does he have to consider next?
Is that it? Is that what just took place in the US? Did some group decide to prevent the Russians and the Trump Team from mending the fence? Unfortunately, I think the answer is much worse than that. I believe the issue is much more close to home for those in the US.

Burn the House Down…even when you live in it :

This fear in the US of Trump is visceral!  It’s getting close to someone declaring a book burning of all things about Trump! Two political parties in the US hate each other so much, that they are willing to burn down the house they both live in. Both sides have their supporters and both sides demand the other come to the table of common good.
Did the anti Trump Team just destroy a process that has taken place inside of US foreign policy for years? Are the anti Trump folks willing to destroy backchannel concepts for the sake of knocking Trump down a notch or two? Or, is it worse than that? Are they now going to start a real Witch hunt? Does CNN see their version of the Water Gate Team? “Did Trump know”? Is that the lead story now? And if he did, and he most likely did, then what? BURN THE MONSTER!
I’m not sure where the US is heading? The world is not sure where the US is heading! But. I do know this. If the US is so consumed with divisional lust for political power, then her enemies will leverage the event.
Wounded Animals are the most dangerous! If the US is hell bent on becoming a wounded animal, then her enemies will know it. You can ether kill a wounded animal or you leave it alone!

I am amazed what happened with Flynn. Yes, I know of his personal nature and his leadership style and that may have been his downfall. Senior Generals have a tendency to go off the reservation. Just ask any Ambassador.   I hope that is the real story. But, ripping at the seated President over the issue, well, where is the US going?