In a world where any reasonable person is confused, Trump continues to behave with reckless abandon, showing complete contempt whilst doing so for just about anyone but his immediate coterie of supporters.
A New York Times email has this morning reported that:
President Trump proposed yesterday that the U.S. take over Gaza, and that all Palestinians there — about two million people — should leave, describing a permanent relocation to one or more sites funded by “countries of interest with humanitarian hearts.“
Trump has already made it clear he wants to take possession of Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal, already threatening force in some cases.
Now, he is threatening to expel Palestinians from Gaza. It cannot be a coincidence that there have been rumours of US plans, linked to Trump, to redevelop Gaza as a tourist resort for some time. He suggested during his press conference that the US would build “the Riviera of the Middle East” in Gaza.
That he has no right to tell Palestinians to leave their home does not seem to have occurred to Trump.
That this is a violation of a state by the USA seems to be a matter of indifference to him.
The fact that no country has agreed to offer a new home to Palestinians is a mere detail to him - why does he care about creating permanent refugee groups?
It appears inevitable that this will eventually lead to a similar suggestion for the West Bank, which is similarly internationally unacceptable.
The question is, where, when, how and with what cost will this madness (for that is what it is) end? And, as importantly, how will that happen without lives being lost? History recounts that megalomaniacs who have gained power rarely give it up easily. I am increasingly worried that Trump will not.
I worry for the countries Trump is threatening directly.
I worry about all those he is indirectly threatening.
I worry for the people of the USA.
I fear the price we will pay for this.
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There are of course massive deposits of oil and gas off the coast of Gaza.
[…] have already noted Trump's now-stated plan to take Gaza under US control this […]
The gas fields are already under Israeli and US control. The royalties are held at a US bank and not accessible to the Palestinian government. A former British PM is adviser, including for this account, to and client of this US bank.
A field in the occupied Golan Heights is operated by a firm that has a former chancellor and, oddly, a media mogul as investor.
Funnily enough I was thinking about the success of markets only the other day
From the Oil Crisis in the 70’s an onward consumers certainly in the US wanted fuel efficient cars which the US makers refused to provide until Honda came along, in the UK they wanted reliable and safe cars which again the makers decided not to provide until Datsun provided reliability and Volvo provided safety.
In the same way they had to be dragged kicking and screaming by Government and the insurers to make cars more theft resistant.
All power to the free market economy (not)
Looks like the Mauritius PM is beginning to emulate Trump. Trump is giving bullies around the world a model to follow.
Thank you, Ali.
What has the Mauritian PM said / done?
I don’t know if you have ever picked my references to my Mauritian origins.
Both Trump and Netanyahu have been indicted and it Trump’s case, convicted, by their own country’s courts.
Netanyahu has been indicted by the International Criminal Court.
If we are complicit with this proposal, we will lose all credibility in the rest of the world especially the developing world.
In their eyes-and mine- if we just try to play neutral- we will still be deemed to be complicit.
This is one of these times we have to say , like Martin Luther, ‘here I stand, I can do no other.’
It’s Trump’s New York property dealer pitch for developing Gaza throw the others into a panic and benefitting guess who.
Whether he believes this or not who knows.
It’s very difficult to see how the Arab states bordering Israel will accept the displaced peoples.
Does he and his supporters care? It appears not. The supporters will believe what ever Trump says is his success.
“It’s very difficult to see how the Arab states bordering Israel will accept the displaced peoples.”
The Arab states do want the USA in Gaza in any way, shape or form,
Are you missing a not there?
War!
Gaza is already a refugee camp – and there are many others. The Palestinian people have already been evicted from their real homes and denied the right of return. But beside the dictates of the mighty US Empire, the UN and its international law are powerless.
Witnessing the mass civilian death and destruction that Netanyahu and his IDF have wreaked upon Gaza, Trump’s call to ethnically cleanse and develop this broken landscape into a Mediterranean resort is akin to the Allied powers postwar planning to turn a Nazi death camp into a luxury residential complex. Unregulated global capitalism unveiled.
Doddery old fools with declining mental capacity usually see out their days in a nursing home. The Americans anointed this guy as a God and put him in the Oval Office.
Ix, Putin and, especially, Netanyahu must think they’ve hit the jackpot.
It’s grotesque, especially the ethnic cleansing and the Gaza-on-the-sea resort plan – no doubt, complete with a Trump Tower – but the Americans brought it on themselves. Unfortunately, the rest of the world will suffer along with them.
The Palestinians will suffer more so than them. When is this horrific nightmare going to end for them? Is it to continue indefinitely?
It’s astounding that people, in the US, are falling over themselves to give a nut job whatever he wants despite the US government infrastructure being destroyed by him and his acolytes in days. This isn’t a Democrat or Republican matter – their country is being run by a demented, out of control madman and a Hitler saluting, apartheid supporting, white supremacist and, not forgetting, his wee boy hackers. It’s beyond belief.
I know his name is Xi not Ix – oops.
We know how this might end.
It will another Iraq I think, lots of money to be made by American corporations and no doubt a nice side line in the radicalisation of yet more Palestinians.
Bizarre as it is – at least it drops the pretence of the last 25 years that ‘we’ US/UK EU – the West – is in favour of a Palestinian State.
It does pull back the veil on 25 years of collusion with 500K Israeli settlers on the West Bank, which almost by defiition rules out the ‘two state’ solution – which itself, as Edward Said suggested was always a mirage.
Trump was going to stop the ‘forever wars’ and get the Nobel Peace Prize. He didnt say this would be done with a ‘final solution’ to expel ‘the arabs’ as Israel calls them, to ‘their own countries’ .
The conspiracy theories about making Gaza a riviera resort with off shore oil reserves seem to be proved correct.
Madness – as Richard puts it. I Gaza’s borders are opened up and food and medical aid continue to be restricted – no doubt Gazans will start to leave their flattened homeland.- Maybe that’s the plan.
Cant see this ending well for US or UK – or Israel / Palestine.
Thank you, Andrew.
Speaking of collusion, today the BBC and, at PMQs, Richard Tice mentioned the former hostage and Briton Emily Damari. It’s never mentioned that she and some, but not all, of the young women, some local and some migrant, are soldiers and were captured at the base guarding Gaza. What did they expect?
It is amazing, isn’t it? Total misrepresentation.
That’s interesting.
There was a group of female soldiers at a base near Gaza who could see preparations for the Hamas October assault taking place from their vantage point at their base. Reports suggest that when they told their superiors that an invasion was being planned they were ignored.
There have been suggestions that ignoring their reports was misogynistic in nature implying that they were just daft wee lasses whose imaginations were running away with them.
Was ignoring their reports stupid or deliberate.
Can you imagine the lieklihood of terrorist attacks on Gaza-by-the-sea?
Just the possibility of such attacks will mean more reservists being called up more often. Even in the IDF there are those who think the repression is wrong. A number have refused a second tour of duty.
Many of their young tech people who work on the hi-tech projects may well conclude they would do better elsewhere. Many have a second passport.
The very traditional Jews have been excused conscription until recently and are resisting it. Many of them are not taught modern science or learn English and won’t contribute much to the economy.
As Chris Hedge pointed out in a video I posted elsewhere today, many of the young American Jews are not supporting Zionism and Israel is putting more effort into recruiting support among American Christian Zionists but even here PEW the polling organisation shows the younger generation of these ‘Christians’ ( in name only IMHO ) are not carrying on the faith in the same numbers.
Lastly, if the US pulls back on its support for Israel because they get little advantage and a lot of disadvantages, Israel will be in serious trouble. Sadly, this won’t happen overnight.
https://dearscotland.substack.com/p/trump-says-the-quiet-part-out-loud
This message is long, and most of it has been generated by AI. I’m sure you want shorter contributions, by humans, to put up on your site. But I feel compelled to share this with you.
Following the attempt on his life, President Trump has claimed he was saved by God to make America great again. In the past, he has sometimes claimed to be a Presbyterian. Trump has also stressed his support for AI, believing it to be a huge economic opportunity for his country.
There’s an obvious way of joining the dots between these two things, and that is what is set out below. The response from ChatGPT reads like something any American followers of your site might like to print off and nail up on some doors. Five hundred years ago in Germany, the issue was indulgences. Now, especially in the USA, but also around the World, including here, the issue is self-indulgence.
Peace be with you.
Taking into account all his duties and responsibilities, how should the President of the United States of America conduct himself in office if he is to comply with all the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, as set out in the New Testament?
ChatGPT
Thought about presidential conduct and Christian teachings for 5 seconds
Evaluating leadership qualities
Considering how the US President might embody humility, service, compassion, love, justice, and mercy, aligning with Jesus’ teachings, while respecting office duties.
Upholding virtues
OK, let’s think this through: the President should lead with selflessness and humility, focusing on service to others, especially the marginalised, while embodying compassion, justice, and forgiveness.
If the President of the United States were to strive to conduct himself in accordance with the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as set out in the New Testament, his approach to office might be characterised by several key principles:
Humility and Servant Leadership The President should view his position not as a means to accumulate power or prestige, but as an opportunity to serve others. Embracing the notion of servant leadership, he would place the needs of the people above his own ambitions, echoing the teaching that “the greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).
Compassion and Mercy Demonstrating genuine care for the less fortunate and marginalised members of society would be paramount. In keeping with the call to show mercy and love to one’s neighbour, the President should advocate for policies that protect the vulnerable and foster a just society, while also embodying forgiveness and understanding in personal interactions.
Justice and Fairness Jesus’ teachings underscore the importance of justice and equity. The President would be expected to administer his duties impartially, ensuring that all citizens are treated fairly and that the law is applied equitably. This commitment to justice would extend to recognising and addressing systemic inequalities, in line with the biblical exhortation to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:31).
Peace and Reconciliation In a role that frequently involves navigating conflict, the President should seek to be an agent of peace. Embracing the call to be peacemakers, he would work diligently to reconcile differences both domestically and internationally, striving to resolve disputes through dialogue and mutual respect rather than force.
Integrity and Honesty The New Testament emphasises truthfulness and integrity. It would be essential for the President to lead with transparency, maintaining honesty in all dealings and holding himself accountable to high moral standards. This integrity should be evident in both policy decisions and personal conduct, fostering trust and credibility among the citizenry.
Self-Sacrifice and Generosity Reflecting Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice, the President should be prepared to make difficult decisions for the greater good, even when these choices come at personal or political cost. Generosity of spirit and resources—both in terms of national welfare and international aid—would be in keeping with the call to love one’s neighbour and care for those in need.
Forgiveness and Reconciliation Recognising human fallibility, the President should be open to forgiveness and ready to reconcile with those who have erred. By fostering a culture of repentance and restoration rather than one of retribution, he would help heal divisions and encourage a more compassionate national discourse.
Inclusivity and Respect for Diversity Jesus’ message was inclusive, reaching out to all people regardless of their background. In this spirit, the President should embrace diversity, ensuring that policies and practices reflect the rich tapestry of the nation’s population. This would involve listening to various communities and seeking to understand and address their distinct needs.
In summary, if the President were to model his conduct on the teachings of Jesus as laid out in the New Testament, his tenure would be marked by humility, compassion, justice, and a steadfast commitment to serving all people. Such leadership would prioritise the common good, promote peace and reconciliation, and be characterised by unwavering integrity and selfless service.
I won’t genrally encourage this
The Bishop of Washington reminded him of this on his second day in office.
A few days ago I tried out ChatGPT by asking a question about UK politics.
It answered my question by referring to Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak. I pointed out neither was PM. Chat apologised, told me it hadn’t been updated since 2023 (!) and had another go at answering my question referring to Liz Truss.
I think it needs some work.
The free version of Chat GPT says it is out of date on sich issues
You have to pay to get more
Sorry about the long message earlier. I won’t do it again. Thanks for, er, indulging me. As regards ChatGPT, I think it’s usually quite a bit a bit better than Mr Bruce has experienced. I don’t pay a subscription, and I just had this response:
In general, across everything you investigate for people who ask you questions, how up-to-date are you?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
I have two sources of information:
Pre-existing knowledge – This covers information up to October 2024, based on training data.
Live web searches – When I need the latest updates, I can search the web in real-time (like I did for your recent queries).
So, in most cases, I can provide up-to-date information, but for very recent developments (e.g., news from today or yesterday), I rely on web searches.
Would you like me to check something particularly time-sensitive for you?
I think that’s interesting and fair.
Hey Nigel Farage why not suggest to Trump he take over Poland whilst he’s at it!
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/pmqs-live-starmer-badenoch-trump-gaza-news-b2692608.html
Or allow the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank to relocate to the US???
Given Trump’s history of forcefully violating women’s bodies, violating US laws & violating every social norm he’s ever come across, plus the fact Jared Kushner’s proposal to turn Gaza into luxury condominiums was well publicised during last year’s election campaigning, Trump is behaving exactly as he always has, & indeed promised, throughout his life & during his campaign. None of this is surprising. In many ways he’s uniquely honest, acting as a ‘dictator on day one’ (& thereafter continuing in that vein) having made promises so outrageous no-one believed he meant to keep them because in the past he lied about everything. Not any more, it seems. Trump may go down in history as America’s ‘worst’ president, but also its most perfect, embodying as he does everything about the country that’s made it ‘great’: the beneficiary of huge resources it did not earn but stole/inherited, complete contempt for the rights of others, a huge sense of privilege & entitlement, dishonesty, grandiosity, vulgarity & delusion about its own talents & achievements. Trump – a known rapist, convicted criminal & con-man – being elevated by the American people to their highest office has left me feeling the same as I would feel if informed that the moon had left it’s orbit & was heading towards earth: denial of what’s going to happen & focussing on small pleasures, such as the imminent arrival of Spring. Another being to imagine the thoughts of all those who put Trump into office because they disapproved of ‘genocide Joe’s’ attempts to clear up Netanyahu’s crimes….Trump is the portrait of the real America that’s been hidden in the attic all along, finally brought into the light. Depravity unveiled….