Weighing in

  Yesterday President Trump met with President Putin. It's rather an amazing thing when you think about that, two presidents, heads of state, and them just to meet being such a big deal. It's like fighters meeting each other at the weigh in. There is so much tension in the air and the reporters are there, stirring the pot, trying to get that big story. It's just the prelude though, the chance to sell more tickets to the show. A battle for what? That is the question in all of this political strategizing. The answer is the same as always, power and control. The ultimate prize being, commerce. To dominate the world economic markets and control the wealth of the world. That's the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

  The meeting yesterday was promoted as an opportunity to negotiate a cease fire. President Zelensky of Ukraine wasn't involved in those discussions. It's reported he'll talk with President Trump, perhaps on Monday. No agreements were reached however and the war continues on. It has to be a tough spot for Zelensky. Imagine being the president of a nation involved in a war but you're not invited to talk about ending that war. Instead two other Presidents are talking that over, deciding on your fate. You are just a pawn to them. It has to be humiliating. But you're basically broke, not much you can do. There is some talk of all three meeting, when the other two decide on that. I see that like your parents talking, when they reach an agreement they'll call you in and let you have your say. The outcome isn't going to change but you're supposed to feel included.

  What is it that Ukraine has that Russia wants? Well the answer is simple enough, Russia wants to regain its' seat as a world power. Russia wants its' territory back under its' control. That means that NATO would have to stay out of their business. NATO is the biggest threat to Russian dominance of the world. That is what Russia really wants to do, but those pesky Americans are always interfering, dragging NATO into the fight. Perhaps, just perhaps, a deal could be reached with America and some ground regained. Force is always going to be the last resort. Neither side wants to say that line, " this is going to hurt me more than it is going to hurt you" just before imposing their will. In this case that may include intercontinental ballistic missiles! 

 The world of political intrigue. It isn't just in the movies, it is real life and is being played out before us. President Trump enters as the great deal maker. That is his claim to fame, he even wrote a book about the "art of the deal." President Putin fancies himself as a great CZAR, the leader of strength! He rides horses bare chested! Both have egos the size of elephants. Alpha males. What their personal motivations may be are anyone's guess. Is it simple ego? Why would you want to become the President? Is it the ultimate power position? Just why did Trump decide to enter the political arena? As for Putin I expect his motivation is simply power. He passed a number of "tests" imposed by Boris Yeltsin, his predecessor, to become the next President of Russia. Those tests indicated that Putin would not move toward a Democracy. Yes there will be elections in Russia, but the people don't get to choose the next leader. Vladmir Putin would defend against any nonsense like that happening. He would remain strong.

  There really are just the two of us, aren't there? It's the United States of America vs Russia. All the other nations in the world are just the pieces on the chess board. NATO was formed to provide protection for the pawns, for the lesser pieces. They can be sacrificed if it becomes necessary to do so. Russia certainly doesn't want Ukraine to be included in that blanket of protection. Will Ukraine be sacrificed? That's what President Trump and President Putin were talking about. It all really comes down to one thing; who can afford the loss? 

 You know it really is like Rocky said: it's not how many times you get knocked down, it's how many times you get up that counts. Can Russia be put down? Or will America eventually be the one that falls? The Russia we know today is very young, only 34 years old. But you could argue that Russia existed for well over a thousand years before that. America is 249 years old. What happens when Putin leaves office? The United States will continue on well after Trump. I have no doubt about that. The United States isn't opposing the king but we are opposing communism, socialism and a direct democracy. Our constitution will continue to ensure that. An article five convention will only strengthen that. I'm looking forward to it.