Paradise Found

Since I don’t think I can physically consume any more political news (as I type this), figured I might write instead. So, writing for me (and for many) is instrumental in how I work things out. It’s therapeutic, sure, but it goes beyond that — I find it useful as a thought process to make better decisions when I’m uncertain on how to proceed. There is something about laying out all the pieces of a puzzle in a form that allows you to clearly see exactly what’s on the table, which can allow you to more objectively identify a path forward. I find it helpful, anyway.

If I’m in a particular bind, sometimes I will sit in one place and write literally anything — words — coherent or not, until something resonates and the bigger picture snaps into place. No matter where you are or how deep the conundrum, you’re in, I’ve found it usually does. Even if the wisest course of action is inaction, that’s a decision too.

Anyway. That’s not really what I want to talk about. In the aftermath of the whole Trump / Zelensky / Vance debacle, I kept waiting to read the highly sophisticated and measured analysis about how this was all obviously just about ego, and way too much unchecked testosterone in one room, except I as I kept reading I continued to not come across said analysis, and it occurred to me that the takes were mostly political, but the exchange, truthfully, didn’t seem that politically motivated at all. It seemed petty, and personal. From every side.

How much of what is happening right now is a debate over the best way to govern our country, and how much is simply ego? I mean – look. I’m not a pollical writer, nor do I want to be. So I’m not going to pretend to be some expert on US politics, and this is not going to be said nuanced take. However. With that disclaimer out of the way, sure, Trump’s obsession with tit-for-tat transactional relationships in every single interaction he has naturally plays a huge role here. Of course. It appears to be his sole and guiding philosophy, and whether you agree with or not, understanding it is enormously useful in predicting how he’ll react in any given scenario.

But this is the man of The Art of the Deal, right? A man who aims to get the deal done? And indeed, there was a deal to be made. Whatever else you can say about Trump, I sincerely believe he would have made it, mostly for his own interests of course, but also because if nothing else he loves a good deal — and followed by a celebratory lunch, too! What could go wrong?

Oh right, his never-emotionally-matured-since-high-school hot head sidekick Vance. JD Vance reminds me so explicitly of this group of deeply misogynistic wannabe intellectuals I went to high school with that the similarity is truly uncanny. He would have fit right in with their endless posturing and pretending to know everything there is to know about world affairs, all while loudly demeaning women at every opportunity as they secretly crushed on them. So, you know, 16-year-old guys. Except the guys I knew back then eventually grew up and became adults (I assume, I haven’t really kept track) and I would hope they’re not still acting this way.

It reminds me of when adult humans claim Ayn Rand is their muse. Well yeah, I went through an Ayn Rand phase too, when I was 17. Who hasn’t? And did her complete preoccupation with self-interest sort of mess with my thought process at the time — oh absolutely. Without question.

But we were all reading a lot of stuff, and I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to be working out your moral and philosophical guidelines as a teenager and in your early twenties; that’s what that time in your life is for. Figuring it out. I understand life is a work in progress, and we’re meant to be always learning, but if you’re still citing objectivism as your sole guiding principle in your 40s, eek. Good luck. Most of us grow up and realize there is more to life than just your own self-interests. Life is about the communities and relationships you build with other people.

Other people matter. But anyway, back to JD. Is his actual, verified role in this administration to blow up negotiations for utterly baseless reasons? I’m honestly asking — is that the point? Because literally nothing happened to provoke such a sophomoric and unwarranted outburst.

Zelensky — who, let’s be real, was unequivocally sporting one of the three major egos in the room, what with leading his country through a war he didn’t start and didn’t want, and the immense responsibility and tragedy that goes along with it — but setting aside that not insignificant reality, in this particular instance he was merely pointing out the extremely true fact that Putin instigated the conflict and hadn’t been true to his word in the past, so in terms of diplomacy, his word meant essentially nothing.

Yet somehow Vance took that as a cue to go off on a total, unwarranted power trip about how he was disrespecting the Oval Office. Which, historically, of course has always been so respected.

And for what? What was it that so offended him, exactly? Nothing. Because when the two so-called American diplomats allowed him to get a word in edgewise, Zelensky appeared nothing less than respectful and appreciative. Pointing out basic facts in order to provide relevant context for why there exists a lack of trust in Putin’s understanding of basic diplomacy does not merit a temper tantrum in the midst of what was until then a cordial conversation. In my opinion.

It’s pure posturing. Putting on a show to prove who’s the biggest alpha in the room — except in this case, all it did was highlight without a doubt who is the biggest child, in a room admittedly occupied by mostly children.

All I can say is, I wish we had a woman in the White House – or hell, even in a position powerful enough to demonstrate what diplomacy really looks like. Because at this moment in time, no one with real power is setting an example worthy to aspire to.