AMERICA used to be an honorable country, but no longer. They were the country of the TV Westerns where the good guys never shot the bad guys in the back. But those days are now forgotten.
We saw an Australian reporter in Los Angeles standing there for a report until she was shot from behind, although fortunately only with a rubber bullet in the leg.
The Lone Ranger, a past symbol of what American thought they were, would be horrified.
How far can they sink into the swamp that President Donald Trump promised to drain?
Fortunately our reporter is okay and back on the job.
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Stay put
President Trump has warned Elon Musk against switching sides and supporting the Democrats, saying, “If he does, he’ll have to pay the consequences for that.”
Didn’t Trump switch from Republican to the Independent Party, then to Democrats, then no affiliations, and finally back to the Republicans? A dizzying performance of disloyalty.
People have switched teams often with Winston Churchill, considered as a great United Kingdom Conservative party leader, although he also spent 20 years with the Liberal party.
Let’s hope it doesn’t descend to the level of sporting teams where players seem to switch teams weekly.
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Secrets and who knows them?
The Jeffrey Epstein files and their contents have been of great interest for the individuals named, the legal system, the media, the general public and, of course, any victims.
They have been partially released on the USDepartment of Justice sites but the contact and masseuse files consist mainly of names and big blocks of black ink, not that informative.
However, it seems they might now be released by Elon Musk for some reason, possibly revenge, possibly as a threat, possibly because the public should know the truth.
The question is how does Elon Musk have this set of information. This is in the hands of the Department of Justice and is presumably stored in some secure manner. If it was already out there on some website, everyone would have read it.
It is quite likely this “Cain and Abel” battle. It will continue and almost certainly will be on the front page, and if the files are released then many more pages.
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Power versus privilege?
We might finally get an answer as to who runs the place, big business or big politics, with the fallout between Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
Elon brought a big bucket of money to Trump’s reelection campaign but as everyone knows there is no such thing as a free gift. Musk didn’t get the big seat but he seemed to be the power behind the throne.
Now these best buddies are sparing partners heading for the ring and one might have some extra weights hidden in their gloves.
For outsiders, it is interesting and perhaps entertaining but for Americans it could be a very destructive battle. It will be a goldmine for the late night comedians on TV.
Why is American politics becoming an entertainment rather than a serious group trying to do the best for their country?
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Friends and enemies
There is a saying usually attributed to Sun Tzu; that you should “keep your friends close, and your enemies closer”. This should be a maxim for all politicians.
That, and “You have to be behind someone before you can stab them in the back” might form the basis of the Trump-Musk friendship and employment opportunity.
Musk’s parting commentary has not helped Trump, nor will it influence anyone’s thoughts about the recent “big, beautiful bill”. There is a lesson for all politicians as to how best to select your inner working circle. Best of luck with rescuing Tesla, and your own wealth, Elon.
An extra parting suggestion: Don’t give ex-employees a key to the front door, even symbolically./PN
