Thoughts for the Day, January 8, 2025: Desire or Bluster?

Trump on Canada, Greenland, and Panama

When I first heard about Trumps suggestions of taking over Greenland and Panama, and Canada becoming the 51^st state, I chalked it up to his usual bluster and exaggeration to keep the spotlight on himself. However, I am starting to think this may not be bluster and it scares me to the core.

Trump wanting to take over Greenland and Panama and making Canada the 51^st state is the kind of thinking that Putin has when he looks at Ukraine and the former Soviet states. If Putin sees a strategic advantage for Russia to takeover Ukraine or any of the former Soviet states, he goes for it. I believe Trump sees Greenland, Panama, and Canda the same way Putin sees Ukraine and the former Soviet states.

Joyce Vance in Civil Discourse had this to say about it.

….don’t skip over the story of Trump’s aggressive behavior towards our allies. I wrote briefly about that last night in a column called Whiplash, pointing out the importance of taking it in because it’s a marker of Trump’s inamorata, authoritarianism—and an early sign of where he is heading. We need to pay attention to markers like that and discuss them with people around us who’ve hit the snooze button on waking up to the reality of Trump 2.0. This is for the people who are carrying on as though nothing unusual is happening.

It’s not just theoretical. We have an abject lesson in front of us today that illuminates what Trump’s behavior toward our allies could cost us.

As fires burned across Los Angeles last night, “tornado fires” my husband called them because of the winds that whipped the flames, our neighbor, Canada, showed up to help….

Trump seems intent on fracturing our relationships with our friends and our neighbors. It’s more than just the bright shiny thing of the moment. We are not impervious. We, too, can need help. Who will be there for us after Donald Trump runs them off?

I do not know Trump’s real motives for his comments but taking over another country and not respecting sovereign states is not the kind of leader our country needs.

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California Fires

It was gut wrenching watching some of the videos of the California fires. It is scary to think how fast the fires grew and spread their devastation.

I cannot imagine the fear going through the minds of the residents who have watched their homes and businesses go up in flames.

I cannot imagine the bravery required by the first responders and firefighters from around the country who are putting their personal safety on hold while they fight the fires.

I cannot imagine the fear going through the minds of the family members of the first responders and the firefighters when their loved one is out there facing extreme risks to help others they do not know.

The fires remind me of the fire that devastated Hawaii a few years ago. It is the perfect storm of record high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions.

An Orchid of the Day to all the first responders, firefighters and everyone else who are putting their own personal safety on hold to help save others.

A second Orchid of the Day to the families of the first responders and firefighters. Your sacrifice will not go unnoticed.

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Michigan Basketball

I stayed up to watch the Michigan men’s basketball game against UCLA at Pauley Pavillion in Los Angeles.

This Michigan team has the ability make this a special year if they can manage the turnovers. Having two seven footers who can make shots, shoot threes, defend the paint, block shots, and handle the ball makes this team hard to defend. Combine that with a point guard who can shoot the lights out behind the arc, minimizes turnovers, and maximizes assists makes them even harder to defend.

Last night’s game was a real test as UCLA came into the game as a top 25 team ranked higher than Michigan. UCLA is a top five defense in points allowed and turnovers created. Michigan played the game without starter Roddy Gayle who was injured. It got more complicated when seven-footer Danny Wolf got in early foul trouble in the second half and had to sit for more than 10 minutes.

None of that mattered, as Michigan game out shooting the lights out. Michigan ended the game shooting over 60% overall and over 50% from behind the arc. Michigan built up an early 18-point lead, only to see themselves fall behind by 4 early in the second half. Michigan regrouped and ended up winning by 94-75. UCLA came into the game giving up 57 points per game.

Win or lose this team is fun to watch, however, their ability to give up large leads is nerve wracking.

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Peacock basketball announcers Terry Gannon and Jalen Rose

Last night’s Michigan basketball game was streamed on Peacock. The announcers for the game were Terry Gannon and Jalen Rose. Based on what I saw last night, this is a winning combination.

Gannon is the consummate professional who has been NBC’s primary announcer for figure skating and gymnastics at the last few Olympics and is part of the NBC’s golf coverage. He also is a former member of NC State’s NCAA Championship basketball team and an Academic All-American. He is NC States’ second best foul shooter in history.

Jalen Rose needs no introduction.

It was their first game together and they performed like it was their 100^th. Gannon’s knowledge of basketball and experience as a play-by-play person made it easy for the conversation to go back and forth smoothly while keeping the viewer informed on what was happening on the court. Gannon seemed to embrace Rose’s enthusiasm and outgoing personality and allowed Rose to express himself as only Rose can. I look forward to watching more of the games Gannon and Rose work together

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Quote of the Day: “Who gives a fart about every fart he makes?” We’ll have to see whether this threat is more than one of Trump’s mind farts.” From the blog Religion and Society on the Couch with Dr. Matthias Beier in response to Trump’s talk about expanding the U.S. borders.

Orchid of the Day: The first responders, firefighters and everyone else who are putting their own personal safety on hold to help save others.

Second Orchid of the Day: The families of the first responders and firefighters. Your sacrifice will not go unnoticed.

Onion of the Day: The California fires. Scary stuff.

Lyrics of the Day:

I'm dying for some action. I’m sick of sitting around here, trying to write this book. I need a love reaction. Come on, baby, give me just one look. You can't start a fire Sitting around crying over a broken heart.

If you think you know the answer, indicate your answer in the comment section below.

Answer to January 7, Lyrics of the Day, “Pink Houses” by John Mellencamp. See the Video of the Day

Question of the Day: Are Trump’s comments about taking over Greenland and Panama and making Canda the 51^st state bluster, or is he serious about making it happen?

Video of the Day: John Mellencamp - Pink Houses (Live at Farm Aid 2024)

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