from generations to generations

There is plenty of angst today in the Western world about threats from bully states like Russia, ISIS, North Korea, etc. More importantly there is heightened angst since Trump's election over the possibility he cozies up to Putin and puts the world at greater risk.

Let me share this with the generation X, Y, millennials, and whatever comes next. I grew up in the 50's and 60's. This was a time right after the previous two generations (they didn't have labels then) had defeated Nazi Germany and an imperialist Japan, who had been quite active at bullying the world. This also was a time when the communist USSR began to stretch its muscles with global sights on ruling the world. As a child I lived under the constant threat of nuclear war, the expansion of communism, of having civilization as I knew it destroyed by bully states.

The times we are in now look and feel nothing like those days and the ones my parents and grandparents shared with me. The US is unequal in economic and politcal power. Of course none of us know what the future will bring, but let me offer this idea to the younger generations who may be feeling the threat of bullies in the uncertain times we live.

Regardless of what the optics of a Trump as President looks like, the Trump team will operate in the following manner:

1. they will help Putin and the Russian people feel respect and dignity in their own sovereignty
2. they will seek and embrace Russia's help in dealing with our enemies
3. they will work to diminish Russia and China's economic leverage on our friends
4. they will say to Putin, (paraphrased) "if you in any way hurt the American people or harm our friends, there is a gun pointed right at your head and we are not hesitant one bit to pull the trigger."

Peace through strength. This has been the way the US has brought more peace and prosperity to the world in the last 100 years than at any time in history. The bomb dropped on Japan was horrific. It cost many lives, but the Japanese ceased being a bully and their nation has prospered. Kennedy and Reagan looked tyrants right in the eye and said, "quit it", and they did because they knew we meant it. Bin Laden acted up and was wiped out.

The past eight years have been different. We have believed people will quit being bullies if we just speak to them kindly. Elections have consequences. "Making America Great Again" may be viewed as a campaign slogan to many of the young people, BUT to my generation and the ones that have passed on before us, it means a world at peace because America is strong.

Ponder this and rest a bit easier ......