There are many times we put ourselves in line with our political party even though we don’t always agree on everything the party does. This week I’m thinking about the criticism of what Trump said about Kim Jong Un. The NY Post headline reads “Trump congratulates Kim Jong Un on North Korea’s entry into World Health Organization, draws GOP criticism“.
Even supporters of President Trump don’t always get why he says certain things. Think about it. Trump disengaged the US from the WHO, including withdrawing USA financial support, which Biden reversed on day 1, and yet praises Kim for joining it. I have to admit that even I am confused. However, I will not go as far on the sliding scale as to think Trump doesn’t have his reasons. I don’t know because I can’t ask him and if I could would he answer plainly? He may have his reasons but be unwilling to say them publicly for practical reasons.
My background both as a New Yorker and Special Ops veteran in a Psychological Operations unit informs my thoughts. Not all New Yorkers have the same experience. One episode of mine was interesting. For a short while, I was acquainted with the son of a well-known Mafia boss that was killed. The son swore he was not in his father’s line of work but explained how business is run in New York, especially the garbage business. It is all about paying off the right corrupt city officials and making deals with people you may not like.
Most Americans, even New Yorkers can be naive. We may think the worst of Putin, Kim, Xi, and others. We would not be wrong. However, there are other factors at play. All these nutbags have nukes and agendas of their own, chief among them is their own survival. Trump knows that. He also knows focusing on their murderous ways will not move the ball forward. We have been doing that for my whole life and before. What has it gained us? Nothing. Frankly, the one thing that helped break up the former Soviet Union was a huge psychological operation. Even that break-up has obviously not solved the problem with Russia.
So, where am I going with this? It could be Trump naturally uses a technique he learned in business. It is also taught to us by our parents with the saying “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar“. The point of catching the fly with honey is to kill it. In business, you are simply trying to land the deal.. Often, the people you are doing business with are despicable. However, It is easier to persuade others with polite requests and a positive attitude rather than with rude demands and negativity. Those are simply the facts of life.
I also find it humorous that those who criticize Trump on this point are running around with smartphones, clothing, and many other things like electric vehicles made with slave labor. They need to get off of their moral high horse. We’ve been trying it their way for a hundred years or more. What is that old saying again? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Yeah, that’s the one.
Maybe Trump understands the psychology of international relations better than the establishment. Just think about it before you comment.
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I think Trump’s is easily understood as sarcasm. Trump does not like (putting it mildly) the WHO and for many, many good reasons. So can gratulating the North Korean Dictator on joining the WHO is, in my estimation, an insult.
That is an interesting possibility. That is why I’m a bit unsure that he would ever answer the objections plainly. Let them think about it 🙂
What do you think about the idea of continually hammering on the bad behavior of other world leaders? In my opinion, it hasn’t ever worked to change behavior. I’m 65 so I’ve been around a while observing this.
I’ve never seen sanctions work in any great way to change behavior either. The bigger the differences between nations, the less likely sanctions are to work. I do think sanctions have occasionally slowed the ability of a country to act badly. However, sooner or later they find a way around it or just punish their people while the leaders live in luxury.
Back to our public stance on nefarious leaders… As I think more about it I see a relationship to social media and all the arguing back and forth that goes nowhere. The only time I’ve had any success with people of the opposite point of view was in private conversations. People feel like they have to defend a position when it is challenged publicly and the walls go up.
Again, I’d like to hear more of your thoughts as you really made me think.