He is alone in his private residence. He is standing by the window, looking out onto a beautiful forest covered with snow.
He has Ukraine surrounded by troops in the East, South East and in the north in Belarus. He knows the Ukrainians won’t be able to stop him, once he gives the order to invade.
He has enjoyed enormously being in the headlines, day after day, everyone talking about him. How will the world ever forget him? They cannot. He is now part of history. Forever. Immortal.
He rubs his chest lightly as he smiles.
He looks back at his desk, and the phone on it. He needs only to reach over, pick it up and order that his troops march into Ukraine. Just that, no more than that, and thousands of lives will cease to exist. Unless, of course, they all fall to their knees and beg for mercy.
What a life he has lived. So privileged.
Thinking to himself, he says, there is something so special about having so much power over people. So much power over the hapless Europeans who start shaking the moment he talks about holding back his supply of gas to them.
And he smiles when he thinks of his power to deceive, to persuade, to pressure. What talent!
‘Yes, I want to rebuild the Soviet Union. I want to have Russia be the number one power in the world. And I have the guns, the supersonic missiles that can get to Washington in 5 minutes. I have them.’
‘Sure they will retaliate, but I’m convinced my weapons are better. My resolve greater. My willingness to destroy unmatched.’
‘I have been able to bully others all my life. No one, no one at all, has bullied me back.’
And now he thinks of how he has no trouble sleeping. None at all. He puts his head on the pillow and wakes up refreshed 8 hours later. What a gift.
‘How can a man have so much power?’ he says to himself.
His eyes brighten. ‘I convinced others to give theirs to me, that’s why,’ and he laughs.
‘I convinced them that I would be their shepherd.’ He laughs again.
‘I do worry that I’ve caused lasting damage to my fellow Russians… that my being in power so long has led to an atrophy of their will to be. I do worry. But I won’t live forever, so they’ll have other people govern them. Meanwhile, I will rule this land as I wish and die in power, like Stalin did. President for life. What a charmed life. People will write and write things about me, like some hapless blogger is surely doing just this moment, trying to imagine what goes through my unique mind. But they won’t come even close. There has never been anyone in the world like me. No one. And I will continue to sharpen my cyberwarriors to undermine my enemies. One after the other. They will get so good at it that I will decide elections in other countries.’
He turns around and takes a few steps to sit at his desk. His phone is within arm’s length.
‘I can pick up that phone right now, order the invasion, and all the world’s attention will be on me, on my next moves. Europe will tremble with fear. America will squirm, Xi Jinping worry about what I’ll do next.’
He crosses his legs and brings his hands together interlacing his fingers.
‘I can see the headlines all over the world… “Russia Invades the Ukraine. Troops within reach of Kyiv.” “The Russian leader speaks of Lebensraum. More living space for Russians.” “Germany and Europe Panic”
He laughs.
‘Oh, I’m a genius. Yes. And right now, other world leaders are simply envious of me. But they can’t stop me. They don’t know how. Worse, they won’t dare.’
He rubs his face.
‘I enjoy seeing the world scared of what I can do. What pleasure that gives me.’
‘Ha! And Russians will celebrate me. And I will destroy completely all those who’ve dared oppose me here in my land. I’ll simply get rid of them.’
‘This will be the century of Vladimir Putin. I am now 69 and will govern for another 31 years, and all the while the world will be in awe of my powers.’
‘And next will be Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland. And no one will stop me, no one has the guts to stop me.’
‘I can live with fear… yes… and know how to stare it down… but so few people can.’
He pauses, holding his hands locked in front of him.
‘It’s up to me… and only to me… I alone choose the fate of thousands of people… hundreds of thousands… millions…’
He reaches over to the phone but hesitates… and hangs his head for a moment.
Then, raising it slowly… eyes narrowed as he looks off… the expression determined… fearless,
he says, softly,
‘Do I invade today or tomorrow?’
Oscarvaldes.net. also available on apple and google podcasts and buzzsprout
In a WSJ article entitled ‘Russia suggests Military Deployment to Venezuela, Cuba if tensions with US remain high’ and dated 1/13/22, a Russian deputy foreign minister said that since talks with America and its European allies over the Ukrainian situation have stalled, Russia could dispatch ‘military infrastructure to Venezuela and Cuba’ so as to pressure Washington to comply with Russia’s requests.
How interesting.
Putin invents a threat to Russia, sends troops to harass the Ukraine and because the US and Europe have not fallen to their knees, now he wants to instruct Venezuela and Cuba to help him out.
I am sure Putin didn’t consult with Diaz Canel and Maduro, the respective dictators in Cuba and Venezuela. What for? They owe me.
Putin wants NATO to restrict military deployments in territories bordering Russia and now protected by the US – European alliance. The alliance, however, has been put together to deter aggression from Russia. Instead, it has been Putin’s initiative to amass troops on Ukraine’s eastern border. It was Putin who annexed Crimea in 2014.
Putin must be having trouble at home that he’s been busy targeting dissident organizations in his country, labelling them terrorists, persecuting and imprisoning activists, instead of increasing freedom and allowing fair elections.
So he invents that the threat to Russia comes from the outside. Plus he gets his name in the papers and the internet and his dreams of eternal glory are revived.
Russia has a problem, yes, and it’s Putin. Like Cuba has a problem and Venezuela has a problem and it’s their leaders and those who choose to support them.
What Putin didn’t expect, was that America and its European allies would come together as one to present a united front.
What Putin didn’t expect, was that the West would not give in to his threats.
The Western alliance has held together because the threat to Ukraine is a threat to all of them.
And yes, the combined military capacity of the alliance is greater than Russia’s.
And the Biden administration has stated that no decision would be made without Ukraine being at the table. So, good for Biden and his excellent team, and good for our European allies. There are differences between us but there is clarity when it comes to identifying an external aggressor.
Venezuela and Cuba could do their part too by trying to show a little courage. They could ask Putin, ‘how come we don’t have to be asked to support you? You just assume we’ll do whatever you want?’
This is a great time for Russians to protest peacefully, to stand up to their dictator and tell him, ‘you are toxic to our nation. You are willing to sacrifice our soldiers for your dreams of grandeur. It is time that you go.’
Are you taking notes Xi Jinping? Pay attention. The West can unite. You will not divide us.
Oscar Valdes. Oscarvaldes.net. also in anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts and buzzsprout.
Putin is outside with his dog, standing on a little hill by the lake.
Putin – Why do I do it? For the pleasure of it. The pleasure of seeing the dominant nation in the world being tossed about by our actions. The pleasure of seeing them go at each other…. doubting, hating, reviling each other.
(He laughs)
The supposedly dominant nation in the world… electing whom they elected… hating immigrants when they are a nation of immigrants… questioning their values… what is there not to like about that?
(He smiles, picks up a stone and throws it far off and into the lake. His dog gives a start but Putin calms him down)
The more confusion I stir in that land, the weaker their resolve to block any move I make to extend my influence or my territory. I, on this side, Xi Jinping on the other, both enlarging our spheres of influence… squeezing the Americans. And the more divided they are, the more China will continue to insert itself in Latin America… right in their backyard… and in Africa, too. Meanwhile, I strengthen my support for Far Right movements in Italy, Hungary, Poland, even Germany. Let the Americans bicker with the Europeans… the more distracted the better.
(He laughs)
I have time. Oh, the virtues of autocracy. One nation, one man.
(He pets his dog)
Do I need to do it? Out of a sense of self preservation? Yes. But there’s also the satisfaction of having control over the lives of other men and women. Men and women who live under the delusion that they are free.
(He kneels down to speak to his dog)
Right?
(The dog licks Putin’s hand)
Because he made money in his hotels he thinks he can be a leader… ha!
(The dog makes an affectionate sound. Putin stands again)
But we’ll see… for sure, once I get his tax returns. Still, there’s that virus that could spread here… or anywhere… the virus of wanting an open dialogue… the virus of freedom… freedom to criticize… to question authority… to make money… to be all you can be… to dare climb the ladder… but no, I will not have that here in Russia. But I’m not really worried. After all, we’re the land of the Czars… of Stalin… of institutionalized cruelty… the mass killing of dissidents… Russians killing Russians… by the millions… we have a long way to go to heal those wounds… if ever… America has never experienced such abuse as Russians endured… except for Black Americans… but nothing… nothing like we have.
(He turns to his dog)
Our cyberwarriors will take care of things, won’t they, Washington? So we can even out the playing field.
(The dog makes a wimpy sound)
I need to get you something to eat.
(The two start walking down the little hill towards the dacha. In the distance, guards in black garb are posted at various locations)
Chapter 13
A very dark, rectangular room, barely lit, and Trump sitting at one end.
The same shadowy figure with no discernible features, a black suit and a hood over his head, appears at the other end. As before, at the wave of the Man’s hand a chair materializes and he sits facing Trump.
Trump – You again?
(The Man nods slowly)
Man – You’re running out of time. The mid terms are coming up… and the democrats are gaining… so unless Mueller clears you… they will likely move to impeach you.
Trump – On what grounds?
Man – Mueller is scaring some folks.
Trump – Their word against mine. Can you be more specific?
Man – Cannot. But you’re the big fish…
Trump – And a good incentive for someone to flip. But I know that. I’m not worried, though. We’ll keep the House and the Senate, I’m sure about that.
The Man leans forward, arms on his legs.
Trump – Say, how come I can’t see your face?
Man – I don’t have one.
(Trump squirms)
Man – What mistake did you make?
Trump – Mistake?
(Trump looks down at the ground, searchingly)
Man – If you know, you may still have a chance.
(A moment passes. Trump looks up at the Man, still unable to come up with an answer)
Man – Don’t know?
Trump – Melania… she’s talked about the need for dialogue…
(The Man nods slowly)
Trump – … building bridges…
(The Man nods again)
Trump – Finding my higher… self…
Man – And?
Trump – I don’t think it’s in me.
Man – I see.
Trump – What do you see?
Man – Really want my opinion?
Trump – I don’t know… I suppose…
Man – There may not be enough time but here it goes…
Trump sits back, bracing himself, wary of the Man’s answer.
Man – You played the one note… and that’s all.
Trump – The one note?
Man – Same note, again and again… you got lucky that the one note attracted a lot of customers at the start… but you got stuck on it… and here you are, well into your second year and you’re still on the same note.
Trump (puzzled) – One note?
Man – You need more than one note to find your depth as a leader.
(Trump hangs his head for a moment)
Trump (anxiously, quickly) – One note… two notes… three notes… what difference does it make? I keep my promises.
Man (calmly) – The thing is, leading is about much more than that.
Trump – More than keeping your promises?
(The Man slowly reaches forward with his long right arm, and keeping it extended then turns the palm of his hand upwards. Trump draws back)
Man – Touch the soul…
(Trump is tempted to reach out and touch the Man’s hand but is afraid of it)
Trump – Touch the soul? The soul? Ha! Look, I’ve made a lot of decisions in my year and a half…
Man – But have you led?
Trump is disconcerted.
Trump (timidly) – No?
(The Man shakes his head very slowly)
Trump (rousing himself) – What about the stock market, it’s going up and up, and the GDP, the tax cut, the low unemployment… I’m giving people what they want… money…money! Isn’t that what we’re all about, the rest just empty pieties?
(Trump lets out a loud laugh but the Man doesn’t stir, all the while keeping his arm extended, the palm facing up. A somber expression then settles on Trump… fearful that he’s missing out on something but unable to overcome his fear)
Trump (not giving up, rousing himself again) – Remember Liza and Joel in Cabaret… the movie? Money Money Money! Makes the world go round!
The Man lowers his head and pulls back his arm.
Trump – What’s the matter with you, you don’t watch the movies… you too good for them?
(Trump stands up abruptly and is surprised he’s able to do it)
Trump (looking at his wrists) – Hunh…. I thought I’d be held back… like the first time… how come I can move now?
(The Man stands up)
(Trump takes a few determined steps toward the Man but then stops. They look at each other in silence)
Trump (softly, tentatively) – You think I have it in me?
(The Man pauses, then turns and starts to walk away)
Trump – Hey, wait a minute. I asked you a question!
(Trump lunges for the Man but the figure disappears and Trump ends up falling to the ground. Slowly, he sits up and looks around at the dark and empty room. The Man’s chair is still there. Trump gets up and approaches it carefully. He sits on it. Now he hears the disembodied voice of the Man)
Man (voice over) – One note.
(Trump covers his ears, frightened. All is still. He lowers his hands slowly, then, seized by a fit of rage, jumps to his feet)
Trump (shouting full blast) – God dammit! I said goddammit! Do you hear me? God dammit! The hell with everybody! God dammit! Yes, you, god… damn you!
Man (voice over) – One note.
(Trump drops to his knees, head bowed, and starts to cry softly,
A moment passes, then he begins to raise his head… as tears stream down his face… and while extending his arms upwards…)
Trump (pleadingly, anguished) – Can’t I have depth? Can’t I? Please God… give me depth!
White House – Bedroom – 2 AM
(Trump wakes up with a startle. Melania is asleep at his side. He rubs his face, then gets up and crosses to the window. He opens the drapes and pulls up a chair. He sits and looks out into the night.
Melania awakens. She looks at him)
Melania – What happened?
(He shrugs)
Melania – Another dream?
(He nods)
Melania – Want to talk about it?
(He says nothing. She rises and goes to his side, stands beside him and begins to rub his shoulders)
Trump – I have to make some decisions.
(She kisses the crown of his head)
Melania – Just know that I love you.
Oscar Valdes oscarvaldes.net. also on anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts and buzzsprout.
There are so many countries in our planet, where the very few govern the many. So many countries, even advanced ones, where the very few have found a way to impose their will on the many.
In those instances, something has happened in the many that they were willing to surrender their will.
Hierarchies, natural ones, are needed so things can run better and more is accomplished. They are needed for efficiency.
Knowledge, know how, wealth, power establish hierarchies.
Take a company, for instance. The founder has developed expertise in an area or has invented a product that they have taken to market. When we choose to join that effort we are assigned a place within the hierarchy and we are paid for our work.
It makes sense that the founder get the most of the profits. Without their expertise or product, the company would not have existed. But it is essential that the worker be treated fairly.
If this can be done without unions, so much the better, since unions bring their own hierarchies and bureaucracy. But the fact that unions exist is evidence that often the company’s hierarchies do not deal squarely with the workers.
One of the problems of any hierarchy, be it in business or government, is a gradual tendency for those on top to overrate their own capacity while devaluing that of those beneath them. The more distance between those at the top and those in the lower ranks, the more likely the devaluing.
It happens everywhere. The task is to find ways to prevent it.
One way is to keep an open conversation.
This allows people at any level in the hierarchy to remind others of the role they play within the organization.
When there is a real conversation between those at the top and those beneath them, there is less of a chance of devaluing everyone’s contribution. Even down to the janitorial staff that, working the night shift, ensure that those coming in the morning will find a clean office.
When the conversation between top and bottom is genuine, then there is a sense that everyone’s contribution is acknowledged. And the lesser the likelihood of devaluing to occur.
Open conversation creates the opportunities for people to improve their skills and so aspire to move up the organization as jobs become available.
There is a similarity between the organization of business and the organization of governments.
In totalitarian or autocratic governments, the conversation between the top and the lower ranks is limited or non existent. Conversation understood as a two way exchange, where contrary views can be aired. Conversation understood as free speech.
Today in our world, in some powerful countries, there is none or little conversation between the upper and lower ranks. That is a problem because it shrinks the human spirit.
Those at the top do not want to listen to those at the bottom. The ruling elite has found a way to block the conversation and prefers to punish those who wish to start one.
The ruling elite wants to prevent challenges to its privileges.
But something happens to those who are consistently devalued and not allowed their views to be heard. Something that should have been developed is not. And the longer the suppression of those voices the greater the existential poverty that follows.
Today, China and Russia – Cuba and Venezuela in the Americas – are examples of such damage.
The opportunity to express one’s ideas is essential to the spiritual health of the individual and thus of the nation. It enhances creative possibilities. Not having it is a clear sign of oppression.
Chinese and Russian citizens may find comfort in the economic and military might of their respective countries but without freedom, human beings slowly degrade and contract. They become less than they could otherwise.
Chinese or Russian citizens may be entranced by their leaders but if freedom of speech is not available, they forsake the chance of achieving full development as human beings.
Here in the United States we are going through a difficult period, with opposing sides hardening and little effective effort made to establish a conversation between the two.
Bridges must be built.
Or the poorer our existences will be.
For those interested, Freedom House does an excellent job of mapping the distribution of democracies around the world.
Oscar Valdes. Oscarvaldes.net. Available as a podcast in anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts, buzzsprout.
A few days ago I came across this news item in an Associated Press release.
In Orange City, Fla, while in traffic, a woman driving her vehicle taps a man riding his motorcycle. By his own description there was no damage to him or his bike. But the woman didn’t stop and instead flees the scene.
The man and two witnesses chase her.
She drives to her home, the man and witnesses in tow. She goes inside her home, pulls out a gun and confronts the three men.
The man that had driven the motorbike quickly draws his concealed weapon and kills the woman on the spot.
Just like that. One less person in this world.
Don’t know anything about the woman except that she was in her mid thirties.
Don’t know anything about the man, either, other than his being dexterous with his weapon.
Afterwards he was quoted as saying that he was sorry, but that the woman had pointed a gun at him.
End of story? No.
What’s missing?
A call to the police.
The woman was likely frightened. Surely the motorcyclist and the two witnesses, in following, were able to get the tag of the vehicle. And they could have simply called the police, presented the details and see you in court.
But the right to have the gun on him – concealed – emboldened the motorcyclist. He could take the law into his own hands. With the gun at his side and being skilled at using it – having spent all those hours at the range practicing – he could do it.
What the man didn’t do was spend a few moments thinking of the frailty of human beings, including his.
What the man didn’t do was think of how easily some people can get scared, including himself.
And that the men and women in blue could have been there to mediate and avoid a tragedy.
The woman should have stopped immediately after tapping the man and his bike but she didn’t. Who knows why. And that simple mistake cost her her life.
The story is both scary and sad.
What is it that we are so desperate to defend by owning a concealed weapon?
Surely every person has an answer. But that woman’s mistake didn’t deserve her fate.
The shooter may wish to atone for what he did, for ignoring the complexities of the human being he killed and his own, and for not consulting with the police who could have interceded.
But it’s up to him and his conscience.
And while he debates the matter, I suggest he log on to Gunviolencearchive.org to refresh his ideas. To take a breath and meditate. If only for 5 minutes. That’s all.
In 2020 there were 19,411 willful, malicious or accidental deaths in the US – 39,492 gun related injuries – over 20 thousand suicides.
It’s Americans bleeding. We have to stop this.
Oscarvaldes.net also available in anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts and buzzsprout.
We keep having these pitched battles in and out of court over whether a woman has the right or not to have an abortion.
The embryo is contributed to in equal parts by woman and man, but it is women who have the bodies to carry the fetus to delivery, women who feed and nurture the infant and generally carry the greater burden of caring for a child, though the latter may be slowly changing.
Women, then, should have the greater say in when a pregnancy should proceed or be interrupted. Not men.
The fact that men have had such influence in the fate of a fetus is testimony to the imbalance of power between the sexes. In spite of much progress in equalizing that power, it is still clearly evident in our society.
I propose that there be a national referendum, where American women and only American women vote on when a pregnancy should be terminated.
Men would stay out of it.
Women have as much interest as men in producing the offspring needed to preserve the nation. To think otherwise is to devalue them and not see them as equal partners in the making of our country.
A national referendum on abortion for and by women alone, would likely legalize what is abundantly clear. Women play a greater role than men in the production of our heirs. And to them should belong the right to choose when to make such contribution.
A referendum for and by women to make that decision is no guarantee that they will choose to have the right to end a pregnancy. There are religious influences at work on many women urging them to forgo such right. But let women talk to women about that critical decision. Let them have the discussion at length. And let men, whether lay or clergy, stay out of it.
For one reason or another – as demonstrated in the fact that we have yet to elect a woman president – we still don’t trust women to make critical choices. And women may not trust other women, either.
A legally binding referendum for and by women alone, offers the option to reach a national consensus.
And it could be held once again in another five years.
American men need to step up, for the sake of their spouses, their daughters, their sons and themselves.
Women should demand it.
The time is now.
Oscar Valdes. Oscarvaldes.net. also available in anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts and buzzsprout.
The Russian dictator must be having trouble at home because he decides to amass troops on the eastern border with the Ukraine and then claim he must do so because Russia is under threat by the West.
According to Putin, should Ukraine continue to lean toward the West his empire would be vulnerable to invasion.
But who would want to invade Russia? What for? Who wants to go there?
Instead, it is Putin who is a threat to other nations. He aids in the repression of democratic protests in Belarus, supports the Myanmar dictator’s savage repression of his people, joins with Assad to brutalize Syrians, aids the socialist government in Venezuela, which regime is responsible for the largest exodus of people in recent history, six million Venezuelans having sought refuge in neighboring countries with all the attendant pain of dislocation.
Russia may have 4000 nuclear warheads to scare the world, but it is a nation that inspires no one.
And now Putin wants to pressure the West into forbidding that NATO expand its reach to Ukraine and Georgia and demand that no western forces be stationed in Poland or the Baltic countries.
That Putin wants to rebuild the Soviet Union is clear. But those citizens in all those eastern countries formerly in the Soviet Union, have something to say about it. And they don’t want the Russian boot on their throats.
Putin’s dictatorship has held back Russia’s development. He makes every effort to choke the opposition and now has one of their leaders, Alexei Navalny, in prison.
Putin is clearly envious of the West and their ability to be productive, in spite of all our problems. He has been in power since 1999 but cannot get the Russian people to be more productive. This has nothing to do with Russians’ capacities. They are competent people, but for one reason or another, fell under the spell of a man who thinks only of how great he is.
Putin is also envious of China. He wishes he had come up with their way of attracting capital to get their economy moving. But he couldn’t do it. It wasn’t in him.
What is in him is his ability to scheme and invent crises, hoping to profit from them.
Now talks are under way to ease the tensions Putin has created with the threat to invade the Ukraine. But the West should not give in an inch.
Putin’s move gives, in effect, a great opportunity for president Biden to unify the Western alliance which had been frayed by Trump’s shortsighted diplomacy.
Russia’s government, not the people, is an enemy to the West. The Russian people are being diminished in their possibilities by an authoritarian regime that has made their nation less competitive in the world and caused them to fall far behind.
If Putin chooses to invade the Ukraine, then president Biden should follow through with his promise of aiding Ukrainians in defending their nation without sending in American troops.
It would make for a bloody war, for Ukrainians will fiercely resist having to bow to the Russian government.
Freedom has a price. A protracted war in the Ukraine would have the effect of strengthening the anti Putin movement in Russia, hastening his fall.
President Biden and the West must stand firm against Putin and his disregard for humanity, including that of his own people.
Oscar Valdes oscarvaldes.net also available in anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts and buzzprout.
White House – Evening – South Lawn – Three weeks later.
Trump and Melania are walking alongside.
Melania – What was the point of insulting Lebron James, the basketball player?
Trump – It got away from me.
Melania – The man had just helped fund a school for underprivileged children.
Trump – Please stop.
Melania – It is so unbecoming of a President.
They walk in silence.
Melania – And then you keep having those rallies…
Trump – We need to win in November. Both houses. I love my rallies… stirring up their fury…love it… and with every rally I validate them.
Melania – Validate them?
Trump – Sure… that they’ve been treated unfairly, like I have. Clinton’s ‘deplorables’, how could you forget? And by extension, the witch hunt.
Melania – (stopping) By extension?
He stops too.
Melania – Are you linking Hillary and Mueller?
Trump – Put her in jail! they chant, again and again.
Melania – Russian talk about their having damaging emails on Hillary started the investigation… but Mueller’s probe is not about Hillary’s campaign, it’s about yours… and if you link them to stir up your base, then you’re guilty of manipulating their admiration for you and should be ashamed of yourself. Hillary is one thing, the probe quite another… which your own attorney general recused himself from overseeing… and you can’t stop badgering him for… which smells of a clear intent to cover up.
He looks at her, then lowers his head as he pinches the base of his nose.
Trump – (calmly but with an edge to his voice) It’s a witch hunt… a rigged witch hunt… and neither I nor anyone working on my instructions obstructed justice. That’s all you need to know.
Melania – No, it’s not. And you’re not brushing me off.
They stand glaring at each other.
Trump – So I’m guilty?
Melania – You’re acting like it.
Trump – (Irritated) Why don’t you go back to New York and leave me alone?
Melania – I’m staying right here. I am your wife and there’s something wrong with you. And I’m not about to abandon ship.
He shakes his head slowly.
Melania – And now you’ve started to have those bad dreams…
Trump – I’ve only had three or four…
Melania – How about seven or eight?
Trump – They’re not coming back, I know that.
Melania – You have no control over them.
Trump – Yes, I do.
Melania – What are the dreams about?
Trump – I can’t remember anything.
Melania – Then how the heck can you have control over them?
Trump – I just do.
Melania – Nonsense.
Trump – (angrily) You are not inside my mind! I do not remember my dreams, okay? I do not.
Melania – Then you can’t have control over them.
Trump – Yes, I can.
Melania – How?
Trump – Because after every rally, after I vent my frustrations, I go for at least two or three nights without any nightmares.
Melania – So you’ll need to keep having rally after rally, whipping your base into a rage… so you can sleep better at night… is that it?
Trump – I think they’ll fade.
Melania – You’ll beat down your dreams with the help of your adoring crowds.
Trump – Something like that.
They are quiet for a moment.
Melania – It is madness… pure madness.
Trump – You want me to see a psychiatrist, is that it?
Melania – Why not? You have nothing to lose. You seem unable to reflect on what’s happening even as it’s staring you in the face, even as you’re moving for a head on collision… so maybe… maybe… speaking to someone like that might help you save your presidency.
He just looks at her.
Melania – (gently) Dee… the party won’t do it for you. They’re probably already plotting against you.
Trump – I don’t doubt it, but they won’t get away with it.
She closes in and puts her hands on his shoulders.
Melania – There’s still time to find your higher self… I know it’s in you… reach for it, please… it’s in there. Beneath the hooting and hollering of your adoring crowds… lies a desire for clarity… a yearning for connection with themselves and their fellow human beings… you can lead them there… but you can’t do it if you haven’t found that place in yourself. Do you understand what I’m saying?
He nods uncertainly.
Melania – Doing that… is more important than your presidency.
Trump – (softly, incredulously) What?
Melania – You owe your base complete honesty… they brought you this far… it’s been an incredible ride… you never imagined it would be this rich… they made you president… but dark clouds have gathered over you and you have to answer with honesty… you owe them that… and what will be, will be. They have been disappointed by others that came before you… don’t join in with those… you have a unique chance to do the right thing… and that would be priceless. And no matter what… I’ll stand by you.
Look at me, do you believe me?
Trump – I don’t know… I’ve cheated on you so many times… disrespected you…
Melania – And still I love you… and believe in you.
She takes his hands in hers and kisses them as she looks up at him.
Melania – Dee… I’m here because of you… I’m not a hostage to this glamour.
Trump – Melania… I appreciate what you’re telling me but it’s going to be okay. I’m making money for my people, that’s what really counts.
Melania – No!
She pulls away brusquely and stalks off a few paces before she pivots to face him again.
Melania – You’re leading a nation, not a company! We need more than money, we need a sense that we care for each other… a sense that we share a truth… that we’re a community!
Because it’s not every man for himself, it can’t be… we can’t be the best we can without family… we can’t be the best we can without schools… we can’t be the best we can without the skills of others… we can’t be the best we can without talking and understanding each other… and you have been failing at that. Do you hear me?
He goes to her and embraces her. After a moment of quiet, they start to sway lightly in each other’s arms.
Melania – You have to find and harness the strength of the entire country, not simply the strength of a part of it.
They pull apart as they face each other and hold hands.
Trump – You don’t think I’m being treated unfairly?
Melania – I do not. The Mueller probe is an effort to preserve the nation. You need to respect that.
Trump – I didn’t collude… but maybe… Russia’s interference did throw the election my way.
She looks at him.
Trump – I have to allow for that possibility.
Melania – Did you obstruct justice?
Trump – I did not.
She closes her eyes for a moment.
Melania – If you could say that in public…
Trump – I’ve been saying that I didn’t collude…
Melania – No, the part about you now believing that Russian interference did influence the election in your favor… and that if not, maybe Hillary would’ve been elected.
Trump – What difference would that make?
Melania – A huge difference.
Trump – Even if it can’t be proved?
Melania – Even so. Just that statement would give the nation a sense that we prize fairness… and that you, as our leader, values it most of all… and it would remind us all of how egregious has been the action of another nation to violate our sovereignty, and how we must pull together to defend ourselves and our way of life… and to impose whatever sanctions are needed to put an immediate halt to that kind of interference.
Trump – But I would be putting my legitimacy in question…
Melania – Your legitimacy has been in question… but in the absence of proof you could not be removed from office, and you would have the rest of your term to strengthen us as a country.
Trump – It would raise the likelihood of impeachment…
Melania – Not if you have nothing to hide.
Trump – They could come up with fake evidence…
Melania – That’s your paranoia talking. You have to check that. In the end… if impeachment comes… you have to trust that your own sense of fairness will be repaid.
He shakes his head slowly.
Trump – I’m not as trusting as you are.
Melania – I’ll stand by you.
She takes him by the hand and they walk off toward the White House.
Oscarvaldes.net. also available in anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts and buzzsprout.
Nations divided are stories of misunderstandings and pain. The Ukraine is another example.
Supported by Putin, separatists in the Eastern section have chosen violence to settle their differences and the Russian dictator has been very glad to encourage them.
It fits well with his plan to rebuild the Soviet Union.
But Ukraine should be left for Ukrainians to manage.
The previous Russian leaning president, Viktor Yanukovych, was deposed by popular protests in 2014 and fled to Russia. Now Putin has been amassing troops in the Eastern border and threatens to invade and take over the entire nation. He speaks of common historical bonds between the two countries going back centuries.
That may be so but for one reason or another, the Ukraine constituted itself as a nation and that needs to be respected. Their future should be decided by Ukrainians, not by Russians or Americans.
During the American Civil War there was a huge cost in lives (estimated to have been approximately 1.5 million, a figure that combines casualties from combat and from diseases). Lamentably, there was no effective dialogue between the contending parties to prevent that war.
Does the world need to see another country hemorrhaging its resources? Do we not have enough today with Yemen and Somalia and Syria and Myanmar, Cuba and Venezuela?
Can the world not press hard for a dialogue between feuding Ukrainians, without outside interference from any nation?
How come the Russian people remain in the grip of a man like Putin? Yes, there is a budding internal opposition, but it has yet to gather enough force because the majority are unwilling to openly dissent and choose freedom instead. Today, when it is clear to all the importance of interaction and freedom of thought for individuals to realize their potential, Russians are still choosing to not openly challenge their oppressive government, thus allowing themselves to be misled by a tyrant.
Russians have enormous possibilities as a people, but they have not been willing to claim them. And until they do, they will remain a lesser nation. Regardless of the 4000 nuclear warheads they keep and their capacity to set off a war that would do untold damage to the world.
Russia, with a population of 144 million compared to Germany’s 84 million, falls far below the German economy which has a GDP approximately 2 trillion greater. Even though Russia is far richer in oil and gas. The difference is clearly attributable to the stymying of the people’s opportunities by their political system.
With that history, what kind of example is Russia to Ukraine?
And yet, Putin now wants to invade the nation. He speaks of fearing an attack from the West. But it’s all fiction. The West has no interest in invading Russia. What for?
The talk that he needs to strengthen his borders is talk of a calculating and paranoid man justifying his oppressive hold on his people. He’s been in power since 1999 and a recent referendum makes it possible for him to remain in his post until 2036.
It is up to the Russian people to challenge Putin for he is preventing their full development.
The conquest of Ukraine, his clear intention, counts as another stop in his dream of rebuilding the Soviet Union, an example of economic backwardness.
But the world should say no. Russians should say no.
The world should speak strongly in favor of letting Ukraine’s fate be decided by Ukrainians.
If they are left alone, they may well come to some kind of agreement. Maybe they’ll want to partition the country to avoid bloodshed. Maybe not. But they are entitled to decide their fate without external interference from anyone, Russia or America.
If they choose to partition, this much will be clear with the passing of time. A Ukraine divided into two sections, the Western and the Eastern, will soon enough replicate what happened in Germany at the end of WWII. The Western side will blossom and the Eastern one will atrophy.
Democracy in the West will stir in the people a desire for accomplishment that will be lacking in the East. And soon enough, those in the East, will choose to vote with their feet – as my dear father and namesake used to say – risking their lives to migrate to the West in search of a better life.
Putin, with his grandiosity and deception, has no interest in leaving the fate of Ukraine to their people.
So this is the time for the rest of the world to speak up forcibly.
Oscar Valdes. Oscarvaldes.net. also available in anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts and buzzsprout.
Trump goes in and sits at his desk. He pushes back on his chair and puts his feet up.
Trump – Annoying as it is sometimes, it’s useful to hear that liberal point of view. Not that she doesn’t have some good ideas. What I said about American women giving me a free pass, at least the ones in my base, that’s true. And I got in. Love them.
How did Melania put it?
Something about women feeling suppressed for so long that they could not bring themselves to choose one of their own. Interesting how that view doesn’t get any press… wonder why?
Maybe their less suppressed sisters being nice and tolerant.
He laughs.
Madeline Albright came up with that line that women who didn’t vote for Hillary deserved a place in Hell. Got you, babe.
The women in my base were being pragmatic… that’s what it was… they knew that what I brought to the table was far more important than my peccadilloes.
He pauses, then glances over his shoulder at the portrait of Andrew Jackson.
What say you, Stonewall?
He gets up and goes to stand in front of the portrait.
Trump (speaking to Jackson) – You held back the British in New Orleans and I will hold back immigration. Stonewall they nicknamed you, and surely they’ll come up with something for me, something to immortalize me… because the Wall goes, brother, I promise you that.
Jackson winks back at him.
Chapter 9
Park in Washington DC. Early Evening.
A middle aged man and a woman, walking side by side, approach an empty bench.
They both wear business suits. They sit, both take out their phones, turn them off and place them between them.
Man – You can smell blood, can’t you?
Woman – There’s that scent.
Man – If we win both Houses we’ll have a chance to impeach him.
Woman – Manafort, Cohen, Gates… the dominoes are falling.
Man – Man going down and he can’t stop himself. How many times have we seen it?
Woman – He made his choices… now he’s got to live with them.
Man – We’ve got to win in November.
Woman – Have to pull all the stops. You think he colluded?
Man – I didn’t think so but, since Helsinki I’ve changed my mind.
A Man with a child in a stroller go by.
Man – Russians want him in… so there’s going to be a massive effort to support him.
Woman – What would you do?
Man – My take… go straight to the people sitting on the fence, tell them, ‘this is who your leader is. A vote against Trump is a vote against Russia’s interference, a vote against Trump is a vote for a sovereign America.’
Woman – You’d concede the base…?
Man – Pretty much. Run the video clip of Helsinki… ‘if he can’t stand up to Putin, will he stand up for you? Brand him an appeaser.’
Woman – ‘Hey John Voter, wake up buddy! Trump’s doing a number on you. He’s given you a platform to rant and rave but who’s listening? You’re going nowhere with the hooting and hollering. He’s cranking you up but where are you headed?’
Man – Go check out the Wall.
Woman – Right.
Man – Where are the programs to get you up to speed with the global economy? Where is the education you need?
Woman – Basic stuff.
They look at each other.
Man – The Street loves him.
Woman – Sure, they got their tax cut and deregulations.
Man – The economy is going strong… can’t take that away from him. You and I are worked up about him but people like to hear that jingle in their pocket… and may be willing to look the other way.
Woman – True.
A young couple in love saunters by.
The Man and the Woman glance at each other and smile.
Man – How’d we get here?
Woman – The debates. Not a single one of them stood up to Trump. Not a single one took him to task. Clinton should’ve made mincemeat out of him but she didn’t. And that was it.
Man – Comey put the last shovel full of dirt on her.
Woman – Unbelievable.
Man (singing) – What a difference a day makes… 24 little hours…
Woman – It’s sad.
Man – Well, it’s payback time. There’s a lot of angry women running for office.
Woman – And they should.
An elderly, frail looking woman walks past with the aid of a cane. She limps a little.
Chapter 10
Trump walks into a large room in the Kremlin. In the center, Vladimir Putin is sitting facing a small table with two bottles of water and an extra chair. Putin now rises to greet the advancing Trump. The two men shake hands. Putin signals for Trump to take a seat. He does.
There are no translators.
Trump – Glad you could make it.
Putin – For you, anytime.
Trump – Thanks
Putin – What can I do for you?
Trump – I’ll get straight to the point.
Putin – Please.
Trump – You interfered with our election in 2016.
Putin – I did.
Trump is surprised.
Trump – You have been denying it all this time.
Putin – We were in public. In private it’s a different matter. That’s the beauty of meeting alone.
Putin smiles.
Trump – You can’t do that.
Putin – I did it.
Trump – Why?
Putin – It was wide open. Low lying fruit, as you Americans say. How could I resist? I’m an old KGB hand. You’re not exactly new to intrigue but, next to me, you’re a newbie.
Trump is disconcerted.
Putin – Look at it this way… real wars are bloody and painful. We both have a long history of it. In WWII alone, Mother Russia lost 20 million people. Hard to imagine, isn’t it? Your country has never suffered a loss of that magnitude. Of course, we would do it again if we needed to, but cyberwarfare is so much cleaner. And more effective.
Trump – What are you after?
Putin smiles warmly.
Trump (pressing) – What are you after?
Putin – Don’t you know?
Trump (impatiently) – I am asking.
Putin – The American mind.
Trump stares at Putin.
Trump (emphatically) – You can’t have it!
Putin nods thoughtfully.
Putin – My cyber warriors will see to it… and I can’t be stopped.
Trump – Can’t be stopped?
Putin – Historical forces beyond my control, and yours, have been set in motion. Believe me, we’re mere pawns.
Trump – Pawns?
Putin – There’s two sides to your famous America, one side that wants education and fairness of opportunity… so the motivated and capable can climb up the ladder… and another side, sitting on top, that wants to knock down the ladder… so no one but their favorites will follow. So you fluctuate between being a meritocracy… very honorable… and a nepotocracy.
Trump – Nepotocracy?
Putin – Ring a bell?
Trump – What?
Putin – That’s the side you and I are with.
Trump rises abruptly.
Trump – I’m not listening to this. I’m leaving.
He turns and stalks to the door. But he finds the door locked and he can’t open it.
Trump – Let me out!
He slams his fist on the door but there’s no response.
Putin, unconcerned with Trump’s pleas but affecting a sympathetic air, rises and takes a few steps toward him.
Putin – Please listen. This is the most important part. The two sides of the American mind have tried to dialogue… and sometimes they’ve succeeded… and when they have the American mind has been brilliant… like in battling the Depression during the 1930s… and in WWII… and the Marshall Plan afterwards… but at other times you’ve been a disaster… like in dealing with racism.
Trump advances toward Putin with determined step and the two men come face to face.
Trump – We defeated you in the Cold War. Our economy left you behind!
Putin – Yes, you did. You crushed us. You were the victor. I accept it.
Trump – Thank you.
Putin (a hint of sadness in his eyes) – My dear and beautiful Soviet Union… broken up into pieces. It was very sad and painful to see it happen. And the whole world stood witness.
Putin turns around and returns to his seat. He resumes speaking, now and then glancing up at Trump who remains standing near him.
Putin – That was the American mind at work… the American mind that does science… and art… and the humanities… the mind that is intoxicated with the pursuit of riches… any and all types of riches… the mind that takes on any challenge… the cradle of Intel and IBM and Boeing and Northrop… and the miracles in food production and medicine… and MIT and JPL… and Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Tesla and Hollywood… the insatiable American mind that wants to dominate and transform the world… devour us all… to impose your culture…
Putin is looking Trump in the eye.
Putin – … The insatiable mind that seduces talent from everywhere…. from Russia too… my dear Russia… immigrants flocking to your country lured by your way of life. Believe me, we lament their leaving… and most of all, lament that they don’t return. Your gains, my dear sir… and our losses.
Trump narrows his eyes, warily.
Putin – Who knows what would’ve happened if Sergey hadn’t left…
Trump – Sergey?
Putin – Sergey Brin. The cofounder of Google, born right here in Moscow.
Trump – He got out. He went to Stanford.
Putin (smiling slyly) – It will take time, of course, but we will do it…
Trump – Do what?
Putin – … with great stealth…
Trump – What?
Putin – … my cyberwarriors will work to steadily erode your values… but it’s for the good of the world, you must understand… so that we create a level playing field… because you’re too much out in front… and the cyberwarriors will do so by targeting your culture… accentuating your differences… minimizing your similarities… so your dialogue will be impoverished… degraded… and finally stopped.
Putin pauses.
Trump – Stop our dialogue?
Putin – The pearl that lies at the center of it all… the light that when shining shows you the way. When it goes out, for it will, I will rejoice as I never have.
Trump – I won’t let you.
Putin – In the chaos that will follow, in the darkness… your people will clamor for autocracy… a wonderful system… vastly underrated… a system where the majority rules… and minorities learn to live with it… suck it up… as you’re fond of saying.
Trump (to himself, as if considering the possibility) – A world where the autocrat is the light…
Putin – Yes! Brilliant! Oh, dear man, you’re so much like me… that’s why I like you so… that’s why we’re so fond of each other. Every time you cry out, ‘Fake News!’, my heart leaps with joy.
Trump – It does?
Putin – Yes! Believe me, I’m rooting for you to succeed. You have my full backing.
Putin – Donald, please… I am eager to learn from you, I tape all your rallies.
Trump – You tape my rallies?
Putin – Yes, so I can study them and learn to work a crowd, learn to please it, to excite it, for you are the master, the one and only… oh, how I wish I had your gifts!
Trump (moved) – I am very good.
Putin – An artist.
Trump – Thank you. Did you know I have a star in Hollywood’s Walk of Fame?
Putin – Of course I know. They should add a statue.
Trump frowns, suspicion growing again.
Putin – I owe you more than you owe me.
Trump – I owe you?
Putin – It’s nothing… nothing compared to what you give us, and are giving us…by your example… every day… how you rose from nothing…
Trump – Nothing?
Putin – I mean, from being a distinguished hotelier and shrewd judge of character… Manafort and Gates aside… to beating and smashing the Clinton machine.
Trump – Thank you.
Putin – You’re most welcome. And I’m so sorry, we tried to get you the popular vote, we really did… but it was not possible. I know you wanted it badly. I’m so sorry.
Trump explodes with anger.
Trump – What? How dare you? You did not win me the election! American women did!
Putin – There’s no need to get upset. We will do much better next time, I assure you. We’re already working on it, improving our techniques.
Trump (loudly) – You will not interfere with our elections, do you hear me?
Putin (rising, stepping up to Trump) – Please lower your voice. For your own good, Donald. You’re overweight and out of shape… and I wouldn’t want you to have a heart attack. I’m serious. You’re too valuable an asset.
Trump – Asset?
Fuming, yet controlling his rage, Trump paces off for a stretch, then turns to face Putin again.
Trump – Are we being recorded?
Putin – I record all my conversations.
Trump is incredulous.
Putin – For history’s sake, believe me, because we’re on the right side of history, you and I, don’t you ever doubt it. Would you like a glass of cider, a bit of caviar?
Trump – No!
Putin – Calm down, it will be all right.
Trump stares angrily at Putin.
Putin – We need to be composed when we step out for the press conference,
Trump (panicking) – Press conference?
White House – Bedroom
Abruptly, Trump sits up in his bed, confused and agitated.
Trump (crying out) – Helsinki! Helsinki!
Melania is by his side, holding him.
Melania – You’re here, you’re not in Helsinki! Dee, you’re here with me, in our bedroom!
He gives a shudder and turns to face her.
Trump – What happened?
Melania – It must’ve been a bad dream.
Trump – A dream?
Melania – You’ve been shouting Helsinki! Helsinki!
Trump – A dream… yes… thank god… but it was so real.
Melania – What happened?
Trump – What else did I say?
Melania – Just that.
He falls back down on his bed, immensely relieved, face sweaty with perspiration.
Trump – I didn’t say anything else?
Melania – No, just Helsinki.
She gets up, puts her robe on and crosses to sit at his side. She holds his face in her hands and kisses him.
Melania – I’m so sorry. Why don’t you talk about it?
Trump – I can’t remember anything… did you hear anything else?
Melania – No. Just Helsinki.
He sighs, shakes his head, the expression still strained. He looks at her and takes her hands in his and kisses them.
Trump – Wow. I felt so alone.
Melania – Talk about what you remember, maybe the whole dream will come back.
Trump – I can’t remember anything. What time is it?
Melania – 5 A.M.
Trump – Might as well get up, then.
He does and walks to the table adjacent where he takes a seat, his worries weighing on him.
Melania – What a coincidence…
Trump – What?
Melania – Helsinki is 7 hours ahead… the dream happened about the same time you held that news conference on July 16th.
Trump looks at her, baffled.
Oscar Valdes. Oscarvaldes.net.
also available in anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts and buzzsprout.
Oscar Valdes 