The White
House and
Shakespeare
"WHAT a mess. Dowd shrugged his shoulders at the waste of time, but he saw the full nightmare. It was quite a sight seeing the president of the United States fuming like some aggrieved Shakespearean king … Trump finally came down from the ceiling …"
This was John Dowd, President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, rehearsing some questions as they decided whether or not Trump should give evidence before the Mueller inquiry into alleged collusion with Russia. He blew up and lost it on Question 3.
Dowd was to later tell him: "Don't testify. It's either that or an orange jump suit …"
This is from Bob Woodward's book, Fear: Trump in the White House (Simon & Schuster). The title comes from a campaign trail quote by Trump himself: "Real power is – I don't even want to use the word – fear". When you consider that this aggrieved Shakespearean king has at his disposal the world's greatest nuclear arsenal, fear is the operative word.
Woodward – who co-wrote All the President's Men, on the fall of Richard Nixon – uses the technique of "deep background" interviews with figures close to the story – then checking with others close to it. If their accounts coincide, he publishes without naming sources. All is carefully recorded and annotated, then lodged – including source names - with a university for release at a future date. His credibility is difficult to shake.
It's an alarming account of senior White House staff stealing from Trump's desk documents that, if signed and followed through with, could have devastating strategic and economic consequences. Almost as alarming is that Trump does not realise they are gone. It's an account also of a conflict between White House advisers who are economic flat-earthers and those who are economic globalists. The former prevailed – hence the looming trade war with China.
The mid-term elections last week have produced for the aggrieved Shakespearean king a new set of this time troublesome courtiers in the House of Representatives. His bizarre "victory lap" media conference, having just lost the House, ought to provide Woodward with another chapter. Not to mention what looks like an attempt to close down the Mueller inquiry.
Hoo boy! Fasten your seatbelts! Whoever you are, wherever you are!
WE controlled the game against the All Blacks and should've beaten them. We controlled the game against England and should've beaten them. We were indifferent against France – yet beat them. A funny old game is rugby.
But boy, what drama in extra time! That touch flag a fraction before the final hooter. That disallowed try of ours. Penalties, kicks into the corner, everything last gasp, extra time stretching on and on impossibly. If you scripted this, they'd say you're mad.
But just as well we somehow did it. Three defeats in a row would have wrecked the Boks' morale, it would have looked like a jinx.
Tails in the air! Scotland next week. Then Wales (who beat Australia). The jinx is lifted. The guys can relax and play their natural game.
Meanwhile, England came so close against the All Blacks. That was an absolute cliffhanger. The Kiwis are on borrowed time. Just watch Ireland this coming weekend. That will be another humdinger.
These autumn matches in the northern hemisphere are certainly shaking things out as the World Cup approaches.
Tailpiece
PHARMACIST: "I'm afraid you need a prescription for arsenic. A photo of your mother-in-law is just not enough."
Last word
Every nation ridicules other nations, and all are right.
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