A Whole New World #319
By Hank Silverberg
So here we are in the world according to Trump. Take everything you know about political compromise and common sense rational government and throw it out the window. For the next two years at least we are in for a roller coaster of Executive Orders, rubber stamps from a Republican controlled congress and loud futility from the Democrats.
Critics are already saying Trump moved it indoors so he would not have an assessment of the crowd size but its more likely the "leader" himself didn't want to stand in the cold. At 78 he does not have the vigor of Kennedy, who was 44 when he was sworn in. And yes, it's been confirmed, the decision was made by Trump himself.
Some have said it was for security reasons, but I doubt that. Security is very tight at such events.
Whatever the reason, the pomp is gone and circumstances are suspect.
But we now live in Trumpland and EVERYTHING is suspect.
How Mr. Trump handles the ceasefire in Gaza will be interesting. He will take credit for it if it works, but blame Biden, if it doesn't, just like he did with the Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021. How he deals with Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine could be dangerous to the whole world and his dealings with China may be alarming.
I will save his attacks on the media for a later blog but they too can be dangerous.
The next four years are as unpredictable and as variable as a winning lottery ticket.
But one thing is clear. We have a convicted felon in the White House who rarely shows any common sense, is vindictive and vengeful towards anyone who criticizes or opposes him, and has surrounded himself with yes men and women, many of whom are unqualified for the jobs he has given them. (Pete Hegseth at Defense, Tulsi Gabbard as DNI and Kash Patel at the Justice Department are downright scary.)
It is going to be a long, tense four years. But we can survive if everyone keeps their eyes ahead and do not become sheepish. And remember, balance can be restored with the 2026 midterm elections where the Democrats can regain control of Congress. That's if the fractured Democratic party can unify, which is always a problem.
News You May Have Missed!
100 Executive Orders
Donald Trump's list of Executive orders in his first week are being described by some as "shock and Awe".
These will be commands to bureaucracies to change their ways of doing things. The orders will
bypass congress and undo many of President Biden's policies on everything from climate change to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
Here's just a few of them reported by USA Today
Trump will revive Title 42 that allows for the quick
expulsion of asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Covid-era policy was ended in 2023.
Ending Birthright citizenship which says anyone born in the U.S. is automatically an American citizen. Trump could run into the 14th Amendment on this one. The amendment, passed after the Civil War, guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the U.S. If he does run into the Constitution, Trump is promising to seek an amendment. (That would require support from two thirds of Congress and then two thirds of state legislatures which is a very unlikely probability)
Restarting the Border wall construction. There are 452 miles of barriers along the 1,954 mile border between the U.S. and Mexico. Only 40 miles of that were actually built in Trump's first term. The wall is expensive and time consuming and totally ineffective at stopping illegal immigration, but that won't stop him from pushing it again.
Tariffs
You have heard a lot about the tariffs Trump has proposed. On day one he may impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico and 10% on China. If that happens you will see prices on many goods skyrocket within weeks.
Tik Tok
The ban approved by Congress, because of national security concerns, and upheld by the Supreme Court, has taken effect. Trump will issue an executive order to bring it back for a while until it can be sold to an American company even though he had earlier called for the ban.
Drill Baby Drill
Trump will issue a series of executive actions on oil and gas production. For example overturning Biden's recent ban on offshore drilling on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. And he wants to reopen drilling for oil in Alaska's pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
That's just a sample, there are many more E O's to come. Executive Orders are sometimes challenged in court because there are limits on Presidential power. We shall see how much power this administration thinks it can swing and how the conservative Supreme Court handles the legal challenges.
'Shock and awe': Trump plans 100 immediate executive actions. Here's what could be coming.
Bring Your Parent To A Job Interview?
No, this is not satire. This information is a few months old but it's still noteworthy. A survey of 1,428 Gen-Zers found that 70% of them had asked their parents for help with their job search. Okay, not a big deal.
But 26% brought their parent to an interview and 16% had their parents submit job applications for them. One in ten had their parents write their resume.
Of the 26% who said the took their parents to the job interview , 29% had their parents sit in on the interview. It gets worse, 18% say their parents introduced themselves to the manager of the office and 7% said their parents answered questions during the interview.
If you read the article in the link below you will see some experts say all this may alleviate stress and anxiety in the job search.
It apparently pays off for some. According to the survey 83% of recently employed respondents attributed their success to their parents help.
But here is a question -- if you can't handle the stress of the application process and the interview, how are you going to handle the job?
Study finds some Gen Zers are bringing their parents to job interviews
Dumbest Quote of the Week!
This week's dumb quote comes from billionaire Elon Musk who tweeted again that:
"population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilization than global warming".
Sorry Elon. Population increases are exacerbating Climate Change. More people, more demand for food, power, and consumer goods which all adds up to more pollution and more factors leading to climate change. It's common sense. (I sincerely hope that pointing out this dumb quote doesn't get me kicked off X).
Review
Finally, this week I will share with you one of the reviews of the my novel noted below. Ordering instructions are also below.
Title: The Campaign
Author: Hank Silverberg
ISBN: 978-1647532185
Pages: 402
Genre: Political Thriller
Reviewer: Aaron Washington
The Campaign by Hank Silverberg: A Gripping Political Thriller
Hank Silverberg’s The Campaign is a page-turner that dives deep into the high-stakes world of American politics, offering a story that’s as thrilling as it is thought-provoking. With sharp writing and a cast of richly drawn characters, Silverberg delivers a novel that feels both timely and timeless.
At the center of it all is President Andrew Freeman, a man wrestling with the weight of his decisions. War in the Middle East drags on, his approval ratings are slipping, and the looming specter of re-election demands his attention. Freeman is not your typical political hero—he’s flawed, relatable, and painfully human. Through his eyes, we see the isolation of power and the strain it puts on those who hold it.
But The Campaign isn’t just about Freeman. Silverberg gives us a broad cast of characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. Congressman Joe Bennett emerges as a firebrand with big ambitions, while Ishmael, a vengeful terrorist, plots an attack that could alter the course of history. And then there’s John Conner, the charismatic news anchor who blurs the lines between reporting the news and being part of it. Each character adds depth and tension, creating a narrative that’s as complex as the political landscape it explores.
One of the standout themes in The Campaign is the role of media. In an era where public perception can shift with a single headline, the power of the press feels palpable in every scene. Conner’s relationship with Freeman, shaped by years of personal and professional history, captures the uneasy dance between journalists and politicians. It’s a dynamic that feels all too real in today’s world.
Silverberg’s writing is cinematic, pulling you into each scene with vivid descriptions and authentic dialogue. You can practically hear the hum of newsrooms, feel the tension in backroom meetings, and imagine the flash of cameras as the story unfolds. The pacing is spot on—balancing introspection with action—and the twists come just when you think you’ve figured it all out.
If you’re a fan of shows like The West Wing or novels by Robert Harris, you’ll feel right at home with The Campaign. But even if political dramas aren’t your usual fare, the human stories at the heart of this book will draw you in. It’s not just about elections and international conflict; it’s about ambition, sacrifice, and the personal cost of leadership.
In The Campaign, Hank Silverberg doesn’t just tell a story—he holds up a mirror to the complexities of modern politics and asks us to reflect. It’s engaging, thought-provoking, and absolutely worth your time
(You suggestions and comments are welcome)
My recent book "The Campaign" can be purchased at the links below. Or you can buy a copy by emailing me at: HankSilverberg@gmail.com for instructions on how to get a copy at a reduced price and with my signature)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084Q7K6M5/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-campaign-hank-silverberg/1126429796
My NEWEST book is now available. It is designed for use in Public Speaking and entry level communications classes.
Comments
Post a Comment
Reactive comments are welcome. Please keep it civil. Any direct attack on the blogger or those who post is not welcome and will be deleted.