“THE FUTURE IS NOW”
Astrology forecast: this horoscope is for next week. To read the present week’s column, scroll down to “RECENT POSTS” on the right margin, and click on May 6, 2018.
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My email: suningem@gmail.com
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“NO DOUBT THE UNIVERSE IS UNFOLDING AS IT SHOULD.” ~ Desiderata
START NOTHING: 11:05 am to 11:15 am Sun., 1:30 pm to 1:43 pm Tues., 11:18 am to 2:47 pm Thurs., and 2:14 pm to 4:11 pm Sat.
PREAMBLE: A pretty short one. There is an AFTERAMBLE, though.
Notice how the “Start Nothing” (“S.N.”) periods on Sunday and Tues. are only 10 and 13 minutes long? Sounds short, good, you say, but — we should (unless circumstances force us) avoid starting anything for the first 2 hours after any “S.N.” period ENDS. This is because the Moon is only in the first degree of the new sign for the 2 hours following an S.N. Astrologers say this position of the moon is “not radical,” meaning it has not had time to root itself in the new sign, to acclimatize itself and start growing new things. Acting too early after the S.N. is like planting your seeds too early, when the air’s too cold — the plants stunt, stay small and weak. Actually, most astrologers would advise waiting 5, even 6 hours after the S.N., before launching any new project.
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May 14-16 might spark a minor new war somewhere, or a stunning disaster. Hawaii and the eastern Canada floods were the first of this series, and mid-May’s disruption might mark the end. (Likelihood? 50-50.) (NOTE, inserted MAY 12: Iran’s bombing of Israel, and Israel’s subsequent bombing of Iran’s army, is of this influence — not mentioned earlier because it occurred after this post was written.) (Also, the relevant aspect, Mars square Uranus, tends to affect a week or two surrounding its May 15 peak. I was trying to get too cute, saying May 14-16.)
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If the latest spaceship sent to Mars has any “important actions” around May 15, it might crash, explode, etc. — or make a startling discovery.
WEEKLY FORECASTS:
ARIES: March 21-April 19
Continue to chase money, cultivate clients, campaign for a pay raise, and/or seek to purchase bargains. Your sensual side remains strong, your memory too. These themes rise to a peak Sun. noon (PDT) to midday Tues. Your best opportunities in these money and sexual zones occur Mon. to 1 pm Tues. Two significant phenomena occur this week: 1) your money zone “electrifies” now to 2026, bringing surprises and opportunities and tying your income to social contacts (read “Uranus” in “PLATFORMS”); and 2) Mars, your planet, enters Aquarius, bringing a beautiful social trend until mid-August, and again mid-September to mid-November. This sounds great, but a disruption — anything from a “friendly surprise” to a cataclysm — can occur in just these areas mid-week (Tuesday to Thursday). As these few days also emphasize short trips, calls, written missives and visits, that disruption could get a lot of “press” (or gossip). Drive carefully, especially Wednesday. Steer toward home (at least in your heart, mind) mid-afternoon Thurs. to late afternoon Sat. Friday daytime’s best — a wand of success touches the career, money, and intimate sides of your life. Saturday could grow argumentative, after a tense hour or two.
TAURUS: April 20-May 20
It’s your last week of romance, winnings, and strong creativity — so indulge these, enjoy them. Read URANUS in “PLATFORMS” (above) — that trend begins this week, and it might start with a bang involving your personality and your career or standing/reputation. Lie low Sunday morning: rest, sleep. From just before noon (PDT) to early afternoon Tues., your energy and charisma soar. Be a leader, propose action, get out, see and be seen. A superb opportunity nestles in Mon.’s second half — you might not have to chase it — the person offering it might even approach you. Involves finances, relocation or dealing with the public, and/or a sexual attraction. A legal, travel, educational or similar matter ends well (maybe very well) Tues. Chase money, make purchases, Tues. afternoon to Thurs. afternoon — or, rather, avoid doing both until Wed. evening to Thurs. morning, when affection and money luck bless you. Midweek might bring a disruption or swift action involving your ambitions. Whether large or small, this “surprise” has legs, launches 7 to 8 years of new ambitions, and the need for relaxation/ exercise. Errands, visits, short trips, paperwork and casual contacts fill Thurs. late afternoon to Sat. eve. All goes well until Fri. suppertime — call friends, lovers Fri. Saturday isn’t so easy — the pm brings a bit of disruption, perhaps argument. Diplomacy best.
GEMINI: May 21-June 20
You’re still a bit weary, would rather rest, dream and plan than plunge into action — especially actions that are hard work, or “must succeed”. This trend reaches a peak (or the lowest depth) Sun. afternoon to about 2 pm (PDT) Tues. Be thoughtful, respond to kindness (for you’ll receive some) be spiritual and charitable. This whole area (background, solitude, quietude, contemplation and working with management or gov’t) fills with a new energy (initially an explosive one) midweek, just as your vitality and effectiveness rise to a temporary peak (Tues. afternoon to Thurs. afternoon). From here forward, for 7+ years, much of your intellectual, media, far travel and cultural concerns will scoot into a more private, quiet, even hidden phase. For example, if you’re a writer, you might shunt into editing or working in a publishing management office. Read the URANUS article in PLATFORMS (or the April 29 column) for more clues. Your legal enemies, if they exist, will lurk out of sight, and work with “bureaucratic vengeance”. (Through mid-November, DON’T gleefully plunge into legal things — avoid everything here if you can. One exception: you might join forces with a Taurus in a successful “campaign”.) Something might “break wide open” mid-week. But all’s well that ends well, and someone’s love for you, or a romantic notion, “heals you” by Thurs. morn. Chase money, buy/sell, Thurs. afternoon to Sat. eve. Work and money make a profitable combo Thurs./Fri. — do you notice a “management trend” in this? Caution Sat. pm — disruption, anger possible.
CANCER: June 21-July 22
Your bout of happiness and joie de vivre continues, even rises! (Sun. noon to Tues. afternoon.) But this is the last week of “fun” for awhile, so enjoy it. Early week brings friends, light flirtations/romance, hopes and wishes, optimism and entertainment. This area is about to be lit up or “electrified” (and a bit stressful) mid-week to the year 2026. You might, for 7+ years, invest your hopes in a sexual temptation (e.g., extra-marital affair) — far better results if you invest them (hopes) in research, financial or health zones. (For more clues, read URANUS in PLATFORMS above.) Mid-week could confront you with a sudden, unexpected change or challenge — involves your status/career, and important relationship(s). And holds clues to the “way forward” now to 2026. Your energy and charisma decline slightly Tues. afternoon to Thurs. afternoon. (Just as this unexpected snafu or disruption occurs.) Wait until Wed. night before you take off your defensive armour — Thurs. morning holds sweet “recuperation”. Your energy and charisma soar mid-afternoon Thurs. to late afternoon Sat. A love affair or “pre-marriage” link or a business partnership might begin or take another step forward. Friday’s best: social, intellectual and romantic vibes line up to please you! Careful Sat. eve/night — accident potential high.
LEO: July 23-Aug. 22
The accent remains on prestige relations, career, worldly standing, ambitions, dealings with authorities, parents, bosses, etc. This is the last week of this — next week starts a month of joy and big horizons! Meanwhile, follow safety precautions Sun. morning. By 11 am (PDT) to afternoon Tues., that career, prestige, ambition influence kicks in stronger than ever — plunge in, luck supports you. (You might move into/buy/rent a more prestigious address.) Midweek brings optimism, flirtations, friends, popularity, and wish fulfillment — and the start of a 7+ year trend that just might fulfill your wishes about career, and could lead to many opportunities, among them business partnerships and “marrying up”. (Read PLATFORMS, URANUS [at the top of page] for Leo, for more clues.) This long trend could begin explosively (Wednesday?) as six months of intense relationships also begin. Note: a sudden huge attraction, if it occurs now, will be extremely volatile. You have a choice now to November: chase someone, and even end up married (or partnered in a practical situation) or fight someone, and, hopefully, win. The last option is actually better (that “marriage,” if you choose it, will likely end in dead-ends and suffocation). But one wrinkle: you’ll attain better results if you don’t fight someone (especially legally) — hands-off succeeds; fighting draws you into a sticky web. Retreat, rest, contemplate and plan Thurs. afternoon to late afternoon Sat. Don’t force yourself on others. Research, private discussions, sex, investments, and home/family go well, esp. Fri. Your energy and charm return Sat. night, and kick off a month of happy hopes!
VIRGO: Aug. 23-Sept. 22
This is your last week of mellow, compassionate understanding, Virgo. Your intellectual, far travel, legal, cultural and love interests reach a peak Sun. noon (after a mysterious, not-profitable morning) to early afternoon Tues. Plunge in, enter doors — success accompanies communications, ideas, international affairs, travel, romance/sex, marriage, and financial manoeuvres. Your career, neighbourhood standing, prestige relations and general ambitions are highlighted mid-week — problematically until 4 pm (PDT) Wed., then favourably to mid-afternoon Thurs. Tuesday marks a momentous change that will affect your work, health, intellectual progress, legal matters, and love for 7+ years. This might begin with a crisis — a romance breaks up, or a heath affair or employment situation suddenly erupts, etc. In any case, this disruption shatters the past — and its chains. Approach your boss Thurs. morning, not before. You’re ready to celebrate mid-afternoon Thurs. to late afternoon Sat. (so something’s gone right, earlier). Your popularity rises, optimism reigns, and sweet flirtations amuse you. Still, be cautious Sat. pm — little problems/glitches tell you it’s time to withdraw, to rest and think things over (into Monday).
LIBRA: Sept. 23-Oct. 22
This whole week, especially Sun. to Tues. 1 pm (PDT) pulls you into mysteries, deep urges, and heightened intuition. Lust, a desire for power, a need for knowledge, financial and sexual lures — these fill you. This isn’t terrible — it’s lucky as long as you stay on the honest, ethical side. You can make a great investment or reduce debt, young couples can become pregnant. A successful surgery or medical investigation, research rewards, and fruitful lifestyle changes — possible, also. (Best opportunities: Mon. afternoon and Tues. morning/lunch hour.) This entire area (secrets, finances, deep sex, research, et al) is about to enter (Wed.) 7+ years of “excitement” — and it begins with surprise, disruption, perhaps even a sudden change in your romantic situation. (If single, you’ve been contemplating ending a bond for the last couple of months; before you do, contemplate the future — your home looms large as a factor.) (More about the 7 years ahead in PLATFORMS [top of the page] under URANUS.) Any disruption this week will likely involve an Aries or Aquarius (or Taurus)… but long-term, Aries remains beneficial for you. Midweek, despite the stress or surprise just mentioned, covers you with a benevolent blanket of far sight, wisdom and mellow understanding — you might need these! Be ambitious mid-afternoon Thurs. to pre-supper Saturday. Charge ahead on career, prestige fronts, especially Fri. — success might in turn trigger an opening to “big success” — do you risk it? (I would.) Though Sat. eve might spark a bit of argument, your hopes and happiness rise!
SCORPIO: Oct. 23-Nov. 21
The general focus remains on relationships all week, especially from just before noon Sun. (PDT) to just after noon Tues. Go forth, meet and greet, seek new links, new horizons and opportunities. Co-operation and diplomacy will be good tools — but your best will be a sincere interest in someone else’s project/situation. (This hints that you should “aim up” — that is, find a person/group or project that is exciting, alluring, and perhaps has more power than you do.) This entire zone of relations enters a whole new phase Wed., to last 7+ years. (For more on this, read URANUS in PLATFORMS [top of the page].) It might enter with a “bang” — something involving work/health, communications, a significant relationship and your security or home could change suddenly mid-week. Now to November (with an exception mid-Aug. to mid-Sept.) DON’T move into a new home. In the years ahead, many friendly people will enter your orbit; partnerships will become less predictable. You might relocate or form a partnership in food/shelter industries, such as real estate. Tuesday pm to mid-afternoon Thurs. brings changes, mysteries and significant action or commitment. A mellow, wise mood returns Thurs. afternoon to just before supper Sat. Far travel, intellectual pursuits, love and cultural rituals occupy your attention. Take action — mostly Fri., when your luck is good. Be quiet, think ambitious thoughts, Sat. night
SAGITTARIUS: Nov. 22-Dec. 21
This is your last week of drudgery work for awhile, Sage — but before your chores end, they grow even larger Sun. to Tues. afternoon. So tackle tasks Sun.-Tues. — opportunities abound, you might “break through” — into management levels. This entire area — employment, daily health, chores, machinery and dependents — will change from Wed., right into 2026. In some ways, your “jobs” will be more exciting, lively, stressful, rushed and hurried. On the other hand, these “jobs” will be fast rather than difficult. For 7+ years, you’ll be communicating, travelling, meeting many people in your work. (Read the April 29/18 column for more on this.) This 7-year change might begin with a bang mid-week, when relationship decisions rise up to confront you — and you could “grow loud” about love. Be careful driving, and with other machinery. Strangely enough, a few of you might meet a new friend who has “romance” written all over him/her. It would be very volatile! Life’s mysteries and subterranean forces seep to the surface mid-afternoon Thurs. (PDT) to late afternoon Sat. You might feel a tug-o-war between short-term shopping and long-term investment/debt reduction, or between casual fun sex and deep, meaningful intimacy. In these, as well as research, medical procedures and lifestyle choices, good and bad luck mingle, but it’s mostly good Fri. daytime (5 am to 6:45 pm) — act then, or mildly Sat. dawn to midday.
CAPRICORN: Dec. 22-Jan. 19
This is your last week of romance, beauty, creative and risk-taking urges, charming children, adventure and pleasure — and what a momentous week for these! First, Sun. to Tues. afternoon intensify and swell these themes, loving hearts, etc. — and late week brings multiple chances to “hook up,” and/or chase new people/opportunities. Second, this whole love/beauty sector changes mid-week, to bring a 7+ year new phase, in which romance will be more electric, more unpredictable and volatile — but also more friendly and lighthearted. (Read the April 29 column for more on this.) This change into more volatile might start with a bang mid-week (esp. Wed.) as your money interests clash with love — or your desire to possess someone is shattered — in a way that will open up new possibilities. For 7 years, you’ll tend to indulge your spending on pleasure (more chocolates, anyone?). Tackle chores Tues. afternoon to mid-afternoon Thurs. — but take care with tools, electricity, and water (e.g., washing machine). Co-workers are helpful, sweet, Thurs. morning. Relationships and fresh horizons greet you Thurs. afternoon to pre-suppertime Sat. Much benevolent luck lies here, especially Fri. daytime (PDT) but note one thing: now, and for some years past and some to come, you have an essential edge or advantage over another/others. This behooves you to be gentle, understanding, to please another rather than merely having your own way. Think before you commit, Sat. night.
AQUARIUS: Jan. 20-Feb. 18
This week continues and increases the focus on home, kids, security, foundations, sales territory, nutrition, and Mother Nature. These matters peak Sun. afternoon to midday Tues. — a good interval, replete with opportunities (e.g., move to a more prestigious, friendlier ‘hood, or hold a splendid house/garden party). Mid-week starts a memorable 7+ year domestic phase for you. (Read more about this in the April 29 column.) You’re going to be more focused on security, real estate, garden, kids, fundamental change. This phase might start with a bang (Tues.? Wed.?) — one that doesn’t help your income if you shoot off at the mouth! It seems just as you move into a new “settle down” phase, you also grow more assertive and willing to give your opinion — until November. Don’t give it too loudly this present week! You’ll be restless, running everywhere, calling, texting, until Nov. Despite its essential disruption, midweek strikes you with romantic notions and beauty. These work best Thurs. morning. Tackle chores and protect your daily health Thurs. mid-afternoon to Sat. late afternoon. An old chronic drawback, limitation or health bother might rise again. But Fri. daytime is splendid for buying machinery, garden items, or impressing higher-ups with your ideas, hard work. Saturday night starts relationship themes — don’t fight! (This relating theme turns to strong, long romantic possibilities May 20 to late June — soon!)
PISCES: Feb. 19-March 20
The accent remains on errands, easy chores, calls, trips, paperwork and casual contacts (e.g., the clerk at the corner store). This accent “doubles” Sun. noon to early afternoon Tues. All looks smooth, productive, lucky. A door opens to a great long-distance travel, legal, or intellectual opportunity — step in! This same zone (errands, communications, etc.) changes Wed., for 7+ years — now to 2026, expect much friendlier contacts, swift actions, and upgraded electronic communications. You might work for the gov’t or a large corporation in communications/travel, or have an extensive “back and forth” with some gov’t agency. (Hopefully not tax agencies.) This change happens abruptly — and could cause a fender-bender, unexpected argument, or a revelation you don’t want revealed, Tues. or Wed. (BTW, midweek’s a good time to stay home, hug the kids, and/or end a situation.) Thursday afternoon to Sat. late afternoon brings passion, beauty, romance, pleasure, creative joys and gambling yea’s. Retreat — or at least eat, drink very sensibly — Sat. night.
The End.
AFTERAMBLE:
Since the mid-1980s I’ve been predicting universities and colleges would decline for 250 years. I last mentioned this about a year ago. Now UC Berkeley, the proud birth place of a free speech movement in the 1960’s, has stated it will no longer allow conservative speakers (or profs, I suspect) on campus. Part of their statement: “practise your free speech OFF campus.” (My capital letters, but their quote.) I didn’t realize they (universities) would sink so low, so fast.
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If America is (ancient) Rome, is China its’ economic Carthage, and Russia its’ military Carthage? (We shouldn’t suppose that the Chinese “like us.” Many do, and generally the population eagerly adopts western culture. But I was talking with a Hong Kong banker last autumn, who declared, with a sort of contained intensity, that the U.S. had better not get militarily aggressive — “We’d defeat them,” he said. Almost itching for a fight.) While my partner and I were in China last year, those older than 40, 50 years looked at us with suspicion and silence. Those under 40 smiled, were brightly curious, wanted to talk. Pre-school children would come up to us to shyly (but in a loud voice) say “hello!” then run back, while their parents laughed.
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The big volcanic eruption in Hawaii (the big island) — Hawaii is a Capricorn name (S, H and Y) are the Capricorn letters) — coincides with Mars, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn. Mars is fire, violence, heat; Saturn rules rocks and mountains; Pluto rules eruptions and “things from the deep” (from swamp monsters to deep space, deep sex, depth psychology, the underworld, etc.). Pluto’s been in Hawaii’s “sign” (*) since 2009, and will remain until 2024/2. Saturn just entered in late December 2017, and Mars, the trigger, entered March 17. The volcano will erupt until approximately May 15. But it, or another, will erupt again approx. mid-August to early-mid September.
* — Hawaii’s Sun sign is Leo; it’s name sign is Capricorn. (BTW, “H” is the happiest of the 3 Capricorn letters. Think of it: holiday, happy, home, hilarious, hell, hope… Of the two others, S is serious, sober, driven; Y — I think — is more social, diplomatic.)
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I don’t think James Comey (the fired FBI director) is a psychopath; but he seems very much like a psychopath-in-training. He’s a kind of New Age upper middle class patrician charming psychopath (in training). Here is what Andrew Carelli (dead for decades) writes about Comey’s (birth) Sun degree:
“Symbol: Two men engaged in a deadly fight.”
“Here is the perfect embodiment of stubborn and relentless dissension; …an unmitigated fault-finder. (He believes) public opinion is nonsense… whatever idea is conceived by others can be but worthless trash, if for no other reason, because it crossed someone else’s mind (first)… the native’s spirit of wanton denial reaches the freakish height of its childish hideousness.
At the bottom of all this is an unavowed thirst for applause… of his critical thrusts against other people… he will tirelessly throw stones at others, polemicize, heckle and run down their works… he will be in for quarrels, brawls, squabbles, lawsuits for libel…”
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Trump might say some surprising, stunning things mid-week. Or, he might suffer an unexpected blow. (Read Gemini’s — and Leo’s — weekly forecasts, above, for clues.) Whatever happens, this week starts a situation which will continue strongly now to November. Legal types will intensify their efforts, angry outbursts will occur. Now the toughest stretch begins for Trump (to November) in legal areas. It’s war. (As stated below, Trump’s way to win these battles is to “withdraw” from the fray — which advice applies to all Geminis and Leos to November 8.)
This week also (May 15) Trump’s enemy, Special Counsel Mueller (a Leo sun, but with an Aries name) is finally freed from bad motives, which he has been operating under since at least May last year (2017). How can Trump win? It’s simple, but perhaps unpalatable or unbelievable: wait. Do nothing. Until November, his legal enemies will “hang themselves” as long as he leaves them to their own devices, accepts his fate, lets “God” or karma steer this ship. All things Mueller has initiated May 2017 to May 15, 2018, will fall apart on their own, or give him an “empty” victory. Witness the case against Manafort, in which the judge has criticized Mueller and his gang. Mueller might even “befriend” Trump.
The irony is, Trump’s legal woes will mostly end or abate in November, even if the Democrats sweep the house and senate. (They don’t deserve capital letters.) From November onward, Trump will cause a “revolution” in the bureaucracy, the civil service. The FBI, DOJ, and other departments (especially finance, banking regulators) will get a shake-up few have ever seen, but spread over 7 years. (Actually, the shake-up will only last to 2020, unless Trump’s re-elected. If he is, expect an assassination attempt.)
Also this week, Kim Jong-un might suddenly revolt, or prove skittish, like a spooked horse. (Still, Jong’s a Capricorn, with very long-range pragmatic plans — he will “outlast” this disruption, though it might take a year or two — also, Jong will grow more and more into a winning position as the 7 years ahead unfold. On the bright side, he will be credited by history with establishing North Korea’s economic resurgence — perhaps with America’s help.)
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I don’t know if astrology really works. I have made many predictions, but in looking back on some of my biggest and best, I cannot now find the astrological basis for them. E.g., when I predicted the Challenger Shuttle explosion, I used a bad Mars-Uranus aspect (a quincunx if I remember well) as the basis. These planets can be explosive in contact, and certainly “fit” the prediction. (Mars = fire. Uranus equals sudden disaster, lightning bolts, etc.) But few astrologers would predict that event, on that basis — it is just too weak, at least for traditional astrology. On the one hand, none of my successful forecasts have violated astrological “rules.” But on the other, many don’t have a “strong” (or even medium) astrological indication of the event. I think the Challenger prediction was more psychic than astrological. On the third hand, AIDS was just begging to be forecast in 1984, as Pluto entered Scorpio, sign of death and “deep health.” Ditto the break-up of the (Scorpionic) Soviet Union.
Back in about 1990, I warned that Vancouver, Canada might “burn” in 2023-25. Now, as those years approach, I’ve looked at Vancouver’s chart for 2023-25, and can find no significant astrological reason for that warning. (But neither did I have reason to predict Japan’s economic fall, Or the plunge in interest rates, 1980’s to the present, or the great Dow bull that started August 1980 (I had predicted Nov. 1980, so a bit off) nor the October ’86 crash.
But enough boasting and self-admiration. The point is 2-fold: 1) I can’t support the forecast that Vancouver will “burn” 2023-2025, but can’t refute it either. This prediction pains me more and more. 2) Are astrology and its “rules” valid in themselves, or at best a moving mantra for the psyche to form around, like the fortune teller her crystal ball?
Oh well.
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The brilliance of Kayne West’s comment(s) is being attacked by every media talking head with an un-expanding consciousness, and an ignorance of life’s subtleties.
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The U.S. crisis is fascinating (and frustrating, because it’s hard to see a solution). A strange split exists: it’s exemplified by Alan Dershowitz, a law professor emeritus at Harvard and a frequent media guest. He is an avowed liberal, voted Hillary and every democrat before her. But he has grown so upset by the political/legal injustices of the past year or two, that he has become a rather permanent, supportive fixture on conservative Fox TV.
Our image of the republicans: red-neck, violent, macho, religious, bigoted and stupid. Our image of the democrats is of intelligent, fair, educated, cosmopolitan, kind, gentle, compassionate supporters of food stamps. Yet it was this non-violent left/young dems who beat Trump supporters while they left a rally, leftist mobs that started riots in San Jose and Berkeley (both unopposed by the left-leaning mayors of those cities) and the same left that tries to shut down free speech on campuses across America. The left is legally aggressive, too. Their biggest success was the predatory, fraudulent launch of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. (‘R’ reflects his Sun, Aries.) In other words, Democrats are acting in the exact way we expect Republicans to act.
The macho, violent right, all the way to Trump himself, simply fail not only to attack in return, but to fully defend themselves, beyond half-hearted efforts and occasional cries of outrage, like a lion going down to the multiple spears of the left.
If Trump is defeated, if he goes down, it will be a failure that was “baked in.” He was/is what he was. In the most essential way, Trump did not make false promises. He kept his word. I don’t know of any other major politician that has, in recent memory. (Horgan, B.C.’s Premier, seems to hold faithfully to his stump speeches — at least so far.)
But Trump’s unusual faithfulness to his promises also warns that he cannot change (though he has already shown he can adapt, masterfully, and learns very quickly). His character, being large and different, and his thoughts being too rapid, lack the cunning smoothness of mind of, say, an Obama. Being so different, he almost necessarily has large blind spots, big openings for his enemies to thrust spears into.
If Trump goes down, it will be his party’s fault. Congress stuck its toe in the sand on almost every White House initiative. The Republicans defeated the overhaul of Obamacare. The republicans forced a bloated, disgustingly self-indulgent budget down Trump’s throat. The republicans launched the Special Counsel after Trump, a genius move designed to ruin his presidency even if he survives, for it has the effect of a loud machine beside your bed while you’re trying to sleep. Even his own party wanted to wear Trump down, confuse and distract his administration, and alienate his supporters and staff. Hope Hicks, reputedly a competent asset, and one of the few who could advise Trump, quit the day after the republicans grilled her on Capital Hill —grilled her for no reason. Even now, beautifully displaying that reluctance to defend themselves, the Republicans, now that Trump has won them over by a display of action, courage and competence — even now that it has been bountifully displayed that 1) the Special Counsel was fraudulently launched; and 2) that the democratic sins and crimes far exceeded any of the republican campaign and White House — even with all this, the republicans can’t launch a Special Counsel to investigate Hillary, et al. The irony here is that the Republicans are being prosecuted for the very thing the democrats were doing. History will write about this sadly, if his party lets Trump die. But not to despair: America was slow to enter WWII, but it won, with strength and better morals. I suspect/hope the republicans will do the same.
But the bigger point above was: the split in America is odd and unpredictable, the left now being violent and repressive, and the right being sophisticated, overly moral and weak. Their traditional roles are switched. Perhaps this is connected to the development of a new “self” among people that I wrote about last week.
There is something religious in this split, like the War of the Roses in old Britain. It is a split in beliefs, and beliefs have become the basis of all “rightness.” I can kill in God’s name, they believed until recently, and still do in the Mid-East. Now belief becomes the basis of action in universities — btw, my 1980’s forecast that universities would be unethical/immoral and would decline, lasts for 250 years. (Which carries whiffs of the Dark Ages redux.)
This is a deep split, accompanied by flashes of fanaticism, not in a zealous fringe group, but in the populace.
(As you can see, I sympathize with the conservatives. But I don’t agree with their ideas. Meanwhile, I apologize for my bias.)
/30/