Tarot Card Diplomacy

 Tarot Card Diplomacy - The American Conservative

Where foreign relations make no sense and the rules of cause and effect do not apply

"Russian President Vladimir Putin has invaded Ukraine, and suddenly whatever was received wisdom last week is cancelled, and we are playing with a whole new set of rules. The endless shuffling of hypocrisies and non sequiturs in the West, the nonsensical sloganeering that changes from one moment to the next, is best compared to drawing at random from a deck of tarot cards. Each frame of the geopolitical saga as it unfolds on cable news is completely unrelated to anything that came before or will come next.

"Tarot card after tarot card, pundits and mic’d-up professors on the TV augur the meanings of the current crop of images and sound bites. Deeper and deeper we are all led into tarot card diplomacy, where foreign relations make no sense and the rules of cause and effect do not apply. The only ones who can interpret the tarot cards are the ones who pull them out and arrange them on the table. What do the goings-on in the world mean? No one really knows. Only the cards can help us divine the import of all the wild stuff that happens in each news cycle. Tarot card diplomacy—the weird geopolitical science practiced by the woke West.

"This week I watched people wearing shoes and clothes made by Uyghur slaves taking videos on slave-made phones of themselves dumping Russian vodka into storm sewers across America. They then struck a further blow for freedom by posting their videos onto the most censored platform since Pravda. They uploaded their staged rage to websites using software made by companies for whom “free speech” and “hate speech” are synonyms. All of this was coordinated by search engine companies that make special programs to help Chinese thought police to control 1.4 billion people.

"Freedom." . . .

Russia Rides Again

 

Leftist comedy: ‘Punching down’ to mock the misery of Biden’s inflation

Colbert’s personal net worth has been estimated at $75 million and his annual salary is $15 million.

American Thinker   "Comedian George Carlin famously said, “it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.” 

"It appears that Stephen Colbert misunderstood that quote when he said the following on his late-night show.

“Today, the average gas price in America hit an all-time record high of over $4 per gallon. Okay, that stings, but a clear conscience is worth a buck or two. I’m willing to pay. I’m willing to pay $4 a gallon. Hell, I’ll pay $15 a gallon because I drive a Tesla.”

"The line that Carlin was referring to is limits set by the self-appointed establishment. Carlin was urging comedians to fearlessly speak their minds and take on the powerful.

"Colbert with his snobbery did cross a line, but only that of decency and propriety.

"There is also an unwritten rule of comedy that is you punch up. You take on those who are powerful and affluent of the establishment. You indulge in self-deprecating humor.

"Colbert’s words offer an insight into liberal echo chambers, which judging by his comedy, Colbert’s team most certainly lives in.  Every word on Colbert's show is meticulously vetted at various stages. Colbert isn't an amateur comedian riffing at an underground comedy club.  Colbert has around 20 writers who write ‘jokes’ for him. Upon approval, all ‘jokes’ are passed through a series of checks. The validators include myriad executives, executive producers, creative producers, writers, directors, and Colbert himself.". . .

Exclusive: Former U.K. Commander in Afghanistan Blasts Biden’s ‘Insane’ Foreign Policies Leading to Ukraine Conflict

Breitbart  "In an exclusive interview with Breitbart News on Thursday in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, former commander of British forces in Afghanistan Colonel Richard Kemp blasted President Biden’s “insane foreign policies,” including the U.S.’s “humiliation” in Afghanistan, its increasing oil dependence on Moscow, and its obsession with “gender pronouns, political correctness, environmentalism,” as he called to support Ukrainian resistance, depose President Putin, and withdraw support for an Iran nuclear deal, and

warned of the increasing Chinese threat. . . .

. . .“In 2014, when Putin invaded Crimea, [former President Barack] Obama was in the White House,” Kemp said. “Now in 2022 when he invades Ukraine, Biden’s in the White House.” 

“ 'So, we’ve got two weak presidents who [Putin] clearly feels he can act without regard to their reaction,” he added. “So I think that’s one reason why this is happening now.” 

Retired British Special Forces Commander in
Afghanistan,  Colonel Richard Kemp

"Another factor in the current conflict, according to Kemp, is the “closely connected debacle in Afghanistan” whereby Putin likely saw “what Biden did in Afghanistan, the humiliation of the United States, [and] the humiliation of NATO — who were unable to do anything in Afghanistan” without America.

“ 'He would have looked at that and made his calculations and I think that if anything that encouraged him to do what he’s doing now,” he said. 
Other elements he cited were the longstanding European and German policies vis-a-vis Russia.". . .

Yeah, well just how many Grammys has Col Kemp won?  I didn't think so.

. . ." Iran

"Kemp pointed to the restart of the Iran nuclear deal talks that aided the current conflict.

“ 'I think the Iran deal negotiations are another example of Biden’s insane foreign policies that resulted in Afghanistan [and] that helped result in the Ukrainian situation,” he said. “And his misguided policies over Iran will help make the world a more dangerous place.” 

“ 'To have Russians who have been threatening us with nuclear attack involved as mediators over this deal with Iran is just the parallel universe,” he added. “People would find it unbelievable if they really understood it.”

"Kemp called on other members of the Security Council involved in the negotiations to “withdraw their support.” 

“'If [Biden] wants to keep pressing on with it, fine, but we shouldn’t be supporting it,” he said. “I think his whole rationale for doing it is completely ill-judged and has no basis in reality.' ”

Biden Is Sick of People Blaming Him for What He Has Done

You Have Nothing Left to Threaten Us With, Joe – PJ Media . . .Worse yet, half of the members of our nation’s Congress will stand up repeatedly to applaud the naked emperor. 

 PJ Media  "See that angry old man shouting at you? That’s the President of the United States. Even in the best of times, Old Joe Biden has never been one to take responsibility for his actions, and these are not the best of times. With the economy in free fall, the Russians on the march in Ukraine, the Southern border a polite fiction, and skyrocketing inflation, Old Joe is in full-throttle finger-pointing mode, blaming everyone he can think of for the catastrophic failure of his administration. His latest scapegoat: the American people. That’s right, all of us, or at very least those who come to the very sensible and entirely justifiable conclusion that his absurd far-Left policies are responsible for today’s galloping inflation rates.

"On Friday, Biden’s handlers trundled the old man to Philadelphia to attend the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference, where he read out an address full of dark foreboding for the assembled gaggle of socialists: “This off-year election, in my view, may be the most important off-year election in modern history. Because we know what happens, we know the fundamental change that shifts if we lose the House and Senate. The only thing I’ll have then is a veto pen.”

The primary reason why the Democrats may fare poorly in November is, of course, that Biden’s handlers have made a hash of pretty much everything, and with inflation raging out of control and certain to go higher, Biden had a ready explanation: “Make no mistake, inflation is largely the fault of Putin.” Old Joe must thank Gaia every night that Putin invaded Ukraine, as it gives him a ready answer to any and every critic and a potted explanation that will satisfy the Leftist conformists among his followers who know that all the failures of socialism are attributable to anything but socialism.". . .

Despite Soaring Inflation All Year, Biden Says “Inflation Is Largely The Fault Of Putin”… | Weasel Zippers

A Warning to the Biden-Pelosi-AOC Woke: What Boebert’s and MTG’s Disruptive Behavior at SOTU Portends

I miss that Lost America. I hate the coarseness that has replaced it, where a sleaze like a Cardi B can become a success by writing the most disgusting lyrics I ever have seen — and yet can be solicited by a Joe Biden during a presidential campaign to help win young voters. 

 Globalist   "At last week’s State of the Union address (SOTU), Representatives Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) disrupted. At one point, Joe Biden made a reference to potentially carcinogenic burn pits in military zones, and Boebert yelled that Biden caused 13 military deaths in Afghanistan. At another point, Boebert and MTG chanted “Build the Wall.” It is nice they have found each other so they do not become dispirited pariahs in Congress, demoralized by isolation. Like The Squad, they seem to be forming a ladies’ clique. Good.". . .

. . ."Before Republicans showed disrespect to a Democrat president at a SOTU address, it was Obama who broke protocols by insulting Supreme Court justices attending a SOTU. That just is not done. Obama did it once and never again because, as of the next SOTU, the attacked justices predictably reciprocally stopped attending Obama SOTU addresses. Trump was treated disrespectfully for four years, so now Biden is treated that way. For all the fun of chanting “Let’s Go, Brandon!” this did not emerge from a vacuum. That is how it works.

"If Obama had not behaved in manners aimed at humiliating opponents like John McCain, and if Democrats had treated Trump civilly, and if Nancy Pelosi had been proper with Boebert and MTG, they would not have broken protocol at SOTU.". . .

Obama White House Doctor Calls For Immediate Biden Resignation: ‘Not Cognitively Capable Of Leading’

 Obama White House Doctor Calls For Immediate Biden Resignation: ‘Not Cognitively Capable Of Leading’ | The Daily Wire

. . ."'The whole country is seeing his mental cognitive issues on display for over a year now, and there’s really no question in most people’s minds that there’s something going on with him, that he’s not cognitively the same as he used to be and, in my mind, not fit to be our president right now,” Jackson said during an interview last month. “Every time he gets up and talks to the American people, it’s not just the American people that are watching him speak, it’s the whole world, and that’s part of what the problem is here. He looks tired, he looks weak, he looks confused, he’s incoherent, and it sends a message of weakness all over the world, and they’re seizing up on that.”

“ 'He’s got 40 years of tape, you can go back and look at this man, so it’s not like we don’t have anything to compare it to,” Jackson said. “You can go back and look, he’s always made gaffes, he’s always made missteps, but never like this. This is something different. These aren’t gaffes. … This is something much more serious.”

"Jackson said that Biden’s mental fitness for office, or a lack thereof, “was on full display during the debacle in Afghanistan” and that it could “get more Americans killed” and “ultimately get us in a war because of his lack of leadership.' ”. . .

Related:

Obama’s White House Doctor: Biden ‘Won’t Make It To The End Of This Term,’ Democrats ‘Will Remove Him’

‘Age-Related Cognitive Decline’: Former WH Doctor Talks Biden, Says Obama Wrote Him ‘Scathing’ Email Over ‘Betrayal’

Ex-Obama Doctor Floats 25th Amendment: Biden ‘Mentally Incapable,’ ‘Something Must Be Done!’

Bill Maher Torches Biden: Why Did Putin Not Invade Ukraine When Trump Was In Office? | The Daily Wire  . . ."'OK, but if Putin thought Trump was really that supportive of him, why didn’t he invade when Trump was in office?” Maher continued. “It’s at least worth asking that question if you’re not locked into one intransigent thought.”

"Maher’s remarks come as Russia’s invasion into Ukraine has now entered its third week, with both sides sustaining thousands of causalities as the fighting has caused significant damage to cities.

"Maher criticized Canada’s Justin Trudeau during a recent episode for his remarks about the trucker protesters that took place in his country several weeks ago, saying that Trudeau sounded like Hitler.

"Maher also slammed athletes and celebrities for kowtowing to communist China during another recent episode.". . .

Biden’s Inflation Problem Is about More Than Putin

 

Biden's Inflation Problem Is about More Than Putin | National Review   "The February inflation report is in, and it’s at 7.9 percent, the highest rate since January 1982. Also in January 1982, the San Francisco 49ers, led by Joe Montana, defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl at the Pontiac Silverdome. 

"Unlike in 1982, though, the Silverdome no longer exists, inflation is going up, not down, and while there’s a famous Joe in the headlines, he certainly isn’t “Joe Cool.” President Biden greeted the news from the Bureau of Labor Statistics by saying, “Today’s inflation report is a reminder that Americans’ budgets are being stretched by price increases and families are starting to feel the impacts of Putin’s price hike.”

"Putin’s price hike? It certainly matters for the global oil market that the dictator of the third-largest producer of crude oil invaded his neighbor unprovoked. The sanctions on the Russian economy will cause problems for energy, metals, and food markets for months at least. But it’s not as though inflation was coming back down and then turned around because of the war in Ukraine.

"The BLS first described our current bout of inflation as “broad-based” in its October 2021 report, and that fact hasn’t changed since then. Where the White House used to point to the soaring price of used cars and claim it was making the average look worse, the price index for used cars actually declined last month, while food and energy prices increased faster than they did in January. “All six major grocery store food group indexes increased in February,” the report says. And we all know what gas prices have done in the past few weeks.". . .

Fox News Anchor Calls Stephen Colbert an ‘Elitist A**’ Over Joke About Gas Prices

 Fox News Anchor Calls Stephen Colbert an 'Elitist A**' Over Joke About Gas Prices - Analyzing America

"Outspoken liberal comedian Stephen Colbert apparently thinks skyrocketing gas prices that hurt poor and middle-class Americans are funny.

“ 'Today the average gas price in America hit an all-time record high over $4 per gallon,” Colbert said. “Ok, that stings, but a clean conscience is worth a buck or two.”

“ 'I’m willing to pay $4 dollars a gallon. Hell, I’ll pay $15 a gallon because I drive a Tesla,” the 56-year-old comedian said, who has a net worth of $75 million.

"Fox Business anchor Dagen McDowell took issue with this joke. She responded by saying Stephen Colbert has a brand that “is unfunny, pompous, elitist a**.”

“ 'So at least he’s staying on that brand,” McDowell added.

"Fox News political analyst Gianno Caldwell added, “Leave it to a limousine liberal to tell you how to feel, what to think.”. . .

Biden’s America-Wrecking Climate Agenda

 The result? Americans are made to suffer unnecessarily and national security is imperiled, all for an agenda that is junk science-fueled and impractical, regardless of how you feel about United Nations’ “climate science.” This is not rational policy. It is intentional nation-wrecking.

 Biden’s America-Wrecking Climate Agenda | RealClearPolitics   " President Biden is driving fossil fuel-powered America into a wall so that he can replace it with a “green energy”-powered America. The Biden administration euphemizes this as a “transition.” It is not. It’s just a collision that will result in America being totaled.

"Since Joe Biden became president, he has done everything in his power to de-power America. On Day 1, he killed the Keystone XL Pipeline, halted new oil and gas drilling on public lands, and rejoined the Paris climate agreement, which commits America to cutting our greenhouse gas emissions but not China’s.

"Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency reinstated Obama-era rules to make it more expensive to produce oil and gas, issued rules to make internal combustion engine-powered cars more expensive, and gave “green” California the unprecedented (and probably unconstitutional) authority to dictate what kind of cars all Americans can drive. Biden has empowered the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with the authority to block new oil and gas pipelines on the basis of climate concerns, and is continuing to halt new oil and gas drilling on federal lands in defiance of a federal court order.

"These and many other anti-fossil fuel actions have raised gasoline prices roughly one dollar per gallon since Biden took office. Then Russia invaded Ukraine, exacerbating an ongoing global energy crisis (worsened by European climate policies). Gasoline prices have increased another 60 cents since the Ukraine invasion, and are not likely to stop rising any time soon.

Kinzinger Says His ‘Biggest Regret’ Is Voting Against Trump’s First Impeachment

 National Review    Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger slam GOP, Trump over Ukraine crisis (axios.com)

. . ."No House Republicans voted to impeach Trump over the Ukraine call. However, Kinzinger was one of ten House Republicans who later voted to impeach Trump for inciting the January 6 Capitol riot. Kinzinger, one of two Republicans serving on the January 6 select committee investigating the Capitol riot, announced in October that he would not seek reelection.

“ 'I also remember during that campaign saying that if I ever thought it was time to move on from Congress, I would, and that time is now,” Kinzinger said in his announcement video. He said at the time that he had become disillusioned with the level of money, corruption, and partisan vitriol plaguing the political system.

“ 'At this moment, that government is the problem and few have risen to do anything about it. Because in this day, to prevail or survive, you must belong to a tribe. Our political parties only survive by appealing to the most motivated and most extreme elements within. And the pricetag to power has skyrocketed,” Kinzinger lamented.". . .

Tucker tunes up 'tiny minded' Kinzinger, challenges 'Mr. Tough Guy' to explain trashing of patriotic UFC fighter (bizpacreview.com)   . . .Kinzinger’s Twitter tirade was shot down in flames by Carlson who, during  Wednesday’s edition of “Tucker Carlson Tonight” put the wood to the Pelosi’s “tiny-minded” collaborator.

“ 'You may have noticed that everyone you see on TV has exactly the same opinion of Ukraine, in fact exactly the same opinion of everything,” he began. “Those opinions are formed on Twitter which you probably don’t use since you don’t work in journalism, thank God.' ” . . .

GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger: Wants to Start No-Fly Zone Over Ukraine |Newsmax.com  "To do a no-fly zone, I would have to put British fighter jets directly against Russian fighter jets," Britain's Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said Friday.

"NATO will have to effectively declare war on Russia, because that's what you would do."

"But Kinzinger added a claim Putin would not respond with nuclear weapons if NATO were to impose and enforce a no-fly zone over Russia, albeit not addressing the possibility Putin could strike a NATO ally's airbase that might launch forces to defend the no-fly zone.". . .

Gasoline Prices Headed Right Where The Democrats Want Them –

Joe Biden has managed to weaken the office of the presidency and this nation in just over a year—and the worst part is, he doesn't care.

 Issues & Insights   "While running for president, Barack Obama said electricity prices will “necessarily skyrocket” under his energy plan. As gasoline reaches unaffordable heights for many Americans, never forget that the Democratic Party wants to inflict painful energy costs on the country. It’s in its political DNA.

"As of Thursday, the average U.S. price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $4.32, the highest ever recorded in this country. A month ago, it was $3.48. A year ago, about six weeks after Joe Biden took the oath of office, it was $2.82. 

"Recent projections that the U.S. average would peak at $4.25 a gallon around Memorial Day weekend now seem quaint. Would anyone be surprised if prices were nearly double that in much of the country before they begin to recede?

"Biden has blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine for soaring prices, and swears his administration is trying to bring down prices. But the truth is, the Democratic Party wants gasoline to be priced as a luxury good, even if it hurts Democratic voters in the middle and lower economic classes:". . .

Biden Loses It Over Americans Correctly Knowing the Cause of Inflation (townhall.com)

"Speaking to House Democrats at their winter retreat in Philadelphia Friday afternoon, President Joe Biden started yelling at Americans who pin inflation on excessive government spending. 

" 'I'm sick of this stuff!" Biden screamed, throwing his arms in the air. "The American people think the reason for inflation is government spending more money. Simply not true.". . .

🎉🎉Happy Birthday American Rescue Plan🎉🎉
CPI +7.9% (highest o 4 decades)
Gasoline +38%
Used Vehicles +41%
Food at Home +8.6%
* Food at elementary schools -53% because too many children still forced to "learn" from home.
Real Wages in freefall
Note: free money ain't free pic.twitter.com/bLhCKLOEC7

— Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) March 11, 2022

More here:  Hotels +29%;Furniture +17.1;Chicken +13.2; New cars & trucks +12.4; Flooring +11.3; Lunchmeat +11 ; Dry clean +9.5% ; Tools +8.7; Baby food +8.4; Full service restaurant +7.5 ; Pet supplies +7.5 ; Toys +6.7 ; Car repair +6.7