CAN A LEOPARD CHANGE ITS SPOTS? – THE LAST MIRACLE OF FRANCIS: “There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days.” “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!” Donald Trump.

Say that again? – “He’s just tapping me along” – 

On Friday Steve Witkoff met Putin in Moscow, and on Saturday Trump met Zelensky in Rome. It was the first meeting between the two since the infamous Oval Office ambush. Only this time, there was no JD Vance, or any other zealots hanging around, just Trump and Zelensky, Mano to Mano. Keith Starmer and Emmanuel Macron obviously played a big role in getting the men to meet face to face at Pope Francis’ funeral, a profoundly moving experience for the hundreds of thousands in attendance. 

One couldn’t really ask for a better backdrop to such a pivotal meeting. The fate of the free-world literally hangs in the balance. For America to abandon not only Ukraine, but its two biggest allies in Britain and France, would be a deal breaker of epic proportions. Throwing Europe to the wolves, knowing that they are ill equipped to deal with a Russian madman, would be committing collective suicide. The reason NATO is so powerful is because they are united. To think Putin and the Russians will abandon China and Iran in favor of America is geodelusional. 

My sense from observing Trump at St. Peter’s, is that he felt like the odd man out, when all he wants is to be part of the group. But to be part of the group, one has to lead and show character. To be pushed around by Putin on the global stage and Project 2025 at home, clearly shows that 47 is not his own man. The last miracle of Francis, as this unusual set of events is being referred to, truly opens a door to a different potential outcome. 

Trumps approval rating according to a Fox News poll, is even worse after a 100 days than during his first term. 2nd 44% – 1st 45%. Bush was at 63%, Obama at 62%, and even Biden was at 52%. The economy is tanking, the trade war with China is a massive fck up, Israel wants to drag him into a war with Iran, and worst of all, Putin is tapping him along. His words not mine. No one is saying go to war with Russia, but for God’s sake get them to back the fck off Ukraine. Turn the screw on Putin by fully committing to Ukraine and Europe, not this halfhearted bs, but real support. Financially, militarily, diplomatically. Give an inch, and they’ll take a mile. 

Zelensky might have to compromise on Crimea and some rare earth minerals, but he’ll compromise less if Trump finally decides to grow a pair. Of course peace is the ideal solution to the world’s many problems and conflicts, but not through appeasement. Surrender is not the same as a truce, and rewarding Putin for his aggression should be at the very bottom of the list of priorities. Russia, as well as China were very much part of the global family until Putin decided to invade Ukraine in 2014, and China bungled Covid in 2019, which led to the deaths of millions. 

I don’t want Trump to fail. He is the president of the most powerful nation on earth after all, so if America goes rogue, we all suffer, that’s the bottom line. I don’t hate MAGA, although they are seriously misguided on a lot of issues, I believe it is possible to find middle ground. Going full fascist is not cool, so they’ll have to seriously chill on the Nazi vibe. But again, I honestly don’t think most normal Americans are Nazis, misguided and lied to, but they are not inherently bad or evil. The base is not as big as people think, and neither are the ringleaders. They are not the majority, but the minority. They may be the loudest and most aggressive, but only because society tolerates their intolerance. 

It’s time to reaffirm, and if need be, reinforce the uncoolness of fascism. And while Americans are at it, maybe Christians can make a bit more of an effort to reclaim the church from charlatans and false prophets. There is much work to be done.

– For his part, Trump also appeared taken by the grandeur of the setting.

“It was a beautiful meeting,” Trump said in New Jersey. “I’ll tell you it was the nicest office I’ve ever seen.”

Apr 27, 2025 2:41:58 pm