The Destroyer of Worlds

Since Trump has entered the White House, the Left has been spinning bizarre fantasies about how the Trump team is part of some super-secret Russian conspiracy. You cannot turn on the television without seeing a liberal nutter hooting “Russian hacking!” To date, no one has bothered to explain what that phrase is supposed to mean. The implication is that through some special magic, the Russians caused the voting machines to register results in favor of Trump. They don’t come out and say it, but that’s the game.

A big part of this lunacy is the fact that the Left was sure that Trump could not win the election. It’s not that they were sure they had the better choice. It was that they were completely convinced that there were no circumstances where Trump could become President. They were so sure, in fact, that they had all of official Washington convinced of this as well. A month before the election there was no one in either party talking about a Trump victory. In fact, the topic of debate was the size and scope of the Clinton victory.

This belief was so pervasive, that both parties spent the summer plotting how they were going to configure themselves after the disaster. Team Clinton spent the summer figuring out how they could use the landslide in order to steamroll the Republicans and enact their agenda. The Republicans were similarly planning for the onslaught and how they could somehow preserve themselves after the election. The day after the election, the stunned looks on the faces of everyone in the political class made this hilariously clear.

There’s another aspect to this that has become abundantly clear over the last couple of months. Both parties wanted to see Clinton win. The Republicans, at least the leadership, liked the setup under Obama. They got to pose as rock-ribbed conservatives fighting Obama, without ever having to do anything. Democrats liked that Obama was just issuing executive orders and bypassing the parliamentary process. The Washington ecosystem was at equilibrium as long as everyone on both sides played their part.

The proof of this is the fact that the GOP has no plans ready for the 2017 legislative session. They have been talking for years about ObamaCare and now we know they never planned to do anything. The same is true of taxes, which is the one thing Republicans like doing. They have no plans for anything, not even something symbolic. They not only have no plans, they are still staggering around in shock, not sure what they should be doing. Suddenly nothing makes sense to the people inside the bubble and they are scared.

In a world where the rules no longer apply, it quickly becomes every man for himself and that’s what is happening in Washington right now.The Left accusing Trump of colluding with the Russians is not just a reckless political attack. It’s war on the very system of governance. It’s the sort of thing that goes on when the political system is breaking down. Trump’s charge that Obama was spying on his campaign makes perfect sense in light of what see happening. The evidence of some sort of Nixonian skulduggery is pretty strong.

Of course, in a world where the scrupulous following of protocol is essential to maintaining the status quo, a break down in the rules puts everyone at risk. That seems to be Trump’s game here with the spying charges. The establishment has tossed out the rules in their effort to attack him, so he is threatening to further bust up the system, which works to his favor and to their disadvantage. it’s a foolish game the Left has decided to play as they have much more to lose in a world without rules.

There’s another aspect to this. Trump has fewer skeletons in his closet than any president in generations. In Washington, that makes him a very dangerous man. All of these guys have shady deals in their closet. All of them bend the rules to reward themselves and their associates. No one says anything about it because everyone is dirty. Washington is a lot like a corrupt police precinct, where everyone is on the take so no one dares rat on anyone else. Trump’s life is an open book so he does not have to play along.

That’s probably why he went nuclear over the weekend. He’s looking around at a city full of crooked politicians calling for investigations so he is turning the table and threatening to open the investigation up to everything. Imagine Trump coming out and asking for a special prosecutor to look into Obama, Clinton, the IRS people, the DOJ and maybe even the FBI itself. There’s a lot of people in Washington with a lot to hide and Trump certainly knows it, which is why he is going on the attack over the tapping of his offices.

A long time ago I pointed out that Trump was The Mule, the character from the Asimov novels. Trump is the destroyer of worlds, not because he has some grand vision of the future and wants to plow under the existing order to make room for his utopia. He is the destroyer because the old order can only exist if Trump does not exist. His rise to the White House is the nullification of the established order. It’s why Washington is going for total war to destroy him. They see it is a matter of survival.

It’s probably too late. The Mule has arrived.

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Comments (Historical)

The comments below were originally posted to thezman.com.

129 Comments

TomA #29238 March 6, 2017 1:22 am 41
It’s worse than you describe. The federal government is the functional equivalent of an organic entity (a living thing), and it’s continued survival is it’s highest priority. When backed into a corner and facing an existential threat, it will lash out with ferocity and ruthlessness in the extreme. Inside the DC bubble, this is just a parlor game on steroids; but to the working class of middle America, this could well the match that ignites the inferno.Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell are playing a very dangerous game trying to straddle the middle and hope nothing bad happens. They are the antithesis of leadership. Trump surrounded himself with military generals for a reason.May you live in interesting times.
Dr. Dre #29274 March 6, 2017 9:58 am 7
Perhaps our governmental ‘organism’ is an example of a-sexual reproduction. Have you ever been on the D. C. Metro during Rush Hour? Yeesh. What a bunch of sorry-ass drones headed to/from ‘work’! Allthis after $100,000+ Ivy League edu-macations.
Old Codger #29302 March 6, 2017 1:09 pm 16
Its NOT EDU-MACATION! Its indoctrination and development of credentials to enter the “social caste” of expert cloud people!Education would infer knowledge and s the beginning of wisdom; credentialism implies no such things.
Joan Of Argghh #29320 March 6, 2017 1:48 pm 13
Paul Ryan and Reince are thick as thieves and Priebus’ appointment is the only misstep Trump has made.
Teapartydoc #29257 March 6, 2017 7:34 am 32
Not a reader of SF. I’ve been thinking about this in terms of card games. When I was a kid the adult missionaries used to play cards a lot in the evening. Nothing else to do. I wanted desperately to play, but my dad said I had to wait until I was older. During the day I would take the cards and play as if I was four different people, dealing out the cards and playing out the hands. I found that I could play out hands as if I didn’t know what was in the other hands, but could recall what was in the hands if I wanted to. This has since become an analogy to me for divine knowledge. When you deal out the cards and look at the hands you pretty much know how the hand will play out if you choose to think that way. You can intervene in the hand if you want to and influence an outcome or change the destiny of the hand. Or you can simply choose not to know. You also learn an instinct for what a hand is worth at a glance without having to take account of what is in other hands and have an idea as to how things are going to play out as well. I think Trump developed instincts like this but did so by learning real estate and construction and all of the associated politics and psychology associated with it. He has been able to transfer these skills to other arenas.People tend to use bluffs a great deal in card games where any kind of bidding takes place in hopes that by doing so they can improve their position at no cost to themselves. This is what the democrats have been doing. Trump has just raised the bid and called their bluff. It is up to them if they want to continue to play they game. Right now they are trying to remain as stone faced and confident as they can. Schumer is becoming the face. Trump hasn’t said anything, but by bringing Obama into the discussion he is hinting that he is willing to go to the wall over this.Can you imagine what kinds of things the Clintons are whispering in Schumer’s ears right now?Remember, he won the election with these words: “…because you’d be in jail.”
Uncle_Max #29258 March 6, 2017 7:53 am 17
great insight teapartydoc. I’d wager the texts and phone calls and emails in the Democrat and media circles ( not to mention the GOPe circles) were burning and churning this weekend. Heh. They’ve NEVER had an opponent who fights back like this… and their mightiest weapon, the media, is discredited to a incredible extent and even they are floundering. Nice.
James LePore #29260 March 6, 2017 8:17 am 23
I am hoping that the next card that Trump plays is to re-open all investigations into alleged criminal conduct by Hilary. This will be the equivalent of a nuclear weapon and may bring the DNC/Big Media Complex to its knees.
thezman #29261 March 6, 2017 8:37 am 22
My hunch here is that this latest gambit is to send exactly that message. Imagine Trump opening up the IRS case again or any number of shady deals in either party.
Dorf #29267 March 6, 2017 9:17 am 10
If I am not careful and restrained I’ll run out of Popcorn by the end of next week.
hokkoda #29280 March 6, 2017 10:23 am 16
This is one of his biggest weapons if he chooses to use it. Issue an EO or memorandum directing the IRS to release every single email and memo pertaining to what happened during the IRS/Tea Party investigation. Direct the CIA, DoD, and State to fully disclose (i.e. declassify) anything having to do with our consulate in Benghazi dating back to the fall of Qaddafi. Ditto the Iran deal…just make the whole rotten thing public. He’s under zero obligation to keep that material classified once CIA black out the names of covert operatives or gets those people relocated to a safe location.
thezman #29282 March 6, 2017 10:38 am 16
What I puzzle over is why they are choosing to fight Trump. It would be so much easier for them to cut a deal with the guy.
4SBe4james wilson #29288 March 6, 2017 11:25 am 12
Because they cannot remember a time when they did not have their way. If, and only if, Trump takes control at FBI and IRS the deep state will offer a deal. Will Trump be of a mind to take it?
Heartlander #29315 March 6, 2017 1:35 pm 3
I sure the hell hope not.
hokkoda #29294 March 6, 2017 12:13 pm 4
It’s all they know.
Clayton Bigsby #29301 March 6, 2017 1:08 pm 8
EXACTLY what I was wondering…Like you, I believe Trump is ‘clean’ … and after being in the business he has been in, for soooo long, he KNOWS where many bodies are buried… and they know he knows, so it’s just confounding the games that are being played… I wonder if it’s about slowly sniping out all those around him that MAY have unclean hands….leaving him in open water with no bilge pump… one can only bail so fast and steer the ship.
Old Codger #29312 March 6, 2017 1:32 pm 11
Arrogance: Why would Chuckles Schumer declare/admit in public that “…the intelligence community can harm Trump six ways from Sunday…” if he fights them???
Heartlander #29313 March 6, 2017 1:34 pm 9
Maybe Trump knows that We The People would be totally fricking furious if he even THOUGHT about cutting a deal with those bastards.
Country Mouse #29328 March 6, 2017 6:18 pm 1
This reminds me of Ted Turner’s interview where he said, “Men just like to get together and kick each other’s ass – for fun”. So – deal with Trump? Or kick his ass? Which do you think Obama and Schumer would enjoy more?
LetsPlay #29333 March 6, 2017 7:57 pm 5
Well Mouse, my opinion is those two examples are not men. They would be happier putting on their chaps, grabbing their whip and yelling “BOHICA” biotch!” Have you seen pictures of Schumer “trying” to make a fist? Pitiful. And I doubt Obozo even knows what that means.
Rurik #29352 March 6, 2017 10:34 pm 3
Legitimacy. This is revolution. If Trump is the legitimate boss, they must submit and yield their legitimacy. Same reason the Round heads and Charles could not cut a deal, or Lenin and the Constituent Assembly. Or Lincoln and the Confederacy.
Calsdad #29387 March 7, 2017 10:54 am 3
First – because they’re ideologues. Second – because (just my opinion) Trump cannot be bought the way a typical politician can – and I think he has a moral compass. He’s also old enough to not give a shit about making gains thru corruption.
Sam J. #29425 March 8, 2017 12:41 am 0
It’s 9-11 and pedogate.That’s the reason they’re panicking. On 9-11 building #7 fell the same speed as a rock dropped in air for roughly 108 feet. Since gravity has the same pull on our falling rock and the building that means the density of material holding up building #7 was also the SAME AS AIR. We know the building wasn’t hovering in air so it was demoed. Somebody fucked up. I believe it was supposed to come down with the North tower and it didn’t.There’s been a rash of pedogates. All these files still exist.https://wikispooks.com/wiki/The_Pedophocracy1.Findershttp://www.stewwebb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Finders_Through_a_glass_very_darkly.jpgNow in Witchita kansas says Ted Gunderson2.Uncle Jimmy took me to his sick parties: Nephew tells how his childhood was stolen at 13http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2213636/Uncle-Jimmy-took-sick-parties-Nephew-tells-childhood-stolen-13.html.3.FBI Investigates Presidio Child Molestation Report(This was called hysteria but some of the children had sexually transmitted diseases)http://articles.latimes.com/1987-08-11/news/mn-846_1_child-molestationOne of the men said to be involved by the children was a military intelligence officer.http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/vatican/esp_vatican16a.htm4.“…Italian news reporters, who broadcast scenes from the films [child rape pedophile snuff] live at prime time on Italian television to more than 11 million Italian viewers….”https://web.archive.org/web/20121225211730/http://www.prothink.org/tag/arie-scher-georges-schteinberg-israeli-pedophiles/5.https://isgp-studies.com/belgian-x-dossiers-of-the-dutroux-affair6.Victim Claims Sandusky Sex Scandal Connected to Philadelphia Pedophile Network _ American Free Presshttp://americanfreepress.net/web-exclusive-interview-victim-claims-sandusky-sex-scandal-connected-to-philadelphia-pedophile-network/http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/09/former-child-prostitute-claims-jerry-sandusky-was-part-pedophile-sex-ring/322896/7.The Franklin Scandal In-Depth Article – By: Nick Bryanthttp://www.franklincase.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=218.http://aangirfan.blogspot.com/2008/02/jersey-channel-tv-names-top-people.html9.Pictures of Pres. Bush with homosexual prostitute. This guy got a White house pass to be a press corespondent.http://www.texemarrs.com/images/bush_kisses_gannon.jpghttp://www.911omissionreport.com/gannon/bushgannon.jpghttp://www.texemarrs.com/images/w_hugs_gannon.jpgIf Trump is not dirty himself he has them by the balls. They’re cooked. All the Jews power they worked on for centuries down the drain.
Rurik #29351 March 6, 2017 10:28 pm 5
Let Trump use his EO power to declassify, and lift the sequestration on all those hidden documents of the Obama personal record, the BC, which would drive a wedge between him and Hillary the original birther, the college transcripts, the SSN number allegations, the medical records, and all the rest. This would open another inactive front for then to defend, distract the attention of a lot of people, and might very well reveal some truly devastating information. Best, once everything is opened, Trump would need expend no further energy as Cashill, Corsi, and other independents would run with that ball. And it all could be done in the name of truth-telling and the historical record.
Sam J. #29426 March 8, 2017 12:44 am 2
“…Trump use his EO power to declassify, and lift the sequestration on all those hidden documents of the Obama personal record…” That’s really good I like that!
Heartlander #29311 March 6, 2017 1:31 pm 4
Well, I should hope he pursues those investigations. He’s not much of a president if he doesn’t. The president is supposed to make sure laws are enforced! People broke laws, and they should be prosecuted. The scandal would be if they’re NOT brought to justice. Are we going to just let big-time lawbreakers get away with it? WTF? Why the hell are Eric Holder and Lois Lerner still at large? They should have gone to prison years ago.
Nori #29263 March 6, 2017 8:42 am 17
I’m hoping AG Sessions unleashes the Hounds of Hell on every front. After cleansing the DOJ of Obama operatives,of course. The caterwauling of the Dem Media is epic already,by summer they’ll be out of fresh Hitler invectives.
Dan Kurt #29285 March 6, 2017 10:55 am 4
re: “I’m hoping AG Sessions unleashes the Hounds of Hell on every front.” Nori The way Sessions caved last week demonstrates he has no fight in him, I fear. Why, oh why, did not Trump select an attorney general who possesses Fire In His Belly and not Sessions who has the earmarks of a Milquetoast. Dan Kurt
thezman #29291 March 6, 2017 11:36 am 21
I think you guys are reading way too much into Sessions recusing himself. He was going to do that anyway. The Left knew it so they made a big stink so they could claim to have forced it on him, but that’s all bullshit. Sessions was never going to get that tar baby on him. It is not the hill to die on.
hokkoda #29300 March 6, 2017 1:05 pm 13
It actually makes things easier for Sessions because now he can ignore questions about it, the crisis goes away (the Left has now moved on to some sort of “financial disclosure” wrt Sessions, so the Russia thing is now off his plate). Illegal immigration law enforcement is why Sessions got hired. And I guess we can add to his job jar: find out who authorized continuing wire taps against the Trump campaign and pre-inauguration team. And, finding out if those wire taps continued into his administration in the White House.
LetsPlay #29336 March 6, 2017 8:11 pm 4
AG Sessions needs to enforce the Rule of Law and reestablish such across the land. He is not a one man show. He has many departments and people at his disposal. I agree that making Trump’s campaign promises about Immigration are a priority but I am sure he is very capable of multi-tasking on fronts like domestic spying, the Clinton Crime Network, Lolita Island, the Consolidation of the MSM, Georgie-boy Soros and his minions causing chaos across the land (and now with our former AG Lowretta Lynch-my-ass cuz I’m a dumbass racist and hate America), among others. Round’em up and send them to Quantanimo. We are at war and the Trump administration is under attack by domestic enemies.
Kathy #29350 March 6, 2017 10:15 pm 1
I hope his job description includes busting up Pizzagate and imprisoning all the pedophiles.
teapartydoc #29309 March 6, 2017 1:25 pm 11
The recusal leaves Sessions free to fight on other fronts without looking like he’s seeking out reprisals.
LetsPlay #29335 March 6, 2017 8:02 pm 2
Yes, but at this early stage, the Left should not be given one iota of satisfaction. e.g. Lois Lerner … nothing.
Dr. Dre #29329 March 6, 2017 6:20 pm 11
Methinks that Sessions can be a sneaky little sh%^ when it’s necessary. The milquetoast demeanor is a cover for a certain toughness. Would you have been able to stand the sheer nastiness rendered him a couple of weeks ago at his confirmation hearings? The guy went thru hell 20 yrs ago trying to become a federal judge for crissakes and ended up in the US Senate, re-elected several times. He also stepped right up with support for Trump long before any other Repub leaders in the Senate did. Never wavered. He’s owed big-time and I believe that he is just itching for payback. Ask yourself — is there ANYONE out there who actually likes Chuck Schumer? Stand firm.
LetsPlay #29334 March 6, 2017 8:01 pm 3
You mean like Trey Gowdy? 😉
Heartlander #29319 March 6, 2017 1:43 pm 18
I’m hoping that the real reason Sessions recused himself from the stupid, time-wasting Russia silliness is so that he could devote all his time and energy to building cases against and bringing down the Washington elite pedophile rings.
Mike Pitzler #29277 March 6, 2017 10:13 am 8
I prefer the biblical example. In the times of the judges when “every man did what was right in his own eyes,” when the people would fall into great oppression, God would raise up judges like Samson to deliver his people, and Jehu somewhat fits our situation. God commanded Jehu to destroy the family of Ahab, and in the middle of his grisly task, as he approached in the distance, the watchmen reported:“and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously. (2 Ki. 9:20 ASV),”“And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and attired her head, and looked out at the window. 31 And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Is it peace, thou Zimri, thy master’s murderer? 32 And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. 33 And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down (2 Ki. 9:30-33 ASV)”Substitute Donald for Jehu and Hillary for Jezebel, if you will.
Old Codger #29310 March 6, 2017 1:28 pm 18
To all those IDIOTS who claimed TRUMP had “No political experience: I’ve been saying since Day One of the Republican primary campaign: Trump learned more about politics on his first real estate building development in NYC, than all his opponents combined in all their years of “politics.” When its your skin in the game, you pay very close attention to the political details!!!
James LePore #29254 March 6, 2017 7:27 am 29
Taking a 30,000 feet view, I ask myself, how did this happen? Trump may not be a mentalic, but he is definitely the Messiah of the Dirt People. Maybe they’re the same thing. Maybe that was Azimov’s point. Until Trump came along, I thought evil was going to win hands down. Not now. I do not discount the spiritual component in all this.
thezman #29262 March 6, 2017 8:38 am 35
I think Trump is a time traveler. He says something and everyone howls in protest, only to see Trump proven correct. It’s getting creepy.
karl hungus #29269 March 6, 2017 9:25 am 14
well, keep in mind Trump is the guy flipping the cards, and the press is the chump with $20 sitting on the table
Old Codger #29308 March 6, 2017 1:23 pm 9
Funny, the press doesn’t know WHO the chump is!When you don’t recognize who the chump is…. you’re the chump!
Rurik #29348 March 6, 2017 10:02 pm 2
He thinks ahead and games out the implications of current decisions. Playing chess, but not on a board with only stylized moves permitted. And he pays close attention and remembers.
Calsdad #29375 March 7, 2017 10:06 am 0
When you truly understand the dynamics of a particular situation – it’s not hard to come off looking like a sorcerer to the ignorant.
Country Mouse #29241 March 6, 2017 3:14 am 28
My first, visceral reaction to your last line was : Fukkin – A !! My 2nd thought : From your lips to God’s ears! I want to see Samson pull down the pillars of the temple.More than that – I want to help!
Old Codger #29304 March 6, 2017 1:11 pm 6
Question is: Do you do it with signs? Or something more metallic and substantial???
Rurik #29338 March 6, 2017 9:12 pm 7
When taking hostile fire, try to keep your head down until you know where it is coming from. And then take no prisoners.
random observer #29318 March 6, 2017 1:42 pm 5
My first thoughts as well. May it prove to be so.
alzaebo #29244 March 6, 2017 5:26 am 27
Hat tip to Letsplay yesterday- by quoting Alinsky directly, he settled the question once and for all. Is it incompetence or malice? It’s deliberate.It’s deliberate.It’s deliberate malice. There is no possibility of “compromise”.Bring the Mule!
hokkoda #29278 March 6, 2017 10:17 am 26
Your best column in months. You’ve been using the Mule description for almost as long as Trump has been running way back in mid-2015.What is going to be very fun to watch is whether Trump’s allegations that Trump Tower was wire tapped hold up. If reporting is accurate about the FISA court rulings in June and October, then there are some very powerful people who have a lot to lose. So, you’ll see them switch tactics. “We had no choice but to bug Trump,” will be the fallback position. Hence Obama’s non-denial, denials, over the weekend. They left themselves an “out” for plausible deniability.The problem the Obama DOJ has is that it is now the Trump DOJ, and so everything the Obama DOJ was doing is now in Trump’s hands. Were there FISA warrants issued against Trump? Who requested them? Who authorized them? Who supervised the collections? Was the warrant properly executed (i.e. did they tap people outside their scope)? Who had access to that information, and with whom was that shared? Were people who’s rights were supposed to be protected properly screened out of recording? Who leaked the NSA/CIA transcripts of those collections, to whom, and why? etc. etc.That’s why D.C. is in shock today, Mika is breaking down in tears on live TV, and even a lot of Democrats sat up and took notice. Even they are saying that bugging a major Presidential candidate using State powers during a Federal election when there is no credible evidence of wrongdoing is A Very Bad Thing. Their only fall-back is to claim there is “no evidence”. Well, just like the riots in Sweden, there’s “no evidence” Trump is right…until there is. And that happens quite a lot with Trump who is often vindicated days, weeks or months later.They’re not scared this morning because Trump is a threat to democracy. They’re scared this morning because he just might be right.
thezman #29284 March 6, 2017 10:41 am 25
The evidence is compelling. We know someone from the government or a government was listening to Flynn and then distributing that information to the press. The list of people able to listen to a Russian ambassador’s phone is very small.
hokkoda #29286 March 6, 2017 10:57 am 19
Not just that, but the fact that they picked Flynn out of what is probably a whole lot of wire taps. That means they were looking for people, particularly considering the way it was leaked. Nothing illegal happened, but they collected intelligence of a Trump guy on the phone with a Russian guy, and knew the media would run with it.The quote from Ben Rhodes (one of Obama’s flacks) is telling, “No President can order a wiretap. Those restrictions were put in place to protect citizens from people like you.”That potentially tells us three things: That they considered it, and realized it is illegal. That they have an animus towards Trump that is really beyond rational behavior. And that if you have the second, and want to get around the first, all you need is somebody who CAN order the wiretap to know what is expected of them.It establishes motive, and an understanding that if they wanted to execute wire taps, then people would have to do it in a certain way. All DOJ lawyers would have needed is a head nod from Lynch or Obama (or both) to know what was expected of them.Sometimes when people say stuff, they’re giving up their “tells”. Like when Chuck Schumer admitted that the Intel Community would be “getting back at” Trump…and a few weeks later somebody leaks that Flynn phone call with the Russian Ambassador. I suspect that old Chuckie wasn’t speculating, but was giving away some of the game plan.
thezman #29287 March 6, 2017 11:20 am 27
My hunch is that the Dems were so sure Hillary was going to win they started acting as if it had happened. They stopped wondering if anyone would find out what they were doing, because they just assumed Team Clinton would be in for eight years. The assault on Trump with the Russian stuff was intended to be a warning, but may have backfired.
hokkoda #29295 March 6, 2017 12:15 pm 12
I think that is exactly right. They expected to be able to make all these little problems “go away”. With Clinton in the WH, maybe some of this stuff leaks out, but Clinton just declares executive privilege, and everybody takes the 5th.
Baltar #29326 March 6, 2017 4:43 pm 3
An alternative hypothesis is that this was all about trying to find dirt on Trump for the election. It’s clear now that without the tapes, Trump would have won in a landslide and maybe the Dems knew it. And didn’t Nate Silver give Trump about a 25% chance of winning on election eve? 25% is only correctly picking two coin flips in a row. Obama (and/or Hillary) was running scared, and desperately wanted to humiliate Trump and his movement. I think that’s the simplest explanation.
hokkoda #29340 March 6, 2017 9:29 pm 2
I thought it was 12-15%, but that might have been the NYT.
Sam J. #29428 March 8, 2017 2:12 am 0
“…My hunch is that the Dems were so sure Hillary was going to win they started acting as if it had happened…”Here’s an interesting angle. Pure speculation. It is very probable that hacking voting machines is what gave Hillary the primaries. What if when they tried to hack the general election…they were stopped. Someone outhacked them and shut them down. The CIA, NSA, etc. has been doing super major crooked things not in the best interest of the people of the USA. Maybe some of those on the inside decided to stop it.Hence all the “Russia” talk. Maybe we really were hacked..but it wasn’t Russia or even more devious, maybe it was! They can’t come out and say, “Hey we hacked the election in our favor. Russia changed it”.
roger #29289 March 6, 2017 11:25 am 19
Never write when you can call. Never call when you can meet.Never talk when you can nod.
Guest #29290 March 6, 2017 11:28 am 5
>> The problem the Obama DOJ has is that it is now the Trump DOJAt this point in time, this statement is absolutely not correct. This was the entire thrust of my comments on the previous post. You seem not to be grasping the way the DoJ works.To be clear, Sessions has recused himself on any investigation related to whether the Trump campaign had communication with the Russians.Since Sessions has recused himself, the sole responsibility for the decision regarding whether to appoint a Special Prosecutor falls to Acting Deputy Attorney General Dana Boente, an Obama appointee. It is *NOT* the Trump DoJ that is empowered to make a decision regarding appointment of a Special Prosecutor. It *IS* the Obama DoJ.Boente will remain Deputy AG until Rod Rosenstein, Trump’s nominee for Deputy AG, is confirmed. Hearings for Rosenstein are this week. Democrats are already indicating they will demand Rosenstein commit to appointing a Special Prosecutor during his hearings.If the Democrats on the Committee vote as a block they can prevent his nomination from advancing to a vote. You can bet your sweet ass they will block his nomination if he doesn’t commit to a Special Prosecutor.https://theintercept.com/2017/03/02/sessionss-recusal-gives-senators-powerful-leverage-to-demand-russia-special-prosecutor/The magnitude of Jeff Sessions’ error simply can’t be overstated. There is absolutely nothing to stop Boente from appointing a Democrat operative as a Special Prosecutor this week. This entire Russian meeting episode was a complete farce, but it now has the potential to bring down the Trump Presidency.Sessions has to go. I suspect Trump would like to fire him now but there’s no way he could get a new AG confirmed in this environment.
thezman #29292 March 6, 2017 11:41 am 11
The DOJ cannot appoint a special prosecutor. That’s not how it works. Beware of the paranoid rantings from many on the Right. It’s just attention whoring.
Guest #29293 March 6, 2017 12:11 pm 4
Zman, that’s not correct. A special prosecutor may be appointed by the Attorney General or by Congress. This article does a good job of explaining how a special prosecutor can be appointed:http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-special-prosecutor-trump-russia-jeff-sessions-congress-2017-2With Sessions’ decision to recuse, authority falls to Acting Deputy AG Boente, as described in my comment above.I don’t disagree with your previous comment that Sessions would have eventually recused himself. Had he simply waited until Rosenstein was confirmed this whole debacle would have been a non-issue.Instead, Sessions recusal just handed the Democrats precisely the leverage they need to get a special prosecutor appointed, either by Acting Deputy AG Boente or by extracting a promise to appoint a special prosecutor from the nominee for Deputy AG Rosenstein.
Uncle_Max #29296 March 6, 2017 12:37 pm 19
Guest, I am thinking that is exactly why Trump went nuclear Saturday morning. The Donks and the deepstate have NOTHING to gain now by a SP. A SP, even appt’d by Boente, would be inherently political now… and good luck avoiding the elephant in the room… FISA tap or was it? Etc. Trump called their bluff. We’re in uncharted waters as far as political gamesmanship in DC goes. High stakes; first time EVER. Trump threw a wrench into conventional political warfare. Heh.
Guest #29298 March 6, 2017 12:55 pm 4
I agree re: Trump going nuclear and uncharted waters.My only response otherwise is: when have modern Democrats ever cared about subverting the judicial process by being inherent political?Acting Deputy AG Boente is not a democratic party operative and I don’t think he will take the bait, but I could be wrong. I believe Rosenstein will have to commit on the stand to appoint a special prosecutor, and he will do so.Look at the smirk on Schumer’s face. It’s the same smirk he wore when he convinced idiot Rubio to support comprehensive immigration reform, thereby ruining his political career. Right now the Democrats are holding the cards.
teapartydoc #29316 March 6, 2017 1:37 pm 6
They have a hand. You make it sound like they have the whole deck.
Dorf #29323 March 6, 2017 3:45 pm 3
The democrats have a hand.. like a foot.
LetsPlay #29344 March 6, 2017 9:37 pm 2
And right now, it is firmly planted in their mouth!
LetsPlay #29342 March 6, 2017 9:35 pm 1
With all the potential info out there, the best you can come up with is “Business Insider?”
LetsPlay #29341 March 6, 2017 9:34 pm 2
If the Dems vote as a block they can prevent his nomination from advancing? With the numbers favoring the Repubs, just what else are you saying?
Uncle_Max #29246 March 6, 2017 6:24 am 26
Bravo Z. I thought of the same aspect, never threaten an outsider who isn’t dirty. The police precinct meme is apt. That Trump went nuclear when he did speaks volumes. His instincts are excellent and he wisely assessed the Sessions-gate attack as a do or die moment for his agenda and his administration. Enough is enough! I am heartened that he is so often ridiculed and underestimated, and though the press and commentary is mostly dark, it is now time for some pain and thrashing in DC. I predict gnashing of teeth and scary stories, but Mr. Trump will prevail as more white-hats in DC enable and embolden the destruction of the established order in DC politics.
Uncle_Max #29247 March 6, 2017 6:26 am 2
Whoa, DalyKos made the same Asimov’s Mule analogy over a year ago? Wth?
Uncle_Max #29248 March 6, 2017 6:27 am 1
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/5/13/1526136/-Donald-Trump-is-playing-the-role-of-The-Mule-from-Isaac-Asimov-s-Foundation-Trilogy
thezman #29252 March 6, 2017 7:07 am 18
I started using this analogy when the primary started so I have them beat, but the analogy is so obvious I would imagine it occurred to many people.
Uncle_Max #29255 March 6, 2017 7:30 am 9
Z… yep. I like how they could see it, but thought for sure they could prevent it OR no-way Trump could possibly win. heh heh. Helps explain to me the added freak-out on the left.
hokkoda #29279 March 6, 2017 10:20 am 3
Nobody goes to National Review to read the columns. The smart people would read the comments, and you most likely influenced their thinking.
Al from da Nort #29322 March 6, 2017 2:03 pm 4
Z Man;OK, I admit I don’t get the ‘Mule’ business or even less why it matters who came up with it first. I started reading Asimov after reading Heinlein and thought Asimov’s work tedious weak tea, so I quit reading it. So maybe not seeing subtlety is my problem in seeing the Mule analogy.But for the benefit of us linear thinkers out there, please spell it out more directly why the Mule is a good analogy for Trump. I get it that Trump looks to be a threat since he might just be able to blow up Beltway Business as Usual. But using mind control_?Or are you saying that his mind control is to make the Cloud Folk crazy enough to blow themselves up_? Great post BTW.
bilejones #29325 March 6, 2017 4:39 pm 1
It’s been 30 years since I read the book but wasn’t one of the defining characteristics of Asimov’s Mule that he was sterile?
John the River #29330 March 6, 2017 7:39 pm 8
Yes, but it’s always a mistake to carry literary metaphors to far.
lawrence #29399 March 7, 2017 11:34 am 0
My recollection of more than 40 years was that the mule had rare unforseen powers making the predictions made by Hari Seldon about the trajectory of history no longer correct. The Mule was a fly in the ointment or black swan, if you wish. He was not predicted or predictable.
Ofay Cat #29572 March 10, 2017 12:51 am 0
The way Trump was winning people over once they met him was a Mule-like thing. I did think of Asimov’s Foundation at that time.
Rurik #29346 March 6, 2017 9:41 pm 2
Even a nut finds a blind squirrel occasionally.
LetsPlay #29271 March 6, 2017 9:38 am 15
To the point of most of Trump and his team being “outsiders” to the DC establishment and the premature recusal by AG Sessions, I would urge Trump AND his entire cabinet get an immediate download/debrief on just what kind of swamp they are playing in and the creatures that inhabit such. I was so dismayed that Sessions would capitulate so easily, so quickly but knowing him to be an honest, good hearted man, he still wants to play by some kind of Gentleman’s Rules. He is in the wrong swamp for those kind of rules and if he hasn’t learned that by now, he better wise up quickly. In that town, you go for the jugular any chance you get and the Dem’s/MSM/Left are taking every tiny opportunity to do just that.Time to take the nice-guy gloves off and put on the brass knuckles!
Rabbi High Comma #29242 March 6, 2017 4:29 am 25
I’m pleased (((Schumer))) is so eager to be the face of the war on Trump. The post-Kennedy order of post-WASP run America, and it’s progressive diminishment mirrors that of many once loved cultural institutions which were taken over by same, and their respect, earned through decades of hard work and objectivity, was turned into yet another implement of cultural destruction. The fact many refuse to acknowledge the war upon Whites by a hostile elite, even at this advanced stage of cultural cancer, is demoralizing.
Gnawbonejack #29243 March 6, 2017 5:21 am 13
Demoralizing yes, but necessary. It is time people; fish or cut bait.
Old Codger #29305 March 6, 2017 1:14 pm 5
Paper signs? Or hard steel??? I vote for, “Lock and load!” That “Mr. Nice Guy” stuff hasn’t worked for awhile.
Dr. Dre #29265 March 6, 2017 8:58 am 12
An absolutely great Wall Street Journal op-ed by Shelby Steele today parallels this discussion: “The Exhaustion of American Liberalism,” showing a lame white guy holding a sign denouncing thought crimes like ‘white privilege’ and such. They needn’t have bothered to use a color photo for this image, as the fellow looks like he is about to faint from anemia!!
Rurik #29339 March 6, 2017 9:17 pm 0
Schmucky Schumer is not an attractive face or voice for the war on trump or anything.
Rabbi High Comma #29353 March 6, 2017 11:09 pm 2
In Schumer’s sulphur voice one can sense that evil does exist. The tribe, and especially is leaders, both “religious” and political, which are one and the same, single-mindedly prey upon the kindness of “the other” to benefit the in-group. They view compassion as a design flaw to be exploited. On one glorious day of reckoning, they will be forced by the weary, exhausted hate of a world out of excuses for the tribe to see past their dual moralistic excuses for their craven Talmudic desire to crush all others. But it will be a mere momentary break.“Whenever one tried to get a firm grip on any of these apostles, one’s hand grasped only jelly and slime which slipped through the fingers and combined again into a solid mass a moment afterwards….Soon I began to hate them”
Uncle_Max #29249 March 6, 2017 6:37 am 21
Bare with me guys. Z, so I read that DalyKox mule anaolgy. In May of last year they mention defeating him. The comments are closed, but what a tidbit I found there. One guy was prescient :”VisceralMay 13 · 08:57:16 AMI would be wary of this analogy. From what I know of Trump’s supporters, they’d welcome the idea that Trump is the Mule, while regarding any real-life equivalent to psychohistory, Hari Seldon and his Foundations, and their Plan as exactly the kind of vast, pervasive, but impossibly subtle “elite” conspiracies that supposedly shape every aspect of life and society without people’s knowledge that RWers so readily traffic in.Another SF analogy they might welcome would be Leto II’s Golden Path: where the ultimate goal is to destroy any possibility of a single will (whether individual or collective and whether human or otherwise) being imposed upon humanity, which Leto and Paul before him saw as leading to humanity’s destruction. They look at Trump and want to see a leader but not a master. Not one to hold humanity in thrall but one to explode the systems that do: globalism, government for government’s sake, and above all PC/victim culture … all will fall and at last [white, heterosexual] men will be free.”Obviously not a fan of the RW! Heh.. But this Visceral person’s comment is striking for May of last year. I love the ” leader, not a master” line. Exacto!
Teapartydoc #29253 March 6, 2017 7:14 am 4
I wish we could repost comments to the top. I’d do that in this case.
Matt #29317 March 6, 2017 1:40 pm 1
Vote it up and sort on most voted
Ofay Cat #29573 March 10, 2017 12:54 am 0
Leto and Paul (Maud Dib?) are you talking about Dune?
Karl Horst #29266 March 6, 2017 9:12 am 17
From everything I have seen and read lately, the American political landscape has turned from a two-party system of Democrats and Republicans, into a two-party system of Pro- and Anti-Trump. This is a first! Even Mr. Obama was unable to create such disparity which polarized both parties against one person. To consider the Russians as the “bad guys” is to dig so deeply into what I would call the “Vault of Villains” that it is laughable. I keep waiting for someone to say that Trump wants “…sharks with frickin’ laser beams attached to their heads”. It’s that ridiculous.
Drake #29270 March 6, 2017 9:28 am 8
Substitute “establishment” or “elite” for Trump and you are correct. “If Donald Trump did not exist, something like him would have had to be invented.” – VDH http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2017/03/02/is_the_american_elite_really_elite_133228.html
thezman #29283 March 6, 2017 10:40 am 15
Pretty much. In reality, we had a mono-party for a long time. It had two faces, but one brain. Parliamentary systems abhor such arrangements so we are seeing a second party emerge.
Dusty Reefer #29237 March 6, 2017 12:50 am 16
Using Asimov’s “the Mule”, great analogy.
Drake #29272 March 6, 2017 9:46 am 1
I thought it was a Larry Niven analogy at first and was ready to get my geek on.
Sam J. #29250 March 6, 2017 6:38 am 15
Your the first person I’ve heard mention “the Mule”. I’ve been thinking of him in that way for a long time. I really liked that book. I often wonder if Trump is super competent and thinking three steps ahead of his enemies or…is he just lucky? Don’t snicker at luck the ancients held Men with luck in great regard. This was a plot feature in the HBO Rome series but it really existed to our forefathers.
Uncle_Max #29256 March 6, 2017 7:32 am 16
Agree, and too… really.. Trump is blessed by his enemies. The political class really isn’t that clever. VDH’s recent “elite” column comes to mind too. We’re witnessing what happens when a business person goes to DC. I wish him well. He’ll either be victorious, or destroyed. No middle ground in this.
Old Codger #29307 March 6, 2017 1:20 pm 8
“We’ll either be victorious, or destroyed.” FIFY
John the River #29331 March 6, 2017 7:45 pm 6
Quite right, that’s the lesson in all this; International business is very hard, politics in comparison is not.And if you think about it, that’s why Soros is the brains and director on the other team and Obama wasn’t.
Old Codger #29306 March 6, 2017 1:19 pm 10
The Ancients recognized LUCK happens when “preparation meets opportunity!”Ain’t nobody MORE PREPARED than POTUS DJT!
Dutch #29281 March 6, 2017 10:35 am 13
Per the British tabloids through Drudge, Trump had a busy weekend dressing down Bannon and Prebius. So The Donald is the force here, not anyone else. He is the guy that makes it all happen. I am encouraged, he is doubling down again, no matter who needs to be shaken up. Also it looks like training cameras on the Oval Office is done now. Things are about to get much more interesting…
Dr. Dre #29273 March 6, 2017 9:51 am 13
Reading this article and everyone’s comments is almost as exciting as waking up on November 9, 2016, to learn that DJT was elected President!!The Zman has put forth a new “Unified Field Theory”!! ‘Destroyer of Worlds’, from the original Sanskrit, is of course how Robert Oppenheimer described himself and what he did in developing the atomic bomb. He got cold feet along with some others when they learned that the US was going to use it against Japan, not Germany, and ended up losing his security clearance. An early case of Russian hacking;-)
White hat #29239 March 6, 2017 2:35 am 12
In other words, Trumo is saying no more mister nice guy, bring it on!
Robert #29324 March 6, 2017 3:51 pm 10
“The Mule” is an absolutely correct analogy. If anyone should have won the Republican nomination, it should have been Cruz, who had calculated and assembled political coaltions for victory with Seldon-like accuracy. I told people at the time that Trump was beyond their ability to anticipate, a fluke who overturned all expectations and set all plans at naught. Bravo on your clever analysis.
Drake #29268 March 6, 2017 9:24 am 8
The moment of truth will come for the GOP in a month or two when all the dust has settled from the confirmations.Will they deliver on their conservative promises they talked so much about for so long? Or, will President Trump (who many of them claimed wasn’t a conservative at all) have to try them into action?If most Republicans in Congress still refuse to act, will the party split? Paul Ryan, Graham, McCain, etc… belong in a center-left party with the platform of the 1980’s Democrats. Cruz, Rand Paul, and few others can go with Trump to form an actual conservative party.
George Orwell #29275 March 6, 2017 10:04 am 10
Pretty confident the Republicans will show their habitual stripes — they will do little with legislation and what they will do will be more liberalism-lite. They certainly won’t move boldly on the Wall. Yet the True Conservatives over at NR and Weekly Standard will keep wailing that Trump Has Betrayed You And Isn’t A Conservative.The TruCons’ have a problem with being a beard intended to make the Republicans look like an opposition party. Now that the Responsible Repubs have come out of the closet and openly defy their own party’s president, there isn’t much need for the TruCon puppet show. The Repubs have a big problem now too. Once Trump voters decide the GOP is on the same side as the Dems, there’s going to be a mess of upset apple carts throughout D.C.They may not like what follows.
Sam J. #29427 March 8, 2017 1:24 am 0
If push comes to shove could Trump get enough votes in the House and the Senate to oust McConnell and Ryan? What exactly do they have that is so important to the rest of the members?
Matt #29314 March 6, 2017 1:34 pm 6
Awesome post. Dead on. Sharing broadly today.
Rurik #29337 March 6, 2017 9:04 pm 5
Even Donald Trump, God save and protect him, does not yet realize the situation in which he finds himself. The old order, the status quo ante, the Constitution, is dead. Perhaps that old charter has been dead for nearly a century as we pretended to observe the pro forma niceties, much like dead Bernie propped up in his chair for the party. Now Donald must chart a new course, fashioned out of the usable parts of the old wreckage.In Caesar’s time those Romans knew the Republic was in trouble, Antony, Octavian, Cicero, some of them tried to save or restore it, while others were trying to carve out cynical futures for themselves. Judging by Tacitus, Suetonius and Graves, it appears that Claudius initially thought restoration possible, but found out you cannot go back.The old Constitutionalist Conservatives can only kid themselves invoking Articles, and Paragraphs, and Amendments. They are marching into debated in good-hearted ranks wearing red coats against unsporting foes. Our best hope is that Trump is a pragmatic businessman who is addicted to winning.Keep your head down, and do not blame him if he leaves some stains on our carpet.
TempoNick #29354 March 6, 2017 11:40 pm 3
NSA whistleblower shows how candidate Trump could have been wiretapped http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/03/nsa_whistleblower_shows_how_candidate_trump_could_have_been_wiretapped.html
Docmccarthy #29347 March 6, 2017 9:48 pm 3
Love it! MAGA! Drain the Swamp, Mr. President, beginning with both of my congressmen, McCain and Flakey Flake.
edwhy #29303 March 6, 2017 1:10 pm 3
Tales of the third world……
Joan Of Argghh #29321 March 6, 2017 1:50 pm 2
Trump’s idea that gov’t agencies will self-police to reduce the bloat is pure fantasy, so much so that I wonder who fed it to him.
Strelnikov #29299 March 6, 2017 1:02 pm 2
Oddly enough, I just finished re-reading the entire Foundation series, all 7 books, some not so good.
LetsPlay #29345 March 6, 2017 9:39 pm 2
Does one need to read all seven or can you just read the first three or so to get the story of “The Mule?”
random observer #29401 March 7, 2017 11:42 am 0
The original trilogy is self-contained and comprised of linked stories some or all of which were originally published separately. IIRC the story of the Mule is entirely in the second book, Foundation and Empire, although I suggest at least reading the first book Foundation first for background. The third book, Second Foundation, adds something but is post-Mule. The sequels Asimov wrote in the 80s are actually better, though of course less original.
wkwkke #29245 March 6, 2017 6:22 am 2
love the Mule character
duder #29409 March 7, 2017 2:30 pm 1
why not just Declassify everything?
Fergus #29407 March 7, 2017 1:53 pm 1
After RINOCARE proposal I am beginning to doubt that an new order has arrived. More like a slightly less RINO has exposed himself.
Steven G. Ryan #29405 March 7, 2017 12:52 pm 1
Ha! As soon as I opened the page I said to myself, “Self, that reminds me of The Mule”. Love the Analogy!
lawrence #29398 March 7, 2017 11:28 am 1
Funny, I have been saying that Trump is a cross between the mule and a black swan. For better or worse remains to be seen.
Granny Goose #29385 March 7, 2017 10:43 am 1
Fascinating conclusions! Great article.
The Destroyer of Worlds - Patriot Rising #29377 March 7, 2017 10:16 am 1
[…] Reprinted from The Z Man Blog. […]
Always_On_Watch #29366 March 7, 2017 6:41 am 1
Because of the plethora of enemies — enemies of our republic — I worry about President Trump’s safety. There are subversives everywhere, and there is nothing they won’t do to stop him.
Ofay Cat #29571 March 10, 2017 12:49 am 0
However, I seriously doubt that there is a Preem Palver on the left waiting in the wings to neutralize the Mule.
AntiMu #29442 March 8, 2017 11:45 am 0
Funny, I used to call BHO ‘The Mule’, with his magic Lyre enchanting his followers and instilling despair in his opponents
Mel Pell #29421 March 7, 2017 8:56 pm 0
No fan of The Donald. Or Shrillary. But watching big media have to eat words, stool, and whatever else they had to eat election night and what’s happened since has almost put me in the D-Mans camp. Almost. Needs to lose the comb over
The Destroyer of Worlds We Seek the Truth #29374 March 7, 2017 9:48 am 0
[…] Reprinted from The Z Man Blog. […]


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