* Imagine, the UN is the pre-eminent institution in support of international peace and security. Arguably, it is the last bastion of global, diplomatic hope. And that’s where this American president goes to be Trump. That “rocket man” insult was a twofer. It enraged both Kim Jong-un and Elton John.
* Kim called Trump a “mentally deranged U.S. dotard.” Dotard? Indeed, the T-shirt is already available for purchase, whether Miriam-Webster was consulted or not.
* Trump and Kim have been referenced as the latest iteration of the “Mad Man” theory. As in, let the other guy think you’re mad, and it will give him pause about pushing any further. It’s a reminder of a Cold War version that overlapped with James Dean-era movie subplots. Two hot-wired guys are engaged in a game of “chicken” on wheels. They drive at each other until one chickens out and turns away from the impending collision. A winner is declared and mutual, head-on death has been averted. Brinksmanship for punks.
The political parallel has two leaders of nuclear-armed countries getting into their “chicken-mobiles,” but one has purposely stuck a whiskey bottle in his pocket obvious enough for his adversary to have seen. And pondered: “Hey, if he’s tipsy or drunk, he won’t be the one to turn away from a suicidal encounter. Uh oh.”
But what if they both have flasks–as well as blustery temperaments?
* Kasich in 2020? Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich, the last challenger standing to Donald Trump in the GOP primaries, has formulated a high-profile, bipartisan health care compromise with Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado. This, in addition to increased media appearances and gubernatorial term-limits well before 2020, have caused speculation about whether he will challenge an incumbent Trump in 2020.
* As it turns out, Katy Tur’s book “Unbelievable” is actually, quite believable. If your assignment is to cover the Trump phenomenon, just keep your notes and make a quick publishing pivot after the election. Surprised it wasn’t out before “What Happened.”
Not that it’s a shock, because we’re seemingly inured by now to all things Trump, but Tur mentioned the notably nasty atmosphere at a Mike Pence rally in New Hampshire where the anti-Clinton chants included the unconscionably awful “assassinate that bitch.” Yet another disgusting reminder that this is what a segment of the electorate has brought us. It’s what can happen with a loathsome forum for validation and permission.