The Riviera of the Middle East

President Trump made a shocking statement this week, asserting the U.S. would “own” the Gaza Strip and redevelop all that magnificent beach-front property into “The Riviera of the Middle East.” While this redevelopment was going on, the Palestinian people would be relocated to other countries. When asked if they could return after the redevelopment, the president said, “I don’t see why they would.” Presumably, resort living is not a Palestinian thing.

This visionary proposal was made at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who looked on in rapt attention. The president followed up with a posting on Truth Social:

The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting. The Palestinians, people like Chuck Schumer, would have already been resettled in far safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes, in the region….

First, there are some surprises here. Who knew Chuck Schumer is a Palestinian? I always thought he was Jewish. Second, and more striking, who knew there were beautiful communities with new and modern homes ready to accept approximately two million Palestinians? Even if we assumed six to ten people per family, that’s somewhere between 200,000 and 333,000 “new and modern homes.”

I'm looking forward to a follow-up posting in which President Trump tells us where these housing units exist and how soon the Palestinians can move in. No one has mentioned money, so I'm guessing all of this will be built on spec by Jared Kushner and Mohammed bin Salman. 

I’m also hoping for clarification as to what happens to Hamas. Hamas seems to be replenishing its ranks as quickly as they are depleted. There are certainly a lot of them at each hostage exchange—heavily armed, wearing new-looking battle fatigues, sporting their green headbands. Will they go to the new communities? Or stay behind to fight it out with the IDF? Maybe they’ll stay in the tunnels and come out when it’s time to enjoy The Riviera of the Middle East.

I can’t wait for the president’s next posting on this project.

 Moon Dance

 

The question of the day is: Can you moonwalk? I’m talking about the iconic Michael Jackson dance move that first captivated the nation back in 1983. A great many of us have tried, but very few can come close to the master. I’m blown away every time I see film clips of Michael gliding across the stage in his signature move.

The reason I ask is because the Trump administration is walking back so many policy actions, the ability to do the moonwalk is going to be in high demand. For instance:

 

·      On Day 1, the administration announced a hiring freeze. This included the Veterans Administration (VA) where thousands of job offers had to be rescinded, which of course raised a great hue and cry. The hue and cry became so loud the administration backed down. They walked it back.

·      A “stop work” order was issued for the AIDS therapy program known as PEPFAR. This impacted people in mid-cycle of the treatment program, risking the development of vaccine resistant strains of HIV. Another hue and cry, and again, the administration backed down. They walked it back.

·      The National Institutes of Health (NIH) was ordered to place a full stop on all clinical trials. In addition, all meetings, travel, communications, and hiring were shut down. More hue and cry, and—you guessed it—the administration backed down. They walked it back.

·      Finally, the big one: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo ordering a “pause” in all spending pending a review to ferret out DEI and woke initiatives. And once again, a great hue and cry followed by the inevitable walking back.

 

Here’s my point: Rather than have a grim-faced, boring spokesperson announce the walk-back, why not have each agency hire a person capable of doing Michael Jackson’s famous moonwalk? Wouldn’t that be far more interesting? With the music from “Billie Jean” pulsing in the background, the moonwalker could sing, We rescind the prior memo / We didn’t mean it / It’s the media’s fault / Take that to the vault.

You know the White House press corps would love it, as would the public at large. The administration could turn an embarrassing negative into a festive event. So, all of you who can do the moonwalk, dust off your resumes, make a TicTok video, and submit the package to the White House personnel office. There are lots of federal agencies and every one of them is going to need a moonwalker. You don’t have to dress exactly like Michael Jackson, but I think a snappy hat is in order. Especially if it’s one with a brim that hides your eyes.

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Dear Faithful Readers,

I have been working sporadically to create an author’s website, a “landing page” for readers and book promoters. The goal is to be found if someone does a Google search for my name. It is also to highlight my books, especially the new one, The Short Stories of C.W. Spooner. Perhaps someone will say, “Hmmm…let’s give this guy a try, see what he has to say.”

I’ve learned that building a website is no easy task for the technically challenged, me being case-in-point number one. With help from my colleague and dear friend Billie Kelpin, I now have something to land on—at least for computer users. The mobile version of the site needs work, so if you are viewing it on your phone, I apologize for the chaos. I’m working on it. Really, I am.

In the meantime, I invite you to go to your desktop or laptop or whatever and click the following link:

https://cwspoonerauthor.com

Having done that, let me know what you think at: cspiggidy2@hotmail.com

Thank you, Faithful Readers! If not for you, I’d have to find another hobby.

Sincerely,

C.W. Spooner

PS: The photo on the home page was taken at Wrigley Field with my Uncle Pat Pieper’s star on the Walk of Fame. He was the Cubs field announcer from 1916 until he passed away in 1974.

PPS: The mobile version of the site is now fixed. Wahoo! Score one for the technically challenged.

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Hey, Mikey

 

One of the disturbing bits of news during the current Trump transition is that Mike Johnson’s job as
Speaker of the House might be in jeopardy. I must admit I’ve grown accustomed to Speaker Johnson’s image—clean shaven, Mr. Peeper’s glasses, every hair in place. If I have to look at politicians on my television screen, I much prefer choirboy Mike Johnson to any other I can think of.

In an age when theories abound, I have one of my own. Remember the Life cereal commercial from way back in 1972? Three brothers are gathered at the breakfast table confronted with a bowl of cereal they’ve never seen before. The two older brothers decide they are not going to taste it. Instead, they say, “Let’s get Mikey. He hates everything.” Mikey digs in and begins devouring the cereal. The older brothers are shocked. “He likes it! Hey, Mikey!”

The acting credits for this classic ad go to the Gilchrist brothers, with Mikey played by four-year-old John Gilchrist. My theory is that Gilchrist was a pseudo name. John Gilchrist was, in reality, Mike Johnson, the future Speaker of the House. “Hey, Mikey,” indeed!

Life cereal aside, I’d rather see Mike Johnson pop up on my cable news channel than Kash Patel, or Boris Epshteyn, or (God forbid) Steve Bannon. Let’s all hope Speaker Johnson keeps the coveted gavel.

 

 

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