Reminiscing

My interest in what is happening in Gaza has dwindled as I have begun to pay more attention to the run up to the US presidential and Congressional elections. The US for me, shares a great part of the blame for the carnage in Gaza. The extent to which this will hurt Kamla Harris, I am not sure, but it certainly will.

I don’t expect her as Vice President at this stage to take a position different to Biden. Perhaps not even after if she wins, for this support for Israel appears somehow to be embedded in the American psyche. I am forced quite often to make generalisations about America and American people, even while understanding that the US is a vast country with a diversity of views. When President Biden and VP Harris are asked questions about what is happening in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, they start by first of all making the point that Israel has the right to defend itself. But the question has moved beyond Israel and has much to do today with Netanyahu, who has a lot of critics in Israel, given the large demonstrations that have been taking place there. At some point the issue of continuing to supply weapons to Israel without putting conditions on their use has to become part of the conversation. In the case of the UK, it will “not grant a licence if it determines there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law”. When one looks at the US relationship with Israel, there is obviously a great concern that Trump will go further in giving Netanyahu whatever he needs.

The more I look at what is happening in the US the more I am convinced that in the area of politics what we have is a tragicomedy. What is happening on the ground in this political season, a little less than two months from the election is sad, racist, inhumane, xenophobic, to identify a few. But at the same time, it is comic. Perhaps, comic to me! This bit about Haitians in Springfield Ohio eating dogs and cats one expects from a shi…le country as Trump calls them. But America qualifies for entry there. I am marvelled with the political ignorance that greets you from the mouths of Americans, mainly Trump’s supporters. They take in everything Trump says, seeing them as the gospel truth. Trump is usually off-key, not completing a thought, before moving on to something totally unconnected.

What is happening in Springfield Ohio is no joking matter. Threats are being issued to those whom Trump and Vance claim are eating their pets. Schools are being closed or forced to operate digitally. Haitians fear going outside. There appears to be absolutely no truth to any of this. Employers of the Haitians are testifying to their work ethics and have been showering pra on them. One gets the impression from a statement by Trump’s running mate that they find it necessary to do or say something that will bring attention to them. In many states, election officials are being threatened. Packages with ‘white powder’ are being sent to offices and homes. So far, I believe, none of them contained harmful substances. Two attempted threats to Trump’s life have been blamed on the rhetoric of the Democrats. That situation is totally crazy. It is as though anything goes.

In all of this we are seeing numbers of longstanding Republican conservatives publicly announcing their support for Harris/Walz. They might not agree with many of the policies of the Democratic party and the views of their presidential nominees. But to them Trump is the threat. If he wins, the Republican party as they knew it will not be the same again. His loss might give them a chance of recovering and remoulding their party. What makes Trump attractive to millions of voters? The most I am prepared to say is that they welcome his racist sayings and his threats against immigrants. He says things which they would want to say but are, for whatever reason, unable to do so. Trump stands for the millionaires who would always be getting tax cuts. His greatest desire is to be a strong man, a dictator, like Putin and Kim Jong un. If he wins, for how long will Americans tolerate him? Then what next, particularly after he has destroyed many of the instruments of a democratic state.

A brief look at Facebook and I see our Prime Minister standing near to Shaffiqua Maloney, seemingly waiting for a photo Op. Shaffiqua is apparently home for a rest after a busy season of athletics. Her big achievement was reaching the Olympic finals in the 800 metres. The very act of reaching the finals has brought tremendous pride to a country, short on athletic glory. Let us hope she continues to get the assistance that she needs that will allow her to continue to stamp SVG’s name on the athletic work. But there are others who need that kind of support and will also do their best to put our country on the map and remove the Vybz Kartel image that stains the country.

By the way despite our posturing and the games we play in the Silly Season, our political climate is much saner than that of the US.

•  Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian