Monday, January 1, 2018

Happy New Year , we survived 2017

So we made it through another year as we say goodbye to 2017 and ring in 2018. Personally I don't mind seeing 2017 in the history books, it was not the best of years. It was not bad by all means but it certainly had its low points. First thing that comes to mind was the Geopolitical volatility that was going on. I really don't see a lot of hope on that calming down in the near future but one can hope it will.

 The issues with North Korea might tone down a bit with the Olympics coming to South Korea.  I would think it would be a good opportunity for everyone to step back a few steps from the edge and get a little bit of sanity back in that region. Will calmer heads prevail over there, lets hope so because that area is still a major flashpoint that could set off the Pacific rim.
 Also in the Pacific rim there is China still trying to lay claim to the bulk of the China sea. This will most likely be a volatile situation in 2018 and the subsequent years. Not all of China's claims are valid per the world courts ruling but that is not going to deter them as China is going to continue advancing its self on the world stage. They are also shooting for the stars next as they advance their space program. This is not necessarily a bad thing if done in a measured and peaceful manner. Only time will tell on that front.

 Then we have the USA in the process of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. That's a decision I am on the fence about. While I personally see it as a valid recognition I also can see the political shit storm that is attached to that recognition so I question the wisdom in the formal move. The move is going to add in more volatility to an already uneasy region. Things in the middle east are far from settled with a mix of ideologies, religions and political factions all competing for control and recognition. This region has always been a powder keg with a short fuse and I have a feeling that 2018 will be a pivotal year for that area. Saudi Arabia has been under going major changes in 2017 so 2018 should be interesting on how things solidify with the change in power over there. You add into that mix Iran's current political turmoil and the middle eastern region might be in for turbulent times.

 Russia will be re-electing Putin again, Its safe to say that its a forgone conclusion.
He will serve another term , step aside for a place holder for a term and be back again down the road for another two term run. He is basically Russia's defacto El Presedente for life for the near future. The more things change the more they stay the same in politics. What this means on the world stage is that Russia will continue to modernize their military as they try to shore up their position as a world power. Russia already has a formidable force and they are going to keep building on that.

  In Europe they are still reeling from the influx of middle eastern and African migration. The European Union has show some cracks in its make up, but so far they have been able to keep things together, minus the exit of Britain. The political climate over there at the moment seems to be a little chaotic at times but 2018 should be an interesting year to see how things come together. Europe is used to being a patchwork quilt so they should be ok provided they don't let things come apart at the seams.

 Over here in the USA, 2017 saw mass Trump Derangement Syndrome by the fine folks over on the left. It literally has gotten so bad that the talking points from the Democrats and Liberal Left have just become white noise that the bulk of the people in the country now largely ignore. Not everything Trump does is the ultimate evil that the left tries to portray it as. The Left largely appear to be living in a giant echo chamber , only content to listen to the ideas they agree with. I watched an evening of MSNBC a while back and it was nothing but a vitriol Trump hate fest with a thin "media news" façade. Meanwhile they seem to actively ignore that the economy is doing well and unemployment is at the lowest it has been in 15 years.
 I personally don't agree with everything Trump does but I certainly don't discount the positives he has brought to the table. For the people on the left though it seems they are incapable of looking beyond their sheer hatred of Trump , and at times anyone that doesn't agree with them 100%.                 Oddly enough , the "Liberal Left" seem to be the most intolerant group in the country at times as they brand anyone who disagrees with them as a Racist , Misogynistic, Nazi, Homophobe, White Supremist or any other moniker that is handy. Free speech to them appears to only apply to things they like to hear. Hopefully 2018 will bring a little sanity to the Left because in 2017 the bat shit crazy was sure showing from them. Don't get me wrong, the left does have some good valid talking points at times. I'm just saying that many people aren't  listening anymore because all of the one sided hatred has people outwardly dismissing what they are saying.

  I hope that in 2018 there is a return to sanity and that diplomacy on all fronts win the day. Otherwise 2018 could really turn into a terrible year very quickly. The world has come a long ways and the advancements we have made make for a very promising future. The flip side of that though is that society's are fragile and all of mankind's advancements could be set back centuries if we go down the wrong path. Lets just hope that 2018 is a good year for everyone.

So in that mindset I say Happy New Year , I hope everyone has a happy and prosperous 2018

 Until next time
     Lasco X

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