Neither Trump nor Clinton deserving of the White House

By Ira Sharkansksy

JERUSALEM — Pity our American friends.

And–given the importance of the US–pity the rest of us.

Friends and family have to choose between Hillary and Donald, both of whom should be in retirement homes, neither close to anything important.

If someone less well connected had fiddled with the email in the manner of Hillary, an indictment could have been expected.

As it is, being condemned by the head of the FBI for sloppiness seems enough to disqualify her for the top job.

Now that the FBI is finished, maybe with the help of the Attorney General after a conversation with Bill, State Department security personnel are looking at it. Some lower heads may roll, and Donald must be ecstatic.

Donald isn’t any better. His record in business, and his lack of record in government should be enough to rule him out.

Occasionally he says something insightful, but it’s like the monkey sitting at the piano. Sooner or later we can expect Beethoven.

He has criticized the ousters of Saddam Hussein and Muammar Qadaffi. Those actions opened problematic countries to chaos, and springboards to the most dangerous threats against world peace.

Iran is a close second, but Barack Obama tells us that all will be well.

Whether Trump’s comments on his predecessors reveals political wisdom is hard to tell, insofar as they come along with him trying everything to garner a few more votes.

We can’t count on the vibrant institutions of the United States Government to protect us–and Americans–from whoever is in the Oval Office

The record of George W. Bush demonstrates that when the Commander in Chief is intent on a military operation, he can do what he/she wants. The attack on Iraq, and participation in the European attack on Libya, came without the extensive deliberations of Congress, resistance from the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the military bureaucracies.

Executive orders give him/her considerable freedom in domestic matters.

Israelis are shaking in worry. A few, some of them with Russian accents, are urging even closer ties with Putin.

Many of the Brits voting against Europe are similar to the Rust Belt, poor whites angry at the American establishment, and voting for something that may be different.

Britain and others wondering of what comes next adds to the worries in European, Russian, Chinese, and Israeli capitals about whoever becomes the US President.

Hillary is less threatening to the status quo, but insofar as that is Obama’s status quo, with the addition of her tendencies to sloppiness and manipulations, it isn’t a lot more encouraging than the prospect of Trump.

Worthies of the world are wondering which of Donald’s oneliners may develop into US policy.

It’s a close call whether Britain’s vote or the American election holds the greatest threat for world stability.

No one should expect a simple removal of Britain from the European Community. Whatever happens, other than a symbolic gesture toward the exiters, will present a host of legal, political, and administrative nightmares. Several decades of linkage have produced ties between governmental institutions and governmental obligations, industrial and commercial linkages, and many individual careers spent away from home. Deciding what to unplug will involve countless officials of governments and firms, as well as individuals looking after themselves, and lots of negotiation.

Currently the most obvious shocks are among politicians, with both Labour and Conservatives rocked by resignations and maneuvering.

Also in the air is a sharp British government report critical of the decision to follow the Americans to war against Iraq, and to proceed to undue Iraq’s governmental institutions.

What finally emerges from that, along with the political shocks associated with the exit vote, and November’s American disaster, we can only guess.

Europe and the United States are a long way from dealing with the influx of Muslim migrants, with more on the way, and established communities open to religious fanaticism.

Israel and Palestine are small change in comparison. The Muslims have, for all practical purposes, forgotten their Palestinian brothers, or put them on the shelf while they do battle with one another. There are so many separate conflicts, that they get in the way of trying to summarize who is against who.

There’ll continue to be incidents of terror. Individual Palestinians, and the organizations based on family, locality, political or religious faction will seek to advance themselves or Palestine, or seek revenge for a real or imagined offense by Israel. Activists and governments in the US or Europe, along with the UN and other international organizations, will keep up the drumbeat for Palestine, but there won’t be much more than noise..

Israeli security forces will maintain their intelligence contacts among Palestinians, watching the screens, and picking up the people on their wanted lists.

A deadly spurt involving police and Blacks in the US has activated activists, and caused trouble for the Black President and his handlers.

For individuals, as always, it’s best not to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Those with more optimism, or an insight missing from the above, are invited to respond.

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Sharkansky is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University.  He may be contacted via ira.sharkansky@sdjewishworld.com. Comments intended for publication in the space below MUST be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the United States.)
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