2026

Another “new year” has started. Resolutions..? No. Resolve…? Yes. Resilience…? Absolutely. It’s a must.

Not long after the ball dropped in Times Square, it dropped on Caracas, Venezuela. On January 3, 2026 American forces captured Maduro of Venezuela. Ethical? Moral? Legal? Just? Where next…Greenland, Canada, Cuba?

Does this mean that 2026 is a new year or is it merely a different time different place same ol’ same ol’ kind of year?

Iran, Guatemala, Congo, Brazil, Chile, South Vietnam, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Grenada, Haiti, Iraq twice, Afghanistan, Honduras, Libya, Syria, Bolivia, it’s started as a “same ol’ same ol’ kinda year. An “everything old is new again” kinda year.

It’s a “Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose” kinda year with a “L’etat c’est moi” kind of President of the United States. Trump’s characterizes himself as an “enlightened despot” a la Catherine and Frederick the Greats. He’ll tell you, just ask him. He’s great. He’ll tell you, just ask him. Ask Vance, Rubio and Hesgeth. They’ll also tell you.

Trump, Vance, Rubio and Hesgeth present as clown like caricatures enveloped in a pro-wrestling “heel” like version of politicians. It’s surprising they don’t play “We Are the Champions” or “Another One Bites the Dust” as their entrance music. The problem is their public political clown caricatures are not a version of a pro-wrestling like “kayfabe” because they’re not acting; they’re not performing. They’re not displaying manufactured alter-egos. They are who they are; arrogant smarmy conceited pompous imperious hubris filled narcissistic like bullies. Someone should cue up “Send in the Clowns” by Stephen Sondheim when they approach the podiums/”pulpits” from which they speak. It may be apropos.

Is the “Donroe Doctrine” meant to be a corollary of the Monroe Doctrine a la Teddy Roosevelt’s Corollary? “Big Stick” aside and with no “speaking softly”, is it a coincidence that Trump 2.0’s intervention in Venezuela mimics Roosevelt’s, minus the oil reserves.

Will the war between Russia and Ukraine be resolved?

Will the cease fire in Gaza hold?

Will the international community finally work to recognize the sovereignty and right of self-determination of Palestinians and finally allow a state of their own?

Will shareholder value continue to be more important than the needs of people?

Will climate change be taken seriously by the serious players who can make a serious difference?

Will the rights, livelihoods and aspirations of all people, no matter who they are and where they are, be provided for and fully realized?

So many more questions to be asked. Are they pipe dreams? Are they too idyllic? Are they too utopian? Are they not realistic? Do people’s lives, particularly children’s lives, not matter?

Some how, some way hope always springs eternal. People make it so and will continue to – it’s one of the great “Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose” marches of history.