Symphony

Encore of Revival: America, August 16, 2021

Competence and tolerance! The Taliban has taken over Afghanistan. The former president, hated from both Taliban and a third party in Afghanistan, fled to Tajikistan. At press time, the 36-acre American embassy was near fully-evacuated if not completely. Taliban leaders pledge tolerance, cooperation, and no retribution against allies of the former government. They say they want a relationship with the United States. The American ambassador requested to stay.

Will we see peace and promises kept? That has yet to be seen, but the promise is a first step and will be remembered by God. Muslims claim to worship the God of Abraham. We’ll see the Taliban’s part in that too, and the Times will help everyone remember.

From America’s perspective, look at Biden’s leadership. Such turns of events did not happen under Trump.  Biden blames his predecessor. Trump supporters may argue sowing and reaping—that coup begets coup. Biden’s election hinged on anomalous results in precincts with proven rule-breaking. That doubt was never cleared-up in the minds Trump supporters, though they have been smeared. That doesn’t seem like tolerance from the party of tolerance and choice. Nor does pressure—social, legal, or commercial—for vaccines seem like “choice” from the party of choice.

So, in the minds of Trump supporters, who may believe that coup begot coup, the Taliban’s “tolerance and cooperation” in Afghanistan may not pan out. But, we’ll have to wait and see. A promise kept from the Taliban would be welcome.

Did Trump stir the pot with his rhetoric? Maybe. But, the Capitol revolt in lieu of unresolved election irregularities and table pounding from Trump was as bad as it got. In the minds of Biden supporters—according to their votes and what followed—, the situation in Afghanistan is preferable to the Tweets of Trump. Some might reconsider their votes on both sides.

The big issue is leadership and results. Taliban strategy to take over Afghanistan did not consider the response from the former US president as much as it considered the response from the current US president. During the tenure of the current US president, the Taliban won and the US ran. Voters can see things for what they are.

Scandal, Graft & White Collar Crime

Cuomo resigns: What we know, what we don’t and what’s next // AP

Markets, Economy & GDP

Consumer sentiment measure falls to pandemic-era low, sees one of largest drops on record // CNBC

Monopoly & Big Greed

Elon Musk mocks Blue Origin’s moon lander after the company argued against SpaceX winning a $2.9 billion NASA contract // Business Insider

How the U.S. military plans to replace the iconic Humvee on future frontlines // CNBC

Bill Gates pledges $1.5 billion for climate change projects if Congress passes infrastructure bill // CNBC

Some Amazon customers are cutting Prime after Jeff Bezos’ trip to space: ‘I am over paying’ for ‘a zillionaire’s rocket ride’ // Business Insider

Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates are among the billionaires paying a total of $15 million to fund a search for metals used in electric vehicles // Yahoo News

Natural Disaster

As of Sunday evening:
Death toll of powerful earthquake in Haiti soars to 1,297 // AP

Pandemic

Man is stabbed in LA when fight breaks out at a protest over pushing back against vaccine mandates // Daily Mail

Mid East

Taliban claims cooperation, tolerance
Afghan president flees country for Tajikistan: official // Taipei Times

‘They are coming’: US diplomats await flights out of Kabul as the Taliban advance and fear spreads in the capital // Stars and Stripes

Taliban sweep into Afghan capital after government collapses // AP

The day before…
Biden braces for brutal defeat in Afghanistan // Axios

Afghan president flees country as U.S. rushes to exit with Taliban on brink of power // NBC News

Standard