Now He Becomes Death -- Donald Trump In Power

"We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried. Most people were silent. I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita; Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty and, to impress him, takes on his multi-armed form and says, 'Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.' I suppose we all thought that, one way or another."

-- J. Robert Oppenheimer on witnessing the first test of the atomic bomb in 1945

Trump likes military parades and shows of government force. He likes threatening people from other nations. And, he also likes war mongering with loose, irresponsible talk. This is what he said on August 22, 2019, while seated beside Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at a White House meeting scheduled to be a push to mend relations with Pakistan ...

"If we wanted to fight a war in Afghanistan and win it, I could win that war in a week. I just don't want to kill 10 million people. I have plans on Afghanistan, that if I wanted to win that war, Afghanistan would be wiped off the face of the Earth. It would be gone. It would be over in – literally, in 10 days, and I don't want to do -- I don't want to go that route."

The US has been pursuing a diplomatic strategy to end the 18-year war in Afghanistan, holding on-again, off-again talks with the Taliban in Qatar to reach a peace deal. Of course, Afghanistan pushed back against Trump's remarks made during that Oval Office meeting. They were the second nation to do so.

Trump had claimed that India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally asked him if he would like to be a mediator in the decades-long conflict between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region. A spokesman for India's Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, denied Trump's claim, saying on Twitter that "no such request has been made" by Modi.

Sediq Sediqqi, the spokesman for the President of Afghanistan, said in a statement …

"The Afghan nation has not and will never allow any foreign power to determine its fate. Given the multifaceted relationship between Afghanistan and the United States, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan calls for clarification on the US President's statements."

Others expressed their displeasure with Trump's threat. Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini called Trump's statement "reckless" and "appalling." And, Rahmatullah Nabil, former Afghan intelligence chief and presidential candidate, slammed Trump on Twitter.

Nabil wrote …

"Your insulting message to [Afghanistan] is either accept the [Pakistan] proposal for peace or eventually you may have to use nukes.”

The threats, ultimatums, and lies by Trump represent a present danger. He evidently views these miscues as somehow beneficial to his own power and prestige. Of course, on the world stage, Trump aligns himself with the likes of Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin – both sworn enemies of the United States. His faithful are blind to the deceit.

Reread Trump's outburst on annihilating Afghanistan. He uses the pronoun “I” six times in the brief threat. The narcissistic Trump is a self-appointed “know-it-all.” He needs validation in order to feel good about himself. This insatiable craving to be “put on a pedestal” explains to a large extent the narcissist’s sense of conceit, entitlement, and self-absorption. He craves showing off and loves to brag. In this case, his continual use of first person illustrates his belief that his will – no matter how evil or destructive – can be done.

Now, read the quote once more and look for his never-ending braggadocio. Remember, this is the same man who told America he knew more about Isis than the generals; he knew more about taxes than the economists; he was a extremely stable genius; and he was loved by women, Hispanics and African-Americans. Trump seems almost happy in declaring he could – if only he wanted it – annihilate 10 million people.

Last, ask yourself about Trump's “plans on Afghanistan.” He says “if I wanted to end that war ...” as if he controls the conscience of a nation … no, make that two nations. Trump later said …

“But what we did and what our leadership got us into is ridiculous. But we will – I think we’ll have some very good answers on Afghanistan very quickly.”

This is the diplomacy of a sick, unhinged man who claims he is the greatest president of all. Consider another world leader making the same statement of domination and disaster to the United States. And, remember, his friend Kim while you are considering this ominous parallel. “Little Rocket Man” Trump calls him and yet he treats the dictator with high praise. It appears we have our own concerns about a powerful dictatorial head of state.