There was a soap opera that ran on CBS-TV for an incredible 54 years, from 1956 to 2010, called “As the World Turns.”

I’ve never been a fan of soap operas in general; but it appears that the entire world, myself included, is living one now, in real time. It’s only been running since January 20th of this year . . . but it seems an eternity. And it could aptly be named, “As the World Comes to a Screeching Halt.”

But this is no tale of all-American families coping with the vagaries of daily life. This is disaster after disaster . . . day after day . . . never letting up long enough for us to catch our collective breath. And if that’s not enough, the people calling the plays keep moving the damned goalposts.

Like Donald Trump. (You knew that was coming, didn’t you?) Well, he did it again yesterday.

After weeks of stomping on Ukrainian President Zelensky, while double-jointedly kissing the backside of Russian President Putin, he suddenly came up with the following mind-blowing comments following meetings with Zelensky and with French President Macron and British Prime Minister Starmer . . . while in the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis, no less:

“They [Russia and Ukraine] are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off.’ Most of the major points are agreed to. Stop the bloodshed, NOW. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war!” [Molly Nagle, Alex Ederson and Hanna Demissie, GMA, April 26, 2025.]

But the real shocker came when Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social: “There was “no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days. It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!” [Tim Lister, Catherine Nicholls and Sophie Tanno, CNN, April 26, 2025.]

“Just tapping you along”? Really?!! You’re just now figuring that out??!!!

And Zelensky, thanking Trump for the “good meeting,” posted on social media:

“We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results.” [Id.]

Well, if that isn’t a complete 180 from what he’s been told until now . . .

Suddenly, Trump is talking tough to Putin, and holding out hope to Zelensky . . . the man he recently demolished with a shameful verbal attack in the White House. And in view of all of this, I’d like to request:

“Will the real Donald Trump please stand up.”

Because there is never any way of knowing what he means, or what he might say next. For that matter, we don’t know what’s being discussed in his phone calls with Putin, or in the meetings between Putin and real-estate-investor-turned-negotiator-without-portfolio Steve Witkoff. What surprises might they have in store for Zelensky?

*. *. *

And speaking of that last Putin-Witkoff meeting in Moscow, how does the U.S. negotiator walk alone . . . by himself . . . unaccompanied . . . into a meeting with the Russian president and two of his top advisers — Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev — with only a Russian interpreter, and none from the U.S., present?

[The following photos are screen shots from a CNN broadcast.]

That’s three experienced, diabolically savvy politicians against one businessman with zero background in politics or diplomacy who, like his boss, takes whatever Putin tells him as gospel.

Can you say “set-up”?

All we can do is tune in tomorrow for the next episode in the continuing drama of:

“As the World Comes to a Screeching Halt.”

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
4/27/25