JournalKenneth WebbAmerica, Chancellor Merz, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Miles TaylorComment

LET US ALL, FOR A MOMENT, PAUSE

JournalKenneth WebbAmerica, Chancellor Merz, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Miles TaylorComment
LET US ALL, FOR A MOMENT, PAUSE

JOURNAL

AMERICA

6 June 2025

I wish we could all pause, just for a moment.

It is distressing to see a great nation beginning to crack, crumble and collapse.

The Rule of Law is under direct threat by executive order, and that device is now being used to threaten both the personal liberty and freedom of speech of anyone.

Tonight, my concern is what growing number of Americans must be wondering.

Two months ago, a visiting president was severely rebuked by a subordinate - in matters of protocol a vice president recognises the authority of the visiting president.

Yesterday, the Chancellor of Germany visited 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I switched on the BBC World News at 3pm UK time. I find myself watching Mr Trump. It surprised me, because the news did not have its usual top of the hour play-in. Ah! This must be live. But of what relevance is this, because so far as I can tell, Mr Trump is talking about internal domestic politics. I waited. I had my first clue at 3.10pm when Mr Trump referred to a chancellor. That’s odd, I thought. Then Mr Trump looked to his side and motioned that the chancellor was agreeing with him. But the camera remained fixed upon Mr Trump. I wondered who the chancellor was. The talk continued, so far as I could tell, about nothing in particular. Then Mr Trump referred to the chancellor again, only this time, I thought,

My God! Surely not. The German Chancellor seated in that infernal yellow armchair?

Still the camera remained fixed. Then slowly, reluctantly, the camera panned to the left and I find it is indeed the Chancellor of Germany. Still Mr Trump carried on. This time, both leaders in the frame, and many will have reflected upon the unspoken body language.

Eventually, Chancellor Merz was able to speak and attempted to refocus Mr Trump on to the purpose of his visit.

At 3.13pm I decided I had better things to do. I do not like seeing the world fall apart.

My concern, purely personal ~ not least because I have American friends ~ is how on earth the American People going to resolve this.

I’m not exactly a praying man, but I guess this might be one of those moments when I say to myself, I really do pray that the American People will find the best way to reach beyond this present impasse, and meaning from within my heart that prayer.

It will be very difficult. So I trust that somewhere, unseen at present, a light smaller than a grain, glimmers.

Light cannot be extinguished. Darkness can and will always be extinguished. It is the price in lives that concerns me the most.

Let us pause for a moment. Obtain breathing space. Let Americans know, too, that millions worldwide do hope that they will succeed.

6 June 2025

The Main image reflects the America that I prefer to remember,
as envisaged in this clip from Pearl Harbor
in that famous and most beautiful line… Say, would you like to go for a flip?

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