Trump’s Attempted Assassination: The ‘Morning’ After.

Photo Credit: Not mine

Attempted and successful assassinations, as well as assassination plots against the US President are not a new dynamics in  American politics. Over the course of history, it can be argued that about 90% of the 46 individuals who have held the office of POTUS have had an assassination plot, assassination attempt or a successful assassination carried out against them, from Abraham Lincoln down to even Joe Biden . This should come as no surprise, POTUS has a lot of enemies be they Democrats or Republican.

The assassination attempt against Donald Trump on July 13 2024 would not be the first of those attempts in his political career. In June 2016, September and November 2017, in Las Vegas, North Dakota and The Philippines respectively similar attempts were made but were prevented before they were executed. The recent weekend attempt was more or less a near-miss, and it came at a timing when it is difficult to predict not whether, but how much effect it will have on the coming US election in November 2024. 

Already President Biden is currently in a battle to prove his capability and competence for a second term following multiple slips over the past few weeks, coupled with the fall outs from the handling of the Israel-Gaza crisis and many other internal issues in the American society, including migration. Trump on the other hand, is gaining more popularity and acceptance on the campaign trail despite his convictions and ‘dirty’ tricks during the last elections in 2020 and leading up to the handover of power in January 2021.

Fortunately for him, Trump has survived this assassination attempts and the optics are looking good in his favor, considering the timing of the attack, even though details of the attack are still sketchy and may not have any direct or indirect political motivation involving the Democrats. The extent of the impact this incident will have on voters, only time will tell, but as for whether it will, in fact, have an effect on the elections, your guess is as good as mine.

As a side note, the quick response of the Secret Service in neutralizing the threat and taking Trump to safety within seconds of the attack is commendable and should be applauded. 

I wish Trump quick recovery and the American people all the best in the polls later this year. 

Please leave your thoughts in the comments and let me know how you think this incident will influence voters in the coming weeks and months… 

#myksjournal

… And the ‘Red’s’ Have it!

So it is a new dawn across the United Kingdom. After 14 years, the Conservative Party has finally taken a bow as Brits have given their mandate to the Labour Party to take the mantle of governance.

The Conservatives have had quite a run over the past more than a decade; facilitating and executing the BREXIT referendum, the ever controversial Rwanda bill, and clamp down on both illegal and legal migration, cost of living crisis (which is not peculiar), and so much more. No doubt, the Conservatives have served their term and their records show for it regardless, although it is not far from the truth that the ruling party may have been voted out by a coalition of votes (including those of migrants who have had a hard time over the last few months).

I am not so much a fan of British politics, but I am I am hoping to see the future that the Labour Party has to offer the people in the ‘Kingdom’.

Most importantly, the political attitude of the British party leaders is commendable; congratulating the Labour Party and take a bow out of No 10 Downing Street (as it should be) is something that political leaders who loose elections in Africa should emulate. 

So, after a sternly contested general elections, the Red’s have it! 

So long Rishi! ✌🏽 

What do you think of the outgoing UK government? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.

USA 2024 Elections: A future in the Balance

Happy new month guys! 

Now more than ever, the future of the United States appears to be hanging in the balance. If for nothing else, the first Presidential debate on Thursday June 27, was a mouth-full (for lack of a better word). Analysts have argued that the debates fell far short of what it ought to have been and the reasons are not far fetched. I will spare you the bore of repeating the obvious (and not surprising) narcissistic display of Donald Trump and the frailty of President Biden. Here are my own thoughts on the November elections and the future of the USA.

1. Leadership Personality. With the lingering crisis between Russia and Ukraine and the seeming ‘hard head’ of Benjamin Netanyahu in the crisis with Hamas, not to mention the interesting personality of Kim Jong Un, it is more and more evident that the individual personality of the leader should be of utmost concern in leadership selection and/or ascension. Trumps arguable narcissistic personality is not healthy for the American state and throws up a lot of uncertainties for the future of the US if he is re-elected.
2. Gerontocracy. Trump and Biden are 78 and 81 years old respectively. Leadership by old people appears fashionable in most parts of the world (including the West, interestingly). They are wiser, they have more experience, they are more emotionally mature to take decisions in national interest, and so on. Well, younger people have also proven to have similar attributes. If a society decides to elect a grandpa as President, they should plan on employing the services of a ‘carer’ at some point. 
3. Foreign Policy. This is the crux of the matter. As the US enjoys ‘poking their nose’ in virtually every nations business, a Trump presidency hold a bleak picture of what policy the US will hold towards ‘rogue states’ and even allies. While it is expected that Biden will retain his internationalist world view, Trump’s policy is likely to be formulated in the ‘spur of the moment’ and that is too dangerous for a state like the US.
4. Homeland Security. It beat global imagination that President Trump would sit in his office while his supporters looted the Capitol on January 6, 2021, just few weeks to inaugurating the next President. Homeland security entrusted again to him is just a ‘game of chance’. Immigration, gun control, reproductive rights, accountability and tolerance of opposition will remain arguable uncertain for the duration of a Trump return.

The list goes on! But at the end of the day, #AmericaDecides. My advice, the Republicans and Democrats should field more worthy candidates in the future, it’s already too late in this election cycle for that. As it stands, it’s either the ‘devil’ or the ‘deep blue sea’. So, best of luck to the United States come November 2024 and beyond.

#myksjournal

From #RejectFinanceBill2024 to #RutoMustGo

Watching the fast turn of events in Kenya over the last few days has not been a surprise at all… although saddening and disappointing to say the least. While is it very sickening to watch the show and use of force by the military on behalf of the Kenyans state, I don’t expect any better from the kinds of governments we have in Africa anyways, so I will save my strength and ignore the barbarism, while saluting the courage of THE PEOPLE! 

Within only a matter of days, Kenyans have demonstrated the change that can come when the people stand UNITED in their demand from their elected representatives. Within 24 hours, I watched President Ruto go from giving a national broadcast where he arguably referred to protesters as criminals to giving a speech acknowledging the rights of the people and yielding to their demands in suspending the controversial finance bill. Unfortunately for him, Kenyan people have realized how much power lies in their voice and are not saying #RutoMustGo 

This courageous movement in Kenya has reiterated one fact; THE PEOPLE will always win. Politicians, leaders, policy makers must come to this realization, that no army on earth is able to quiet the voice of THE PEOPLE, when they stand United and determined. This statement is deeper than can be seen on the surface, but space will not allow me provide enough context. However, it must be said that Kenyans are well on their way to writing a new chapter for themselves, and time will tell what the aftermath will bring, but I pray the momentum remains.

Implications? Nigerian leaders must borrow a leaf from Kenya. It is insane that ordinary people can hardly afford basic food and living conditions while their elected leaders spend their money, recklessly, on lavish lifestyle and luxury cars and jets and mansions. Nigerians will not play dumb forever. There is a limit to how much a people can tolerate, and Nigeria is fast approaching the breaking point, unless something changes. 

Please leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts on the Kenya situation. Also don’t forget subscribe to Myks Journal while you are here. ✌🏽

#myksjournal

Do you miss your Ex?

I came across this reel on IG last week where this lady was so emotionally regretting how things went south in her marriage. You could tell that if she had her way, she would do everything to be back to where she used to be. I understand this is maybe an exception to the norm, but it was instructive to come across this exception.

We live in a society where an ‘ex’ carried a negative connotation much of the time, especially to the ex-er (if there is anything like that 😊). Ex’es are regarded as mistakes, shouldn’t haves, vomits that should never be gone back to, and more. Fair enough, some people still have the courage to stay cordial with their ex’es, which takes a lot of courage by the way. But life shouldn’t be that hard you know. I understand the dangers though and the fact that sometimes the decision to distance yourself from an ex and/or paint all the negative pictures about them in your mind (or to your friends) is to help you get over them and get on to other things, which brings me to what has been on my mind.

So back to the reel I saw, this lady owned up to taking her man for granted and not appreciating enough all things he did for her. She mentioned how her husband used to take care of her up to the point that she didn’t even know how to put fuel or gas (whichever one you like to call it) in her car until after the marriage ended, the man literally worshipped her (in her own words) and she took all of that for granted. ‘I miss my ex-husband’ (her words again).

Life can deal us curved balls now and then, beautiful relationships can go sour, but it doesn’t mean that there is no more ‘beauty’ in the person. I don’t know about you, but I have memories of my ex that I still cherish. It doesn’t mean I have not gotten over them or I don’t value my present circumstance. It just means that once upon a time, I was with a beautiful soul and for whatever reason we had to let go of each other, but we took a part of each other along. 

I am not talking about boundaries here, because obviously boundaries are an essential part of every aspect of our lives (including relationships), but that is a separate conversation. My point is that people can ‘miss’ their ex. What they do with that ‘miss’ feeling is an entirely different kettle of fish. 

I am trying so hard not to sound crazy, but maybe that is what I have just succeeded in doing 🤦‍♂️ Please let me know in the comment if you understand what I am trying to say, or just tell me I am crazy. It is what it is mehn! ✌🏽

#myksjournal

#At 16

This was a trending topic on X recently. I decided to see what had gone right or wrong, and for who, at 16 🤦‍♂️ Fortunately, it was the, maybe not very new, tale of Lamine Yamal; a 16 year old Spanish boy, born in July 13, 2007, and already playing professional football for the Barcelona football club (I hope I got that right), and for the Spanish national team. Quite intimidating and exceptional feat to have achieved at that age to be fair. 👏🏽👏🏽

Trust X users na, they jumped on the trend with orishirishi comments (you can hurry to X and see for yaself before I forget the main gist) 😊🙏🏽

So all of these just made me go back memory lane to when I was 16. To be honest, I can’t even remember much from that part of my life, that’s how uneventful it was. I think I was somewhere in Senior Secondary School battling with GCE or WAEC at the time, and dreaming of having a PhD at 25. For someone who is not emotionally stable, they can be put down by Yamal’s accomplishments ‘at 16’ in comparison to theirs. Thankfully, that is not me. 

I eventually had a PhD at 26, but along the line I also wanted more. At 35, I am still pursuing ‘more’, some of which others have achieved way before 25 or even 30. So, I have a message for myself really, but maybe someone else may also hear something for them as well.

Everyone is on a ‘journey’ through life, some decide to take shortcuts to get to certain milestone faster, others take the long haul and still get to these milestones faster than me, and that’s okay too. As long as I keep grinding legitimately, and I am happy in the journey, that’s all that matters. So whether it’s 16, or 25, or 35, or 50, or even 60, I’ll keep grinding and stay happy. Yes, I dey motivate myself once once, this life too hard abeg! 🤦‍♂️

Big ups to Lamine Yamal, and all the Yamals in the making, maybe not today, but eventually it will all make sense. So keep grinding, no pressure! 💪🏽 

#myksjournal

What Are You Waiting for Exactly!?

 

Hey guys,

So, I have been away for awhile I know, but who is keeping tabs right!?

Anyways, I am trying this blog thing again, and this time, I am deciding to share my journal with y'all, basically, just let you in on what's going on with me and in me, as much as I can. 😆😆

So recently, I was in a conversation with a very young eligible bachelor who is really wanting to settle down in marriage, but is still scared about all the unanswered questions that come with such a huge step.  Interestingly, in my opinion (even though he will beg to differ), this guy has a good number of options, but is just scared to make the move. How can I make sure that I am making the very best choice? What if she changes into something I do not know right after marriage? Why can't God just hand-pick her for me? What if we don't turn out to be good for each other eventually? I cannot deal with the baggage of divorce, what if she wants to call it quit? 

These are legitimate fears, but are they enough to hold you back? I don't think so. In my opinion, you will never have it all figured out. In fact, I really think that deciding about marriage is roughly 30-40% logic and 60-70% faith. As long as you are able to determine that they share the same values and core principles as you about religion and life, they are fine enough for you to stare at their poop in the toil*t 😜, and they have a sense of decency and decorum, mehn the rest is all just a huge leap of faith; one that you take knowing fully well that whatever is down there, you will have no choice but to live with it when you touch down. 😊 That's my two cent, but then again, watin I know kwanu? 

Anyways, how did you (if you have) answer these questions? If you didn't find all the answers, how did you find enough courage to take the leap with a few doubts remaining? My bachelor friend will definitely be reading this. 

Please share your thoughts in the comment section.  Also enter your email in the top right corner of the blog so I can share future content straight to your inbox. Thanks

#myksjournals