The general consensus this week has been that we've been experiencing an entirely new level of batshit crazy from Trump. He almost started World War III. But, you know what, this hasn't been anything new.
This is his pattern. He runs through the same list of behaviors again and again.
1. He insults someone. (Little Rocket Man)
2. He engages in a back and forth slanging match with that person or country
3. He threatens (Fire and fury)
4. He interprets the slightest act of restraint on the part of the other party as total surrender.
5. He declares victory.
This week's Iran follies was a rerun of the North Korea Show.
I'm not saying this cycle isn't dangerous. It's horrifyingly dangerous. It's playing chicken with a freight train. One way or another, it's not going to work out well.
But I am saying we shouldn't be surprised. He just did what he always does.
I have no doubt that this is exactly how he conducted his business negotiations. That's why he goes bankrupt so much.
It's not that we shouldn't be alarmed. He could destroy the world any day now. But we shouldn't look at the Iran crisis as anything new, or indicating an advancement of his dementia. He slurred his words from day one. He told ridiculous lies from day one. He had zero diplomatic skills from day one.
He has to go. Impeachment doesn't look like it's going to do the trick, so we'd better defeat him in November. We'd better defeat him good.
Trump is a one trick pony. The one trick is horrifying, but it's the same trick every time.
It's hard to be this worried for this long. But the end is in sight. Hold on brothers and sisters. In just a little less than 10 months, this can be over if we keep fighting and don't allow ourselves to be numbed by the constant barrage of horror. Each time he runs this behavior, a few more supporters see the light. Just a few, but the total mounts.
If we can't defeat him in November, democracy deserves to die.