Sunday Smiles

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If you need a reminder that the world is far more absurd than we can possibly fathom, let me start out my essay with this tidbit: Somalia is about to assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council. 

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When I saw this tweet, I assumed it was a joke or misinformation, even though it came from a source I trust. But when I looked it up it turned out to be absolutely true. Somalia will have the privilege of, at least nominally, running what is ostensibly the world's most important international institution. 

I can't even believe that Somalia has a (non-permanent) seat on the Security Council. Somalia is barely a country. In fact, you may not have heard, but the western part of the country has declared itself independent. It is at best a "failed state," and arguably only a state in name. 

Meanwhile: 

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is set to address a joint session of both chambers of the Federal Parliament of Somalia on Sunday in what officials have described as an extraordinary sitting, convened amid heightened political and diplomatic tensions facing the country.

A formal notice circulated to lawmakers confirmed that the session was called due to the urgency and gravity of the national situation, signalling a rare high-level briefing by the head of state.

According to parliamentary and government sources, President Hassan Sheikh is expected to present a detailed overview of the current political landscape, with particular focus on Israel’s recent announcement recognizing Somaliland — a self-declared region in northern Somalia — as an independent entity.

The Somali federal government has rejected the move as illegal and invalid, arguing that it constitutes a direct violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, principles enshrined in international law, the United Nations Charter, and African Union norms.

Sunday’s session is intended to brief lawmakers on ongoing diplomatic efforts and to forge a unified national position between the executive branch and parliament on how Somalia should respond to the development, officials said.

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This doesn't even qualify as a joke. It is an absurdity, but one that should surprise nobody who follows what transnational institutions actually do rather than what they purport to do. In the real world, the UN basically exists to provide sinecures to useless politicians from mostly corrupt countries. 

And yet we are supposed to pretend that it makes a valuable contribution to world peace. 

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Another absurdity I noticed over the past few days comes from my travels to and from Michigan for Christmas. I noticed that about 5-8% of people I saw in the airports and on the planes were wearing masks still, and to my shock and horror, most of them were on the younger side. Not children, but people in their 20s.

Why are they wearing masks? I can only assume that their brains were broken during COVID. They are in one of the lowest-risk demographics for severe disease, yet there they are. 

Even the mask fanatics in our government have given up on the charade. Not these people. 

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I had a nice, if contentious, chat with a fellow passenger on my way back, and it was revealing. While she insisted that she was not a raging liberal, she also insisted that Biden didn't actually let a lot of people into the country during his term. She also insisted that Trump was lawless, but when I asked her to give me an example, she gave me none. 

Her excuse? There were too many to name. I asked for one, and she declined to answer. "Too many."

She also had a huge problem with the deportations, which she called "cruel," while also insisting that she agreed that illegal aliens don't belong here. 

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Without deportations, how do we accomplish that goal? 

Who knows? 

Magical thinking. 

At least the conversation made the time fly. 

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While I was away, I was reminded that I hate traveling and have become a hermit. My own particular brand of absurdity was driven home by the fact that I missed my cats terribly, and I regularly checked my Ring cameras to keep track of them. 

We all have our quirks, I guess. 

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On a brighter note, I believe that 2026 will be the year that brings an end to the Ukraine war, or at least a significant pause. 

Unfortunately, I suspect that Trump will overestimate the political benefit of negotiating that end. History shows that foreign policy accomplishments are not rewarded at the ballot box. Bush I managed to preside over the collapse of the Soviet Union and avoid any major conflict breaking out in the former Soviet-controlled region, and of course kicked Saddam Hussein's ass with remarkably few casualties. 

But people were sour on the economy, and he lost. 

Trump better hope that the economy keeps roaring back, and soon. Otherwise, the news will be good on the foreign front, but bad here at home. Cross your fingers. 

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