Sally Allen: Sometimes it's difficult to believe the things we see and hear

Sometimes it is difficult to believe the things we see and hear. Reality can be so bad, that it is preferable to retreat into a fantasy world. But, on occasion really bad things start to happen and reality smacks you in the chops. You can see, hear and sense an unpleasant chill in the air.

As we probably all know, real life is often stranger than fiction. The trouble is when the seriously strange tips over into real life and, by definition becomes extremely dangerous, it is time to be concerned or just plain scared. Even worse are situations which could easily make outstanding sitcoms on TV because the black humour derived from what would appear to be impossible to believe, is actually happening. So, what does that remind you of in current situations around the world? Sadly, there are loads of options.

In my view the worst and most dangerous is the continuation of Joe Biden in office. Only a matter of days ago he confused the President of Mexico with the President of Egypt. He stated that the Mexican President did not want to open up the gate to enable humanitarian aid into Gaza. A doozy of a mistake as clearly Mexico is on a different continent with no access to Gaza!  He has also been described by the judge who decided not to prosecute him for keeping papers of national security at home, as a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory. Surely if he is too frail of mind and body to be prosecuted, he should not be holding office.

During the same press conference, Mr Biden rejected concerns about his failing memory. "My memory is fine," the President said, and further stated he is the "most qualified person in this country to be President of the United States". Really? If you add to the mentally frailty his lack of spatial awareness with him falling over, up; basically, all over the place, it is not the look of a strong leader that needs to be presented to the despots around the world. All of whom appear to be aggressively jockeying to elevate their position and are seemingly fearless of any reprisals. Biden’s handlers have to insist that he stands down in favour of another candidate or we are all going to be screwed worldwide.

On the other hand, in the same week, Donald Trump confused Nancy Pelosi with his running opponent, Nikki Haley. This proves he is also showing signs of being on the blink and so where does this leave us with the US election starting later this year to elect the next leader of the Western World and CEO of one of its biggest economies. Bloody Hell, get your tin hats out, although they won’t be much help in a nuclear war! 

How on earth can this happen with around a 342 million population. Surely, they could find two better able candidates to run other than an infirm ctogenarian and a tangerine-coloured egotist under investigation. Trump is facing multiple legal actions – about half of which allege improper conduct during his presidency. 

Most of the cases fall under three themes: financial wrongdoings that made him more money; his role in the January 6th 2021 insurrection; and his alleged interference in the 2020 election. Trump has denied wrongdoing. He has filed motions to dismiss several of them and has filed countersuits in some cases. Depending on the outcome, he might achieve a world first in USA election history and win from behind bars, like another politician in Asia, but not a good look if that were to be the case! Trump is also trucking on in age at 77 and would be 78 if he was re-elected. Personally, I think that is too old to be in charge of nuclear buttons or running the world. 

Sadly, we all slow down with age, and POTUS is a job for a super astute human who exudes charisma and energy, not someone struggling for words or unsteady on their pins. Even a very fit Obama, who took office at 47, looked like he had aged 20 years when he stepped down after an 8-year stint. Being POTUS takes a dramatic toll on mind and body. Clearly it is critical that you have all your marbles, at least when you take office!! If not, the constant massive pressure will break the incumbent and raise levels of instability around the world with indecent haste.

Elsewhere in the world dangerous situations are rife, making strong leadership in the White House vital. In Pakistan, confusion is palpable, and the nuclear power is dangerously unstable. Independent candidates affiliated with former President Imran Khan’s party have won the most National Assembly seats in Pakistan’s general election, A surprising victory in a vote marred by a slow count and rigging allegations. The former Pakistani cricket captain, currently in prison for a 14 year-term, and the incumbent President Nawaz Sharif are now both claiming they have won. You couldn’t make it up, and nor would you want to. It is all too dark and too scary.

Added to this we have an escalating and dangerous war in the Middle East with another nuclear power, Iran seemingly sitting, waiting and considering their options. In the meantime, Putin is blaming Boris for the ongoing war in Ukraine and Xi Jinping is eyeing up Taiwan for target practice. 

Then of course there is the increasing mess in good old Blighty. I only wish that Spitting Image was back on TV as they could have a field day with the unfolding horror of it all. We need to try to keep our humour in bad and testing times, black though it may be. Sadly, in the meantime, Putin and Xi Jinping must be laughing themselves silly at the mess we are all in, or maybe they are just waiting for us all to implode.