I expect we'll be at war soon.
I think war is the only thing that can ever "legitimize" this unpopular and widely-detested new president. For that reason, I think his administration would welcome war with open arms.
When a 9/11 or a Pearl Harbor comes along, it no longer matters whether one loves or hates Bush or Roosevelt. For the sake of survival, the nation must unite behind the president. That type of event is what Trump badly needs in order to consolidate his power. Once that happens, his opponents and dissenters can be branded as traitors, and treated accordingly.
There would be no need to stage an event. It will happen on its own, sooner or later. The United States has deadly enemies who may see opportunity in our present division and chaos, and in the disarray and inexperience of the new administration as it lurches into power. Those enemies may now believe that their moment has come.
The US also has rivals and adversaries who would stop short of a military attack, but who may see this as an opportune time to press their advantage. The new boy in the Oval Office is often put to the test by our rivals early on in his term. Think JFK and the Cuban Missile Crises, for example. I have no hope, though, that Donald Trump would respond with the level-headed coolness of a JFK.
I fervently hope I am wrong. But I terribly fear that I'm right.
= new reply since forum marked as read
When Pete used to play '19 in Vietnam' he'd tell the story of how the song was inspired when he met a Vietnam vet in a coffee shop in Vienna, Virginia in 1986. I'm that vet.
Before Pete met Maura I saw him perform solo a bunch of times and a few times with his rock band, Bound for Glory. Also would run into him sometimes at a diner in Arlington, Virginia. I've only seen them perform as the Kennedys a few times, the last times at a coffeehouse in Vienna and a BBQ joint in Maryland on visits back to the D.C. area from California. But I haven't had any contact with them in years.
It's great to see another Kennedys fan at DU! 
I can't wait til I see them again and can tell them I know you! Sort of!
