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| Pix credit New York Times |
Adapo owo on iya (A partnership breeds suffering)
Yara
ajumogbe itale ni ninu (A shared room
breeds worms)
Da Fun Babamarose (Cast for Babamarose/Babamaroya)
* * *
(William Bascom, Sixteen Coweries: Yoruba Divination From Africa to the New World (1980) Eji Ogbe No. 22, pp. 112-113)
By now virtually everyone on Earth plugged into social media has heard or seen that marvelous performative moment at the White House, where like a group of early 19th century fishmongers at the wharf on market day, the heads of State of the United States and Ukraine engaged in a performance fit for a daytime television reality show (are these now discursively oracular?; one wonders). No doubt, that is coming, along with the hand wringing, oracular readings of the script, body language and fallout, and other prestidigitation that must surely follow. That is as it should be. Such drama--one in which they each played their role superbly, apparently all ad lib to bring out the true performative power of the cast--each the victim of personal affronts which were then transformed, through the extraordinary ability of ego to invoke semiotic magic to turn personal antipathy into state politics. There are other analogies, some positive, some negative, some relational, but held together by the power to incarnate huge vats of virtual signification tied to the social collective constructs of state into the far smaller bodies of the players.
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| Video of event link HERE |
Aaaahhh so old fashioned--like traveling back in time with a host of actors too poor to afford the appropriate time sensitive costuming. Yet they are not states, this is not the 16th century, nor are they television actors the scripted (or off script) antics of which provide anything but comedic-melodramitic entertainment for the masses. And perhaps that was the point--actors trapped in a scripting of their own making now locked together in a room--much like that envisioned as Hell in Sartre's play Huis Clos (1944) (No Exit ((New York: Vintage Books, 1989)) the connections with which I leave to the reader to embrace or reject). And, indeed, from the perspective of performative discourse, the moment proved to be of great significance to all the players, both revealing what had been concealed under layers of bureaucrats and formal discursive tropes, and at the same time making it impossible not to push forward along now quite visible pathways. It is in this sense that the performance was perhaps the finest exposure of the essence of the great transformations that are occurring in this third decade of the 21st century--or more broadly it brilliantly captures the spirit of the times. As such, criticism or praise is lost n the moment--it exists far beyond both.
In a sense one ought to be grateful--if only for the exposure, at last, to the realities of politics, and the fusion of the personal and the representational, driven by the personal--that may well be the signature marker of this first phase in the movement from a unitary converging global order, to the fractured convergences of the post-global --first explosions, then the terror and its proscription lists, then conflict, and then finally the emergence of those actors, hidden in the flanks, that will both inherit and transform from out f the pieces of the past that suit them. It is in this sense that condemnation or judgment--rather than observation anchored in the objects and actions around which social relations are currently constituted, that is rather than a stricter analysis of the semiosis of these events and their connection to larger cognitive frameworks--is both premature ad beside the point.
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| Pix credit here |
Yet the unavoidable--there is no exit--remains largely unappreciated. Still the shock of its realization from time to time in dramatic form like this, sometimes causes anxiety among those whose cognitive cages have been carefully constructed to avoid the realities of the condition within which social collectives and the naturalization of their relations, encases humans. The best one can hope for, perhaps, is to play the role of the Valet No Exit--who serves and watches unable to blink or avoid the gaze as he goes from one room to the next, ensuring that the emerging post-global order, enclosed within a series of rooms populated by people who deserve each other, is well tended.
GARCIN: Ah, yes, I've got it. It's your daytime. And outside?
VALET: Outside?
GARCIN: Damn it, you know what I mean. Beyond that wall.
VALET: There's a passage.
GARCIN: And at the end of the passage?
VALET: There's more rooms, more passages, and stairs.
GARCIN: And what lies beyond them?
VALET: That's all. (No Exit)
The only real questions, then, are whether some of the characters may occupy more than one room; whether the rooms can be redecorated to taste; and whether there are conditions or constraints on the ability to travel between one or another room of one's making. We will have to ask the Valet. But one senses that there are lots of rooms, each closed off from the others,but that while its inhabitants might be able to move from one to another none can be the Valet. Certainly that may well be the condition of the United States as it constructs its own No Exit setting. This works to a point but does no more than set a way of perceiving the performance. Nonetheless, within that perspective and its own cages one might come to think of the US position as fortunate indeed; other characters populating this closed space of rooms will likely have no such power and will, like the characters in the Sartre original, have to make the best of the room in which they find themselves. Or perhaps the Oddu of Ifa's Eji Ogbe have it better and one finds oneself on Babamaroya's farm (Bascom, supra, Eji Ognbe A 22)--"Babamaroya ki o ma fi wàràwàrà da ire nu; Ibiti Osa pe ki eleni ki o ma ko iya nu se o; Nibi ise ti ba nse " [Babamaroya do not think of suffering and lose a blessing through haste; This is where the Orisha says that a person should endure suffering in the work he is doing"]. And who is Babamaroya/Babamarose?--the father of those who do not think of discomfort and do not think of suffering.
It is with that in mind that one can perhaps better appreciate the continuing conversation that has emerged from the aftermath of that visual performance between the U.S. and Ukrainian Heads of State--as persons and as the incarnations of their political collectives. For the President of the United States that migt be best encapsulated in the document posted to the White House Website: President Trump, VP Vance Are Standing Up for Americansand dated 28 February 2025. It follows below. Also provided for consideration is a companion document: Support Pours in for President Trump, VP Vance’s America First Strength of the same date. See also the sometimes quite interesting quotes in the March 1, 2025 More Support for Trump Administration’s Pursuit of Peace in Ukraine. Among the most descriptive of the object of the performance might have been the quote from the Speaker of the US House of Representatives: "“Thanks to President Trump – the days of America being taken advantage of and disrespected are OVER. The death and destruction of the Russian-provoked war needs to stop immediately, and only our American President can put these two countries on a path to lasting peace. President Zelenskyy needed to acknowledge that, and accept the extraordinary mineral rights partnership proposal that President Trump put on the table. What we witnessed in the Oval Office today was an American President putting America first.” It nicely captures both the performative psychology of Huis Clos as the fundamental manifestation of post-global ordering, but also the nature of the role of Babamaroya in the new fragmented world ordering.
Again, let me be clear, nothing here should be understood either as criticism or praise. I have no role in play in these dramas, nor hardly half enough information to make judgments worthy of the time taken to read them. Nonetheless, from my own small corner of the universe I might observe what is offered for my consumption and perhaps attempt to decipher their signification. In that respect I would not offer any conventional analysis (though I do enjoy soothsaying as an entertainment), just the observation that in its own way this post performance production from the Presidents of the United States and Ukraine may help one to better understand the way the room in which they appear to be enjoying each other's company may be furnished and from which there will be no exit.
But there is a moral, and this from Ifa's Eji Ogbe and the lesson of Babamaroya who was counseled against losing a blessing through haste (ki o ma fi wàràwàrà da ire nu):
* * *
bi o ba da oko (If [Babamaroya] made a farm)
Nwon jo je ni (Others would eat with him)
Bi won ba si de ile (When they went home)
On ni yio gba ile (he was the one who swept the house)
On ni yio ka eni (he was the one who rolled up the mats)
Be titi won nse be, won nse be (And on and on they were doing so)
Awon mejo ni si nsun ni ibikanna (There were eight who were sleeping in the same room)
Won si nse owo po. (And they were trading as partners)
On ni yio lo ra, on ni yio lo ta; (He was the one who would go and buy; he was the one who would go and sell)
Awon ni yio wa pin owo. (and they would share the profits)
Ti won yio ko tire le lowo, (When they gave him his share,)
Iwon ti o ba wun won ni won yio fun; (They gave him any amount they wished)
Ko ja a titititi (But he never fought)
* * *
[After a while all seven partners left, only Babamaroya remained; Babamaroya gathered up what the seven left behind]
On nikan lo wa ko, o sa wa la (He gathered all, and became wealthy)
Ni o wa njo, ni nyo (He was dancing, he was rejoicing)
Ni nyin awon awo, ni awon awo wa nyin Osa (He was praising the divers, and the diviners were praising Orisha
Pe be ni awaon awo ti on nse enu rere wi (That his diviners were speaking the truth)
(Bascom, supra, pp. 114-115 Eji Ogbe A 22).
But who is Babamaroya?
President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance will always stand up for the interests of the American people and those who respect the United States’ position in the world — and will never allow the American people to be taken advantage of.
President Trump: “Let me tell you, you don’t have the cards. With us, you have the cards — but without us, you don’t have any cards.”
- More than half (52%) of Ukrainians want a quick end to the war and believe Ukraine “should be open to ceding some territory in exchange for peace,” according to a November Gallup poll.
- Since martial law was declared in Ukraine, 1,000,050 Ukrainians have been drafted
into military service. In October 2024, Ukraine announced it would be
drafting another 160,000 — bringing the total number of conscripted
Ukrainians to 1,160,050.
- The average age of Ukrainian troops is 43 years old.
- “Even if the West did come through with all the weapons they have pledged, ‘we don’t have the men to use them,’ one of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s close aides told Time’s Simon Shuster, revealing that the average age of a Ukrainian soldier has already reached 43.”
- One of Zelenskyy’s closest aides told TIME in 2023 that he is “[deluding] himself … We’re out of options. We’re not winning. But try telling him that.”
- The Ukrainian army is facing rising desertions as “ill-trained and exhausted soldiers [go] AWOL,” with the military further strained by struggles in recruiting and the “arrests of respected and popular combat officers.”
President Trump: “You’re gambling with World War III.”
- Zelesnkyy himself has acknowledged that the situation in Ukraine could lead to WWIII, and that without U.S. aid, they would lose: “A third world war could start in Ukraine, continue in Israel, and move on from there to Asia, and then explode somewhere else.”
President Trump: “I gave you the javelins to take out all those tanks. Obama gave you sheets.”
- President Trump gave anti-tank javelin missiles to Ukraine, while Obama gave non-lethal aid only, including blankets.
- EURACTIV: “Poroshenko asks Obama for weapons, obtains blankets”
- President Trump approved lethal weapons sales to Ukraine in 2017: “The new arms include American-made Javelin anti-tank missiles, U.S. officials said.”
- President Trump approved a $39 million sale of defensive lethal weapons to Ukraine in 2019: “The new package will include Javelin anti-tank weapons, with one U.S. official saying it includes 150 missiles and two launchers.”
Vice President Vance: “You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October.”
- Zelenskyy was called out for campaigning against President Trump in Pennsylvania.
- “Zelenskyy was flown to Pennsylvania in an Air Force C-17 plane.”
Today, President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance made clear to the world that the United States will not be taken advantage of — a sentiment echoed by the cabinet and members of Congress from across the country.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no President has ever had the courage to do before. Thank you for putting America First. America is with you!”
Sen. Lindsey Graham: “I’ve never been more proud of President Trump for showing the American people — and the world — you don’t trifle with this man … He wanted to get a ceasefire. He wants to end the war and Zelenskyy felt like he needed to bait Trump in the Oval Office.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem: “I am so proud of our Commander-in-Chief. Thank you President @RealDonaldTrump and @VP for standing up for America. We will not tolerate the political games and disrespect of America. America is back.”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: “Amen, Mr. President.”
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent: “Thank you, President Trump, for standing up for the American people and our nation on the global stage.”
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum: “Thank you @POTUS for standing strong for America while working to end the killing abroad.”
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins: “American leadership is back — in the Oval Office — and on the world stage. FEARLESS. BOLD. RELENTLESS. We will save America.”
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy: “Thank you @POTUS for standing up for the United States. The American people will not stand for disrespect of our President, Oval Office, or our generous taxpayers. Peace is only accomplished through strength and our allies need to understand that.”
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner: “President Trump is standing up for forgotten Americans, not endless foreign wars. Biden’s legacy — increased homelessness, record high interest rates, all-time highs to buy a house, and Americans footing the bill. That ended January 20th. The American people are behind @POTUS.”
Sen. Jim Banks: “Thank you President Trump for standing up for America!”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn: “Thank you President Trump and VP Vance or standing up for America.”
Sen. Bill Hagerty: “The United States of America will no longer be taken for granted. The contrast between the last four years and now could not be more clear. Thank you, Mr. President.”
Sen. Josh Hawley: “Remember: the U.S. Senate has repeatedly and for years voted BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars to Ukraine with no strings attached and with no true oversight. It’s time for some ACCOUNTABILITY.”
Sen. Jim Justice: “Glad to have a @POTUS and @VP in charge that absolutely put America FIRST.”
Sen. Mike Lee: “Thank you for standing up for OUR COUNTRY and putting America first, President Trump and Vice President Vance!”
Sen. Bernie Moreno: “Finally we have a President who will speak the TRUTH and stand up against Washington’s endless wars. American taxpayers have been funding this war, it’s time to stop the killing and stop risking World War 3!”
Sen. Markwayne Mullin: “Under this President— the greatest, freest, and most generous nation on Earth is putting America First. I’d encourage anyone who has a problem with that to reevaluate their priorities.”
Sen. Rick Scott: “Thank you President Trump for standing up for America.”
Sen. Eric Schmitt: “It’s about time we have leaders who say what the American people are really thinking and prioritize the core national interests of America. The American taxpayer is tapped out, and President Trump and VP Vance are spot on.”
Sen. Tommy Tuberville: “Thank you Mr. President and Vice President Vance for putting America first”
Majority Leader Steve Scalise: “President Trump is fighting for PEACE around the world and is putting America First as our best negotiator—he’s the only one to get Russia to the table to consider a serious and lasting peace agreement with Ukraine.”
Chairwoman Lisa McClain: “President Trump inherited this war. He has said from the beginning he wants to bring peace. @POTUS is a strong leader, and I know his negotiations will bring a deal together.”
Rep. Andy Biggs: “Gone are the days of foreign leaders walking all over us and snubbing their noses at America’s generosity. There’s a new President and Vice President in town. World leaders would be wise to humble themselves.”
Rep. Tim Burchett: “Job well done by @realDonaldTrump and our VP @JDVance. Give respect to get respect.”
Rep. Mike Collins: “Thank God we finally have a @POTUS who is willing to put America FIRST. Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Rep. Eli Crane: “America First. Thank you, President Trump and Vice President Vance.”
Rep. Dan Crenshaw: “If you are the leader of a country in a dire situation with no path to peace without American support, do not come into the Oval Office and argue with the President of the United States in public. Just a word of advice.”
Rep. Andrew Clyde: “President Trump and Vice President Vance are standing up for the AMERICAN PEOPLE. Our great country will NOT be taken advantage of or disrespected.”
Rep. Byron Donalds: “This is what putting the AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST looks like. Thank you @realdonaldtrump and @JDVance for standing up for our nation.”
Rep. Brandon Gill: “America First in action. Thank you, @realdonaldtrump and @JDVance, for prioritizing our people and for promoting peace!”
Rep. Lance Gooden: “President @realdonaldtrump and Vice President @JDVance will never allow the United States to be disrespected or taken advantage of. America First, always!”
Rep. Paul Gosar: “Thank you, Mr. President and Vice President. The days of the USA getting pushed around are clearly over.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: “President Trump and Vice President Vance will put America First every single time. Putting Zelensky in his place while he disrespects the U.S. in the Oval Office is exactly what American leadership should look like. This is what We The People want to see!”
Rep. Pat Harrigan: “America’s priorities come first. @POTUS and @VP made it clear—Ukraine’s interests are not America’s interests. We’ve spent hundreds of billions with no accountability, no clear objectives, and no plan for peace. It’s time to put America first and end this war.”
Rep. Mark Harris: “Thank you, President Trump and Vice President Vance, for boldly defending America’s interests. This is PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH”
Rep. Diana Harshbarger: “The act displayed by Zelenskyy in the Oval Office was nothing short of a massive show of disrespect for the Trump Administration and the American people. Despite this, President Trump and Vice President Vance are holding the line and trying to end this conflict peacefully. God bless them both.”
Rep. Wesley Hunt: “You do NOT blame the people fighting to save your country! America leads—no more excuses!”
Rep. Nancy Mace: “Peace through strength live from the Oval”
Rep. Thomas Massie: “Is this the end of Zelensky’s presidency? He hitched his wagon to Biden and the deep state. They lost and now he doesn’t seem to be playing his cards well.”
Rep. Brian Mast: “American won’t be taken advantage of and America won’t be taken for granted. Thank you, President Trump and Vice President Vance for standing up for America.”
Rep. Addison McDowell: “AMERICA AND THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER ALWAYS COME FIRST”
Rep. Mary Miller: “What has happened in Ukraine is a travesty. Joe Biden threw “gas on the fire.” Ukraine lost an entire generation, and Americans hundreds of billions in tax dollars. We thank God for giving us strong leadership. Thank you @POTUS and @VP for putting America’s interests first, and working to end this terrible war.”
Rep. Riley Moore: “It is amazing to have a President and VP who put America First! Thank you President Trump and VP Vance for fighting for our country and our people!”
Rep. Troy Nehls: “President Trump and Vice President Vance are standing up for the American people. This is America First leadership on display. Thank you POTUS and VP!”
Rep. Ralph Norman: “THIS is strong leadership that is ensuring we put the American people FIRST. Thank you @realDonaldTrump and @JDVance for standing up for our nation.”
Rep. Andy Ogles: “This is what it looks like to stand up for America.”
Rep. Mike Rulli: “You don’t have the cards!”
Rep. Keith Self: “TOUGH and FAIR. The world is witnessing American leadership back in the White House. Thank you President Trump and Vice President Vance.”
Rep. Victoria Spartz: “Zelensky is doing a serious disservice to the Ukrainian people insulting the American President and the American people – just to appease Europeans and increase his low polling in Ukraine after he failed miserably to defend his country. This is not a theater act but a real war!”
Rep. Greg Steube: “Ridiculous grandstanding by Zelensky in the Oval Office. The United States has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to defend Ukraine. And this is the thanks the American people get? It’s time to end this war.”
Rep. Marlin Stutzman: “TRUMP IS THE GREATEST NEGOTIATOR AMERICA HAS EVER HAD! AMERICA IS BEING MADE GREAT BEFORE OUR VERY EYES!”
Rep. Andy Weber: “America FIRST. Strong, unapologetic leadership on the world stage is BACK!”
Rep. Joe Wilson: “I agree with President Trump that Ukrainian soldiers have been unbelievably brave! Critical Minerals Deal a major step forward toward ending the war responsibly. More sanctions on Russia & arms for Ukraine create maximum leverage for FULL land swap Art of the Deal!”
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