A Celebrity Circus Replaced America’s 1776 Royal Flush

“Celebrity is the chastisement of merit and the punishment of talent.” Emily Dickinson

On July 4^th, Americans participate in patriotic activities such as fireworks, barbeques, and roasting the British. The routine posting of memes reminds us of why we celebrate Independence Day: we did not want or need a King and will go to extremes to ensure we win.

Not to be outdone, the British happily return fire.

Today, this friendly banter is fun for people on both sides of the pond. However, America has since replaced a king with a celebrity circus. America’s focus on gaining celebrity status, clicks, and followers means we have a new breed of royalty with far greater influence than their expertise or experience demands. They reside in the world of social media and other media platforms, where being one inch wide and one-half inch deep is enough to impress groupies who love celebrity worship but are hard-pressed to explain what qualifies these celebrities to advise people on serious matters.

Those desiring attention do whatever it takes to get the cameras on them, or use shock news for clickbait. The same thing happens with in the “Hopium Wars” [credit this phrase to BG (ret) Blaine Holt] where people seeking fame promise Americans they need only “wait for it” or just “trust the plan.”

Identifying the difference between relying on expertise rather than celebrities is easy. Here are three examples.

1.

  - Do you research political candidates to determine who is best for a position and vote based on important requirements? Do you seek expert advice in areas where you may lack knowledge to help you decide on the best candidates?

or

  - Do you vote for who the Kardashians or Taylor Swift tell you is best?

2. In the article selection below, military analysts were quoted as being “baffled” by the arrival of a new reality in warfare: cheap and effective drones. Because these amateur analysts are the kind of people the media often talk to, they assume that this new reality is a shock to the entire military and that something needs to be done before it is too late. If they had talked to an expert, such as myself, in this case, I would have been able to tell you twenty years ago that this was coming. I even wrote a master’s thesis on this topic in 2010 called The Children of Aphrodite. Listening to an expert would have provided years of earlier warning about the inevitable change in the nature of future battlefields. A twenty-year head start would have helped the Department of Defense and saved the taxpayers a lot of money.

When Iran attacked Israel with drone swarms, it was like witnessing the arrival of tactics anticipated for decades rather than late-breaking news.

3. The last example is from the world of geopolitical analysis. Many assume that serving in a think tank, on a congressional committee, as an advisor within any presidential administration, or achieving a certain military rank provides the necessary expertise and credibility to continue to provide high-level strategic analysis. This could also lead to going on media outlets and speaking to millions of Americans with the kind of authority earned from gaining real or perceived expertise. Unfortunately, most of these “experts” lack a critical component in their resume, dealing directly with the results of geopolitical successes or blunders when living in the countries affected or conflict zones created consequently. Often, the real experts are the ones nobody sees or hears. They are not the Warhawk John Boltons of the world who have not heard of a country they were not willing to bomb and never lived with the consequences of what they advocate for.

• These are only three examples. Relying too much on “celebrities” and not on "expertise” also impacts other aspects of society, and you could probably list many of them. Business, government, and culture are only a few.

Sadly, the worst of these scenarios is in the political arena. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is in Congress and votes on bills impacting all of us but is not subject to their consequences. She lacks the experience to know what those consequences would be, but also is so far to the extreme left that her failure is obviously intentional. A list of people with no relevant experience or knowledge sitting in positions in government across this nation would fill a dictionary, maybe a library. Yet they all, in some way, cast votes or make decisions affecting our daily lives. It is like hiring a dentist to fix your boiler.

As a geopolitical expert, I have over thirty years of expertise generated by working at the highest levels and on the ground overseas. You can rely on people like me to analyze the global strategic situation and provide informed advice and counsel. But, it would be best if you never asked me for medical or legal advice, for I will get you sued and killed or killed and sued. Experts also know their limitations and seek the advice of other experts in different fields when necessary.  

Our 1776 era Royal Flush was replaced by the celebrity circus, where, in politics especially, most of the entertainers are clowns.

I am again reminded of one of my favorite quotes: “It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.” Voltaire

None of this should come as a surprise.

Jude 17-22 - In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions. It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt;

So, let us continue to trust in God

Jude 24-25 - Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Habakkuk 1:5 - “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

(This was a different situation and period, but the lesson is the same for us, God performed miracles then, He can now)

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· Please look at the links below for a small sampling of articles on similar topics. Here is a sampling of media interviews too. I have been blessed by joining media outlets as an expert in my field. It has cost my family a lot to serve as a voice of truth and reason; media often has no idea how much fighting for a country in public costs people. Doing so blacklisted my family, but the fight is worth it, and why this Substack will always be free to any who think it’s worth reading.

A Revolution in Military Affairs Is Happening (Substack)

The Drone Wars (Substack)

What Is a 'Military Strategist' Anyway? (Epoch Times)

Let's Wring Out the Nuclear Sponge (Substack)

A Global Five Front War (Substack)

America Today Is Governed By A Version Of The “Divine Right Of Kings” (Substack)

The Army of the Woke (Real Clear Politics)

Trust the Plan (CD Media)

Is America Buried in The Graveyard of Empires? (CD Media)

An Assault in the Dark of Night: My ‘Band of Brothers’ Moment (Epoch Times)

Lt Col (ret), US Army, Darin Gaub is a Co-founder of Restore Liberty, an international military strategist, geo-political analyst, executive leadership coach, ordained Bible minister, and serves on the boards of multiple volunteer national and state-level organizations. The views presented are those of the author and do not represent the views of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, or its components. He can be found on Rumble and Substack.