The Post-Journal

    President Trump’s Trip To China

                                                                                    May 23, 2026

Rolland Kidder

 

We have had a year of confrontations under Donald Trump–the humiliation of the President of Ukraine in the Oval Office, the put-down of the Prime Minister of Canada, threats against our ally Denmark to take over Greenland…I could go on.

Thus, it was with a sigh of relief that we watched the unfolding of the President’s recent visit to China. The White House played down having any great expectations about issues like access to rare earth metals, tariff relief, the status of Taiwan, and even of the Iran War–and there were no major breakthroughs announced on these matters.

Yet, there must have been some concession regarding tariffs because the Chinese have announced that they will again start buying some American meat products and soybeans–which was good news for our farmers in the Midwest.

I also thought that there was some comfort in the fact that President Trump essentially made the trip into a love fest with President Xi of China. The last thing that we need right now is more conflict with China.

One business reporter wrote that the meeting “was full of friendly overtures, closely orchestrated pageantry, business dealmaking, and headline-grabbing side shows that captivated audiences on both sides of the Pacific.”

The Chinese know how to put on a show, and they did. Visits to the Temple of Heaven, the Great Hall of the People, and a private garden tour usually only seen by the top brass in the Communist Party…all of that was a part of the show.

At a lavish banquet, the two Presidents toasted each other, and “Trump called Xi “my friend” and said, “we are going to have a fantastic future together.”

Though few new business deals were announced, the President did make a strong statement about the importance of business interests between the two countries by bringing a bevy of American corporate executives with him including his old pal, billionaire Elon Musk.

Musk came without his chainsaw, and a video, showing him “spinning in a circle while recording on his phone a group photo” of American CEO’s, went viral and the primary social media platform in China recorded 52 million views of it. There are a lot of people in China (about 1.4 billion) and many were watching what was going on.

President Xi and his wife have been invited to come to the United States in September, and I am sure–as it should be–the red carpet at the White House will be rolled out for them. The Chinese economy is now second only to that of the United States in the world.

What we must hope from all of this is that slowly, behind the scenes, some of our current problems can be resolved–especially, the ending of the war in Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

As the largest purchaser of Iranian oil, China is in a position to quietly urge an ending to the conflict in a way where both sides can somehow claim victory and bring the war to an end.

If this can happen, then the President’s trip to China will have succeeded in at least one respect–the big hole that he has dug for himself in the Persian Gulf will get resolved, and the economic damage being felt around the world from high oil prices will recede.

 

 Democrats Are Having An Election

Rolland Kidder

 

There hasn’t been much publicity about it, but the Democrats are having a Primary Election on Tuesday, June 23rd.

Democrats are noted for being somewhat scrappy and independent-minded, so this should not be a surprise. As a matter of fact, having elections is a good thing. There are two individuals who are now vying for the Democratic nomination to run against our current Congressman in the fall election–Aaron Geis and Kevin Stocker.

Since Geis is from the Southern Tier (Olean,) he might be deemed the favorite as the 23rd Congressional District is primarily a Southern Tier District. Yet, Stocker, from Erie County, has a family history connected to Ellicottville in Cattaraugus County, so he can also claim Southern Tier roots.

The winner of the primary will be running against our current Congressman, Nick Langworthy, from Niagara County. Yet, Langworthy also has Southern Tier roots as he was born in Jamestown, grew up in South Dayton, and his father has for many years been a well-known and successful businessman as owner and proprietor of the Bullfrog Hotel located in Jamestown.

In short, all of those who have announced that they are running for Congress can claim a connection to the Southern Tier–so I doubt that residency will be much of an issue in the coming campaign.

Instead, I expect that the major issue for this year’s election for Congress will be the same as it is across the country–the track record of our current President, Donald Trump. Congressman Langworthy has been a big supporter of the President on almost every issue, and the Democrats will be deciding which candidate has the best chance to upset Langworthy in the general election.

The chances of that happening, of course, are slim. The Southern Tier has always been Republican Country and the lines of the current 23rd District were drawn to continue that tradition.

Still, the Democratic Party, being what it is, has experienced enough enthusiasm to bring forth two candidates seeking election to replace Langworthy. There will be a least one debate between Geis and Stocker which will take place under the sponsorship of the League of Women Voters, on Saturday, May 23rd, at 7 p.m. at the Grange Hall in Fredonia. Democrats, Republicans, Independents – voters of any ilk are welcome to attend this event.

There may be other opportunities to meet these candidates, but it is important that the general public be made aware that there is a Democratic Primary happening on June 23rd. The current Democratic State Comptroller is also being challenged in the primary–so that contest to run for statewide office will also be decided in the June primary election.

Sometimes, I think we take our elections in this country for granted. People forget that candidates must declare their candidacy, then get petitions signed, filed and approved, and, after that, conduct themselves through the rigors of a campaign.

It is not easy, and we should be appreciative when individuals decide to place their name before the public on a ballot so that the people can decide who will represent them.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.

 

Published in the Jamestown Post-Journal

May 16, 2026

 

It Was Better Than Broadway

 Recently, we attended a musical put on at the high school where our grandkids attend—in this case, Maple Grove.  During the Spring, musicals are being conducted at many of our local schools.

 As usual, I was “blown away” by the level of skill and professionalism displayed in the performance.   It is hard to believe that kids ranging from 9^th to 12^th grade could put on such a performance.   At intermission, I went up to the teacher and producer of the production and said: “This is better than Broadway,” and it was.

 There was a moving stage, a skilled ensemble playing the music...and then the kids themselves doing dance routines and singing, all “mic’d-up” so that you could hear every word.   People leaving the auditorium at the end were murmuring: “I can’t believe it!  Can you believe how beautiful it was, that they pulled it off?!”

 Not only better than Broadway, but more beautiful than Broadway.

 Of course, Broadway is more snazzy and the performers are professionals.  But, the work it takes to put on a production in a local high school is more intimate and, I think, more challenging.  You are working with kids for whom Broadway is only a dream.

 Sitting behind me was an old friend now on the Board of Education.   I said to him: “This is a great credit to public education,”—and it was.

 Back when I was in high school, we had yearly musical events, but, as I remember, they were usually concerts of the high school band, orchestra, and choral groups.  We had school plays, but they were not productions at the level of what these musicals are today.

 One of the appeals of the musical is that it brings all of the musical, acting and theater experience together in a unique way.    That is what has made Broadway ,“Broadway.”  It is a form of artistic expression that is uniquely American.

 It also requires teamwork, perseverance and leadership.   I doubt that when all of the rehearsals began (and there were many!) that any of these kids thought that it all could be brought together.  But, it was. Even if you were not a singer, dancer, or actor when it started—you were by the night of production.

 And, to the school and especially to the producer/teacher—a credit goes to them for bringing it to fruition.  I have always been a big supporter of public schools in America—and this just reinforced that view.

 Students from all walks of life, with all kinds of aspirations and skill levels, working together to make something special happen—that is part of the success story of American public education.

 You can spend the big bucks, rent an expensive room in a hotel in New York and go to Broadway for a production.   Or, you can spend $10, have the best seat in the house, and watch the miraculous marvels of Broadway right here in your hometown. What a treat!

Published by the Jamestown Post-Journal

May 2, 2026