Within my blog, I’ve not been shy about my criticism regarding the decisions and behavior of the former United States (U.S.) Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. Bear in mind that Haley is a fallible human being, so my critiques relate not to her as an individual.
As an example, on October 10, 2023, I posted a blog entry entitled When Others Don’t Share Your Worldview in which I stated:
I maintain a different perspective than people like Nikki Haley who recently stated of Ukraine, “This is a war about freedom, and it’s one we have to win. A win for Ukraine is a win for all of us, because tyrants tell us exactly what they’re gonna do.”
Here, Haley’s claim that “we have to win” is synonymous with stating that “we must win.” Setting aside the fact that the U.S. has yet to openly declare itself a party to the war (“we”), Haley’s irrational worldview is that the U.S. must win in order to defeat who she calls a “tyrant.”
I’m not a fan of war, especially after having served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1996 to 2007. Interestingly, people like Haley who never served a day in her life through military service often cheer loudly for sending U.S. servicemen and women to their deaths, and to kill others under questionable circumstances.
On October 25, 2023, I posted a blog entry entitled Facts Don’t Care About Your Feelings in which I expressed about the topic of Israel and Palestine (Gaza, if you prefer):
[F]ormer United States ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, stated in 2020, “It is time we faced a hard truth: both sides would benefit greatly from a peace agreement, but the Palestinians would benefit more, and the Israelis would risk more.”
Haley’s measured, reasonable response has since been replaced with an emotional plea, as she recently stated of Hamas’ attack on Israel, “This is not just an attack on Israel; this is an attack on America, because they hate us just as much,” as she called for Benjamin Netanyahu to “finish them [Hamas]!”
There’s a logical and reasonable quandary relating to those who ostensibly provoke violent action against others – including civilians unaffiliated with hostile actors – when such provoking speech and gestures results in the deaths of one’s own ideological or sociopolitical opponents.
Given the aforementioned information and in consideration of this predicament, on January 12, 2024, I posted a blog entry entitled Females Are Fallible, Too in which I asked about then-presidential candidate Haley, “Is this a peaceful female who would bring less war to the nation?”
Subsequently, I was relieved to learn that Haley wouldn’t proceed forward with a candidacy for President of the U.S. Then, on May 28, 2024, one source reported:
Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley left some words of encouragement for the Israeli Defense Forces on a rocket shell on Monday [May 27, 2024] during a visit to the Israel-Gaza border.
“Finish them! America [loves] Israel always,” the former United Nations ambassador and South Carolina governor wrote on the 155 mm high explosive projectile.
The image of Haley signing the munition was shared on social media Tuesday by Danny Danon, a Likud member of the Knesset, who accompanied Haley on her trip.
Photo credit, Nikki Haley signed one of the IDF’s 155 mm high explosive projectiles during her Memorial Day visit to Israel, X / @NikkiHaleyHQ, fair use
When Haley’s lips apparently smacked of blood (action) in connection with her ostensible value of war-hawk ideology (beliefs), she apparently urged nations which are financially, militarily, and otherwise supported by the U.S. to “finish them” in regard to their opponents. Finish them?
This is a mere euphemism for killing, is it not? Would you argue with my framing of this matter? What constitutional right does the U.S. have for backing Ukraine against Russia or Israel against whomever it is that nation states is picking a fight with currently?
“Finish them?” On what legal or constitution ground to do so? Set aside legality. Upon what moral and ethical ground does Haley stand when ostensibly cheering on death and destruction in which she won’t even actively participate? The military service of Haley’s husband doesn’t give her righteous standing in this regard.
As relieved as I was to discover that Haley wouldn’t move forward with her bid for the presidency, I was equally thankful to learn that after Donald Trump’s electoral victory over Kamala Harris the president-elect reportedly said “that he would not invite Nikki Haley, his former ambassador to the United Nations, or Mike Pompeo, his former secretary of state, to join his incoming administration.”
In my opinion, Trump gave the world – not solely the U.S. – a two-for-one victory by removing Haley and Pompeo—former director of the Central Intelligence Agency—from access to the levers of power. Optimistically, the ability to promote war will be finsh(ed for) them!
May there be peace upon the Earth under a Trump administration. If such is not the case, I’ll continue unconditionally accepting life as it is. After all, my daily practice of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), which allows me to unconditionally accept even the likes of Haley and Pompeo, grants me the ability to live rationally.
Would you like to know how to practice a helpful method of reducing self-disturbance, as well? Rather than shaking your fist at the sky while screaming in agony, perhaps you can also attempt to focus your thoughts in a rational manner while expressing gratitude instead of disturbance.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Besheer, M. (2018, December 18). Haley urges Palestinians to accept a peace deal with Israel. Voice of America. Retrieved from https://www.voanews.com/a/haley-urges-palestinians-to-accept-a-peace-deal-with-israel/4705880.html
CNN. (2023, June 4). Nikki Haley breaks with Donald Trump on Putin and Ukraine [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtube.com/shorts/L-6AZm4ZZu8?si=yAlN22jvf8F7-aVU
Haley, N. (2023, October 7). Nikki Haley to Netanyahu: “Finish them” (full interview) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/NLe4j9Koxjw?si=PfJ09K0Yno21icMs
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Kanno-Youngs, Z. (2024, November 10). Trump won’t have Haley or Pompeo in new administration. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/09/us/politics/trump-haley-pompeo.html
Nava, V. (2024, May 28). Nikki Haley signs IDF bomb during visit to Israel: ‘Finish them.’ New York Post. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2024/05/28/us-news/nikki-haley-signs-idf-bomb-during-visit-to-israel-finish-them/
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Benjamin Netanyahu. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Netanyahu
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Wikipedia. (n.d.). Kamala Harris. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamala_harris
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Mike Pompeo. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Pompeo
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Nikki Haley. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikki_Haley
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