As a fan of the movie “The Godfather,” there is a classic line that is referenced that sets the tone for the entire movie. Michael Corleone tells his soon-to-be wife how his father was able to establish himself as a ruthless negotiator. In essence, “my father made a person an offer that they could not refuse” — translation: Either you give me what I want or else. “Because I assure you your brains or your signature will be on the contract in front of you.” In the movie, it worked. Oh well…. that is great theater.

But it is not necessarily true in real life, especially anytime you are attempting to “work” with others — let’s say your spouse, for example. If you exclaim that it’s my way or else, you will likely be headed for divorce court. And, you will probably end up all alone, unless you have a bottomless pit of money for multiple alimony payments.

In any “arrangement” it is much better to find common ground and compromise, allowing the other side to obtain at least part of their objectives.

Eventually, that is exactly what happened in The Godfather as Don Corleone made “accommodations” toward his enemies to satisfy their needs while protecting the interests of the Corleone family.

The Godfather knew that violence would hurt everyone — “it’s not good for business.”

President Donald Trump’s version of the same approach goes like this, “Open the Strait of Hormuz or I will bomb you back to the stone ages.”

The president has been censured by Congress in every year of his first term and more than any other president. Maybe another censure is warranted.

Trump’s actual words and implications of which strongly point toward possible war crimes. This is just reason for Congress to demonstrate to the world that it does not condone the possible resort to war crimes.

Intentionally attacking infrastructure that also supports the well-being of civilians is a war crime. To be silent about this is to be complicit.

It could get Trump to stop his Godfather-like threats, especially since the U.S. has the military capability to carry them out. No president should be able to threaten people in this way.

The question before voters in November should be: Do you vote to censure Trump for advocating or potentially committing war crimes? And, if the answer is not “yes,” then you as a voter must support another candidate. That should be the litmus test. It is the test of whether the values of America mean anything to voters and politicians.

If you have faith and fear no evil it demonstrates that you are following God’s direction and desires for peace and love. If you are scared of the bogeyman and incessantly fear evil which is all part of the devil mode of operating, usually bad things happen. The devil embodies hate and causes destruction.

Those who relish killing people not only create more enemies but forget that it has been promised that fire would lead to Armageddon.

As a rhetorical question, when does a “revenge” approach to governing ever end? It doesn’t.

I think Pope Leo XIV said it best when he ridiculed the Trump administration for claiming that “God is on our side.” Really? The last time I checked the Bible God was for peace, love, joy, and harmony. God was for treating others like you would want to be treated. Basic stuff. And for those who see a parallel between what we have been doing and what God has stated in the Bible, so be it.

In the spirit of the Master’s Tournament in golf, Trump has decided to “take amulligan.” Smart. If you hit your ball into the deep woods, it is simply not wise to try to hit the ball out of the woods — take a drop/mulligan. Yes, you lose a little, but trying to make a bad situation worse could cost you many more strokes — taking you out of the game.

The negotiations with Iran are about to begin. The ceasefire has been declared.

We all must pray that Trump can get a mulligan because trying to hit the ball out of the woods could get very ugly.

Trump and his administration learned a great deal from this experience. I have written repeatedly that you will not always win via the use of conventional means.

Let us remember that those on Goliath’s side bragged about their strength and showed little humility. Well, David beat Goliath as he hit the one vulnerable spot on the most powerful man in the world at the time. And, I mentioned that oil could be our most vulnerable spot. The world needs energy.

Impeding the flow of energy is a worldwide problem, and a costly one, as we have seen.