OK, if you feel insane, you’re not alone.

We begin the day with Trump threatening genocide of the “whole civilization” of Iran. Senator Elissa Slotkin and others are compelled to issue, again, statements to the effect that our military personnel must not obey illegal orders. Our men and women in uniform had to wonder if they were going to be called upon to enact illegal orders. Most Republicans in Congress, as usual, DID AND SAID NOTHING. And the world awaited an 8 PM EDT deadline to see if the United States of America launches massive attacks against civilian infrastructure or even deploys nuclear weapons.

Then, shortly before the 8 PM deadline, a two-week ceasefire is announced, which includes Iran’s agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz.

This is, of course, a relief. But it is also a huge danger.

Scenario 1: Trump knew the ceasefire was imminent and he issued the “threat” in order to claim that his wield-a-big-stick approach to negations works.

Scenario 2: Trump did not know that a ceasefire was imminent, and he issued the “threat” to put pressure on the negotiators.

Scenario 3: Trump knew nothing about anything, and he issued the threat as a genuine threat.

All three scenarios ratchet up the danger of our mad dictator. A cease-fire emboldens him. He has found a way around the TACO charge. And he has taken the wind out of the sails of any 25th Amendment or impeachment efforts.

Of course, it shouldn’t be that way, but we had little hope of Congress or the Cabinet acting responsibly even with nuclear armageddon on the horizon; we certainly can’t count on them in any way now. And, despite the efforts of Slotkin and others, the Democratic Party continues to be singularly ineffective.

God only knows what has been unleashed. So, we have to know that saving our democracy — and now perhaps the world — continues to be on us, the people. Please stay alert, engaged and ready.