Monday, March 18, AD 2024 11:55pm

Trump Is Doing His Worst to Make Me Regret My Vote

This is an appalling tweet by Trump:

 

 

Our relationship with Russia has NEVER been worse thanks to many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!

I hope he doesn’t really believe this, and it is a typical Trump tweet based on emotion and blowing off steam and rarely on fact.  The ironic thing of course is that Trump is following in the footsteps of Obama who spent most of his administration kissing up to Putin:

If the Trump administration comes a cropper it will be due to his belief that he can shmooze dictators.

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kneeling catholic
Monday, July 16, AD 2018 12:58pm

Hello Donald,

I have to disagree with you….
1. I think lowering tensions with our adversaries thru talks makes war less likely. conversely I think what the news media and Republicans and Democrats, who say Russia committed a ‘Pearl Harbor’ in 2016, are doing is making war MORE likely. and btw, I don’t think forcing the Crimea, which is 60% ethnic Russians/20% Ukrainian, back into the Ukraine is a good cause for which to risk nuclear war.
2. If ‘the Russians’ were the entity that ‘truthed’ on Hillary, then we should be grateful to them. Certainly the thousands of babies who are about to be rescued from Roe v Wade will also owe ‘the Russians’ gratitude.
3. North Korea, another dictatorship, banned abortion in 2015 and Russia has recently placed many more restrictions on it than the US has.

Are we the ‘good guys’ just because we are the true democracy?

David Wendell
Monday, July 16, AD 2018 1:14pm

A Politician’s policies should be measured primarily by their actions rather than words – particularly when it comes to foreign diplomacy. The success or failure of a president’s foreign policy is a long-term results based prospect.

This is a typical Trump Tweet, but the trip has been a success.

David
David
Monday, July 16, AD 2018 1:51pm

.. using tweets and this meeting to: end the souring, form a better relationship and end this ridiculous cloud that has hung over his administration since day one…
The media will scream “That’s not the way President’s are supposed to behave!”
Let’s just wait and see what actually happens.
(The first question a Russian lawyer will ask is .. where is the hacked server and the Clinton emails? This is embarrassing. )

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Monday, July 16, AD 2018 2:09pm

I wish Trump would stop tweeting every random misfiring of a neuron in his brain. Putin is not to be trusted. He is a former KGB agent and serves one man – himself. Further, Putin’s forceful annexation of Crimea was wrong regardless of the relative proportions of ethnic Russians and Ukrainians. But dialogue with our adversary is much preferable to force of arms (anybody want to see an Ohio class fleet ballistic missile nuclear sub do a launch in anger? 24 nuke missiles with 12 MIRV warheads each up to 475 kilotons of fission detonation – or Russia’s equivalent on us?).

Yes, if supposed Russian meddling in the 2016 election contributed to the defeat of Hillary, then I am grateful. Nevertheless, Russian meddling (again, alleged because I remain skeptical) is still wrong and that that could even happen should deeply concern us all. Hillary should have lost fairly and squarely, and maybe that’s what happened. But there are too many questions now (which I think are mostly smoke, but sometimes smoke means fire).

Yes, the Russian govt appears to be anti-abortion. That doesn’t excuse the other wrongs the Russian govt has made. And I am not thrilled by their dominance in the natural gas and nuclear energy markets over in Europe and Asia (except for China).

Now all that said, I continue to be flabbergasted that the Democrats in the late 60s, 70s and 80s loved the Soviet Union and its communism. Given that the USSR is long gone and Russia is returning to her Eastern Orthodox roots, the Democrats hate her. So any criticism that they level against Russia isn’t because they care about the United States but because they hate anything even remotely Christian (I remember how McGovern was going to get on his hands and knees to beg North Vietnam for peace back in the 72 election, and how Bernie Sanders back then extolled and lauded the USSR after his vacation visits there). And yes, I am well aware of the likely collusion that goes on between Patriarch Kirill and President Putin. Except for the 70 or so years of the communist interlude, the Russians have always had a strong relationship between govt and Church for hundreds of years. That’s their culture. Western countries like Spain and France were like that in Medieval times. The liberalism of the so-called enlightenment destroyed that. Now look at us. In some respects Russia might be considered more Christian than we are – what a sad commentary.

Anyways, I don’t trust Putin at all. And I trust the Democrats even less.

Art Deco
Art Deco
Monday, July 16, AD 2018 2:28pm

I think Trump’s right about the Crimea. If I understand correctly, public opinion research there indicates the population is content with the current situation. Prior to 2014, it was an area which gave large majorities to Russophile parties (who currently are good for about 1/4 of the vote in the Ukraine, no more). There aren’t many areas in the world outside Russia with a Great Russian population – a few counties in Kazakhstan and the city of Narva in Estonia. There’s a large Russian minority in Latvia, but they tend to reside in the capital away from the border.

What’s disconcerting when you read the sentiments of soi-disant Russian nationalists in fora like this is how weirdly impractical and butt-hurt some of them are. Vladimir Zhirinovsky is on record as wanting Soviet Union’s 1985 borders. No clue if Zhirinovsky actually subscribes to this, but it is indicative of what he fancies will be well-received in his public. Other Russian nationalists insist that Ukrainians are a pseudo-people and the ‘Maidanists’ are running a rebellious province. Others merely insist on Eastern Ukraine (‘Novorossiya’) and are willing to let the bastardized Poles in the rest of the Ukraine go. Others insist that Ukrainians are congenitally incompetent and need Great Russians to organize their society. Also, White Russia must be reconquered. (There actually is a constituency in White Russia for a merger of Russia and White Russia, albeit a declining one; not so in the Ukraine).

I see Putin as a stone-cold Machiavellian, which means none of this really appeals to him.

The Christian Teacher
The Christian Teacher
Monday, July 16, AD 2018 2:46pm

Exactly what part of what Trump said in his tweet isn’t true?
1. Our relationship is the worst it has been in a long time because of the stupid things the Obama admin & HRC as Secretary of State did in regard to Russia.
2. The false Russian witch hunt & false “indictments” of Russians by Mueller cannot be taken seriously with a straight face.
3. HRC & her adulterous husband got tens of millions of dollars from the Russians through her money laundering scheme called the “Clinton Foundation,” and the Obama admin was stupid enough & corrupt enough to cover it up.
3. Then the stupid crooks in the Obama tried to falsely blame Trump with being in collusion with the Russians in order to stop his election as president & are still, stupidly & lawlessly, trying to get him impeached using false accusations about Russia.
4. There are many more stupid things I could list that American members of the Obama admin did in relation to Russis–but I simply don’t have the time.

T. Shaw
T. Shaw
Monday, July 16, AD 2018 3:51pm

Repeat after me, “Hillary Is Not President.”

Now, walk into the nearest washroom. Loosen the belt. Open the button. Undo the zipper and drop trousers. Now, release that massive, self-imposed wedgie.

Two words: Gorsuch and Kavanaugh.

I don’t remember if you went bonkers when Obama, Kerry, and John Brennan gave Iran, the gravest terror state on earth, $ billions in small bills.

I bet Putin told Trump to increase US defense spending. I bet Putin told The Donald to prod NATO deadbeats to spend more on their armed forces. And, that Putin mid-controlled him to criticize Merkel/Germany for buying billions of euros of Russian natgas each year. And, I bet Putting forced The Donald to put back in eastern Europe the ballistic missiles that Obama removed. Need I go on?

Go ahead. Vote for Elizabeth Warren, Hillary or Sanders in 2020.

The Christian Teacher
The Christian Teacher
Monday, July 16, AD 2018 4:11pm

Donald,
1) Please list specific concrete actions Trump has taken that is appeasing Putin. I seriously don’t know of any. You are aware of Trump’s efforts to strengthen NATO by actually having other nations pay what they have agreed to pay? And his public calling out of Germany for getting their fuel from Russia thereby enriching Putin’s economy. Your position seems to be that of the left which is that given enough time Trump will be found guilty.

2. None of which changes the fact that the current Russian indictments are a joke.

3. See #1

4. See #1

Again, there is nothing untrue about Trump’s tweet of which I am aware.

Oakes A Spalding
Monday, July 16, AD 2018 6:13pm

I wish you would expand on your reasoning, Donald. As far as I can tell, Trump seems to have sort of internalized a good-cop/bad-cop (he’s both at different times) negotiation strategy with pretty much everyone. Now, that may be good, bad or neutral in general. Or it may be good, bad or neutral with dictators or nuclear-armed dictators, etc. But it doesn’t seem to me to be appeasement per se, at least not as we usually use the term.

Christine
Christine
Monday, July 16, AD 2018 6:35pm

I don’t see how Trump is kissing up to Putin. I don’t know how this meeting came about, or much of what was discussed. I heard Putin ‘strongly denied’ hacking into our elections, as reported by DJT himself. And I don’t think it’s possible to defend our intelligence, and very unfortunate to says so on the world stage , but I think Trump limited it to this issue. It has become such a melodrama i can’t begin to sort it out. It puts the infamous Valerie Place Affair in the minor leagues. But I side with Trump- I do not trust our weaponised FBI, CIA, CNN or any media….etc He was set up so that this meeting would be fodder for their attacks no matter how it turned out. I think is is a success simply because it happened, finally. Of course I think Putin is the slippery slimy villain- pictures of him give me the willies! But the whole animus towards Russia that has been cranked up is part of the Get Trump project. How did Russia become Public Enemy #1? Again they are trying to link the Russians with Wikileaks….and I’m not buying it for a minute. Talk about the fog of war! It’s a thick cloud of lies, illusions, suspicions, conspiracy and propaganda. What about Obama meddling- even as a senator in Kenya, and later as pres again in Kenya helping put Odinga in power, with our money to boot! Then there’s Libya & ‘we came, we saw, he died!’ Gaddafi, Egypt & Mubarek, the ME mess! Trying to out Netanyahu in Israel. Or Ted ‘Lion of the Senate’ Kennedy working Russia through back channels against Reagan. To hear John Brennan accuse Trump of ‘just short of treason’…Is he supposed to cheer and validate those that are making the case he stole the election with the help of Russia? He sides with Russia and it looks like the accusation is true! I hope/trust that Trump knows what he is doing & is one step ahead of them….

Steve
Steve
Monday, July 16, AD 2018 9:14pm

Actually, I would trust Putin before FBI and the CIA (who both conspired against Pres. Trump. ). Very good press conference. God Bless President Trump.
McCain and the rest can go screw.

kneeling catholic
Monday, July 16, AD 2018 10:39pm

Donald<<<Not at all. Having a foreign power attempt to influence our elections is a distinctly unfriendly act, and Russia under Putin is clearly an adversary power.<<<

Donald,
Please don't tell me you think that we,the US, have never tried to influence elections of other countries!
How many years have we beamed Voice of America –long before Russians bought ridiculous Facebook ads– into unfriendly countries? That was never intended to influence how people think and VOTE in those countries?
I think we need to look at ourselves a little more critically before we fly off the handle.
Regarding your references to Russian abortions, AGAIN, in 2011 they placed a general ban, with some exceptions, on abortion after 12 weeks. Their abortion rate is atrocious, but it is falling. Are you under the impression that the situation in the US is way better? The trajectory of the Russian government is against abortion and same sex marriage and for rebuilding the beautiful churches torn down under the Soviets. Doesn't that count for anything?
I don't understand how anyone could think of risking nuclear war just to impede the influence of a government with such priorities.

Michael Paterson-Seymour
Michael Paterson-Seymour
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 2:57am

Kneeling Catholic wrote, “Please don’t tell me you think that we,the US, have never tried to influence elections of other countries!”

I recall the remark of a senior French diplomat: “There will never be a military coup in the United States – There is no American embassy in the United States.”

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 3:00am

“Please don’t tell me you think that we,the US, have never tried to influence elections of other countries!”

Yes, the US interfered in the elections of other countries. Obama’s interference in Israel’s elections to derail Benjamin Netanyahu comes to mind. Nevertheless, just as it was wrong for the US to interfere in the elections of other countries, so is it wrong for Russian to interfere in US elections.

“Regarding your references to Russian abortions, AGAIN, in 2011 they placed a general ban, with some exceptions, on abortion after 12 weeks. Their abortion rate is atrocious, but it is falling.”

Praise the Lord. That still does not excuse Russia’s forceful annexation of the Crimea (hold an election and let the local people decide which country they want – Ukraine or Russia – but don’t use force of arms to compel a decision). And that still does not excuse Russia from trying to interfere in US elections.

“I don’t understand how anyone could think of risking nuclear war just to impede the influence of a government with such priorities.”

Surely there are other methods (than a Trident II D5 SLBM) of sending a message to Putin that international bullying is unacceptable. Why couldn’t Trump have told Putin, “We know your govt tried to interfere in our elections and that is unacceptable”? And we have seen your invasion of Crimea and that is unacceptable”?

Yes, we have to clean our own house – no abortion, no meddling in elections in other countries, etc. But if those things are wrong for us, then they are wrong for Russia too.

T. Shaw
T. Shaw
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 5:38am

No, Wait! I voted for Trump because this dude, with a “funny” accent, in McCarthy’s Saloon, said, “Hillary needs to pay a price for her failures.” Plus he bought me a beer. The pretzels were free.

If President Donald J. Trump had kicked Putin, you girls would be screeching, “He’s started World War III!”

Dave Griffey
Dave Griffey
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 5:40am

I think if Trump said America has played its part in the problems, but here is what Russia has done, it would be better. The Left certainly couldn’t complain, as that was the basic Obama template for talking to anyone. But to act as if he never heard of Russia doing anything wrong was just too much.

Personally I think he was hoping for his own version of the 1985 Geneva Summit. For the briefest moment, I can remember even Reagan’s harshest critics giving him a thumbs up after he reported on his first meeting with Gorbachev. Of course since then, the Left has insisted it was all Gorbachev, and the awesome Soviets, and not stupid Reagan and our evil military industrial complex. Hence why all of this ‘How dare Trump not praise us like a patriot, but instead sing Russia’s praises!’ tends to fall on deaf ears as far as I’m concerned. They might as well say ‘How dare Trump do what we do all the time!’

Nonetheless, I see it as a major lost opportunity, and one that seemed more focused on Make Trump Great Again than Make America Great Again. Just my 1.5 cents.

kneeling catholic
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 5:49am

LUCIUS>>>Yes, we have to clean our own house – no abortion, no meddling in elections in other countries, etc. But if those things are wrong for us, then they are wrong for Russia too.<<<<
Hello again, Lucius (and Donald)!
Looks like I may never bring you over to admiring Kim or Putin or King Donald. (sigh)
Would either of you consider questioning your axiom that –democracy cannot withstand foreign influences (like laughable Facebook ads, like the Bernie LGBT coloring book!)–
If that is true then democracy is a truly fragile flower.
Are we supposed to shut off shortwave radios and the internet during election years?

Art Deco
Art Deco
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 6:09am

I recall the remark of a senior French diplomat: “There will never be a military coup in the United States – There is no American embassy in the United States.”

Why do you have an affection for utterances which are clever but false?

Art Deco
Art Deco
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 6:15am

The French would now be a province of the Reich without the US. Their despicable ingratitude is duly noted.

Their ingratitude is just the order of the day there and just about everywhere else bar Australia and Israel.

It was 35 years ago that the Costa Rican journalists Luis Brunel noted that the nonsense assumption encoded into much public discussion in Latin America is that they had or would have had respectable political systems absent the machinations of the Gringo and that this assumption was chuckleheaded to anyone familiar with the political history of Latin America in the 19th century (when Britain, not the U.S., was the premier foreign power). It’s a bog standard set of predicates in this country among red haze, liberal, and paulbot types who comment on Latin America. Apparently, that’s true in France as well. It’s not any less chuckleheaded because you say it in French.

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 6:19am

Kneeling Catholic,

There are things about both Putin and Trump that I like (as for Kim, that’s a different story). A few examples follow. I like:

Putin’s return to Russian Orthodox Christianity
His opposition to Islam
His support of traditional marriage

I also like:

Trump’s SCOTUS selections
His opposition to Islam
His support of the right to life cause

Neither man is completely bad. But Putin IS a ruthless and Machiavellian dictator, and Trump IS a bombastic, does-it-feel-good populist. The first plans and connives in secret, and the second gives wind to every random neuron firing no matter how ridiculous. We have to clearly see both the bad and the good. Praise Putin and Trump for the good that they may do, but hold them accountable for the bad. Yes, Putin is better than Stalin, and Trump is better than Hillary. But 1 plus 0 is only 1, NOT 2 or 3 or 4.

As for shutting down the internet to prevent election interference, saying that that’s what people advocate who find Russian attempts to meddle in our elections disturbing and dangerous is ridiculous.  The Russians hacked into areas that were supposed to be secure and released stolen material (might this have had a happy effect? Yes, but doing wrong to achieve a right is still wrong). And the Russians sowed fake news (which thankfully really didn’t sway people’s opinions anyways, certainly not mine for I voted 3rd party). I am certain there are other things the Russians did with permission (even orders) from their govt. And yes, we in the US are no better (Obama, Israel and Netanyahu come to mind). But at the very least Trump could have been the bigger man by standing up to Putin to say, “We have evidence your govt tried to influence our election and that was wrong and will not be tolerated.”

As for Bernie Sanders and his coloring book, I am more disgusted with that than I am with this. But that coloring book still does not excuse what Putin’s govt tried to do however morally reprehensible Bernie’s coloring book is. As Catholic Christians we don’t say, “Bernie’s wrong is greater than Putin’s wrong, so we will ignore Putin’s wrong that we may condemn Bernie’s wrong.” Wrong is still wrong regardless of gradations of wrong-doing.

And for the record, yes, I am thankful Trump is President, but he still makes mistakes and he is still answerable to both the People and God Almighty. The same with Putin.

Pedro Erik
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 7:01am

It is always a mistake to follow Obama. Trump made a mistake, period.

Paul Zummo
Admin
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 9:00am

“Two words: Gorsuch and Kavanaugh.”

This is why MAGA-dom is not take seriously. Appointing good justices doesn’t’ immunize presidents from criticism. And as we all know, T Shaw would be the first one in line ranting about Barack Obama (rightly, by the way) if he had done the exact same thing.

Repeat after me: it’s okay to criticize the president of the United States even if you like some of the other things he has done. I’m sure many of the denizens of this blog, including yours truly, were apt to criticize George W. Bush for his many faults, even though I suspect many were generally supportive of the man. I do not understand why this one president suddenly is deserving of blind, uncritical devotion.

Christine
Christine
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 10:10am

Tues AM
Well- It’s official! The verdict is in! Unanimous! As if they all got the same memo. Although that could never happen…
Trump Was Subservient
In WAR sized headlines.

The Catholic Teacher
The Catholic Teacher
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 10:13am

The same folks who are going berserk now, maybe excluding Donald, are the same folks who were going berserk basically every day since Trump was elected president. And they will continue to find fault with him no matter what he does. They will & would find fault no matter how he behaved with Putin.

There is no question in my mind that the leadership of the FBI, DOJ, CIA, & to a certain extent the State Department became politically corrupt actors under the Obama Admin.

The reason I am saying this is because Mueller has indicted people in a Russian Co., Concord, that didn’t even exist during the time Mueller claims they were attacking the US. And Mueller, himself has been involved in interfering with US elections & innocent citizens’ lives who were working for better government. He cannot be trusted–period.

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2018/02/mueller_worked_with_lerner_to_target_tea_party.html

c matt
c matt
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 3:47pm

Not at all. Having a foreign power attempt to influence our elections is a distinctly unfriendly act,

Even if the Russians did “out” Hildebeast (more likely, it was Seth Reich, R.I.P.), that is far less influential than what AIPAC does on a daily basis.

Sorry, but talking to the leader of the next most powerful country to avoid disasters in not a bad thing in my book. Regardless of whether it is Trump or Obama doing it.

c matt
c matt
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 3:54pm

I think Trump’s right about the Crimea. If I understand correctly, public opinion research there indicates the population is content with the current situation.

What does public opinion have to do with anything – are yous some crazy pinko who thinks they should have a say in what happens to them? Nuland does not agree.

c matt
c matt
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 4:21pm

I will agree with this: Putin is not to be trusted. It seems to good to be true, from a Christian’s perspective, that you would have such a powerful leader seemingly hitting all the right notes on Christian cultural issues (abortion, homosexuality, faux marriage, etc.). You want to believe he is sincere, but there is still a nagging thought in the back of the mind. Reagan’s advice is probably best: Trust, but verify (which really just means don’t trust).

jscd
jscd
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 8:17pm

Actually, I am glad that Russians were indicted and that the Russians are sticking to their story that they never did any hacking of DNC or Clinton servers. With a little luck they will engage legal representation in the US, plead not guilty, and initiate discovery. The first thing on the discovery list can be that the FBI as well as experts provided by the defense actually examine the servers (you know, the ones that the FBI has never actually examined and that the DNC appears to be hiding) that are said to have been hacked. This should have the result of having insiders all over Washington totally lose their minds. This would be a great outcome, regardless of one’s opinion of Trump or Putin

kneeling catholic
Tuesday, July 17, AD 2018 10:06pm

LUCIUS>>>which thankfully really didn’t sway people’s opinions anyways, certainly not mine for I voted 3rd party<<<
Lucius,
just curious…..has Trump won your vote for 2020? two of my sisters and my own dear mother were pro-life never-Trumpers in 2016. It was a miracle he won with so many MIAs. I pray that he wins them and you over.

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Wednesday, July 18, AD 2018 4:48am

Sir,

I shall vote in accordance with my Catholic conscience as I did in the last election. At that time I voted for Darrell Castle of the Constitution Party because that party’s platform was closest to Church teaching. I realized that he had not any substantive chance to win, but that’s not the point. It’s my vote, and it gets cast for the platform and candidate best representing and supporting authentic Christian principles.

I shall do the same in the next election by voting in accordance with my Catholic conscience. If the Constitution Party candidate and platform remain as they were previously, then likely that is how I shall vote. That decision, however, is still pending.

I am reminded of what Sacred Scripture says in Psalm 146:3-5:

3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.

I am also reminded of King Solomon’s prayer in 2nd Chronicles 7:14:

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

And I point out that over the past several weeks our Old Testament readings in daily Divine Liturgy have been from the books of the prophets Amos and Hosea who warned the northern kingdom of Israel to repent and return to the Lord before deportation into exile by the Assyrian Empire. No king could save them. Their only option was repentance and that same thing is true of us. Donald Trump cannot save us. Rather, what Jesus said in the Gospels remains true today.

Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.

kneeling catholic
Wednesday, July 18, AD 2018 6:09am

LUCIUS>>>>Donald Trump cannot save us.<<<<
Lucius,
Both Iowa and Louisiana have just this year enacted stricter abortion laws. The former the 'hearbeat' law and the latter a 12 week law much like what all of Russia adopted in 2011. Do you you really think–if Castle had taken enough votes from Trump and Hillary had won– Iowa and Louisiana legislatures would have bothered passing such laws?

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Wednesday, July 18, AD 2018 6:50am

Sir,

If you are in a state which could go either way, then by all means vote for Trump. If however you are in a state where the vote is already decided, then you may cast your vote for the truly best candidate. I have no objection to those who voted for Trump. I have every objection to voting for a Democrat. Reference Guy McClung’s recent post on this topic.

Nate Winchester
Nate Winchester
Wednesday, July 18, AD 2018 8:12am

Let’s just induct Russia into NATO. That should confuse everybody enough for a couple of years.

Ok I will confess that I am – at best – agnostic on this. Seems like for every thing that Trump does in favor of Russia, you can find an equal example of him doing something against Russia. I’ve played enough board games to know that diplomacy can entail doing both. How’s that saying go? “Diplomacy is saying ‘nice dog’ until you find a stick.” Besides, we may need Russia in the future to handle some of the threats coming that way. They are just as concerned about China and Islam as we are (if not more).

Putin seems to be doing some good things for the Orthodox in Russia. While not always perfect in methods, I can also appreciate that harsh regions require harsh men to tame them. Who knows what the future holds. Within my grandfather’s lifetime, we went from fighting the Japanese to them being one of our best friends in the world. Within my own lifetime, we might see Russia make a similar transition. Hope springs eternal – just maintain healthy suspicion.

kneeling catholic
Wednesday, July 18, AD 2018 12:49pm

LUCIUS>>>If you are in a state which could go either way, then by all means vote for Trump. If however you are in a state where the vote is already decided, then you may cast your vote for the truly best candidate.<<<<
Lucius,
That 'sounds' like a good strategy…
however, my first objection to that would be that few reasonable people thought the upper rust-belt states were going to be competitive….if prolifers had followed your advice in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, then Hillary would have won, right?
Secondly, deliberately subtracting your vote from Trump would contribute to the 'absence of mandate' argument which is still haunting his ability to lead.
The popular vote does count for something.

Lastly, and I'll not drag on my comments in this thread any longer. You are very patient w me.
I am very saddened by this whole incident! Many of us voted for Trump specifically because he promised to end our foreign adventures. When was the last time we were sold a war where we didn't end up with buyer's remorse? It's been a while. Russia is not going to invade us. Period. How many American troops should we offer to die because some Russian neighbor won't defend itself? How many American cities should be obliterated? I'm arguing for none.
Who is listening to us? Democrats? No! Republicans? Hell No! Trump and only Trump.

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Wednesday, July 18, AD 2018 2:06pm

Sir,

Regarding the first point, I may yet end up voting from Trump in the next election regardless of whatever differences I have with him on these issues that we have been discussing. For all his faults and failures, he is quite preferable to any Democrat.

Regarding the second point, given that in my youth I was a reactor operator aboard a nuclear armed, nuclear propelled submarine, I agree with you about the necessity of avoiding a nuclear confrontation with Russia. However, that does not mean that we simply capitulate to Putin regarding the Crimea, his govt’ s attempt to interfere in our elections, etc.

I think Trump could have shown himself to be the bigger man by going to Mueller, asking for a copy of the indictments of those 12 Russians, and personally handing that copy to Putin, saying, “We have evidence that your govt interfered in our elections, and as President of Russia, it’s your job to deal with this problem.” No one has to be nasty or ill tempered. This could have all be done cordially and professionally. And it would have neutered Mueller’s investigation while putting Putin on the hot seat to do something. Instead, Chris Wallace on Fox News tries to hand Putin the indictments and that fell flat on its face because they aren’t peers.

I am overjoyed by Russia’s return to Orthodoxy and by Putin’s push against Islamic extremism. But problems remain with Russia’s support of Iran, Russia’s annexation of the Crimea, etc. Nuclear war does not have to be risked, but we have an obligation to stand up for what’s right.

Penguins Fan
Penguins Fan
Wednesday, July 18, AD 2018 3:24pm

I have lots of reasons to be suspicious of Russia and Putin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK-JRMUEn_4

I am not that bothered by what Trump said. Sorry. The US was stupid in dealing with Russia with the twin twits of Shrillary and Obumbler.

Mary De Voe
Thursday, July 19, AD 2018 4:52am

“I have lots of reasons to be suspicious of Russia and Putin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK-JRMUEn_4

I am not that bothered by what Trump said. Sorry. The US was stupid in dealing with Russia with the twin twits of Shrillary and Obumbler.”
AMEN

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