I would like to see that. Not because I like Trump or don't like Mueller, just because of the public outrage if he does so and the proud and smug look on his face after this. — René Descartes
Also that terrible story of the the FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe who got fired two days before retiring. — René Descartes
Now-fired former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe oversaw a federal criminal investigation into whether Attorney General Jeff Sessions lacked candor when testifying before Congress last year about his contacts with Russian officials
At one time or another, Mr. Trump has attacked the judiciary, ridiculed the media, defended torture, condoned police brutality, urged supporters to rough up hecklers and — jokingly or not — equated mere policy disagreements with treason. He tried to undermine faith in America’s electoral process through a bogus advisory commission on voter integrity. He routinely vilifies federal law enforcement institutions. He libels immigrants and the countries from which they come. His words are so often at odds with the truth that they can appear ignorant, yet are in fact calculated to exacerbate religious, social and racial divisions. Overseas, rather than stand up to bullies, Mr. Trump appears to like bullies, and they are delighted to have him represent the American brand. If one were to draft a script chronicling fascism’s resurrection, the abdication of America’s moral leadership would make a credible first scene.
Madeliene AlbrightWe have never had a president, at least in the modern era, whose statements and actions are so at odds with democratic ideals, Trump has spoken harshly about the institutions and principles that make up the foundation of open government, in the process he has systematically degraded political discourse in the US, shown an astonishing disregard for facts, libelled his predecessor, threatened to lock up political rivals, bullied members of his own administration, referred to mainstream journalists as enemies of the American people, spread falsehoods about the integrity of the US electoral process, touted mindlessly nationalistic economic and trade policies and nurtured a paranoid bigotry toward the followers of one of the world's foremost religions.
The other interesting thing is the post-Trump backlash that will happen. — ssu
Perhaps, but I wouldn't bet too much on it. His core supporters seem unfazed by whatever his administration does, either defending his more execrable actions and statements (often using logic so tortured that waterboarding looks tame by comparison), or sweeping them under the rug with the "fake news" mantra. And as long as he has the support of the Republican base, Congress will likely continue to tow the Trump line (however grudgingly).The backlash of that will come — ssu
I just presume that he doesn't want to be the President who ended civilization. — Arkady
I don't think Trump would accidentally order a nuclear strike, no. But, I don't presume that he knows what he's doing with regard to possessing expertise or knowledge on any substantive area pertaining to foreign relations, foreign or domestic policy, geopolitics, or diplomacy.But that presumes he knows what he's doing. If he doesn't know what he's doing, his not wanting something doesn't mean he won't do it. "I was just trying to get a good deal, honest." — unenlightened
Also, we here in Australia all despised W. But compared to Trump, W was a knight in shining armour. — Wayfarer
A bit of an overstatement. Trump and Putin are not exactly best buds lately. Did Putin tell the Trump administration to impose sanctions on Russian citizens?And Trump will do whatever Putin tells him to. — Seastar
You'd have to ask him, I suppose. It's not anything I said. I don't think Trump and Putin are even that different ideologically: I think that Putin (or perhaps Putin-lite) is someone Trump would resemble were he not constrained by the checks and balances of American democracy, such as they are (for now, anyway).I heard a commentator say the US is locked in an ideological conflict with Russia. When did that happen? — frank
The inept Trump who basically wants to be the classic playboy and Putin are quite different.I don't think Trump and Putin are even that different ideologically: I think that Putin (or perhaps Putin-lite) is someone Trump would resemble were he not constrained by the checks and balances of American democracy, such as they are (for now, anyway). — Arkady
I don't know about that. Classic playboys don't generally seek to be the leader of the free world. Trump clearly had larger plans. He has been vocal about politics for some time.The inept Trump who basically wants to be the classic playboy and Putin are quite different. — ssu
If referring to Trump's "ideology" imputes too much intellectual credit to the man for your liking, then feel free to substitute something else ("mindset," or "worldview," perhaps). I find it doubtful that historians will ever refer to the "Trump Doctrine," in discussing foreign policy.First, Trump has no true ideological otherwise that he would want everybody to like him and be as great as he says he is. Ideologies don't matter to this basically stupid and most ignorant person.
Putin's trauma is the collapse of the Soviet Union. This has been the objective behind all of his policies: stop Russia from plunging into chaos something like during the Time of Troubles and get Russia to be a Great Power. I assume that Putin has hoarded his wealth in order to be able to fight any oligarchs that have independent agendas of their own concering political power in Russia.
When you just listen to the speeches of the leaders, Putin has understanding and objectives, Trump is just an ignorant idiot.
Trump is a brash New York liberal, nothing more. — Thorongil
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