The New Testament Sentiment, "Forgive them, they know not what they do," does not apply to Republican legislators. Not even Christian charity permits deriding GOP Senators and Congressman as merely ignorant. With few exceptions, attaining legislative office requires above average intelligence.
No, the GOP is knowingly counting down the end of the American Century. Starting with the Marshal Plan and continuing with NATO, America has preached from the pulpit with its economic, moral and military superiority. Congregants sang our hymn. Allies enjoyed stability, and America prospered.
Trump, in ways both large and small, with GOP acquiescence, has emptied the pews. On the micro level, Trump's disdain has crippled the State Department. The ranks have not been decimated, for that is a mere drop of 10%. Rather nearly 50% of the top two tiers of department professionals have departed. Institutional knowledge is gone, phones go unanswered. Opportunities are lost, international respect vanishes. As in a horse, these micro fractures may go undiagnosed, but eventually lead to unsoundness and even the loss of life.
On the macro scale, an unfettered Trump, is shunning the support of our allies, and instead courting authoritarian regimes. Many believe the reason is Trump's authoritarian tendencies. That may have an influence, but the full truth is more dire. Authoritarians can, by fiat, satisfy Trump's greed, liberal democracies have procedural guard rails. Saudi Arabia has loaned hundreds of millions to Trump and to the Kushners. China has awarded Ivanka valuable trademarks. Perhaps to launder money, Russian oligarchs have been prime purchasers of Trump properties.
Where greed leaves off, ignorance takes the floor. Tump is a one man Know Nothing Party, ignoring briefings and rational analysis in favor of impulse.
Republican officeholders know Trump's failings, but would rather creep to reelection than stand tall.
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Monday, January 13, 2020
Points of View
Susan Rice was fried, when the Benghazi talking points she faithfully recited needed to be, and were, corrected one week later. She did not lie. The error did no harm.
The killing of Soleimani is different. Unless, he is totally deranged, Trump knows why he authorized the strike. So every statement from the administration that Soleimani was behind an imminent threat was a lie, damaging our standing in the world. A few Republicans have stepped out of line, but in the main they goose-step behind their lying leader.
The new rationale for the killing of an official of a sovereign state is that he was responsible for the killing of Americans. Yes, we can repeat the litany that Soleimani was a bad man. But the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia ordered the slicing and dicing of a Washington Post correspondent. Are we justified in taking him out?
Trump has made it clear that his main concern in the region is oil. So is Iran so unreasonable, to take the position that the US is an invading force, after the region's resources? From that perspective Soleimani is a general, with inferior forces, using guerrilla, and admittedly terrorist tactics, to repel an occupying army.
Now let us switch to the Kurdish perspective. Imagine you are a young Kurd. Your father died fighting ISIS in support of American interests. Your brother was killed by the Turks as Trump summarily gave away your land and your home. You and your mother now live hand to mouth in a refuge camp. Would you be justified in killing our President, because he was responsible for the death of many of your people, and the loss of your homeland?
The killing of Soleimani is different. Unless, he is totally deranged, Trump knows why he authorized the strike. So every statement from the administration that Soleimani was behind an imminent threat was a lie, damaging our standing in the world. A few Republicans have stepped out of line, but in the main they goose-step behind their lying leader.
The new rationale for the killing of an official of a sovereign state is that he was responsible for the killing of Americans. Yes, we can repeat the litany that Soleimani was a bad man. But the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia ordered the slicing and dicing of a Washington Post correspondent. Are we justified in taking him out?
Trump has made it clear that his main concern in the region is oil. So is Iran so unreasonable, to take the position that the US is an invading force, after the region's resources? From that perspective Soleimani is a general, with inferior forces, using guerrilla, and admittedly terrorist tactics, to repel an occupying army.
Now let us switch to the Kurdish perspective. Imagine you are a young Kurd. Your father died fighting ISIS in support of American interests. Your brother was killed by the Turks as Trump summarily gave away your land and your home. You and your mother now live hand to mouth in a refuge camp. Would you be justified in killing our President, because he was responsible for the death of many of your people, and the loss of your homeland?
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