The Trump season's re-writes are in to help clarify some of the confusion in previous episodes. It's all about the dropped 'NOTs':
I meant to say that Boris Johnson would NOT make a good prime minister.
I did NOT tell Theresa May to sue the EU...Obama did using Hillary's server.
I was NOT rude by walking in front of the Queen...I though she still had the corgis and was helping her look for them.
I said Germany is NOT controlled by Russia that's my job.
I told Macron that he should NOT leave the EU (and that Brigitte still looked good).
I was NOT late for the NATO breakfast... my watch was slow.
I am NOT a crook...I mean traitor...and I told Putin that he would have his own password for the joint cyber-security program so he wouldn't have to hack into the election system for the 2018 mid-terms just ignore what I say and do NOT forget whose team I play for.
2
This piece makes so many good points, but what struck me as I read it was that it pinpoints Trump's strength: he has become the leader of the coalition of the fearful. His most ardent supporters are afraid of immigrant gangs taking over their cities, if not immigrant mothers taxing welfare programs to feed, clothe and house their kids, if not immigrant populations changing the cultural mix of the country, if not African Americans and Jews doing the same, if not atheists undermining the social construct, if not abortionists and the LGBT community doing the same. It's funny to me that these same blocs of the fearful will be the first to stand up and salute the idea that "freedom isn't free," but they just don't get what freedom means and that if you really and truly believe in freedom, how can you not also believe in equality and justice for all?
6
Bret's comment "trying to scream while underwater". That captures the feeling.
10
Trump=Putin's poodle. Given his gift for insulting nicknames, this one seem appropriate.
5
Trump shot another one on Fifth Avenue, and the Republicans won't even call an ambulance. And these are people who will scream TREASON at someone who doesn't stand up during the National Anthem. When I hear it I want to run away in shame. What a disgrace! Never forget who sat on the fence while that abominable man dragged our country into the mud before the whole world.
13
I live in the rural midwest, surrounded by Trump supporters, and the media seems to be completely missing why there isn't more outrage from Republicans wrt to Trump and Putin. Many of my Republican neighbors feel nothing but contempt for the liberal democracies of Europe. And, they feel quite a bit of affinity for authoritarian Russia. Many voted for Trump because they were furious at the Supreme Court for legalizing gay marriage. Russia is one of the most stridently anti-gay countries on earth. Anyone who has studied Russian history and culture knows that Russian society tends to be not just anti-gay but very sexist. Under Putin, Russia has been sliding back into more social and religious conservatism. My neighbors see liberal Europe as the land of the devil. OMG, they have parental leave and a living wage and high taxes--things conservative Americans detest. So, the fact that Trump is pro Russia and anti-Europe actually plays pretty well with many of my neighbors. I would like to see some of the NYT columnists explore this phenomenon in Trump America. The idea of a conservative president for life is something many of them seem to like quite a bit. They are happy that Trump is turning his back on liberal Europe and embracing a conservative president for life. Until the media and the democratic party figures this out, we'll keep being in the dark and that's never a good situation when you want to effect change.
16
BINGO!
1
I am a socialist so it is with surprise and pleasure that I find myself agreeing with Bret Stephens. The crimes against migrant children are horrifying. I also agree that immigrants and asylum seekers enormously enrich our country. That has been my experience as a teacher for many years. I guess I share with Bret something very important we are both the children of refugees.
7
@Zoe Beloff-- Reading these hyperventilating comments, I'm reminded of the hyperbolic comments made in Dallas before the shooting about JFK being a Russian dupe and a treasonous traitor. Trump is not. He's trying to create a detente with Russia and is woefully unprepared. Do not confuse a lightweight, a lazy man with a traitor. Treason takes diligence, craft, patience, and hard work, and none of those define him. He's in far over his head and be glad of it. He has so few scruples can you imagine the damage he could do if he applied himself the way a Mike Pence would? He's a dunce, like Ronald Reagan, just not as amiable.
6
This is a funny humor column: two elite whites whining about the poor children and their fears of President Trump.
Does Mr. Stephens, a son of refugees, feel nothing when he looks at the Gaza refugee camps? Sorry Charlie, the rest of us are numbed to the damages our taxpayer dollars do to children. Perhaps the families will think twice now about taking 3-year-olds on such dangerous journeys to places where they are not welcomed unless they come in under cover of darkness and agree to be undocumented illegals to gain entrance.
I don't support open borders because I understand the pain for those children is just beginning...
Mr. Stephens has me laughing at his screaming "under water". Trump voters have been "under water" for years, Mr. Stephens. Why didn't you hear them when the economy was down for so many? Your sympathies are suspect.
And Ms. Collins... bully for you for taking a break from your book-writing break to cover the news. Do you think what Mr. Putin is doing in Crimea is any better than what America did in Iraq and Libya? Why don't you write a book next about George W. Bush and how he conned all you NYT opinion journalists into supporting deadly pre-emptive wars that killed millions of innocents?
We've hardened in America, for better or worse.
Welcome to our country. If you don't like it, try elsewhere...? Surely with the right sob refugee story, somebody will take you in, or else you can pool your resources and bribe your way in, right? Lolol.
2
What could be even worse than the now demonstrable fact that the US President is a traitor to his own country. Here it is. Donald Trump has just made a fool of himself before the world. He has destroyed the credibility and trustworthiness of the US.
6
@Irving Franklin
Actually Donald Trump was widely considered to be a buffoon in the 80's & 90's by everyone. Yesterday with Putin was just more of the same. He's a showboat, a loudmouth, a lightweight, a serial bankrupt. So pay attention to his policies, not his words.
9
@AG
You're so smart, AG. TEll me...
if EVERYone considered Trump to be a buffoon, why is he president while your girl Hillary needs help getting into a van, accessing her private emails and staying home playing grandma?
Think little bunnies, think. PS. We LOVE the results of Trump's policies. Heck, even the Obamas can afford to travel now.
A presidency today is no longer the high achievement of the most suited and most lauded example of a nation’s best. It is a position attained through graft and the commitment to any agenda demanded by the most powerful elements in that society. Leaders are that in name only: they simply embody the desires of whoever drives them.
Trump is no different: he is driven by corporate interests and an odious elite. The trouble is, they’re Russian. Even American avarice takes a subordinate role here. Trump dragged his tawdry business connections and indebtedness to Russian graft into the White House, running for office as publicity stunt, to his horror and consternation, actually winning. He betrayed America by being unforgivably hubristic, forgetting his vulnerabilities until they pile on him. This is where his party of lascivious have mores and he stray apart. His obligation is to Russian fealty.
2
1938: "Peace in our time."
2018: "I have President Putin. He just said it's not Russia."
3
I very much like Rand Paul's analysis of the situation. When you are sitting down to negotiate with a guy you do not start by insulting him.
And when the president is about to sit down with an adversary, hoping to get some agreement on important issues, you do not undermine him by indicting 12 Russians three days before the meeting.
Paul talked about the Trump derangement syndrome and he is right. People AGREE (or say they agree) that we do not want to stumble into a war with Russia, but then they want to remove all safety measures.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2018/07/16/rand_paul_people_hate...
Don't you people want to live?
Russia has enough firepower to destroy the planet entirely on its own. Can they destroy New York, Chicago, Los Angeles? Absolutely. And only an idiot would say, "But WE will destroy Moscow and St. Peterburg," as if it would be some kind of comfort to anyone with an IQ over 50.
Rand Paul is 100% right, and twice as articulate as Trump who has difficulty with language. If Paul ever runs for president, he has my support.
3
He did run but dropped out. Please get your facts straight.
Trump---
"My people came to me...they said they think it's Russia.
I have President Putin. He just said it's not Russia. I will say this, I don't see any reason why it would be."
"That's how a press conference sounds when an Asset stands next to his Handler," says Michael Steele, former GOP chairman of RNC, who left his party over Trump.
P.S. Trump changing it to "wouldn't" doesn't make sense in context. Nor in the contextual conversation itself during the press conference with Putin.
4
Obviously so, try hard not to deceive yourself .
I gained a lot of respect for Bret Stephens when I saw him on “Real Time.” He doesn’t belong in the Party of moral pygmies and towel boys for the rich. He should really be a Democrat, albeit a conservative Democrat.
4
Brett is an apologist for Republican treachery.
3
@ejs He doesn’t belong in the Party of moral pygmies and towel boys for the rich. He should really be a Democrat, albeit a conservative Democrat.
-------
He doesn't belong with the Dems either. Wrong culture. Lay off the towel boy to the rich stuff: he has a family to support and New York still beats Jerusalem for selling yourself.
@Irving Franklin Brett is an internationalist who sees Russia as the next greatest threat, now that America has dealt with Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lybia and anyone else who might threaten Israel.
His father is a refugee, remember, and Brett, like Roger Cohen, calls many countries home, it seems.
Thinking objectively, when was the last time the Republican party actually did something genuinely mindful of the interests of all Americans without malice, affection, or ill will? The question, on reflection, seems rhetorical. This is the state of modern politics, not only in America, but anywhere there is conservative/liberal antagonism. The conservatives uniformly intend to deprive someone of something while giving it to someone else, liberals attempt to conserve, ironically enough, what conservatives are attempting to annihilate. In America, the Republicans are intent on creating a nation of wealth, but not for everyone, only those who truly buy into, quite literally, this model of exclusive nationhood.
Trump is a traitor, but then his party and the class it represents are equally treacherous. They wilfully betray the Americans, the factory workers, the infantryman, who still believe in a country of what dreams may come. For we, who know America intimately, it is brutally heartbreaking to watch this appalling debasement of a cherished friend.
Trump is vile. His party is vile. What and whom they represent are vile. But, and a big but, is where does America go from here? Sickeningly, something in the social chemistry allows the disenfranchised to knowingly and gladly drink this poisoned wine that Trump doles out in barrels. The only thing really certain is that this fascism will fail, the question is how completely.
8
Will wonders never cease?
I actually agree with Bret Stephens on something. His successful characterization of the photograph of Adan Galicia Lopez and the reasons it is happening on Trump's watch is spot on and speaks to the banality of evil in this failed administration.
Stephens should renounce the GOP but certainly urge Republican Senators to go Independent or go Democrat now...there is no time to equivocate. Trump has refused to defend the United States against an attack that has drastically holed our hull. No amount of backpedaling is going to fix the blow this ship of state suffered in Helsinki.
If the GOP has no patriots in the Senate willing to stand up for the United States now, waiting for the mid-term elections is probably not going to do the trick. This is especially true since we cannot be certain that we're going to see a true reporting of the ballot in several states.
It is a terrible thing to contemplate that there are no loyal nor courageous Americans among the GOP Senators.
3
At this point, Gail, we have to get out the vote: Latino, black, white and everyone else. We can't afford to allow the Republicans who refuse to confront Trump to continue owning Congress.
Mr. Trump has become our largest national security risk and must be stopped.
4
There is only one way to purge the US of Trump and his Republican Cult: vote Democratic in every race.
5
Sen. McCain said: "one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory." That phraseology is quite common: one of the most etc. It is also quite wrong. There is no equal in the past to any of the things Trump does. It was simply the most disgraceful performance ever by a POTUS.
To take a minor example, Trump's walking in front of the Queen. No other president would have walked in front of any 90 year old lady, much less a queen.
Trump's awfulness in unique.
9
The soundness of Trump's mind has become a matter of urgent concern. Take away his scripted speeches, his edited tweets, and the words and phrases he is coached to repeat during live performances and we see a man who can rarely get from one end of a sentence to the other without stumbling and changing direction a few times, who resorts to lame, inappropriate jokes when he embarrasses himself. The problem could stem from physiological changes in the brain or extreme psychological stress or a combination of the two. Hopefully more Republicans will join Democrats in questioning his fitness for office before this almost pathetic man inflicts further damage on America.
8
Trump could shrug off inappropriate sexual behavior. Unlike Bill Clinton and others, he doesn't run from that. My guess: tax evasion, bribery, money laundering; issues of that nature. But the FBI and the Attorney Generals office must be taken to task for the manner in which the initial investigation was launched, and the way it was initially handled.
1
Barry: what are you saying?
3
@Elizabeth Wong
He's saying the investigators are biased, and acted badly BEFORE the election.
Wrap it up, Mueller. Show your cards...
If there was a national security threat there, we'd all be dead. And the midterm elections are coming...
Luckily, this is yet another Washingon-driven, taxpayer-funded political investigation. We've been here before... Mueller is no Ken Starr tho. He's not working a bestseller here, folks.
These inert members of the GOP are enemies of the state. They and their supporters will be remembered for their assistance in making a disgrace of the USA. The one nation: that all people respected; that their founding fathers, and all service people who became casualties to "save" the ideals of the republic, that so many people advanced over the centuries; this nation is squandered in less than a year by their inertia. They complain about the taxes the public spends, for which the number 1 priority is defense. What a waste when the inert stand by and allow the fool to keep a wrecking ball. The nation has lost all its respect, it will lost its economic frontiers (especially as we forbid the hard-workers and talent to immigrate). Its allies may lose in the short term, but the USA has lost forever. Respect is earned over years and can be lost in a minute with the unqualified inert fools on the hill.
2
No state has a truly diversified economy. The rest of the world should let the red states know that they will be the target for selective tariffs. Once unemployed, the Trumpsters can enjoy the lack of a welfare state. G-d bless 'em.
6
Thank you to you both for following the thread of a tapestry that's become a portrait of the greediest and most callous self-aggrandizing president ever to occupy the White House.
Gail, I especially appreciate the shout-out to, and acknowledgement of, us shamefully and grossly unrepresented voters in California. Your readers may remember hearing elsewhere that our state is the 5th largest economy in the world. But that's only if they could hear above the president's spiteful pronouncements that we are "out of control," and that our governor is doing a "terrible" job, not to mention the constant demonization of our federal representatives (especially the female and minority members) and of our Governor. Trump especially enjoys dissing Jerry Brown who (luckily for us) has enough ethics to continue supporting the global fight against climate change, and who has spine enough to protect our state resources from being usurped by ICE attempts to "round up" (think cattle) undocumented immigrants.
Short of abandoning the electoral college system, is there nothing the 40 million people living in California can do to obtain more proportionate under-representation in the electoral college?
If any readers have the answer to that question, please let us Californians, and, more importantly, the Democratic Party, know it a.s.a.p. It could save us all from an even more insane future.
3
The way for California to get more representation in the electoral college is to break itself up into four states. Not only that, they’d also get six more senators.
2
@ADN Good points, thank you!
It seems very clear now that we can subtitle Trump's win:
he won fair(-skinned people) and (Red) square.
5
For most of my life I’ve been a political agnostic. Starting with Gore v Bush and the hanging chads I’ve become more engaged. After witnessing yesterday’s debacle of public treason by a sitting US President, I am willing to join a progressive militia! Outrage doesn’t begin to express my nausea and offense at that Thing’s debasement of our country, it’s ideals, and a strong majority of it’s people. His base is base, like he whose name should never be spoken for fear of strengthening his demonic power over base instincts.
5
And, "I’m thinking about just what Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham and the rest of right-wing punditry would be saying if it had been President Barack Obama" doing or saying virtually ANY of the things that Trump has done or said since he became president. Sad.
7
Today’s grammar lesson: Double negatives.
I don’t believe our prez isn’t more a fan of PUTIN than he is of the free press in USA.
3
Gail. "I think we need a rule about how many reactionary macho Americans can be allowed to go abroad at one time."
Here is a better rule:
If you are a macho American and go abroad to involve your self in the politics of another country the only way you can get back in is as an asylum seeker. You must go to Nicaragua and walk. Through Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico. It is only a little over 4000 km. When you arrive at the border at Tijuana, or Ciudad Juarez wait 3 months. Be patient. Try to cross into the US every day. Eventually you will be admitted enabling you to make application for asylum. Once you have applied you will be held in detention for up to six months while your application is reviewed and ruled on. Good luck.
6
Poor Gail.
She lost all her political mojo when the dog-on-the-truck schtick ended. What's a girl to do to silly up the new nowadays??
Grinning and winking with Putin by his side, Trump trash talked America while the world watched.
This is Making America Great Again . . . how?
8
I couldn't get past the paragraph about our government attacking an international group endorsing breast feeding. I'm thoroughly depressed and without hope. I cannot read any more of this and cannot hear Trump speak.
I am, however, missing the Democratic (or any opposition) reporting. This is the NYT giving free coverage to a moron. Please give more coverage to any other topic. Please!
As in nature, if a plant does not receive sunshine to produce chlorophyll, it dies. And so goes Mr. Trump
2
Meaning of shame:
a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.
**************
To be ashamed of one's president and congressional leaders, to be ashamed of people who voted for a man so lacking in moral veritas and integrity, should not be what so many are presently feeling.
We have done no wrong and the ones who should be ashamed have no shame.
5
Traitor Don, the illegitimate president.
5
I miss William Safire, I often disagreed with him but he was a highly intelligent man of principle. I think he must be spinning in his grave. I believe he would have forcefully and eloquently stepped over the line that Brett Stephens is tiptoeing up to in this conversation.
1
@EmUnwired. Safire a man of principle? Sure, if you consider infatuation with oneself and moral bankruptcy principles. Safire would be defending Trump to the very end. This is the man who started the 25-year campaign to destroy Hillary Clinton. He’s not rolling in his grave. He’s laughing. “Look what I did! I finished her off and got Trump elected! Can you believe it? I’m a genius!”
Let Safire spin.
1
It is almost impossible to have a logical discussion on The Perils of The Donald.
Nice try, Gail and Bret.
4
I would not put is past the Trump-Putin regime from trying to steal the 2018 election. We should return to paper ballots, this time consecutively numbered, timestamped paper ballots in locked and sealed ballot boxes and counted before witnesses from all parties and the count is videotaped and if there are too many irregularity the count should not certified. Tampering with a federal election should be a minimum of 15 years at a max security prison.
7
Put it past them? They’re already doing it, says the Director of National Intelligence.
2
Trump has been attacked by the apoplectic LEFT since he took office. And as unscripted as the news conference was from Helsinki, what did you want him to say....that everything the FBI does and the timing on the Russian cyber release of documents is unbiased? That Peter Stroyk had his back?
I was pleased with the news conference; as a former Bernie supporter, Russia's findings validated the shenanigans of the DNC & the Clinton's. Thank you Russia for someone telling us the facts.
I don't think the Times would've, after genuflecting in supplication over Clinton.
1
So why are you not supporting Bernie now? Have you listened to HIS opinion of Trump?
5
Marti. The only person grovelling is Trump to Putin.
4
Oh for God's sake get over 2016!! If you voted for Trump because Bernie didn't win the nomination, just admit your error and move on. Don't "cut off your nose to spite your face".
tRump's clarification makes no sense. He leaves out the part where he said he believes Putin's very strong denial that there was Russian meddling. It was a bit later that he said he didn't see why Russia would meddle. His claim that he meant to say wouldn't instead of would is completely inconsistent with his assertion that he believed Putin. Anyone who thinks tRump fixed things today lacks critical thinking skills.
6
2 minutes ago
(Edited)
Edit
if trump doesnt believe the intelligence community's assessment of russian interference in the 2016 election, preferring instead to believe putin's denials what would happen if trump is told at some point the russians are planning an actual military attack on a NATO ally or even the US itself. if given advanced warning of such an attack would he then chose to disregard the warning and do nothing to thwart such an attack or even plan for a defense against it. or might he even call putin and let him know what we know there by compromising intelligence sources. what if intelligence sources believing that trump might compromise their identities fail to pass on vital information.
at this point trump has so compromised US security and the security of our allies that he must be removed from office. he can no longer be counted on to defend the country from attack. its even possible that informed of a nuclear missile attack he would discount the information because of his basic lack of knowledge and distrust of the intelligence briefs he gets.
before Helsinki one could accept the adversarial relationship with our EU allies and a new foreign policy strategy. but after Helsinki one must question trump's willingness and even his ability to defend the US against an attack by our true enemies. the security of the country demands that he must be removed from office.
4
The anti-Trumpists are projecting. The fate of this country is now in the hands of our KGB, not Putin's.
Trump hit the bullseye in Helsinki—HC's illicit server is the epicenter, the manifestation of HC's criminal intent & motive—& Obama's—notwithstanding Comey's attempts to scrub Obama—& HC's intent—from the record
STRZOK: TPs [talking points] for D [Comey]?
PAGE: Yes, bc potus wants to know everything we are doing.
Obama didn't delegate. He micromanaged everything & everything he micromanaged was treasonous: Wars, Iran deal, Uranium 1, sham investigation/exoneration of HC, & FISA abuses & lame-duck executive orders engineered to sabotage Trump candidacy & presidency, encourage process crimes & fabricate impeachable offenses.
(News flash! New, unredacted emails confirm Obama cooked up the coup.)
In 2009, FBI Dir Mueller had obtained proof of money-laundering, blackmail & bribery by Russia to gain control of the uranium market. Evidence included flow of millions from Russia to cutouts & on to Clinton Inc. Mueller conspired in coverup of crimes that would have put kibosh on Uranium 1. Ironically, Russia may be MUELLER'S undoing.
This scandal is about existential threats & crimes against the state. It is about a coup & coverups. It is about prosecutions & forfeiture of ill-gotten gains & very long jail terms. It is about equal justice for all.
IOW, the anti-Trumpists are right about one thing—this is about treason.
2
Just wow. Please back up your assertions and spurious claims with evidence.
7
Someone is marinating in the fever swamps.
Bret,
Check out your old colleague's column, "The Speech Trump Should Give."
Not only must Trump give this speech. Not only must he implement it point-by-point. He must beg McGurn to become his chief strategist/speechwriter.
"The principle here should be clear. Under our Constitution, the unelected parts of government are accountable to the elected—not vice versa."
I would add that the elected are accountable to the people—not vice versa. Trump fails to declassify/prosecute all…at his own risk.
Trump must ignore the obstruction threat—an unconstitutional red herring—& start prosecuting the Obama-Clinton co-conspirators—ALL of them.
Time is of the essence. Ds/deep state are dismantling the republic before our eyes, they are endangering national security for political advantage & they are running out the clock.
Trump fires Rosenstein. Sessions quits in protest. Trump replaces Sessions w/ DiGenova in a recess appointment. DiGenova starts RICO prosecutions.
Trump reclaims his presidency/equal justice under law is restored/the republic is saved.
1
Trump and Putin collusion all right. In the Trump-Putin presser.
The Trump-Putin pas de deux was brilliant. Trump turned the tables on the conspiratorial cockroaches.
The sub-context was jail for Obama and Clinton and their collaborators.
The grenade came from Putin. He offered to extradite the indicted Russians—(the last thing Mueller wants). Putin continued,"But in this case, there's another condition. This kind of effort should be a mutual one.
Then we would expect that the Americans would reciprocate and that they would question officials including the officers of law enforcement and intelligence services of the United States, whom we believe have something to do with illegal actions on the territory of Russia.
And we have to request the presence of our law enforcement.For instance, we can bring up Mr. Browder in this particular case. Business associates of Mr. Browder have earned over one and a half billion dollars in Russia. They never paid any taxes, neither in Russia nor in the United States and yet the money escaped the country, they were transferred to the United States.
They sent a huge amount of money—$400 M—as a contribution to the campaign of Hillary Clinton…the way the money was earned was illegal. So we have a solid reason to believe that some intelligence officers accompanied and guided these transactions. So we have an interest of questioning them. That could be a first step and we can also extend it. Options abound."
1
Treason: “Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and ...”
Traitor Don, the Illegitmate President.
6
We are witnessing gradual personality disintegration of a criminal mind--get ready for a long crazy trip, America.
3
This trip has already started
1
Yesterday's press conference with Trump and Putin got me thinking about George Smiley, the fictional character of John LeCarre's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, the retired MI6 operative quietly brought back into service to hunt down the KGB-run "mole" who had penetrated and infested the highest levels of the British Secret Service.
If I were Putin, would I want such a mole and what could he accomplish besides a constant feed of secret intelligence?
Certainly, destroying Western military defense alliances through public condemnations against US Allies, or preaching nationalistic superiority to undermine international cooperation, and certainly denigrating international economic alliances, trade agreements, and the European Union to make the US more vulnerable to economic chaos. Above all, I would like to see this mole be able to influence the public humiliation of the leaders of the European alliances to sow the seeds of political unrest in their nations.
What could I offer such a person besides a dacha on the Black Sea--money in secret accounts, investment opportunities in Russia and elsewhere, women to sit on the mole's lap?
Do moles even reside in the White House? How could that even be possible unless an election could be rigged in the U.S. by manipulating voting in just enough States to ensure an Electoral College victory.
Nah, this is just daydreaming, isn't it? Moles don't penetrate their target in broad daylight, do they? It's fiction, right?
2
When columnists use the term "western liberalism," I'm afraid that many readers associate liberalism with "socialism," "communism," or rightists who think, "I don't want my overly taxed dollars going to loafers, immigrants, or other bums." It should be noted that "liberalism" comes from the Latin "ars liberi," the "arts" or behavior of free people. Isn't that concept what the US and Europe have striven for since 1945? Among many issues, the concept of free people's behavior is not in trump's soul.
6
Bret, it wasn't a week ago and you wanted everyone to roll over and play dead on Trump's Scotus nominee.
7
@Steve
Think of Brett's own background when you consider his take on Americas's foreign policy issues, and America's domestic policies. It matters where he lives and how these issues will affect him, or not.
The Times is courting foreign readers and no longer writes from an America-first mindset. You have to read it and think if your own interests, national security and otherwise, are being represented in these calls to "Dump Trump" or otherwise sow suspicion about voting practices in those ... "other" states.
Somebody is making money in ginning up the Red hysteria -- who?
Gail, that crack about the Electoral College is what makes him a genius in the political rhetoric of misdirection and survival.
With the eyes of the world and several dozen investigators on him, what's his message? "All of this is simply resentment at losing the election." So far this, incredibly, works. Does it not?
Democrats had better find a way pronto to counter that message, and I'm counting on you.
Good to know that something still can render Gail speechless. Didn’t think it was possible.
I need to point out that this isn’t a “conversation”, with both sides of an issue discussed civilly. It’s a worksession to harmonize an agreeable offering for the chorus.
Yes, Putin did and does all the naughty things that Bret cites, but he’s a serious improvement over Stalin, who killed tens of millions – mostly his OWN people. For that matter, he’s an improvement over Khrushchev, who came within a hair’s breadth of precipitating global thermonuclear war. So … there’s that.
Gail SHOULD think about Russia hacking into our power grids and shutting them down. She also should think about how all the sanctions that have been heaped on Russia for other behavior, starting with Georgia, Crimea and a proxy war in eastern Ukraine, not to mention a policy of exploiting the convenience of Syria for the wholesale killing of Islamists, stopped him from doing any of that. And what else we might try to lessen the risk of damage from cyber weapons that Obama failed to counter effectively, leaving it to someone else (presumably Trump) to start the job, eight years too late.
If sanctions don’t work to dissuade Putin from bellicose behavior, what will? Or perhaps that’s not a politically correct question to ask, because, all of a sudden, liberals have found Jeeeeezus in a newfound hatred of Russia, largely because Trump wants to build ties to it. But the answer to that question is to …
… increase bilateral interdependence, so that damaging us also damages RUSSIA’s interests. And that’s what Trump is trying to do.
Nobody is under any illusion that Putin is a nice guy. Other than MAYBE Yeltsin and Gorbachev, what Soviet or Russian leaders WERE? Nobody (almost certainly including Trump) is under any illusion that Russians didn’t interfere with our elections, regardless of what he says. But, somehow, he needs to jump-start that greater bilateral interdependence, or we will forever be at the mercy of those who can, for example, hack into our power grids and shut them down.
He should have found a way to answer barbed questions from the press that didn’t imply an attack on our own intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and certainly not on foreign soil; but Putin needed acknowledgment as a world leader after having been derided publicly by Obama and Hillary; and this was Trump’s maladroit means of providing that acknowledgment. Next steps should be to apologize to our own and to seek the actual means of forging an enhanced bilateral interdependence.
Sorry. It doesn't work. No way to normalize Trump's actions as a boorish, clumsy, and amateurish (He's new at this) effort to serve and further the interests of the US. Putin isn't just a tyrant. He's a tyrant who has declared his tyrannical rule as the way of the future, an improvement over limp wristed democracy that recognizes that sovereignty rests with the people. Trump is on board with Putin on that, I'm convinced. Trump thinks he's joining the wave of the future, backed by FoxPravda, the likes of the Koch brothers, Sheldon Adelson, and Robert and Rebekah Mercer, whose errand boy Steve Bannon continues his mischief, churning racial and ethnic hatred and advising strong men and would be strong men across Europe.
4
I am Canadian and what I see unfolding is the completion of of Ronald Reagan's vision of America. It was Gorbachev who told the East German Chancellor to tear down the wall before Reagan's phoney baloney speech. It was Gorbachev who offered America a Russia a Russia compliant with the norms of diplomacy which would have made Russia a partner in a world committed to the economic and social betterment of the world's people. Gorbachev called it glasnost and it was Reagan and the GOP which rejected glasnost and turned Russia into the totalitarian rogue state that is undermining and threatening Canada and the Western Democracies today and into the future.
There is little difference between Russia and the GOP in the type of society they seek to establish. Chrystia Freeman Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs outlined what happened when as an economic journalist whose specialty was Russia wrote The Sale of the Century which saw Russia become a neoliberal's dream with Russia become a Theocratic Oligarchy with Putin and the religious nationalist right assume total control of Russian society and the oligarchs assume economic control at the expense of Russia's citizens.
Donald Trump watches television and has little if any understanding of why Russia is the enemy when its society seems the very model of the society the GOP demands.
Putin is anti choice, anti-immigrant, racist, homophobic and a member of the religious right how can he be the enemy?
10
If history repeats itself, this will happen like Iraq. An intelligence assessment will be used in a slow but steady drumbeat in a march to war with Russia. I don’t know of any polling about whether Americans support war with Russia, though I doubt there are many, and there is no consensus in Congress as yet, but the fourth estate will slowly and steadily develop one, and politicians will be compelled to respond. That is the direction of the rhetoric; it will be bipartisan. Anyone who opposes war will be decried as duplicitous, so Trump would have to become a wartime President. Probably, it wouldn’t be an open war with Russia, but rather a series of wars between America (and our NATO allies) and Russia around the globe, starting in some place like Syria, sometimes with American lives on the line, usually with others caught in the middle.
No one will remember how it started.
I am Canadian and what I see unfolding is the completion of Ronald Reagan's vision of America. It was Gorbachev who told the East German Chancellor to tear down the wall before Reagan's phoney baloney speech. It was Gorbachev who offered America a Russia compliant with the norms of diplomacy which would have made Russia a partner in a world committed to the economic and social betterment of the world's people. Gorbachev called it glasnost and it was Reagan and the GOP which rejected glasnost and turned Russia into the totalitarian rogue state that is undermining and threatening Canada and the Western Democracies today and into the future.
There is little difference between Russia and the GOP in the type of society they seek to establish. Chrystia Freeman Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs outlined what happened when as an economic journalist whose specialty was Russia wrote The Sale of the Century which saw Russia become a neoliberal's dream with Russia become a Theocratic Oligarchy with Putin and the religious nationalist right assume total control of Russian society and the oligarchs assume economic control at the expense of Russia's citizens.
Donald Trump watches television and has little if any understanding of why Russia is the enemy when its society seems the very model of the society the GOP demands.
Putin is anti choice, anti-immigrant, racist, homophobic and a member of the religious right how can he be the enemy?
1
The corporate democrats are spineless because
their spines belong to their big donors. I keep getting
frantic messages from Nancy who is "spitting mad."
Really, I would like to see her spitting and mad
And when ever Trump does his awful things she
begs ME, who is rather poor to CHIP in to defeat the
latest. But of course the Dems never win. So insult
to injury, we the screwed over people by both parties
are begged to help the Wealthy Corporate Democrats
save America with our dwindling dollars and we only
enrich the Dems. Kinda unfair, Now where to invest
our humble donations is to candidates who will not be
bought and will serve the people. Anyone see the town hall with Bernie VS CEOs of big companies yesterday? I know, I know the smear campaign on Bernie by the Democrats and Republicans is pretty intense, and so funny at the same time.
THEY are scared that if the people get wind of a presidential candidate who will actually make life better for the working class, well shoot, there go profits and bribes and all kinds of goodies the elite snatch from the lower and middle classes.
Imagine the gall of some one daring to actually serve the regular slaves, I mean regular people in this nation. Really how disgusting. These hardly human beings who are not the elites actually want a decent education for their inferior off spring, and a wage that frees them from taking food stamps, I mean what will the Wallmart family do with out the government subsidizing their fortune?
1
So Bret what exactly is the “much more liberal system that diminishes the incentive to come into the country illegally”? Because I think that is something many people would like to see happen, but can’t figure out how it would look.
2
If history repeats itself, this will happen like Iraq. An intelligence assessment will be used in a slow but steady drumbeat in a march to war with Russia. I don’t know of any polling about whether Americans support war with Russia, though I doubt there are many, and there is no consensus in Congress as yet, but the fourth estate will slowly and steadily develop one, and politicians will be compelled to respond. That is the direction of the rhetoric; it will be bipartisan. Anyone who opposes war will be decried as duplicitous, so Trump would have to become a wartime President. Probably, it wouldn’t be an open war with Russia, but rather a series of wars between America (and our NATO allies) and Russia around the globe, starting in some place like Syria, sometimes with American lives on the line, usually with others caught in the middle.
No one will remember how it started.
Interestingly, Trump reminds me of Sean Hannity.
Hannity was shown an adoration for Trump that borders on frantic. He rationalizes everything from complete nonsense to cruelty, and either doesn't see things as they are or figures it's in his best interests to lie to his audience.
Trump is the same with Putin.
6
Trump may simply be compromised by his ego - his inability to accept that his crowd size wasn’t the biggest, that his electoral victory wasn’t perfect. Trump’s pride probably factored into Putin’s strategy.
Dems should lighten up on the accusations of treason and simply hammer on Trump’s incompetence. Total lack of preparation; ignorance of how foreign policy is conducted; and the foolish assumption that real estate deal making is anything remotely like international diplomacy.
4
Soooo what are we supposed to do about all this?
Many calls for action out there. But almost all of them have to do with running up the score in already-blue states and districts.
For starters, how to properly communicate the idea of 'treason' to many of our fellow citizens to whom it is simply another diss, a nasty word?
2
How can anyone wonder if PUTIN has SOMETHING on Trump.
Read the Financial Times story about their inspvestigation into the funding one just one Trump property, the one in Toronto, being accomplished “ loan free”. The Russian mob used the building to launder money, with PUTIN chairman of the bank that provides many of the funds.
4
Many think Trump is a fool. Many others think Trump is a knave. What I don't understand is why the two possibilities are mutually exclusive. It's also long past the time for pundits to stop telling us what Trump "thinks" or "believes". We should be told ONLY what he "says", e.g. "Trump says he believes"; "Trump stated that he thinks".
2
Just for the record, there is no such thing as a “former” KGB agent.
8
@Patricia- Thank you so much for the reminder.
1
Congrats, too to Rand Paul, a real stand-out in the defense of the so-called president's treasonous behavior.
Rand, I'm beginning to understand your neighbor now.......
10
@AWENSHOK and thank goodness for that goodly man. I just wish he'd been built more like a linebacker.
Well the king really has no clothes on.what a mess this administration is.where are those missing children.
3
Trump said he could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and not lose any voters.
He was right - but we just now found out that the "somebody" was actually Uncle Sam.
5
This conversation is really good. I will add that Trump really only believes in money. That is why he doesn’t want to hurt Putin or anyone else that can give him profit. The only upside of the presidency for him is the future profit. Gail hit it on the head when she said that his stance changed once he heard the crowds. The man loves the applause and found talking points that give him the applause. The only time he thinks policy goes too far is when he thinks it will hurt his bottom line. He obviously needs to be removed. Now we will see if anyone in the House has the guts. Gail is also correct about the disenfranchisement of urban areas. This is not just related to the Senate but the electoral college. Once states tie their electoral votes to the national popular vote it will go a long way toward remedying this unfair situation.
5
The electoral college is a brilliant piece of a prescient Constitution that enabled all states to equalize regardless of size, rather than be dominated by the Coasts.
Changing it now, is akin to changing the rules of a baseball game because the losing team whined, stomped their feet and needed Xanex to get over their "trauma".
1
The electoral college and gerrymandering have made us a country where the minority rules.
5
This diatribe is just another "We hate Trump" piece which invariably interprets Trump's spoken words out of context and ignores his policies. The authors would apparently only have been pleased of the President had trashed Putin in front of the press. That might have been a good show, but it would have put the USA and Russia on a course that would exacerbate problems around the world, from the Middle East to North Korea leading to more military confrontations and costing more lives of US service members.
Instead of the reflexive condemnation of Trump's words, the authors might consider his policies that have certainly not coddled Russia: Sending weapons to the Ukraine. Challenging Germany on the new gas pipeline. Throwing out 60 Russian diplomats. Maintaining and expanding (in June 2017) economic sanctions on Russia. Killing approximately 200 Russian fighters in Syria a couple of months ago. "Actions speak louder than words," but it seems that liberal and "disaffected conservatives" have great difficulty in discussing anything but words.
Uh huh...and John McCain and Newt Gingrich are just calling it treasonous because they are left-wing pinko commies, right?
6
It would only take two GOP senators - McCain and one other, say - to stop this madness by renouncing their Republican affiliation and declaring themselves independent and caucusing with Democrats as long as Trump is in office. The Senate would flip. No SCOTUS vote until after midterms. Pressure from the moneyed backers for Trump to resign (with immunity) and Pence to take office with Nikki Haley as VP. GOP saved from Trump’s destruction and maybe still in control of the senate.
Only two senators.
6
@Rich M Excuse me? Pence take office? Out of the frying pan into the fires of Hell?
1
@Pat Johns oh i think there are more than a few issues with pence. and who knows he might be a calvin "i do not choose to run" coolidge.
The behavior of Trump is predictable. He himself told us who he is and what he'd do from the first day of his campaign. Yet. The media and democrats continue to be surprised every time he does what he said he'd do.
It's the overreach. Calling it "TREASON". The constant conflagration of indignation every time he does something doesn't do much to distinguish bad from really bad. So it's all muddled in the end.
From the outside looking in, I don’t understand why there are not mass protests today and every day over the treasonous behaviour of Donald Trump. Resist!
6
There are protest almost every week happening all over the country, but they rarely get reported. Personally, I’ve grown skeptical that citizens gathering in protest can affect change anymore. Protests are so easy for politicians to ignore, are rarely change anyone’s mind.
3
@R Biggs Protests help the protestors. Many of the protest events include information from service and political organizations that help people get even more involved. There is no easy fix to this nightmare and the people out there are doing more than screaming and shouting. They are working.
"Resist", marching, yelling in people's faces does nothing but creates more whiners and viewers get weary of seeing angry yelling mobs that they identify as "unhinged Democrats. Strategic planning, registration, etc does more.
1
Free the Steele dossier!
4
Two comments on Democrats wanting to abolish ICE. First of all, that is a gross generalization implying that tens of millions of Democrats want to abolish ICE. That is nonsense. Second of all, many of us who object to ICE are not objecting to what they are doing at the Mexican border but what they are doing in our communities. They are arresting peaceful and contributing members of our communities through horrifying raids. These people are here illegally only because we do not offer them a path to citizenship like we do to Melania Trump's family and others with white skin.
5
And what will the gop who own the house and senate do? Thoughts and prayers perhaps? Never in my wildest nightmares did I think our country would be defeated by those in our very government!
6
To understand Trump's interaction with Putin you have to begin with the obvious, that Trump suffers from narcissism. Narcissism is a recognized personality disorder; Trump suffers from delusions of grandeur; he is mentally ill, and thereby should be disqualified from the office of President. What that means is that Congressional Republicans should be held accountable for anything bad that happens as a result of Trump's mental disorder, as they are the ones in position to remove him from office for cause.
3
Now is the time to read, or reread, "The Plot Against America", by the late Philip Roth. The premise is an alternative history that imagines the 1932 election being won by Fascist sympathizer Charles Lindbergh and enlisting America on the side of the Axis powers in WWII. If Donald Trump had been elected in 1932, where would be be today? Where will we, as a country, be in the world 50, 75 and 100 years after his misbegotten Presidency?
3
@lb Yes. And I also recommend an 1896 biography of Henry Clay by Carl Schurz. Mr. Schurz's description of the effect of the Andrew Jackson presidency is chilling. After criticizing Jackson's despotic behavior, Schurz concludes: "[However] nothing could have been further from Jackson's mind than to overthrow the republican government. But if a President of the United States should ever conceive such a scheme, he would probably resort to the same tactics Jackson employed. " Well, here we are.
Ha, ha--- Trump's blame-America-first tour. Gosh, what brilliant wit! I'm just on the floor laughing, Gail.
2
Perfect photograph of Trump's idea of "a great America".
1
Just heard O.J. offered Trump and Putin his help to find the "real" hackers. What a relief! We can all rest easier now. They have already compiled a list. The usual suspects. Obama (of course!). Nancy Pelosi. CNN. HRC herself (who would have thought she would hack herself?). Oh and Mexico. The entire country.
5
The Republican Party was corrupt long before Trump.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/russias-plan-to-buy-off-the-gop-began-befo...
11
I would suggest that Democrats use a simple thought in the midterms: Defend our democracy. Liberty is at risk when one party dominates the government.
3
@Joshua Schwartz from Ramat-Gan, Israel: Sir, like in any type of population there is an unequal distribution for the population of immigrants. One should not see this as problematic without begging the following question. Should have the USA let in whomever was seeking asylum from the madman Hitler and Nazi Germany (and yes we had the resources and space to accommodate all the 6 Million), or, select whom we thought were desirable to bring over? We did the latter and naturalized people like Wernher von Braun because we wanted his V-2 technology while we didn't even want to hear about some poor devil from a Shtetl who had no skills we could use. Sad but true.
2
I thought that by now Sarah Huckabee Sanders would blame Trump's treasonous press conference on his disappointment in getting pastries instead of a full breakfast.
9
Unless the Republicans, who are the only ones with any power, take forceful measures over Trump's treasonous act, I can only conclude that the party has chosen the Republican party over the country.
Thank you, John McCain, for your direct and honest words. May the Republican party follow your lead! A very sad, sad time for America!
3
Our country if in deep trouble. The so called summit where Putin showed the world who Trump’s boss was and where Trump appeared to be a traitor to his own country was a boon to this country. Putin made the mistake in his behavior as though Trump was not only not his equal but a subbordinate. Putin wanted the world to know whose the boss.
Well it has hit the fan. The American people must chose between Republican-Russian government with Putin calling the shots and Trump passing the orders down to his congressional protectors and American democracy. The immediate question is whether the American people want our federal judiciary with lifetime appointments to be selected by theTrump-Putin administration. Now that the existence of the Trump-Putin regime is known why would they ever. Now that the Republican party if the party of Trump and Putin, why would those in office not change their party affiliations in the Senate to stop further appointments? If the liberals win the dead-enders in the GOP will not be imprisoned or shot, if the fascists win, prepare for work camps and debtors prisons. Want to know what’s at stake, study Hitler or Stalin., both very popular.
2
The GOP, its leadership as well as rank and file members, is the Vichy French government of modern day USA. Selling out their country to wield a modicum of power.
5
I never thought I would agree with Bret Staples, who describes himself as a conservative. Truly the world has turned upside down!
Trump has made no secret of his admiration for tyrants and his desire to be able to govern like one. This is just one more sign of what he is, ultimately, up to.
Beware of the 2020 elections. If Trump gets reelected (remember: he's got Putin on his side) look for him to move to revoke the 22nd amendment. He'll probably try to do it via Executive Order or Twitter, and there will likely still be enough Congressional Covfefe Kissers to figure out how he can get away with it.
2
The one key factor in re-electing Trump in 2020...nominate Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders as the Dem candidate. A landslide for the GOP and a guarantee of having at least 6 right-wing "Justices" on SCOTUS for the next generation. I wish it weren't so, but America is too backward to elect a woman as President, especially a very liberal one. Of course this assumes Trump won't be in jail by then, but any GOP nominee will beat Warren or Sanders.
4
When the Irish were pouring into the United States during the Potato Famine, the country was alarmed that they would change the culture, primarily because of their religion. When Italians were migrating to the US, the country was alarmed because they would change the culture, primarily because of their religion. Puerto Ricans weren't welcomed even though they were already American citizens. Now Mexicans and people from Central and South America aren't welcomed. I wonder if much of that is because of their religion since some people think of America as a Protestant country. The thing is, none of the fears came true about immigrants changing the culture. Nobody says, "If only the Irish hadn't come."
4
But his supporters keep cheering!
2
The allegiances of the silent, morally and politically coward Republicans in Congress, in order of importance:
Reelection First
Russia 2nd
American 3rd
That's what I would call treason.
4
A voice began screaming in my brain, Gail and Bret, as I sat reading your article.
What's that little voice TELLING me? Only this And you Republicans! I'm talking to YOU. Pay attention.
There is such a thing as character. In politics. In life. And. . . .
. . .CHARACTER MATTERS! IT MATTERS A LOT!
Come on, guys! You knew-oh yes you did!--you KNEW what kind of man Mr. Donald J. Trump was. There was no mystery. The man has spent. . .what? . .thirty some years, blustering and strutting about on the stage of American public life.
"Every man eventually falls in love with himself," said Oscar Wilde. "It is the beginning of a life-long romance."
Mr. Trump's long, passionate love affair with himself is a matter of public record. No one doubts it. That bold, illicit passion was admitted even by folks that VOTED for him.
"I think he'll support our PROGRAM,' said Mr. Paul Ryan. As (reluctantly, wearing surgical gloves) he swung his endorsement to Mr. Donald J. Trump.
He passed the gloves to others. And slowly, reluctantly. . .
. . .they fell in line. They endorsed the guy.
Shame on you! Shame on ALL of you!
Character matters.
We're are seeing--day by day, hour by hour--what happens when the US presidency is occupied by a man. . .
. . .whose sole devotion. . .
. . .is himself.
And we have two and half more years. Two and a half years of Mr. Donald J. Trump.
God help us all.
12
Helsinki proved that Putin is knowledgeable in ways that Trump will never be.
Putin is offering vodka toasts as Trump destroys America’s credibility.
Putin, because he listens to his intelligence officers, will out-con Don the Con.
Putin knows Trump's behavior is largely Id driven--that his responses to the slightest provocation are immediate, uncensored, often vengeful and contrary to his own and America's interests.
Putin knows that the narcissistic Trump responds to manipulative flattery.
Putin knows that if Trump is to be successful, he would have to possess a coherent vision of America's objectives and a sense of the threats to our national interests posed by others.
Putin knows that Trump has no such vision or focused sense of threats.
Putin knows Trump's vision is as incoherent as his use of language.
Putin knows Trump’s run-on sentences, sentence fragments, repetitions of trite "pronouncements," low-level vocabulary, non-sequiturs, lack of all semblance of logic, inane tweets, etc., are emblematic of Trump's jejune, limited, out of focus, stunted and fragmented psyche.
Putin knows that Trump lacks the reflective capacity to be a world leader. Trump scarcely acknowledges that there is a world out there, inhabited by other people, concerning which he should form a coherent vision, and over and against which he should reflect on the quality of his own character and comportment.
Trump the Unready has proven to be no match for Vlad the Impaler
12
The GOP is a platitude factory. To the families of gun violence murder victims, it is: Our hearts and prayers are with you." They made that one famous
To the American people, victims of the Trump treason: "Lock her up." and "Fake News."
5
Mr. Stephens, I didn't know until today that you're the son of an immigrant family. Although we may differ on many issues, you reinforce my belief that immigration is critically important to America. Your facility in recognizing the monstrosity who inhabits the White House (occasionally) is the kind of open-mindedness that we need: conservative on many issues, but open to a change of position when the need becomes so painfully obvious. Too few of our fellow Americans seem capable of that, preferring the comfort of the "party line" to the relatively marshy ground of critical thinking. Thanks to both of you for a very interesting discussion. Such things ease - if only slightly - the burden of depression that's fallen on me and millions of others during the past two years.
6
Since Putin is so skilled at "sharing" Novachuk, and with Trump just returning from a secret meeting with him, I recommend that Mr. Muller be very careful in public spaces.
3
This entire dreadful affair is sounding more and more like 1939. If we had a parliamentary system, the Tory grandees would already have told Chamberlain that it was time for him to go based on his shameless groveling before Hitler and refusing to see what by that time everyone in Britain knew. Trump is truly today's Nevile Chamberlain.
7
We, as a country, are pretty good at dealing with the effects of something that had its beginning or genesis elsewhere. And so it is with the immigration issue, people are coming up here from Central America because of problems in their native country. If things were better there-and admittedly that is a long shot-there would be less incentive to flee. Probably no one would disagree with that, the issue is clearly how do accomplish it, what do you need to do.
We are very proud of our military but spend little, perhaps 2% of our budget on foreign aid. Perhaps we might build 10 fewer F35’s at $100 million a copy and take the billion dollars and plow it-and plow is a operative word here-into some of these countries to work towards developing a better civil society.
The immediate, knee-jerk reaction I am sure will be, “With so much corruption, it won’t work.” Well, to my mind it’s not working now, and if we stay on the same path it won’t work in the future.
Eugene O’Neill once wrote that “There is no present, there is no future, only the past being repeated over and over again.” That’s where we are now, using our rear view mirror instead of paying attention to the road ahead. And that can be very challenging, if not dangerous.
5
Here's the tragic thing- there is a story out that Trump actually thought he was doing a great job over in Helsinki, wiping Putin's boots with that wig of his. He actually thought he did a really great job!
How out of touch, bizarro, etc, do you have to be to practically kiss a dictator's lips while dissing your own country and then be surprised when all the people without bone spurs rain Reality on your head? He's being portrayed in Russia as quite the little poodle today.
18
Please try to stop referring to Putin as a "former" KGB agent.
KGB membership, like in the mafia, is for life.
Putin is a superb KGB agent, while somehow he has fooled the west into believing he no longer has affiliation with the KGB.
Here is a clue: He is the KGB leader!
9
Trump has allied himself with our enemy. We need to come to grips with that fact quickly, because soon it will be too late to do anything about it. Republicans in Congress seem to think they can keep delaying action until things get even worse, but one day they'll wake up and realize they waited too long.
1
No. Russia is our friend. Europe and Canada are our enemies.
1
Let's not miss the forest for the trees-on. Trump has proven yet again that the only thing that matters to him or has ever mattered to him is Trump. e doesn't care a whit about this country or his supporters. Maybe his supporters, defenders and enablers will finally see that. Speaking of which, I haven't heard anything from Sarah Huckabee or Kellyanne on this latest debacle. Their silence is deafening.
4
Even if you think the bible says take the children of undocumented immigrants to punish their parents, it still doesn't explain the astounding incompetence of people who would do this without any plan for how to give the children back.
4
@JR Perhaps they never had any intention of giving the children back voluntarily, so there was no reason for a plan. We're talking about Trumpers who are pure Old Testament eye-for-an-eye, hard-liners here, JR.
1
Trump has given Putin a pass on Putin's guys hacking American computers and other election-related misdeeds. Why? Well reciprocity.
If we can forgive Putin, just like Trump has, then we should be able to forgive Trump when evidence comes out that he directly had contact with Guccifer 2.0 and other bad guys ("Russia if your listening...").
Maybe his base can forgive him. But then there's a pretty pretty good chance that maybe they won't.
His base thinks every thing Trump does is good. The media is the enemy, not Trump.
To say that immigration is the central issue in the mid-terms is very short-sighted. Until yesterday, it was the issue du jour. There will be at least on other hot button pushed between now and November. Maybe another gun massacre. Maybe Trump's cowering to Russia. Maybe Mueller finds a few more witches.
I want to give the electorate credit for looking at the bigger picture. This midterm is about competing visions for America: the Trump-led, Republican-enabled attack on democratic institutions and policies that care for people versus the Democrat-led view that we're all in this together and corporations shouldn't be enriched at the expense of our healthcare and social security.
4
After meeting Kim Jung-un, Trump, savoring all that glory, did a perfect Neville Chamberlain impersonation, almost waving a piece of paper and claiming peace in our time. In Singapore, Trump was as brilliant in his perception and reading of the North Korean dictator as Chamberlain was of understanding the intentions of Hitler prior to WWII.
Then, with so much success behind him, we jump ahead to that wonderful summer's day of July 16th. On this day, truly emboldened by all that winning, Trump leaves Chamberlain in the rear view mirror and, instead, takes on the characteristics of Norway’s Vidkun Quisling.
America’s Quisling Day: July 16th, 2018. Another day in American history that will go down in infamy.
4
For the first time I feel like I can agree with something Bret Stephens wrote.
If he's such a "disaffected conservative", I would like to know why I haven't come across anything resembling these feelings before?
I don't read all his articles because they generally make me irate, but I read them often enough to understand differences of opinion.
1
Can we all agree to stop calling Trump's actions baffling or unexplainable? Think of the worst fictional paranoid White House thriller that you can and you can then explain it. Coordination of business corruption, fixing of elections, removal of sanctions, and a host of other scary stuff are all in the mix. For those who didn't see this coming when Trump was elected, it may be hard to accept, but there are no alternative theories that fit having a no-witness private meeting with Putin.
4
Trump is a traitor to the nation by every measure of our Constitution. Where is Congress?
8
The greatest sin of neoliberalism is that it can make a mediocre vulture capitalist and money launderer believe he has the ability and understanding to run the most powerful and wealthiest empire the world has ever seen, Trump is right about the fake media but Trump doesn't understand how the propaganda machine works and what it is supposed to do.
I have seen the worst president America has ever known tell Mr Gorbachev to tear down the wall so many times today that I had to check that Mr Gorbachev told the East German Chancellor and the World that the wall should be torn down many times before Reagan made his phoney baloney speech.
4
I guess Trump's Scottish mom never taught her son Donald the Sir Walter Scott verses we had to learn in 7th grade public school in Texas when I was a kid:
From " The Lay of the Last Minstrel" Canto VI
Breathes there the man with soul so dead
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land!
Whose heart has ne'er within him burned,
As home his footsteps he hath turned
From wandering on a foreign strand?
If such there breathe, go, mark him well;
For him no minstrel raptures swell;
High though his titles, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim,
Despite those titles, power, and pelf,
The wretch, concentrated all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonored, and unsung.
_____________________________
-Old Donald, the "nationalist" who wont defend his own country's vote from foreign interference, and believes a dictator over his own intelligence agencies. Talk about surreal.
7
Historically, Trump has walked away from innumerable disasters that were largely restricted to New York area real estate deals or commercial scams that were either stupid or outright scams. He relied on a kind of impunity conferred by a certain level of wealth and social connectedness along with a willingness on the part of local media to encourage and support a public buffoon for his popular value. There were never any consequences for him and the people he hurt, cheated and betrayed simply weren't "important" enough to matter.
But he's now doing the same thing to the American public and the American experiment. So someone has to be held accountable and I would start with McConnell, Ryan, and the laughably self-proclaimed Freedom Caucus who need to understand that there will be consequences for them and that those consequences may well go beyond the political. Collusion takes on a whole new meaning and perspective after this Monday's disaster in Helsinki.
7
Hey, there's too much harmony here! I admit the circumstances lend themselves to significant agreement, but at least Brett could defend those who are bullied by the breast-feeding ideologues. As a new, hormonal, and confused mother 23 years ago I was massively harassed by those folks when my breast-milk was causing jaundice in my newborn daughter, the pediatrician was saying I had to stop breast-feeding her for at least a time and give her formula while she recovered, and the two sides refused to communicate with each other. Anyway ... here's hoping there will more to argue about next time. Something funny, and not so uniformly depressing as the activities of the current administration.
2
Except that the issue was not about forcing women to breast feed, it was about infant formula companies being allowed to lie to mothers in developing countries where tainted water and poverty make reliance on formula a danger to the health and lives of infants.
3
President Trump's advisors, we are told, prepared him for the NATO conference and for the Putin meeting.
If that be true, he has now proven two things - his contempt for his advisors and his inability to listen.
Egotists chart their own path, often unencumbered by the thought process. They don't worry about consequences, because they feel equipped to handle whatever may transpire.
When that proves untenable, they blame others.
Have we truly devolved to a nation capable of electing such a leader? Time to take a good hard look at ourselves!
2
The key question for GOP voters in 2018 is this.
Is their desire for tax cuts for the rich and slashing social programs and gutting financial and environmental regulations so great that they are willing to excuse Trump's many idiotic and possibly criminal and /or treasonous behaviors.
10
Played by North Korea, disastrous with Nato, clueless on trade and now kow towing to Putin, with negotiating skills like these we can see why Mr Trump, even spotted those millions by birth, has gone bankrupt so many times.
7
Based on Brett’s comment about “Mouse Republicans,” I think the appropriate symbol for the GOP should be a mouse instead of an elephant.
7
How are you still a conservative, Bret? How is any right-minded, thinking person still a conservative? How often does conservatism have to fear its ugly racist, nativist, plutocratic, evil heads before intellect finally takes hold and says "no more"? How bad does it have to get, how personal the affront, before no person with half a brain is ever a conservative again? How important are assault weapons, tax heists, anti-abortion judges, and cutting the safety net when the country is going down a conservative creator's rathole? How bad, Bret, must it be before you finally admit that conservatives will destroy the world?
7
Trump et al are not conservatives, is how. They're radicals--the word stems from "radix," meaning "attacking at the root"--who really do want to burn it all down.
I won't burden you with Robert Bolt's great words from "A Man For All Seasons," about England's being planted as thick with laws and with hedgerows, and what happens when you cut them all down.
But Stephens, and guys like Michael Steele, simply have different views than guys like me and you. What they're afraid of, and you should be too, is the clowns from WHATEVER political persuasion who have zippo respect for the laws, customs, histories, mores and so on that we've evolved over millenia, and just want them all chopped down.
Worse, they want the whole idea of orderly progress achieved throgh real work chopped down.
Usually, they want that because they want power.
5
Putin has had his asset on cruise control, since the “election” , until the G 7. Since then, he revved the Cheetoh motor, and today went full red line. Until the G 7, I might have accepted that Comrade Trump was a lucky beneficiary of election interference. Not anymore. I now believe that, the KGB has been grooming Trump since 1987. God help us and our country.
10
How to position ourselves? I want us to be a "Hamilton" nation, not a "babies in dog cages" nation. By all means, let's work to sort out immigration, but from a position that recognizes we are a greater nation with immigrants than without them.
6
sorry,mr.stevens.we austrians are not racists.we want lawful immigration,we care for refugees.we have good health care,a functioning social security system,good education for everyone.we dont shoot black people in the back we have no mass shootings and nobody needs guns exept hunters.,we move forward.trump and his sycophants were elected in your country.europe struggles,but will succeed.its the worst of USA,what we see now,but it has always been there.yours
8
45 needs to be forced to look at his oath of office, as well as the entire republican party. He is NOT defending and protecting our nation. The 25th amendment needs to be enforced or immediate withdrawal from the Office. The entire election was illegitimate and we need a do-over, affordable by rescinding the tax bill.
5
What is a disaffected conservative Republican? Aren't they on the endangered species list? Watch out Bret, the Interior Department is hot on your heels. Don't scream underwater, you"ll use up what oxygen conservatives like yourself have left or should that be right. RAW
1
Gail: For most Democrats, “abolish ICE” is just shorthand for getting rid of the Trump anti-immigration agenda. Although I do agree we could use a better code. Perhaps involving a quote from the Statue of Liberty.
For God's sake, Gail, the country doesn't need shorthand, it needs reasoned, detailed, cogent discussions of problems and solutions. Bret is right; offering pandering, half-baked bromides just plays into the hands of those who twist and subvert with half-truths.
7
@Denise
Yes, indeed. 'Abolish ICE' is the dumbest slogan one can imagine for the Democrats. Any idea which agency handles trafficking in endangered species?
4
Mr T boasted in Helsinki that he and Mr P controlled 90% of the world's nuclear weapons. That is the frightening part of this story.
What if they both have a bad day?
10
Americas military and diplomatic resources are and will be increasingly challenged abroad. President Trump's loss of international and domestic credibility tempts foreign adversaries to test any perceived American weaknesses.
Here at home, Trump's self-interest is "Russianizing" the American people:
"Russian life [is marked by] the all-pervasive cynicism that no institution is to be trusted, because no institution is bigger than the avarice of the person in charge."--Michael Idov, "Russia: Life After Trust," New York Magazine (January 23-February 5, 2017), p. 22.
Trump's avarice is beyond reasonable doubt. The plutocratic Trump administration and the pro-plutocratic Ryan-GOP agenda are effectively demoralizing the larger American public and fostering an increasingly cynical view of politics, politicians and America's role in the world.
A demoralized people will view Trump's foreign policy--whatever that may be--with cynical skepticism. A further weakening of public trust in Trump's "leadership" will invite foreign enemies to test American power and resolve.
If Vladimir Putin by his electoral interference had hoped to weaken America's international prestige and leadership, he has already succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. Is there much doubt that Putin and others will seize the moment, test America's resolve and attempt to further diminish our nation's international reputation?
3
RWL, you are far from alone! It is becoming clearer that his motto to "make America great again" was gobbly goop...in other words, lies. More to the truth, his maxim is "make me great again" - as if he ever was.
Let's face it, after yesterday's egregious spectacle, this man has lost it. He is consumed by profound narcissism and a pathological ego, both of which render him mad....as far as I am concerned. Let's also couple with his deteriorating character the strong possibility that Mr. Putin has something or somethings - excuse my bad grammar - on him. We were all thrown under the bus. And he needs to be stopped and sent back to his golden tower. McConnell and Ryan, wake up. We have a real serious problem with your guy.
9
Trump: "In order to build a brighter future, we cannot exclusively focus on the past."
"But hey! I won the electoral college vote 540 days ago! No, no, I'm not focusing on the past, believe me!"
12
To live inside of Trump's mind or just to have the wade daily through the delusional, counterfactual nonsense that flows like effluent from his puckered mouth and Twitter feeds is to fall into a kind of madness ourselves. We constantly have to keep checking back with facts and reason, hoping gravity will keep use tethered to planet earth, continually battling to stay somewhat sane day by day. He has blasted away at our brain cells and entrapped us into weirded out world. How do we escape? How do we survive?
Why is there no method whereby citizens can recall from office an American president? The founders of this nation were great men of learning and wisdom, but they put too much power in the hands of the powerful and too little in the hands of "we, the people".
Our system of elections, top to bottom, must be changed, although with great care not to make matters worse. What we have now is a virtual king for four years and this is doubly true when Congress and the highest court are controlled by the same political party. Unacceptable. Our democracy is dying right before our eyes.
The unending Republican opposition, funded by hundreds of millions of dollars inbetween elections, has decided that, should a Democrat be elected, they cannot serve and they will not succeed. Is more and better democracy the answer to the major problems? Not unless ordinary voters and citizens step up with steady, regular contributions to fund efforts to push back against the oligarchy.
6
Bingo. The disenfranchisement of ‘crowded places people’ has created a rift that our current Constitution cannot address without a major overhaul it isn’t ever going to get.
One voter in Wyoming has the same voice as about 75 California voters. Furthermore, California, New York and a handful of other’crowded people places’ account for about two-thirds of our GDP and a similar chunk of federal tax revenues. A substantial portion of the ‘croded people’ tax dollars subsidize the backward, impoverished ‘red states’ like West Virginia, Alabama and Kentucky - which use their disproportionate power to browbeat progressives and viciously bite the hands that feed them.
This cannot go on for an awfully long time without an implosion. I’ve been on the planet pushing 70 years and never thought I would see this day, but it’s here: I firmly believe the United States need to disunite. Just as an example, the tens of millions of progressives living up and down the west coast have no good reason to carry albatrosses around their necks named Wyoming, West Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Dakota and so on - much less to take direction from their representatives in Washington. In a rational world, we are a separate nation state, or a province of Canada.
Pipe dream, perhaps. But it’s that, or one day soon Trump’s ‘Second Amendment people’ and the rest of us - who are a majority of Americans - are going to clash. It won’t be pretty.
13
@chambolle, Californians will be voting on an initiative to split into 3 states. Makes sense to me.
1
We need a government structure that recognizes and protects "one person, one vote" Neither the Electoral College or the Senate do this. Being from California with the very huge federal tax base we provide the rest of the country, it is especially galling the we don't have more influence. I personally would like our money to only go to blue states.
9
"First, stop feeding the perception that immigration is an act of humanitarianism by the United States."
Since it is Republicans who constantly crow about their Christianity and the Christian basis for America, I think liberals can be forgiven for suggesting a Christian response,"an act of humanitarianism," to the suffering that motivates 99% of immigrants. Sorry, we thought you might mean it when you said you were "Christian". Consider us all freshly informed now.
13
Every Republican needs to stop putting money in front of country immediately. Every politician needs to put country before getting elected. Every Democrat needs to vote. It is time to take our country back.
9
On the contrary Bret.
Trump's press conference with Putin can be the gift that keeps on giving if Democratic Leadership has at least one clever bone in their body left.
If I was the leadership, I would be flooding all media markets with snippets of that press conference because it shows a president that sides with a ruthless, amoral killer over his own country!
No message can be more powerful and clear than that Bret.
Then connect each GOP candidate to that press conference and their own lack of believing in their own country.
In other words, if you support Trump, then it is clear that you also support Putin as well.
This is a golden opportunity for the Democratic leadership to change the dialogue and direction of the narrative, but the key word here is "opportunity".
And, thus far, Democratic Leadership has been anything but opportunistic.
One can hope they will capitalize on this...maybe?!?!?
11
"I’m not speechless, exactly. But as a disaffected conservative, I just feel like someone who’s trying to scream while underwater." Well, Brett, as a disaffected American that is how I have felt with every republican president of my adult life. And that is a long time.
Perhaps, had the republican party not spent every single day of Clinton and Obama's terms trying to undermine the elections that put them there, we might have a better excuse for democracy right now.
The reality of the world right now is Rupert Murdock, and his ilk, are poisoning our ability to even have some rational conversations with our political adversaries. In America, with F(alse)ox network, and in Europe, with his tabloids, we have an entire generation of people who don't know the facts that the rest of the world bases decisions on.
The real name for all of this that is going on, both here and in Europe, is treason. I am glad to see the word being used in this, and other, news outlets.
And it is not just t rump who is committing treason; it is McConnell and Ryan and all the rest in government and the media who allow his crimes to pass.
28
There are only bad actors on one side of this fiasco and they are all republican. If you do not impeach him for this treason now you are a traitor yourself.
That early, careless rant about Mexican rapists and drug dealers, was his opening gambit. Literally the first thing he said as a candidate. He knew full well what he was doing and his reticence to say anything prior was his common sense stopping him from telegraphing his bigotry at a time when it could have been used to prevent him from ever getting into the race.
I just read a Vanity Fair article from during the campaign in which it describes how he did his hostile takeover of Palm Beach by using their "exclusiveness" against them.
It is ironic and shows us the real danger of not catching out men like him and republicans in general. They are very skilled at using facts to create the idea that something they made up is real. The only way to catch this out is to strictly apply the rules of grammar.
6
Trump has already proven that the word "Treason applies, when he came to the defense of Putin. Trump believes Putin's answer "that Russia had nothing to do with with interfering with our elections" even though 12 Russian Intelligence Officers were indicted for hacking into the 2016 Election.
When the President of the United States defends a sworn enemy against his own Country I would call that Treason. No need to pussy foot around that word, Trump has proven it by defending Putin and not defending this country's Intelligence Agencies. Trump further is calling Mueller's investigation a witch hunt and the Republicans are doing nothing to protect the investigation.
How much proof is needed at this juncture.
I mean, Edward Snowden leaked classified information to the public and he is called a traitor. Daniel Ellsberg did the same with the Pentagon Papers. All both of them did was to let the public know what some of the shenanigans that were going on concerning our involvements in wars that were not justified.
Every member of the Republican Congress is aiding and abetting Trump's un-patriotic behavior.
In the 2018 election the central question will not be immigration. It will be "do we want anymore treacherous and spineless Republicans in charge of our Country"
The answer should be a resounding NO. They are helping Trump sell our country to the highest bidder. And right now that appears to be Russia.
13
Bret, what specifically do you mean by "police our borders"? I know most people, when they think of our borders think of the southern border with Mexico. But should we put more police on our northern border, the one with Canada? There seem to be two issues when we talk about borders. One is the volume of immigrants crossing into the U.S. The other is the crime that some, not all of these immigrants bring. I'm guessing that when we decry immigrants we are really talking about crime not number. I would like to read a conversation between you and Gail on actual numbers crossing both borders and the percent of them that commit crimes. It occurs to me that most hard criminals don't stay in the U.S., they want to go back to their cartels who hire them. Some stay to handle the incoming product but it quickly is distributed along the trafficking routes in the U.S. which are run by our own citizens. Just my woefully ill-informed thoughts on this subject which I would appreciate any insight from the benefits of your analysis.
2
Why won’t the Dems shout loudly and consistently about Treason, impeachment and dishonor with Trump. You say that’s what the GOP would do to Obama. And it works. Dems need to step up and keep yelling reason over the noise.
Totally disagree immigration is a key midterm issue. That’s how Dems lose votes by acting more concerned about immigrants than citizens who want to hear about affordable healthcare, better pay and stronger infrastructure.
3
I just hope someone is adding security around voting machines in whatever places they are stored between elections. At the very least do that. It's clean now to all but the addled that we have a POTUS who is in the pocket of a Russian autocrat bent on sabotaging western democracy.
Seeing Trump cower before Putin at that press conference is painful to watch, but also instructive. He agreed to let Russian state actors interview our FBI and CIA agents, while Putin clearly failed to contradict the notion that he had something on Trump. The optics were bad enough, but the substance was truly appalling.
5
"During his press conference in the U.K. with Theresa May, (Trump) warned Europe to watch out for immigration because it was 'changing the culture.'”
Any culture that accepts Trump as its leader needs to change.
16
Okay. Now that everyone has figured out there is a Russian mole in the White House, we need to figure out how to prevent them from rigging the 2018 elections. We need to do the following:
1- Demand that Dan Coats, current Director of National Intelligence, not share any intelligence related to attacks on our voting systems, or election "meddling" in general, with both the White House or the GOP gang in Congress that keep trying to block Mueller's inquiry.
2- Demand that every State Governor immediately re-allocate funds on an emergency basis to make resources available to the State Attorney General and the state police to investigate threats to a fair election within their state.
3- Demand that every State Governor coordinate their efforts thorough the National Governors Association to pool their intelligence resources in combatting this very clear threat to the 2018 elections.
4- Demand that every Republican Governor not share their intelligence with the White House.
Previously, only a crazy person would say there is a mole in the White House. Today, the reverse is true.
17
@DLNYC-Great ideas. Tampering with voting machines should be a federal crime and also subject to fines. Also gerrymandering, steps to block voters, and to remove voters from the roles. Unfortunately the conservative Supreme Court has not upheld voting rights and protections.
@DLNYC And use paper ballots only, hand counted by members of the League of Women voters.
Here is a scenario worthy of Gail Collins:
During their private conversation, Putin asserts that there was a flaw in the purchase agreement of Alaska when it was bought by the US in the 1867 and that it rightfully belongs to Russia. Trump accedes noting that Putin must take Lisa Murkowski too.
Putin, on a roll, points out that the Russian River Valley in California contains a Russian speaker, and therefore, like the Crimea, belongs to Russia. Trump tells him he can have the whole of California which has only been a thorn is his side forever, his left side that is.
6
Ah, Bret. Remember when just a few short years ago you thought it was safe to push the racist rightwing theme that our first black president wasn't actually that bright (Harvard Law Review and his obvious, articulate intelligence notwithstanding)? When you thought spinning up the flywheel of stupid that brought us this disastrous administration was worth throwing the 'better angels' of our national character under the bus?
Simpler times.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111904140604576495932704234052
13
This section is excellent--useful, frank, informative.
In my view, the 25th Amendment should have long since been under serious consideration. It would have been had we had a qualified cabinet.
I like that: the Mouse Republicans. Impeachment hearings would long since have been underway had the Mouse Republicans been moral, ethical and independent-minded public servants rather than cesspools of bad faith and immoral opportunism.
Whether or not Trump knows what path he is on, it is certainly the path to treason.
Trump is betraying our aspirations and decimating our values (e.g., ripping children from their families); breaking the systems and agreements that have been so good for so many folks here and around the world; pushing his own White Supremacist trash (e.g., Charlottesville); and, yes, behaving like a Russian agent, i.e., a traitor.
9
"Blame America First"?
Naw. Trump is "Blame Everyone Else First" with an exception for Putin, of course, for whom he has an un-natural affection (can it be that Trump loves one other person in the world other than himself?)
7
The thing that seems obvious now is that if there weren't any collusion by Trump before the election (though the conclusion I've reached is there was; the only ways to explain Trump and his campaign's behavior is they were either colluding, or they were beyond moronic), there's certainly been plenty of evidence of collusion in his administration since. Either way, the entire administration needs to be removed.
5
trump is right on this one. better to start a dialogue with putin than freeze out the kremlin on nuclear weapon issues. please stop pretending that russia is unique in meddling; the u.s. has a long history of this including significant violence.
trump haters have latched onto this hoping to gain impeachment traction. their motives are clear and marginalizing the president is far more dangerous than anything trump has done.
At the risk of shocking you, nobody's against "opening a dialogue," any more than they're for completely open borders. What we're agin is this absurd pretense that nobody ever tried dialogue with the shabby likes of Putin and Kim before, and the odd notion that "dialogue," and "kowtowing to a KGB colonel," are synonymous.
7
What dialogue? On what issue(s)? Oh that is secret. This morning's rumor is that they did actually make an agreement on something but who knows? So Vlad go ahead and undermine our elections. You are so powerful we do not want to cross you no matter what you do.
6
@nastyboy
So because as you insinuate, the U.S. has done the same....makes the case that we should allow/condone it (election meddling) to be done to us? That we should just roll over & say 'meddle away, Vlad! We deserve it!'
That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
6
Ms. Collins and Mr. Stephens, What I take away from your delightful and informed conversations is that we are in a situation so dire that if we don't find the humor we will all just go stark raving mad.
8
Bret's ostensibly principled agnosticism until Mueller releases findings starts to look like willful naiveté. Bret, he's owned.
5
Bret, my grandfather's Irish family left England in the 19th century after his older brother was nearly Lynched in one of those zenophobic riots English mobs indulged in. While the family brought considerable skill and ambition, surely their case could have been considered asylum.
The 1930's refusal by the US to take more Jewish refugees was not a shining moment for the US. The current treatment of refugees will not be hailed.
Thank you.
14
Call and write every senator in every state expressing outrage over the president’s scandalous behavior and republican silence.
11
More crocodile tears from Mr. Stephens. After lamenting the cowardice of his fellow Republicans with “the rest of the Republican Mouse Corps was pretty quiet, perfectly illustrating why they have no business running Congress”, he equivocates on yesterday’s betrayal with “I think we need to use the word “treason” very advisedly, but what we heard on Monday from an American president should be cause for profound disquiet.”
A true Trumpeter, Mr. Stephens wants to have it both ways. Sorry, but if you’re a Republican, no matter how “reluctant”, you’re a Trumper. If you’re not, then you’re not a Republican.
5
I always enjoy these dialogues, but I must remind Brett again that rupert paved the way for Donald. The celebration of ignorance and misinformation be it about climate change or immigration or a myriad of other issues led to an ignorant base ready for a huckster clown.
17
The Confederacy has won the Civil War, at least temporarily. The rich have money and a secure position at the top, and the rest of us get a nice identity and an opportunity to work hard and usually survive. And those who are not one of us get whatever dregs they can scrounge, and a nasty encounter with the police if they complain (or even if they dont).
This is also pretty much the deal in Russia, which explains a great deal.
6
@sdavidc9
And maybe we need a Lincoln to save us.
2
@Sophocles
And if we need a Lincoln to save us, we'll also need someone to save him.
The slogan for Trump’s new US-Russia policy - MAGA. Make America Grovel Again.
9
"Blame America First"? I very clearly remember then President Obama blaming America for all of the issues related to Muslim/Islamist discontent and violence.
@Mark: No doubt, just like the way Trump remembers Muslims celebrating on rooftops after 9/11.
5
Only in the fevered minds of Fox News liars. Your memory is worse than your ideology, and that's saying something.
6
Trump is like an ugly ranting bully who was doing his racist, misogynistic disgusting rants for a home audience. Then, Trump went full on ranting out on a world stage where he excoriated American patriots who are protecting our laws and embraced a known liar and murderer and gangster. He also, by words and body language of both leaders, showed absolute deference to Putin, thus diminishing our proud country.
8
WE THE PEOPLE have five living Presidents we elected with little interference by the International Mafia Top 1% Global Financial Elite.
The Con Don is a traitor.
These five men, if they are honorable, MUST step up and take over OUR governments at every level. They must put The Con Don and his Robber Baron brethren/enablers under Citizen's Arrest for treason and place democracy-loving people in all governmental/regulatory agency decision-making roles.
These are unprecedented times. OUR founders did not consider that OUR United States of America would be taken over by the International Mafia. They didn't consider a hostile financial takeover by inherited/stolen wealth Robber Barons.
OUR five elected Presidents MUST step in - together - to save OUR United States of America and democracies around the world. The first thing they must do is pass a Constitutional Amendment to take control of the entire Justice system and courts at every level out of the hands of the President. Forever.
NO WW3. No more destruction of OUR lives.
11
@njglea
You have no conception of the Constitution. E-Pesidents have no special power and government officials aren't just going to listen to them. What you are advocating is a coup, and we are hardly at the state where that is necessary.
They aso just can't pass a Constitutional amendment.
Thanks to Gail Collins and Bret Stephens for a solid conversation. I always felt, when Collins and David Brooks did these columns, that various points were soaring right over Brooks's head while he indulged in his amateur sociologizing. This is an improvement.
I don't agree with Stephens on a lot of things (notably, his disingenuous take on climate change and what needs to be done about it). But he's mostly right on how the Dems need to change the conversation about immigration. The exception I'd make is that refugees bring energy and drive here too, it IS an act of humanitarianism for us to welcome them, and there is nothing wrong with saying so. Do we want to see the same levels of refugee flows we've seen around the world in this decade? Of course we don't -- but that requires hard work to address root causes of migration, and it requires not blundering into foreign-policy actions whose ramifications we fail to understand.
5
Mr. Stephens, you lost me at "just confirm"...
Now, after yesterday's mess, how can you suggest we approve anything that Trump wants, including a supreme court nominee? He is not to be trusted, and now, I'm not sure I trust you.
15
It's hard to believe anyone can doubt this president is not interested in perserving and protecting the best interests of the United States of America.
This is not only problematic, it's downright frightening.
And to all you out there who still think Russia is our friend and ally, beware.
I lived in a Europe divided by the Soviet Sektor, and have no reason to doubt that Mr. Trump has every intention of assuming absolute rule by trashing the U.S. Constitution and silencing his enemies in pretty much the same fashion as Mr. Putin does now.
And just for the record.
This is not 'winning'.
11
If President Obama had traveled to Finland trying to convince President Putin of his wrong doings; I’m certain the Republicans would be having the National Guard waiting for Air Force One to take President Obama out of the airplane in heavy shackles.
America needs new blood; young politicians with new ideas that are at par with the current world. To save our democracy, we must show respect for the basic principles and laws of our nation.
7
This country does not need more immigrants. We have enough people.
Trump won because of illegal immigration. The Republicans will retain control of Congress because of illegal immigration.
@WillT26 - Why? We have a falling birth rate, record low unemployment, and unfilled jobs. To grow our economy, we need more workers. Not illegal immigrants, legal immigrants who are seeking asylum from the terrible conditions in their countries, and just want a chance to work and live in peace. What's your problem with that?
10
After what your “Republican” President said yesterday, it most likely was a shot of adrenaline for the Democrats. Hold on. The blue wave is coming.
3
Who says we have enough people? Agribusiness, the service sector, small business, and corporate America all disagree with you. You have a minority opinion; the rest of us have facts. Scared little conservative always react so predictably.
4
When we question why republican office holders don't step up against Trump's outrages, why don't we ask what they may be getting from the friendly Russians? The government just jailed a suspect yesterday who is accused of attempting to coerce the NRA with the goal of influencing the republican party. I think some money changed hands....
16
@Maryellen Simcoe
The most recent indictments may give us a clue as to why so many Republicans are anti-Mueller: Either they were directly involved in receiving illicit support from Russian based sources, or they are worried they are vulnerable to that accusation.
3
@Maryellen Simcoe
It has been reliably reported that Russians are among the largest donors to the NRA. Now, why would that be the case unless they see what the mass murders and regular shootings all over the country are contributing to destabilization?
4
It's heartening to see some bi-partisanship in America. It's incredibly dis-heartening that the subject concerns the fact our president is a traitor. A traitor. The president! Even if it is dis-heartening, it is right and we must all demand better. And demand it now. This man has destroyed enough of our country.
12
Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, New Jersey, South Carolina. Voting machines with no paper trail (Politico, 7/13/18). Senate, House public hearings with the heads of voting machine companies- days of tough interrogations- maybe I missed them, watching the attack on the FBI agent. State governments, offering to recount random voting districts to check results tally’s (Jill Stein wasn’t allowed to challenge counting finality last time).
And Dan Coats. A conservative Republican, red light warnings for our next election. What is the cost for these five states to print paper ballots- surely less than the projected 1.4 billion for 10 years for new machines. (Politico)
This week’s outrage is...outrageous. Where are the solutions, where are the leaders....anywhere, concerned about the next election. I’m tired of Dems telling me how important it is to vote. How sad that only a .....staunch conservative Republican is concerned about how we vote.
And after the election....no matter the outcome- one side will begin the “rigged” mantra. Further division, red meat for Putin.
UN observers? Refusing to seat no-paper-trail winners.....rants will fade- even this one. And then?
2
Move over Stormy Daniels, your scandal pales next to Trump defending Putin. Trump actually winked at Putin during the interview.
5
Then, there's America's bastion of checks and balances, the Congress, more like cheques, the ones received from their future employers, balances, accruing in their bank accounts.
6
I am surprised that the constant referencing of the “base” when Trump shouts it out to dog whistle his “followers” , or when anyone else uses the term, that there has been no mention, even facetiously, of its other more ominous connotation. Yes, as Mr. Stephens points out the term base “applies to “both senses of the word here,”- a group foundation of support, or mean spirited , and contemptible. But what I am referencing is that, al- Qaeda, the terrorist organization founded by Osama Bin Laden's, literally means, “the base.” Amongst any number of horrific policies, it too opposed Western foreign policy as Trump is doing with every utterance. So maybe Trump is more of anti- Westerner like Putin as well as in a phrase attributed to Lenin, a “useful idiot.” One can only imagine Trump's reaction if his supporters where referenced to be an American al- Qaeda. Do you think his hair would catch fire? Or would he and his, “true believers” embrace the description as a battle cry? I am so grateful to fate that I joined the Marine Corps shortly after the election of John Kennedy, a WW2 veteran and had as a Commandant of the Marine Corps , Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, General David M. Shoup. General Shoup ,who commanded the Second Marine Regiment at the battle of Tarawa , a regiment I was assigned to out of boot camp, would, I dare say , not have been be a former Marine General in the service of a such a President.
Can we just refer to President Trump as "Putin's Poodle" and be done with it?
Trump's shameless, obsequious behavior toward Putin in Finland makes him, and by extension U.S. citizens, a joke on the global stage. It was made worse by his mention of the electoral college results, unhinged theories about missing servers, and ghastly undermining of the intelligence community.
When will the Republican leadership in Congress wake up, and do needed oversight?
4
“...breaks my heart.” It’s shattering.
5
Trump condemns American citizens for peacefully kneeling during the national anthem while he commits treason on national television. Does anyone see the irony?? What happened to the Republican Party? Unfortunately they don’t realize that Trump has created a lot of hate that’s currently aimed at opposing political parties. Once that hate gets redirected toward Trump, and it will, it will take him down and destroy the Republican party for a generation. They feel like winners now but can’t see the writing on the wall....siding with Trump is death by 1000 cuts.
9
IMPEACH TRUMP NOW! The actions of the last days by this man in front of the whole world clearly indicate his high crimes and misdemeanors, all the 25th amendment requires. Do not wait for the coming fall election: that will be too late! We most take direct action now. IMPEACH TRUMP NOW!
11
"Would your average American voter want to support closed borders, racist rants about protection of “the culture” and little kids separated from their mothers?" Yes. That makes Trump the beloved representative of their beliefs. Bigger problems than Trump are the resentful Americans with no moral compass and the destruction of checks and balances on an imperial presidency by whichever party controls Congress.
6
Stephens' closing remarks about the positive qualities of immigrants made me think of a, admittedly, small example of the desire of newcomers to this country to assimilate. Down the street from my home in a small town in Wisconsin, a Mexican family occupies a corner house. Every holiday - from Halloween to Christmas to the 4th of July - they put up a truly hideous assembly of those blow-up lawn ornaments, lights, and figurines, trying to show their "Americaness", I guess. In my opinion, if minorities don't blend in - don't assimilate - it's because those of us who were born here don't let them. They want to, just like we would want to if we moved to their countries.
4
Unless the Republican party can stop being the spineless supporter of a traitor that it has been so far, it does not deserve to have a 2020 convention in any American city. Charlotte should be encouraged to follow its initial instinct and turn them down. An ice floe in the North Pole would be their best setting.
9
@Ralph
How about Moscow??
8
Soooo funny Ralph! But wait, they're melting too fast...
4
Any Republican lawmaker who remains silent after Trump's shocking and jaw-dropping behavior yesterday should be understood to be complicit to working against America's interest and be charged as accessories after the fact.
Their job, for which they are handsomely paid, is to defend the Constitution and protect the American people's rights.
Anyone not willing to do that should resign immediately and receive not one penny more of American taxpayers' money
16
Brett's comments about how Democrats need to present immigration are excellent. Opposing "the base" isn't the same as opening borders to one and all and D's need to clarify that. But, where oh where are Republican statesmen willing to rally common sense people to pressure this ignorant, ego-centered President to listen to his knowledgeable national security staff.
5
You can be sure that the Russians have a recording of the private meeting that our president wouldn’t let our people into, so the collusion is only deeper. But no need to worry, their man in the White House has things well under control.
5
"about immigration, ...It’s a matter of self-interest: Newcomers mainly bring energy and drive and imagination and ambition to this country.
[At the same time,] accept the premise that we need to police our borders,"
Dual Billboard Material!
1
Stop gabbing and head for the streets. We need a national march on Washington, involving women, men, blacks, Jews, Muslims, liberals, conservatives, list to include everyone else of conscience. List to even include that of the great Harvey Korman in “Blazing Saddles: ‘half-wits, nit wits, dim wits.” We need everybody to head to the national mall and fill it with 5 million people.
5
Hey NY Times! Can we please get Gail and Bret on a weekly podcast? I always love their conversations!
2
Trump could set dogs on fire on the White House lawn and sell our children to African warlords and the GOP would giggle and look away. You have to ask why, and it is pretty clear that a whole lot of them are complicit in Russia involvement, and a lot worse.
14
Hey kids! It's like Munich, 1938! (But 2018 style!)
3
I just 'wanna' say … (a) great piece, and (b) 'unrelatedly' -- When can I expect the sound of mind to stop their 'cautioning' characterizations of this or that trump action, behavior, or set of spoken words as "one of" the worst 'this or thats' of any "recent" president (or of any "in memory")-- and give trump the 'superlative' he is so routinely due ... to wit -- that this and that action of his, this and that behavior by him, these and those words he uses are absolutely the worst, the most shameful, and the most worrisome of any ever acted out or spoken by any president (or by anyone who ever patriotically served our nation in any office or capacity).
4
@Thomas Murray
Right on all counts, Mr. Murray. You just left out one thing. All those worst and most shameful words and actions are working!
1
@oldteacher Thank you. Let us hope (against hope?) that yesterday's 'doings' jump-start a grinding to halt of all of that which, to our nation's great harm and shame, has 'worked' thus far for this oval office fraud.
The time is long past due for the Congress to "stand up on its hind legs" and formally CENSURE the President for his outrageous and shameful behavior in Helsinki. Is there anyone in the Congress with the courage to do that? His conduct was certainly un-American if not treasonous. This is not the time for responsible leaders to remain silent as we turn out backs on our allies to appease a dictator like Putin.
3
@Phillip J. Baker
I called on my Congresswoman, Judy Chu, and both of California's Senators yesterday to do just what you advocate. If the Democrats don't call for censure of Trump for his conduct yesterday, I will join a third party.
Those right wing water carriers for the Kremlin, Hannity, Ingraham, Carlson would have accused Obama of 'treason' if the shoe was on the other foot. Interestingly, exactly what a NYT headline in shy making alliteration 'Trump Treasonous Traitor' accused Trump of pre-Helisinki. So, one could argue that the dye of bias was truly cast on whatever Trump said or did. OK Trump is no wordsmith, thank God, unlike the sylvan tongued Obama (blame Harvard). The contrast between the doer and the talker could never be more evident than between these two men.
No, you are 'not speechless' indeed it would appear very far from it and thereby might lay the fault line in the culture wars that are rupturing America. I speak of the cordon sanitaire
that separates the coasts and the fly over states, the globalists and the populists, the talker and the doers.
On this side of the pond, there used to be a very popular radio programme called 'Talking Heads' and with respect this title would be apt for your discussion however I must point out, at the risk of being rude, that the programme was justifiably lampooning 'talkers'. Silence is golden.
2
While the War Fever is raging, anger and outrage at the hated Foreign Enemy
will be the only emotions permitted. If we don't stop them, they'll attack us!
How dare you be against the war! Are you on the side of the Evil Dictator? Etc.
Then, once the bombings and invasions, the slaughter and destruction are accomplished and the bodies and refugees must be counted . . .
Then they will ask themselves: How could we have been so deluded?
3
We thought racism would die out in our America, the exceptional one, but we were wrong. Trump was elected BECAUSE of his racist dog whistles, now recorded coming out of his mouth at bullhorn volume on a world stage.
It is no surprise to learn that his warm up act, Steve Bannon, preceded him. But so far, we are only identifying the leaders, when realistically, the best way to end this assault on human dignity is to
shine a light on the troops. If you see something, say something. We are under assault and they are coming for all of us. Their leader is unfit to be our President. We need to be in the streets en mass in protest where we will be seen. We ended the Vietnam War. This is war.
4
Of all the horrible things this sorry excuse for a president has done and said the past 19 months, for some reason what happened yesterday hit me the hardest. It was truly a sad day in American history.
6
President Trump committed treason when he sided with a brutal dictator against the agencies that protect the US from foreign hostilities. That’s a crime but beyond this the US has fallen into the biggest existential crisis since the Civil War. The party in power supported by a substantial minority and right wing media propaganda doesn’t even call out the president, nor are members of congress demanding any consequences. At this point the US has ceased to be a democracy. When will the “people” face the truth and defend their constitution? Probably when it’s too late.
13
"John McCain, to his continuing credit and nobody’s surprise, called Trump’s performance in Helsinki “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”"
I read McCain's full statement - his ultimate "call to action" was to "hope" the president does better. Sorry, he gets absolutely no credit for this. At this point (actually well before this point, but certainly by this point) any Republican Senator who is not calling for more than "hope" is essentially supporting this administration.
26
Trump keeps crossing lines and John McCain keeps acknowledging that Trump just crossed a line. No
one else on his side of the political line has the same level of moral authority as Senator McCain. No one on the left side of the political line has recognized the gravity of our position. We need to call ourselves out on to the streets.
116
Thoughts and prayers are so last week.
4
@Chrissy They are all similarly reluctant to own their condemnation in any meaningful way because it will expose that they have been supporting a man they knew all along was unfit.
4
The book of Proverbs in the Old Testament, which is known as the book of wisdom, has this to say in (15:1 )" A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Perhaps Trump, in his own blundering way, has done the world a favor by not stirring up the anger of Putin and the Russians. What benefit would have come of that?
Gee ... I'm supposed to be happy that Mr. Putin is mollified?
Last time I checked, I'm not Putin, Putin's interests sure aren't mine, he isn't a citizen of the United States.
If Mr. Trump is to be Putin's president, he sure cannot be mine.
2
Abolishing ICE is an overreach. Democrats should change the conversation by calling for the resurrection of the 2013 comprehensive immigration reform bill. It calls for an increase or 40K in border security police, E-Verify, and of course a path to citizenship for those illegals already here, which is why the handful of hardliners in the House prevented it from a floor vote after and becoming law after it overwhelmingly passed the Senate. Democrats should make abundantly clear to Donald Trump that his accusations of "open borders" are misplaced and that it is in fact those hardliners who bear full responsibility for such.
5
The situation between the two parties reminds of the Prisoner's Dilemma scenario from game theory. Cooperation would be the best outcome for both, while defection by one party gets the best result for it and the worst for the other. Mutual defection leads to mutual destruction.
In game theory the scenario does not allow for any communication between the two "prisoners" which is where the analogy breaks down. Because the strategy of the Republicans has been to announce loudly and clearly that they will choose defection at every turn. Which leaves the Democrats with two choices, roll over and suffer defeat, or respond in kind and bring about the likely destruction of our political system.
2
@Simon It reminds me of the scorpion getting ferried across the river by a frog. America is the frog, Trump is the scorpion. He cannot stop himself. The frog has to dump the scorpion before it gets stung.
1
After years of the "Brooks Brothers" (David and Arthur) and (geez) Ben Domenech, at last someone truly worthy of a thoughtful conversation with Gail Collins. I'm an independent and I love Bret Stephens because even though we don't always see eye-to-eye on every issue (and who ever does), he's smart, thoughtful, empathic and (here's the biggie) compassionate. True, some of those adjective do apply to former Gail sparring partners but for me, their humanity always gets diluted out by either their politics or their need to seem like the smartest person in the room. Bret Stephens is an important example those on the left would do well to heed when some folks overgeneralize about what people on the right are "like". I'm guessing there are many more "Bret Stephens" out there that I and others would do well and get to know. But there is only one Bret Stephens that writes in ways that make me glad to read the New York Times as a trusted source for "real news".
2
Bret is simply calling for a return to the Obama administration's immigration policy. Republicans never have acknowledged the strong security and interdiction record compiled.
6
Yesterday’s press conference in Helsinki, the decision to separate children from their refugee parents at the border, and the president’s response to what happened in Charlottesville were all terrible and astonishing things that made many people wonder what’s happening in our country.
Racism and immigration are complex problems.
But it’s simple to decide that the time has surely come for Congress to exercise its oversight responsibilities and look at the president’s tax returns to see if his financial interests pose any conflicts of interest with the national interest. Surely after Helsinki the vast majority of Republicans and Democrats can now agree that Congress must look closely at the president’s tax returns to determine if there is any cause for concern. Which committees have jurisdiction? Who has the power to make it happen or keep it from happening? Surely members of Congress who don’t have the power to make it happen nevertheless have the power to tell us who does, and to persistently and publicly advocate the position that now is the time for Congress to exercise this specific oversight power.
8
@Jack
Congress will do nothing, Nunez and McConnell will make sure of it. I hope the various intel agencies take a cue from Brennan's accurate characterization of Trump as committing treason, and one of them reaches deep into their black ops playbook to take decisive action. They've broken the law so many times to "preserve democracy", what's one more time? It would be, as Wilford Brimley used to say, the right thing to do. Even if it's just a devastating reveal of the depth of Trump's criminality and treason it would likely be effective. This administration leaks so much to begin with they'd never figure out where it came from before it destroyed them. I hope they do something soon, and do so with extreme prejudice.
Just now Paul Ryan being a Trump clone:
No I do not agree that Trump committed treason.
In response to will he allow Mueller to work unimpeded, responded that he's had compliance issues with the DOJ so severe he had to intervene.
In response to what he would do to make it clear to Russia that we know they meddled in the election and to prevent further erosion of our democracy, it was a classic Trumpian answer (Ex. "What can I do but ask...he said No.") Stated we have already sanctioned Russia for meddling and nothing more can be done. WRONG: One of your colleagues, if not a dozen have drafted a statement of Censure of the President, which will easily pass with bipartisan support. Anything less, Mr. Speaker, shows you agree with Trump that our main function at a country is to Make Russia Great Again. How to these people face their kids, and the face in the mirror?
7
Mr. Stephens final point was the critical one:
1) Democrats can't fall into the trap of taking the furthest side of whatever side Trump takes. It can't be he wants the wall so we want open boarders. Obama was called 'the deporter in chief'. We have to emphasize that we can more effectively protect our boarders for less money and without the wanton cruelty.
2) Immigration is not the scourge the Republicans want it to be. Not only is it down, but it also has benefits. We can't let the conversation be about how bad MS-13 is.
17
Well, Bret, if Trump is as bad as you say, why oh why do you favor allowing him to pick his own judge on the Supreme Court who will undoubtedly cast the deciding vote on whether he can be subpoenaed, indicted, or whether an invocation of the 25th Amendment is warranted?
40
The way this "conversation" shifted from the disaster in Helsinki to immigration was appalling, and Ms Collins, instead of shifting it back, went with it. The question of today, The Day After, is Trump's perfidy, none other. Call out the republicans, loud and clear, and keep at it. The immigration problem isn't going away. First things first: What do we do about Trump?
13
So much punditry. Why not take Christopher Steele's conclusion as correct, that Trump has been a Russian agent for years, and the election hacking and propaganda warfare were organized and carried out by Russia in collaboration with Trump's campaign? Yes we need to be absolutely sure and have the evidence to prove that, but hopefully Mueller's investigation will provide that. So much of Trump's behavior makes perfect sense in that context. It may be very hurtful to American pride to realize that their elections, legislators (in part), and presidency were corrupted and taken over so easily. Or to believe that the $1 billion in loans from Deutsche Bank (which laundered Russian money) was approved by Justin Kennedy (Judge Kennedy's son) in the same context. Putin will humiliate Trump and throw him away when he has used him up. Russia has only interests, no friends, least of all an incompetent whose value may be at an end with all the public focus on his weird servility.
20
"Trying to scream while underwater."
Yes. Exactly. While choking on tears.
The worst of it is that America has inflicted this disaster upon itself - by refusing to cherish, live up to, and defend our own values and ideals, in and out of government.
We have allowed the greedy, the far-right zealots, the self-serving, to redefine the American narrative for far too many of us, a narrative they now speak in Orwellese.
I agree with Mr. Stephens - the most stomach-turning manifestation of Donald Trump's administration is his persecution of children at the border.
A presidency that produces a policy of inflicting suffering on children, a Congress that enables it, and a society that goes along with it, has lost its mind and its heart.
There is only one hope left, that the vast number of Americans who were indifferent up to now of politics, who forgot, or never learned, that liberty and democracy die when left unattended and undefended, will register and vote to join the resistance in reaffirming America's commitment to the liberal ideals of our democratic republic.
20
There is considerable irony in that Putin's performance at the summit can be likened to an adult winning an arm wrestling match with a toddler. It will be seen as a "victory" only by those who consider Trump to have some intellect. For any thinking and rational person it was a very hollow "victory".
The die was cast when Putin was an hour late and Trump waited.
27
@Retired military Amen! Trump should have gone back to his hotel and said, "call me when he gets there."
1
Why was yesterday different in terms of America’s outrage over Trump’s fawning over Putin?
We have all known Trump to be a Russian Asset, all along.
Trump knew that, but made a mistake in going ahead with the summit. He ignored the optics.
Humiliation. Americans from all walks of life (except people who make a living fawning over Trump: Hannity, Dobbs, Tucker Carlson...) were outraged at the American President get humiliated in front of an enemy (no matter what Trump wants to call Russia).
Trump got humiliated. The Americans take the office of President to represent them. This felt personal. Everyone felt personally humiliated that someone bullied us publicly. In front of the whole world. We looked small. Powerless. Weak.
Trump made an entire campaign out of looking weak in the eyes of the world. So, why did he, as Master of Optics, risk this?
He had no choice. Because, Putin owns him. Trump stands fully exposed as a Russian Asset. No doubt about that after yesterday. This is treason plain and simple and Trump will betray us for his personal interest time and again. Let there be no doubt on that.
20
@PatricianThank you Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party for giving us Donald Trump. We have no one to blame but ourselves. While the reporting on Trump and his crowd is the news, the real news is that they were thrust into the limelight because of the Democrats and nobody else.
As Pogo said so many years ago
"We have met the enemy, and he is us".
Sad, and sadly irreversible in my opinion. The Pandoras box of evil has been unleashed on the world, empowering the Trump level supporters to gain strength and traction that will be nearly impossible to restrain in the future.
@Paul Tabone
I agree with you until the last paragraph. History teaches us that anything and everything is reversible. Trump happened for a reason, and Trump's successor will happen because of Trump.
I do think, however, that we might be seeing the end of the entity we call "The United States".
@Paul Tabone
I don’t agree with your logic. Only a person is responsible for his or her actions. Trump and his supporters are responsible for their actions. You can’t blame the Democrats for that.
Personal responsibility.
Sure. Democrats are responsible for their errors. (Not contesting mid term elections and state assemblies allowing Republicans get gerrymandering powers)
That doesn’t make Trump someone else’s responsibility.
Does alcohol make us do things we regret? Or, is it that alcohol just loosens our restraints and let us act as we would if there were none?
I don’t believe in absolving responsibility.
Trump was a racist before Barack Obama became president. You can’t blame Obama for Trump.
Trump supporters were racist and bigoted before Hillary Clinton ran for election. Trump only gave them their voice.
1
I had grown to skipping these dialogues, entertaining as they could be, because they seemed too often to devolve into “making nice.” This one, however, is perhaps the best of all that you have done. And, to my mind, the best reading about Trump’s horror show I have done today—including four other news sources. Keep it up.
17
I'd have to check the math, but I believe that the under-representation that exists between states like California and Wyoming when it comes to the U.S. Senate is even worse with the Electoral College. For example, California should have something like 2-3 times as many EC votes as they do if using the population-EC formula that determines the number and representation that Wyoming has. I think that's accurate, but don't quote me on the exact differential...need to go back to the data and do the math again and don't have time this morning.
5
@Cowboy Marine - a year or so ago, I did an 'analysis' of all 50 states and DC based on the number of each state's electors in 2013 and estimated population as of 2015. Yup - the 'red' states beat the 'blue' states. By way of example, CA had 1 elector per 711,724 population (of all ages - after all, young kids deserve representation too, right?) while WY had 1 elector per 195,369 population giving WY citizens ~3.6 times the 'power' of CA citizens. National 'average' was 1 elector per 597,433 population. If I knew how to post all the results here, I'd do it (currently an MS Word document I ginned up). But you get the picture! While I haven't researched the issue completely, my results certainly suggest an argument to revamp our voting - either pure popular vote or at least revamping the electoral college and remove many states' requirements that all electoral votes go to the 'winner' of the state's popular vote - even if it's 51%-49% (I seem to recall 20-some states do this - ughhh!)
Trying to keep the faith but getting more and more difficult as each day goes by.
10
@Robert Galli
Excellent post--thank you for this, an electoral
issue and good bit of research that I and perhaps many others hadn't considered.
Do the editors and columnists read these comments?
1
Yes I do like Bret's advise. The fall elections will center on how the Democrats position themselves on the immigration issues. There are plenty of issues, not just the border and illegal entry. Though that is important of course. Illegal entry should be totally discouraged, and doing all things about obtaining citizenship should be done through the legal channels and processes. ICE should not be abolished. They do protect our borders, when things are done properly. Countries that are in disarray with gangs, drugs and violence like in Mexico and South America need to clean themselves up and protect their citizens, and democratic processes. That would solve so many of the issues that are stirring emotions and causing problems. Thank you Gail for your humor.
1
Blows my mind and breaks my heart, as Bret Stephens said. This isn't the first time treason has come to mind, either.
9
On of your best discussions yet, Gail and Bret.
Well done.
7
How about a fact based immigration policy. One that takes into account the reality that the only sure way to actually grow the economy is to dramatically increase immigration. That would be the real rising tide that lifts all boats.
https://clas.berkeley.edu/research/immigration-economic-benefits-immigra...
4
This delightful essay does not give Mr. Donald Trump any credit.
How many men in history marry three Eastern European women?
How many men have decades of financial transactions with the soviet Union and later Russia?
How many men get away with wild tales, flip flops in mid air, and countless fibs?
How many men could compose a cabinet of Stephen Bannons, Steven Millers, Wilbur Ross, or Scott Pruitts?
6
@Steven of the Rockies - clearly we already have one too many!
@Steven of the Rockies:
throw in the Communist in-laws you helped to immigrate to the US as well with a bit of queue-jumping and a wife who "really doesn't care" and you have quite the bio.
Only Nixon could go to China. And only Trump could be bought by Russia. # Make Russia Great Again: GOP 2018.
Seriously.
5
@Phyliss Dalmatian - I understand MAGA to mean "Make America Go Alone." I've been around going on 74 years and this is the worst I can recall EVER :<(
1
Here's a thought...maybe the republicans aren't complaining about Trump's performance because they like Putin more than they like Trump. Maybe the republicans want a Putin style autocracy here in the United States.
So, republicans, and I mean all republicans including Trump's base, are looking around and maybe finding that they are okay with Trump licking Putin's shoes. Maybe Trump's base is really Putin's base. Trump's base wishes he was more like Putin. Trump's base wants the US to be more like Russia. Trump's base actually liked Russian interference in the US election...it showed them that Russia cared enough to make an effort!!!
Sorry to have to tell you this...but there is a 5th column in the USA that wants to bring down democracy and replace it with autocracy. Just as Trump wants to be a dictator, his base wants to be ruled by a dictator. A right wing, white power dictator.
And if it turns out that our election results are false because the vote counting machines were rigged in favor of republicans...the reaction from Trump's base would be: "good job" and "do whatever you need to steal the election" and "we hate allowing 'those people' to vote".
Putin, Trump, and Trump's base want to win by any means possible. Legality is for losers. Cheating is for winners. Republicans win elections because the private company computers tallying votes have been programmed to give them victories whenever the totals are close.
Time for America to wake up.
VOTE OUT ALL REPUBLICANS
13
"Mise au point:" Barack Obama , eve of 2012 election, reached out his hand to the Russian v.p. to reassure Putin by using v.p. as "personne interposee," by saying that once the election was over, he "would have more flexibility!" Genuflection to the Russian strong man? Trump misspoke, but his skepticism about reliability of our intelligence services is well founded.Consider our history: Hoover was soft on organized crime, hard on the communist left, also alleged to have a played a role in J.F.K's murder. In early 1950's CIA aided overthrow of Mossadegh in IRAN who sought to nationalize foreign oil companies, engineered coup d'etat against reformer Arbenz in Guatemala,subverted election of Allende in Chile in 1970 to aid Pinochet and his junta, which killed thousands! Notion that our intel. agencies r above politics is a myth!Trump "a deconne"in letting Putin off the hook , but was it more disgraceful than hearing O'S words about post election "flexibility?" O was not pilloried for that because of p.c., "d'accord,"but he should have been! 1 last thing: Peter Strok showed grace under pressure during intense grilling. What Strok did not mention was that he is a veteran paratrooper, having served 4 years in 101st Airborne!That revelation would have taken wind out of the sails of his interrogators: a man of courage too modest to speak about his military background which few members on the Committee could emulate."Vous voyez:Comprendre, c'est tout pardonner!"
2
Can anyone make sense of this post?
2
You'd never guess listening to Bret Stephens, but there *is* a way to put the breaks on for Republicans who still have some principles.
Those few Republicans senators who claim to be horrified need only caucus with the Democrats. As majority control shifts, that will provide at least some actual scrutiny and oversight of Trump -- at least, as understood by Wall Street Democrats -- and deprive this president of his free hand to (for example) populate the courts for generations with right-wing fanatics who promise to put him above the law.
Oh, but Bret loves all that ... and the tax cuts. He just hates the man. You'd think that congruence of thought between the two would provoke some discomfort -- if Trump shares all my views, maybe there's something wrong with my views.
But that would be admitting that Republicans have been Trump without the toupee, for years....
6
In their mutual frenzy to bring down the Trump colossus, Collins & Stephens have unearthed a time capsule at the base & lo & behold, what does it contain?
Gothic imagery suggestive of notable candidates & past presidents cradled in the Godlike arms of a phantom representative of the military industrial complex.
Self examination is much too difficult. Remedying our domestic ills are far too stressful. Lets all huddle over the map & determine which third world country we'll bomb next.
3
Nice job Brett distancing your self from Trump and Trumpism, which is quite different from true political conservatism.
My father was a political conservative from Maine and big on truth-telling, fiscal responsibility, and self-reliance. So to borrow from Democratic V.P. candidate Lloyd Benson's quip at his Republican rival Dan Quayle in the VP debates in 1988: "Mr. Trump, I know political conservatives, and you are no conservative!"
This is what true, thoughtful, responsible conservatives need to do right now, in the wake of all the Trump fiascos and damage: Do all you can to separate Trump and the Trump enablers and cult members from political conservatism and conservative principles. And put the emphasis on democratic values and personal and state responsibility.
Who in the GOP is a strong enough leader to do this, I don't know--maybe Romney who called Trump's performance with Putin "disgraceful and detrimental to our democratic principles."
This is a big test for the Republicans. Who are the rest of the GOP politicians and rank-and-file Republicans going to follow with their words, actions, and votes? The likes of John McCain and Mitt Romney, or the soulless, valueless, win at all costs mean-spirited Mitch McConnell, the extremist and cruel Freedom Caucus, and all the slavish, obsequious Nunes's in the GOP, who, in effect, are essentially supporting Putin and authoritarianism with their behavior?
13
There are no longer any responsible conservatives or Republicans. There haven't been since Reagan told the big lie that you can have the greatest country in the world without paying taxes. That IOU has come due, and Trump is the final entry on the ledger, in red ink.
2
From his reality TV time, Trump took to heart that part of the aphorism that goes, "...some of the people all of the time..."
4
The Donald always want to be the "top" at everything. Well, he has just passed James Buchanan as America's worst president and Benedict Arnold as America's worst traitor in just one press conference.
Way to go!
48
Such winning, it takes your breath away not to mention any sense of a stable world order.@John Graubard
Perhaps President Trump’s suspect performance in Helsinki can be better understood if we (as Mueller’s team of investigators most certainly are) diligently follow the money.
With Trump & Sons, it has always been about the money.
After America’s very own Would-Be-Erdogan experienced his “financial difficulties”* of the past several decades, he could no longer borrow from US banks and had to turn to Russian sources of money—money which, as both of his sons have admitted, the Russian banksters, oligarchs and kleptocrats willingly supplied.
But we must be fair: Trump has never filed for personal bankruptcy. Like any good US mega-capitalist, he merely uses Chapter 11, Title 11, of the US Bankruptcy Code to deprive others of their money, which, of course, is just another example of economic efficiency serving the common good—just ask any of The Donald’s former creditors.
22
Time for the GOP to change mascots. I vote for the sheep. Those red hats should read BAA. Blame America Again.
27
there is no need to shy away from use of the word 'treason'. trump just committed treason in front of the whole world. just the way he committed obstruction of justice in his interview with lester holt. the same way he gave away classified information to a Russian operative in the oval office meeting with lavrov. trump is a traitor. he is now openly acting as a russian agent. republicans who actively or passively support the traitor are accomplices. IMPEACHMENT NOW!
22
It's not Trump. His mental issues are well known. The question is how far will other Republicans go to support him? Will they honor their oath, "will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" or will the continue to appease Trump?
It reminds me of the central revelation of the "Sorrow and the Pity", the 60s documentary about French collaborators in WW II, that the people who were running the government collaborated (but denied involvement), and the real resistance fighters were the ones who were out of favor.
At some point today's GOP legislators will have to explain to their grandchildren why they continued to support a candidate who demonstrated his own unwillingness to honor his oath. (Or they can do the same as the collaborators in France, deny...)
22
@John Archer absolutely right! The Republicans could end this debacle now, but their own agenda is more important than saving our democracy. They will be more to blame when history is written.
7
Putin has Trump on a chain
Kompramat on the one who is vain
Ignore the reports
Of my misdeeds of sorts
Or I'll give you immeasurable pain
5
Is it time for Guy Fawkes Day in Washington this coming November?
www.timeanddate.com/holidays/uk/guy-fawkes-day
Guy Fawkes Night is annually held on November 5. ... Guy Fawkes Day 2018 Monday, November 5, 2018 Guy Fawkes Day 2019 Tuesday, November 5, 2019.
5
I ask that we think in terms of the big picture:
Why not have summits with the leaders of the countries of the Americas? Let us look at why so many people absolutely must leave their countries, even at the risk of being separated from their children, they are so desperate. We must ask why, and then we must systematically undo the problems with solutions.
Next: women everywhere, of every race and social class, of every religion need to arise and assume positions of power. What a farce yesterday was: Putin and Trump. Everything would have gone better if women were doing the talking and conferencing. Melania and Putin's ex-wife would have done a better job.
Finally, don't underestimate good character and values. Not the stupid cheater-kind like Strzok has. Not the kind were you're always bragging about how good you are. The kind were you DO the right things. If you're not sure how to do the right things, that's okay. Just be humble enough to look around and find the people who are kind, gentle, wise and hard-working. Imitate them.
2
Brett, when the former CIA director John Brennan describes Trump’s performance as “nothing short of treasonous” then it is time we follow suit.
36
What are we to do as a nation when the leader of a foreign power who is any enemy of the US owns our President? What happened in that Moscow hotel room all those years ago that would give Putin such control over Trump? Can Trump remain our President when he is a Russian agent?
22
@Bruce1253
Isn't Treason cause for removal?
Maybe start a program for pioneers from crowded-places to resettle Idaho, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming and start weakening the 'base'? Think about all that fresh air and picturesque cattle! And they could work from home. Never mind. I think Mao tried that.
9
Charles, I’ve been thinking the same thing for some time. I suspect a few hundred thousand relocations strategically spread between a few beautiful, sparsely populated states would put an end to this nonsense. We currently have the minority ruling the majority. This would be a fix.
1
@Charles Kaufmann
Idaho does have two blue counties, Blaine and Gooding. Gooding is mostly ranching but they are people who know which side their bread is buttered on. And Blaine is largely the Sun Valley Resort and large sheep ranches, people who know the score when it comes to protecting the environment they love.
1
@RichWell, this is problematic. We may have to populate those national parks. All that empty space just strengthens the 'base'. Or maybe allow visitors to Yellowstone temporary voting privileges? Obviously, Teddy Roosevelt lacked foresight.
The Micturition Candidate performed flawlessly, from Putin's perspective.
6
Putin obviously has something on "t" therefore Putin is the great guy. Unfortunately, with the exception of a very few, republicans won't admonish "t" because they are afraid of him. So that leaves our once great country behind the eight ball. We can thank the electoral college for the mess we are in since he sure didn't win the popular vote.
This person, for the most part has dumped our allies and believes every word Putin says. The world will never know what they spoke about behind closed doors. He should be charged with treason.
15
Everyone knew the question put to Trump—do you believe your own intelligence agencies or Vladimir Putin?—was going to come following their summit. And most assumed he would answer in the way he did, since he’s given the “both sides” response before. By extension, we all know that Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson will back anything this president says and does. It was surprising, though, that one of the Fox & Friends hosts called Trump out for his comments. (I can’t remember which one it was: Huey, Dewey, or Louie).
Does widespread GOP criticism presage a crack in Trump’s Congressional and right-wing media support? Not as long as he holds a 90% approval rating among Republicans.
10
@NA The GOP supports him because he gives them what they want anti government policies, anti ROe B. Wade judges and tax cuts which will starve the government beast. To give them this they have sacrificed their moral identity Trump's turning the US into a Russian vassal state hopefully will test this commitment to Trump, but Trumpsters have gove so far in this direction that we should not count on any sort of moral sanity from those who support this guy.
1
Fear is not a trustworthy weapon. It seems perfect, to bullies. Bullies are not the great thinkers they think they must be. We must constrain bullies. All bullies. They cannot lead, only perform. Not at all the same thing.
4
Bret as a conservative you contributed to the making of Trump's voters. With the embrace of Nixon's southern strategy, and the concomitant racist dog-whistles and buzz words, you conservatives brought this into existence. Conservatives did not make Trump a traitor, which he is, but you made enough racists out there emboldened enough get him elected, with Putin's assistance. Trump committed treason and continues to commit treason because he seeks only money.
18
If giving aid and comfort to our enemies constitutes treason, then Trump is manifestly, openly guilty. Don't expect his "base" to care. Their blind support is essentially religious in nature - the religion of Fox - and beyond reason or evidence.
Russia is ruled by a murderous tyrant, in cahoots with a reactionary, ultra-nationalist church. What's for Trump supporters not to like?
11
Trump has a personality disorder. This is a medical condition. People with personality disorders can be good dinner company and successful people, but they usually struggle with deep intimate relationships. In any case, Trump is not normal psychologically. He is incapable of fully comprehending intelligence reports of Russian hacking because his personality disorder prevents him from understanding information contrary to his grandiose view of his election win.
Putin is well aware of Trump's peraonality disorder and will uss it to maximum advantage. The MAGA crowd that still supports him, who should have plainly seen that Trump had this flaw is now so invested that they will not relent in their support, and our Republucan congress won't really act for fear of angering the MAGAs.
We're in deep right now, and it is time to be very worried.
12
The world now knows what can happen when we let the genius out of the stable.
Votes have consequences, vote as if your life depends on it, vote the stable boys out of both houses of congress.
18
To make a moral equivalence between the Russians who attacked our democracy and the United States who Trump says is equally guilty because we did not do enough to protect ourselves is totally outrageous. It is like saying we were equally guilty when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and we were not on full alert. Trump's appeasement of Putin should be the last straw for the GOP to understand Trump's motives and actions to undermine our country. But most of them will waffle and continue to support the appeaser in chief.
Gail Collins and Brett Stephens as opposites on the political spectrum should be united in this as we all should be.
4
It is astonishing that NOT ONE Congressional Republican who faces re-election is not standing up to Trump. This person would be hailed as a patriot, become a national hero and would have no trouble finding a lucrative career after (possibly!) being voted out of office. I honestly don’t get it.
6
The sycophants that make up the Cabinet will never employ the 25th Amendment to remove Dear Leader.
16
"Is he a stooge or a shmuck?" Thanks, Mr. Stephens. That, coming from a conservative no less, pretty much sums up the only question left for us to contemplate.
17
@stu freeman Those are not mutually exclusive.
2
I think Trump's behavior in office was totally predictable if you were looking. From his 6 bankruptcies, to his failure to pay contractors, to his Trump University scam this guy is an all-star grifter and narcissist. if you weren't scared by him at that point then his behavior as soon as he assumed office should have set alarm bells. Remember his speech at CIA headquarters or having the Russians in the oval office alone? Now everyone is running around with their hair on fire. We are like parents who have given a child a hammer to play with and are surprised when he breaks a window with it. What did we expect?
28
They met in private and agreed to collude on the story they would deliver to the world. What they told the American people and the world was that the KGB was more trustworthy than American intelligence officials.
The intelligence agencies of both countries have very, very bad histories of broad deception, brutality and interference, sometimes even murderous interference, in the political affairs of other countries, so there is no reason to demonize one over the other. However, this private meeting and subsequent press conference was a prima facie case of collusion by a sitting President with an adversary and his intelligence agency. It was treason, without question.
25
Trump is irresponsible and deeply offensive. It’s universally acknowledged even by most of his supporters.
But Russian spying? It’s been going on for decades. And the US spies on Russia.That’s also been going on for decades. See the link below from an ABC 2013 article.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/edward-snowden-steps-secret-us-russia-spy-....
In that regard I think many people have been disingenuous. Many praised Snowden and Assange for hacking into private servers, including Hillary Clinton’s, and then releasing the information to the public. But if the Russians do it, it’s a national calamity.
We need to focus on preventing cyber attacks - by everyone. But it’s not among the world’s or even America’s greatest problems. Indeed Trumps behavior is more concerning.
But the stampede is on and no one can stop it. No one is even paying attention to anything but the “issue” of the day.
Sometimes, to quote Stephens, I to feel like I’m yelling under water.
3
@Steven Roth
I'd parse those reactions a bit.
Cyber attacks ARE a major threat. Of course, it's been spy vs spy ( credit to Mad Magazine) for decades , which never stopped with the "end" of the Cold War.
But the damage that can be inflicted now is massive. It isn;t about hacking Hillary's emails. It's about hacking systems that keep the country operating.
Trumps narrow focus on his own navel-- as if the entire worry about Russian "meddling" was all about him - is disturbing because he seems to be in real denial of the threat. Is there not something terribly wrong with a man at an international conference with high level stakes - meandering around issues which obsess him and no one else? I'd liken him to Lady Macbeth compulsively washing her hands . .
1
Bret's last paragraph is it. Until the democrats come to their senses about immigration they can forget about gaining support with their actual extreme ideas. Move to the center, please.
5
Democrats ARE at the center when it comes to immigration. Obama deported more illegal aliens than any other president. It's just that when "Build the wall" is one side of the argument, no rational position in immigration looks central.
1
getting beyond the reactions, which on some level Uncle Donnie must be aware of (and able to predict to his flock- with all-knowing prescience)
his speech cadences never change: lecturing, scolding, etc. he delivers like a "knowing" elder at a holiday dinner- plenty of "we'll sees", translation="I'm handling this".
The flock gets that it's where he's coming from on all their precious "issues" (from common core to welfare for the undeserving- b/c they're always undeserving).
I think the verbal chiseling has to begin at the root of the kudzu vine.
4
We are a leaderless country. We have an unqualified titular president who with each passing day diminishes US standing: alienating allies, disrupting trade and lending credibility to dictators. He is self-absorbed and will not prepare or take advice from qualified experts.
We have been spared a major catastrophe on his watch thus far, but one is inevitable. Luck is not a strategy and when a real crisis strikes, we will be unable to respond.
It is now clear that this president is not up to the task and with more than half of his term remaining, that a qualified replacement must be found outside the normal electoral cycle.
18
Yesterday we had a leaderless country. Today our nominal leader is a traitor.
1
@Jack Hillary Clinton was right after all, when she said "Donald Trump is unfit for the office of President of the United States".
The problem with “conservatism” today is that so few people who call themselves conservative are actually conservatives. A real conservative wants limited government and has respect for reason, facts, and science. Mr. Stephens generally fits the bill. Unfortunately, most of these people want government out of their lives so they can take over government (that is, our) land, pay no taxes, much of which would pay for the inflated military they want, possess any weapon they please, and have the right to impose their superstitions on everyone else, especially women.
As an aside, we now know why trump suggested Boris Johnson for British Prime Minister – with that name he thinks he must be Russian.
10
I believe President Trump likes the Communism structure of government. We should all be alarmed if we do not want to live as Communists. Mr. Trump would like to have a position such as Putin has and we must not allow that to happen.
4
It’s clear to me that Trump owes Putin a debt for his assistance in helping him win the election. Why would he rebuke Putin for interfering when he benefited from it?
5
Bret, are you going to vote for Democrats this fall or are you still going to jury rig your mind to vote for ANY Republican?
2
He sunk hard and fast in Helsinki.
Hopefully he’ll sinky over here as well.
7
see no comment from trump's poodle Michael pence- disgusting performance by trump-expected this
5
Will no one rid me of this meddlesome president?
13
We are not fighting Trump. We are fighting his supporters. They are the ones preventing rational people from taking proper action to eliminate his threat to our nation.
It is depressing that we need to be asking ourselves how we can strategize to stop the damage being done by our mad King Donald.
As noted, if any other president, actual or potential, had done a tenth of what Trump has done, he or she would be led out of office in handcuffs.
I have no formula for reaching the fraidy-cat Congress, or the zombified MAGA-heads. They seem to have hearts and heads of stone, driven by hate in all of its shades. They leave us with the unsavory wish waiting for the inevitable personal damage from this president to wake them up.
But the parallels with Germany of the 1930s are eerie and unsettling. The NAZIs were also democratically elected, and without the machination of the electoral college.
35
Reagan , Berlin 1987:
“Mr. Gorbachev , tear down this wall!”
Trump ,Helsinki 2018 :
“Mr. Putin, tear down the USA!”
9
And absolutely no surprise to any thinking individual. Mike Bloomberg hailed him as “...a con man...” and a better descriptor has not been spoken. He should be impeached for treason, high crimes and misdomeaners , and the entire cowardly republican so called leadership removed from office.
14
I just saw Sen. Rand Paul on 'CBS This Morning' and he's every bit the Trump apologist that typifies GOP blindness when it comes to Mr. Putin. No wonder his neighbor attacked him!
14
Bret just LOVES hijacking today's requiste MAKE AMERICA SECOND-TO-RUSSIA AGAIN discussion all about his "son-of-refugee" bent on pulling out all the stops on any semblance of humanity saving anymore Brets, doesn't he? Exclusively of/by&for but ONE Bret. How does Gail put up w/ it? Especially today.
2
25th Amendment was designed for this occasion. Trump is either a Russian agent or so mentally impaired as to warrant taking his drivers license away.
What fool will defend him? Gingrich thinks he can retract....because Gingrich is just a creep.
Trump must go before he destroys the country.
14
Gives new meaning to "not my president".
14
“...right wing punditry,” Mr. Stephens? Puh-leese.
You’re now trying to regurgitate all the “right wing punditry” that attended Barack Obama’s presidency—even though we’re not talking about that.
Those on the Right—yourself included—are scrambling to find some rationale for Donald Trump’s complete, absolute and total capitulation to the Russian bear. Trump got badly mauled and while you’re appalled, your lodge brothers (Sean Hannity) and lodge sisters (Laura Ingraham) are not. They’re too busy attempting to cosmetize a hideous corpse before the viewing.
I was, quite frankly, surprised at your angst. You cheered Trump’s trashing of President Obama’s Iran deal but have said nothing about what replaced it. And you were Mickey Mouse-quiet on the non-agreement “agreement” that your president struck with another state killer, Kim Jong-un, at the Singapore peep show. Did it give you a thrill? How’s that one working out, Mr. Stephens?
Donald Trump is the worst thing to ever happen to this country—outside of the genocide and theft of Native America and slavery; yet 40% of America and between 85-90% of your party are thrilled beyond measure at his job performance.
Seems like President Obama wasn’t so bad, after all. Right?
44
I so appreciate this column.
I would love for Bret to discuss why he’s a Republican. From reading this column regularly, I’m left confused. Current Democrats are more fiscally responsible, value free trade, desire reasonable immigration policies, promote individual choices, and have a far better track record morally and ethically. The only thing I can think of is that Bret is anti-choice and prefers to have Christianity rule government.
Otherwise, Bret sounds like a Democrat to me.
13
He doesn't believe in climate change, holding Israel to task, the social safety net, or progressive taxation - THAT'S why he's a Republican.
2
Dear Gail and Bret,
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, paddles on a pond, has feathers like a duck, it is a duck. The namby pamby waiting for the big report to come in is fine for judicial proceedings and indeed is a method of delay for, in this case, the defense, but if one has not figured out by now that DT is traitor then maybe you are in the wrong business.
Sincerely,
Clay Sorrough
12
"And maybe we can get somebody from Mar-a-Lago to testify on how hard it is to get affordable help."
This made me laugh.. as those of us living near Mar-a-Lago know how the prez prefers to hire immigrants (illegal or not) over citizens.
But laughter aside, we are not only stuck with a lunatic in office, we are stuck with 40% die-hard lunatics and Republicans in Congress that are letting our democracy die.
I am reminded of T.S. Eliot's poem The Hollow Men (excerpted, but well worth reading in its totality):
"We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men
Leaning together
Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!
Our dried voices, when
We whisper together
Are quiet and meaningless
As wind in dry grass
Or rats' feet over broken glass
In our dry cellar....
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper."
14
Gail and Brett, this is the first 17 July column to have a comment-filing section, so with only 2 comments showing, here is my observation:
We readers have reached our limit as concerns oft-repeated boiler plate on Trump, and I suspect you writers have also reached that limit but do not know what to do, faced with that.
Today's example from Bret: " (what) ...the rest of right-wing punditry would be saying if it had been President Barack Obama at that podium..."
A search of comments and probably columns would show that this thought has been expressed 100s, more likely 1000s of times.
To everybody: If you cannot offer something new, simply write "Words fail me"
Perhaps that is why there are no comment boxes at Brooks, Goldberg, and Editors, they know there is nothing more to say except:
1) Vote in November
2) Do not allow a vote to take place as concerns Trump's Supreme Court choice.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Citizen US SE
14
Government Owned by Putin needs to be voted out of office this November. Make Treason Great Again must be a meme democrats use in every district.
Thanks for such a frank conversation.
The only idea that makes sense for Corker, Sasse, McCain and company is to announce they are now independent and will caucus with the dems.
9
Never mind his unfitness for office, his moral degeneracy, his use of the Oval Office for personal gain, Trump has committed treason. What is Congress waiting for?
14
A Democratic majority...
1
Treason (at the highest level. And yet, he still gets to be the President of the United States). His allegiance is to Putin and Russia, and not the American people.
Trumps grace time has run out.
13
You know what’s scariest about all of this? Neither Collins nor Stephens made any jokes, as is their wont in these back-and-forths. Nothing about Trump is funny, it’s all too horrific and depressing...
16
Regarding immigration: a better code than "Abolish ICE" or
"your huddled masses...."
might be a quote from Mexican -American poet Luis Alberto Urrea:
"There is no them....there is only us."
4
Donald Trump is a Russian agent.
It may be by accident, since his distorted thinking and mental issues have led to cravings for attention and wealth that he can't uncontrol. It may be intentional, since he looks at Putin as the perfect, all-powerful leader and sees himself as deserving of equal glory. It may be because he's a hopeless dupe who is so subject to flattery that he rolls like a tickled puppy under his master's hand.
Whatever. It's time to look away from Donald's antics and correct the problems that brought this abomination to office, and prosecute all involved in criminal acts.
I'm not sure whether Trump should be sent to an asylum or hung for treason. But he shouldn't be president. And the harm he has done to our people, international relationships, the environment, our courts …. all should be reversed. We need a reboot, but first, we need to give Trump the boot.
15
Please, let’s summarize the known facts.
The global corporations are entitled to spend the dozens billions dollars on the deceivable and false advertisement, gift the politicians with the hundreds millions dollars as the campaign donations, pay them the millions dollars as the speaking fees after the politicians leave the office, hire them personally or their spouses as the corporate board members with lavish salaries and perks, pay them the dozens millions dollars for “highly valuable memoirs” although their real governmental job was worth only several hundred thousand dollars for the entire year, but somehow we are freaking out about the false tweeter accounts and their impact on the nation?!
No foreign government will ever personally approach any American politician. Why would they do it? They have readily available the global corporations do instantly bribe the elected politicians in perfectly legal way…
4
What worries me....what was said in that private meeting with no other Americans than Trump, save a translator.....did Trump set up a direct channel to Putin? Are they going to speak regularly now? IS TRUMP GOING TO GET "THE NEW" REPUBLICAN TALKING POINTS FROM PUTIN???? Putin 'The Trump Whisperer'. This is no joke, no conspiracy theory. We need to follow this very very carefully in the future. From Putin's mouth to Trumps ear to Twitter to the Republican Party.
3
Putin's able to manipulate Trump because he knows the exact buttons to push: flatter him, talk about his wonderful election win, and all the while compile compromising information on him.
Add in that Trump is drawn to dictators and buddies up to them.
Very quickly news sources were able to find Putin lied when saying he never knew Trump back when the Miss America pageant was held in Russia.
Putin also created a bit of jeopardy in saying he wanted Trump to win and Hillary to lose!
In command early on, but made mistakes during the news conference. Putin seemed to be showing his cards---proving collusion did occur.
4
We need more out of Bret and Gail.
Chit-chatting about the fall of American ideals isn't going to cut it, not after we all just watched a virtual dictator blatantly blackmail the leader of the free world.
You two have a big microphone and a lot of resources, more than most, and we need you two to try harder. This moment in history is why you're here. Please do better than gossip over a bottle of wine.
9
Trump is a danger to our country. His staff who allowed him to meet one on one are a danger to our country. The silent Congress is a danger to our country. It’s unclear what these people are receiving for their puppet like obedience - cash, golfing weekends, thirty pieces of silver. Maybe those canned Trump followers think this is cool but It looks as though they are addicted to Trump's demolition derby with little care for integrity.
5
What was patently clear during the surreal press conference in Helsinki, is that in a weird way we now have a president who seems as destructively in thrall to a malevolent Vladimir Putin as Tsarina Alexandra was under the spell of the malevolent Rasputin a hundred years ago. This will not end well.
5
Florida Freedom Caucus congressman Ted Yoho, a classic primary winner over an established moderate Republican, called Trump's words "unacceptable." That's perhaps putting it a bit diplomatically, but it puts him ahead of lots of others. I can use him as an example when contacting my own Freedom Party congressman, Bill Posey.
3
Trump is doing everything in his power to get fired and yet no one has the heart to give him what he wants. Clearly, Trump is unqualified and has no desire to become qualified. Yet no resource in place to curb his inept job performance is being implemented to terminate his employment.
14
If Trump's performance yesterday, doesn't turn his base away from him, then our beloved country is already gone. Hannity and Trump have founded the Disunited States of America and Putin has definitely won. When your president has and continues to adore a dictatorial thug and all things Russian over his own country that he is leading, there is something really wrong. If his base loves Trump so much, follow him to outer Siberia and live there for awhile. I guarantee you won't have to worry about illegal immigration or anyone taking your jobs. Trump did it. It is as clear on those steely eyes of Putin. He colluded with the Russians starting way before June 2016 when they met in Trump tower with the Russians and they promised dirt on Clinton. Junior talked with Trump before and twice after on the phone. He basically told Trump that the Russians had everything ready, whenever he gave them the word and he did from a rally on June 27, 2016. He said Russians if you are listening, which he knew they were, as they had been monitoring his campaign and despite their best efforts only had a 25% chance of getting Trump elected in June UNTIL the dump of documents on Wikileaks, orchestrated and abetted by Putin. He was actually taunting the intelligence officers with do you think we could and would actually do something like that? YES, he did. Yes, Trump did. He is attempting to live in his alternative universe by claiming he won the election on his own merits. He didn't.
7
Democrats, you must defend the FBI, the other intelligence agencies and rule of law. You must make it clear how dangerous it is to make the rule of law bow to oligarchs, like in Russia. You must defend the press, and the press must not ignore or disparage those who support Trump, they must make efforts to educate not insult. The media, such as MSNBC and Fox are too invested in opinion rather than facts. I hate the use of satirical late-night entertainers as part of their argument. The brand names "conservative" and "liberal" are used as code not notions of how a democracy should work. That should be stopped. Democrats should embrace some aspects of "conservatism" and change the notion of what the party represents. Why does the military have 43% Republican, 27 independent and only 10% Democrat support? Because the notion of "bravery, service and honor" could mean conservative and yet not be inconsistent with being a Democrat. The term conservative may be twisted but it is still appealing to some. Untwist it and don't insult the term. Don't let Trump and Miller sieze the ground on borders and immigration.
8
Trump's in the lowest crawl space of rock bottom.
“Played like a fiddle. Unmitigated disaster. Embarrassing."
Putin must've had a great laugh saying he'd help investigate the election attacks on us.
Trump trusts Putin over our own government--- the very guy who ordered attacks on US elections. And yes, Russia has something on him. Any number of somethings, likely taped, likely documented + assuredly embarrassing.
As Trump seizes full power from a weak GOP, he's the face of the party. Feeling right at home with dictators, doddering, fixated on his win. Small wonder 'treason summit' has been trending. And the CIA's collective hair is on fire.
9
Any idea that there is a sliver of daylight between Republican "law-makers" and Trump, or for that matter neo-con opinion columnists over the past 2 to 20 years is malarkey. You cant get a conservative to acknowledge something that their paycheck depends on them not acknowledging, untill it quite quite obviously gets close to treason (emphasis on obviousness). W's WMD didnt get there; no one broke ranks on that lie. Not the CIA, Fox news, Bret, nobody.
3
So it turns Brett Stephens stomach that a vast majority of Republicans support the Session/Trump policy of separating children from their mothers. And that over 90% of these same Republicans think the traitor Trump is doing a great job destroying America and all our alliances.
Here's my advice, Brett: when people show you who they are, believe them. Your fellow Republicans truly are deplorable They are all-in with the man who, not even halfway through his presidency, has already earned his place at the bottom of historians' list of worst president ever. The Republican Congress? Even worse people, Brett, because they, unlike Trump, can't claim to be mentally ill. They are just spineless sycophants whose oath to defend the Constitution may as well have been written on the water of the Swamp. Trump was prescient: they wouldn't impeach him if he shot a man on Pennsylvania Ave.
So there you go, Brett, your people. You may want to consider changing your party affiliation, and while you're at it, see if you can get a couple of Republican Senators, the few who impotently lament POTUS's misdeeds, to do the same. For the sake of the country. And the world.
22
@Christian
To the senators from Alsaka and Maine - do what our senator Jeffords from Vermont did during the 1st Bush years - show America that principles stand for something and leave the GOP and caucus with the Dems - that would at least make McConnell and the rest of the stooges have to actually attempt to govern....
4
Trump and his base base have entered into a murder-suicide pact in which they plan to tear down everything that has preserved and sustained America's post WWII alignment in the world and unleash the ensuing chaos to destroy western civilization as we know it. This is their long hoped for apocalyptic end to the world in which they will be vaporized, aka raptured, off the face to the planet. The ensuing nuclear winter will put an end to the global warming problem.
5
remember in 2012 when Mitt Romney called
Russia our biggest global threat.Obama and
a phalanx of democrats, many of whom are
still around today,blasted him in language
which is still available on the internet. for
the thousandth time, I am no admirer of
Trump,but the length and breadth of Dem
hypocrisy is truly staggering. a good number
of them said publicly that Putin would be
our very necessary ally in the future. these
same people are now treating Putin as if
he has diplomatic leprosy.MSNBC and CNN
are shameless in their hypocrisy. their hosts
who receive award after award are never held
accountable for their role in Putin justification
rhetoric when it suited their candidate. yes,
Trump is despicable, but so are his critics.
3
That was before Russia hacked our democracy. And where is the hypocrisy in the Republicans cozying up to the very terrorists they condemned until Trump's inauguration? The lies, deceit, and hypocrisy are ALL on the right, my friends. Trump is a traitor. The GOP apologist s are traitors. Trump supporters are traitors.
2
@Frank
Frank, It was *after* Romney made those comments that Russia annexed Crimea, pushed into the Ukraine, was responsible for shooting down a passenger plane, interfered with the Brexit vote, and hacked the US election. They also launched an assault with a nerve agent on foreign soil, resulting in the death of a British citizen. Had all of this occurred before Romney made the accusation, people obviously would have taken the charge more seriously.
1
@Frank It is quite possible that diplomacy and the assistance of the bigots in congress could have led to more reasonable relationships with Russia during President Obama's tenure.
But, it is difficult for only one party to participate in governing. The repubs held their breath the whole 8 years we elected President Obama to serve. Their racism was evident for the whole world to see, and the country suffered for it.
Now that they have their just desserts in trump, they are petrified from having done nothing for our country for the past 8 years.
Once the Blue Wave catches up with them, you will see a whole new scenario. We--and the world--can not tolerate trump beyond the "dispose by" date.
2
NYT Headlines: "Why Won't Trump Speak for America?" "No Republican in Congress Willing to Punish the President." "Red States Lack Obstetric Care." Some thoughts: Trump won't speak for America because he is being blackmailed. He and Putin looked like Howdy Doody and Buffalo Bob. Congrats to Vladimir: I didn't know that he was also a ventriloquist. Red States lack obstetric care because the Dems only invest in "purple" states. They take "blue" states for granted and they don't seem to want to wake up and realize that you can get a Dem senator elected in Alabama if you take some time and money and explain to people why the Republican proposals are not good for the 99%. For example, when you cut taxes, the rich profit and the rest of you lose convenient obstetric care. It's the economy, stupid. And the economy is going well (for so). And you aren't going to win with identity politics. So, explain to people why you are better for ALL of them. Patriarchy can integrate minorities and survive (in fact, when it does so, it grows stronger), because it is class-based oppression. So, frankly, it comes as no surprise that Trump's base is willing to follow him, and not over a cliff: how long ago was it that Trump was bandying about armed uprisings?
4
From Trump's answers in Helsinki we learned the strategy that keeps his base in line. Trump's base prefers to support a murderous fascist dictator like Putin over liberals like Obama, the Clintons, and Pelosi. Visceral hatred of progressives is the key to understanding the Trump base. As long as Trump delivers the message of hate for his base the rest they care little about.
9
"Look, maybe there are non-conspiratorial explanations for Trump’s behavior."
I tend to imagine the worst, but I think it's possible that Donald's mental illness and deep insecurities in combination with his abject greed and willful ignorance made it easy for him to blunder into treasonous territory without giving it second thought. He was the easiest fish the Russians ever hooked if they chose to do so.
16
We had better get used to it. There will be no invocation of the 25th Amendment under the rule of a political Party that controls both houses of Congress and the US Supreme Court.
We have a Commander-in-Chief who audaciously, atrociously and publicly stands alongside his nation's most lethal adversary and sells its national security down the river
We don't have one Manchurian candidate. We have hundreds. They serve in Congress under the GOP banner. President Trump is the Party's Emperor, but trailing in-tow right behind him is a cavalcade of angry clowns led by our own home-grown princes of Wales: Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan.
Brush up on your Russian, folks. Perhaps the Trump administration will find funde for language lessons. But wait! There's a better idea. Vote these traitors out of office before it's too late.
19
Of course Trump sides with Putin. Putin has the tapes.
11
If Sarah H. Sanders can spin this one, she’s worthy of a bronze statue.
6
Besides Trump who is clearly I bought and sold sociopath working for Putin the blame lies with the thoroughly morally and intellectually degenerate portion of the American public who continues to support Trump. These people are our true enemy and these people are the ones we're going to have to deal with to get by this. I know people will rationalize and practice avoidance but this is the truth.
15
Stephens wrote:
"Also, I’m thinking about just what Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham and the rest of right-wing punditry would be saying if it had been President Barack Obama saying the sort of things Trump was saying. They’d call him the Manchurian Candidate. They’d accuse him of treason. They’d call for an armed insurrection or something close to it. They’d say he hates America."
- Mr. Stephens, where were you over the past 10 years? Hannity, Ingraham, Fox, the right-wing punditry (which includes YOU!) were screaming exactly those things all during Pres Obama's presidency! Why weren't you listening then? Why was your head in the sand as YOUR party laid the groudwork for Trump?
"I’m not speechless, exactly. But as a disaffected conservative, I just feel like someone who’s trying to scream while underwater."
- Now you know what it's felt like to be one of those reviled Libruls who YOUR party demonized over the past two decades! We've been warning you about this all along; but you and the rest of the conservative punditry merely held our heads underwater instead of engaging in reasonable dialog.
"It’s also important to understand why they’ve gained so much strength recently. The key is their ability to traffic in half-truths, to pick up on a legitimate issue and put it to an illegitimate end."
- Who's to blame for this? Putatively "reasonable" conservative pundits like you who sat in silence while "they've" been doing this for the past 20+ years! You were part of "them!"
21
I want the New York Times to interview trump-supporters. I want to know, want to hear how they justify trump's actions and words.
PS. Is it possible to ban trump from using the word "strong" in every other sentence? Its getting creepy. You don't need to be a psychologist to know the man has serious issues with 'weak'
16
I'm waiting for the pro-Trump comments here ... what will they be? What can it be?
Any rational person can draw only two conclusions from the bizarre spectacle Trump made of himself: he's gone crazy (crazier than we've ever seen him before, too), and Putin must have some extraordinary hold over him ... nothing else makes sense as an explanation.
So what are the Trump supporters going to say? How many of them actually want the United States to be led by Putin's groveling toady, and dictator wannabe?
For how many of them will this be the moment when their attachment breaks? Even FOX has trouble finding support for Trump -- Ingraham and Hannity and who else?
Or will it just be the usual: Hillary's emails, the usual farrago of we-hate-you-so-much-you-deserve-Trump?
At what point do the Trump supporters start to wonder whether they and their children can survive what Trump wants to do to America?
16
You speak of the muted response of Republicans to Mr.Trump's despicable behavior in Helsinki yesterday.Are Republicans not the party of law and order, the party of patriotism and the party of devotion to the flag? Yesterday their leader trashed American law enforcement agencies, he equated American and Russian patriotism, and he figuratively "took a knee" before our flag.If they accept this behavior they no longer have a party with any principles.
32
" It’s the trashing of democratic values from the inside that concerns me even more." Me too.
14
One added catastrophe of this particular administration is that people like Gail feel the need to defend criminal organizations like the CIA and FBI and willfully ignore their sordid history of disinformation, destabilizing governments and movements, torturing people, framing people, murdering people etc,etc.
4
On the campaign trail when Trump said he could shoot someone on a crowded New York street and he would still be supported, I thought he was crazy. Now I understand he was correct, and his supporters are the ones who are crazy. Can it get any worse?
22
I’m not speechless, exactly. But as a disaffected conservative, I just feel like someone who’s trying to scream while underwater.
And what would Bret Stephens be screaming underwater? Trump makes me crazy because he seems more and more illegitimate (and/or a traitor) but I'll keep his SCOTUS appointments!
8
I'll keep his SCOTUS appointments. So there it is for all to see: the conservative hypocrisy which have us this traitor for president. Conservatives are bent on destroying the world, and they are accomplishing it in record time.
3
Perhaps Stephen Miller and his family would like to join in the proposed exodus of immigrants? I doubt that Eastern Europen Jews and their descendants came over on the Mayflower or are members of an indigenous group, the only ones who have real claims on American soil.
5
And my former republican friends wonder why I have broken all ties with them.
If you still support trump at this late date then I don't want you ANYWHERE near my wife or kids.
Trumpets are clearly broken.
24
Democrats should accept the fact we need to police our own borders?
Obama deported more undocumented than Bush and earned the sobriquet "Deporter in Chief" from the Latino community. He did this in an effort to get the Republicans to the table on comprehensive immigration reform legislation, which this country badly needs. Obama knew our system was broken. The Republicans refused to give an inch.
So don't tell me, Mr. Stephens, what Democrats need to recognize. It is what Republicans need to recognize and refuse to that is the problem with our country today.
How about this for a compromise forward: A Constitutional Amendment to end birth citizenship coupled with a path to citizenship for the Dreamers?
Republicans totally control government, yet we still don't have immigration reform. That's interesting. Could it be because so many Republican owned companies rely on illegals for the labor force? Just wondering.
14
@Thomas
End birthright citizenship? Whatever for? What would happen to the noncitizens? Would they become a permanent underclass of serfs?
Our country sacrificed the lives of three-quarters of a million people and in return achieved the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. No way will we allow today's haters and xenophobes to take them away.
1
Here's a prescient piece of lyric from 35 years ago that apparently still applies:
"I don't think there are any Russians,
And there ain't no Yanks.
Just corporate criminals,
Playing with tanks."
The Walls Came Down, by Michael Been/The Call, 1983
6
Dear Gail and Bret:
The photo of the crashed demolition derby with Trump’s name all over it is a great accompaniment to this article.
He has, with the help of Putin, his GOP henchmen, and those miscreants who actually voted for him, ran our republic over the cliff.
You started out strong with the focus on Trump’s treasonous performance in Helsinki yesterday. But then you veered away to all of the other atrocities committed by this disgraceful traitor to his country.
At this point, his treasonous actions with Putin, undermining our Intelligence agencies to an agent of the KGB, all on the public stage, should be the key focus until Congress censures his actions and limits his power.
Internationally, we are as weakened as after a terrorist attack, and as Brennan has warned, the red lights are flashing.
This is a national crisis.
It is tie for action. Bret says that he feels like someone who wants to scream under water. My advice to him is to come out from the water, get some air, and scream for your life!
12
Yes Bret Democrats should change the conversation on Immigration and refugees as they do bring extra vigor and vitality to the whole system including a World Cup as they just did in France. It is the same team/Country that Trump was criticizing as he is Racist par excellence.
5
Gail and Bret, so good to be a part of your perceptive, clear thinking, conversation. Admittedly, I was still reeling from yesterday. I kept asking myself if this is but a bad dream, am I still sleeping? If only...
You both speak of Trump’s worst “performances.” The sad truth is that with each passing day this man, I believe, is descending into a madness from which there is no return. Each utterance, each action reveals a person who is unfit to tend to a nation of millions yet alone himself. For me there are two events of sorts that I hope I and my fellow Americans never, ever forget. The first, of course, is his brutal treatment of children and their families at our borders. This is truly the act of a monster. The second was his betrayal yesterday of our nation and his subsequent allegiance to a murderous adversary.
As a final request to you both and your readers who see what I see, please be relentless in contacting this Congress. Mueller alone can not save this nation of ours. And let us remember that if the Republican majority does nothing, they will be judged to be just as treasonous as their fraud of a leader.
21
Thank you, Gail, for bringing up the matter of unequal representation of the more urbanized vs. the more rural population. Lately, I've been wondering how much longer the majority "crowded-places" people will consent to being governed by the minority lonely-places people.
It could get very ugly, if we in the majority don't get out the vote in order to prevail in local, state, and federal elections. A concerted effort must be made to undo the harm done by gerrymandered state and federal districts and by the Electoral College--constitutional amendments are called for.
I don't believe that the 2 senators-from-each-state clause can be amended, but I'm not sure about that and haven't the time to investigate it right now. If I remember correctly, that Senatorial set-up can't be amended.
5
@mb While all states get two senators, the gerrymandering affects congressional districts only, since the number of representatives in the House is based on population and they are elected by those living in the congressional district.
Republicans began a major redistricting campaign in many southern states years ago and reconfigured the districts to ensure tight republican districts and broken Democratic ones. In some states a congressional district can look like a snake as it slithers through highly populated areas vs country or small towns. It makes it difficult for many to get to the voting locations. Some states have tried to remedy this, but it remains a major issue.
1
It is worth noting that, in his statement about Dan Coats and 'some others who think it was Russia' vs Putin's strong denial, Trump treated the US intelligence community's position as opinions, equivalent to Putin's apparently unsupported assertions.
We have known for 2 years that Trump is not a fact-based guy, but this is ridiculous. Evidence is not the same as opinions. They did it, even if Putin is a charming, believable murderous thug.
8
Both of the authors seem to be expressing worry that America is about to be taken over by a hostile foreign power. Well, as the Republicans have demonstrated by doing absolutely nothing, again -- after children are put in prisons, after white supremacists kill and maim peaceful protesters, after an American president capitulates to a dictator who poisons his enemies -- the Republicans, holding every branch of government, demonstrate that America has already been taken over by a hostile power.
What do all the flag pins on their lapels and lip service to democratic values matter in light of the day-to-day horror show that they are enabling?
What are we going to do about it?
30
This is a variation of the film "Groundhog Day". We keep waking up on the same day, no forward movement, just a repetition of the previous day's nightmares.
But instead of the protagonist, Bill Murray, becoming more human we have the spectacle of Trump becoming more imbecilic and evil with each new day.
Hopefully "The End" blazes across our screens in November.
9
In addition to this disgraceful President, we also are saddled with the weakest Cabinet in modern history. A stronger Cabinet would be meeting to discuss the invocation of the 25th Amendment.
12
"Also, I’m thinking about just what Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham and the rest of right-wing punditry would be saying if it had been President Barack Obama at that podium, saying the sort of things Trump was saying, not to mention the way he said it."
I'm old enough to not be put off by standard issue hypocrisy. Your average politician, perhaps by design, is a born hypocrite. It comes as no surprise that, by extension, all partisans are hypocrites as well. That said, Bret's point is one that can't be dismissed as mere hypocrisy. All voters that support pro-Trump candidates in this year's midterm elections are not just being grossly hypocritical. They are actively supporting people who are working to weaken and destabilize this country. They are supporting people who would enable our enemies. They are abetting treason.
19
Trump said that the Russians didn't have anything on him because they would have used it by now. That is totally incorrect. If they used it, it would only damage him and destroy its worth to them. The exact opposite is true: If they have something on him, it is only valuable to them until they use it. This makes me think that they do have something.
See: RevolutionOfReason.com
20
the calls to abolish ICE play directly into his hands - it's over reach and is exactly the kind of thing he loves - it's easy to argue against
it makes him look law and order and the strong daddy protecting us
we need to reform ICE not abolish it -every country needs some sort of immigration security -
it's such an obvious gift to him it makes me wonder if it's part of a dirty tricks plot from the right to promote that absurd idea
7
"My position is not to have a position until Robert Mueller completes his investigation. That’s why I find G.O.P. attacks on Mueller’s integrity and the investigation so pernicious."
if these attacks on the Mueller investigation are so pernicious, why can't the Justice Department prosecute the attackers for obstruction of justice?
Obstruction is obstruction, whether it comes from private individuals, Congress, or the president.
5
Impeachment and the 25th Amendment are long-shots at best. At this point, we need an historically massive march on Washington to demand Trump's resignation. We don't leave until he does.
4
Bret, Did you notice the French Gold Cup
heroes were over 50% the children
of immigrants. Did Marie le fascista cheer for
them? Did they not make France great again?
As a refugee I would expect a lot more sympathy
from you for your fellow travelers.
btw, the high point for me was watching the Frenchmen
shun Putin as they heartfully embraced Macron
in the pouring rain. Grow a heart, 'pundit'
4
@lawence gottlieb
It was the World Cup.
1
Hurry Mr. Mueller, Hurry.
7
I say to Gail, Bret, and my fellow Amerikans, start learning Russian and learn to love votka/водка. The vacuous and incompetent president and the GOP/Republicans (so-called conservatives) have sold America to Putin and all seem proud of it. Goodbye America!
5
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned yet is the likelihood that trump shared classified information in his very private meeting with Putin. The knowledge that trump is getting intelligence briefings and shows no respect for the intelligence community indicates that he has no compunction about sharing this information with Russia. This puts many people at risk. I, for one, would not want any information passed to US intelligence agencies at this point.
11
@Alice Millard US intel agencies gather the info, so they would be the ones controlling it. The thing to do is to be selective about what info is given to Agent Orange...and, the congressman from California.
MAGA: Make America Grovel Again
9
Trump is a traitor, full stop.
He's has been played effortlessly by Putin.
Let's invoke the 25th amendment and get rid of this cancer.
11
This is just another of the huge mistakes by Trump that don't matter in the long run. Another "grab 'em by the ..." moment. Everyone moans and disagrees, even McConnell and Ryan.
In a couple of weeks we'll be whining about something else he's done and the GOP will still be backing the POTUS so they can pass their legislation and get reelected. His base will have believed his twisted reasoning for what he said, or his denials of having ever said them.
This will continue until enough people vote the GOP out of office.
22
It’s early days yet but it surprises me that no American commentator has mentioned the possibility that we are observing an attempt at a soft coup d’etat on the part of presidents Trump and Putin: the Russian gives the orders, the American executes them and GOPers stand at attention waving flags, Stars and Stripes initially and later only stripes. The colours are the same so it may take some time before anyone notices ....
7
I remember Obama's "apology tour", and how many were a bit upset at the weakness it appeared to show. The GOP was aghast and quite upset about it (at least in the media).
We now have a President that actively throws its institutions under a bus with Putin as a back seat driver, and one who blames America for his own issues.
I'm an independent voter who has historically voted regularly for candidates on either side of the aisle. Can you imagine the outcry if one substituted Obama for Trump in these encounters?
I am shocked at the depraved negligence Mr. Trump has committed. Shocked (sorta) that McConnell remains quiet (is he an American or a Republican, or...?). The ghosts of Lenin, Stalin, et al, are high-fiving each other and Putin.
Frankly, Trump looked like somebody who had just been serially abused when he walked out of that meeting with Putin and came to the podium and whispered "Thank you".
This is no longer party politics, this about America's soul. I think we have a defining moment here where we decide what it means to be an American. Trump is NOT an American.
16
Gobsmacked speechless by President Trump's day in Helsinki! yesterday -- 16 July 2018 -- is another day that will live in infamy in America. Treason benefits Trump. Thanks for your words, Gail and Bret. The tip of the colossal Trump iceberg is in the Atlantic now. And America is the Titanic headed for a collision with him.
7
Putin talked about ways to help migrants from Syria return home. How real was that?
Those refugees from the violence of chemical attacks and barrel bombs are the most effective tool Putin and his cronies have in Europe. Does anyone really believe he wants to see them go home?
2
Ever run into the overly confident huckster who believes he can, with a high dosage of saccharine charm, sell anything to anyone? This is our reality TV negotiator President. He crossed over into peddling treasonous messages with his adoration of Putin and his attacks on our own agencies and people.
The 25th Amendment would be an excellent process at this time. But, no! It's most important that Mitch gets his Supreme Court justices.
Remove the Manchurian.
5
@Pauly K
Remove Mitch Mc Connell for all of the damage he has
done to the democratic process and the country from the first day of Obama's administration to the refusal to consider Garland to the refusal to give Obama support
for a bipartisan condemnation of Russian meddling in
the election to his use of reconciliation instead of the
traditional 60 votes for confirmation of a Supreme
Court Justice.
4
If the Democratic party is smart it will re-imagine itself as the most vocally pro-American party the country has ever known. This is precisely the opening Democrats need to re-shape the debate. Pro NATO is pro America. Pro free-trade is pro-America. Pro common-sense immigration is pro-America. Pro universal health care is pro-America. The list goes on and thus the opportunity has never been more apparent. Trump and the silent, complicit Republicans have sold out the country to the Russians and the Koch brothers. Want a blue wave? Be pro-America.
45
@glen
I had similar thoughts, but that would mean that Democrats would have to get as serious about winning as Republicans are. That would require strategic thinking. Nobody would buy it because it would be so out of character.
2
@glenYup. That's exactly right.
This conversation is disappointing, in a lot of levels. Hmmm, let's see. Trump (arguably) committed treason. But gosh, is that worse than the fact that he's made some cruel policy choices? (And, btw, making policy choices you don't like is not being 'anti-democratic.')
Trump committing treason is something that should be able to unite both sides - left and right. This is the perfect opportunity for dems to occupy a political space that they have ceded to the Republicans for too many years - being flag wavers, being patriots, standing up for our country. I think the way to play this is that as *Americans*, we cannot stand for this. It should transcend mere differences over policy.
3
Dear Mr. Putin,
Thank you for clearing up two important questions:
1) By stating that you did direct officials to help Mr. Trump win, and
2) By making it clear that you do indeed have kompromat on Trump, because you easily could have lied when asked that very question on live tv.
The real question is what our spineless Republican congress going to do about it. (My theory: nothing, because Trump very likely has kompromat on everyone in congress).
15
“Treasonous Trump” is the message from the Helsinki meeting with Putin. Imagine JFK had believed Kruschev’s denial in 1962 about Soviet installation of nuclear weapons in Cuba but did not believe the CIA evidence from U-2 flights. It is obvious, now even to Republicans, that Donald Trump’s claim of no collusion between his campaign and Russia has as much credibility as when Benedict Arnold told George Washington that "there was absolutely NO COLLUSION between me and the British".
7
An intelligent back and forth. devoid of one-upsmanship, showing it is possible for different political camps to come to agreement on values.
Brett succinctly nailed the rotten core of this presidency: trashing democratic values from the inside.
Gail’s question is central to the coming and future elections: "Would your average American voter want to support closed borders, racist rants about protection of “the culture” and little kids separated from their mothers?"
It depends on how fearful they are of losing control of their hometowns, and to what extent they see immigrants only as burdens or competitors who will displace them in their own country. Those who accept it for humanitarian reasons go by their values;the challenge is to convince the others.
Many folks harbor fear of the economics of their own future. Thus - they do need to be shown that immigration has pragmatic benefits for them. Not for some employer paying minimum or less wages.
The "Abolish Ice" refrain will repel voters we need to listen- it's like calling for abolishing the entire Court system because it is often unfair and unjust.
No one can defuse all anti immigrant or racist sentiment, but a President should model respect; not hatred and fear.
The pressure on people to flee the devastations of war, tyranny, drought and flooding will only increase in the future. If we don't find a sane path, our own country may resort to a tyrant promising to protect the masses.
4
How low will Republican Senators stoop for the sake of another right wing seat on the Supreme Court? They and their wealthy donors are making the same calculation German industrialists made when Hitler came to power. Let him rant as long as he is a useful idiot who will revive German industry. In Trump's case whatever he spurts out publicly does not matter as long as he stays with the program: less taxes for the rich and pro-business appointments in the courts. Abortion and immigration are issues to be exploited for a set of reliable votes, hot button issues that distract the obsessed from the real goals: money and power. As far as the GOP is concerned the US is doing great as long as billionaires are satisfied and Democrats are kept out of power. There is eventually a heavy price to pay for using an egomaniac to achieve ones goals.
11
@serban - I like the allusion to Weimar Germany and how the 1930 Capitalist (and the military) felt they could partner with and control the soon to become Fuhrer.
Hitler too, exploited anti-Semitism pointing out the influx of Jews that had immigrated to Germany from Russia. Nazi propaganda surmised were actually spreading Communism, when their were in fact largely fleeing to survive Stalin’s brutal use of native anti-Semitism in Russia. These immigrants too were cited as criminals and rapists.
Trump’s statement in England about the threat that immigrants represented for “European” culture was right out of “Mein Kampf.”
I agree with you that Trump will slip the leash of his billionaire handlers causing all kinds of externalities. As you point out their tolerance for ending authoritarian rule is onlylimited in direct proportion to their happiness in conducting unfettered Capitalism to end Democracy in America.
4
@RVN ‘69 We studied Nazi Germany. So did Trump according to his first book. We gave lectures on Nazi Germany until I lost my hearing. We are truly frightened for the future of this country and the ignorance of Trump's supporters and the Republican party. And we studied Stalin also.
I didn’t think I would see the day that I thought Bret Stephens was capable of saying something that I agreed with. So today is special!
14
@Blunt >> IDK. I kinda like Bret. EXCEPT for today; re his self-servingly hijacking what's vital for ALL Americans today just to project canted bents on how America's "self-interest" for [his] "son-of-a-refugee" status should TRUMP anything humanitarian if conservatives are to have anything left to conserve.
@Blunt Yes, especially this courageous statement by Bret Stephens in particular: "My position is not to have a position until Robert Mueller completes his investigation." If this is the pinnacle of Stephens' outrage, one can only shudder to imagine the depths of his cowardice.
2
At this point in time I can't think of a more despised human being on the planet earth than Donald Trump. He's getting more and more desperate by the moment and with the desperation comes the strong possibility that this morally void man can reek danger and destruction upon the world. The clock is ticking and one can only hope that the powers that be can and will bring the investigation to a close. Whether American or foreign based, those who are found guilty should be punished with the maximum sentencing allowable by law.
39
Groveling in front of Putin, before an international audience, is surely much more disrespectful than kneeling during that national anthem.
Now we know that Trump is like all bullies: when confronted with someone he 5hinks is stronger, he folds like a cheap tent.
As that fake tough guy boss in The Apprentice would say: Trump, You’re fired.”.
87
The scariest part of all of this is that we won’t know what Trump and Putin agreed in private until we see the subsequent actions and reactions of both of them. If I lived in a country that borders Russia, I would be even more afraid than I am as an American.
As far as what Trump said publicly, at the NATO meeting, in the U.K. and with Putin, we should believe his public pronouncements and dismiss his walk-backs and those of his propaganda arm. He says what he means to say when he speaks from his heart (or gut
or brainstem or wherever those thought arise). That is what his base and the rest of the world hear. They know, as we should all know by now, that anything he says later is part of the smog campaign, convenient lies and misdirection. Does anybody really believe that Theresa May and Angela Merkel don’t know exactly what Trump thinks of them and what he will do whenever he has the chance? Does anybody really believe that our intelligence agencies don’t know exactly what he thinks of them and how he values them in comparison to Vladimir Putin?
25
Yeah, Bob Corker, Jeff Flake and Ben Sasse are quick to criticize Trump in the media or on social media. But they still vote with their caucus which does nothing but reinforce the view that as long as Trump is there to support their party's agenda, they are willing to look the other way.
When one of these guys (or gals in the case of Collins and Murkowski) says, "Enough!" and walks away from the GOP that will be notable. Until then, yawn.
162
@RosiesDad We of course need moderate progressive voices that are female/male for reproductive choices for all. We need a non partisan unity of mission, with truly common goals, that can unite the center. The wings to the far right and left - only divide and increase the schism. This is their goal I believe and it is working. Divide and conquer works. Their must be a united front of common sense and decency to stand together, or we continue falling apart.
Despite his appeals to racism, sexism, religious bigotry, and fear, Trump lost the popular vote, which leaves me with hope for democracy. But our institutions fail us.
We knew the Electoral College could subvert our elections, but the National Popular Vote Bill is making slow headway in the states.
18th-century political compromises have left us with a Senate that is less representative every year. By 2040 only 16 senators represent half the population.
Our system for drawing congressional district boundaries allows gerrymandering to flourish, and that’s no new thing.
Our presidential system has chained us to a lunatic for four years, barring a political miracle.
Our method for selecting Supreme Court justices makes constitutional interpretation a political game, the results a crapshoot.
Every day obsolescent institutions take us further from democracy. Our system of government is still based on a design approved by reasonably intelligent 18th-century politicians who accepted slavery and gave no thought to the rights of women. It’s customary to praise the “founding fathers” as though they were prophets sent by God. They weren’t. Our ramshackle democracy badly needs repair, but the amendment process is a straitjacket.
The solution? Protest, vote for progressives and, if so inclined, pray. Sorry. Best I can come up with.
PS. If guys like Trump succeed in sabotaging efforts to combat climate change, none of this will matter in the long run. There won’t be a long run.
118
@writeon1
This is the best comment I've read here so far. Thanks!
1
Those "reasonably intelligent 18th-century politicians" who framed our constitution were also the propertied members of the gentry---similar to what we call the 1% today, though intelligent, educated, and somewhat compassionate (they were after all, the products of the 18th Century Enlightenment). The systems put into place protected the elites against the populist "rabble."
Today, our congress is made up of mostly multimillionaires. How can they possibly "represent" the average citizen and his/her needs. Whose interests do you think they will always protect and often encourage? They are nothing more than a governing body in the style of the corrupt Senate of a declining Ancient Rome.
Well said from start to finish. I am looking for sanity, common sense, and some humor in today's maelstrom, and this conversation helped me find some this morning. If Trump and his submissive supporters in Congress along with his rabid base continue to rule the day in America, things are going to do downhill into ruin even more quickly than they already are. I imagine that Trump's getting away with yesterday and all that it implies will embolden him even further and call forth more of these disastrous moments in the weeks ahead. Time to batten down the bunkers here at home for a long siege when I'm not speaking out.
8
How prescient was Shakespeare?
Tsar or Bizarre? That is the question.
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The golf courses and cheeseburgers of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, a man who suffered family losses during WWII, whose father served in the destruction battalion of the NKVD. Later, his dad was moved to the regular army and was seriously wounded in 1942.
Trump's life experience was one of being rescued by bankruptcy laws and low interest rate policies.
"My Fellow Americans" WAKE UP!
21
@Riff
You mean stand up. Most are awake now.
Great discussion, as always. There is much more to discuss. Apparently, there is a move afoot by Republicans and their supporters to make money well in advance of Trump stated policies making the news. Who is profiting from the incarceration of immigrants and their children? Republicans. Who is profiting from Trump's continued stops at his properties? Republicans. Who profits from private education being supported over public? Republicans Who profits from baby formula increased use around the world? You might have guessed... And yet, we keep hearing, "This may be unethical" from those with oversight. Really? As with Deep Throat, the answer is still the same and ever more current: "Follow the money."
35
So few Republicans spoke out after yesterday's shameless spectacle in Helsinki. And it's already too late just for speech. When is one of them going to DO something. One of them asked had the nerve to ask what could they do. Here are some ideas - 1. tell McConnell that they'll vote with the Dems to protect the Mueller investigation,
2. a group of House members telling Ryan to put a stop to the circus being run by Meadows, Jordan and Nunes who are both impeding the investigation and actually colluding by demanding confidential evidence that they are apparently handing over to those under investigation.
3. Vote by large majorities on a measure expressing support for our intelligence and law enforcement agencies instead of constantly tearing them down.
4. Tell Trump no more judges until you denounce Putin.
Hey you're supposedly a bunch of smart people (although why anyone would think that at this point) I'm sure you could come up with a few ideas of your own.
And remember, there is always the 25th amendment.
38
@kate
Excellent comment and suggestions. A clear thinking Vermonter!
3
I feel sorry for our intelligence agencies. Do they advise Trump on top secret security issues knowing that this knowledge is likely to be used against America, and themselves, rather than to protect America? Or, do they withhold information thus becoming the "deep state" that paranoid right-wing factions, including Trump, accuse them of being. Sohpie's choice.
5
Here's a quote to chew on: Americans are a people "that a gang of criminals managed to achieve power over with deceitful promises, with the promise of greatness, of the resurrection of the nation's honor and significance, with the promise of well-being and also with terror and intimidation, such that our people could be used and abused as an instrument for their fury of destruction and domination."
The real quote starts "The Germans are a people...." and it was Pope Benedict speaking in 2006.
Times may change, fashion and technology may change, the way we live our lives and view the world may change; human nature, sadly, remains steadfastly and forever the same.
6
Trump's performance in Helsinki was a combination of ignorance and arrogance. But rather than play America, the "poor victim" why not have a more open debate in the media about American foreign policy?
We the people are often told that our leaders are acting in "our national interests" but we are rarely told what those interests are and how they were ascertained.
Polls show that Americans are tired of endless war. Yet neither Trump or Clinton seemed to listen. Even Obama, who actually promised an end to these wars simply redeployed the troops. A few less here, a few more there.
Speaking of the intelligence agencies, both the CIA and DIA have declared global warming to be a looming catastrophe that will contribute to international insecurity. But Trump and the GOP turn the government over to the oil and coal industry?
Is the media against election tampering? If so, what the domestic efforts to undermine democracy like Bush v. Gore, the voter ID movement and an election system that fails to meet international standards.
And as for hacking, how quickly we forget that Obama hacked the personal cell phones of president Rousseff and chancellor Merkle. And you can bet there was a lot more going on.
And let's add the NSA's cyber spying on millions of Americans and James Clapper committing perjury before Congress. Snowden should have gotten a medal. Instead he's a wanted man.
All of this was done in someone's interests, but it wasn't the American people.
2
"It’s the trashing of democratic values from the inside that concerns me even more."
So right Bret, it's our values that make this country great. And their being torn to shreds from the inside by the Trumps, the Sessions, the Miller's, and the millions that support them.
7
Most of us can't stop obsessively talking about Trump, and apparently Trump has issues with every Democrat and American government agency whom he can't obsessively tweet and talk about. How about this idea....our allies and friendly nations REFUSE to talk and engage with Trump....diplomacy reserves for lower level admin officials.
13
"Newcomers mainly bring energy and drive and imagination and ambition to this country. Second, accept the premise that we need to police our borders, while making the case that we can police them better with a much more liberal system that diminishes the incentive to come into the country illegally."
And third: establish who is profiting from the illigal immigrant labour and fine them because they enable the process.
On the other hand, people who have nothing to lose - and are probably fleeing to save their lives - will try anything to save and improve their lives. Is that bad?
8
Bret, as the son of a refugee, brokenhearted by the leader of the Republican Party, please announce that you commit to voting Democratic in the next election to begin to take away Trump's power.
The only way to restore our democracy, and our decency, is to vote Democratic - up and down the line - in 2018 and 2020.
28
Why are democrats being pegged with being soft on immigration. All my life democrats have supported unions and been critical of “free” trade. Republicans have supported union destruction for cheap labor and massive trade deals that hurt labor. How has this conversation changed? Through unions democrats supported fair labor rights for everyone — everywhere. That certainly is not a Republican value.
16
@Bill The massive disinformation campaign against Democrats is probably due to Fox, Breitbart and Infowars propaganda.
Yes, anti-immigration sentiment plays well in states that have a vast majority of whites.
I spend some time in "Wild, Wonderful West Virginia" every summer to escaped the stifling heat in the D.C. area.
According to the last census, West Virginia is 93.1% white, and a whopping number of 3.8 percent black or African.
The Hispanic or Latino residents are less than 1%, WV being ranked 50th out of 50 states with the lowest Hispanic/Latino population.
Nevertheless they are for the wall, and afraid that "them brownies" might destroy their culture of hunting and praying, while taking their jobs away.
13
Whenever I see the President speak, I do not see the man, but rather the entire republican party. They prop up the man every day, and every day the weight is more.
They voted in lock step for the tax theft,
They voted in lock step for a judge & probably will for another
They vote in lock step with their silence.
Oh. there are toothless declarations of ''outrage'' here and there, but when it comes down to it, they are complicit.
That is the bottom line.
61
Whenever I see the President speak, I do not see the man, but rather the entire republican party. They prop up the man every day, and every day the weight is more.
They voted in lock step for the tax theft,
They voted in lock step for a judge & probably will for another They vote in lock step with their silence.
Oh. there are toothless declarations of ''outrage'' here and there, but when it comes down to it, they are complicit.
That is the bottom line.
15
Cyberattacks have the potential to shut down a country's lifelines such as computer systems, defense capabilities, power grids, and water supplies. The country would then be left open to direct physical attack.
Should we believe Trump when he claims that we should befriend Putin and Russia? Putin has already attacked us: the 2016 election was compromised by Russia. Putin is our enemy.
What if a compromised Trump and his GOP cronies in Congress had been in charge back in 1941? What would Trump have had us believe? That Japan would not continue to attack us if only we accepted assurances from the emperor that we should believe Japan only has goodwill for the United States and actually just wants to be friends? We would have been annihilated.
We have only a few months left before the next election. We can take to the streets protesting Trump and his Republican political and financial enablers. We can talk about the need for paper ballots to safeguard the election process. But what would be most helpful with the limited time we have remaining?
We need to instill existential fear in voters, since the democratic foundation of our country is truly at stake. We need to make sure that every Democratic voter turns out and that the margin of victory for Democrats is so large that it cannot be hacked. If the election results grossly skew with exit polls, hacking would be in plain sight. Then a cyberattack would be as clear as a physical one, for all to see.
19
Next, these two should discuss what they really think of Trump's base - the ever-present danger to the nation.
57
@Max duPont That is such a good point. There was a point in the primaries, at hello I would argue, when the Republican party could have worked to educate the base as to the true nature of the interloper. If I, a Democrat very familiar with his con artistry, could research the specifics of his past, I have to wonder why all of the candidates didn't confront him with specifics more strongly?
My theory is that it's because of their own mendacious talking points, years of supporting policies that haven't worked and yet they just can't quit them, like pure supply side economics, which the GOP congress just doubled down on in the face of the best example of failure, Kansas. Or science denial, extreme weather, melting poles, etc. Or extreme deregulation, the last financial crisis, lead in water.
The question now, will they at long last find their decency when it comes to foreign affairs? I'm not holding my breath except to quell my overwhelming anxiety.
11
Every member of Congress and member of the Trump administration, Yesterday confirmed the absolute need to allow the Mueller investigation to continue Without interference. Even Trump voters can see that now. We need to know why our president's primary goal is to make Russia great again.
And brace yourselves for magnificent examples of delusion and paranoia in the next 48 hrs. at 1600.
13
I am looking at the US spectacle from Switzerland.
You in the US have to do something, in your own best interest. And of course in the world's interest, too.
How come hardly anyone is going to the streets? How come there were more protesters last week in London than in any American city? Here in Europe, there would be demonstrations all over the place against such unpatriotic, damaging politics against the own country's interests; there would be a reaction from the bottom; we would see civil disobedience; politicians would be held accountable; and right so!
Go for it. Do something. Isn't this the moment to sacrifice complacency? Your children and grandchildren will be asking you what you did in that historic moment. You don't want to have to tell them you were watching TV, or you were busy at work, or you just cared about tax cuts; or you did whatever. Do that later. No time to waste. The momentum is there, it is up to you to pick it up. Be proud to care and to become political. It could be your calling.
Good luck.
11
The commentary here has been tepid. The most forceful condemnations I have read thus far have come from John McCain and Bret Stephens. It seems like the liberals around here are sitting back, like they feel the conservatives HAVE to condemn this act, so let them talk. That's a mistake. They are waiting for the minute they can squirm out of this vice they are in, and will then act like it never happened.
Trump is a Russian asset. He committed an act of treason in Helsinki. He has violated his oath of office and needs to be removed. He has all but given them the green light to do this again in the midterms. Trump is the nation's enemy.
We need to recognize that and fight accordingly.
3
@Concerned Do you really think that Trump's base would listen to liberals? Unfortunately, in this situation, the conservatives decrying Trump's behavior are the only ones his base will believe. Liberals have absolutely no credibility with that crowd.
Also, liberals aren't sitting back, but as usual, all the air in the room is taken up by Trump so their protests aren't getting heard. I agree that Trump has committed treason, but it can't just be liberals/Democrats that talk about it, but the conservatives must as well. It's time for them to step up to the plate to show that they place the US above power. I don't have a lot of faith that they'll do that, though, beyond a few of them.
6
Donald Trump, if or when he returns, should be taken into custody at the Air Force base he lands at.
All the former presidents along with intelligence and congressional leaders would have to work together to achieve this.
Now is the time to come to the aid of your country.
Putin‘s next move will be military.
You heard it here first!
Many observers saw 2.5 years ago, when the Manafort story first broke, that which is now plain for all to see, and finally being broadcast cast by a too timid media.
7
Has US policy substantially changed vis a vie Russia? And, why have the Republicans failed to oppose Mr Tump?
Regardless of Trump’s failure, US policy has not altered. We still confront them in Europe and the Mideast. We still outspend them on arms. We are not friends.
To what extent Moscow’s interference influenced the election remains problematical. The post analysis raised issues unrelated to Russia—voter restrictions, Clinton’s failure to visit key states, the Clinton-Sanders debacle, Clinton’s high negativity rating to name a few. That Russia, as well as other major powers, interfered in our election is a concern, but just what impact it had on the outcome should be the litmus test. Was Moscow the determining factor or Clinton campaign hubris?
As for the failure of the Republican Party, Trump is not an aberration, but a consequence of a long trend in GOP politics that has become more racist, xenophobic, and aggressive. While the media has zoned in on Trump’s outlandishness, the Republicans have enacted some of its heartfelt programs—major tax cuts for the wealthy, a supreme court that will impact decades of American jurisprudence, continued weakening of unions, undercutting public education, sapping environmental laws, diminishing investment barriers, and aiming at social programs.
Trump’s disgraceful summit will not lead to impeachment. The GOP will not abandon him. Trump is the consequence, and not the cause, of today’s political climate.
2
For those who think immigration is just about keeping people out, remember where those canned tomatoes you eat come from. Are you prepared to pay $2 a can for them vs $1 a can? Or should we just let them rot in the field because we have no cheap labor source to pick them? You can only get so many people to buy into U-pick. And that's just the pragmatic side of immigration.
Without a fresh source of well-trained technical and academic-leaning immigrants to enrich our universities and computer literate job vacancies, we will feel the sting of competition from the world. Google will actually have vacancies in their work force that they can't fill.
If you like your life-style and you want to keep it, think about the consequences of the actions taking place right now.
Linda Selvia
6
I really feel as though this is a do-or-die moment for the world. Like Brett Stephens, though, I feel as though I am screaming underwater, too.
My hope is that enough people have a vested interest in taking Trump down.
For example: The NATO world leaders. Surely their intelligence office must have some dirt on Trump. Might now not be a good time to send it to Mueller and/or leak it?
Where are the patriotic American billionaires? Shouldn't Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett et al join the George Soros, Michael Bloombergs and Tom Steyers of the world to take down this man? Even Zuckerberg and Sanders need to get off the sidelines: this is existential stuff.
Surely, patriotic American celebrities should use their platform. Where is Oprah? Might she not join Michael Moore, Bette Midler, Rob Reiner, Alyssa Milano et al? Where is Ellen? Every person with a megaphone should be speaking out now. The most powerful voices would be those that formerly defended him: I am talking to you Ted Nugent, Kid Rock and Chachi.
For the past two years, the loudest voices have been the columnists and the average Facebook activities. Congress should be beginning impeachment procedures but they won't. So it is up to EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN of means to put their money where their mouth is.... Postcard to voters, twitter, comments on Fox, calls to Congress. NOW. TODAY.
Before it's too late.
7
People on the right these last few days have been watching leftists excitedly flitting about like pixies virtually self-combusting with glee as they compete among themselves to outdo one another in verbally savaging and demeaning President Trump. They may not notice that rightists see this partisan vehemence as unconciously expressing their opinion also of us, that their intentions toward us are every bit as condescending and malign as we ever thought. This unites us and strengthens our silent resolve to keep their hands off the levers of power.
1
@Ronald B. Duke, but you're OK with Trump "verbally savaging and demeaning" America? I swear I don't know what it will take to change some minds but I'm going to put yours in the closed file.
10
@Ronald B. Duke
Ultimately, I think there are more of us than there are of you. Note the recent elections that have voted in Democrats over repubs, even in presumed red districts. I think that more and more, some repubs are finding it difficult to continue supporting republicans who defend trump. While they are not necessarily becoming Democrats, they are taking voting more seriously.
2
I wonder what it would take for this Republican Congress to listen, visualize and speak that this is not American and then act accordingly within the parameters of their office.
What exactly is a bridge too far?
My thoughts are hearing very bad and dangerous things and my conclusions are directing me to the conclusion that this past election was a fraud and the best solution is to follow Mueller to the end game and declare the last election null and void.
Congress, if you are truly a part of mankind you must act now for the survival of the American experiment.
Putin with his smirk and Donald with his grin and fawning, tell us everything we need to know.
19
What a relief! Trump has found a new role model and playmate. Russia doesn't have a big trade surplus with the US and doesn't allow its press to stomp all over Putin -- the way US Fake News does to Trump. And once again, Trump has elicited confirmation that there was NO COLLUSION. We have so much in common with Russia that a collegial partnership makes good sense. Russia has oligarchs who have monopolized its economy -- and who don't criticize Putin unless they want to be jailed. Our country's economy is also being monopolized by a handful of homegrown oligarch-run enterprises. We need to allow those oligarchs to buy more Trump condos to Make America Great Again!
1
It's now apparently clear that President Trump is dangerous, incompetent and unfit for office.
I do not want the Cabinet resign en masse in protest. Instead, the patriotic members of the Cabinet need to initiate 25th Amendment proceedings NOW against Donald Trump.
"Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President."
4
@Sunny The Vice President is just as complicit as the President and Ryan is no better. It is a gang of thieves and scoundrels.
2
As hard as it is in general to agree with Stephens, he is correct and forthright here. And, his point about immigration being a matter of U.S. "self-interest" (rather than altruism) is also spot on. Democrats, hear the message.
As to Republican craven cowardice and corruption, what more can be said? The only ones honorable enough even to criticize the Helsinki debacle are those not seeking reelection! "Morally bankrupt" certainly describes Trump, but it also describes, fairly accurately, the entire Republican party.
8
The Republican hurricane of outrage blew itself out last week during the contentious grilling of FBI agent Peter Strzok. The GOP’s collective anger is now totally spent and now the air is calm and clear after the president’s summit of treason with Mr. Putin. There may have been a few raindrops of disbelief and protest at his performance but, for this president, all is forgiven by Republicans. After all, to a man, they are hostile to the Mueller investigation as much as is Putin. What the president did was give Putin a pass to blow up the November elections. No harm, no foul.
11
The most disturbing thing about Trump's obsequiousness to Putin is that, unlike other controversial or disturbing positions he has taken, you can't explain it as an attempt to appeal to his base. Railing against immigrants, promising to build a wall on the Mexican border, imposing trade tariffs, insisting that NFL players stand for the national anthem, etc. gives Trump's base what it wants or thinks it wants. But no one (at least in this country) other than Trump himself benefits from Trump's kowtowing to Putin. I wish there was an explanation for it that was not sinister or did not call into question Trump's mental stability but I haven't heard one and don't expect to. There is no way out for Trump on this one, other than for him to close the door behind him on his way out of the White House.
51
@Jay Orchard It is at least partially about his base, because he's desperately still trying to prove his election was entirely legitimate. Hence the agreement that Putin wasn't meddling in the election and his rant about HRC.
4
@Jay Orchard
it is an appeal to the base b/c Putin has the blessings of the Church in Russia- which is antagonistic to all social change regarding gender, marriage etc etc.
Putin brings all that to the table too
4
use for him prior to Trump, but lately he is hitting on all cylinders. Excellent comments in every case.
I hope the NY FBI office is happy... and all unemployed now.
They had a big role in this mess, too.
5
I am starting to like President Trump and the GOP!
1. By pitting every group against each other individuals will be forced to be more self sufficient and responsible for their own welfare. No government action of the common good will force all of us to stay closer to family and our own tribe.
2. By bankrupting farmers (soybean, dairy, cattle) he will be forcing people to eat more locally and likely a more plant based diet.
3. By destabalizing global trade, he will likely reduce global economic activity resulting in less co2 emissions.
4. By bankrupting the country via tax cuts for the wealthy, it’s possible there wont be a debt passed onto our children.
5. By showing us how to treat refugees he has sent a strong message to all those people living near the ocean that they will not be welcome elsewhere when the flood/storm comes.
6. By turning the EPA into an industry advocacy agency for the coal and oil industry he’s sending a clear message to those living on the coasts or wherever there is weather that they’d better learn to be sulf sufficient. Remember: That which does not kill you makes you stronger.
7. By making it clear the Americans are a selfish and unreliable global partner other peoples will know that they will need to take care of themselves.
Every American child should know that we live in a brutish world where only the wealthy can shape the future. Every American child should know that in this world they will need a gun.
Thank you Trump/GOP!
5
At last, and I never thought it would be so, but this thoughtful and moral conversation had me agreeing with both Gail and Bret.
I admit I would not be shocked if Trump was assassinated at this point. If that doesn’t happen, that’s a good thing - American institutions remain bound by law.
8
Trump, in his statements, kept stating that he is looking for the server. Putin didn't have to say that because his server was right next to him.
5
Once upon a time in America there were members of Congress often earning accolades for their statesmanship. Sam Ervin, Howard Baker and Barbara Jordan earned this status by doing the right thing regarding the corruption in the Nixon administration. President Nixon, when the investigations began, enjoyed popularity with his base.
Nothing Nixon did involved playing footsie with Moscow or any other despotic government and ultimately, when it became apparent that Nixon was a pathological liar, even Barry Goldwater favored impeachment.
The most telling moment of the Helsinki news conference was the question posed to Putin asking if he had something approaching a Sword of Damocles hanging over Trump and his family. Bingo.
Reading the Steele Dossier, much of which has been validated, reveals the prima facie danger that our president, who lacks self-discipline and is unschooled in the ways of spymaster foreign intrigue participated in a soiree with prostitutes one fateful night in 2013 at the Moscow Ritz. Only a fool would have ignored the likelihood that Russian operatives were recording everything.
12
Gail, I too am horrified by Trump’s claims that immigration ruins culture. What angers me is the presumption in it that we have a healthy culture here in the USA that immigrants can’t join. It’s laughable.
4
The appearance of Trump being blackmailed by Putin is the only explanation I can conceive for his steady approval of everything Russian.
He is certainly incompetent, but that could be corrected by a competent cabinet, but that has not happened.
So, what about McConnell? Is he somehow blackmailed also? His disloyalty to the constitution, as in failure to do advise and consent on Garland seems to be control by someone else.
Now about Ryan, is he controlled from outside? The answer here is easy, He is controlled by the money interest., Could it be that is what also controls McConnell? But what about Trump, In his campaign , it was said that because he was rich, he could be independent. I guess we go back to his being blackmailed.
32
"I keep harping on the fact that the real division in this country is between the empty-places people and the crowded-places people. Us crowded folk are virtually disenfranchised." -- Gail Collins
Forget the Senate; according to the Constitution, forever and always there will be two Senators per State, no more no less. But look to the House of Representatives: it's there our legislative process should be 'OF the People, BY the People, FOR the People', following the principles Lincoln annunciated.
The number 435 was locked in place by the Apportionment Act of 1911, based on the census of NINETEEN TEN when The US population was 91 million. By Lincoln's standard, 230 million Americans are either under-represented today or not represented at all.
Talk about state wide gerrymandering: How about country wide? Do the math and there should be 1534 legislators in the House today, right now, enough to send streams of fresh and creative thinking through the DC Swamp every two years. Enough to loosen the Mercer's, the Koch's and The Donald's wealth-powered grip on our national programming and allow legislation to rise to the Senate from the population itself.
Overturning the Apportionment Act should be nowhere near the problem as growing the Senate. Vote. Let's get back to the constitutional democracy our Founders envisioned. Vote out the Cons, top to bottom. Vote a way forward.
33
I would add to the list of immediate actions that massive efforts be made to thwart election-related hacking by any foreign powers.
11
Bret and Gail, Great column and much-needed sanity at a critical moment; thank you. In particular, I’ve been on a rant lately about Bret’s claim that, “...if it were up to me, I’d double defense spending,” which is one of the stranger positions he’s taken. But this conversation restores my faith in people from opposite sides of the aisle being able to compromise.
Bret is also spot on that the greatest threat to our democracy comes from within, and not even from Trump himself: He’s just the orange pimple on top of the putrid boil that is his supporters, enablers, and abettors (here’s looking at you, Ryan and McConnell). This rotting from within will last much longer than Trump.
If SCOTUS, in whatever form it takes after another appointment (or two or three) can’t see clearly that Big Money is a major contributor to our core rot (e.g., McConnell and Ryan sold their spines to the highest bidder long ago) then I have little hope we can turn the tide. Yes, it saddens me, too.
17
Gail, Bret mentions the 25th amendment, but that only removes the POTUS, and with the July 4th Kremlin Treason Tour of the Prostrate 8 Republicans (hat tip Dana Milbank):
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/eight-republicans-spent-july-4-i...
it's apparent that the GOP'er problems run much deeper than just the Orange Jabberwock.
Republicans have certainly come a long long way from the 1992 days of pulling Bill Clinton's and his mother's passport files at the State Dept. to review his trip to Russia and whatever they thought his mother's file held:
https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/18/us/state-dept-official-who-searched-c...
It is still cringe-worthy to hear the POTUS standing next to a thug like Putin, in a foreign country, invoking a line that sounds just like it came from the Kremlin, calling the U.S. 'foolish and stupid' for not just letting Russia act however they want to act, with no consequences.
What's really foolish and stupid is for Agent Orange from KAOS to proclaim U.S.-Russia relations are the worst they've ever been (!!) What planet was djt on during the Cuban Missile Crisis ?
Plus, the blithering idiot claimed last week to Rupert Murdoch's Sun tabloid that under him, GDP in the U.S. has 'doubled and tripled' - after 18 months in office !!
44
@R. Law
Yes, let’s set up “re-education” camps for all the President’s supporters too! Though you might find that “a bit difficult” to do considering that you would first need to repeal the 2nd Ammendment!
Over 2000 years ago Plato wrote the allegory of the cave in which prisoners in a cave, with their backs to the entrance, were chained by the necks so that they could only look in one direction: at the wall. The only illumination was a fire in the cave and behind the prisoners, unable to be seen, a puppeteer moved figures that cast moving shadows on the wall. Those shadows were all they could observe of reality for the prisoners.Their entire sense of the world was being manipulated by the puppeteers The prisoners developed stories based on what the images seemed to be doing.
The people who are still supporting Trump are those prisoners seeing only the unsubstantial images projected by Putin, Trump and Fox News onto the wall of their cave. Set them free of their cave and let them go out into the real world where they can judge for themselves what exists, by the light of the Sun.
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@Christine
. . . the very best disinfectant, I'm told.
4
@barbara jackson
Love it!
Gail, re: your remark about under-represented urban folk, my idea is a coordinated program of Democratic homesteading--moving into the empty places in numbers just large enough to make elections competitive and representation fairer.
29
@Anne W.
Unload the Senate . . . think of all the salaries we'd save. Maybe it used to be a necessity, but now, it's just a huge anchor dragging us down to the bottom.
1
That was tried by Mass. people moving to New Hampshire. It has had some success.@Anne W.
This is a great idea on the surface. But I think the attractions of more densely populated areas mitigate a liberal migration to the country. I'm not being flippant when I say that small towns are going to need great coffee houses, Whole Foods, high speed internet, etc. before we'll move en masse. I also think the cultural institutions of cities are important lures for the less conservative -- museums, music, universities.
There is a much to be said for living in smaller communities; I was born and raised in a small town and couldn't think of a better place and way to grow up. But I knew before I graduated high school that I had a more urban orientation. Maybe there's something about the liberal mindset that compels us to live closer together in more dense configurations. That innate impulse may be hard to overcome.
1
According to the US Constitution and all the federal laws it’s not illegal to meddle into our elections.
Actually, there is a very specific name for such activities. It’s called DEMOCRACY.
There are the following illegal activities:
Hacking into somebody’s email account, false impersonation or bribing the elected officials.
Could we talk about those specific charges?
By the way, any advertisement paid for by the global corporations could be construed as meddling into our elections. Those are designed to impact the minds and system of values of the US citizens.
7
@Kenan Porobic So I guess what the Russians did on behalf of Trump is okay with you? With supporters like you, no wonder Trump thinks that he can say and do whatever he pleases.
9
@Kenan Porobic
Seems to me you are one of those Bernie voters to whom we owe, in part, the horror of Trump as president because well, both parties are bad and also, well, the e-mails. Thanks a lot.
2
This was an excellent conversation. Gail & Bret covered all the bases - very intelligent and well spoken. I am happy that I was able to eavesdrop. Thank you.
59
The Trump car wreck with Putin was simply to be expected. re: Immigration - Bret:
"First, stop feeding the perception that immigration is an act of humanitarianism by the United States. It’s a matter of self-interest: Newcomers mainly bring energy and drive and imagination and ambition to this country."
thanks for this. This is how Democrats need to base their argument. Change the equation from social justice to one of economic benefit. We need them (immigrants) more than they need us. As in, Who exactly is going to pay for social security?
108
I have a drawer where I keep NYT front pages marking major historical events, starting with Dallas and in recent years the award of the Presidency to Bush, 9/11, and the election of the first nonwhite President. Today’s paper is going into the file as the most staggeringly incredible event I have ever witnessed, this time live on HDTV. A day that will live in infamy.
230
@Robert Hall Good idea, will do the same.
1
"The key is their ability to traffic in half-truths, to pick up on a legitimate issue and put it to an illegitimate end."
This is a perfect assessment of the Trump domestic doctrine, where he starts with some "grievance," and turns it into blazing siren that tramples civil liberties or unleashes a trial policy based on unspeakable cruelty just because he can.
The concern the country is showing for so many of these episodes in Year 2 of the madman presidency is mounting, and yet, while everyone thinks we're at a turning point, nobody--and I mean nobody--has any good idea of where to turn.
Except early on in this "conversation" when Bret brings up the 25th Amendment. I thought of that yesterday when watching certain repeated clips of Donald Trump answering a question with a conspiracy phrase--"but the DNC server, where is the server?" when he was asked "whose side are you on, Mr. President."
The 25th amendment is designed for situations like this, with a mentally unstable president who clearly cannot perform the duties of his office. I even heard the "dementia card" bandied about on TV.
Now I don't know about you, but I thought Donald Trump looked awful yesterday, like a war prisoner brainwashed into submission.
Which makes me wonder, what really went down in that 2-hour meeting yesterday?
Who wants to bet when Putin starts releasing taped concessions Trump agreed to as Putin peeled off his finger nails?
149
@ChristineMcM
I don't worry about his fingernails, I think it's economic, which is even more painful for him - as in, trump doesn't want the world to know his finances come from Russia....
4
@ChristineMcM
I doubt any fingernails were peeled to get servitude from our idol-worshipper. This is a man who is deeply envious of someone with Putin's cunning. 'When I grow up, I wanna be just like him . . .'
5
@ChristineMcM The trouble is, Putin doesn't have to peel off finger nails, or waterboard, or threaten with the comfy chair. Benedict Donald just rolls over and offers America's throat.
3
In these hand-wringing, teeth-gnashing times, it seems even more important than ever to thank Ms. Collins and Mr. Stephens for demonstrating that people of different political persuasions can (with both calm and humor) discuss issues, find common ground, and still remain paragons of civility.
313
@D Price
You know, everyone used to be like that . . .
6
I've been having these conversations too, but your back and forth is outstanding here. The tones you used reflect the seriousness of these events and the humor helps me see that we have a plausible path forward to sanity.
180
I am starting to like president Trump.
I love him criticizing our intelligence agencies and the free press. It has been long overdue, almost 16 years.
Over that period I’ve sent the hundreds of the emails and op-eds to our national security apparatus and the media outlets warning them that we’ve invaded the wrong countries, that we are waging the war on socialism instead on the terrorism and that all those efforts are going to be futile.
Those two groups are responsible for unnecessary deaths of many thousands US troops on the foreign soils.
We haven’t been attacked on the 9/11/2001 by the Afghan people or the Iraqis but by the radical Arab Sunni Wahhabis located in the Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Even fatwa authorizing the terrorist attacks was issued by a Saudi cleric, not the Afghan one. The leaders, financiers and ideologues of terrorism were the Saudis and Egyptians but we occupied two irrelevant countries.
The intelligence agencies and the free press should have stopped Bush and Cheney.
I would impeach president Trump if we ever uttered the words the Kremlin meddled in the US elections.
Why?
Such a statement is disparaging about a half of the American voters and insulting to their intelligence and character.
One can charge Moscow with hacking the email accounts and false impersonation but not with the meddling in our elections.
That would be insulting to America and our ability to think independently and critically.
10
The intelligence agencies can’t stop a President.
Their rol s to provide information so that the President and Congress can act prudently.
The Bush Administration misused the information provided by the Intelligence Community. It cherry picked and stove piped.
Blame the users not the providers.
16
Considerably less than half of those who cast votes in the last election elected Donald Trump. Many of them believed the social media manipulations by a foreign government intent on disrupting our election. Many more of them believe the ongoing manipulation of information by the Trump administration and its source / echo chamber Fox News and another fake news amplifier Sinclair. Quite a bit of that fake news is created to propagate and / or hide outright lies by the president of the United States and those he has appointed in the various departments in the executive branch. And this administration and its propaganda multipliers have often chosen hateful racist and misogynistic themes, often based on religious bigotry, to trumpet to what they perceive as their base. So tell me: what part of the intelligence and character of this group of Americans am I missing?
3
@Kenan Porobic
You raise interesting points. I have a different view.
Vladimir Putin is a very, very dangerous man. I don't say that lightly. I say it because I watched him DESTROY my country of Venezuela (with the aid of naive and/or turn-coat Venezuelans). Do you know why he destroyed Venezuela? To get to the US.
Let's back up. In 1998, Chavez was elected and in 99, Putin came to power. By the early 00s, Chavez was being courted by Fidel Castro and he started using tactics learned from Cuba/Russia to dismantle the Venezuelan democracy from the inside out. I remember thinking my mom was utterly paranoid when she started pointing these things out to me. I should not have dismissed her: the unthinkable happened and after the unthinkable happened. the unimaginable took place. I take it as a statement of fact that I will never return to Caracas, my country of birth.
How do I know Russia was behind it? Please. From tactics, to arms, to "minders"--the theft and sale of Venezuela to Russia happened in pieces. Why Venezuela? Oil. Location. You know who owns a large part of the Venezuelan oil industry now? Rossnet. You know how important Venezuela is to the US oil industry? Much.
I could go on and on but know this: Putin means us harm. He cares only about his aggrandizement and enrichment. He is anti freedom as demonstrated by his actions.
He must be stopped.
To me, the idea that Trump is a stooge is no longer unthinkable. I see now, as I always should, my mom was right.
7
I yearn for the time, not so long ago, when elected officials deliberated in a way that resembled this conversation between Gail and Brett. Liberals and Conservatives with common goals but different means of attaining them.
196
Shed those rose-colored glasses!
You'd be hard pressed to find such a time. The Republicans for nearly a century have been in favor of corporate power, free markets, little government, and eviscerating the welfare state, while the Democrats have, by and large, favored regulation, public works, and government intervention into the society to improve everyone's lot.
For nearly 40 years, the Republicans have also stood for anti-poor, anti-immigrant, anti-civil liberties, and anti-women policies!
The goals are as different as the means!
12
@Stephanie Bradley
Ante Newt Gingrich.
@William Dufort - Look up the Republican policies after WWI--the 1919 Boston Police strike, the extreme inequality, and the economic policies that led inevitably to the Great Depression.
These, which are still in effect, are not ante NG.
if as Stephen's is thinking, the 25th Amendment applies to Trump, and I think it does because I believe he is so obviously violating his oath of office, then it also applies to every one of the Congressmen who are supporting or are mute about Trump's latest treason. They take the same oath of office which says essentially: Country over everything else including their own personal position and re-election.
I am not thrilled by some historical comparisons but more and more I see this country and other countries going the way of Germany in the late 1920s and early 1930s. and if you look at some of the causes you see the same economic hardship and disenfranchisement of a large portion of population. Perhaps for different reasons than is happening in our country. But when you look at the disparity between the haves and the less haves in our country it has increased beyond anything I could have imagined even 10 years ago. And changes like the "tax giveaway" only furthers it.
255
@Jon_NY This is the mysterious thing about economic disparity leading to the rise of Trump. The Republicans ARE the party of economic disparity. Those feeling the economic pinch should be flocking to Democrats. Why aren't they?
Because the Republican Party is also the party of scapegoating the "other." The brown, the immigrant, even women, who should be staying at home having babies.
2
The notes taken by the translators should be public record.
Our intelligence community should demand those transcripts, and legislators should hold up government functions until they are produced.
565
@Jim,
I can tell you right now what transpired in the private conversation between Putin and Trump:
Putin: Good work, Comrade Trump. Everything is proceeding according to plan.
Trump: Why are we having this conversation in Helsinki when you could just call me on the phone?
Putin: Because, little brother, it is useful that people should see who is really in charge of the White House.
Trump: Okay, you made your point. Now what?
Putin: Instruction will arrive by the usual channel. Keep watching Fox News.
That's it. The rest of the time, they talked about golf and horseback riding.
7
Are you kidding? Putin's a pro. Nothing was written down. Did they even have translators? Putin speaks English, just not well enough that he likes to do it in public.
6
@Jim I am pretty sure the translators were Russian. Some please correct me if am wrong.
It is becoming more and more important that disaffected Republicans like Mr. Stephens not only quit their party but also join the Democratic party. There is no middle ground in American politics and third parties have no chance to win elections. Former Republicans that refuse to take this step are still part of the problem not part of the solution. The Democratic party would welcome the infusion of the new ideas that they would bring. It is not the party of hate and resentment but rather the party of problem solving and intelligent discussion despite the way it's been characterized by Republicans. My message to Mr. Stephens and his fellow never Trumpers is: c'mon in the water feels great.
343
@jonr
You misunderstand the American political system. It has two parties that alternate in power; both need to be reasonably healthy. America works best when one party holds ground, while the other experiments and tries to move forward; that allows natural swings that correct mistakes but doesn't get stuck in a rut. It is far more important for the Republican party to fix itself, by listening to the likes of thinking conservatives like Bret Stephens, David Brooks, or Ross Douthat, than for the Democrats to count coup by stealing a few visible stars. It won't happen anyway; their focus on Trump for the last couple of years obscures the many differences they have with the Democratic party. Hope for the Republican party to fix itself, not destroy itself. A destroyed Republican party would be replaced after much chaos by another party that fills the vacuum. Don't assume that chaotic process would be good for the country, or produce a better second party. Hope that the Republicans become diminished and chastened like the Democrats after the civil war, which will lead to reform.
3
@jonr
While it feels good to invite a Republican to join the Democrats, in the long run the country benefits from having more than one political party. Rather than fleeing than groups of spineless sycophants, they should form a new party with rational principles and goals. It would be healthier for the country over time.
3
@jonr "There is no middle ground in American politics." Good point. Sad, but true. The only direction now is left, and then back toward up.
2
If the Democrats aren't field testing their message on places like Indiana, West Virginia and North Dakota, then they are committing political malfeasance.
We can talk all we want about what the electorate does and does not think about what Trump does (with or without GOP support), but there are too many possible ways to go. Does one hit back against immigration? Corruption? Collusion? Impact on the environment? Impact on healthcare? Women's reproductive rights? LGBTQ(etc) rights? Working poor? Safety net?
Battle test these messages. Hone in on the ones that resonate with the swing voters. And then bang on them mercilessly.
Not only that, but make them location specific. Trump has shown that you can say one thing to one audience and the complete opposite to another, and both audiences still respond. At the very least, the Democrats should tailor specific messages for specific locales and groups. These messages should be distilled into talking points that are drilled into the brains of local politicians, who should repeat them over and over again.
As Trump has also shown, the message needs to be kept simple, and language needs to be at a 2nd - 4th grade level.
Fight back with evidence-based rhetoric.
275
@HN
The Democratic senate seat in Indiana is gone, I predict. Its current occupant was not really a strong candidate, and he was elected in the first place (speaking of murder-suicide) only because the Tea Party killed off one of our greater Indiana statesmen, Dick Lugar, in the primary and replaced him with an unelectable extremist.
7
The problem isn't necessarily the Democratic messaging. What they really need to work on is drowning out the GOP media machines distortions.
Democrats have always supported broad agendas which makes delivering the message so much more difficult than the simple mantras of the GOP (tax cuts, less government, fewer regulations, blah, blah...).
It doesn't help that the media tires of the routine and plays up the occasional oddity (abolish ICE) that fires up the radicals on both sides. These kind of oddball issues are red meat for Hannity types that they can use to fire up their viewers knowing their is nothing nearly so powerful on the left to counter their overblown distortions.
What the Democrats should do is make the case that the GOP has no fresh ideas of their own. Get the voters to ask why a party that controls all the levers of government can't get anything done and resorts to attacks on the opposition instead of governing? Get the voters to start believing that the GOP is following this strategy because they know that their own ideas are stale and unpopular to other than their base?
Work on the marginal voter and isolate the GOP base. This I believe is the winning strategy.
16
@HN My humble opinion as an Independent - is that this is not about partisan politics are Democrats. It is about finding solutions to this huge problem. It's about waking people up and hearing them say - we are not voting R's or D's - we are voting USA and want to save her.
4
Bret Stephens has really been stepping up to the plate in pointing out that the racism and fulminant xenophobia of Trump supporters has nothing to do with political conservatism. Drawing from the gratuitous cruelty of the Trump policy towards small children at our southern border, Stephens correctly identifies the problem as psychological impairment – of Jeff Sessions and Stephen Miller.
On the subject of Russian cyberwar against the United States, Donald Trump’s trashing of American intelligence and law enforcement professionals, and his slavish praise of Vladimir Putin, the question of exactly why Trump was so disloyal to America in Helsinki has become secondary.
The fact is, as both Stephens and Gail Collins note, Trump has chosen to side with the former K.G.B. agent against the people of the United States.
That’s all we need to know. Trump has to go.
583
Where was Stephens when this started to snowball? Like Willie Horton or the attacks on John McCain in South Carolina about an illegitimate black child? Or almost any night of Fox News? No, the R's are reaping what they have sown. Now the question is, do they have the courage to save the democracy that they have endangered.
13
@sdw - And what about the group of Trump supporters know as the Republican Party? Will they vote to impeach or do they have to go also?
4
As an old, unabashed social liberal, I am probably angrier than you, Jean Wood, and I may have spent as much time as you in fighting bigotry in politics. There is no question that in Donald Trump the Republicans are reaping what they sowed by the drift into hate-filled reactionary plays to the worst impulses of some Americans.
The point is that such tainted populism is very different from true conservatism.
We lose our ability to fend off Trump’s crowd when we refuse to join with honest conservatives to protect the liberal tradition of western democracy.
We have more in common with Americans like Bret Stephens than you may realize.
If the Democrats win either the Senate or the House nothing will get done and more Americans will be disenchanted with both politics and politicians. Who are the Democrats going to run for President in 2020? The US is practically ungovernable now and the divides in the country on race, immigration, abortion, rural-urban, are getting deeper. Donald Trump has done more to serve authoritarianism than any other president. He has single-handedly destroyed America's reputation. But he's not going away and his Republican Party (his enablers) is not going away either. It is to weep.
166
@Stephen Kurtz If they win one house or another they can hold exhaustive hearings into the minutiae of the oppositions "failures", expose state secrets and say really stupid stuff on tv and social media. Apparently this is the formula for building a base of alien robot vampire zombies who support you regardless of their self interests or those of the nation. Unfortunately the rage of issues they can claim are not nearly as appealing as those the opposition aligns with. The national seaweed council or the coalition for universal breastfeeding don't hold a candle to evil immigrant rapist murderers or the existential threat from Canada. My advice? Start blaming Australia and Madagascar for all our problems and talk about invading them both, simultaneously. Speak in the voice of a 5th grader, wave a lot of flags around, claim to have invented money and make off color jokes about infantile topics you know nothing about. Threaten to tie reporters' shoe laces together. Do photo ops in the vault at Ft. Knox (if Vladimir Putin lets you).
My consulting services are available to the highest bidder, but act soon before the sky falls and the wolf comes through that door!
4
Who are some of the most popular dictators in world history?
Hitler
Mao
All the Korean Kims
Lenin
Stalin
You get the idea.
These brutal killers were loved by their people. They drew huge crowds that cheered wildly for them. They killed millions of their own people. Popularity isn't a very good measure of leadership.
Trump is immensely popular with Republicans. He has a 92% approval rating with them. After yesterday, I will be shocked if that number drops below 90%.
Is the source of popularity for these dictators, after they rose to power, any different than what supports Trump? It isn't.
What? How can I say that about fellow Americans? How horrible of me to make such terrible accusations? Well, here is the common thread that runs through all of it.
Trump supporters are doing the same thing that the dictator's supporters did. No matter what the brutes did, no matter what they said, their supporters always came up with an excuse to justify it. It's not that bad. It's just talk. He's just using strategy to game for a better position. He wont go that far. He's just pushing back. He's not a racist. He's just putting country first. We need a strong leader and he is just being strong.
The list goes on as each time the dictator pushed the edge of decency father away. That's what we are seeing today with Trump.
Many of his supporters were duped. I get that. But their continued support of him after his treasonous acts is how my list got started.
853
@Bruce Rozenblit
What you say about approval of Trump among Republicans is true. I'm wondering what is happening to the numbers who are withdrawing from the Republican Party. Are those who are disgusted by Trump no longer identifying as Republican?
The bigger issue is the big money that has driven the Republican campaign to manipulate public opinion. Are those big donors getting disgusted with Trump? Is a Supreme Court aligned to defend property rights worth the cost?
8
Bruce, one of your best, most skewering comments, ever.
1
Boy are you wrong about all those fascist, authoritarian leaders!
The people, write large, did not universally love Hitler, Mao, the Kims, or Stalin. Especially not after purges, war, cultural revolutions, mass jailings, gulags, domestic terrorism, secret police, etc.
2
As usual, a lot of hand-wringing but no solutions, just a few oblique references to three apparently insurmountable problems: the will by Congress to address POTUS fitness, the reprehensibly unequal system of representation, and the outdated Electoral College. Maybe mid-terms 2018 is our last shot. Or maybe no matter what we do, SCOTUS will crush any attempts at reform. Which means the politics of a few (“the empty places people”) will dominate for years to come. And will will be a country of minority rule.
130
Also, a fourth problem, the voting machines that can easily be hacked. Hand count all ballots all over the US in November. Is it possible to go back to this system in only a few months?
173
Hand wringing? Highlighting problems is part of the solution, if enough people pay attention.
3
If at his next rally Donald Trump calls for America to implement a brand new exciting 5-year plan and begin to switch from democracy to Communism, and introduces a new Constitution for the US, would the red-state base and Trump supporters applaud? Depressingly, I think they would.
It has been utterly shocking to watch the highest, most republican members of the GOP squishy, mealy-mouth reaction to yesterday's lowering of the flag on the United States of America, folding it up and handing it to President Putin in a simple ceremony, right in front of our eyes. There are not too many more actions remaining for Trump to take before the last 250 year experiment on this continent comes undone altogether. Apparently getting through the midterm elections is vastly more important to our legislators than preserving this Union. The GOP really does stand for nothing.
691
@Rabble: Russia is no longer a Communist state, although it retains dimensions of such. It's actually a kleptocracy, where the favored few stole all Russia's rich trove of resources and kept it from the people. I guess it's not to far a reach to say America is now where Russia is, but we got there through unjust taxation, so that what we now have is oligarchy.
I'm quibbling here, and I applaud you for your great analogy, because if the Dear Leader called for a switch to the Russian language and system of government, or to operate as a satellite of the Russian state, I wouldn't be surprised and I'm pretty sure Trump's base would go along.
With one exception: that pesky little issue of guns which are forbidden in Russia.
29
@Rabble, no doubt you are correct. Trump is leading a cult of personality, and the GOP is desperately clinging to its coattails. We have just witnessed them, in no uncertain terms, selling out this country for power. Traitors.
8
@Rabble,
I think it would more likely be Fascism than Communism, but yeah, point taken.
4
"Bret: "I think Democrats need to find a way to change the conversation about immigration...First, stop feeding the perception that immigration is an act of humanitarianism by the United States. It’s a matter of self-interest: Newcomers mainly bring energy and drive and imagination and ambition to this country."
This is true in general and not just re the US. However, in order for this to work it is necessary to admit that immigration comes with attendant sometimes problematical baggage. There are going to be people coming who are problematical. There will be social problems and worse. There are immigrants who will not make it and will be a burden on society or worse.
It is then necessary for policy makers to decide what outweighs what. If, however, only the positive aspects of immigration are brought up, and possibly exaggerated, then the negative ones will be used by opponents. Better to be up front: immigration has the potential to be very positive, but it is hard work for those coming and those accepting and there are inevitable failures. And it takes time, sometimes a generation or more.
81
Problematic people and social problems are not limited to immigrants. Look at the GOP in power in America as a glaring example.
21
@Joshua Schwartz - First an observation on that @ sign. I clicked on "reply" and the sign appeared instantly with name. If this is a permanent change, thank you comment review board.
Joshua Schwartz, you and I both know that a satisfactory reply to your worthwhile comment would require more than 1500 characters.
So just first thoughts. If humane considerations are to be seen as no longer relevant (by you?) please justify. I believe that Swedish Raoul Wallenberg did what he did to save the lives of many Jews for humanitarian reasons. Why would those reasons no longer apply?
I lived in Brighton and Rochester NY for about 40 years on either side of the boundary line. There I knew Jewish families who knew us because they were on the reform end of the spectrum but within some of those families there was at least one member who was far to the orthodox end. To judge from present-day Israel many on the orthodox end have values and practices routinely condemned here in comment land if the subjects are Muslims. Would future immigrant applicants be judged on the basis of their views concerning the place of women?
Here in Sweden, the parties are finally getting around to discussing questions that arose in 2015 when Sweden took in the greatest number per capita of asylum seekers.
Where it will end I do not know but at least now where Donald Trump has already set the end.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Citizen US SE
6
@Joshua Schwartz: I would agree immigration can have problems. But think about American citizens for a minute. Without any immigrants our country is not the Leave-It-To-Beaver/Father-Knows-Best world yearned for by the #MAGA crowd.
For some reason at this fraught time, my wife has a penchant for watching the "women in peril" programs which consume several channels in our video streams. There is no shortage of murderers, rapists and thieves among our own non-immigrants. These shows will never run out of material.
For every Abraham Lincoln born here we have a John Wayne Gacy. For every Martin Luther King, a Jeffrey Dahmer. And I am not even counting those riven by mental illness, poverty or homelessness who need help from all of us.
It is not immigration which is the problem. It is the condition of being human, a condition which occurs independent from the side of any border you have between yourself and those of any other arbitrary political entity.
13
So is it only Democrats actually being rational for a change, and the few, very few, Republicans that are now horrified that can save us now? Tens of millions of GOP voters have no clue. They only want immigrants punished and out so they can be rich, women put in their place, and the brown people no longer allowed to vote. They ignore that Trump is destroying not only our country, but the world. WWIII will not be pretty.
195
Much of this affect can be attributed to Fox News. I found the interview on Fresh Air absolutely riveting: "Journalist Sees 'Almost No Daylight' Between Fox News and White House Agendas: Vanity Fair's Gabriel Sherman says the president and Fox News host Sean Hannity "speak almost daily, after Hannity's show, sometimes before, and sometimes for up to an hour a day." Hannity is Trump's propaganda-enabler-in-chief and now the morally-challenged seedy ex Fox head, Bill Shine, joins the WH staff. Fox News trolls in lies and media porn and needs to be shut down. Time to ratchet up boycotts of its advertisers.
https://www.npr.org/2018/07/14/628808587/fresh-air-weekend-trump-and-fox...
6
It is the end of the world as we know it! and it is SAD.
2
@Ann - According to the FCC, broadcasters may not intentionally distort the news. The FCC states: "rigging or slanting the news is a most heinous act against the public interest." Because it broadcasts over cable, Fox isn't held to the rules and regulations as legitimate news organizations broadcasting real news over public airwaves. In addition Fox News claims to be an entertainment medium, perhaps to save itself from civil penalties and government purview and liability. TIME to CHANGE that LAW!
https://www.quora.com/Is-Fox-News-registered-as-a-news-organization-with...
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/complaints-about-broadcast-journalism
It’s puzzling to me that a man that has married two immigrants and fathered children with them is so hateful to immigrants. And despite railing against chain immigration his current wife just brought her parents over to live here permanently.
Why hasn’t Melania spoken up on behalf of her fellow immigrants? Why haven’t Trumps’s children, born of immigrant mothers, spoken up on behalf of immigrants? Their mothers came here for purely economic reasons whereas the women and children that Trump is putting in cages are fleeing violence and seeking asylum in our country. These immigrants are just the sort of immigrants that we have historically welcomed. Whatever happened to “BeBest”!
501
So I had a dream! It was that Trump does hand us over to Russia on a silver platter. Then there is annihilation and countries are destroyed. YIKES! Moms, and dads, and little children lose their lives.
@Mary
Unfortunately, I don't think this is much of a puzzle. Trump is OK with white immigrants (i.e. see his previous comments re Norwegians), but not non-white immigrants (see same comments re immigrants from SH countries). I'm sure you've noticed that both Ivana and Melania are as pale as they come.
2
@Mary
As for the mannequin Melania - there has been nothing ever to come out of her mouth that suggests she cares or has an independent thought in her head. With the Donald, she achieved the acme of materialist longing: the best homes, the best clothing, servants: it's pretty clear that she wants this, whether or not she likes him. His children - like their father, are in thrall to a father who withholds affection unless they perform for him - and performing means access to wealth they would never have achieved on their own. But when you have it, you tend to believe that you are entitled - and that it is the result of your efforts.
With Melania - there may be another influence: she comes from Eastern Europe - she learned that competition for the good things in life is merciless. It does not make for someone willing to give up their advantages to help others.
2
The "he's just awful" words from McCain, Flake, Corker and Sasse are hollow and irrelevant unless there is a "and therefore..." Such as, "and therefore, I will not vote for any judicial appointments from this President unless and until he renounces his statements and releases his taxes."
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...and therefore it is time to pressure him to resign.
That would be pretty easy: enforce the emoluments clause ... he'd be out in a shot.
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@bengal
Many of those who have criticized Trump recently are heading for the door. This includes McCain, unfortunately. Even Ryan isn't standing for re-election.
It's like those retired generals and admirals who, once safely retired, came out against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Cheap theater. Nothing more.
1
Exactly. Save your comments, its too late.
There’s also another way of looking at this: Republicans have been attacking government for decades now. Trump wouldn’t separate himself properly from his business, nor share his tax returns... POTUS used to be the highest achievable position and honor, but Republican billionaires no longer see it that way and consider their own business dealings more important. Trump prioritises the future financing of his businesses, which domestic banks won’t touch but Russians do in a quid pro quo, over the interests of America and its government. Republican congressmen have acted shamelessly in the interests of the corporations who finance their campaigns for many years, the POTUS acting in the same way was just a matter of time.
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@Liz I've known and been calling them traitors all since reagan was elected.
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Instead of “abolish ICE”, how about “we stand with Lady Liberty”. I realize it’s a statue, not an organization but it is symbolic, and the implies that if you do not agree, you are against all that it represents... more than what Emma Lazarus’ poem says.
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We are humiliated and betrayed. May as well scrape off the Lazarus poem and send the poor, disgraced statue back to France. We don’t deserve it
I like that!
@DanielGreat idea! It is past time that we take Lady Liberty back from the tax preparation company and give her back her original symbolic power. ICE needs to be reformed from top to bottom, to be sure. Its mission needs to be re-defined and its culture of treating immigrants as criminals without recognizing their humanity must go. Yet, there are some essential functions of government that some agency, perhaps with a new name, will still have to perform. It won't happen unless we vote the Republicans out of power in 2018 and 2020!
Perhaps the silent majority in the GOP, the Senators and House Representatives who fail to speak out know something we don't or fail to understand....that none of this matters to their core voters who have accepted the fact that Trump is a serial liar, a fabricator, a political lightweight etc., because these are the traits they find desirable and preferable in a President. Perhaps they think that Trump is also lying to Putin to gain trust and advantage in order to close a 'deal' - whatever that might be. Congressional support of Trump through silence and omission defines political expediency, it may be momentarily beneficial but it's a recipe for disaster in the long term.
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@Tom Storm Or Putin has some dirt on them also.
The Russians hacked both Democratic and Republican organizations. They probably have some information to leverage on Republican Congressional leaders.
@Juanita I agree - it would be a folly to assume that Russia didn't hack into RNC servers as well as the DNC's. Also, it troubles me that the NRA (for example) has disbursed donated monies, credibly sourced as being from Russia and disguised as legitimate contributions, to anti-gun control GOP candidates. The depth and cunning of Russian deception is staggering...and in there may lie a motive behind Republican silence.
And like with everything else he has done, he will get away with it.
If Trump was the leader of any other Western nation, he would be cleaning out his desk today. But in America, those checks and balances mean nothing evidently as the Republicans will mealy-mouth platitudes and in the end continue to support him in his destruction.
The entire world witnessed the leader of the U.S. act in a treasonous manner, yet if you listen to Trump's base, Obama is to blame. Unbelievable.
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@Canadian Roy: America's much-vaunted checks and balances have proved utterly useless against a fascist president and the huge majority of ignorant and sycophantic Republicans within and without Congress who will never stop supporting him.
As predicted by so many, America's demise is happening from within. The stench of its decomposition will only increase as the process continues.
Am I the only one who believes that Trump's utterances in Helsinki, and at the recent NATO and G7 meetings, is how Trump thinks he is going to "make America great again"? Woe is us.
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@RLW
That's exactly how you make America great again - either by making everybody else spend 3.5% of the GDP on their defense, or by cutting our military spending down to 1.15% of the GDP to the current German spending and by making Russia a friend thus depriving the China economy from the monopolistic access to colossal energy and mineral resources...
Except we're not spending 3.5 on defense, except that we're going to be cutting what we are spending to 2.8, except that the money's largely going into expensive defense systems of dubious usefulness, except that Trump's bizarre behavior with regard to NATO and Syria and Afghanistan and Asia has radically undercut us, and except that the whole point of TPP was to corral China's expansionsm, I couldn't agree with you less.
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@RLW - oops, RLW..
Yesterday, put on display, for the world to see, was the face of a country that has become insignificant. The President of the United States, ceded the "leader of the free world", and joined with the leader of the autocratic/oligarch world. He joined a world where all opposition is poisoned, maimed, killed, repressed, or imprisoned. He joined a world where freedom, of press, religion, assembly is discouraged or repressed. He joined a world where ethnic and religious groups become targets for a nation's ills. He joined a world where he no longer answers to the people of his country, but the leader of an enemy state.
The Russians finally succeeded in bringing down the United States, not with nuclear bombs, but with undermining the political system and the government. And did so with people willing to sell the nation's soul, in the process, to gain power.
So, what did not happen yesterday, is more important than what did. The near utter silence from the GOP and Congress. And, those Republicans, who did speak out, chose their words quiet carefully so not to upset our so called "president" or the oligarchs which keep them in office, and pull Trump's strings. It turns out, the oligarchs are not only in the US, but in Russia, as well.
Not since Watergate, has the GOP been so dirty, so festered, so corrupt; of which 1/3 of this country support, what amounts to treason.
This is one of America's most darkest hours; a leader, and his party, ceding to the will of a foreign power.
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@Nick Metrowsky Where are those tax returns? They, alone, would probably bring him down. Thanks for the Special Counsel. We survived Nixon, and we will survive this. How long it will take to recover is another question altogether.
@Nick Metrowsky: i agree, oligarchs can be found on either side of what was once supposed to be the divide btw the 'noble' west and the ever-frightening 'evil' east. but don't look beyond your borders. the so-called 'foreign' power undermines you FROM WITHIN. now, at least for those who really want to see, it could not be more obvious: filthy rich people's greed knows neither bounds nor boundaries and no frontiers. no shame, either. we need a VERY POWERFUL POPULAR MOVEMENT to save what's left of truth & freedom & justice & decency for all. good things take time - but if we take too long ... europe, btw, is under right-wing siege as well, not just bc bannon & not so bright_bart came over!
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@Nick Metrowsky
Well said. I would add that the GOP, with the exception of John McCain, has been exposed for the cowards & cynics they truly are--they'll do ANYTHING (what was that Trump once implied about any women bold enough to criticize him), and I mean ANYTHING to stay in power. Even if it means the end of American democracy as we've known it. Those flag-waving, chest-beating, rifle-waving self-righteous MAGA arch right wingers--where are you now? The silence is deafening. Democrats * Progressives--remember this and HAMMER it going forward.
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I've given up on the notion that Putin "has something" on Treasonous Trump. The Teflon Don has proven over and over and over that no truer words were ever spoken than his claim about shooting someone on 5th Ave. and not losing one vote. Think of all the "evangelicals" saying things like "he deserves a Mulligan", or "he hasn't done any of those sexual abuse/harassment things since being elected", or "he's an evangelical's dream president". There's nothing Putin could reveal that would put a dent in the Teflon Don's base of acolytes.
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@J Darby
How about his tax returns?
Look, Trump supporters aren't fools. They play denial games, saying collusion is fake news. But the bottom line is: if it takes Russian meddling to elect a Trump, then Russian meddling isn't a problem, its a solution.
Tousle-haired Sen. Paul crowed that 80% of the "mountain people" voted Trump, which exceeded anything Russians could gin up. Well, "mountain people" don't count for a hill of beans in the big picture - they need a lot of support elsewhere. They know that's unlikely, so hello Vlad.
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@Brian
You speak with no proof Brian.
The Midwest, the South, and the West voted for Trump. Rea people, not Russians. When is the last time you left California?
Trump drew a line in the sand by glorifying Putin at the expense of America. You either stand with Trump and Russia, or you stand with the American people and their true allies. There is no middle ground. You stand with Trump the traitor, you and his GOP lackeys or you stand with those who fought and died for everything this nation is supposed to be about.
The Republican Party has sold out this country by allowing Donald Trump to continue to spit on the American Flag, and those that gave their lives to defend it. We must come together as a nation united in a fight for democracy and throw these traitors out of our government.
Get out the vote in every election and let them know that the we the people cannot tolerate a lying Russian stooge in the White House and the cringing GOP cowards that support him !
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@jefflz "Putin at the expense of America." It was not at the expense of America. It was at the expense of our corrupt intelligence agencies who have been trying to undermine his presidency for 18 months.
Corrupt intelligence agencies are NOT America.
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@Ludwig
Agreed. How quickly these readers want to accept American "intelligence" and have other biased Washington thinkers do their thinking for them.
Russia didn't elect Trump, people.
And your investigators have turned up nothing of substance regarding Trump's actions in his election. The mistakes occurred under President Obama's watch: this is the work his intelligence agencies turned in = they slept while Russia snooped...