Even more telling than 45’s bloviating about rock throwers were his words when it became obvious Khashoggi had been murdered by Prince Salaman; we can’t risk losing a 110B ‘job creating’ (arms) contract over this and besides who cares about 14 million Yemenis being starved to death. Politics aside, the Nigerians (and Saudis, Israelis, Indians, Koreans, Iowans, Kansans, etc.etc. ad nauseum) never met an arms dealer they didn’t like. Their relationship w the US is all about guns and money, no more no less. Just ask Jared.
8
Nowhere in this newspaper can I find even any discussion of Trump's legal liability for issuing an order that the US Army breach the Posse Comitatus Act, deploy at the border with live ammunition and shoot across the border at unarmed civilians if they threw rocks at the American soldiers. This was an order issued by the US Commander-in-Chief and The New York Times, the American paper of record, responds as if it was a throwaway remark of what Trump intended to have for lunch.
This is why Trump is president and why he remains president despite a long personal history of crime and corruption and despite repeated acts which each alone disqualify him as a fit and proper person to hold the office of president. The mainstream news media seem to be operating in some kind of reverential trance which prevents them from drawing obvious conclusions from what we all see on live television.
Trump has committed the capital felony of incitement to murder. If you won't take my word for it, see if you can find the opinion of another qualified lawyer with an understanding of military law. It won't be easy because The Times and other news organisations have published not a word about the legal implications of what Trump said repeatedly in a speech live on national tv about an order he had given.
We are through the looking glass. Trump said he had ordered the US Army to react to stone throwing as if they were under rifle fire. That order was a crime. How is that not obvious to anyone here?
10
Donald Trump. The gaffe that keeps on giving.
4
I am ashamed Donald Trump is our president. People around the world used to relish the words of FDR, JFK and Obama. Now they hear trump and shoot protesters in the street. This is what we have become.
9
Trump is chaotic and desperate for Republican wins in this election. Words matter.
Nigeria justified killing citizens for throwing rocks during a protest---based on Trump's words.
Where are the staff who wrote about reining in Trump's worst impulses?
A few thousand refugee families, 6 weeks away from the U.S. border with 1000 miles to travel is not a huge threat or a response demanding what Trump insists occur.
This is an abuse of power---purely for political purposes.
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2018/10/secretary-mattis-defend-or-resign/152409/?oref=d-dontmiss
6
Who said this president could not be inspirational?
1
Sticks and stones may break my bones
But guns will shoot me dead.
29
My thoughts go back to Joseph Welch's 1954 response to another tyrant--Joseph McCarthy: "Until this moment ... I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness ... You have done enough. At long last, have you no sense of decency?"
The Senate historical website comments that after Welch's words, "overnight, McCarthy's immense national popularity evaporated."
Joseph Welch, where are you, now that we need you (again)?!
47
Yes, Mr. Trump, words matter. I hope you're happy that you now have a following in Nigeria.
5
I would bet there's much more to this story, but, hey, it the Times.
4
NYT’s your attracting far too much hate for a simple newspaper.
Please tone it down we will never come to our senses with both sides spewing hate. Your just as much responsible for agitating hate as the other side.
5
So they shot people on a Monday and on Thursday the President of a different country talked about shooting people and that comment was appropriated as a reason or justification of the shooting on Monday?
Try as you might, the logic employed is not exactly clear and it isn't appropriate to tag Trump as a cause of the murders.
23
@Margo They literally said their decision to fire live rounds at protesters in Abuja was justified because they were armed, telling the BBC "this is what [Mr] Trump was talking about". Wake up. Of COURSE it's appropriate to blame him for these deaths.
35
@Margo
The logic is straightforward, Margo. The U.S. has served as a benchmark for acceptable behavior. Trump has lowered that benchmark so that deplorable behavior is acceptable and can be used as cover by despotic regimes attempting to emulate our despotic regime.
37
@Bucketomeat: Under W we waged an illegal war based on lies and killed hundreds of thousands/destroyed the lives of millions because of that war; kidnapped people all over the globe and transported them to unknown (to the world) black sites where they were tortured (whether guilty or not); created 'indefinite detention' in Guantanamo for people who have never been tried; started warrantless wiretapping on a broad scale on Americans.....off the top of my head. And now W is perceived as a 'good' American president in the usual norm of presidents.
I wonder how long it will be before we think of Trump as a 'good' president? I hope never ever. But......we seem to forgive and forget a lot here in America. Things that never should have been forgotten and definitely not forgiven.
16
So, just to be clear. The Nigerians have been doing this sort of thing for many many years, and now suddenly it’s Trumps fault? Give me a break.
26
No, it is not Trump's fault at all, any more than it's the fault of the Democrats or George Soros for the Central American caravan. However, we're seeing a foreign army who, as you correctly observed, is long notorious for its violence on civilians, using the words of the American president as a cover for murder. That is the real embarrassing disgrace.
20
@Chris:
There's a difference between fault and justification.
10
@Chris Assigning blame for this heinousness to Trump is as wrong as it is off-topic. That the President's words were used as an opportunistic excuse is unimportant; they align with a cruel approach to the desperate and displaced. They were therefore considered readymade to use here as a rebuke against Amnesty international, no twisting required. And that's lamentable.
6
The law is clear. If you are in fear of serious bodily harm, you have the right to use deadly force. A large rock is a potential deadly weapon. People get stoned to death all the time. Look it up. Trump is correct.
18
Mr. Trump does not care. There is nothing more to say.
26
So far, not one rock has been thrown, and they’re a thousand miles away...walking with babies and their few belongings. There’s no invasion. The only invasion is the swarm of pathological thoughts in trump’s mind.
4
I get the impression, from the stories about thousands of children being kidnapped and raped by Boko Haram, that Nigeria wasn't a very safe place to live in well before Trump became President.
But when it comes to Trump we should just forget the past- he is the beginning, and cause, of all that is wrong in the world.
5
America under trump: a beacon to despots and fascists around the world.
Now our troops are sent on the absurd "border protection " against people fleeing terror.
I pray they have the moral courage to refuse to commit a war crime.
4
two bit tv show "actor" plays the world stage for ratings. result: people die. in US and around the world
he should remember what happened to other blowhards of history.
2
Looking forward to seeing the military parade after they murder unarmed civilians.
so being, as trump’s base likes to believe, “the most powerful man (sic??) in the world is beginning to have consequences. Yep, he said rocks would be the same as rifles. Problem is he got that idea from jared who said it works for israel. Shoot people who throw rocks, grab women by private parts, steal songs & trademarks (without asking), murder journalists & enemy of yourself, cozy up to dictators & sponsors of terrorists...trump says it is okay & preferable to acting civilized. History book notation: Donald John Trump (New York real estate mogul) brought about World War III in the early 21st Century by tearing up treaties & promoting nuclear proliferation worldwide. He was the first dictator of the United States of America.
4
Can they prosecute him for war crimes?
4
The Media is disgusting. This is deliberate, inflammatory and wrong. Is this the road you really want to go down? Shall we start attributing what people do according to what politicians say? If so, it's going to end badly for everyone, not just one political party. Better start rethinking your agenda.
5
Human rights activists and many ordinary citizens were outraged at the military’s response, which echoed a similar confrontation in 2015, when soldiers killed nearly 350 protesters from the same group, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, the largest and most recognizable face of Shia Islam in the country. The group organizes frequent protest marches
So it was Trump's fault when they killed these protesters in 2015 too?
18
@Terry
Nobody's saying that. Are you excusing Trump's encouragement of deadly force in response to rocks this time because it's happened before? Not seeing any logic in that.
44
@Terry It is never a surprise when a Trump supporter oversimplifies or completely misses the point. This is not a matter of causation but rather justification and response. They are subtle differences but in a world of abject lies, distortions and sociopathic rhetoric such distinctions apparently don't matter. And that is how things get progressively worse. Those that offer up such boorish excuses never become aware of the unfolding truth until they become the victims of violence. Because that's the problem with supporting violence, sooner or later its your turn because someone doesn't like you or agree with you and violence has become the default response.
66
@JW. And the majority of the current plague of incivility and violent outbursts is coming from the left, and its pravda like media. Talk about subtle nuances!
It became apparent the left had completely lost their minds when rantings of Trumps election was going to lead to a global economic collapse, WWIII, and the death of millions of Americans from a health care crisis. Lets see, so far the inveterate hate Trump asylum residents are batting .000. Hey, I've never liked his personally, but Americans have been fooling themselves too long, with buying the sewage coming out of both sides of most politicans mouths. At least, in his awkward and boorish manner he has hit upon some concrete truths. I hate all politicians, as an Independent, but I believe Trump is surrounded with enough experts to help him make sound reasonable decisions. Even if he stumbles occasionally along the way. If the phoney moral outrage from the media was replaced with a sincere desire to help Trump with "positive reinforcement" (psychological term from the leftist 70's) then maybe they could regain some credibility. As of now it appears a great many people are living in a Trump derangement bubble.
6
I’m sure it would never have occurred to any of those Nigerian soldiers carrying guns with having rocks flying at their heads to shoot until they read Trump’s tweet. It’s all Twitter’s fault, obviously. And the Lindbergh baby has got to be in Trump Tower somewhere too.
15
Thanks NYT for convincing me you’re out of your mind. How you can justify a man’s words caused harm 6000 miles away without regard to the ones that killed these innocent civilians is beyond belief. Is there a personal vandetta? Obviously yes but fortunately not everyone is so stupid to believe what you write anymore.
5
Leaders of the free world no more, Americans are now seen as zombies gyrating to Trump's rhythms.
That didn't take long.
2
I’m sorry. I think soldiers have two children and a wife who is also a soldier and they are from the class economically under the readers of this paper and they have a right to defend themselves not with chance lethal force ( army rocks being proportionate ) but with non proportionate accurate lethal force since the right of assembly has zero to do with blocking streets and thus ambulances and throwing 2 pound rocks. Thanks Mr. Trump for sticking up for the non affluent this time...those who actually join militaries because the affluent usually don’t.
1
That's right, blame Trump for this, too. And throw in for good measure as a necessary reminder the politically incorrect statements that he made about Nigeria and Africa in general a year ago.
This is a story almost entirely about deadly force used against violent protesters in Nigeria, which is entirely a Nigerian story, and somehow it became a story mostly about Trump. And it is not on the opinion page but the news section!
7
Over the past decades, television sitcoms and detective series provided the catchphrases that entered our vernacular and became socially entertaining. No one got hurt or killed. The malignant tumor in Chief's catchphrases have spawned hatred, violence and a license to kill among brutal autocrats and their enforcers. It may be entertaining to Trump's 52 million or so linoleum burns on their knuckles crowd but they are detrimental to the majority in America and around the world.
2
As always, Trump is doing Putin's bidding. The diminution of the Presidency by Trump will be exploited even more by Vladimir that by the Nigerian Army.
1
Years ago I had a dream that the earth became engulfed in flames and was destroyed (i.e. a similar prediction in Revelations). It is hard not to worry that Trump is the Anti-Christ and has started the wave of destruction that will consume us all. On the other hand, in my dream, I was watching from a space station as the earth burned up. Some of us may yet make its through this horrible period in history.
1
Trump's words did not cause this horror. Trump's words were used as a justification for it.
Trump's terms like "fake news" are now used around the globe to deny facts by dictators. Even the Bush era "war on terror" has been used to justify killing Muslims in many countries.
Words have power.
5
Rocks can kill. Ask Goliath.
They are weapons. Is conflict to be an equal-weaponry sports contest? No, ask any competent general. The purpose of conflict is to win. Not get an award from the judges.
Now, I have no idea if the Nigerian Army was justified, and I am not defending their actions of their government.
I am directing my comment exclusively to the concept that, because an opposing fighter in a conflict chooses to use a primitive -- but potentially lethal -- weapon, the force being attacked must do the same. That's not a defensible position, militarily or semantically.
6
If President Trump's words gave the Nigerian military the inspiration to kill 40 civilian Nigerian citizens in 2018, I would love to know what were President Obama's words in 2015 that inspired the same Nigerian military to kill 10 times as many, 350 Nigerian Shia civilians. For 1400 years, so called Sunnis didn't need to rely on Trump's words to mass slaughter Shia. The so called Sunnis have been mass murdering Shia for 1400 years, long before Trum was even in the picture.
7
Trump has told the world that he considers rocks as firearms. He then said I don’t want people throwing rocks, and he obviously believes that statement will reduce the violence. It might, however, make people believe that they might as well have firearms.
We are sending 3 highly trained service members with guns to meet each one of the rag tag caravan still approaching the southern border. Trump serves up a lot of hate. If we shoot refuges at our border we will be just like ISIS. Court martial should await any service member shooting unarmed combatants. Rocks aren't arms. How did we so completely allow Trump and the evangelicals to turn morality into a love affair with hate?
3
The message from Trump’s mouth has morphed from a loose canon to a lethal assault weapon.
1
We look the other way when Duterte kills thousands of people for ...doing “drugs”. Our president applauds his strength. He has a bromance with Chairman Kim, another very strong leader and lovely person who kills his relatives and starves his people.
We did absolutely nothing when Saudi Arabia dismembered a Washington Post reporter, luring him out of the US on a pretense, planning his execution, and then lying to our face about it. Well, Trump was irritated with the lousy cover-up so that’s something.
We have been ignoring the shooting of Palestinian children throwing rocks for decades and we completely glossed over the recent killing of 200 protestors, many of them children, in Gaza. Think about that staggering number.
We lie to our people to gin up support for wars, and then we wage those wars with enormous civilian casualties. Our policies have directly caused the biggest humanitarian and refugee crisis since WWII. At this moment 14 million people are dying of starvation in Yemen, and if not for Bernie Sanders sponsoring legislation I don’t think any senator would push Saudi to stop that madness.
The United States has not felt a scintilla of rebuke from the world for our actions. Everyone is apparently afraid of our military and financial might. We have emboldened a fascistic movement that is sweeping through foreign governments at an alarming rate, including recently in Brazil. I’m not surprised or shocked by this story, sadly.
3
Trump must not be allowed to use the military against civilians, illegal immigrants, etc. That is the beginning of teaching the military to tyrannize our country.
2
I am sad, worried and embarrassed that this has to be explained to DJT.
To this day it amazes me that mitch mcconnell or some other members of the GOP do not stand up and proclaim that DJT’s words could and have incited violence.
There is actual blood on their hands due to this silence.
The message coming out of DC should be somewhat unified especially when one party controls both the Congress and WH.
But no.
It’s the ramblings of a failed businessman who is starting to realize that he is heading for prison and a senate majority leader who will let anything happen (anything!) as long as he can start to dismantle Medicare, Medicaid and social security starting 11/7.
mitch mcconnell is a threat to our well being.
Just ask the families of the 11 dead in Pittsburgh!
Vote 11/6!!!
1
First of all, I don't support the use of firearms to stop protestors that are throwing stones. what happened to using tear fas or water canons? The Nigerian army do not understand the term human rights as they treat Nigerian citizens as objects. This is mainly due to our long military past. with respect to the last paragraph, NY times should research very well before making statements. The fulani herdsmen have wiped out many villages in the middle belt and southern Nigeria and only few of them have been killed mostly when farmers are trting to protect themselves from attacks. There has been a genocide going on in Nigeria for years which the foreign media ignores only to bring it up and trying to tie it to trump. For the record, I think Trump is the most despicable human being who has no business being the president of any natoin in this world.
Wait a minute. The NYTimes is claiming this is Trump's fault because he said we wouldn't tolerate the caravan throwing rocks at the border security? "Human rights activists and many Nigerians were outraged at the military’s response, which echoed a similar confrontation in 2015, when soldiers killed nearly 350 protesters from the same group, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, the largest and most recognizable face of Shiite Islam in the country.'
So, in 2015 the same thing happened. But Trump wasn't president then, and hadn't sad anything about rocks. The military said that Trump said rocks were a weapon (they are) and therefore they could defend themselves. Nonsense. This is really digging, NYTimes....
6
I wish that the mass murderers who have invaded schools, houses of worship, shopping areas, and especially above the music festival in Las Vegas had been throwing rocks rather than wielding semi-automatic weaponry to mow down innocent people.
1
Trump loves to play with the press, every day he wants to shout out something more outrageous than he did the previous day. It's all just a game to him, a way to get the press riled up, and keep his name in front of his base and in the media. When the media or any sane person recoils at what he says, he can justify the condemnation to include his minions, and continue attacking the media.
Unfortunately, his words have weight - but he doesn't know what he's doing, doesn't take responsibility for what he says or does. Other than to keep his name in front of the media, he has no game plan. We used to joke, "pray for whirled peas," but I guess God took us literally. No joking any longer, peas and everything else turning to a confused, ugly mush.
I'm very sorry for the protesters in Nigeria that were killed. Their tragedy is just as great as ours in Pittsburgh, Kentucky, Charleston and Yemen, to name a few violent spots that have Trump's brand on them.
The effects of a rock or bullet to the head can be the same...fatal. Good on the president for pointing this out.
4
Ok we need some extra reporting:did Trump think of the rock throwing excuse for shooting on his own, or was he fed this line? Please find out. There are some plausible suspects.
1
The Nigerian Army may have been murders before this, as indeed they were, however, they now have the support of the U.S. Any moral currency we had has vanished with this president and his words will be used to justify any act of evil. That is the danger of this.
1
Trump should go and read about Kent State if he thinks that having the military fire on unarmed civilians is a good idea.
3
Is inciting violence protected by free speech? Are’nt American leaders held to a higher responsibility?
1
And yet again the President’s total thoughtlessness in his words causes death and destruction. Of course a rock and a bullet are not synonomous. Only a weak ruler would say such a thing and it takes another weak ruler to repeat it.
And will Trump return the favor, and echo the words of the Nigerian president when something goes terribly wrong with his army on the border or internment camps in the desert?
Anyone who blames President Trump for this is grasping at straws. Nigeria has been this way for my entire lifetime. Rocks are weapons. People are killed with rocks, when wielded as weapons. This event also happened BEFORE President Trump made his remarks, as noted by multiple other sources and comments. Grow up.
7
If I throw a rock at someone that is not protesting that is assault.
Calling rock throwers protesters is a stretch.
14
This is a sad reminder that when it is stated that words matter, especially from those in high office the impact can and does cross borders. Autocratic leaders and regimes across the world are taking great solace in the words of the President of the United States. It is hard to imagine that this is happening, but this is what we are now exporting to the world versus encouragement of democratic processes and human rights. What a sad state we have fallen into under this administration.
3
It is not that Trump's statement (withdrawn later) caused the Nigerian shootings. They clearly did not, from the chronology of things, and considering the fact that there have been tragic shootings there before. It is, though, that the statement gives to other governments prone to shoot citizens additional reason not to change the instructions they give to their armed forces, when a clear statement to the contrary would have sent a more healthy message. Indeed, there have been many opportunities lost, many times we would all have benefited from a more healthy message.
10
WWIII is coming and I'm truly frightened by the worlds out of control politicians, military, and police. The media is definitely not helping the situation.
9
@Guy Quebec What exactly do you mean by the "media is definitely not helping the situation? Do you mean -- "the media should not report killings of protesters ?" Or, something else ?
@Guy Quebec Why blame the media? They report what leaders say. They also check the factual veracity of what leaders say? They question the proposed policies of a leader? Why is that wrong? Shouldn't the public have that knowledge? We do know that Trump dislikes the media because of the above.
And whose side will we be on? The democratic allies, or the fascists and authoritarians? Crazy that we even have to ponder that question.
1
Trump brings shame to our country with every action taken. Please do not follow his authoritarian lead. Fighting to make me proud of my country again.
18
Suddenly, Nigeria army believes it has found excuse for their age-long shootings and killings of unarmed civilians? And most ridiculously but most callously, the media tries to take the bait. Nigeria army has been killing unarmed civilian protesters for as long as it has been in existence. Unarmed Shiites, Christians in middle belt resisting the invasion of fulani herdsmen militia in the north, and Biafran youths (including those celebrating Trump's victory) in the eastern Nigeria have been victims of military shootings and killings. It is sad that as soon as Trump is mentioned in bad light everyone gets excited without further questions. I'd wish Trump could use this opportunity to send a message to Nigeria and her leadership about how strongly US values human right. By the way, Trump's comment that quoted by the Nigeria army was made on Thursday, while the shootings of unarmed shiite civilians occurred on Monday.
10
@Ken They're not saying that the Nigerians did this bceause of what Trump said. They're just pointing out how much Trump likes to use the language and rhetoric used by people who murder their own citizens. How long before he orders protesters in America to be fired upon in a similar case?
I doubt the Nigerian army only did this because of what Trump said.
Certainly the rank-and-file didn't.
Nigeria has had a lot of problems for a long time now. I guess the life is a lot easier now- it is always Trump's fault.
Always.
13
But according to him, he is never at fault for any undesired outcome. Are you equally upset by that, as well?
1
No, Trump isn’t why this happens, Trump is how it is justified later. It is a subtle difference that may be beyond the grasp of his cult following.
1
@WillT26 It's not that they did it because he said it. The problem is that he's using the same kinds of language and excuses as foreign governments that murder their own citizens. It doesn't bode well for the future of the First Amendment in the United States.
1
When the hate speech from America justifies the actions taken in other countries, can truth win. Are we at the tipping point of decency and bias?
11
Trump essentially believes in eliminating anyone who does not agree with him.
Either by firing, attacking verbally or maligning in some way. It is not a stretch to imagine that
he would be fine with shooting protesters.
He is a very dangerous man and the Republican Party at his beck and call.
We are witnessing the demise of US democracy.
39
Words matter.
Unfortunately, Mr. Trump hasn't a clue about this or could he really be the embodiment of evil?
27
He knows full well what he's doing
President Trump's speech shouldn't form a base for their actions.
The Nigerian Army should understand the value of human lives and also understand the sovereignty of the Nigerian state.
I want to also appeal to the Nigerian government to obey the court order that freed the protesters leader before the emergency of another terrible Sect should their leader die in detention.
Any man facing an armed man with a stone should not be seen as normal especially when the armed man is ready to shoot. This been said, it should be noted that this guys won't be normal or be acting normal until their leader is released.
1
Jeeminy, Trump is like a deadly pox spreading all over the world. I still think MBS was emboldened by Trump calling the media "the enemy of the people"
.[and MANY thanks to the NYT and other media sources for investigating and keeping us informed.. I never appreciated the First Amendment as much as I do since Trump/the GOP took over).
2
The Nigerian Army should understand the value of human lives and also understand the sovereignty of the Nigerian state.
What President Trump said shouldn't form a base for their actions.
I want to appeal to the Nigerian government to obey the court order that freed the protesters leader before the emergency of another terrible sect should anything happen to their leader while in detention.
Ok just how does that work? The soldiers shot the protesters on Monday Oct.29th and Trump made his statement about rocks on Thursday Nov. 1st. What did the Nigerian army travel in time to see what President Trump would say then go back and use those words to decide to shot protesters throwing rocks? Come really get real what Trump said on Thursday had no impact what so ever on the Nigerian army shooting the protester when he said it 3 days after the shootings happened.
9
@T.B
The story is clear; the Nigerian army used 45’s words to excuse/justify their actions after the crime was committed.
Who knew President Trump was SO powerful his words would be used by foreign countries? He truly is the best president we've had in decades. The catch phrase should be "Make the World Great Again"!
5
@Big John Talley
Yes, the words and actions of US presidents have influence around the world.
Surely this isn't news to anyone?
If other countries let him influence them in ways that Americans have, we're all in trouble.
My my, so much support for a truly verifiable vulgarian. Thank you for your comment.
1
And folks have been saying that Trump's words don't matter regarding violence? Hmmm, might want to try thinking again.
5
Not to make any apologies for Trump and the Nigerian military, but thrown stones can easily be deadly. Indeed, the Old Testament prescribes stoning as a standard method of execution -- see Leviticus 24 and Deuteronomy 13 for examples.
8
@AT:
"Stoning" and "throwing stones" are two entirely different things.
1
This story, like the massacre in Pittsburgh, and the pipe bombs sent to former presidents shows that if you insight your followers to violence from the presidency, you will surely get it. There is nothing new here because the great tyrants of the 20th century have given Donald Trump a fine set of blueprints. Even the most moderate GOP toadies in congress lick his boots in the end, so our only hope is to vote every one of them out.
3
I seem to recall that rubber bullets are an option rather than real ones. More deadly than stones but not as lethal.
5
Words have consequences, both here and abroad.
While I doubt the thuggish Nigerian army only relied in their own internal policies, the fact they quote a US President in an attempt to justify their actions is remarkable.
The US used to be a role model for peace and Democratic values. At least we tried.
Now the president who loves to use tough talk and images at his increasingly jacked up rallies gets to have the satisfaction of knowing he's being emulated quite literally by the African country he used to denigrate.
24
@ChristineMcM did you ever stop to think that perhaps his 0 tolerance stand on the issue might resonate with some in the Mexican caravan & save their lives ? I really hope it does & they decide to try entering the US as required.
All I know is that if the police had me at gunpoint(which they have many times) and I started whipping rocks at them, I wouldn't exactly be amazed if I was shot, & I'm a honkey living in a suburb of St. Paul MN.
3
Perhaps POTUS was inspired by Israeli Defense Forces who have been gunning down Palestinian youth for years for throwing stones. (or approaching a fence). Seems this is contagious.
161
@Ralph Patalanoz Perhaps this is really Israel's fault then? Really people, these decisions are being made by adults. This decision was made by the Nigerian military, not Trump.
It's time for the world to start taking responsibility for its actions and time for the media to stop blaming others for said action.
7
@Ralph Patalano "Gunned down" implies a spraying of gunfire, indiscriminate killing of mere teenagers misbehaving. The reality is the rocks are lethal weapons, and the responses have been careful sniping directed at the throwers -- whatever their ages
At this moment, 148 readers have Recommended this comment.
Only a week and the memory fades. Israel hate is open for business again.
1
The USA is the largest 'island' in the world. The last time we experience foreign invasion was 216 years ago, the War of 1812. Since WW2 we are the largest economy and strongest military in the world. Our effect around the world is unrecognized by far too many Americans who have never ventured beyond the country, and if they have, they mostly do so with package tours catering to other Americans and staying at American owned hotels or such that cater to Americans. The Great American Bubble.
Because of this self-imposed ignorance and lack of intellectual curiosity (afterall, we are the greatest), we fail to begin to comprehend how our leadership is recognized globally. Nigerian murders quoting our president, Saudi royalty murdering a citizen in a foreign country, Russian hit teams and Iranian hit teams. . .all of these activities are not new, but have come about fast since January 2017, President Trump & VP Pence.
Ethical leadership by our country is essential to a civil world. As we continue to abandon this sense of ethical leadership, we set the stage for those with inhumane tendencies to be inspired by the greatness of America.
As Voltaire warned, 'Those who convince you to believe absurdities, can convince you to commit atrocities.'
229
@Jim. Very well written and you are correct.
We should set a good example and try to keep Peace in the World and not spread Hate and Fear like our present resident has been doing. Sad indeed.
42
@Jim nice thought. But African countries should learn the good side of leadership from the US too. We're always eager to measure only when we're in the defensive. Look at the level of underdevelopment in Nigeria, yet the country is richly blessed. Like Trump also, let them build a robust economic hub.
1
@Francis Nwokike Sorry, but Trump did not build this economic hub, he inherited it.
14
Our savage is bad enough at home. Unless he is pursuing the national security interest of laying out a new golf course in Nigeria, can't we contrive some distraction here, to keep his malignancy from migrating?
26
@Carter Nicholas,
At a minimum he should no longer be allowed to give the military of Nigeria marching orders.
Trump?
Israel regularly slaughters and maims rock throwing Palestinians? Or Palestinians milling about. What's the diff?
Since we then proceed to veto every resolution critical of Israel at the UN, shower it with military and other aid, and pervert our foreign policy and national interest to meet every Israeli fantasy, sounds to me like Nigeria is in for a treat!
Enjoy our largesse Nigeria! Welcome to our Israel umbrella!
41
@AJ Until the Trump election the US supported Israel but with reservation. And those reservations were deserved, the building and building of settlements for instance were frowned on. Trump was elected saying anything goes, and the person who is in office in Israel is by the way also disliked by a number of fair thinking Israelis, of course you think all are the same. In fact the deep divisions which Trump capitalizes on in the US are equally deep in Israel. Sorry, but you weakened your message by too much generalization. And Israel does have a right to defend it self in a very fractured and let me say Muslim world. Especially where leaders, and this includes Iran as well, call for their obliteration.
4
@AJ
There's no comparison... Israel gave Gaza to the Palestinians in 2005, and Hamas chose to use all resources to turn it into a war front. If they'd help the Palestinians as much as they hate Israel, everyone would be better off (though I think they've now crossed a point of no return unless Hamas changes its charter). Israel defends against people who will kill as many Israelis as they can if they break through the border... there's a buffer zone between fences and they choose to break through it. I compare them with our inner cities (like St. Louis) where young men are so hopeless that they shoot each other every day and don't seem to care if they (or anyone around them) lives or dies. Hopefully US leadership won't get so bad.
2
@AJ. I agree. We should not ignore the Genocide that is taking place there. I will never understand why we still send Israel millions while they continue to kill innocent people ?
I was raised that there are consequences when if you do wrong! Not be Rewarded !?
Sooner, rather than later, trump should face a long list of crimes against humanity.
82
@William Moersch I'd like to see that list. What happened as depicted in this story won't appear on it because Trump has zero control over Nigeria. If he did, they'd be winning too via their economy. MAGA.
2
Above and beyond the obvious about Trump and his abhorrent conduct facilitating and enabling Nigerian military to shoot protesters, what is most provocative is this:
Nigerian leaders are Christian; the protesters are Islamic.
Evangelical Christians are in charge - both in Nigeria and in America. Let that sink in.
47
I want to agree with you, but the article says this: "'We have had very serious problems with Christians who are being murdered in Nigeria,' Mr. Trump told the Nigerian president, who is Muslim."
So who is Nigeria being run by?
Some are writing these deaths off as business as usual in Nigeria, and downplaying the influence of Trump's carelessly dangerous words.
But it bears serious consideration: What will be the NEXT abomination to come out of the US president's mouth? What new, horrible violence will be inspired by those words? No way, no how is Donald Trump ever going to stop speaking his fantastical, careless, off-the-cuff, divisive and dangerous words. This he has proven to us.
Domestic and world politics are not trending in a good direction. Civilized people need to somehow mute the Donald Trump POTUS megaphone, ASAP.
43
@KG
Hopefully Dems will win the House and it'll push Trump over the rainbow and into Bellevue - he's not far from the edge these days.
1
So Trump is an international criminal and inspiration for murder and mayhem all over the world? Some "greatness"!
68
So assassinating American citizens overseas by a drone without due process is OK as long a democrat administration does it? The hypocrisy of the left is astonishing.
Once again, every single story is the same: "Trump did it"!
Enough already.
30
@Bill Crosby
No, dear rationalizer, just not honorable, humble or selfless enough to offer an alternate role model. Trump is simply maestro to the mob, who smirks and revels at the shouts of 'lock 'em up' or (in this instance) 'shoot the rock throwers'.
You'll likely rue the day you championed this guys notion of American exceptionalism.
7
@Bill Crosby Well, He did defend these actions. That is a fact. He is just the titular head of an inhuman corporate machine that is doing whatever it pleases for financial gain. I'm not sure what his corporate cronies want from Nigeria but you can bet that there is some fiscal reason he is backing the government there. The fact that he openly admires world leaders who make no secret about coming down hard on anyone who disagrees with them is appalling. I thought that the US stood for "Liberty and Justice", not hard line aggression.
6
If you are in a powerful position where others may use your words to justify terrible abuses of power, you have a special duty to speak with care. Of course our president did not literally kill any of those protesters. But his words made it a little easier for another leader to justify those killings.
Is it really too much to ask that an American president not say things that can so easily be used to justify murder?
10
It is both shocking and tragic to witness what Trump and his vile rantings have unleashed upon the planet.
The democratic process is being trashed on all continents.
It cannot continue for the sake of the well being of all of us.
37
Words count, Mr. President.
32
Look at America leading the way. Makes me so proud. You should be too. /sarcasm
24
Trump is responsible for fueling these murders. Someone else lit the fuse, but Trump provided the gasoline. Trump should be impeached for his comments about shooting rock throwers -- seriously. Impeached.
40
@PE why wouldn’t the military fight back? If someone was throwing rocks at me and I had a gun, I’d put a bullet in them, or at least scare them by threatening to shoot them. That’s the problem today, people like you are so soft that you care more about the people causing problems than the people being attacked. Trump shouldn’t be impeached. The United States is at an all time high and you want Trump IMPEACHED for him telling people to stand up for themselves.
@PE The Nigerian incident was on Monday this week, 10/29, Trump's comment was Thursday this week 11/1. Interesting timeline NYT!
Credible News or not fit to print?
As a few comments have pointed out below - rock-throwing demonstrators are indeed not non-violent protesters. However, countering rock-throwing with the use of lethal force is a highly disproportionate response that should result in courts-martial in any modern-day military. It's a blatant violation of the protesters' human rights and nothing anyone says should be used as a justification - let alone Trump, who himself has demonstrated again and again his disregard for the law.
188
@Kevin W You fail to acknowledge that rocks are also "lethal." If the army being attacked responds with lethal force against identified rock-throwers -- and the article does not state otherwise -- that is not "disproportionate." And, if the rock throwers retreat behind non-violent protestors: Their deaths are on the throwers, not the responding force.
4
@Kevin W As mentioned before: The Israelis have been getting away with this for years. BTW: This isn't a criticism of Jewish folks, it is a criticism of Israel.
There is a huge difference.
3
“Please Watch and Make Your Deductions”
We deduce that Trump's irresponsible speech is dangerous and he must be stopped.
68
It is absolutely despicable that the media and others are comparing Trump to tyrants like Mussolini and Hitler. The next thing you know they are going to suggest that present-day Hitlers and Mussolinis in Nigeria and elsewhere are deriving inspiration, solace and succor from his very words. You make your deductions.
9
@Steve Griffith
I deduced. Trump only differs from Mussolini and Hitler by degree, not by pedigree.
He is, to borrow your words, absolutely despicable.
65
@Barking Doggerel I could not agree with you more. The only thing that separates us is, perhaps, a sarcasm chasm, for which I may deserve a few deductions of my own. Vivre la Resistance!
1
@Steve Griffith . Mussolini and Hitler were not nuclear equipped. Republicans pose a vastly greater threat to humankind than Hitler and Mussolini could have dreamt.
1
As the article points out, the incident "echoed a similar confrontation in 2015, when soldiers killed nearly 350 protesters from the same group." That was before Trump became president.
Rock-throwing demonstrators are not non-violent protesters. The Nigerian Army said the protestors threw canister of fuel and used catapults that launched large stones and other dangerous items.
21
@William Case That may be true, but that only speaks to whether Trump's rhetoric caused the shooting. I agree that it likely didn't create the violence but the fact that Nigerian army can use an American president's statements to publicly justify such a human rights violation is a story in and of itself.
The American president is not just the head of government, he is also the head of state. Therefore, it's always important to remember the norm-setting and symbolic role he plays in the national and international stages, especially when America hopes to decry immoral acts.
57
How can it cause the shooting when he said it 4 days later?
7
@BorisRoberts He didn't cause it. The problem that people are having is that an army that has been criticized for human rights violations is using the words of the president of the United States as justification for their actions, because that does not reflect well on the US.
28
It is against the U.S. Military Code of Justice to fire upon an ememy that "throws rocks." Each soldier could be courts-martialed, as well as the top commander, who is Trump.
82
@Arthur h Gunther III
Hmm, if the Democrats fail to get a majority in both Houses of Congress in order to impeach Trump, are you saying he could face a court-marital as the Commender in Chief? In my dreams.
1
@Arthur h Gunther III Where, exactly, do you find that in the Code? I've looked. Ain't there.
2
@Arthur h Gunther III
Where under UCMJ, exactly?
1
Shooting rock throwers?
That has been going on for years and years, with bipartisan pandering support here in the US.
Actions speak louder than words.
10
@Mark Thomason
I assume you're referring to this:
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/border-issues/2016/10/10/us-border-patrol-rock-throwing-killing-cases/85670112/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/prosecutor-border-agent-tired-of-rock-throwers-killed-teen/2018/10/24/5afb04aa-d7c5-11e8-8384-bcc5492fef49_story.html
Bad inspiration from the highest seat in our government. How does a ‘strong economy’ pay for this?
19
He is poisoning the world.
And Republican enablers think this is just fine.
98
@Betsy Todd News flash, the world has been poisoned for thousands of years. Those that seek the death of others need no justification from anyone. Humanity is a poison in and of itself
Think you've seen the worst of what this administration has to offer in terms of provoking and encouraging violence both here and abroad? If the GOP holds onto both the House and the Senate, Trump will be absolutely unleashed, and there is no doubt we will all witness a significant increase in political violence here in the U.S.A.
Those who may decide to protest this administration should not believe for a minute that violence won't be unleashed against them, nor that the right-wing press won't applaud the bloodshed.
Vote as if your lives depend on it, folks, because I don't believe it is an exaggeration to say that they just might.
50
It is high time that the press find a way to muzzle Mr. Trump, either by not reporting every bit of nonsense that comes out of his mouth or Twitter account, or by simply ignoring him. The fact that he resides in the White House has become beside the point.
Yes, this it has come to.
We have to acknowledge the great responsibility the United States holds as a world leader in what we say and do.
Too many people have died or lives been threatened or degraded by the words of Trump.
22
Trump could not care less if his words lead to violence (see the past two weeks) - he is only trying to amp up the rhetoric in the lead-up to Tuesday's election.
He will never admit that any casualties along the way are his fault.
28
Lest we forget, this is a 'hero' who said his Vietnam equivalent 'purple hear was won evading (or spreading) STD's to or from Super Models at Studio 54 in the 80s in an interview with Howard Stern.
14
To be fair, the Nigerian Army would probably have shot the same amount of protestors if Trump had kept silent the day he uttered that quote. They kind of have a history of doing that.
To be true, that quote was crude and unseemly, but that's no accident, that's Trump's brand and he knows who he's selling it to.
7
Another day, another reason I am embarrassed that Trump is presented to the world as "leader" of the American people. VOTE BLUE next Tuesday.
19
From Ugep, Cross River State, Zaki Biam, Odi, the Nigeria Army has a bad history of excesses. The State must not stoop to the level of individuals. But the Army far strecthed army continues to fan new fires (It currently faces militancy and terrorism). The solution is to teach what a State is.
3
Any expats that worked in Nigeria will tell you that the Nigerian military and police don't need any encouragement to kill people.
14
@Seabrook
No one's saying it's all his fault so your sarcasm falls rather flat. People are saying it's disturbing that his words were used to justify the killing.
15
@Seabrook
But, they now have the blessings of the leader of the free world...
14
@Cgm FYI - I detest Donald Trump. Just saying that there is allot of evil out there. It was there before he was elected and it will be there after he is no longer President.
1
FYI How the countries of the world view the use of violence against unarmed civilians. Report from the UN Human Rights Council special session on the deteriorating human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory dated 18 May 2018.
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=23107&LangID=E
1
It is not often that one reads reports of events in Nigeria by foreign press. So, I was curious to read your article about the recent confrontation between the Iran backed Shia Islamic group and the Nigeria army. As I understand it, the group was protesting for the release of their leader, sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky who is currently in prison following the bloody riots by his followers in Zaria in 2014. I thought your article lacked a background detail necessary to contextualise the army’s use of disproportionate force (which i do not condone) given their history of frequent disruptions of civil society in Zaria which culminated in a standoff and ultimate confrontation with the military and the regrettable bloodshed. Given the history of Ibrahim Zakzaky and his followers in Zaria, I doubt if any self-respecting government would allow them to gain another foothold in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city. Also, I doubt if the Nigerian army requires president Trump's bombastic ‘bullets against stones’ threats against the caravan of refugees approaching his country's southern border. There is nothing original in intolerant regimes shooting stone throwing protesters, after all, apartheid South Africa and Israel shoot stone throwing protesters. The surprising development is that an American president is now advocating such policy thereby legitimising the intolerance of civil disobedience in democratic societies.
10
@Dele
It is a shame an agent of the Nigerian government that you are can shamelessly write fiction here. Buhari is a well known terrorist that has been using his Fulani militia to commit genocide against the majority Christians of Middle belt Nigeria.
Nigerian Army is probably the most unprofessional army in the world, they can’t defeat a ragtag Boko Haram is was a monster created by jihadist Buhari, but are ready to shoot and kill Innocent Shi’a protesters.
1
@Henry Carson the shia cleric zakzaky and his followers flourished in zaria a university town, north of abuja during the presidency of jonathan and has nothing to do with Buhari who as you will know is a sunni from daura.
i saw first hand, the devastation wreaked on the town of zaria during the riots that i allude to above, so i am not reporting gossip,
i do not know if Buhari is as you say a well known terrorist but boko haram was funded initially by elements of northern politicians who were disappointed that Obasanjo won the election at the time although it subsequently allied itself to isis and other terrorist groups. although i am a concerned Nigerian, i do not belong to any poliyical party.
1
Trump has yet to realize that what he says actually matters.
7
@Dana Charbonneau It did not matter in this case. Nice try!
Just another example of how Trump is making America Great Again. Lets remember this when we vote for or against a Trump supporter next week.
14
One of Trump's trained handlers needs to get him to fully understand the concept that "Words DO matter" or else you can have tragedies like pipe bombers, synagogue shooters or this.
21
Newsflash! Trump just announced on his way to another rally that he never said to shoot people - now, he insists that he meant "they will be arrested". Maybe someone showed him this horrendous photograph. The Flip-Flopper-in-chief's lies never cease to amaze me.
23
@Harriet And he forgets that the military can't enforce the law w/in the US; thus, can't arrest people.
12
@Bob Rossi Excellent point!
Donald Trump has always had high praise for ruthless dictators like Dutertre, Putin and the Saudi royals, and naturally they want to return the favor. No surprises there.
31
The Nigerian Army deleted the Twitter post used here and has put up a series of tweets showing soldiers skinned shins and bruises as defense of the shootings. Pitiful.
17
@Desert Monkey i think the trump reference is a hook for western audience. you may wish to read my comment by way of background but not justification for the action of the military.
1
Coming to a state near you.
Vote. We need checks and balances in this country.
35
I'm surprised the NY Times isn't folding this report into the larger story here, that of the President's* words continually inciting hatred, anger, fear, and violence, both domestically and internationally.
That is the bigger story. And the far bigger problem.
* not my President
71
@dr j mr trump's bombast is what the nyt would like to consider as the story but unfortunately it is not the case. as always, the background history is more complex and i gave such background story in my comment above.
1
If rocks are firearms, armies could save a lot of money, but of course a General Dynamics rock would cost $5000.
43
@Terry: "If rocks are firearms, armies could save a lot of money, but of course a General Dynamics rock would cost $5,000".
And fall apart in your hand before you can throw it.
2
This is what we mean when we say Trump provides cover for despicable acts. America used to have some moral standing to condemn acts like this. These soldiers were probably going to do this anyways, but Trump is partially culpable because he has failed to be a leader of the American people and, by extension, the world. His utter lack of morality has made him unable to fulfill the duties of his office. First among that, project Democratic values around the world.
54
I would be highly surprised if the U.S. was not in its second Civil War in the next three years, and the third World War in the next five.
19
@Jeff Second civil war? No. They will continue, the day after the election, business as usual. The Third World War could happen though.
This is a horrific story. There is never any reason for armed troops to fire into a crowd of unarmed civilians.
BUT the concept of Trump being popular in Nigeria? Wow!
Sometimes you just have to laugh! It boggles the imagination that in Nigeria, "...Trump is a popular figure among many people who praise what they regard as his straightforwardness and frank talk...."
If this wasn't in the NYTimes I might think it was fake news. Well, maybe he will move to Nigeria.
But on a serious note, what is the connection between Nigerian Trump supporters and the ones in the United States? Is it lack of education? Or maybe it is fear of terrorism?
Since at least 2004 the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram has obliterated numerous Christian villages, most of which are barely mentioned in the United States and Europe, and, of course, the mass kidnappings of young women.
I know a woman who worked for the UN in Nigeria during the mid-2000s. Her stories about Boko Haram are horrific. She has worked in many conflict zones, but she said the Boko Haram was the purest evil she has ever seen because they killed men, women, children, cows, goats, chickens, and everything in Christian villages the overran. She took photos of the scenes and I don't think she has ever recovered from it.
So, I assume the sense that Trump is anti-Muslim is driving his "popularity," but it must really just be among Christian Nigerians. I suspect that would be a more accurate description.
6
Nigerians are super homophobic and many don't like Obama for legalising gay marriage. Also, google rich pastors in Nigeria, the country's "christians" are very much evangelical/prosperity gospel types. And super anti-islamic.
6
@Award Winning Teacher Trump is indeed popular among Pentecostal evangelicals in Nigeria as in the usa. also the so called demonstrators are Iranian backed shia muslims demanding the release of their leader, Ibrahim zakzaky currently in prison for mounting a major insurrection in Zaria, a large university town under the control of this shia cleric. i dont support the use of the military to quell civil disobedience.....
2
@Dele
"I dont support the use of the military to quell civil disobedience....." Well, that is the whole point. They were demonstrating and unarmed, PERIOD. Trump supports killing unarmed people who cross his will. Nigerian officials cynically used this as a cover, not that they ever seemed to require one. The 'back story' as to why they were demonstrating is of no consequence. In law abiding societies you do not fire on unarmed demonstrators.
3
If this happened in Nigeria because of Trumps words think of what can happen, and what is already happening, in the USA because of his words.
16
When someone tells you who they are, believe them. When they show you who they are, believe them. If you still have doubts, check the company they keep.
20
When Trump declared that rocks thrown at troops would be considered as firearms, I immediately thought of the Israelis firing on rock-throwing Palestinians. (Human Rights organizations didn’t care for that, either.) Will Trump agree this is Nigerians’ right of defense? Sickening.
24
I am ashamed to think that our president caused something like this to happen. I fear that one day he will cause a war. In fact, I think that is what he wants to do. War = money in his world but then, everything = money in his world.
14
One politician's desperate say anything campaign line intended to serve as a nice chunk of red pouring-into-the-country meat for his shoot-'em-down-like-dogs base turns into another country's excuse to do just that.
I won't be surprised if he finds a way to use some video of the massacre to his advantage with that same crew.
3
Wish it was easy to get Trump to believe in the truth of climate change as it for 3rd world leaders to believe him...
10
Sorry trump, but in Heaven we receive according to the fruits of our words and actions.
5
If trump prays, he's praying for anyone, even a child?, throwing a rock or stone will be shot. That's what our ego manic driven trump wants to happen. Will there be blood on our southern border?
4
Saudi Arabia killed a journalist, probably thinking that Trump would do little, since the press are the "enemy of the people." So far, that's been true.
Nigeria, similarly, appears inspired by Trump.
What shame we face with this president.
38
Nigeria has been at war with radical Islamic groups for years. This nothing new. Ah, but if it can be used to smear Trump? Headline news!
9
@Harlod Dichman
The Nigerian military used his words.
“We released that video to say if President Trump can say that rocks are as good as a rifle, who is Amnesty International?” he said. “What are they then saying? What did David use to kill Goliath? So a stone is a weapon.”
The bible also says that David cut off Goliath's head. That's what killed him.
7
@Harlod Dichman
We used to be a country others held up as an example of what their countries could aspire to. Now we provide examples for despotic regimes. Deplorable.
13
We were a terrible example when the previous administration was assassinating American citizens abroad with a drone without due process.
Sickening.
The power of the office of our presidency is being weaponized by the Fake-Believe president Trump. He is unfit.
9
I hope these are fake news...
Mr Trump will be so proud when he hears about this, someone following him, is his greatest achievement, at least his ego will tell him so!
20
Words matter and words can kill. Trump weaponizes words. Very unfortunate.
17
To paraphrase Henry about Beckett: "Will no one rid us of this walking pestilence?"
And lo - the answer has come: Yes. We The People. Next Tuesday, and again two years from now.
We can see the cavalry riding to the rescue - and it is us.
VOTE!
118
How is it that President Trump is labeled as totally inept by the left wing media while at the same time being responsible for all the evil things in the world. How is this even possible? I hope no bloodshed occurs at the southern border, but if it comes how can the President be faulted? He is fulfilling his Constitutional mandate, to defend American from enemies foreign and domestic. This foreign mob is trying to break into our country and we must stand our ground. They must be sent home and our sovereignty must be respected into the future. Also, we must end birth tourism and the scam of birthright citizenship.
12
@sob
Sincere question, why do you get to be a citizen for being born here but someone else does not?
10
@sob if we get rid of the 14th Amendment we can get rid of the 2nd. Which is it: you people like the constitution nor you don’t.
8
@sob You should look up 'Russian Anchor Babies'. Trump himself has a deal where young very pregnant ladies can stay at his 'palaces', until they have given birth, and then gotten passports for them, at only six times the 'normal' cost of staying there! Such a deal!
And many of us are citizens because our grands or great grands made the voyage.
9
Is Trump ordering our military to fire live ammunition at unarmed civilians?
9
@Art
It would seem so.
6
It is bad enough that as a woman of color I feel uncomfortable going to certain parts of my own country thanks to Trump. My passport will have to stay in a drawer and get dusty a little longer. The international damage done by Trump will take at least a generation to reverse.
30
No gunpowder = no firearm. This is just murder, plain and simple.
29
True leaders know the power of words. True leaders use words to heal. True leaders choose words to unite. True leaders make decisions with the input of various voices. True leaders put the needs and concerns of others before themselves. True leaders demonstrate discretion and humility. True leaders realize that they alone can not fix problems. The United States does not have a true leader. We have a mean-spirited, insecure, bullying autocrat who realizes none of the above.
This mid-year election is the most important of my lifetime, and I'm in my 60s. Voters must send a message to the world that we are better than this.
284
@Kharruss
Well said.
Our current administration is abhorrent and must be replaced. Words have consequences and so do our votes.
44
@Nanners, thank you. Words written from the heart.
17
@Kharruss,
The Nigerian army was going to do this no matter who was President and no matter what that President said.
Nigeria is actually a different country and is not governed by the President of the United States of America.
You can actually check that if you don't believe me.
I am sure the Trumpers will shoot back that your article is written to imply that his words motivated them to shoot, even though his tirade came 3 days after the massacre. You might want to re-word the article to make it clear that they are justifying the shooting and not saying that Trump was the motivation for their actions. Even though you do just that in the opening paragraph, many will not read that far....
10
No reasonable person would consider the out-of-context remarks by a U.S. President to be a justification for murder.
U.S. military always operates under written rules of engagement. No one in the U.S. ever considered Mr. Trump's remarks to be rules of engagement.
Rock throwing is why riot gear always includes a face mask. It is also why non-lethal alternatives, such as tear gas and fire hoses, were invented.
15
@W: True, but it is completely ignorant and irresponsible of our so-called Commander in Chief to suggest it. What IS the "context" in which such remarks would be appropriate?
16
@W I don't know what Trump meant. We do know what he said! What he said is know being used to justify the described killing in Nigeria. Words have consequences.
Let's hope that this president is voted out in 2020
7
We know the President's stance on this. The more pertinent question is - Mr. Mattis, are you going to let American soldiers fire on rock-throwing migrants?
If you aren't, you better let the President and the American people know immediately.
If you are, God help us, we are lost as a nation.
133
@David Guier I strenuously object to the assumption that these poor people fleeing oppression are going to throw rocks, or anything else, when they arrive at the border seeking asylum. There is no indication whatsoever that they are anything but peaceful men, women, and children who seek a better life.
63
@MJfromCA this “shoot if they throw rocks” stuff is analogous to police officers saying “I thought he had a gun.” It doesn’t matter if there’s no gun or rock. The point is to justify killing.
24
This definitely has to be our lowest as regards public demostration. We have never had an army as insensitive as this one. Not even under military rule did we have this level of Sheer impunity. The president encourages this behaviour. I was lodged at a hotel in Abuja, and I had to change hotels because of this "madness". I cant imagine what a foreigner will do. This looks bad on us. so bad!
16
This is what happens when you elect a woefully unqualified and morally bankrupt individual to our highest office. Two more years to go before Americans get a chance to make things right again and give this so-called president the boot. Hopefully on Tuesday we'll get a chance to minimize the damage over these two years by flipping one or both houses of Congress.
186
Every single day I ask myself anew: how far will we fall for this national error in judgment that is President Trump? Now we have oppressive regimes using videos of the President of the United States to justifying shooting and killing unarmed people. Just think about that for a moment.
126
@MR What would you do if someone was breaking into your home? Invite them in or oppose them? Obviously we all know the answer and the country is no different. We are a country of laws, which means a foreigner can't just decide to settle here. Most are not eligible to stay because they are economic migrants seeking the benefits of our welfare state. We understand, as President Trump has said, why they want to come here, but our current laws prohibit it. I have seen no Democrat advance a new law expanding the number of aliens admitted legally because they know it would go nowhere.
3
I worry that this is what's going to end up happening on our border. You can't keep riling everyone up into a frenzy and not expect tragedy to happen.
And now we have those armed civilians going down there to "assist" the military. The authorities need to send those guys packing. They have no reason to be there.
203
@Patty O. we've already had it happen just last week.Pipe bombs and a machine gun in a place of worship
14
And if any US citizen is killed at the border, accidentally or purposely, by US soldiers Trump sends to the border, Trump violates the US Posse Comitatus law. But then he is already violating the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, and other US laws and the US Constitution. The Trump Dictatorship being created is better for Trump supporters than our messy democracy.
5
Words have consequences.
81
Trump is the biggest force for evil of my long lifetime. Even James Mattis has relinquished his integrity in the service of that monstrous impostor. It's up to Mueller to rectify this disastrous situation.
200
@Greengage No, it is up to US to heal our nation.
14
First, it is up to us, the voters, to save our Democracy Republic and prevent despots, like Trump, Dutuerte, Putin, from taking over the world. Our vote is the most significant weapon.
If we Americans don’t vote in force to flip the House and Senate to Democrat control, Robert Mueller’s report will fall upon Trump’s Republican Quislings (traitors to American constitutional Democracy).
Vote “D” to save Democracy and defeat Trumpism.
5
@Logic : How do you propose we do that? The Rs in Congress won't stop Trump; his advisors and cabinet are enabling him. His base still thinks he's a deity. So, tell me your plan.
1
"Despite its history of massacring innocent civilians in the war with Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, detaining innocent citizens and raping women and girls fleeing war-torn communities, the Nigerian military has been the recipient of warplane sales and other gear from the United States."
When has that ever affected military sales?
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@kevin
TBH, Carter cut or threatened to cut arms sales to some countries - including Iran and Nicaragua - on the basis of human rights. He was blamed for the overthrow of those two countries (the reality was more complex) and became a talking point for Reagan to argue that Carter was soft on Communism.
tl;dr Tried once, probably never again
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So now we can add Deathmonger to the President’s multitude of sobriquets. The stress, hopelessness, fear and loathing this amoral so-called leader - of what is sadly referred to as the ‘Free World’ - has sown is incalculable.
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Sadly, America is in a downward spiral of legitimacy in the eyes of the world simply due to the (small P) president...
To all of his supporters, I ask you - is this really what you voted for?
If so, you need to do some soul searching.
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And Trump is only following the example of our closest ally, Israel. When Palestinian protesters and children throw rocks israel guns them down; how is that Trump's fault?
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@Charlie He opens his mouth and evil words come out of it. That's how.
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@Charlie
No, he's following OUR example:
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/border-issues/2016/10/10/us-border-patrol-rock-throwing-killing-cases/85670112/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/prosecutor-border-agent-tired-of-rock-throwers-killed-teen/2018/10/24/5afb04aa-d7c5-11e8-8384-bcc5492fef49_story.html
Waiting for Trump to commend the Nigerian Army for successfully
defending itself from armed Muslim terrorists.
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As inarticulate as the Nigerian spokesman may be- he's only saying out loud exactly what every bully, racist, anti-semite and totalitarian is really thinking. The #MAGAbomber and the #MAGAshooter were thinking the same exact thing! "If the leader of the free world can be on our side, who is anyone to criticize us?"
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