The attack on Lt. Col. Vindman is very cowardly. He was showing his loyalty and patriotism to our country. We witnessed the same ugly scenario of another loyal soldier, Capt. Khan.
57
Lt. Col. Vidman. I love you like the American brother you are. I would fight for you as you have and are fighting for my/our Nation///USA.
62
When I look at the two highly decorated military heroes, the Vindman brothers, both lieutenant colonels in the U.S. Army, it makes me so proud to be an American citizen.
I want to thank them, and the thousands of others like them, for their many sacrifices and their service!
On the other hand, when I see the likes of a cowardly
draft-dodging president and his disgusting band of shameless Republican enablers, insulting our country's heroic men and women ... it sickens my stomach!
97
While studying to become a naturalized citizen with my father and sister, I remember being told that once I obtained my US citizenship I risked losing it if I ever exercised any rights that my country of origin allowed me to continue to have as a Portuguese citizen by birth.
When I was 14 years old, I took the Oath of Allegiance to the US before I received my Certificate of Naturalization. I did this in a court before a judge on 12/13/68. The first line of this oath is “I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen.”
I took this oath faithfully and have honored it since then. Despite adoring Portugal, my Portuguese heritage and my Portuguese family I would never do anything to jeopardize my US citizenship by being disloyal to the country that has given me so many opportunities to have a better life than I would have had in Portugal. I can’t speak for Lt. Col. Vindman but I suspect that he may share my sentiments. Shame on those who question his loyalty!
SEE:
uscis.gov/us-citizenship/naturalization-test/naturalization-oath-allegiance-united-states-america
uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/article/chapter2.pdf (for Benefits and Responsibilities of a naturalized citizen)
49
A Profile in Courage. Thank you Colonel Vindman, we can only hope that even some small portion of your sense of duty and bravery reveals itself in the US Senate.
The Irony of a self made man,
Army Officer, Scholar, Diplomat,
Multi-linguist, Military Expert...
An Immigrant, standing up with honor, exposing the lies of a spoiled, self absorbed racist is... delicious.
69
Colonel Vindman is what a real man looks like-- decent, moral, caring, intelligent, patriotic, and he values and loves this country so much that he has put his life on the line for this country that he loves, more than once, both literally and figuratively. He carries shrapnel within his body from defending the United States, and he has now put himself forth, again, to protect the national security of this nation---his nation, and our nation. I am ashamed that it is also the nation of treacherous, ugly, furtive characters like trump, pence, giuliani, meadows, jordan, nunes and the rest of those obfuscating and deceitful republicans, who don't spare a thought for anyone other than themselves, and how they can get theirs, no matter whom they have to disenfranchise/harm, and no matter the damage they cause to this country that they are SUPPOSED to love. Colonel Vindman puts himself at peril by doing the right thing, so strong is his sense of duty, and so ardent his love for America, and instead of gratitude, he gets downright evil, right-wing wackos like Laura Ingraham accusing him of espionage! It boggles the mind and curdles the blood! Espionage, Laura Ingraham, is when one acts AGAINST the best interests of this nation, not to protect and serve this nation, as Colonel Vindman has, and continues to do. It is trump and his ilk who have done as much as they can possibly do to act AGAINST this nation, and her best interests. They serve only THEMSELVES and the uber-wealthy.
76
I can’t help but think of how proud the mother would be today of her amazing sons. So sad that she died leaving a husband and three little boys behind.
43
I am appalled by the attack of Lt. Col. Vindman’s loyalty to this country by the faux patriots who defend the stable genius (SG). I would like to point out that Lt. Col. Vindman has a long history of service to this country. I suspect that he has been thru multiple security clearances during his career. Wouldn’t his disloyalty have been found during one of those security clearances?
How many security clearances has the SG had? How many security clearances have the minions who surround the SG had? How many times has Jared Kushner refiled his security clearance application?
I greatly appreciate the service that Lt. Col. Vindman has honorably given to this country. Honor is something that the SG and the faux patriots are greatly lacking.
43
Some little unknown facts about immigrants. Most of us are above average in patriotism. I encouraged my first son to join the US Marines because I could not. I arrived here when I was above 40 but my first son arrived here when he was only 12. Because of his service in the US Marines I had the opportunity to visit Japan where he once served.
There are a lot of immigrants who have showed their patriotism by serving in the services
Cry for the beloved country
54
Thank the Lord for the Vindman family and all other immigrants who hold our country in their hearts. The most sincere and appreciative citizens in the USA are those who were born elsewhere and found peace and opportunity here.
Let us hope many other immigrants show us the paths to good citizenship; too many of us have lost our way, taking America for granted, letting odious characters "represent" and legislate for them
Be ever vigilant, or your freedoms may all disappear. We all have voices; we are free to use them to make our government of the people, by the people, for the people responsive and responsible for the morale, opportunity, and welfare of all.
What would our Founding Fathers think about today's United States of America?
36
200+ yrs ago, another immigrant named Alexander came here,
served in Washington's Armed Forces against a tyrant, then created significant portions of our Constitutional structure. He is being celebrated on Broadway now. Lt.Col Vindman shares his story.
32
I'd love to see a split-screen with Alexander Vindman on one side, with a list of all of his acts in service to the country with Donald Trump on the other.
Vindman, for example, is a war hero, a dedicated public servant, who I have no doubt is telling the truth. Trump, by comparison, avoided military service, ran for president to advance his own brand and to bolster his public image, and is a habitual liar.
It's astonishing to me how evidence of Donald Trump's character [in comparison] is rarely considered.
65
I am so proud of Lt. Col. Vindman. He, along with the whistleblower, Fiona Hill, and Bill Taylor are saving our Republic. The fact that he is an immigrant, clearly serves to upend Trump's story. He based his Presidency on hatred of immigrants, and it will be an immigrant (as we all are) who will be his downfall and who will be our savior.
This country was made of immigrants over two centuries ago, and they continue to be its wonderful history and its epic future.
60
In Nazi Germany no one spoke up. I admire this man’s courage!
78
Matt Gaetz, Sean Duffy, Ingraham.
Why are you telling lies for a man like Trump?
55
@SCZ
The highly paid commentators at Fox News are charged by their owners and handlers do whatever it takes to prop-up Trump and to denigrate anyone - ANYONE - who challenges and/or criticizes Donald Trump. Part of their mission is to create doubt in the minds of citizens who only get their information from Fox, Sinclair, Breitbart, or the Washington Examiner, to name a few. If they have consciences, they are in tatters. I'd bet the bonus program at Fox is very good. The elected (except for Duffy who has retired) such as Gaetz, Scalise, Graham, et. al. are panderers who will do what they must to be re-elected.
32
@Kiwi Kid
I get it, but my conscience doesn't get it.
9
Laura Ingraham and John Yoo - what a pair to comment regarding a decorated Soldier who is also a director on the National Security Council. Yoo should be disbarred from the practice of law for his drafting of support for torture of prisoners in contravention of the Geneva Convention. Ingraham is blind as a bat when it comes to seeing anything that Trump may have committed that is Criminal or against the interest of the United States. Fox News has really pushed outside the bounds of sanity. The Republican smears of Colonel Vindman are outrageous. When Liz Cheney says that we as a country are better than that she should be saying Republicans should try to be better than that since they are the ones throwing the mud and barging in on hearings even when they have representation on those committees. Clearly the Republican party has gone from deplorable to Despicable with this attack on Vindman.
69
To:Lt Col Vindman
Thank you for your testimony. Stepping forward takes more nerve than riding in a vehicle in war torn Iraq. You sir are are a hero and a patriot. You make me proud to be an American.
57
So proud to live in America with an exemplary individual like Colonel Vindman. Thank you for your service to this country. I’m grateful that you and your family came to the US.
53
Trump's constant complaining about "fake news" is ironic. The actual fake news is disseminated by Fox hacks such as Ingraham, Hannity, and Carlson. They have reached the depths in their desperate attempt to protect Trump by assailing Vindman as a traitor. I invoke Arny counselor Welch at the McCarthy hearings: At long last have they no decency?
42
Well the Vindman family seems to have a lot more honor than the Trump family.
The Trumps has exploited and circumvented the American system to serve themselves( through four generations). The Vindmans have lived to serve and sacrifice. Who would you rather have at your table on Thanksgiving?
59
Join me in sending a tweet to
@AlexanderVindman.
Thank you Sir, for making me proud to be an American ..again.
48
“little flags in the lapels of cynical hypocrites” So concise. Thank you. And thank you for the reminder. I hadn’t thought about it much lately, but it was Nixon and his campaign in 1968, stealing my flag, that turned me away from the Republican Party. As well, the thought of having to take orders from that corrupt Commander in Chief was no doubt a major factor in me ending my military service sooner than I otherwise likely would have.
17
@wmferree
Oh, BTW, speaking of "Nixon in 1968", Johnson had recorded conversations of Nixon or Nixon's Campaign, speaking to the government of South Vietnam, telling them not to make a deal with Johnson, to keep the War going and make it easier for Nixon to win what
became a really close election.
16
"“I did not think it was proper to demand that a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen,” his testimony said" This is a very broad statement, and doesn't apply in all conditions. At the extreme, what if an American citizen performs terrorist activities oversees, and the foreign government has the information needed to investigate, not us? Not proper to ask them to investigate? It would be improper to ask a foreign government to investigate a U.S. citizen for his/her activities within the U.S., but if he/she does questionable activities oversees, for which the foreign country was the area of operation and has the information needed to investigate, then it is entirely proper to ask them to investigate. The real question is whether Trump asked them to investigate in the national interest and happened to also benefit personally, or whether he did purely for personal benefit.
3
My heart swells with pride. I don't know him and never will, but I am so proud of Colonel Vindman for his courage and patriotism. I'm proud of the other, brother Colonel Vindman, who supported him. The whole family. What a good job their father and grandmother did and bringing them up, and what luck that Ms. Kitman became their friend and documented their journeys. Kismet.
32
Compare three Soviet born American citizens, Lev Parnas, Igor Fruman and Alexander Vindman. The first two, working with nefariously with Giuliani, arrested at the airport with one way tickets out of the US, and Vindman willing to tell the truth about Trump's coercion of Ukraine's leader for political gain. How can Fox News have the likes of a Laura Ingraham on the airwaves
60
The republican go-to defense is to try to smear this guy even though HE's obviously more of a PATRIOT than MOST of them.
I knew they'd go there as soon as his heritage became known.
Funny how no one seems to care that Trump's first wife was soviet born and a communist and his current wife was ALSO born a communist. THIS is what politics does to people.
48
@Tom Jones And Trump has used "chain migration" to get his ex-Communist father-in-law and his mother-in-law into this country.
31
Why did this guy sit in on that phone call? Being on the National Security is one thing; his 'Ukrainian heritage' however means squat.His family left, when he was 3 years old.
2
He’s the Ukraine specialist on the NSC. That’s his job. Though of course, it may be thought foolish to believe that Donald Trump would need anybody knowledgeable around.
24
That’s point, Waldo. It actually doesn’t make a difference because he’s an American.
Have a donut.
17
He speaks fluent Russian & Ukrainian....Trump sent him to support Perry when he attended the new Ukraine president’s inauguration. He is a Ukrainian/Russian specialist.
21
Thank you Mr. Vindman, you are one of us. And you are a patriot, not the lies told by Fox News now and the rightists of America. You had the guts to come forward and you were doing your job when you found about what Trump was up to. America will remember you in a positive light, even when Fox News is no longer on the air.
33
Colonel Vindman embraced the American dream. While Trump chose to create America's nightmare.
45
Lets see. This guy worked for George Soros on a team that included Hunter Biden. Well, there is no bias there. This is more of the same from the Democrats. The Russian collusion hoax. The Kavanaugh smear campaign. Stormy Daniels. You can not make this up. Trump continues to work, and the Democrats have one platform: Slander, defend, repeat.
1
Duane , wake up , see what is really happening, not believe some delusional propaganda spread by your cult leader and his PR network, Fox network. Perhaps the Democrats may help you be deprogrammed after we rid ourselves of your sad cult leader.
25
Beats hallucinate, bellow, hallucinate though, don’t it?
6
@Duane Mathias Did you see Alice on your way down the conspiracy rabbit hole? Yeah you saw someone - far right zealots.....
19
Add to the short list of American Heroes!
18
Mr Vindman and his brother were hired by the Trump administration because of their knowledge of Eastern Europe, language skills and military experience. They obviously accompanied the US officials on duty trips to the Ucraine. Why is their patriotism being questioned here? Because they are immigrants? So is the majority of the US population.
37
I have nothing but admiration for this man.
33
Stark contrast between these two men in characters and deeds.
Vindman
1. Immigrant and a naturalized US citizen.
2. Humble upbringing.
3. Educated and becomes a scholar.
4. Served the country with multiple tours and awarded a
purple heart.
5. Sacrifice and serves the country.
6. Honesty and integrity.
7. Courage and speaks truth to power.
8. Moral.
Trump
1. US born citizen.
2. Inherited massive wealth.
3. Attempted to conceal high school grade.
4. Dodged Vietnam War on multiple occasions.
5. Bullying all his life.
6. Lied > 13,000 times during his presidency.
7. Cowardice and panders to authoritarian and dictator.
8. Amoral.
At the end of the day, which man do you believe or choose for American values and morals ?
78
It is more than ironic that the Trump fanatics are accusing this guy of "espionage" for talking to Congress (whose job under the Constitution is to oversee the Executive Branch).
And this when Trump himself seems to be pursuing a foreign policy that was crafted by the Kremlin.
35
Two thoughts:
1. The attacks on Windman by Trump show, once gain, his incapacity to think of nothing but himself. Being so self-centered, he cannot conceive of anyone doing something that is outside of the self. Thus, Windman cannot act for the good of the country, he must perforce doing it for personal reasons.
There is no hope for this man.
2. Windman was brought here when he was 3 years old. He has no memory of where he was born. He has grown up, gone to school, made friends, fell in love, fought for the only country he knows. Once again, we see the discriminatory mentality of Trump and his friends who do not consider immigrants loyal citizens of this country.
There is no hope for them, also.
20
This man is my hero. Finally someone who understands right and wrong.
33
Make no mistake, these proceedings are all-out war, and should be treated as such by the Dems. They should NOT try to placate the repubs, as these efforts will only engender disparagement (as is already starting). The eye must be on the price, ie protection of our democracy.
16
"That’s where, he plans to tell impeachment investigators"
Why is what he tells the impeachment investigators, what they ask him and what he answers, kept secret?
Since his statement is made public, so it is not secret.
Isn't Congress supposed to work for us, on an open way?
2
@novoad So you're saying releasing a statement of what he's going to say isn't "open?" If you have a problem with the way the hearings are being run, take it up with the GOP leadership who wrote the rules.
45
@novoad - Hmm. Need a little civics lesson, do we?
Haven't been keeping up with the news over the past two-plus years?
There's not something clandestine going on here. Congress is investigating whether there are grounds for Impeaching the President. That's not the sort of laundry one does in public.
Yes, it keeps people like Rep. Nunes from being able to run to Uncle Donny with transcripts he can then use to denounce the process on Twitter - and on the flip side, it keeps stuff which might otherwise be truly embarrassing to Uncle Donny out of the public eye. But when criminal investigations take place, this is what we get, until there's an Indictment. Following which, if there's a trial, our learning curve grows through the presentation of witnesses, in public. Got it?
And if there's not a trial? The stuff that's been said behind closed doors stays there. Just like your local Grand Jury.
Now, from your comment, and while I'm trying not to be unfair, one gets the impression you might have been one of those folks screaming "BENGHAZI!" a couple of years ago. This ain't Benghazi. It's an investigation into how much we're going to let the crook in the White House slide. (Yes, he's a crook. You don't have to be partisan to understand that. Unless, of course, you've decided to wear blinders. Or, if you need, as noted above, a civics lesson.)
56
@novoad Your question would suggest that you may not understand that initial investigations, whether conducted/initiated by Republican or Democrat led committees, are often if not usually closed hearings in the first stage. There are of course both Repubs and Demos questioning those testifying (some of the media are distorting this fact as are some of the opposing party).
Now, as you may have heard, there will be a vote to bring the hearings into a public forum.
That is the way that Republicans and Democrats have conducted similar hearings.
I will say that I'm surprised that you weren't aware of these facts and the legality of the proceedings.
But perhaps you were being rhetorical and I missed it. And perhaps you're a troll ... hard to tell these days with so many people expressing such profound levels of ignorance.
43
Col. vindman may a good personbut I still do not see high crimes and misdemeanors. Joe Biden's Obama-era work with Ukraine seems to have warranted some investigation. When Pres Obama sent 1 billion$ in cash to Iran and conducted the echo chamber of lies from the White House, those actions were not more egregious?
4
@Hope
Err...the $1bn (or whatever) was Iran's money, fair and square, frozen by the US (illegally). All Obama did was lifting the sanctions, which unfroze the funds and since there was no direct contact between US banks and Iran, the only way to release the funds was by cargo.
Start there.
16
Nope. To both rhetorical questions. Because they don’t reflect reality. At all.
8
@Hope
The president has no business personally investigating individuals who he perceives to be his political enemies. That is the job of a second year analyst. Perhaps that is the job Mr Trump is best suited for.
3
I note that after escaping the Soviet Union the Vindman's spent time in Europe waiting for their American visas to come through. They did immigration the right, lawful way. They didn't sneak in.
Now, in an accopmanying piece in the paper we read about how a taco truck is being given hard time because they feed ICE employees.
ICE, please keep doing what you're doing. I think we're too nice to those who illegally sneak across our borders. We should just round them up and re-deposit them back onto the other side of the border. On the way out hand them immigration applications so they can do it right.
16
@MIKEinNYC You appear to know or care very little about why people are fleeing without taking their time to apply for migration status. Which, buy the way, opportunity is limited more and more every day. If your life was in danger, your land too arid to plant, someone was threatening to rape or kill you would you wait for your papers to be vetted by someone safely ensconced in their office? I think not.
90
@MIKEinNYC
How about the other half of the equation on illegal immigration - you know, the businesses (like Trump's resorts) that are only too happy to hire illegal immigrants at dirt cheap wages? Why is it that we never hear folks like you talk about those businesses?
46
@Renee Hack
The people who are illegally sneaking across our border or just showing up are coming here for economic reasons. They are not asylum seekers fleeing nazis, communists, Castro, Venezuela, Kim Jung Un or other oppressive governments.
Since they are in it for the money they can and should comply with our immigration rules.
I think that we should have rules whereby attempts to illegally sneak into our country are held against perpetrators when they get around to legally applying to immigrate.
4
This guy is also a highly partisan "Never Trumper" who should be more concerned about his emotional support puppy than lying about a phone call. Most of America could care less what Trump said in that call.
4
“This guy”: how very disrespectful and a very poor reflection upon you
56
@RS Where do you get that from? I think you're wrong on all counts.
35
@RS
You’re from the “Show Me State.”
Provide evidence that Colonel Vindman is highly partisan, needs an emotional support puppy, is lying about a phone call, or that “most of America could care less.”
45
He's Ukrainian,
He saw the president do something that did not match what he wants Ukraine to be or look like.
So he started this whole thing as he did not agree. Don't tell me he did not have a personal vision for his homeland that he felt was in danger.
That's opportunity and motive.
2
@AutumnLeaf He’s an American officer who has literally put his life on the line for us all. If you wish to denigrate his bravery, so be it. My view is that he doesn’t want our own country to lose its valuable democracy, which is at risk through such illegal acts. Our national objective has been a free and democratic Ukraine. Our acts must align with our objective to foster its growth.
504
@AutumnLeaf
Colonel Vindman's "homeland" is the United States of America. He took the oath to protect it.
Opportunity and motive for defending the Constitution and the rule of law. How lucky we are he stepped up to do that.
114
@AutumnLeaf , thanks for giving us a look at how the benighted and paranoid Trump supporters view the world. You can find a way to insult even the most honorable people, to further the interests of a corrupt and documented liar. Col. Vindman is not Ukrainian. While he was born there, he is an American citizen, an officer in the US military, and clearly a patriot. He's as American as any other citizen, and deserves respect.
130
I hope President Trump will fire both brothers ASAP. Nobody elected them in office, so we don't care about views and their split loyalties with the Ukrainians and the Democrats and the Resistance to sabotage a duly elected President. In my professional life, I disagreed with my bosses more often than not, but I didn't snitch.
7
Trump is not a king. The oath taken is to the constitution not to party or team. Perfect example why we need to bring back civics classes at every level of education and job training.
295
Idealist, Do you care about honesty, love of country and the rule of law?
171
@Idealist If you see your boss commit or attempt to commit crimes, it's your your responsibility to report that. Vindman works for the United States, not for Donald Trump.
352
To the so-called "Idealist" comment herein calling this hero a "snitch."
Here is the definition of "snitch":
"a person who tells someone in authority (such as the police or a teacher) about something wrong that someone has done"
17
It must be said over and over, Alexander S. Vindman is a hero, a giant among Americans. We need more men/women like him in America. Key to note, he is an immigrant and someone who has worked very hard to rise very high.
How is it possible that we have a cushy, wimpy, reality-star, flunky, con-man (bankrupt 4 xs) as a president over a man like this. Money and glittery-gold longing has so corrupted America. We have trump b/c money is what too many worship in the US. The fear of losing a super life of luxury is too much to contemplate. So, instead, they fawn over trump counting their money.
As books are published/stories leaked of the unbelievably corrupt and banana-republic like behavior of trump, I am most let down by the military (past trump) advisors.
I thought military men were supposed to have honor above reproach; that they were all courageous, special people who always stand up for their fellow military brothers/sisters. But so many are silent. How cowardly, so many are showing themselves to be so weak and immoral.
I guess sadly we must look at Flynn and Olie North and see there are many very bad apples. Did trump purposely choose the military men most corruptible?
Find your courage and stand up for what is right: Kelly, Mattis, etc... This will tarnish the military and trump is already doing much damage. Why do you risk burning your reputations to ashes for trump.
The excuses are running out...trump will be caught very soon. The wise will act now.
32
#KiKi I also think Mueller should raise his voice now and speak out and show his patriotism at this point in history.
7
Now, more than ever, Stephen Miller and the hate and fear factory that he and Trump have created, should hang their heads in shame. But they have none. Soldiers and civil servants shall deliver us from their evil immigration policy.
24
This man is A Patriot. Thank you sir for serving your country...The USA.
26
Ad hominem attacks are the badge of disgrace of Trump and many of his devoted supporters, within the WH and the GOP ranks. No person, even with impeccable character is safe from such ad hominem attacks from either Fox Channel staff, White House staff and the malignant narcissist himself.
Democratic presidential candidates, be on the watch!
Shame on the biased media and the vulgar leadership of the present Administration...
19
This is the Dreyfus affair all over again.
8
Duty, Honor, Country. Things patriots understand and Fox News does not, apparently.
15
I teared up reading this story. These patriotic immigrants know the dangers of totalitarian regimes. They represent the very best of America.
That the right wing blather-sphere (serving the interests of global oligarchs including Rupert Murdoch, Trump, Putin et al.) is disparaging Lt. Col. Vindman should outrage and sicken anyone who claims to love America.
22
I am so thrilled to read this article about a real American family. This patriot decided that he could not sit silent and continue to allow this President to dismantle our republic. He is a great American indeed.
25
I am worried about his safety and how our leader and the other party will ruin his reputation. This should not be my worry in this country. He is a gentleman and a scholar--why should we have to worry?! God bless his bravery.
16
Trump et al can only ruin reps of those who support him.
1
I wouldn't praise all immigrants.
Case in point: Grandfather Trump was the first generation immigrant; he opened bars, rooming houses with "sporting women." Father Trump built a fortune on tenement houses, apartments. Woody Guthrie was one of his tenants and wrote a song about old man Trump's racial bias and harsh treatment of his tenants.
And we know the patriotism of the current keeper of the Trump tradition. Before that "perfect: and "beautiful" phone call, the idea of a dynasty of Trump rulers were prophesied by his loyalists. So I say the Trump's vision of the American dream could have been the dream of any S-H dictator. In three generations, the Trumps never understood what truly makes America great: our rule of law based on shared powers of government to prevent a dictatorship.
Looks like the Vindmans understood what makes America great long before landing on our shores.
Maybe it boils down to personal decency and integrity vs greed and corruption. And the USA, it just allows dreams, good and bad, to flourish.
We are about to see if our Congress and Judiciary can prevent the worst of Trump's dreams from being realized. There's a limit to the freedoms we grant and Trump has more than reached his limit.
15
If any US official current or former, a candidate for office or a family member of the foregoing engaged in or is engaging in corruption or bribery, I want to know about it. Moreover US voters should know about it, too. I don't care much where the information comes from. I only care that it's true and can be verified. Yes, Trump looked to get the goods on Biden and apparently Clinton looked to get dirt on Trump and Sanders. To me that's fine so long as the information can be verified as true. So, the fact that Trump asked the Ukrainians for dirt on Biden and his son, and there appears that there is some, doesn't bother me about Trump. There are many things I dislike about Trump such as stabbing our Kurdish allies in the back, but seeking to expose corruption whatever the motive is not one of them.
1
Is there a Republican out there with the courage to stand up and defend the actions of the Trump administration? I mean, it's pretty darn easy to stand back and cast aspersions at witnesses and processes, but what about the actual actions of this administration? Should foreign policy be conducted like a neighborhood protection racket? Do you think an elected official should invite foreign influence in our elections? Defend it or step back and let the process play out.
5
“Did not think it was proper”... so here we have someone who is part of the deep state who doesn’t like trumps policies who doesn’t agree with the presidents way of doing things. This is all it is. If the democrats think they can impeach a president because he is doing things in ways which are not “proper” they better get ready for what will happen to any future president that comes from their party when the gop has majority in the house. They will see how their man or woman will be treated for not being “proper”
2
He didn’t think it was proper because it’s written in our laws that it’s not proper. This wasn’t a personal assessment based on his personal feelings. Is this really that hard to grasp for republicans?
12
It is truly amazing the lengths Trump supporters will go to to prop Trump up. I'm sure there were the same types supporting Joe McCarthy.
14
The Times Picks here evoke the Statue of Liberty, Jewish pride, and notions of heroism. Let's bring in shades of reality.
In the real world, there are generalities that apply to a refugee community. Not everyone conforms. Some embrace the generalities, some oppose them, some carry snippets, some ignore or grow out of them. But they still exist.
Vindman is a Ukrainian Jewish refugee whose family fled during the Soviet era. His family is unlikely to be religious, just like Soviet emigre Jews. Many such Jews went to Israel, which was allowed by the Soviets. Anyone who chose to come to America is much more likely to be secular and to have defied the Soviets. So those who left Soviet Ukraine and came to the US tend to be particularly hostile the USSR. And they are likely to bear affection for their homeland. In a nutshell, most secular Jewish refugees from the Ukraine bear animus against the Russians and feel at least some affection toward the Ukraine.
Because we're dealing in generalities, the rest is speculative, though not at all unlikely. If Vindman fits the stereotype, Trump's pressuring of Zelensky and his suspension of funding is particularly offensive because it plays into the hands of Russia. Putting the starry-eyed approved comments into real world (though stereotypical) context, the incemtive for Vindman to speak out is more clear. At the same time, his sentiment may color his testimony. That's how it is in the real world.
2
Such a contrast-
Bravery, courage, true loyalty to America and its values by Vindman.
Unseemly behavior, unfounded accusations of espionage and deep disloyalty to America and its values by 45 and his propaganda arm Fox.
No comparison who’s most believable.
Here’s hoping the voters remember in 2020. This contrast is exactly the choice we are making as a country -
standing by our values and our allies vs. abandoning those values to extortion, greed, and entrenched, destructive autocracy.
6
As the daughter of immigrants I know first hand the struggles of those who come to this country with nothing. My Polish father and Ukrainian mother spent four years in a displaced persons camp in Germany after WWII waiting to come to America. Three of their babies were born in that camp in three years. One died. When they got to America, they embraced it as the greatest country on earth, because despite knowing no English, having no education, and possessing no skills, they could still work hard and build a better life for their family than they could ever hope for in post-war Europe. The trauma of living through the war pushed them forward, just as it does for many immigrants trying to get to America today.
Col. Vindman epitomizes the same deeply patriotic belief in this country that immigrants share. They know the struggle it took to get here and what it means to be an American. No spear campaign will ever show Col. Vindman's to be anything but a man of honor, truth, and an American hero.
"Immigrants. We get the job done."
13
Please explain to me what new information Col. Vindman can offer that we don't already know from the transcript of the phone call.
Is Vindman testifying to Trump's body language or the coif of his hair or winks and nudges exchanged between Trump and Zelensky?
Or is the purpose to parade as many people as possible before the committee who will badmouth Trump?
3
Alexander S. Vindman is a solid citizen and a patriot in the true sense of the word. With very few exceptions, we do not seen his ilk in the Republican party today.
8
This is an amazing story. I am struck by the irony of an immigrant who came to America with nothing but family, made something of himself, served his country, and then found himself in a White House position that absolutely required him, as a patriotic citizen, to report the actions of this particular president. Let Laura Ingraham and her ignorant friends at Fox News choke on their ignorant conspiracy theories, they don't begin to understand what it is to be a true American.
14
For those of you that are as offended as I am with the Fox Network onslaught on Lt. Col. Vindman as I am, you can go to Media Matters to see who advertises on Fox. I have already written several telling them that they are losing my business.
These Fox anchors and pundits most of whom have never served this country or taken an oath to protect and serve are disingenuous and unpatriotic. I would love to see Ingram in uniform dodging bullets and IEDs. Then we would see how tough she is.
12
A patriot and hero.
22
Perhaps Ingraham's and Kilmeade's comments raise the question of who is actually a patriot, and who is not? Vindman has walked the walk. Ingraham a Kilmeade merely talk the talk.
24
Those who were born in and immigrated from corrupt, authoritarian states are often the biggest defenders of democracy and rule of law. Such is the case here. Col. Vindman is compelled by his duty and love of country to come forth.
That’s more than could ever be said about Donald Trump,
25
Having worked with dedicated government employees, who take their oath earnestly and seriously, I am inspired by Vindman's honesty, loyalty and integrity, and courage and disgusted (but, alas, not surprised), by those who attempt to denigrate him.
22
A true American hero .
14
Obviously! Certainly! Hiding in plain sight! Espionage!
Melania Trump: Double agent in cahoots with Slovenia. Why else would a foreign-born 'suspect' be placed in such close proximity to the twitter-seat of power?
6
It takes an immigrant to get the job done! How delightfully karmic.
26
I'd love the opportunity to ask Trump's propganda arm at Fox news if they can conceive of a single thing Donny boy could do that they would think inappropriate! Anything? Anything?
13
What a disgrace that a hack like the galactically stupid and monumentally unintelligent Laura Ingraham chose to attack an American patriot like Col. Vindman while flanked by two of the most overrated and disavowed lawyers in America, the eternally disgraced John Yoo, and the eminently stupid and shameful Alan Dershowitz. Talk about three blind mice! Like Forrest Gump once said, "Stupid is as stupid does." How blind does one have to be to be unable to recognize an American patriot when that patriot presents himself right before their eyes? And in what capacity has any of these three fools ever served their country in the way this esteemed soldier has? The Faux News Channel has messed all over itself many, many times in the past, but this may yet be the worst. The three blind mice have no shame.
32
May G_d bless the United States of America.
5
The right wing media has already portrayed this man as a Russian plant ... This had better blow up in their faces , or what will ?
3
Revolting that Laura Ingrahm and her ilk are villifying this man because he is an "immigrant".....he is as American as anyone, for pete's sake he came here at age 3.
12
"...Who Is Alexander Vindman? A Ukrainian Refugee Turned White House Official Testifies in the Impeachment Inquiry...
Don't you mean:
"...Who Is "Alexander Vindman"? A "Ukrainian Refugee" Turned "White House Official" Testifies in the "Impeachment" Inquiry...
Actually, your so-called "Impeachment" inquiry isn't - until the House says it is...
Till then, it's just an "inquiry"...
@W in the Middle Where do people get this stuff?
@W in the Middle You are wrong, per the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
With this unwarranted attack on Lt. Colonel Vindman, Mr. Trump's defenders have surrendered all sense of decency and fealty to our democracy. The ends justify the means.
16
The United States is blessed by the immigrant. The best bring tolerance to our shores as they flee prejudice. The patriotic twins exemplify our personal and national ideals. ON TYRANNY by History ProfessorTimothy Snyder of Yale is in their blood. May their children follow the tolerance of their parents and grandparents. My wife’s family fled Germany in 1933 and 1936. They were intermarried, Jewish and Lutheran. My Orthodox father’s father dropped his name on arrival in 1876 or so. He chose Lewis. He met a Welshman he admired. He wanted to forget the pogroms. Lewis sounded American. He would not share his birth name. He was protecting us. He married late. My dad was born when his dad was 46. He and his sister were raised Orthodox in Brookline. My dad married a Christain, had no interest in religion. He was not proud of being Jewish till I was 15 and he raised money for The New York Federation of Jewish Philanthropies. I learned his religion when I was 15. We were baptized. I read Anne Frank and was stunned. We have experienced anti Semitism and racial stuff everywhere. For the antisemite, I am Jewish. For the Jew that looks askance at Christians, I am Christian. Our youngest loved an American girl of color. Some of her ancestors were slaves, others were not. We have learned tolerance. We urge this in The North Country where color is seldom seen. At www.sblewis.com you can see what happened when I suggested charity here for addicts: NIMBY was the cry. Tolerance is dead here.
8
American Patriots are taking the battlefield. The outcome is certain.
7
Just read the companion article on Fox News commentators, et al accusing Vindman of espionage. These are people who would not know how to defend themselves (or others) in a pillow fight and they are casting aspersions on an individual who, at the very least, had the guts to volunteer for military duty, accept a posting to a war zone, engage in combat, and received a purple heart.
These right-wingers are capable of running their mouths and nothing more. Why corporate sponsors continue to fund this reactionary charade is beyond me. And then you get to Donald-Bone-Spur-Draft-Dodger-Trump. When has he ever put his life on the line? How many bullets has he taken in the defense of others? Never and none. End of story.
21
The only reason anyone should feel uncomfortable about these two brothers is that most of us should feel ashamed that we have not done one-tenth of what these brothers have done to defend the democracy and national security our country.
29
President Trump has sought to undermine the credibility of witnesses by suggesting they are part of a deep state political conspiracy to stage a coup.
President Trump is either deliberately provocative or profoundly delusional. And with that bad hair.
10
By now trying to smear this war veteran as unpatriotic, Trump and his loyalists will loose their face and their credibility. Every Trumpist should now get what a narcissistic, self serving show Trump is airing.
Every person Trump aligns into his "deep state" conspiracy fantasy world should feel honoured. Everyone who is acting like a professional, everyone who is honouring the constitution, everyone with a sense of right and wrong is part of his imaginary "Deep State". Trump will never understand the fine art of diplomacy and politics. He only understands to sell his name, to serve himself and to be on top no matter the damage he is causing to others. No matter the damage he is causing to transatlantic relations. No matter the division he is fueling among his people.
USA desperately needs a honourable president, to whom people can look up to. A president uniting people. A president who is protecting the values that made your country great. A president who is worth to represent a modern democracy honouring freedom and pluralism.
13
And fox accuses him of espionage.
I accuse fox of slander and/or libel, whichever applies to broadcast journalism. Not that I consider them journalists.
One of the foundations of the Bill of Rights is freedom of the press and freedom of expression. And a valid defense against slander or libel is that the report was the truth.
This one surely is not.
A filthy lie from a revolting organization that calls itself broadcast news.
15
There is indeed NO low to the Trumpists that is low enough!
To attack him in ANY Manner will be MOST reprehensible and yet, the Trumpists - aka most GOP, enablers of Trump - will not stop doing it.
This man shows what is best in America and how it has collided with the WORST in America!
7
As I feared the anti Semitic slurs have stated against Vindman. This time it's the tried and true "He's not loyal to this country.". The old " Jews have dual loyalty" trope is as old as time. And the sad thing is that the GOP lets the trope be amplified because hate enables them to stay in power .
15
The vitrol thrown upon the Lt. Col. by Fox and other GOP operatives is a clear sign of the moral and ethical decay that has set in the GOP. Like the illegal gerrymandering in North Carolina, GOP politics is about grabbing and winning at any cost, regardless of the harm to American society or governance. The GOP is no longer the party of "conservatives". It is the party of greed, libel, and slander that calls to and manipulates some of the lowest values and people they can muster.
I have no doubt that we would have heard innuendo and code phrases about "evil Jewish bankers" if the Vindmans were economists too.
12
The Republican House jackals have plummeted to a new low. They are now questioning the Colonial Vindman’s patriotism and honor to duty.
11
Three things Trump no doubt hates about Lt. Colonel Vindman,
1. he's a Jewish immigrant
2. he's got a purple heart
3. he's lived up to duty, honor, country. And the truth means something.
The right-wing character attacks are more of the disgraceful spawn from Swift Boat Veterans for Truth which had little to do with vets and nothing to do with the truth. And Shame on FoxSpews.
13
Thank you Corporal Kareem Khan and thank you Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman for your service.
12
Sure. When's his book coming out?
1
Art of the deal, right? These folks I tell ya!
1
Whoa! Those two twin boys do us proud...!
9
Our draft dodger president, who communicates regularly with the brass and celebrities at Fox, surely gave his blessing to attacks on Vindman.
6
To those who, for whatever deranged, sycophantic reason that Lt. Colonel is somehow compromised or whatnot because of his immigration status, (or, rather, his parent's decision to move here when he was three (3) as few of us), kindly see the following list of R's whose families came here for a "better life" or to escape a communist regime (US Senators BOLDED for emphasis):
Michael Burgess (R-TX); TED CRUZ (R-TX) - heck, he was even a DUAL CITIZEN at one point; Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) whose aunt was Castro's first wife!! and rest of family fled Cuba; Michael Burgess (R-TX) - mother was a refugee!; Andy Harris (R-MD) - parents fled Hungary & Poland, also Veteran; Justin Amash (R-MI); Alexander Mooney (R-WV) - mom was refugee; James Risch (ID-R) - attended college in MOSCOW!; MARCO RUBIO (R-FL) - we've all heard hies story; and JOHN THUNE (R-SD).
Lest we forget, MELANIA TRUMP (FLOTUS), from - let's call it what it was then - Communist Yugoslavia.
With the exception of Burgess and Thune (both children of at least 1 Canadian), all of the above had family that left either a communist regime or a dictatorship. Only one (Harris) is a former Veteran. Why? Because America.
Is Fox questioning the patriotism of any of them? Those who do so for Vindman - a Purple Heart, do your homework and look in to the above folks. Only one Vet, yet a slew of multi-millionaires.
Stop the propaganda right-wing, and realize who we, as Americans, truly are.
12
I hope White House Senior Advisor Jared Kushner, a descendant of Holocaust survivors, can provide the President with a summary of this article and comments submitted in response.
9
Those who question this man’s loyalty to country are they themselves disloyal to our country. His patriotism is beyond reproach.
- Veteran (Vietnam)
11
"support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC"
Nothing else needs to be said.
24
This is worse than the "Swift Boating" of John Kerry. It was certainly despicable and outrageous to down play Kerry's service 30 years prior. Here we have an active duty Army Lt. Colonel. A decorated combat veteran. Being accused of Espionage. When will a significant percentage of the GOP public stop supporting this disgraceful administration? After all, this attack on Lt. Colonel Vindman is aimed directly at their base. To disinform their base to defend this charge just to maintain their support. This un-American, un-patiotic.
I'm an attorney. If you made such an extraordinary accusation against a witness in court you better be ready to defend it with demonstrable, good-faith supporting evidence to the judge. Otherwise, i'd expect a moral turpitude charge and referral to the State Bar for investigation.
27
I am appalled, though not surprised, at how Trump and his syncophants seek to besmirch Lt. Col. Vindman as a Ukrainian speaking immigrant. They attack what is a most admirable immigrant story--flee the Soviet Union at age three, pursue a military career, wounded in Iraq, and top Russian adviser to the Joint Chiefs and then at the NSC--and murmur that he might be pro-Ukrainian or even a traitor.
WHo is the better "patriot?"--a person with Lt. Col. Vindman's record or a person who avoided military service because a doctor (who he can't recall) gave him a letter about a bone spur (that the person can't recall whether it was his left or right ankle). The person publicly stated that he preferred President Putin's personal assurance over the unanimous judgment of U. S.
Intelligence agencies. Moreover, this person has without fail seemed to support Russian President Putin over core American national interests.
HANDS DOWN LT. COL. VINDMAN IS A FAR GREATER PATRIOT THAN MR. TRUMP!
26
I’m wondering why didn’t John Eisenberg the top counsel for the NSC do anything about this situation sooner? We now know he had reports of what was going on from at least two people on the NSC : Lt. Col Vindman as well as Ms. Hill, John Bolton’ assistant.
11
American hero.
18
The Vindman's are exactly the type of immigrants Trump wants to keep out of America. Perhaps it wasn't all about being white, wealthy or knowledgeable. Perhaps it was about patriotism, duty and honor - traits Trump lacks !
16
I've seen excerpts from his opening statement and have a general sense of Colonel Vindman's background and service to his country. I also saw a clip of Fox News implying that he was possibly a spy and could not be trusted. It is increasingly apparent why that network is losing people like Shep Smith who actually report the news. Their sycophantic support of the President is absent of any objective reporting. Sickening.
25
And Trump is calling this hero a never trumper and other insults! IMPEACH.
13
It is interesting the number of un-elected bureaucrats who want to make their own policies and subvert their boss President Trump almost to the point of treason
2
@steve
I know right?! It's as if they swore an oath to the Constitution of the USA and not to Donald J. Trump... oh wait.
5
If you noticed your boss committing a crime, wouldn't you feel a duty to report it? Wouldn't you have a duty to report it?
3
GOP and Trump are publicly smearing Vindman's patriotism.
They can't pound the facts
They can't pound the law
So they pound their lies
These are the last gasps of a drowning cult.
11
Who is he? He is American.
9
Trump has said he doesn't like American POWs ("I like people who weren't captured").
Now the White House and Fox News are smearing Mr. Vindman, an American vet who fought in the Iraq War and received a Purple Heart.
Is this what the red hats want in a commander-in-chief?
15
To Ingram fans here: Read his job description. He was doing his job. He went up the chain. He never leaked. He put the safety of Americans first. Personally he is risking everything today to speak truth to power—calmly, by stating facts. He is the kind of man I hope my sons will be.
807
@Red
I for one would like to contribute to a legal aid fund that enables patriots like Lt. Col. Vindman to sue the likes of Laura Ingraham and John Yoo for libel. Does anyone know of any such a fund?
103
@Red Laura is in the tank for Trump,nothing he does is wrong.
44
@Red
I don't think Ingram fans are reading the Times. That being said, he's a patriot, and at least one person in the White House who has a moral and ethical compass.
76
What strikes me repeatedly about Colonel Vindman's letter to the committee is its consistent clarity, concision and coherent organization. It is a narrative concerned solely with the unfolding events and the concerns that they quite rightly raise in anyone with a passing knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and the Military Code of Justice.
HIs references to himself and his career in the opening paragraphs are there only to establish his bona fides which are impressive merely in their statement. He does not bloviate, he does not exaggerate, he does not claim to accomplish things he has not done, nor does he claim to be present at times when he was not present.
All of which stands in great contrast, it seems to me, to the discourse and rhetoric of another person very much in the news of late.
What kind of Americans do we want to represent us? What kind of Americans do we want to be? There is a clear and explicit choice to be made here.
19
As flawed as we are, as flawed as our democracy and nation are: The tale of the Vindmans is a picture of America at its best. Trump and his Trumpy Republicans have put the last nail into the coffin of American exceptionalism. "It can't happen here" has become "it is happening here," just as "I didn't do it" invariably becomes, after prevarications and gaslighting, "I did it, so what." One of us is a second generation immigrant. We have relatives who were imprisoned and tortured, for political reasons, by one of the regimes that Trump admires.
21
@Robert
And the mob that is screaming the loudest about how Merikan-exceptional they are, well, they are the least exceptional of the whole unexceptional lot of us--
2
As an Air Force officer in the political environment of the DOE and DOD I saw how often officers caved in to morally-corrosive situations. I was often called an idealist.
It makes me proud to see another idealist who saw his duty and did it.
32
Watching Republicans go on broadcast media denigrating a career service person, propagating a conspiracy theory that he's a Ukrainian spy is beyond low.
Meanwhile we know Trump started his career money laundering Russian and Chinese mafia cash through his casinos, we know he has a history of getting bailed out by Russian mobsters, Saudi princes and Chinese Oligarchs. But, Republicans want us to believe Vindman is compromised.
The entire Republican Party is beyond rehabilitation. Honorable members of the party need to leave and form something else. I don't see one with the backbone to stand up for this country.
27
@Don
Incorrigible is the word that everyone should use regard the present state of the Republican party.
3
@Don
Don't forget the money laundering through new york and miami real estate sales/purchases.
4
Lt. Col. Vindman is entitled to his own opinions about U.S. policy towards Ukraine. However, he is in an advisory role at the NSC that serves the President...not to serve to undermine or obstruct the President’s directives when the policy changes. If the President wants to unearth corruption in Ukraine and the former administration, that is his prerogative....after all, no one in America voted for the Lt. Col. to run the country.
2
@J House They were NOT trying to unearth corruption in Ukraine OR ANYWHERE else in the world. They were specifically trying to smear Joe Biden. I don't understand how the pro-Trumpers can continue to propagate disinformation and lies. STOP
17
@J House WRONG, his oath is to the United States not the president. It is country first, always. If the president chooses to compromise this nation for his own self interests, every government worker who has taken an oath is required to speak out.
"I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God."
10
@J House
You know this isn't about corruption in Ukraine, any more than that meeting at TTower was about Russian adoptions. And it NEVER was.
11
You do Col. Vindman a disfavor when the lead in the article is that he is "a Ukranian refugee." First and foremost, he is an American, and decorated Veteran. In fact, you do a lot of people a disfavor. My children were born in Russia, but have been here since age two. This is not a particularly significant factor in their lives - they don't remember Russia, just as I doubt Vindman remembers the Ukraine. The Republicans will tell you it is all that matters, you don't need to give them any help.
22
A gentleman and his family have built an honorable and impeccable immigrant story. Now we will watch Trump's legion of worshippers go out of the way to smear their reputation for a man that is devoid of decency and honor and deserves no defense.
18
I have no words to describe how infuriating it is to hear Trump and Republicans denigrate this man’s character. Our president and his allies have no inkling of what “Duty, Honor, Country” means. Trump only understands “Me, My Wallet.” His minions follow “Trump, Re-election, and Congressional Perks.” Lt. Col Vindman is brave, honorable, and a patriot. How many who question his character can say the same?
17
Why do refugees often make the greatest patriots? Perhaps because they know the cost of silence.
28
Please also notice that besides his Purple Heart Lt.Col. Vindman has a Combat Infantry Badge, a Ranger Tab and Parachute Wings. None of these come easy or without commitment. This man has been tested and proves himself true.
28
In his statement to Congress, Colonel Vindman writes: “I sit here, as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, an immigrant. … For many years, life was quite difficult. In spite of our challenging beginnings, my family worked to build its own American dream. … I am a patriot … .”
You cannot make this stuff up. The honorable, patriotic Colonel Vindman is the perfect antidote to Trump's anti-immigrant poison and bottomless corruption. He makes me swell with pride. My Jewish grandmother Rosa ran out of Czarist Ukraine to escape pogroms and, like Colonel Vindman and his brothers, traveled past the Statute of Liberty as a child to make her life in America. She also was a patriot – someone who loved this country. She was he (without the Army career) of an earlier age.
I'd like to think that if my babushka were alive, Colonel Vindman would make her very proud. But probably he would only confuse her. Today two Jews rather than fleeing Ukraine are helping to save it: a Jew in Ukraine who was elected president by a landslide and a Jew in Washington who is a decorated Army officer. I would have had a tough time explaining this to Rosa. In fact, she wouldn't have believed me.
20
What a moving comment! Well said.
2
If there’s any country in the world that deserves trump for 4 more years is us. Misery is as misery does.
1
To attack Vindman is to attack the very essence of virtue as embodied by the US Military. A very dangerous move for a naked politician who cares not for the honor and virtuous patriotism at the top of our military.
16
Great reporting. It really helps knowing the background of the key figures in the investigation. The Trump sympathizers will have a very difficult time trashing him. It takes a tremendous amount of courage for a military person with a career at stake to speak up. They really exemplify the kind of people we need running this country, NOT the type exemplified by Trump and his apartchiks.
13
When the Republicans begin smearing Lt. Col. Vindman (as they inevitably will), the time will be right for a Republican to step forward for a "Have you no shame?" moment with his fellows. Does anything believe there is a Republican today who is up to it?
12
@RS
no. unless they've decided to retire
1
Thank goodness for people like this good man and patriot!
7
It's just sickening to me that a career soldier like Col. Vindman would be attacked and demeaned by Fox News and others for doing his duty. He reported what he heard, as he should have. He did not go to the press, he did not leak any information. The Congressional committee sought him out to testify. I see nothing wrong in any of Vindman's actions or behavior. That Fox News will now attack and denigrate him says more about the motives of that organization than it does Col. Vindman.
12
Those who attack this man, should be ashamed. Whether it’s Trump or Fox News anchors.
He is an American who has served his country and continues to do so. Very well.
It does not matter whether you are left or right.
When the president was asking a foreign government to investigate a US citizen, it should raise alarm bells for anyone. Whether it’s Biden or your neighbor.
10
He’s the opposite of our president. A true patriot who puts country first. Learn from him, Donald.
10
This is what are country SHOULD BE about.
4
A wonderful example of immigrants to the US contributing mightily to the national good. This gentleman risked his life in battle for us - unlike the President, his allies in Fox News and a certain Professor Yoo. But this pitiful group is willing to loudly disparage this officer.
Prof Yoo, himself an immigrant from Korea, even implied this immigrant officer (who came to the US at age 3) was engaged in espionage against the US. Yoo offered not a shred of evidence - and he is a law professor? Shame on Yoo and Berkeley Law school for hiring him. Prof Yoo was the author of the infamous " legal note" that said torture by the CIA was ok!!! Yoo is a sorry example of immigrant contribution. Thankfully a lot more immigrants are more like Col Vindman and contribute positively to our nation.
8
Colonel Vindman is a true hero, a decorated veteran with a Purple Heart.
The way Trump and the hyenas at Fox News are trying to smear him shows how completely morally bankrupt the Republican Party under Donald Trump has become.
Nothing shames Rupert Murdoch but he's allowing the people who run his enterprise to trash a war hero who has come forward because he believes our democracy is in danger.
Rupert Murdoch is going to be remembered as a key player in forces that tried to topple our democracy when Russia essentially cyber-invaded us and deposited a Russian asset in the U.S. Presidency. Rupert Murdoch cares about money more than anything else.
How does he sleep at night?
How does Mark Zuckerberg sleep at night?
These people are willing to risk letting their business empires strike down American democracy so they - both billionaires many times over - can rake in more $$$$$.
10
"Alexander S. Vindman and his twin brother, Yevgeny, were 3 years old when they fled Ukraine with their father and grandmother, Jewish refugees with only their suitcases and $750, hoping for a better life in the United States."
There father and grandmother fled bringing Alexander and his brother with them! It is a subtle difference but worth saying. Three year old twins don't flee. The twins basically grew up from a very early age - age 3 - in the US, and so are basically Americans.
7
“Basically Americans”? Really?!? Stunning.
1
That includes becoming a willing enemy anxious to attack the President ?
1
@Alan Einstoss truth is not an attack
5
Regarding the vitriol being hurled at Colonel Vindman: it is particularly absurd to suggest that a Jewish emigre would have warm feelings toward parts of the former Soviet Union. Many such emigres wouldn't set foot in their birthplaces if you paid them.
13
Honor. Duty. Country. These were the ideals my West Pointer dad fought for during his five-year World War II stint in Anzio and lifetime of service to his country. The son of immigrant German farmers who fought in the American Revolution, my Republican father, were he alive today, would be repelled by everything Donald Trump stands for. As would my mother, the daughter of an Irish born cop.
Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman for your patriotism, for helping us save our Democracy.
17
My grandmother also left Russia to come to the U.S. National service to their new country was also a high priority. Her husband served in WWII, dying from his wounds, and my father in Vietnam.
It is inspiring to read the Vindman story and to see what true patriotism looks like. Let's hope the GOP gets a grip on itself and recognizes this. No more slamming patriots!
12
From the article: on numerous occasions, Ukrainian officials sought him out for advice about how to deal with Mr. Giuliani.
So he has been advising a foreign government on how to subvert the policy of the US government? Nice.
1
@Kevin P You are dead wrong there.
Rudolph Giuliani is not a duly appointed or elected representative of America – he is Donald Trump's personal lawyer. It is Giuliani who has subverted the national interest here since "the policy of the US Government" has never been to use force foreign governments to help one party win an election in America.
9
@Kevin P What does Giuliani have to do with the foreign policy of the US? For that matter, Trump has subverted US policy to benefit himself personally. Which is why he’s going to be impeached.
9
@Kevin P
you are parroting FauxNews. This patriot was trying to carry out a policy approved overwhelmingly by our Congress
4
I hope that the effort to discredit a respected and decorated military hero will backfire. That active and retired military will rally to the side of a comrade in arms. That this will sway their opinions and even their votes. For how can they respect someone who smears and denigrates one of their own?
10
A sincere thank you to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman.
An excellent reminder that we are all migrants.
5
As an immigrant myself, there are elements of Lieutenant Colonel Vindman's journey that resonate with me.
I can't help but think about how much better our great country would be if we had more immigrants like the Vindmans and less like the Trumps.
10
The comments, snide innuendos, and outright smears of the Trump minions in the media, political party, and general population are vile and shameful. I’d add “disgusting” and “disgraceful” but they are already overused by DJT and the GOP. I feel nothing but deep gratitude for Lt Col Vinland for his service to the nation, and for a better time when immigrants were welcomed to this land, struggled to get a foothold, were helped by their neighbors and tax dollars, and offered back their loyalty, their love, and in some cases their very lives. To assume that the immigrants of today would be any less valiant is the work of small, greedy minds and hearts.
10
Colonel Vindman and his entire family embraced the American dream and truly exemplify it in every regard. They came here not with great wealth, but with an abundance of determination, perseverance, and the will to build a life in the US. By every measure, they have succeeded. They are well educated and serving our country at the highest level.
All this nonsense about the potential for misplaced loyalty is just that—nonsense. Vindman is far more faithful to his oath to the Constitution than Trump, Pompeo, the GOP toadies in the House screaming about sham process, secret hearings, etc. And unlike many, he is putting his career on the line by speaking up. Well done, Colonel Vindman. America needs more like you.
614
@NJLatelifemom I wonder what he thinks about Col. Bonespurs.
12
@NJLatelifemom
President Trump had a choice of who to listen to. A American hero, purple heart, years of knowledge in the region, speaks the language, squared away soldier. Or Rudy, Igor, and Lev. Grifters hang with Grifters.
36
Reading this story makes me proud to be an American. Lt. Col. Vindman represents the best of our country.
24
@Congo Chris
Had he done the same 'right thing' against Hillary Clinton, would you feel the same?
I doubt it.
2
@waldo
Waldo, it's hard to imagine Hillary Clinton sinking to Trump's level, but if she'd done something equally wrong, then yes, of course we'd feel the same! This situation is much bigger than partisan politics.
10
Vindman's heritage and experience are such that he takes his oath and responsibilities to his country seriously. Trump just takes everything for granted and that all oaths should be to himself.
17
Its amazing that Alexander is willing to destroy the career and lifestyle he has built with his twin over what he believes is his patriotic duty. I hope some good comes of it all. Whistleblowers don’t tend to have happy endings and I’m sure he knows that.
5
@Julie
I'm not sure why you would think his career is destroyed. On the contrary, this man will be seen by most Americans for the patriotic man that he is, having served this country heroically.
7
@Conner
I hope you are right about the future.
Vindman is speaking out against a man who’s favorite defense tactic is to unleashing a vicious smear campaign of conspiracies and lies to discredit his opposition. And that man happens to be his “boss”. And we live in a country roughly 40% of which is happy to believe anything Trump says.
I hope Vindman’s sacrifice is not all for nothing.
2
Who is Vindman?
Two very different answers:
To those not trapped in a cycle of immigrant bashing he's the face of America, and a reminder that most everyone in this country is here as a result of immigration. A reminder of the good that immigration has done for the country.
And then there are the Trump Republicans. To at least 30%, Vindman is existential proof of the "threat" that immigrants pose to their way of life.
Who are these people?
The major league umpire claiming there will be a civil war if Trump is impeached. What does he think about immigrants?
The "very good" people who believe they "won" the country fair and square and chant for Jews to go home. We know what they think about immigrants.
Our President, whose in-laws are US residents because of chain migration he rants against. Anti-immigrant policy brings Trump undeserved power.
The Stephen Miller's of the US who advocate vile child separation policies, while ignoring their own family histories of asylum. The ultimate anti-immigrant hypocrites.
Not much else to say.
16
"on numerous occasions, Ukrainian officials sought him out for advice about how to deal with Mr. Giuliani."
What if instead of Ukrainian officials it was Russian officials, what would the story be then?
1
With Zero evidence, there are people, including the president, impugning the honor and integrity of an American war hero. Shame on them
There is no bottom to the behavior of Trump and his supporters, including his enablers in the Republican party
12
Colonel Vindman should sue Fox News for slander. He is not a public figure he is a public servant. They can’t lie about him on national tv, coast to coast for houses on end and try to discredit him without any basis of fact.
14
Bravo!
I am proud of him. If Trump’s fall will be precipitated by such a wonderful person, a Jewish immigrant who unlike Trump had to do it all the hard way and not through Daddy money and connections to transfer into Wharton from Fordham, and avoided military service faking a ridiculous foot problem arrested by a podiatrist who was a Trump tenant!
Bless you Sir.
21
Col. Vindman's integrity is already being questioned by the right-wing, and the dark ruminations center around the fact that he comes from an immigrant Jewish family, and even worse, from Ukraine!
If a were a true Republican conservative, which I am not, I would be hanging my head in shame.
12
Neither Ukrainian nor Jewish here, but still the son of an immigrant woman from a WW2 Axis nation who married a young American officer at the end of the war and then came here...I was born 2 years later, in Philadelphia on the 4th of July! I see in Lt. Col. Vindman the essence of why this country IS great, and constantly renews that greatness through acts of dedicated loyalty to something greater than the individual; to deeply held values of honor, integrity, and service. Vindman raises us all up, and we owe him humble respect as well as complete support in what will no doubt be very turbulent days ahead for him, his family, and his future. I, for one, am in awe, and inspired by, his courage, clarity, and singleness of perspective. Vindman makes me proud to be an American of immigrant stock, and he reminds me of the continuing power of even one voice to ring clarion truth. Liars, cheaters, thieves, manipulators, and others who flagrantly violate the Law and laws...be warned and BEWARE!
11
Ironic that the former resident of the Soviet Union is a great American patriot and the American president is, wittingly or unwittingly, a Russian asset.
20
I hope that every Fox commentator and Sean Duffy (who is working at CNN) who instantly denigrated and demeaned Lt. Col. Vindman reads this article and feels shame for what they have said.
9
@Conner
Shame requires some modicum of integrity.
7
A lot of people are abhorred by Trump's phone call to the president of Ukraine about the investigation of Biden's son. But exactly what law did Trump violate? I heard there is a treaty between US and Ukraine that allows such inquiry. It is difficult to say that US withheld fund to Ukraine to press for such an investigation because the relationship between countries can be so involved that such a connection can be easily dismissed in court. I understand most readers of NYtimes are extremely left-wing, but that does not mean we have to ignore information not to our taste. Why is it all right for Obama to wiretap Trump tower but Trump cannot investigate Biden? Most readers here are so well educated that they used grandious, lofty words, but I am not very convinced that people are playing a fair game. Hopefully my comments can be posted. Many of my previous comments were subdued.
4
@widereceiver
There's that pesky law about foreign influence in an election. You need to read it.
6
Predictably the campaign to smear and discredit this man has already begun, led by the president himself on Twitter. If Jesus Christ returned and criticized Trump they wouldn’t hesitate to attack his integrity and question his motives.
13
Courage. On top of all their amazing credentials the word that springs to my mind is, courage. This kind of truthfulness can be death to a military career. Trump, essentially, is their boss. A vindictive thin skinned one that demands loyality if not complete obsequiousness. Think, of the hard work and time devoted to their careers that could go right down the drain should Trump prevail and be their boss for the next five plus years! It would be so tempting to just play the game. Amazing. And, a breath of fresh air, compared to the rest of the sycophants surrounding Trump.
11
They are the best of this country. Bill Taylor too.
Going up against the worst.
Thank you patriots.
17
I guess it takes a soldier other than a General to bear witness to corruption.
9
As was said in "Hamilton" - to great applause - "Immigrants, they get the job done!"
10
On what parallel universe would a refugee become a double agent for a country that he fled facing religious persecution? As one of the over 90% of American Jews with Eastern European ancestry, I can promise you that there is literally no affinity towards that region of the world that treated us like second class citizens for centuries. And the GOP continues to wonder why the Jews are some of the most loyal Democratic supporters...
16
When I see Fox and the rest of the Trump cult attacking someone, I automatically give a rebuttable presumption of integrity and patriotism to the target of the attacks.
It’s proven quite a handy character assessment tool.
6
I only wish that the song "Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor..." would be played at all large public gatherings to remind us who we are and why Trump and his minions must be removed from office.
6
Who is he?
He is now described as a traitor by Fox News and the crazies in the GOP.
The GOP is now swimming in the gutter with Trump as they smear and slander loyal public servants as they defend a President who is clearly unfit to lead our nation.
14
@John Adams
Indeed. Faux Newz would have you believe that "traitor" means something along the lines of criticizing the President.
The President is NOT the United States of America.
4
Col. Vindman story makes me proud to be of Russian Jewish heritage and to be an American at a time when our US constitution is being challenged by a would-be dictator and Putins puppet.
11
@Manderine
And you feel absolutely no loyalty (none) towards your Russian heritage. That's rather disgusting. FYI, I am also an immigrant (not Russian mind you) also from Central Europe but would never deny, nor denigrate the country of my birth.
It's just not cool.
@waldo
I am not denying or denigrating my country of birth. I am an American.
Col. Vindman, a patriotic American and Jewish immigrant from Ukraine, makes me proud to be of Jewish Ukrainian grandparents, AND an American citizen at the same time.
3
Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge..... I wonder how the Republicans will swift boat him.
8
When will they subpoena Gen. Mattis?
3
I'm looking forward to see how the White House tries to destroy Colonel Vindman's reputation. Mr Trump quickly threw Senator McCain's reputation under the bus. Plus, after the press conference histronics of Mr Trump re the Baghdadi operation, which Mr Trump almost claims to have been on the ground directing the operation (the story gets more embellishment day by day), Colonel Vindman will be portrayed by the President as though his service has been as a quartermaster desk clerk private. Or that Colonel Vindman has been a dark state Ukrainian plant tied to the Ukrainian Democrat conspiracy which all the President's men, headed by the trusted Mr G, have tried to undercover. Stay tuned.
4
Oh My, Superman and Clark Kent are immigrants. Hooray!
2
An American Hero who will go down in American History as a Patriot's Patriot.
6
My heart fills with pride reading about the Vindman family. They could be me or I could be them: my Jewish family emigrated from Ukraine in 1920 at the height of the civil war and famine. Most of us are immigrants, some more recent than others, and they are true patriots.
22
When I read this article, I cried for joy about the point I took from it--the contribution from immigrants and true patriotism. There is hope.
74
A remarkable story. And an indication of why we need immigrants. It is sometimes immigrants who hold our feet to the fire, and remind us to act according to our principles. Dr. Bennet Olamu, the pathologist who sturdily resisted the NFL, publishing his research on the devastating brain injuries suffered by football players, was originally from Nigeria.
54
There are many comments from our republican friends questioning Lt. Col. Vindman’s loyalties as he was born in former Soviet Union. At 3yrs old when his parents migrated to the USA, like any other baby, he wouldn't have any understanding if he were in born Ukraine, UK, Russia or USA. Except those 3 formative years, rest of his life has been devoted to US including Military service as decorated combat veteran. The fact that Lt. Col. Vindman has stood up itself is an indication of his loyalties than folks such as Trump, Pence, Perry, Pompeo who defied legal subpoenas.
If loyalties are concerned, the fact that Trump dodged service with a fake medical certificate speaks for itself. Moreover, Muller report paints Trump's patriotic stripes in black and white. Our republican friends need to understand that wearing pins and stripes or hoisting flags or standing up to the anthem or other symbolisms don’t necessarily make us any more patriotic than Lt. Col. Vindman. Finally, this is about the crime as evident in the message of the Ukraine call transcript, not about Lt. Col. Vindman, the messenger of that call.
62
General Colin Powell: Please recognize this as your second chance. A junior officer has set the example as the hero who has accepted the burden thrust onto his shoulders. Your failure to do so at the start of Cheney's war was one of the worst disappointments of my adult life.
Surely you are a patriot at heart and a very well informed and insightful one. Please speak now—loudly and forcefully—to help rid us of the rot the will end our nation as we know it if it isn’t exorcised.
50
@wmferree He has spoken up: https://people.com/politics/colin-powell-tells-republican-party-stand-up-donald-trump/
1
The greatest patriot I ever knew was a German man I worked with in the '80's. He had escaped Nazi Germany and become a US Citizen, and he always referred to America as "this great country of ours." In the 80's that was a hokey thing to say, but even as a college kid I found it touching. I guess it's not surprising that the most devoted citizens are the ones who had to work for it.
52
It doesn't take immigration to make you a devoted citizen. I served more than 50 years for the U.S. Navy. I was wounded, almost killed twice, and I was in Iran during its revolution and, again, almost killed. But I was raised in a family that has served our country since before the Revolutionary War. We have served in every war since then. My son is retiring after 30 years in the Marine Corps after joining just before Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He served in Kosovo and Herzegovina, as well as Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. It's not just the immigrants who cherish America but it seems those born here are less likely to cherish our values than the immigrants are. It's such a shame that we are no longer nationally raising our children to be patriots. That's reflected in voters who stand by a criminal president. Please God and the immigrants, save us from ourselves.
8
Republicans and the White House shills will attempt to discredit this decorated military officer and high ranking N.S.A. employee as a disloyal partisan and operative of the the “Deep State.” Trump himself is likely to weigh in with a nasty tweet about the Colonel.
In doing so, the critics bring further disgrace upon themselves. They drag the Republican party deeper into the cesspool of shame and lies which they have created for themselves as the bargain they made with Trump to carry out their political agenda.
Everyone doing Trumps bidding sully themselves and demonstrate unequivocally that they have no character or spine.
40
Fox news began smearing Col. Vindman last night, with Laura Ingraham saying the colonel is a spy. A person really has to be brave to testify with the smear campaigns Trump and his sycophants throw at them.
68
The colonel is not a public figure but a public servant. He should sue; bigly
12
@Linda Although I think I would find Laura Ingraham's attacking me to be a badge of honor, and also good for a good laugh.
6
Yes, Laura. He’s spying for the American people because Trump and his cronies have infiltrated our government.
5
Reading this detailed account of Lt. Col. Vindman's extraordinary rise from immigrant to a distinguished public servant makes it even clearer just how much he putting on the line with this testimony.
And it pushes a dead serious question to the forefront:
How much would WE put on the line?
38
Don't forget this guy is a Ukrainian. He has to be concerned for his home country if any sort of aid is cut off. So he can cloak his fear for lethal aid to Ukraine in a national security cover. He is hardly what I would call impartial and any good defense attorney can take this guy apart on the stand.
They need to start an investigation as to any relative or friends etc. that he had in Ukraine.
@Judy Weller, Isn't he an American?
8
This is a decorated combat veteran and proud citizen of the United States of America, who’s worked harder than you can imagine to earn his education, his colonelcy and his trusted position in our government.
Your comment, and your threat to go after his family and friends in Ukraine, are beneath contempt.
And yes: when you demand that somebody needs to go hunt these people down, in a country at war that’s got a lot of Russian agents and far-right crazies running around loose, that’s a threat.
16
Judy, "this guy" is an American through and through. Shame on you for trying to smear his reputation by questioning his loyalty.
15
GOP is a party against national security, against our military and against every thing we stand for.
Trump is an epitome of likes of Mitch, Jim Jordan , Grahams etc.. and Trump has helped expose the true GOP.
Let's fire them all..
18
What a courageous American ! Now we know why the whistleblower doesn’t need to testify ! Watch the Republicans try to smear this brave soul and faithful soldier.
33
I should not be surprised that Trump, his sycophants and Fox "News" (sic) have already gushed forth a deluge of defamatory bile directed at Lt/ Col. Vindman, additional evidence - if we needed such - of just how low and dishonorable this whole crowd is. Lt. Col. Vindman, Fiona Hill, Bill Taylor and Marie Yovanovitch and probably others we don't even know about deserve better. They may not be perfect people (who among us is?) but compared to their detractors on the right they stand very tall indeed.
451
@Petros Many in the US are "never-Trumpers"- we are, however, pro-Americans. It's an easy choice.
27
@Petros It's the "sic" next to the word "news" that amuses me. I am certain Petros means the mistake is in the content of Fox.
8
@Petros
Well, the man IS Jewish, so I'm surprised no one is decrying the right-wing. reactionary criticism of his supposed "motive(s) as Anti-Semitism.
I mean, it works in every other situation.
3
Vindman's opening letter strikes the tone of clarity that I, for one, have really needed on just how grevious and dangerous Trump and cohorts meddling in Ukraine really is. I'm not remotely an expert on Ukraine/Russia/America relationships, and for all of the highly educated journalists out here, none of them have elucidated how acutely alarming this affair is. Vindman is the real deal.
655
@Brooklyn
I concur.
His opening remarks echo professionalism, strength, and decisiveness about who he is as a man, as a military veteran, and as a citizen of the U.S.
He serves this country rather than just one individual.
The few moments it would take to read his incredibly crisp and clear letter is well worth.
The Republicans ain't got a chance in trying to discredit this fine patriot.
Indeed, he IS the real deal!!
89
@Marge Keller
"The Republicans ain't got a chance in trying to discredit this fine patriot."
That won't stop them from trying, maybe he stole a piece of gum when he was five, or someone thought that maybe he did, and that would be sufficient for them to start a defamation campaign. They have no credibility.
37
@Brooklyn , of course he is and he's a man of Brooklyn!
7
Marvelous comments. And so familiar. I,too, am the son of an immigrant who, living in a shtetl in the Ukraine escaped the cossacks in 1905 and fled in steerage to America. When my mother met him, six years later, she said he spoke unaccented American-New Yawk--English, he was so anxious to be "American". He too. took great pride in this country, as did I growing up, enlisting when I was eighteen, and became a Combat Intell/Com officer on a division of destroyers in WW2, staying in the reserve for many subsequent years. Alas, the pride I had taken all those years has turned into shame for what this administration represents--
60
I am so pleased to read the story of the Vindman brothers and their immigrant family. This is true patriotism. We need more like this family and these brothers. I say this as a fellow career Army officer.
42
Know why Trump wants to limit immigration? This immigrant is but one example. Most a lot smarter with a much better moral compass than Trump has or ever will have.
39
As the daughter and granddaughter of Jewish Ukrainian immigrants on my father's side, I applaud Lt. Colonel Vindman and his brother for the living proof about IMMIGRANTS MAKE THIS COUNTRY GREAT- AGAIN AND AGAIN! As I look at the picture of my grandfather, a proud soldier in the Czar's army--which by the way for a Jew was not a picnic to put it mildly-- would have a brimming heart of pride. Incidentally, his sons who came here as adults-my Uncle became a German translator for the Army in WW2 and an a translator at the Nuremberg trials, my Father, designed sonar recognition devices for the war effort. English was not their first language- probably more like the fourth or fifth. We will never see it but 45 should hang is head in shame in the denial of his own immigrant background and complex and unique tapestry with all its flaws because no other country has the diversity we do! It gives me solace when everyday I am sickened by the vitriol and rhetoric coming from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W!
52
Trump an American from birth is and has always been a narcissist without character, dodged the draft, and has no concern for anything but himself. Colonel Vindman an immigrant has served this country on and off the battlefield, and now out of rightful concern for self-serving presidential actions that undermine the foreign policy of the US he fearlessly speaks out, full well knowing that he will be the object of vicious and personal attacks by the president of the US and his allies - God bless Colonel Vindman, God bless America.
35
I am so proud to call these two brothers my fellow Americans. And my father, who jumped into Normandy in 1944 with his brothers, the 82nd Airborne, would have been honored to know them if he was alive now to do so.
Would my father, a 31 year military career, two branch, three war man have been proud to ever have met Trump? No, because my father fought hard against racism in this country and would have detested the knowledge that Trump and his father redlined minorities from renting from them. Not to mention Trump's dog whistling to racists like David Duke and others that goes on to this day.
My father detested liars and those who did not serve - not because they truly didn't believe in the war - that he begrudgingly admired - but those who wanted to avoid service or combat purely for self interest while others sacrificed everything.
Would my father support a man who put Russia first above others in statements about a US-Kurdish-Freedom Fighter operations that ended in the killing of a horrible terrorist? You tell me - by reading the above statement.
27
Not all heroes wear capes.
17
Oh the irony!
6
Is “Jewish refugees” in the first sentence relevant?
3
@Gautam
Yes Gautam it is relevant, because it is very likely that the Vindmans fled the Ukraine because they could not practice their religion freely and openly as we do here, and probably suffered other forms of discrimination due to their religious beliefs. Talk to any "minority" group member from the former Soviet Union and they will confirm this.
7
Yes, that sentence is relevant, because Trump is an anti-Semite and viciously anti-immigrant. That sentence makes the point that the Lieutenant Colonel is the one who upholds honour and dedication to country. Trump is the one who degrades everything that he touches.
8
@Gautam:
Yes, I think it is, for the benefit of those who are trying to portray him as a Ukrainian spy or a "Ukraine firster." Traditionally, and even today, Ukraine is not a welcoming place for Jews.
4
Well done Mr. Vindman! However, Fox News has already branded you as a traitor. Who are the real Americans? The Vindmans or the Australian Rupert Murdock who owns Fox News. For me the answer is obvious.
30
My husband became an American citizen back in the early '60s. To this day, he continues to be a better American citizen than me for he takes voting seriously, he knows the articles of the Constitution by heart (because he's read it so often and lives by every word). He does NOT take anything that America has given him for granted.
He loves this country more than anyone I know.
I see a similar passion and respect and love for America in him as I did when I read the various articles about Alexander S. Vindman.
Immigrants continue to make this country strong by their beliefs, their work ethic and their sense of honor and integrity. Individuals like Alexander S. Vindman are incredible role models.
39
It is highly inappropriate for a military officer to take a public stance on foreign policy issues.
Lieutenant Colonel Vindman said, “I am a patriot and it is my sacred duty and honor to advance and defend our country irrespective of party or politics.” Bur he also said “I realized that if Ukraine pursued an investigation into the Bidens and Burisma it would likely be interpreted as a partisan play which would undoubtedly result in Ukraine losing the bipartisan support it has thus far maintained.”
It seems his true loyalties may lie with Ukraine.
If Trump is reelected, he may recognize the Russian annexation of Crimea. He may also attempt to broker a truce between Ukraine and ethnic Russian separatists. But whether this is right or wrong is for voters to decide, not a field grade officer or even a general officer to decide.
If Vindman wants to shape foreign policy, he should resign and run for office. He could run pn a "Put Ukraine First" platform.
6
@William Case He is pointing out a very inappropriate breach of National Security that Trump appears to have created. He went to superiors twice first.
98
@William Case Colonel Vindman did not take a "public stance on public policy issues." He reported his concerns to the chief law counsel at the NSC and kept quiet, thus respecting his duties as a serving soldier.
It was the House Intelligence Committee that asked him to testify, and for all you and I know, he may have gotten permission from his military superior to accede to the wish of the Committee.
Your speculation of his inner motives is more than a bit out of line.
97
@William Case
Um, no, William. This Fox News talking point is flawed.
"It seems his true loyalties may lie with Ukraine."
"He could run pn [sic] a "Put Ukraine First" platform."
Vindman left Ukraine as a three-year-old--and Ukraine, like most of the former Soviet Union, is not a place to which Jews feel much loyalty. You might like to read up a little on the history of Jews in that part of the world, before and after the Second World War.
136
I have to say thank you to both of them. They know what it means to uphold and defend the country and constitution.
And especially Alexander for coming forward, because we know his life will never be the same again.
Patriots. They stand up for what is right, they have integrity, bravery, they do the right thing.
The polar opposite of trump.
And of course tump, Fox news and the GOP will immediately spread lies trying to discredit them, gin up a conspiracy against the US...and who knows what other propaganda they'll put out there.
Who knows if we'll survive the insanity of tump, but Alexander's testimony will definitely help the process, and hopefully also be key in his impeachment.
A Ukrainian immigrant directly hears tump's criminal behavior and reports it. And no one even had to ask.
Poetic justice in a sense.
27
These two immigrants make me very proud. So impressive!
18
I'm waiting for the blizzard of all caps Tweets from you-know-who that will attempt to disparage Lt. Col. Vindman, just as the "tools" on Fox have apparently started to do. Vindman is a admirable man who has chosen to take a principled stand against what he believes is are illegal acts by Trump and his minions. This is a level of bravery that few of us can comprehend and it should be commended.
21
The Vindman officers are examples of so many good things . They are patriots, honest and very intelligent, let alone objective.
As the son of a Jewish immigrant from Ukraine, I am so proud of these officers. I am also a twin.
25
Twins think alike. So there were at least 2 who became the source fed into the whistle blower's complaining. Those are names who Trump and his coward enablers have to face.
5
-So Lt. Col. Vindman is an IMMIGRANT . The Donald must be so happy.
-DJT : Your call " transcript" isn't verbatim is it? And you "rebuilt " the military after SEQUESTRATION . (So much for telling the truth from you)
- It's disappointing that I can't believe most of the things you say.
4
I wish The Times had waited until AFTER Vindman testified to report what he plans to say.
4
@mkc
He released a statement. You can read it on line.
Research before commenting.
2
As a Jew I worry that all of the Jews involved (testifying, in Congress running the proceedings) will lead to (more) anti Semitic dog whistling from Trump and whip up the alt right even more, leading to more attacks. Or maybe it's because I'm in Pittsburgh and this past weekend was a reminder...
10
The photo of LCOL Vindman is powerful.
Army Lieutenant Colonel with a Combat Infantryman Badge, a Purple Heart Medal, a Ranger Tab, and Parachutist Wings — among other awards and a master’s degree from Harvard.
Let’s see what kind of a nickname our pusillanimous president tries to hang on him.
35
Why are Republicans such Russians?
25
Yeah, this guy sounds like a real loser.
Not.
My eyes teared as I read this. Some things make me still proud to be an American. Go get 'em, Colonel.
29
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the incredible service you have given our country and the sacrifice you have made. People like you make us all proud of being Americans.
25
The President and all his men do not realize who they are dealing with. They are about to find out. Lt. Col Vindman will inform them I'm sure. He is a true patriot.
21
These gentlemen make me proud to be an American. We are a nation of immigrants. We forget this at our peril.
29
And...of course Republicans are trying to destroy this soldier's character ala ex Senator Sean Duffy (now CNN talking-head) by stating he has an "affinity" toward Ukraine...because "he was born there." Working hard to get them the money. Never mind the fact Vindman didn't allocate the funds-the U.S. Congress did.
The sorry spectacle of men (and women) who did not serve this country in the military, trying to destroy the character and question the allegiance of a U.S. service man who has served honorably for decades....And. For. What? Donald J Trump?
17
Those who viciously smeared him as "espionage" owes him a big apology. It is beyond ugly for someone like John Yoo, another immigrant's son, to attacked a true patriotic son of refugees who served this country with blood. Those Trump supporters have no human decency left in them! SAD.
18
I'm an immigrant and a naturalized citizen. My native born son is also proudly serving as a decorated officer in the USMC. We should remember that at the battle of the Big Horn some of our cavalry soldiers were immigrants and were barely speaking English but still gave their lives for this country along with many others in different wars. We should never mix patriotism with nationalism!
15
In 1979, Alexander Vindman and his family fled Ukraine, "hoping for a better life in the United States."
Now 40 some odd years later, we too are "hoping for a better life in the United States" after the testimony he will be giving today.
Good luck sir. Stay the course. Hold fast.
A sincere and heartfelt thank you for your testimony today.
37
As a former military officer, I can say with confidence that this is an example of my deep faith and pride I have in our country and the countless exemplary patriots who serve it, both in the military and civilian sectors. My personal experience informs me that Lt. Col. Vindman’s story is just a small window into that world.
22
The NYT recently had another article about Elizabeth Warren's days as a lawyer for corporations. Many commenters there pointed out that this is the role of lawyers, to apply their expertise to serving the client's interest, even if they disagree. If this LTC were a lawyer he might be thinking that way. He might realize that he's there to apply his understanding of Ukrainian and Ukrainians for the benefit of his boss. He might be focused on detecting evasiveness in the Ukrainian president. He wouldn't be able to think about what the President is doing. But unfortunately, he's not a lawyer, he's a soldier, and he can't double think that well.
1
An astonishing story. Incredible detail, a story that only the
Times could have gotten. Only in America could such a narrative unfold and lead to such a fruitful outcome when our country is
in such an agonizing crisis.-- jhp
9
I can breathe again, listening to the courage, integrity and patriotism of Lieutenant Colonel Vindman’s official testimony. He is an example of the kind of service to the United States of American that can and must save our democracy and return it to its rightful path of informed citizenship, dedication to truth, and giving the power of voice to disclose the danger of those who attempt to undermine it.
17
We all know that Trump and his minions will disparage, insult and question the loyalty of this good man. Lt. Col Vindman knows it too. Yet he’s doing the right thing, rather than just that which would be easy.
Hopefully he will serve as an example to others, especially in the GOP.
13
Yet another witness complaining about the same thing...that Trump pressured the Ukraine to investigate the Bidens and the possible role Ukraine played in the 2016 hacking into the DNC server. We get it. It's just that many of us do not see an impeachable offense here and believe these are appropriate questions that many Americans want to know more about. Following through on impeachment over this matter will be a colossal mistake of the Democrats. And it only serves Putin's alleged goal, to sow discord in America.
1
@johnlo, you “do not see an impeachable offense” because of moral nearsightedness. This is typical of Republicans and Trump supporters.
Check out “The Master and his Emissary” by Iain McGilchrist, or some of his YouTube videos. You are stuck in your left brain. Open your right brain, where conscience and social/empathic awareness reside.
Trump was selling out the United States for political gain, and extorting another vulnerable country for fake dirt on Biden and American intel services. If that’s not impeachable, nothing is
12
These gentlemen make me proud of my immigrant roots, but also make me ashamed of myself for not having chosen a career that allowed me to serve my country and defend our freedom as ferociously. They represent the best of us. I hope we deserve them.
11
Just how ways and how many times by how many different people will the truth about Trump "pushing Ukraine’s leader to dig up dirt on his political rivals during a July phone call," be stated before the Republicans finally get it?
Either this group is blind, naive, delusional, or just plain ignorant but at the end of the day, the bottom line is the gig is up. What Trump did was wrong. Any attempts to spin that information in any other direction will only prove to be fruitless.
The party's over. It's time to call it a day.
11
A lawyer handling ethics issues. Sounds like a 24/7/365 job in this administration.
9
Lt. Colonel Vindman is a patriot of the highest order as he testifies, speaks truth to power and respects the rule of law. Thank you so very much, Lt. Colonel Vindman for your ethical compass, integrity and patriotism. A true example of America at its best. It is people like Lt. Colonel Vindman who will truly Re-Make America Great Again once we get past the current hideousness we are enduring as a country.
31
Being a Russian-Jewish immigrant myself, I am truly looking forward to the reactions of the Russian Brooklyn, the bulwark of Trump's support in NYC.
Also, the immediate GOP line of defense is: Vindman was born in the Ukraine and is probably loyal to the Ukraine. This reasoning is problematic for two reasons: first, then the whole Russian Brooklyn is not loyal to the US either (and, in fact, the larger part of it should be loyal to the Ukraine - just like Alex Vindman); that would also imply that 14% of the US citizens can't be loyal to the US by definition; and second, historically, the Ukraine was very antisemitic and Alex Vindman is Jewish. So, that line of defense isn't working too well.
26
This planet is able to survive because from time to time decent people find the courage and inner fortitude to expose and overcome the evil deeds of others.
41
Having read Colonel Alexander Vindman's opening statement, I have a couple questions: What steps did the NSC lead counsel take in response to Colonel Vindman's expressions of concerns about the President and Ukraine, on two occasions? And what are the chances that Colonel Vindman will be able to continue serving at the NSC following his deposition? And one question for Laura Ingraham and Fox: in accusing Vindman of being a "spy," how do you explain away his award of a Purple Heart for being wounded during service in Iraq?
24
Explaining away his getting wounded during war in Iraq is easy for bone-spur-lovers like Laura Ingram: he was a very dedicated spy, able to fake a wartime injury and get a Purple Heart. Plus he was groomed from age 3. And it was actually his twin brother who got injured in Iraq. How about that?
7
A lot of people, myself included, are saving the documents as they come forth, to bear witness, and to keep copies of history.
Why has the NYTimes put up this man's opening statement as if it were their own intellectual property that shouldn't be saved?
PDF, please, it isn't your property, it's Colonel Vindman's testimony.
1
I was totally capable of downloading and saving his opening statement via NYT without any issues at all. I've never had any issues of downloading articles, opening statements, etc if items of historical nature.
8
You can “print” any article as a pdf and save on your computer yourself. You can also buy the actual paper and frame the article.
Lieutenant Colonel Vindman may think it improper to ask a foreign government to investigate a U.S. citizen, but foreign government routinely assist the United States in investigations of U.S. citizens. The Treaty With Ukrainian on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters requires the United States and Ukraine to assist each other in the conduct of criminal investigations.
Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau has an evidence-sharing agreement with the FBI. For example, the Anti-Corruption Bureau provided the “Black Ledger” to the FBI, which used to obtain a search warrant that permitted it to search Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort’s home and office.
3
@William Case, did you miss the part him once being a poor fleeing refugee? Forget your treaties, play the heartstrings.
How appropriate for a patriotic, brave Jewish immigrant to throw a clear light on this sociopath’s impeachable behavior.
Thank you Colonel Vindman !
27
You can bet that INS investigators are in full blown red alert trying to dig up some kind of rationalization to challenge LTCOL Vindman's citizenship.
7
Doesn’t matter what The NY Times says... Laura Ingraham has already judged this guy as a traitor. An agent d’espionage, if you will. Fox News will tar and feather this guy until he sits on the right hand of Putin. Oh wait, that’s Trump.
It’s so confusing.
16
Trump has never spoken against immigrants, just illegal immigrants. NYT readers need to be a little honest!
1
He is threatening the citizenship of legal immigrants who use public benefits after the 5 year period when. That is prohibited. How is that not speaking against legal immigrants?
Wonder if this fine family had to use any of these during the “hard times” mentioned in the article.
“Critics called the new rules an attempt to redefine the legal immigration system ‘in order to disenfranchise communities of color and favor the wealthy’.
The Trump administration is moving forward with one of its most aggressive steps yet to restrict legal immigration, denying green cards to many migrants who use Medicaid, food stamps, housing vouchers or other forms of public assistance”
18
..except perhaps for the numerous times he attacked legal immigrants as well...
16
He has. Remember what he said to the representative of Minnesota.
17
On the other hand, the man who represents my district, Congressman Ted Budd, (R-NC) describes himself as "deplorable."
Let that sink in.
11
Not to worry though. He'll testify at around 10 am By COB he'll be totally shredded by the administration and painted as a liar and a fraud who spews fake news. By 6 PM he'll be filing for unemployment. By tomorrow morning a team of anti money laundering specialists from the law firm or Trump&Barr (aka Dewey Screwem and Howe) will be ripping apart his tax returns and bank accounts.
2
If he did end up getting fired over this, well I can't imagine anyone sane in the WH (if any such entity is left there 🙄) would want the kind of blowback which would ensue. Not to mention a massive lawsuit.
8
The greatest failure of modern technology is that no one has hacked and released Trumps tax returns.
1
The Fox propaganda machine is already trying to sully this man's character. Laura Ingraham intimated that because he is from a foreign country (Ukraine) that he is not to be trusted and maybe a spy. Despicable behavior.
31
@runner2 That is not what she said.
@johnlo
Yes, that’s exactly what Ingraham and her guest obnoxiously implied.
The fact that the Ukrainian President and his aides speak English - it is far easier and common for foreign leaders and our diplomats to express themselves in their native tongue. Nothing unusual or nefarious here, it has always been great asset to both sides.
11
Great American success story.
Wonderful profile.
His parents, who came with nothing,
raised patriotic & accomplished children.
37
What a monumental act of courage to step up and speak the truth in an age of rampant political immorality and deceit. Col. Vindman embodies the true meaning of patriotism.
Unfortunately, the McCarthyite WH and its congressional toadies have no sense of shame, ethics, or honor, and will do their utmost to slander Col. Vindman's character and service to America.
23
Pence's role in this must be made public. He must go down with Trump
28
Perfect. Then Nancy becomes President.
2
Thank you Colonel Vindman for you bravery and unquestinable patriotism. We are standing with you.
32
Indeed, you present stellar accolades of the Vindmans, and everything about their lives is a plus, but...........
They work for or control Trump for the military. I am quite a bigot about this administration. I disrespect all who work for Trump as less than smart for wanting to.
If Colonel Vindman is so enthralled with American values, why is he aiding Trump's destruction of them?
If lieutenant colonel Vindman wasn’t in the White House, how would we know what’s going on in the White House?.
10
@PATRICK
He's a military officer assigned to the National Security Council - he is following the orders he's been given.
And he took an oath to uphold the Constitution, not 45.
7
It looks like some Republican Trump defenders are taking the curious position that Lt. Colonel Vindman is pro-Ukrainian because he was born there and came to the US as a refugee at a young age. If anyone knows anything about the history of Jews in Ukraine (including the history of the Jewish emigration from Ukraine in the 1970's and 1980's), they would find it laughable to think that a Ukrainian-born Jew would have a special affinity for Ukrainian independence or Ukrainian national interests over those of other countries. For most Ukrainian Jews, emigration was a preferred option because they feared Ukrainian independence and persecution by ethnic Ukrainians in such an independent state. If Lt. Colonel Vindman truly has an affinity for an independent Ukraine and its politicians, he would be a most unusual Ukrainian Jewish American immigrant.
37
@Pierre The Rs presently with look at anything but the plain and overwhelming evidence of criminality in front of their faces.
8
@Pierre It's the old trope of ""others" cannot be patriotic" that historically feeds antisemitism and other disgusting views. Fear of the "other". Heaven forbid one should educate oneself about them, or get to know them.
8
That is totally correct. In fact the former Soviet Union’s control over the Eastern Bloc generally kept the lid on anti Semitic acts. And many Ukrainians were employed as prison guards at concentration camps by the Nazis. So no love lost here between Ukrainians and Ukrainian Jews.
1
Thank God for American immigrant patriots like Alexander and Yevgeny Vindman who sacrifice their blood to preserve, protect and defend the American Constitution and the American people and our Republic from all enemies domestic and foreign like the Trump, Pence, Kushner, Pompeo, Giuliani and McConnell families.
Joined with the likes of Khizr Khan and his son. And the Georgian American John Shalikashvili who was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
Along with the natural born American brave honorable patriots Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning.
What has Donald Trump given Recep Erdogan and Vladimir Putin in their 'talks' by phone and in person other than the Kurds and the Ukrainians?
'Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. He is trampling out the vineyards where the grapes of wrath are stored. He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword. His truth is marching on. Glory, glory, hallelujah.'
'We shall overcome'.
'Lift every voice and sing."
14
@Blackmamba
addendum to 1st paragraph... and the Mnuchin, Carson, Barr, DeVos, Scalia, Chao, Perry, Azar, Esper, Perdue, Ross, Wilkie, Mulvaney, Kraft, Wheeler, Kudlow families
4
Who do you believe when you compare Vindman’s resume to Trump’s ?
33
Gratitude to Colonel Vindman for his service.
21
I would rather thank him for his humanity and intelligence. “Service” is an empty platitude for those who serve as career army officers.
2
It’s pretty clear this man is loyal to Ukraine above the US.
1
@Adriaan Actually, if you had any idea how Jews were treated in Ukraine around the time he was growing up, I think your comment would change.
11
@Adriaan I'm loyal to Norway. I eat Lefse and Lutefisk at Christmas time. So what?
5
My father, a survivor of Buchenwald and an avid reader of newspapers, began every day of my childhood by scanning the Times, the Herald Tribune and the Wall Street Journal for news of interest to him, to which he always applied the same question, “Is today’s news good news for the Jews?”
I am happy to report that he would have been delighted and inspired by today’s articles about the doings of the Vindman brothers.
33
The comments section is evidence of just how desperate the Democrats are to impeach Trump. This time yesterday Mr. VIndman was unknown to the public. Today he is a virtual hero who has the goods on the President. The Times even knows well in advance exactly what he intends to tell the impeachment inquiry committee; and it is reported with such fervor, gusto and compassion about how he and his twin escaped the clutches of the Ukraine, dressed alike and lauded as the immigrants who made good and are doing good for America. Unlike the Mueller report, Colonel Vindman is the real deal, for sure.
If Trump has committed impeachable offenses then let them be raised and engage the law. However the NYT hoisting a witness, which we know nothing about, high on their shoulders and proclaiming him the messiah way ahead of the curve is reckless and divisive. I expected nothing less.
3
@Kurt Pickard NYT is reporting on yet another witness, as well as their opening statement, just as they've done for the other folks who have testified in the past few weeks. It's not that deep.
13
This is called reporting. What you posted was a desperate effort to save your guy from a well deserved impeachment. You are not a patriot, you are a partisan. And those are two very different things.
17
Until now, I thought William Taylor was Trump's worst nightmare. But this Lt. Colonel is Trump's triple worst nightmare.
28
Thank you Col. Vindman for your service and your patriotism. We need more national security advisers like you in the White House and fewer cowardly Republican enablers of this unfit and inept president.
18
Trump and the Fox crowd is already starting the smear campaign. "He is a immigrant. He speaks a foreign language." 'Oh, that purple heart thing, ignore that. The fact that he is not really American is the most important thing. Sure he put his life on the line to defend this country, unlike our heroic President who was in charge of defending his penthouse, a very dangerous mission, does not mean he isn't some sort of deep state actor. He may even have the server!!!! " There is no bottom to the depravity level of this administration.
36
I hope Lt. Col. Vindman will wear his uniform when testifying. He is very impressive in it. Plus, it only serves to point out the contrast between Vindman's service to the country and Trump's pathetic cowardice.
21
What an upstanding man - hard to believe they'd let him get into the White House.
13
For Republicans, Vindman is defiantly not the type to trust. But they also believe Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman have the pedigree to Trump US foreign Policy .... and that's okay.
10
Boiled to its essence, Lt. Col. Vindman is a man who heard a conversation many others heard and is merely reporting what he heard. The White House released a written account of the conversation that is consistent with what Lt. Col. Vindman heard. The President's minions can try to diminish the man, but they cannot avoid the truth. "Don't believe your eyes and don't believe your ears" only works for so long, I'm afraid. And, that's what Senate Republicans should be. Afraid, very afraid.
507
@Didier Well said.
10
@Didier
It appears I HAVE to read the Transcript of the call, since different people come to opposite conclusions as to what the transcript shows.
Today, on Fox News, they showed a Trump Tweet, where the POTUS asks: "How could he [Alexander Vindman] have listened in on the Call?"
1
not to be totally tribal ... but perhaps also a testimony to brooklyn and new york public education. and the belief in america's better vision of itself. the bravery of this family through the generations is a heritage shared by many asylum seekers and immigrants. ultimately we have all benefited by their courage, sacrifice, and hard work. thank you.
25
Certainly a feel-good story. We can expect Republicans to question his loyalty and patriotism. That is laughable however given that they've trashed their own patriotism in attaching themselves to Trump.
16
Very interesting. A native-born American would in most cases not known enough Ukrainian to understand the entire phone call -- I suspect there was a translator... and in the future Trump will be more careful. (Guess who gets fired next.) In the end I don't know how this will play out. Impeachment hearings are super important but I should have thought that invoking the emoluments clause would have made for the best case. What has thus far been revealed -- at least as I interpret it is that both Biden and Trump played political games using $$ altho in the case of Biden it we not for personal gain.: in the case of Trump -- yeah he wants four more years of luxury life at the taxpayers' expense and an opportunity to enrich real estate developers and others.
OTOH connections always matter as do appearances and frankly, I doubt that Hunter would have gotten the ridiculously overpaid job from a supposedly poor country (600K per annum to one member of the Board -- and they can't pay for their own defense? -- a question Trump has raised vis a vis the NATO nations and which should be raised for others-- an inside job to support weapons and planes manufacturers?? Enough already. Crony capitalism -- the term does apply.
I will be happy to see Joe Biden drop out. He should have run against Hillary -- and the Dems might have won. (What deal was made there? Ideas about entitlement don't play well with me.)
In the current climate, Trump accuses everyone who fails to be his fan, a treasonous traitor...If he wants the federal government to be functional, he needs to realize that loyalty to America always is bigger than to ANY President. Those people are our true treasure--not the politicians.
This country was built by patriots who fought hard for their freedom..My immigrant relative was a French trapper from Quebec who joined the "rebel forces" in the Revolutionary War to fight against the British. French immigrant fighting with a whole bunch of other immigrants if we want to be realistic....I can trace my family further back as citizens than Mr. Trump can. I don't doubt his right to be here and I resent the right wing media suggesting that this family is of lesser value than mine or Trump's.
For anyone to claim that anyone not native born is not a patriot, I suggest they all climb on a boat and go back where all their relatives came from.
Native Americans who were here first will be happy to drive them all to the airport to catch their flights
46
I will happily volunteer to be a cabbie to the airport for them!!
7
The Ukrainian-born twins, Alexander and Yevgeny Vindman are remarkable US citizens. More patriotic than many spineless Republicans in Congress, they really show them what moral integrity and the true spirit of public service mean.
Unlike many in the White House they stand up to an indefensible president, who put his personal interest before the country’s.
As a result of Alexander’s courage to speak truth to power, he has fallen out with the White House.
“Since early August, he has been excluded from a number of relevant meetings and events, including a diplomatic trip to three countries under his purview: Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus.”
He must get a huge kudos from the public for choosing to be on the right side of history.
92
As the daughter of a decorated 30-year Army officer, my sincere thanks and profound empathy for Lt. Col. Vindman, whose life is never, ever going to be the same.
Respect to you, sir.
84
These are the kinds of people who really make America great.
81
Impressive family (who happen to be immigrants making their successes and commitments exponentially more impressive.)
35
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."
That's the oath of office for Uniformed Service Members. Instead of going after active military members who are serving their country, the bozos at Fox News ought to see if Mike Flynn and Mike Pompeo upheld it.
Flynn, of course, has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. And Pompeo's lies while sitting next to the President have yet to be finished and tallied.
51
If we don’t believe what this man is saying, with all his extensive background and real sense of patriotism; a man that took bullets for us ( he got his spurs in Irak and around the world ); then, who do we believe ?
Are you listening congressmen and congresswomen ?
41
I allowed myself a few moments to savor this story, as it is a true American success story with so much to admire and marvel at. I am proud of these two brothers as they embody the true American immigrant spirit.
However, within minutes of reading it Laura Ingraham’s craven comments came across my newsfeed. In typical FOX News fashion, she describes this purple-heart winning, Harvard educated, brilliant and brave patriot as a person apparently working “against the president’s interests” in the White House, which her guest (conservative John Yoo) agreed was just awful and possibly espionage!
I can already imagine the “questions” the GOP representatives will be asking this man when these hearings go public. You know, the kind of “questions” where they raise a thousand conspiracy theories, attempt to discredit and even slander the witness, and then ask why a person originally from Ukraine is even allowed to work in the White House since it was, after all, Ukraine and not Russia who messed with our elections, and these twin Ukrainian interlopers have probably been working with the deep state to steer the focus to Russia instead of their “homeland.”
Our only hope is that the trend of Americans embracing this impeachment continues, and that enough of us get disgusted with all this nonsense and pizza parties in a SCIF. Honor, defense of the constitution, decency and morality will not move the GOP. Only public opinion will.
58
Lt. Colonel Vidman gives me hope again in America. What a story. Thank you NYT. And thank you to Lt Colonel Vidman.
39
Vidman, like many immigrants, is a true patriot, who has a sense of loyalty to something bigger than himself, a feeling that Trump simply cannot understand. Too bad he has poisoned the GOP so much, or they may have actually listened to this man.
21
Anyone else notice that it's largely our immigrants, who have worked hard and risen to positions of influence, who are saving us from this corrupt White House?
37
The irony! An inmigrant will help the impeachment of Trump. I LOVE IT!
29
Very brave of him to come forward like this with what sounds like devastating testimony. I suspect that it might have a negative effect on his career but he has done it nevertheless. A true patriot not like that conniving liar in the White House.
25
@Paul Paul, I hope you're wrong about the negative impact to his career. Who wouldn't want to hire this brave hero with such integrity? I would think future employers would be fighting over him. I wish I could hire the man!!!
8
@Paul : I suspect Colonel Vindman doesn't see himself as being brave -- he's simply doing what's honorable and right.
5
I hope that people pay attention to what the GOP and Trump has to say regarding this soldier who was brave enough to speak truth to power. Will they discredit his service and smear his name like they did John McCain.
It is beyond belief that people like Lindsey Graham partake in this smear campaign.
You have people falling over themselves to protect and lie for a snowflake bully who avoided military service as did his sons...why????
Then you have people who dedicate their life to service and are thrown under the bus by this administration and the GOP
My son is serving as a Marine we were career Navy I couldn’t be prouder of Lt Vinder for having the integrity to speak the truth and I couldn’t be more disgusted with the GOP like Lindsey Graham for continuing to lie for this president and throw real public servants under the bus.
When will someone pull the curtain on Oz??
40
Thank you for sharing this story and Ms. Kitman's photographs. I read Mr. Vindman's testimony. I am moved to tears by his decency, honesty and courage, and by the brothers' service to this country. The twin brothers embody the strength that immigrants bring to this country, and this country's values and opportunities. The Vindman brothers are our light, the light that nourishes us and gives us hope to persevere through this dark time.
28
I can think of no finer American success story. Perhaps there is still hope for our country.
29
Dear Republican Senators. THIS is how you play the "I'm a patriot" game. THIS is how one is supposed to represent one's "constituents". THIS is truth. It's time to stop the nonsense and listen to truth spoken by a growing crowd of committed, aghast, patriotic people who don't care about elections or soundbites or anybody's "base". A crowd which is willing to publicly declare that this wannabee Emperor has no morals, no soul, and no value to our country. It's time for you to step up; join the crowd, and get rid of Trump decisively and completely.
37
@Ted: Excellent comment -- I'd like to see you trumpet this concept loudly and clearly and as far as you can.
It is the essence of our democracy.
5
Why does being Jewish, Ukrainian or an immigrant have anything to do with his personal integrity? He is doing the right thing because he wants too and believes it the right thing to do. I am sure these are values learned by his parents, friends and the military. His name should speak for itself.
6
@J You are right and it seems that Vindman agrees with you. The notes, his own, wrt his being an immigrant are perhaps side notes put forth to emphasize the value that America represents to so many people throughout the world, some of whom have given their lives in other countries to repay the USA for supporting their belief in and struggle for freedom. And that immigrants have played important roles in American ideas, including giving their lives to protect the American way of life.
Again you are right, J. It is Vindman who has stood by the values he learned at home and has carried those values into his adult life.
I'm thankful for his family's gifts to our country.
4
A true patriot, indeed. And his brother too.
22
The United States of America:
Founded by immigrants.
Built by immigrants.
And once again, saved by an immigrant.
I am the son of an immigrant. My mother's family were all immigrants. I grew up in a house where Yiddish was spoken.
I'll tell you this about immigrants. When a person grows up terribly oppressed, with no hope, and they come to America, they become the strongest patriots of all. Their patriotism is not based in hatred of the other, because they are the other. There patriotism is based on being accepted as the other. They all experienced anti-semitism, as have I. But they always knew the law would protect them.
As far back as I can remember, my father told me with his broken English, "Son, I come to Ameriki to have mine children. Ameriki is da greatest country in da vorld".
He always wanted me to join the military after college. In WWII, he developed the greatest respect and admiration for the officer corps. He thought that that if you were an officer in the United States Army, you were a somebody. You were respected. You had honor.
Lt. Colonel Vindman has proved my father correct. He is a somebody. He has respect. He has honor. And he has put himself on the line to save America.
That's what's at stake here. It's bigger than Trump. It's the values of what this nation stands for. We have done terrible things over the years, but those values are what drives toward becoming a greater America.
1107
@Bruce Rozenblit thank you for your comment. I couldn’t agree more or say it better either.
96
@Bruce Rozenblit Beautifully written and absolutely correct.
88
@Bruce Rozenblit Thank you for a beautifully written paean to what is greatest about America. Each of the many mistakes made by this country over almost 250 years, driven by the expectant hope of its people, has been an opportunity to make this place better. Nowhere does that hope shine brighter than in the minds and hearts of the immigrants who left behind poverty and/or persecution -- and in the case of the Soviet Jews of the late 1970s everything of any value -- to start a new life.
That belief that this country is great but can become even greater, and not the idea that a failing America must be made great again, is the true American spirit. Most of the millions of Americans who see current events as an opportunity to improve will never be headlined in the NY Times, but will do their duty with honor just like Alexander Semyonovich Vidman as well as Zeyde Rozenblit.
103
It is deeply disturbing to me that I continue to see press coverage of scandals that are expected to bring down Mr. Trump presented according to a narrative that could be interpreted as a Judas trope, whether it is the unfaithful (though admittedly corrupt) Michael Cohen, or Alexander Vindman.
While I do not believe that the president is an anti-Semite, I agree that the political climate over which he presides has allowed anti-Semites to air their grievances more easily with those who share their views, and that modern technology and the internet have allowed such people to spur each other to violence. The Tree of Life synagogue shooting (carried out by an avowed anti-Semite who complained that the president was not one) was one outcome of this. It worries me greatly that articles like this one will be seized upon by those who will see evidence in Colonel's Vindman's willingness to testify of the perfidy of Der Ewige Jude. At the end of the day, Vindman's ethnic background should not be relevant, and I question why it should be a focus of a front page article.
6
@Middleman MD It's curious that you see this about his being "Jewish." I see this as a story of an immigrant from Ukraine that happens to be Jewish. He could have come from anywhere. Had any religion. It is his patriotism and honor that are at the forefront.
5
@Middleman MD good points, thoughtfully expressed. Thank you
"I am a patriot, and it is my sacred duty and honor to advance and defend our country, irrespective of party or politics.”
What a statement: patriotism has so often been used as a cover for advancing political aims, that I am not used to seeing it for what it is supposed to mean, actual love of country, and determination to do right by your country. He isn't boasting, nor is he embarrassed to express this feeling: we can learn from such immigrants to recapture pride and commitment to higher good.
29
I don't much care about the demographics of the upstanding people who expose Trump, but there is an extra measure of satisfaction that (so far) many of the people willing to testify are women, immigrants or both.
26
That's wonderful, but isn't this a political difference, and isn't it the President's right to make the decision?
2
@Michael Livingston’s Not if you want him to make a LEGAL decision. The Constitution is your friend. You should read it.
8
@Michael Livingston’s
Political difference?? What is illegal should have nothing to do with "political difference"... it's illegal. That means you can't do it... period. And no, the president does not have that right to make that decision. Sadly, trump, having no concept of what is right or wrong, just does what he wants, what is good for him or his twisted ego
4
Leave it to a Ukraine-born immigrant to show Republicans what real honor, integrity, and being a U.S. Patriot looks like.
Lieutenant Colonel Vindman continues to hold and exhibit the intrinsic core values that seem to have lapsed or disappeared from the current administration.
I know in my heart that there are many others like Lieutenant Colonel Vindman who believe in doing what is right and honorable and will come forward to share their information with the world.
Somehow saying "Thank you" to Lieutenant Colonel Vindman seems so inadequate.
25
I do not think we would be reading such a glowing story about Mr Vindman if he was not useful in the left’s quest to demonize and impeach Trump. And his words clearly reflect that a good part of his concern about the call was the negative impact it would have on the country where he was born, Ukraine. In any case, his concern that the request to investigate a 2020 presidential candidate for potential corruption is just that, a personal concern. Given the money Hunter Biden was being paid and the pride Joe took in having the Ukrainian prosecutor fired, it was a reasonable request. And certainly not an impeachable defense. Btw, has anyone asked Mr Vindman whether he had similar concerns about Joe Biden successfully pressing the Ukrainians to fire one of their own prosecutors? Perhaps that too could be an impeachable offense should mr Biden become the next president.
3
@ehillesum So you're saying that a US Service Member who has sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution can't be trusted because he was born in another country?
He had to pass a citizenship test. Did you?
Are you equally alarmed at the President's children profiting from his office?
14
Get the facts from a reliable news source. Please!
6
@ehillesum We would not be reading such a glowing story about Mr Vindman if Mr Trump had not gone to such improbably lengths to refute the irrefutable assistance the Russians gave him in 2016. Your conspiricist comment ignores Mr Vindman's real, living story in favor of hollow, lifeless, far-fetched allegations. If you choose to live in that world, so be it; I'm sorry for you.
6
The irony that a man with Vindman's background, strength of character, and integrity would intersect with Donald Trump at this time and place is epic. If you sat down and wrote this narrative, it would be dismissed as beyond belief.
16
This is a story that strikes an incredibly poignant and reverberating message for me. I am a Jewish twin, my dear brother sadly no longer alive, whose grandparents also came from Czarist Russia in what has become the Ukraine.
I am incredibly proud of Lt Col. Alexander Vindman's patriotism and his determination to serve his country at its time of need by providing vital information on what has been happening with regard to our relationship with the Ukraine's new leadership and its need for American support to protect its democracy and its safety in the face of Russian attempts to acquire the remainder of this country which needs to remain independent of Russian neo-imperialism as Putin tries to re-establish the new Russian "empire".
I only hope that this hero and patriot will not have his reputation destroyed by the ultra right's awful Fox network's immediate attack on his bona fides and his patriotism. Ingraham is disgusting. Is SHE an American patriot? I don't think so. She is a Trumpite agent.
36
Karma, though at times slow coming around, is wonderful. Hats off to the immigrant Vindman brothers for their service. To LTC Alexander Vindman, your courage and sense of duty is inspiring and for me quite uplifting.
25
Wonderful work Ms Kitman, Thank You!!
These young men turned into Patriots, surely President Trump will thank them vehemently for their Service!
12
I wish just a handful of Republican Senators and just one tenth the patriotism, honesty and bravery as this man.
21
This man is exactly the touchstone needed to remind us what America is,a nation full of immigrants who made lives for themselves having fled tyranny.
How incredibly ironic, powerful and just, that a Jewish immigrant with intense loyalty to America is willing to put country and truth ahead of personal gain and political persuasion.
He puts the entire Republican party under Trump to utter shame and he has more integrity, bravery and patriotism than the lot of them put together and as for Trump and his enablers I hope this patriot's testimony is a vital part of bringing them to justice and exposing them for what and who they are.
I salute you Lieutenant Colonel Vindman. Thank you for your service and for showing what integrity is.
I'd bet a million bucks that the late John McCain would have been one of the first to shake the Colonel's hand post testimony,would you agree, Mr Graham ?
22
How long before Trump sacks both brothers? Calls then Ukraine agents, or Russian spies? Questions if their citizenship is legitimate?
Col. Vindman is a game changer. And we all should be grateful to him for his patriotism and hope the best for his future. He is everything that Trump is not and a lesson to our youth.
18
Trump’s lapdogs at FOX entertainment are already raising “concerns” about this Purple Heart wearing “immigrant” and his loyalty to the country he has faithfully served and fought for.
I’d say this is shameful behavior but for FOX and the GOP, well they have no shame. Kind of rich considering FOX employees are working for foreigners, the Murdoch family, whose only motivation is profit. Falls in line with the GOP mantra of party over country.
Mr. Vindman is an American patriot.
7
@jhbev Fox already questioned his loyalty and accused him of espionage. Trump won't be far behind.
3
So now, we have O-5s who want to make national policy? These two LtCols have quite an immigrants’ tale... They seem quite accomplished. But they are still NSC staff. They are there to observe and offer advice, not all of which gets adopted. And we have the transcript of Trump’s call... It doesn’t matter what this particular guy “thought” he heard. We know exactly what Trump said.
4
@Arctic Fox We have only a partial transcript of the call.
8
@Arctic Fox we don't have the transcript of the call we only have a reducted version of it given out by this administration. On a side note what does being an O5 or even an 03 has anything to do with expressing your concern?
6
Not sure we know what Trump said on the call or in other meetings. All we have from him is a non-verbatim transcript (memo). Given his predilection to lie at all times, I would rather trust the word of a career army officer sworn to protect and uphold the constitution.
8
Republican voters and politicians stand by (or cheer) as Republican hacks attempt to discredit one patriotic American after another: people who've dedicated their entire lives to serving their country, while Trump was only serving himself.
They cannot even imagine why anyone would stand up against Trump. It must be pure, inexplicable bias. They must be part of the deep state -- self-evidently part of the most enormous conspiracy in human history. It couldn't be anything else!
I don't know how people like Susan Collins can wake up as Republicans every morning. Or, unfortunately, maybe I do know.
15
This profile brought tears to my eyes. The Vindman family history is a testimony to the American Dream and what Lady Liberty stands for. Never in my lifetime did I ever even consider that the promise of a better life here would be quashed by our country's leadership. I am so proud of what the Vindman family has achieved, and the heroism that has been demonstrated. Your stories are an inspiration! Shame on Laura Ingraham! Stay strong in the face of detractors who have no idea of what it means to have principles!
16
The time is past for the embrace of military aggression. Fort Benning? Do we really hate Trump so very much we are willing to forget the many many atrocities committed through the infamous 'school of the americas' ? Is this now a place of honor? America has been torn apart spiritually for too many years - this long-term corruption that has systematically advanced brutal regimes is as much a factor in the arrival of Trump as any other thing.
Grow up.
.
2
@Z I had trouble following much of what you said but it felt from the heart.
And, if I understood correctly, I do agree that the degree of corruption is such (throughout our political system and 'lawmakers') that it can produce the likes of Trump and other brutal fascist leaders.
And I definitely agree that we need more adults in the room.
I do have to remind myself to 'grow up' more often than I like to admit.
Let's not forget -
It takes a victim of Soviet persecution and corruption to fully recognize and revile it when it rears it's corrupt head.
Especially when it is emulated by the US president.
That's a betrayal of American values too much to bear.
No Soviet-style behavior will be accepted.
Not by patriots.
15
Colonel Vindman and his twin show us everything that is good about America...patriotism, honor, integrity, truth, courage, and working hard to achieve the American Dream.
They also show us what is good about the men and women in the U.S. military and the responsibility they uphold when they take the oath to become soldiers. Country over party...every time.
Thank you to both Colonel Vindman’s for your overwhelming loyalty to our country, and to Colonel Alexander Vindman for his testimony today.
It really does my heart good to see these men and women come forward to testify truthfully to what is certainty a national security issue of great importance.
Wouldn’t it be truly amazing if members of the Republican Party could follow their sterling examples of what it means to be true American patriots?
17
A universal New York story—an American story. Vindman came to this country from Ukraine in 1979, while Trump was moving from swindle to bigger swindle in Manhattan. The young family throve in Brooklyn, in America. The kids throve. Alexander received his ROTC commission at Cornell, a decade before my own son graduated there; he earned his Green Beret at Fort Benning, a decade before my son; he served in Iraq, a decade before my own son. He became a Russia and Ukraine expert at the National Security Council. He watched as Rudy Giuliani, America’s mayor (and Trump’s mare, and our nightmare) plotted to pin the blame on Ukraine for Russia’s role in electing Trump. He was in on the July 25 call. He reported what he heard to White House lawyers. Being two times a patriot, he accepted Congress’s invitation and later today will tell the nation and the world who he is and what he saw and heard. My son and I are white anglo-Americans, here in this country for 400 years. Zindman is a Ukrainian Jew, here in America for 4 decades.
America works. I am proud to claim Zindman as a brother. Trump is a stranger.
21
Anyone who has chosen to testify during this impeachment inquiry, contradicting his story, is another Never Trumper. This is according to Donald Trump. Again, this shows the true character of Trump. To him, everyone must have an ulterior motive. To him, it is never that these people love their country and want to do what is right. Because that would never occur to Trump, despite the oath he took.
9
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman poignantly painted a very clear picture of the mindset and actions of the president in his statement "I did not think it was proper to demand that a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen”.
He pretty much summed up what is wrong with so much of Trump's foreign policy.
What more really needs to be said?
20
This incredible family, these remarkable heroes, puts a giant pin in the Trump immigration balloon. Under Trumps new immigration plan this incredible family would not be allowed entry in to this country. $750 is not rich enough for our President. Trump ignores the fact that most new immigrants love this country in ways that most of us third to fourth generation Americans never can. They have witnessed what living in countries that are not free are like. The often volunteer for service because they want to defend those recently won freedoms knowing what losing them is like. The fact that the Trump allies are trying to smear this man is a new low.
17
An important story, for sure. And one I am sympathetic to. One editorial thought though: I am not sure this family were refugees. I think they were normal immigrants who passed through the exit door opened by the Jackson-Vanik Amendment and the Helsinki Accord. It is important to be careful about use of the word refugee, fled too. The Rohinga are refugees fleeing for their lives, so too the South Vietnamese boat people. Soviet Jews had a place in their society, though generally discriminated against. This family is a boon to our society.
8
I study and teach literature. As the article and many comments here note, one could not ask for a finer plot twist. And as the descendent of Jewish immigrants from Poland and Germany, I could not be prouder of Lt. Col. Vindman. I hope he reads our many praises of his bravery, because it takes some chutzpah, given the vindictiveness of the current occupant of the White House, to do what he will do today. Bravo, sir.
784
Leave it to an immigrant to lead this country back to integrity.
I took my 12 year old grandson on one of those lower Manhattan cruises a couple months ago. At sunset we sailed around the Statue of Liberty. She stood there, tall, unwavering, but the light of the setting sun shining on her was an omen to me, that she would not fail us in this country, she would not fail the immigrants who first notice her coming into the great city of New York, as she stands for our country to be tall, and strong, and safe, and right.
Alexander Vindman’s family members saw Miss Liberty, too. Mr. Vindman surely has looked at this symbol of welcome, symbol of security, symbol of peace for all, no matter where they have come from.
The symbol of America’s welcome stands at the gate of our country. She is for all, whether for us from here or for those that come here from afar.
I feel the sunny light that shone on the Statue of Liberty that evening cruise night shining on us now. Look for it. Embrace it. Mr. Vindman is taking us to light in our history.
Away with the darkness shed by Donald Trump. Onward to a restored brightness. We are headed, like on that little cruise, back to calm, and peace, and truth, and America as we want it to be.
Thank you Mr. Vindman for what you and your family have done for our country, past, present, future.
213
@MIMA Nice job. Way to wax poetic, without the stanzas.
6
@MIMA BTW, the Lady is French.
3
@Eric Thompson
Awe, thanks! My pictures of that night, both in print and in my mind, are vivid and heartfelt.
I love Miss Liberty and will to my end. She’s for everyone! To share her view with my grandson, a future generation, was something to behold that could not be experienced anywhere else. He has immigrant heritage, too. Don’t we all?
:)
MIMA
5
Another immigrant success story Makes America Great Again against a fake, phony and a fraud who did nothing but tear America apart.
Thank you Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman for your magnificent patriotism.
776
@Socrates..... Three cheers to Alexander Vindman.
May the truth prevail and get that hateful occupant of the White House out of there.
24
@Socrates ... beautifully put, Socrates, as ever. And indeed a huge Thank You to Colonel Vindman for his outstanding courage, bravery and patriotism - against a backdrop of such vile cowardice.
15
You know this guy has the goods on the Trump/Giuliani crime spree - Fox News sprung into action last night. Laura Ingraham's and John "Torture is legal" Woo accused him of espionage and being a foreign agent. Their evidence? He speaks Ukrainian.
235
@cornell -- Those two should start a church. Millions would join and donate.
6
@cornell They should look a little closer to home for people who served and violated their oath of office: West Point graduates Mike Flynn and Mike Pompeo.
32
@cornell Yes, now another personal campaign smear will begin. It seems only Republicans are honorable.
5
The Vindmans remind me of my family's own experience as Jewish immigrants, my father in particular, who retired a colonel in the USAF and did three tours in Vietnam, earning a purple heart and bronze star. Their story resonates.
Colonel Vindman can anticipate scurrilous attacks on his character. Indeed, they have already begun. I hope that he knows that there are many who stand with him.
311
I can only wish that the Republican Senators had merely half the Patriotism,courage, honor, and sense of duty this brave man has.
412
@Tom Jacobsen they have been looking for the courage and patriotism store but they just can’t seem to get there it’s always just past the next defense of trump and there is only so much time in a day
3
@Tom Jacobsen
They are doing what their voters want. That's what's so disturbing. This house of horror is built on a foundation of Fox viewers.
7
These are honorable men, military men, men of the oath right inside the White House.
Men serving the president.
Men hired by the president!
Men who, even though they serve the president, could not tolerate his questionable, unpatriotic, highly irregular, unethical behavior.
They had to step forward and tell their story.
They had to do what is right when they saw a wrong.
That's courage.
Think:
Which is the so-called "good son" - the one who keeps silent while the father abuses the family?
Or the one who does his moral duty to family, to righteousness, to higher values… to law - and reports the father to authorities?
Everyone knows the answer.
Only the brave and free will applaud the good son.
Let's see.
132
Thank you Colonel Vindman for giving this country a hearty slice of hope by coming forward to testify.
We seem to be in such short demand and supply in the honor, integrity, and character departments.
I am feeling the strength of your actions.
165
Not to diminish the bravery and integrity of the whistleblower, Marie Yovanovitch, William Taylor, and others, there is edifying irony in the idea that it could be the testimony of an immigrant from Ukraine to finally refresh the memory of some Americans regarding the nature of true patriotism.
It's worth noting that Eastern European immigrants, like those from Italy, Greece, and Ireland, were once not considered White. Three cheers for Vindman and countless immigrants like him who thoughtfully and courageously embrace the principles of American democracy.
292
This may be the most devastating testimony yet and a point of no return for Trump’s presidency. I am reminded of how it was another military officer, Alexander Butterfield, who sealed Nixon‘s fate when he revealed the existence of a White House tape recorder. Let us hope that this is the beginning of the end of our national nightmare!
415
Twin brothers, light birds (lieutenant colonels in military jargon), immigrants, Jews, rising through school, military service, attracting the notice of men and women who were impressed with their love of country and responsibilities to flag and patriotism.
Did Donald Trump not appreciate the irony of immigrants to America who strove mightily to justify their new country’s welcome?
Strange that foreign-born folks come to cherish what is enshrined in the American Constitution and their zealous service in its nationhood. What did this president—and by extension the entire Republican Party—not appreciate about the Vindmans?
Putative answer: they took their citizenship seriously, a virtue not quite commensurate with Republican principles—for all of their chest-beating.
627
Yes
We took and oath, and we take it seriously
Did DT took that oath ?
18
@Red Sox, ‘04, ‘07, ‘13, ‘18 I agree, I’m married to a German immigrant. Talk about Patriotic, he loves this country and what it stands for. My experience with immigrants is that they take their citizenship seriously.
26
@Red Sox, ‘04, ‘07, ‘13, ‘18
Love your comment. Worthy of a NYT Pick.
Absolutely love the irony.
17
Thanks for the terrific reporting, and especially thanks to the Vindmans for their dedication and service. I dream of a time when patriotism is measured not by little flags in the lapels of cynical hypocrites in public office, but in the words and deeds of people who reflect and embody our historic values. People like the Vindman twins.
1413
@Cal Prof
Fantastic comment!!!
1000% in agreement.
63
@Cal Prof Amen to that.
41
@Cal Prof
So well said. Brave, non-partisan, public servants who understand, as immigrants, what many Americans take for granted. Duty, honor and patriotism are their motivations. I am finally feeling hopeful.
55
I feel so proud to be a Jewish American whose family originally came from Ukraine! More important, I feel proud to be a human being, a questionable species as of late. Thank god for the Vidmans!
362
@David A. I am there with you -- and the Vidmans.
20
Although an immigrant myself, I do not feel it is one’s present or former religious or cultural-ethnic background that is relevant to the Colonel’s exemplary conduct. It is his dedication to the American ideals of freedom, integrity, and democracy, ideals which we need to ensure remain widely shared in all parts of the globe.
470
@EM.
One small note: It is not the American ideals, but rather human ideals of freedom, integrity and democracy.
The French revolution called for Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood (Liberté, égalité, fraternité), and before that Plato and Aristotle called for similar ideals.
What is more important however, is for people not only to preach those ideals but rather to live those ideals!
11
"He fled the Ukraine at age 3" Well, maybe his family did but I doubt that he did it on his own at that age.
10
Wow -- thank you so much for your insightful comment! We never would have figured that out on our own.
13
@Robert
Hearing that wonderful story, someone’s first impulse is to pick it apart? Wow.
11
You had to dig really deep to find something derogatory, and inconsequential, to say about this true patriot.
6
Vindman is a patriot.
151
How different from Kupperman, Perry, Gahn and the others that just hide and lick the boots of Trump.
134
What a family! The ultimate irony, Trump exposed by—an accomplished, patriotic, Naturalized Ukrainian, right under his nose. And with an equally accomplished twin. No writer would try a plot twist like this, it’s too unbelievable. Regardless, all my respect and the biggest thank you I could offer, to Lt Col. Vindman. This is what America is, can be.
551
Thank you Colonel Vindman. We need honest, brave Americans like you more than ever.
916
Interesting that both honest (Vindman) and dishonest (Sondland) will be trump to accountability.
18
Somewhat ironical... Here these two brother immigrants from Russia exemplify American ideals of patriotism, bravery, fealty to country. Contrast that with the American born man sitting in the White House whose entire presidency has been completely un-American. So who’s the real American?
128
They are not from Russia. They are from Ukraine. Sorry, but by now one would think everyone knows the difference - and the difference is vast and real.
6
They emigrated from Ukraine, not from Russia. One would think that by now, everyone knows the difference. And the difference .is vast and real. I too am an immigrant from Ukraine,
4
They were born in the Soviet Union. Ukraine was part of the vast Soviet empire. The Russian language was the vernacular. All Soviet citizens were referred to as “Russians.”
10
My god. Will my faith in my country be finally restored by these out standing men? The generals were only concerned with making money. Flynn lobbied for Turkey, Kelly makes money imprisoning migrant children, Mattis lined his pockets with General Dynamics and Theranos gigs, HR seemed the only true patriot not out for money. But they all remained silent, none of those generals spoke out as patriots. Now my hopes rest on an immigrant Jewish Ukrainian soldiers honesty. Maybe this country will finally break free of Putins scheme.
195
Thank you for this story about a remarkable man and family. I’m grateful for Col. Vindman’s bravery, patriotism and honesty. He, along with Taylor, Hill and Yovanovitch are true heroes.
103
Col. Vindman,
Sir, you are a true American. You were not born one. You became one. Thank you to your elders for pursuing the difficult journey and to you for grasping to possibilities. Thank you for your service and devotion to country.
464
What assets to our country! They are well deserving of the American dream, an example for many. They are true patriots!
135
I hope Fox News watchers put on their critical thinking caps and see how badly they are being served by entertainment news anchors like Laura Ingram. Fox has wrapped itself in patriotism for decades but now that we need Americans to rise and act in defense of the assault on our republic Fox chooses to attack Americans. It really is sad that no Republican will put the republic before their reelection.
162
@Deirdre The question is whether the WH came up with this talking point and gave it to FOX or vice versa? Since it's such a goofy idea I think someone who has 'great and unmatched wisdom' came up with it.
44
@RNS
Yes! It is important to see the humour in Trump and company's malfeasance whilst still taking the whole illegal circus very, very seriously. You probably lowered readers' blood pressure by many points.
3
I'm regularly amazed at the healthy respect for true American values that so many immigrants embrace.
I'm also impressed by their work ethic.
At the risk of drawing many angry Replies, I sense that many later generation Americans (we all have immigrant roots) have begun to take those values for granted and have fallen into a cycle of lazy dependance.
178
no angry reply from me--I fully agree with you.
48
Me too. I agree. Let’s get “woke”.
32
@two cents
A steady flow of Immigrants are one of the things that make America Great! They and their children are often more patriotic than native born, have more drive and are more successful. This is one more reason it is so contrary to America's success to slow immigration.
15
It will be interesting to see how Trump characterizes these Army officers who have served their country and who support our democratic institutions.
What for the Foxers and pro Trumpers to unleash their salvos of hate and retribution.
Vietnam Vet and Retired Army Officer
168
@Michael it’s already starting. Except all the vets that I know are not to pleased about fox trashing them and one in particular was really mad about it and vowed to protect them
7
Sounds like the perfect witness to recent events, strenghthened by the sharp contrasts between the traditional immigrant story and today's expedient, transactional, and corrupt culture.
The notion of being a good "patriot" and a defender of traditional American values almost seems quaint here. If therey's a way the president's allies can attack him, they will.
But they will be hard-pressed to dig up dirt. What a sick culture we live in where to preserve corruption it's necessry to destory those who would expose it.
93
Two men who are everything Donald Trump isn't.
What an extraordinary family.
293
I almost said this is going to be the final straw for Trump. Then I just saw that the White House is planning on painting Col. Vindman as a "spy" for Ukraine. You can't make this stuff up. Yes, since the age of 3 he has been training to be a spy for Ukraine. The sad thing is Senate Republicans have already sold their souls and nothing Trump could do would make them vote him out of office. He could ... wait for it ... shoot someone on 5th Avenue and nothing would happen to him.
106
@Dave: And the saddest part is that his supporters will fall for it hook, line, and sinker.
8
The next move will be the president trying to disparage Vindman via twitter once he testifies. Vindman represents, in the presidents warped sense of self, the Deep State, and the intelligence community that he does not trust.
Vindman is a true patriot.
112
An immigrant. A refugee. From Ukraine. A scholar and soldier. A model US citizen to be proud of.
Everything the American story loves, because it IS the American story.
Everything Donald Trump hates because he has built his career vilifying all of these “categories” of humanity.
I guess we will see what happens when the American story directly confronts Donald J. Trump in the most immediate way possible.
145
The Vindmans didn't 'flee Ukraine', as there was no such country in existence in 1979. They were part of the Jewish migration out of the Soviet Union - destination Israel. Many decided to change course and ended up in America and other Western countries; the Vindmans were part of that group.
Quality journalism this ain't.
16
@waldo They fled Ukraine. If I flee from
California now, and California becomes a separate country later, it is still true that I fled California. Can be a place even if not an independent country.
78
@waldo
There was a Ukranian Soviet Socialist Republic, part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The Ukrainian SSR was a founding member of the United Nations. Now, one can well say that this meant more on paper than it did in reality, but there was a political unit based on Ukranian ethnicity and history.
13
@Waldo, The concept of Ukraine as an independent nation began in the mid 18th century beginning with a peasant revolt. This led to a Ukrainian National Revival, establishing the territory with Ukrainian language and cultural mores separate of surrounding regions/nations. Those same regions/nations fought over and attempted to control and annex Ukraine off and on for the next 200 years in an effort to reign in separatism.
Ukraine as an Eastern European territory and later part of Russia has been in existence since the Civil War of 1917 - 1921, when it was recognized and established as the Ukrainian People’s Republic. The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was a founding Republic of Russia in 1922. Nikita Kruchschev was appointed head of the Ukrainian Communist Party in 1938, which led to a so-called Ukrainian revival in the 1950s after Stalin’s death. Under Communist rule, Ukraine was enmeshed in the decades long Cold War under Russian control. Millions lived austere and persecuted lives due to food shortages and religious intolerance which is in all likelihood what led to the Vindman family’s escape.
After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine was established once again as an independent Eastern European nation. While the modern incarnation of Ukraine as we know it today may not have existed in 1980 when the Vindman family fled to America, Ukraine itself was very much in existence, albeit suppressed under Soviet rule.
5
What a remarkable story. How wonderful and inspiring that a man who lives the American dream of immigrating here, rising to the highest echelons of power on brains and hard work, risks all for love of this country to reveal the truth about how our government used foreign powers to hurt its leaders’ political opponents. People like the Vindmans vindicate my faith in this country and how things will turn out.
73
Poetic justice:
A Ukrainian immigrant/refugee will stand up for this country’s values and tell the truth about the president’s behavior!
79
What a great article providing terrific background. The story of the Vidman family will help us all appreciate the importance of this patriot’s anticipated testimony later today. Lt. Col. Vindman is an American hero.
75
Very grateful to the highly qualified non-partisan public servants who are upholding the rule of law and protecting U.S. national security by testifying in good faith before Congress. These are the role models our country needs now more than ever.
110
An amazing story about strong and hard-working people who had to make many brave decisions.
80
Had the current occupant of the White House been in office in 1979, the Vindman family most certainly would been excluded from the immigration roles. How fortunate we are as a country to have this fine and extraordinary family ad part of the fabric of America.
334
Based on Trump’s own immigration policy his wife and her (chain migration) parents should never have been allowed to come to this country. Luck he was not President sooner, as pointed out, otherwise the Vindman family and so many other great patriots would not have been allowed to help make this country great!
86