A true American!
20
I seriously doubt Roger that Ms. Hill -- strong proponent that she is of democratic countries strongly defending themselves against their sworn enemies -- shares your deep seated revulsion and expressions of contempt for Mr. Netanyahu.
1
Fiona Hill embodies what America should be. And what America once was, to a great degree. But that America is past. And we will not see anything like it again in our lifetimes.
So what America do we live in now?
An America in which our "president" tells us that the KKK and neo-Nazis are some very fine people.
An America that has seen our "president" order Hispanic infants and children into internment camps, on our soil, with no plans to ever release them.
An America that no longer believes in facts, science or education.
An America where working to better oneself through hard work and education is considered "elitism".
An America in which hate crimes are skyrocketing against our minority citizens.
An America that has seated a would-be rapist on the Supreme Court.
An America whose "president" has publicly toadied to Putin and says he believes Putin over our own intelligence agencies.
An America in which our "president" has committed felonies in broad daylight, and knows he will suffer no consequences.
An America in which our "president's" rabid base proudly screams racist epithets at his rallies, and proclaims that they'd rather be Russians the Democrats.
No, Mr. Cohen, the America envisioned by Amb. Hill is gone. It is now nothing more than a memory of a nation that was good, and despite its imperfections, strove to be greater.
But some forty percent of our "citizens" want the America we're now seeing. And sadly, they'll be the face of America for a very long time.
25
I was as impressed as you are by Hill's testimony, but I would like to ask you consider that your assessment of America's open arms be qualified with an 'if you're white.'
13
There's just no moral symmetry between the House Majority led by Chairman Schiff and the Republican hit squad of Nunes, Jordan and Cantor, the Minority Counsel.
It's Schiff v. Nunes. That's our political reality in microcosm, up close and personal. Nothing matches. They don't even share the same reality with Republicans wearing propellers on their heads as they beat dead Ukrainian horses and contrive reality show histrionics while Jordon talks as if he badly needs a bathroom break.
To maintain that Republicans and Democrats are both national political parties competing in the political arena of ideas for our votes is the most colossal false equivalence since the term was first necessitated by GOP duplicity.
This is doctors v. quacks, lawyers v. shysters, courage v. cowardice, duty v. dereliction, deliberation v. harangue, truth v. alternate facts, George v. Kellyanne. This is tyranny v. democracy.
This is Trump shooting a bystander dead on 5th Avenue and Republicans cheering him for hitting his target. If they bothered to listen to the Impeachment testimony -- as Hill and Sondland testified -- Trump's twitter-twitchy trigger finger is a danger to all Republicans standing near him.
Nunes, Jordan, Pompeo, Mulvaney, Perry et.al., proclaim with bravado their eagerness to take a bullet for Trump. They just didn't think he'd be the one shooting.
22
There is another word for what the #PLIC and his Republican enablers are doing, it is called treason.
23
If a democrat wins the presidency, Ms. Hill should be our next Secy of State. That will help erase the stench of Pompeo's State Dept.
33
Thanks Dr. Hill for your moral backbone and courage! We can only hope that the "Deep State" harbours more like you. The rest of the citenzenry of this great country need to stand with you and other people of good conscience.
23
Jeez, Roger, you and Fiona went and did it. Gave me a little hope for the species, endangered as it is.
18
Ambassador Yovanovitch and Fiona Hill served truth to power in unmatched race and righteous indignation. Each in their testimony shone a spotlight on the petty, banal corruption of the Trump regime, and its sycophants on the Intelligence Committee.
Hill, in particular, forcefully questioned the judgement of the Trump Administration as confused, mistaken, deeply injurious to American interests and so sodden with conspiracy theories as to be intellectually impaired -- struck dumb. Her implicit message: do better, please, stand up and act like mature adults.
Yet it was Yovanovitch's solemn testimony that so moved me. To borrow a shopworn phrase, she was a woman scorned, and she pushed back, hard and crystal clear, at the Republican hacks and mistreats on the Committee, treating them as errant, foolish school boys.
Bravo to these two stalwarts, and the others who testified truth to reckless, stupid power.
28
addendum in my comment: rage, not race. Apologies to all.
4
If Fiona Hill is an example of the Deep State, please dear Lord, give me more.
28
Just...Thank you, Mr.Cohen.
7
The facts are really quite simple.
1. Russia is arguably our biggest rival/enemy.
Putin/Russia interfered with an election that they wanted Trump to win. If Russia wanted Trump to win, it must be because they thought it would harm us. And the Republicans defending Trump are fulfilling the role of "Useful Idiots".. Brilliant.....
2. Why is Mr. Trump preventing other members of the Executive Branch from testifying. If he is innocent, surely they will exonerate him. Someone who read the transcript of the now infamous "perfect" phone call thought it was problematic and buried it in a secret server...
3. Why has Mr. Trump not released any financial documents?
4. Why have so many of his associates ended up in jail and why is he the subject of so many other federal, state, and local investigations.
5. Why have so many people who worked for/with Trump, left?
6. He also cheats at golf.
17
Trump is Putin’s stooge and the Republicans in the House and Senate are Trump’s cowardly conspirators. They would rather suck up to him than stand up for our country in the face of an insidious disinformation war against us and our key institutions.
As a retired Foreign Service officer with three decades of diplomatic experience, I found Hill’s testimony to be riveting and razor sharp. The Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee could not attack her on substance and they could hardly smear her and her reputation. In fact, many of their questions and utterances revealed their shallowness and fear of Trump. Hill cut through all the blather. Nobody among the members of the committee questioned her statements about Russian perfidy and attempts to undermine our democratic institutions and traditions of governance. Some GOP members tried to defend the president, but their efforts showed how weak they were. If anything, they were playing the Kremlin’s disinformation game for an audience of one.
13
Fiona Hill is an American hero and we owe her a debt of gratitude for her moral courage to tell Republicans what they didn't want to hear, to stop spreading conspiracy therories and helping Putin take down America.
18
Dr. Fiona Hill
6
It is frightening to watch the publicans lie and deny obvious truths. They care nothing for my country or its people. They have no morals, principles, intellect or shame. VOTE DEMOCRATIC
11
Fiona Hill, the person who has more intestinal fortitude than the ENTIRE GOP Party.
Oh, what Bolton could AND SHOULD learn from her.
18
The halls of power schooled by a coal miner's daughter.
20
Yovanovich, Vindman, Sondland, Hill. From migrant origins addressing Congress as Americans. Need more be said?
18
One, perhaps not so small, quibble with your column, Roger.
As an immigrant to the United States from the UK, and more so than ever during the last two years, when people hear my accent I am frequently asked, “Where are you from?”
I am sad to report that the accompanying tone of the question often has a subtext of, “What rock did you just crawl out from under?”
2
As far as I'm concerned, Fiona Hill and Masha Yovanovitch are more American than Trump.
21
Fabulists sounds like too kind a word for the water carriers of Donald Trump at Fox. Propagandists and conspiracy mongers is what they are.
12
Mr. Cohen, you are far from alone in your disgust with Trump re not only all things Putin but also absolutely every policy, every action, every lying word which spews from his mouth. You use the adjective "overwhelming," for me it is visceral. That lump is always in my throat with a knotted stomach during his ubiquitous, untoward presence. Fiona Hill and Marie Yovanovitch may have been foreign-born, yet they are the quintessential ideal for those aspiring to be true Americans. These women, and a nod to women, have shown heroism, courage, dignity, and morality which is nowhere to be found in Mr. Trump, the enemy of all decent people. Yet in spite of one witness after another, women and men alike, this evil magician maintains a spell over his Republicans in Congress and his supporters at large. What hold does he have? I fear that greed and bigotry in all their forms are still winning too many battles, but they must not win this war between a democracy and an autocracy, what is right and what is wrong.
11
Fiona Hill and Roger Cohen....two of our finest Americans ......both spectacular American immigrant success stories that Make America Great.
If only the people born here could demonstrate half the American idealism and citizenship these two patriots do, what a fine country this would be.
Fight on for truth to expose the right-wing rot of fiction, fantasy and fraud of today's Republican Frankenstein !
11
The American ideal as described by someone who understands the postwar order, the value of the Marshall Plan, NATO, who has studied history and civics. As opposed to those who have not, are ignorant and contemptuous, and admire autocrats, kleptocrats, and Banana Republics. Russian assets indeed.....
9
In pursuing the myth of Make America Great Again, people are destroying the very institutions that formed the presumed greatness that they invoke. The attacks on the press, on the State Department diplomats, on civil servants, on the intelligence apparatus, on political opponents are all measures that undercut the very nature of their purported goal. You don't build anything by destroying everything. If you destroy all that you now deem to be your enemies, you will have nothing left. What will be left is a pile of ruins: controlled press, double speak on the media, incompetent people in charge of key agencies, enmity of our neighbors. Think what your future will be if you continue to support
this perversion of your lives.
3
Now she would make a great President.
8
Very well said. Thank you.
6
The stubborn indifference, or should I say hostility, to facts is what is leading our country to ruin. Add to that disrespect for education and expertise and we have a country where no one is “convinced” but only willing to listen to conspiracy theories that support the most corrupt President and Republican Party this country has ever known. Shameless and shameful.
5
A remarkable woman who hails from the same soil as George Washington and who stands up to and speaks out against the con man and criminal Donald Trump, Putin's agent aiding and abetting the takeover of our country by Russia.
The entire GOP is now outed as aligned with and criminally complicit with our major enemy.
The impeachment process must extend beyond Trump to include Pence, Pompeo, Barr, McConnell, Graham, Nunes and on and on.
They are all guilty of his treason.
11
"Trump is Putin’s stooge."
Trump is willing to ingratiate himself to anyone that would help indulge his cupidity. That is the real difference between Dr. Hill and Trump. For the former a life forged by adversity and the indomitable will to succeed by doing the right thing. For the latter a pitiful life spent trying to win the approval of a dominating father who left him a fortune and a weighty baggage of the worst lessons a father could teach his son.
2
The disgust I feel from Trump's embrace of Putin pales in comparison to the contempt I have for the cowardly and demeaning subservience that Congressional Republicans display toward Trump. They alone have the power to put an end to the ongoing degradation of America yet they willingly debase themselves by ignoring his corruption and unfitness even when it threatens the principles they purport to hold dearest. I see no hope for us when we can elect so many totally devoid of integrity to be our representatives.
12
America is not the United States of part of North America.
I am at a gym in Virginia
Fox News is on a tv with captions so I can see the usual lies they are spouting
Funny thing is, no one is anywhere near this one tv screen
It’s the only one. In Virginia!
I think maybe times up.
20
As Mr. Cohen points out, the true meaning of “Make America Great Again” is to “Deny What America Is”. And for tens of millions of those who rabidly support Trump and will do so to the bitter end, that is what it is all about. It is to deny America is a land of immigrants; deny it is a place where those who practice a different religion are welcome; deny those whose skin is a different color are equal; deny equality for women and the LGBTQ community. Deny, deny and lie………….but always do so using “dog whistles”.
While there are many ideas and viewpoints worthy of debate, there is only one truth. In Donald Trump’s dystopia, there may be “alternative facts” and it may also be the case that “truth isn’t truth”. But in the real-world truth has a way of eventually being revealed. History insures it. And when that day comes, not “All the kings men………” (including Graham, Nunes, Fox News and Jordan)………..”will ever put (Donald Trump) together again”. Nor will they ever again shield from view the utter hollowness of the man.
10
And how do the Republicans respond? Lindsay Graham about to investigate Ukraine, the Bidens, and Burisma.
13
Fiona Hill is what the American experiment really means. She would make the perfect Secretary of State. And Alexander Vindman would be her perfect senior adviser on Russia and Ukraine. What a difference that would be from Pompeo and Giuliani!!!
43
Watching your country these past few years has been fascinating. Your much vaunted “Free Speech” is the primary culprit in an atmosphere of blatant lies, misdirection and indifference. How can anything be solved, when anything can be said?
The American public’s acceptance of public discourse absent truthful facts, will in the end, be more dangerous than your ridiculously weak gun laws. No society has or can survive false propaganda or political leaders unfamiliar with the truth. Trump is the the product of Americans ignoring the truth. The worst is yet to come.
23
We need to install this beacon of hope in every school’s curriculum. It needs to be a lesson people practice everyday. We as a nation of immigrants need to revere every immigrant’s sacrifices as if they are our own, because they are. Our current craven disregard for who we are and how we became part of this democratic experiment is nothing short of a putrid exercise in selfishness and absolute ignorance.
7
I am first generation American. My very existence is the American dream fulfilled. I never really fit in anywhere. I talk too much. I'm too honest. I'm too outspoken. I'm too confident. These are the traits that drive people to pursue the American dream. But because of our system, I was able to thrive. I never had the opportunities of the Federal Society crowd, but I have done OK for myself.
What is so infuriating to me is not just Trump being a Russian stooge. Trump doesn't support Russia for any political ideology. Trump supports Russia for Trump.
This whole thing is about Trump. Trump will ally himself with the most horrible people if he thinks that will advantage himself. He adores dictators. He calls them his friends. In doing so, he flushes US foreign policy down the drain.
This is worse than selfishness. If you or I did this, we would be up on charges of treason or at least being a foreign agent.
Trump's supporters are blind to this. They only see Trump, not his wrongdoing. In fact, to them, Trump literally can do no wrong. Why? Because he is Trump!
This type of leader worship is exactly how dictators take over nations. They get the people to blindly follow them. Then they make themselves absolute rulers. How? Because they can do no wrong.
So here were are. Less than 100 years from when my people came here to escape dictatorial rule, we now have a leader who imposes his own dictatorial rule upon us. We aren't leaving Trump!
20
Americans suffer from such a lack of conceptual ability that when someone makes a clear distinction, it appears like a genial idea.
5
CNN is reporting that Devin Nunes himself was talking to corrupt Ukrainians fishing for dirt on the Bidens. No wonder he spent most of his time on the House "Intelligence Committee" shouting about about how that was a legitimate task of US elected officials. Investigate Nunes. The American dream indeed.
23
" I Love Fiona Hill" ! Someone should make a bumper sticker of that statement.
21
Republicans don’t love America or even respect it. They abhor it unless they can take a goodie or two for themselves. They despise those who aren’t like them including their base. In closed rooms the GOP leaders laugh at the base’s stupidity. Even their beloved president hit the nail on the head when he said: I’ll run as Republican they believe anything!
Ms. Hill is like many of us from working class backgrounds who worked hard and followed the rules and succeeded in spite of being told that’s not for people like you. I salute her! Republicans hate her. Trump fears her.
19
Even as a student in a far less than elite college environment that Yale or Princeton, one could not fail to notice back in the 1960s, (when universities were often caricatured as hotbeds of Marxism), that government agencies were ever alert to recruit from among students who were refugees in one sense or another from socialist or communist countries. They were also among the best and the brightest, but--whether it was for a Fulbright, a CIA or FBI internship--what they had in common was a definite fervor (sometimes bordering on fanaticism) for joining the crusade against evil Marxist ideology and the regimes in their thrall. The impeachment hearings served as a reminder that permanent government in this country--even after the collapse of the USSR--still bears its 20th century traits and characterizes civil servants of both political parties. Donald Trump must bear the burden of never having been properly vetted by the usual recruiters. He therefore doesn't know that it is okay to give out cookies to Ukrainian Nazis, not so good to see Russians who grew up in the USSR as just folks.
1
I wonder what makes one an expert on some other country. "Hill is an expert on Russia". What does it mean? Ambassador Marie Yanukovitch was ethnically Russian (albeit a Canadian). I can see her an expert, albeit how curious it is that all our foreign service top dogs seem to be transplants. But Fiona Hill, the Russia expert?! What gives?? On the side note: I find Mike Pompeo extremely capable and doing a stellar job in his capacity.
1
The U.K.'s loss is our gain and the dismissing of Ms. Hill by the GOP and their Russian lackey leader is disgusting. Since 1776, our country has greatly benefited by the arrival of those who want a better life, a chance to advance and a chance to contribute.
It applies to my Irish immigrant ancestors in the 1840's and English, German and Norwegian ones later. It especially applies to the Latinos we have imprisoned only because of their skin colong, language and probably faith. They, like others before them, will make our country greater and, in a generation, will produce great leaders such as the ones we've seen this week. The crooks, abusers and more are not in our camps, but in the Trump administration.
Bienvenidos, mi amigos y mi amigas!
3
Yes but we just do not have room to accommodate everybody who wants to come here.
Regarding Fiona Hill - Eleanor Roosevelt would be saying “You Go Girl!”
7
Ms. Hill is what America is. Trump has no clue
about that
10
Moscow’s success was lying in every street of every rural town in America waiting to be picked up by anyone with eyes to see that they cling to their ignorance as if it were life itself. I am talking about poorly educated, and racist whites for whom hope and humanity was replaced by hatred and despair as they allowed themselves to be left behind.
So they used the same thinking that got them unemployed, and poor, to seek new leadership and change. They found what they were looking for in the simplistic lies of a carnival barker in the service of Putin’s FSB.
America has three choices: take away the structural flaws in your electoral system that gives outsized power to the empty red states; educate them and give them jobs and hope, or do nothing and allow them to sustain the corrupt cult that is the GOP.
11
I wonder why it is that we cannot seem to elect a person like Fiona Hill to the Presidency. Instead, we fall for her polar opposite, a man so colossally corrupt that he has besmirched the entire country in less than four years. It’s going to take legions to clean up after this particular elephant.
16
Brava, Dr. Hill! BRAVA!
10
The right wing media machine is a root cause of our national division. Just read the Twitter feeds of a Mark Levin or listen to the rants of a Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity. They love to castigate the “main stream media” as they haul in tens of millions of dollars that no one in the main stream media makes. Liberals are not real Americans they say. They use hate to cause the very poor to support the causes of the very rich. The hate is pointed towards liberals, gays, immigrants, Blacks and Browns. They stir up nonsensical controversies about the left killing Christmas or the libs want to take your guns away.
This division makes it very easy for a Putin to come in and sow greater seeds of discord and the Right Wing Talk Machine follows willingly along with Putin’s machinations. Ironically the right wing which historically cast itself as a bastion of strength against the evil empire has now become willing participants in that empire’s dismantling of our democracy. It is also amazing the right does this in defense of a grifter that became president. Why I ask? I guess they have bought into tribalism the Talk Machine has sown and the power that has been derived from it.
5
It's ironic that immigrants had to make a case for American ideals and not the native born citizens who made mockery of them.
11
I find justice in that two immigrants, whom Trump detests, testified truthfully against Trump, exposing his lies and schemes.
8
This was an excellent column.
4
"Trump is Putin’s stooge."
Actually, I've become convinced it's worse than that.
After long, careful analysis of the public record, going all the way back to Trump selling multiple empty condos to Russians who paid with suitcases full of cash during the '80s, I've concluded that Trump is an active agent maneuvered into the White House by Vladimir Putin in the greatest intelligence coup in history.
I defy any open-minded person to read my essay and conclude differently.
https://medium.com/@bobcraig_25317/is-donald-trump-a-russian-agent-eae0a9d78afa
2
She warned Gordon Sondland that his political errand for Trump would blow up and it did. She warned Congressional Republicans that their political errand for Putin would harm America and it has. One day it too may blow up - literally.
6
Fiona Hill exemplifies the best of our public servants who have been crucified by President Trump and his followers. Every person who still supports Trump has the stain of Trump living inside them.
Over 13,000 Ukrainians were killed by Russian-backed forces over the past five years. As Taylor testified last Wednesday, Ukraine needs U.S. weapons, including counter-battery radar and sniper rifles, to deter further aggression. Withholding U.S. aid was “crazy”, Taylor said.
Trump withheld Congressionally-authorized military support to a country under attack by Russia solely for the purpose of having the besieged country provide dirt on Biden.
“Do I think the president did something that warrants impeachment? No, because the aid flowed, and, in turn, the Ukrainians didn’t follow up with the investigation.” Ambassador Nikki Haley said. This is the same talking point of Rep. Stefanik, Senator Lyndsey Graham, and almost all Republican Representatives and Senators.
The conveniently silenced fact that is not included in Republican talking points on this matter is.....Trump withheld $400 Million to Ukraine from mid July to September 11, when the $$ was released ONLY after Congress announced on September 9 they were investigating Trump’s Ukrainian operation.
Ask yourself this: WHY doesn't this conveniently silenced fact make Republican Talking Points?
4
this question must be asked: why are trump and the republicans doing putin's work?
2
Indeed! The chance to be white and free has been an alluring promise in America. But the release from racial bigotry and victimisation remains elusive and tells a different tale.
American history IS the history of immigrants.
2
I am a Jew, born in the U.S. into a first generation of a family of immigrants. As a child, I was called a "dirty Jew", told my elementary school principal that a Jew has to work twice a hard to get ahead, and had various other insults hurled at me. Maybe that accounts for my warped sense of humor.
My wife is a blond, blue eyed, collapsed Catholic. I have told people that if things get much worse here, she will hide me in the attic.
Save me from people like Trump and the people around him. They are absolutely frightening.
3
While untalented Trump and his party probe the limits of what the country can do for him, Fiona Hill offers her considerable talents in the service of us all.
8
Is it possible that someone in the U.S. government or elsewhere has evidence of why Trump is Russia's stooge? I only wish this person would blow that whistle in the interest of American democracy.
6
Even taking into account Trump’s unmatched egomania, it’s hard to believe that his obsequious behavior towards Putin is simply due to a foolish belief that he can outwit the former head of the KGB. No, he is indeed Putin’s stooge. And therefore we must ask at what point does Trump’s conduct benefitting the Kremlin and Russia amount to treason.
3
What is it with switching countries to fit the Republican agenda?
Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld lied and declared war on Iraq, because they wanted to, not because Iraq had anything to do with the 9/11 attack. Now Trump/Nunes/etc lie to get Russia off the hook for election interference and blame Ukraine. Surely, we won't fall for this again.
4
The Cold War officially ended in 1991. The USA, as an independent nation, ended in 2016. 25 years, not bad Mr. Putin; your patience in waiting for a stooge to sell out the USA has paid off very well.
3
Had the original Americans survived in large enough numbers, they, like Europeans, might have asked: “Where do you come from?” Your American hospitality was bought with the blood of millions.
1
I was wondering when the American hero would show up. Who can beat Trump in 2020? Fiona Hill.
3
What a fabulous column!
Should be read aloud on Fox.
Categorizing Trump as Putin's stooge does not really help. I do think Putin is doing just what Hill said. He is a master at it. He has you here calling Trump a stooge for being unreasonably consumed with the same sorts of fears lots of American's feel.
WE need to just keep bringing the truth out not making truth the thing the other half of America fears.
Unfortunately, Republicans will not likely stop either Trump or the breakdown in our democracy. We are witnessing the apotheosis of a party that 50 years ago sold its soul to the devil when it betrayed its roots as the party of Lincoln and made the strategic decision to use race to become the White Man's Party. All the blather about small government, religious freedom, etc. is merely window dressing in a party controlled by Southern reactionaries who believe the Constitution's role is to protect the privilege of property rights, not civil rights. Trump and Russian meddling suites many of them just fine -- as long as they get their majority lock on SCOTUS.
Of course, keeping racism alive is too horrifying an idea to concede even for some, so much of GOP's base is quite happy living in denial.
6
I've been saying for years now...Russia won World War III when it brilliantly subverted our system and went after the weakest links in the sustaining of a healthy democracy. Putin successfully got Trump elected. Russia significantly contributes to the feverish power of shouted lies on Fox news and other alt-right media outlets. It was a war. We've lost. The Republican party is now a third guard within our borders: blissfully ignorant Russian stooges and soldiers. We either need to significantly re-tool democracy itself in order to face and overcome these kinds of threats (as the Ukrainans have been doing..it can be done!), or admit, tragically, a democracy is too fragile to survive. I see it, laid out on a table, like a shimmering glass menagerie of unicorns. All our hopes, dreams and ideals are shattering under the overwhelming force and single-minded evil of tyranny. Freedom and self-determination's beauty, ultimately, no match for this jagged and heavy mallet, smashing all we so optimistically and passionately created to govern ourselves with dignity. In God we trust, may he save us.
1
Fiona Hill has given us hope that we may yet emerge from Trump's Age of Darkness into the bright sunshine of Truth and Rule of Law on November, 2020. When that happens, we will begin to understand how dangerously close America came to the rule of tyranny and the destruction of all the values that made us a beacon of hope within and beyond our shores. 156 years ago, on Nov. 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered an address at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pa., that is as stirring a call for reflection and action in the 21st-century United States as it was in the 19th. Using a mere 272 words and lasting all of two minutes, the 16th president evoked the meaning and purpose of America in the midst of a deadly Civil War that has particular relevance to today’s polarized, diminished and adrift America under President Trump. As we prepare to vote in the presidential election in less than a year, we should remember the concluding words of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address containing the most profound definition of democracy: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.” Donald Trump is determined to turn the United States into a “government of me, by me, for me.” On Nov. 3, 2020, we will vote not only for candidates but also for the heart, mind and soul of America, for truth, accountability and rule of law so that, in Lincoln's words, “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
4
A great column by Roger. Watching Hill call out those miserable little Republicans sitting on their dais was an uplifting experience. They soon got the message and didn't tangle with her by asking questions but resorted to pontificating.
3
Though she is an immigrant, Fiona Hill is a stellar American. She spoke truth to the twisted, Russia-enhancing power of the Republicans in Congress and the White House. There is hope for America.
3
Brava, Dr. Hill.
Bravo, Mr. Cohen.
2
I have never been so proud to be a first generation American, as I was this week watching Lt.Col Vindman, Fiona Hill, and other civil servants testifying and speaking truth to power. And I was equally shocked at the behavior of the Republicans on the panel, Jim Jordan, shouting and flailing, Nunes, twisting and obfuscating, and Stefanik, losing her moral ground as a once moderate Republican.
My theory is that Putin has film on Trump the developer, with some hooker, at the government owned Intourist hotel, rendering him a creepy toady and sycophant to Putin.
1
Thank you Fiona Hill. And thank you Roger Cohen for expressing so eloquently Ms. Hili's unquestionable value to a nation bleeding from self-inflicted apathy and ignorance.
3
"Give me your tired, your poor
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free"
This is what makes America, and my country Canada great, not a record high stock market. All people are created equal, and all have the potential to serve the greater good. Start teaching these enduring values in your schools.
4
I have a few reactions to your brilliant article. First, LBJ, who is best remembered for the civil rights act, the voting rights act, the fair housing act, Medicare (which every 2020 candidate is talking about), Medicaid, Headstart, Foodstamps, NPR, PBS and his grand failure, Vietnam, should be remembered best for his immigration act of 1965. It prohibited discrimination in legal immigration on the basis of race, religion or country of origin. No one person is more responsible for the diversity of the US today than LBJ. He opened the US to Asia, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Eastern Europe.
Second, Trump is Putin's lackey. If he is not convicted, it will be more likely that Moscow will be the US capital before January 2021 than that a Democrat will be inaugurated in January 2021. Rome fell from internal decay. Trump and his apologists are the essence of internal decay.
Israel will be an irrelevancy.
4
"A “very distinctive working-class accent” would have “impeded my professional advancement” in the England of the 1980s and ’90s, she told the House Intelligence Committee."
Winston Churchill once said that "in America, you are advanced for what you are: in Britain, you are held back for what you are not."
3
Thank you Roger. tough words "craven sellout," and Graham (who formerly was a Republican) has sold out all that he used to proclaim. Trump is easier to forgive: a life-long white collar criminal who has been bailed out by others and never had to face consequences of his actions -- a "puer aeternus" to use C. Jung's words. Graham, however, has known John McCain, Joe Biden, George H.W. Bush -- persons who did not put their small self against the needs of their country. so my question: does Putin have a Daca for both Trump and Graham when then finally have to flee their country of origin for such rank pandering to Putin and his ideologues? The "Ukraine did it" was true when they enriched Manaford, but Ukraine is as different from that period as the USA became different under George Washington than under King George III. After 240 year can't we learn something??
1
Bravo, Mr. Cohen. Couldn't agree any more with your comments. Fiona Hill's testimony was inspiring and her trenchant defense of Ukraine and American democracy while dressing down reckless Russian-fueled Republican nonsense was nothing short of brilliant.
The Republican enablers such as Jordan, Nunes, McConnell, Graham, Pompeo, and all the other Republicans almost without exception are just as despicable and destructive of American democracy and society as Trump is.
All Americans who care about our country must steel themselves to do all they can in the next 12 months to throw the whole lot out of government and political office......this means giving of time, energy, and financial resources, if democracy and America are to survive.
2
Cohen's language is music to the ears of this registered Republican who is profoundly shaken by the Trump era moral vacuum. Who are these Repubicans that we elected? Can we even recognize what the Party has stood for for decades: strong military, strong allies, moral leadership to the world, opportunity for all? Trump is a polluter embraced by people brought up by wolves.
2
Very eloquent, and true. But where are the Republican denunciations of this horrid president? How do they follow the despicable Nunes so easily into the fever swamps of Russian disinformation conspiracy theory?
1
Pretend you had gone to sleep in 1972 (Nixon) or 1985 (Reagan) and woken up the morning these impeachment proceedings began. Imagine your shock at watching Republican Congressman berate and abuse military experts and expert civil servants such as Dr. Hill. How would you fathom it? Would you think that you were in some sort of alternate universe? Up is down, down is up. That’s what happens when amoral gyrations to preserve power cause people to contort themselves into rudderless prevaricators.
2
Since Fiona Hill left the White House before the events in question, she had northing relevant to contribute. So she delivered an irrelevant rant on Russian meddling in in the 2016.
Instead of accusing President Trump of impeachable offenses, she falsely accused Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee of engaging in a fictional narrative. She said, “Based on questions and statements I have heard, some of you on this committee appear to believe that Russia and its security services did not conduct a campaign against our country—and that perhaps, somehow, for some reason, Ukraine did. This is a fictional narrative that has been perpetrated and propagated by the Russian security services themselves.”
The Republican committee members refuted her false allegations by showing her a copy of the committee’s report on Russian interference, which each of then had signed. They also read her a list of incidents in which Ukrainian’s interfered in the 2016 election. Confronted with the list, Hill said the Ukrainians had good motives while the Russians had bad motives.
She also testified that some of her childhood classmates set her pigtails on fire, but she did nor identify the president as one of rhe pigtail arsonists.
During her testimony, Dr. Hill was the very definition of the "adult in the room."
2
This nerdy know-it-all repeatedly placed her opinions and values above those of the duly elected President of the United States. Her principal complaint appeared to be that the President was not following her dictums in the discourse with the Ukraine.
Fiona's prescriptions bring the US into closer conflict with Russia, and she overstates the strategic importance of the Ukraine to the US.
Just why is the Ukraine so vital to the United States? The history of that country is more aligned with Russia than it is with the countries of NATO. Many Ukrainians are Russian speakers.
This unwelcome drive to take NATO to the doorstep of Russia is a fool's errand; you don't poke a bear in its cave.
10
"... Trump’s weird, unexplained, unquestioning, total embrace of Vladimir Putin ..."
The explanation awaits only the revealing of Putin's kompromat on President Trump.
Perhaps video clips from "Donnie's Excellent Moscow Hotel Room Adventure"?
20
I think there was a rather more immediate and obvious reason for Fiona Hill’s remarks.. to prevent Republicans demonising her Britishness and resorting to the usual ad hominem take downs of questionable background... we saw it play out the day before. She had to go full throttle on the American bit in order to make her point. As for the advancement of educated working class people in Britain in the 80s and 90s what Fiona Hill said was simply not true .. The Civil Service in the UK had a deliberate policy of recruiting people from diverse social backgrounds and..it.. turns out social mobility is greater in the UK than the US so I don’t understand her comment.leaving aside the class nightmare of some in the Tory party even they have 3 of the top 4 ministerial posts in the country filled by immigrants.
Thatcher ruined many things in Britain but one of the things that happened is that the class system was more or less sidelined as a source of advancement.... And as for Cohen being called a “yid” in school, well school kids of 12 or 13 yrs are like that.Perhaps he should have mentioned that he attended a highly privileged Church of England school (why and how did he get there?) called Westminster where, for sure, to be a Jew, Hindu, Catholic or Muslim would have been a rarity. If he was sensitive about his Jewishness I have no doubt this would have exacerbated his sense of being an outsider.
7
If Ms. Hill's testimony didn't make republican enablers of Trump shrink in shame at that hearing nothing will.
41
While I was watching Fiona Hill testify I was thinking about amending the Constitution to make her an eligible candidate, immediately impeaching and removing the president, and putting her as the Democratic or Republican nominee. It was truly a bright spot in these dark ignorant times. Thanks to all of the witnesses! But Fiona Hill was especially moving! I hope we have not seen the last of her.
35
Recently saw again, two older men at a trump gathering wearing T-shirts that stated:
"I'd Rather Be Russian than a Democrat".
I propose another T-shirt:
"I'd Rather Be American than a Republican"
Dr. Hill is the embodiment of everything America stands for - an incredible woman, gifted, brilliant, an inspiration, a model of patriotism, honor and integrity - something trump and his republican mob know nothing about.
84
A spowerful Op-Ed, which underscores the powerful testimony of Fiona Hill, the former Ambassador to Ukraine, the Lieutenant Cornel from Russia/Ukraine - all immigrants, all persons of the highest integrity, all shaming through their own integrity, courage and dignity the malign, odious, reprehensible words and behavior of Trump and his sycophants/cronies in crime.
I am as impressed and heartened by the testimony of the 3 immigrants, as I am chagrined, outraged and dumbfounded by the administration’s behavior - castigated in particular by Fiona Hill, whose succinct condemnation of the behavior of Trump and his personal servants, his chief of staff, his Secretary of State, his personal lawyer, etc, shines.
While the Constitution very cautiously defines treason as related only to assisting an enemy, when a country is at war, the behavior of Trump and his campaign in 2016 as well as his behavior in office and that of his appointees, who are directly accountable to him, does - in my view - equate to the dictionary definition of treason and the understanding of it now in common parlance.
Has Russia not attacked us via today’s electronic methods? Has Facebook not assisted them in doing so? I wish someone had asked Fiona Hill, who seems to have a very clear understanding of the degree to which actual elected or appointed officials, and I include GOP congress people in this category, have strayed so far from patriotic behavior, have cozied up to Russian propaganda and tactics.
17
The Mexican Yardman. Fiona Hill is the exceptional person. She is not the typical immigrant. I am seventy-two and have lived most of those years in Texas. Mexicans have been a part of my life, my culture, forever. As a youngster my brother and I were given the job of mowing the yard. We hated it. But for the hard work my Dad hired "Mexicans." He would work with them shoulder to shoulder and after the job was done and they were gone he would tell us what good workers they were. Even then I viewed Mexicans as artisans. If the work was to be done with the hands, they did it better. As an adult with a wife and kids, I inherited a house and Jesus from my brother. My brother was gay and a landscape nut! He, too, worked shoulder to shoulder with Jesus and they had an amazing yard. Jesus knew every plant and it needs. Those were his plants in our yard. We were in heaven. Five or six years later Jesus informed us he had gotten an over-the-road truckers license and was hitting the road. Good for Jesus - bad for us! Since then the individual yardman, the artisan is gone. They have been replaced with the "Mexican Landscape Company." The owner of this company talks a better game than Jesus while his employees do half the job. The owner of this company may be as much an artisan as Jesus but the artisan has been taken out of this new game. The new game is about cash flow and numbers. I sometimes wonder if Jesus is happier on-the-road than with his plants. Welcome to America!
8
Listening to Dr. Hill made me feel proud to be an American and an immigrant. At a time when Trump/GOP demonize immigrants, we may be saved by immigrants. Dr. Hill gave me hope that America may again be that shining city upon a hill.
22
I am so very proud of my immigrant 'sister'. I also came to the US as I knew there were better opportunities than in the UK, and worked hard and achieved.
Her non-nonsense responses is what we Brits are made of. We get to the point and you don't always like what you hear so in that sense, I will say, get over it.
This country is made up of immigrants, and anyone who says otherwise, lives on another planet.
23
"The flailing of giant egos" is what goes on in any swarm of candidates for public office. Who runs for office who isn't a god in his or own heart?
4
Mr. Cohen, your last paragraph summation is painful to read but equally truthful. People may fault President Obama, but then, our country was not being criminally assaulted by a man who was never meant to lead us.
Watching Netanyahu resort to the same tactics as Trump is sad but more than that, pathetic.
If America is to start on a road back to sanity and decency, the Democrats need to offer up a good replacement and they aren't close yet. This next year will rank high in historical importance.
11
Anyone who has followed the Trump presidency should realize the bond tying together the present Republican Party is Russian money. Trump is laundering Putin’s money into the Republican Party. We unconsciously quantify an elected official’s popularity by the level of his donations and illegal money flagrantly distorts this formula. How many GOP senators and congressmen are selling out our country for Trump’s cash?
32
And ... this wonderful human being has received death threats for her courageous decision to tell the truth. Lieutenant Colonel Vindman has also received threats. The military, as was reported, is considering moving him and his family to a secure military base.
It is people who make threats to those patriots who speak truth to power, people who marched in Charlottesville carrying tiki torches, people who attack those who attend trump’s rallies and peacefully voice opposition to him and who are physically attacked by his supporters, this are people who are more dangerous to our republic and to the rule of law than the man in the White House. He’ll be gone soon...they’ll still be here.
326
Who can read these stirring declarations by Cohen, Rice, and even Bret Stephens in regard to the American Way and the absolute necessity to remove Trump from the levers of power ASAP, compare them with the fantastic tapestry woven by FOX, see which course is embraced by the traitorous Republican Party, and not despair? Who can read that Lindsey Graham is opening an investigation of the Bidens and not consider opening his wrists in a warm bathtub? Who can watch the vitriol unleashed by Nunes, Jordan, et al, on these exemplary public servants and patriots and wonder if there is even a way out or if we're watching the death throes of the Republic? My greatest regret is that I won't have a chance to see what the history books have to say about these people and what they may well have destroyed.
17
Cohen wrote,
" Europeans ask, where do you come from? Americans ask, what can you do for us?".
Well stated: the logic of the old vs the logic of the future.
4
An Ambassador and a PH.D. demonstrated what being patriotic means. That not everybody is corruptible. Let's get this straight. Trump already corrupted the cabinet and the GOP. We already have to live with an amoral and corrupt Senate that will obtain its PH.D. in corruption the day they will save Trump from removal.
This systematic corruption of our institutions is eroding our democracy, including the Armed Forces by overturning military desitions in the Navy. I just read elsewhere in the times how Trump is converting our country in Ukraine.
This state of affairs in DC makes these ladies heroes for many, including myself who said for a long time that most of my few heroes are dead.
11
Fiona Hill was having none of it, she articulated the truth with such confidence and power knowing full-well she too would face innuendo about her credibility as a ‘real’ American. She knew her credentials would be swept into the convenient republican dust bin and yet she remained composed with her unwavering message of truth.
The republicans questioning her looked like fools in her presence, they could not bring her down and they knew it. Thank you Dr. Hill, you are a credit to America and the world.
32
I agree; it is important to note that Fiona Hill, Marie Yovanovitch, and Alexander Vindman all immigrated legally.
7
Dr. Hill was an outstanding witness, quite obviously. She pointed out what has been so hard to get into the realm of common knowledge or wisdom.
Why is it so difficult for Republicans and other Americans to understand that Trump's awe of Putin is mainly twofold?
1) he is a dictator wannabe, admiring the powerful because he wants as much power as he can possibly grab hold of
2) he sees a potential business deal in Russia if not re-elected...he's feathering his next so its win/win: if he wins the election he wins; if he loses he gets a Russia deal
The third possible reason is that he is doing the opposite of Obama by being lax on Russia for his anti-Obama base and because it is also a populist strain in this country to decry wars fought by mainly less-educated whites, i.e. Trump voters.
6
Our country, the USA, and our citizens are at their best when we face an existential crisis, and when we are striving to fulfill the ideals of our founding documents.
The USA is an idea, a construct, in which striving for that ideal is our highest calling.
Ms. Hill and the others who told the truth in the impeachment hearings, were striving to fulfill those ideals.
Dump Trump.
Amy Klobuchar for President.
7
Dr. Hill's cogent, reasoned and calmly impassioned speech represented the best of America. Then the hyenas started yipping and howling.
12
Mr. Cohen is dead-on right about the current war to define the "American Idea" and President Trump's attack on it, but his view is a little too focused on the "domestic political errand" Fiona Hill referenced.
Unfortunately, Mr. Cohen missed the other half of the debate over the American Idea.
While Ms. Hill was exhorting America to reject Trump's nihilism, the Republicans' foreign policy brain trust, Henry Kissinger, was in China, Friday, green-lighting President Xi Jinping's upcoming bloody subsumption of Hong Kong and his "re-education" of the Uighurs. He was effectively giving Trump "cover" to cave on his trade war and enable a "deal" that helps his 2020 re-election.
It is no irony whatsoever that Mr. K also recently approved of Vladimir Putin's Russian annexation of Crimea, enabling Trump to dodge the responsibility of a response.
7
Bret needed the testimony of various witnesses to convince him that his own eyes weren't lying. Nice people for years looked away from those among us who have made it their life work to destroy democracy, starting with shutting down the government during the Gingrich years for basically no reason to the GOP determination to starve government through excessive tax reduction until it was small enough to drown in the bathtub to throwing the country under the bus during the John Boehner days rather than let Obama preside over something positive. These were the attacks of an entire political party organized and functioning no different than the Communist Party under Putin. Hundreds of individuals all forced to vote as one with no exceptions. No freedom of thought for Republicans. For years. Liberals kept thinking it can't happen here. And it has. Right in front of our lying eyes. So stop bad-mouthing progressives for being right all along. There's no such thing as an unimportant election anymore. Even the dog catcher could be a Russian agent these days. And the Trump team will be doubling down on their psychosis now. Maybe someone thinks the talk of civil war is idle banter. But I don't. And there's no turning back now. It's do or die for the USA.
5
Great column, Mr. Cohen. Or as they say across the pond: Brilliant!
7
After watching republican bullying, deflections, and half-truths used to defend the undefendable this week I felt deeply depressed. As someone who is supportive of Ukraine's efforts to free itself of Soviet-style, authoritarian corruption, it was appalling for me to see it raise its ugly head in America. It felt like I was watching a nation's fibre being destroyed brick by brick.
268
As the grandchild and son-in-law of immigrants, I say a BEAUTIFUL column. Unfortunately, it won't be seen by the viewers of Fox News, the wearers of red MAGA hats and the attendees of Trump's rallies.
12
Hear, hear! Now, contrast this piece with those by Tobin Smith and Bret Stephens in this same edition of the NYT. Mr. Cohen gets it. Bravo, sir.
10
Flip flopping Fiona Hill is no fairy and further investigations will reveal that she has failed to fool the nation. She admitted to not supporting Obama administration in providing military aid to Ukraine and now she is faulting the Trump administration for a delay in sending lethal military to Ukraine. The delay was fully justified and there was no quid pro quo no bribery, no extortion and absolutely no need for an impeachment inquiry.
4
The most significant lesson of these hearings has been the power of immigrants to revitalize American ideals. And that this has emerged against a president who has vilified immigrants throughout his life is more than ironic.
385
You mention the "weird, unexplained" embrace of Putin. To me it feels like the "pink elephant in the room." If Trumps's Deutsche Bank loans were guaranteed by Russian oligarchs, then Trump is beholden to Putin in a big way--totally compromised. His taxes most likely would include attachments to support this theory, ergo his overriding obsession to not allow his taxes to become public. It would explain why he has embraced the Russian agenda (which massively weakens U.S. national security) ever since he became president.
494
Dr. Hill's testimony brought tears to my eyes. She was so clear and direct in her condemnation of those repeating Putin's lies. She looked straight at the Republicans seated before her when she said it.
Did they listen? No, they are at it still with Graham's continuing search for dirt on the Biden's. Lindsay and Joe were friends. That is how low Graham will go to embrace Trump, a person he absolutely knows is corrupt to the core.
The GOP simply does not care what happens to this country as long as they retain their privileges. While this indifference has been in our collective face for a long, long time, to see them repeat - nay embrace - Russian propaganda for their own narrow, short-term benefit is still enough to make me weep for our land.
19
Despite having made the same journey as Fiona Hill and Roger Cohen, I have at times not felt comfortable here, because the reality did not always match the dream. Ironically, the testament of one fellow immigrant and the essay of another help me feel completely at home, in spite of the efforts of trump and his allies to soil our collective nest.
21:30 EST, 11/22
515
@mancuroc I was born here, and I have not felt comfortable here many times. But I feel both safe and hopeful more often, and seeing smart, effective, thinking people testafying against Trump actually increases my hope. I still fear he'll win the 2020 election, but I can see some hope as well.
149
@mancuroc: And it doesn't work in reverse. I've spent a long time in the USA, so I speak English with a US accent. When I guest lecture in the UK, I've experienced some in the audience burst our laughing at my accent and chuckling at my Yankee idiomatic expressions. Dr. Hill surely isn't condescended to in the USA with her British accent (many may not recognise it as Northern working class).
86
@Heike Korošec I’m sure she’s doesn’t have to endure condescension in the US on the basis of her accent, but she most definitely will suffer it in the UK. It is not as bad as it once was, but accent still determines perception of a person’s value and position in the hierarchy of class.
52
My grandfather came to America in 1914, the teenage son of a master shipbuilder who lost his job when the Titanic sank and the company folded. He earned his citizenship fighting for this country in WWI with the 1st Infantry and became a precision machinist for Black and Decker, responsible for precision aircraft parts in WWII. I saw much of him in Fiona Hill. He loved this country unconditionally. Naturalized immigrants are the best of America. They are Americans by choice. It takes courage, ambition, intelligence, and foresight to leave one's home to build a new life in our country. America should celebrate its immigrant heritage and the contributions of those like Fiona Hill.
837
At this Thanksgiving, in this dark time, I will give thanks for the clear-spoken moral courage of Fiona Hill, and those like her.
950
I think the people testifying against Trump are being overly idealized. They are basically careerists with little sense of loyalty to anything much but themselves. Does anyone really think, if the wind were blowing in a different direction, that they wouldn't adjust to that, too?
7
@Michael Livingston’s
"They are basically careerists with little sense of loyalty to anything much but themselves.."
That's not what I got from their testimony.
There's nothing wrong with being a "careerist". In fact, it's what most people do with their lives.
And certainly most people recognized that all those "careerists" who testified had a huge sense of loyalty to the United States of America.
But yes, I will agree...if you were looking for their fealty to Trump...it wasn't there.
Wasn't that refreshing?
231
@Michael Livingston’s
To what benefit are "these people" testifying? Are they advancing their careers? Ensuring the safety of their family? Looking to be a commentator on an entertainment/news channel now that they have spent 30+ years serving?
Because of course, there was an agenda....
It is so extremely sad for me to consider that many Americans cannot conceive of doing the right thing for one reason only: to do the right thing.
248
@Michael Livingston’s
I think you should ask this question of all Republicans- if it were a Democratic president in office doing what Trump has been doing for 3 years, would they adjust to that wind direction? These diplomats and ambassadors, like Dr. Hill and Ms. Yovanovitch, are non-partisan, loyal to the Constitution, and all this country should stand for, unlike Trump.
181
What does it take to pick up your life and emigrate to a foreign country? As soon as Dr Hill opened her mouth, I recogized her as a Geordie, the nickname given in the UK to those from Tyneside (like Hoosier or Cornhusker). Historically, this is a land of coal pits and shipbuilding and of tough working people with the very strong sense of community that they have had to have to survive - exactly the type of background that might imbue a young woman with the self-belief and optimism that would lead her away from home to make a life across the sea. And in her testimony, Dr Hill clarified the entire impeachment case in a very few words. While the testimony of other witnesses had been packed with names, dates and issues that contributed to a perplexing fact soup, Dr Hill testified that she came to realize that, while she and her team were pursuing the duly approved foreign policy of the United States, Mr Giuliani, Ambassador Sondland and their cohorts were pursuing a "domestic political errand". "Errand - a short trip taken to attend to some business often for another" (Merriam Webster). This is *exactly* what Giuliani and the others were about. And in that moment of transcendent perspicacity and plain speaking, Dr Hill surely became Trump's Worst Nightmare.
126
Wonderful article. Heroes like Fiona Hill give me hope that we can rebuild our country.
48
Thank you. Reading this article brought me to tear!
22
Ukraine is "an important European country"? Really? It's not a member of NATO nor of the EU. The country borders Russia. Are we supposed to risk war with Russia to preserve what it declares to be it's borders? Don't get me wrong. I wish them well. Let's provide an appropriate amount of financial aide. And of course help them reduce government corruption, whether it originates with Biden + Son or Trump.
6
@BD read a history book. Ukraine is an important trophy for Russia, which is why they
are at war, and why Putin approves the poisoning and killing of Ukrainian dissidents who seek democracy. Isn’t it telling that Trumps’ policies have only emboldened Russia and undermined Ukraine?
6
@BD Ukraine is the buffer between Russia and NATO countries and has been leaning toward western democracy - read markets and our economy - which Russia wants to reverse. Russia invaded Ukraine. It needs to keep control over it's prior territory because its economy stinks. It's a mob run country. Western values threaten it. Ukraine has recently thrown out its corrupt leaders - Biden helped this. He is not corrupt. To hold back money for a video clip declaring Biden "under investigation" is a form of bribery. The clip would be played endlessly through social media during the election, helping Trump. That's abuse of power.
10
Very well said! Millions of Americans agree with your sentiment. Fiona Hill gives me hope.
52
If you have never been to a U.S. naturalization ceremony, I implore you to go. It is overwhelmingly inspiring to see people from all over the world take part in this solemn yet joyous event. I have never felt prouder of my country as I did in those few hours.
52
@Claire
Never been to one in person but I've seen a couple of videos, and you're absolutely and surprisingly, for me, right.
4
Russia and the Republicans have much in common. Both have contempt for Democracy and both attack government - because they prefer a "strong leader" over the rule of law.
40
Marie Yovanovitch, Fiona Hill, and Alexander Vindman. These three especially, were the best rebuttal to Trump and his enablers. Certainly, they provided important facts and perspectives. But, more so because of who they are, their backstories, their love of our country and their unique ability to hold up to the light the America we desperately hope to see again soon.
89
In speaking about ideals, it is possible to acknowledge and even celebrate them with an understanding of how varied their reality can be. However, many emphasize ideals without also speaking to how their practice is far from uniform. This is often the case in the celebration of American ideals such as being an immigrant country where all are welcome. Obviously, not true for indigenous people already here, those brought in chains, and many treated horribly upon arrival. I hope we come through this extraordinarily difficult time in America with a better sense of both.
30
Yes but what is Trump if not the embodiment of class privilege in the United States? The man was making $200,000 income from his father's business as an infant. His father bought his way through a reputable degree. His father paid for his startup. His father paid for his business failures. Trump has been protected his entire life on the back of other work. And now he has an opportunity to pass this legacy to his children. Class most certainly exists in the United States. It just doesn't operate the same way as in Europe.
One of the many paradoxes surrounding class in America is wealth creates class rather than the other way around. Trump arguably isn't even fluent in his own language. And yet, I can't dispute he exists in a higher social "class" than myself. As Cohen mentions, assimilation is the ever yearning gift to an immigrant. However, Black Americans clearly point to a class discrimination in a way not even Northern England can recognize. Meanwhile, the trashiest person in America leads whats left of the free world.
Perhaps England has a point. Maybe we should consider a person's ability to articulate accurate thought before we consider them vetted for American aristocracy. Accent notwithstanding, Fiona Hill knows how to speak intelligibly. How is this not a requirement for class in the United States?
32
@Andy Now that Trump has been voted to the position of POTUS, what you have described is seen by the rest of the world to be the apogee of American exceptionalism...
6
When Fiona hill and Adam Schiff spoke so cogently and lovingly about our country's future they were addressing the fate of our country and the nature of leadership,the ideals that shaped our democracy. But when Mr. Nunes and his republican colleagues spoke it was only to disparage and tare down individuals without even addressing the subject at hand. It was a clash of two world views, the first stressed the need to protect our democracy and the truth while republicans with their limited perspective could only rage on about politics and their disparagement of who was testifying and why 'alternate facts' with no proof trump Trump's actions to undermine the rule of law.
If your eyes and ears were open to see and hear you could feel in the words of Dr. Hill and representative Schiff a sincere love of country while Republicans only raged on about absolving trump and villfying everyone else.
70
Thanks to Roger Cohen.
Emotions welled within me while listening to the testimony of Fiona Hill, as they did listening to Ambassador Taylor, Mr. Kent, Ambassador Yovanovitch, Lt. Col. Vindman and other "deep State" professionals, who by their courage, intelligence, discipline, articulateness and long service to our Country shamed the Republicans on the Committee who were boringly repetitive and absurd in their defense of the offensive.
The Professionals were there to state honestly what they had seen, had heard and experienced. They were witnesses to fact. The Republicans, and Trump, were intent only at sculpting a counter narrative of conspiracy, that is removed from the truth. As sculptors, they were not Rodin or Brancusi.
I felt great pride to be an American through listening to their testimony. I felt great shame to be an American through listening to the barking and braying of Jordan, Nunes, Conaway, Stefanik and other Republicans on the Committee.
82
@James Barth
Thank You,
I also watched the Impeachment Inquiries and had the same reactions.
It's amazing the differences between the Republicans and Democrats. The folk giving testimony displayed real patriotic beliefs in the promise of our country.
It's amazing the differences between the Democrats who are trying to uphold our founding documents and the Republicans who were screeching, pontificating, trying to confuse issues by misdirection and being plain nasty to those who were giving testimony. I found when the Republicans started in on the witnesses I became uncomfortable and scandalized that that was on display to the entire world.
Just an old white man's opinion based on observations.
27
@James Barth
Thank You,
I also watched the Impeachment Inquiries and had the same reactions.
It's amazing the differences between the Republicans and Democrats. The folk giving testimony displayed real patriotic beliefs in the promise of our country.
It's amazing the differences between the Democrats who are trying to uphold our founding documents and the Republicans who were screeching, pontificating, trying to confuse issues by misdirection and being plain nasty to those who were giving testimony. I found when the Republicans started in on the witnesses I became uncomfortable and scandalized that that was on display to the entire world.
Just an old white man's opinion based on observations.
5
As someone who shares a great deal with Fiona Hill’s American story — from the North of England, working-class constraints, deep gratitude for liberation from class structures, whole new vistas of opportunity — I recognized her immediately as a type. You’ll still find lots of Fiona Hills in the North of England — plain-spoken, no airs & graces but lots of simple grace, great intellectual clarity, no nonsense, stiff moral backbone, etc. I loved watching her at the impeachment hearing. Made me remember where I came from and how lucky we are that she decided to make her life here.
114
@Gerald
I agree and wish many of my countrymen and women would take note of her and the other witnesses. Their grace under fire should be a lesson to all of us.
Just an old white man's opinion based on observations.
12
Ms Hill is a model for all Americans, and Mr. Cohen is right to admire her. However he gets America's historic attitude towards immigrants wrong when he suggests we ask, " what can you give us?" America asks nothing but a desire to be an American. Most immigrants come with nothing. What we want of our newest citizens-to-be is that they may become a gift to the nation and that their American children will be as well.That is the spirit of the Emma Lazarus poem on the base of the Statue of Lberty and that is also,alas, why Lady Liberty weeps today.
39
That is, simply put, the most impassioned letter of support for the idea of America as I have read in these pages. It now falls to us to take that idea back from this generation's know-nothings and make it real again. Thank you, Mr. Cohen.
49
@Neal
There are many folk who believe the thing's the witnesses apparently (as it is so obvious in their testimony) so deeply believe and take to heart.
2
Thank you, Roger Cohen, for this excellent summary. In reading it, I nearly wept in empathy for the American idea and ideal. Now, may we lawfully fight this Trump/Republican scourge with all we've got. Right--not right-wing--makes might.
38
I applaud Cohen for this article and I share his sentiments about Fiona Hill.
But I do not feel that America is or has always been the heaven for immigrants as he portrays. The doors have been open but the reception has not always been quite so pleasurable. And there sure is a difference between which class one comes from.
Hill went into graduate studies at Harvard University while
Honduran walking asylum seekers have nothing of anything.
And they are stopped at the border, their children incarcerated.
The Impeachment hearings provide a lot of everything. From the Republicans I hear frothing speeches of discriminating nature. And they do make up about 50% or the population.
From the Democrats more truthful accounts but also a lot of self congratulatory speech of America the saviour of the world.
As a Canadian/Swede I find this kind of speech lacking in refinement and truth. We are many who make up the saviours of the world today. Not many sees the US as one of them at this very moment. The world is shocked at what Americans have let Republicans do to their country. We all try to work together but the US is now the outlier in this narrative.
45
@Petras
She didn't "walk into Harvard". She fought her way through the thickets of Oxbridge and earned her way into Richard Pipes' classroom. The point being that her path was open to anyone with the ability to follow it. Trump, DeVos, Mnuchin and the others are desperately seeking to close it.
2
In Hill's testimony, I heard arrogance. None of what she testified to convinced me of any arguments she put forth, and she certainly did not convince me just because of her "emigration" story the to U.S. She, hopefully, will look for work elsewhere in the U.S., because she is not serving this country well, or its President.
2
Unwavering confidence that somehow threatens our own conviction is often heard or viewed as arrogant. Such confidence strips us of weak emotions and often forces us to eventually hear or view what is true.
10
@BT
Thomas Paine said it-- arguing with a person who has renounced reason is like administering medicine to the dead.
11
@BT
She worked under different administrations in defending our nation from foreign meddling.
And yes, she is a woman, an immigrant who made it and she can be arrogant as much as any man with the same credentials would have been.
8
I have read many of the letters here where the writers grump about what America really is, the fate of those who were here first, were brought here by force and so on. But Faith Hill knows that all countries including America are beset by problems in their histories and their current affairs. What she is talking about are the country's ideals, and all countries that have them routinely fall short of them. Ideals, however soiled by reality, are what bind together all those disparate peoples that make up America. Clearly, Roger Cohen and Faith Hill know this.
24
@Wayne Campbell
Nicely said.
Thank You for your observations.
3
The United States government is filled with thousands of experts and analysts on every country and its leaders, Ms. Hill being one of them. If the US has all this expertise floating around, why is it's foreign policy so messed up? Ask anyone in the world, which country poses the greatest threat to world peace...The great British politician Tony Benn once said war is the ultimate failure of diplomacy. The US has been at war 99 per cent of its existence. So much for experts and what makes America great.
6
@anand With respect, your logic's off and so you draw the wrong conclusions. Yes, the US does indeed have amazing expertise in its bureaucracy. But the POTUS sets foreign policy and so it may shift from one administration to the next. If you want to criticize American policy and looking for someone to blame, start at the top of the food chain.
2
@anand
Ummmm No!
You are entitled to your views but then "Opinions Vary" and everyone has them.
Powerful, fearless, honest, well considered, fully informed. Thank you, and thank goodness for public servants like you, Ms. Hill.
42
Fiona Hill presented a solid and unwavering defense of a foreign policy based on facts and our national interest. On the other hand, Donald Trump constructed a 'secret' foreign policy based on self-interest, an unexplained hold on Congressionally approved military aid for Ukraine, an attack on Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, and a 'shadow' group operating outside the regular State Department channels.
It's clear that Trump was constructing a literal 'Deep State' before and during Robert Muller's testimony and under everyone's nose enabled by Congressional Republicans who had no vested interest in knowing or admitting the truth.
32
My wife and I are both first generation Americans, who, owing to the generosity of spirit of the United States, enabled the two of us to earn Ph.D. degrees from an Ivy league University, and then participate in the education of several thousand medical students while also conducting basic science research funded by the Federal Government. So when I see Americans-by-choice such as Lt.Col. Vindman and Ambassadors Yovanovitch and Hill subjected to the indignities imposed upon them by the likes of Devin Nunes and Jim Jordan, it makes me appalled, disgusted, and, yes, frightened. I wonder, does the gratuitous cruelty of these people give them pleasure? Their willingness to crush innocent people - I have in mind DACA children - seems to suggest that there is in them an indifference to the well-being of others, nay, a total lack of human decency. I can not help but fear for my country, my fellow citizens, and for our democracy.
177
It was thought that the Impeachment hearing lead off with the strongest witnesses. In my view, however, Ms. Hill was a singularly powerful figure speaking truth to power. While some have proclaimed that Presidents Reagan or Trump should be added to Mt. Rushmore, Ms. Hill is far more worthy. Thank you Fiona Hill for your service!
50
This is the voice of Cohen that I admire, and no small part of the reason I subscribe to the NYT. I'm not quite sure, though, how it fits with the attempted pragmatism of his earlier pieces.
7
@Gareth Sparham What is missing from the good ole USofA are the philosophers of past impeachment hearings. Pragmatism is fine but Mr. Cohen is a thinker and a philosopher. It helps to clarify the daily ideas that are whizzing by us at warp speed. Most of the ideas in the Constitution came from the philosophy of the Founders.
9
@Betsy
In many regards, the philosophy of the founders comes from that of the Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers. Our founders were well read, well educated and thoughtful. Those qualities seem in short supply with many of our leaders (although I regret using that word to describe many in power) today.
11
Some will argue that Mr. Cohen is importing ‘coal to Newcastle’. But, if one day he decides to stop expressing this important message from his gilded perch at the NYTimes then no one will hear words that must be said and incorporated for our survival as the quintessential land of freedom. Our version of representative democracy most certainly does not win on style points from the dustbin of history, but does and should prevail on the merits of its aspirational implication for the future of our species. Keep talking, Mr. Cohen. Scream your message until your voice gives out and you cannot scream any more. Hope beyond hope itself that it be only a matter of principled effort by the masses that his important message be assimilated by enough people to keep the flame of our democracy burning long enough that it survives in recognizable, working, yet perfected order for generations to come!
20
Dr. Hill has shone a light into a very dark corner of the Republican party. Why, after Mueller's long investigation resulting in multiple indictments does the Republican party refuse to believe it was the Russians who interfered in the 2016 election? Mueller was a Republican, the party was historically opposed to Russia. What has caused this about-face? Trump loves Putin - who knows why, but why did every Republican suddenly kneel to the Soviets? There is something fishy here.
60
@mzmecz
There is something deeply fishy in the willingness of the GOP to carry not only Trump's water but also Putin's.
Far beyond what Trump attempted to do in Ukraine, I want to know the foundation on which Trump's adoration of Putin rest. Putin might as well be in the Oval Office. I suspect his listening devices are. I suspect the conversations between Trump and Putin are kept in that very secure server for a very good reason that has nothing to do with best interest of the USA. I wish the House impeachment committee could get their hands on all the calls secured there for everyone he spoke with.
Trump would sell his mother, his wife, and - reluctantly, to be sure - Ivanka to get whatever he wanted. He has no loyalty to anyone or anything beyond his own empty self.
32
@mzmecz
Trump loves all dictators and is working up to making himself one of them. He is in good company. He is part of a very reactionary movement with the Libertarians at the helm with the Koch brothers leading them by the nose.
In all likelihood he was handpicked by them and their cronies. Looking at the pledges by the Koch empire
to the up and coming Republican election campaign it is clear who the real enemy is. People ask why John Bolton is not testifying. I think silence is a small price for Bolton to pay to secure his spot among this crowd, that does not shy away from anything to further the cause of this new Republican Party.
11
I suspect Bolton has been promised a lot of money to start his own think tank. There’s an oxymoron if ever there was one.
1
Did you talk to Mr. Hardwick about Hill or Yovanovitch? Voters always cherry pick: what they like/will tolerate. Some vote a straight ticket no matter what. Others are concerned about key things and look the other way when it comes to everything else. This is one of the things that makes it so hard to understand National Socialism. Did so many people look the other way when that party was so clear about their intention? Yes, in fact, many people did. They wanted good jobs, the restoration of their dignity, clarity about their roles in society, especially after these roles were disrupted by women & immigrants & war and poverty. Antisemitism and violence came along w all that. I think Hill is wonderful. She's also wrong. There are lots of people in the US--millions--who are not immigrants. Who were here or came by force. And, I say that not to poke gratuitously at the story of the US as a country of immigrants but because one of the things we are experiencing is a backlash to these demands of recognition. I talked to some people the other day about reparations and they said if only that debate could be held off until....silence. Until a democrat is in power?Until it's a debate that won't divide democrats when we need democrats united? It's always the historically marginalized & the most marginalized of the marginalized who are asked to be patient & not sow further division.The people who believe we are a nation of immigrants could help by fighting for a more inclusive story.
8
@gracie huh ... you totally missed the point of the article an and somehow pretzel-logic your way into making this about you and race. Shameful
Tragic the Republicans on the committee refused to take heed to Fiona Hills testimony. Trump has more faith and loyalty to Putin than all National Security Agencies, he stated that before the world in Helsinki. Essentially, despite facts, the Republicans have chosen Trump and Putin over the 320 million American citizens before the world. Does than not leave our National Security vulnerable?
42
@rhdelp republicans on the Hill did not pay heed to Fiona because Devin Nunes himself is involved with one of the Ukrainian associated with Guiliani who is ready to talk to congress.
1
No disrepect to Dr Hill, but study after study confirms that the US has among the lowest rates of social mobility in the developed world, and certainly lower than the UK's.
Living in the US of course rendered Dr Hill's British working-class background moot. Pity that doesn't help her American equivalents.
However, as Roger Cohen has demonstrated for years, it's a great career move to tell Americans that they're exceptional.
4
@Jethro I moved to the US from the UK, the son of an Indian father and German mother. All Americans heard and saw of me was a Brit with a degree (and a strange sense of humor, tbh). And that is Roger Cohen and Fiona Hill's experience as well. Sometimes, those charts don't really tell the whole story as my lived experience tells me something very different. The elites running the UK are same ones always running it, a bunch of entitled "toffs" from Eton who all magically went to Oxford. My wife went to Harvard and I've been to many Harvard-Ratcliffe events and that is not true of Harvard or the US overall.
19
@Jethro "Pity that doesn't help her American equivalents. " And how much of that is about lack of individual drive and effort? Too much of it is the result of taking what we have for granted. Many immigrants come hear with dreams that they are willing to work for.
3
@Martin I once told a journalist that his powerful Brooklyn accent would be a hit in England. He replied: "I hate it. Everyone thinks I'm stupid." We both had a point.
Yes, moving abroad blurs class barriers. But, as the New York Times has again and again reported, the UK has more social mobility than the US:
"A child born in the bottom quintile of incomes in the United States has only a 4 percent chance of rising to the top quintile…in Britain, such a boy has about a 12 percent chance."
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/opinion/sunday/nicholas-kristof-usa-land-of-limitations.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/us/harder-for-americans-to-rise-from-lower-rungs.html
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/09/25/economic-mobility-without-economic-growth/scandinavias-economic-mobility-is-not-driven-by-growth
What Republicans -- including Fox News above all -- have done so well is tell a story, invent a narrative, create a through-line that convinces a sufficient number of Americans that Trump's version of reality is indeed real. No matter that the version is distorted, insulting, and wracked with lies.
What Democrats -- I am one -- seem to lack is that coherent, powerful narrative that over-shadows the one that Republicans have promoted. We talk about facts, counter Trump's lies, and praise truth, as Mr Cohen does so well -- but we have yet to knit together a dynamic, cohesive story about what we believe about the country (not what we hate about Trump and Republicans), what we want from the Democrats (beyond Trump out of office and healthcare).
Respectfully, I think we have to tell an overarching narrative of our own that surpasses Republicans' -- and tell it over and over, a positive American story to rise above Trump's lies. Otherwise, any "American Idea" will be a thing of history.
30
@SGK
Fiona Hill tells the truthful narrative. I wish she could have more of a public venue to do that over and over and over.
2
@SGK once consumed inside the Fox News promoted Trump echo chamber of lies and conspiracy, rational though and reality will never be heard.
My takeaway:
Fiona Hill said about Russian interference ...“So if ...Sen. Clinton had been elected as president ...she, too, would have had major questions about her legitimacy.”
Trumps corruption (which is indisputable, outrageous and will sadly NOT eject him from office) is also not the whole story and so we need to step back. The Russians have won here. At this moment Congress care more about destroying the other political party than protecting democracy. We no longer see the forest. And Putin is as happy as a kid in a candy store.
The lesson, however was not just her message but her delivery. Fiona Hill's objective, discipline and profession manner won over both Dems and Republicans. She wasn't out to "win"and it was her discipline that allowed all of us to trust her. I watched some Republicans move and I was moved. She brought us closer together than any other testimony. Ms. Hill's demeanor demonstrated a trust in her audience. She didn't betray any of us. She didn't berate, humiliate or shame but she didn't pull any punches either. She just spoke simple facts, saw where her perceptions were incorrect, admitted it and has the faith that we will ultimately be moved by the truth.
If we can't eject him, at least let's marginalize him. Let's stop making him the focus. Congress-make elections fair. Stop interference. Allow everyone to vote. If we can't have a good citizen in the Oval, at least let's have them in Congress. Please-work together.
47
It may be that three Americans, one from Ukraine, one of Slavic-Russian-Ukrainian descent, and another from Britain, will, when all is said and done, upend this horror show that America has become. No, Trump will not be convicted in Congress, we may have to wait for the courts to do that; Trump and the dregs of what now constitutes the Republican Party may be ousted by We, the People in the 2020 election. This may come about through the reminder that the three Americans referenced above have given us, a reminder of what America is supposed to be and what She stands for.
35
"He was being involved in a domestic political errand. And we were being involved in national security policy,” she said.
Dr. Hill hit the nail on the head. Sondland was an errand boy, performing a task assigned by his master, with the blessings of his henchmen and with no concern for its implications to national security. To Trump and his cohort everything is partisan and subject to perversion.
National security, especially when involving Russian aggression, was once the main priority of the GOP. They would never have countenanced such subordination of national interest to campaign politics before. What happened to them? Russian brainwashing is the only answer. That and the money...
Dr. Hill's succinct and easily understandable assessment was an invaluable service to history and her words will be a beacon to freedom loving people long into the future.
56
Fiona Hill is a great American and it sent chills of pride through me when I heard her speak.
This country is still the world's great hope and we will learn from the mistakes of Trump.
But I fear the Republicans will never come back from the grasp of populism, lies, misogyny, homophobia, xenophobia and theocracy. They will keep playing those cards until they finally find out they will never again hold a winning hand.
53
Hill’s testimony brought power to truth that made grown men squirm in shame and avert their gazes. Well done!
44
This celebration of the words of one naturalized American citizen, by another, has moved a boring old native-born citizen -- me -- to tears. Thank you!
37
Even though Dr. Hill was not born in this country, I decided yesterday that I would vote for the brilliant Fiona Hill for President of the United States of America, any day of the week.
35
@Mary Ann Dr. Hill would make a great Secretary of State.
1
I despair for our country if patriotic, non-partisan people like Dr. Fiona Hill are unwilling or unable to do the jobs for which they are so clearly well qualified. If we are represented internationally by the likes of Giuliani, Sondland, Pompeo, Mulvaney, Trump, et al, we are truly doomed. They, and their enablers (i.e. Republicans, everywhere), need to go, post haste, into the proverbial dustbin of history.
38
I became a citizen last year. The impeachment proceedings and Trump’s various other legal predicaments remind me question 12 of the citizenship questions on which everyone is tested during the naturalization process: “What is the “rule of law”?” Fiona Hill knows the answer is “No one is above the law”. I suggest all elected officials have to pass the same test in order to hold office.
40
@Thomas Howell
Every citizen of the U.S. should have to pass that test you passed, Mr. Howell, in order to vote in our elections.
1
I did not think Ms Hill had a strong accent. A strong accent would have made it difficult for her to be understood. As a person who grew up with a non-standard French accent, I mostly lost it in college and when I moved.
I am also surprised that no one seems to have realized that she went to school and college in Britain. However difficult her childhood may have been, she did get a decent enough education, and she probably got it for little money too. And free healthcare.
Would she have done better had she been born in a coal mining town in America? Or worse?
29
@Marie
A "strong" English accent is not at all difficult for Americans to understand (think of some of our own neighbors from the South.)
1
A super powerful and breathtaking column, up to the crisis at hand. These people who have come from other countries and given service to the US are undeniably more American than most.
21
This article was like a breath of fresh air, given all the utter nonsense being thrown at us by the Republican side of the aisle.
I agree with many other posters here that Fiona Hill would make
an excellent Secretary of State. Maybe Nancy Pelosi will ask her to do so, soon.
31
Stunningly articulate, she was both steady and serious. She had an edge of chastising Republicans with a clear logic that worked. She finally articualted the, "have you no shame,” moment toward the GOP better than any of the current Democratic candidates.
50
For a few hours we were all elevated, inspired and informed by Fiona Hill. It is encouraging to note that so many women have shone during this impeachment inquiry. Dr. Hill, Amb. Yovanovitch and Speaker Pelosi come immediately to mind. Whatever the outcome, they will may not be forgotten.
38
Graham wants to open inquiry on political opponent of Trump-Bidens. We are worse than Ukraine now. Russia could not win cold war , but is winning cyber war with hands down. Unfortunately we have lot of willing players to help Russia.
17
Actually doing a investigation in the US is better than asking a foreign country to do it. They will look like fools but let them do it. The Republicans have been looking for something to pin on Obama & Biden for years. Unfortunately, for the Republicans, both these guys are ‘down to earth’ patriots.
2
@FS Graham’s friend John McCain needs to swiftly summon angelic intervention to restore part of Graham’s brain that is infected with Trump.
She was the most inspiring voice this week.
I kept wishing she would say, "Sitting here debating whether Russia interfered with our elections is like a scientist appearing before the Science Committee to debate whether the moon is made of green cheese.
I wish she had said that.
It was wonderful to see such mastery of subject matter and such clarity of purpose and expression.
All the career people this week were exemplary -- quite a contrast to Sondland, who seemed like a rather dumb overgrown frat boy.
23
Fiona, Hill is what Anglo Saxon values sound and like like; above all, a reason to ditch the meritocratic trope that greed is good.
6
Mr. Cohen: well put indeed. What we saw at last week's testimony was an example of "the deep state" Trump and his acolytes abhor. Translated "the deep state" are the career professionals whose allegiance is to the task at hand not the whims of a would be dictator. Political appointees come and go but the "deep state" up to now has kept America on a generally even keel.
Trump and trump-ism is the singular greatest test of America's democratic resiliency in my 75 years. Never in my lifetime has there been such blatant demagoguery, fear exploitation, outright lying and buffoonery from this country's chief executive. Rather than push back, Republicans pander to Trump's enormous ego and ignore the damage to America's values and world standing.
That there are millions of Americans who buy into what Trump is selling is unfortunate but nevertheless proves the impact of leadership whether for good or evil. Thank heaven for the likes of Ms. Hill and Ms. Yavanovitch whose poise, honesty, and expertise were in stark contrast to the their loud talking, scripted, conspiracy peddling Republican interrogators. And Jordan--get a jacket.
25
Trump is himself a Russian creation. Trump posing as a "successful businessman" is as much a piece of Russian state fictional disinformation as any. Fiction is the lingua franca of the Russian oligarchic state, for which his business enterprise is underwritten as a money laundering operation. He is accordingly a Russian client - the Russian candidate. Hence, in Nancy Pelosi's words, for Trump and his enablers "all roads lead to Putin." I would urge my Republican Trump supporter friends to learn the Russian language - as I have - as Russian thought has saturated their thinking as was clearly demonstrated by the minority congressmen - Nunes et al - in this week's impeachment hearings.
8
The fact that these three immigrants rose so high in American society speaks volumes about the greatness of America. Each of them eloquently spoke about the injustices they faced in their homelands based on nothing but prejudices and America’s system of opportunity and meritocracy that allowed them to rise to such lofty levels in their new-found home. Their patriotism is so great that they risked everything to take theIr oaths and speak out about the wrongdoing from the most powerful man on earth. It was heartbreaking to hear that Lt.Colonel Vindman’s father feared for his son’s life: this is how far Trump has dragged down America.
The irony shouldn’t be lost that while these immigrants risked everything to tell truth to power, U.S.-born Americans such as Mike Pompeo, John Bolton, and Rudy Giuliani are hiding behind their lawyers. Shameful cowards.
25
She knows how to focus on facts and deliver her knowledge in a dignified manner, ignoring the miscreants tugging metaphorically on her pigtails. Sharp contrast with the previous witness a day before smugly announcing that he and the President communicate by telephone with swear words as if this was supposed to be amusing .. or, not sure what.
It all matters, but the abject the contrast in character and conduct is hopefully still important.
14
Ms. Hill's powerful testimony inspired. Perhaps we need more naturalized citizens. For those native-born, were they listening? Did her words matter to them?
12
" I could not help feeling again in all its force the American idea as release from class prejudice, as release from bigotry, as liberation from the tyranny of who came first and who came last."
The ideal of being an American expressed beautifully. My extended family includes recent immigrants who happen to be brilliant and who are making valuable contributions to the country and who are wonderful additions to our community of people who are descendants of immigrants. I count my blessings.
Today, here in the NYT's OP ED, I find 3 inspiring columns from Bret Stephens, Susan Rice, and now Mr Cohen. Thank you all.
29
The Democratic Party must find a way to communicate that they are the true supporters of hard work and fair reward. Voters who oppose them have been fooled into believing that Democrats are not aligned with "traditional American values." In fact, it is the other side that promotes entitlement and unfair restrictions on competition for success in our society. Dr. Hill, Ambassador Yovanovitch, Lt. Col Vindman, and indeed Roger Cohen have all brought us a measure of clarity on this subject of our national identity. Now it is time for Democratic leaders in the Senate and on the campaign trail to communicate clearly and effectively. These leaders should be seen as the true defenders of fair reward for hard work and opportunity for all. Voters who have opposed them must be given reasons to gracefully and naturally embrace the Democratic Party as being more closely aligned with American ideals. Thank you, Roger Cohen for another great column and thank you, Dr. Hill, for reminding us of the promise of the United States.
17
As a naturalized U.S. citizen as well, I can endorse all the points Fiona Hill and Roger Cohen have made. Naturalized citizens, i.e. citizens by choice, can see all that is great about America and all the possibility that U.S. citizenship affords. They can also clearly see the threats from their unique perspective, such as those from the current administration and its supporters. But to understand Mr. Trumps allegiance and deference to Russia and Vladimir Putin, it is not enough to keep describing the symptoms, it is critical to identify the root cause. The Mueller Report stopped just short of doing that. The Impeachment Inquiry has focused on the impact not the genesis of the problem. The "autopsy" will only come from understanding Mr. Trump's debt, financial ties, and obligations to Putin, Russia, its Oligarchs, and the Saudi's. Doing so is likely to explain everything from denying Russian interference in our elections, to enabling authoritarianism around the world, to "green-lighting" the Turkish invasion of Northern Syria. To shine a light on the truth, listen to "Deep Throat"; follow the money. Maybe the the U.S. Attorney's Office of the SDNY will successfully acquire the "Rosetta Stone" of Mr. Trumps tax returns and be able to put all the pieces together. Then again, given the track record, these documents may have been falsified to cover the tracks, in which case; one more Article of Impeachment.
21
The message of Fiona Hill is that it's not just Donald Trump, but the entire Congressional Republican Party that is doing Putin's dirty work by advancing the "fictional narrative" in his defense that Ukraine interfered in our 2016 election on behalf of Hillary Clinton. It is not just the foreign service that "is being undermined" but our democracy and our Constitutional rule of law. This is the real "existential threat" that Trump and the Republican Party now pose. If they succeed, as now appears likely of exonerating Trump in a Senate trial, the stakes for the nation will be as high as they were in 1860 election. And sadly, a divided Democratic Party has yet to find their Lincoln who can ensure that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
20
We talk too much about 'the founding fathers'. Here is one of a mass of founding 'children' who renew the American ideal and validate everything our founders and loyal public servants and soldiers did and do to make this country a beacon.
14
Yes the Republicans have gone way over their skis and are due to take a big fall. They have ignored all the facts that have been ponderously staked, brick by brick around them walling them in to a corner they cannot escape.
All that's needed in my opinion is for the Democrats to pass a bill making what Trump did as an illegal act of corruption from this point onward. The justification for the bill is that Trump may have done this at least twice, so it must be clearly made a crime in order to stop this kind of behavior again from Trump or any president thereafter.
This will effectively put Senate Republicans in a box. If they pass this bill, they must convict the president. If they let this bill die where so many reforms the House Democrats have passed this session languish in McConnell's graveyard then they show they are unwitting Russian agents and corrupt themselves.
Either way, the Democrats win.
4
@Dennis I suspect that you didn’t take Civics in school. The lack of Civics education is an enormous problem. Most natural born citizens couldn’t pass the naturalization test, so these naturalized citizens understand our government better than most natural born Americans.
I wish the Democrats COULD pass such a bill. But it would have to pass BOTH houses of Congress, and the Senate would never even bring it to a vote. Even if it did pass in the Senate, ten President would have to sign it. The only way that such a bill would stand a chance of becoming law would be if it exempted all office holders (elected and appointed) from being subject to it.
3
And then there’s the ex-post-facto issue.
Yes, and Trump & his allies have been busy extinguishing that beacon by cutting legal immigration and refugee entrants in the belief that this country is greatest when it is walled in, drawbridge rarely down, and population purified to its white, Christian base of "real Americans."
6
Fiona Hill, was compelling, eloquent, and convincing of Trump's erosion of American aspiration seek and stand on moral high ground. We heard professional diplomats attest to his ghastly manipulation of Presidential power for his own narcissistic demands. Bad enough. But far more terrifying is the breathtaking Republican "buy-in" to the President's flagrant lies and contortions designed to make him the victim. Polls suggest that today half of the American people are indifferent to his remaining in office, despite his own confessions of wrongdoing. Trumpsters make it all seem so easy to lie and cheat openly. They pay no price, and blithely ignore appeals that they act with even a modicum of integrity -- as if only the weak and powerless accede to such pleas.
I will not be around when the definitive histories of these times are written and studied. Perhaps they will provide the clues of how a populace can find such destestable people sufficiently redeeming that so few hands are lifted to stop the destruction of basic decency. Take notes, and leave them for our descendents to study the phenomenon of merely shrugging while freedom's destroyers so effortlessly run amok.
13
And yet, sadly, after two weeks of testimony from these dedicated public servants and two weeks of nonsensical, venomous rantings by the likes of Nunes and Jordan, polls show support for impeachment has lessened in the swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin.
211
Amen, brother! The American people are indeed perceptive and smart.
4
@Seldoc
Chalk up another victory for fox propaganda.
See the opinion from the former fox contributor in these pages (why fox slimes purple heart recipient) for the ever successful template that taps into the overwhelming indifference of so many "Americans"
Slime, indeed.
7
@Seldoc
Fox has done its job well. They amplify Russian messages.
8
My son and my husband were both born in other countries. They are citizens of high ideals for the nation we live in. Dr. Hill shows the true glory of an immigrant who loves the country she now lives in and serves. Another reason why we are a land of people who came here as well as the people who were here when we came.
8
It's beyond dismaying that, despite compelling and perfectly credible testimony from the respectable Fiona Hill (and Marie Yovanovitch, Lt. Col. Vindman, William Taylor, George Kent, and David Holmes), Putin's POTUS may not be held accountable for his crimes.
If (as seems inevitable) the House votes to impeach, and any Senators comport themselves in the shameful manner of their House counterparts Devin Nunes and Jim Jordan, voters had best begin phoning their Senate representatives to demand that they vote to convict. If our elected officials fail to do that, may the unintended upside be that every Republican in congress up for re-election in 2020 is resoundingly relieved of his job at the polls... along with the head of the rotten fish.
15
Dr. Hill and Col. Vindman remind us what really makes Americans proud to be Americans.
Actually, all of the foreign service professionals who testified gave us reason to be proud.
And thanks to Dr. Hill we now have the most apt and succinct expression of Trump’s overall foreign policy: Domestic Political Errand.
13
It seems to me, as a Brit living in your country, that America is hurtling towards becoming exactly what most Americans came here to get away from - class privilege, extreme wealth concentrated in the hands of a tiny minority and the slow collapse of the American dream.
30
Nope, not slow collapse. A very fast one. Look around.
3
@DaveyBee Well said !
1
Mr. Cohen's article and Dr. Hill's testimony should be required reading by all Republicans and by high school American history and civics classes. Unfortunately, the honorable Republicans of the Nixon era are not represented in the current Congress, and this country is in dire danger of sliding into autocracy. I urge our Republican representatives and senators to acknowledge how destructive this president is to our democracy and set themselves free to rid us of this terribly flawed, terribly dangerous president!
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Fiona Hill’s testimony and your words make me ache with sorrow.
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@Nancy
I also ache with sorrow for my country, the U.S.A. But, we have survived worse threats like the Nazis and the Soviets. I'm hopeful of a blue tidal wave election in 2020. The youth of America will rise up and vote like they haven't voted since the days of Viet Nam.
"Russia aims at nothing less than destroying Americans’ faith in their democracy."
Roger Cohen, I'd go one further. I'd say Russia's goal is to destroy democracy itself. Look at who Putin picked to push through the ballot box via his carefully planned campaign of disinformation that just 'happened' to coincide with Trump's loud political views.
I believe Putin, saw that if anyone would abuse power, Trump would. In essence, he weaponized Trump's worst traits to foist him on our country.
Fiona Hill's testimony, from the story of her accent to her love for the American immigrant story that seems to be slipping away, was almost elegiac. I doubt any of the attack dog Republicans questioning her motives and facts even understood what she was saying.
Destroying the idea of America as beacon was Trump's first "accomplishment." Now he's gutting our constitutional foundations themselves.
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@ChristineMcM I would go even further. Putin's goal is to destroy life on Earth itself. Heck, why not go even further: he wants to destroy the Universe! Evil reincarnate he is.
I completely agree with Roger. Diversity makes America great.It is not a myth that ability and hard work and determination will lead to success regardless of your background. This is not Trump’s vision of America. What I fail to understand is why millions of Americans mindlessly support Trump even though he undermines traditional American values and continues his unseemly bromance with Putin who is no friend of America.WHY?
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@Milton Lewis
It must be because many do not read or care to listen to credible information. They are told that everything they hear and see is fake and mistrust and hatred excites the rebellious in them.
It is all a game and a form of entertainment and sadly, they are not aware that their rebellion is harming their interests. It is easier to trust social media than research issues and statements.
Trump supporters like Lindsey Graham are probably terrified that vindictive Trump might reveal skeletons in the closet. Many senators switched to fanatical loyalty to Trump after visits to the White House
Fiona Hill should make her fellow Americans feel proud as well as embarrassed. Proud because of her courage, wisdom and dignity in speaking truth to autocratic power.
Embarrassed because of the moral, criminal and hypocritical rot she has factually exposed that festers at the highest levels of our severely compromised government.
We owe our gratitude to her and all of those who testified this week and those who serve alongside them to ensure that their duty, their honor and their values cannot be ignored and must never be squandered.
While our most formidable sworn enemies have sworn to destroy us, we still remain the United States, not the Divided States of America.
8
Wish you had taken this lament/ode to America to its soaring, passionate conclusion; that if we care about the American idea Trump must be impeached.
8
Fiona Hill showed more grace, intelligence, and integrity than the every Republican in that room combined - with the sole exception of Mr. Hurd.
It was like watching a bunch of spoiled, entitled children getting a proper dressing down by the adult in the room.
At least the Republicans were smart enough to quickly realize that asking questions of Dr. Hill was only going to dig their hole deeper. So, they naturally used the entirety of the question periods to blather on about their usual inane nonsense, pathological conspiracy theories, and fabricated sense of victimization.
As someone else pointed out, the Republican defense is as if a pyromaniac was caught on tape lighting a match and burning an entire building to the ground, and after watching the video, the only thing they're concerned with is "who pulled the fire alarm!".
Dr. Hill was nothing less than spectacular. A polar opposite of Donald Trump, possessed of every great human quality that neither he, nor most of his associates, could ever possess - let alone comprehend.
She was a reminder of what true greatness really looks like.
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@Chicago Guy
Yes, she made me proud to be an American after three years of shame about our president.
@Chicago Guy Do not know why you give hurd anout. He is retiring and has nothing to loose yet he ultimately said he saw nothing to support impeachment. Guilty as the rest
Let's be blunt. No matter how articulate and searing we found Dr Hill's testimony, the Republicans in Congress and in the right wing media were entirely unmoved by it. Moreover, when Trump is impeached and he goes to trial in the Senate, they will remain loyal. Trump acts like a crime boss, but his their crime boss. They will tolerate any crime so long as he allows them to indulge in their vices of racism, xenophobia, and contempt for the poor and helpless. Hill presents one vision of what bit is to be American; Trump and the Republicans offer another. America will soon have to decide which vision will define its future.
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Roger, you are my favorite NYT columnist.
After uncharacteristically doubling down in Hardwick II, you have returned to form with this eloquent piece. You are at your best when you engage the international scene.
For your readers, the problem with Hardwick II is that you tried to vindicate what Hardwick became by disclosing the obstacles he faced as a child.
Racialized men and women and white women of Hardwick's generation would not have enjoyed the opportunities he was given. How many of them rose to become executives at Pfizer, appointments that are largely political? Is it because they did not want to work hard?
Fiona Hill and Marie Yovanovitch--and Lieutenant Colonel Vindman--are immigrants, one from England, the other a Russian Canadian. Hill fled grinding poverty and the prisonhouse of class prejudice while Yovanovitch's parents fled political persecution.
Their articulate humility made both compelling witnesses to the gangsta mentality that is trying to coopt the State Department.
It was particularly gratifying to observe Nunes and Castor quailing before the force of Fiona Hill's piercing clarity.
Yovanovitch's and Hill's personal narratives were powerful reproaches to the White House's scapegoating of immigrants and to Republican politicians who would pretend that they represent individuals like these two women.
Yovanovitch and Hill represent the best of America.
I identify with them, and with you, Roger, because I lived in the States for thirty years.
8
The contrast between Dr. Hill's articulately expressed loyalty to America and Republican's mulish devotion to Donald Trump could not be presented in any starker terms.
The fact that there is no significant erosion of Trump's base of support, despite his mounting offenses against the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law, indicates that the very idea of America is imperiled.
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@Alan R Brock Simply put, as a Trump supporter, I know what I voted for: I wanted Him to drain the swamp, the very swamp these Govt employees represent. And He is doing it wholeheartedly, so I will vote for Him again. Don't you dare to block this, NYT, as you do to so many others. These discussions are appallingly one-sided because the other (my) side has been blocked over and over. So much for the "fair and balanced" approach.
An American "by choice", an English native and brilliant exemplar of American's most cherished democratic values, Dr. Fiona Hill, advisor to three presidents on Russia and former Soviet countries, proved that no one is above the law in our country. Not President Donald Trump and his Republican Party enablers. Dr. Hill's contribution to the American Idea ls recognized the world over today.
This naturalized American woman from Durham County, northern England, is the living embodiment of "Lady Liberty", who has been blindfolded by our president and his enablers and the Republican Party for the past three years. Thank you, Roger Cohen, for your paean to Fiona Hill and immigrants. You and she exemplify the best of America's great experiment in democracy.
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The telling moment for me in Dr. Hill's testimony was when the Republicans tried to deny her an opportunity to speak or respond to their diatribes.
She spoke truth. The Republicans spoke Russian talking points.
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Hurrah, Dr. Hill! Statements of fact; pure, simple, well informed, and direct.
She needs to give Robert Mueller a few lessons; all this would have been over and done a year ago.
Hats off to the "Coal Miner's Daughter"! (With due respect given to Loretta Lynn.)
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trump is a man who used the power of the presidency and subverted the interests of America for personal gain. Those are the facts, stated plainly.
11
As an ex-pat Brit, a citizen here since 1983, I couldn’t help a feeling of pride for Fiona Hill. Why aye, man! as they say in her home town.
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May I remind all who comment that she is Dr. Hill, not Ms. Hill. She has more than earned her title. I thank her for shining a light on what it is to be American.
11
This tribute is as inspiring to me as the underlying context is upsetting. Thank you.
9
I do not believe it is possible to exaggerate Dr. Fiona Hill’s service to the American idea in her testimony this past week.
547
Mr. Cohen's last sentence expresses the essential question.
Can the U.S., as a "beacon of hope" of any sort, survive the marrow deep cravenness and malice toward goodness and decency of the Republicans?
Is there any counter to the greed of the Murdochs and their propaganda empire, the adolescent narcissism of Zuckerberg, et al?
Does getting shed of Trump address these deeper issues in the same way that anti-nausea medication addresses cancer?
Other than thoughtful and careful voting, what can average citizens do?
6
@RBW This country has ceased to be a beacon of anything in the late 80s.
Thank you for highlighting the importance of Fiona Hill's testimony. As someone who has lived ten years of her adult life in France, I would like to add that the embrace of immigrants is what distinguishes the US from all of Europe, not just the UK. Said in another way, in living abroad in Europe, I realized just how much more the American spirit is open to immigrants as bringing opportunity, talent and excellence that makes America excel in so many fields. This is probably because America is inherently a country of immigrants, as Fiona Hill so eloquently underscored in her testimony. In France, I found that the view of immigrants is almost exclusively about what immigrants take away, forgetting that many immigrants are people of great talent and pote who must flee war and persecution. So sad that Trumpism is destroying what truly makes America great: its ability to see, use and foster the great talent,intelligence and potential of immigrants with ambition to succeed.
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@S As a French resident in the US, I have truly appreciated the irony of the ‘welcome’ sign at the entrance of the immigration center where I took my children to have their biometrics taken, again. My husband, the son of Vietnamese refugees, still feels grateful to France for paying for his studies as well as giving him money to pay for basic necessities.
I think very few countries actually ‘welcome’ immigrants. We tend to think our countries are ‘better’, but it may just be because they are the only place where we are not foreigners.
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@S Having lived, taught college, and raised kids in multiple countries (Ukraine being home), I completely and utterly disagree with your statement.
1
@Marie Very well said. One of the very few voices of reason in this spread. Thank you for that, Marie.
Thank you. That was beautiful. I teared up when I first heard Dr. Hill speak, and again, in your recounting of it with your experiences and memories added. A reminder for us ALL.
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Great article. I look forward to Dr Hill serving as Sec of State and Sally Yates as Attorney General.
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It strikes me that if we had all greeted the fictions of Fox News and the Republicans with the sharp scape of Hill's response to them, they would never have taken such hold on so many people.
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@Tokyo Tea It is never too late. Start today! And intensify your greetings as the election time rolls closer. PLEASE, make Pres. Trump's day.
It's been amusing to see the rapturous enthusiasm that the mainstream press has expressed for the impeachment inquiry witnesses. Don't they realize that these people represent exactly the mindset of the permanent government against which the President has been fighting? So, to see them line up in the hearing room is nothing remarkable at all, and that is why these hearings have not changed most opinions one bit, no matter how many members of the press extol them.
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@David Godinez
Sir, as a naturalized American, I'd like to inform you that this so called permanent government is what distinguishes the USA from other countries, in that it's systems work, despite changes in politics. THis is in fact one of the things which distinguishes democracies and republics from empires and dictatorships, where your getting your social security check depends on your relationship to a gov't official. Without this "permanent gov't" the US would be Russia.
Please look to the source of our troubles to the permanent oligarchy with its increasing power over our lives.
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@David Godinez If you think Trump is engaged in some patriotic fight against "permanent government" (whatever that is) let me set you straight. Trump is concerned only with his own personal interest, whether that is building his bottom line, stroking his gargantuan ego, or in this case trying to assure his reelection. And the fact that he has contravened the rule of law and subverted the country's national security interest does not matter to him one bit. That's just business as usual for him. And those witnesses that you disparage because they are fighting back against his corruption, are true patriots.
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@David Godinez
"The permanent government" you would get rid of is the "the deep state" of honorable lifelong servants of our nation, who are the backbone of our functioning government. As Trump would have them "deconstructed" from our country, our nation would collapse and let our enemies overpower us.
Sir, your argument sounds like treason to me.
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Hill's description of her admission interview at Oxford and her other comments on her personal life are besides the point. They were likely meant to deflect the likely Fox attacks on her as being a "foreigner", an "immigrant".
She was the "Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs on the National Security Council." She knew and understood not only America's security needs and how Ukraine fit into these, but also worked to implement the official foreign policy objectives of President Trump and Congress. Donald Trump, through his chief of staff, the Three Amigos, and Giuliani, was working counter to these at the same time for personal gain. Hill and her boss Bolton as well as Ambassador Taylor and others uncovered these in their course of doing their jobs and expressed profound concern over the possible effects of this alternate set of activities, likely to undermine our ally and embolden and strengthen Putin and the Russian spy agencies plans to undermine not only American official policies, but our very democracy.
So clear away the silly comments defending Oxford in the 1980s and focus on the very serious topic under discussion. The American president is a threat to America. Simple. And dangerous.
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Mr. Cohen, no one could have said it more succinct and beautiful. There is still hope that the good in people will prevail.
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@Thule It gets tougher each day to cling to that hope in the face of such as Reps Nunes and Jordan whose cravenness is not masked by their feigned outrage.
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Joan of Arc, Catherine the Great, Queen Victoria, Medea, Nuns, a few (relatively speaking) others to be sure: none tops the estimable, unflappable indomitable Ms Hill.
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Beautifully and powerfully expressed, as always. I could not agree more. It occurs to me now more than ever that if America is truly exceptional (in a positive way) it is precisely and exclusively due to our rather unique diversity of cultural origins. Never has that been more in evidence than through these fine public servants. Thank God for them. For right now, in this terrible situation, it is because of them that we might just stand a chance.
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Mostly, people discriminate because they feel threatened and insecure. Smart, curious, well travelled and educated people embrace diversity and try to learn and benefit from people of different backgrounds.
As a naturalized American who speaks many languages, I am constantly reminded that because of my accent, I can't be American. People always try to classify people and miss the opportunity of learning something new.
The impeachment hearings revealed two very important facts about immigrants:
1. Poverty and lack of freedom and opportunities create a need
and are the motivation to working hard and aiming high in
their adopted countries.
2. Immigrants who choose to be American, cherish and value
America more and fight proudly to preserve what attracted
them to choose it and make it home.
Discrimination divides and forces immigrants to relocate to other countries where they could feel valued and welcomed.
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Bravo! Fiona Hill's testimony and that of the other intelligent, highly qualified, patriotic members of our foreign service give us all hope.
Fiona Hill would make an excellent Secretary of State.
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I am immensely proud of the woman my daughter has become, and I can imagine that the pride Alfred Hill feels this week is lighting up all of Heaven.
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The UK must have changed! The telemarketing people now value Hill's 'Geordie' (NE England) accent above all others. Time and again, studies show that Brits associate it with trustworthiness, honesty, 'values' and so on.
Fiona Hill's most reportedly shaming event occurred around 1985 (from her timeline) when her working class appearance and values were mocked during her application to the University of Oxford. She identifies this as a major factor in her decision to seek a life in America.
Despite thinking that Fiona Hill is an exceptional individual (and an ex-Brit), I'm not wholly persuaded by her narrative on British universities. She WAS subsequently accepted at a prestigious Scottish institution (Scotland being part of the UK), Furthermore, one of my immediate family was Mistress of one of the women's colleges of the University of Cambridge at exactly Hill's time and I can attest, first hand, to the extraordinary efforts made there, by all the admissions staff, to accept female students ON MERIT, and not based on their family backgrounds, wealth or accents. If anything, a smack of privilege would have killed an entry application. Perhaps if Hill had only broadened her choice of elite universities, the UK might have kept this remarkable woman.
Of course, this doesn't detract from Hill's testimony on Ukraine. But, I'm not forgetting that Margaret Thatcher, who hated 'class', went to Oxford decades before Hill tried to. Her father owned a small grocery store.
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@nolongeradoc
Very good points. I, too, am a soon-to-be ex-Brit. Ex-Yorkshire, in fact. Hill must have been very unfortunate in her choice of college at Oxford.
6
I was a Commonwealth/American Jew in England in the 80s, and the snobbery of the Establishment was a very real thing. That’s not to say that Establishment was ineffectual, stupid or crushingly oppressive, but one was always made aware that one was different from those who populated it, and references to ‘Colonials’ and ‘stupid Americans’ were commonplace — even in one’s presence!
Thatcher succeeded in spite of that snobbery — she declared war on it — but even she couldn’t resist it; her changed accent being the most obvious manifestation. It was the Blair government’s otherwise ghastly Cool Britannia moment that resulted in a proper appreciation of the regions in the English Establishment.
@nolongeradoc Thatcher was the epitome of affected class and her insufferable put-on accent.
1
The truths expressed here and in the hearings will be transformed into fodder for Republican campaigns, as they portray themselves as victims of liberal overreach. Fans at Trump's rallies will cheer his every mention of the Democrat's plot to get rid of him. Incredibly, all the evidence we have seen and heard in recent weeks may increase his chance of reelection.
8
@William Bizarre and almost unfathomable but nonetheless true.
Instead of the craven excuse we have as Secretary of State now, imagine Fiona Hill as Secretary of State.
I hope that every Democratic candidate was watching her.
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I too am an outsider. I too am an English Jew who moved to the U.S. - to the "shining light on the hill". (And I too was called a "Yid" at school.) In the current climate of persecuting immigrants, she's a reminder that by choosing this country, rather than being here by accident of birth, we are the true patriots.
But I would also like to point-out that our experience as white, European immigrants is not the norm, and the the opportunities opened to us, as educated white Europeans with desirable accents, is quite different to what most immigrants experience.
Also, while you criticize the class structure on Britain (fairly), remember that Fiona Hill's education at St Andrews would have been free - totally paid for by the State. Britain has its issues (especially now) but there's something wonderfully egalitarian about a free university education.
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@Anthony
Anthony, you exhibit remarkable understanding of and empathy for the non-white immigrant.
Your insights give me hope that there are more individuals like yourself out there.
1
@Anthony she then went on to Harvard for her doctorate and Masters.
2
I find it fitting that, in a nation of immigrants, at least three of the witnesses who affirmed with their testimony and courage the values which define this country at its best gained their citizenship through the naturalization process. By contrast, the men and women who, in the deepest moral sense betrayed those values and therefore their country, inherited their membership in the nation through birth.
The former, either through their own struggles or those of their parents, learned to value a status which the latter acquired through the sacrifices of ancestors who fought to include the 14th amendment in the Constitution. If he had his way, of course, Trump would strip the guarantee of birthright citizenship from the Constitution, thereby opening the way for discriminatory legislation that could destroy one of the essential elements of our free society.
Ironies of this kind abound in the contest between a cult-like movement whose leader scorns the legal culture which enabled his rise to power and the resistance that seeks to preserve that culture. The Republican party, founded in part to protect American democracy against the threat to it posed by the slave power, has now decided that the quest for political power outweighs commitment to such ideals.
This attitude deserves repudiation at the polls.
34
Bravo, Mr. Cohen. You speak for so many that were enthralled by Fiona Hill. Her confidence, her clear and empowered articulation, her clarity of ideas and willingness to call it ‘as it is’ was soul food. This woman that few ever heard of before is now a role model and aspiration for a generation.
159
Hill was beyond brilliant. And my concern is that not even she moved the needle for the Republicans.
Roger, you always write beautifully. But the idea that American and the American institutions are shielded from their own internal conflict is dangerous. Living under the illusion that there was never a civil war, and that there is not one ongoing now, is pure fiction.
Wake up. The Rebels controls the White House, the Senate, and the Department of Justice, and 40% of the populations backs them up. That is less than 50%, but that is a lot. Am I hopeful? Yes. Some long 7 years ago we voted twice for Obama. We need to vote of course, but I am yet to find our Ulysses Grant.
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@Ard Our Ulysses Grant shone herself this week: Dr. Fiona Hill. Only someone who made a contentious decision to come to the USA can truly understand and love the USA. Me, I was born here, so I take most things for granted. I do "love" my country, but I have no real understanding of what love is.
Someone of some import should respectfully ask Dr. Hill if she would consider running for office somewhere on the democratic ticket.
27
@Richard Ammend the Constitution to allow Fiona to become President Fiona?! Please.
1
@Ard
We may need a Ulysses Grant, but I think the Democrats could use another Sherman as well.
1
The words by Roger Cohen are stirring. It contrasts starkly with his attempts in a previous column to relay a Trump supporter's psyche. What is the reconciliation between the yin that government can work, and its yang that government can never do so? It is the question that divides this country.
When the Pledge of Allegiance that honors Representative Government(the Republic) and a Preamble that states our government's formation's purpose is so violated by Representatives who seek to destroy it, we must follow Ms. Hill's example. The energy and strength in her fact witness testimony should awaken those who have been hornswoggled by faux citizens who seek to destroy the idea of representative government.
Words are not enough. The struggle must be engaged by political involvement and voting in large numbers to reverse this dangerous membership seated in this administration and congress.
28
Amen. It is for us the living to be dedicated to the unfinished work which they who fought have so nobly advanced.
34
Vegas gives Trump an 80% chance of remaining in office to the end of his term. It was at 75% before the hearings. Vegas believes the hearings are harming the Democrats. So does Gallup. Vegas would love to cover a bet from Mr. Cohen. Gallup thinks optimism is ill-advised.
1
Thank goodness Vegas does not have the responsibility of keeping and maintaining a democracy as does Congress. Maybe the “odds” aren’t good and therefore the plausibility of maintaining power is diminished but that shouldn’t stop congress from performing its duties.
As for Hill not being the be all end all of witnesses I disagree. Her opening statement coupled with Schiff’s ending statement that day were extremely powerful. Will it dissuade congressional Republicans from being too fearful of losing their precious jobs? No. Unfortunately only term limits would truly empower them to act responsibly. That and a chorus of people protesting in the streets and the ballot box.
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@michjas sometimes what is right needs to be done. Even if it means a dip in the popularity game. Who is going to stand up to Trump? Someone has to. The republicans won’t they are scared brainwashed wimpy and their collective brain has been hijacked by Trump Steve Bannon and such forces that are exposing fault lines in our very essence of democracy. King Donald can be dethroned in America because it is precisely the land of possibilities.
Go Fiona.
It helps, of course, that she has a British accent. But, with any accent she would have been a powerful presence.
30
The tendency to look for a hero is a grave mistake. It leads to things like goose-stepping troops on Pennsylvania Avenue. This is more plausible by the day.
12
@Thomas , I completely agree that this blind veneration is dangerous. But how do we convince the Trump supporters? They seem to completely lack self-awareness and often project their own failings on Democrats, which makes it difficult to convince them of your point.
3
In the midst of this political mess which in some respects seems hopeless, as many partisans no longer even look at truth and justice, Fiona Hill was a breath of fresh, clean air. I so admire her for her articulate comments, for her honesty, and for her dedication to democracy and the state of the world. I am sorry there are many who claim to be protecting the potus on the other side, but who are mainly protecting their jobs and financial perks, who are also being overwhelmed with various kinds of ignorance and prejudice and were unable or unwilling to hear her clear bell like ring of truth. Still, hearing Ms. Hill was heartening.
50
@ChristineZC If Ms Hill had testified about the demographics of Kiev citing many original statistical configurations the analysis, however brilliant, would be boring. As for her testimony yesterday there was nothing suggesting that she was the Albert Einstein of witnesses. The fact that she harms Trump is why she seems brilliant. And the widespread failure to recognize this is grounds for disqualification as a juror and is especially embarrassing because of the utter lack of self-awareness.
@michjas So, should the truth not be spoken if it hurts Trump? She seems brilliant simply because she is; an intelligent person extremely well-versed in her area of expertise. She shared her information and her insights regarding Ukraine and Russia and the actions of Sondland, Giuliani, and cohorts. In case you missed the news yesterday, senators were given classified briefings recently about the Russian origins of the Ukraine conspiracy theory, which further bolsters Ms. Hill's testimony. This isn't a reality TV show where we rate performances, trying to decide who is the Albert Einstein of witnesses as you put it. Every one of these witnesses spoke their truth under oath including Ms. Hill, who did it - brilliantly!
10
@michjas
What are you talking about? You make no sense.
1
Don’t get me wrong, Fiona Hill’s testimony was admirable and I hung onto her every word but I would quibble with one thing she said or rather did not say: she said that in the United Kingdom, her working class accent would have been an impediment in her career. What she did not say is that it was no impediment in getting into a world class university there. In the USA it would have been a far greater challenge to make her way into a top university coming from a working class family. Her high school would have been inferior, she would not have been able to pay for coaching to pass the college entrance exams, and so on. That she later went to Harvard has to do with the strong credentials she earned doing her first degree at St Andrews. She had proven her worth. How many American coal miner’s daughters make it into the top American Universities? How many imagine they can?
Again, don’t get me wrong, there is plenty to admire about the top universities in the US. I had the privilege of attending one as a graduate student but coming from my background, there is no way I could have afforded an undergraduate degree in the US. The education system in America is failing its youth. So many young people miss the boat merely because they are from underprivileged backgrounds. Invest in a fairer, more accessible education system and you will find more Fiona Hills out there.
95
@M. M. L. , you are absolutely right! example: my wife was plucked out of her school in England, and popped into Imperial College London, and never had to pay a penny in tuition or living costs. And guess what: she has for many years now had a great career doing engineering research ... as a US federal civil servant!
10
Listening to republican viewers' call-in comments on CSPAN during its live airing of the impeachment hearings, I was forced to acknowledge that 40% of the voting public lacks the wherewithall to figure out how to add 2 + 2 correctly. Were they actually watching the same thing that I was? All they could do was repeat the most recent Fox narrative aka "Witch hunt." So sad.
50
As I read your excellent column, I wondered what the smiling Chuck Hardwick, portrayed in your last column, might think.Did he even listen to Ms. Hill testify? For "Take Three" you might sit with him and watch Hill underline the seriousness of the dilemma Trump has put this country in.Would he still think the impeachment hearings are a "damaging distraction."
9
Yes, and I’m sure George III thought all the colonial fuss in Boston and the Continental Congress was a distraction....
I missed hearing Miss Hill’s testimony but was fortunate enough to hear Marie Yuvanovitch. Both women have clearly raised the level of respect and appreciation one feels for a public servant under severe pressure for trying to do their job. Both the witnesses are female and immigrants to America. For me Marie’s demeanour and evidence left that of her male counterparts well behind, and reading from what Miss Hill said I think she appears to be up there with Yuvanovitch. The point I really wish to highlight is the difference in the reception and acceptance given to an immigrant in America to that given, say, in a country like England when he/ she may face a moral conflict between their duty and the need to nurse their career. I lived in England for 41 years but did not come across any immigrant confront the dilemma with such single mindedness as these two ladies. The one immigrant in a top job that I knew (me) did, and suffered grave consequences. At a lower level unless an immigrant is prepared to cower in every way he might as well emigrate. This is why when I visited America as a delegate on a Health Conference, I fell in love with it. My Italian wife was less impressed - more parochial and hidebound by tradition.
19
@Lakshman Pardhanani you have got to catch up with Fiona Hill’s recorded testimony. It’s so worth it. If my kids ever decide to have children, I will have them play her voice, Brit accent and all, at bedtime.
3
Perspective is being lost. All the public servant witnesses are heroes. Wrong. Countless Americans testify about wrongdoing every day. Coming forward is expected, not an act of heroism. Ms. Hill and company faced obstacles, I know. But now they can get a job in any liberal thank they like. This is not a criticism of them. It is an argument that going to court is what is expected. Anything less is timidity.
As for the diplomatic corps, they are high skilled government employees. But if you have the education and you got the job doing the right thing in Ukraine is what you're paid for.
As for immigration lighting a beacon of hope, it's mostly a practical matter--companies need employees, growth has all kind of economic benefits.
Finally, when minorities face hatred, the point isn't that they are heroes. It is that their oppressors are despicable.
'There are true heroes out there. But I hesitate to name any because I suspect some of the biggest heroes are totally obscure and those we hold out as heroes may not be so heroic.
This isn't just a ramble. The point is that, if testifying, being a diplomat, admitting immigrants and being hated are acts of heroism, we have lowered the bar far too much. And I have little doubt that this is based on the belief that "not Trump" is too often synonymous with hero. If that is true, Trump has lowered our expectations, which is a very harmful thing. Fewer heroes, more responsible citizens.
5
@michjas Point taken. But also it's important to remember that those purported "heroes" do not think of themselves as such. From what I saw during the hearings, the writer's opinion that "going to court is what is expected" is shared by these public servants.
7
@michjas When testifying to the corruption of the current administration means being attacked on social media, sometimes with death threats (as explained by several witnesses over the past week or two), then I think that testifying requires massive courage. Would I have the guts? Would you have the guts? By the way, the same treatment (harassment on social media and in front of her house) happened also to Christine Blasey-Ford after testifying on Cavanaugh's sexual assault (tragically, he was elected to the Supreme Court anyway, a moral turpitude), to the point that she had to move house several times. She's a hero too, in my book, for I doubt I would be strong enough to face the consequences of standing up to bullying by people like the current president and his unhinged supporters.
Tragically, the current president, through his own behaviour, has modeled, condoned, and enabled bullying on a massive and pervasive scale, which makes his wife's supposed campaign against bullying all the more hypocritical.
2
@michjas You must not know any immigrants, because immigration is lighting a beacon of hope. I have the privilege of working in a school district where many students are first-generation Americans or naturalized citizens. Many of their parents have come here at great cost to themselves, giving up careers and leaving behind their family and friends to give their kids a chance at a better life. Many of them come from former Soviet bloc countries. I am always struck by their commitment to hard work and their desire and ability to embrace their new country while maintaining their cultural heritage. And in the years I've worked there, those students who graduate high school and enter military service are overwhelmingly the children of immigrants. Many Americans are jaded about what this country stands for, or at least used to stand for. Spend a few hours with an immigrant family or in a classroom with the kids I've been lucky enough to interact with, and you may come to realize that for many, immigration is still a beacon of hope.
2
I greatly admire all who put country first. When I read Hill’s previous testimony, I noticed that she wasn’t afraid to stand up to the GOP. I was looking forward to her appearance on TV. She lived up to my expectations.
I too am a naturalized citizen. I arrived from Portugal when I was 8 and I assimilated well. Those who haven’t known me long don’t realize that I am an immigrant. Due to this people feel free to pass disparaging remarks about immigrants in my presence. It seems they think that I will agree with them.
I was first exposed to such comments in 1967 when I was in 7th grade. In the 1960's the Portuguese were the primary immigrant group in my area. I remember being in school and hearing classmates make jokes about my ethnic group. Some of the students doing this had Portuguese ancestry. I believe that they did this because they wanted to fit in with those who had old Yankee surnames.
My best friend in high school was Jewish. I remember someone telling her “not to Jew me down” when she had gone shopping.
Throughout my life here I have heard people make derogatory remarks about all kinds of folks. Bigotry was alive and well before the stable genius occupied the Oval Office.
I don’t recall how I responded to my classmates in middle school but 50 or so years later I still remember how I felt. Throughout my adult life I’ve endeavored to speak up when I hear offensive comments about anyone. I make sure that the offender knows how insulting I find their words.
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@M. Natália Clemente Vieira
I didn't have space in my 1st comment to add that I recognize that there are many places in the world where I wouldn't be able to speak up against bigotry. I am grateful for the opportunity that the principles on which this country was founded allow me to do so. We can’t allow the GOP to sell our democracy to the likes of Putin.
Many have sacrificed on our behalf so that we have the right to speak out. So on the night before the House votes to impeach, I will be participating in my local “Nobody is Above the Law” event.
For an event near you, please see impeach.org/event/impeach-and-remove-attend/
2
@M. Natália Clemente Vieira Objecting to every sleight makes you predictable and, in time, you will be dismissed. If you choose your battles, you have a better chance to win the ones that count.
Thank you, Dr. Hill, for making the threat we are under from Russia and the Trump/Republicans clear. Your honesty, patriotism and courage are exemplary. We as a people need to respond with outrage and action to take back our democracy. If the Senate refuses to remove him, only an overwhelming electoral victory will save the country from the catastrophe of a second Trump term.
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She’s worked for several presidents. But the presidents she’s worked for are not anything in our wildest dreams like this one.
Dr. Fiona Hill may feel badly about not having her job anymore. But she is freed from being anywhere near working under the corruption, lies, embarrassment of this country now. She is freed from connection in her employment of Donald Trump.
We saw it for ourselves. Fiona Hill is too good for this president. She deserves so much better. And perhaps the bigger part of her job was to see the corruption and fear for this government under Donald Trump, fear of Russian influence and interference.
Even bigger than that yet - she warned us all. And for that we are grateful.
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Hats off to Fiona Hill, a true patriot, and with the courage of her convictions...by denouncing a cadre of so-called 'fifth columnists' doing Putin's business, to discredit this democracy, and counter to the advice and expertise of the U.S.' own intelligentsia, all to secure Trump's chance to re-assault the presidency again in 2020...with Putin's faithful assistance, friends in-crime as they were meant to be. Shameful, yes, but would be the least of it; dangerous to our freedom, and security, much more likely. But only if we let him.
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Like many of us, I have spent the better part of the past week listening to and/or reading the comments of others who speak/write almost majestically of our country's aspirational principles and values and identity---our Creed.
Few have been as compelling---and, quite frankly, brought a lump to my throat---as those spoken/written by naturalized citizens who were brought here or came here because my country represented to them the best a country can be.
They have reminded me of my own country's greatness and encouraged me to do all I can to insure that the hundreds of thousands who have given their full measure of devotion to preserve that greatness shall not have died in vain.
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I have been disappointed in several of Mr. Cohen's recent columns, but in this one Mr. Cohen, to this reader, has found his true voice again. Beautifully said.
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Hmm... reading about how Dr. Hill saw this country made me think about the incredibly positive impact of being seen — of being valued. Perhaps it’s the same with countries as with people. We rise to meet the projection of others. For decades after WWII many saw America as something special — a force for good. But that’s been eroded — and seems like Trump is letting what’s left slide into the ocean. But then surely what we have to do is — just like when no one’s singing one’s praises — be able to see our own value. Which — judging from the current political discourse — we’re not doing very much of.
I mean (just as an example) maybe we could be proud of some of our billionaires (like Bill Gates?) who are putting their agile minds to solving some of the gigantic problems facing the world. Maybe...
10
I wanted to write much more. I am amazed and delighted by Dr.Hill. She gives me HOPE.
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The sublime beauty of America is the acts of hope and affirmation by its wonderful immigrants. Roger Cohen's words are great testament to the American creed!
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A brilliant, honest woman who pulls no punches, and speaks with grace, intelligence and clarity. Watching her, Ambassador Yovanovitch, Mr. Kent and Ambassador Taylor gave me hope for our country, but only if we can save our democracy from the greed, dishonesty and corruption of the Republican oligarchy.
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"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."
--Charles Dickens
"A Tale of Two Cities"
Pardon the long Dickensian passage, but after reading this powerful piece by Roger Cohen, and contemplating the stark contrast between the principled brilliance animating Fiona Hill, and the squalid appetites that are the essence of Donald Trump, I couldn't resist.
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@Tom Sullivan
perfect, thanks.
I had not thought of Dickens, and yet there it is.
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@Tom Sullivan
On the contrary, Tom, we need to be reminded that what we are now enduring is not new; it has played out countless times over thousands of years of human history. What better way than the poetry of Dickens to bring it to life?
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@Tom Sullivan
I’ve thought of the same quote so often this past week.
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Well said. I watched her testimony and it was riveting as was the testimony of Marie Yovanovitch. I admire these women of integrity and steely resolve.
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@Chas O'Hanley
And Trump admires to Ivanka instead. Sad.
Finally, a class act.
Thank you Ms. Hill.
We need more of you.
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@Dory Neilson All the State Dept. officials were class acts!
1
America's signature achievement is that that a great nation was created by immigrants from so many nations and religious communities that had warred against each other for centuries. It's been a hard-won union and is still a work in progress that needs people of competence and conscience to maintain and perfect it.
But Donald Trump uses race and religion and sexism and homophobia and endless lies to divide us against each other for his own benefit. In the process, he works to destroy the environment we depend on for life. And he does this with the active cooperation of the Republican Party. This needs to end.
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Great column, Mr. Cohen. Forget the GOP, there no integrity left there. We'll find out what our country is about in November 2020. That is the fork in the road that will define US democracy for decades to come.
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Dr. Hill, Ambassador Yovanovitch and Lt. Colonel Vindman are my heroes.
These brave public servants are a credit to our country.
My respect and gratitude to these great Americans.
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@fast/furious
In all sincerity, I would like to start a fan club, my first in 68 years.
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The "united states" of America has never been in unity against prejudice, racial bias and religious freedom. Please understand that as a native born American I cannot ignore our national history of prejudice and bigotry. We have a unique constitution that proclaims that all men generally are created equal. Our nation continues to be a work in progress We are reminded by the remarks of Dr Hill that in Great Britain her "working class accent would limit her opportunities, however we can't ignore that regional accents in this country often predict political preferences. As we reach the final months of 2019 and the beginning of the decade of the 2020's we have hard realities to face. Will we be the proverbial land of fairness and constitutional government or a deeply polarized nation. All that has really changed is that we have a president and his party who are willing to serve a segment of the population that live in the narrow space of self-aggrandizement while ignoring the principles that this nation's founders had once envisioned. They knew then that to reach those goals would not come easily. The united state of America will depend on whom we choose to govern us and how we govern our selves. The Impeachment hearings were an opportunity to demonstrate
democratic principles and independence from foreign influence. What the world saw was a fractured and often dishonest rendering of fact vs. fiction. I am deeply saddened.
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“Republicans who have embraced a “fictional narrative” propagated “by the Russian security services themselves” “
This is key. If Russia controls a large slice of the Republicans, where does that leave the rest of us. Do we fight? If so, how? Do we leave? If so , where, or why. If we can’t fight the Republicans here , maybe we need to attack Russia somehow. Believe me, I wish I were kidding. It may be a last ditch choice but Russia seems to be the root cause here , and a very real enemy.
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Agreed. Where do we go if Russia succeeds again in throwing an election to Donald Trump and his party of corruption?
They are actively allowing a repeat of Russian interference and cyberwarefare to continue to date. This is our country. Our ancestors, many of whom struggled to find freedom and opportunity on our shores would turn over in their graves and weep at the strategy this immoral party is using to destroy democracy:
Winning at any cost and ostensibly for self- enrichment from Putin backed oligarchs is the only explanation for their desire to lie to remain in power. Whether or not this dark money they may be receiving and seem so desperate to hide from the American people is their true motivation remains to be discovered and exposed. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.
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Fiona Hill formed her impression of America when the country really was great. Not without its problems, but not without hope for the future.
From many, one. The antithesis of Republican America.
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Fiona Hill is an American superhero.
Steely, commanding, and caring, she gives many hope and lordy we need it.
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@moosemaps I wouldn't want to cross her :)
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Bravo, Mr Cohen. Thank you for another well-written, insightful, brilliant essay once again.
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It's very puzzling that millions of people believe far fetched conspiracy theories about Pizzagate and Sandy Hook propagated on radio shows by entertainers but disbelieve the sworn public testimony of public officials made to Congress.
President Trump has a tendency to exaggerate his achievements. But it was no exaggeration when he said that he could shoot someone on fifth avenue and not lose a single supporter.
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@AM Trump doesn't believe he's done anything wrong and his supporters agree. In some ways his behavior is worse than shooting someone on 5th Avenue. It weakens the foundations of our democracy and undermines the unity of the nation.
It's part of the pattern that's been apparent since Trump came down that escalator to begin his campaign for the presidency. Fierce attacks on those who oppose him. Lies and distortions. Shameless use of the bully pulpit to appeal to the worst instincts of his supporters.
Shattering the norms and institutions that have buttressed our political system is not conservative. Why has the Republican party, which claims the conservative mantle, been so unwilling to challenge him?
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A British born friend of mine is always amused by the positive reaction to his southwest England accent here, remarking that they “automatically grant me an extra 25 IQ points for my accent alone, not realizing I’m a postman’s son from the sticks.” Loved her accent. Loved her words even more, and so glad we got her.
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Thank you Roger for a brilliant column. We simply have to find the courage to keep alive the flame that you so eloquently explain. You’ve just renewed my faith in the New York Times again. I am a happy subscriber.
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Well, I am also from County Durham, born a month earlier than Fiona Hill, in September 1965. I had a job at The British Council and the British Museum years ago, but decided that, because of my provincial Geordie accent, my prospects for advancement were limited. So I settled in America....
Now, granted, I am not nearly as smart as Fiona Hill (who impressed me as the most articulate, knowledgeable, and straight-speaking witness during the impeachment hearings) or the author of this Op-Ed piece, but I have to say that my experiences in America, studying and working hard, curating art exhibitions at the Whitney Museum in NYC and Guild Hall in East Hampton, did not result in a fairytale ending, having become a target of right-wing bigots, and after a few years of homelessness, unemployment and lack of health insurance, I can't say that immigration to the United States has been a positive experience for me.
So that's my dissenting opinion. My family believes I would have been better off had a remained in England, even in County Durham.
There is a genre in American literature of the American immigrant experience, and it always glorifies America. Of course, people will say: You don't like America. Love it or leave it. Well, after almost 40 years of contributing to social security, etc., it's not that easy.
Haddawayandshiteman.
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@Simon Taylor Yep, I agree. Both narratives are real. Having lived and worked as a professional for several years both in the US and in Switzerland (as an immigrant in both places) I have concluded that there is no perfect place, or, more positively, that every place has its strengths and weaknesses. We all wish we could combine the best qualities of each country in a single place, but I have come to the conclusion that it might be inherently impossible. Personally, I wish I could create a country with strong benefits for the people who do have jobs (as in Switzerland), but without the profoundly conservative, nothing-should-ever-change, do-not-rock-the-boat culture of this European country. A country where it is comparatively easy to get entry-level jobs (as the US), but without the complete lack of benefits for workers (no decent health insurance for everybody, no real paid vacation or parental leave, etc...., as in the US). A country that values innovative thinking, where anyone can be exactly who they want to be (the amazing personal freedom of the US), but without the you-are-on-your-own-when-you-fall attitude of the US. Maybe it is inherently impossible to have strong social programs and strong individual freedom. Maybe they cannot be both optimised to the highest degree. In the end, we all have to make things work in whichever country we happen to live, knowing that the perfect country does not exist, just as the perfect person does not exist.
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@Simon Taylor
I am an older native-born US citizen and my life experience with my culture has been relentlessly negative despite being educated and years of ambitious application. Lack of opportunity, and near poverty, no healthcare. The so-called American Dream is a mirage.
10
I like your comment, and I think we’re far from perfect here, however I do believe Australia offers personal freedom and social programs. The main limitation on “freedom” would be the lack of assault rifles (something we seem pretty comfortable with). Our social security needs some work but we do have universal healthcare, paid leave, etc etc. New Zealand is the same (most likely more advanced).
I don’t know why America is held up as the “beacon of hope”. Literally nobody here I know thinks that. If anything the mantra is closer to eye rolls and comments like “only in America”.
7
Your column makes me very sad. When I went to grade school long ago, we were taught, and we believed, that the USA was better than every other country because we gave everyone a chance to contribute, wherever they came from, and in truth, we all came from somewhere else, or our parents or our grandparents did.
It has been a very successful experiment so far. We all have to consider how different someone else has to be to not be welcomed into our melting pot of excellence.
It's not as though we are in any way uniform by background now. What we are uniform in is the idea that we are all humans deserving of an equal chance.
We have to look at everyone around us and fight to keep this ideal alive.
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@Incontinental -- Unfortunately, the belief that the USA is "better than every other country" is part of what fuels our present dysfunction. There are millions of us who believe that solely by virtue of being born as American citizens, we, and therefore our country, are somehow free from the corruptions of thought and motive that have bedeviled humankind throughout its existence. The sooner we all recognize that we Americans are subject to the same human frailties as people in any other country, the better.
If there is any validity to the notion of "American exceptionalism," it ought to come from our constantly renewed commitment to hold ourselves to a higher standard. To the extent we do that, we will indeed make ourselves at least somewhat exceptional. To the extent, however, that we assume that our "exceptionalism" is ours by birthright, we have already fallen prey to the very human frailties we tell ourselves we are invulnerable to.
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@Incontinental I love the US, for part of my immediate family is American and I spend a lot of time there. However, the notion that "the USA is better than every other country", taught in many American schools, is deeply flawed, as it is deeply flawed to think that ANY country is better than any other country. Every single country I have lived and worked in (The US, Switzerland, and Italy) has amazing strengths and weaknesses, and there are many things I love about each one of these three amazing countries, and some things I really dislike about each one of these three countries. The minute citizens of any country believe they are the best, they will stop thinking that they can learn from any other political or cultural experiment. And that is when the decline of a country starts, even though the effects will not show up for a few decades. We can and should all learn from each other, as persons and as countries.
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@Mark Kessinger Beautifully expressed!
Yes America is a country of immigrants, that is clear from its history, but there is also a shadow America which is an America of white supremacy, which likewise has been well documented in history. After almost 250 years there is still a battle about which is the real America, the true America. Trump's America is the white supremacy America and for his followers that is the America he has promised to make great again, not the country of immigrants which he would like to undo by clamping down on immigration which he has been doing and carrying out mass deportations. And this is also country of descendants of black slaves who were brought here against their will and a country of descendants of native people who lived here for thousands of years. Both groups remain a problem for the white supremacists. The fiction that his supporters prefer is that this is a country of white Christians with a European culture. Trump's political success is due to his ability to get the white supremacy vote on such a wide basis as well as having Russia work in secret to get him elected and a very strange decision by former FBI director James Comey. Trump succeeded where George Wallace and Pat Buchanan failed.
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@Bob what saddens me is that when I travel abroad people say things like America would be rich prosperous country except it has so many blacks who are poor. It’s shocking and jarring and I look at these people and think which planet do they live on.
I told my students that Fiona Hill is my new hero. Her eloquence (and on numerous occasions, one could sense here disdain for the entire proceedings especially the Republican fantasy world) left me breathless. I have always had a deep respect for those who toil for ME, and my country. After the last two weeks, that respect has been renewed and if nothing comes out of this Trump spectacle, one thing will - we are in good hands by the Hills, Vindmans, Taylors and all the others who gave their precious time and energy to set the record straight.
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@bklynbrn
You can be sure that it won't be for much longer that we have Hills, Vindmans, Taylors in public service. We will not be in good hands. It's extraordinary to see everything that made America great disintegrate with such speed.
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@taykadip To paraphrase Santayana, and changing the word 'men' to 'people': 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good (people) to do nothing. It's time to organize! Boycotts (to get at least some of business on a corrected path with consumer power), strikes, getting out the vote and voting, calling and pressuring representatives and especially Senators, and hitting the streets en masse. Now, while we still have a 'fighting' (with noncooperation and with cooperation) chance, and even with time running out on the survival of the democracy, civil society, planetary habitability, an ounce of security before climate change and full bore fascism dressed up with merely democratic pretence becomes our reality. Organize!
3
@taykadip don't give up yet, maybe still a chance for the pendulum to swing back.
3
Our new brand of McCarthyism, instigated by Trump and propagated by shameless Republic, will continue until Trump is removed from office and put out to pasture. McCarthyism was defeated after his alcoholic death, and according to Wikipedia:
"In the summer of 1957, a special election was held to fill McCarthy's seat. In the primaries, voters in both parties turned away from McCarthy's legacy. The Republican primary was won by Walter J. Kohler Jr., who called for a clean break from McCarthy's approach; he defeated former Congressman Glenn Robert Davis, who charged that Eisenhower was soft on Communism. The Democratic candidate, William Proxmire, called the late McCarthy 'a disgrace to Wisconsin, to the Senate, and to America'. On August 27, Proxmire won the election, serving in the seat for 32 years."
Paradoxical that our current president is Putin's best friend.
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I had plans for early yesterday morning and then she spoke, sharing her prepared statement. I sat down, taking in every, single word. She was the smartest person in the room, speaking truth to power intellectually with empathy. She is nothing short of brilliant!
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@FarmCat
My favorite crystal clear Hill statement:
Calling the 3 amigos' effort a
"Domestic political errand"
for Trump.
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@FarmCat She was so impressive and forthright. I am tempted to listen to her testimony again and again. If only there were one Republican in Congress that had a quarter of her conviction to speak the truth.
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@FarmCat
If we, as a nation, manage to return to our functional republic in the next election, I hope Dr. Hill will be our next Secretary of State. LtC Vindman can fix the NSC.
5
Fiona Hill has articulated in clear and cogent language the truth about Russia's manipulation of Donald Trump, the Republican Party, and Fox News. The question for our time is why any true conservative would allow this corruption of the American project. The ideals of our nation have never been in more peril.
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I can only hope that at least some Democratic candidates have, from the testimonies, made a shortlist of those most worthy of serving out country.
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@Spence
Fiona Hill for Secretary of State.
21:35 EST, 11/22
In biology and social science, there's a concept known as "immigrant vigor" - implying that it takes extra-ordinary drive and courage to leave one's country of origin (comfort zone) and start a life in unfamiliar circumstances. So immigration actually selects for the more resilient among us, and the receiving country is the stronger for it. Looks like Dr. Hill and Lt. Col. Vindman prove the point well. Sadly, it seems many of our native-born fellow citizens can instead take it easy, and take too much for granted, as well.
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@original Correct. We are the sons and daughters of ambitious people who left their village, bought passage and endured an uncomfortable crossing, and finally landed a monotonous factory job. However, these immigrants then had offspring, whom have benefited from their ancestor's crossing, and continue to do so.
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@original
I love this phrase: "immigrant vigor". My father became a citizen in 1950, and he never passed up an opportunity to tell my sister and me that we should appreciate our country. He's been gone for many years, but I heard his voice again through these wonderful people who served America "out of gratitude", as one of them expressed it. The contrast between them and the deeply craven, self serving elected officials is striking.
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I found her testimony to be compelling. She's an excellent role model for every American. The case against Trump is simple. We establish rules designed to govern the activities of public servants (including Trump) lest they fall to temptation & use the power of government for their personal gain.
Trump broke those laws and the penalty is removal from office. The republicans who fail to remove him are complicit in Trump's crime. These senators are no different than the driver of the robbery getaway car. They all get equal jail time.
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@Marsha "Trump broke those laws and the penalty is removal from office."
Yes. Abuse of power is absolutely a reason for removal from power.
Jeopardizing our own national security for personal gain is a second reason.
11
It wasn't so much Dr. Hill's knowledge and expertise that impressed me (it did); but the fact that she demonstrated how well she all but took the Republicans to school, in their lame challenges to "what she knew, and when she knew it."
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Fiona Hill brilliantly captured our current political crisis. Not only does the evidence clearly point to Trump’s bribery to advance his own personal interests, it also points to how his corruption is compromising the security of our ally, Ukraine, and of our own national security. The Republican defense of Trump in promoting the debunked conspiracy theories makes them complicit in putting Russia’s interests ahead of our own. I have no doubt that the Senate majority will acquit Trump, making them complicit again. Then there is Pompeo, Mulvaney, Bolton, hiding behind orders from Trump to not testify. They are also complicit. I am also an immigrant who has been proud of our American democratic system, despite its flaws. Now I am in despair that we will not recover from the damage done in just these few short years by the Trump administration, Fox “News”, and a Republican Party shirking it’s duty for political expediency.
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@Louise Fox 'news' indeed. None of what has come to pass would have been possible without Murdoch's Fox channel. Unlike Hill, Vindman and Volkovitch, he became a citizen of convenience to allow him to do what he has done. Fox and its disgusting contributors and hosts have caused major grief to this country - as his enterprises have done to the UK. Could someone publish a schedule of all who advertise their goods and services on Fox - providing the money for all this - so that we can show our contempt by boycotting them?
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@Regulareater
Google Fox news advertisers.
1
Her consciousness of this country marks her as one of its illimitable natural aristocrats. Everything that counts here, she articulates and serves. Now bring us the barbarians Nunes, McConnell, and Trump. We're ready. Strike that.
Eager.
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@Carter Nicholas
Vote out all complicit Republicans
1
Dr. Fiona Hill is a true American Hero. She stated truth to power. And she succinctly illustrated the Trump corruption: while the rest of the government was working to protect the USA's national security interests from Russian aggression, they were being undermined by Trump's Domestic Political Errand which was to benefit only himself and his pal Putin.
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Roger, this is magnificent. Only an outsider could express your sentiments, the marvel and awe for our history, struggles and striving for the elusive, perfect Democracy. And Ms. Hill was breathtaking, in a take no prisoners, oh so very English Schoolteacher manner. The accent was the pudding, on a meal of British Beef. I knew nothing of her Family background, now it makes perfect sense. A courageous, brilliant Lass that honored her entire family and upbringing, while schooling her interrogators In the meaning of truth and dignity. Thank you, Ms.Hill, and a belated “Welcome to America “. You’ve earned it.
817
@Phyliss Dalmatian Great comment, Phyliss. Thanx.
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I wanted to write much more. I’m amazed and delighted by Dr. Hill. She gives me hope.
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@Phyliss Dalmatian
"The accent was the pudding, on a meal of British Beef."
Seriously.
Evocative and hilarious.
Not just the accent but the clarity of her enunciation and the succinctness of her thinking.
When it comes to speech, I am something of an Anglophile.
Nunes and Castor were not too enthusiastic about taking on Fiona Hill.
Very much enjoyed your comment Phyliss.
Am I correct in assuming you are an Italian Dalmatian?
22
Beautiful essay, Roger. Yes, Fiona Hill's testimony offered a blast of light in these dark times. Raising a glass in honor of Hill and the other principled people like her who serve with honor and courage.
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