A Few Observations About Trump Calling Zelensky a “Dictator” and Other Dumbassery
[guest post by Dana]
From the President of the United States:
Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, talked the United States of America into spending $350 Billion Dollars, to go into a War that couldn’t be won, that never had to start, but a War that he, without the U.S. and “TRUMP,” will never be able to settle. The United States has spent $200 Billion Dollars more than Europe, and Europe’s money is guaranteed, while the United States will get nothing back. Why didn’t Sleepy Joe Biden demand Equalization, in that this War is far more important to Europe than it is to us — We have a big, beautiful Ocean as separation. On top of this, Zelenskyy admits that half of the money we sent him is “MISSING.” He refuses to have Elections, is very low in Ukrainian Polls, and the only thing he was good at was playing Biden “like a fiddle.” A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left. In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the War with Russia, something all admit only “TRUMP,” and the Trump Administration, can do. Biden never tried, Europe has failed to bring Peace, and Zelenskyy probably wants to keep the “gravy train” going. I love Ukraine, but Zelenskyy has done a terrible job, his Country is shattered, and MILLIONS have unnecessarily died – And so it continues…..
I just want to make a few points about this bucket full of smoldering slop that Trump has served up. You can do your own investigation into the balance of things he said above.
First, it’s hilarious that a TV reality host, who has never been tested by war, believes that he has more stature and gravitas than a comedian who has been tested by war, and after almost 3 years of it, still maintains a robust 63% approval rating, while the reality host’s approval rating slipped to 44%. [The share of Americans who disapprove of his presidency has risen more substantially, to 51% in the latest poll, compared with 41% right after he took office.]
Second, Trump, repeating Russian propaganda, continues to blame the victim. He doesn’t even mention the obvious fact that it is PUTIN who began the war with his illegal invasion of Ukraine. And it is PUTIN who continues the war. For the thousandth time, defending one’s homeland from a ruthless invader is not starting a war.
Third, to Trump’s greedy little mind, recouping monetary “losses” and then some, is the only priority. His priorities render him unable to understand that by us aiding a sovereign nation which embraces democracy and also preventing it from being subsumed by one of the world’s leading anti-democratic murderous regimes, helps keep the rest of the Western world safe. It also sends a powerful warning to other evil authoritarian leaders around the world.
Fourth, Trump’s stupidity is mind-numbing: no accusations made about Putin being a dictator, but accusations made that Zelensky, who was freely elected by the Ukrainian people, is the dictator. Additionally, Trump ignores that because Ukraine is under Martial law, elections cannot be held. Moreover, Zelensky has said that he doesn’t even know if he will run again, as it depends on the outcome of the war.
We looked closely at the question of elections in Ukraine when I was at the NSC. To state the obvious it is highly problematic when parts of the country are occupied, there is displacement of people from other parts, & Russia is bombing it constantly.
The main worry wasn’t that Zelenskyy would lose but that his victory would not be seen as legitimate because of the disruption of the war. The opposition had concerns. It would also likely hamper wartime decision making.
Elections are often suspended for countries at war— e.g. UK during WW II. One of Putin’s main talking points is that Zelenskyy is not legitimate. This is because he wants to undermine and ultimately remove him. It’s important we are clear eyed about what’s happening.
It should also be noted that all parties considering a run in the next presidential election agree that the next election shouldn’t take place until six months after Martial law is lifted.
Fifth, as Trump touts the ongoing negotiations to end the war, which Ukraine is not even involved in, he fails to mention that the war could end RIGHT NOW if Putin just stopped doing what he is doing. That’s all. Just call it a day, hand back occupied territories, take his troops home, and never look back. That’s the fastest way for this war to end. This unnecessary war that PUTIN alone started, could end immediately if Putin CHOSE to end it. And why doesn’t Trump ever mention this? Because that isn’t what Putin wants him to say. So, as Trump prostrates himself in submission to Putin, there is silence from his supporters and silence from Republicans in Congress because they are all too are busy prostrating themselves before Trump. [Ed. I saw a slightly different version of the “prostrating themselves” comment by someone pointing out the report in The Atlantic, but lost my bookmark to link it. Apologies.]
Our betrayal of Ukraine before the world is shameful and embarrassing. That Americans elected a president who sides with Russia and parrots their propaganda is still shocking. Everyone, except for Trump and his cronies, understand that Putin is evil and not to be trusted at any cost:
It’s a hellish thing to have one’s country be invaded by a madman. It’s an almost equally hellish thing to be abandoned by a madman of a different stripe, who leads the most powerful nation in the world, and yet deceitfully continues to blame the victim for starting the war in the first place.
—Dana
Hello.
Dana (56aa6a) — 2/19/2025 @ 11:49 amooof, that Truth Social post was rough.
Yeah, he’s blaming the girl with a too short skirt here.
Hopefully Rubio and Kellogg can be the “good cop” enough for Trump to walk it back.
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/19/2025 @ 12:11 pmRather than walking it back, they will probably find a way to defend it in softer language. They don’t make policy, they merely implement whatever Trump says. He’s the boss.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 2/19/2025 @ 12:25 pmhttps://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-approval-rating-polls-2033036
In other results.
No reason to walk back anything. It’s important to make clear what our goals are.
NJRob (492de5) — 2/19/2025 @ 12:27 pmSo you don’t find anything wrong or inaccurate with what Trump said?
And what do you think are Trump’s goals?
Dana (cbe6d5) — 2/19/2025 @ 12:43 pmI think it’s pretty clear, it’s openly stated and you want it.
You want to ally with Russia, China, et all.
You want to invade Panama, force Canada to become part of the US, force Greenland to become part of the us.
You want NATO to fail.
You want Ukraine to cease to exist.
You want China to invade Taiwan.
You want to destroy America’s healthcare system.
You want to destroy America’s military.
Basically, you think it’s hilarious to switch sides in the world. Instead of being a good guy, you think it’s funny that now we’re on the side of the bad guys.
Cool story bro.
Just a bunch of wannabes, really curious about all the great ideas of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, just a bunch of great leaders.
All the best people.
MAGAts, not quite mature enough to be the flies flitting around to different piles of shyte; just crawling around under this one pile not bothering to wondering why there’s a giant orange jeebus ring doing the public WC hover over them.
Colonel Klink (ret) (96f56a) — 2/19/2025 @ 1:10 pmTo be loud and boisterous to suck all the oxygen out of the room then to allow his people to negotiate and come back to him with a plan.
NJRob (492de5) — 2/19/2025 @ 1:16 pmI want to hear him say that.
NJRob, what you said is t very clear. Can you be specific like Klink? Which of those items he’s listed do you disagree with?
Dana (dc6d2c) — 2/19/2025 @ 1:17 pm@6 Not NJRob… but I think I have the pulse of MAGA voters.
Wanting the Ukraine/Russian war to end doesn’t mean Trump wants to ally Russia/China.
It’s truly a myopic outlook.
“invade” and “force” is doing a herculean lift here.
Demanding that NATO countries spends more on the alliance does not mean Trump wants the alliance to fail.
You’re presuming that these countries would RATHER have NATO fail because they’d rather NOT increase spending and essentially call the US’ bluff.
Frankly, if that’s their attitude, maybe we should reconsider the alliance and reform a new one.
Again, wanting cessation of hostilities doesn’t necessarily mean “Ukraine ceases to exist”.
Where are you getting this? This seems like some parade of horribles being pulled from your nether regions.
Destroy what now?
lol. Insane.
Your TDSism is on display here.
…and the inevitable Godwin’ed this thread.
Good job.
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/19/2025 @ 1:35 pmI’m stuck in moderation… I think it’s because I used the acronym of Tango Delta Sierra…?
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/19/2025 @ 1:39 pmI think Klink is insane and his Nazi gimmick has gone on too long.
I don’t waste time with his over the top garbage.
NJRob (492de5) — 2/19/2025 @ 1:46 pmWhat he talked the United States into doing was preventing a defeat.
As for the war not being able to be won, Ukraine always claimed that if they got more weapons quickly or had a no-fly zone they would do better.
Maybe there is no plan, but then Israel has been said to have no plan for victory in Gaza. But the alternative is unacceptable. And they may yet get it – it’ll need Arab states to persuade Hamas to leave. Or Iran to do it.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/19/2025 @ 1:47 pmI don’t pay attention to every tweet for the same reason I don’t watch TikTok.
It’s a waste of time and brain matter.
NJRob (492de5) — 2/19/2025 @ 1:48 pmTo pull off his pull up; to smear the contents all over his playroom; to have Nanny give him him a nice bath and dress him in a fresh pull up and a cute little sailor suit; to have the maids clean up his playroom throwing away all the smeared toys; and to have Mommy buy him all new toys and kiss him and tell him what a wonderful little man he is.
nk (04b9c3) — 2/19/2025 @ 1:50 pmThere is a Parliament, and the Ukrainian constitution prevents an election under martial law. Most countries don’t have general elections in the middle of a war. Great Britain did not during World War II. Of course that was in a Parliamentary system
Donald Trump doesn’t like public criticism
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/19/2025 @ 1:51 pmThe MAGAsphere keeps on saying he has an approval rating of 53%, higher than anything he had in his first presidency. Of course that’s an early poll and also won’t last as he goes on doing things and especially if he betrays Ukraine.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:00 pmThat would be a a ceasefire in place, which Zelensky opposes.
There at least has to be a Russian demobilization with Ukraine continuing to have the capacity to defend itself.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:04 pmRubio sort of walked back the Gaza plan, saying to Arab states if that’s no good, what’s your plan? They are working frantically to get rid of Hamas Gaza – and all h??? meant, at a minimum, that there would be an attempt to kill their leadership there and they went back into hiding and are to release hostages faster.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:08 pm@17
Yeah, I’m not sure I believe that poll.
Sure seems like it’s a “honeymoon” bump because America avoided a Harris/Walz administration.
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:09 pmImpeach him.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:09 pmMunich 1938.
asset (a455fc) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:11 pm@19
Egypt is leading an Arab coalition in early March to see if they can hammer something out.
Seems like they only jumped when Trump offered to acquire Gaza and turn it into the Taj Mahal of the Mediterranean.
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:11 pm@21
Good luck.
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:11 pmI thought I heard 53% but it might be 51% Also the people who say they are Democrats vs Republics was plus 5 Democrats in 2017, they say. plus 6 Democrats in 2021 and now plus two Republicans. This does not look at neither.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:12 pmRubio should resign. See who takes the job next. MTG?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:14 pmGood luck.
Impeach him again and again until they vote to convict.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:14 pm22% of voters approve congressional democrats job performance. (ace cnn)
asset (a455fc) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:17 pmRubio also has said that Gazans wouldn’t be permanently relocated, only to shot down by the Boss. What Rubio says is worthless.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:19 pmwhembly (b7cc46) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:11 pm
Well it is actually when he threatened to have Israel resume bombing and an offensive.
Trump said he wanted no U.S. forces engaged. It was basically to have Gaza handed over to the United States. It came across as: OK you don’t want an Israeli occupation and you don’t have any Arab rule proposed so the United States will volunteer.
And if you don’t like it, what’s your idea? But Hamas cannot rule or have a military presence in Gaza and neither can the Palestinian Authority in its current condition (as if it could even hold onto it)
They’ve got Hamas talking about a unity government or a technocratic government, so there’s movement, and they are even freeing two Israelis held for ten years (emotionally disturbed people who went into Gaza)
Israel has offered free passage to exile for the Hamas top leadership and even money for the release of all hostages.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:21 pmhttps://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-military-urges-tough-response-after-attacks-draft-officers-2025-02-03/
While we can expect Russian disinformation and provocateur having a hand, it seems that public support in general for the mobilization is seriously waning.
Here’s the thing… almost every war in history had ended with a negotiated peace. It’s the logical, most humane way to end a war. You fight for awhile and then you sit down and end it.
The only other alternatives is to prolong the war that depletes national treasures and lives, or one side totally conquers the other side.
Franly, the issue isn’t NATO, really… it’s the UN.
Russia is a permanent member of the UN.
Does Europe (and the US for that matter) kick Russia out of UN? Or, disband the entity and create a NEO-UN w/o Russia?
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:21 pm@27
Cool, let’s make the impeachment process even more of a mockery.
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:22 pmAs I have noted, it is unlikely that Speaker Johnson would allow an impeachment resolution to go to the floor because the House Republicans support what the President is doing. I don’t see any Republicans joining the Democrats to do so either.
Good luck is right.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:23 pmRip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:19 pm
Bot everything he says is shot down, and if he gets acceptable results, Trump ill approve/
Now what Trump wants in Ukraine is an ending like the Korean War, which was talked about (in newspaper columns) during the Biden Administration.
Better in fact, as Putin’s family will not rule for 70 plus years more, and if they did they’d want better relations with Ukraine and Europe.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:26 pmIt’s a waste of time and brain matter.
I will pass on the obvious response.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:26 pmRussia is a permanent member of the UN.
Then kill the thing. Veto everything, including the agenda and time to meet.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:29 pmMeanwhile two wars are almost being ignored: The civil war in Sudan and the war in northeast Congo with which Rwanda is involved.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:32 pmthe House Republicans support what the President is doing.
I very much doubt that, at least on this issue. Over 100 GOP congressfolk and 31 GOP Senators voted for the last Ukraine aid bill.
How pissed off are they?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:33 pmMeanwhile two wars are almost being ignored
Both sides bad.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:33 pm@36
I wouldn’t put it pass Trump if things don’t go his way with Russia/Ukraine.
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:42 pmLook, here’s my 30,000 ft view.
His approach is to loudly berate and threaten the weaker party while quietly pressuring the stronger party so that they can save face (he just did the same thing with Israel and Hamas).
To those who believes Trump wants Putin to win because he likes him…
If that’s the case, he could announce that he oppose all US aid to Ukraine in any form or even arms sales, then.
If Zelensky keeps airing is grievance like this, I wouldn’t be too shocked that it would happen tho.
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:46 pmThe man punches down.
If Zelensky keeps airing is grievance like this
You make an incredible effort to find a way to avoid changing your opinion.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:51 pm@42 Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:51 pm
Are you new?
Trump wallows in the mud.
He punches in every direction…
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/19/2025 @ 2:53 pmNew polling:
Dana (f2a888) — 2/19/2025 @ 3:08 pmWhembly and all commenters,
Unless TDS is being used ironically, your comments will remain in moderation, per the boss.
Dana (978aa9) — 2/19/2025 @ 3:11 pmMy view is that on February 25, 2022, when Russian troops blitzkrieged Kyiv, the Ukrainians, knowing nothing about what help they would get from the rest of the world, decided that if the Russians wanted their country they would have to buy it with blood.
The war will end when the Ukrainians lose that determination or when the Russians decide that they have shed enough blood.
The Saxons knew that surrender to the Vikings was worse than death in battle. Will the Ukrainians feel the same way?
nk (04b9c3) — 2/19/2025 @ 3:11 pmApparently not very much, as few Republicans who voted to support Ukrainian aid are complaining publicly about Trump’s and Vance’s comments.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 2/19/2025 @ 3:44 pm44. No one in their right mind trusts him.
But no deal is going to be done without him. If you want a deal with someone you can’t stand, you don’t sart by telling him how much you detest him. You don’t insult him like Biden did the Saudi guy, only to eat crow when he wanted more oil pumped. You try to get him to the table, like FDR did with Stalin. Like Nixon did with the USSR guys.
Like ordering from a French waiter, you don’t say “when are you going to pay your war debts?” (Did no one here deal with cliques in high school?)
You definitely impress on the squeaky wheel, like we reminded the South Vietnamese, that w/o us they are toast, and to go along because we are not in for the duration if they are going to be unreasonable. And yes, acting like we will fund this for a decade is unreasonable.
It would be nice if Ukraine had limitless soldiers. If Russia didn’t have nukes, and NATO was not stuffed with laison officers with no combat experience. (and if bravado was a precursor to military readiness). But this is real world.
Trump is acting in the real world. Just as he was in 2018 when he hectored NATO to beef up their military budgets and was excoriated for that.
Harcourt Fenton Mudd (0c349e) — 2/19/2025 @ 3:59 pmIf Russia didn’t have nukes
Nukes will never matter. Use one, might as well use them all because they won’t be there in 30 minutes.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/19/2025 @ 4:12 pmWSJ:
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/19/2025 @ 4:22 pm49: Can’t agree: using theatre-grade nuclear weapons has been toyed with for years, even by the US. 10-1 that P would use one before slinking home to defeat, as some naively think he might. Or to force a defeat.
No NATO power would react to use of a “small” nuke by letting theirs fly–that’s nuts. No US president would risk Seattle and NY for Kiev.
Too bad NATO didn’t beef up their air forces etc when they had a chance before 2022.
Harcourt Fenton Mudd (0c349e) — 2/19/2025 @ 4:37 pmRussia is wining.
Ukraine is loosing.
Nobody is willing to pay the price to change that.
Joe (584b3d) — 2/19/2025 @ 4:58 pmGiven that its better to end it now.
Update to post:
Dana (809871) — 2/19/2025 @ 7:18 pm11 year old texas girl commits suicide after being bullied in school about being deported with other students pretending to arrest her for deportation. (DU CNN)
asset (5e7699) — 2/19/2025 @ 8:47 pmThis is exactly how duplicitous Putin is, and Trump bought it hook, line and sinker.
Yes, Putin had an election, a sham election because he jailed and killed his opposition.
The one person preventing Ukraine from having another election isn’t Zelenskyy, it’s Putin, because Putin invaded, forcing the Ukrainian parliament to declare martial law. Under their constitution, elections cannot take place while the country is under martial law.
If Putin or Trump were honest about wanting democracy in Ukraine, Putin would end his unjustified, illegitimate unlawful invasion, and Trump would be calling for Putin to end his unjustified, illegitimate unlawful invasion.
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/19/2025 @ 9:19 pmIn October 2022, Putin occupied 17.6% of Ukraine. Today, he occupies 18.1% (link). Sounds more to me like a quagmire for Putin, not “wining”.
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/19/2025 @ 9:28 pmPutin is evil, and Trump just put himself on the side of evil.
Regarding the Ukrainian constitution…
Trump’s complaining about Ukrainian elections, which mirrors Putin’s concern trolling about Ukrainian, is Russian duplicity that would make any KGB proud.
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/19/2025 @ 9:39 pmThis blaming the victim business is contemptible.
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/19/2025 @ 9:48 pmJust like it’s too late for McConnell to go against Trump after refusing to convict him, it’s too late for a coward like Thom Tillis to go against Trump after confirming the fully unqualified Tulsi for DNI. Even McConnell and Tillis are right currently, but history won’t be kind to either…
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/19/2025 @ 11:20 pmEh. Even though McConnell and Tillis…
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/19/2025 @ 11:20 pmHere’s some real truth from a front-line Ukrainian freedom fighter.
Bully Putin whispers into Bully Trump’s ear, and they both agree that it’s all Zelenskyy’s fault, the victim’s fault.
That’s how BizarroWorld this all is, as Trump has now just joined Putin on the side of evil, on the side of war crimes, on the side terrorist attacks, on the side of mass child abductions, on the side of unprovoked, unjustifed unlawful invasions.
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/19/2025 @ 11:39 pmHey Dan, you’ve been chumped by your president, so what are going to do about this betrayal?
Oh, it’s bookmarked, that Trump just pulled a Helsinki 2.0, only the stakes are monumentally worse in 2025.
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:03 amTrump is the Baddie, therefore America, my country, is the Baddie, and it pisses me off to no end…
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:46 amWhen r.w. emerson askrf what H.D. Thoreau was doing in there (jail) Henry david thoreau asked emerson what he was doing out there! Both opposed the mexican war. Pastor Nemoller said it best. What can be done? Ever here of the white rose?
asset (5e7699) — 2/20/2025 @ 2:24 amI think everyone’s misunderstanding this. Trump is an authority and scumbag who loves dictators he’s being complementary.
He’s probably a little envious, he hates democracy because it doesn’t give him what he wants when he wants. He and many of his supporters look at authoritarian leaders who abuse the power of government to do what they want and punish their enemies with envy, calling Z a dictator is praise for maga.
Time123 (5733bf) — 2/20/2025 @ 4:58 amI’ve started using voice to text for comments. I definitely start need to proofreading them better.
Time123 (5733bf) — 2/20/2025 @ 4:59 am@43 Wembley, you say he punches in every direction, but that doesn’t seem to be true. Trump and many of his supporters don’t punch at Russia. They dropped to their knees.
Time123 (5733bf) — 2/20/2025 @ 5:00 am@64
Nobody was allowed to blame Blinken and Biden for the war. That was un-American, anti-American. Shameful.
What complete utter hypocrisy… and totally expected.
lloyd (bb38f5) — 2/20/2025 @ 6:03 amThe Russia that Trump protects:
Dana (024181) — 2/20/2025 @ 6:31 amBringing this here from 2/14 Weekend Open Thread so it doesn’t get lost.
Bove take’s Sassoon’s letter to the woodshed.
@45/Dana
Here’s Bove’s response:
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/20/2025 @ 7:12 amhttps://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/letter-from-acting-deputy-attorney-general-emil-bove-iii-us-attorney-for-the-southern
@45
Roger that.
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/20/2025 @ 7:13 amJust a reminder who the real Nazis are and their marching orders.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 2/20/2025 @ 7:18 am@68
I dunno where you’re getting this from, but from my circles at home and online, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
We all realize that Putin is *the* bad guy in this scenario.
The debate, if you will, is how much we should be involved. There’s this resigned exasperation from supporters *I* know that it seems like the US is expected to be the tip of the spear in that conflict. It’s tiring that it appears that the EU isn’t matching the rhetoric with actual funding/materials. The US shouldn’t be nearly doubling Ukrainian war efforts. The EU should be the ones doubling that of the US’ efforts, as it is in their back yard.
Those are valid concerns and are NOT “dropping their knees to Putin”.
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/20/2025 @ 7:21 amhttps://www.nationalreview.com/news/hamas-holds-deranged-rally-to-celebrate-handover-of-bibas-family-bodies/
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/20/2025 @ 7:30 amThat further cements my position that Israel needs to do whatever possible to get the remaining hostages and then destroy all of Hamas.
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/20/2025 @ 7:12 am
Well, the boss isn’t always right. But he’s always the boss. — Rudolf Abel (portrayal), Bridge of Spies (2015)
nk (7727c6) — 2/20/2025 @ 7:44 am@71 whembly, given the available information do you believe the DOJs statement is credible and consistent with past practices?
Time123 (424bb0) — 2/20/2025 @ 8:00 amHow will voters weaned on the idea that their country is a force for good react to seeing their leader renounce that idea and buddy up to ruthless villainy?
No comment on the voters, but it prompts me to look at Putin’s point of view:
— Putin’s grandfather fought in the Revolution which overthrew the Czar and was a member of Stalin’s household staff;
— Trump’s grandfather lost his Bavarian citizenship for draft evasion and ran a brothel for gold miners in the Klondike.
— Putin’s father was a Chekist (NKVD/MVD/KGB) who was very likely presumed dead (KIA or purged) at Putin’s birth for Putin to have been named after him;
— Trump’s father was a WWII and post-War profiteer who left Donnie a sizeable trust fund.
— Putin rose to the rank of KGB colonel during the Cold War and navigated the post-Soviet chaos to become Czar of Russia;
— Trump … well we know what he navigated and what he became.
What would Putin feel like if he let the likes of Trump get the best of him in what may be the capstone of his and his family’s legacy?
nk (7727c6) — 2/20/2025 @ 8:14 amThe voters! Pah! The voters don’t know sh!t from Shinola.
nk (7727c6) — 2/20/2025 @ 8:16 am“Save Democracy”
lloyd (e8ec7c) — 2/20/2025 @ 8:24 amThe devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
nk (7727c6) — 2/20/2025 @ 8:48 am“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”
lloyd (62b299) — 2/20/2025 @ 8:54 amAt least “democracy” is a time-honored word even when misused.
“Weaponization” is a Trumpie neologism for crooks getting caught. (Trumpologism?)
What is the criminal justice system if not a weapon? A sword and a shield for the protection of society.
Or is it supposed to be used only against inner city teens shoplifting soap and shampoo from Walgreens?
nk (7727c6) — 2/20/2025 @ 8:54 amusing theatre-grade nuclear weapons has been toyed with for years, even by the US
Yet we did not use them in Vietnam, we did not use them at Tora Bora to kill Bin Ladin, and the Russians never used them in Afghanistan either. We won’t use them in Iran and we won’t use them in WW3 either. Nor will the Russians.
They are Samson-in-the-temple weapons, to be used if attacked with them, or if the bosses are so effing brain-dead that it’s their last Hail-Satan play.
Sure there is always someone who say it’s a good idea. Does not make it a good idea.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:20 amHe punches in every direction…
Often his own chin.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:21 am@71:
How about implementing a “more” function for long posts.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:22 am“He is a president of a free democratic country which is fighting for its survival”
And what is Trump president of? It looks like a once-great nation consumed by self.
Thankfully, the boys of Pointe du Hoc are all dead now or it would kill them.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:30 amI dunno where you’re getting this from, but from my circles at home and online
Problem identified.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:31 amThe voters! Pah! The voters don’t know sh!t from Shinola.
The midterms are going to suck for the GOP.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:33 amNobody was allowed to blame Blinken and Biden for the war. That was un-American, anti-American. Shameful.
Still is.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:34 amHow humbling that you would speak for them.
lloyd (62b299) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:39 amWWII ended in total victory, with half of Europe under the Communist thumb. Including Ukraine and Poland. So, keep making those WWII analogies.
lloyd (62b299) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:42 amTrump won the election by convincing the center that he was a less radical option than Harris. One month after taking office he has shown that was not so.
The 2026 Senate elections will be interesting. Will MAGA still have enough power to control the primaries, or will they be declining and Trump opponents growing? Trump is burning through political capital at an amazing rate. Will he have more than his Trumpbot supporters left?
A preference cascade is a terrible thing.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:45 amWWII ended in total victory, with half of Europe under the Communist thumb. Including Ukraine and Poland. So, keep making those WWII analogies.
1) None of it ended up under Nazi rule.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:46 am2) How did that work out for the USSR?
How humbling that you would speak for them.
How annoying that appeasers would be offended.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:47 amI’m marveling at the bravery and courage of those heirs of Pointe du Hoc valor who have the balls to send other people’s money and other people’s sons into the meat grinder.
lloyd (62b299) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:48 amNew documentary on Netflix about Black Hawk Down. Illuminating for the armchair gung ho war crowd.
lloyd (62b299) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:51 amMark Levin is not a fan of Trump’s Ukraine comments.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:55 amI’m marveling at the bravery and courage of those heirs of Pointe du Hoc valor who have the balls to send other people’s money and other people’s sons into the meat grinder.
I’m amazed at the cowardice and self-centeredness of folks who will abandon an ally because The Leader is still pissed about a phone call 6 years ago.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 10:00 amNineteen Eighty-Four was a cautionary tale, not a users manual.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 10:00 amMcConnell hangs ’em up.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 10:03 amHaley admonishes Trump for Ukraine stance: ‘Exactly what Putin wants’
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 10:09 amWonder shat South Koreans are thinking. Is Trump going to side with Kim Jong Un and say that South Korea was responsible for the Korean War? Then pull out our troops?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 10:17 amMy spellcheck didn’t flag that.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 10:18 amTwo people who have absolutely no influence.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 2/20/2025 @ 10:24 amKevin, I’m glad to know that “shat” made it through the filter.
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/20/2025 @ 10:26 amI’m using a pre-launch tool instead of the Siri/Gemini. Seamless from Meta is a pretty cool tool, and there are a number of projects on github that leverage the model for specific functionality, like vtt.
Colonel Klink (ret) (96f56a) — 2/20/2025 @ 11:04 amThe EU should be the ones doubling that of the US’ efforts, as it is in their back yard.
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/20/2025 @ 7:21 am
EU institutions have also made $120B in financial commitments.
Source
Far more European countries have provided aid to Ukraine as a percentage of their GDP than the US, which ranks 17th at .35% (as of 6/30/24), just below Belgium and above Bulgaria.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 2/20/2025 @ 11:05 amRip, I’m arguing EU should double the US allocation in pure dollar amount. At least.
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/20/2025 @ 11:52 amKevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 10:17 am
That’s what the Communists said, including American Communists.
Nobody else.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:13 pmOne of the problems with Donald Trump is that he willing to lie to support political positions he takes. (sometimes worse are the positions themselves that he takes, so I wouldn’t call this the worst problem with Donald Trump.)
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:16 pm@77
Bove’s?
Yes, it’s credible. Everything he’s laid out lines up rationally.
whembly (b7cc46) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:17 pmThat’s what the Communists said, including American Communists.
Nobody else.
Back to you, Don
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:28 pm108-RIP-Charts like that mislead, like charts that “show” that women do more work for the family because they do more than 50% of the work around the house. Ignoring that Dad goes to work 5 or more days a week, funding the house and all in it, and does work around the house. In 2 parent incomes, Dad is generally the one with the more demanding and high-paying job.
US ships patrol sea lanes that benefit everyone. US aid provides (aside from USAID), food and military aid, supports Israel’s military, donates billions to the UN, and maintains troops in europe and elsewhere. And the war is in the EU’s own back yard–its absurd that the Eu isn’t doing more. As that crazy man Boris Johnson has noted, the EU needs to step it up.
Harcourt Fenton Mudd (0c349e) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:29 pm99. That is obviously the only motivation.
Not the ongoing death and attrition, not the billions some think the US should be prepared to borrow and spend indefinitely, not the risk that the war could escalate, not the drain on th US when there are other fish to fry in Asia.
Harcourt Fenton Mudd (0c349e) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:33 pmAn almost intact Iranian drone that was rendered inert Ukraine shot down was exfiltrated secretly (to avoid the possibility of Russia attempting to destroy it) and exported legally to the United States after being disassembled, aboard a Polish Air Force C-130 (the Office of Foreign Assets Control granted a license in record time) and is now in Queens after being reassembled (it actually arrived first at Joint Base Andrews Maryland) and will put on exhibit in Washington, D.C., at the Conservative Political Action Conference this weekend.
It is owned by a non-profit called United Against Nuclear Iran, whose head is now Mark Wallace, a former Ambassador to the United Nations while George W. Bush was president.
Part of its purpose is to sow the alliance between Russia and Iran (although I think the two are on opposite sides between the main parties in the Sudanese Civil War) and to emphasize the dangers of Iran having a nuclear weapon and other weapons.
The Shaheed drone (called by Russia the Geran-2) has a flight range of up to 1,600 miles and is eleven feet long with a wingspan of just over eight feet and carries a payload equivalent to 110 pounds of TNT (nobody uses actually TNT anymore and hasn’t for decades but explosive power is still measured in tons of TNT) and costs $80,000 to manufacture (minus the explosives, and the fuel, I presume)
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/an-iranian-drone-lands-in-queens-irgc-military-war-russia-ukraine-new-york-f078b1a6
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:36 pmAs for the EU, I agree they have to step up. Not because they “should” but because someone has to. And very soon, before Russia rolls its tanks over a demoralized Ukraine.
Air power, for starters and particularly ground support air power.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:39 pmn anyone recommend a good, free voice to text tool that also works with earlier versions of Windows? Or by making a regular phone call from any phone, even if it costs money?
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:40 pmthe risk that the war could escalate
Then Biden was your man.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:40 pmSammy what version of Windows are you using?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:45 pmTwo people who have absolutely no influence.
Both have more balls than the rest of the GOP.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:52 pmKevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:45 am
It will take awhile for things to sink in.
Now he’s compared himself to a king (in service of a more or less popular position)
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114032082899254855
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:59 pmIt isn’t necessarily dead. In the first place the Secretary of Transportation sent a letter to the Governor asking for talks to wind it down in an orderly manner. In the second place, they’re being sued. And what he is using to stop it – well the Secretary of Transportation found a semi-good reason. Some highways constructed with federal highway funds are somehow involved and they cannot be tolled except in a congestion pricing pilot program (which this is characterized as) and he’s arguing that the purpose of this is more to raise money than to reduce congestion. (But, besides this, the toll is on city streets not the bridges or tunnels or highways and you can exit them without paying a toll)
See:
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nyc-congestion-pricing-legal-fight-trump-administration
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/02/19/nyregion/congestion-pricing-termination-letter.html
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:59 pmWe were on the side of the bad guys (actually more neutral) in December 1971 when there was what Henry Kissinger called a “tilt toward Pakistan” India won anyway. Most people in the U.S. were not familiar with the situation.
Also, the Carter and Reagan Administrations sided with the allies of Pol Pot after the Vietnamese toppled the government there. This kept a low intensity war going for ten years that was fought over a vote at the United Nations.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/20/2025 @ 1:32 pmIn 1971, India was a Soviet client state.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 1:36 pmPaul Montagu (84c026) — 2/20/2025 @ 12:46 am
Everything that Trump is doing (or most of it) is aimed at weaning Americans from the idea a that they should be force for good in the world.
That’s what he means by “America First”
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/20/2025 @ 1:38 pmAnd this America First philosophy goes unchallenged by the Democrats because it’s not about voters’ personal lives – which they lie about. They try to make a personal connection between voting for someone where it’s not there.
They are criticizing anything that’s bad or regarded as bad (like egg prices) without regard to the cause and having numerous crazy positions themselves besides.
Trump is actually doing something about that – he’s getting a plan together that will fight bird flew without killing so many chickens.
Some things he does are good when he’s not out there promoting selfishness.
Birds in zoos don’t get killed by the way. I guess they care more about people involved in zoos
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/20/2025 @ 1:41 pm@69 german war guilt. I noticed know one commented on the 11 year old girl from texas who committed suicide after being bullied by her class mates pretending to arrest her and holding her for ICE to take her and her parents away.
asset (9175a2) — 2/20/2025 @ 2:28 pm@127 Hitler made nice autobahns. So?
asset (9175a2) — 2/20/2025 @ 2:29 pmI think it is because broilers are worth $3-5 and zoo birds are worth thousands. A scarlet macaw gets a house call from a vet. Laying hen gets killed because its cheaper to cull than it is to treat the flock
They’ll possibly be vaccinated soon, or they will breed a resistant strain
steveg (c55fba) — 2/20/2025 @ 2:45 pm@112. That’s sad for you.
Time123 (cb2fd6) — 2/20/2025 @ 4:23 pmasset (9175a2) — 2/20/2025 @ 2:28 pm
I didn’t read that they pretended to arrest her – they just bullied her about her parents being arrested
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/20/2025 @ 4:29 pmWindows XP (to use DOS programs and get GMail since I can’t verify myself on any other computer) and also Windows 10. Which will stop being supported in October.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/20/2025 @ 4:33 pmnk (7727c6) — 2/20/2025 @ 8:14 am
He got divorced 10 years ago, around the time he first took over Crimea:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26850204
He gets along abit better with his daughters:
https://www.npr.org/2022/04/07/1091340068/vladimir-putin-daughters-sanctioned-russia-ukraine
He had a mistress and two secret sons with her.
https://english.nv.ua/nation/journalists-reveal-putin-s-secret-sons-with-alina-kabaeva-born-in-2015-and-2019-50448250.html
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/20/2025 @ 4:42 pmUkraine had a plan for ending the war. It was to invade Russia and exchange captured territory.
The invasion was a surprise but they captured too little and didn’t get enough help.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 2/20/2025 @ 4:44 pmYou say that like it’s a good thing, Sammy. I don’t.
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/20/2025 @ 5:22 pmBS, Harc.
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/20/2025 @ 5:29 pmThe Kiel Institute is credible, go-to source. They’ve been tracking the flow of aid from Day One.
His “Secret Plan” to end bird flu? Talk about facts not in evidence. To the contrary, Musk, Trump (whomever) “accidently” fired the USDA staff dealing with bird flu, and is now trying to rehire them back.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 2/20/2025 @ 5:38 pmApparently not enough for Halley to win a major primary or for McConnell to stand up to Trump.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 2/20/2025 @ 5:41 pmDoesn’t matter .. the entire vaccine advisory board has been told to go frack themselves.
https://wapo.st/3CZR2iR
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 5:41 pmWindows 10. Which will stop being supported in October.
Windows 10 has its own text-to-speech function. In any text box type windows-H
And they won’t end support. Windows 11 sucks.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 5:45 pmAs of this moment, Windows 10 is on twice as many machines as Windows 11. When Windows 7 faced this fate, Windows 10 was already twice as popular. This time it’s inverted.
My response: Since Windows 365 won’t be supported on Win10, I’ll stop that subscription and get one of the freeware workalikes. If my AV won’t be supported, I’ll stop that and go with some freeware. Hell, I still run Outlook Express on Win 10. I never used Vista either.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 2/20/2025 @ 5:58 pmAs many continue to focus on Ukraine, they ignore Israel and yet more atrocities committed by Hamas.
Is that because Trump is pro-Israel or because you agree with him and don’t want to publicly admit that?
NJRob (6a57b7) — 2/20/2025 @ 7:03 pmThe Volk, always whatabout squirrel.
The world is a complicated place, different things happen in different places at the same time and you have to deal with all of them, at the same time.
I know the Volk have the attention span of a gnat and the intellect of a toddler. Reality doesn’t care that they’re too dense to comprehend it.
Colonel Klink (ret) (96f56a) — 2/20/2025 @ 7:21 pm137-Paul–I’m sure its an accurate chart for its purpose. But its misleading, and presenting it as if the US is a laggard is misleading. One may as well chart the manual labor put in for a heart patient and give all the credit to his survival to gurney pushers, while ignoring what the cardiologists and nurses have done.
Harcourt Fenton Mudd (b14778) — 2/20/2025 @ 8:28 pmAgain, BS, Harc. It shows the level of aid as reported. The US doesn’t get extra credit for committing to NATO as we agreed to do.
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:27 pmIsrael has the military advantage, even without all the extra military aid from us.
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:30 pmThe deal is that Israel is fighting a terrorist entity, just like Ukraine is fighting a terrorist entity. The difference is who has the military advantage in terms of personnel and weaponry. Israel has the advantage against that evil, and Ukraine doesn’t.
And let’s be clear about who the bigger terrorist is, and it’s Putin.
Yes, Hamas murdered 1,200 on 10/7, but Putin is the bigger terrorist, murdering tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians, precision-bombing a thousand hospitals, schools and churches, and tens of thousands of residential buildings, and abducting tens of thousands of Ukrainian children out of Ukraine into Russia, and Putin has received thousands of drones from the Iranian terrorist state.
Come to think of it, when you add Putin’s airstrikes in Syria over the years, it’s a fair claim that Putin is the biggest terrorist of this 21st century, which is why Trump is the Baddie for taking Putin’s side. Which terrorist in this century has killed more civilians and launched more terrorist attacks? This is what Trump doesn’t get.
Paul Montagu (84c026) — 2/20/2025 @ 9:49 pmYou don’t have to be a dark-complected Muslim to be a preeminent mass-murdering terrorist. You can be a 5’6″ white-skinned Russian autocrat, and get away with it because he’s a 5’6″ white guy.
Trump had an interview with Brian Lilmeade this morning,. He said that Russia could have been talked out if it (the big invasion of Ukraine three years ago) so easily…but they (the Biden Administration) didn’t know how to talk.
(What Biden did was let Russia know they knew about his plans. Maybe he could have been warned they would not win but Trump didn’t say that or say anything else,like offering some concessions.)
At one point Kilmeade repeatedly tried to say that all the destruction was the fault of Putin but Trump continued talking right over him.
Brian Kilmeade said Zelensky made three mistakes: Criticizing Trump, complaining about not being in the Saudi meeting, and turning down the rare earth deal, which would have given the U.S.a stake in it that Russia would not want to challenge,
Kilmeade also quoted a very recent tweet from the Polish (president I think)
Sammy Finkelman (7e5f34) — 2/21/2025 @ 7:41 am