For the Trump administration, Ukraine is now reduced to a cheap punchline - lies and stereotypes they throw about - to help their political ally Viktor Orbán win the Hungarian elections Sunday.
Ukrainians are everything Trump and Vance are not. Choose your side: theDevilIncarnate and his CouchFkr or a people united in their determination not to succumb to the Russian jackboot again. Keep in mind the genocidal nature of Russia towards Ukraine in this war and the three major genocides they perpetrated in the 20th century as reasons why Ukrainians will fight and are kicking Russian azz, so why should they surrender people, resources and land to Russia?
There is nothing that Trump, et al., will not lie about to try to score political points. I do not know how we - as Americans - can continue to live under this regime, all veneer over not much substance. And all the safeguards for Democracy are being dismantled, and history shredded, as Trump's Mafia hides its actions. We do not deserve this. But even more, Ukraine does not deserve to be a pawn in this game. Slava Ukraini. Heroyam Slava.
Quite an excellent column even though I found it pretty difficult to read because it spins a tale of Trump and his close ties to Putin and dislike of Zelensky, and of Vance happily doing whatever makes the boss happy. The lies, the fawning, the misinformation are disgusting and disgraceful.
I've noticed that as Ukraine's relationship with Trump has continued to get worse while Ukraine is tight not only with Europe but now with Zelensky's diplomatic and military coup in the Persian Gulf.
The oil-rich Gulf nations - Qatar, Emirates and Saudi - were apparently quite happy that Zelensky came to their rescue with his anti-drone capabilities and unmanned aerial vehicle specialists who are now advising three Gulf nations - thus far - in doing something that Trump never offered: happily signing 10-year mutual defense agreements that are already helping in the defense of these nations as well as helping to open up the Strait of Hormuz.
Of course, we can expect that when Ukraine's actions in the Gulf turn the tables on Iran, Trump will take full credit for it, all the while seething that little Ukraine has done something that he was never competent to do.
I believe Trump's phoned in rant about "invasion" was referring to Orban's anti-immigrant fervor, something near and dear to Trump's heart. It also easily applies to Ukraine, however. Unbelievable how much Ukraine is the sole focus of Orban's campaign. Lies are all he has.
“Twilight of Democracy” and “Autocracy, Inc.”, to the T. (Of course, by Anne Applebaum.) How on earth so many in the US see Vance as an alternative and not see that he, like Trump, is serving his own interests through the global autocratic/oligarchy scheme at the expense, not only of Ukraine and Hungary, but of the US, itself?
<Sigh> This is another lesson about humans—our strength and our frailty. But, also of our resolve.
😡First、what do Trump and Orban have in common? The answer is Putin. Therefore, it should come as no surprise to hear Trump backing Orban’s election and offering to give him piles of US$ to boot. America is shoulders-deep in debt thanks to Trump’s big, bastardly bill that gives financial support to Israel, Hungary, and the IT Techno-moguls; everyone except the American people. Of course he plans to spend a shitload of money on himself- gold toilets, ballroom, Arch du Trump, already did the destruction of the Kennedy rose garden for a Mar a Lago poolside veranda,…already destroyed the Kennedy Center by letting all his friends take over the board…But, with the exception of starting a mini-war with Iran to please Netanyahu, he has not had much luck on the International Circuit despite his claims to being the negotiator from God. Of course, he might have better luck if he used REAL PROFESSIONAL NEGOTIATORS instead of a grifting buddy and his SIL who is Jewish and might be recognized as not a person without interests in the Middle East, to put it nicely. And there is the Ukraine negotiating he did with Putin… until it became obvious that Trump was working for the “other guy” plus a Nobel Prize! Regardless of his questionable performances in the International forum, it still comes back to one question: what the hell has he done for Americans? He has funded no programs to help the poor, vets, elderly; he has blown through vast amounts of funding building a personal militia in ICE; he blew up the markets for farm products with tariffs; he killed funding for healthcare, education, environment, science, medicine, FDA, FAA, FEMA, etc. So, what has he done for Americans other than the rich 1% at the top? He raised prices with tariffs and the Iranian response to his attack, I.e. closing the Straits of Hormuz gutted pocketbooks worldwide due to high oil prices. But what has Trump done for the American people? What has he given to you? Take your time to answer, it’s a tough question to answer. But then again, I don’t think he intended to do anything for us…
I heard reports that Orban's already-dire poll numbers dropped again right after Vance's visit and Trump's speakerphone rant. The Hungarian people are not stupid nor are they as controlled by fake media as Orban believes.
I don't. And his people gave denies it. And maybe every single wonan I have asked to look at the pics of him are wrong when they all agree that JD need to control his eye liner. But let me make it clear that, for my sake, Vance can use as much or little eye liner as he wants. The point I was making was the whole bizarre Count Dracula set up as he was lying for a liar.
Say, in my too early morning awake time, it occurred to me that my sharing about Solnit’s book was ill-timed. You’ve been writing about the immediate crisis of Putin bombing civilian infrastructure, which was escalated over a harsh winter, with many civilian deaths and immense suffering. Sorry about that. 🥺
She speaks of existential crises, endings and beginnings, but her observations are not made during high intensity drone warfare.
If you have time, Rebecca Solnit’s new book, The Beginning Comes After the End, Notes on a World of Change, is a hopeful read. She looks at the longer timelines. Land being returned to Native Americans because they are better stewards, for example. How one Native American mother/daughter duo held on to one acre of land when the surrounding land was privatized. That one acre, years later expanded to jurisdiction over 100000 acres by the descendants of 14 women, survivors of genocidal policies. That’s just chapter one!
She talks about how we don’t have to know the outcome but only the direction for us to continue walking.
Trump and Vance are real-life versions of Scut Farkus and Grover Dill, the kid bullies from “A Christmas Story.” Until Scut gets pummeled by the good kid Ralphie. Sadly, Rubio is no Ralphie.
(As far as the eye makeup question: as a woman, I’ve long suspected that JD is wearing eye liner, which is the wrong thing for someone with deep set eyes to wear.)
Thank you for explicitly referring to “the Trump administration” and “Trump and Vance” rather than “the United States” or “ Americans”. Because the majority of us support Ukraine and understand how important it is to help them, and we despise Trump and his toadies. We are disgusted, shamed and dishonored. But not disheartened.
Thank you for reading and debating💪
Ukrainians are everything Trump and Vance are not. Choose your side: theDevilIncarnate and his CouchFkr or a people united in their determination not to succumb to the Russian jackboot again. Keep in mind the genocidal nature of Russia towards Ukraine in this war and the three major genocides they perpetrated in the 20th century as reasons why Ukrainians will fight and are kicking Russian azz, so why should they surrender people, resources and land to Russia?
There is nothing that Trump, et al., will not lie about to try to score political points. I do not know how we - as Americans - can continue to live under this regime, all veneer over not much substance. And all the safeguards for Democracy are being dismantled, and history shredded, as Trump's Mafia hides its actions. We do not deserve this. But even more, Ukraine does not deserve to be a pawn in this game. Slava Ukraini. Heroyam Slava.
Quite an excellent column even though I found it pretty difficult to read because it spins a tale of Trump and his close ties to Putin and dislike of Zelensky, and of Vance happily doing whatever makes the boss happy. The lies, the fawning, the misinformation are disgusting and disgraceful.
I've noticed that as Ukraine's relationship with Trump has continued to get worse while Ukraine is tight not only with Europe but now with Zelensky's diplomatic and military coup in the Persian Gulf.
The oil-rich Gulf nations - Qatar, Emirates and Saudi - were apparently quite happy that Zelensky came to their rescue with his anti-drone capabilities and unmanned aerial vehicle specialists who are now advising three Gulf nations - thus far - in doing something that Trump never offered: happily signing 10-year mutual defense agreements that are already helping in the defense of these nations as well as helping to open up the Strait of Hormuz.
Of course, we can expect that when Ukraine's actions in the Gulf turn the tables on Iran, Trump will take full credit for it, all the while seething that little Ukraine has done something that he was never competent to do.
I believe Trump's phoned in rant about "invasion" was referring to Orban's anti-immigrant fervor, something near and dear to Trump's heart. It also easily applies to Ukraine, however. Unbelievable how much Ukraine is the sole focus of Orban's campaign. Lies are all he has.
Traitors to democracy those two. 🤮
“Twilight of Democracy” and “Autocracy, Inc.”, to the T. (Of course, by Anne Applebaum.) How on earth so many in the US see Vance as an alternative and not see that he, like Trump, is serving his own interests through the global autocratic/oligarchy scheme at the expense, not only of Ukraine and Hungary, but of the US, itself?
<Sigh> This is another lesson about humans—our strength and our frailty. But, also of our resolve.
Thanks for your work!
😡First、what do Trump and Orban have in common? The answer is Putin. Therefore, it should come as no surprise to hear Trump backing Orban’s election and offering to give him piles of US$ to boot. America is shoulders-deep in debt thanks to Trump’s big, bastardly bill that gives financial support to Israel, Hungary, and the IT Techno-moguls; everyone except the American people. Of course he plans to spend a shitload of money on himself- gold toilets, ballroom, Arch du Trump, already did the destruction of the Kennedy rose garden for a Mar a Lago poolside veranda,…already destroyed the Kennedy Center by letting all his friends take over the board…But, with the exception of starting a mini-war with Iran to please Netanyahu, he has not had much luck on the International Circuit despite his claims to being the negotiator from God. Of course, he might have better luck if he used REAL PROFESSIONAL NEGOTIATORS instead of a grifting buddy and his SIL who is Jewish and might be recognized as not a person without interests in the Middle East, to put it nicely. And there is the Ukraine negotiating he did with Putin… until it became obvious that Trump was working for the “other guy” plus a Nobel Prize! Regardless of his questionable performances in the International forum, it still comes back to one question: what the hell has he done for Americans? He has funded no programs to help the poor, vets, elderly; he has blown through vast amounts of funding building a personal militia in ICE; he blew up the markets for farm products with tariffs; he killed funding for healthcare, education, environment, science, medicine, FDA, FAA, FEMA, etc. So, what has he done for Americans other than the rich 1% at the top? He raised prices with tariffs and the Iranian response to his attack, I.e. closing the Straits of Hormuz gutted pocketbooks worldwide due to high oil prices. But what has Trump done for the American people? What has he given to you? Take your time to answer, it’s a tough question to answer. But then again, I don’t think he intended to do anything for us…
I heard reports that Orban's already-dire poll numbers dropped again right after Vance's visit and Trump's speakerphone rant. The Hungarian people are not stupid nor are they as controlled by fake media as Orban believes.
Desperately hoping Orban is decisively defeated today (12 April)
BTW: how do you know JD’s eye shadow is makeup? 😏
I don't. And his people gave denies it. And maybe every single wonan I have asked to look at the pics of him are wrong when they all agree that JD need to control his eye liner. But let me make it clear that, for my sake, Vance can use as much or little eye liner as he wants. The point I was making was the whole bizarre Count Dracula set up as he was lying for a liar.
🤣Oh, I’m with you. I was implying that he’s a natural dracula.
Nice one, I am a bit 'slow' after such a long write 🤷🏻
Say, in my too early morning awake time, it occurred to me that my sharing about Solnit’s book was ill-timed. You’ve been writing about the immediate crisis of Putin bombing civilian infrastructure, which was escalated over a harsh winter, with many civilian deaths and immense suffering. Sorry about that. 🥺
She speaks of existential crises, endings and beginnings, but her observations are not made during high intensity drone warfare.
And I definitely didn’t mean to imply that as long as one or 14 Ukrainian women survive, it’ll be fine.
If you have time, Rebecca Solnit’s new book, The Beginning Comes After the End, Notes on a World of Change, is a hopeful read. She looks at the longer timelines. Land being returned to Native Americans because they are better stewards, for example. How one Native American mother/daughter duo held on to one acre of land when the surrounding land was privatized. That one acre, years later expanded to jurisdiction over 100000 acres by the descendants of 14 women, survivors of genocidal policies. That’s just chapter one!
She talks about how we don’t have to know the outcome but only the direction for us to continue walking.
I could have been more clear. I hope you’re able to get some rest. Find some stillness within the chaos. One single breath. And then another.
Take care!
Trump and Vance are real-life versions of Scut Farkus and Grover Dill, the kid bullies from “A Christmas Story.” Until Scut gets pummeled by the good kid Ralphie. Sadly, Rubio is no Ralphie.
(As far as the eye makeup question: as a woman, I’ve long suspected that JD is wearing eye liner, which is the wrong thing for someone with deep set eyes to wear.)
Rubio is no Ralphie, but I wouldn’t mind if he licked a frozen flagpole.
Love it!
It occurred to me that he would if Trump told him to.
Whatever the Donald wants, Rubio will accommodate him.
Thank you for explicitly referring to “the Trump administration” and “Trump and Vance” rather than “the United States” or “ Americans”. Because the majority of us support Ukraine and understand how important it is to help them, and we despise Trump and his toadies. We are disgusted, shamed and dishonored. But not disheartened.