To which Sen. John McCain replied:
Now think about this for a second. Which sounds more rational? Did the US and our allies impose sanctions on Russia originally for no reason? Did we just want to be jerks? Or did we impose sanctions on Russia in response to their military invasion and annexation of Crimean Ukraine? Who started this chain of events?
I can only imagine three possible explanations for Pres. Trump's position:
1. President Trump and his campaign knew of and welcomed Russian assistance in helping their 2016 election campaign. (The Russians would then be expecting a "thank you" easing of sanctions in return from a President Trump after his inauguration.)
2. The Trump election campaign knew of and welcomed Russian assistance, while Pres. Trump was kept in the dark at the time, but is now trying to interfere and discredit the Special Counsel's investigation to expose the collusion. (This is the same type of obstruction of justice vs the crime itself that brought down the Nixon White House.)
or
3. This "smoke" is all just a coincidence and there is no "fire". Pres. Trump simply has a serious infatuation with Putin, Russia, and their billionaire oligarchs and the organized-crime-like way they are able to conduct their business without interference from government regulators, honestly elected civil servants, and a free press.
IMO none of these three possible explanations are in the American public's best interest. If you disagree, or can imagine a fourth possibility I haven't thought of, please state your case. I would honestly, respectfully like to hear your opinions.
S
"follow the money trail" - someone said that recently.
ReplyDeleteThere might not yet be fire in this Russian fiasco, but there's enough smoke to cure a ham...and I know where to find the ham.
ReplyDeleteTrump is obviously infatuated with Putin and Russia. He's just about the only one.
ReplyDeleteMedia spread the US view of Crimean event. The US shut off the water and now has been pumping down the water table so wells can't work. Salt water is filling the void and destroying the farmland. That land is ruined forever now. Russia uses the road they took back to transport water to Crimean and supply their Nuke Sub base that has been there at least 50 years. If NATO had not taken the road and tried to lay claim to an active Russian Sub Base, none of this would have happened. Russia invades Crimean was a tail wagging the dog event to change American Public sentiment. Just my opinion as I can't reveal sources.
ReplyDeleteWow! I've never heard any of this. I understand you can't reveal confidential sources, but if it's as onerous as you suggest, why hasn't anyone else put this out? eWouldn't this be the kind of thing Russia would love to se go public, just to show the world how villainous the US really is?
DeleteHow often have sanctions against another country significantly changed behavior? How often have they backfired? These are actual questions, not rhetorical.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of Russia, Joe, sanctions have worked VERY well. Their economy still hasn't recovered, and probably won't until the west eases sanctions AND the price of oil is back up to $80-100 a barrel. That's why those who know about these things say Russia will go to extreme lengths to get sanctions cancelled.
DeleteJust as Reagan kept building up our military, and the USSR tried to match us but couldn't afford to and collapsed, today's sanctions could eventually choke the Russian economy to the point they go broke trying to keep up. We're off to a good start it seems to me.
DeleteHas hurting their economy changed their behavior? Not sure I see how. Did sanctions reduce the price of oil which is most likely what has hurt them as it has hurt other countries not under sanctions?
DeleteThe Russian government is keeping afloat by dumping much of the expensive services they used to cover for their people back on the local provinces, who are busted broke. That can't last forever. And with the US producing more oil/gas via fracking, we can see to it that the price never gets high enough for Russia to breath easy. Are you suggesting that we throw in the towel and ease sanctions? Is THAT how you would get them to change their ways? Reward them for being bullies?
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